My Leaky Waders

The Sei Whale

2012-02-20T16:40:00.000-06:00

It doesn't happen often, seeing a whale up close to shore.
When it does, it is usually a bad sign.
Something is wrong.

They think the whale came into the bay
Chasing food.
She is two-toned, metallic and grayish blue.
White underneath.
If you swam beneath her, looking up to the sky,
I imagine it would be a barley visible ghost that would cruise,
50km/hr over your back.
They are the fastest cetaceans, you know.
Looking down, from the bow of the ship that hit her,
Her dark skin probably blended into the water below.
A flying shadow.

I wonder if they felt it,
The short shudder
As the ship's rudder
dug through her skull?
Maybe it didn't even register.
If it did, what is running through their mind now,
With the news crews recording,
People chatting,
Children asking?
A job is a job.
These things happen.
That whale shouldn't have been in the Bay,
Anyway.

_________________________

The whale is just down the road from us. It is an odd feeling. Fascinating to see such a large animal up close, beautiful even. It is sad to see an endangered species washed up on the shore, dead.

Here is a piece from the local news..

"By Allison T. Williams, atwilliams@dailypress.com / 757-247-4535Compiled

9:54 a.m. EST, February 20, 2012

NORFOLK - A 42-foot dead whale washed up near 1st View Street in the Ocean View section of Norfolk around daybreak Sunday morning, according to the Virginia Aquarium.

The aquarium's Stranding Response Team is reporting that the male sei whale has a deep 1.5-foot gash on the back of its head, which fractured thewhale'sskull, said Susan Barco, the aquarium's senior scientist. It also has traces of orange and brown paint or rust on its head, an indicator that it was probably hit by a ship or boat.

After efforts to move the whale failed Sunday, the stranding team secured him and will get an excavator to move him on Tuesday, Barco said. Based on its condition, Barco estimated that the 20-ton animal was killed within the past two days.

The stranding team will do a necropsy – an animal autopsy – on Tuesday to further investigate the whale's health prior to the accident, Barco said. The stranding team will monitor the whale throughout the holiday weekend, Barco said."

source is here.

Here are some photos I grabbed today.

New Video: Ugly Fishing on a Nice Day

2012-02-18T11:51:00.001-06:00

Ugly Fishing on a Nice Day from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

Beaver Creek beat me up. She stole my flies and what little pride I had. Fortunately, Kevin and John managed some fish. Though, even the one rainbow I caught on camera has a mangled jaw, torn up gill plate and a chomp out of its back. Was it a hawk? Heron? Ninja? That being said, it was a gorgeous day. Maybe a little too nice (sunny and breezy).

One of my goals for the trip was to work on smoother/steadier filming. I think I accomplished that. I used a tripod, which I have never done. I also used a different setting on the GoPro to get wide angle shots and save memory.

Lastly, I decided to provide my own music for this video and skip the copyright infringement.

Every Morning.

2012-02-15T06:43:00.000-06:00

Let this morning be good to you all.
The Sun is shining here
And even if you have gray skies,
The sun is shinning above the clouds too.

In the mornings my mind wanders, meanders seems more accurate.
A slow stroll through events to come
Stopping to follow a tangent every now and then.
I wonder when we'll here the completion of EMB's bamboo stories?
Dress. Toast. Coffee. Computer.
Nope. No new updates.
What is she doing leaving us hanging like this?
Let's see, at work by 8am? I still have time.
Has any thing floated down the Poudre for us to enjoy?
The exam is next week. I think I'm on track for a passing grade.
Did I really see suckers and trout in YGF's latest video?
Oil change today.
We need more milk.
Any Owls to investigate?
Dentist appointment next week.
Just one more site before I head off. But which one?
Stripped Pajamas?
OBN?
Is that the time?
Late.

Cast 'n Swim in Warmer Waters

2012-02-11T09:33:00.002-06:00

Cast 'n Swim in Warmer Waters from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

We seek refuge in the warmer waters of southern countries when the winters begin to drag. Fly rod in tow, I tried my hand at tropical fish. We snorkeled and SCUBA dived to find the ones we didn't catch. If you keep your eyes peeled at 3:42, you'll see my elusive Permit swimming through the frame.

