So it is now July and Pennsylvania is in quite a heat wave. It’s been in the 90s for the last few days. Streams are low and warm. Trout are stressed. I’m stressed. We need rain. I need to make it rain. So I’ve been tying up some bugs and revamped my website and portfolio…
Category: drifters
2020 Trout Season
Well the state decided to launch the season unexpectedly last week. Assuming it was to curtail the crowds due to this pandemic we are dealing with right now. Good move in my opinion. I’ve yet to be out. I’d like to, but it would have to be someplace way out there amongst the trees and…
New Design/Illustration Work!
I worked up a couple new designs and they are available in my Threadless shop. Hoping to get some more designs up very soon. A little bit of everything there, so consider supporting a small business and take a look. Visit my shop by clicking here. I also worked on a new watercolor brook trout…
Week 4 of Isolation
This week marks the fourth week since I’ve been pretty much locked up at home, safe and sound. I’m doing well overall, probably losing some weight due to not drinking any beer or hitting any fast food joints. Those seem to go together and always help pack on the pounds. I haven’t really started working…
Day 12 Quarantine Update
Today marks a dozen days since I have been in self-quarantine I guess. It’s Friday and I can say despite the absolute absurdity of life right now – I laughed my ass off today doing a virtual happy hour over Zoom with some great friends. We started at 5 pm and it lasted almost an…
The Old Couple by Jim Hoey
I’m going to try a new concept for the site and occasionally have some guest bloggers submit some work. Kicking it off is a good friend – Jim Hoey. So here’s a great piece by the former Pennsylvania native – and proprietor of the Hoey Fly Shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He penned this little piece…
Caddis Pupa
A new pattern I’m working on posted over here. Enjoy! ~Drifter07
Day 11 Quarantine Update
Today marks the 11th day of self-isolation for the most part. Other than the horrific news clippings and incompetent POTUS or POS – I’ve tried to keep busy and hope for the best. My food supply should be good for another week or so. I dread knowing I may have to make a grocery run in…
Fly Collection
It turns out some people are showing interest in my collection of flies and how I store those little treasures. I started collecting from others and putting them into little bottles with cork stoppers. I add a small cardstock label with their name and other info. All get stored in a cigar box that sits…
Quarantine Update: Day 10
This morning I was up before my alarm by a half hour. So at 4:30 am instead of trying to fall back to sleep, I put on some coffee, let the dog out into the darkness and started the day. Screw it. I’m gonna make the most of the day. I hit the tying bench…
Parasol Nymph
Working on a parasol nymph pattern. Enjoy. ~Drifter07
Drifter 7 Turns 46: Part 1
I decided to head north for my birthday, as I have done for the last few years. I departed on Sunday at 4:30 am from Pittsburgh, packed to the gills in the Subaru. The dog and I, both rather sleepy, got our fill of coffee and treats on the way and enjoyed a great sunrise…
The Founding Flies Project
A while ago I started reading through my copy of how to tie the founding flies. So I’m back at that, and decided to start at the beginning of the book and tie each fly showcased. The goal is tie at least one that looks half decent that I can eventually put in a shadowbox…
Experimenting with Glitter Thread
I picked up some glitter thread at the local Field & Stream store to see how it might work. Turns out, it looks kinda cool and creates some neat bodies. I bought it in their olive color and tied up a few bugs as a test run. The results are below. What do you think?…
New Designs in the Shop
Yea, that’s right. New designs are up on my Threadless shop. Go check ’em out and support an artist, and a fisherman! The link is: https://drifter7design.threadless.com/ Thanks! ~Drifter07
Steel City Enforcers Collection
So I decided to help out one of my favorite local beer joints. Danny’s Bar and Grill has been on my list of favorite watering holes since it was Cammarata’s. And it is right up the street from my place. Well, they sponsor a law enforcement softball team and have an annual event to raise…
