Happy New Year

Here is to having a great new year and I hope you get some tight lines.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy new year. May your flies land right and the fish be hungry.

There is still time

You can buy a gift certificate for a 4 or 8 hour guided fly fishing trip. We can email you the certificate and you can print it off. This will give a gift that will be truly memorable and thoughtful for the fly-fisher in your life.

We have made a station

We have a station up on ChannelCastier: Social News for your Phone or Tablet www.ChannelCasterApp.com Hey, check out the "Rasczacks Fishing Guides" channel (listed under Misc) I created in ChannelCaster! I hope this channel will be enjoyable for all Fishermen and fisherwomen. Especially those who love to fly-fish as much as I do. Any comments or suggestions please email me @ rasczack@rasczacksfishingguides.com

Bad news for Strawberry fishing

The Utah DWR has found whirling disease in the fish located in Strawberry. Every year they check for this and other problematic diseases in the fish populations. Fishermen and boating enthusiasts need to be taking head to he cleaning of all equipment prior to fishing in new waters.
I hope that it doesn't continue to spread to new fishing waters but I am no longer as optimistic about it.

Mysteries Internal: On Ethics.

Mysteries Internal: On Ethics.

So for today they have 13 hand tied fies for $8. Its for today only so you better jump on it if you need some flies.

Great Fishing

There is still some of the best fishing of the year going on in all the rivers. The brown trout are very active and you can get a lot of aggression strikes as well as feeding. I would recommend using streamers or nymphs.

Still Going

The Hoppers and terrestrials are still going strong even with the leaves changing. Its a great time to be fishing for those big hungry fish before winter. they really want to get all the calories they can get. The browns are in their spots eating all they can. When you think about some of the best fishing of the year combined with the beauty of fall its time to go out and get those fish.

Late summer

Right now the best rigs are hopper droppers and attractor dropper rigs. The Provo is good and the Weber is picking up. If you want to hit the big fish go early in the morning or late evening. Lets get out and get some fish!!!

Fishing the rivers

Right now is the perfect time to go out and fish the streams and rivers. We have tons of terrestrials and dry flies as well as nymphs that are hot right now.
There are some great articulated patterns that are working great great on the Provo and the Green. The Weber and the Logan are still running highg but the fishing has gotten better if you know where and what to use.

All active and retired military get a 10% discount through the end of August. Book your trip now.

Starvation Resevior and few other places

Starvation had some good fishing for me today. The fish are eating scuds and leeches so you have to get down below the surface to catch them. I was in a remote part of the reservoir and the fish were big. I didn't catch a fish under 16" the biggest was about 20". I didn't see one with the Cabelas tag for a million dollars on it but I'm going to keep looking.
I passed strawberry reservoir and it was flooded and looked like it was crowded. I also passed provo river and it looked great. I'm usually one to avoid it due to crowds but seemed like it wasn't crowded at all today. Jordanelle is looking nice for fishing as well. Lets get out and get some fish.

Saturday May 14 2011

I am planning to head out to Tibble fork that morning and hopefully make it up to some of the other lakes in the area. I love how picturesque it is up there even when I have been freezing to death. Hope that others can make it up there as well.

Flooding

with all of the run off and the rain it is harder than ever to get those fish on your hook. The best thing to do is to try small slower tributary streams and use heavy flies to get down where the fish are holding. If you're having problems finding the fish I would be happy to gelp you out in getting the proper location and depth. Lets go get some fish.
Remember we are posting how activr the fish are going to be the evening before on our Facebook page.

Our Facebook Page

Like our Facebook page and tell us your favorite place to fish and we will post the best times to fish for your spot the night before. We want to be your go to source for fishing info. Let us know what we can do to do that. All locations will be posted on Facebook only but other info about sites will be added here about what types of fish and best lures and bait for that time of year.

Tibble Fork

I fished Tibble Fork on Saturday morning and absolutely froze. I arrived there at 0500 and it was quite dark and overcast. Because of this I figured I would start off with bait and so I set up my spinning rod with a two hook set up the lower one had some Predator dough bait in green and the upper hook had a night crawler. The fish completely ignored the dough bait nut did nibble on the night crawler. They didn't take enough to get hooked it though. So I changed both hooks to nightcrawlers and waited. Still they just nibbled and ate most of the worm leaving only a small Parr left on the hook.
If you look at the population of trout there it seems that at the moment there are a lot of fingerlings and the few larger fish are very picky about what they eat. They were only biting on gnats and small dry flies. With the snow coming down while I was there it really wasn't the most enjoyable trip. I hope its warmer next time.

