Colorado Photo Submission

Eric Norman thought we needed a little fresh water love back on the blog so he sent us this hog. His buddy sent him this picture from the Blue River in Colorado. I've wanted to fish it and I looked down on it from 10,000 feet this summer... If I'd only known that hogs like this were in there.

Well thanks again Eric and I look forward to seeing what you guys were able to find in Ohio this fall. Wishing you luck from Florida and looking forward to seeing a couple of rack bucks here soon! 

Tarpon Photo Submission

Captain Chris White sent me this photo holding up a 30 pound tarpon that he caught near Flamingo this past weekend. He sent me this as a way to make me jealous as I still haven't caught a tarpon on the fly... Well it worked Chris I'm jealous.. When are we fishing?

South Platte Photo Submission

This weeks user submission comes to us from Will Torres. By the sounds of it Will has been spending this summer chasing trout on the South Platte River. Now that fall has arrived he is just as excited as I am to start getting into some seriously hungry fish. Well thanks Will for the pictures and keep us in the loop if you have any new pics to share! 

Fall fly fishing out on all areas of the South Platte River is my favorite time of the year to catch some nice trout! I caught these browns all in the Deckers area on #20 BWO. I have had good trips all summer long out on the Platte just been waiting for fall and now its here and I'm making my trips up to lip every sipping trout I get!

Don't Forget!

We want your photos too!

Are you a weekend warrior who wants to share a fish picture? A proud father/adult who wants to show off a youngster with a fish who you took out fishing for the first time? A guide who wants to document a proud client or finally got some free time to fish yourself and want to share your fish pictures?

If you send an email to flyfishingfiles1@gmail.com we will post your pictures! Please give us a little details about the general area where you caught the specific species of fish in the picture. Lets be honest, no one expects you to write exactly where you caught the fish! But back stories make for a cooler picture!

Not every picture will make the cut, we will gladly accept any and all submissions and let you know one way or they other if it's going to get on our site. However, with out strict rules, "cool or not cool," some will inevitably not make it. Bring on the pics!

Bonefish Submission

Captain Darrick Parker sent me this photo of a nice 6-7 Pound bonefish caught in the flats right outside off the coast of the Ocean Reef Club. Shown here is Abbey Kissel Hallingby with her biggest bonefish ever. She looks pretty pumped, but I lets be honest I would too if I caught a huge bonefish like this. 

Logan Branch Submission

Here are a few pictures of Matt Buterbaugh with a massive rainbow trout (Logan Branch) and brown trout that he caught on close to the confluence of Logan Branch and Spring Creek.  I can attest to this stream holding some large trout, but these two are at the top of the food chain. Great catches Matt!  Thanks for the photo submission. 

Big Centre County Rainbow

This photo submission comes to us from Bryan Doyle. Another member of our following introduced by the intern, Harry Tomlin. This is a great picture of a pretty huge rainbow from Central Pennsylvania. So thanks Bryan for sending this to us and thanks Harry for pointing him in our direction! 

Keep the pictures coming and we will keep posting them. I'm missing central PA trout fishing more and more every day... 

Here you go fella's, got this huge bow early this morning in central pa. I'd like to keep the location on the down low since its hard to find public waters that isn't regulated with fish like this swimming around, I like to call it my little honey hole. However, I caught this bow on a size 16 frenchie in about a mile of non stocked water while fishing for wild browns. I also released the fish after a few photos to catch again someday.

Bryan

This Time Last Year at Cusack's

Last year in Alaska I had an opportunity to break in one of my good friends into the guiding industry and give him a last hoorah before he enlisted into the army. Doug Suhey had always been an outdoorsman and a fisherman but he quickly picked up a passion for fly fishing when I mentioned we might need a strong, motivated individual to do a little guiding as well. Doug jumped on the opportunity and had one hell of a summer. Topped off by his father Larry coming up to visit in July for Larry's birthday. Here are some of Larry's favorite pictures from his time spent up there. Larry told me his trip to Alaska was so much more than just fishing, but it appears he caught some nice fish along the way as well. 

