Drew Chicon's Tuscan Bunny

Joe Mahler ties the Straw Boss

Here is a step-by-step link for the Straw Boss courtesy of FlyTyer Magazine. 

HMH Spinner in-line rotary tube vise - CABELA'S SCORE

Photo From HMH Website

I picked up this tube vise for $39.88 at Cabela's today.  Unbelievable deal!  Top quality tube vise that sells for $210 elsewhere.  Check your local Cabela's if you are into tubes.

A Letter From Lefty Kreh

To my friends,
 
I was 92 in January and had a carotid artery operation. During testing the hospital determined my heart was only pumping 35% and must limit my physical activities followed by a rest. The industry was extremely helpful and last season was able to attend the shows, clinics, etc.
 
Several weeks ago, I realized I was developing another problem, which is normal for someone nearly 93. It turns out I have congested heart failure. My pacemaker revealed there was a series of very rapid hear beats, which could cause a stroke. Fortunately a lot of doctor/friends are fly-fisherman and worked with me. In summary I have to give up travel and presentations as in the past.
 
Everyone produces a certain amount of fluid in the body and excretes the excess. Because of the low heartbeat my body is not getting rid of all the fluids and I gained weight.  My best friend Dr. Mark Lamos put me in the hospital and with back procedure they twice removed a liter and a half of fluid from my chest. After five days in the hospital. I lost weight.


A week or so later I starting gaining weight again so it was back in the hospital for the same treatment. They reduced most of the fluid and returned home. I determined I was not going to continue back to the hospital. Mark decided to use medicine to control the excess fluid. It’s been a fine-tuning situation but looks like it’s starting work.
 
This means the schedule I lived for decades is no longer valid and will spend most my time at home. As we get older we learn to adjust to what we can and cannot do. I have a number of interesting computer home projects on the computer and busier than a Syrian bricklayer. I’m not frustrated and I’m content My problem is I don’t have a lot of stamina and have to work around that. If Marks medical system works I should be busy  and around for a year or two.
 
I would like to be able to send this email to my friends but I don’t really know how to do this. So I’m asking others to help me spread the word through email. Because my lack of energy and stamina I having trouble answering emails (there are more than 400 on the computer) and not talking much on the phone. This is not meant to be unfriendly is learning to adjuster my situation.
 
In summary I’m busy and content but I want you to know I am so appreciative you’ve have shared your lives with me.    
 
All The Best Friends,
Lefty  

Chequamegon Bay Trip 2017

Well...my trip to Ashalnd Wisconsin to fish the Chequamegon Bay was excellent again this year.  My youngest son came along and had a blast.  The trip was one of my highlights of my life too.  Captain Luke Kavajecz is not only a fantastic guide he is a great teacher!  He took my son under his wing and showed him the in's and out's of casting a fly rod, he also knew when to switch my son over to a spinning rod.  Making that switch to conventional gear was a good move as we all know how frustrating a fly rod can be when you are just learning.

My son had a ball casting plastic grubs while I spend the day casting the Murdich Minnow.  The fish were very healthy and fought hard.

We had a beautiful day out there with temps into the low 70's.  The wind was not even a big factor!

If you want to hire out a guide for the trip of a lifetime you should call Luke and get on his schedule.

Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease - Link to Gink and Gasoline

Here is a link to a great article on Gink and Gasoline.   Lymes disease is no joke, I have a few close friends that suffered before the disease was identified....untreated Lymes can have serious consequences.

I thought the article was excellent.

Chad Johnson's Freaky Frog - Steve Dally YouTube Link

Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher guide and Umpqua fly designer Chad Johnson ties his Freak Frog. (Materials List below)

The Freaky Frog is an awesome surface fly for largemouth and smallmouth bass: and if you fish froggy stillwaters in trout country don't be surprised that it works there as well.

Click to shop the Freaky Frog here http://mtnriverflyshopstore.com/jofrf...

