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It’s official… this Spring my family will be moving west to Northern California, so this is my last official GL tributary season. I’m going to love fishing in the west (I’ve been dreaming of it since I started fly fishing), but I will greatly miss my close friends I have made here in Western NY, and of course the fishing.
Also official… I am currently filming a winter based fly fishing short movie. I’ve been working with a very talented filmmaker and musician named Adam Kryder. Check out our new website www.rawwaterproductions.com for more info!
This winter has been season number two with my William Joseph WST waders, Squall Jacket, and Current chest pack. This setup remains bomb proof, efficient, and comfortable, even after a two-year beating. We have had a mild winter this season so far, but the coldest days were still no match for Willy J.
Finally, I had the pleasure of fishing with Matt Smythe a few times this winter. He put up a nice review of the Exodus pack a while back, and it was great photographing him and the pack on one of the craziest winter days we had all season.
Feb 21, 2012 | Categories:Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »
This newest addition to the line of Willy J jackets is made to trek into the wildest weather while staying comfy and dry. I put this jacket to the test on the first day. With temps in the low 20’s and blizzard like conditions I pulled up the hood, tighten the cuffs, and, zipped up for a long day on the water.
I was a little skeptical about the waterproofing of this shell with it really dumping. Almost a half day into it I was completely amazed I was still dry and warm. The wind was not cutting through and, the water was rolling off the material nicely. The fleece lined pockets did a good job at warming the hands after tying on flies, and releasing several fish. A full day and I was impressed so far, so good. I fished this jacket for the next several weeks enduring all sorts of late fall weather. The rain, snow, wind, and the occasional warmer day all felt nice, leaving little to be desired. As a whole the jacket seemed to stand up to some good abuse. The large pocket on the inside made it easy to store a box of nymphs and some tippet, making a quick jaunt to the water easy. I did how ever find that when the wind died down and the sun peaked from the clouds the hood was a little in the way. A little Velcro strap was easily secured to tie it down, not sure if it was intended for that purpose but it worked.
This jacket at $140 is by far the best way to keep the snow and wind off your neck this season. It seems I’m always putting my self into the wild weather of the West and feel comfortable that this jacket will do what is needed to keep me dry and warm. The colors are pretty nice and it fits well leaving enough room for a layer of warmth underneath. I did find that if the temps really dropped it was a little chilly without a good under layer.
At $140 though it’s hard to beat this well designed shell. I give it a thumb’s up for the Willy J crew. You will not find a better priced jacket for your hard earned dollar. So if you’re headed for the water this winter I would recommend you do it in the Squall. You won’t be disappointed and, you will still have enough cash to buy some flies and beer.
Nov 19, 2010 | Categories:Product, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Western NY Lake Run Trout
My William Joseph W20 boots have been getting a work out lately. The lake run trout season in Western NY is in full swing. The salmon are getting busy and the trout are moving in looking to eat eggs and find their own real estate for spawning
Most of the tributaries have been running low and clear, and we could use some nice fall rain. Regardless of the low flows, a little walking and a stealthy approach have helped me find a few trout that are willing to play.
My friends and I have been catching some nice Steelhead and lake Run Browns most in the 6-8 lb range, and a few in the10lb category, but no real lunkers to report yet.
Nov 09, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors, Product | Leave A Comment »
Paul Swint and I were able to put one last effort into some high alpine stillwater trout, before old man winter blew in. We had hiked in a few weeks earlier to do some recon looking to for large Brookies and Tigers. After a few whiffer swings at bat we found em! Tucked back deep in the woods accessed from a poorly marked trail we found a sublime little pocket filled to the rafters with silvery Colorado Cutthroats and some heavy duty Tigers. Once we deciphered the code we were rewarded handsomely. Not the biggest in this pool of a cool mountain masterpiece but hearty and gorgeous they were. This Lake was healthy in every aspect. Trout from the size of your finger to some that I dare say were over ten pounds. Plenty of food, spring fed to keep the deep freeze off, and potential to house a record class fish. Thanks to William Joseph for supplying our gear and we look forward to our return trip next year. 
Nov 09, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors, Product | Tags: http://finpusher.com/ | 1 Comment »
Great Lakes tributary fishing is heating up in Western NY. The weather has finally cooled off and we are getting just enough rain to keep the streams flowing. King salmon are running strong with trout following close behind.
Most of the trib fishing I do requires a lot of hiking, and Western NY weather is always unpredictable this time of year. From downpours and low 40’s, to bright sun and midday temps in the 70’s. One piece of gear that makes fall fishing comfortable is the William Joseph Rain Jacket. I’ve used several rain jackets in the past, some even double the cost, but none have come close to the comfort and quality of the William Joseph. The jacket is super light, it has waterproof zippers, a perfect fitting hood, and it even comes with it’s own stuff sack. Thank you Willy J!
