Posts tagged Xstream Outdoors
Big and Best Fish Pictures of 2009
Jan 5th
Big Fish List of 2009
by Travis “Dr” Gillespie
taken from Xstream Outdoors
Check out his site for other awesome posts
2009 has been a great year of fishing. Looking through my pictures has given me a chance to relive all the great memories that I have shared with best friends. Its hard to put all my favorite big fish pictures in this list, but here are some of the best of the best from my fishing adventures in 2009. And like I said last year hold your fish out a little further and you might just make the list in 2010… Enjoy!
The Making of a Pheasant Tail
Nov 19th
The Making of a Pheasant Tail
by Travis “Dr” Gillespie
Xstream Outdoors
One of the all time most successful flies in fly fishing is the Pheasant Tail nymph. It works on fooling trout all over world with its mayfly appearance. I personally took a liking to it early in my fly fishing days, in fact I remember the first summer I started fly fishing on a regular basis. I was sixteen and had an old 70 Chevy truck that was my vessel to places and things I always wanted to experience. With the freedom to drive I started fishing the Lower Provo River whenever I got a chance. Since I could only tie a few flies the pheasant tail became my go to fly. At the time I didn’t realize what it imitated, all I knew was that it caught fish and it made fly fishing fun. That summer alone, I probably tied over 200 pheasant tail flies to full fill my fishing craz and all those dang break offs. Since those days I have expanded my fly boxes, but when the situation calls for it I don’t forget my roots. I always have a few trusty PTs to pick up some picky trout.
To me the making of a pheasant tail nymph goes a lot deeper than simply tying feathers on to a hook to imitate a small mayfly. To me its a unique experience that makes these little bugs special. The process starts ever early November as the cold weather graces us with its presence. It is the time to bag the birds that carry the tail feathers that make up the flies name. The ring neck pheasant is a majestic bird known for its beautiful colors and long tail feathers. It is the king of all upland game birds.
A week already into the pheasant hunt and I was starting to wonder if I was going to have the chance to bag a bird and reap the benefits. So with an open Saturday and a fresh coat of snow, I was off to try my luck. At first things started off good as I heard a rooster chuckle, but somehow the wiley birds eluded Cash (my dog) and I. For the next few hours Cash and I pushed through the thickest brush possible, but all we had to show for it was soaking pants, cold hands and a wet dog. As I was about to give in, I noticed in the distance a couple pheasants walking back into the pasture where we started. I sprinted to the spot and started looking around for the birds, but again nothing. By now I was done, I couldn’t believe they had given us the slip
again. So I started walking back to the truck, when I thought what the heck I’ll try this patch of tumble weeds on the way out. I walked through the weeds confident-less, as I approached the end of the patch aroyal ring neck erupted from my feet. I only had seconds, I brought my gun up, shot! Missed!!! I pumped in another shell this time aiming at the target that was flying away like a jet, it was getting out of shooting range, but I pulled the trigger…the bird dropped like a rock!!! Cash ran after the fallen bird and with a big dog smile, let me know our day and season was a success.
As I looked at those tail feathers today I couldn’t help but feel a longing for summer fishing and pheasant tail nymphs. Its funny as I am hunting pheasants I sometimes envision the fish that I will catch on the pheasant feathers that I harvest and make into flies.
It is truly the purest form fly fishing that I can get when I can harvest the features from the pheasants I bag and than get peacock from a friend who raises them to make up a completely pure fly that symbolizes the reason why we all fly fish. So to me a pheasant tail isn’t just a fly, it is a story of a bird that I bagged and a fly that I personally handcrafted to inmate a mayfly nymph that will outsmart a trout that is as wild as the pheasant that roamed the pastures. So next time you tie on a pheasant tail nymph sit back and think for a second about what its story could be, because I will.
Utah’s Top Ten Fly Shops
Nov 14th
Unlike Island Park and West Yellowstone, where you can find a fly shop around every corner, Utah is home to a few top quality fly shops that specialize in great customer service and providing the gear we all want and need.
