Monday, February 22, 2016

Saturday, Day One....

This weekend was a full one for me. Saturday morning Jeanette and I started out for the Cape which was originally not part of the package, but as it turned out it was a highlight. We stopped for breakfast at Leo's restaurant in Buzzards Bay. There we enjoyed an awesome breakfast. Jeanette had a grilled blueberry muffin, which by the way Leo's is one of the best muffins in New England. And kudos the waitress who's service was great. My coffee cup was never more than half empty when more hot black java refilled it.

I had plain old eggs over light with toast....but a muffin was taken home and that's my breakfast this morning.


After breakfast we headed over to Red Brook to see if I could get a brook trout to cooperate. The morning was cloudy with that constant sea breeze, which made casting a streamer with a 3wt a bit tough. Well I tried and after an hour of work in which all I had to show for it was a stiff strike and a fiber or two of bucktail missing from the Mickey Finn. Times are changing. These wind turbines were not here when we fished Red Brook in early November. I though the scene was kind of cool. The wind turbines over cranberry bogs, with a scant covering of snow.


Then it was on to Taunton and the annual "Bears Den" fly fishing show. It was held at Bears Den which is a giant fly shop. They have one hell of shop, if you can't find it here you probably can't find it anywhere. I ran into many people I know including two gents from Connecticut Fly Fishermen's Association, folks from the Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition, and was given some great information on salters that I did not know. I had the pleasure of talking to some wonderful fly tyers.


One highlight of the day was spending time talking to and watching this young man tie flies. His name is Jade and he's 11 years old. He told me he has been tying flies for 4 years, and watching him work was a pleasure. It is so gratifying to see youth taking an interest in fly fishing....we need more of that.


I had some Christmas money to burn so I was able to find some quality materials. This hen patch has a wonderful blue-gray color. Almost perfect feathers and it contained some fine marabou feathers which will make for some interesting action.


This bleached Starling, I believe it is ginger will make some fine soft-hackles.


Partridge Classic Spider hooks. These have been on my list for some time. Many who follow this blog have suggested these hooks for tying North Country Spiders.

That was the day, day one of a great weekend....day two will come in the next post.


23 comments:


  1. Excellent Post Al!! Great way to spend a Saturday!!

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    1. TROUTI
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      Pete it sure was. The day turned out nice and sunny with some warmth.

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  2. This post makes me wish I had not missed the Fly Fishing Show in NJ this year. Looks like you picked up some nice materials.

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    1. Chris "Kiwi" Kuhlow
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      Chris, the starling was an awesome find. I know the pic does it no justice but the iridescence of the feathers are wonderful. Should make for some nice flies.

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  3. Alan - awesome trip. The bears den show is a good one - and the shop amazing! Did you get to speak with Scott - Jades dad? He's a big fan of small streams as well.

    Enjoy the spring like weather!
    Will

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    1. Hibernation
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      Will I did not, but I was impressed with Jades tying. I left him my card and would enjoy hearing from him.

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  4. I LOVE Blueberry Muffins. Too bad Leo's restaurant is such a long commute. Maybe some day.

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    1. Mark Kautz,
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      Mark that warm buttery muffin will put most in the right frame of mind.

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  5. Alan
    I never tire of seeing kids at the bench. The last show I was at I saw a 10 year old tying married wing salmon flies that put most of my offerings to shame.

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    1. thedeadfisher
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      John, young people can be quite good when it comes to tying flies. I remember my grand-kids took to it and tied some wonderful creations.

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  6. Alan
    Makes me wish I was there with you guys; you forward to see some of the new patterns you will produce with the new material. I've had a fly combo bought for sometime for my grandson. I am going to wait until he is 7 or 8 to start working with him casting his 7 1/2 ft. combo. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill kids pick up fly fishing very quickly. It's hoping they stay with it.

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  7. i like the mischievous gent in the 2nd photo. :) and the sweet talented young man in the 3rd.

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  8. Looks like a splendid trip thus far. That muffin looks delicious. I'm a big fan of good service, and sounds like your server was on point. Great stuff, Alan.

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    1. Justin Carf
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      Justin if you do mail order- internet sales check out Bears Den.
      Unfortunately Leo's does not do mail order.

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    2. I have ordered a few things from the Bears Den before. I don't remember what. Always on the hunt for a good deal :)

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  9. Alan 40 years ago when I got started in the wonderful world of fly fishing it would have been rare to see a youngster such as jade tying flies.it I'm glad to see youth getting involved. Those are wonderful looking materials you purchased can't wait to see some flies off of those finds. Blue berry muffins my favorite!

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    1. Brad Basehore
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      Brad it's not to common to see such activity in people so young. He was so intent in his work. Good blueberry muffins are hard to beat.

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  10. My favorite way to spend a weekend. Breakfast with my fishing partner/wife and a good fly show. All around goodness.

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard it's a good thing my wife is with me, I could never remember all that I saw.
      She also picked up the tab for breakfast.

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  11. That blue gray is really pretty. I think the best part of the fly show is the people you meet. I used to be all about the deals you can find. Now I look forward to the conversations I'll have.

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    1. Kevin Frank
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      Kevin one can find a great deal from the conversations, and the humor as well.

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