The Virginia Tribute Video: Virginia is for Fly Fishers

Virginia is for Fly Fishers from My Leaky Waders on Vimeo.

Four years. 

Four years was all I had to fish the heck out of the great state of Virginia. From the mountains to the coast. I paddled, hiked, drove, waded, climbed, crawled, camped, froze and sweat for these fish. I made lifelong friends, ate way too much BBQ Exchange in Gordonsville and indulged in my fair share of Virginia ales. 

It may be true that Virginia is for Lovers… But you know what? It is also for hard core fly fishers with opportunities to scratch any fly fishing itch. 

I didn't' even come close to exploring all the Virginia fishery has to offer. Muskies, tarpon, carp, CCBT drum and winter stripers, bass, gar, shad and on, and on, and on... I guess I'll just have to make an annual pilgrimage. 

Here's to you, Virginia. 

Music: Josh Ritter "Getting Ready to Get Down"

Remembering Good Times in the Warm Salt

Look to the right of this post….. ----->>>

I just added a new widget that lets you listen to my new CD on the blog. It is just above the Instagram widget. I've got it set up so you can listen to the full CD. You are also welcome to check it out on Spotify or buy it on iTunes. Now you've got a soundtrack for my sporadic short posts. Your dreams come true, I'm sure :)

There it is in the top right of this photo!

January 1. Winter trout season opener.

I lost a glove, broke a net, caught some great fish, and discovered why wing trout fishing in southeast Minnesota and the driftless area is amazing. 

New Year's Eve was spent quietly with my wife, Ryan Secrest, and a fly tying vise. 

New Year's Day began 16deg with a biting wind and a 2 mile hike through the snow. 

I'm thankful for the easement and property owners who have left this land undeveloped. 

The fish were generous and willing to take nymphs and streamers. 

Now, the big question is, when I got back to get my glove I lost somewhere by the stream, do I bring a rod?

A Sneak Peak at the New Album Cover Art

About 2 years ago I made a CD and put it on the internet (follow this link to see it on iTunes).

After I put out that album, I kept writing songs. Over the past few months, I was finally able to record them in our basement. Sometime next month, I'm hoping to get the album available online (maybe a Christmas release with a November pre-order option?). Sara helped me put together the new album cover. The back of the album really won't be on anything since I'm not making any hard copies, but it is still fun to make have.

I'll once again put the album on CDbaby, but it will also be available on spottify and iTunes. 

Trail Running Whitewater State Park

Thinking trout fishing season was no hiatus until the new year, I drove to Whitewater State Park to try out a new activity.... Trail Running. Ironically, as I drove to the ranger station I saw a fly fisherman walking back to his car. Turns out, last year they changed the regulations so that there is now year round fishing in a few of the state parks. During this interim season, it is catch and release only.

I asked the park ranger what route I should take and he pointed me to a loop that would provide some good elevation change nice views. 

I started at the Trout Run Creek trail head. 

I ran past my turn up to Inspiration Point to follow the Trout Run trail a little further. I spotted lots of fish in the streams by the trails and then turned back for the big ascent. 

I started walking (kinda quickly) about here :)

There are several outcroppings and overlooks with great views of the bluffs and valleys. 

Below you can see an oxbow in the Whitewater River as it meanders through the park.

Kids will be kids.... Sometimes to the harm of the park, unfortunately. Maybe 3,000 years from now the "wall carvings" will be cherished :)

Here is the route I took. Great run. took about 30-45 minutes. I wasn't tracking it, but it was at least 2-3 miles, I'd guess with some good elevation change. I started with the red track from the South Picnic Area, then green, then blue.

It was a beautiful day, and I think I've found a new activity I can easily enjoy. Trail running. I think I see more in my future. 

A quick outing yields my first native Minnesota brookies

A couple weeks ago, I ran out in the middle of the day Saturday during nap time and squeezed in a couple hours of fishing on a small driftless region stream. It is a property stream that has had habitat improvement by the DNR and is located accessible through an easement by the landowners. 

Like many streams in the area, you need to hike for a while to get past the heave cow traffic and water that probably gets more pressure. The water was a bit low, but it still seemed to be running nicely. I brought my Hexagraph and was throwing mini hoppers. Hopper season is probably about done with the fall on our doorstep. I easily could have used the tenkara rod, and probably will in the future for streams this size. It is just so convenient, and easier to manage with tall field grass. 

The one purchase this summer (besides the Hexagraph) that I am very happy with is the pair of Simms wet wading stockings. They have been so great. I haven't worn waders since moving back, because these have been so comfortable and the water hasn't been too cold. 

They are well constructed and easy to clean.

A good option for wet wading. I bought mine with a gift card to Bass Pro Shops. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see this small waterfall. I'm not sure if this was habitat improvement by the DNR or natural. Either way, it was gorgeous. 

What was special about this trip was that I was able to land my first Minnesota Brookie. They are the only trout native to Minnesota, and I fell in love with them in Virginia. I caught two in the same pool including this handsome fella below. 

There are lots of spots like this stream, where, after a mile hike, you find yourself in a valley that seems very isolated. You can see an oxbow in the stream on the left hand side. It winds back and forth throughout this small valley. 

I'm hoping to get out and find some spaced like this in the winter. I think they would be gorgeous.