Fishing Knowledge

For those of you who are new to the game or a vet, always great to brush up on new knots or see someone else's technique. This is my go to saltwater fly or baitfish/streamer knot...

Super Easy Non-Slip Loop Knot from Tightline Productions~T. Flagler on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Fly Tying...Craft Fur Clouser

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

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reels...'Tarpons of Anarchy' + 'The Terminator Clouser Fly'

The Terminator Clouser Fly (set) from Ian Baldwin on Vimeo.

Tarpons of Anarchy from Ian Baldwin on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

CCA Maryland's 15th Annual Lefty Kreh Tie Fest

Mark your calendars, its on like Donkey Kong! The 15th Annual installment of Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest hosted by the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland is right around the corner! March 7th from 10am-4pm at Prospect Bay Country Club here in Grasonville, MD.

Attendees will include Lefty, Popvics, Clouser, Silverio, Buzzi, Pay Cohen and many more! I'm fortunate enough to have the opportunity to not only be a featured tier but will also be giving a seminar about carp on the fly. The day will be full of fun and is definitely worth the trip as its becoming pretty big event now.

You can check out our previous trips to Tie Fest and event coverage by clicking here.

The seminars for this year are:

-Kevin Josenhans will be speaking on "Fly Fishing Crisfield" at 1pm 

-Blane Chocklett will be speaking on "Musky on the Fly in Virginia" at 2pm

-Morgan Kupfer will be speaking on "Strategies for Carp on the Fly" at 3pm

P.S.- Happy Birthday Lefty! The legend turned 90 yesterday!

Boom...Morgan

Daily Deal...20% Off All Allen Fly Fishing Flies

 Enter discount code FLYDOTW at checkout to receive 20% off all flies!

Boom...Morgan

Live Updates from Lefty Kreh's 12th Annual Tie Fest in Grasonville, MD

We decided to give you a live feed via our Instagram account today while were up in our home are of Grasonville, MD attending Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest. Come on by and join us if your in the area!

Prospect Bay Country Club
311 Prospect Bay Drive West
Grasonville,MD 21638

Enjoy...

And if your down here, don't forget to stop us and say hi! You can reach us at tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com and we'll hit you back for a meet and greet, even some brews! You can also see more live content via our Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Boom...The TLTFF Crew

TOMORROW: Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest 2014

Tomorrow Saturday, March 8th, 2014 10am-4pm

Whelp, as always the boys at Moldy Chum beat me to it...stoked to have made such a big site! The TLTFF Crew is pleased to announce we will have a table and will be tying at Tie Fest this year!!! Its pretty intimidating thinking of whom we will be tying and talking beside...

Via Moldy Chum:

The giants of fly fishing will be at this year’s Lefty Kreh’s TieFest scheduled for Saturday, March 8, at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville. In addition to Lefty, Bob Clouser, Bob Popovics, Steve Silverio, Brad Buzzi, and Blaine Chocklett are scheduled to appear among many others.

LINK

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF Now Part of The Backwoods Crew

Check it out, we have now become a featured part of The Backwoods Crew with videos going live as often as we can get them filmed and posted. The new tab on the BWC site features our travels and adventures as well as passing on information and knowledge about the great sport of fly fishing. The first video, edited by JWD Productions, features how to tie the Clouser Minnow in reverse.

Morgan's Fly Tails from Joey Dwyer Productions on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

The Double Clouser

Gnar gnar...

Via Moldy Chum:

Boom...Morgan

Trip Days #5

Yesterday I got my fly line wet for the first time in OBX, felt great. Thanks to some awesome reports and help from the guys at Hatteras Jack I headed over to "New Inlet", an inlet that was courtesy of hurricane Irene and now one of the hottest flounder spots on the entire Outer Banks.

I decided to go back today after getting skunked (but some great footage with the GoPro). The inlet has a great channel that really rips when the tides change. I was in one of the back creek targeting drum and trout when all the sudden, puppy drum start hitting the surface. I there everything from shrimp to crab to what I was told to throw, clousers (in every color). Like I said, no bites, but definitely beautiful. The tides here are pretty crazy, especially in New Inlet. I sent my backpack down on a sand bar to try and get some further casts and before I could blink, water was rising up to my backpack at a rapid rate, I grabbed it just in time to save my phone.

