Original bluegill watercolor for sale.

Askin $100.

All the money go to my first Bamboo build.
  NICK

Yellow Muddler

Somethin for skatin'.

size 6 mustad
NICK

Extended Body Stonefly

TMC 200R # 6-12

6/0 Black Uni Thread

Heavy/stiff wire for the body

40lb Powerpro

Black Rubber Legs

UV Black Ice dub or black rabbit.

Black Swiss Straw

Black BF Emulator

Black Cone/bead to fit hook.

Take about 3/4 in of heavy, stiff wire. Throw her in the vice and start your 6/0 thread wherever. Tie in 1in loop of 40lb Power Pro or something flexible to connect the jointed body.

Flip your body and switch direction of thread. Add two black legs in a V off the back and tie in your black V rib.

Wrap your V rib forward, nice and tight. Tie off and dub a litle ball of Black UV ice dub or some black rabbit.Tie off thread and chop.

E-Body....DONE

Throw your 200R #6 in the vice and start your thread by the eye of the hook. Tie in two black legs in a V at the eye. Tie down thread and chop.

Slide up your cone, bead whatever up to the eye. Brig back your thread to the hook point.

Tie in your E-Body by the loop of Powerpro.

MAKE SURE IT CAN MOVE FREELY!!

Add two more black legs and a nice sized ball of dubbing. Add a little swiss straw wing on top.

Tie in some black Baitfish Emulator on top like so. Dub a THICK head. Usually a lot more then you think. All the way to the cone/bead.

Fold over your BF Emulator ad tie it down right behind the cone/bead. Add alittle dubbing over the wraps. Tie down your thread. Brush out the dubbing for an extra buggy look.

Top veiw.

The finished fly. Fish her under an indicator and behind an egg for good steelie results.

Alittle trout 'truder going on...

NICK

MORE FLIES

Sittin at the bench, rockin to some Bowie, and thinkin up some flies. Here ya go.

Mabye one day Ill relize that its February and hoppers dont hatch until June. Hah Nick

SMALLMOUTH AND BIG TROUT

When to TMF over the weekend and stocked up. Im stoked for smallie fishin' this summer.

They were a couple DUDE!!!!s passes around the bench after this one.

Yep. Thats Temple Dog. About 2in or so long. Tied stinger style. Best hook for all my hopper tubes and small stingers are the Lighting Strike Tube fly hook. TF1 size 6. Kick ass.

I think Ill have to give a couple of these to Brett when he goes to fish the salmonfly hatch in Wyoming.

More to follow tommorow. Im beat and need some sleep.

TIGHT WRAPS AD TIGHT SKAGIT HEADS

NICK

It's Been a Long Journey.....

2011!!! Wow did the year go by fast.! Thinking back makes things a blur. I made some unbelievable memories during this past year, but I could not have done it with out this one SPECIAL guy--my father. He is the one who has led me on this path in my life--fishing. There is no possible way to thank him enough--I LOVE YA POPS! Thank you for all those countless times that maybe you weren't feeling a day of fishing but you still took me, or those countless times that we knew the streams were either blown out, or the water was so low and clear that it wasn't worth fishing, but we still went!


I have spent hours going through pictures, and thinking of the best way to organize this post. I think I will let the pictures do most of the talking.

To start off the 2011 fishing season, we had one of the best ice fishing seasons to date. I fell in love with the awesome sport of ice fishing during this period of time. The season started just before Christmas and lasted well into February. We spent countless hours walking on water and the effort paid off, with a few trophy fish and many quality fish, and of course spectacular memories with friends and family. If you have never tried ice fishing, I strongly suggest that you do! So to start of the plethora  of pictures to come, here is, the 2011 ice fishing recap!

                         Dad started off the season with landing this solid bass on one of the first trips!

                                                               SHANTY TOWN!

                                                     We saw plenty of beautiful sunrises!

                                     One of our first big catches of nice crappie and bluegills!

      The VEXILAR put a ton of fish on the ice, and our catch rate went wayy up! Awesome machines!

                                             Spent some good times on the ice with friends!

                                              Got a taste of what tournament fishing is like...

                                            Made Dad proud when he was out of town!!

 

                                         Even got a chance to win a little something-something!
                            
 I had a chance to tangle with 3 trophy fish for "Ohio Ice Standards." Two of them came in the same evening!  We were the only two on the lake, with blizzard-like conditions, When I set the hook, I knew it was something solid, but when its head came up through the hole, I about crapped my   pants!20" EYE!!!

 When I set the hook on the next one, I had a good idea of what it was, with daylight fading away we ended the day on a high note!

                                           I got to tangle with a solid sized northern too!!

                                                     One of the best crappie catches!

 We put a few people on their first ice-fish, including Jeff with plenty of crappie, gills, and this bonus bass!

Alan spent a lot of time out on the ice with us, for his first season, with plenty of gills,crapps, and this huge, unexpected cat!!! 

                                                            We had our ups.......

                                                  And we had our downs.................

                                                  Even got a shot at some steelhead!

                                                  We also had our surprises!......

                                                      And we saw many sunsets! 
I sure did miss having an ice fishing season this year! There is nothing I like more than good ole' ice fishin'. Heres too a super long season this coming year!

But as the temps started to warm, the ice started to melt, and rivers started to swell.As many know we saw record flood during the 2011 thaw. The famous Gates Mills Dam on the Chagrin breached, and rivers changed throughout Steelhead Alley. Some holes were filled in, while others were carved out for new exploration! As the rivers dropped, fisherman came out. And the 2011 Spring steelhead season began.

