We Have Lost One Of Our Own.........................................

I am totally shocked this morning to read of the loss of Bryan Kristopher Dale, from The Rogue Outdoors..

Bryan's death is being confirmed so I have no details to pass on at this time.  Just wanted my fellow BlogBuddies to know of what I have learned this morning.

Bryan, has been a follower and supporter of my blogging efforts at Pond Stalker headquarters for quite some time.  He often commented on my blog, as, I did his.  In fact, my fly box for warm water fishing includes some Crappie patterns that he had sent to me to experiment with.  I always appreciated his insight and blogging creativity.  He has just recently, in the last year, became a married man.  Most recently, he had remodeled his blog and it was looking top notch.   
R.I.P. my friend.  The blogging world will miss you.  
The Pond Stalker sends my condolences to his family and all of his close, personal friends during this difficult time..............................................

****An update from Bryan's wife Jane:

 
For sure plans will be Friday funeral service for Bryan Kristofer Dale in Marshalltown, Iowa. Approximate time at 11am Friday at family church and then celebration of life (with memories of Bryan) to follow at the country club. The church is fairly small so not all may fit there, but family for sure would like a headcount regarding the celebration of life service following so please respond here or to any of the Dale family. They know you may be coming a long way and would like to welcome you. I will provide more details later when I know them.

Fly Fishing Size Don't Matter

Got up this morning and looked out the bedroom window. Yup, its snowing good in Northern Colorado. Also, supposed to be heavy snow this weekend and cold. Sounds like a perfect time to stay indoors and tie flies, read a good fly fishing book, or watch fly fishing video's if you have nothing else to do and honey-do's can wait. So, I am going to do something here that is sort of out of the normal for me. I came across a video that I liked pertaining to fly fishing warm water and rivers in particular for warm water fish. I thought it was very well done and set the mood for me this morning. Hope you enjoy.
**** A thank you should go to David Frazier for sharing this great video!

Just Some Pictures From Life's Other Side......Part 1

While there are certainly a number of things going on in the Pre-Christmas craze to keep us all a little busy, to say the least, this time of year usually sees me sitting at my fly tying vise.  It's time to fill the fly boxes back up with all the ol' regular patterns, plus, a few new ones that you came across that uses that new fly tying material just introduced down at the fly shop.

Yes, we can jump over to Cameron Mortenson at The Fiberglass Manifesto and play along with his terrific Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways that he has so masterfully put together for all of us fly fishing folk.

There are a number of other fly fishing related companies who are having snazzy Christmas Giveaways also of their own kind.  

What I am really trying to say here is that fly fishing opportunities will be slim and none for awhile in Northern Colorado for me.  So, with that in mind, I have decided to take on another task that I have been meaning to get too for awhile now.  I am taking the time over a period of several weeks to browse back through my old picture library (before digital and computers became so common), and, will be scanning some of these old pictures into the new format.  With that said, I figured I could put together a short series of posts over the next few months talking about my fly fishing journey and some pictures from life's other side.  I hope you will enjoy my posts and some of the pictures that I will share with you during these winter weeks.  So here are a few shots from some time ago.  Please remember this was primarily from the years 1975-1995 or so.

First off, let me start with something that was very close too me during that time.  No, not a fly rod or reel, but, my well worn ol' fishing hat.

Now, this western style straw hat was what I wore for many, many years.  Please note the fleece lined head band on the hat filled with Wooly Buggers, Mohair Leeches, Stayner Ducktails, and a few smaller nymph patterns.  I kept it loaded and ready to fish with.  I was even known to give away a few that I had stuck in my hat if I had the "hot" pattern of the day.  Usually, in my fishing at the time, I could pretty much fish one of the patterns on this hat and could count on being successful for the day.

  The old round float tube.  This one was one of the early dinosaur models back in the day made by a fellow angler out of Nampa, Idaho, Wayne "Tex" Meeks.   One always wondered if we tipped the tube back too far, would it tip over.  You probably could, but, it would have to be a violent jerk backwards for that too happen.  I caught many, many fish over a number of years out of this tube with no problem at all.  It was almost too comfortable on a hot day (taking a nap) once in awhile would be interrupted by the electrifying jerk of a trout on the other end of the line.  Also, please note the hat in place.  I was kind of a Merle Haggard look alike back in the day.............

