Articulated Butt Monkey

Fly Fishing the Ozarks

The Voodoo Squatch

Guiding Friends

Most high school kids these days thrive on being the most popular that they can possibly be.  The jocks, the rich kids, etc.  As one of only a few fly fishermen at my school, I seem to stand out as "the different one", but in a good way.  Lately, many friends of mine have asked me to take them fly fishing, and most times, I am happy to oblige.

So, when my good friend Claire brought up the idea of going fishing, I jumped on the opportunity, and off we went.

It was quite funny watching her fight the big largemouth pictured below, but she landed it, and that's all that counts. We started off small, catching innocent bluegill, and eventually worked our way up to a respectable largemouth.  Long story short, it was a good day to be outside, and it was awesome to see one of my friends having fun on the water.

Claire's big largemouth!

Addiction at its Finest

As a student, I constantly hear the saying "you learn something new every day."  For Forrest Carpenter, a good friend of mine, this day would exemplify the above statement more than perfectly.  

Fly fishing for carp is, in my opinion, one of the fastest growing sectors of our beloved sport.  What was once thought of as a "trash fish" is quickly becoming the most addicting tug in the industry.  The incredible wittiness of these fish drives anglers like myself to insanity trying to hook them, only to have all that frustration thrown out the window as soon as the higher pitches of your reel are reached with each screaming run.

It started with a phone call from Forrest saying that he was up in Fort Collins, and wanting to catch some fish.  When asked if he had ever landed a carp on the fly, his answer was rather straight forward: "No, but I'd like to change that today!"  With that, it was game on....

....And the game was played. With one rejection after another, and countless curse words, we struggled to hook fish.  Approaching a submerged stump, we noticed a large tail sticking out of the water just past it.  Tying on my signature damsel pattern, I gave Forrest the green light, and he dropped the fly just past the fish, dragging it right in front of him.  Stopping, the fish inspected the offering carefully before flaring his gills to inhale the meal.  "Set it!" was all I had to say and Forrest was deep into battle with his first carp.  Minutes later, he held his sloppy prize up for the camera.  Watching as the fish swam back to it's muddy home, Forrest reveled in his new found addiction.

The same scenario replayed itself once again as Forrest hauled in a stud of a grass carp, successfully landing both of the major species in one day.  

This guy really wanted my fly, believe it or not he is still hooked in this picture.

I couldn't let you think Forrest caught the only fish...

Heifer Groomer

Whiskey Fish

Fly Times productions is an awesome media group that I am so happy to be a part of.  Check out more of their videos by clicking here!

Awesome Day Guiding!

The other day, I was fortunate enough to guide two clients along with my buddy Forrest, the head guide.  I was nervous going into the day, but by the end of the trip, my client had landed more than 20 fish, and to say the least, he was happy.  Below are some pictures from the day.

Forrest and his client with a nice chromer...

Forrest and his cients' fish of the day!

Happy Client with an awesome 'Bow

My client and his fish of the day!

John Gierach