Now, stop watching and go catch some fish.

*Note, I spelled the band's name wrong in the video. They are "Hey Marseilles."

A FlyFishilicious Care Package

2012-02-08T19:10:00.001-06:00

A couple goodies arrived today in the mail from FlyFishilicious. I've been looking for a new hat and this fishpond cap has already cozied up upon my noggin.

Additionally, I though I would share with you a tool I love uing on the water. It is the Ty-Rite Fish hook holder. I've got and orange one hanging off my lanyard thanks to the gift from by big bro. $10.00 at cabelas online. I'm sure you could find them elsewhere. But honestly, I love this thing. It hooks your fly the way a bobber hooks onto your snoopy pole. If you have it attached to you body somewhere, you can just let it drop and not worry about losing that size 20 midge in the water or grass at your feet.

Teva, My Feet Thank You

2012-02-05T18:29:00.001-06:00

If not at work or running, I spend most of the summer in bare feet. The same has even been said when I wade in warmer waters. For Christmas I got some Teva wet wading shoes. I put them to work last week in Mexico while walking on sharp shoreline rocks. I even wore them to dinner a couple times because they were so comfortable. So I guess what I am trying to say is, Teva, my feet thank you.

The Surprises May Surprise You

2012-02-04T11:55:00.000-06:00

We are back, safe and sound, recovering from the vacation. It's funny how a vacation far away (which usually seems more appealing) tends to leave you more tired than one spent at home.

Late last summer, we planned a trip with friends to stay in one of those all-inclusive resorts in the Yucatan Peninsula. The thought was, it will be the most hassle-free option and therefore give us the most relaxing vacation. This was mostly true. However, by the end of the trip, I think we all recognized what we gave up by choosing the all-inclusive. We lost some freedom and the joy of discovering things on our own while having a catered variety of diverse food, drinks and activities delivered to our door.

I'm not trying to complain. It was an awesome trip. An absolute blast. I think I just learned something about myself. When it comes to vacationing, for me, it is like fishing. I am happier to catch ~~the one~~ fewer fish that I spent more time and energy seeking out than the buffet of fish from predictable and easily accessible waters. I want to feel like I earned it.

Okay, so now to answer your question. Did I fish? Yes. Did I fly fish? Yes. Did I get a guide? No. What did you catch? Oh, this is where you'll have to wait. I have to put together the video :)

Ha. I'm kidding. The first morning I woke at six AM and went straight for the shore. It was a pretty rocky shore with lots of surrounding reef. I am so thankful I brought my wet wading shoes. My feet would have been shredded salami without them.

I walked up about a mile to another bay. I was carrying a small box of flies, some I borrowed, some I tied and two rods loaned from my buddy, a more experienced salt water fly fisher.

At first I pulled out the eight weight and began casting a crazy charlie blindly into the Caribbean blue water. I was getting used to the intermediate weight line alternating between fast an slow retrievals when I pulled up my line to cast it out again. Their was a disproportionate splash for the line that came out of the water so I looked a little harder at the spot fifteen feet in front of me. I saw a flash of a large silvery body with the build and size of a boxy pillow and a large, black, sickled tail. I could see it clearly. This was a permit. One of the trophies many salt water fisherman seek. And this one was seriously as big as my torso.

In the split second it took for me to recognize what I just saw and to simultaneously crap my pants, I began to cast my fly to lead the permit. It didn't matter. I had obviously spooked the fish as it blasted away from me leaving a large wake.

I really couldn't have expected to hook, let alone see a trophy fish within my first few minutes of fishing in Mexico. I'm sure it was just coincidence the fish was near my fly. There is no way it was actually interested. Right?

Anyway, I was elated. The morning's hike, with no prior knowledge of the area and no experience tropical fly fishing had resulted in a sweet sighting.

