5 Reasons I'll travel for F3T

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm pumped about the upcoming fly fishing film tour.

5 - Networking -  Living in Pierre, S.D. doesn't offer many opportunities to network with other anglers that prefer a presentation by way of the fly.  As a second year member of the Tuesday Tyers, I'm proud to have joined such great group of fly-fishing enthusiasts, and have already learned so much from our weekly tying sessions.  As I become more immersed in the sport that has taken so many before me, never to release them of its sturdy grasp, I find myself wanting (dare I say NEEDING) more.  The urge to visit far away lands in search of species I've only read about or witnessed at the F3T.  The desire to learn from those who have experienced so much more than I might in my lifetime.  This will only occur by meeting those who make it happen, those who are willing and able to drop everything and go when the time is right.  Only then will I grow as a fisherman.

4 - Amazing Films -  I was very impressed with the quality of films presented at last years film tour.  I sat, wide-eyed, with a hand in my popcorn and a permanent smile stuck on my face.  When a redfish the size of a schoolbus approached the presented fly, the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention.  This is what dreams are made of, and what makes it so fun to watch!

Here's a taste...


"The Kodiak Project" trailer - by LDR Media | Fly Fishing Movie from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

3 - Fisherman Development -  I'm a strong believer that doing what successful people do will help you become successful.  This applies to any sport and to life in general.  Watching the men and women in the F3T videos practicing an art they have perfected over the years provides you with a very indirect and colloquial fly fishing lesson, so to speak.  Tricks, techniques and strategies used to land monster fish in far off venues.  If you want to be the best, learn from the best.

2 - Great Prizes -  This very informal event is not only great for all of the reason mention above, but they give free stuff to all participants.  Rich and poor fisherman alike can appreciate the acquisition of free, high quality, fishing gear.  Products that will make us all better fisherman while keeping our drive to excel ever-present.

1 - A Guy Can Dream, Can't I? - The familiar tingle of anticipation runs down your spine when watching these videos.  You can't help but think..."That should be me."  That's what makes fishing so fun for me.  Each fishing trip is an opportunity to catch "the big one".  A chance to do something that few if any other anglers have done.  Just as there is new hope and new possibilities with each fishing trip, with each cast,  watching the films of the F3T opens your mind to opportunities you may have never thought possible.

Marina Update - February 20, 2012

Travel has put me behind the ball on my fishing and blog updates lately.  I last fished on President's Day with wind, snow and 20 degree temp.  I thought it would be the perfect time to fish with no walleye fisherman present.  Boy was I wrong.  Still two boats, and four walleye fisherman on shore casting away (only one of whom was catching).  Lucy and I fished for around an hour with nothing, but I did have a chance to speak to a few of the walleye fishermen.  The guy that had been catching a few fish has been fishing the marina every day for some time.  I asked if he had seen any nice trout caught recently.  He had!!!  Of course, this is heresay, and completely unofficial, but he watched a gal haul in a three lb. rainbow on Saturday (Feb 18) on a crappie rig and a guy on Sunday catch a six+ lb trout on a jib/minnow combination.  In my experience fish stories seem to get even more exaggerated when you're recalling the conquests of other anglers.  If these stories were at all accurate (even if the sizes of the fish were not) these trout were caught on minnows near the bottom.  I've been throwing streamers and large nymphs only to catch an occasional northern.  I'll try a different approach on my next adventure.  Maybe a deep-diving clouser worked slowly over the leaf and stick covered bottom.  More updates coming soon (as soon as the wind stops blowing 40-50 mph in Pierre!!

Oahe Marina - Day 2

The Mega Prince.  Looked amazing in the water combined with the black bunny leach, but not effective on this day.

February 15, 2012


5:00 p.m. - Began fishing the north side.  Ice formations had decreased substantially since Monday.

Fly Selection:  Black bunny leech with mega prince dropper.


Wind:  No wind

Air Temp:  40 degrees

Fishing Pressure:  Eight walleye fisherman.  I didn't see anyone land a fish until dusk.  Then one guy started having a hay day.  The eyes were still in there to a certain extent.

6:30 p.m. - Fingers too cold to operate any longer.  I really need to get that checked out... No bites, no bugs, no sign of big trout on this day.

Oahe Marina - Fishing Update

 The early bird catches the worm, right?  I'm hoping in this case the early fisherman has first dibs .  The Oahe marina has been a hotspot for big rainbow trout, northern pike and other predatory fish seeking prey during the warming days of spring.  Typically, the "timing" is right for these big fish when the ice goes out on the marina.  This year has been anything but typical.  The warm winter weather hosted by the great State of South Dakota has denied any ice formation in Oahe Marina.  In light of this unique situation, and because I've decided to devote a large amount of time seeking out these big rainbows, I'll be posting updates on this blog as often as I go fishing to keep anyone interested up-to-date.

February 13, 2012


What an amazing day to be out on the water.  Outdoor temp was about 50 degrees.  Not a hint of wind.  Every-so-often I'd see a little black midge fluttering across the top of the water.  The center of the marina is iced over with about a 3/4"slab.  Walleye fishermen have been hitting the marina hard and catching a lot of fish; only six guys and two boats out today.  I cant help but wonder about how this fishing pressure is going to affect the "Occupy Oahe Marina" event this spring.  The walleyes will keep the fishermen coming, and they won't leave until there isn't a walleye left to be caught.  I fished the marina in January during a few of the 60 degree days and caught a few walleys, a nice northern and saw numerous rises that could have only been big trout.  Of course, I was unable to entice the bite of a big bow in January, but I feel pretty confident they were there.  

With numb fingers (even with glacier gloves) after two hours of fishing under my belt, I was satisfied.  Dissatisfaction is lost on gorgeous days like these. No takers, but it was a great day.  I'm leaving day one looking forward to my next chance to chase.