Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Busy January Comes to an End



January 2013 will go down as my busiest ever with 17 talks starting in Denver and ending last night on my home turf right here in Teton Valley for Teton Valley Trout Unlimited.  We had a great night and I thanks all that attended. 



Tomorrow I head for Kansas City, Missouri to do a full day fly fishing seminar for the Heart of America Fly Fishers on Saturday.  I’ll be doing fly casting and knot demonstrations and my PowerPoint shows “Four Seasons of the Yellowstone Trout Bum”, “Saltwater Fly Fishing”, “Warmwater Fly Fishing” and if there’s time, “Fly Fishing in and Around Jackson Hole”.  If you live near you do not want to miss this.  Click here for details.



Lots of work and no fishing so far this year.  Don’t lose the faith.  Wednesday I leave for the Amazon and will be fishing February 9-15.  That will liven up this blog once again!



Monday, January 28, 2013

Somerset, NJ Fly Fishing Show Recap



If you’ve never visited one of the famous Fly Fishing Shows you’re missing out.  These great events take place during January and February at various locations throughout the US.  This past weekend was the biggest of all in Somerset, New Jersey.  I believe more than 10,000 fly fishers passed through the doors over three days.



At these shows you can catch presentations and seminars from many of the fly fishing pros from Dave Whitlock to Lefty Kreh.  Yes, Lefty was in Somerset giving PowerPoint talks and casting demonstrations even though he’s nearly 90!



Another great fly fisher, author, casting guru and longtime friend of mine there was Joe Humphreys.  I guided Joe in Jackson Hole in 1987 and you could say he adopted me during his visit.  I was a madman fly fisher in my 20’s and he was the same in his 60’s.  We hit it off and have stayed friends all the years.  Joe turned 84 last weekend.



I had a great weekend giving presentations on saltwater fly fishing and fly fishing for carp.  I also did sharpie fish art on more than a dozen fly boxes.  I drew everything from brown trout to striped marlin and many more - all this while visiting and yakking it up with friends.  Many folks brought their own boxes like Skyler pictured here with a largemouth bass about to eat his favorite popper.  It was awesome but no lie – I’m exhausted. 



Today it’s relax here in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire then fly back to Idaho tomorrow.  Wednesday night I speak to my local Teton Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter in Driggs.  It will be great to be home – till Friday anyhow!



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Somerset, New Jersey Fly Fishing Show 2013


The busy winter continues. Today it’s off to the Somerset, NJ Fly Fishing Show. Somerset is the biggest of all Fly Fishing Shows and I expect to be insanely busy. I’ll be doing plenty of art while folks visit and giving two PowerPoint presentations throughout the weekend.

Friday

Saturday

10:30 - Catch Room - “Fly Fishing for Carp”

Be sure to come by and visit!



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Never too Cold to Climb a Mountain

Despite being 4 below zero and windy this morning my brother in law Don and I couldn’t stomach to sit indoors. Instead we went for a hike. Not only did we bundle up to head for a hike, but Don suggested we summit Mt. Roberts near the famous Castle in the Clouds.


In less than two hours we completed the five mile round tripper. Unless you’ve experienced the damp cold of New Hampshire I can’t explain how brutally cold this hike began before we actually warmed up during the incline! But long story short, the hike was awesome and the views of frozen Lake Winnipesaukee were spectacular.


Monday, January 21, 2013

Another one in the Books

Great weather leads to great attendance and the Marlborough, MA Fly Fishing Show was fantastic.  Thanks to every one that came by to visit and making my presentations!

Granny and I are staying in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire this week because next weekend we have the Somerset, New Jersey Fly Fishing Show.  Today I spent the day with my nieces.  The day started with a nice hike down to the family camp where many blogs took place this summer.  The girls had a blast despite extreme cold.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Marlborough, MA Fly Fishing Show

After a very unpleasant flight across country yesterday with missed connections and lost luggage, I find myself at a familiar spot, my parent’s house in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Familiar in that I spent much of last summer here. First by surprising my Mom for her 70th birthday when the smallmouth fishing was outstanding and then unexpectedly for three weeks in August when my Dad had brain surgery for his Parkinson’s. Which by the way, I’m glad to report Dad is doing well. We just got back from a walk around town.


Starting tomorrow you can find me at the Marlborough, MA Fly Fishing Show. I’ll be kicking back doing some artwork hanging out with all the fly tiers. Unfortunately my presentation schedule is light; however I am doing a couple of my favorites.


