February 2012
1 post
NEW LEVELS OF SLOP
Springbear.net
Don’t hang round here no more.
June 2010
1 post
2 tags
Wicked Dope Straight Outta Gaithersburg
Work had me in Maryland over the weekend. Weird folk up there. I saw a guy in a Cabelas shirt eating a doughnut with a fork and knife. Brothers beware.
No time to fish. But darned if I didn’t have some top water fluff back home that might have flipped some Chesapeake Bay Striper.
Here’s the rest of the articulated clan.
May 2010
2 posts
1 tag
Probably my second favorite number named town
Living in a town with only one, extra lonely stop sign turns your guts crosswise and grates your neck bones funny. Pink paint is not cute; toesies over the line and salt shot is a courtesy. At the county line, Busch Lite thirties are stacked low on a rough, poured floor- no boots, no service. Keep your B&C low, this is meat country; does eat better anyway. Contrails never, if ever, I never....
2 tags
Limp-Legged and Gut Shot
Not much to report. I’ve missed several wade fishing and whiskey buying opportunities in Baxter County. Not as terrible as it sounds, I’m saving my nickels for a couple of rods for M and I’s Mexican honeymoon.
So I’ve spent the last few weekends assembling a new bass box. More ridiculous, and much larger than the ‘09 collection.
Here is the “gig...
April 2010
3 posts
2 tags
Well I don't know but there's a devil of a big one...
I spent a few work days in Little Rock. My armpits got wet, and my Spanish got better. El Verano is coming.
Here’s a fitting tie. I’m out of barbells. I imagine it fishes like a beagle pup on bootlaces. Get it? Soo cutesys.
I forgot to post this. Michelle came for a visit a month ago and took some pictures.
(I’ve never met that moody 13-year-old in the last picture, and I...
3 tags
I feel like a jerk-nosed snake for my last post....
3 tags
Don't wait for the hearse (to take you to church)
Boatless and with deteriorating social skills. A mess of messes under a hot, greasy collar, heavy lip ‘bout used up. Your eyes were blue; I shouldn’t know that.
“Whoops- sorry! Here, I’ll get it.” “Nah I got it.” “Hey, You cut the whole damn thing off!”
Tough shit, blue eyes. That weren’t your drift.
Warmwater was calling to me...
March 2010
1 post
2 tags
P^3
Over-sized, super heavy, handsome, and without ego. Lessons learned from a biscuit-eating possum.
February 2010
4 posts
1 tag
Permanent collection? Nah, i ain't sharing
My Dad figured the two “unique” readers of this blog might soon be putting on their riot pants if these pages went any longer without trout.
Always the artist, he whipped up this beauty of a bow for me. Thanks Dad.
3 tags
Shad Kill Shad
MJR predicts the shad kill is near. Gory, Glory, Hallelujah.
I’ve got a box swoll up with all things white. Most are mangy, a few are ugly, and all hate having their picture taken.
But, I pulled out this over-engineered piece of slop for your viewing displeasure.
This 1/0 double-ish bunny will be heavy. I’m thinking it might pair nicely with a 7 weight TFO Clouser. What do you...
1 tag
Your tight pants have become annoying
Stick with the cheap amphetamines. Michelob Ultra and designer weed guarantee you a hot spot in DJ dick’s mash-up. Please disregard.
ArkanSLAW
The ugly dog behind this blog has made the move. I’ve taken up residence in a little farmhouse up in the hills of Stone County. I like it pretty well. The motherland of tailwaters is within an hour’s drive, and all sorts of feather and fur roam and root just behind the back fence.
Now, Arkansas isn’t for everyone (we prolly don’t want you anyway), but if you love funny uncles, pulled...
January 2010
3 posts
1 tag
Duck Parties Must Be Hot
B and I closed out the season with a quick limit. A couple of wasted post-season quackers wanted a splash fight, but I told them I was busy. They left, whispering nasty things, and I finished retrieving the decoys.
Heavy on Ringnecks, but hot oil does not discriminate amongst species.
I’m Arkansas-bound Tuesday, and I think I’ll stay awhile. Stay tuned-ish.
1 tag
Warmwater Ice fishin'
I’m slightly less frozen than my okie brother. Two of my three country club poachin’ ponds iced up solid. A fancy little fountain on the third pond helped me catch the first fish of ‘10.
4 tags
Bill Monroe's Achy Soles
I used to demonize Nashville for propping up creatures spawned from a mess of straw hats and pukka shell necklaces, but I’ve come to realize that sweet lovin’ woman probably wanted nothing to do with Toby Keith. She’s still got some Minnie Pearl in her, more than enough to make that city solid gold.
The Boys put on a great show, surely pleasing the Ryman’s ghosts.
December 2009
4 posts
3 tags
13/20's of a ten spot.
I can’t spin deer hair for shit. I once tied a couple of Galloup’s “Zoo Cougars,” but I never fished them knowing that the $6.50 chugger they stuck next to would have a hard time making friends if I lost ‘em.
Foam won’t replace the Zoo Cougar, but these tube frogs love to kiss.
