The Weekend Wade

Hey hey hey, here me out! Check out the weekend wade for the latest in fly fishing Festival updates! Just got the Dates for the 2nd annual Heartland Fly fishing expo This 2 day expo features Speakers, Seminars and Demonstrations to include various topics about local fishing, Fly fishing basics, Streams and Reservoirs in the midwest. Talks on Traveling and flyfishing, and fishing for Steelhead. They will also feature Fly Tyers from all around who specialize in various forms off tying expertise. the festival will have alot of various speakers on subjects on casting, fly fishing on a budget and fishing local. I know the group that I am part of will have alot of members there and will be tail gating at the expo. I'm also considering doing something to add to the expo. Let me know if you will be there and hit me up on your next #THEWEEKENDWADE #WADEFORIT

Do we even have Steelhead in Indiana? I was convinced that there was no way. At heart I'm just a desert rat that spend his whole life running around the banks of the artery of the west, I grew up knowing as the Colorado river. It run's cold and strong, year around and is the life blood of Las Vegas and the Mojave desert valley along it's path. More of what the traditional trout fisherman would think of as "trout water." Regardless I didn't believe the midwest held viable Steelhead and Salmon population. Boy was I ever wrong, maybe I was misinformed or just outright ignorant. I soon learned that was completely wrong. In due time I stumbled upon The Great Lakes Steelhead runs of the St. Joseph river and Trail Creek of northern Indiana, A success story of selective population stocking and a good old fashion biology at that. I'm not going to get into the history of the stocking because that can be a whole other post, what I am going to focus on is the stron

They call it the Bahamas of the midwest and it will test your sight casting capabilities. I dont know the exact date that Beaver Island got on my radar as a fisherman. I'm sure it began while trolling videos of fly fishing on youtube among other things. Maybe it was the crystal clear and clean rock bottoms of the great lakes, maybe it was the massive streamer smashing giant common carp cruising in wolf pack like fashion along the great lake shores. It was probably a combination of many things that sparked my interest. This place has had my interest since I first seen these video of Lefty Kreh slipping a very subtle presentation of a near 'nuff crayfish immitation fly in front of a giant crusing carp. It could have possible been from the Carp on the fly blog posts from the Carp fishing bad ass John Montana and his now famous Montana Hybrid fly, Or it could have been from A blogging mentor I follow The Fiberglass Manifesto This place is a top priority of my fishing journey and

I'm wondering, What's it to ya? I'm wondering what this blog is to me. Truthfully I don't know. I need to pick a direction and continue that way. Often I compare my blog to others, wonder how they get traffic and enjoy there posts. I continue to dwell on what it takes to have a good blog. In the future I plan on adding more value and interest to my post. In all I need to focus on fishing and let the other stuff come to me, post what it is I enjoy and that is fly fishing, be engaged in the outdoors and this passion of mine. To the point, I just need to be The Weekend Wade and follow my creativity, that is what I am here for and intend to stay in that place. To me The Weekend Wade is the pursuit of my interest and a collection of thoughts, with a little information and comedy inside. Create and enjoy. Follow along. The Weekend Wade.

SOLD! is what the post read after I agreed for the price that the seller was asking. Just like that I now owned a Old Town Canoe the guide 147 model. 16ft of solid construction. I found it on facebook and had been looking for something to get out on the water the ponds, lakes, and smaller creeks and cover more river miles. I've owned 1 other canoe,Wenonah canoe that my late uncle had and a canoe I fell in love with after many long adventures down the Colorado river, we covered many river miles along the stretch of the Colorado that truly makes me miss my home state. After selling that awesome canoe, I often times looks online for new canoes that were always out of my price range, until I found this deal and had to buy it. Damn I'm excited to hit the ponds and shallows for bass, crappie and panfish, Heck I may even go out for toothy critters like pike and musky! Adventures and time on the water await! My plan for this canoe is to add a seat, making it a 3 seater but main

Pond Fishing 101 is here and It's #theweekendwade annual Spring Fling and spring has sprung. About time the cold and snow moved on and let the sun out and the grass get greened. I'm so sick of ice, snow and cold that I'm celebrating the first day of spring by working overtime! Lol, just kidding I can not wait one more day to get out and hit the water. Usually the ponds and shallower water is what I spend most my time around this time of the year. They warm up faster and are typically alot more productive and accessible with the rain we typically get during the months or March and April. The ponds are always a good choice when the rain is in, they don't get muddy and with the increased water flow I target the inlets and have damn good success with crappie, bass, and sunfish. These ponds are all over Indy and a lot of other areas like business districts and housing developments. I spot any water I see while driving ( squirrel ) and immediately think there is bass in t

Backcountry Hunters and anglers is something that is new to the Midwest and surrounding areas but is not something new to me. I first heard of BHA while spending some time on youtube looking up random outdoor gear and how to videos, I noticed they supported public lands and Steam access for the general outdoor enthusiast. The vast majority of members are not just single use land users, these people spend countless hours hiking, biking, ATV, Horse trailing along with hunting and fishing. I am one of those people and I am passionate about the public lands that we have in the United States, this access is what makes America great and one of a kind. The issue really came to my attention after moving to the Midwest while searching for a place to bow hunt for the up coming whitetail season of 2018. It became increasingly frustrating trying to find a spot, All the spots I knew of were either over ran or severely limited to access, along with driving 2.5 hours south to the Hoosier National

