When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Go Carp Fishing

Just got back from vacation. The family went to Myrtle Beach for a week, then back to the home land, Wisconsin, for a few days. I didn't get to much time to fish, and what I did wasn't all that productive. It was a cold spring and the toothy's seemed to be on a spawning hangover. I did manage a few pike that I'm almost embarrassed to post the pics of, but when the going gets tough the tough go carp fishing. Lac LaBelle in Oconomocowoc proved a great fly fishing play ground for the fresh water bones. Carp are challenging and rewarding. Sometimes I could drop a black bugger an inch from their fat lips and they'd suck it right up, other times I'd spook a whole pack just by looking at them. On one such occasion I stripped my bugger through the tail end of a spooked pack of carp. I'm sure the fish' in the back of the herd had no idea why they were on the move again. Infact they where probably discussing what a nice day it was when my fly came scooting by and a goofy fellow gobbled it up.When I did hook up the beasts would drag my boat around slamming my boat into boat docks trying to flee underneath, but my six weight Sage with 25 pound flouro held up. I still love the toothy mouths, but some rubber lips ain't so bad once in a while.

What the #$&!?

I roll with Rayovac as always

My Pops likes the Toothy's too

It's A Dangerous Game We Play

Found these bear tracks on my way to a fishing hole the other day. I saw the tracks going straight when I hung a left down to the river. Parting ways didn't make me feel any better while fishing however. Fresh snow chunks kept falling through the tree branches making the hair stand up on the back of my neck. It's hard to catch fish when your looking the wrong way. Oh yeah I had to dodge falling rocks on the way. Just another day on the water.

Catch A Fish For 1 Penny

Since I'm so into saving money these days I designed the cheapest lure ever, it costs just one penny. In fact it is a penny. I put it on my fly rod for just 5 minuets and had three strikes and a bunch of follows. I might splurge and try a nickle or dime next.

Rayovac Batteries

Remember when I said my camera ran out of juice? I found these at Wally World. 50 AA's for 12 dollars. What a deal.

Still Winter

It is still winter high up here in The Rockies. I tried to go ice fishing yesterday, the ice was fine but the fishing wasn't. I've gone to this lake several times this winter with only a few lakers to show for it. I was willing to pull the plug pretty early since I had a back up plan. I stopped by a small stream on the way home to try out a new tie...The Spinny Bugger. It's a smaller flashier version of a Pistol Pete, maybe I'll call it Machine-gun Mike. The trout were small but they were all over this spinny thingy, chasing it out of the water and almost beaching themselves. I can tie it  with extra lead weight or keep it light so it doesn't sink too much in skinny water.

First Video

Here is my first try at a video. I feel like it could be better, I'm going to try editing in some narration during the slow parts. I'm happy though, considering I produced, edited, shot, and starred in the whole darn thing. Besides life is a work in progress.

Nate Reynolds

This is my friend and fellow fishing guide Nate Reynolds. Nice fish huh? Nate grew up in Denver and has been fishing Colorado lakes and streams his whole life. He told me his family used to take take trips to the Frying Pan when he was five years old. I can't even imagine how many Trout he's caught. Nate is also a signature tier for Umpqua. He is a straight up fishy dude and knows things that can only be learned through a lifetime of fishing. I feel lucky to fish with Nate and I've learned a lot from him, and so should anybody lucky enough to get Nate as a guide. Exspecially considering your other options are the collage kid on summer break, or the guy at the end of the bar. Thanks to Nate for letting me post some of his pics, and if you want to book Nate or ask him any questions feel free to email me or check out his bio at Gorecreeekflyfisherman.com