CRO Flies

New Website

2016-03-21T12:57:00.002-03:00

We launched it! Special thanks to Radcock for putting in a ton of time revamping the website. Go check it out at croflies.com

Brooking Maine Moment 1

2016-02-03T12:42:00.000-04:00

Hank explains TU

2016-02-01T12:56:00.000-04:00

"You want to be a fishtronaut you can go to the moon and swim on the moon."
Hank Patterson explains TU

It was on our annual Maine trip last year that I had the unsettling and very disturbing realization that trout streams are not an unlimited resource. This thought was sparked by a conversation I had with local guide John Pollock about the fragile state of the Rapid River. The Rapid River, world famous for its alder fly hatch and huge native brook trout, has seen a very gradual rise in temperature over the past decade, directly affecting the stream and its fish population. Though many theories exist as to why the Rapid seems to be on the decline, a popular theory is that the feeder streams to the drainage system have been slowly warming due to the large amount of trees cut down by the logging industry. This warmer water has a trickle down effect gradually increasing the temperature of the water in the system. Whether you agree with that theory or not is besides the point. The point is the biology surrounding the incredible sport we love is fragile and needs to be kept in balance. Our job is to play the part of steward. Groups like TU provide opportunities for us to play the part of steward collectively with a shared vision of making sure our kids will get to take their grandkids flyfishing on the streams we love.

Join TU today.

Visit. TU.ORG

Must See: Low and Clear

2016-01-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

Winter 2016 is upon us and here in the North East we are getting ready for the first big winter weather event of the year. So while you load up on milk and bread in preperation for a weekend stuck at home make plans to watch the best fly fishing movie out there. It is called Low and Clear and it is a brilliant character study and fly fishing movie. I have watched it 4 times and it never gets old. This film captures the far swings of personality as it collides and meshes with this beautiful art we call fly fishing. It is a story of friendship, art and fish. You will love it.

"Let's see if we can find peace in our hearts."
"%$*#@$ this #$%^&ing Wind"

Bend your ear toward the awesome soundtrack, just lean back and brace yourself for flurries of vulgarity. This is a raw and real picture.

2015-03-17T12:53:00.000-03:00

Sign the Dam petition!

2014-11-17T13:38:00.003-04:00

DamNation: We can make a difference

Sorry for shouting the title of this blog post... let me calm down and start by saying, you need to watch the documentary DamNation. I knew dams were an out of date means of creating energy, but it was enlightening to see just how not "green" hydro energy is in comparison to the abundance of solar and wind.

I was also was aware of the impact that dams have on our fisheries and landscapes but I was blown away at how many dams we have in America! There are approximately 75,000 dams over 3 feet tall in America! INSANE! Bottom line is dams are out of date, unneeded and have harmed not only our fisheries, but the American landscape.

Watch the film on Netflix, iTunes or buy the DVD/Blueray through the link above. Please watch and make your own Dam conclusion! Hopefully you will join us in signing the Dam petition.

Check out the trailer:

DamNation - Trailer from Patagonia on Vimeo.

Save the Tully

2014-11-10T17:29:00.002-04:00

Please click VOTE NOW to cast your vote.

Otherwise the Tully will be lost to bobber and worm fisherman.

This is a mess. The PA Fish Commission need to know how you feel about it.

Contour and an awesome video.

2014-11-05T11:49:00.003-04:00

Contour is back in buisness and has a new and improved Contour Roam Camera available. I know so many of you are all like. "Go Pro...Go Pro...we love our Go Pro's" But listen this camera is the bestest for wing-suit diving, base jumping, other personal adventures and fly fishing.
Adventure everyday peeps. Most of the below video is contour awesomeness.
Contour.com

CRO. Ride On from 815productions on Vimeo.

Fly Tying Video Awesomeness: Fly Fishing the Osarks

2014-10-20T15:35:00.001-03:00

Well Thomas Harvey and his wife are crushing it. Must watch tying videos especially if you are a streamer junkie. Check their website out here! Ps. Don't impale your finger with the hook...rabbit strips make me nervous.

For Day to Day current CRO updates...

2014-07-09T11:58:00.003-03:00

Check us out on social media...it is updated almost daily. We blog less and we post more on social media
when fishing is in full swing.

Follow us on twitter.
and on Instagram.