1 tag
Worms on the Brain
Most fly fishers are replenishing their box’s with patterns proven worthy in the previous season. Me, I wasting hooks on these wierdseys.
I started with 20 ga copper wire, and settled on 4# mono.
3 tags
Stache-Sickles - A 14 Degree Morning and My Stiff...
Got mostly blanked on the Brazos. One Rainbow to hand and, with an unnecessary gear change, a couple of under-sized Striper.
I’m halfway over this artificial fishery. Probing complicated water with size 20 dropper rigs for weak, 8” belly pale stockers is no way to spend a chilly morning. But, warmer days have the fish rising for anything small and hackled, so I will more than likely...
2 tags
Walmart Ain't The Only Place For Saving. Service @...
Cold morning tomorrow. I begged my skinny neoprenes for another .5, but they won’t have it.
Trout come Tuesday. Been tying gnats, brassies, and zebra midges. Boring, but sexy if you get off on eye strain.
I doubt I’ll wanna trade my 3wt for an 8wt, but I tied some flies for ‘bow-hungry Striper. Way over engineered for Bass, but I’m preaching the gospel of bucktail.
By...
November 2009
3 posts
GROWLGOBBLES
Spring Bear is not an overly sentimental Ursus. But he is thankful for his growing clan, bucktail, jig heads, black crystal flash, full sinking line, SxS shotguns, and the talent of Mr. Steve Martin.
4 tags
This is a CH_ _CH What is Missing? Service @ 9am
Been traveling to AR. Official business for the most part.
Fought some Smallies on Sylamore Creek. The only pattern to prick lip? An olive egg sucking sculpin.
I regret not driving that deer gut slip n’ slide they call highway 5, for the trout this sloppy dog celebrates. But work is work and my shack needs a power-washing.
Sorry no pictures. I left with one of Michelle’s DSLRs (OB,...
Stop Drop and Roll Don't Work In Hell. Service @...
October 2009
4 posts
that's whats up →
1 tag
Unless You're Gonna Be at the Ryman 12/31 You Have...
There are a handful of things that make me grin and snort. Trout and bourbon make me grin and AFV makes me snort, and any combination of the two would have me impersonating the brothers Click and Clack.
But there are moments of happiness, countable on my five digits, that cannot be beat. I will be experiencing a prolonged state of such intoxijulation now until Dec 31, 2009. It is likely that I...
2 tags
"The Lease"
Michelle shot this shorty named sweet a couple of weeks ago whilst popper fishin’ during a dove hunt. I can’t watch it in HD because I actually access the internet via typewriter, but HD or not I still look like a stunna with that champagne G.Loomis venture. So good, in fact, we didn’t need any Bluegill crotch shots to sex it up.
The Lease from Michelle Connolly on Vimeo.
...
3 tags
I'm a dirty liar, but in my defense I do it just...
Planning a fall of finned and feathered pursuits while riding the coat tails of a brave entrepreneur requires a crystal ball, and I leave that bullshit for jerk-nosed asses.
My outings have been, for the most part, fruitless. Dove have been flying just before dusk, not worth giving every other bird to the coyotes. Plus, Milford is wet, wet, wet; no point in watering at our tanks when they can...
September 2009
4 posts
2 tags
Ellis County Bassin'
Rain has kept the dove hunkered down. We hunted a break in the showers to take six in as many shots. So the deep freeze is slowly being stocked, but the crack shots of that day made up for our light game bags.
The upside of 40+ hours of non-stop rain is ridiculous bass fishing. The tanks have come up to submerge weed beds, as well as an especially productive downed tree that a number of lunkers...
1 tag
miley called and said "Back off that's my god"
“Somebody upstairs really wanted me to catch this fish.”
R.I.P RIP →
2 tags
Milford, TX
August 2009
5 posts
3 tags
Scout Law #9
The dove season opener is nine days away. This, of course, means the cash I blow on barred centipede legs and tens of dozens of painted lead eyes will instead be spent on dove load, beer, jalapenos, bacon, and Czech Stop kolaches. Rather than hiding the vise for two months, or calling my financial advisor to move some funds around, I’ll be tying cheap and dirty. At least until the little...
1 tag
Brent's salty bucketmouth
2 tags
You Should Know i Have Giant Hands
I’ve been trying to fool some Largemouths with these mutants, but those country club-flavored Bass must be full up on manhattans and prime rib.
However, a couple of casts into the fresh grass clippings usually turns up some nice Panfish.
1 tag
megaslab
me: how’s the fishing?
him: oh pretty good
me: yeah?
him: well i uhh caught a 100 pound tarpon
Dub this Roughfisher
I was watching television the other day and saw an armadillo with a MASSIVE beard. Given Rougfisher’s penchant for creating exotic dubbing blends, I figure he’s the guy that could finally get this little critter some respect. I’m not much for roadkill, but just think of all the cats you could nail on stinking blood red dubs.
July 2009
7 posts
3 tags
zoom boom bass
I was cruising Field and Stream’s website, drooling over giant bucketmouths in some user-submitted photo gallery, when I noticed a bunch of the trophies were fooled by soft plastic lizards.
