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January 2009

Today at Jimmy’s 1/29/08

Winter time has really set in at Jimmy’s. All of us are looking forward to spring and sunshine. I mentioned to Rollin yesterday that I can’t wait to wear shorts and flip-flops to work again. With winter in full swing, you can tie flies, or venture out and try to fish. I prefer to tie flies. If you are interested in learning about tying we have lots of options for you this winter. We are offering multiple tying classes. Beginner, and speacial topics courses. Also we have our Saturday tying demo’s.

We received some new merchandise yesterday. We have this awesome new book titled “A Steelheader’s Way, Principles, Tactics and Techniques” by Lani Waller. This is a really informative book. It talks about all aspects of steelhead fishing on the fly, spey fishing included. We also received some new tubes for tying flies with tubes. We also got some new tying materials from Natures Spirit. In my opinion Natures Spirit produces some of the finest quality tying materials you can get! We have Golden Pheasant tails, Lady Amherst Tails, and some select CDC Tufts. Our last new item is a Fly rack for you vise. This is a foam fly holder that mounts on the stem of your tying vise.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-26-09

We a had another good tying demo on Saturday with Tracy Mobley from Rigby as the tier. Tracy tied a variety of stuff that he uses on the Henry’s Fork and othr Spring Creeks.

In addition to two great back to back snow storms this weekend here in Eastern Idaho( more water for this summer) we received several  new fly tying materials from Nature Spirit. We have carried their hides, dubbings and feathers for over 12 years and I think they are the highest quality you can find.  Some of new items include 8 colors of Spey Hackle for Spey flies. This is goose shoulder and is different than Schlappen. It looks and ties more like a Heron feather.

Six colors of Select Ozark Barred Turkey Quills that can be used for nymph casings and hopper wings. Nature Spirit has put together their Super Spinning Combo that has 8 colors of spinning hair. The final items are large white bucktails they call Big Bucktails. They will tie the longest saltwater fly you that you want.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-22-09

As promised we have some of our special topic classes scheduled. To look at the list go to our classes page on the web site. Also if you have an idea for a class that you would like to take let us know.  Many of our best class ideas have come from folks interested in a specific topic or group of fly patterns.

This week we received two new spey rods from Echo Rods. Both are designed by Dec Hogan.  Both are designed to fish longer lines on bigger rivers. The new models are a 14′ 6″ for a #7 and 15′ for a #8.

We also received the new Tibor Spey Reel. Its one of the prettiest reels I’ve ever seen.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-19-09

We have scheduled the first of several special topics flytying classes beginning with a Fly Patterns of Yellowstone Park with Bruce Staples on February 7th. In the weeks following there will be classes on Tube Flies, Steelhead patterns and also Spring Creek Patterns.

In March we have two dates set for Rod Building. The first class is March 14 and the second class begins on the 28th. On March 21st we have a full day Spey casting class slated.

For more details and a complete list go to the classes page on our web site.

New items into the shop today include two items to help organize your tying table. One is the “Rib Runner” that stores and dispenses tinsels and ribbing material. The other item is a Thread Storage Rack that holds 24 spools. It looks like you can even stack two spools per dowl and double the capacity.

We also received four new Zap adhesives. All four have a specific uses that range from flytying, to on stream repairs or simply coating knots for added strength.

Finally the last item is a table top magnifier from Daylight. If you already have a tying lap this is magnifier that comes with its own pedestal so you can place it wherever you need on the table.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-16-09

We have put a bunch of clothing and gear on sale this week. We have selected items from Fishpond, Cloudveil, Simms, and Columbia marked down to great prices. Come down to the shop and check it out.

Last week during our tying demonstration the power went out at 12:15pm and put an end to our Saturday tying demos. Troy Allgood has offered to come back and finish his demo that was cut short. We had a good crowd show up and they were all very interested in what Troy was tying. We will keep you posted when Troy will be doing his demo again.

Tomorrow Nick and Stephanie Jones will be doing the tying demonstration.  They are from Utah. Stephanie is famous for her homemade cookies that she hands out at the Expo. She also ties for Raineys Fly Co. Nick is a sales rep for fly fishing products. They are both very talented tiers and will have a lot of skills that you will want to witness for yourself.  The demo starts at 10am and will wrap up around 1pm. Hopefully we won’t have an technical difficulties like last week. I promise the coffee will be hot!

