BOBBER BOY

There have been occasions in my life where I have realized I waste time on the couch watching television or searching the net.  About five years ago I suddenly decided I needed to expand my hobbies to negate wasted time.  For sure, we all need down time, but when I can stimulate my brain and senses easily I may as well take advantage of the opportunity.

One of the hobbies that I started to enjoy over the past five years is float making.  I have spent thousands of dollars and tens of thousands of man hours since the age of 29 making fishing floats.  It all started with a drill press, a block of balsa from a hobby shop, and some spray paint.  Currently I am making an average of 20 floats per week.  I have negated that wasted time I used to have and created more wasted time in the basement of my house.  I guess making floats is better than spending time in a bar or watching re-runs of "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Enjoy the photo gallery!!!

THIS IS WHAT "FRESHRUN" IS ALL ABOUT

      I am addicted to fishing for salmon and steelhead.  I have thought about seeking help and checking into fishing rehab numerous times, but rehab would have to wait another day, not today.  I fell off the wagon.  My addiction controls my thoughts, my instincts, and my life in general.  My itch for FRESH RUN FISH started as soon as I woke up today and I couldn't get my fix until I felt the head shake of salmon on the end of my rod.  My adrenaline to get my fix, pumped through my heart, mind, and soul as soon as I woke up to the sound of chirping songbirds this morning.
     If you visit this site you are here for a reason, you have some of the same addictions and demons in your head that I do.  Fish fever is a sickening disease that causes the brain to breakdown and become controlled by something that only an addict can understand.  Impulse, agitation, and an empty wallet are often signs of addiction, and I have struggled through all of the aforementioned because of my addiction to fishing.  I'm glad to say that I have never been addicted to "drugs" as society would call them, but fishing is a "drug" for sure and yes, I am addicted.  Look below to see why this addiction has control of me.

Nick Mulpagano with the first fish of the day.

I am 6'4" and have very large hands, my hand couldn't cover the tail of this salmon that topped the BOGA grip a 30 pounds exactly.

The smallest salmon landed today, probably around ten pounds.

30 pound salmon

My first salmon of the day

     The salmon run was literally crazy today.  The Salmon River located in Pulaski, New York, held true to the world fame that it holds on this beautiful August day.  Pods of 3 to 10 salmon flew by us all day long and by the end of the day we had approximately 40-45 hookups between Nick and I.  At least half of those fish were broke off due to foul hooks, or crazy acrobatic runs by the fresh salmon.  By the end of the day, 1 steelhead, 1 coho salmon, and 7 king salmon were brought to the bank.  I have never seen, let alone caught this many salmon in August in my life.  Usually, in New York, we have to wait until mid September to see fish in the numbers that we saw today.  My unnerving need for a fix this morning put me in the right spot at the right time.  FISH ON!!!

TRY TO MAKE ME GO TO REHAB AND I SAID NO, NO, NO!!!

Natural Human Instincts

Sometimes, in regards to nature, I give in to the natural instincts of man (woman).  First, we as humans, were hunters and gathers, and my studies of early man have helped me realize why I love fishing so much.  Our genetic makeup tends to release massive amounts of endorphins when we capture something lower than us on the food chain. The hunting and gathering high is a natural human phenomenon, and all fishermen and hunters alike can relate to the feeling of being the capturer, not the captured.

Before the naturalists in the fishing world criticize me, I would like to make it known that I am a firm believer in catch and release.  My father taught me catch and release as a young man, and as I have grown to appreciate the sport of fishing even more as an adult, I highly encourage catch and release.  Keep our fisheries sustainable for future generations and those future fishermen will be blessed with the same natural high that we can achieve today from fishing/hunting.

Sometimes, as a man though, I have to act as a man and provide for myself.  A few weeks ago, I decided stream-side, that a trout dinner would be a great treat after a long day of work.  I keep trout once a year and only keep a select few small trout and make sure any brood, or potential large breeders with good genetics are released.

Trout dinner served!!!!!  Plus a side of cheese and beer.

Cooking:
1.  Lay trout on three pieces of foil and add the ingredients I have pictured.
2.  Have the grill preheated (low heat).
3.  Wrap the foil into a bag like shape that will not leak and bring flame to the grill.
4.  Cook until done.  (15 min top rack of grill)

Cheese with bacon and beer can't be wrong.

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

   
      All to often, I find myself restless in bed (like a freight-train running through the middle of my head); I really think that Bruce Springsteen wrote that for me sometimes.  I have found mind racing nights to be cured by two things only, wine and jig tying.  In attempts to curb my cravings for wine and better my health, jig tying became my "wind down" about six years ago.  Griffin, my overweight chocolate lab, watches me with curiosity as I spend late nights up tying jigs.  Jessica, my beautiful girlfriend tells me to "go to bed," as she makes her 1 a.m. trip to the bathroom.  Dog nor human can understand how this hobby relieves my mind, but my zen is regularly found in my "jig room."  This latest creation was spawned from a memory of a winter outing a few years ago.  I call this jig anti-freeze.  A slow bite was quickly turned into an arm tiring day when I switched to a jig similar to this one.  Muddy, slush iced, slack water on a Western New York tributary heated up when I added this offering to the water column.  If you want to fight some lake run dogging browns on a cold day, join me and I'll lend you "anti-freeze."

