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The Simi Seal Bugger is one of the most productive patterns that is in my fly box. Wether fishing on the urban ponds for bass and carp or drifting a large pool full of hungry brown trout, the Simi Seal Bugger is a must have pattern for all kinds of different waters.
The Simi Seal Bugger is tied with John Rohmer’s genuine Arizona Simi Seal, multiple wraps of lead-free wire and a glass bead. Simi Seal Buggers are sold in a 12 pack with green, red, black, and brown.
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I have had a pretty amazing week starting with a short tale I wrote being posted on Filson Life. As if that was not enough, the Bruce Smithhammer wrote up a really nice review of my Hunting Gambel’s Quail Ebook over on a Mouthful of Feathers. Not only is Bruce a well known figure in the Outdoor/Fly fishing/Hunting/Photography arena, but he is an extremely talented writer himself. So, having him give my book the nod was one of those things that pretty much makes my month.
If it is your first time heading out into the field and you are a little unsure of what to expect in the Sonoran desert, swing by the AZW Shop and purchase your copy of Hunting Gambel’s Quail…Bruce Smithhammer said to…
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I had a pretty cool opportunity to write my first piece for Filson on their blog at Filson Life. I have never done much writing outside of Arizona Wanderings and I owe a big thanks to the kind people over at Filson.
The heavy truck tires crunch the small stones as I make the turn onto the washboard road that will take me to the trailhead. Even though I left the house at an ungodly hour and have never been beaten to the parking lot, my body still tenses at thought of someone else being the first at the pullout. To be on the water before anyone else, guarantees the angler a full day of wild small stream trout eager to take a well presented fly…
Click here to read the rest at Filson Life
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With lungs burning and legs pumping I climbed up and down the hills outside of Wickenburg chasing Gambel’s from one side of the canyon to another. As luck would have it, I was able to connect on some decent birds in some really beautiful country. The draws and slopes that I stumbled through and ascended up were home to a good number of quail and I am looking forward to shouldering my grandpa’s old twenty gauge again very soon.
Most of the areas I have hunted this year have been extremely dry. The cactus are looking thirsty and most of the stock tanks and seeps that were wet and full in the years before are dried up. Anytime I have found birds, there has been some water very close by. If you have been out and had some success, swing on by the Quail Hunting Forum and share your story.
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The quail season has started very slowly this year with birds sleeping late and not being vocal. Usually the birds are up and chirping as the sun lightens the sky but this year they are not really talking until about 8.
This past Saturday, I had a great opportunity to get out with my buddy,Kyle and his pup, Chase and try and find some Gambel’s. We met up at dark and made our way back into some great looking country.
After covering some serious ground we were finally able to find a couple of coveys with a good amount of birds. We were each able to put a couple down and into the vest, although I should probably buy stock in an ammunition company with the amount of shooting and missing I was doing.
It was great getting out into the field with Kyle and Chase and I had a great time hunting over a dog. Chase is only a year old and I think it will be pretty cool to see how he grows and matures over the upcoming season. With more warm weather on the way, it will also be interesting to see how this quail season turns out.
If you are looking for more information on quail hunting or wanting to share a report, head on over to the Quail Hunting Forum and lend your voice.
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Fly Tying: The Red Hot
The Red Hot pattern is a simple but highly productive pattern on the San Juan River. The annelids that float down this river are a constant food source for the big trout that swim in its waters. On my last trip to the San Juan, I found that a double nymph rig was a great way to fish this pattern.
Step 1
Finding beads that are small enough to fit on a size 22 or 24 hook can be a little bit of a trick. Normally, I would head to the craft store, but even their smallest glass beads are too big for these small hooks. I found these Killer Caddis Beads at Cabela’s and they seem work just fine.
Step 2: Tie on thread. I tend to use UTC 70 Ultra Thread on these small flies.
I really like this midge size vinyl rib.
Step 3: Tie in vinyl rib.
Step 4: The vinyl rib as two sides: a flat and a rounded edge. I like to tie the Red Hot with the rounded edge up as it gives it a more segmented and clean look, but I have seen it tied both ways. Tie rib forward, secure, and whip finish.
A great tailwater fly that is quick and easy to tie. (Note: I think I can easily talk myself into a macro lens…)
The Red Hot is a part of the San Juan Fly collection now available in the Arizona Wanderings Shop.
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I have written in the past about how much I really like my Dyna-King Kingfisher vise. It is a solid American made vise that has held thousands of hooks in its jaws. Getting ready for my San Juan trip last spring, I was tying many flies in the 20-24 inch range and although the #20 hooks were solid, the #22s were shaky and the #24s were a real trick to get tied in the standard jaws.
When I sat down at my tying table a couple of weeks ago, I was looking through my midge box and realized I had some serious work to do if I was going to head back to the San Juan again in the future. I had no desire to fight with the regular size jaws on those super small hooks so I talked with the great folks over at Dyna-King and ordered up their midge jaws for the Kingfisher vise. What a difference…
How to change out the Dyna-King jaws:
The vise is simple to use and the changing of the jaws was intuitive. With the new jaws, I had no trouble with the #24 size hook and I hope I never have to tie anything smaller than that. (It kind of takes the fun out of it…) If you find yourself needing to tie those smaller sized hooks I definitely recommend checking out the midge jaws for your vise. They can be well worth the investment.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
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There is nothing quite like the start of quail season in Arizona. All through the summer months, excitement and hope has been building in anticipation of hills to climb, canyons to sneak, and birds to flush. For me, quail season brings with it the first true marker that the desert heat is on its way out and the cooler weather is shortly to follow.
The morning brightened the canyon, and we located several coveys right off. It took a little while to get back in the groove, but pretty soon we started connecting on flying birds. Everyone ended up with quail in the game bag, but it was obvious that things were very slow in comparison to earlier years.
I was fortunate enough to shoot a nice double off the flush, which is always a nice way to start the season. Even though I brought what I thought was enough water (2L), it ended up being extremely hot and a long hike back to the truck. Tough way to end the day, exhausted and dehydrated.
If you are lucky enough to make it out this season, head on over to the Quail Hunting Forum and join in the conversation. Everyone there would love to hear how things are in your neck of the woods…or desert.
