We humbly submit the first issue of Southern Culture On The Fly. The first issue is live and online and we think it’s pretty kick ass. Take a look, and if you like what you see please tell your friends…we’re attention whores.
- Dave
Southern Culture On The Fly
rantings of a psycho
Monthly Archives: October 2011
Up and Down Is Never A Good Thing In Albie Fishing
Just got back from our foray into the NC Albie scene. From all accounts this has been a tough October for Albie fishing. Storms, wind and fish that don’t sit still have made at least one Captain, we heard on the radio, state that he’d probably have better luck going Trick-or-Treating. We got on them just long enough for some fish to make it in front of the cameras, and for me to remember what it’s like to get yelled at by someone who knows a shitload more about fishing these things than I do. Thanks to the Harker family for treating us like a part of the family with great food, wine and one hell of a fast boat. Also, we would like thank Sam “Jackrabbit” Sellars for showing us how it’s done on the Crystal Coast. Here are some pics that aren’t going to be in the issue (Coming out next Monday), but are pretty finger lickin’ good in their own right.
-Dave
Loose Ends
Amongst my inane blog chatter the last few months it may have not been apparent that we are actually a magazine that puts out…well a magazine. The first and ever issue of SCOF, if you don’t count the Spring issue, will hit your basement computers within two weeks of me writing this. I am probably gonna pee myself with excitement at least three times between now and then, ok maybe four. We have been feverishly writing gibberish, and taking photos of the weird, in preparation for unleashing our special Southern brand of ridiculosity upon the masses. Until that happens keep checking back in with us, I might just have a nervous breakdown right in front of your eyes.
…and just so you don’t think reading this was a complete waste of your Thursday, ponder this,
What came first the fly fisherman or his tweeds?
Think about it….
-Dave
Trip Planning 101
So we have once again put our feet to the fire and approached our upcoming Albie trip much like a crowd would approach exiting a burning building. In the least orderly fashion possible. For a while there it looked like our Albie trip was going to wind up at the bottom of a huge pile of humanity Walmart style. Fortunately for us my clients needed to reschedule a trip, in turn opening up a three day window of Albie Mania early next week. So today I thought I would go through my general trip planning process for those of you that care to listen.
Lodging: Once a destination is picked I go through my Facebook friends list and start putting out feelers to all of those folks that fall within the appropriate geographic constraints as to the availability of couches, outbuildings, garages, or any other place to rest my head that includes the word free in the description.
Ground Transportation: This can go one of two ways. If I need to haul a boat, I try to convince Wifey that my truck is in good enough working order to make the trip…it usually is not. If I don’t have to haul the boat, I try to convince Wifey that my truck is in good enough working order for her to drive while I’m gone, so I can take her more gas friendly ride…it usually is not.
Maritime Transportation: This is where most people who aren’t fishing guides would hire a guide to arrange all of the boat requirements for a trip. Unfortunately for guides, we are usually too poor to hire other guides (it’s a vicious cycle) so I will refer you back to the tactics used to secure lodging…the same principle applies to arranging a boat.
Gear: Here again we run into our old friend the almighty dollar. I would love to buy a new rod and reel every time I take a trip but unfortunately I enjoy being married (as well as my testicles) so this isn’t really an option. Fortunately I have friends who for whatever reason have been able to bribe, sneak, or outright lie their way into gear that I covet for my trip. I often find a well placed 12 pack of PBR, and promises of reparations for any damage (wink, wink, nod, nod) will usually ply them sufficiently enough to allow me to walk away with arms full of 10 wt’s…suckers.
Flies: Find people that are better tiers than you and shamelessly blow smoke up their asses until you have convinced them that tying you up a box of flies really is a privilege for them.
Day Of Trip Chaos: Speed is the key here. Wives and significant others usually choose this time to realize what they are allowing you to do, and the burden you are leaving them with. Freak outs are a common occurrence here, oh yeah did I mention the guilt? So forgo organization, and stuff as much crap into bag as possible and just assume you are going to have buy some new stuff when you get there. Trust me when I say the cost of new stuff is way cheaper than the cost of staying in the combat zone dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s.
So there it is folks, 6 easy steps to planning your next successful fishing trip. I would just like to thank all the people that have made my Fall Albie trip possible with little or none of my money actually invested…you guys are the best.
- Dave
Cataloochee…Home Of Big Ass Deer
Sometimes you go fishing only to find there’s some really cool shit going on that has absolutely nothing to do with fish.
- Dave
Thomas Harvey Is Blowing Up and We’re Just Glad To Be Riding His Coat Tails
SCOF fly tying contributor, Thomas Harvey, is spreading his wings and taking flight. Thomas is the feature tier in the new issue of This Is Fly (pg. 40), and he was even nice enough to make sure they mentioned little old us. Thanks for remembering the little guys Thomas. Here’s to hoping we all get big real soon.
Just The Tip Wednesday: It’s Called Skittering
The fact is, when trout are keyed in on Caddis dries a dead drift presentation may not be your best bet. If you’re not getting strikes off the dead drift try skittering your Caddis at the end of the drift. To properly skitter a Caddis just do your best morning after a bender impersonation and give your rod hand a case of the tremors right when the Caddis starts to swing at the end of the drift. Think Nick Nolte tremors, not Gary Busey tremors here…less is more. This also works great when you’re fishing an emerger behind the dry.
Change Is Good
We just wanted to let everybody know that we have made some updates to the website with preview pics for the next issue, updated contributors list and a few other niceties worth checking out.
Click The Lemon To See For Yourself
