Photo of the Day- Happy New Years Eve

Took at trip to the river, wanting to fish and wet a line. With the recent cold snap and below freezing 

Temperatures at night, the river is slush. Although beautiful, not much in fishing condition. Shelf ice was dangerous , thick and very slippery. 

Still managed to slip on the waders to get in the river to get some close photo's. What a beautiful time to be on the river.

"Fisherman Style" by the Provo Bros.

Fisherman Style from The Provo Bros on Vimeo.
It's not the size of your boat or the river, just the fact that you get out and float. The Provo Bros. prove that no creek is to small to float and fish, and have a great day doing it. The WaterMaster is overlooked craft, that can be used on many rivers and requires no shuttles or trailers.

Polar Chenille Bugger

Polar Chenille Bugger

Hook: Dai Riki 700, Sz: 6-12

Thread: Copper 6/0

Bead: Black Tungsten

Tail: Medium Polar Chenille

Body: Medium Polar Chenille

Head: Copper Ice Dub

"Fence Line"

Went for an extended drive yesterday to get out, ended up in South Park, over 

Tennessee Pass. What a spectacular drive and a far amount of snow, so very nice to see.

Go a chance to visit a couple of new shops I have never been in, Colorado Angler, owned by Andrew Petersen.  A really nice shop in Silverthorne. Now proudly hanging some original Brian Kuchynka Photography in the shop, I am very pleased and honored. 

Also stopped by Minturn Angler in Minturn, Co. Also a nice small town shop, always nice to see someone tying at the desk.  What a great day!

Photo of the Day- "Rear View Caddis"

A flattened out, warped rear view of the beloved Caddis Fly. It has been the month of the caddis.

Must be filling the boxes.

Happy December 26- Black Wednesday

As we work off the food, sweet and alcohol (for some) for the past couple of days, we try to settle back in to the normal routine, well at least until this weekend and then we do it all over again. THEN it is over and the countdown to fishing gets to serious business. Need to finish tying the spring and summer patterns.  Filling the nearly empty favorites, topping off the secondary favorites and letting the so-so ones ride it out. What will the new HOT Flies be this year, what must we have to catch fish? Think I will just stay with the patterns that work day in and day out

 Putting the final touches on the Midge Flash Sparkle Caddis

Silvey's Bead Head Pupa

Oh, Trout Crack- the  Copper CDC Caddis

Happy Christmas Eve from Floatfisher

Photo of the Day- "HeaD oN caDDus"

Original Photo- "HeaD oN caDDus" by Brian Kuchynka Photograghy

Flash Back Scud

Hook: TMC 3769, Sz: 10-16

Thread: Red 8/0

Wire: Copper B/R

Abdomen: Dark  Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing

Flash Back: Pearl Mylar Tinsel

"Missing Link" - A Different Perspective

The infamous Missing Link as tied by Mike Mercer, photographed in black and white.

"The Mountain" - Time Lapse Video

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Pour a glass of wine, light a cigar and enjoy this magnificent time lapse video taken in Spain. Captured over a year ago, but just recently seen On Scumliner Media's site. Some truly amazing sights. Enjoy.....

2012 Fish Reel by Montana Wild

2012 FISH REEL from Montana Wild on Vimeo.
Check out Montana Wilds latest edition and year end video highlighting their many trips to the low and high elevations catching great fish. These young bucks rock in their video making skill and their photograghy skills. I look forward to many more from there vault in the coming months.

Photo of the Day- "Polar Chenille Streamer Time"

It's that time of the year to start stocking the empty spots with refills, new and test patterns.

Here is a new one that I have come across that ties easy and should fish great. Polar Chenille Streamer.

Grape Slushes

As winter finally starts to show its beautiful side in the Colorado area, it is only fitting to show the

Grape Slushy as todays fly pattern of the day. The key to this simple fly, is leave the flexi floss legs a 

little long!

Grape Slushy Foam Fly

Hook: TMC 5262, Sz: 6-12

Thread: Black 6/0 or 8/0 

Underbody: Purple cactus chenille

Foam: Black Foam

Legs: Black Flexi- Floss

Hi-Vis Tag- Orange Foam

Charlies Fly Box Anniversary Party # 8

So many choices today? What to wear? What will the 8th Anniversary Hat look like? Early or Late? Just so many choices, it is not often you get to rub elbow with a celebrity. Well, I mean the Rojo midge is my favorite and all,  I am excited to see and spend time with Greg and Dave, the gears that power the machine. 

Party on Garth, Party on Wayne!!

Congratulations on a Great Shop Charlie, Ross and Crew.