The water clarity is amazing and species availability makes the Bay look like its for rookies. I love it, can't wait to see what decides to bite later in the week. I have a few wading spots I plan on trying out, all within 20 minutes of the house. Cant wait. Till tomorrow I leave you with this...

Boom...Morgan

Orvis: How to Catch Smallmouth Bass in Spring

Via Orvis:

Springtime offers the chance to catch some of the biggest smallmouths of the year. photo by Drew Price

TLTFF Photo Contest Giveaway Entries

So we've pretty much narrowed it down to the winners, they will be announced, as promised, tomorrow. For your viewing purposes, we've decided to post the entries (with the entrants name under it) now so check it dudes and dudettes. The order below has nothing to do with the order of selection for winners.

-Matt Baden

-The Fly Trout

-Steve Carr

-Ryan Savage

-Zach Anderson

-John Firek

-Wesley Semeiniuk

-Steelhead Fly Bum

-Robert Yaskovic

-Philip Smith

-Dominic Rickicki

-The Bird Nerd

Boom...Morgan

Vote for Morgan in the TFM Spotting Contest!

Represent TLTFF in the TFM Spotting Photo Contest...tell me my picture with Bob Clouser isn't the best...seriously rad. VOTE NOW!

VOTE MARCH'S FINALIST

Another month and another T.F.M. Spotting Photo Contestfinalist to vote into place.  Click the name above the photo to check out each submission from the month and then send anemail to place your vote.

CLIFF CASSEL

MORGAN KUPFER

RIKI LISKANDARSYAH

MADELINE CARROLL

DAVE HOSLER

KEVIN WEBSTER

JADE GARZA

Remember to send your vote to tfmcontests@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Boom...Morgan

Guest Post: Jaguars in the Weeds

Allow me to introduce to you Luis. He's made a few appearances in posts in the past few months and is a great friend of us here at TLTFF. I met Luis at Waterworks last fall while I was stringing up my fly rod, he walked up to me and introduced himself. He was the only other fly fisherman I had ever seen at Waterworks and we immediately hit it off talking about everything fishing. Over the past few months we've gotten to know each other pretty well and I can say, after tying flies, downing beers, and catching some great fish, he's an awesome friend. On top of that, the man catches a lot of fish, and he knows his stuff. I don't know anyone other than Zach and I who love fishing as much as Luis, he's definitely got the bug, and he's got it bad. As a matter of fact, if there were a local chapter of Fly Fishaholics Anonymous, you would catch Zach, Luis, and I there all sitting next to each other (guess I just made it unanonymous...). When I have a question about something fly fishing related, I usually either search my library or text Luis. 

So one of the coolest things about Luis is that he has a unique job that allows him to travel around the world. He usually has a decent amount of time during his trips, at least enough to allow a few casts in the local waters or even to sign up for a day with a local guide. I asked Luis to write us a post about his recent trip down to Miami, check out this guest trip report via TLTFF friend, Luis S...

Instagram Fly Swap Part 2A

UPDATE: The business card reading "Morgan's Flies" actually has some flies tied by Mr. Nick Murray of the blog The Man in the Striped Pajamas, his flies are super rad and I failed to give him credit, apologies Nick, awesome flies!

Check out the first part of the Instagram Fly Swap I hosted... Dean from Gin Clear wrote an amazing post about it... check it.

Instagram Fly Swap -- Part 2A

-- Graphics by @phishtitz --

Here's a follow-up post about the First Instragram Fly Swap. Of the original 9 participants, we have 5 that completed their flies, 1 that dropped out and 3 that plan to finish up in the coming weeks. Instead of waiting, Morgan, our host, distributed the first set of flies. These are shown below with tying instructions here. This will be a long post, so let's get started.

@mkupfer32 Flies

Our swap host, @mkupfer32, of the blog "Tight Lined Tales of a Fly Fisherman tied the MK Caddis Dry (center) &Glass Caddis Pupa (lower left) for trout, and the Bass Gurgler Popper (upper right) & B-Ass Clouser Streamer (upper left) for bass. I believe these are all original creations by Morgan.


