Fly Feature: Stealth Bomber
By Justin Pickett
IT DIVES AND IT GURGLES. IT SPUTTERS AND IT BUBBLES. AND IT JUST PLAIN CATCHES FISH!
The Stealth Bomber is by far my number one topwater fly pattern for warm water species. Whether I’m after smallmouth or largemouth bass, or targeting bluegill, it’s always in my box and typically gets tied onto the end of my tippet at some point during my outings. I typically carry them in 3 different color schemes to match different conditions. Check ‘em out! It’s an easy tie. And if you ever fished with a Pop-R as a kid, then you’re good to go! Either tie ‘em or buy ‘em in sizes #2-#6 depending on the fish you’re targeting. Fish this bad boy around floating grass, weed lines, lily pads, or any other submerged structure where bass and panfish like to hide. Vary your retrieve to find out what the fish are liking that day and wait for that take!
Want to add a fish-catching twist
Read More »Streamers Aren’t Just For Big Water
FLY FISHING TO PICKY EDUCATED TROUT THAT GET POUNDED DAILY BY FLY ANGLERS, CAN GET MANY OF US FLUSTERED AT TIMES.
It’s easy to find ourselves following everyone else’s lead on the water when it comes to pattern choice. Blue ribbon trout streams in Colorado come to mind, where the key to success is often sight-fishing with tiny nymphs on fine tippet. But even fishing the right fly patterns, you still are going to have to deal with hard to read intricate currents above and below the surface, of which, will constantly be trying to compromise your drift and fly placement. This is often the key factor in whether you fool or tip off the fish that your offering is not the real deal.
I’ll never forget a day on the upper Roaring Fork a couple years back that left me humbled to the core. I had no problem locating numerous trophy class fish. Hell, they were everywhere it seemed like, and often only a couple rod lengths away from me. Unfortunately, the majority of them were holding in all the wrong places, where it was almost impossible to get a good presentation and drift with my flies. I’d make what I thought was a perfect cast, and right when my flies were about to enter the target zone of the fish, I would lose my drift and the fish would slide off to the slide and give me the finger. An 11′ switch rod with a extra long leader was what I needed that day, but unfortunately, I left that rod at home. Those big beautiful fish on the Roaring Fork, gave me a whole new appreciation for PHD educated trout. They all seemed to know exactly where to sit and feed, just out of fly anglers reach. I finished that day with a few respectable mature trout and numerous other smaller fish that looked like they had been booted out of the prime lies. Knowing what I know now, I should have ditched the nymph rig and dead drifting, for a 2x-3x leader and a streamer. My numbers would have gone down, and I would have spooked some fish, but I bet I would have walked away from the river landing one of those truly massive trout.
It’s important to note that streamers aren’t just for big water, they can be equally effective on small to mid-size trout water as well. Having the guts to go against the norm and use different tactics from what everyone else is doing, can sometimes give you an edge. Instead of targeting trout that are
Read More »Reece’s 307
By Bob Reece
Change can be challenging. It can also be highly productive.
Through its simple construction and subtle adjustment of beads, Reece’s 307 avoids the strife while providing productivity.
My design for this pattern was to create a buggy and durable alternative to my typical bead head selection. The synthetic materials that I chose for the body along with the Plummeting tungsten beads, in mottled colorations, made this possible. The back end of the fly begins with a Flouro Fiber tail that leads to a wire filled stretch tubing abdomen. Ostrich herl and Ice Dub layer to form the buggy foundation of the thorax that is overlaid with a Thin Skin Wing Case. All of these elements combine to create the vulnerable profile of a transitioning insect. The naturally mottled tungsten bead provides the needed weight to get down while stepping away from typical metallic asthetics.
When fishing this pattern I often use it as a solo dropper for my dry dropper rigs. During non hatch periods I rig it two feet below my chosen dry. If hatch activity picks up I often raise my 307 to six inches below the surface riding fly. Indicator rigs also provide a happy home for this pattern. I typically run it as the highest fly in the setup above a Rolling Stone or Glo Worm.
Become a fan of buggy and outside the box. Throw a change up into your nymphing selection with Reece’s 307. It may be just what you need to close out your season on a high note.
WATCH THE VIDEO AND LEARN TO TIE REECE’S 307!
Read More »Sunday Classic / If You’re Not Looking For Trout, You’re Missing Out
One of the things I always stress to my clients is the importance of always keeping an eye out for trout on the water. The first thing I do when I walk up to a prime piece of trout water, is take a minute or two to scan the water for dark shapes, shadows and subtle movements. I do it before I wet my fly or even my boots for that matter, because I know, if I can spot a trout, I’ll immediately double my chances at getting my rod bent. I also look for trout when I’m wading from one spot to the next. This is where many anglers mess up and get distracted by all the great looking water upstream of them, and then end up missing opportunities to spot and catch trout in transit. I used to spook a ton of trout myself moving from one fishing spot to the next. It still happens but not nearly as much because these days, when I’m on the move, I’m not in a hurry and I take plenty of time to look for trout as I wade.
You have to look for trout to spot them. They don’t shout, “hey, I’m over here”, or wave a white flag at you.
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / A River’s Last Chance
The story of how the Eel River ran dry.
This beautiful film by Shane Anderson tells the story of how weed and wine dried up the Eel River, California’s larger wild steelhead and salmon river. It’s worth watching just for the footage of wild fish and giant redwoods but there’s much more to this film. This California river has a message for all of us.
CHECK OUT “A RIVER’S LAST CHANCE.”
Read More »New Spectrum Fly Reels From Sage
Three new reel families from the folks at Sage.
Sage has rethought their line of fly reels this season and introduces the Spectrum, Spectrum LT and Spectrum Max. These reels build on the Sage features we’ve come to trust with some new technology. All three families have sealed carbon fiber drag units, which use a new proprietary material. The size of each drag unit has been tailored to the size of each reel for efficiency.