I slowly made my way back, casting here and there, switching flies intermittently, and looking for fish.

As I got back to our hotel area, I realized these waters were the most similar to the flats I read about and had seen in many fishing videos. I greedily pushed out the memory of a "be careful of the reef" sign and carefully waded out to begin casting.

A short tangent here, I did (and still do) feel guilty about wading around the reef. I am fully aware of the damage an errant step or kick can cause to coral, so even though I was being as careful as possible, like abstinence, the only truly safe thing for the reef would have been for me not to wade there at all.

Anyway, I began casting to the edges of rocks, slowly retrieving a small shrimp-like puff I had tied. It wasn't ten minutes before I caught my first two reef fish. I don't know the species, but one seemed similar to the croaker I catch here in Virginia.

Ten minutes after that, while slowly retrieving the fly through a flat, I set the hook on a lively fish. It weaved back and forth, testing my drag, finally surfacing to show me its slender body, silvery armor and white belly. I laughed out loud (I now realize I do this a lot while fishing). I had hooked my fist bonefish, and a minute later, I had landed my first bonefish. It was gorgeous.

I honestly thought about quitting right there. Even though I hadn't sight fished for this guy, I had done it. I had caught a fish so many people obsess over. One of the big name tropical fish. The one carp fisherman tend to site when they are trying to convince other fly fisherman of the validity of their catch.

After getting my video, releasing the fish and trying to wash off the semen-like substance left all over my hands and shorts from the fish (no one tells you about that, bonefish are covered in a nasty slime), I began casting again. I caught a couple more bonefish, but the next best thing that happened was spotting a swimming trigger fish. Just cruising along, I got it to follow my fly and take it on the second cast. Trigger fish can fight. It took a couple big runs and then the fly came out. After that, I was done. I felt complete. Accomplished.

I fished a couple more times over the next few days landing a few more fish. I even hiked back to the far bay in search of that permit with no luck.

I expected to be surprised by the all-inclusive resort, but I didn't expect to long for the less-inclusive. Additionally, I hoped I would see some fish and maybe catch one, but I didn't expect to catch several bonefish, sight fish a trigger fish, and spot a huge permit. Even though I had anticipated and hoped for some of these things, I was still surprised at how it all worked out. There is something to be said about being surprised. Sometimes you work hard all day to find fish, and get nothing. Surprise. Sometimes you plan on catching nothing and come away with more than you had hoped. Surprise. Either way, it seems it is the surprises that make the experience memorable and not the predictability.

Surprisingly, this taste of bonefish has now given me the craving for carp.

Rest Easy, Friday Night: Vol. 6: Vacation Edition

2012-01-27T13:30:00.001-06:00

The Bay

Tomorrow morning,
Sara and I are heading for warmer waters.
Fly rod and box in tow
My mornings will be spent lurking the beach
Watching the water for shifting shadows
And tailing fish, a poker player with an obvious tell.

I've been a houseplant resting
By a poorly lit window
Trying my best to look green.
I've only been able to pull off
The pale shade of lima been.

Flies for The Trip.

Tomorrow, tomorrow
Soak up the sun
On borrowed time.
Drink the food
And eat the vine
For vacations last
Too short in time.

As I leave you all
To your own devices

I share with you

Beautiful voices.

The tunes that fill my mind

As I walk through wards

And daydream of places

blue and warm.

To start I want to show you
Something quite unique.
The Tune Yards are a band
You have to see.

Next is someone
I've enjoyed for several years.
Lisa Hannigan used to back up Damien Rice
But she's now out on her own for you to hear.

And lastly, is someone I found on

YouTube.

Zee Avi has an island feel

With an old school voice.

Enjoy.

Gray Skies, Brown Trout

2012-01-25T23:18:00.001-06:00

Things are getting a little out of hand. The excuses to fish are becoming easier to find. The need to make these flicks is getting harder to resist. Oh well. As long as I can keep up with my other responsibilities, there's no harm in having a hobby, right? Right :)

I guess the question is, when is it a hobby, and when is it an obsession?

