Forward March

Thank You Veterans

Words from song writer Sam Tate and images from the folks at Project Healing Waters seem appropriate as we say thanks to all those who serve or have served.

Deals: 15% Off from Joe's Sports 1 day only

Veteran's Day Sale! Receive 15% Off Your Order at JoesSports.com. Exclusions Apply. 11.11.09 Only.

Hells Bay Skate-skinny,sexy and affordable

The Skate; a small, rugged shallow water performer
At 12 ft. - 9 inches in length with a 45 inch beam, the Skate, Hell's Bay's smallest craft is made with tough Kevlar and weighs just 250 lbs. Its draft is a mere 3 ½ inches with engine and six gallons of fuel. Hell's Bay recommends a 9.9 or 15 hp two stroke tiller-steered outboard for power.

"It's light and it's versatile," said Hell's Bay boat designer and sales director Tom Gordon. "Beyond using it as a fishing tender on a yacht it can also be used for extreme shallow water fishing and as a hunting boat.

"The Skate can even be loaded into the back of a pickup truck if needed. It can also be useful in restricted no combustion motor zones where an electric trolling motor is allowed. Duck hunters will love it," added Gordon.

This is on my Xmas list. Should work well for carp, small ponds and skinny water found anywhere. I have always been a fan of these premier boats. Check it out at www.hellsbayboatworks.com Capt. Paul

Redfish dude goes albie fishing

I get to go albie fishing once or twice a year these days. Today was that day. The above pic is a "taste". The rest is just to rub it in for Murdock:

http://captgordon.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/albie-fishing/

Buff now with 100% Merino Wool

Buff now with 100% Soft Merino Wool. Think cool in summer, warm in winter, and it doesn't get stinky because it is naturally anti-microbial. We will be field testing this in Colorado very shortly.

Check out all their great designs at the Buff website.

FTC disclaimer - Yes they sent these to me. Yes I am keeping it. A bald guy can never have enough Buffs.

Road trip

Photogs: Alex Landeen

Normally you wouldn't refer to a guy who loves to take pictures of automatic weapons as a "Fat Guy" and sleep well at night. However, since Alex Landeen is part of Fat Guy Fly Fishing we hope we can get away with it. His work really catches your eye and points out the difference between the hacks and the pros. Check out the Landeen Photography blog to see his work and get some great photography tips.

New on the digital newsstand: Fish Can't Read

I ran across the debut issue of "Fish Can't Read" a bit late since it came out in September. I open it up and find that this publication has some excellent contributors (K. Barton and Alex Landeen etc.), shocking photos (is that Gracie sans hat?), and some great fish photos. This one we will read.

RIP: Russ Blessing Inventor of the Wooly Bugger

If you tie flies, most likely the first fly you ever learned to tie was the Wooly Bugger. If you fly fish for trout there is also a very good chance that your first trout was on a Wooly Bugger. According to an article from Examiner.com, Russ Blessing, inventor of the Wooly Bugger passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Mr. Blessings simple and prolific contribution to the sport of fly fishing most certainly will live on in angler's fly boxes and tyers vises.

Here there be monsters...

Swamp Thing

Bigfoot

Count Dracula

The Living Dead

NC Fly Fishing Team Member in the News

There is a nifty quote on CentreDaily.com about NC Fly Fishing Team co-founder, Chris Lee. The quote comes from their article about the United States Fly Fishing Championships that were held recently.

These are skilled anglers,” Ford said. “These are the best in the country.”
They qualified at open tryouts held in different states, including Montana, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon and Michigan. Even when they came up empty-handed Sunday, their prowess was apparent. Sampsell liked how Chris Lee, from North Carolina, quickly freed his line with a flick of his wrist.
“You notice these guys: They don’t get hung up,” Sampsell said. “These guys are good.”

Here is a link to the results from the US event.

Friday Deals: 15-20% off at Sierra Trading Post

Just a quick post to remind you that you only have a few more days to take advantage of an additional 15-20% off at Sierra Trading Post. Use the code ALOCTOBER9 at check out and save yourself some green. Think of it as Trick or Treet for anglers without having to worry about someone egging your house.

It all comes to a halt on 11/04/09 so be sure to check out their deals via the banner above.

Try knocking 20% off of one of these for bargain so good we can't tell you the price here in the open:

Water Skeeter River Lite Pontoon Boat

Orvis Photo Contest: Fame & Fortune for Pics

Submit your best fly fishing photos to the Orvis Fly Fishing Photo Contest for a shot at a Helios fly rod outfit or a $1000 Orvis gift card. In addition to the loot, your shot will grace the cover of a future Orvis fly fishing catalog, the angling equivalent of being on the cover of The Rolling Stone. Send your best stuff because I fully intend to "buy five copies for my Mother" if my submission gets picked.

Seven Sins of Fly Fishing

I am a huge reader of fly fishing articles,magazines and books not to mention the best sellers list. I must admit print has more junk than ever, with great blog sites and the Internet taking the lead. I was not a follower of the The Drake magazine until recently. Picking up a few old issues at the local shop, I found a rare toilet bowl keeper. Sometimes up to a few weeks, a true test of any magazine. One article in the recent fall/winter issues you must read is titled the "Seven sins of fly fishing". If you guide, hire guides, enjoy our sport or even the outdoors it is an enlightening piece. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. Got any back issues for sale? Let me know as they are quite hard to find.

Capt. Paul