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-15-09

Lately a lot of films have been coming out in the fishing industry. This has been a new trend that has been gaining popularity during the last few years. The difference between the types of films being produced lately is that they are not instructive. Many of us are familiar with the how to tie flies, and the how to fly fish videos. Some of you may have learned how to tie flies and fly fish from these videos. The new films that I am referring to are actually short films. Maybe you have heard of the Trout Bum movies? A bunch of guys with a lot more time on their hands than myself and a lot more money, travel all over the world fishing for trout and capture it on film. In the end it make a really fun video to watch.

We have received many new DVD’s in the last few weeks. Both instructional and Informational. We are actually having a hard time keeping them stocked on the shelf. Some of the more popular ones have been “Drift” a film put together by Tom Bie, editor of The Drake, and “Raising the Ghost.” This is a Flyboys Film, they travel to British Columbia and fish for steelhead by dead drifting Green Drakes. We have a lot of other titles as well. Come down to the shop and pick up a DVD today, I promise it will help you forget those winter time blues for awhile.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-13-09

Today at Jimmy’s we got a new issue of The Drake. We have thirty copies of this issue in stock right now. I suspect we will need to reorder in about a week. This year there will be three issues of the Drake. Whenever the Drake shows up in the shop we are excited to read it from cover to cover. “Ask Trask,” is Jim Sr. favorite column. I have heard him mention many times, “that’s one smart dog!”

We also got a new piece of equipment for fly tying. It is called a Hands Free Magnifier. It is magnifing lens that inserts into a head band, allowing your hands to be free and tie flies. It comes with an “one size fits most” adjustable headband, and two magnifying lenses.

I got out fishing yesterday afternoon on the South Fork. It was nice to actually get out and cast a fly rod. I haven’t fished since October. I didn’t catch much and the fishing was slow. I was hoping to see some fish rising on midges, unfortunately I missed the hatch. Regardless Moose and I had a nice afternoon walking the banks of the river. I think Moose had more fun than I did, but that’s what typically happens when you take your dog to the river.

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Today at Jimmy’s 1-09-09

As winter is really starting to get to a lot of us I have some good news. We have gotten all of our Saltwater Flies in for the year. So start planning your topical fishing vacation and come check out our new saltwater patterns. One of my favorite new patterns is the “Bearded Clam.” I like this fly because it looks like a clam, perfect for catching bonefish and permit, not to mention it has a beard!

Tomorrow Troy Allgood is tying for our Saturday Demonstration. Troy is an accoplished fly tyer from St. Anthony. He speacailizes in Henry’s Fork patterns. I have always beleived if it works on the Henry’s Fork than it should work everywhere. He does a lot of Harrop’s patterns and is a very talented tyer. This is a demo you don’t want to miss. We start at 10am. Hope to see you all there.

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Henry’s Fork 01/09

Fishing on the Henrys Fork has not changed much. Nymphing is still your best strategy for catching fish. Fish two nymphs, a rubber leg, prince nymph, zebra midges, or a glo bug. If you see fish rising throw a dry fly midge pattern. 

As winter continues, access to the river will become more difficult with the snow and shelf ice. Use caution while fishing in the winter. Common sense goes a long way. Don’t risk you safety for a fish. Some good ideas for saftey; Keep you car close to the area you are fishing. Bring an extra pair of dry clothes in case you fall in. It’s always a good ideas to have some extra food and water in case you get stranded. Small precautions will make a big difference if you have a emergancy.

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South Fork 01/10

Jimmy went to the river yesterday afternoon to take a drive and have a look at the river. Despite the wind, making it almost impossible to fish the river looked very good. As of right now you can put a boat in at Wolf Flats and take out at Byington. The road is very muddy. Expect to get your boat and vehicle dirty. Also these boat ramps could close at any time, it all depends on the weather and how much more snow we get. The boat ramps do not receive snow removal in the winter.

We have had a few customers ask why we don’t update the winter fishing report as often as we do in the spring, summer, and fall. The short answer is the fishing doesn’t really change that much. Now the long answer. During the majority of the winter most days can be too cold to fish. What is too cold? We consider below freezing to be too cold. This doesn’t mean that you can’t fish, it just means that the fishing is going to be tougher and not optimal. Many people love to fish in the winter and that is great! When you decide to fish in the winter choosing your day is key to your success. Warm days in the afternoon will give you the best chance to catch fish. Nymphing is usually the best technique to catch fish. Use a size 8 rubberleg, with a zebra midge. You can also use a small mayfly nymph size 18 or 20.If you see fish rising they will be eating dry fly midges.

Always be prepared when fishing in the winter. Don’t take your safety lightly. Accidents happen and problems can become emergancies very quickly in the winter time. Use caution and common sense.

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