Fly Fishing Stillwater by Gareth Jones

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THE OTHER HENRY’S

Mention to any flyfisher that you’re heading for Island Park, Idaho and they’ll immediately think you’ll be packing a selection of CDC and biot creations intended to deceive the wonderfully selective leviathans of the Henry’s Fork.

However, my latest visit to see Rene Harrop and the boys at the TroutHunter, was all about fly fishing the incredible Stillwater’s of the region, and more specifically, Henry’s Lake. The plan was to see how fishing UK flies and techniques would work on the great Cutthroat and Hybrids that inhabit the lake. This wasn’t the first time I fished the lake. I’d visited it ten years earlier, and I remembered enjoying some wonderful sport-fishing from a float tube, fishing damsels through the gaps in the summer weeds. Needless to say, I was fairly confident that some of my own fly patterns and techniques would produce on this trip, and I was excited to hit the water.

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Small Stream Structure- Woody Debris and Other External Features

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By Jason Tucker

Wood is good!

In the two previous installments I’ve discussed fluvial stream structures (holes, runs etc.) and substrate types. If a stream were a house, then the substrate would be the foundation and floors, fluvial structures would be the walls and rooms, and the woody debris and other structure would be the cabinets and furniture. If that helps. Understanding woody debris, and how it relates to the other features is key to your fishing success. The geography of where you’re fishing greatly affects its importance and utility to the fish. In Appalachian mountain streams a lot of woody debris simply gets swept away or pushed to the margins in slack water; in northern trout streams it is very important.

Woody debris. Trout use woody debris for structure and cover. It also provides homes and food for a lot of aquatic insects and is part of the basis for life in a stream. Don’t underestimate the power of woody debris to create fishing situations. Logs lodge across the currents and create pour-overs. Those pour-overs then create holes. Conversely, logs can lodge higher in the water column, forcing the current down and routing out the bottom. That also funnels food into the spot, a double whammy of food and shelter. 

Brush piles and log jams. Brush piles and log jams are trout hotels and provide vital escape cover from predators. As far as fishing goes they are some of the least interesting features in a stream to me. Look for fish to move out from them to feed on hatching insects. You can often tempt hiding fish into striking a streamer around the edges, and look for trout feeding on surface flies right on the leading edge where the current is sweeping insects into the wood. It’s a tricky spot to fish, and even trickier if you hook up. Be ready to put the cork to any fish you hook up on near wood. 

Individual logs. Here I’m talking about logs parallel to the current. Trout love these, especially if it’s slightly undercut or has a deeper channel next to it, whether it is fully submerged or breaks the surface. Try to spot submerged logs far enough away without disturbing fish. They’re great places for picking off individual fish. Often current is funneling food to the fish on and below the surface.

Man-made structures. No discussion of wood would be complete without discussing man-made stream improvements built by state agencies and conservation groups. Some of these are dynamite, some are duds. I’ve caught good fish from structures only to return to find the fish quit using them because the water level dropped. On some of the small streams I fish the nature of structures has changed. Instead of building hotels for the fish they’ve switched to placing trees and brush in the current to deepen the channel or change the current direction. Narrow and deep will hold more fish than wide and shallow. Fish will still associate with the structure, so always fish the features of the structure. They vary enough that you’ll have to decipher that. Some days a hopper placed right next to a structure in the current is just the ticket. 

Other man-made structures such as docks placed in a stream can likewise be dynamite or duds depending where it is placed in relation to the current, how deep the water is and so on. Landowners tend to place a dock where it is convenient for them to launch watercraft, or provide a good view for quiet meditation. Or drinking. A dock placed in shallow slack water won’t hold much; a dock in the current with good depth can work as a good fish holding structure, either to fish a streamer to, or float a dry fly down the outside edge.

