winter steelheading (part 2)

Drive alone, always gives me a sense of freedom. Me, my truck and all the fishing gear on board. I enjoy the mixture sound of music, the roaring engine and the inter-talk of a free mind. I reviewed myself what I have done, what I have missed in the past year. Some sweet memories and some sad memories. It's all good! It was such a wonderful trip that just like chewing a plain but fresh bread, the more I think/ chew about myself the more flavors it come out. Me, driving alone the high way 90. no plan, no schedule, just one single mind- Fishing. The winter steelhead. Even the cheapest motel I crashed in suddenly turned into a Golden palace! It's a refuge, a comfort inn, a sweet home during the exploration - what I mean by exploration? It is a form that I review myself, the weakness, the strength, the risk and opportunities in my inner self. It is also a test of how comfortable it will be alone in the deep winter, steelheading.

The river is so clean and cold, close to freezing point that I almost can feel "the soup" is flowing in high density. The crunch sound from the snow field is so funny, I actually love it a lot! What a amazing trip, I am fishing in my own pace, slowly and steady, to feel what steelhead fishing is all about. The Zen, and this medication just fit my current mind very well... (photos first, story will come later...)

need more steel fix?

NFR: celebration party

we were celebrating for a new PhD - a good friend, a great group. a truly amazing lab!
NFR: a.k.a non-fishing related.

Happy New Year - Tie more flies!

A good friend from Japan sent me a Fly Fisher magazine vol. Jan 2011. It is a wonderful issue! a lot of good tips and great photos about fly tying... so cool! I am also very surprised they included many American fishermen and their flies which I don't even know... evidently, I need to tie more and fish harder! : )

modern hair wing

lake run steelhead

It's a peaceful Christmas morning, hotel manger spoke with a soft tone "Merry Christmas"! I answered ,out of an instinct,unprepared, response "merry christmas!" A warm greeting just like the comfort bed and wonderful house atmosphere- a home style hotel that give me a 5 stars refuge during the cold venture. The morning light was such a wonderful for a early bird, a bit blue, purple and then turning to orange sun rays in the snow white horizon. A cold and fresh air that can't keep my excitement calm! I am here in the great Lake Ontario tributary! Everything is new to me, and I am learning as fast as I can, right before the cold can frozen up my memory. The river is flowing in a great shape, clear and full of different features, pools runs and riffles...some nymphing waters, some swinging waters, all decorated with ice and snow powder! " there is a lot of fishes in this system, good fish too", the fly shop owner mentioned it to me, while I try to support the local business, "It has been this good for few years." Superb! Great lake fishery are always being a very interesting chapter to me. (will write some of my thoughts later).
Walking along the snowy bank was really a special treat to me, the white scenery really make this stretch like a dream land! I am fishing in a dream! I absolutely love it! In the NY state fishing regulation,though, night fishing is prohibit, you only can fish 30 minutes into the dark, or 30 minutes right before the sunrise. That is too bad, probably a habit developed from the striper fishing, I always enjoy the night fishing. Enjoy the moon and the stars and the river flow under my feet quietly.... no, not this time, I have to leave the peaceful night alone. Well... it would make a true dream land, if I can fish it under the moonlight! Someday I am sure I will. : )
Out of my surprises, there were already some early fishermen on the water this very morning on the sunrise. But I have to agree, this is a really peaceful morning, compare how busy it could be from the stories I heard. "Combat fishing" is what it is all about during the peak of salmon season... It's a brand new stretch of water to me, probably is better to observe what others are doing before I wade in. Out of my surprises again, I saw a lot of fishermen fish the two handed rods! Boyz, do I ever knew the two-handed spey rod get this popularity in the New York side! I saw about 10 fishermen, 8 of them were holding two handed, one with spin rod, this really put a single handed user a totally rare species, even though the river is about 40 feet wide... well... most of them are running indicators on their two handed rods... I guess the mending ability of the long rod in nymph fishing is "unparallel" : ) ha. Don't get me wrong! I love fish nymphs too! But I prefer use single handed rod to do it. That's exactly the reason I brought two rods with me, a single handed GLX for nymphing and a Dredger for swinging flies. I do have to agree, though, I had a great time in swinging flies in this river. Not because it is more relaxing, but also I share a fair amount of fishing time in enjoying the beautiful snow scenes while my fly was doing it's work. : ) (to be continued)

Merry Christmas! Auburn!

