FlyTalk

Two videos that I couldn't let slide by without sharing. I know, I know they are not fly fishing but trust me you'll want to see them. The second was filmed by my bass fishing friend Johnny Q from Texas.

Have great day and get out and try something different this weekend. Who knows, maybe it will work.

TR

Ah, spring. That wonderful time of year, when the rivers crest with snowmelt, and the byways and river towns of the American West experience that special phenomenon we affectionately call the “guide hatch.” The guide hatch is an annual migration of sorts, when a fresh crop of peach-fuzz-bearded newbies pours forth from eastern universities, hell-bent on applying those liberal arts educations to the most noble of all professions: being a trout guide. I am often asked by “hatchlings” what the secrets to successful guiding are. Not being a successful guide myself, I have scant few answers. But I have at least learned from experience 10 things not to say to clients on a guide trip. I offer these nuggets of wisdom as a public service to those intrepid young souls, who at this very moment are beating a hot path westward in an overstuffed Volkswagen with a used kayak duct-taped to its roof …

Do not say:

Man, Dude, Bro, Holmes, Chief, Buster, or Cuz to a total stranger. (Female client no-no’s include, Toots, Honey, Sugar, Baby, and Doll.”)

“Hey, nice polarized glasses…did you steal those from Elton John?”

“Maybe you should try the next cast with your dominant hand.”

“Nice fish, pretty colors.” Ever.

“This is where Tripper found the corpse.”

“Sweet!” more than 74 times in one 8-hour float.

“Wiggle that a few more times, the knot might come out.”

“Wow, your daughter is hot,” unless you know for sure she’s his wife, and he’ll take that as a compliment.

“How much are you thinking about tipping me?”

“Holy crap, I bet you’ve never caught a fish like that before!” Even if it’s not meant as commentary on their fishing skills.

Deeter

I'm not quite sure what to say about this, other than it made me spew water out of my nose after witnessing it. After running our shuttle on the Llano the other day Johnny introduced me to Randy Leifeste, owner of the Castell General Store in Castell. Randy has a rooster named Cockaroo that likes to perform what can only be described as "happy fun time" with Big Mouth Billy Bass.

I'm not quite sure why the rooster has taken a liking to Billy, but he must do his thing with the fish a ton as there are a number of billy big mouth's hanging on a wall in the store that have been "retired" after heavy usage.

Watch the youtube clip below and enjoy.

TR

By the way, besides all those hot Texas bass picks from Tim, and the quizzes and teases I throw your way, some of you may have noticed the fancy window dressing (by way of banners and ads) we have on the Fly Talk blog now, courtesy of Simms.

I've worn Simms gear for over 15 years; they've has taken care of me (knowingly or not) from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Feugo. We're proud to have them. Thanks, Simms.

Deeter

I have a admission to make. I have bass thumb. This is a serious condition that affects the epidermis on the distal phalanges after repeated releases of Largemouth and Guadeloupe bass. It's not an embarrassing disease. In fact, I wish I had it all the time. When I say repeated releases I mean in the forty to fifty range. I am not exaggerating here... I had the most productive bass fishing day in my entire life on Sunday just south of Mason, Texas on the Llano river. All on one little yellow popper. Out of a canoe in gin clear water, a granite bottom with gorgeous scenery around every turn.

My friend Johnny Quiroz who guides infrequently now and then (he's really a photographer) was kind enough to let me have the front of the boat the entire day. Check out his site here.

It was outrageous. We could do no wrong. The stars were aligned and it made for non-stop action. Fishing for bass in the Texas hill country is a very visual experience as the spring fed water is clear to aquamarine blue and and the fish are aggressive, moving many feet to crush flies. I highly recommend getting out and trying this distinctive brand of bass fishing if you're ever in the Austin area.

Take a day and stay the night at Raye Carrington's on the banks of the Llano River just south of Mason. It's a quaint, fairly inexpensive B&B with true Texas hospitality that you can fish right out the back door from. For guiding go to guidesoftexas.com. They will hook you up canoe style, which is how you'll want to roll on these rivers.

