New Year

Guess I should make a post about my goals for 2012 and what I achieved this year.

Well this year I got into trout fishing, carp fishing and fly fishing. I used to manly fish for bass but that changed this year. I started fishing for carp on doughball that I had made and did very well. I fished for them with four pound test and they put up some of the best fights I have every felt. I started fishing for trout alot more this year. I was out almost everyday after school fishing for them. I love catching trout and I love the feeling you get when you see them jump completely out of the water. And finally about fly fishing. I have had a fly rod for 2 years now and never took it out to use it, why? I don't know, possibly because I didn't want to get step outside the box. Well I did, and I am very glad I did. I caught some trout and a steelhead on the fly so far, and the steelhead was on a fly I tied.

My fishing goals for last year.
Catch 100 trout. Only caught 78, but I am happy with that.
Start fly fishing. Success
Catch a fish on a fly I tied. Success


My goals for 2012
Catch 150 trout. Need to aim high.
Catch a carp and a bass on the fly rod.
Improve my fly tying abilities, and learn new patterns.
Go to three other states and catch trout for my trout in every state lifetime goal.

A $172 Fish

Took a trip to Erie today with two of my friends. On the way up my friend gets busted for speeding, ended up being a 172 dollar ticket. Took the cop twenty minutes to right the ticket and then we were back on the road, not even going 1 mph over the limit. Got to elk started fishing and didnt catch anything for about 3 hours. Decided to go to 16 mile where we atleast saw some fish last time. Walked up the creek some ways and my friend had one on for a few second. Nothing after that so we started walking back down. My other friend hooks one with a trout magnet but it got off too. To this day I haven't used a fly I tied because I was worried they would be crap. But I decided to tie on one of my white wooly buggers. Casted it out and was bringing it and bam, had one on. 10 seconds later my fly and the fish were gone, tied another one on and last it in the tree. Put my third fly and last fly of this exact same type on and had another one on. Took me under a tree and snapped me off. Well I tied on another white one, little different though and didnt get anything. So we walked further down without any success. On our way out I wanted to cast a few more time into that hole. Ended up hooking another on she took my under the log, but I managed to bring the line under before she could snap me off. She did the several times, but I managed to keep the line from snapping. After what felt like 10 minutes I landed my first steelhead on the fly.

Giveaway from Fly Fishing Frenzy

Figured I'd throw this up here, probably wont win, but hey worth the chance, ya know?

The Fly Fishing Frenzy has an awesome giveaway for you!! We wanted to show our appreciation to all for following our Fly Fishing Blog and by doing so we are going to give away a few things:

1. Scott fly rod
2. Montana Fly Company fly reel w/backing and new fly line.
3. Montana Fly Company fly box
4. Additional fly box (cf style)
5. Fish Gear Fly Fishing Shirt
6. Fly Fishing Frenzy Decal

This stuff is awesome, especially the Scott Fly Rod. Our Christmas gift to you, on Christmas day morning we will be picking the winner. This giveaway will be running all week.

Here is how to throw your name in the hat. We wanted to make it easy but at the same time have some fun with it so we came up with a point system. The more points you have the more tickets you have and better chance you have to win.

There are three things you can do to get a chance to win, the first one is required.

• First, it is required to subscribe to our blog either by email or RSS and post this link of this blog post on your Facebook page for 1 point. (for those that already subscribe all you need to do is post this to Facebook.)
• Second, you can comment on the post for an extra point.
• Third, you can get 5 extra points by reposting this blog post in its entirety to your blog or website.

With over $400 worth of stuff make sure if you do repost this to your blog or site please email us at info@flyfishingfrenzy.com so we can make sure you get the extra points.

1. Here is the link to our Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/FlyFishingFrenzy or you can subscribe to our blog via email here

   Your email:
   

2. Post this URL to your Facebook page: http://www.flyfishingfrenzy.com/2011/12/19/frenzy-holiday-giveaway/
3. or repost this blog post on your blog or site its entirety. Just highlight, copy and paste.

check the Fly Fishing Facebook Page for Contest Updates. http://www.facebook.com/flyfishingfrenzy

An Eagle and A Trout

Saturday morning I woke up sweating. It was the day of my Eagle scout board, I have been in scouts for a while now and finally have done all the requirements to achieve Eagle. I studied the night before and the three hours of extra time before my board, but it seemed like I still wasn't ready. The time came for me to go and get tested, they asked my a lot of opinionated questions, the hardest being why I should be the next Eagle scout. I did well, seeing that its hard to mess up on your own opinion of something. Then they asked me first aid, did well until they asked me the difference between hypo- and hyper- thermia. Well I knew one was to hot and the other to cold, but I had no idea what one was cold and what one was hot. After an hour or so of questions and talking they sent me out of the room to chat among themselves. When they came out they all looked quite serious and it was pretty terrifying to see. The one man then put his hand out and said congratulations. I was so relieved, I had been worrying about this since the day I turned all my paper work in. I was now done, no more badges, no more baords, no more anything, except becoming a Assistant Scoutmaster, I guess we will see how that work out.