I do believe Santa! and I know he live very close to Auburn.Ha! He just sent me this wonderful Christmas gift! Wow... SEC championship shirt Auburn! War Eagle!! I am so excited that Auburn will be engaging the National title game with Oregon! YEAH! Be prepared! Ducks! I am believing in Auburn and loving it! Thanks Santa! I miss you and Auburn!
Merry Christmas! My friends! Have a good one! : ) Gone fishing!

some home work...

need to do some home work before heading out... skagit minnow (tube version)

cabin fever!

strikes again...

pre-holiday cooking - seafood curry

the wild caught squid from Boston really make this dish shine! more food are coming during the holiday! : )

pure and artsy

not only satisfying the stomach, but also celebrating the pure flavor...

in love memory of Chili

if I ever wanted a fishing dog, that would be Chili-like, brave, smart, gentle and understanding. In the past few years, the trips could not be that much fun without this brilliant partner. At day, she float calmly with her own day dreaming, or sweeping away by the strong currents; edge walking along steep cliff without any complain. At night, she lay quietly beside campfire and ignore our exaggerated fishing stories. When we sleep unconsciously in the tents, she is in full alert of any bear activities or ...em... porcupine. It is tough, very tough to say goodbye to this young lady... but I am sure she was having a good time with Grizz. The two essential elements that make our memories so great and enriched with love! R.I.P my friend, you have been an amazing!

things to do during vacation (2)

find a river and swing a fly...

things to do during vacation (1)

drink some red wine, create some bugs...

spey casting and feel ...

Fly casting has been one of the most important fun elements in my fishing experience. For me, it is all about the “feel”. No only make a delivery casting, but also feel the whole authority and “cleanness”. What I mean feel is to fulfill all other elements that other than just “delivery”. More like driving a stick shift car in a mountain road. Listening the engine roar and gently feel the curves and make a perfect glide through the mountain. I guess you can call it an art form when you reach the state of “car-man as a whole”.
For modern spey casting, there are two popular casting types in the shooting head system - Scandinavian and Skagit styles. Each of them are both fun! both have designed to delivery (very) different flies in different situations. During the summer time, when fish small flies close to the surface, I like to use the Scandinavian casting style. Scandi casting style also is one of the easiest method/style to learn. Naturally, it won’t require too much experience in lifting the line (compare to long line). Make a reasonable lift, a reasonable anchor, then throw the line away…you will get a reasonable sharp loop! It’s that simple. Part of the reasons is hiding behind the Scandi line taper. The triangle taper of the Scandinavian shoot head has more of the line weight close to the rod tip, the hang junction. Thus it is very friendly and forgiving for beginners. If you have been thinking to try some spey casting… don’t hesitate, scandi head is very easy to learn.

RARE from Joel Sartore on Vimeo.

RARE: Behind the Scenes from Joel Sartore on Vimeo.

Google eBooks from Buck on Vimeo.

this is for Yuki

The Tadpole from Passion Pictures on Vimeo.

is this cool or what?! : )

Sherbet Christmas Card 2010 from joseph Pelling on Vimeo.

one month

well...confess here that I did not get much work done last month, though, fishless looking of me in front of the mirror still : ) .. my little niece Yuki has growing in a lightening speed... she is a cuti!! one month old! Uncle Mark doesn't need to fish this winter... just look at her... it's full of joy!

feather is not only good for tying flies.. but also..

My recommendation for X-mas gift 2010. (800 fill down) light, compact and warm, this is a wonderful gift for outdoors people! Even, if you are not as explorative as you would think. it's great for dog working in the chilly morning. Stay warm and go explore! : )

guides day off

Marty and Mia go fishing from marty sheppard on Vimeo.

life is good!

Auburn - SEC Champion! War Eagle!

not necessary aggressive, but we play smart!

bass

"If there are waters, chances are fish might live along; and if fish show, then the fishermen are not far!" During the stay in Auburn. I sneak out with a old friend and explore his backyard pond... it was so great to use my first fly rod and fly reel again! They are almost as excited as I am, catch some good bass for me : ) The jig is from the evil Walmart, BTW.

fall fishing near Boston

when the weather is hovering around the 34F freezing point, what is good for outdoors? fishing! of course : ) wear a lot of layers, enjoy the lakes near the big city! There are a lot of lakes in Boston, some of them were regularly stocked with trout and atlantic salmon. Few minutes work and I am in the middle of solitude reside in the metropolitan, thanks for everyone being staying home : )

Apres Adventures | Episode 1 from Megan Leigh Sweeney on Vimeo.

best breakfast!