Gray Skies, Brown Trout from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

Music by Ray Lamontagne: "Repo Man"

My Window

2012-01-25T06:05:00.003-06:00

The window I look through

gets dirty sometimes.

Cloudy, dingy, covered in grime.

I clean it with naps,

good food,

friends and exercise.

Clearing my view

to see the Sun shine.

New Trout Fishing Terminology: Peep Show.

2012-01-23T08:22:00.001-06:00

A buddy and I went out yesterday to find some big browns. No big boys, but we did catch a few fish. Well, he caught a few fish. I just managed one in hand. Otherwise, I was geting flashed all day. It was like a peep show. I got to see a lot of action, but I never got to touch the goods.

We had a laugh about the analogy, but then I decided to make it known. That is my new phrase. You've got "tight lines" or "boom" or "what choo talkin' 'bout Willis?" Well, when you spend most of the day seeing nothing but flashes of silver and gold, you will have just experienced your first trout fishing peep show.

I hope you don't have to use these words. I hope you get the real deal. But if you need to, use the phrase. These words are not mine. They are for all of us to enjoy. Go forth.

Tight lines. Or Boom... Or

** I realize I'm probaly not the first person to use the phrase in this way. If you've already coined it, let me know and we'll give you the credit you deserve :)

I heard somewhere January was fire month....

2012-01-21T17:35:00.002-06:00

And what a month it is. The Unlucky Hunter has been going all Carrie on the month of January burning everything in sight.

That really was a pretty dress.
But she went a little overboard on the red makeup.

It is rather fitting as January tends to be chilly.

I, with about 30 other bloggers, was lucky enough to get a pack of Lightload Outdoor Towels from a recent OBN give away. The free swag we accumulate from being involved in this outdoor online community is pretty amazing (see here, and here, and here), and these towels are really no different.

They look and feel like repurposed operating room towels. Very clever if you ask me as these tend to be extremely cheap since they are often bought in bulk to be used once, saturated in blood, and thrown away. However, you don't have to saturate yours in blood, but if you do, you don't have to throw it away. As they say on the package, you can use it as a diaper, towel, pot-holder, and (here's where we come full circle) a fire starter. And if you don't burn it, you can wash it and use it again.

Sara and I used ours when we went running the other night. After soaking up the sweat, I kept it in my pocket while doing some night fishing in the rain. I was nice to have to pad down my glasses and even the gopro plastic lens. I don't know if I'd recommend as a camera lens cloth. I could see how it would be scratchy.

I let the rag dry out overnight, and this evening, tested the fire starting theory. It worked like a gasoline soaked gem. Sara and I had some fun with the photos :)

comes in a nice, palm size, water resistant package

It seems a bit odd as a disc shaped sponge.
I think it is working.

Oh, I see, it unfolds.

Wow, that's a nice towel.

It really gets in there and dries your face.

It's okay towel, you'll be fine. I promise....

It lit without hesitation.

Happy Fire Month!!!!

Cold and Lucky: My First Tenkara Outing

2012-01-18T22:15:00.002-06:00

Even in the last two days since the first tenkara outing, I've learned so many things about what I could have done to catch more fish. I limited myself to the soft hackle fly thinking I should try what I thought was "traditional," but I now I think I was wrong to place a limitation on the rod. I could have easily dropped a scud with a red midge pupae using an indicator and split shot to get down to those hunkered down, January trout (Remember, David, just because your fly is by the fish doesn't mean you'll catch the fish). Instead, I stayed true to one tactic. Luckily, the sun came out on my second day and brought with it a few midges to the surface of the water. The fish were soon to follow.

I also realized watching tenkara casting on film is about the most boring thing in fly fishing video. This is simply because the action of casting is much more subtle, not because the fishing is any worse. There are just less moving parts to watch. Therefore, I tried to limit those shots in the video. I hope you get a sense of the fun trip I had out to western Virginia. It was wonderful to get a taste of the fresh water again after focussing so much on the salty fish.