Style:  Bead through
Hook:  Mustad 2x strong steelhead hook, size 6
Eyes:  Stick on eyes covered in superglue and fan dried
Body:  Medium olive and purple cactus chenille
Tail:  Olive green and black marabou
Flash:  8 strands of extra fine crystal flash

MY METH LAB

Small stream trout on the centerpin

      Few things in life make me happier than trout fishing.  As a young, pre-teenaged boy, my idea of trout fishing was worm plunking in a deep dark hole.  As a teenager, I would find myself aroused more by a panther martin cast across a riffle, than the thought of that beautiful long legged girl in homeroom. Throughout my teenage years I started to expand my fishing horizons and hone my craft.  I had to save my allowance for two months to purchase my first fly rod.  I recall practice casting in the backyard as I would try to land my hook-less fly in the horseshoe pits, in retrospect, maybe I should have stuck with horseshoes, I can land a horseshoe close and still score, but a fly must be perfectly placed.
      In 2003, I was introduced to centerpin fishing via my steelhead obsession.  I still prefer the fly rod and a double nymph set for small stream trout, but on occasion, I accidentally find my Islander or Raven float reel attached to my three weight fly rod (wink).  Well, I had one of those float reel and fly rod days last week.
      The bait: beads, salted minnows, and crawlers.  The result: peace of mind, some beautiful fish, much needed fresh air, and time spent with one of my best friends Nick Mulpagano,  of Nautical Nick's Steelhead Adventures.

THE SET UP
 I have no clue how that pin and bobber got on my fly rod!!!!!

STOP LOOKING AT ME 

TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

BEAUTIFUL NATIVE TROUT THAT TOOK A SALTED MINNOW

Urges satisfied, a steelhead adventure!!!

April 10, 2013

       3:30 A.M. came, not with an inkling of morning grumpiness, but instead with an unmatched enthusiasm for life.  Today I was going steelheading.  I'm not a coffee man, so I hit the road early to pick up my best friend and steelhead comrade, Joseph Saverino.  Before we left Joey's house I did a quick run down in my head, waders--check, rods--check, bait and tackle--check, wine and cheese--check, my best friend--check.

      4:45 A.M. we arrive at Pulaski, N.Y. at the famed Salmon River.  Chris Mulpagano from Get the Net guide service, and Pat and Rick from Team E-Outdoors Productions would accompany us today.  Chris has been my fishing mentor since early childhood and I contribute my steelhead addiction to him.   Team E-Outdoors would film us on this day in hopes of getting some steelhead action for video production.  Be sure to check out THE RUN, from Team E-Outdoors, the four part series will air on the Outdoor Network and Time Warner Sports.  I will be seen whacking a few steelhead in the fourth show of the series. 

      5:30 A.M. we start our float down the river, and what the hell, Joey and I crack open a bottle of pomegranate wine from the Finger Lakes region.  Warmed with a glass of wine each and the expectation of some chrome steelhead we are feeling good.  Great conversation, catching up with old friends, and meeting new acquaintances put a smile on my face that Hulk Hogan couldn't have slapped off.

Now to the fishing:

      Our first destination proved unsuccessful, beads and roe bags thrown under floats guided by centerpin reels and float rods sure looked like pretty tasty offerings for steelhead, but no luck during the first hour of fishing.  After the sun hit the water and it warmed up to about 30 degrees we were on to fish.  Joey was the first to hookup on the day, a quick take down of his roe bag was followed by a vicious hookset and the word "fish."  Joey was locked tight for about three minutes and then he lost the battle, fish 1, fishermen 0.  

      I would get lucky next, two fish landed in four casts, I love glo-roe beads.  Both of the fish I landed were in the 8 to 10 pound range and they proved to be a great battle on my 11 and 1/2 foot Pacbay noodle rod.  After about a 7 to 10 minute fight for each of the two fish, my arms were burning and my heart was racing with excitement.  Throughout the rest of the day, Joe Saverino, Chris Mulpagano and I (Joshua Chenel) would pick at fish all day.  Each seam and drift proved to hold a fish or two that wanted to play.  By the end of the day I landed 4 fish and lost 4, Joey landed 3 fish and lost 3, and Chris (who guided much more than he fished) lost 3 or 4 steelhead.  What a day.  I would highly recommend the drug of steelhead float fishing to anyone.  I've been addicted for years, come join me, no peer pressure!!!

A nice 3 pound domestic rainbow.

What would a float trip be without a rubber ducky?

Caviar anyone?

Hello fellow fishermen and fisherwomen, here at Fresh Run Fishing we cater to the desires of outdoorsmen and fishermen in general.  As the owner and operator of Fresh Run Fishing, a supplier of steelhead fishing goods, I have learned to love the outdoors and make the great outdoors a way of life.  I hope you enjoy this site and get lost in the stories, blogs, pictures and videos that I provide for the avid outdoorsman.  Live long and fish on!!!!