The Spectrum is the all around model, while the Spectrum LT is an ultralight reel which doesn’t compromise on stopping power. The spectrum Max is a beast of a big game reel. There are several new colors designed to complement your Sage fly rods.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE NEW SAGE SPECTRUM FLY REELS.
Read More »4 Tips For Capturing Better Release Shots of Your Fish
YOUR BEST SHOT AT CAPTURING A GOOD PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU AND YOUR CATCH, IS FIRST HAVING SOMEONE ALONG WITH YOU THAT’S COMPETENT WITH A CAMERA IN THEIR HANDS.
But even a world class photographer will tell you, it’s extremely difficult getting those picture perfect photographs, if the person handling the fish has no clue what their doing. Some of my favorite fly fishing shots to look at are catch and release shots, because there seems to be something extra moving about capturing the release of a fish in a photograph. Problem is, release shots are often some of the hardest photographs to pull off on the water. You have to have satisfactory light and adequate water clarity, but even with both of those, much of your success will ultimately be determined by the cooperation of the fish your shooting. Below are four tips for capturing better release shots that Louis and I have learned through trial and error over the years. Followed correctly, they should increase your chances at getting that perfect catch and release shot.
Tip 1: Choose a Calm Stretch of Water for the Release When Possible
Fast moving water isn’t optimal. If you can find a nice eddy or a calm stretch of water close by, you’ll find it much easier to photograph a nice release shot. In most cases, slower moving water will provide you with better water clarity for showcasing the fish below the surface during the release. I’ve also found it’s much easier to handle and keep the fish in proper position in slower moving water.
Tip 2: Keep Your Catch Calm and Relaxed
Don’t be in a rush to get the shot. Keep the fish in the water and in the net until it has calmed down before you move forward with the release shot. This is especially true if you land the fish quickly. A hot fish generally will swim off so fast, it will be hard for the photographer to time and get the best shot. Your goal is to release the fish at a speed that lets the photographer shoot multiple shots. This will increase the chances you end up with the perfect photograph.
Tip 3: Use Your Arm For Better Control and Timing the Release
Read More »An Amazing Gift
When the package from Sightline Provisions arrived, I couldn’t wait to see what was inside.
Every day I make a concerted effort not to write about my dog. Today I get the chance. Since I brought Josie home from South Andros my life has changed for the better. This little Potcake, who nearly starved, has been the best thing to happen to me in years. She is the most joyful soul I have ever known.
When I saw Edgar Diaz, of Sightline Provisions, at the IFTD show, I told him Josie’s story. A wild puppy born under a bush at the Andros South Lodge during Hurricane Mathew, she was far too skittish to take food from the folks at the lodge. She was half the size of her siblings when she was three months old. Every year I see half of these adorable puppies disappear before they are a year old. When I looked into this dogs eyes I couldn’t bare the thought.
The problem was, she was impossible to catch. The guys at the lodge had named her Permit, because no one could catch her. I spent a week trying to win her trust, waiting for her to fall asleep, and eventually tossing her peanut butter laced with Benadryl. Nothing worked. On the last day, I was on the phone with my wife, telling her I was not able to catch the puppy, when I heard a cheer from outside my room. Jason Whiting had made a spectacular dive and grabbed the little Potcake.
I named her Josie, after my friend Josie Sands who guides at Andros South. I rib him about it but I hope he knows it is a true sign of affection. I am on a mission to make Josie the most spoiled dog on the planet and it’s coming along nicely. Potcakes are wicked smart and Josie has pretty much trained herself. It took only two days to house break her and the little dog named permit now follows my every command. It’s not often that she does something bad but when she does we call her by her island name, Permit.
Edgar Diaz, being a dog lover and generally cool guy, was touched by her story. A couple of months after IFTD a package arrived from Austin Texas addressed to Josie.
Read More »Sunday Classic/ Call Me Simms Boy, I Love My G4Z Waders
WHEN OUR BF GOODRICH VIDEO FINALLY COMES OUT, AND WE ARE TOLD IT WILL BE SOON, YOU ARE GOING TO NOTICE KENT AND I WEARING A LOT MORE SIMMS GEAR.
Simms, generously, stepped up and outfitted us for the shoot. This has lead to at least one of my friends calling me Simms Boy, but I don’t care. It was great having the right gear for the trip and knowing we could count on it but for me it was something more. It was a first. Believe it or not, I’ve never owned a pair of Simms waders.
I’ve used a ton of Simms products over the years and gotten really good service out of just about all of them but I’ve never ponied up and bought a pair of their waders. I know they are the best and the most durable and the most comfortable but honestly, I’m just a cheap bastard. More to the point maybe, I’m a poor bastard and $799 for a pair of waders has always seemed insane.
If Simms had not given me a pair of G4Zs, I don’t know if I would have ever known what I was missing. Sure, they are comfortable. They fit great, they’re really well designed but the thing is, I think they are a better bargain. Really! Even if I’d paid for them and I’ll tell you why.
DURABILITY AND VALUE
Only time will tell if I’m right but these waders feel indestructible. You can feel the quality pulling them on. The five layers of actual Gortex, that come
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / How Its Made
Ever wonder exactly what goes into that hot new fly rod?
I think a lot of anglers have no idea how many hours of work goes into the rod they fish. I’ve been fortunate to tour many rod shops and even try my hand at rolling a blank. It’s a fascinating process and it always amazes me how much difference the slightest change in process can make in ho a rod casts and feels.
If you’ve ever been curious about how graphite rods are made, this article on Midcurrent by Jim LePage is a great read and very informative.
HOW FLY RODS ARE MADE
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