Patagonia Great Divider III – Product Review

/in , , /by
Patagonia Great Divider

Patagonia Great Divider III

Time for a new boat bag and the Patagonia Great Divider was my choice after looking at the many options out there, it was a few simple things that sold me on the Patagonia bag.  First the 100% waterproof and fully-welded construction.  I found with my old  bag, that I would forget about the rain fly, and by the time I remember it was too late and my bag and the inside was soaked, leaders and flies now wet.  This is not good.  Problem solved now, as the Great Divider gear bag.  I also can’t tell you how many times rain flies turn into moldy rain flies if you don’t dry them out and store them correct.  Secondly the keep it simple lay out.  I don’t like search through endless pockets.  With a 4 panel divider system is’t nice to keep fly boxes separate from tippet.  But I can see everything in the bag at once and I know where it will be.

 

Thirdly the  transparent floating panel with hook-and-loop attachments and removable end pockets help organize small items.   Great place for car keys and cell phones.  Easy to find and protected.

Details

  • 100% waterproof, fully-welded construction with a single-side TPU coating
  • Main compartment is made of a pliable and resilient high-density foam that gives bag shape and protects contents
  • 100% waterproof TIZIP® zipper with waterproof materials and construction at main closure
  • Two interior zippered end pockets are transparent and removable
  • Strap attachments and seams are welded to eliminate leakage
  • Adjustable and removable padded shoulder strap; two grab handles
  • 11.75-oz 800-denier 100% nylon with a PU exterior coating and TPU interior coating

 

Summer 2014 Revive Fly Fishing Mag Issue

/in /by

Here is a link to a new online magazine for me.  Revive, new issue just added.  Check it out.

Screen Shot 2014-06-10 at 9.50.01 AM

Liberty Bottles – American Made and Much More

/in /by

If you have not checked out Liberty Bottles you need too, I first talked about Liberty Bottles in a post a few months ago referring to how much Liberty Bottles recycles and how focused the company is on being Green.

This American made company philosophy, their focus on being green, and their dedication to giving back to veterans is something to behold in today’s go fast make money normal business trends.  I have been very impressed by Liberty Bottles and proudly support their brand.

Just made my first purchase as to make sure I stay hydrated in the next couple months and recommend that if you need a water bottle you look at what Liberty Bottles has to offer.

DNR Muskie Survey Please Help

/in /by

There is a one year survey, on the lakes listed below, to gather information on muskellunge fishing (effort and catch). There are or will be boxes placed at access sites with survey cards. The cards can be complete and mailed or the survey can be completed online. This online option is much easier to do for you and makes it easier to compile the data for the DNR. If you visit one of these waters grab a card from the box and it has the link below as well as a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone.

If you fished any of the LP lakes over the weekend (or any of the UP lakes starting 5/15/14) and each time you fish them until 3/15/15 please complete the survey. This information helps biologists manage these fisheries. Next year the survey will rotate to another 15-20 waters.

LP Lakes 
Bellaire
Belleville
Black
Budd
Hamiln
Intermediate
Long, Grand Traverse
Margrethe
Murray
Winyah
Wixom

UP Lakes 
Chicagon
Emily
Kingston
McKeever

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MuskellungeCreel

Aerial Photo from the Drone

/in , /by

A quick photo from some footage we shot with the Phantom .  Clackacraft boat in tow, ready to go to work.  Photo shot by Erik

Warp Speed – Pic of the Day

/in /by

Erik Rambo shot this picture of me rowing down the upper manistee.  Very cool effect Erik thanks for sharing.

10321759_569044283210707_8330221569268263146_o

Great Speckled Olive caught in a Web

/in , , /by

Siphloplecton basale Spinner other wise known for me as the Great Speckled Olive caught in a spiders web.  When you see this guy you know Sulhur’s are on the menu in a day or two.  Hatches are moving forward and temps are really improving.  Couple prime open dates in the first part of June.  June 6,7,9  shoot me an email or a text message if your interested.

IMG_1332

Midnight Creeper Comment

/1 Comment/in , /by

Here is a comment from a happy customer regarding the Midnight Creeper.

Downloaded the Midnight Creeper video, amazed myself that I could do it given my Luddite acumen with computers. In looking at the fly’s action in the water wonderfully illustrated from a below the water shot I figured there was no way an average fly tier like myself could possibly tie it. The rabbit strip legs move like a real frogs and the foam cap would be way too complex for me to cut out. However, in a very well filmed illustration it is really a fly that anyone with basic tying skills can readily do. Ed’s clear and stepwise tying prompted by Jon Ray’s questions, that often were the very ones I was thinking of, makes this a great video to watch if you want a killer fly for night time fishing. The one thing that can drive you a bit crazy is Ed wraps backwards around the hook. I tried tying the Midnight Creeper but on a large streamer hook because I don’t have a bass hook yet and got a great result if its action in my bathtub is any test. As I don’t have that neat cutter to use on the foam I free hand cut it out and got a passable result. Now if I can just get a chance to use it! – Doc

Phantom goes to work

/in /by

Erik Rambo on the controls and the Phantom went to work as we try to finish up the next project.