Stuff We All Get

Everybody loves SWAG, Stuff We All Get, and fly fisherman are no exception. Go to any consumer or trade show and folks stuff as much as possible into their pockets with the free promo goods from the manufacturers. Hell, I've even seen a few folks sporting packs at shows just to load up on all the booty they can get their grubby little mitts on. I love swag as much as the next guy, but I typically only collect a few things and only from the manufacturers I dig or represent. The hoarders, on the other hand, just take whatever's free.


A box showed up on my doorstep last week, I had a heads up it was coming, but I had no idea what the entire contents were. I knew there were gonna be a few hats and stickers, but I didn't expect the quantity. Or the quality. Survey a bunch of random people at a fly show and you'll find that there is a split consensus as to who calls all this free stuff swag or schwag. I guess both terms are mutually accepted in social circles, but I still think of schwag as an imposter term. Anyone in the know, knows what schwag really means, low-grade marijuana. How the two terms got intertwined I have no idea but I do know that schwag, to put it lightly, is not good. Perhaps that is why schwag got lumped in with swag, because I've seen some of the low grade shit manufacturers (in general, not necessarily in the fly industry) pass off as freebies. Frankly, I'd rather they just skimp out and pass on the free stuff instead of doling out third-rate soft goods that would make me blush in embarrassment if they were mine. So I guess I can see why some folks at these fly shows might opt for the term schwag instead of swag.


My goodie box from Scientific Anglers and Ross Reels is definitely in the swag category. I'll be proud to pop any of those lids on my melon, or stickers on my rig to represent the SA/Ross Nation. Of course, my package was privy to a few exclusive extras only issued to Pro Staffers, and they are sick! Oh, and Jefe? I chuckled at your note... Maybe next go round you'll order up some coolies big enough to cover up a few 40 ouncers for us fly gangstas. But just so you know, those coolies cover up the bottom of my Hurricane High Gravities just fine! And that's how I roll.

GreenFish Announces Hands-free Camera Mount for Sustainable Fishing

New from GreenFish, a hands-free camera mount for sustainable fishing. Greenfish announces the introduction of a new camera mounting system designed for boats and kayaks, the CPR mount, designed for Catch-Photo-Release.


Available online only, the CPR Mount's patent pending Expansion Locking system secures the unit into most tube-style rod holders and rocket launchers. It also works with a Scotty Flush Mount. The CPR mount retails at $79.99, with $4 going towards fisheries conservation through our GreenFish Gives program.

GreenFish - By Anglers | For Fish
Promoting a lifestyle of sustainable fishing



www.greenfishmovement.com
About GreenFish
GreenFish is focused on building awareness of sustainable fishing practices through its
product lines, which include apparel and camera mounts. GreenFish donates five percent
of its revenues through its GreenFish Gives program to non-profits that promote the health
of world fisheries.

eXtreme Duty

Say hello to my little friend...



What do you do when the rivers are STILL blown high and wide? You hit the gun range and brush up on your tactical shooting skills, that's what. My home river has been in flood stage since runoff began in late March, and even still, it was near record flows before then throughout the previous summer, fall, and winter. Rendering the river near unfishable for the fly guy, and extremely difficult for even the bait tosser, I haven't spent a ton of time on the water this summer. With no relief in sight, the only thing I can do is grin and bear it, and focus on another pastime of mine, shooting. The firearm du jour is a Springfield Armory XD 45, chambered in .45 ACP. This badboy has got the knock down power to subdue even the brashest of criminals, and will serve duty as a back up firearm while out in the field and woods should any bears, cats, 'yotes, or rogue wolves threaten my well being.


That's gonna leave a mark... 230 grains of hurt.


It's a bit of jump moving from the XD 40 chambered in .40 S&W to the .45, but after a few hundred rounds under my belt, I'm already becoming accustomed to the extra oomph as the XD 45 fires as smooth as buttah. Looks like I found a trusty new companion.

Cahills of the Fluorescent Kind

Stenacron interpunctatum, better known among angling circles as a light cahill. I love the way that the local population around here emerge with almost fluoroescent yellow or chartreuse hues. You can really notice it when isolating a few color values as highlighted in a post from last summer, Exposed.

Replica Toy Fish

For the kid in all of us (and the real kids too) check out the Replica Toy Fish Company.


Thanks to Simeon Chambers, one of the founders of Replica Toy Fish Company, for contacting me about his toy fish. There are currently 16 different species represented, from muskellunge to alligator gar. Pending future sales, additional species will be manufactured. How badass would it be to have a toy bowfin or buffalo? These are some cool replicas for sure; my kids were drawn to them the second I removed the fish from the package. They are firm and sturdy and accurately colored. They should hold up well to abuse. I wish I had some as a kid.



The best reason to purchase a few toy fish? Because Replica Toy Fish is working towards helping educate our youth about our fisheries. Wholesale pricing is available for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other youth organizations.

