I usually pick one up later in the season at a local outdoor store but it is nice to take a sneak peek.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/digfsh10.htm

I decided to work on a few egg patterns in chartreuse and pink, funny thing my eggs never seem the look like the pictures online, but they are getting better. I still have to trim the one below.

I would love to get outside and try  few on a local stream but with temps hitting only 40 or so tomorrow, might just stay in and work on a few more.

A recent drive up 17N had me going to the Ramapo area until some dark clouds were up ahead. A quick exit to an empty Saddle River is always a nice surprise. I get out to the upper Saddle River a few times a year. It is more of a nostalgic thing for me. In the early eighty’s my brothers friend Dave use to take me their and let me drive his camaro up Rt17 to the river when I had my learners permit. That was cool.

On this recent visit I saw a few small bass and tried dead drafting a hare”s ear past two trout with no luck. In the distance I heard a few cracks of thunder so it was time to wrap it up.

Saddle River

Only stayed for an hour or so before the fingers started getting cold. I saw a few trout reeled up, which seemed to keep everyone going in the cool rain.

We came up empty but with kids its always fun, he had me cracking up with the things he does. Time well spent for sure.

I paid a visit to AC Moore and picked up a few neat inexpensive items to keep me busy behind the vise. For a few bucks yarn in every image able color is available and gives a unique buggy look similar to dubbing that is hard to beat. Just be sure to break it down to a single strand or so. I also picked up a few 9″ x 12″ sheets of thin Foam Zone for terrestrials also available in lots of colors. Priced at .30 to .40 per sheet is a good deal.

Let’s face it, these days most or all of us are strapped for cash for one reason or another. A visit to a craft store is one way to stock up on a few neat materials that are easy on the wallet. Most craft stores are well stocked so be sure to ask for help in locating your so called treasures.

Today is the first day of spring!

But what was with that snow this morning?

Glenn and Andrea Benschoten were tying a few patterns with yarn and foam. All very easy simple stuff perfect for beginner.  They have a book out called Ten Flies Simple Ties available at www.reelsimpleflyfishing.com.

A few months ago I started trolling the web for a few simple patterns to work on and this worked out perfect.  The booklet goes for $8-10 dollars, how can you go wrong?  I am looking forward to trying them out this Spring on some bass and panfish.

Plus they are two very nice people!

from DANCES WITH TROUT by John Gierach.

A quick stop at Ramsey Outdoor for a few small nymph patterns and on my way. This season started early for me on this very cold Saturday Jan. 3rd, off to the Ramapo River.

Just walking through the snow crunching under your feet with a pole in hand is neat stuff. Water temp was a cold 38 deg. give or take.  There is something about stepping into the cold water in the Winter. The sun felt nice and warm on my back which was a nice bonus. Air temp in the 30s but no major wind to speak of.

Only spent a little over an hour or so but less than that with the line wet. Came up empty handed with no action on the strike indicator but that did not matter much. I did end up in the doctors office a few days later with a wicked cough and some type of sinus infection.

It certainly felt manly telling the doc I spent time fishing in the cold stream. I do not think she was impressed one bit.

Ramapo River Jan. 09

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2009/digfsh09.pdf

I usually pick one up at the store but it is nice to check it out early.

Happy New Year!