Beaver structure. Beaver dams probably merit a whole chapter on their own. Trout tend to stack up on both sides of a dam. Fish the downstream side as you would any plunge pool/riffle area. Look for the deepest channel coming out of the dam to hold the biggest fish, but don’t ignore smaller chutes. Fish any dark moving water below the dam no matter how small the pocket. The upstream “pool” side of the dam will vary depending on water depth, age of the structure and whether there is structure and food above it. If there’s good current at the dam look for fish

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Western Fly Guide for Eastern Anglers

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By Kent Klewein

ARE YOU SITTING AT THE VISE DREAMING OF THAT BIG TRIP OUT WEST THIS SUMMER?

I get asked all the time by eastern fly anglers heading out west for the first time, what fly patterns they should stock up on before they leave. What percentage of dry flies to wet flies they should pack, what sizes, and should they pack streamers? The questions go on and on. I get most of the email inquiries from eastern anglers that are fixing to make their summer trip out west during the peak of the terrestrial season. For those that know me, you know that I’m the type of fly fisherman that carries gear for every situation on the water at all times, for the simply fact that I can’t stand being under prepared on the water. Here’s the truth though, if I’m making a trip out west during the terrestrial season, I usually lighten my load significantly and I only carrying the fly patterns that I think I’ll be fishing the most. If I’m going to be making a trip WY, MT, ID or CO I’m going to pack less nymphs, more dry flies and streamers. Colorado is a little more tricky, in which nymphs can play a larger roll than the other western states I mentioned, but if you travel their during the peak terrestrial season, my packing suggestions should work just fine.

Why do I lighten my load this time of year, you ask? Because the trout generally are easy to convince to rise to the surface and take a dry fly this time of year, and when they don’t want to rise to the surface, they almost always will devour a streamer. It’s not rocket science, the fish are optimistically looking up since a large portion of their food is found floating on or close to the surface during the summer months.

Let’s say I’m traveling to Jackson, WY in August, which is probably the most popular requested area out west that I receive questions about. Below are the fly patterns I will stock up on.

Dry Fly Box (Go Big, Many of these patterns suck up real estate)

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The Other Water Haul

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By Louis Cahill

Here’s an unusual, and highly effective, way to use the water haul cast.

Most anglers are familiar with the water haul. If you are not, check out the video and links I have shared below. The basic idea is that you use the surface tension of the water to load your rod for the cast. In stream fishing, this is usually done by letting the current take your fly line downstream until it is tight, then coming forward with your casting stroke. The tension of the line on the water loads the rod and the current serves as a backcast. This is a super effective way to make a stealthy presentation on small streams, but there is another way to use the water haul that’s just as effective on big water.

I most often use this technique in saltwater, but there are times when it’s really handy when fishing rivers or lakes. When the wind is howling off your casting shoulder, it’s tough to make a cast without the fly passing dangerously close to you, or worse, not passing at all. Using a water haul can help.

The problem with wind pushing the fly into the angler is born of slack. Even strong winds don’t have much effect on a fly that is under the tension of an energized line, but when you pause to let your line straighten before the next casting stroke, the wind has its way with your fly and line both. You can minimize the effect by using a Belgian cast. (See video and link below.) That usually works well, at least for a couple of false casts, but when the wind is really moving it’s not enough. It will work on your first backcast, but when you come back for the second, look out.

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South Andros, A Love Story

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I love the Bahamas. It hits me about this time every year. Just about the time I start pulling out the polar fleece and looking for my fishing gloves I start thinking about Andros. I love the cold weather, it’s not that, it’s just become a rhythm for me. This is the time of year I start thinking about bonefish and gully wash (the coconut milk rum and gin based fire water the locals drink). I start to crave conch salad and that sweet Bahamian bread.                      I think about warm breezes and cool sand when I should be thinking about migrating brown trout. I start checking over my bonefish gear when I should be prepping my Spey set up. I find myself looking at the weather for Andros when I should be planning my steelhead trips. I think about my friends there at Andros South and the friends I’ve made fishing there who live all over. Some of them even get a phone call. “Hey, what’s up? Done any good fishing lately? Going to the Bahamas this year?”. The other day I even bought a bunch of saltwater tying material. You never know, right? I got some leader material too. Better safe than sorry. It’s almost November and I’m making rum drinks while all my friends are settling into dark winter beers. I imagine they talk about me behind my back like I was a fool hopelessly in love with a girl who doesn’t know he exists. “Wake up dreamer, it’s not gonna happen”. Well, the world needs dreamers. I’m booking my ticket tonight. Try not to hate me. Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

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Should I start tying my own flies to save money?