Brian and Kirk,

I was up with Doug the second week of July 2011, so pretty close to this time last year. The sockeye were just starting their run up the Copper River. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the time spent with Doug up there.

Keep the faith,


Larry

"In a 30 min span I caught over 25 fish with a nymph. The location was Bobs brothers cabin on the mountain."

Tripletail Submission

The guys from the Mr. Nice charter operation landed this monster Tripletail on a fishing charter this past week. Naturally, I was intrigued because I had never really heard of a Tripletail let alone really expected it to look like this! Capt. Tripp Walker explained that this time of the year if they can find some flotsam (any large floating debris) they can usually find some Tripletail! This is an exceptionally large one considering they grow "up to 41lbs" and this hog was pushing 30. 

Other interesting facts about Tripletail.

- The name "tripletail" is given because of the fish's three rounded fins: dorsal, caudal, and anal.

- Tripletail are well known for their unusual behavior of floating just beneath the surface with one side exposed, mimicking a leaf or floating debris.

Spring Creek Submission!

Special thanks to Bryan Doyle who sent us a beautiful picture of a Brown Trout taken on Spring Creek.  The picture shows how big the trout was but I'm sure it was a treat to witness up close and personal!  Harry "The Intern" Tomlin does another excellent job in pointing fly-fisherman in our direction. Thanks Harry!


Hello, I was in TCO today talking to Harry Tomlin and showed him this brown I caught last week on Spring Creek along Benner Pike in the McCoy section. He was impressed and told me to email the pic to you guys. I figured it was close to 20 inches.

Nice catch Bryan!

Destination: State College, PA Fishing Creek

Part 2 is all about Fishing Creek. Fishing Creek became my favorite home river this year. There are so many advantages in my mind to being on that river. The most important is the peace.. On Fishing Creek there aren't people every where and you don't feel like you have to cover your fishing hole because people don't low hole you there. The fish are bigger and they are smarter. It's a challenge every time you fish it and that makes it awesome.


The best hatch, in my oppinion, on Fishing Creek is the Grannom hatch. It is the first major hatch of the season and it's your best bet to find some dumb, hungry fish. This year it was tremendous fishing, the fish were hungry, and the water boiled. I had my best Pennsylvania days on Fishing Creek during the Grannom Hatch. This year it was late March into early April. The prime time this year was the first week of April. That said it's usually a little later than that, but everything was early this year. 


Now let's give it over to Pat Williams, for some more of his infamous fish porn and some good stories from this year on Fishing Creek. 


This collection is from Fishing Creek fish caught at the end of spring (about May 25 – June 25). It should be clearly stated though that Penns Creek is in no way fishable now due to high water temps, and probably won’t be until early fall. All of these pics were taken from fish caught on top using my own adaptations (to mayflies, stoneflies, or similar caddisflies) using that widow's web wing material, similar to that clacka caddis pattern I gave you guys earlier tied by Walter Wiese at Parks Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT. They were also all caught around dusk or at night. Below are stories/captions for each photo.

This fish was caught on Fishing Creek during an evening filled with dark blue sedge fluttering over the water. I’ve only caught this fish once, but I know where its home is, and I can always instantly ID it by that beacon of a flaming red tail. It’s not the largest fish, but more of a further example to illustrate just how pretty Fishing Creek trout can get. It was sipping bugs under a tree branch hanging over the water, providing it protection via wiry branches, creating a dome-like structure over its feeding lie. However, there was an opening in the front, and a cast with a slack leader about 5 ft upstream allowed for the perfect drag-free drift to this feeding brown. It was taken on a #12 black caddis pattern.

