Currentseams finally reached the big three-oh-oh. And I have you, loyal reader, to thank. We’ll be doing our usual flies-tied-by-Steve giveaway, only this time it will be three times better — because this time we’re going to have three winners!
One of the prizes will be one of each of the six striper soft-hackles I tied for my article in the next issue of American Angler. The other two will be a selection of trout or striper or steelhead flies. As they say in my kids’ school: “You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
Here are the rules:
1) No purchase necessary.
2) You must be a follower of currentseams to enter.
3) To enter, leave a comment on this thread saying you wish to enter AND tell me a little about what you like about the site, or would like to see more of (this is my grassroots market research method). One entry per person. Deadline for entering is 11:59pm September 3, 2015. Three winners will be chosen at random. The winners will be notified in the comments section of this thread or by email, and will be responsible for sending me their address so I can ship the flies out.
4) All decisions by me are final.
Thanks again for reading and following currentseams.
currentseams.com 
Enter me in the contest please. Ken
You forgot to comment, Ken. Market research is part of the deal. 🙂
What I appreciate most about your writing is your honesty. You convey real fishing experiences with a self effacement that is quite rare in “fish-lit.” It makes your writing connect more closely to all of your readers fishing exploits. You get skunked like us. You fall in occasionally like we do. Your site describes fishing that we can easily relate to and understand.
Don, if I don’t fall in at least a half dozen times a year then I’m not wading hard enough. Thanks for your kind words.
Dear Steve,
Enjoy your posts and musings, and weird sense if humor. Trust you will continue to educate the world on fly fishing.
VT Y
Dan Price
Sent from my iPhone
>
I’ll take weird as a compliment. Glad you enjoy it.
Steve, I won the flies last time (which were fabulous!), so don’t enter me this time. I just wanted to say that the site and your writing are superb. I click on the site every day right after the NY Times. Hope to hear about more striper expeditions this fall. Thanks again!
I’ll take 2nd place to The Times any day, good sir.
I would like to enter the contest.
I very much enjoy your fishing as “everyman” approach. To often I read about what appear to be these “king kong” fishermen who just get everything right all the time. When I read currentseams I feel as though a am reading something written by a terrific fisherman who wants to share both his triumphs and his failures.
Keep it up.
We all put our waders on one leg at a time. Those King Kongs get skunked, too. They just don’t write about it.
Steve congrats on your first 300 followers. And thanks for the karma you added to my fly order. The magic fly and squirrel and ginger are my fallback flies, when in doubt, they usually come thru for me . Steve, time to enjoy a Rocky Patel and a cold beer, here’s to the next 300.
Those flies don’t suck. And neither would the vitola and beverage. 🙂
Steve I’m in, I enjoy reading the vignettes about your fishing adventures. Your openness in sharing what you know with “no strings attached is refreshing” by the way I subscribed to the Mag and love the articles you’ve written. Congrats on 3 and keep it coming……..thanks Steve
I’m here to help, Steve.
Hi Steve, Congrats on reaching 300 followers…I am sure 500 is not far away.
I love the Farmington updates, but look forward to your posts on all subjects. Since I am an hour away from the Farmington I feel like I get a little taste of whats happening by reading of your adventures.
I am a subscriber to American Angler and get a real kick when I see your bi-line. Makes me feel like a friend wrote the article. Keep doing what you do…because its all good !
And of course, please enter me in the fly contest and good luck to all who enter.
Glad you like the articles. I have plenty more in the hopper for AA.
Hi Steve,
Please count me in. What do I like? Hmmm, let’s see. I guess what I like (in no particular order) is your folksy writing style, warm, casual and friendly. I like the adventures I live vicariously through those folksy blogs. I appreciate your honest reporting of what went on during those outings. I like the fly tying how-tos a lot. And I love cigars, and cigars combined with fishing and did I mention cigars?
Alton
You did mention them. I think.
John F.
Enjoy the fly tying info and the how to’s
Thanks, John. More on the way.
Hi,
Really like the different techniques on fly-fishing for stripers. I’ve always enjoyed chucking a clouser around the various CT outflows, but “trout-fishing” for striped bass is a cool concept. Hope to try it next season after spending Fall- Spring fishing (and attending college) out in Colorado. I’d love a shot at some of the flies, whether they be for bass, trout, or steelies.
Tight Lines,
Max K
Max, there is so much more to striper fishing than Clousers, Deceivers, and intermediate lines. All you have to do is say yes to it. Enjoy CO and good luck in school.
