Jarrod
I grew up a military brat. I was born in Maryland,lived in Colorado, Kansas, Hawaii, Alabama, North Dakota and now Missouri. I started tying flies before I started fly fishing. My mom got me a kit so I would have something to preoccupy my brain. I loved arts/crafts and fishing so this was perfect. I started out tying some small streamers (wooly worms, buggers, clousers). We ended up moving a few times and I then got a job at a fly shop, That sealed the deal and there was no going back. I then started to find my niche inside of fly fishing. I got tired of hearing people say "You have to have small flies to catch trout." I discovered the dark side of fly fishing with names like Kelly Galloup, Tommy Lynch, The Whitlocks, and Mike Schmidt. I started soaking in all info I could find about them and their ways of tying and fishing. The more I put to use what I was learning the more I fell in love with it. I started getting better fish quality (bigger size, harder hits, and wider range of species). To this day I am a hopelessly addicted streamer junkie. I enjoy throwing meat and animating the fly in a way to get that predator response.
What have I been up to?
North American streamer conclave
When Stan asked me to be a tier at this event: streamers? Yes, Of course! When they added the fishing competition I knew I wanted to compete. Originally, we were going to take the raft and Jessi was going to row. After getting down there Paul had said his clients cancelled and he would take us! I'm telling you we jumped at that opportunity. Without Paul this fish and story would not have happened. The first fish in the boat was a 27 inch brown, smacked a cotton candy double deceiver. We can't thank Paul enough for hanging out with us all day and making this trophy happen. Half the trophy goes to the guide right? Check for next years event. You do not want to miss it.
Bird is the word
First fish on the bird fly. It did not disappoint
Rivertown Gallery
When asked to do this fly I was worried a bit. I headed to Tat2fly shop to buy a couple materials that I had not brought from Missouri with me. We met up the next day to drop off this fly and got to see it all put together at Sowbug. What a cool thing to be asked to do. Until the whole piece sells you can find it at Rivertown Gallery in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Longnose Gar
This gar slammed a "Rattling Creek Candy". It was a fun surprise when fishing for white bass.
This fly may just be turning into my favorite.
Weighted Waker Shad
Big Mac?
We have had a few burger flies from Goose for years. Today we went out with a mission. To catch trout on a burger. When this fish came up and took this fly we were all just a bunch of giddy kids hollering and fussing over it.
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Guiding with Patriot Anglers
What an absolute blast of a trip. We went to Broken bow to get these Veterans into some trout. It's a great time when we all get back to the camp and everyone is asking what they caught fish on that day. Our group was fishing leaches and mini bait fish.
Triple Smalies
We were tripled up with smallies this day. Such a great day when you can float with friends and everyone has a fish story to go home with.
I tied this Weighted Waker Shad on AHREX PR378. With the different hook it really allowed the fly to be dragged and bounced off rocks and structure making it significantly more snag resistant keeping the hook point safer from rocks and snags.
Exploring new places
Jake and I set out on a low budget adventure. Now, when I say adventure it sure was. We weren't skunked but we both came back tired, had a crick in our neck, and were ready to be home.
This fish smacked a 10" cotton candy bulkhead fly. I was using a Loop 9wt and fought it for over 15 minutes. If it wasn't for Jessi and Andrew netting the fish in over waist deep water the fight would have been longer. I was worried with all people around "trying to help" it was going to end with me loosing the fish.