Video produced by Brian Wise: Fly Fishing the Ozarks http://flyfishingtheozarks.com/
in conjunction with Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher, Cotter Arkansas. http://theozarkflyfisher.com

Materials List
Hook -- 8089 Size 2
Frog Foam -- Olive
Foam Ant Body -- Large Black
Sheet of 1/8" Tan Fly Foam
Silly Legs -- Hopper Yellow Perfectly Barred & Olive/ Black Flake
Eyes -- Hareline 5/16 Oval Pupil 3D -- Red/ Black Pupil 
Prism SLF Dubbing—Olive— Multi -- Laminated Synthetic 
Thread -- UTC 100 Olive GSP
Stainless Wire Weed Guard
.035 Lead Wire

Single and Double Gonga by Charlie Craven

I ran across this pattern at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo in St Paul last week.  Got home and found a tutorial online.  The single Gonga tutorial was posted by InTheRiffle.  Charlie Craven is the inventor of the pattern.  He also ties a articulated or double Gonga.

Here is a link that shows Charlie Craven tying up a Double Gonga.  The video clip was posted by EbersoleMEDIA.  Talk about an awesome setting.

Fishing Vibes Smallmouth Bass Streamer

Here is a tutorial from the Fishing Vibes YouTube channel.  I like the size of this streamer.

Mixed Media Tutorial

Joe Cornwall from Fly Fish Ohio was the creator of this pattern (I believe).  Iowaflytyer on YouTube posted this tutorial....really nice.

Here is Joe Cornwall's original tutorial.

Cobra Storage - Garage Door Rod Holder

My boys got me a few of these Cobra Garage Door Rod Holders for Christmas this year.  Just getting around to installing them on my garage door.  No fasteners to ruin the door...  The rack mounts to the backside of your garage door and holds several fishing rods.  Seems like a gag gift, but with the price of gear these days they are actually practical.

Here is a link to the Cobra website.  ABS plastic and made in the USA.

O'Pros Dragonfly Rod Holder

Dragonfly Rod Holder

I picked up a Dragonfly Rod Holder at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo today.  Kind of a neat new product that allows you to "holster" your fly rod while wading.  The guys at the booth were super nice people and the product is made in the USA.

Photo Credit:  www.oprosgear.com

Here is a video clip from their YouTube channel.

Dave Whitlock - Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo

Photo Credit: www.davewhitlock.com

My youngest son and I attended the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo in St Paul this morning.  We were very fortunate to spend a few minutes talking to Dave Whitlock!  Dave was gracious enough to autograph book markers for my two boys - and even one for me.

This sport is full of pretentious people, but Dave Whitlock is NOT one of them.  He spoke to my son like he knew him.  When we left the booth my son was so excited to have spent time with a true legend.

I ended up buying a color enhanced, personalized print of a smallie jumping <below>.

If you ever get a chance to speak with Dave or get some of his art you should jump at the chance.  Talented artist, great fly tyer and just a fantastic person.

Lapenter Bay Bug

Photo Credit: www.anglersallwisconsin.com

Recipe
Thread:  6/0 Uni
Hook:  Gamakatsu B10S
Weight:  Hourglass Eyes
Head/Mohawk:  Rabbit Fur
Body:  Chenille (Cactus)
Tail:  Rabbit Zonker

This is Roger Lapenter's Bay Bug, one of his "go-to" patterns on the bay up in Ashland, WI.  Super simple at the vise, but works great on the water.

This is the Bay Bug I got for donating to Roger Lapenter's Bay fund.  Getting one of these flies at the show was the cherry on top.

Captain Roger Lapenter - Anglers All

Photo Credit:  Anglers All (www.anglersallwisconsin.com)

The image and following text is directly from the Anglers All website.

"In late January, Capt. Roger Lapenter passed on to watch over all the people he cared so much for.  He will be missed by many people, but the legacy he created for all of us will continue to be strong.  Roger was instrumental in creating the world-class Smallmouth fishery here on Chequamegon Bay, and even though he is gone, the fish he worked so hard to protect are still here and it will be up to those of us who pursue these fish to make sure this great fishery will be enjoyed by future generations of anglers.  

A fund to protect Chequamegon Bay's trophy smallmouth bass has been established in Lapenter's name. Tax deductible contributions may be mailed to: Roger Lapenter Chequamegon Bay Fund, ℅ The Ashland Foundation, P.O. Box 762, Ashland, WI 54806."

I cannot say enough about Anglers All up in Ashland, WI.  My youngest son and I will be on Luke's boat in mid-May.