Hey Steve,
Love your enthusiasm about the sport and reading about your ventures. I wish to enter and the only thing I can say I’d like to see more of is your posts in general. Great way to kill some time with my breaks at work and know there are peoole as and way more obsessed with the sport than me. Love all the stuff I learn and witty lessons in your anecdotes
Me? Obsessed with fishing? Some day I’ll publish the story and accompanying illustrations from a fishing report I wrote in Kindergarten (really).
What I like about your postings is that you always convey the excitement of catching a fish. You’re like a little kid–me, too! Most of the old-time fishing writers are so jaded. They sound bored. Maybe they need to sling burgers or bag groceries for a few months. Thanks for your posts.I read every one.
You’ll be pleased to know that I have both slung burgers (college) and bagged groceries (high school). I have even dug ditches, although I’m trying to forget that. Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.
Hi Steve. Enter me in the contest! This site works because it’s informational in an informal and genuine way. Fly patterns are easily accessable when you want them. And the idea of swinging flies as a technique for striper and trout is a welcome approach. And any guy who displays his flies on used wine corks is great by me…
Wine is good. I’m going to have some tomorrow. What do you like to drink?
Please enter me in your contest. Love your witty writing style of sprinkling some humor with the information on the Farmington River. Also, that you understand that it’s always fishing, but not always catching! (as compared to other sites that never fail to score big)
Thanks, Steve. Today we caught a trout that was just beautiful — parr remnants, haloed spots, really a jewel of a wild brown. It was nine inches long. I think we scored really big. 🙂
Steve, Way to go on reaching the 300 milestone, congrats! I really enjoy the diversity of your articles. Salt, fresh, big and small coupled with tying tips and anecdotes laced with your sense of humor. The real life stories help as I reinvigorate my immersion in the “sport”. Thanks, You are now more than half way to 600! Keep us enlightened…
Rick, I appreciate your feedback. Glad to help you get immersed.
Hi Steve,
Congratulations on the milestone! As a Connecticut native, I enjoy the variety of the stories you post and especially enjoy hearing about the Farmington River, which was my home water for a couple years. It would be great if you’d throw my name in the hat for the flies. Thanks a bunch!
We really do live in a terrific state for fishing, don’t we?
Contest, free flies?? We don’t need no stinking contest to enjoy your blog – both the good, the bad, and the ugly! Finally someone who enjoys and writes about the anticipation and the hunt. How about exploring some trout waters other than the Farmington? (Well actually you never have enough flies so I do want to be entered in the contest.)
Good comment, Dean. The truth is, I am an incorrigible Farmington River whore. Hous in the fall!
Hi Steve, congrats on reaching a milestone. I began following your blog coincident with my rising interest in “wets”. The site has propelled my interest along with taking your class recently. Success comes in drib and drabs but it is coming thanks in no small part to tips in your blog. I have ” felt your pain”with your quest for stripers this year and hope for fall success.
Keep on keeping on, Dick. The day will come when the flood gates open. Help is here if you need it.
Hi Steve,
I look forward to reading your blog. I enjoy hearing about your escapades and the flies you use. I have been frustrated by the Neehami & tricos. Do you have any suggestions? I would like to see more fly tying videos. Happy Hatches!
I think those hatches are all about finding a feeding fish, then making a perfect drift. Active feeders are buying customers; yes, you still need to convince them, but they are already walking on the lot with their money out. The flies I use tend to be very simple, sometimes just a thread body, tail, and a CDC wing. Super sparse and super small.
I hope to get back into the tying videos this fall.
Hi Steve –
I enjoy the blog, and really find your writing great. I first enjoyed your tales and flies pre blog on the old SOL site. I rarely go there, but enjoy reading your blog and articles… and have caught a bunch of trout on the “magic fly” thanks to you.
Thanks for what you do – educating about fly fishing while keeping it simple and fun. Awesome!
Will
Hi Will, glad the Magic Fly is working out for you. It is certainly one of my favorites. Thanks for following.
I’d like to enter the contest. I’m new to flyfishing, I like to get out every weekend if I can. I like the updates and your wit, and love the pictures. I’m taking it in like a sponge.
Hi Lisa, it’s good to see a flygirl in the mix! Congratulations on your new hobby. There’s so much to learn, isn’t there? I still feel that way every time I head out.
Hi Steve,
Please enter me in your contest. I enjoy tying flies and most appreciate the step-by-steps (and videos!) of some of your favorite flies. A while ago, your posted tying instructions for the Drowned Ant and its since become one of my favorite wets.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks,
Zak
Hey Zak, the Drowned Ant is one of my favorite summer flies. I’m glad it is now one of your high-confidence patterns.