Fall is in the Air
I am really excited for fall fishing this year. For the first time in 3 years, I’ll be able to hit the water on the weekends. Especially since I’ve resigned as an LL Bean Fly Casting instructor. It just wasn’t in the cards to continue to fill up my Saturdays during this fantastic time of…
Bugs, Beer and Bikes
Today is the start (well at noon for me) of the Labor Day weekend. I’m closing up shop and will be in rest and relaxation mode for three or four days. And that means tying up more bugs, drinking beer with buddies and getting a few bike rides in. And I’m pretty stoked already. This…
A Sour Session
So, I’m a big fan of sour beers. And I’ve found one that has been my go-to this summer. It’s Dogfish Head’s Sea Quench Session Sour. It is a great beer to sip as you tie up those bugs for your fly boxes. I suggest giving it a try. Objectively the most thirst-quenching beer we’ve…
The Fly Fishing Show
Mark your calendars for March 7 and 8, 2020. The Fly Fishing Show will take place in Lancaster, PA at the Lancaster County Convention Center. It’s always a great way to get pumped for the season, see the new stuff and see friends old and new. https://flyfishingshow.com/lancaster-pa/ My Dad and I are booked at the…
The End of Summer
I woke up this morning after an excellent night of rest. Mostly because the windows were open and a nice breeze kept me comfortable all night. I love falling asleep to the sounds of nature outside my windows. And this time of year is my absolute favorite. Maybe because I was born in Fall, or…
Cruising the Land
A few weeks ago, my buddy Todd and I headed south after I picked him up in the Subi early Thursday morning. We had that thing loaded up with hiking, fly fishing and biking gear and were prepared to do everything over the next four days. And it was going to be a scorcher outside….
Memorial Day Week(end) Part 2a: Tioga
Left Tionesta early for the 3 hour trip to Leonard Harrison State Park. First stop was in Wellsboro to pick up some groceries. The day was superb, but the waters were high. PA had been pounded with rain over the last few weeks which meant high streams, well-fed fish and pissed of anglers. But I…
Memorial Day Week(end) Part 1: Tionesta
Arrived in Tionesta on Friday, May 24 around 4 pm and opened up the C-5 camp with the Trail Dog. The trip there took longer than expected due to various accidents along the way. Glacier wasn’t happy (as you can see in his look.) It was a beautiful, sunny day for a drive though and…
2019 Tionesta to Tioga to Sinnemahoning Drift
Well, I’m taking a little break from wrapping up projects for the next week and figured I’d put up a post. Right this moment, as of 4:45 pm no one has signed up for LL Bean Fly Casting this Saturday. That means there is an opportunity for me to start my fly fishing trip earlier…
2019 Camp Fortunate Trip
Well another Drifter Camp Fortunate trip is in the books. It began with the trail dog and I closing the shop at noon and heading north to Tionesta. It rained the entire way to camp and the yard was nothing but mud. Wasn’t the nicest of days for sure, but at least I was in…
Squatcha Lookin’ At?
I started a new sticker design of a Sasquatch holding a big brown trout. I think it might look good as a sticker or even a t-shirt. I normally would ink first, scan or snap a pic, and then work on digitally to fine tune it. But I’m trying to just go with digital and…
PA Fly Fishing Pride
Now you too can sport some Pennsylvania pride by wearing some Drifter swag. I recently added a new design to my Threadless.com storefront. If you get a chance, take a look and support an artist by purchasing something you can be proud wearing around the campfire. Lots of options and price points available. Enjoy! ~Drifter07
Headin’ North
Last weekend I had the opportunity to check out some new water that I hadn’t experienced before up north. Ryan M. and met up and hiked in about a mile to some nice wilderness water feeding into a main river close to Pittsburgh. It was a great day to be back out in the woods…
Buggin’ Out
Looks like I may be hitting the stream this weekend with a fellow Drifter if all goes well. My Saturdays are pretty well spoken for through July with instructing. So I better get organized for the season. And that means sifting through my boxes and figuring out a better system. First up – my nymph…
Brushes with Brookies & Beer 