Trout

@mkupfer32 MK Caddis Dry

MK Caddis Dry
- Hook, Size - Mustad Dry Fly, 14
- Thread - Grey 6/0 UNI-Thread
- Body - Grey Muskrat fur dubbing
- Wings - Flex-sealed turkey feather clipped to look like caddis wing
- Hackle - Brown
- Antenna - 2 clipped feather shafts

@mkupfer32 Glass Caddis Pupa

Glass Caddis Pupa
- Hook, Size - Mustad Long Curved Nymph, 3x 12
- Thread - Grey 6/0 UNI Thread
- Thorax - Muskrat for dubbing
- Wings - Pheasant body feather tip
- Hackle/Legs - Tan CDC
- Abdonmen - 3 green or yellow craft beads



Bass

@mkupfer32 Bass Gurgler Popper

Bass Gurgler Popper
- Hook, Size - Mustad Steel, 6
- Thread - Black 210 Denier Danville
- Body - Charteuse Estaz, Black craft foam tied in and folded over body
- Tail - Black marabou, 2x length of the hook shaft

B-Ass Clouser Streamer
- Hook, Size - Bass Pro Shops Aberdeen Tournament Series, 6
- Thread - White 3/0 Danville
- Body - White/Brown calf's tail
- Eyes - Small dumbbell eyes, chain link eyes
- Flash - Orvis silver angel hair, 2x the length of the hook shaft

David, @phishtitz, of "Blurred Focus" produced a great three-fold brochure to deliver his flies. Definitely the most creative presentation thus far for the fly swap. No recipes were provided, but from his descriptions and pictures, one could possibly figure out the recipes.

@phishtitz Flies

For Bass, David tied theChartreuse Sand Eel (top) & the Red Sand Eel(center).

For trout, the Black Flash Jig (left) & the Green John(right).

@phishtitz Black Flash Jig & Green John 

Mario, @mgoblue_mg, emailed pictures of his ties with recipes which are shown below. The trout flies are the Foxee Clouser and Bunny Leech.

 The bass flies from @mgoblue_mg are the Triple Double and the Single Fly Cray.

Mike, @mike_phazeone, of the blog "Dub the Thorax" tied the Flashabou Midge for his trout flies and two original streamer patters for the bass flies. I'll included Mike's descriptions in quotes with the recipes.

@mike_phazeone Flies

Trout - Flashabou Midge
"I tie these in sizes 18-24. I kept this one at an 18 since I'm not sure where you guys can fish. It can also pass as an attractor nymph pattern in faster water in this size. It does very well for me on the limestone strams here in PA, especially in the winter. I also tie them in red."

@mike_phazeone Flashabou Midge

- Orvis emerger hook size 18
- Michaels Craft Store glass bead
- Black UNI-Thread 8/0
- Pearl Flashabou (ribbing)
- Jan Siman Synthetic Peacock Dubbing - Black

Bass 

Mike writes, "I fish a lot for bass in farm ponds, and the Perkiomen Creek which is right near my house in PA. Purple has always been a killer largemouth color for me, and Chartreuse always works the best on smallies in the streams. I combined the two colors late last year with great results for both species. Slap these down next to some structure, or fish them fast and deep with a sink tip line. Try Streamer #1 (top) early in the morning."

@mike_phazeone Streamers

Streamer #1 (left)

- Orvis size 6 3XL streamer hook
- Purple Marabou (tail)
- Purple Schlappen (collar 1)
- Chartreuse Schlappen (collar 2)
- Sili-Legs - Chartreuse
- Lead Cone - Chartreuse

Streamer #2 (right)

A similar pattern, but a better choice for a more natural presentation. Works well mid-afternoon in clear water.

- Orvis size 8 2XL streamer hook
- Light olive marabou (tail/body)
- Mallard died wook duck feather (collar #1)
- Harelin craft fur - Olive (collar #2)
- Sili-legs - white
- Cone head

@ginclear Flies

Finally, @ginclear (yours truly), of the Gin Clear blog tied some tried and true patterns. The Klinkhammer emerger has been one of my more productive trout flies. I've even caught bass and pan fish with this pattern. For bass, I tied Skip Morris's Skip's Dad pattern. Skip has a bunch of great bass and pan fish flies on his DVD titled "The Art of Tying the Bass Fly".