Hey Steve – Congratulations on the hitting the 300 mark. As someone who is intrigued by the wet flies but is more of a nymph fisherman, the tying and the success you have (and failures) has encouraged me to explore more of the fly fishing world by trying to swing some wet flies. I also enjoy the stories on the Farmington even though I have never fished it. It’s nice to see what people in the region are having success with.
Keith
Keith, I’m glad you’re giving the wet flies a go. Try fishing them as nymphs, too.
Steve,
Congrats on the success and please enter me into your drawing. I also am trying my hand at the blog thing as I write about the outdoors in Minnesota. Like your site and postings as it gives me a good idea of how fishing is going in another part of the country. Also like seeing the flies your tie as I am attempting to get into that arena as well just to occupy some of my time in the chilly part of the year….
Thanks for the information you provide!!!!!
Mike
Thanks, Mike, and good luck to you and your site.
Just the September Night for me. It’s my number one pattern. Nice blog and I read it often. Thanks Steve.
I tied a September Night the other day. It’s that time of year.
Steve, Don’t change a damn thing. Your open, honest, real approach with your humor is refreshing and a pleasure to read. I look forward to each entry. I am also a fan of soft hackle flies and enjoy
the ties you share. Please enter me in the contest.
You’re in. I’m so glad you like the site.
Steve
Why I read your blog and visit the site? If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say it is your creative take on the sport.
Additionally, high marks for, great photography and a clean, organized website design.
Diverse subjects, from tying to setting the hook, and fresh to salt water.
Honest assessment of what your efforts delivered, or not…
Specifics on technique, patterns, and tactics that your readers can replicate.
Appreciation for every tug and every fish taken, large and small.
Knowing you are out there in the middle of the night, in the rain, even if I’m not!
What would I like to see more of? That’s harder.
Insights on how and why you do what you do. For example, you are perhaps the most organized tyer I have ever watched work. Any thoughts keeping better organized, knowing what you need and knowing what you have, etc?
Always more on tying. Particularly your spin on old patterns (like the Magic Fly which has replaced my box of sulphur emerger patterns), and insights into materials you use.
Thanks for asking. Scott
Ha! That “most organized tyer” gave me a good laugh. It might be true that my materials are neatly compartmentalized when I take my show on the road, but my tying area is a disaster. Still, I’ll take the compliment. 🙂
Steve
Enjoy your sense of humor and true passion for the outdoors. Glad we had a chance to meet up on the Farmington in People’s Forest. Enjoyed meeting you and your willingness to share some of your stories. By the way the magic fly was a huge success! Keep writing and congrats on #300.
Jeff, you are one of many anglers who have done well with that fly. It is always gratifying to hear. I enjoyed meeting you, too.
Congrats on reaching 300 followers Steve, please enter me in the competition. I really enjoy your striper fishing reports and musings on fly tying! Please keep it up!
Kevin
Kevin, hopefully we’ll find some cooperative stripers this fall.
I’d like to be entered in the drawing…and I’d like to mention I was number 300 🙂 so haven’t had a chance to read all of your posts yet, but I mostly check in to read your writings on striped bass. I especially enjoyed the posts titled “Striped Bass: Meditations, Musings, and Observations,” and “Block Island All Nighter IX: It’s Father’s Day and I got my cake!”
I strive to use traditional fly rod and fly tying techniques for stripers too and I really enjoy reading things promoting that.
So you’re the guy who’s responsible for all this. Have fun exploring the site and good luck. As far as traditional fly rod fly tying for stripers…well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend.
Hey Steve – I’d like to be entered in the contest. I’ve been saltwater fly fishing for years, but want to start moving into the freshwater space. It seems daunting – I’m interested in hearing more about your suggestions on the best way for a novice to get up to speed and start to learn the basics.
You’re in, Steve. I think your question would be great for a currentseams Q&A video. What kind of freshwater fishing? Trout?
As I click and delete the many emails I receive, I always stop and read your blog. Enough said.
Indeed. Thanks! 🙂
Steve, please enter my name in your drawing.
I so look forward to your postings, very entertaining, very real…..
I don’t know if it’s possible but if you could, once in awhile, show the actual flies, setup, spacing that were successful for that posting. Specifically when fishing a team of wet flies. Otherwise, keep on keeping on to the next 300.
Thanks
Ed, you’re in.
In 99% of the cases, my wet flies are spaced 18″-24″ apart on the leader. The formula I follow can be found here: https://currentseams.com/2014/12/28/wet-fly-101-take-the-ancient-and-traditional-path-to-subsurface-success/
Steve, Congrats and on to 400. Appreciate the hands on explanations. Like more photos, equipment and technique explanations. Videos? Best, Tom \
Thanks Tom. I’ll try to get off my video butt for fall.