                                                   This was the first fish of the season.

                                               Jeremy showing the fish who is boss!!

                             Plenty of suckers came too hand, all fish are welcome in my books!

                           Many of these days were had, we cherished every single one of them....

But as the temperatures warmed, yet again, we had to say goodbye to  another awesome steelhead season. The 2010-2011 season was one to remember. Plenty of memories were made even though fishing wasn't as good as past years. No complaining here, because its not always about the numbers...

I was privileged to spend a week in paradise with my Grandparents and of course my good friend from the salt, Tod. Tod is an amazing fisherman in two different scenarios! He makes his living by commercial fishing in Alaska, and spends his off seasons in the salt, catching snook, redfish, and tarpon. My trip started on the first day of arrival. Arriving around 11:00 am. I was organizing tackle when Tod stopped by and said "Lets go fishin'" Not prepared, I said " Why not?" We kicked off the week with some beach fishin.

                                                               Beautiful sunsets!

White sand beaches!

 

                                             Plenty of wildlife for your viewing pleasure!

                                                  Tod with a nice backwater snook!

                                                  Good times spent together, as always!

                                                               Night fishing!!!

                                                  One of the last fish of the trip!

                                                   Tod with another nice 'snookie'!

Releasing yet another beautiful snook.As my time in paradise came to an end.

Even though the tarpon didnt show up, the bountiful snook kept us busy! I went hard for a solid 10 days, but later paid for it! Waking up at 5 fishing until 3 or 4, going to dinner, and tying flies made for a long day, every day. Upon getting back to Ohio, I went steelhead fishing for two days, and the next week was sicker then a dog! I had never been that sick before. Was it worth it? Hard to say, I hate being sick, but man what an awesome week of fishin'!! This year, im going to eat better, and sleep more to try to avoid that ! 

                 In between the WICKED SPRING WEATHER, the crappies were hungary!

                                                     Beautiful evening at the lake!

 This past spring was one of our best crappie bites ever! We brought home several nice catches of slabs....As a matter of fact, We just finished up the last bag last weekend, we barely have any fish in the freezer!

 Alan caught this absolute monster crappie at almost 15"!! The biggest crappie I have ever seen!

                                         As crappie fishing slowed, bass fishing picked up!

                          We had many days with double digit smallmouth, and largemouth!

                                    This was one of my biggest smallies- pushing 5 pounds!!

                                                    I love the clouds in this picture!

An unexpected stay was a jolly time! After fishing for more then 12 hours-sun up to sun down, the long drive home didnt sound very satisfying! With barely any extra clothes, and no where to dry our waders, we checked in the hotel and got some rest. Sometimes the "last minute decisions, and unplanned 'plans' " are the best!

                                                       The next day, we were at it again!

                                                             With bass.....

                                                               After bass...............

                                                                   After bass!!!!

                                       Dad with a surprise "Brown" in the central basin!

                                                   Alan with a nice ERIE EYE'!

                                               Spent some time on the big pond too!

                                                     Nick caught his share of fish too!

                           I kept up my quest of at least one muskie a year with this beast!!!

                                                               Talk about a rush!

          I didnt do very much trout fishin, unfortunately, but when I did, I had an outstanding day!


I had a very good time summer fishing, learning more then ever, and taking a big step up in my fishing career. I had an amazing time fishing with my friends and family every chance I got.

But once again the temperatures began to change, however this time it was getting colder. The smell was in the air, and fall began to settle in the region...AHHHH My favortie season, and YES, CHROME! Something that I love more than any other is waking up to a crisp morning, knowing it will later warm up, and you have to get out early to have a chance at a fish. This year, we started earlier than ever. After a few trips to no avail, we finally made the connection to the first fish of the 2011-2012 season. Let the journey begin!..........

                                      Dad brought the first Oncorhynchus mykiss to hand!

 I was thrilled to begin my season with this fish of a lifetime!  A respectable sized Brown!!!!!!

                           After admiring the beautiful fish, I let him go to fight another day!

 I got a few people into their first steelhead experience, and its safe to say all 3 of them are hooked! (Below)

                                                     Nick showing off his first fish!

                                        My brother Marty and I having a good time together!

                                        As featured before, Anthony with his first chromer!

                             Got a chance to meet a new friend and fishing partner : Sam!

                                          Sam adds a lot of excitement out on the stream!

                                                    Jeremy got in on some action too!

                                                   Jeff caught a truly awesome fish too!!!

                                                   Brett swung up this beaut one evening...

While showing my friends off, I save the absolute best for last. My close friend ALAN! We have spent a lot of time on the water together, and share some memories that I hold close to my heart. I love ya bro!

One of only a few doubles for me this fall!

 I received my first switch rod from two special guys from orvis! If you didnt read the story, be sure to look back in the archives to locate it! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

                                             My first fish on the switch rod! I fell in love!

                                        My biggest fish of the 2011-2012 season to date!!!

                                                                     TANK!

                                               Never know what you will find at the river!

Well the recap is coming to an end. The year was one to remember with many remarkable fish caught! I want to thank my dad again, because it wouldnt have happened without him! I'm going to end with a few "hero" shots that I have looked back and laughed at several times! They show how many good times are had while fishing!

                                                        Getting a good laugh in!

                                                 I like to call this one.. "Girthy"..

                                                             Mammoth carp!

                                The day I forgot my waders! "Russion waders" (wink, wink)

                                 This is my first quillback, and it was on the fly to boot!


Heres to a fantastic 2012 season! Thanks for reading, pass it on to anyone you would like! Until then, FISH ON!!!          MARIO



Posted by Mario..