East vs West: round 2

2014-06-21T21:39:00.001-03:00

It's on again. CRO Crew member Jason is in Montana drifting great streams and wrestling big trout while the rest of the CRO crew is on their way to the rangeley region of Maine to fly fish for beautiful native brook trout. So we have another Instagram throw down between crew members brewing on the CRO Flies Instagram account. Go check it out and make sure to follow it through the week for awesome trip pictures. See it all here http://instagram.com/croflies . Pictures will be posted by Jason, Radcock, Luke and myself. Youcan also search these hash tags #eastvswest #crowcrew

We Will Always Remember - Jason Jones

2014-06-05T10:01:00.000-03:00

A local Hero fell in battle Monday, making the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his brothers. His name is Jason Jones; he and his father Jay Jones are avid fly-fishers. Luke was a year behind Jason in high school and they spent many days together running from soccer practice to the football field. I had the privilege of being one of the coaches on Jason's soccer team during his high school days and I also coached his sister Lizzy. I can tell you this with certainty - you would be hard pressed to find a nicer family. My heart breaks for them.

I remember Jason's work ethic, his resolve, his leadership and his smile. He was loved by his peers and everyone I can think of for that matter. He was tough yet kind, intense but respectful. He was intellectual and very funny. He was the kind of guy everyone liked and yet he would stick up for and defend the weakest around him. When his father told Luke and I that Jason had earned his Green Beret...I honestly wasn't surprised in the least bit. He was the kind of guy who would excel at everything or anything. He was our country's best. He was and is a hero. Our hero.

Jay sent me this picture of his son Jason (on the left) and his buddies hanging out on a fishing trip.

This man died serving our country...please take a moment to pray for his family and read his obituary here. And Jay if you read this...whenever you are ready to pick up a rod or need the sanctity and solitude of a stream we will be here for you.

As Luke said recently about Jason, "You will be greatly missed and we are eternally grateful for your selflessness and service to this country. Now find Caleb fly fishing in heaven and save me a spot."

Save us all a spot friend. We will see you soon.

Fly Shop Spotlight: Rangeley Region Sport Shop

2014-05-20T11:42:00.001-03:00

Luke Ott Releases an awesome Maine Brookie

The Rangeley Region Sport Shop is a historic fly fisherman's hot spot in the middle of God's Country, the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine. This great region is arguably one of the best fly fishing destinations on the east coast. I hesitate to let the cat out of the bag because the last thing we want is our favorite spots being filled with the likes of all of you. But at heart we are sharers. The Raneley Region should be on your bucket list of fishing places to visit. While you are there the Rangeley Region Sport Shop is the place to stop for information, hot spots and hatch information. You can also fill your fly boxes with all of the great local streamers, dry flies and nymphs. Tell them the CRO sent you. Brett and his staff will put you on fish...every time.

Brett Damm guide and fly shop owner with a nice Native Brookie

Besides this fly shops rich history what makes it special is the new attention and love poured into the shop by its new owner Brett Damm a great local fly tyer and guide. This fly shop has all the historic Rangeley Region patterns tied right there in Rangeley as well as all the great flies you need to land your trophy native Brookie. In the Rangeley Region the air is fresher, the water runs better and the fish are bigger.

Discover-Courage Program.

2014-05-19T13:15:00.001-03:00

FLY FISHING PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL FORCES

Navy Seals

pic from: http://www.sealswcc.com/

For 264 years the Samurai Warriors during the EDU period were forced to lay down their swords for their country. These mighty warriors had to leave the art of war, maintain their discipline and balance all while trying to battling a loss of identity that was so intertwined with what they did and who they are. To continue to thrive these warriors took up fly-fishing.

We wrote about it here.
Now a Retired Navy Seal Command Chief, Jay Manty is running a special program, incorporating awesome fly fishing trips, to help special forces warriors. It is called Discover-Courage.

From the discover-courage website :

DC provides unique outdoor-focused programs for IA/NMF members to productively apply their hard-earned professional skills to new challenges designed to yield lifelong rewards, personal growth, and foster leadership development. Read more here.

Mission

To foster leadership development and personal growth for Interagency and National Missions Force members, past and present, through exclusive programs respectful of the specific needs of this community and its members.

Vision -Discover Courage supports Interagency and National Missions Force members, past and present, in productively applying their exceptional skills in special outdoor oriented programs, while respecting the privacy of participants, donors, and supporters.

I am pretty pumped that this program is running, after all these guys are well past the front line in serving and fighting for what we hold dearest. Pass it on. You can also donate to the program here.

Chroma-Poppin...Luke busts moves with his Smith Optics

2014-05-07T15:20:00.000-03:00

Here it is right from Kim (Luke's prettier side) mouth...or instagram feed if you feel the need to get technical about it.
From Kim:
Of course my boyfriend catches a fish barehanded in the Dominican and then of course I say "Omg honey hang on we need to get a picture with it"

That's luke Chroma-Poppin'-it in his smith optic shades. These new chroma-pop polarized lenses have to get all the credit for Luke hand landing this little guy. Catch.Release.Repeat. you crazy kids.

Gingers vs River X Video

2014-05-06T15:15:00.000-03:00

Our buddy Brian Mowers, guide and owner of Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures posted up this slick little video of a recent trip to Idaho. Enjoy.