So, I sat down to mangle up an imitation. The result: Zoom Boom Bass.
The stinger hook is certainly over-kill, but it’s not quite as sexy without it.
It takes me forever to tie, but the recipe...
1 tag
Pompus named Wompus
Haven’t fished or tied much in the past week or so, but Brent and I did spend a Saturday raiding the snot slick Striper hole up on the Red. Our obsession with 3 a.m. allows us time to take our dunks in the darkness, and enjoy the late riser’s flailings in the break of dawn.
The fishing was “hott-ish,” despite a Dude-bra’s cursing of all the dinks. I’d elaborate...
Fishing with Oliver was a success. He caught five Bream on ugly beahead tied special for the occasion. I’ll introduce it when I get my photos organized.
Oliver Fly Fishes from Michelle Connolly on Vimeo.
2 tags
Rant Pants
The future Mrs. Spring Bear and I are to take her cousin out for some fly fishing this evening. I revisited some of my spring cricks hoping for a couple “heat resistant” Panfish. Fortunately, I found a few pools that should grant the young angler his first fly-caught fish. Unfortunately, I was reminded of why I rarely visit a particular section of water after the Sand Bass run and...
He said "will you marry me" She said "of course"
2 tags
yikes, i think i love you
The postman delivered a long box of joy yesterday. Which will no doubt bring bunches of no joy to friends and family as this dark blue tinglefest will require lots of practice, practice, practice.
11’ 6wt
I sold a G.Loomis 6wt that never learned to love me, for this oh-so-sweet switch rod. It won’t be fished much ‘till my next trip to Arkansas, but I’ve never been so...
2 tags
Striped Glory
Brent’s white clouser and my new and improved “Rugrats Special” threw a Striper party out at Denison. We only had enough beer for a dozen or so, but over 100 came to get down.
Watch out Oklahoma City, one of your residents now possesses a “Rugrats Special.” SB’s mangalery is on the move.
A very tired fly.
Our Bass thumbs and Striper palms called the...
June 2009
12 posts
3 tags
My Uncle Mort
The GF and I had a killer time in Arkansas. No fishing report, but I did learn the makings of the sickest party ever: hillbillies, deep dark woods, corn likker, a jug band, and BEAR MEAT.
I promised to elaborate on a prototype a few posts back, so here it is. Size 8 streamer hook, white DNA fusion fiber, silver krystal flash, bead chain eyes, and red master bright.
I was going to call it...
2 tags
happy poppa bear day
The fam and I celebrated with some fancy french toast and a casting lesson out on the grounds of my alum. Mom, Dad and Sis did a great job laying out some line. Though I’m far from pro casting instructor-ness, I think I’ve come up with a great bit of advice for the novice caster. I don’t want to elaborate until it has been thoroughly field-tested, but I’m thinkin’...
2 tags
Icky Sticky
Now that the few remaining tailrace Striper are succumbing to heat stroke, my rod bending quarry have been reduced to highly inaccessible Largemouth and Carp. I’ve not spent much time stalking those trendy-ass golden bones, but having stoked my angler self confidence, I’ve decided to let those soft-mouthed suckers break me down. I tied up a couple of patterns I call “Spring Bear’s Mud Love.” Given...
4 tags
slightly better day to be a fly caster
Fished the Brazos Sunday morn. Brent and I managed to avoid the skunkage, despite the strong aftertaste of banana flavored cereal. Brent started pulling smallish to decent sized Striper out a deep pool with his lusty TFO axiom rigged with equally lusty Rio clouser line. I, relying on heavy lead eyes to sink my worn out floating WF, didn’t have the patience for the pool and moved into the...
2 tags
now wait a tic
Our spring sprung and ran off like some jerk jackrabbit in what seemed like 2 weeks. I spent the better part of March, all of April, and 3.25 days of May stalking Bluegill and watching the poison ivy grow on my tiny sliver of lukewarm snot. But, as it is in most years, the cooperation of man and nature brought the frisky fish upstream, and the bass fishing commenced. Sadly, my mind has compacted...
2 tags
“Keep America Beautiful, Grow a Beard, Take a Bath, Burn a Billboard”
– EA wishes you spend your weekend wisely
4 tags
this ant wants to party
I’ve been turning out weird stuff at the vise. But that’s OK for a couple of reasons.
One, traditional patterns are frustrating. Tying a delicate size 18 elk hair caddis isn’t incredibly difficult. There is some finessing of the hackle, and fumbely finaglery of the elk hair, but most anyone with a little patience can crank out a passable caddis imitation. The angst and frustration occur when I...
4 tags
SF flash blend experiment
There is no need to remind you of the mangalery I manage at the vise, as I think the picture says it all. But after a pull through my bathtub, I was pleased with its action and tied a half dozen more.
I’d be willing to trade this pattern for
- fly tying lessons (with a guarantee that you can rid me of my manglerousness)
- gold bricks
- a Ross CLA 4 and a trip to Ambergris Caye
- 3 and...