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