Here is a picture of yours truly with my fish-mobile of that day and age.  That old Dodge pickup and me put 350,000 miles on each other traveling all over the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, etc. etc. chasing stillwater trout.  Oh, the stories I could tell you all.

But, alas, those days are gone and faded pictures is all I have for memories.  I hope to have recaptured some of the moments with this post and a few future posts like this as I get the time.

If I don't get another chance, may you all have a wonderful upcoming Holiday season.......

P.S.  - My friend and long time BlogBuddy, Michael Agneta at Troutrageous, gets a pat on the back and a Colorado handshake for helping me out with some editing on these ol' pictures. 

Thanks, Mike, could not have done it without your support....

Trick Or Treat......Fly Tying

Waiting for all the neighborhood kids and my Grandkids to converge on the Pond Stalker Headquarters for some Trick or Treating goodies.   Actually, my wife has warned me to stay out of the goodies and make sure there is some left for all the ghouls, goblins, witches, and, robust power rangers this evening.

So, 

I spent some time looking back at some ol' fly tying pictures I have hung on to for some reason.  No, no pretty flies here.  Just a few memories.  Like this one.

Man, that was a long time ago.  I was doing a fly tying rehearsal just prior to the start of the Eastern Idaho Fly Tying Expo.    What a fun time back in the day.............................

Or, like this one.  Again, no pretty flies, just me, my vise, and some Jack Daniels..............

 This was a late night tying session in a lodge I was staying in prior to fishing the Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir.  Which way did the trout go?..............................................

Anyway, I have really enjoyed tying flies now for around (35) years.  Nothing pretty, just simple fishing fun........................

With that in mind, and beings it is Halloween, spent some time today tying up some spooky looking flies that probably won't catch a darn thing.  Just some fun with Halloween  and a belly full of candy................

Trick Or Treat Hopper

 

Beadhead Trick Or Treat Nymph

 

Beadhead Trick Or Treat Leech

 

Well, anyway, enough of the fun.  I better nap before the doorbell starts ringing.  Have a 

"SPOOKTACLULAR HALLOWEEN EVERYONE"

 

 

 






 

Crappie Flies: A Few Of My Favorites

I have been feeling a little under the weather this week, so this post which was previously scheduled (my own schedule) to be written has been left on the burner until tonight.  Decided I would make myself tolerate this stomach discomfort and put another post on the blog.

I received an email from a reader who wanted to know what a few of my favorite Crappie flies were.  So with that in mind, let me begin by saying when you are asked to list your favorite flies for any type fish, that it is really all subjective.  For instance: Where do you live? What type of waters do you fish for Crappie?  What time of year do you prefer to fish for Crappie? And, on and on........................

I certainly am happy to share with you a few of the flies that I have had decent success with.  That is my list for today.  A month from now if I were asked, my list might be a little different.  It all depends on the fishing success I am having and if I haven't came across a new absolutely great pattern that I saw somewhere that I just had to add to my fly box.  Plus, Crappie are not a picky fish in as much as what flies they might take on a given day.  The most significant issue is finding good cover (Crappie like good cover via down trees or stick ups or other significant structure), finding a school of Crappie (Crappie school up sometimes in large schools of fish), and then determining depth of fly presentation to reach the school of Crappie.  Last on the agenda is really what fly they might take.  They love small Streamer patterns, Leech patterns, Bead head Nymph patterns, etc. etc.  Crappie are not a fish that I have ever had much success with while fishing a surface Popper or Foam bug like Bluegill.  In the end, there are many, many effective patterns for Crappie.  

Like all the flies I tie anymore, my concept is to keep the patterns simple.  At my age, that means more time fishing and less time preparing to go fishing..................................................