Overcast weather combined with all the run off makes for some really murky and low visiblity for the fish the best thing to fish with right now is some bait. The reason being is that the fish are looking forfood using their sense of smell and what ever settles into their holds. These holds are down where the current is slower so they use less energy and don't get washed away or hit with debris. The difficulty for fly fishing is quite high due to the speed of the water and the visibility. The trick is to use the heavy flies with tungsten to get down into the fish holds. Now lets get out and get some fish!!!

Big cottonwood canyon

I spent the afternoon up little cottonwood canyon fishing today and I just missed a BWO hatch that would have been perfect for me. I saw the last few BWO flying around. I tried a bead-headed nymph to no avail. I also tried a few scuds and other flies. It would have been nice to had made it for the hatch. I guess there's always next time. As it is the full moon today I will have to be out there for the next full moon and get in on all the good hatches for the season.

Pennaz Post: First Glimpse at Berkley's New NanoFil > North American Fishing Club

Pennaz Post: First Glimpse at Berkley's New NanoFil > North American Fishing Club

OK so I really want to try this line and see if it really is the what Steve Pennaz says it is. I'm pretty sure it must be good but it sounds too good to be true. If this really is this good I am going to start to use it as tippet and put it on all my spinning and bait poles. If anyone knows how to get some before June please let me know I'll give a very thorough review in all the uses I have for it.

Provo River

There was a decent hatch of blue winged olives (BWO) on the Provo river. This was a great chance to get out and get those fish. They were rising and taking as many as they could. I hope this isn't the last one before the spring run off makes it better to be bait fishing. With all the snow and moisture we had better be ready for a lot of run off. Let s get out there and get those fish!!!

Stone Flies

This stone fly is made on a woolly bugger Mustatad hook #10 with black thread 0/6, black dubbing, black wire, Goose biots for the wings and antennae. I found it works quite well for stone fly hatches. Hope I get to use them soon on a hatch.
Tomorrow looks like it will be good weather for fishing again and I cant wait to get out there. I was going to go out this past weekend but my son got sick and I was unable to. So now It's time to get ready for tomorrow. Let's Get out and Get fishing!!!

This Last Weekend

This last weekend we had some interesting weather that made it difficult to know where the best places would be for the fish. with the hit and miss aspects of the snow storms that were hitting us I figured that the cottonwood canyons might be the best places. That way I could get the fish between the snow flurries. The only problem I ran into is that the conditions were changing so fast as soon as I was set up I would have to change the set up. In retrospect I should have just used a woolly bugger and let the weather change until they started biting instead of changing flies so much. I was just so excited to be out in the water that i couldn't wait to try everything I had with me that day. I caught a few small ones but I feel I could have done better. Next time out I'll get some pictures of the place and the fish.

Intermediate Fly Fishing Equipment

Those of you that are looking for the right pole and you have some experience I would recommend the Orvis Clearwater II. Not only is it a nice pole for the money it also comes with a 25 year guarantee. It is the best rod for the money thats under $400. This set up is a 5wt so it's not for large waters but it does offer a chance to really feel the fight while working smaller waters. In my opinion the bast thing about fly fishing is the chances that you have to really feel the fish fight. As a bonus you get the reel line and backing as well as a case for it.   

Prime Time Fishing

Who is ready for the prime time fishing season to get started? I can't wait to get out there almost every day. Does anyone have a favorite spot they love to go that they want to tell us about? I love fishing the Logan River between 2nd and 3rd Dam. There are a lot of good pools and big trout all along that stretch of the river. I also like Little cottonwood canyon when I don't have time to drive up to Logan. There is a good spot right next to the road that has some deep pools and get cover for the fish. Let us know where your spots are.

Snow, Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day

As it's raining/snowing (depending on the moment today) I thought I would post another fly that is is fun to make and looks really cool when you make it. This is a frog pattern that works well with fish that regularly eat frogs, like a bedding bass. First you need two colors of 1/8" thickness craft foam of the color of the frogs you are imitating. some rubber leg material, red 0/6 thread or floss. You can also get some sticky eyes to place on it if you don't want to draw them. In order to get the shape right you will need River Road Creations: STP Frog Foam Body Cutter. This ensures that your frog is symmetrical, and in my case recognizable as a frog.  these foam cutters are available at Cabela's or Amazon. I've provided the links for here for both sites on the blog.
I hope the weather breaks soon. Lets get out there and get some fish!!!
Rasczack

Great Streamer for large trout

This Fly is tied on a 0/1 Mustad salt water hook and uses flash marabou through the fur. I used Deer tail hair for the main body. Natural color above and Lighter dyed color below to simulate the natural coloration of a small prey fish.
I love going after the big brown trout using streamers. By nature they more aggressive towards other fish and tend to eat more fish as they get bigger. This makes it so that they will hit a lot of lures that some people think are too big for the water. I have used six inch jointed Rapalas that look like juvenile rainbows and browns and I get huge hits. They also love to hit woolly buggers if you bring them in with an intermittent return.
Now lets get out there and get some fish!!!

Android Application

I am still working on creating an android fly fishing app. I hope you'll share some insight on what features you want available in it. I am hoping to have this done midway through the summer fishing season. If anyone has any tips on how to best go about getting everything working together on it please let me know.
Let's get out and get some fish!!!

The weather was wrong

So I guess I listened to the wrong weatherman last night. It's a bit cold but there isn't the snow that we expected.  I guess I shouldn't have planned my day around that. I could have gone out fishing today. So instead I'm at home looking at my equipment and thinking I need to clean some of it up a bit more before the season really gets going. I do enjoy the early season to get the rust out of my form. I just hope we have a great year as the summer fishing season really gets started. I'm going to head down to Cabela's and get a few more things as well. I'm just not going to make it down there today.
I'm going to take my son out fishing for his first time this summer and I'm looking for a fishing rod that he can use for a few years. I saw one at Cabela's but I'm not sure if I should go with it or get the little cartoon character  poles. I have always been impressed with the size of the fish some of those kids pull out with those cartoon poles. Well I hope you have a great day and now let's get out and get some fish!!!
Rasczack

ACT for children

As I said before we are helping ACT. They have decided to help  St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Idaho.


Come out for first Thursday in June 2011 and help change a child's life. ACT for The Children is the 2nd Artists Coming Together event. This year is going to be better than last year, and the best part is that the money stays right here in town :)

Don't miss the chance to meet new people, see great art, and best of all change a child's life. 

This year we are donating the money to the St. Lukes Childrens Hospital. It is the only children's hospital in Idaho. Making it very likely that you know a child that has been a patient of the hospital at some point. 

Check out our blog over the next couple months to get updates on the progress of the event. 

We hope to see you all there!

Today was nice

Today was a good day to get out and get some fish in the Salt lake Valley as well as the lower canyons. The insects have started to hatch but now that we have some snow coming in I'm thinking that streamers will be the thing to use once again.
I cant wait till it really warms up myself. I love wading in the cold water on a hot day casting my flies into the pools on the rivers and getting the fish to rise and take my fly. It's going to be a good summer. Lets get out and get some fish!!!
Rasczack

time to replace your Line and some of the old hooks

Fishing line is known for being hard to break when you're pulling on it. Unless its a monster fish that's doing the pulling. The key thing to remember is that heat, cold and UV light all break down the line so it becomes brittle and breaks in the cold water. To fix this the solution is simple buy some new line for your spinning rods and tippet for your fly fishing. That way you know your using the strongest line you can and its not going to give out out on you when you hook that world record fish. Also remember that color does matter when choosing a line. A clear line will work in most conditions. Some people prefer to have the green lines for muddy water. I haven't noticed an increase in hits using it so I'll leave to you.
Let's get out and get some fish!!!
Rasczack

More stuff for the Beginning Fly fisher

This guide has the best set up for the beginning fly fisher. It takes you all the way the way through to catching fish. It even has some chapters about how to read a river. The purpose of reading a river is to determine where the fish are going to be hiding by the patterns of the bank and ripples and eddies that you can see on the surface of the water. This what people usually hire a guide to do for them as it can be very tricky on specific waters. So if you want to read about casting techniques and what you need to be safe on the water this is a must have for new fishermen. Lets get out and get some fish!!!

