Inside the Box: DOS Tungsten Deep Steelhead Stone

DOS Tungsten Deep Steelhead Stone: Thread: 8/0 Uni Hook: Orvis 122J size 6 Hook Shank: .25 Lead Free Round Wire Bead: (2) Orvis Tungsten 3/16 Abdomen: Wapsi Stretchtubing Small black/amber Granny Weave Legs: Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs Medium White Shell Back: Legs: Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs Medium White Dubbing: SLF Black

Weather Bumps Water

Lake Erie tributaries both large and small have received bumps of water and an apparent disappearance of fishermen due to our most recent regional winter weather pattern. The total lack of other anglers was surreal in light of the heavy pressure this area has received in the past weeks. Where did everyone go?

Eagle Eye

Nothing represents the spirit of the wild more than the eagle. Soaring high overhead, he circled low as if inspecting my meal worthiness. I could understand his confusion, after all, I was splayed out, mid creek, enjoying my lunch on a sun warmed rock. As quickly as he swooped in, he realized the camera looking back at him lacked carrion characteristics and hastily retreated for a distant roost.

Green Eye'd Catt

What a great afternoon to be on the water. Bumped into Phil and had a great time talking his ear off. Thanks for tolerating my nonstop blabber! Phil had been on the water since 7 and I interrupted his tranquility shortly after 2. I noticed him approaching from a distance, he was heading up stream and I was working a pool he would soon intercept. As he got closer we exchanged small talk at a near shout, just loud enough for our voices to carry over the thin braid of rushing water that stretched in front of us. After the customary "hows the fishing?", we got right down to business. Heading directly to a particular run that has been good to us in the past week, We rotated through it's seams and current breaks, all while bantering back and forth about patterns, steelhead nymph rigs and the willow sprouts on the far bank, that seem to reach out and grab at our flies with every gust of wind. Advancing through the run, it was easy to get lost in the flow. Water quietly lapped against exposed rocks and appeared to match in 3/4th time with our drift/step rhythm. After some time passed between hookups, I began to lapse in and out of a focused, fish catching, tunnel vision. My concentration was waning but it was difficult to pull away. Finally, I sat back on the bank, resting the pool and my eyes. In the moment I took to look around, I saw steelhead porpoise in the tail out, osprey soaring overhead and a scarlet sun as it dropped below the trees. In my opinion, there is no more beautiful time to be an outdoorsman in WNY.

Inside the Box: Purple Heart

Hook: Daiichi 2052 Salmon Size 7 Tag: Gold Tinsel Body: Read Thread Dubbing: Purple Northern Lights SLF Hackle: Wine and natural Strung Guinea Eye: Jungle Cock Nail Dee Wing: Matching Mahogany Turkey Biot Quills Head: 8/0 Red Thread

Steelhead Bummin

Waking before the crack of dawn, power fishing for a quick four hours, hastily speeding off to work, changing in the bathroom and punching the clock for another 8 hours. Doing it all over again the next day: steelhead bummin.

Two Handed Blow Out

The area received a spat of rain last night and with that came turbidity. Despite the though conditions, we managed two hook ups, loosing each to thrown flies.

The Golden Hour

There is a period of nearly an hour every morning as the sun peaks up above the horizon and fills the sky with it's amazing golden glow. This is the golden hour.

Fruits of Early Season Labor

I've been known to say, "you've got to be in it to win it". Some early season chrome.