Fly Product...TLTFF Review of The Chum Bucket Fly Tester

Photo via Jason Haddix on IG of double tube Chum Bucket (@watersedgeflyco)

There was one item as a fly tier I had on my wish list for awhile that, at the time I could not justify the cost for nor find available when it did seem right...one that eventually came off the market.

A fly tester.

Once FlyMen decided they would no longer carry their $285 Fish-Skull Fly Tester, I was on the hunt to find a used one for sale or something I could use in its stead. This would be one to test out new ties or run some simulation tests of tried and true patterns to see how they look to the fish I was planning on chasing. Unfortunately, nobody seemed to want to let theirs go and they were impossible to find at the shows as dealers had sold out.

Thats when I was introduced to Kent Christensen of Pristine Plastics by friend Jason Haddix of Waters Edge Fly Co. Jason and Kent recognized the void that had been left and the remaining demand for a fly tester...thats how the Chum Bucket came to be.

Fly Tying...Craft Fur Clouser

Craft Fur Clouser from Tightline Productions~T. Flagler on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'2016 Albie Rhythm'

2016 Albie Rhythm from Roamads on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Masked Avenger 2.0

Masked Avenger 2.0 from Richard Strolis on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Steelhead Wooly Bugger

Steelhead Woolly Bugger from Tightline Productions~T. Flagler on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Silly Rabbit Streamer

A different spin on a bunny style saltwater streamer from Richard Strolis of Catching Shadows. Total guide fly that's very versatile and durable, and most importantly, quick and easy to tie.

Silly Rabbit Streamer from Richard Strolis on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

"Make Fishing Great Again"

All photos by Capt. John McMurray

Capt. John McMurray of One More Cast Charters sits on a pedestal for me. He's one of the most knowledgable captains and conservationists I've had the privilege to know. With all jokes on recent national politics aside, the slogan "Make Fishing Great Again" can hold a lot more truths than what is initially perceived. John makes that pretty obvious in his recent grand slam of an article that was sent along to me to be shared.

From a fishing standpoint, this is important and from a conservation standpoint, this information is paramount. I'm going to hand over the reigns to John and let his blogging speak for itself. Enjoy...

Maryland Weekly Fishing Report - October 20, 2016

Via MD DNR:

By: Keith Lockwood

October is a favorite month for sportsman as temperatures moderate and most of summer seems to be behind and there is a taste of fall in the air. It is an exciting time for fishermen as both freshwater and saltwater fish species shift to an active fall feeding pattern.

At the very top of the bay near the mouth of the Susquehanna and Elk Rivers striped bass in a mix of sizes are being caught this week. Small 12" to 14" fish tend to be following bait and are usually marked by diving birds. Larger fish above 20" are being caught on topwater lures along the edges of the flats and shoreline structure areas. Sparse water releases at the dam are making for clear water conditions in the area. Those who fish the lower Susquehanna River and the Flats area are well aware there are other kinds of bass in the area such as largemouth and smallmouth bass and they can be part of the mix. Beth L'Heureux was fishing in the lower Susquehanna when she caught this beautiful smallmouth bass that weighed close to 5 lbs.

photo by Douglas Rash

E-Zine...Tail #25

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Junk in Da Trunk

Junk in Da Trunk from Norbert Renaud on Vimeo.

A streamer with a big heavy butt! It rattles on the pulls, leave a pause and it will sink tail first.Perfect mimic of a dying baitfish.I pack the fibres on the head a bit to create more buoyancy at the front.Attach direct to your leader, or if you use a clip or swivel be sure to add more weight to your tail.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...The Deep Throat Sculpin

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Fly Tying...The Megamouth

Via Fly Life Magazine:

By: Henrik Agerskov Jensen

In Denmark, where I live, one of our main types of fishing is for seatrout, a sea run brown trout. We fish for them right from the beach. It is quite comparable to striper fishing from the shore. These Megamouth flies were originally developed for this type of fishing, and the pattern I will show you here is one of the most dependable flies I’ve developed.

I feel like this could be a killer pattern on the Chesapeake too, with the often stained water of the Summer and early Fall months, the noise this fly makes subsurface could be extremely beneficial. 

To read the rest of the article and see full instructions, click here.