In no particular order here is a list of the 10 fly shops that I have found in my own and friends personal experience to be top notch. Side Note: There are plenty of other fly shops that also provide quality service that I am just not familiar with yet.
1. Western Rivers Flyfisher -SLC
Phone: 800-545-4312, 801-521-6424
1071 East 900 South Salt Lake City, Ut 84105
2. Trout Creek Flies & Green River Outfitters-Dutch John
Hwy 191 & Little Hole Road
Mailing: PO Box 247
Dutch John, Utah, 84023
Phone: (435)885-3355
3. Micky Finns-Ogden
85 N Main St
Kaysville, UT 84037-1948
(801) 593-5557
4. Cabelas-Lehi
2502 W Grand Terrace Pkwy
Lehi – (801) 766-2500
5. Trout Bum 2-Park City
4343 N. Hwy 224 Suite 101
Park City, Ut. 84098
Toll Free: 1-877-878-2862
Voice: 435-658-1166
6. Eddie Robinsons Fly Fishing-Orem/Provo
594 E 800 S # B
Orem, UT 84097-6303
(801) 434-3166
7. Four Seasons Fly Fishers-Heber
44 W. 100 S.
Heber City, Utah
435-657-2010
8. Sportsman’s Warehouse- Statewide
9. Fish Tech-SLC
6153 Highland Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-2123
(801) 272-8808
10. Parks Sportsmans-Orem
644 N State St
Orem, UT 84057
(801) 225-0227
15 must do’s to help kids enjoy fishing
May 9th
By Travis “Dr” Gillespie – Xstream Outdoors
This is a subject that I have been thinking a lot about lately. It is something that is so important to our sports future and the tradition of Fly Fishing. After many years of teaching fly fishing to all ages, here are my most important points to teaching kids how to fly fish and enjoy it.
1. Its never to early to take a kid fly fishing:
Kids are kids no matter what the age…Sometimes adults act more childish than 8 yr old anyway. I hear all the time “I can’t take my kid fishing until he is older “ I think that attitude is just a little selfish. There are times to fish with hardcore buddies and times to fish with your kids. For example: I am 26 and have no kids of my own, but I have helped teach many kids how to fly fish and now they have moved from the kids group into my hardcore fishing buddies at age 12-15. My little brother Gunner is living proof of that. Growing up with fly fishing siblings, Gunner was introduced to fly fishing when he was old enough to walk. He got his first fly rod at age 4 and caught his first fish that year. At age 6 he could cast, hook and land fish alone and now at age 12. He is completely self sufficient and can out fish most adults that we go with. (Don’t get me started on his little sister Addie, who is now 10) So when I hear someone doesn’t fish with their kids because they are too young, I just shake my head, knowing what they are missing out on.
2. Build up what a privilege it is to go fly fishing.
3. No matter what, make it fun:
Never get mad at your kid, laughing goes a long way. Remember how bad you were when you started.
4. Teach by example:
You can fish too! Don’t spend the whole day shadowing over your rookie. It gets old quick! Catch some fish and show them that you are a master at the sport. That respect will go a long way. Plus it gets kids excited to see fish and makes for a successful trip even though they might not have caught anything. (Age Depending)
5. Make it simple:
One fly, small casts, no trees, etc…
6. Its not just about fishing:
Go on a hike, hangout, look at the flowers, bugs, and animals. Do what they want to do. They will want to go again if it was fun.
7. Make sure to be prepared.
Have warm clothes, food and water at hand.
8. Pick a good day and location:
Don’t fish the Provo River with a rookie. Choose a river or lake that you know holds a lot of hungry fish that are easy to catch. I like high country lakes and streams (lots of brookies) and community ponds. Also make sure you go on a nice day. Fishing in comfortable weather is lot easier than sub zero weather. Plus it’s a lot more fun for kids.
9. Bring a friend along:
Kids show off to their friends, which in reality teaches them to be better. Plus sometimes it makes it fun for them to stop fishing and just hangout with someone else. Remember its about having fun, not just fishing.
10. Don’t over teach:
Teach them when they want and are ready to learn. The best time is when they ask for your help.
11. Be Positive:
Give lots of complements, kids always perform better under a positive teacher.
