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 Reel...'Deceiver Fly'

One of my top 3 go-to's here on the Chesapeake. Kreh further proved his genius when he developed this fly. Cant wait to tie next to him this year at CCA Maryland's Tie Fest!

Deceiver Fly from Iron + Oak Studio on Vimeo.

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

Daily Reel...'Lama Deceiver'

Lama Deceiver from 0031flyfishing on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest - Tomorrow...Who's Going?

For more info, click here, we would love to see some of our followers show up!

As with all of our events, hit us up tomorrow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or via email (tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com) to meet up or let us know what you think!

Boom...Morgan

Upcoming Events for TLTFF

So we have some pretty cool trips "planned" for 2013. Two of which involve a Fly Fishing Show and Film Tour(s). Here's where you can meet up with the TLTFF Crew, throw back a few brews and tell stories about how many more fish you've caught than us.

We will be attending the following events, as of right now (more to follow as they get locked into our schedules):

• The Fly Fishing Show and International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Lancaster, PA from March 2-3rd.

• The Kent Island Tie Fest in Kent Island, MD, this year called Lefty Kreh's Tiefest will be March 9th this year. Some of you may remember our post about our trip to Tie Fest last year, killer time with some of the most world-renowned tiers. Last year we took pictures with both Bob Clouser and Lefty Kreh.

• The Fly Fishing Film Tour in Arlington, VA on March 28th. This stop of F3T will be hosted by Urban Angler and held at the Arlington Cinema N Draft House.

• I will be headed up to Nantucket, MA around June 13th for a week of family and an attempt at some decent Stripers, Bluefish, and Albies.

• Luis will be up on Beaver Island, MI slingin bugs at some submarine-sized carp in late June for a hosted trip through The Fisherman's House and our local chapter of Free State Fly Fishers.

• At some point we will be headed down south this year for Redfish, more info to follow as the trip materializes.

• We are also trying to put a trip together to Puerto Rico to jump some Poon, again, more info to follow as the trip materializes.

Trips pop up pretty often for us and usually on a weeks or even days notice. If your ever in the area or have an open spot on your local water for some fly fishing bros to drive or fly up to fish with you, let us know. We are always happy to meet new people, put faces with our followers, and toss a line in some new water. Please feel free to always contact us with any questions, ideas, or invites at tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com. We would love to show any of you the water we fish and know, the invitation is always there.

Boom...Morgan

Annapolis Angler Wins Grand Prize At Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale

Via MD DNR:

Annapolis Angler Wins Grand Prize At Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale

Diamond Jim Anglers Split $25,000 Cash

Annapolis, Md. (September 8, 2012) ─  Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin presented approximately $70,000 in cash, prizes and merchandise to lucky anglers this morning at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge. Nearly 2,000 people, including sponsors, anglers and their guests attended the 8th annual contest’s closing ceremony at Sandy Point State Park.

“The sport of fishing is a longstanding tradition here in Maryland, a way to build camaraderie and create memories with friends and family,” said Secretary Griffin. “I want to extend a huge congratulations to this year’s winners, and remind my fellow anglers that although the 2012 contest has come to an end, this marks the start of the 2013 challenge ─ Happy fishing!”

Since Labor Day 2011, more than 1,000 anglers qualified to participate in today’s grand prize drawing, nine of whom also qualified for the Diamond Jim component of the challenge. Youth winners from fishing rodeos across the State also won exciting guided fishing trips donated by supporting fishing groups and professional guides.

“Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have helped this contest go strong for eight years now,” said Griffin. “These partnerships help keep this sport alive, introducing our State’s youth to the joys of fishing, while inspiring the next generation to become responsible stewards of our natural world.”

Walking away with today’s grand prize of boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats, was John Veil of Annapolis who caught an Angler Award qualifying, 13.5-inch white perch.

“This was a big surprise!” said Veil. “I came here to enjoy the event and won a new boat!”

John Schultz, a novice angler from Pennsylvania won an all expenses paid fishing trip to the Bimini Game Club on Bimini Island in the Bahamas provided by the World Fishing Network.

“This is amazing!” said Schultz. “I cannot get over it!”