Stalking- by Scumliner Media

Stalker from scumliner media on Vimeo.
"Stalking" by Scumliner Media, a slightly older production by John, but if you have not bookmarked this blog to look at each day, you are missing. John Arnold, is a fantastic filmmaker and photogragher. His blog is not intended to make money but to share his love of the camera and the passion he enjoys. Often times, John focus's on the simple photo's we can take with our i-phones and creativity that comes out of them and the apps. The photo's and movie shorts that are often produced by John and others are simply kick ass. Please bookmark and check it out. You will not be dissapointed.

Photo of the Day- "Shallow Water"

"Shallow Water"- Original Pnoto by Brian Kuchynka Photography

Photo of the Day- Soft Hackle Cross Porcessed

A little messing around with a new fly I am testing out, and testing behind the camera as well. 

Now starting to shoot all photo's in RAW mode and working with a new photo editing program.

Have some more work to do, but really like thing so far, looking forward to the New Year and the creative work ahead.

Tuesday Morning Cinema- "Steelhead and Spines"

Steelhead and Spines- The Provo Bros from The Provo Bros on Vimeo.
A must watch video recently posted by the Provo Brothers, although you all know I could not ski if a gun was to my head, this is some epic footage and so cool that all these young bucks get out there and "just do it". I want one the expedition tents, they are cool. Enjoy and turn up the sound.

Ovi-Caddis Variant

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Abdomen: Chartreuse 8/0

Wing: Olive Partridge

Collar: Olive Barred Pine Squirrel

Head: Brown 8/0

Sunday Funday- Morning Cutthroat

Enjoy your Sunday cup of joe with our fine spotted friend. It is Sunday Funday. Since the snow fizzled out, I will tie flies and fiddle with the camera. Also have a few new toys to try out. Watch for the  reveal.

Photo of the Day- Drakes

Even with winter on the way, we can dream of the upcoming summer and one of the great summer

hatches. I am ready for snow, lots of snow, then some great summer fishing.

Fly Pattern of the Day- Brown Soft Hackle

Brown Soft Hackle

Hook: TMC 200, Sz: 14-18

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Wire: Small Copper

Thread: Brown 8/0

Soft Hackle: Partridge

Wyoming Sunrise

Behold, the beautiful Wyoming morning skies that I captured while driving between Gillette and Midway yesterday morning. There is something about the western skies that is so beautiful, probably because they are so vast.

 The pinks and blues are like a painting on the wall

 A little B/W to change things up.

Looking toward Utah

Art of the Day-"Rainbow in Pastel"

Rainbow in Pastel by Floatfisher

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Twisted Flash Midge- Olive"

Twisted Flash Midge- Olive

Hook: TMC 2487, Sz. 16-22

Bead: Ex. Small or Small Black Bead

Thread: Olive 8/0

Wire: Ex. Small Silver

Flash: Pearl or Rainbow Krystal Flash

Thorax/ Head: Olive UV Ice Dub

Sunday Cinema- "Floaters" by Megan Leigh Sweeney

Floaters from Megan Leigh Sweeney on Vimeo.
Surfing the net this morning I came across this nice little video of shot on the Colorado River. It really sums up why we row, float and fish the rivers of the west. It just kicks ass to be on the water. Fish are just the icing on cake. Enjoy your morning coffee and Packers football.

Fly Pattern of the Day- CDC Caddis Pupa

CDC Caddis Pupa

Hook: TMC 206BL, Sz. 12-14

Bead: Black Tungsten

Thread: 8/0 Chartreuse

Rib: Small Silver

Abdomen: Green Caddis UV Ice Dub

Soft Hackle: Harrops Dun CDC

Antennae: Mallard Flank

Collar: Green Caddis UV Ice Dub

"C is for .... Cutthroat-" Short film by cory kruitbosch

Came across this nice little short film by cory kruitbosch, a great photogragher. Check it out. Got to luv the cutties.

Fly Pattern of the Day- Red Soft Hackle

Red Soft Hackle

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz. 12-18

Thread: Red 8/0

Wire: Small Gold

Bead: Gold Tungsten

Hackle: Dun Hen

Bull Trout Tuesday on Wednesday

Watch a little bull trout action from British Columbia, here on Bull Trout Tuesday on Floatfisher TV.
A day late and dollar short. guess I got distracted checking out the GG Bridge and Alcatraz. Oh Well!

Photo of the Day- " NEON STIMY"

NEON STIMY

A little creative imagery today from the Brian Kuchynka Photography.  Enjoy "Neon Stimy" as you have evening scotch or morning cup of coffee.

South Platte River- Sunday

Some images fit the day. Met this fine gentleman and his son out spending quality family time fishing

and bonding on the river. The morning was brisk, and the fishing was off to a slow start. All good things come to a man who is patient and smokes a pipe. 

A moment to warm up and talk strategy with dad. A couple to the hand with red 
zebra midges and small pheasant tails.