Oh, and so far, I can already tell you my favorite thing about a tenkara rod. You really feel the fight of the fish. The running fish doesn't pull your drag, it pulls you. Pretty cool.

________

When you head out by yourself to fish new waters, there is no telling what can happen. I locked my keys in my car (while it was running), dropped my phone in the water, and still managed to catch a couple nice fish using my new tenkara rod. Looking back, I'd do it all again.

It may have been cold, but I got lucky.

Music by Max Tennone: Jaydiohead: "Change Order"

Cold and Lucky: My First Tenkara Outing from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

If you are interested in any of the waters I fished, check out Mossy Creek Fly Fishing's site. The guys at the fly shop run a great operation with great reports and instructions on some of the Virginia trout, bass, and muskie waters.

Rest Easy, Friday Night: Vol 5: Sufjan Stevens

2012-01-13T18:09:00.000-06:00

A friend made a CD for me of his favorite Sufjan (pronounced like the comment below:) Stevens songs and it hit me like a rock. He is pretty mellow, but the lyrics and melodies are spectacular. Now a lot of these songs have a similar sound, but I enjoy each of them.

I've got some plans to fish this weekend in western Virginia. Old Man Winter won't be stopping this guy. Fish or no fish, it should be fun and I hope to bring you some good photos and/or video.

Until then, I give you Sufjan Stevens.

Do it Yourself Tenkara Line and Case: Go Furl Yourself

2012-01-07T10:24:00.001-06:00

For Christmas, I got a tenkara rod. I'm pretty excited to try it out in the Virginia trout streams, but until then, I'll probably try to find some sunfish and maybe bass. It is fun to learn different ways to fly fish, whether it be spey casting, double hauling, fiberglass, bamboo, carp, tarpon or tenkara.

I flippantly forgot that the line is an additional thing to buy. Ironic that something so simple (tenkara fly fishing) would require something so specific that I, a fly fisherman, didn't already have. But my grumbling was immediately stifled when I came across this awesome post from Tenkara on the Fly. It is an awesome step by step process showing how to furl your own tenkara line.

Not only did I make the line, I fixed my own nifty, durable, lightweight case for the line.

I'm excited to take the line out on a test run. Happy weekend everybody!

Running on the Beach

2012-01-03T21:52:00.000-06:00

I've noticed that the sand on the beach gets hard and packed the colder it gets. This makes it easier to run on. I try to jog as much as I can. Growing up in Minnesota, I used to enjoy running in the winters. Especially at night. The moonlight and streetlights reflect off the snow creating a warm ambience.

The other day on the beach, I started to notice similarities to winters in Minnesota. The cold, biting air blowing off the water. The sand even begins to look a bit like snow as it is blown in the wind day after day.

The white, rabid-dog-frothing-water even creates little pseudo-snow piles.

Cheers to snow and running in it.

Hello, New Year

2011-12-30T10:50:00.000-06:00

Reflecting on last year's goal, it looks like things went pretty well. In looking back over my last few months of posts, I feel pretty good about the content. I think they represent me well. I like music, fishing, poetry, and video/photography. I think the posts have started to reflect that. I wish I were a better writer. I wish I could write introspective stories like Gierach or some of the great bloggers like EMB, or Sanders. Maybe that will be the goal for next year. Do not waste words. Use them with purpose. Adjectives aren't always necessary. I will continue fishing, filming, shooting (photography), and sharing music, but on top of that, I will try to hone my writing skills. More specifically, writing related to fishing.

So there it is, my goal for 2012: Learn to write a fish story.

*** Okay, so I'll add a few more so we can have a list:

1. Learn to write a fish story.

2. Continue reading and supporting my fellow bloggers.

3. Continue sharing through video and photography my fishing experiences.

4. Catch a red fish.

5. Catch a tarpon.

6. Catch a 20+ lbs striper.

7. Return to Shenandoah to try tenkara fly fishing.

8. Try kayak fishing.

9. Catch a 12" brookie in Virginia

Last year's goals are below with the results.