Friday

4:30 - Catch Room - “Fly Fishing Saltwater – Bonefish to Billfish”


Saturday

3:30 - Catch Room - “Warmwater Fly Fishing – Bass, Pike, Carp and More”.


Be sure to come by and say howdy!


Monday, January 14, 2013

Boise Fly Fishing Expo a Success



Can you say horrible drive?  Man, my drive to Boise, Idaho for the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo was hell.  A high wind snowstorm ripped across Idaho and added three hours to my normally six hour drive Thursday.  I could hardly see for hours.  The roads were treacherous.  I saw some hellacious accidents.  It was rough.  Thankfully after driving all day I arrived in Boise at 6 PM.  I was so stressed and tired that I had a salad and one beer with my friend and show organizer Erik Moncada then retired to fellow speaker Pete Erickson’s house for the night.



The show itself was great.  Pete, Phil Rowley and I did numerous presentations throughout the weekend.  I introduced a new PowerPoint Show, “Trout Bumming the Lakes in and Around Yellowstone” that was a big hit.  I’ll be doing this many times in years to come.  And all presentations both in the theaters and on the casting ponds were well attended.



Today’s my usual Monday – unpack and repack.  It’s off to the East Coast early Wednesday morning.  This weekend is the Marlborough, MA Fly Fishing Show.  I hope to see all my New Englander friends.  Be sure and stop by my table to say hi and catch one of my presentations.  I’ll post my presentation schedule later this week. 



Before and after the show I’ll be in New Hampshire to spend some time with my parents.  It will be good to see Dad up and about for the first time since his brain surgery in August.



Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo



I’m right back at it this weekend.  This time working in my home state of Idaho (although a six hour drive away!).  I’ll be at the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo in Boise.  Last year this was a phenomenal show and I expect the same this year.  If you’re coming feel free to bring your Cliff Fly Box as I’ll be taking requests to draw any fish you want while you watch.  I’ll have boxes if you need a new one.  Of course, I’ll be doing the art between my many presentations.  I’ll be doing seven in two days! 



Ask to see some fine new “Currier” coffee mugs as well including a colorful steelhead.  







Friday



11:30   Casting Pond   “Fly Casting 101”


1:30   Casting Pond   “Tricks for Casting in Wind & the Double Haul”

3:30   Main Room   “Fly Fishing for Carp”



Saturday




2:30   Main Room   “Trout Bumming the Lakes of Yellowstone”

3:30   Casting Pond  “Tricks for Casting in Wind & the Double Haul”



I hope to see you there!



Monday, January 7, 2013

One Down a Bunch to Go



A successful Denver Fly Fishing Show 2013 has come and gone.  I pulled in my driveway here in Victor, Idaho wearily at 2:30 this morning.  The last four hours of the 9 hour drive was a creeper due to wildlife on the roads.  My headlights lit up a number of pronghorn antelope, mule deer and several elk.  I had a hunch I was going to see a mountain lion but no such luck.  I don’t advise driving across Wyoming in the middle of the night but snow is on the way.  It was either dry roads through the night or snowy roads today.  I’ll take the dry roads any day.



I’m exhausted but already thinking ahead to the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo in Boise, Idaho.  This is another top show and it takes place Friday and Saturday this week.  I’ll be giving many presentations here and expect to draw on a few fly boxes as well.  I’ll post my weekend presentation schedule here on Thursday.  I hope you from the area can make it.



Thanks to all of you that made the time to visit in Denver!



Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Denver Fly Fishing Show



I’m out the door in about five minutes to begin a nearly three month run of shows.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can find me at the Denver Fly Fishing Show.  For those in range I highly recommend dedicating at least a day here to catch up on new devices, some great presentations and seminars.  There’s a multiple day pass so you can see everything.  Between my own presentations you can find me mixed in with the fly tiers.  I won’t be tying but rather drawing on Cliff Fly Boxes or painting a Greenback Cutthroat.  Be sure and stop by for a visit and see if I have any of the new Greenback Cutthroat “Currier” coffee mugs left.



I’ll be doing presentations on Friday and Saturday.  Here’s my schedule in case you can make it.



Friday




4:15  Casting Pond 2   “Fly Casting 101”



Saturday



2:15  Casting Pond 2 “Tricks for Casting in Wind & the Double Haul”




I hope to see you there!