Here are (3) of my favorite Crappie flies.  Note: While I list them here for Crappie understand that they will also fish well for other species of warm water fish and also for our trout efforts, too.

Chartreuse FluffButt

(6 - 10)

See what I mean by simple,  just a marabou tail and chenille body.  To get a jigging action either weight the hook, or, as I often do use a weighted bead at the head of the fly.  Color combinations are your choice and since it takes no time at all to tie, you are able to crank a bunch of these guys in a hurry.  More fishing............................................................

 

Chartreuse over Pearl White Ice Dub Clouser Minnow

(6 - 10)

Almost takes as long to type out the name of the fly than it does to tie this super effective Crappie pattern.  Weighted eyes get it down, Crappies do the rest of the work.  Also, tied in various color combinations, but, this is one of my favorite combinations. (Before anybody needs to remind me, I know this is not the best picture, but, when you want to go fishing it will work!)

 

Stayner Ducktail

(6 - 10)

The work horse of my fly box when it comes to many species of fish.  I believe I have caught more Crappie on this fly than any other.  Probably, because I have faith in the fly and fish it diligently.  Of course, I have talked about this pattern exclusively in a post most recently.

I never leave home to go fly fishing without this pattern in my box.

 

'Nuff said.

 

 
 

Fly Fishing "Damsels"

Thought I would give some time with this post to "Fly Fishing Damsels".

Ok, not this Damsel (although this is The River Damsel, Emily Blankenship)!  She is often who I think of when the words Fly Fishing Damsel are mouthed.  BTW, drop on over and give Emily a pat on the back.  She has taken up fly tying this winter and is doing well enough to have bagged some good trout with her patterns since she started.  I would have expected no less!

But, in the case of this post, what I want to talk about when speaking of fly fishing Damsels is that ever popular sleek swimming, rhythmic, Damsel fly nymph.

Being an avid stillwater fly fisherman for many years has given me plenty of opportunity to see the Damsel fly nymph up close and personal.  I have many great memories of sitting in my float tube during the damsel fly nymphs migration near the surface working their way to shore.  These nymphs, once they make it to shore, climb on vegetation or whatever is available where they go through the beautiful phase of migrating from the nymph to the adult winged Damsel fly.  Many, many beautiful trout have been hooked fishing these Damsel fly nymphs on intermediate or slow sinking fly lines from some of the best trout lakes in the western United States.  Simply put, I love fishing and tying Damsel Fly nymphs!

Recently, I tossed my name in the hat you might say, for a selection of Damsel fly nymphs to be given away over on Facebook from the Dragonfly Angler.  Well, I happened to win the contest and in a few days had a substantial supply of well tied Damsel fly nymphs via John Wood.  Now, John ties some great looking flies.  I would like to share some of John's flies in picture form here on my blog.  John also has his own blog and a website, too!  Please take the time to check out all of his fine work.  He not only ties flies, but, makes some of the most beautiful custom landing nets I have ever seen, among other tidbits on his site.  Keep up the great work, John.   Anyway, here are some pictures of the new Damsel fly booty I now have in my boxes ready for this years Damsel fly nymph migrations.

Bright Eyed Damsel in (4) different colors

Twisted Damsel in (4) different colors

Standard (No Eyes) Damsel Fly Nymph

Yup, John's "Booby" Damsel Fly Nymph

Now, John knew that I have a passion for fly fishing warm waters species.  We talked a little bit prior to him shipping me the Damsel fly nymphs.  Well, what a surprise! When the package came in the mail, along with all the Damsel fly nymphs, John had included some great looking Bass streamers that just plain look exciting to toss for the brutes in the ponds and lakes I fish.  

 Rightfully so, these streamers are called Emotion Detectors!

Look out, big boys I am coming.

Thanks, again, to John Wood of Dragonfly Angler.  Can't wait to start getting these guys on the business end of some fish this summer!

Some Blog Posts Are Self Serving......