New to fly fishing, I’m always on the lookout for guidance. After working on the river with you, Steve, and reading your blog, I have learned innumerable techniques, kindled an appreciation for nature, and have had a blast!
Granted, there is a learning curve. While technical language follows most worthwhile endeavors, I struggle with jargon. Would you recommend a book or think about creating a glossary or create hyperlinks for definitions within your text?
Rob, that’s a fair point about jargon. I remember reading about “spinners” and wondering why we were talking about metal lures in fly fishing. Doh! I don’t have a book recommendation, but I’ll bet they could point you to one at UpCountry. The hyperlinks/glossary idea is good, but sadly I haven’t enough time to do that project justice. I’d suggest an internet search when jargon pops up. You’ll pick it up quickly.
Hi,
I am an Old fisherman of the Farmington River Years ago. First time was 1940!!!
Henry Hollis
You got me beat, Henry. I’m thinking mine was somewhere around 1973…
Please enter me in the contest. I enjoy your fishing updates, since I can better decide on my fishing trips to the Farmington.
Jim is in. 🙂
Hi Steve,
I’m entering the “contest” here.
I like your site for several reasons- I like your writing style and sense of humor, your content is current and relevant, it’s short, and enjoyable. Keep em coming. I look forward to reading them when I see them in my email box. I’d like to see even more info on techniques and reading water, kind of “best practices” that would make readers better fisher people. Flies on wine corks is great! Love wine and fishing.
Thanks.
What a coincidence. I love wine and fishing, too. What do you like to drink?
Steve
Please count me in.
What I like most – Currant seems doesn’t suck ….lol
Your willingness to share your knowledge in a great read.
Would like to see more steelhead and night fishing on the Farmington .
Thanks
Carl
I try to make it not suck. Thank you for noticing. Hoping to do some steelhead tying videos, and there will be a few night articles in the pubs next year.
Hi Steve,
I’m entering the contest.
I think I’m about number 139 on the followers list.. I love the sight – your pictures are great both the fish and the flies. Your daily messages have helped bring me to the water even though I’m playing caregiver in chief for my wife who suffered a stroke in late January. My time on the water is obviously quite limited but you keep me in touch with the fishing world with your enthusiasm, great prose and great pictures. You’re a wet fly man in the tradition of Jim leisenring whose first book taught me just about everything I’ve learned about wet flies. .
Keep up the great work! Tight lines,
Jack Swegel
Jack,
I’m sorry to hear about your wife, but I am pleased to be able to offer you some comfort even if it is in a very small way. Always a pleasure to meet a fellow patron of the wet fly.
Hi Steve:
Wow. There are MANY things that I love about CurrentSeams. Firstly, it’s authenticity – it is a perfect reflection of you and your personality which makes it truly unique. Secondly, it is completely practical and is free of any pretension – really helpful, thought provoking posts that are full of your passion and your love of fly fishing. Thirdly – the breadth of the topics that you cover and the humor that you bring to each post. Every post is fun to read and informative. I know that it takes a ton of work to create all of the content that you post to CurrentSeams and so thank you. It is very much appreciated by me and I am sure your other followers. Many congratulations on reaching 300 – very well deserved!
What would I like more of? I feel bad asking for more given all that you already do. However……. If pushed, I would say that I really enjoy your videos and find them very helpful. When you get time to do more then I will for sure watch and learn from them. One another possible idea – you could post links to the other blogs / podcasts / sites that you visit and enjoy on a sidebar on CurrentSeams to help others find them. Given how much content there is out there on the Internet (much of it bad) curation of quality content by trusted and respected sources has tremendous value. Hope that helps!
BTW – I would honored to fish with a selection of your flies should I be lucky enough to be selected in the contest.
Thanks Steve, All the best,
Matt
Kind words, Matt. Appreciate them.
I’ve hemmed and hawed about the links thing for some time now. The truth is, there aren’t that many other sites that I frequent. But I will revisit the subject and see what shakes out.
Thought I had commented earlier, but didn’t see it just now, so please add me as a late entry. Really appreciate your honest style of writing. You don’t just tell about things that work well, but also things that don’t go so well. That helps those of us who aren’t so privileged to get to spend so much time astream. I also love the step-by-step instructions for things. You really seem to simplify the sport, at least in terms of explanation. Your site is also very well written and put together. Thanks, and keep it up!
Dwight Leonard
You’re in Dwight, just under the wire, but in nonetheless. Thanks so much for reading, and your comments are quite helpful to me.
The 300 Followers contest is closed. Winners will be chosen soon. Thanks for entering, and good luck!