Thanks again Johnny for a day of fishing I'll always remember!

TR

Well, the season is officially on. I buried my first hook shank-deep in my thumb on a guide trip yesterday. Barbless, thank goodness, but a size #10 nonetheless. I had to super-glue it to stop the bleeding. That won't be the last time I get stuck this month, I'm sure, and I expect to have my ears pierced by flying woolly buggers in the coming weeks, also.

The experience made me want to hear from you ... who has the best "war wound" story from the river to share? I'll put up a #4-weight line for the best story.

Deeter

The Copper John. The quiz answer is red, size #16, which easily sells around 2,000 dozen (in just that one size, in just that one color) every year, not counting knock-offs and self-ties. Nobody nailed it, but M.T.E. wins the line. Hit me at editor@anglingtrade.com, and we'll get the line out (with yours, too, Steve C.).

Speaking of the Copper John, developed by our friend John Barr, I have a cool story to share: Barr says he basically invented the fly by accident. J.B. is big on the hopper-dropper approach, and his real "killer" fly is the Barr Emerger, an often tiny, but deadly, pattern meant to imitate PMD and BWO emergers. But that's a light fly, and J.B. figured he needed an "intermediate," fast-sinking nymph to get the emerger down in the strike zone. So he developed the heavy, wire-bodied Copper John, basically to serve as an anchor. The hopper-copper-dropper approach was born. And, as for the Copper John, it was, at it genesis, an afterthought, spun from necessity. But that sucker proved to catch fish in its own right, and is now a hands-down producer all over the world.

And here's how much so: Last year, I found myself on a very remote river in Chile, with guide Ricardo Ellena. Now, in Chile, flyfishing is basically all about streamers and dry flies ... nymphs aren't nearly the rage they are here in America. But we chanced upon a juicy-looking run that seemed ripe for the hopper-dropper attack. I reached into my fly box and suggested (in broken Spanish) if we might try the nymph. My "money bug" was (of course) a Copper John ... red ... #16.

"Ah, Claro que si (or course)," Ricardo said, immediately recognizing the pattern. "El Cobre de Juan!"

(The Copper of John!)

Deeter

No I'm not making this up. See for yourself: according to this press release from the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association, the Swiss government is going to ban the practice of catch-and-release fishing. Concurrently, regulations will outlaw the use of barbed hooks and bait. Huh?

Wait, I'm not done, this gets even nuttier. The law will outlaw fishing "with the intent to release fish." Anglers must undergo mandatory training on the "humane" treatment of caught fish, and learn how to kill fish via a sharp blow to the head with a blunt object. Huh?

Does that include juvenile/undersized fish? Oh wait, there won't be any left in Swiss waters to worry about. I wonder how the PETA folks will spin this.

Have you ever heard of such an absurd notion? Switzerland should stick to watches, chocolate, and guarding the Pope. I find it sadly ironic that the first war the Swiss government would declare in many years would be on fish.

Deeter

"There is no dumber fish on earth than a yearling bass."

I didn't say it. My dear friend, Charlie Meyers, outdoors editor for the Denver Post did. Got me scratching my head and wondering about which fish are indeed the dumbest in the world. Hatchery-raised trout must be up there ... blitzing stripers would probably eat a Coke bottle if you threw it in the right spot ... bluegills are pretty easy ... and you can talk about your wild cutthroats all you want; those that haven't seen a fly are suckers for just about anything. Having seen a mako shark get stuck three times with the same fly, and then come back to eat it again, had me consider putting makos on the list. But then I decided they were just bad-ass.

What do you think? What fish is the "anti-permit?" The more I kick it around, the more I agree with Charlie. Sorry bass nation. But those young bucketmouths are just plain stupid. Not 'ol mama bass. The young ones. Say "dumb bass" fast enough, and it all makes sense...

Deeter