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By Jason Tucker This is a question that pops up every week wherever social media may be found and a lot of times the answer you get is “NO!” But it’s not that simple so I’m going to offer you some pros, cons and tips including cautionary nuggets from my own experience. I would encourage most fly anglers to get into fly tying with some caveats. If you’re getting into fly fishing you may have noticed the price of flies- around $2 a pop for even a simple egg pattern, and quickly climbing. Most well-tied dries will run $3-$5 and those beautiful big pike and muskie patterns can run up to $24 a fly, with most trout streamers costing $6-$8. This means a dozen flies can cost you $30-$50 and a bad day on the water can get expensive fast.  We’ve all run into that guy on the river with multiple fly boxes stuffed full of beautiful flies he tied himself, handing them out like candy, and when you protest or offer to pay he says what I say- “It costs me almost nothing to tie these.” And he’s right, almost. So right off the bat I’m going to tell you who should not tie their own flies (and why not). If you are a casual fly angler who fishes a dozen times a year and has a good local fly shop, I’d say fly tying is a poor investment. You will probably spend about $400 dollars to start fly tying if you’re doing it right, and if you have good impulse control. You can buy a lot of flies for $400. Other reasons to not get into fly tying- not having a place to do it or to store materials, or having a family or work situation that doesn’t … Continue reading

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Save Your Saltwater Flies

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Have you ever put a saltwater fly back in you box while it was still wet from fishing?

If you have, you know the heartache of finding a bunch of your best patterns ruined by the salt you locked in there. It’s no fun. If you’re fishing on your own boat, you probably have a drying patch but if you’re wading or fishing with a guide, it’s hard to find a good place to store your used patterns. They too often end up lost or thrown away. Even if you keep up with them, it’s a pain to wash and dry them later.

I learned a good trick to save those veteran flies from one of the guides at Abaco Lodge. Just drink

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Working With Stretch Tubing

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By Bob Reece

I love flies that have both transparency and durability.  Incorporating stretch tubing into the construction of a pattern adds both of these elements.  In addition to this, manipulating the material and those that it’s paired with, can help produce more effective flies. 

Stretch tubing comes in the sizes of micro, midge and standard.  Micro is the smallest ranging up to standard on the large end of the scale.  This range of sizes provides a wide range of applications for patterns of all sizes.  For reference, I use the standard for nymphs size twelve and up.  Midge for nymphs down to size 18.  Lastly, micro for dries and nymphs size twenty and smaller. 

One huge benefit of the stretch tubing in comparison to solid vinyl ribs, is its elastic nature.  By applying different amounts of tension to the tubing, a tier can alter the diameter of the wraps that are laid down.  This allows for the creation of different natural tapers when imitating different bugs.

The color selection for stretch tubing is fairly extensive.  It is important to note though

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Fly Fishing Bass Ponds – 101

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Believe it or not, I’ve probably spent just as much time fly fishing on bass ponds in my life than I’ve spent traveling around chasing trout.

Fishing farm ponds is where I originally found my love for fly fishing. From 5th grade until I graduated high school, my daily afternoon routine consisted of dropping off my backpack, and picking up a fly rod until the dinner bell rang. I was religious about it, and many that new me may even argue I was a little OCD. Looking back on it all now, there’s a good chance I was, but it’s all good because it molded me into the angler I am today. That’s why, when I look back on those childhood memories or find myself randomly driving by one of those small 2-acre ponds, I pay my respects and give thanks.

