2011 Season Wiped out by ACL Reconstruction

NTFF will not be taking on any clients for float or wade trips at this time, as an injury to my knee requiring ACL reconstruction surgery has effectively made me unavailable for the rest of the year.  Please feel free to call for recommended waters, flies, and techniques, or if you would like me to suggest alternative guides for your fishing needs.  Good luck and we shall see you all in 2012!

River Fish Finder

Just picked up a Hummingbird Smartcast RF15 electronic fish finder/temperature reader/depthfinder and hope to have mapped out some of the bigger holes on our rivers before the end of the season.  This should help in determining where the Musky are hiding on those hot days, not to mention mapping the deeper holding water for trout and smallies.  Looking forward to using it.

Finally Fishing

After all this bad weather (snow, rain, cold) Im finally getting out to the SNP tomorrow. I'll post my results tomorrow!!

Fishing Gene Proven to Exist

It's official....definitive proof that the "fishing gene" exists. Just check out this SWEET Ten Inch Crappie that my newphew Braden landed while on a fishing trip with his Dad. One can trace the gene back to my father, known for catching minnows with bacon baited safety pins and for Rhode Island flounder mastery. Maybe someday my nephew will take over as the lead guide for Native Trout Fly Fishing...he certainly has made a great start!! Congratulations B-Dawg!!!! That's an awesome fish!!

ID this Fly

Anyone know what the heck this fly is SPECIFICALLY? I know its a conehead bugger type, but its very unique and I found it on the side of the Yellowstone in Montana. It absolutely killed browns over two days. It has an unusually large chenille which is shaved close on 3 sides of the fly, leaving an elevated dorsal line along the top of the fly.

If anyone knows where I can get this chenille or this fly, please let me know.

Native Trout Fly Fishing

Native Trout Fly Fishing was created to bring clients to the Shenandoah National Park to fish for brookies (my favorite type of fishing), but was always dependent on water levels for success. As evidenced by the last two years of low water levels, this has made my opportunities to fish clients in the park minimal at best.

Well, through the generosity of William Heresniak of Eastern Trophies Fly Fishing (www.easterntrophies.com), I will now be running a raft for Eastern Trophies this year on the North Branch of the Potomac River, which is a tailwater and therefore not as effected by poor rainfall levels as the park and provides good fishing year round. I have been fly fishing the North Branch for 3 years now, and my largest trout have all come from its waters. William has graciously taught me his fishing strategies that have made him such a successful guide on the North Branch over that time, and I look forward to sharing with clients this year.

Fear not fans of the brook trout however, we'll be looking to take clients back into the park whenever we can, but until water levels improve, I don't want to stress the ecosystem by fishing in the park too often.

Check back here for updates on Native Trout Fly Fishing's activities. I'm headed to Montana for a week starting this Saturday!!