Bill’s Outdoor Center at Deep Creek Lake returned as a premiere sponsor with thousands of dollars in tackle and fishing gear for the prize drawings. AllTackle, Angler’s Sports Center, Clyde’s Sport Shop, Fishbone’s Bait and Tackle, Herb’s Tackle Shop, Marty’s Sporting Goods and Tochterman’s Fishing Tackle also donated gift cards and youth tackle packages. All contestants received commemorative shirts, courtesy of Under Armour.

Nine lucky anglers caught specially tagged rockfish this summer in the Diamond Jim component of the 2012 Fishing Challenge. After all corresponding envelopes were opened – and no authentic Diamond Jim was discovered – the anglers split the contest’s cash prize of $25,000 ─ taking home $2,778 each.

The youth component of the Maryland Fishing Challenge celebrated 19 lucky anglers who advanced from DNR-sponsored fishing rodeos this summer. These individuals were awarded fishing gear and trips from the event’s generous sponsors.

“Catch a fish” is one of the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley under the Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

Three batches of specially tagged striped bass – three genuine Diamond Jims and 375 imposters – were released into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries this summer. Diamond Jim’s value increased each month: from $10,000 in June to $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August. The seven Diamond Jim imposters were worth at least $500 each for the duration of the contest.

Through the Angler Award component, 80 species of fish, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast, were eligible for the grand prizes.

This year’s challenge honors the life and times of world renowned fly-fishing legend Lefty Kreh. Over his remarkable 75-year career the Maryland native has shared his enthusiasm and skill for fishing through his columns, books and presentations. He is also known for his commitment to Maryland’s natural resources, promoting conservation and clean water, and giving back to the outdoors. Kreh was honored by Governor Martin O’Malley at the dedication of the Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail in the Hereford Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park on June 11.

More information on the Maryland Fishing Challenge including a list of winners is available at dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp.

Boom...Morgan

ACF Post

Pretty cool post form Mike over at Angler's Choice Flies...

So a few weeks ago I saw a link to a video step by step of the Double Deciever done by Brian Wise, of Fly Fishing the Ozarks, and was pretty impressed with what he had put together.  I have seen other stuff he has done before, but that was the first of mine that he had put together 'on film'.  He does not tie it exactly as I do but is pretty close and the end result looks great.  While I was in Florida I heard from him that the Meal Ticket was next up....and here it is!  Rather than the original Gama SP11-3L3H (or Mustad 34007) he utilizes the Gama B10s, but other than that in the video he is right on recipe and does a great job of it.

For those that wonder what it looks underwater here is some video of it I shot a while back.



-mike schmidt
http://www.anglerschoiceflies.com/

Boom...Morgan

$10,000 Diamond Jim on the Loose

Via MD DNR:

More than $25,000 in prizes up for grabs during this year's fishing challenge...

Annapolis, Md. (May 24, 2012) The hunt is on! The Diamond Jim component of the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge kicked off today when Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists and some eager young anglers caught, tagged and released dozens of striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay. One of today's tagged fish is the official Diamond Jim worth $10,000 to the angler who catches it before midnight on June 30. The other tagged rockfish will be known as imposters worth at least $500 each if caught and registered before September 3, 2012.

"Every year the Maryland Fishing Challenge offers an added incentive for citizens to get out on the water and enjoy our State's natural resources," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "Whether it's your first time fishing or you're a seasoned angler, this is a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy our natural world."

This year's challenge honors the life and times of world renowned fly-fishing legend Lefty Kreh. Over his remarkable 75-year career the Maryland native has shared his enthusiasm and skill for fishing through his columns, books and presentations. He is also known for his commitment to Maryland's natural resources, promoting conservation and clean water, and giving back to the outdoors. Kreh will be honored by Governor Martin O'Malley at the dedication of the Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail in the Hereford Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park on June 11.

Over the summer, as many as 600 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine Diamond Jim will be pursued by anglers.Each month Diamond Jim goes uncaught the bounty increases - from $10,000 in June, to $20,000 in July, and $25,000 in August.

The contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout: If one of the three authentic Diamond Jims is not caught by Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among the anglers who catch imposters this summer. Additionally, if an angler catches the August Diamond Jim they will receive a set of one-carat total weight, round, brilliant diamond stud earrings from Zachary's Jewelers in Annapolis. Zachary's is also providing five - to six-carat blue topaz charms for anglers who catch imposter fish.

Now in its eighth year, the Maryland Fishing Challenge showcases Maryland as a premier sport fishing destination with accessible, affordable, diverse and high quality sport fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages. The fishing challenge would not happen without the help of several corporate sponsors, including Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Bill's Outdoor Center, the World Fishing Network, and Under Armour.

"We are very grateful to our sponsors and our recreational fishery stakeholders," said DNR Secretary John Griffin. "Without their continued support, this contest would not be possible."

Anglers who catch and register any of the more than 80 Maryland Angler Award eligible sport fish species categories will receive certificates of achievement and free passes to the Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale, which will be held in conjunction with the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 8, 2012. This year's Celebration will include chances to win a boat, trailer and motor package from Tracker Marine, a tropical vacation package from the World Fishing Network, tackle packages from Bill's Outdoor Center and Bass Pro Shops and collectable Maryland Fishing Challenge shirts from Under Armour.

The Maryland Fishing Challenge runs annually from Labor Day through the day before the following Labor Day. To be eligible for the contest, all fish must be caught recreationally by rod and reel. To see the Angler Award species list and the official Maryland Fishing Challenge and Diamond Jim contest rules, visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge.

Catch a fish is included in the Maryland Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O'Malley in April 2009. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

Follow Diamond Jim on Facebook at facebook.com/diamondjim.md. DNR Fisheries is also on Facebook at facebook.com/MDDNRFisheriesService and Twitter, @mddnrfish.

Boom...Morgan

Maryland Fishing Challenge

Check it out. The fishing challenge is an annual thing Maryland does for those of you who don't know. Its pretty rad. I have been an inch or two short of citation fish for three years now, it sucks. If you don't know, read on and get educated on it. This year its extra special as they are celebrating Lefty Kreh, love it.

Daily Reel...Deceiver/Flatwing Comparison

Check out this gnar underwater footage from Tightline Productions...

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reels...Double Dose of Reel

Boom...Morgan

AllTackle.com-"Your Fishing Tackle Source"

So I just finished a big fly order for AllTackle and thought I'd tell you guys a little bit about them. They have two stores, one in Ocean City, MD and the other in Annapolis, MD. I haven't been to their OC store yet but regularly stop by the Annapolis store not only for the great prices but friendly atmosphere and nice staff. They are easy to get along with there and often will take time to tell you their stories and listen to yours. The Annapolis store just recently started to pick up fly fishing gear and after going in and showing them some of my stuff, they decided to place an order for some flies. They have a great selection of saltwater fishing gear both light tackle and deep sea. If your near one of the stores, feel free to stop in, check 'em out, and give them some business. Here's a little something something from the 'About Us' section of their website:

Our mission is to provide the recreational and professional fisherman a dependable source of high quality fishing tackle and related equipment at reasonable, affordable prices.  We strive to offer the best prices found on the web.  In addition, we provide our visitors with relevant fishing information that is timely, dependable, and accessible.   

Founded in 1999 as an e-commerce web site devoted to fishing enthusiasts, it provides a one-stop resource of gear and information for freshwater and saltwater fishing activities. Currently the site hosts over 2000 pages of content and delivers over 3,000,000 monthly page views to over 200,000 unique visitors. The company's e-commerce storefront offers a wide selection of nationally branded fishing products.

In 2005, alltackle expanded into a 3000 S.F. space which was the internet fulfillment HQ.  This space includes a 2000 S.F. retail showroom.  In 2007, alltackle added a second location in West Ocean City, MD to serve our off shore fishing customers.  Additional east coast locations are planned.

In 2009, Alltackle expanded once again into a 6000 S.F. space with a 4000SF showroom and internet fulfillment center.

Our U.S. and international visitors now have a one stop shop for all types of fishing equipment and information.  We are continuously adding more products to our site and we are on-call to special order any items requested by our users.  Our site is organized for ease of use.  We are able to offer you the best prices by keeping the site simple, without all the costly bells and whistles that can slow a site down.