1. (X)Truly understand the spey verses one-handed debate. - Okay, so was a kind of a joke, but I did try to understand how passionate fly fishers can be about their preferences for fishing, whether that be spey, tenkara, or strict dry fliers.

2. (-)Fly fish Minnesota's Driftless area. - Oh man. I was so close. I could have done this. I even had an offer from Justin at WFF to come fish with him. Unfortunately, it was just too close to moving day. Chances of it happening this year? Not great. But I am heading back to Mn/Wi in April.... Maybe I can figure out a quick trip.

3. (-)Fly fish during an explosive hatch. - Another No. When I fished the Big Horn in Montana last spring, we just didn't hit the right conditions. That being said, I did manage to fish some busting false albacore that might be a saltwater equivalent.

4. (X) Be more like Phil Dunfee: "I'm a cool dad, that's my thang. I'm hip, I surf the web, I text. LOL: laugh out loud, OMG: oh my god, WTF: why the face." - This was a shoe in. Phil and I just have the same sense of humor.

5. (X)Tie flies to match a hatch. - Montana worked in my favor here. Red midges pupae. Easiest thing to tie but we hammered the fish.

6. (X)Blog 2 poems per month (minimum). - I think I was pretty close on this one. At least to the point that I'm happy with my effort. I often write things that don't get posted as well, so it may not show on the page.

7. (X)Organize/create my tying bench. - organize... ha. no. create... well I suppose. it is a door as a table and a bucket for a seat. I'm watching craigslist and curbsides for a possible replacement.

8. (X)Take better pictures of my fishing outings. - I think I was able to accomplish this. That being said, video took a much larger role this year. It has been fun shooting and editing fish outings and trying to keep up with this guy :)

9. (x)During intern year, when I have a chance to fish, spend that time with my wife instead. Not every time, but at least once :) - I would say I did this. Since moving to Virginia, I've found much more fishing opportunities than in Nebraska, and I've made a point to spend time with Sara instead.

10. (X)No matter where I match for residency, find some local fishing. - Check. So much fishing here. It is a bummer that many of the fish require a boat. But no worries. I'm still planning on getting that big striper and redfish. With or without the boat.

Another cookie fish

2011-12-25T22:05:00.000-06:00

The Sara-fish. Nice work, Sara!

Merry Christmas Fishing Cookies

2011-12-25T21:29:00.000-06:00

Wassail! Wassail!

2011-12-20T22:03:00.002-06:00

The Christmas Carol, Norfolk style. Nicely done.

The red curtain at the Wells Theater, Norfolk, Va

Marley was dead, to begin with.

Here's your cue, Tiny Tim.

They did a great job highlighting music of the 1800s using classical instruments and fake English accents. It was our Christmas gift to each other, and it was a good one.

Blog Suggestion: Winona Fly Factory

2011-12-19T20:31:00.000-06:00

As things stay crazy through December, I've had less and less time to read the blogs I enjoy, tie flies, and find fish. One blog I try to return to from time to time for inspiration is Winona Fly Factory (WFF).

I have a soft spot for WFF because Winona, Minnesota is near my home town in the Driftless Area of Minnesota. Justin, the author, is a spectacular fisherman, fly tier, and writer. He documents his trips through and tying so well with detailed descriptions and great photos.

Fly Night

2011-12-11T12:32:00.001-06:00

Last night, we explored. We searched for the wind protected spots. Beneath bridges. In Marinas. At the yacht club. Looking for light lines where stripped bass would be waiting in the shadows. Waiting to ambush bait fish with poor attentions spans. The minute the bait fish lets itself get too close to the dark water... BAM! It exists no longer. It is now a part of the rock fish.

I had to retie some tippet before we left. As a refresher, I searched for some diagrams on the nail-less nail knot and perfection loop. I came across these helpful diagrams over at Jason Borger's place, Fish, Flies and Water. (He drew them himself).