Ok, 99.5% of my blog posts are written with an attempt to share some information, knowledge, fun, or, just plain goodness with all my blogging friends (AKA: BlogBuddies).  My hope is that someone will read them and benefit from whatever tidbit they want to take with them.  The post becomes a part of my written memory bank for me to reflect back on.  In that sense, the blog is self serving for me.  However, this particular post is 100% self serving as a reminder too me before I go fishing again.

That is a new Colorado 2014 fishing license for me.  In Colorado, I have to get used to the wrinkle in the fishing season.  While living in Eastern Idaho for (35) years, fishing season ran from January 1st - December 31st of each year.  Licenses were required for all adult residents as long as they monitored and followed the Idaho Fish and Game Regulations.  That being said, once I retired to Northern Colorado, I have had to change my thought process.  In Colorado, fishing season begins on April 1st of the current year and runs through March 31st of the following year.  So with very few days left in March and winter still hanging on, I doubt if I get out before the new season kicks in.  Therefore, this post, will be front and center for me to remember to purchase my license in the next few days before I head out to chase me some Bluegill, Crappie, or Bass.  To all of my fellow Colorado anglers, don't forget to ante up for your new license real soon!

With that out of the way, I would like to share with my readers that more than any other year, this year seems like Winter and adverse weather has had a real grip on my fellow Bloggers around the country.  Everyone appears to be chomping at the bit to get some warm weather and break out the casting arm and have some fun.  There are some that have toughed it out and had a good time with some fun catching.  Like, Bill over at Fishing Through Life.  Great Dry Fly fishing already!  Or, Kevin at The Feather Chucker.  He is on ready, set, go with some new Bombers for Bass!  Then there is Alan at Small Stream Reflections.  He has been getting out in the winter weather more than us and is a great read.  Here he shares some Jack Gartside fly patterns that are Pond Stalker Approved.

I just could not finish this post without directing you over to a great  post I read yesterday from Quill over at Fish In The Barrel Pond.  Oh, boy can I relate to this post!  No, I have not forgotten  Mike's last post over at Mike's Gone Fishin.  Read it for yourself.  Which half of the bottle do you prefer?

A Big Thank You And Something New For The Blog

Just wanted to give all of you who took the time to read my last blog post a bunch of thank you's, and, then followed up with your great comments and insights to my dilemma with what to do with my Blogroll.  Each and every one of them were much appreciated.  That is why you guys and gals are my BlogBuddies.  It is a good sense of community in blogging when a Blogger can reach out and ask for some help and the support comes pouring in!  That particular post is by far the most read post and most commented post since I began my blogging career a number of years ago.  Still get steady reads everyday so that makes me smile and appreciate all who helped even more.

I am also going to try something new on my blog.  I have been tying flies for about (35) years now. I have taught many fly tying classes and have appeared as a guest tyer at past FFF conclaves and Regional Expos.  

Now, I am not trying to offend anyone or toot my own horn.  I am simply attempting to imply that I have had many trials and tribulations at the vise and lots of experience with various tying materials.  That being said, I will assure you that my concept in fly tying is different than a lot of folks.  I don't tie Dry Flies for Trout, but, Foam Spiders and the like for Bluegill and an occasional Largemouth Bass.  I do tie Nymphs and Streamers and Leeches for Warm Water species and also for Trout.  I don't tie "cute" flies, although, my wife disagrees with me.  What I do tie, primarily, are buggy, effective, easy to tie patterns that don't take much time or talent.  They do catch fish!  If I lose one that is no big deal.  I just grab another and get after those fishies!  I don't buy expensive hackle for Dry Flies, and really, not even for the popular Wooly Bugger type flies much anymore.  The price of good hackle just scares me when I look at it now.  I am a senior citizen living on a fixed budget, so maintaining my costs are critical.  Anyway, all of this blabbering to let you know that I have decided to post some of my current work at the vise on my blog.  You will note at the top of the left hand sidebar a picture of a current fly under the title of "FROM MY VISE".