Don't Litter: Norwegian Guy Catches a Fish that Swallowed Grossness

2014-04-15T19:03:00.000-03:00

DON'T LITTER

This guy...well you will have to follow the link to the Huffington Post Article here to get the explanation for the picture above.

Check this out: Kype Magazine

2014-04-13T10:58:00.001-03:00

Well hopefully you have been spending as much time on the water as we have. I had to take a break from all the driving, bug slinging and fly tying to make sure you know about this awesome online magazine. It is run by one of the best fly tyers we know (she is also pretty awesome with the fly rod too) Aileen Lane from MKFlies. Follow her on twitter and instagram. Back to the point. Check out this awesome online magazine. You can also click on the magazine on the top of the column on the left side of this page to jump directly into it. You will love it!

(from the Kype Magazine Web Page)
A kype is a hook that forms on the lower jaw of a male trout, salmon or steelhead, during spawning periods. This is their badge of power and dominance, that is unique to only these species. It’s an explanation point, similar to the rack of a male deer—a sign of a warrior—a sign of strength. These kype-busting-bucks are known to burn-out drag systems, shatter graphite, and snap leaders as if they were a strand of hair–and with such a mark of strength, thus the title of our magazine, KYPE.

Kype represents a new and refreshing approach to salmon, trout, and steelheading focusing on West Coast rivers, Great Lakes tributaries and trout streams across the continent.

Micro-Nymphing for Trout

2014-04-02T14:02:00.002-03:00

Micro-Nymphing for Trout Quick Guide:

Micro-Nymphing in simple terms is a focus on fishing small nymph patterns that "match the hatch" for the local body of water.

Here are some keys to doing it effectively:

Do use this technique when you are fishing for heavily pressured wild trout.
Do fish a double nymph rig with about 15 to 18 inches of tippet between each fly.
Do place your split shot approximately 6 inches above the fly.
Do adjust...everything, all the time. There are times where we will change split shot size and move split shot location a number of times before finding the sweat spot on a particular day.
Do fish two small flies (by small we mean naturally small...to know this you need to know what food sources and sizes of food sources are in the stream...flip some rocks or ask your local fly shop.)
Do use light tippet and leaders. Most of our pressured waters 6x will suffice.
Do start with a very minimal amount of weight and work your way up depending on the section of water you are fishing. Note: This is different than Czech-nymphing which is designed to fish deep fast pockets for trout, in czech-nymphing dropping your flies through the water table fast is essential. The focus for micro-nymphing is to present subsurface as naturally as possible. You want your flies to behave in the water as realistically as possible.
Do avoid using weighted flies.
Do lose the idea of an attractor fly. You will be fishing where the fish are and presenting them with a natural food source. Finding the fish is your first task, before getting your line wet.

Used Freestone Waders For Sale

2014-03-27T09:58:00.001-03:00

Simms Waders for sale by our newest CRO Crew member (introduction to come soon) Jason. These are the Freestone Model size medium and have been only used for 1 year. Only $175. You can't beat that anywhere unless you buy a pair of cheep waders that will fall apart in a year. These waders are built tough.

Email cro.flyfishing@gmail.com if you are interested.

A simple reason to fish wild trout in PA

2014-03-26T11:37:00.000-03:00

Sometimes Pennsylvania fly fisherman get a bad rap from our brothers up north or out west. Some unedjeucated fly fishermen assume all fly-fishing in PA is done for hatchery fish dumped from buckets or boxes into streams. In actuality PA has some of the most delicate an historic wild trout spring creeks in the country. Our favorite is Spring Creek, but other waters include the historic Letort and a big favorite called Big Spring (recently featured in Fly Fisherman Magazine).

We prefer to fish for these beautiful wild trout. Get out an try it if you haven't.

"A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it." Arnold Gingrich

One Fly Tournament Results (March 16th 2014)

2014-03-19T11:31:00.000-03:00

Luke slinging his Loop Opti Creek and a Cross1 4wt
Photos by Crystal and Greg Wood

Bobby doing work.

Congrats to our very own Luke Ott and Bobby Wolfgang for winning the one fly tournament hosted by Rivers Outdoors Adventures to benefit SCTU. They landed the win despite facing difficult conditions, tough competition, and all those hard to calculate variables, like who fished where and with what before you, that go into a one fly tournament.
Tyler from Natural Pursuit Outdoors even gave the boys a shot out with this quote: "I knew the CRO boys would have it locked up. Congrats Bobby Wolfgang and Luke Ott!"
But the CRO Boys almost lost to, two other CRO Boys...Matt and Ryan Warner
These #crocrew brothers slammed it pretty good giving Bobby and Luke a run for their money coming in just one fish behind the CRO CREW. The inch differential made it apparent that all the Warner Brothers needed to do was catch one more fish measuring out at just 37" to tie for first. Sounds like everyone had fun and keep your eye open...I hear that Rivers Outdoor's Adventures Fly Shop will be hosting more fun events in the near future.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: The money raised went to supporting our local Trout Unlimited Chapter. Thanks to Greg Wood for putting a lot of work into the event and for River's Outdoor Adventures and SCTU for supporting the event.