Step 1. Make a loop in the leader material, then wind the short end of the leader around the fly line and through the loop. Wind the short end up the fly line. Drawing by Jason Borger

Steps 2 & 3. Simultaneously pull and twist ONLY the short end of the leader to spin the knot over. Don't over tighten. Slide the mono coils down toward the end of the line, push them together while gently drawing out the extra mono, then tighten firmly (really firmly) and clip off the ends. Drawing by Jason Borger

If you want to avoid having the butt end of you fly line catch on the guides, there is this option. I didn't do this, but it is a cool idea.

Step 1. Insert a needle into the end of the fly line about 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch, and then out the side. Allow the needle to remain in place for a couple of minutes so the plastic of the line will stretch a bit. Drawing by Jason Borger

Step 2. Trim the end of the mono to a point, pull the needle out, and thread the mono in the end of the fly line and out the side. Now tie a Nailess Nail Knot. Notice that the leader now comes right out of the center of the fly line. This connection will flow through the guides very smoothly. Drawing by Jason Borger

Perfection Loop.

So after all that preparation, we struggled to find the fish. We had to stay away from the CBBT because of the wind. It turned out to be our last effort where we found the busting fish. Many were out of reach, but Kevin was able to hook up and solidify this as my new "go to" spot at night.

Blurry Kevin. Blurry Fish. Crystal Clear Memory.

Dive in.

2011-12-05T15:33:00.001-06:00

I've got to bust down the stairs in about two minutes.
I'm flurrying through these words.
I want to tell you things are fine.
It is going to be a good night.
I'll get some dinner, at least a granola bar.
I don't expect sleep.
I don't expect peace.
I expect work.
But just for now, I'm taking two minutes

to take a deep breath and smile.

A song like this will get me through the night.

*** awesome giveaway at tight lined tales of a fly fisherman.... okay, actually it is at TFM. 12 days of christmas with what sounds like some pretty awesome stuff.

Goodbye November

2011-11-29T21:23:00.001-06:00

Since the big trip to Harker's Island, I had only made it out fishing once. I've started to set my sites on the striped bass, and with that in mind, I've been searching for potential habitat. Here in Norfolk, the tasty water tends to be out of reach when wading. I've been told I'll be settling for smaller fish if I insist on wade fishing with the fly rod. I have to say, so far, I'm fine with that.

Here are some photos from a recent walk (no fish caught) along with some other shots. It was a gorgeous night exploring Willoughby Spit near the base of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

My buddy Kevin and I went down to Harker's again on Monday. It was a last minute decision. No big fish, but it was a wonderful day. So very relaxing.

Next up, I think I'm looking at some night fishing. Apparently the stripers like water with lights. They ambush schools of bait fish drawn to the lights.

Kevin with a world record flounder on a fly rod. Wow.

Zeeba. Our big dude with a fluffy belly.
He's not watching anything in particular, just spacing out mid bath.

Harkers Island Blitz

2011-11-17T23:02:00.001-06:00

My alarm went off at 2:30 AM. We wanted to be on the road by 3 to catch the 8 o'clock ferry to the island. It was a gamble to hope for both good weather and fish, but, as I now know, the prospect of catching false albacore will make you do silly things.

We made small talk most of the way there, avoiding all topics regarding weather hoping not to jinx the day ahead. It is funny what we will do to feel like we are in control. The night before I left, Sara came home with a pack of Swedish Fish for good luck. I popped one or two in my mouth every half hour that day convinced it would do the trick.

Arriving at 7:30 gave us just enough time to gear up and pay the ferryman. Shortly thereafter, his Carolina skiff was cruising across the water taking us to our destination. The cool morning air felt as good as a shower. I was refreshed and awake, excited for what was to come.

As the boat glided into the shore, we began sizing up our territory. Walking to our first destination, I noticed the sand on the island was made of broken down seashells. They clinked like wine glasses or wind chimes with each step.

After picking our first spot, we began to fish.....

The Bandersnatch of Harkers Island from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

The talk and mood during the ride home was lighthearted. We gambled and won. The Swedish Fish did the trick.