Alltackle also operates a charter operation.

Here's some pictures of their order...if you want some flies for a good price email me at mkupfer32@gmail.com. 

Tight Lines...Morgan

Flies Tied for Nantucket Trip

Check out these three flies I just tied...a Deceiver, Marabou Minnow, and a small Chart./Blue Striper Dart.

Tight Lines...Morgan

Whats in Your Box...

I have about five different fly boxes. Each one has it's own selection of flies based on what type of fishing they are made for. I tend to be a pretty organized person so I guess thats why I do this. All of my fly boxes are the simple Bass Pro White River Fly Shop fly boxes. I have three large (8" x 4.5") ones and two medium (5.75" x 4") foam floating ones. Your selection of fly box is entirely personal preference, I chose these because they are cheap (me being frugal), good quality, and get the job done. The floating ones were my first two because I had no idea how many flies a fly fisherman really has and because I have a tendency to drop things in the water. So, heres the breakdown of my fly boxes...

Box 1- Med. Floating Fly Box
This fly box contains all of my terrestrials and egg/spawn patterns. I've got them organized first by classification (terrestrial or spawn), then by type (ant, beetle, cricket), then by pattern (brown ant, black ant, high vis ant), and then by size. I keep a lot of San Juan Worms in all different colors and sizes as well as foam beetles and ants due to the fact that trout in the Breeches tend to go coo coo for terrestrials in the Fall. I also have a few Cicada patterns for the upcoming seven year cicada hatch on the east coast.

Box 2- Med. Floating Fly Box
This box contains all of my streamers and Wooly Buggers. I have this box organized the same way as the first box (all of my boxes are organized this way if you haven't caught on yet). I have a lot of patterns I do use and a lot I don't use in this box so I tend to put the Buggers on the other side of the box away from the streamers so I can grab a few and throw them into one of my other boxes if I intend to use them that day, saves space. I have a few salmon/steelhead patterns I make every once in awhile and unfortunately haven't had an opportunity to use yet. I also have a lot of Clouser Minnows in this box too.

While at Messiah, I attended a good amount of classes ranging from fly tying to casting technique at the Harrisburg Bass Pro. Bobby Clouser Jr. is the head of the White River Fly Shop up there and taught a lot of those classes. As many of you know, his father, Bobby Clouser Sr. is not only in the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame but has created some of the best fly patterns known today including the Clouser Minnow, Clouser Crayfish, Clouser Swimming Nymph, etc. The man is "the best" smallmouth bass fly fisherman alive and the apple didn't fall far from the tree. This man is a walking book of knowledge about fly fishing in its entirety. It was a great privilege to learn from him and if your ever fishing a stream up near H-Burg and see a 5'10", 250 lb man with a powerful mustache talking in true Lancaster tongue, you know you've spotted him. Anyway...

Box 3- Large
This box contains all of my dry flies, every size, color, and variation...enough said. Just know, there are a lot of flies...Adams size 12 to Zebra Midge size 24.

Box 4- Large
This box contains all of my nymphs, wet flies, and a few experimental flies I've tied that I intend to try out next time I'm on the stream. I'm not much of a nymph guy unless I have been throwing perfectly tied replicas of whatever is hatching and fish simply aren't rising to it and I feel as if they are feeding on whats under the surface. So, I don't carry many nymphs but I do LOVE soft hackles, especially in the Spring at Allenberry, the trout tear them up. The Olive or Mustard Yellow size 18 seem to be favorites.

Box 5- Large
This box contains about 70% of my saltwater flies. I primarily have Striper and Bluefish flies such as larger Clouser Minnows and their variations like Half & Halfs and Deep Clouser Minnows as well as Lefty's Deceivers and Snake Flies or Zonkers. I also have some Shrimp, Crabs, etc. for other saltwater species.

When I finally get my desk here and am able to unpack my bags of tying materials, I plan on making and putting up some tying videos as well as fix up my collection where its hurting. If you tie yourself and would like those videos let me know, I'd love to hear from my audience, if I have one, and get some suggestions (even for future posts and such). That's it for now...hope this helps you at least organize a bit.

Tight Lines...Morgan