Boom...Morgan

Maryland Weekly Fishing Report - August 18th, 2016

Via MD DNR:

By: Keith Lockwood

Water temperatures in the upper bay are in the 85 degree range this week and this can mean some tough going for the larger striped bass. Due to low oxygen levels in many of the deeper areas the fish can not go deep to find cooler water. This week in the upper bay the locations that are holding striped bass tend to be the western side of the Craighill Channel from Sandy Point Light to Baltimore Light on the 30' edge. The 30' channel edge west of the Love Point Buoy has also been a good place to find striped bass as has the Swan Point area. Chumming is still popular but live lining spot and white perch is taking the lead as a better grade of striped bass is possible with these larger baits. There are a lot of 14" to 16" striped bass in the region and they tend to be suckers for a chum slick during a good tide. Sending cut menhaden baits to the bottom and back of the slick as quickly as possible will pay dividends in larger fish. Bluefish are present in the upper bay and will be part of the chum slick mix. Trolling can be a good alternative and working the 30' channel edges is a good place to start. Most are having good luck with umbrella rigs or small spoons pulled behind inline weights or planers to get them down to the fish. Breaking fish comprised of small striped bass and bluefish can be found now and then and jigging deep underneath can pay off with larger striped bass. Laurel Leitner is all smiles with this striped bass she caught while jigging underneath breaking fish. Photo by Lonnie Johnson

Maryland Weekly Fishing Report - August 10, 2016

Via MD DNR:

By: Keith Lockwood

Water temperatures in the upper bay and other regions of the bay are in the mid-80's this week and even higher in some of the tidal rivers and shallower areas. These high water temperatures are having a profound effect on fishing. Striped bass are trying to hold deep along channel edges but also must balance where there is sufficient oxygen. It is August and as surface algae begin to complete their life cycle and expire, they drift down into the depths of the bay and remove oxygen in the process of decomposition. This is a stressful time for fish and shellfish in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Before we get into the statewide fishing reports, here are some more tips from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources water quality monitoring team which could help you locate more striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay during the hot summer months. 

Finding Summertime Striped Bass in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay:

• In late summer, high surface water temperatures coupled with the majority of deeper water experiencing low dissolved oxygen conditions force Striped Bass into a very narrow band of water. This is known as the "Striped Bass Squeeze." Striped Bass can tolerate water temperatures up to about 86F and oxygen levels down to about 3mg/l. However, these conditions are far from optimal.
• Through Maryland DNR's extensive water monitoring efforts, we can identify areas best suited for Striped Bass. This monitoring also helps us understand current water quality conditions as well as track Maryland's progress towards restoring the Chesapeake Bay. DNR monitors Chesapeake Bay and its tidal and non-tidal rivers at 130 locations Statewide.
• Data for the map is collected by both Maryland and Virginia monitoring teams and funded by both States and also EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.

Striped Bass Fishing July Hotspots Map, Courtesy of Tom Parham, DNR

Daily Reel...'Lowtide Especial'

Lowtide Especial from 8wt. Productions on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Simple Baitfish

From the Doctor himself.

Simple Baitfish from Aaron Adams on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Craft Fur Baitfish

There are many ways to tie many different versions of the Craft Fur Baitfish...here is one of them to spruce up your Monday.

Boom...Morgan

Costa Rica - Jungle Tarpon Diaries Vol.1

Costa Rica - Jungle Tarpon Diaries Vol.1 from Solid Adventures on Vimeo.

The Solid Adventures crew in the midst of the northern Costa Rican Jungle. Shallow water creeks, lagoons and a river that you would expect trout to swim in are holding some of the biggest Tarpon in Central America. Fly Fishing at it's finest in an intimate 4 rod setting. Lean back and enjoy the ride.

Follow the exploits of our Solid Adventure team into the midst of the northern Costa Rican jungle, chasing some of the biggest Tarpon Central America has to offer. Sightfishing these magnificent beasts with floating and float intermediate lines in shallow lagoons, creeks and small river. Hard to believe that these skinny waters hold giant tarpon, but see for yourself. The ultimate jungle experience where dredging and sinking lines have no space - this is true tarpon fly fishing.

Sign up for our Newsletter and check our website for further information:
solidadventures.com/jungle-tarpon-costa-rica/

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'Beach Tarpon Feeding Frenzy'

From a year ago but still beyond rad...

Beach Tarpon Feeding Frenzy from Aaron Adams on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel + DIY...'Useful Linebasket and Kahawai Fishing'

Useful linebasket and kahawai fishing from FinFollowers on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan