What a great day to be out fishing

The weather has warmed up and it is a great day to be out fishing. Ants are going to be the go to fly right now. For some reason trout love them. I would also recommend having some unweighted foam beetles. Get out and enjoy this great weather and fishing while it lasts.

My Favorite Fly-fishing Reel

I have to say that my favorite fly reel is an antique automatic that was my great-grandfathers. What makes it even more unique is that I still have braided nylon fly line that is still good on it and I have more stashed away.
The reason I love to use it is first that it means a lot to me to have it. Secondly, I like to play the fish while holding the line rather than reeling it in like I was bait or spinner fishing. I know that you can't do that if the fish is too big but as I don't do it with salmon or saltwater fishing I think I'm ok. I also really like to use the bamboo rod that he had as well. They are well balanced together and work great for me. I may not be able to cast as far as I would with newer equipment but as I am on smaller streams and rivers with a lot of cover I don't need to.

For Our Nations Heros

I have started a petition to allow disabled vets to hunt and fish for free. They have sacrificed and paid for it with more than money. Let them enjoy this nation that they worked to defend.

http://www.change.org/petitions/allow-disabled-veterans-to-hunt-and-fish-for-free

Hints from a guide part II

How many flies should you carry?
This is something that people really need to look at before each day fishing. That being said there are some guidelines that can help you stock your fly box for success on every trip. Also I am going to go over some ways to save your flies if they get smashed and the hackle isn't sticking out anymore and how to keep them working until you loose them on the river.
First when it comes to how many flies you should carry on a trip, unless you are a dry fly only type, you should carry 3-4 times as many midges and nymphs as you do dry flies. The reason for this is simple. You tend to loose more nymphs and midges than dry flies because of getting caught up on different subsurface obstacles like weeds, logs, rocks and you could loose it fighting a big fish. With the dry flies you are less likely to loose them that way because you have them on the water rather than under the water.
So when you're out and using your nymphs make sure you have enough of them and various sizes of each.

If you feel like you are unable go match the hatch and your starting to become frustrated you may want to just start pounding the water with wooly buggers. Its not as pretty or as satisfying as matching the hatch but it will save your day and allow you to catch fish and enjoy the day on the water.

If anyone is looking for any other tips or tricks for fly fishing go ahead and leave it in the comments or email me and I'll address it in another posting.

Fly of the Week

This week we are going to show a great summertime pattern that I love to use. I have caught more trout on it during the summers here than any other dry fly. I have several sizes that I like to carry. This is the Elk Hair Caddis.
Recipe:
Hook: size 10-20 dry fly
Thread: Tan
Hackle: palmered reddish to dark brown
Wing: cream or bleached elk hair

ISE

I spent the day at the International Sportsmans Expo and I really enjoyed it this year. I wasn't there as a exhibitor just a casual looker and there for fun. I have to say that the expo has continued to grow year after year. My favorite parts were, of course, the fishing demos, equipment vendors and the guides. My sons on the other hand was the dock dogs, the baby bears and the fishing pool.
Of the various fishing tackle suppliers I think I was most impressed with a small lure company that operates right out Utah here. Kokanee Creek Tackle Company makes some really cool lures using the latest in ultraviolet and glow in the dark technology on their lures. Their web site has a store for you to look at what they have as well as some tips on how best to use it.
Hope you have a great ready of the weekend and good luck out there.

Fly of Week

It seems like spring has already sprung so I'm pulling out a great fly that works on some really stubborn and pressured trout. Its the grey gnat. It works great for anyplace that has the little grey gnats and mosquitos. It's great for being a dry fly but also can work like a nymph.

Recipe:
Hook: size 24-16 dry fly
Thread: grey
Hackle: grey palmered
Thorax: grey dubbing
Tail: grey hackle fibers
Wing: grey hackle fibers upright and divided
Good luck and tight lines.

Fly of the Week

The Muddler Minnow. A great streamer for trout as it imitates the sculpin a favorite meal of large trout. It can be fished right along the surface and even used like a jig to test the deeper waters.
Recipe:
Hook: streamer sizes 2-14
Thread: 3/0 brown or black
Tail: matched Turkey quill slips
Overwing: matched Turkey quill slips
Body: Gold tinsel
Collar: Natural deer hair

Fly of the Week

This week we going back to a nymph style of fly. This week its the San Juan Worm. It is a great fly that can be used while nymphing or on a drop rig with an attractor.

Recipe:
Hook: scud hook sizes 10-18
Thread: matched to body
Abdomen: Ultra Chenille color of your choice and if you need it weighted some ultra wire coiled around the shank.

Tying tip: make sure you use a lighter to singe the tips so they narrow down to a point and look like a real worm. Don't do it too long though.

Some Hints from a Guide

There are a lot of things to remember while you are on the water looking for fish on a river that you're unfamiliar with. Here I have some tips to help you land some fish while you're out on your first trip to a stream or river. I'm sure that you've noticed that some people are able to get on the fish quickly no matter where they are fishing or how many times they have been there. I have to tell you that its all about reading the water like you would a book. Those currents and features will let you know where the trout are hiding in the water.
The first thing that you should do when you get to your fishing spot, even before getting your equipment out is go scout the stream. By that I mean you go and look at the water from the shore. Look at how it moves and where the rocks and trees are. Also look for any rises, they will give you a good perspective on what the fish are eating those days that you don't see the fish rising I have four sayings that will help you remember where to look for the fish. These work on all waters even the "featureless" rivers.
1. Foam is Home
When you have foam gather in a specific spot it shows that the water is moving slower there and that is where the fish will hide. Think of it this way the trout want to put as little effort as possible and get the biggest return possible on what they eat. So they are going to hide and eat wherever the water is slowest.
2.Rocks Rock
Rocky bottoms and large rocks slow down the water and provide lots of places for the trout to eat.
3.Wood is good
Drift wood that has settled into a spot also provides places for trout to hide and eat. Also the places with the most wood can shelter large brown trout during the day so remember where they are so you can go after the browns at night.
4.Made in the shade
Trees during the warmer months provide great food places for trout. The insects that fall into the water provide a plentiful food source and protect the trout from the sun. Trout don't like to be out in the sun too much because their delicate skin will burn.
These are just a few tips to help you find the trout and have a great day fishing. Good luck out there and lets go get some fish.