Well, this has been the longest that I have gone without posting here since I started it up. Not so coincidentally that matches up to what has been an extremely busy time at the desk, and something had to give! Since the camping trip back in October I have made it out on quick exploratory trips locally to keep tabs on the conditions and tweak patterns, but never really had a chance to get out and fish hard for an extended period. I was busy enough with flies and life in general that this was the first fall since I moved to Ohio (fifteen years ago) that I literally did not head up to Erie a single time for the fall steelhead run! The whole time I consoled myself that it was OK as I was going to head to the Catt to swing flies with some good friends and that would make up for it…but that trip was scheduled to start tomorrow and the this current arctic blast we are enduring has it locked up. Guess I’ll tie some more!
Don’t get me wrong, being extremely busy is certainly a ‘first-world problem’ and I am very thankful for all of the business. It seems that more and more people are sourcing at least a part of their fly arsenal from local US tiers, and that is very exciting for me. This was once again the best year for Anglers Choice Flies in terms of volume, sales, and exposure. This sort of year does not happen without the support of the tying and fishing community so I thank you all.
In the coming months I will be on the show circuit, though not as heavily as the last few years. I will try to get some shots up as they come and go, and I do also plan to get back to hitting the water more often as we get in to the spring. There are a handful of patterns that I have been working on since last year that have been kept close to the vest, but after tweaking in the fall are about ready for some action. I plan to release some of those over the winter as well as some more step by steps for both patterns and techniques. I do have plans for some video projects in the works now as well since I have both the software and hardware to make it happen, so watch for short videos to start dropping sometime later this winter once I have a better handle on the editing.
It’s early yet, technically not even winter, but the early cold and snow out west already makes for a promising spring and summer. It is something that I keep a close eye on as I will again be headed out to Wyoming in July to chase fish around with hoppers. The last two years that trip has been the highlight of each years fishing as the scenery and company is only surpassed by the amazing fishing itself. If you missed the posts about it check them out from the last two Julys. I am super excited to have the trip back on the calendar and do have just two spots remaining available, so if you are interested in tagging along drop me an email for the details.
I want to thank you for all the support that has allowed me to grow Anglers Choice Flies year after year. The ever increasing interest in tying, new flies, new materials and techniques has been fantastic to see and is indicative of a group of people dedicated in their pursuit of what they love. I greatly enjoy both watching and contributing in any small way to that growth and catching up with friends, new and old, along the way.
In case I do not get back on here before then or catch you on the water…have a Merry Christmas and fish on in to the new year!
Jan 15 and 22 Streamer Class at Mad River Outfitters, Columbus OH
Jan 24-26 The Fly Fishing Show, Somerset NJ
Feb 1 Greater Cinci Fly Fishing Expo, Cincinnati OH (Streamer tying workshop)
Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 Advanced Tying Class at Mad River Outfitters, Columbus OH
March 8-9 Midwest Fly Fishing Expo, Warren MI
March 12 Bar Flies with Schultz Outfitters, Ypsilanti MI
March 22 Tie One On, Syracuse NY
July 11-15 Hopper Extravaganza, Wyoming
-mike schmidtwww.anglerschoiceflies.com
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