Caveat Emptor: Products were provided courtesy of the Replica Toy Fish Company, in exchange for review and promontional use.

Awake the iron!

Desperta Ferro!

Montana Fly Company

Thanks to the folks over at Outside Media for hooking a brutha up with some goodies from Montana Fly Company. Typically, it seems, when you get a package of product samples for testing/review, you get the dregs from the bottom of the bargain basement bin. You know, the stuff nobody wants that retailers can't get rid of on the sales floor. Maybe, out of a handful of product, would you be able to find something that might find some utility or useful purpose. Not is the case with this goody box. Aside from the dubbing, enclosed were all items that I would either likely or seriously consider purchasing from a retail outlet. Note: Nothing was wrong the dubbing, the stuff looks great; I'm just too cheap to buy dubbing anymore now that I can make my own.


If anyone's paid close enough attention, those infamous speckled legs I use on my Carp Crack and other rubber legged patterns are none other than the centipede legs from MFC. I like MFC's products, so it was a no-brainer when I was asked to take a closer look at some of their other products. I'll experiment a bit behind the vise and see what I can come up with from these materials and tools. I'll get back to you all and let you know how it all went. In the meantime, keep it rough.

Caveat Emptor: Products were provided courtesy of Montana Fly Company/Outdoor Media, in exchange for review and extensive product testing.

Build It

If you're looking to waste a few minutes online (or an hour) and you like guns, I've got the perfect site for you. Developed for airsoft no doubt, Dr. Noob provides the ultimate fantasy for most any gun build. They even have a full assortment of Magpul furniture, Troy hand guards, battle sights, and most other popular AR accessories to play mock up with.


It's actually a pretty nice tool to see a virtual build of your gun with various accessories before you lay down the cash for a new set of rails or optics. That way you can verify that your new set up will be tacticool before you even install it. The above image is a snapshot of my future build.

Horndog

The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus. Taking a respite from the snow from atop a high perch in my backyard.

You can never have too much porn

This has got to be one of the best decals I've seen in a long time.....


Check out the fine folks over at fishingporn.com. As it turned out, I showed them mine and they showed me theirs, and sent me a couple of sweet ass deeks. They run all sorts of contests for free swag on their Facebook fan page so check them out and join in the fun. Here's the winning hero shot:

the headwaters

Fall colors at the headwaters of the Mississippi, Itasca State Park. Aerial views taken from atop the Aiton Heights Fire Tower.






The Continental Divide. Points east of the ridge drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi. Points west drain north into Hudson Bay via the Red River of the North.



A full panoramic vista of the Continental Divide. Click on the image for larger version.

Flugtag 2010 -- Twin Cities

Red Bull Flugtag Twin Cities.


Over 90,000 strong filled the waterways and packed the banks of the Mississippi to watch a bunch of homemade flying machines make their way off a 30-foot high ramp. Spectators bore witness to a world record flight as team Major Trouble and the Dirty Dixies soared 207 feet to victory. the roughfisher was there to capture the world record flight on photograph.


Hilarity ensues as 36 teams liftoff from the giant ramp. Few survive the fall. Here are a few highlights:







If ever there was a craft for us fly fisherman it would be the Team S.W.A.T, a giant mosquito.


Hometown favorite Zorbaz entered their own craft in the event, Zorbaz Flying Food Zquadron, taking home the People’s Choice Award with the most text votes.


This was some of the funniest shit I've seen since watching brother Ben put the moves on some unsuspecting ladies and failing miserably. The poor kid just ain't got no game.

Flugtag!

It's an illusion

I got the idea from a solarized photo I took of the Admiral Akbar. The image resulted in pattern that mostly resembled the original version, save for green eyes instead of orange. I thought that was a tasty little tweak, and just had to find out in person if that was indeed the case. You be the judge: compare the solar phase tie to the original image.



Here's a rubber legged version for added awesomeness.


Slight of hand, or is it real magic?

Admiral Akbar

Thanks go out to The Daily Fly Paper Blog for recently featuring the Admiral Akbar pattern on their site. The Daily Fly Paper often showcases patterns from legends like Carrie Stevens, Davie McPhail, Paul Schmookler, the Global Fly Fisher, and now me. Now I know I made it. Bask in my glory.

Pink Squirrels: Romanian Edition

Thanks to SwittersB I stumbled upon this page of nymphs. Though written in Romanian, fly fishing transcends all language barriers. You can check out the English translated version here. The author, cooldany, has a veritable collection of Pink Squirrels all pimped out, including a few tasty soft hackled versions. There's even a very familiar looking rubber legged PT nymph. Now this is the inspiration I need to get back to the vise. A simple pattern that has been take to a new level with the simple addition of partridge, grouse, and Angelina.



From the looks of his past conquests on the water, Dany is not afraid to through a brown line either. A certified roughfisher in my book.


All photos courtesy of http://cooldany.wordpress.com/

pop art