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…
Morning Rituals
We all have things we do religiously first thing in the morning. Tops on my list is waking up (to usually two set alarms on my phone) and letting Glacier out. Then coffee is brewed as I get organized for the day. Usually this happens by 7 am. From there I hit the vise to…
Water in the Works
So I started fine tuning the bones for a commissioned watercolor painting I have in the works. It is scheduled to be delivered at the end of May so I’ve got to dedicate some time to it. I have a reference photo that was provided by the client, however I need to make some adjustments….
Got the Box
Last week I received my first subscription box from Geppert Brothers Fly Fishing Foundation. Featured in this box were two of my sticker designs and even a nice little card highlighting who I am. Very cool of them to include this and maybe it will drum up some business for me in the future. Below…
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…
Nick’s Fly Shop Now Open
Well, not quite. But I did pick up this sweet watchmaker’s cabinet from my friends over at Salvaged PGH. They recently sourced a bunch of these things and man, are they cool. Each tray has a bunch of little paper boxes that once held watch parts. Perfect place to store fly patterns as you tie…
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…
New Tricks for an Old Dog
I am pretty set in my ways. I like black coffee. I like IC Light beer. Not necessary in that order, but I stick to what I know. As for fly tying, I prefer natural materials most of the time. I like standard hooks. I use a handful of thread colors. I like to keep…
A Heck of a Pattern
I’ve had the pleasure of having Mike Heck guide me and some buddies on central PA waters. I was reading through my copy of his Spring Creek Strategies book and came across one of his patterns – that Drifter Pete McCartney says slays ’em! (He tends to get pumped up.) So I thought I’d give…
Geppert Brothers Fly Fishing Foundation
Just got approvals on some sticker designs for the fine folks over at Geppert Brothers Fly Fishing Foundation. Four versions will accompany subscription boxes in the upcoming months. Be sure to check out their website to learn about this worthy cause. I’m hoping I can continue to add some swag to the subscription boxes. And…
LL Bean Spring Fishing Event
Well this year’s session has come and gone – and I’m chalking it up as a success. We had many fly tiers crowded around the tables, feathers flying and knowledge being shared among the group. I think everyone ended up learning new techniques, patterns and tricks. I had the opportunity to show some folks some…
Hand crafted flies for fly fishing
I recently chatted with Josh from the Geppert Brothers Fly Fishing Foundation about a possible collaboration. He filled me in on the company’s fantastic mission to teach the young adults of Cambodia a marketable skill (fly tying) in order to help them fund programs to benefit their children’s education, environment, and economic situation. An excerpt…
Tying Another On
Another Fly Fishing Show in the books for the Original Drifter and I. And this was probably the best trip we’ve had going there. We left Friday morning at 6 am and listened to Orvis podcasts along the way. We stopped at the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum – which should be on any fly fisherperson’s…
Cabin Fever
Make plans to attend the Penn’s Woods West 2019 Cabin Fever Show on Sunday, March 3, 2019. Show starts at 9 am and runs until 4 pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Cranberry900 Sheraton DriveMars, PA 16046 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 9:00 am – Show opens10:00 am – 11:00 am Josh Miller– How to catch more fish than…
Test Pattern: Adams Variant
I think a lot of people have a hard time tying in hackle tip wings. I know I do most of the time – so have decided to tie up some variants to try this season. I think you should too. My plan is to create a whole box dedicated to test patterns, and the…
Fish On (My Mind)
I’ve been really busy with client work, so the frequency of my posts has gone down – so I apologize. However, I have a lot of new content topics that I’m planning to share when I get some time. So keep stopping back to read my ramblings. In the meantime, and since trout have been…
Live Rough
Established in 2002, Live Rough Clothing was formed by three U.S. “Wilderness Management Enthusiasts”: Nick, Matt and Chad. Five years later in 2007, Chad was diagnosed with cancer. Even being seriously ill did not stop his spirit from their living rough motto, and he was able to mentally and spiritually beat his cancer numerous times…
Mark Your Calendars
I know most of you are chomping on the bit to throw some flies as you wait for opening day. Or, you’ve already been out in the cold like me – and are even more pumped to get even more time on the water. Well, mark your calendars for this FREE L.L. Bean fishing event…
Throwback Thursday
These snaps are from a Montana Drifter adventure back in 2013. Todd, Frank and I drifted into Alder and stayed at our western home – Upper Canyon Outfitters in the Ruby Valley. I’ve spent almost 10 years making the trip there to chase trout during the summer. I could not recommend it enough to those looking…
Mark Your Calendars!
The 2019 Fly Fishing Show makes its annual stop in Lancaster, March 9 and 10 at the Lancaster County Convention Center. You can pick up your tickets here. In past years, the Original Drifter and I have made the trip and have checked out all the stuff we could fit in, during two packed days….
Tying Tip: Thread Control
If you’re like me, your thread and wire spools are a mess. The tag ends are loose and you are too lazy to wrap them tightly, find that little groove in the spool and insert the thread for next time. Maybe not. Well I stumbled upon a site that has one solution to this challenge….
Brushes with Brookies & Beer 