Well for a celebration, my two friends and I went up to Erie fishing for steelhead. We left my house around 5:30 and got there around 8:00. We went to a place on Elk Creek and surprisingly there was only about 6 cars when we got there. We got dressed in our gear and headed up the creek. Walked about 1/2 a mile or so up the creek without seeing one fish. We decided to head back down the creek and give another spot a try. We got there and had the spot to ourselves. It was to deep to see fish but I figured there would definitely be a few in there. Started fishing and 5 minutes later I had one on, not sure if I had snagged it out not but it got off anyways. We left after someone came down and started "fly fishing" with about 8 split shot on his line and a big plastic bobber.

I decided we give the East side tribs a try seeing that I have never fished there and would like to see what they are like. We went to 20 mile and didn't see a fish there either, so we decided to try 16 mile. Ended up finding a few fish in some runs of water. Had around 10 hookups between the three of us in about an hour but all got off except one. I caught it and it was around 8 inches, I didn't even see him in the pod of steelhead we were fishing. It was starting to get dark so we decided to leave. Had alot of laughs, shared some funny stories, and got some more funny stories, but it still would have been nice to catch a legal fish.

Laurel Hill Creek and Indian Creek Pics

Laurel Hill Creek and Indian Creek

Went up on the 23rd, was the third time I went out fly fishing in my life. I've fished Indian creek before with pretty good success with my ultra light, so Will and I figured we should give it a shot. We got there a little before 10 and by the time we fishing it was 10. Made a few casts and then my friend realized he had a leaky wader. So we drove all the way back to Mt. Pleasant Walmart to buy a pair of waders and socks for him. We decided to try Laurel Hill Creek since I have heard many good things about it, and obviously our luck at Indian creek was not looking to good.

We get there, have a well needed bathroom break and head off. The creek is a beautiful creek and has to hold a decent amount of fish. Walked about 1/2 of a mile without any success, so we decided to go back to Indian Creek because we did see a few there. On our way backto the car i spotted a few and decided to make a few casts. Finally managed to hook up with one, fought pretty good, but it was in a decent current so it had that to its advantage. Successfully landed my 4th trout on the fly, I was pretty happy. We left shortly after and went to Indian creek. When we arrived we took a small walk to look for some fish when I realized I had left my fly box at Laurel hill. So we rushed back there to get my fly box before someone picked it up. As we were pulling up I made my friend laugh so hard he spit Gatorade all over his window. He looked at me laughed, and said "F*** it, I'm fishing" and away he went to the creek. I laughed and then ran down the trail to find my fly box. I walked down some ways and there it was, sitting right where I put it. While I was getting my fly box, Will caught one, his first one the fly. We left shortly after this and went back to Indian creek.

I put on a fly I had found earlier that day and started fishing. Within the first few casts I hooked up and lost him when he jumped about a foot out of the water. I caught 2 more and lost a few more too. Will caught one on a little fly I had made that was similar to the one I had found. Will soon got snagged on a log, and my line got tangled with his. Turned out to be a giant mess we could not fix, so we decided to call it quits and head home. Stopped at McDonald's on the way home for a crappy meal, but a filling one. All in all we had a good day, I did realize though that when fly fishing you have to be more aware of your surrounding area, got stuck on so many trees it was ridiculous, stupid back cast.

Weekend Fishing

Went up to Erie this weekend for the One fly fishing event. Fished Saturday from around 830 till 1230, and then went and chatted with the other guys at the event. Had a good time, and had some great food. Went back out for an hour or so after all the activities and food where done, again with out any success. Called it quits when it started getting dark and headed to the hotel.

Sunday we got up and got out fishing around 9 o'clock. We used single salmon eggs the hole day, had between 10 to 15 hits, and 3 or 4 hook ups. We didn't manage to get any in. Around 2 my friends dad decided he wanted to go home, so we packed up and called it quits. Arrived at my friends house around 4 and decided we were going to go to a local trout stream that was stocked the week before. We got there around 430 and I had one on the second cast. Finally got to feel a fish on my line again. Had 2 more on a white jig, my friend will got one. So we decided to try our luck at fly fishing, this is my second time actually fishing. I managed to get three on a black wooly bugger and had a few more on. Will didn't have any success, had one hit his fly, but didn't get it in. We are going back out Sunday for sure to another creek, and possibly Saturday too. Hopefully we will get some pictures this time, and wont leave our camera in the car.

