Just as we have had a smell of spring in the air, it seems like winter is making an untimely return. Lasse and I were planning a trip to Öland in the Easter Holliday, and were looking forward to some serious fly fishing for sea run browns in the Baltic Sea.
Scott Fly Rods
This video presents the thoughts, the passion and the people behind Scott fly rods. It’s really amazing. Everything is done by hand: Right down to the inscription on the finished rod. I like the atmosphere in this black and white clip… so much, in fact, that I have just ordered a new streamer fishing rod (S4 790-4) for the coming season. I will get back, with a review – when I have had time to do some field testing.
The simple pleasures of… Blondes
Tying and fishing Jack Gartside’s super simple Soft Hackle Streamer got me thinking: Is there a reason why fly tiers invent more and more complicated patterns. I can spend an afternoon tying a streamer fly with flashy fibers, kicking rubber legs, smiling mouth, staring eyes and all the other stuff we sometime believe is necessary to fool a fish.
It is effective, simple and organic as hell – meet the Carrot
When my friend Preben showed me this fly, I actually though he was pulling my leg. But then I watched and learned. We were fishing together in Mariager Fjord and the rascal was just standing there with a heavily bent rod and a silly grin on his face – while nothing really happened at the business end of my leader. Somehow that made me a lot more interested in the silly orange vegetable.
G. Loomis–Fly Creed
Is it true that a fly rod has a soul? You’ll be the judge of that. In any case… this video makes some beautiful pictures inside my head.
Zpey – redefining flyfishing
When Zpey some years ago launched their first fly rods with the characteristic curved handles, some traditionalists raised their eyebrows so much, that they literally disappeared under the fishing cap. But as the good people at Zpey says: “You might as well get used to it”. And … quite a lot of fly fishermen has done that already. Check the video… and learn more.
Kelly Galloup Ties a Zoo Cougar
Kelly Galloup runs the Galloups Slide Inn Fly Shop on the Maddison River in Montana. He’s also catching large streamer-eating trout in rivers, where anglers using dry flies or nymphs only gets smaller fish. Galloup typically fishes unweighted streamers on sinking lines – and often pulls off his stunts in bright daylight. The secret… could be his large streamer flies. Watch him tie a Zoo Cougar.
Aalestrup Open – fly tying up one level
More than 40 fly tiers raised the bar at the annual fly tying competition Aalestrup Open this weekend. Aalestrup Open started out 23 years ago in Nørbæk, and was later moved to the beautiful home of the Aalestrup Angling Club, Fiskergården.
Marabou flies – Confessions of a part-time pincher
I am a streamer fishing addict – and I like my streamers to live, breathe, pulsate and swim. Naturally I go for fly tying materials that will support this plan. Marabou is one of the materials, I just can’t do without.
Fly tying and cabin fever
I tend to see myself more as a fly fisherman than a fly tier – but living in Scandinavia…weather can make a mess of your priorities. Dealing with snow, frozen line guides and cold fingers suddenly makes indoor activities look more desirable.
I had a cozy time the other night tying flies with my friend Lasse.