"Basic Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing Outdoor Safety Tips"

Review these basic tips before heading for the hills...

-Michael

=========================

Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing:

"Sky-High Packsack

The best way to pack for entry into the highest country is smart and light.

The most important item is a quality three-season tent with a full rain fly. Bring snow stakes for extreme elevations.

Your sleeping bag - down or synthetic - must carry a 20-degree rating and come with a ground pad.

Other essentials include a space blanket, first-aid kit, knife, headlamp or lightweight flashlight (extra batteries), pack stove, layered clothing, waterproof clothing, stocking cap, extra food, toiletries, waterproofed matches and backup lighter.

For skilled cross-country navigation, it's important to have accurate maps, an altimeter and a compass. GPS units can be used to accurately pinpoint current locations and waypoints when landmarks aren't visible. Whichever system you use, you must be able to depend on it while navigating in a pea-soup fog. Practice will prepare you for times when it really matters. -- Kevin Miller"

"Fish Biologists Reveal The Best Lakes To Catch Trophy Mountain Lake Trout!"

Want to learn which lakes to spend your time casting for the big one?

"Fish Biologists Reveal The Best Lakes To Catch Trophy Mountain Lake Trout!"

Discover the secrets to picking the best lakes for catching Monster Mountain Trout by reading the article below!

-Michael

=======================

Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing:

"HIGH-LAKE TROPHIES

Most high-elevation lakes in the West were fishless until pioneers, miners and loggers transported fry into them more than 100 years ago. These days scheduled stockings take place by state game departments in lakes where natural reproduction doesn't take place. The lakes vary in elevation from 2,500 feet to over 10,000 feet.

Trout species vary with those elevations. At the lowest, to mid-elevation alpine lakes, one might find eastern brook trout or a mix of brookies, rainbows and cutthroat trout. At mid- to high-elevation lakes different strains of cutts and 'bows are common. Golden trout are deposited mostly at the highest elevations.

You'll know you've discovered the mother lode of mountain trout when you begin gauging them with a scale instead of a ruler. I'll never forget my first trout taken from a mountain lake. It was 14 inches long and weighed no more than 2 pounds. I soaked my hind end in a snow bank all day for just one fish; but that stout little rainbow will always be a trophy in my mind.

For others, the bar is somewhat higher. As a general rule, rainbows, cutts and brook trout over 3 pounds and taken from a wild environment are adequate rewards. Goldens are typically smaller than that; a 3-pounder is a world-class fish. At around 20 inches, high-lake trout start putting on pounds instead of additional length. You can find torpedoes in that class that weigh anywhere from 3 to 5 pounds.

How can you find fish like that? Biologist Mike Haynie of the California Department of Fish and Game says the first step is finding a suitable body of water. "In a healthy lake, a fish in the wild could take two years to reach 12 inches," he said. "Things that affect the size of trout include water temperature, species, the amount of feed available, fishing pressure and the types of organisms in the water. A 16-inch fish from one of our mountain lakes is a nice fish. Contact your local fish and game region and ask for the names of lakes that produce these larger trout."

Jim Byrd, angler education coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, agrees with Haynie. "Each region has a number of field fish biologists assigned to different counties. That's the best source of information on what's producing well," he said. "Some lakes are planted for trophy potential, some are planted to maximize recreation."
Lakes must provide the right combination of features to be considered potential trophy producers. "You want adequate depth, so you won't get any winter kill or summer kill," Jim explains. "Summer kill results when all the inlets dry up, and the lake gets too low. Winter kill can occur when a shallow lake freezes."

Discover a lake with good cover, adequate water circulation and plentiful insect life, and the result could be an exceptional fishing opportunity with consistent numbers of heavy-grade mountain trout."

"Discover Proven Mountain Lakes Trout Fly-Fishing Flies!"

Remember - To Catch The Bigger Trout...Think Protein!

Take a peak at the flies that Paul Kaminski uses to catch monster high-altitude lake trout!

-Michael

====================

Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing:

"FLY-FISHING ON HIGH

Some might consider Paul Kaminski a fly-fishing radical. Anyone who returns home from one of these trips with a collection of insect specimens to match at his tying bench could be accused of that.

