Evan Vanek Euro Nymph class!

[mirvc17]

Frank,

Got it--I understand. Let's hope the forecast weakens so I can make my way over there and back safely and without having to go through the Dallas area on the way back!

If the weather traps me here, I will likely make a trip over the following weekend.

-JP

[golferjeff]

Draw a line from Tulsa to Abilene, TX and anything west of that is in for some ice, snow, and bad stuff. Dallas is mainly in the clear and Broken Bow is safe for the current forecast. Lotsa rain though. Could be great fishing if no downpours. Evan may have to show us his 'into the wind 70 foot sidearm backcast nymphing rig'.

See ya there.

[mirvc17]

Taking a detour (no pun intended) from the weather discussion and going back to Euro Nymphing ...

In the "spirit" of this event, I purchased Devin Olson and Lance Egan's Modern Nymphing video for 20$

It is definitely worth it! While I enjoyed George Daniel's book, this video is a "primer" to that book I feel, but yet Devin and Lance add their own spins on various techniques and it seems they have combined many of the techniques out there (French, Czech, Polish, Spanish) and devised their own leader formulas that work for a lot of different situations. They've taken the best from each and formed their own Euro-inspired techniques. They also talk about equipment, flies, and execution.

This is a much better introduction to Euro Nymphing than jumping straight into Daniels book. A person can easily get confused and de-motivated by Daniel's vast amount of information and trying to figure out what techniques work best for them.

And it is beautifully filmed and executed. As they are talking about techniques, they are fishing and catching fish--proof that it works quite well.

I'm not throwing my indicators out because they certainly have their place in many, many situations, but I'm anxious to try more of what I have learned. A Cortland Comp 10.5' 3 wt sounds tempting at a nice price.

So, put on your favorite dark pair of skinny euro jeans, grab a pack of cigarettes, work on your accent, and purchase the video!

Google "Tactical Fly Fisher" and Devin Olson. Lot of other great info on his blog and fly shop.

[Evan Vanek]

The video is great from what I hear, Devin and Lance for sure know what they are talking about. They are both on the men's world team which are the top 5 anglers in the country to compete in the FIPS mouche world championships. Mirv, the Czech, Polish and French techniques were once all used, but us Americans have combined them all and taken the better portions of each and greated a "very versatile" leader for almost all situations. The 20$ is for sure worth the money for a intro of this style. In the instruction, I will be going a little deeper than most classes will and I will hand out "ready to use" leaders to everyone! Hope everyone comes and I look forward to seeing everyone there.

[troutbum54]

The leader lance uses, or I think he uses, was one of the formulas I stumbled upon and it works really well. I really liked the blood knot in the indicator with the longer tags that Devin used as well.

[ericb]

Evan, Frank, and Peter,

I had a good time on the river today...a black zebra midge dropped 15" under a stimulator was what I had success with. The fish were sipping midges like crazy around 3 pm. Tomorrow should be similar. My 10 year old son, Ethan, and I will attend the 3 pm stream side demonstration and the discussion at 7 pm in the fly shop.

We not be able to make it right at 3 because he has a basketball game in Idabel at 2 pm. It will end at 3 and we'll go straight to upper Spillway.

Are we parking in the parking area on top of Cardiac Hill in the lot directly below the Spillway?

I'm assuming this is strictly a demonstration by Evan. Am I correct in saying we will not need rods or waders at 3?

I assume there be free time to fish between the time the stream side demonstration is over and 7 pm. Is that correct?

It should be a great experience for all. Thank you, men, for making this available to us

Thank you,

ERIC Beechem

[Evan Vanek]

Great report Eric! Seems like to got to them today. As for your questions, if you want you can bring waders and a rod but it's not necessary, I will provide rods and reels for people to get the feel of the style. We will be going over the basics of the cast, drift, depth, and control. We will also meet at the fly shop around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and drive up to cardiac hill. We will be parking at the main cardiac hill parking lot. Lastly for your question about the demonstration, yes it will be strictly a European styled technique demonstration and instruction.

[mirvc17]

I won't be attending tomorrow due to the weather and work will take me away from home next week. Bummer.

[jcw355]

Sure hate to miss but weather and work are interfering

[ranger1965]

Planned on going to work today. Was about 5 minutes away and I got my priorities straight. Headed that way now. Looking forward to the class and meeting those that will be there!

[hoss]

I'd like to say thanks to Evan and his parents for such a successful event on Saturday! And thanks to Eddie and Roberta. I learned a tremendous amount just watching Evan on the river. During his demonstration, he was picking off trout left and right. And he was on water that I am sure was hammered earlier in the day. The information he shared was great and I look forward to attempting this technique. Evan's father was gracious and both were eager to share all kinds of useful information on this technique. The meal following the demonstration was great. Also the family took time to provide each participant with a hand made euro nymph leader. I do appreciate the generosity and effort that went into this event.

Thanks again!

[golferjeff]

The event was a success by any standard. Evan caught 8 fish just showing the technique. then the kids (and even Jonbo) caught a few too. Killer method if done correctly. Hoss is right, the food Su(e) cooked was amazing, the brownies from RB were yummy, and the demonstration was really cool. Thanks to Evan for his time, Frank for the leaders and the setup, the ladies for the food and the Brister's for use of the fly shop as a manger for wet fisherman. A good time was had by all. I think Magick got petted by about 30 people during the course of the evening!

Well done.

[jonbo]

Ditto! Much thanks to the Bristers, and to Frank and Sue and Evan for putting on a very successful demonstration and class, and to Peter for helping out, too. I, probably like the others attending, had been curious about Euro-nymphing for quite awhile. I had even attempted it several times with no real success. When I watched Evan demonstrate the lightbulb finally went off. "Aha, that's how it's done." It really increased my confidence in the method the fact that he caught one fish right after another from the moment he stepped off the bank (or rocks, rather) at Upper Spillway. Then with Peter's guidance I was able to catch one, others were, too. It's definitely a good method for fishing the Upper Spillway pockets. The food was great, too. Thanks!

[brandon]

I sure wish i could have been there. Sounds like a great time. I would also love to learn the techniques.

[ericb]

My only regret about Saturday's event is we arrived 45 minutes late due to a conflict, so we missed most of Evan's demonstration. It was amazing watching him work those pockets in SC. It looked just like the pros on YouTube. Although my 10 year old lost concentration and started collecting bugs in the "tide pools", he looked up to Evan like he was a rock star! I enjoyed speaking with Frank about fly fishing with my son. I was excited to learn that Evan was 10 when he got his first fly gear. I hope to keep Ethan interested in the sport and take him to the U.S. Fly Fishing Camp when he's 12 or so. Thank you, Peter, Evan, and Frank for organizing this. Frank, it was very generous to take the time to tie a leader for each of us. I can't wait to try it out Friday. I may have to get on of those Cortland nymphing rods soon. Until then, I'll just attach the leader to my 9' 5 WT. Evan had a great PowerPoint presentation and did a great job explaining his methods and answering our questions. It was a bonus to get handouts of the presentation.

I also enjoyed sharing a meal with other fly fishers at the shop. Sue, the food was delicious. Roberta, the brownies were yummy. Thanks, Eddie and Roberta, for all you do to invest in us, conservation, and the sport.

Thank you Evan, Peter, and Frank for all you did to make this happen!

Eric Beechem
Idabel, OK

[fvanek]

Thanks for all of the kind words posted about the event. Everyone was so positive during his presentation. We enjoyed meeting and visiting with everyone. Hope to see everyone on the river soon.

Frank