Store Your Fly Gear Like a Boss

2014-03-14T11:46:00.000-03:00

Get a Big Container.

Smother it with stickers.

Add magnetic strips or a pad.

Fill it with stuff.

Serves as a table for sippy cups and other stuff.

Add handles to make dragging and lifting a much easier experience.

See pictures bellow for a how too.

Old wading boot laces work well, para-chord will work too.

Knot loops for handles.

Run it through the holes in the container (Slowly drill some holes if your container doesn't have any).

Run the chord or laces all way through the container and through the whole in the other side.

This adds strength to the handles and provides a guide for how far you can fill the tub.

Add containers for organization. This is a great way to keep fly boxes and other important gear organized and it also helps keep hooks and nippers away from waders and wading jackets. If you are a guide it is also a great way to keep your client waiver forms and other important stuff dry.

Tie One On II: Giveaway

2014-03-07T10:07:00.000-04:00

Matt Dotts from CPR Custom Rods is donating a fly Rod as a door prize at Tie One On II: Just another sick reason to show up.
Check out his work here and let me just tell you one of Matt's Rods would make an incredible gift for the fly fisher in your life.

Here are the specs and pictures of the rod being giving away at the tomorrow's Tie One On event:

7'6" 3wt

Tie One On II & One Fly Contest

2014-03-05T10:12:00.000-04:00

Tie One On II: March 8, 11:00 - 4:00

This Saturday CRO Flies, Natural Pursuit Outdoors and the Deer Lake Pub are hosting the second annual Tie One On event. The event will consist of demonstrations from six amazing fly tiers, sick door prizes (custom fly rods, apparel, gift certificates, artwork, etc), merchandise for sale, great food and of course beer. This event is for all ages and abilities. Bring your vice to tie along with the demonstrations or to fill your fly boxes with whatever you need. Or, just come to hang out with like minded people. Tie One On II is a FREE event, so don't miss out on all of the fun!

Little Schuylkill River One Fly Contest: March 16

Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited & Rivers Outdoor Adventures Presents the 10th Annual Little Schuylkill River One Fly Contest. We will be offering pre-registration to the first 5 teams (of 2) at Saturday's Tie One On event. If you haven't participated or heard of One Fly Contests... THEY ARE A BLAST! Not only is this going to be a fun day of fishing, but there will be some amazing prizes, lunch, fly tying demonstrations and guest speakers at the culmination of the contest. Registration is $25 per person. All proceeds earmarked for Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited for habitat projects on the Little Schuylkill. Come out and participate in this awesome event. Hopefully your one fly doesn't end up looking like this...

To learn more about this event and the Rules & Regulations see below:

Itinerary

Sign-in, coffee/donuts & location drawings: 7:00 to 8:00 AM

Contest starting time: 8:00 am

First Start: 8:00 – 11:00 am.

Location switch, fish count & coffee break: 11:00 to 11:30

Second start: 11:30 AM. Finish time: 2:30pm.

Awards and Lunch: 2:30-3:30 pm.

Hot Dogs and sauerkraut, chips and soda

Fly Tying Demonstrations, Guest Speakers

Cost: $25 per person.

Rules & Regulations

-All anglers must have a current PA fishing license and trout stamp.

-10-two person teams. Each team will fish two different beats. The first beat will be chosen by a drawing. The second beat will be appointed. 10 sites will be pre-located and stationed by a judge. This judge will remain at this location for the entire contest.

-One Fly will be allowed per contestant for the entire contest. Fly choice, tippet size & length must follow PA Fish & Boat special regulations rules. No other flies may be carried on stream.

-Fly rods with fly line only.

-Foul hooked fish will not be counted. Every effort for a humane release must be taken or a warning with a loss of 1 fish count will be issued. Second violation will result in disqualification.

-Lost fly. In the event that a fly is lost, team member may advise, spot, net & release fish for partner. He or she may not cast for a fish.

-Retrieving lost fly. Fly may be retrieved using any means deemed safe by the Judge.

-Team must stay within talking distance of each other & the Judge.

-Judges may not assist in any part of fishing including advising, spotting, netting & releasing.

Prizes

Most inches of Trout landed:

#1 - (2) Two Nights of Lodging @ Eddies Salmon River Lodge Pulaski, NY

#2 – Fly Tying Material (50$ Value)

#3 – (2) Loaded Fly Boxes of Flies

Don't forget to pre-register, this Saturday, at the second annual Tie One On Event!