Here Piggy Piggy

My week of fishing turned into a week of stepping in dog crap and saying the word "No" every 5 seconds.  I had the day off today and I decided to fish a stream that is new to me but been on my radar for a while.  VA got slammed with rain Saturday so figured the water would be high, but it was fishable.  Fish were picky and tough though.  They were sitting deep and they were sluggish.  The wind didn't help either.  The stream rewarded me for my efforts with a handful of big brookies.  Took 3 hours to get my first hit, but when the sun finally started hitting the stream the action picked up.

Ran across this on the stream side.  Doesn't look like an animal killed it and there wasn't a farm around. 

Was planning on staying longer, but the wind got to be a bear to fish in.  This stream will be added to my list to hit in the spring.  Goodbye 2013, and thanks for reading.

First Striper on a Fly

A buddy of mine has been trying to figure out a Striper fishery in his drift boat.  He asked if I wanted to join him Sunday and I said why not.  Weather was awful.  Band of rain after band of rain, but the low light made our chances of catching a striper a little better.  I managed to hook and land one in the first two hours.  Man they are a brute fish that don't stop fighting.  24 inches isn't a bad start as I cut my teeth on stripers.  I'll be back to say the least.

Chasing the birds crashing the baitfish is tough when you have to row a drift boat over there.

Bad band of rain that just missed us.

My striper.

Close up.

The fumble.

The save.

After I got my fish I took over the oars, but my buddy never hooked one.  Had a good share of flashes and hits though.

Thanks for reading.

Striper Fly

This is about the only way I can tie some flies for a striper trip Sunday. I'm not complaining though. 

New Fishing Buddy

I got me.... I mean I got my wife a new dog for Christmas. It'll eventually come with me for some blue lining, but not until a lot of training!  She (Holly) will take a bite out of my fishing time the next couple weeks, but I think I will live. 

Cold Snowy Day

Got out for some trout fishing this past Saturday and braved the cold and the snow. I decided to fish a finicky rainbow and brookie stream close by due to the weather. Managed to catch a couple rainbows and called it a day when the snow really started to come down. 

It was good to just get out for a bit. With classes done for three weeks I'll be getting a lot more trout fishing in. Thanks for reading. 

Axe restoration part 1

I recently was given an axe from my grandpa. I have no idea how old it is, but it in need of some TLC. Last night I took the axe head off the old handle and going to soak it for 24 hours in vinegar to remove the rust. Here is some pictures of the axe and a picture of the axe head removed. 

I could of probably keep the handle, but I'm going to replace it with a longer handle. Fishing has taken a back seat for the next two weeks as school work has taken priority. Two more weeks and then fishing for the rest of December.