the Guelk Nymph

   A new recipe has been posted on the Fly Tying page.  It is the Guelk Nymph, which is an easy tie and can be fished either as a nymph or as a streamer.  I have fished it predominantly on NE IA streams but have also found success with this fly on WI streams.  The trout really dig it!

Fiddling with Flies & Java at the Coffee Shop

  The first 2012 drink, fiddle, and tie at Java Java Cafe, 836 E. River Drive, Davenport, will be this Saturday, January 21.  I plan to order sweet, hot java and a breakfast sandwich at 10 a.m. and get to tying flies shortly afterward.  It's looking promising that Jackfish will make it and I'm making casts for musicians (including Joe Nobiling) and other fly anglers.  All are welcome and the musicians undoubtedly added something special to the last drink and tie held back in December.  The fun-o-meter dictates how long we stay.  The cafe closes at 3 p.m..  Come on out if you want to tie, learn how to tie, want to learn about fly fishing, or just want to kick back and listen to some folk music.  (*If there is a cancellation due to weather, etc., it will be posted on this blog page*)  Thanks! ~Twitch

Winter Weekend Fly Fishing in NE Iowa

  No snow + tolerable temps + 365 days of legal Iowa Trout fishing = inability to resist yet another weekend fly fishing in the Decorah area.  Last Friday I also enjoyed a brief, late visit to the microbrewery Toppling Goliath prior to heading to my favorite camping spot and then to S. Pine the next morning.  While the beer & company were both enjoyable, this weekend it will be all water, woods, and fish.
  Isn't life great?  While the great lands of 10,000 lakes and rivers to our north leave the fly angler with little to do but tie flies & wish for the season opener, those who live in the land of Grant Wood have flowing streams year-round and laws which keep the angler from growing wonky with fish angst.
   While I believe there is rarely a bad day to fly fish (aside from New Years Day 2012 ~wwwindy!), this season's winter weather has blessed us with prime opportunities for comfortable cold-weather fishing.  Of added benefit to this season's fishing:  the weeds are down, and so are the mosquitoes and tics!  The only thing after you now could be the DNR.  Don't forget to renew your fishing license and to get a trout stamp.  Licenses expire on January 10th.
   Hope to see you on the water!  ~Twitch