Tying a Clouser Minnow for White Bass

by on March 1, 2014 at 16:31
Posted In: Fly Tying, video


Tying A Clouser Minnow For White Bass from AirborneAngler on Vimeo.

Well Troopers, here’s the latest workings from AirborneAngler HQ and another addition to Project: Whiskey Bravo. I present to you my first attempt at a fly tying video.

Standby by and brace yourselves. This is some muy-muy amateur work here. It’s done simply on my iPad and GoPro. But I have to be honest I’m kind of impressed too.

Am I bragging?

Hell no.

My point? You can do it too! Think GIECO… so easy, a grunt can do it.

The Clouser Minnow works on a wide variety of fish but also does very well on White Bass. Tie it somewhat sparse- best color options are grey on white or all white. Hope this video helps beginning fly tying fanatics fin-addicts, or at least inspires advanced tiers to make their own moving pictures.

Sound off below and please let me know what you think!

Clouser Minnow:
Hook: Tiemco TMC 9394
Size: 10
Eyes: Large Silver Bead Chain
Thread: Grey UTC 140
Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
Body 1: White Hairline Dubbin Arctic Fox
Body 2: Grey Hairline Dubbin Arctic Fox
*CCG (Clear Cure Goo) optional as head cement.

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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Project: Whiskey Bravo – 3rd Time’s a Charm

by on February 25, 2014 at 10:00
Posted In: Fly Fishing

Peg one up on the board folks, Whiskey Bravo is confirmed… I say again, Whiskey Bravo confirmed!

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That’s right team, I got my first white bass on the fly! I made a trip back out to the San Gabriel River because the white bass action has been picking up. While it’s just a the males making the trek up river right now- it’s an indication of the blitz en masse soon to follow.

However, here’s what’s been fun about my little Project: Whiskey Bravo and fly fishing in general… it’s all about the adventure it takes you on and the places you go. Otherwise what other reason would I have to find Circleville, Texas?

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But the wadable piece of river I hit down a little path next to an open field was just glorious; a little hidden treasure stowed away in plain sight. Was it the most glorious fish? Well, no but it was my first white bass and it had me grinning ear to ear like a kid again. Very reminiscent of my first fish and perhaps only special to me. But special none the less.

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Hoping you’re having your own adventures!

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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Project: Whiskey Bravo – First Strike

by on February 20, 2014 at 09:00
Posted In: Fly Fishing, Fly Tying

I took President’s Day this week to hit the San Gabriel River in hopes of a chance contact with some early Whiskey Bravo (aka White Bass). With all the reading-up I’ve been doing combined with some warmer weather- I was getting trigger happy and ready to let loose a cast mit fly down river.

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Lessons I learned on the water:
1) I am not the only one with Whiskey Bravo fever. The White Bass run in these parts is a serious game.
2) Just because it seems everyone is fishing on the same day does not mean everyone is catching. Watch and learn from those who are- even if it’s not fly fishing. Don’t let that get to you.
3) White Bass can be picky. They eat smaller flies lower than the larger/lighter clouser minnows I made before hand.

While I did hook up with one white bass, I did not get him to the yak. Few others anglers it seemed were reeling them in cast after cast. Bottom line: back to the drawing board and do it again.

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Now after tying night at the local fly shop and a reload on some Hareline Dubbin material- I’m ready for another strafing run. I’ve updated my project board, have more intel, and the chase is on! Fire for effect!

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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HowlerBros Buckle Bid for the Texas Coast

by on February 12, 2014 at 20:26
Posted In: Random, Reviews

Howler Brothers did something awesome today.

If you keep up with team Howler you’ve already seen their awesome vintage buckles. They’re pretty damn sweet and I may or may not already have hoarded own half of a ’58 Texas license plate. Ok, yes I do.

But getting your hands on the latest HowlerBros Texas plate buckle release just got a click easier… kinda.

See, instead of going to the Howler store online only to see that you’ve missed the opportunity because a quick draw hoarder like myself already has all the pieces you want- now you have a chance to fight for it. Or click and bid at least anyway.

Howler Brothers has released a ’73 TEXAS BAIT SHRIMP LICENSE PLATE as seen above from their email announcement sent this morning. But to make something this awesome that much cooler- they’re available by bid thru eBay with raised benefits going to support Costal Conservation Association Texas.

From the email release:

“These plates were sold as bait shrimping licenses to commercial fishermen by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department up until 1995, after which no new commercial bait shrimping licenses were available under a limited entry program authorized by the Texas Legislature. Since then, the TPWD and the CCA have enacted a buyback program to purchase bait shrimping licenses from willing fishermen in an effort to decrease over fishing, reduce bycatch mortality, and rebuild and protect the Gulf ecosystem.”

How do you not bid on that?

Official Howler Brothers email release.

Bid here: ’73 TEXAS BAIT SHRIMP LICENSE PLATE

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

#BuckleIt4CCA

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Project: Whiskey Bravo

by on February 4, 2014 at 04:00
Posted In: Fly Fishing, video

Greetings All from AirborneAngler HQ!

The recent weather we’ve had down here (not sure who coined it a Polar Vor-Texas) has kept many of us in Texas us off the road. Literally. We don’t drive when it ices because we end up off the road in a ditch. Or in my case, I stay off the road to avoid all the rouge-bogie-kamikazes making a bee-line directly for the curb. But I digress.

Being cooped up and tying flies has had me thinking about the spring and the warmer weather around the corner. It means white bass! Something missing on my punch list of targets acquired. So like any good Joe I’ve begun my priorities of work, initiated some troop leading procedures, and recalled the 5 Principles of Patrolling (Planning, Recon, Security, Control, and Common Sense).

I’m on the patrol for some white bass (hence forth now code named Whiskey Bravo.), and that’s what I’m planning on this spring.

The above picture is where I’m currently at with my project board. I plan on some trips to the fly shop, getting intel on flies to tie, and posting all kinds of motivational goodness until my target is acquired. So stay tuned, more to follow.

Which by the way, anyone remember the “WB” network frog? This made me laugh and when I find my Whiskey Bravo I’ll be sure to sing, “Hello my baby, hello my honey…” Ha.




See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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