The next day (after the red-tailed fish was caught), this brown was caught under a similar tree branch structure sipping dark blue sedge in the evening. It was feeding literally right on the bank, and took the same fly as the red-tailed fish. For once, I was not fishing in my typical solo psychopath fashion, and was with someone else that day. I would like to thank Andy Reynolds for taking this shot.

I thought I was lucky the first time I got a large tiger on Fishing Creek, but this second one confirms that the horseshoe is still firmly imbedded in my ass. This one was not as big as the last (about 13”), but it was every bit as unique. I caught this one on top with a #14 light cahill pattern just after dark at about 9:30. There were lots of risers right before dark, but this one started eating very aggressively right as the last light of the day was fading. I actually fished this same spot about 10 days later and once again caught this tiger after dark on top, this time on a #14 rusty spinner.

This is another angle of the same tiger which highlights its insane kype. This thing literally started to bend right after the crease in its mouth and at no point stopped its curvature. I would say that relative to the lateral line of the fish, the point at the bottom of its jaw was probably bent upwards at least 45 degrees, something I have never seen on a 13” fish. This tiger even developed a small notch in its upper jaw just so it could semi keep its mouth closed. The first tiger I got on Fishing Creek was much more pretty, but this one was UGLY, which sometimes is just as good.

Destination: State College, Penns Creek

As most of you know State College, Pennsylvania has been home to Kirk and I for twenty something years now. We have grown up fishing there and learned how to fly fish on our local streams. It wasn't until working (for a brief period) as a fishing guide there that I appreciated how far people were willing to travel to get a Central Pennsylvania trout on the end of their line.

This will be a multi-part series depicting several of our favorite streams the best hatches and the best time of the year to fish.

The first is Penns Creek. Penns Creek is located about 30 minutes East of State College with the easiest access being in the town of Coburn. Penns Creek is one of those rivers in our area that it would take many years to explore the whole river and it's intricacies. It has access points the are available to the angler entirely by dirt road, and not well maintained dirt roads... It has secret spots and spots a car cannot take you.

The best hatch on Penns Creek is assuredly the Green Drakes. This hatch brings people in from all over the country to hit the drakes just right. For that same reason this is not the best time to fish Penns Creek unless you want to fish with the crowds or fish entirely after dark. If I were to choose a time, I would head out to Penns Creek in Spring, March or April. Early March would be good, you could still hit some Hendrickson's possible see some early March Browns and some Grannom Caddisflies as well.

Helping us with this series is Patrick Williams. If you don't know Patrick, he was the president of the Penn State fly fishing club and has become a friend through fishing stories and shared experiences. He is a great fisherman, an innovative fly tier, and a skilled photographer. Here are a couple of fish from this year and the stories to go with them.

This brown was caught on Penns Creek on a day when there were a million bugs on the water. Sulpher, cahill, and large BWO spinners were floating everywhere, while small sulphers, orange cahills, light cahills, dark blue sedge, tan caddis and stoneflies were also buzzing around in the air. Fish were rising in some fast riffles, and while tempted to throw on a rusty spinner (spinners were easily the dominant food source on the water), I instead decided to go big or go home, and present a fly the fish would not be picky about. I had seen a couple large slate drake duns popping earlier in the day, and put on a #10 imitation. It took maybe 3 at most drifts over each rising fish to result in a take. This fish was feeding right at the head of the large riffle, and this take was the first rise I saw from it. I was actually casting to get a drift over a fish that was rising about 5 ft downstream of where this one was.

