The Eyeball....

There's something unique to every fish you catch.

It isnt the length, the fins, or the coloration.  It's the eye.

So full of color.  So full of life.  So delicate.

Full of fright and adrenaline.   They all tell a bit of a story, dont they?

A Fly Tier's Trash Can....

PBR cans, wadington wrappers, stray rhea feathers, mallard flanks....and a whole lot of other junk

The remnants of late night bug wrapping sessons, and interesting look into what falls off the vice whilst in the midst of feather alchemy.

Through the Lens of Michael Visintainer

Spend any time at the Silver Bow Fly Shop, and you'll quickly see there's someone with a artist's eye producing some serious fly fishing photography.

Brother of owner Sean, Michael Visintainer's work breaths life to the walls of the fly shop and often times you see customers just walking around the shop just checking out all the stunning photographs.

The ability to tell the story of a trip through photos is something Michael does very, very well.

So if you ever need a photog, I strongly consider hiring Michael to tell your story.

Learn more about his work in these two places

www.michaelvisintainer.com

or by visiting his FB page by clicking HERE.

Springtime Mistress...

Alas, my springtime mistress has come to call.

Dusting off the pontoon from it's last voyage, I realized I hadn't done one damn bit of maintenance like I told myself I would.    The seat is held together with an extra oarclip and the saddle bag on the pontoon still needs a new strap.

You can tell what type of emphasis that lake fishing holds in my mind.

There are guys that live for ice off and for their lakes to become fishable again.  There are guys who tie some amazing chronomids, damsels, scuds and other lake creatures.

I fish lakes because I am an addict, not because I love solving the riddle of finding the exact depth the chronomid carnage is happening at.

I fish lakes because they're there, and there's fish to catch.

And secretly, I kind of love fishing lakes.

The social aspect of the launch.  The sharing of intel.  The hoots and hollers from the successful hook up you can hear from across the lake.

To tell you the truth, sitting on a pontoon, staring at and waiting for a bobber to dive is a pretty good way to decompress from steelhead season, while still fishing.

So maybe, I should go fix that seat on the toon.....

but more than likely....it's going to stay that way till the rivers come into shape.

Controlled Burn By The Ferine Strain

A repost from the Chum, take a couple minutes to check out the new short from Bobby Foster and the Ferine Strain

It exemplifies the west in so many ways, and the diverse quarry we spend our time looking for in some of the most beautiful places on earth

Promont Outdoors New Spring Lineup

Promont Outdoors has dropped their 2014 Spring lineup, and ladies and gents...time to get you some.

There's a little something for fly fishermen and hunters alike, take a peek at the new gear by watching the video detailing the lineup.

All of Promont's products are quality and you wont be disappointed

Give them a look see, and as Promont says, "be there".  

The Artwork of Stan Miller

Ladies and Gentlemen,  we have a new emerging angling artist.....Stanley Miller.  Based out of Spokane,  I was extremely impressed with the attention to detail and the story these images bring to life.

Steelhead anglers are especially going to love this 3 painting series.

Stan has recently decided to put these originals up for sale.  If you're interested, shoot him an email and bring one of these beauties home.

Also, Stan has a limited edition run of artist qualilty Giclee prints of this series available  These are top quality angling art prints that are printed on watercolor paper, signed, numbered and will look great in your wall and or mancave.

Email him at stanley-miller@comcast.net

IF4 Spokane River Benefit

Care about the Spokane River and it's fishery?  You should probably join the Silver Bow Fly Shop April 4th for the International Fly Fishing Film Festival on April 4th at the Bing Crosby Theatre.

There's a big ol' raffle with guided trips, and save yourself some $$ by picking up your tickets up in advance at the shop.

All funds raised will go to the Spokane Falls chapter of Trout Unlimited to help support their projects for wild Redband Rainbow Trout recovery in the Spokane River basin.

Get more info on the showing and all the goodies up for grabs by clicking HERE

From Picture to Wallhanger...Phototaxidermy Review

From picture....

To the centerpiece of the man room.

I'm damn impressed with the product that PhotoTaxidermy delivered to my door this week

We all take volumes of digital pictures on cameras and smartphones and nothing really pops.  It stays stored on our devices and often times forgotten.

With a quick upload of the jpeg on the PhotoTaxidermy site, the process was set in motion.   The 24x36 poster was extremely easy to put up on the wall and its nice to know that if I want to change it's location, the fabric/polyester removable adhesive allows that to happen multiple times.

The end product that's now on my wall is bomber.  The fish pops off the wall and gives it a realistic 3-D look.   Even the wife gives her approval (which we all need to keep it on the wall, right guys?)

Hey, I'm no decor expert by any means......but anyone's man room or office can and will be improved by PhotoTaxidermy

Big Time Booyah For Wild Steelhead...

After a long and contentious process, the Wa Department of Fish and Wildlife designated 3 lower Columbia River tributaries as "Wild Steelhead Gene Banks"

Aside of hatchery strays, the East Fork of the Lewis, Green/North Fork of the Toutle and the Wind River will no longer receive hatchery steelhead plants.

This is big time for wild fish.   We're going to let nature heal itself and it's my hope, and others, that these Wild Steelhead Gene Banks will serve as a blueprint for recovery.

Read the entire release HERE 

My First Intruders...

My first intruders were complete and utter dogshit.

We all start somewhere, that is for sure.  I came across a few bugs that were amongst my first from around 2010 and I'm happy I kept them.

They make me laugh and cringe at the same time.  At one time, I was somewhat proud of my creations and in the case of the middle one....it actually caught a nice steelhead.  Couldnt believe that

The lesson to that, steelhead eat more than just pretty flies.

Sometimes, they eat junk that will surprise you.  Even one of my crappy first intruders.

Bozeman Reel Company

Bozeman Reel: Built in The Heart of Fly Fishing from Bozeman Reel on Vimeo.


Love made in the good ol' USA products, especially in the fly fishing industry?

Then get familiar with  Bozeman Reel Company.

Enjoy the show.