This will be where I will select a certain pattern and have as good a picture as I could get of the pattern when completed.  If you happen to see one that you like leave a comment for me over on my "From My Vise" page.    You can go to the link for the page just under the blog header and see which patterns I have posted there.  If anyone needs further information or is interested in tying instructions let me know and I will see what I can do for you.  I am not a person who shoots video,  but, I can send along a materials list and tying instructions if that would be handy for you.

Thanks for letting me share some fly tying with you all!

Pond Stalker In Distress

I had full intention of putting up a new post with some of what I have been up to at the tying bench during January.  With the new vise I received from Mrs. Santa Claus, I had been re-energized and looking forward to focusing on filling my Bluegill and Crappie fly boxes with some fishy looking patterns.  I have worked on some Soft Hackles, some non-descript nymph patterns, some Stayner Ducktails, and some small versions of my Mohair/Bugger patterns just right for Mr. Bluegill.  Heck, maybe even an unsuspecting Bass might give it a whack if I was lucky!

Ok, flies tied.  Thought I would take some pictures of the flies and have them ready for my post.  The flies, along with some fly tying chat would make for a good post.  Ok, pictures taken!

Next, I needed to transfer them from my phone camera to my email.  Thought everything had gone fine and  was ready to fire up this post.

Wrong, my email has crashed and somewhere in cyberland is my pictures.  Well, no post without the pictures.  I will post them along with the other matter as soon as my email is up and running again.  Ok, so I was distressed.  But, only temporarily!

I came across this video posted by Hopper Juan over on his blog.   Problem solved! This is one of the most dramatic and incredible videos I have seen on the net.  Thanks, Juan, for sharing.  Now, I will share.  Besides, this video puts my blog writing post that I was going to post in shame!
Damsels in Distress from Sharptail Media on Vimeo.

Passion!

PASSION! I knew with a title to a post like that, I would have a great chance of catching my BlogBuuddies attention and anyone else who might wonder what the heck is going on here at Pond Stalker Headquarters.

I mean I love Fly Fishing.  

I, also know, that fish love us fly fishers, too!

Oh, I love fly tying, too!

I mean can't you just feel the passion here!

I love my BlogBuddies, too!

I wanted to share a little BlogBuddy love here, too!  During the Holiday season I entered a Giveaway over at The Flyfishing Bowhunter.

Well, I ended up being one of the chosen winners of some fishing swag from Cameron over at The Fiberglass Manifesto.

So here is a little love back too both of these great blogging friends.  Enjoy!

Yours truly showing off The Fiberglass Manifesto swag

Even though my hand is almost in the way, please note along with the great t-shirt came a cool TFM Koozie.  (My smile should be the first tip that I am enjoying some "Bubbly Grape"........ in my new Koozie!

 

Note here that I had my experienced Pond Stalker photographer focus on the back side of the TFM T-shirt and not on my backside which conveinently was just off camera.

"I love my Bluegill T-Shirt" In my mind, it is still the Year of the Bluegill.

 

Thanks guys for showing some love over the Holidays with the Pond Stalker.  Still got lots of flies to tie up if I am going to take myself seriously this year so now back to the fly tying vise and enough of this "Love In".

 

 

 

Happy New "Gear"!

Note: The Title of this post says Happy New "Gear" just in case you missed it!  I will get to that in a moment.

However, I did want to wish all of my BlogBuddies and other readers and looker inners' a very Happy New Year 2014.  You all are appreciated more than you know.

Now, that I have taken care of that need for today, I would like to show you all my Happy New "Gear" that Santa brought me for all the fly tying work I will be doing at my tying table.  Santa thought I needed an upgrade.  I tried to tell him that upgrading at my age might be dangerous! Anyhow, take a look at this and just imagine all the fun I will have.

Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise

Here is a look at the first fly cranked from the new vise.  So work has began.  All the local fish in the Pond are either in big trouble or will be running for cover when The Pondstalker arrives!

Conehead Soft Hackle Bugger

Re-Visiting The Nasty Nylon Nymph

It is a "Happening" time of year! Veteran's Day has passed.  Thanksgiving Day is just a few days away,  This morning a good snow storm greeted me as I pulled the blinds to peek outside to meet my day.  "Brr..... cold is here, I said to myself."  Any fly fishing time I get for awhile might be in the way of a few fly fishing or fly tying videos and a warm cup of Hot Chocolate or something.