'Forget those small little dry flies,' Paul says. 'They hit damsel nymphs like a ton of bricks. I think a lot of people use anything that looks buggy on the surface, but bigger fish are after protein.' Paul regularly catches fish in the 2- to 3-pound class on his hand ties fished on 4x and 5x tippets. 'You've got to be gentle. It can take you quite a few minutes to bring one close.'

Damselflies with four to five wraps of lead wire get Paul's offerings down, and a twitching motion seems to draw large fish. 'You have to play with different retrieves, and you really have to match what's out there,' he says. 'They get really finicky on size.'

Putting together a trip takes planning. Not only do these guys know their maps but they also spend hours mulling over potential trips. They all agree: The more grueling the journey, the better the fishing will be. 'The farther the better,' Newberry agrees. 'No trail? Even better! There will be much better potential for bigger fish.'"

Simple Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing Tips!

Check out this simple fish-hooking setup...

It can't get much easier than this!

-Michael

Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing: "'My all-time favorite lure is my Shirley Special,' says Schillhammer. 'It was named after my mom. Let's say you lost your tackle box. You just take a bare No. 8 hook and tie on the entrails of trout. Then you tie on some grandfather's beard, you know, the yellow moss that grows on trees. Then you need a few wraps of red yarn off your shirt, or your underwear - wherever - and drag the whole thing along. They'll bite 'em!'"

"Exposed! - Tight-Lipped High Lake Trout Fishing Secrets..."

Some of the best fishing I've ever done has been in the high-altitude alpine lakes of the Oregon and Washington Cascades and the remote lakes in the Olympic Mountains of Washington.

These trout strike hard, jump out of the water and taste oh so good when cooked over a campfire with a little butter, salt and pepper!

Enjoy the article...

-Michael

=================

Mountain Lakes Trout Fishing:

"If your quest for trophy trout waters yields only run-of-the-mill results, it might be time to look upward. Mountain lakes have long been treasured as quality fisheries by the few who visit them.

By Kevin Miller

You don't find much written about high-mountain trout fishing, mainly because high-lakers are a tight-lipped group of sportsmen. While ordinary fishing secrets leak out and soon become common knowledge, high-lakers take their silence to the grave.

It's always puzzled me how guys can trek for days into such high and wild country and come home with nary a story to tell. But deep down, we all know what's going on: These guys are loading up on trophy-size trout and keeping it to themselves!

Can you elbow in, and take part in some of the action? Yes, you can, and it's probably not as difficult as some insiders would have you think. Before you take a stab at it, however, ask yourself a few key questions: Are you willing to dish out the effort it takes to poke into rugged terrain at air-thin elevations? Can you ignore clouds of bugs and challenging weather conditions? Would you be able to dismiss sore muscles, three-day-old socks and snoring tent partners? If you've answered yes to these questions, you have the makings to become a high-laker trout bum."

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead - Part 3

We've Saved The Best For Last!

Probably the best part of this entire article is all about Reading the Water and How To Present the Fly, Hook The Fish and Land Him On the Bank.

Don't try to horse these fish around like a trout or you'll lose it!

-Michael

===========================

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead:

"READING THE WATER & PRESENTATION

The next step is getting into the river and identifying places where steelhead are most likely to hold, more commonly referred to as 'reading the water.' The better you are at reading water, the more fish you will hook.

Tail-outs on the downstream end of pools are classic steelhead-holding areas and are easy to work on a wet fly swing. But pocket water, especially boulder-strewn riffles between rapids, is also often productive. So are the cushions of 'soft' water upstream and downstream of large boulders and snags, especially those shadowed by overhanging trees.

The goal in swinging a fly is to present it in front of the fish, preferably broadside to the current. To do this, you usually need to take up position upstream of the lie and cast at a downstream angle to the holding water. The angle of presentation will vary, but 45 degrees downstream of your position is a good place to begin.

Feed the sink-tip along with a few feet of running line through the guides and let it hang downstream. Determine the amount of line you want to shoot with your cast, and gather that much line in loose coils in your non-casting hand. Roll cast to bring the tip to the surface, lift it off the water, execute a conventional backcast and shoot the slack on your forward cast. (Flyfishers most familiar with floating lines often forget that sink-tips must be brought to the surface with a roll cast before they can be cast conventionally.)