Sitting here doing overtime and trying to use my ADHD to benefit me some how, usually I just get distracted and look up multiple thing about fishing, hunting, gardening, hiking or a combination of all. I am planning my next trip and with spring right around the corner I have a lot to do being a new home owner and an avid gardener. I'm trying to manage between all my outdoor activities that I love and my family and work life. I got my coffee, I have my lap top and I have Wifi connection and some time. This will be my "Where's Waldo" Carp and Smallmouth trip. I want to head to Grand Traverse bay in Northern Michigan ( Since Beaver Island is off the table this year, That sucks alot ) I am planning on driving up there on one of my weekends off and staying two nights and fishing 2 full days and one morning before I leave. Its about 6 hours drive from Indy but I hope to leave early morning or late night after my shift. That's the plan but the details

Clouser for the win! that is what I yelled out loud as I hooked my first white bass ever on a creek that has yet to be named ( that's my spot! I'm not sharing.) This fishing trip was just random after a chat with another guy at the fly shop Fly Masters of Indianapolis He mentions that the white bass should be running, I wasn't even there for pan fish flies, I was on my usual carp fly material hunt for an order of flies that I was tying up for another angler ( hit me up for some flies anytime, message me or contact me through email if your interested.) So after checking out I quickly headed towards the creek in a hurry. I always keep my waders and a 6wt in the car, with some general bass flies and a carp box. As soon as I get there I see 3 other cars there and think to myself "this was a bust" I immediately think this was a waste of time and gas, I kinda like fishing by myself or with one other buddy. I quickly slide my pants off and am now in my boxers in a p

Well this has been a busy week, Time to regroup and get that fishing stuff in order. I just had my birthday and that was a great time but now it's back to business. First order up is this great bass fishing we have here in the midwest (nah.. I'm not giving my spots up) The creeks should be packed here in about 6 weeks and I will be ready, no doubt about it. Don't know the big excitement over white bass? Catch one on a 3wt and then let me know, if that doesn't get your blood pumping you're dead. These fish slam various streamers and eat with vengeance. I was lucky enough to get a hold of some great info about a local spot that I had fished before but not for white bass, and oh lord I was missing out on some great early spring action on the fly! White bass fly fishing is as exciting as catching smallies with the opportunity to catch dozens of fish in a few hours. In late April I hit the creek every chance I had, after overtime and on my days off ripping lips o

Here I sit, exhausted, restless and over worked. Fly fishing is alwasy on my mind, whether it be tying, fishing or planning the next big trip ( haha, jk I dont have money like that.) I've been so busy these past weeks doing overtime that the other activities in my life get pushed to the wayside. Although, this past weeks have been hectic, I did make time to go to the Indy boat and travel show along with the deer and turkey ( Yes I try to hunt, Just like fishing I'm no good.) It's the largest Outdoor expo in the Midwest and It's a good time, held every year at the fair grounds in Indianapolis. My first stop was at the Moving Waters booth, it was a great set up with lost of apparel and a huge great big selection of outstanding kayaks and paddling as well as great information about the local waters and fly fishing. I want to thank them for having a great set up and promoting Indiana and kayak fishing. Even though fly fishing wasn't the main focus of the expo th

River trash aka the common carp (click the link for a cool article on the history of carp) are the most exciting and finicky fish in fresh water. People dont just compare these amazing fish to bonefish without a good reason. The carp is a true sport fish and deserves its spot in the river. So that video was pretty exciting, I loved the perspective of the carp angler and the approach. Anyone that doesn't think carp can be a game fish, is simply a fool. These fish are naturalized within the river and lake systems and have earned their spot along with bass and trout as well. The world of fly fishing for carp is exploding all across the United States as anglers see the potential for these fish and target them specifically. The world of carp is ever expanding and being created, their are carp specific fly tourneys, The midwest golden bones , The 3 rivers carp cup tournament I plan to fish both tournaments and try my hand at fishing competitive. I urge anyone in the near are to head

Carp!?!?! Those fish are trash! That is what I always hear, right after I tell them I fly fish for alot of carp. Their for some reason is a negative opinion about carp and also carp on the fly. I know where I grew up there was always carp and always this opinion of carp in my area. I was always told that carp are "trash fish, Bottom feeders" and they "eat bass eggs." Truth is carp have been here for years are extremely picky and eat a lot of different insects, and are now part of the river system. I hope to change people's opinion on fly fishing and carp in general. Mainly carp are considered bottom feeders and that they kill off or eat the eggs of "game fish" or "native fish" This opinion is not exactly true or correct. Some aspects of the opinion may be correct but are mostly a generalization. I'm not here to get in a debate about carp, that would take all day! I'm cool with less people catching these bad ass fish and I also kin

Just let me take time to describe the taco grip smallie on the fly. These are bronze, green and black wolves of the water. The small mouth bass is not the most beautiful fish in the water but truly deserves the attention that it gets. These fish are not in the most beautiful scenic places like trout or steelhead are, they are a working class fish just like the loyal enthusist Like Chris Vaughan (pictured above) of the smallie talk podcast that dedicate their time, money and energy to these fish. Arguably the best fighting fish in the warm water category, these fish are athletes, gangsters of the water that eat flies viciously without hesitation. When these fish take you feel the line straighten immediately, while the drag begins to rip. They can spit a fly out just as easily with their high flying acrobatics right after setting the hook. The camouflage that these fish have in their native waters is a perfect blend of stealth, perfectly mottled to match the structure, water clarity