Puget Sound Fly Co. will be celebrating its 5 year anniversary this Saturday and to commemorate the occasion, they're giving away free stuff!

First, there's free food.

Anybody in the market for a free rod? What about a free reel? How about a free hat with ANY purchase?

Yup, they're giving that and more away this weekend.

And on the off chance that free stuff doesn't float your boat, why not throw your name in the ring for some casting games? If you win you'll get, you guessed it, free stuff!

In between the food and the games, don't miss out on the guest fly tiers whipping up some of their favorite patterns.

So stop by--the Yak's blown (among other popular rivers) and summer steelhead is closed until Sunday, after all. And let's not even talk about the salt...

Can't remember where the shop is?

They're located at:

Puget Sound Fly Company
25616 Pacific Hwy. S.
Kent, WA 98032
253-839-4119

Give them a call with any questions.

See you there!

The callbox beeped and the gate swung open.

Ten thirty on a sunny Thursday morning with no where to go but south.

I pulled into Clark's driveway and started throwing things into the FJ.

So much for packing light! ;)

I was headed to my first Spey Clave, an event where a large segment of the great minds in spey, along with those that hope to gain some of their collective knowledge, gather.

Held on the Sandy river, we had hoped to get there early and fish some of its runs before the festivities began.

But the rising temperature wouldn't have it. Almost every river we crossed showed signs of high water and heavy siltation--the flip side of having a hot, sunny weekend. Each instance tore chunks from our optimism, replacing it with the doubt that we would get to fish the Sandy at all.

And we knew for certain once we saw crossed over it.

"That river's punched."

I looked over the bridge as we crossed.

The Sandy ran high and milky brown, like someone poured a lake full of Yoohoo! in upstream.

Such is to be expected in 90+ degree temps, though.

In the space of hours and a few hundred miles, our primary focus on fishing...

...changed to relaxing around camp!

"It's just good to be out here."

I agreed--I hadn't been away from the office all year and it was time.

"So what do you want to do tomorrow, then?" I asked.

It was a stupid question. It was the Spey Clave, after all.

"Well, they'll be setting up tomorrow."

Which meant rod testing...

And more rod testing... :)

By the end of the day, Clark and I had messed around with all three casting methods and, of course, rods matching those schools' techniques, including some new Meiser sticks.

By mid Saturday morning, the gathering was in full swing.

The test casting area burst with Skagit heads, long belly lines and loops of all shapes and distances.

While everything you could imagine in the world of spey, from rods to lines to reels, beckoned attendees to this location.

"Did someone say reels?" ;)

Over the previous weeks, I had been contemplating buying a really, really light spey rod. From all accounts I had read, the Dec Hogan ECHO 4 weight was the one.

Now was my moment--the Airflo/ECHO booth was yards away.

Two recognizable faces sat behind the table--I'd never met them before but had been looking forward to.

Mike and Jay introduced themselves and after a quick discussion about the 4 weight, they sent me to the lawn with 3 separate lines. Sweet!

After about 20 minutes I had made my decision.

"You only get one birthday a year," I thought.

Translation: I'm buying this thing! :)

The rest of the day, we milled around, threw a few more sticks...

...and watched a seminar.

All in all the clave was great.

The heat?

Not so much.

And by the end of the day, both of us had a pretty good headache going and had seen all there really was to see.

"You ready?"

I nodded and an hour later we were cruising down the highway, headed home.

Not exactly what I had in mind for a few days off, but I'm sure I'll be able to make up for it this coming weekend in between wine tastings. ;)

"Since we're not going to the Bahamas, I was thinking that we could go to the Spey Clave."

"Sounds like a plan."

And with that, the idea of a $1,000 plane ticket quickly faded away.

So instead of the Bahamas, Clark and I are headed to Oregon to fish for springers and check out the Spey Clave on the Sandy River.

I haven't taken a vacation from the corporatocracy yet this year and it's TIME.

And with temps ranging from the mid 80s to low 90s, we couldn't have picked a better time!

Plus, I get to put my new rod and reel through its paces!

If you're going to be at the Clave and we haven't met yet, don't hesitate to say hi and introduce yourself.

Hope to see you there!

Where: Yakima River
When: Sunday
Conditions: Warm, alternating sun and overcast
Flies used: Big, meaty flies
Species pursued: Rainbow Trout

Song of the day: "Sheep Go To Heaven," Cake

"You're at 20," Vern said, pointing me toward my station.

After setting up, I took stock of this year's event.

Judging by my initial impression, the transformation of the NW Tying Expo into the Washington FFF Conclave seemed to be a success.

As I'd never done this sort of thing before, I figured the best thing to do was conform (which I HATE doing) and do what everyone else was doing.

That is to say, start tying flies.

When in Rome...

Before long, folks started to file in.

At first, a few looky-loo's.

And then a familiar face, then two, then a steady stream of fishing reports from all over the place, from Mexico to yesterday's float on the Yak.

Time sped by and a quarter to nine become a quarter past eleven.

Despite all that time, I didn't get much tying done. ;)

Jamie stopped by the table.

"I'm going next!"

---------------------------------------

"This is the first time I've been on this side of the mountains this year."

"Me too."

Jamie was on deck, getting ready to cast. It had been two years since he'd competed in this event.

Given that, I abandoned my tying post in favor of supporting a longtime buddy.

After a short practice round, he gets the signal to go.

The familiar stress of competition lasts for an agonizing five minutes, after which Jamie's scores come back.

And they're good.

To celebrate his performance, we lit up a couple of cigars and relax on the lawn.

It had been far too long since I'd enjoyed a spring afternoon on the dry side.

"Well, we've got to go--wineries and all that."

A few handshakes and a promise to share a few bottles and we're on our way.

As we snake down the highway, I catch glimpses of the Yak.

"I'm glad I brought my rod," I think. "Let's hope my plan works so I can fish."

The plan in question, is, of course, to hit as many wineries as possible today to leave time to fish tomorrow. ;)

For better or worse, my plan worked.

I did get to fish--but only after buying four cases of wine! :(

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To everyone who stopped by to chat: good catching up with all of you and good meeting the new faces! Steve, send me an e-mail so we can fish sometime, salt or not. My e-mail address is ohimo@hotmail.com