Just let you know I ate very very well during the stay! : ) here is few samples... Thank you my friends!

18+ please

thanksgiving in Auburn

What a wonderful Thanksgiving!! in Auburn!
I am so glad I come back for the wonderful thanksgiving! The weather is 75F! Amazing! Enjoy the friendships, great food, wine and turkey (of course!). Party after party...My main job is to eat and to keep the kids entertained!... and i think we all had a great time! : )

preparing steelhead flies

sun ray shadows

The 2011 International Fly Fishing Film Festival ( IF4 ) Commercial from Nick Pujic on Vimeo.

eastern rises DVD

finally here! after some mistaken caused by the paypal, Felt Soul Media sent it directly to me overnight. what a treat! It's one of the best film in FF. What you can expect from Felt Soul Media? bar none! featuring Frank Smethurst and Ryan Peterson - The big pull. It's a dream land! the spirit is well captured in the film! Order it from Felt Soul Media directly, and one percent of your spent will go to the NGO 1% for the Planet.

Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Kindle!

Since I have to spend almost two hours in a train on my daily routine, I am trying to figure out what is the best way to recollect "values" from my time sitting with strangers. Reading! how wonderful to have this little Kindle! Just use it about a week and I absolutely love it! There are TONS of free books you can download from the internet. For a little fee, there are plenty of books and magazines on the internet for you to purchase. Just one click, the 3G model will bring the hottest issue in this device just in a second! I also can check my email or browsing websites if I want! But for me, after sitting in front of my computer whole day, I refuse to spend anytime in browsing internet... All I want is a nice little story from a e-book, or, better yet, some good writing from Mike Kinney!

Home For Salmon Outtake 3 - Big Trout from Danica Film AS / Kristian Topp on Vimeo.

little yuki !

I am proudly introducing our newest family member - yuki. How exciting! My little niece! She is only two days old, but uncle Mark can't stop thinking what rod to buy for her, and can't wait to bring her fishing! : ) Good job,brother! I am so proud of you and congratulations! Sabrina.

really?

best commercial of the year! I love this commercial! It makes me laugh out loud because it is the scenes I see everyday... poor people need to be rescued! : )

extra hour

listen Mozart..

spring creek exploration

This Saturday, I decided to visit the famous tailwater fishery in this state, the swift river. I wanted to visit this place for a long time, (rumors has it that the fish here grow big!) but it seems I can't find the time to make it happen. Finally, the lab's work is finished the first section and the perfect weather is really exerting it's magic power. Only one and a half hour drive and I was stunned by this gen clean spring creek! The water is so clear that you see every fish! some of them are building nests, some of them are trailing behind looking for free eggs. The insider report from the museum Mark is correct! It would be a egg day! egg pattern, imitate trout eggs that fall out from the spawning bed. Those fish that not in the mating mode are my target, they are playful and they LOVE eggs! : ) Because of the water condition (low and clear) and popularity of this creek, those trout are super spooky and wary,( this place really reminded me the famous Davison river in NC.) I have to cut my rig into a very clean, simple design, no indicator, no extra weight to minimize the disturbance. But because of the clean water, I can see most of the trout taking the fly, which is super cool! Sometime you will see the trout just slightly open the mouth to show a little white, or a little finin sideway, then I would do a quick waist set to seal the deal. It was a gorgeous day, the gentle flow of the creek and the bird song just wash away the tension from the whole week lab work!

sage z-axis 490-2, 4 weight 9 feet and 2 piece rod. This rod is amazing casting machine! a super sensitive and accurate rod. lightning fast action provide sharp and clean cast for the situation that have a very tiny marginal error... one or two drifts, taken or spooked. : ) When sight fishing in a gen clean spring creek. This rod is my only choice.

lovely!

Nevin Griber Wyoming CutSlam from John Griber on Vimeo.

new england living style

a couple weeks ago, a good friend from japan was visiting me... a great idea came across my mind that "it would be great to show her some traditional New England living style..."(although it's hard for a Alabamian to tell what is NE style! ha) I decided to visit my American Dad! The Baker family! We have been close friends for more than a decade. But because of distance, we got to see each other only every few years. It is so great to see the Bakers again! their house is amazing! Hundreds of acres of conservation forest was surrounded the beautiful house! no wonder there are always few black bears visiting apple trees in the front yard! Amazing place! I promised i will be back when the first snow come! the pizza, the local brewers... I can't wait! : )

The other day, i was sitting on a subway train and feel so grateful! the winter sun, the people and feel good to wake up in every morning.