12. Teach Through Stories:
Most kids relate to stories better than lectures. Stories give kids a chance to visualize the situation before it is done. Plus kids will really pay attention when a story is being told.
13. Get treats or food after (before) the day:
Build a tradition. During the summer we always get a Slurpee after a day on the river.
14. Gear Them Up:
How would a kid be able to go out and play baseball with his friends if he didn’t have a mitt, bat and ball? It’s the same thing with fly fishing. Kids need at least a rod, reel and line to be able to practice their casting. This doesn’t mean go out and buy the best gear- I would go to any sporting good store and get them the cheapest rod and reel possible. (Most are under $50 for the set up) It will make them appreciate, getting a nicer set up later on. Have them save up their money to get a net, fly box, flies, glasses, waders, and boots or they are all good gifts ideas. (Birthdays, Christmas, etc…)
15. Tell them that you are proud:
Don’t forget to tell them that you are proud of how good they did. That they are great fly fishermen.
So get out and take a kid fishing and I promise you, the rewards will be priceless!
Epic Day
Mar 8th
Here is another great post from the Frenzy’s own Travis “Dr” Gillespie. Travis writes is own blog called Xstream Outdoors and allows us to share his posts, check it if you haven’t.
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to find myself on the Provo River with friends along with one of the best midge hatches I have ever seen. Travis explains it better so I will let him do it with in his own words. I have added a few extra pictures that I have spiced up a bit. Enjoy!!!
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So I’ve been doing some thinking about what makes an “EPIC DAY” on the water. Is it the beautiful scenery one witnesses, the time away from real life, the fish caught or is it simply the friendships we gain and share? I guess it really just comes down to who you talk to and how they see their life. To me an “Epic Day” is something personal that I keep deep inside my soul, it is the one thing that I can have that no one else can take away or share. Its very personal.
So on that note, today was what some might call an “Epic Day”. With the OK from the wife and a few texts later, I had a crew of four die hard fishermen and fisherwomen, excited to hit the Middle Provo in the morning. We arrived at our destination at 8:45 am to the surprise of complete solitude. (Weird for the Provo River on a Sat.) Isn’t it funny how a little cold weather forecast will scare off most anglers. As we approached the river we instantly saw little rings of joy that would make any anglers heart start beating a little faster. After tying on some little Midges (#20-22) with 7X tippet, Mallary struck first with two quick hook ups. After that was the highlight of the outing for me. I casted my flies up the shallow riffle and WHAM! on the first cast I was hooked into a fat leaping brown on 7X tippet. It tried everything possible to rub or throw the hook, but after the air show was finished the big fish came into the net. It measured a true 21 inches with a great healthy girth. I was stoked! I could have ended my day right then and been completely content.
For the next hour we had a little calm before the storm, the hatch hadn’t really started yet, but there were just enough little Midges flying around to keep the fish looking up. We each landed a couple on dries, then just like clock work the weather warmed a little and the main event begun!!! Within a matter of 30 mins there were hundreds of fish on the surface sipping the abundance of clustered midges that layered the waters surface. It was an amazing site and the dry fly fishing for the next 3 hours was just plain old silly. With a good presentation, the right size of fly (Griffin Gnat #22!!!) no hungry brown could stand a chance.
The key was in the presentation!!! Accurate, soft casting was crucial to get the tiny flies to a trouts feeding lane without spooking them.
With the late addition of Big Hoss to our team. Hoss, Wayne, Mallary and myself had a blast catching feisty 14-17 inch browns until our arms were sore and our confidence was through the roof. But just as we knew it, great days must come to an end and the hatch was over and the fish went back to their beds. All we could say was “that was an amazing hatch”. So what makes an “Epic Day”? Well it’s all in the eyes of the beholder…
Fishing Summary:
Fished: 9 am-4 pm
Midge Hatch 9 am-3 pm (best time 1-3)
Flies: Orange Asher #16, Grif Gnat #20, Zebra #22, WD-40 #22, Single Midge #24, Midge Emerger #24-26.
Tippet: 6X-7X