Again on Penns Creek, and again when there were tons of spinners, duns and caddis on the water, several fish were rising in a big pool. I tried the slate drake again, but with no takers. I switched to a rusty spinner, but again nothing. I was seeing a few giant stones (eastern cousin to the salmonfly, a legitimate #2 size fly) in the air as the evening light started fading. I had tied up a few patterns to imitate these monsters, and actually pulled a fairly large fish on one behind a boulder earlier in the day when prospecting as a dry-dropper. The fish apparently were keen on these slabs of protein at this time (about 8 pm), despite the fact that none were on the water. When this pattern drifted over the previously picky rising fish, they would literally roll on it. The only thing I could think to compare it to in PA was the first few days of the periodical cicada’s a couple years back. Many good fish were taken on this pattern, but sadly several either broke off (this pool is about 6’ deep with lots of boulders and wood on the bottom) or spit the hook on me. Luckily, this fatty didn’t, and you can see the #8 foam stonefly still in its mouth (the hook size is an 8, but the foam goes well beyond the bend of the hook extending out the back, the total length of this fly is about 2.5”).

I went to Penns several times to try to hit the drakes during the constant high water and scattered storms occurring during the hatch. These outings were made more interesting due to the fact that in late may I had broken all of my trout rods in a 48 hour period, which has to be some kind of record. Luckily, I was able to borrow one of the Penn State flyfishing club’s 8.5’ TFO rods for a substitute. One night I got there at about 7, walked far downstream from my car into the woods to a section of flat water which I hoped would still produce rising fish despite the milk chocolate consistency of the water. I got to my spot and rigged up and caught a few rising fish when clouds turned to rain, and then more rain. I forgot my rain jacket this day, but being wet didn’t bother me as long as I was catching fish. I then saw a flash followed by a loud crash of thunder when lightning struck the ridge just above where I was fishing. I decided that waving a 8.5’ graphite lightning rod while immersed in waist deep water was not the smartest idea, and decided to wait out the storm on the bank. The lightning got more frequent, and the rain started coming down harder, and by hard I mean God was breaking the seal all over me. I sat in a ditch and got pissed on for 45 minutes, and by the time the storm passed it was almost dark. I was soaked everywhere, including inside every inch of my waders, but hearing the slurping of fish once again taking green drake duns lifted my spirits. It turned dark and fish were still rising. I caught several but this one was the best of the night (the best that got in the net). All fish were taken on a 2XL #6 green drake dun.

Permit Photo Sumbission

This 25 pound permit was submitted to us by captain Darrick Parker. This was from last week and this big fella fell to a crab. Just think maybe Kirk and I can get into one of these ourselves. That's the idea anyway, we will have to just wait and see what happens tomorrow when we take the kayaks back out again. 

The Intern Strikes Back

Harry T. the long lost intern came back to us this week with a great story and a good picture to go with it. Harry I am excited about this net you are talking about. I'd like to get a better look at it as I am in the market for a flats fishable net that will stay up high and is light weight. This thing sounds like it could be a good bet! Anyways congrats on the photo keep up the good work intern.

Hey boys,

It's a pretty shitty picture but it was almost dark on spring creek near the gun range. I could tell because the smell of sulphur or whatever Cordite? was still in the air. Anyway a decent fish maybe 12 but the big deal is: a) i was by myself and got a picture b) got to use my new " nomad net " carbon fiber super light very cool. Promise better pictures to come. I'm headed to hawaii for 10 days. Jared hooked me up with guide in hawaii to do some flats fishing for bones. Watch for some bad ass embarassing photos of me hooking the guide with some crazy fly. Looks like you guys are having fun. I promise to get my intern mojo in gear and give kirk some help from this end.

Yo,

Harry T.

Grouper Submission!

Todays photo submission comes from Captain John Wambolt of the Patch Man Do. They were out on the reef yesterday morning and they pulled up this 15 lb black grouper! This is a serious grouper with a very happy client! The cool thing about going reef fishing with Captain John is that there is so much variety to catch. One minute you are hauling up a mutton snapper and the next your into a big barracuda followed by a grouper that looks something like this! It really is an awesome experience without the hour boat ride each way!

Green Drake Victim!

The follower submission this week comes from Caleb Rebarchek. He was out with his Dad fishing the green drake hatch on Fishing Creek and captured this great picture of Grizzly Adams and a nice trout to boot! 