Pennaz Post: Fishing’s Hottest Secret! > North American Fishing Club

This is all about being able to fish around thermoclines. This will help you catch more fish once the thermocline sets in. Lets get out and get some fish!!!Pennaz Post: Fishing’s Hottest Secret! > North American Fishing Club

Fly Fishing Beginner Equipment

I know that people that want to get started fly fishing may look at the cost of the rod and reel and not want to anymore. Really you can get started for no more than you would for a spinner fishing set. The increase in cost comes with an increase in performance. That being said the new fly fisherman cannot get the full performance out of the more expensive equipment. If you are looking to get a starter set and want to learn how to fly fish I would recommend the crystal river fly combo kit. This kit teaches how to tie five basic knots has line and a tapered tippet. It also comes with a DVD that walks people through the casting technique. While this can help people start to be able to cast it still helps to have someone teach you the timing and how to control the excess line and wind knots that can occur. This is also 8 feet long and is a 6/7 wt rod that is perfect for trout.

We have a Mobile site now!!!

We have a new mobile site for those that want to use that to keep up with whats going on. We will try to keep both sites as up to date as possible. That being said it may be harder to keep the mobile site up to date. So we have a link to our blog here on the mobile site. Please let us know what you think of it. Now lets get out there and catch some fish.

Lots of wind but warm

I think its a little too windy for fly fishing the Canyon streams. Its definitely a day for bait and lures. Good luck to everyone that goes out today. Let us know how out do. Feel free to email us pictures and stories the best ones will be posted here.

Fly fishing Equipment

I am using an antique bamboo fly rod with an antique automatic fly reel. I have several fly reels that are The modern manual reels and I have a fiberglass rod. I just like the feel of the older equipment better. Why have they gone away from the automatic fly reels anyway? I think its more fun to fight the fish with my hand on the line controlling the drag and really getting a feel for The fish. I feel like I'm closer to nature when I do it that way.
I will admit that if you are going after the big fish that can pull line out real quickly you might want to have the manual reel. But I just don't want to give up my automatic reel and bamboo rod. What kinds of equipment do you use and do you have any that you don't want give up even though its now considered obsolete? I would love to hear about it.

Android App

We are starting to create a fishing app for android phones. If you have any ideas about what features you like have please let me know. If you have ideas for a name that would also be helpful. Lets get out and catch some fish!!!

ACT

We are starting a partnership with ACT. That's Artists Coming Together. As those who design and tie flies are also artists I felt it was appropriate to put the word out on the mission and aid that ACT does. Last year they raised money for relief aid for Haiti. This year they are taking ideas and planning to do several events to help people in need. The address for the blog is http://artistscomingtogether.wordpress.com let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources blue ribbon fishing spots in Utah.

more snow, no problem

If you need something that will work catching some trout be sure to bring your wet flies and some blue winged olives. The nymphs will be sure to get some good strikes but you will still want to use a strike indicator for those sneaky ones.

How Great it is to live and fish here

Where is your favorite spot to just look around and enjoy nature? I have a few places that I love to look around and enjoy nature. We are so lucky to have so many things so close together. We can enjoy world class fishing d be close enough that we can go see a movie that night or take or wife or girlfriend out to dinner. I love just going up the Cottonwood canyons and fishing for a little bit just to forget the world. Does anyone else have any close by places that they fish when they have limited time? If you do where are they and why do you choose to go there.

Its Cold Again

Well here is that snow again. Although with all the wind it wasnt very conducive to fly fishing there was the chance to just bait fish or use lures. Now that the cold is back its time look at your fishing stuff and figure out what needs to be tuned up or replaced. I'm hoping to find a decent spinning reel and more hackle for my flies.

the cold will be back

The cold weather will return again and so Wednesday the 16th is the last day to enjoy the spring like warmth for a bit. Best to get out an enjoy It. As always email me if you need a guide to find a hot spot for tomorrow.

warm weather

With the warm weather the fish have started to bite more and some dry flies are starting to work however streamers and nymphs are still the best bet.

Fishing Report

Right now midges and nymphs are the way to go with fly fishing. Salmon eggs and some streamers such as a woolly bugger are a good way to go as well.

New stuff going on.

Well I have decided that I am going to provide a guide service for fishermen who want to learn some good spots and teach people how to fly fish. If anyone wants to go fishing on the Logan river, the Provo river, the Weber river, or the Cottonwood canyons I can take you to the best spots. I accept cash,check,and credit cards. Feel free to email me at rasczack@gmail.com
thank you.