Saturday Cinema- CanvasFish by Travis Lowe

Canvasfish from Cinema Digital Productions on Vimeo.

Checkout this video that chronicles the art of Derek DeYoung. Many of you have seen his beautiful work on the t-shirts, water canisters, flasks from Simms. He also does great oar wraps, boat wraps and other great works. You need to check out his art work.

Black Friday- "Orange Sulfur"

Orange Sulfur

Hook: TMC 100BL, Sz. 16-18

Thread: Orange Gossmer Silk

Tail: Rust Zelon

Wing: Deer Hair

Thorax: Orange Sulfur Superfine Dubbing

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving gives me a time to reflect on all the big and small things I am very grateful for, I am very fortunate to be able to work hard, but spend the time with friends and family enjoying the efforts of our hard work.

Giving Thanks for the great family and friends Mary and I are surrounded by.

Giving Thanks to be able to visit the great waters of the west and fish with the many great friends we

have made over the years. Too catch the variety of fish. 

 Giving Thanks that we had 77 day of fishing this year, and most all with my lovely wife. There is no better way to have spent the time. 

Giving Thanks for some of the truly beautiful places, sights and things we get to see through the course of the year. I look forward to 2013 and the opportunities it will bring.

Spend the day with your family and enjoy, life is short................

Cedar Drift Boats and Big Browns

Many dream of night fishing with mice in the dark of night, these guys back up their talk. Check out this video featuring the building of the custom cedar boat and fishing with mice for large browns.

Photo of the Day- "Fishin the Bend"

There's a great little wall to fish right at the put-in, always good to throw a small streamer into the wall

first thing in the morning, you never know what will show up. Worth the short walk once the boat is rigged and ready to go.

Fly Pattern of the Day- Micro Streamer

Micro Streamer

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz. 8-12

Thread: Brown 8/0

Bead: Copper Tungsten 

Body: Brown Pine Squirrel

Collar: Brown Pine Squirrel

Flash: Rainbow Krystal Flash

Fly Pattern of the Day- Purple Soft Hackle

Purple Soft Hackle

Hook: TMC 2487, Sz. 12 - 18

Bead: Silver Tungsten

Thread: Purple 8/0

Body: Purple Holograghic Tinsel

Collar: Purple UV Ice Dub

Soft Hackle: Tan CDC

From the Vice

It seems like an eternity when your computer goes down, Apple had alerted us that the Seagate hard drives had been experiencing failure in certain models, and that it would be covered under warranty. Must take advantage of this, do not want any catastrophic lose of data or photos. Well, short story long, back in business and all is well.

If you have and I-Mac, you might look into it?

Fly of the Day- "Chewy Sow Bug"

Chewy Sow Bug

Hook: TMC: 3769, Sz: 10-14

Thread: Tan 6/0

Wire: B/R Copper

Body: Dark Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing

Back: Pink U/V Chewy Skin

Photo of the Day- "Close Up"

Some fish have cool detail with all there spots, texture in the colors and and amazing colors. It is hard not to take "Close-ups" of these beautiful creatures.

Photo of the Day- "Tail of the Story"

A view from a differant angle. Rainbow ready for release after a great fight.

Photo of the Day- " Fall Winds Down"

 The days are getting shorter the leaves have all turned or fallen off and the fishing season is tailing off.

Just a few more trips on the books for the year.

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Pheasant Tail"

"Pheasant Tail"

Hook: TMC 5262, Sz. 12-18

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Wire: B/R Copper

Tail: Pheasant Tail

Abdomen: Pheasant Tail

Thorax: B/R Copper Wire

Collar: Purple UV Ice Dub

Photo of the Day- "Solitude"

Ms. Floatfisher rows solo to next hole. Soothing the sole with only the river, boat and the next fish to

think about, this is what I call "solitude".

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Hare and Copper"

"Hare and Copper" Nymph

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz. 12-16

Thread: Brown 8/0

Tail: Brown Indian Hen

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Wire: B/R Copper

Abdomen: Arizona Synthetic, Hears Ear

Floatfisher Vineyards- Fall Bottling

Fall and winter also spurs on the other "hobbies" of Floatfisher and the Mrs. Last night was spent bottling out latest batch of grapes for the winter holiday season. Many glasses of wine were drank, great blues were hammered out, and when all done 90 bottles of Old Windmill Malbec, tall tail Malbec, Trailerhood Merlot and FK-Private Reserve were corked.    

 Old Windmill gets ready for labeling.

 Belting out a little Stevie Ray!

 tall tail Malbec ready for the box and settling down. Should be good in a month or two.

Labeling for FK Private Reserve is placed

 Trailerhood Merlot freshly bottled. Should be ready for Christmas, if the sampling was as good as the final product.

The end of a great evening, now planning the next batch of summer vino!!