By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Okay, I was wrong about the name of the fly that I posted on the 5th. Her name is Sculpzilla. She was created by Ed Day and can be found at Solitude Fly Company. This streamer works so well because the hook is a stinger. It actually hangs off the back of the main body of the fly. The hook is also a short shank and off-set a bit to increase your hook-up ratio. And the thing has blood red eyes. I mean, what trout could resist such a delectable treat? [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

The month of August, sometimes the peak of the "summer doldrums," provided some consistent fishing and some of the best bonefishing that I have ever seen. Though the weather was typical August (hot & humid with afternoon storms) the bonefish and their behavior was anything but typical. Generally, during this time of the year the bonefish are most active at first or last light or only active at midday on strong tides around the full and new moons. This year has been different.

I have been finding large schools of bones (up to a hundred fish) waking and tailing across large backcountry banks to the east of Key West. These fish have been most active at the beginning of the incoming tide, even if that occurs at midday. On some days the we are seeing five or six schools this size, waking in various directions around the boat at the same time. We are also seeing more fish actively tailing in the heat of the day. Just yesterday, we had multiple shots at large fish tailing and rooting around in less than eight inches of water at around 1:00 in the afternoon. Most of... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

By Anthony Bartkowski

Labor Day Weekend was uneventful in Colorado. I took some time for myself last Friday to have an easy day of fishing. I decided to toss the single-man pontoon into the truck and try our Antero Reservoir. This reservoir has been the talk of the state since it reopened earlier this summer. I have not had a chance to try my skill at it until the other day.

I remember fishing it before it closed several years ago and it was always good. The fishing was a little below average. Of all of the fish I hooked it was a good sign to see the healthy well being and fight of all. The largest was a rainbow about 17” and a good solid girth.

The fish were keying in on green scuds, Quill Body Emergers, and BWOs. The bug activity... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Take this, "College Game Day" ... we have the 2007 NCAA football season all figured out before it really kicks off. We took Sports Illustrated's preseason top 10 (plus Notre Dame, just for grins), assigned each team a fly that either corresponded by theme or colors to the school, and let the trout in the river do the jawing. The more bites, the higher the ranking. Granted, its not much more scientific than "chicken-sh@t bingo," but then again, it's probably fairer than the BCS selection process.

The Final Six:

Notre Dame -- the Golden Stone (for golden dome). Did better than expected early (a strong tradition), then fell flat on its face. In two words, highly overrated.

Florida -- an Orange Scud. Pretty much just petered along all season, and in this case, didn't pull off the big shocker in the end. Game effort, but no title.

Michigan -- a Yellow (maize) Hopper. Looked great throughout most of the season, then the tippet snapped on a 14-inch rainbow. Anyone who has watched the Wolverines in bowl games lately will understand the irony.

USC -- the Red (garnet) Copper John. Our preseason favorite... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Had a chance to revisit the "Hogpen" the other day with my Fflogger friends Nate Matthews, an editor from Field & Stream, and Tim Romano, the photo/blog man. Frankly, the day was really hot and bright, so the fishing wasn't, except for a few sporadic hopper eats and a very sporty interlude of throwing tiny ant patterns at some rainbows laid-up in the same riffle.

The fish finally turned on an hour before sunset, and while Nate and I stayed the course with dry flies ... master Tim tied on a nymph rig and proceeded to hammer fish in a downstream carnage spectacle that smacked of Sherman's "March to the Sea."

Which would have been fine, except it left me feeling soiled ... violated. Maybe it's a generation thing, but I was taught that when heads are popping, it's "go dry or go home." Maybe it's that Colorado-bred nymph-o-mania issue. No doubt, Tim put the smackdown on the trout with at least a 10-1 ratio advantage on us. And yeah ... I know all about dry fly snobs, and have heard the arguments... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Jason Owens, a.k.a. "all star Boulder angler" got invited to go scope out a potential fishing operation on Christmas Island for travel group Angling Destinations. Late one day he spotted birds crashing. Birds crashing = Tuna. The problem? No boat and they were only armed with a ten weight. They quickly located the barely seaworthy craft in the photo above and headed out. Soon after they located the fish, Jason hooks one and proceeds to fight it for almost two hours. By now it was well into the night and they were way off shore. The estimated 50lb fish dragged them a mile and nearly spooled Jason. Finally, they got it into the boat, breaking the rod when thrashing beast came aboard. Needless to say there was endless sushi that night after they were rescued by photographer Eric Berger who brought them gas, headlamps, and a gaff.

[ Read Full Post ]