Fly Line Love....

After stripping a fly in on a far off flat in Belize 2 years ago, I glanced down to the pile of line and noticed what you see above.   Quite a message there in the line right?

My guess is that it's probably not a coincidence.

My Warhorse Stick

Everyone has one rod in their lineup that's a beauty to cast,  stands strong against the toughest fish and lasts a hell of a long time.

I picked this eight weight up as my first "expensive fly rod" in preparation for my first bonefish trip and knew it would be my go to for throwing indicator rigs for steelhead (in my pre-spey days).

This girl is my Warhorse. 

From the most pristine flats of Ambergis Caye Belize

To the dirtiest, nastiest, skankiest carp water, it keeps rolling.

It has steelhead, carp, smallmouth bass, bonefish, permit, barracuda, salmon, suckers, whitefish and probably a few other fish to it's credit.  It's age has started to show but onward we go to fight more fish.  It's a miracle I havent broken it yet, knock on wood.

So this leads me to this question.  What's your fly rod warhorse?  Feel free to send me your story, and we'll post it up here at Chucking Line and Chasing Tail. 

send your stories with pictures to jmills81 at hotmail dot com

Thanks!

The Flip Side of 4am Wake Up Calls...

Is that your fishing buddies tend to conk out as soon as you hit highway speeds, leaving you and the highway all by your lonesome for hours on end.

4 AM Wake Up Calls....

Are pretty cool when these are waiting for you.  Time to smack a few bass in the face.

Estate Sale Treasure...Grand Coulee 1933

Amongst the junk in an estate sale I randomly visited today, I struck gold.  Staring back at me was a beautiful picture framed up of the Grand Coulee of the Columbia River, dated 1933. 

Before the concrete, before the turbines, before the electricity.  This is what it looked like at the exact location where the dam went in.  You can see the construction beginning and at the same time you can see the last remaining farms and buildings of the era, including a raft that appears that was used to fjord the river.

I am pretty excited to find this gem, let alone for $7 bucks. 

Tell me again why the forgot to build a fish ladder?

Staring at Water, Looking for Ghosts

I started to think it was possible to will a Bonefish to me.

Even with 4 mornings of blanks, it was a blast.  The weather was right, the sun was right....it should have been game time.  But in reality, Hawaiian Bonefishing is a tough gig. 

There's so much to learn.  There's so much to absorb and try and key into, only time on the flats brings true success.  Tides, flies, retrieves, bottom structure....and oh yeah, the tides. 

3 different flats, all different.  All with the same results.  Am I discouraged....

No

Will I try it again?

Ya gawd damn right I will, given the opportunity. 

Hawaiian Bonefish 4, Josh Negative 4

Back from Oahu and the bones defeated me, soundly.  After 8 hours of flying with an 8 month old with a double ear infection I dont have the energy tonight to throw up a proper write up.  That will have to come tomorrow.

Until then, know this.  DIY bonefishing on Oahu can be done, but it aint easy....even with local intel.

But hell, if it was easy....everyone would be doing it.