Keep track here

Where should we fish thus summer.

Neill writes,

"By the way the fish were a little tough last night. They were around but you had to work for them and then all of a sudden we rolled up in this one light and low and behold 10-12 snook were on the eat and bum rushed the fly. Got one to the boat

And the fly popped out. - The crew with me just didn't want to work for

Them so we went in with only that result."

I'm proud to supply Capt. Neill. I'll come down there soon and we will kick it old school with a few 20 snook nights like we used to.

First of all thanks to the Native Fish Society for pushing this topic. I'm all for discussions. I'd also like to thank Cameron at The Fiberglass Manifesto For bringing this to my attention. You can read his post here. There looks to be a lovely discussion going on.

A topic of discussion after fishing and at the fly shop is how to handle fish. Is it ethical to remove fish from the water? I know my view points have evolved over the years and you will certainly see a variety of pictures in my blog. Here Is where I stand. If the fish is a wild native it is never ethical to remove it from the water for a picture.

Question: But, Lee what about those Steelhead pictures.

Answer: Ah, those are not wild native fish. Should I have taken them out of the water? Probably not. Hey I'm not perfect. I will pause before doing that again.

Question: I see some brown trout you have left in the water and some you have not.

Answer: I can't remember the last time I fished a put and take stream. You may see some pics from my past where I was not as enlightened as I am now. I'm not sure if I'm going to change some of those old photos out. When I fish wild brown streams I don't take them out of the water.

Recently some in asked about supporting the fish with fingers while in the water. The point is well taken. Would it have been better to just leave the fish in the water, probably. We can all be better stewards.

What do you think?

Check out this link for a contest from Native Fish Society using the hashtag #keepemwet.

Wow, thanks to Spey Nation for turning me on to this great short film. Entitled, 'Salmon River' by Philip Tartaglione.

Dock Lights Special

Subtle variation of this fly have proven very effective over the years. I am constantly tweeting this fly. Please find the recipie below.

Hook: TMC 811S

Thread: UTC ultra 140 white

Under tail: dark blue flash

Tail: teo match white hackles

Body: Ice Wing Fiber Pearl UV Hue

Upper wing: mixed tan and white fine buck tail

Over wing: Ice Wing fiber Black

Under wing: fine white buck tail

Flanks: two stands of predator wrap

Head: Uni Flex orange coated in Clear Cure Goo Brushible and Hydro

Eyes: Super Fly Prism Molded Eyes 1/8th

I want to give a big shot out to A Marblehead Flyfisher where I purchased all of these materials. I'd also like to recognize my buddy Rick for all the tying advice over the years and my buddy Neill who has banged more snook on these flies than I have. His feedback has proven invaluable to the development of this pattern over the years.