22 Inches Short

Confession time: It has been a while since I put out a video. Why? Because I can't put together my very belated holiday/year-end video to my liking. So, with a YGF video drought on the horizon, I threw together this awkward 1980's VHS inspired short of day on the water with Russ of SchnitzerPHOTO fame. As detailed last week, we suffered some defeats at the mouths of some of the "Dream Streams" nicer fish. Here is my ode to that day and the more traditional YGF video that could have resulted from some skilled angling. We were 22 INCHES SHORT.

Watch it in HD on vimeo.

22 Inches Short from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

The Anatomy of Defeat

There is a very well-proportioned rainbow trout that lives in the Dream Stream that has graced the end of my line for a combined 10 seconds on two separate occasions. It is quickly becoming my NEMESIS FISH. Below is a visual of my most recent defeat. I hope the third time is the charm...if only he liked streamers and not size 22 midges.

In pixelated GIF form, if you prefer.

Lip AIDS - A DSP Staple

On the lookout for Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

By no means am I an experienced carper. I caught one on the Missouri. But, I am embracing the pursuit for the golden ghost, unlike some of Chum's commenters. Denver and it's hinterland have some great carp water including the misunderstood and often polluted South Platte through Denver. This month, Russell Schnitzer (of SchnitzerPHOTO) and I have tried our hand at catching the often invisible January Denver-South Platte (DSP) carp. While we haven't connected with a winter carp yet, we have experienced everything else that DSP has to offer, including a valuable life lesson (AKA Pro Tip).

Pre Lip AIDS - the good old days (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Don't use textured fly lines while fishing for carp on the DSP. Textured fly lines have a habit of "grabbing" water. When double hauling textured fly line that is coated with the clear waters of the DSP, water shoots off the line and flies onto your lips and provides your lips with a burning sensation I like to call Lip AIDS.

Chemical makeup of DSP - Water, Steel Reserve, and Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Listen to the homeless. As we headed north towards Florida Avenue, a homeless man on the banks enjoying a taste told us "You're walking the wrong way, all the fish are south." We thanked him for his advice and continued north. We were wrong. He was right.

Winter Carping. (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

Check out SchnitzerPHOTO on facebook and instagram. Believe it or not, he takes amazing photos of things other than me.

Catch the 2013 F3T debut in Denver

This year's lineup has an impressive variety of subjects and locales, some close to home, while others are more exotic. The 2013 F3T debuts here in Denver on Saturday, January 26th at the Oriental Theater. There are two showings: 5 pm and 8 pm. I will be at the 8 pm showing, for obvious reasons. Sellouts on the tour are rather typical. Grab them while they are still available. Buy your tickets here or get your tickets at Trout's Fly Fishing.

Here are some trailers of the films I most excited to see on the big screen at the Oriental.

"Hit 'Em Again Doc" by Bryan Huskey

Hit 'em Again Doc! Trailer from Silver Creek Outfitters on Vimeo.

"Urban Lines" by TwoFisted Heart Productions

Urban Lines - Fish Where You Are from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

"Thai One On" by Cinema Digital

Thai One On (Official DVD Trailer) from Cinema Digital Productions on Vimeo.

"Calico Syndicate"

Calico Syndicate from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

Catch the tour when it comes through (or near) your town.

-14 to -1: Wandering in the cold with sticks

Colder than normal. photo credit: Matt Smythe

There aren't many times when I choose not break out the GoPro and grab some footage during a day on the water. Yesterday, was one of those days. My lack of motivation wasn't a function of a lack of good times, beautiful scenery, or fish. But, days that start around -14 degrees and don't end above zero tend to pare down one's "on the water" habits. In the end, it was a surprisingly productive day on the water with two of the fly fishing blogosphere's finest, Sanders and Matt Smythe. A day filled with camaraderie, icicle beards, hiking through fresh powder, brown trout, and size 24 midges drifting under air trapped in plastic.

The Fishing Poet displays why beards are crucial tools for winter fishing. photo credit: Matt Smythe

I would like to introduce a new "feature" here on YGF. "Pro Tips." A new, incredibly "helpful" and "insightful" feature filled with "common sense" "tips." Let the Pro Tipping being.

Pro Tip: Don't catch fish when it's -14 F...unless, you want to see your finger hairs freeze.

My attempt at an ice beard. See above photo for real ice beardy-ness. photo credit: Matt Smythe

 Pro Tip: At -14 F, Rice Crispy treats are bad. Conversely, Pendelton is better than it will ever be.

Sanders offers some tiny flies to the William's Fork's inhabitants. photo credit: Matt Smythe

Pro tip: Don't fly on airplanes with an ear infection...unless, you enjoy temporary deafness. 

Sanders looks on as I flog a soft inside that held some diminutive browns. photo credit: Matt Smythe

Pro tip: Ice that forms in sub-zero temperatures is special ice. It is ice that has gained the ability to resist the powers of 35 degree water. Treat sub-zero ice with respect.

You've just been Pro-Tipped.

20 and below

One of these should eat the other.

Winter in the Rockies, it's usually white, cold, and really, really, really, ridiculously good looking. It is also an angling season that is traditionally dominated by flies sized 20 and below. So, it is an angling season that constantly terrorizes my streamer loving mind. We shall see what decision I make when Sanders and I hit the water tomorrow. Life is rough. Especially in the winter.

Purpose

I would be remiss if I did not mention a piece of beautiful work that two of the fly fishing blogging community's most talented and genuine people, Matt Smythe of fishingpoet.com and Rebecca Garlock of OBN, The Outdooress, and Fly Fishing Ventures, were involved in. Collaborating with photographer Grant Taylor and others to form Silo4, they have created an inspiring film titled "A Deliberate Life." It is debuting here tonight at 6:30 in Denver with the IF4 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. If you are in town, come and watch.

"A Deliberate Life" (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4 2013 from IF4 on Vimeo.

This year's IF4 lineup is stacked with some other good looking films from Rolf and Peter (Frontside Fly and Kokkaffe Media), Detonation Studios, Peter Laurelli, Marc Crapo, and more. It is an exciting time for fly fishing video. Enjoy it.

For Something New

It's a new year. Some of you may be wondering, where is the YGF Holiday Special. Well, it's still on the editing table. The end of 2012 was eventful. Mostly in the form of exotic sicknesses and flus. But, the beginning of 2013 started with one these...

...so, things are back to normal and YGF should be back in working order in no time and the Holiday Special will follow shortly. Happy New Year internets. Thanks for all of the support in 2012.