DIY Large Fly/Streamer Box

I decided to mix things up a bit for this week and post a little DIY segment on how to make a pretty sweet big fly box for cheap. I had the notion to make such a box for awhile but finally decided to give it a try after poking around on the internet for a bit for ideas. After figuring out what materials I'd use, it was off to the craft store. I decided on using a box called an "Art Bin." They're basically small plastic cases that one would typically see used to carry a handgun. At about $10 with a 20% off coupon, this box seemed like the right way to go.

I also picked up some thin craft foam as well for a few dollars. To add thickness, I just looked around the garage and found some old foam sleeping pads lying around and decided to cut those up.

Instead of glue, I opted to use spray adhesive and I must say after it set up, it holds really well.

After I scrounged up all the materials, I basically cut the foam to fit and glued everything together.

Once the adhesive set up, I cut slits in the foam about 1/2" apart from each other.

After that, I glued the pieces in the box and did the all important step of pimping it out with stickers!

Here's a few more photos of the box. As you can see, there is a lot of real estate in there for the big slutty streamers!


All in all, this box probably cost me about $13/14 to make, which is about a 1/3 of the price of what a similar one would cost. Anyway, it's just a nice simple solution to house the big nasties. I'm sure all the big streamer aficionados like myself would love a easy box like this! Give it a shot if you're bored one day!

Stay fly,
T

Hatches Magazine & Net Prototypes

Well, much to my surprise, this little blog is being read by more people than I thought. I recently have been in contact with the content director for Hatches Magazine and my tutorial on tying the Ska-opper is being posted on their website! This new connection will hopefully lead to better quality tutorials for the faithful readers of this blog as well as Hatches. Most people that know me know I have a passion for photography and hopefully this new inspiration will lead to better quality photography of the tying process. Anyway, here's the link to the write-up on Hatches: The Ska-Opper

In other news, Gotta Stay Fly is starting to make headway in other areas. We should have some dope logo t-shirts and stickers on the way here soon. We've been making strides in a new product also, so be on the lookout for GSF nets! Daniel has been busy cranking out some new designs. In the past, we've lost some large fish due to the fact our poorly designed nets couldn't handle a big fish flopping around. We've also both expressed our interests in the aesthetic aspects of a quality wood framed net, but our discord for the high price tag associated with them has been a negative factor. Most of the wooden nets out on the market are more like art pieces than a functional tool for fishing. With our prototype nets, Daniel has focused on creating a quality wooden net that is meant to be used frequently and without a huge price tag. Daniel and I have collaborated with this idea and he has built a series of nets that serve our functional needs as well as be pleasing aesthetically. We are striving to build a quality, useful net that the serious fly fisherman and/or guide can be confident in using to land the fish of their life or for a client. Here's an example of the second prototype!



Let us know what you think!

Stay fly,
T

Float Video and Lower Stanislaus Report

Happy Friday everyone! After this storm that rolled through this week hopefully everyone can find some time on the water this weekend (or go skiing!). Anyway, Daniel and I managed to squeeze in a float on President's day down the Stanislaus from Knight's Ferry to Orange Blossom. I hadn't been able to float the Stan in a long time and was anxious to check it out. Needless to say, it was tough but we managed a good number of fish, including a nice 17"er. After talking to a buddy who floats the Stan regularly, he was glad to see a fish of that size come out of the lower Stan. Most of his floats in the last year were always good numbered days, but the fish size was typically in the 11-12" range. I don't doubt the that there are some pigs in there but like all good things they don't come easy. With all the rafting pressure and poaching in the spring and summertime, those fish have grown accustomed to people. Also, on a day like the one we floated, crystal clear water clarity can be an issue. One must first have a suitable fly to match the food sources and must present it well. After turning over some rocks and scoping the fly boxes, what worked the best for us were small nymphs in the size 18-20 range. As you'll see in the video these small flies could be the reason why I missed so many fish (or I just suck, one of the two)! In particular, small baetis and PMD nymphs like the Barr PMD emerger and the Gilligan baetis (I'll make the next tying segment this fly) were the best producers. There were also a ton of hydropsyche caddis larvae (in the size 14-16 range) on the rocks I pulled up, and I did manage one fish on a hydropsyche pattern, so that's some additional food for thought. Also, Gotta Stay Fly added a new camera to the arsenal! It's the new GoPro HD Hero 2 and I must say that it is far superior to the original. Lots of new features! I'd definitely recommend checking it out. Hopefully we'll be adding a dedicated DSLR camera with video to the mix here soon to really push the possibilities of what we produce footage-wise. Before we get to the video, make sure and go check out a video on the Upper Sac that our friend Matt and his buddy Anthony put together called February Freestones. It's a dope video! Also check out Anthony's guide service, AC Fly Fishing, if you want to book a day on the Sac, Klamath, or Yuba! I've seen some photos of the fish he's pulled out of these rivers and they're impressive to say the least. Well, on to the video! Hope everyone enjoys this short!

Stay fly and get outside this weekend!

T