Speaking of fly tying, this is the time of year that I spend a good share of my time focusing on tying and filling my fly boxes so that I am ready to go next time I am on some water and the weather cooperates with me.  I, usually, will take some time to "organize" my fly tying bench.  Meaning, putting everything back in it's original spot so that I can start to mess it all up again as I do, inevitably, when I set down for a Winter's tying season.  I have the usual list of fly patterns that I want to tie up that I fish regularly.  I, also, have a few new patterns picked out that I want to try.  Maybe they will find a way to become part of my regular stock in my fly boxes.  Besides watching videos about fly tying, there are also many fly shops in Northern Colorado that offer free winter tying demonstrations with some of the areas well know fly tyers.  These sessions are a lot of fun and there is so much to learn if the fly fisher wants to learn about new patterns or what patterns are the most effective in the area.  If you don't tie flies, but would like to learn, the shops also offer fly tying classes for beginners for a reasonable fee.  Check out the shops in your area.  There is a wealth of information to gain if you take advantage of it.

A number of years ago, I offered a beginning fly tying class through my local fly fishing club.  I would like to share a scenario that happened on one of those class nights.  I hope you will enjoy this little story.  Winter tying season always brings back this memory.  I regard it as the "Coming of the Fly Tying Season.  Let me introduce you to "The Nasty Nylon Nymph".

I know I still chuckle every time my memory drifts back to the moment in time.
Before I stray off subject, I had better focus on the story I am trying to tell here.  One of the things that a die-hard fly fisherman often times does is to learn to tie his own fly for casting to his favorite fish.  Over time I became fairly decent at tying my own flies.  Enough so that I ended up teaching fly tying at schools and various public settings.  This post is about a “funny” incident that occurred one night while teaching fly tying at the local high school.  I know your waiting to find out what “Nasty Nylons” has got to do with tying flies and teaching others to tie flies.  Well, I am about to tell you.
 
Let’s first address the nylons.  You know those things are everywhere when not being worn by your wife or favorite lady friend.  They cling to everything in the laundry if you are not careful.  Their rolled up in your gym socks, their knotted around your pants legs, there everywhere except nicely laid out for the next time my wife wants to wear a pair.  Now comes my calamity!
I was, once again, teaching fly tying to a group of adults, both male and female at the local high school.  These were beginning fly tying students so I had some flexibility with this calamity and I am not sure they ever really caught it at the moment how embarrassed I was. 
We were going to tie a basic nymph pattern that night.  Students gathered around my desk so as to see the demonstration of what they then would try to duplicate back at their desks in the classroom.  In order, the hook was placed in the position in the vise jaws so as to be held sturdy while tying other materials on to the hook.  My thread was attached to the hook and the tail material added.  Now I was ready for the body material that was supposed to be some pheasant tail fibers.  However, as I started to reach into my fly tying box for the pheasant tail fibers, there I saw it! 
One of my wife’s nylons coming out the sleeve of my shirt near my tying hand.  Oh, No!  To this day I still don’t how the brain works and how it works so quickly.  In a heart beat, and, without hesitating for a moment, I pulled the nylon from my shirt sleeve and cut a rectangular piece from it with my scissors.  I think the students were shocked, but, they looked on anxious to see what I was going to do next.  I attached the “nylon strip” to the back of the hook with my thread.  I was going to use it to make the body of my fly with.  Knowing that nylon is super fragile (you know runs, runs, runs), I knew that I would have to use some wire to reinforce the body of the fly or it would fall apart before it ever hit the water.  Thankfully I had intended on using some fine copper wire that evening anyway.  So I tied some on to the back of the hook.  I proceeded very carefully to wind the “nasty nylon” around the hook up towards the eye of the hook and then reverse wrapped the copper wire so as to reinforce the nylon body material. 
In short order, I had a fly body of reinforced nylon from my wife and some basic dubbing wrapped around the front of the hook at the eye.  Simple little pattern and easy to tie.  Besides I had lots of nylon stocking left for my students to cut up and use that evening as they practiced tying their own “Nasty Nylon Nymph”.  Believe it or not, I hear they even fished this fly on our local river and landed some trout with it.  It became a common request as I taught other classes to show other how to tie the nylon nymph.  I used it to break the ice at several tying classes to create a little humor and help new fly tying students relax. 