Fly fishing for bass on ponds is a great way to get into the sport. There’s usually plenty of fish, and you always stand a good chance at catching them. One of the greatest things about ponds in my opinion, is that most of them are small enough to fish their entirety from the bank. And the smaller the piece of water you’re fishing, the easier it is to locate fish. If you don’t agree, go out on a big public lake, and you’ll quickly understand what a bonus this is for an angler.

The eight years and thousands of hours I spent fly fishing bass ponds growing up, I learned a great deal about fishing them. Below is a list of tips that I’d like to pass on in the hopes it will help others find success.

1. Casting parallel to the bank allows you to quickly locate where the fish are holding and feeding.
It didn’t take me long fishing ponds to figure out the best method for consistently catching fish was casting my flies parallel to the banks of ponds. The reason it’s so effective is because it allows you to cover water systematically and thoroughly. Furthermore, when you cast parallel to the bank you can follow your fly with the natural contours of the pond, work it along edges and keep your flies in similar water throughout your retrieve. Instead of spending your time casting out into deep water and working your flies back to you, start out casting your flies just off the bank, then slowly working your parallel casts outward into deeper water. Doing so, you’ll be able to locate where the majority of the fish are located and feeding, eliminate unproductive water and concentrate your efforts and first casts in the hot zones.

2. Bass are just like trout, in the fact that they go where the most food is located.
Warmwater species of fish are very similar to trout, in the fact that they spend most of their life span staying close to their food sources. The majority of the food found in ponds is located in close proximity to the banks. This is even more true when your fly fishing on ponds that lack lots of cover and structure. If you take the time to look along the banks, you’ll find bream and juvenile bass, newly hatched fry, frogs and tadpoles, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs and crayfish. All of these species use the banks and it’s vegetation in and out of the water for cover and safety. If they venture out into open water, they know their sitting ducks for predators. Bass use two methods for foraging on their food sources. They either set up stationary in ambush spots close to cover or structure awaiting prey, or they stay on the move, slowly patrolling the waters where the majority of their food sources are located.  The key here, is to have a strategy with your presentations. Don’t randomly cast your flies around the pond.

3. Bass can be spooky just like trout.
A lot of novice fly anglers seem to think bass pay little attention to their safety and feed with total abandon. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Maintaining stealth during your approach and your presentations can often determine whether or not you find success on ponds. Move slowly and quietly at all times, and make your

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Taming Your Buck Fever

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You’ve stumbled upon a sexy piece of water to find a big ‘ol trout feeding in the tail of the run.

It’s one of the biggest trout you have ever seen. The one that sends chills down your spine. Without a second’s hesitation you rip line from your reel and begin your back cast as you stare intently at this fish moving side to side in the current. You judge your distance as best as you can in the moment and you fling your flies behind you… And this is where things typically start to go wrong. Did you get tangled in a tree limb behind you? Or worse, did you catch some of the Rhodo creeping over the water on the far bank? Or maybe you just made a bad cast and piled your line up, right on top of the trout that is now hunkered back under the undercut bank? If not, then that’s great! But, the vast majority of us tend to get ourselves into trouble when we are faced with such a situation.

Buck fever is the damnedest thing. It still happens to me, and will probably continue to plague me. It happens to all of us. We’re having a great day, fishing away, casting smoothly, and we’re aware of what’s going on around us. Then we catch sight of the fish that haunts our dreams, and that adrenaline immediately hits our bloodstream. Suddenly, it’s as if we’ve morphed into a raging monkey swinging a football bat. We forget where we are, flies sling wildly through the air, and we stumble over every little pebble. We even bury 3/0 hooks into our backs. It’s a wonder that we don’t completely drown ourselves sometimes. As insane as this can get sometimes, it’s also completely normal.

Normal as it may be, here are a few tips to keep you grounded and put together so you can make your best presentations when they really count:

Stop! : Slow down grasshoppa! You feel that tingly feeling rushing over your body? That’s called adrenaline and it’s a monster. It will ruin the best of casters. Now is not the time

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