Hey Kirk and Brian,

Just wanted to send this picture along to you guys. Dad and I were on Fishing Creek back on the evening of Friday, May 25th for the Green Drakes. Flies were in the air, but this is the only fish that either of us caught that night. It was a 16-inch brown that gave him a good fight, and when I saw him hook into the fish I figured I'd play the part of the good son to go and take his picture with it. The cigar stub and Grizzly Adams beard just add to the picture, I think.

Tight lines!

Caleb

Follower Submissions!

Both of the Andy's sent in great Photo's this week! The first is from Andy Ramish and it is a fantastic shot of an aquatic insect we all wait for... the Green Drake. The photo is perfect and captures everything that makes up the drake hatch. Bugs everywhere, fish feeding, and a couple cold beers...

The second submission is from Andy Reynolds. 


I was finally back in action again on Spring Creek after what seemed to be an eternity, but as the day was coming to a close, I was treated to this beautiful brown at my favorite spot. I got a few fish in the pool to eat a small tan caddis but it took a very light bodied CDC emerger to get this guy to move. The take was amazing as I've replayed it a hundred times over in my head wishing only that I could go and do it again and again. It was perfect closure to a great weekend! -Tight Lines

Another PA Secret Stream!

Today Eric Bohnenblust shared with us a a few awesome fish from a secret stretch of his. Well Eric someday maybe you will share that stretch with us.. But, until then keep hammering fish and sending us some pics! Keep up the good work!

Hey guys,

Like the blog, its nice to see what other people are doing and catching in the area.  Anyhow, I figured I would share a sample of my last couple weeks of awesome fishing. 

To say things have been good is probably the understatement of the year, I had excellent years the last two, but this year is making those look bad!  It started slow for me, but I started getting out around the regular opener and man did things on stream XXX (named for the amount of fish porn it is providing me, and I apologize but I just 
cannot in good conscience name this stream) in Central PA get awesome fast.  I haven't been hitting numbers but I just seem to be catching bruiser after bruiser and have stopped taking pics of anything less than 3 lbs unless it is unique! WHAT A PROBLEM TO HAVE!!  Anyhow I hit the first two browns on sulphur dries, talk about big trout, and man these were just stunningly gorgeous, I have seen a lot of browns, but never fish with colors like these two and oh yeah they were only 19" and 18" not even the all elusive 20".  Then last Saturday I landed the rainbow, what an absolute brute, estimated at nearly 7 lb!  It did not take a dry, but that doesn't make a difference with a fish like this!  I am looking forward to drakes coming up in the next couple days, can it really get any better?

Enjoy!

Eric

Eric Norman Stepping up!

Eric Norman caught this 17 inch brown on Penns Creek this past week. He made a specific point in his submission to mention that Harry Tomlin is now officially behind him in pic submissions again. Haha let the rivalry continue! 

"This brown was caught on a caddis! Mayflies are for sissies!! Hope you are doing well in the Sunshine State. Nice blog and while you are missed in the shop you aren't missing much except for some stellar fishing... Oh and thanks for reiterating what a great pattern the pheasant tail is. I got away from it but you brought me back to reality!"

Well thanks again Eric! Keep the pics coming, keep hammering big fish, and we will keep posting them! 

Follower Submissions!

My brother Brett finally got a chance to get out on the water and he took advantage of it. Shown below is one of the best fish he landed! Thankfully for us he got a picture. This fish was landed on Spring Creek with a Pheasant Tail Nymph. Brett Loves the P. Tails and actually taught me how to tie them, way back when he knew more about fishing than me. Ha! Thanks brother hope you enjoyed the water!

That is a solid fish and also a great pose... 

Not to be out done Harry T. sent us a picture of a trout he picked up on Spring Creek as well. Great close up shot of a colorful fish! Let me add it's about time the intern got some useful material on here! Hah just kidding Harry hope you are manning the shop in my absence.