Me and my friend went out fly fishing today. My first time actually fishing, I have practiced casting before, just not on the water. I don't think I did to bad casting, I felt like I was able to place the fly where I wanted it relatively easy. We went to dutch forks, which was just stocked today with trout. We didn't catch one freaking trout. We ended up catching 5 creek chubs, I had one trout follow my bugger in, and my friend had another follow. I know I didn't catch any trout, but I did catch my first fish on the fly. All in all I had a pretty good time fly fishing, hoping to get one Monday when we go back out.

Carp fishing

My brother, my friend and I went to a local lake with hopes of catching a few carp before hunting season got here and we didn't have anymore time to fish. We went out equipped with our ultralights and noodle rods, they always make for a fun time when carp fishing. We got there and within 10 minutes my buddy caught a nice carp.

About 30 or so minutes later, and a dozen or so small bluegill I caught this little carp. Was only out for about an hour, and between us we got 2 carp and a bunch of small bluegill, wasn't the best day, but I cant complain.

The Memories to Come

Me and my good friend Will have decided that we are going to journey across the states to catch trout. Our first destination will be somewhere in West Virginia, and are last will be Alaska. I know that Florida does not have any trout, but we are counting the sea trout. This will take us many years, cost us a small fortune, and we will have to put many hours into research but I think it will be well worth it. By the end of all this I will have so many good memories that I probably wouldnt have had the chance to have if it wasn't for this idea. Ill be writing about all of my trips and posting pictures as well. The fish that I want to catch the most would have to be the golden trout, possibly the most beautiful fish I have ever seen. We will probably be going sometime in October to WV, so wish us luck, and check back for pictures and a story.


If you click on the link it will take you to Wikipedia to see several pictures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_trout

My Fishing Arsenal, Part 1

I'm going to list what fishing rods and reels that I own and frequently use. Also going to tell what my thoughts are on them, and what I like using them for. I'm listing them in order of age, my first one to my most recent one. Later on I will be listing some of my favorite lures, and what works the best for me and when they work.

The one that got me addicted to fishing, my Browning Syntec. It was my first rod, got it when I was around 8 or so, I'm 18 now so its around 10 years old. Its starting to show its years and I'm kind of sad, but I still do fish with it and the reel is still pretty good. I like fishing rubber worms with it, I used to fish my poppers with it to but I got a better rod since then.

My first ultralight was a cheap Shakespeare rod and reel combo. Not until about 4 to 5 years ago did i really start trout fishing, so it was manly used for bluegill and now isn't used for much since i got a better ultralight.

I have an medium action ugly stik, and had a shakespeare reel on it till it recently broke. I will never ever again buy an ugly stik, I cant stand how they feel. They are to heavy and awkward, i only used spinnerbaits on it, anything else was to awkward to use.

I then bought a Quantum Glacier Xp, its easily my favorite rod and i use it for just about everything, spinnerbaits is the only thing I dont like using on it. I use it for carp a,d catfish as well as bass fishing.

I also have a Cabelas Gold label medium light 7ft rod and reel combo, haven't really used it, but it seems like it is going to be a good worm rod. This was also my first rod for bass that was not a 6' 6'' medium action rod.

I have a Pinnacle vertex 8 foot rod with an Okuma Avenger reel on it for steelhead. I found out it is a great rod for carp, has enough back bone to land 10 to 15 pound carp even on 4 pound test. As a steelhead rod, not sure, broke the one fish i had on with it off.

For trout this year I bought myself a Daiwa Strikeforce ultralight. It was a great rod for trout, and was exactly what i was looking for in a ultralight setup. It handled fish from 5 inches to 20 inches with ease. Also went carp fishing with it and caught a 5 pound carp, what a great fight it was.

The beginning of this summer i bought a 7 foot medium heavy field and stream rod and a Daiwa Takara baitcasting reel. First baitcasting set up, and i dont hate it but it does take some practice. I can throw spinnerbaits and other heavy lures pretty far with it, but that's about the only thing i use it for heavy lures.

I recently just won a Plueger President reel that is coming out this year from Wired2fish.com. I know have to buy a rod that matches the reel nicely seeing as it is one of the nicest reels i have.

Those are all of my fish rods and reels, except for a fly rod that I'm still practicing with.