Trout- Klinkhammer - Hans van Klinken (Italics are modifications)

@ginclear Klinkhammer 

- Hook Partridge 15BN size 16 & 18 (green post)
- Thread 6/0 Brown
- Body Light Brown (16) & Golden Olive (18) Dubbing 

- Body wrapped with red (16) & gold (18) brassie wire
- Abdomen Peacock Hearl
- Post Orange (16) and green (18) Antron
- Hackle Brown 

Bass - Skips Dad - Skip Morris (Italics are modifications)

@ginclear Skip's Dad

- Hook 2xl to 3xl regular or heavy wire. Mustad CS53 size 8 (Mustad 3906 size 8)
- Thread Brown 6/0, 140 denier (70 denier)
- Tail The butts of the pheasant tail fibers that form the shell back
- Body Thickly dubbed brown or brownish-olive rabbit, squirrel or blended dubbing (ice dub)
- Shellback Pheasant tail fibers
- Claws Pheasant tail fibers
- Weight Lead eyes, unpainted (lead wraps on hook and black bead-chain eyes)

That's a lot of flies. I wanted to get this post up with the pictures before fishing any of these beauties (knowing I would probably loose them).

Everyone did a fantastic job with their ties. This was a blast to be a part of and get all these great patterns. Thank you, Morgan for hosting, and David, Mario & Mike for putting out quality work.

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF in TFM Spotting Contest

T.F.M. Spotting - Bob Clouser Edition

Morgan Kupfer of Tight Lined Tales of a Fly Fishermanattended the Kent Island Tie Fest late last month and posed for a quick T.F.M. Spotting snap with famed fly angler and tierBob Clouser.  

Morgan wrote...  "Hey Cam, I went to the Kent Island Tie Fest here in Maryland this weekend and happened to be wearing my T.F.M. hoodie.  I ran into Bob Clouser and managed to sneak a picture with him.  Awesome guy and he loved the hoodie!  He said he was going to check out your site and actually wrote down the URL.  Hope this gets me in contention for the 2012 photo contest!"

Check out the post show post on the Kent Island Tie Fest and connect with Morgan via all the popular social media  platforms. 

Make sure you vote for me in the TFM Spotting Contest! It would be super appreciated!

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...A Quick Swim

I need to learn how to build one of these...

 

Boom...Morgan

Kent Island Tie Fest 2012

So Zach, LS, and I decided to make a trip over to the Kent Island Tie Fest yesterday at Kent Island Yacht Club. It was a nice short drive (compared to most trips we make to fishing spots), only took about 20 minutes. As part of the drive, we had to cross the Bay Bridge.

As a side note, the Bay is beautiful this time of year, cold, but amazingly beautiful. The water is like a turquoise-ish green and clear as can be (no fertilizers and algae in the water).

Anywho, we got to the "fest" around 10:30am and immediately noticed it was packed with license plates from DE, VA, PA, MD, and even some NY and NJ. It was a pretty good time, full of well priced tying materials and flies, books, DVDs, and amazing tiers just throwin down some gnarly flies. The first thing Zach said to me when we walked in was "this place smells like moth balls" and he couldn't have said a more true statement. The place was overwhelmed with 60+ year olds just telling lifetimes worth of stories. I was able to pick up and pass out some business cards and get some great shots of the show. About an hour in, we were ready to call the quits. I had picked up some materials and Zach got a good idea of some reels he might potentially buy for his new stick, the Redington Red Fly 4-Piece we mentioned as a Daily Deal a few weeks ago from REI.com.

Right before we were ready to walk out I spotted the man, the myth, the legend...Bob Clouser. I immediately turned to Zach and Luis and said, you gotta take my picture with him. I went right up to him and he immediately stuck out his hand for a shake and gave me a big smile. I explained to him that his son, Bob Jr., was the reason I was there today. Bob Jr. gave me the foundation of my fly tying expertise (not really expertise, but kinda) when I was up in school in PA. He is the manager of the White River Fly Shop at BPS in Harrisburg and taught all my free fly tying classes for 3 years. Bob Sr. thought that was awesome and was thrilled to get a picture with me. We talked for a bit and I got to see how kind and awesome of a man Bob really is. He told me a story about how at a show a few years ago, he was tying a Clouser Minnow and a man walked up to his table and started to watch. As he was watching, he looked a Bob Sr. and said, "you know, your not tying that right." Bob Sr. looked up at him a bit confused and just smiled. He said to me, "Obviously, that guy had no idea who I was, but it didn't bother me one bit." which he followed with a big smile and chuckle. Overall, awesome guy, I truly am blessed to have met him and the picture I took with him will be on my wall in the next week.

In summary, Kent Island Tie Fest was awesome. A great atmosphere combined with great fly fisherman always goes down as awesome in my books. Check the pictures below from the show to vicariously experience the good time we had!

Boom...Morgan