Oct 19, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors, Product | Leave A Comment »
Willy J pro and Idaho local Devin Olsen takes The American Cup GOLD!
The American Cup is an international fly fishing competition held in CO. The competition includes teams from the USA, UK, Poland, Australia, and Japan. The US Team also took home the overall Gold.
Individual Results –> http://theamericacup.com/2010/TAC.2010.Individual.Results.pdf
Sep 26, 2010 | Categories:News | Tags: devin olsen | Leave A Comment »
Devin Olsen – Wind Rivers:
When most people think of golden trout they think of the small but brilliant fish from their native range in the Sierra Nevada. They rarely exceed 10-12 inches in most of the streams there and you might be able to catch one that goes a couple of pounds if you put in some time in some of the lakes there. However, when I think of golden trout I think of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. There are a few dozen lakes that hold goldens there. Most are remnants from stocking programs that brought them from the Sierras back in the 1930’s and 1940’s although the Wyoming Fish and Game just restarted it’s golden stocking program in 2004 so around a dozen or so more lakes in the “Winds” have goldens in them again. The amazing part about goldens in the “Winds” is that they can still grow to large proportions there despite being under ice for 8-9 months a year.
I originally wanted to catch goldens because they are the most beautiful trout around if you ask me. However, an added bonus is that they are not easy to catch in the lakes where they are well fed and they grow large. They are known for their deep dwelling habits 
that often find them grazing on zoo-plankton and scuds. Combine their sporting qualities with the grueling hikes that it often takes to reach their dwellings and the striking beauty of the glacially carved peaks and you have the perfect quarry if you ask me.
I’ve been chasing them in the “Winds” with my wife since 2005 and since then I’ve been lucky enough to find a few of the places where they grow over 20”. Here are a few highlights from this summer’s trip. You can view the rest of the photos from that trip and plenty of others from my webshots page at http://community.webshots.com/user/dolsen211
Sep 22, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors | Tags: devinolsen, williamjoseph | Leave A Comment »
Very few people pursue warmwater species with a fly rod here in Western NY. This creates an opportunity to have great success and in solitude no less! I can tell as winter quickly approaches I’m going to miss the hot summer days, wet wading and throwing big flies for bass.
This summer I have brought along my William Joseph tools on every warmwater adventure. Hemos are sturdy, very easy to operate and visible when you drop them in! The nippers also make rigging a breeze… the orange rubber grips allow accurate handling, and they cut through heavy tippet like butter.
Lucas Carroll
Sep 15, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors, warm water | Tags: Lucas Carroll | Leave A Comment »
Current – Mag-series
Oh so Elegant with its smooth snag free design, the Current offers three external pockets for sunglasses, tippet, and any number of other accessories. The Current will dock smoothly with most all other William Joseph carry systems, while providing you with the quickest smoothest access to you gear you will ever experience.
You might ask…Why is this product so unique and innovative?…well, its cause of the Zip-No technology.
The Zip-No system utilizes rare earth magnets, which we have converted into rope like strands that are actually sewn into place. The result is a watertight seal which closes exactly and perfectly under any condition every time!
Check out more of the mag-series here –> http://www.williamjoseph.net/Page.aspx/mag_series
Sep 07, 2010 | Categories:Product | 1 Comment »
This just in from our Northern ambassador, Brad Bohen……
“The Musky Tribe has been busy on the water, and not so much on the computer this season.
Musky Country has been hot and wet. It’s Paradise out in the backcountry of Upper Wisco presently. Water levels are up above historical high levels after a long six to seven year spell of drought. We are happy. The fish are happy.
The musky log is saying that I have 58 musky in the boat thus far for 2010. We have had to work for em…musky are NEVER easy…but they are taking flies with aggression and the remainder of the season is stacking up to be PRIMO.
Musky Country Outfitters is proud to be hosting the first of it’s kind musky on the fly conclave out of Boulder Lodge, 10/28 – 11/1st 2010.
More info on the Musky conclave and Brad’s adventures–> http://zero2hero-aftonangler.blogspot.com/
Aug 18, 2010 | Categories:Ambassadors | Tags: bradbohen, williamjoseph, willyj | Leave A Comment »
It’s official… this Spring my family will be moving west to Northern California, so this is my last official GL tributary season. I’m going to love fishing in the west (I’ve been dreaming of it since I started fly fishing), but I will greatly miss my close friends I have made here in Western NY, and of course the fishing.