Fly tying fun is what you make of it!

Fly Fishing For Cats

As I was pondering what I wanted to talk about in this post, my mind kept drifting back to another day and time.  Time when I lived in Southwestern Idaho.  I kept thinking about a couple of unusual fly fishing experiences I had back then.  At the time, they were very unusual, in my mind anyway. What experiences I am talking about here is that of Fly Fishing For Cats!

No, not this kind of Cat you silly fool!

Nor, this one either!

Must give credit here where credit is due.  These fine looking Catfish were borrowed here from the good folks at Moldy Chum 

Back to fly fishing in Idaho.  I had on two different occasions while fishing for other fish, stumbled upon the fact, that I could catch Catfish on a fly rod.  More than one fish also each time so I had to figure that it could be done.  Complete surprise and lack of new camera technology didn't allow me to have pictures to show you so I will quickly identify with just a short note on the fishing experience.  

My first experience came while out float tubing  a lake that was filled with downed trees on a fairly shallow end of a reservoir.  I had targeted this area with some friends in attempting to find schooled Crappie.  Me like Crappie!  However, in tubing into the shallow water preparing to cast to Crappie, I viewed several Catfish lurking around.  Well, the rest of that story is that I landed several Catfish on streamer patterns that were intended for Crappie.  I was duly impressed.

Next story: I am floating a section of the Snake River down below Parma, Idaho, with a friend.  This time from a small boat.  We were targeting some Smallmouth Bass.  As we floated along preparing to fish nymphs,  fish were spotted rising in some calm water off to my right.  I am thinking Smallmouth on a dry fly now.  Off comes the nymph, and, quickly comes a Parachute Adams in a size #14.  Rest of the story: No Smallmouth, these were Catfish actually rising to take my Parachute Adams.  We had a blast fishing the slack water that midday.  I kid you not, we could not find anyone to believe our story.  But, I have the memory!

Now, that I am a Colorado resident and am focusing on writing my blog about WarmWater species of fly fishing for the most part, Catfish seem to be on my mind again.  Can Catfish be caught on a fly rod? 

Yup, my friend Dave says so over on his blog.

You might know these two fellows if you hang around fly fishing much.  Plus, this is home for me now so I have to share this video with you all.

 

Thanks to, Jay Zimmerman and Brian Schmidt for the use of their video here.

On my next post, we will review a few Catfish flies and talk about tying them up if you are interested in Fly Fishing For Catfish!

I wonder What It Could Be?

Ok, blogging friends of the Pond Stalker, I need your help here.  You see I was sent this picture this morning from a dear friend I have never met.  It is suppose to arrive in a few days and I am wondering what in the tarnation could it be.  It's a surprise!

I noticed the word "Fragile" marked on a couple of spots on the package in the picture.  Fragile means something that might break if smashed.  Boy, am I excited, however, I am not sure what in the world it could be.

I am sure that it must have something to do with Fly Fishing since that is how I made the connection with this dear friend.  I like Fly Fishing "stuff".  My wife says I have too much fly fishing stuff already.  She's wrong!

But, fragile, come on now.  I need some help trying to determine what fly fishing "stuff" could be regarded as fragile.  I have ruled out a fly rod.  Don't think it fits in a square box like that.  Can't be a fly reel because they are not meant to be treated so fragile.  New hats, new flies, I have pondered them.  But, Fragile!

 So, I turn to you my readers and ask, "Wonder what it could be?"  I would be interested in knowing what you think might be headed my way that is fragile and for fly fishing.  Let's get some ideas going here before it arrives.  I can't wait!