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.

Cabelas 9 Iron Fly Rod

Photo Courtesy of Cabela's Review Section User Adeen

Got a new 8 wt today and I love it!  Picked this one up in the Cabela's Bargain Cave for $99.  Really a nice rod with plenty of backbone for sinking lines.  The grip on the rod is unlike anything I have fished before.  The more wet it gets the more tacky it becomes....super comfortable.  Not traditional by any means, but really nice.

Nice modern rod at an unbelievable price ($5 shipping too!)

Predator fly for Golden Dorado fly tying instructions by Ruben Martin

This is the first tutorial I have run across by Ruben Martin.  Check out his YouTube Channel here!  So much cool stuff going on with this one....and nice music too.  I really like the craft fur zonker we cuts.  Really great stuff.  

Smallmouth wouldn't leave this pattern alone.  Craft fur would sink nicely.

Make sure to see more of Ruben's creations on his YouTube channel.  Really talented guy.

Dave Pinczkowski the Bad Hair Day

Video linked from tightlinesflyshop on YouTube. Good stuff!

Fly Fish Food - UV Resin Shootout

If you haven't visited the Fly Fish Food website yet you should head over there now.  Their store is fantastic and they also have really nice video tutorials.  Just a really good resource to have saved as a bookmark.

Here is a link to their UV Resin Shootout post.  I am currently using Clear Cure Goo product and like the end product pretty well.

Goodbye Vintage

I never thought I'd say this, but my fascination with older glass fly rods and reels is over.  Don't get me wrong, from a collectors standpoint it was very fun to collect vintage glass fishing gear.  Along with the rods came some interest in classic fly reels.

Over the past few months I have been fishing more than I have been in years.  I have been using modern gear lately and  must admit that the modern stuff works better for me.

I have not been able to fish much in the past decade.  My career and my kids took the front seat to my hobbies.  If I want to get Freudian I must have collected the vintage gear to satisfy my fishing bug.  Now that I am actually out there fishing I am finding the new gear to be more up my alley.

For smallies I have settled on a 9wt and 7wt TFO Clouser series rods.  I am still a little cheap when it comes to reels.  The 7wt is paired with a Redington Behemoth and the 9wt is married to a Lamson Konic.  Not the highest quality reels, but I'll get there eventually.

In the coming months I will begin unloading my vintage collection on Ebay.  No way can I sell them all (some are just too cool), but the majority will be sold to fund a few new lines and God forbid....nicer reels.

Time to get out there and fish rather than collect!