The moment your line lands on the water, toss a large upstream mend. This creates slack that allows the fly to sink. Mend only once; it isn't easy to change the course of a sink-tip after it sinks.

Follow the line downstream with your rod held high until you feel the tug of the line, and then lower the rod. The leader and fly should now be deeply sunk and in line with the rod. Then slowly lead or swing the line through the holding water.
Sometimes it is effective to pause briefly to let the fly "hang" in the water above a promising slot or depression, and it is a good idea to let the fly swing around for a moment at the conclusion of the swing. Then strip the line back upstream and roll cast to bring it to the surface.

A steelhead may intercept your fly at any point during the swing, but most strikes occur near the end of the drift, as the fly rises and picks up speed. Steelhead often jump early in the battle, and when that happens you need to throw slack into the line by lowering the rod tip to prevent the fish from breaking the leader.

Once the steelhead begins to run or thrash, it is critical to get slack line back on the reel. Steelhead are much too strong to be stripped in as trout and bass often are, and flyfishers need the assistance of the reel's drag to wear the fish down. It is also important not to horse a steelhead on fly rod. The safest way to fight it is by letting the weight of the rod and line wear it down. It is important to maintain constant pressure, and it is also often necessary to move with the fish, especially if they make long runs upstream or downstream.

It may take a while for everything to come together for a novice winter steelhead flyfishermen. It took me most of two winters before I landed my first fish with a fly rod. Intrepid anglers will eventually hook and land their first winter steelhead. And if that's you, slow days and frustrations will be replaced by a glow displayed only by those who have accomplished one of fly-fishing's most celebrated achievements."

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead - Part 2

Great tactic here for getting your fly down to the bottom where these monsters are hiding!

Fly Selection: As always, in my belief...Simple is better...

-Michael

===============================

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead:

"SINK-TIPS & THE WET FLY SWING

On larger water, water that is too deep to wade and too far to cast across, the wet fly swing is the most effective method of presenting a fly to winter steelhead.

The tactic consists of casting the fly at an angle downstream and letting it swing across the face of the current. When fished in conjunction with upstream mends, sink-tip lines and heavy flies, the wet fly swing lets an angler get the fly quickly down to bottom-hugging winter fish and work it slowly across the steelhead's field of vision.

Although many specialists have embraced long, two-handed Spey rods in recent years, a 9- to 10-foot single-handed 8-weight remains the classic winter steelhead fly rod. With it, an angler can cast the heavy lines and flies employed in winter and mend line to control the drift of the fly.

Sink-tips for winter steelheaders come in two basic categories. The shorter, lighter tips are designated by numbers such as Type III or Type 5, and sink at roughly the number of inches per second of the number (i.e., a Type 5 would drop at a rate of five inches per second). Heavier, longer tips, such as the popular Teeny Lines and Rio's Dredgers, are indicated by their weight-per-foot in grains, such as 225 or 350. Type III through Type 6 lines are usually most suitable for waist-deep runs, pocket water and tail-outs, while anglers who fish heavy water and deep pools favor longer tips. Leaders are short for winter steelhead, typically between 3 and 6 feet, and they are usually around 12-pound-test, without taper.

Fewer fly patterns exist for winter steelheaders than, say, for trout, but there are enough of them to confuse a beginner. As with steelhead lines, however, the novice steelheader can simplify fly selection by separating them into broad categories: traditional patterns such as the Skykomish Sunrise, marabou spiders, rabbit strip leeches and egg patterns.

Traditional patterns are effective over a broad range of water conditions, and their compact design and heavy hooks allow them to sink quickly and remain upright in heavy water. But marabou spiders and rabbit strip leeches have overtaken traditional patterns because of durability and their motion in the water. They are also easy to tie with inexpensive materials. Egg patterns, such as Glo-Bugs, are effective in cold, clear water."

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead - Part 1

Adopt Techniques Used By Guides and Veteran Anglers To Hook Monster Winter Steelhead!

This is Part 1 of the series on How To Catch Steelhead.

Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way to hooking into these monsters...

-Michael

===========================

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead:

"Fly patterns have been used to catch steelhead for as long as West Coast anglers have pursued them. Long before the days of monofilament line, graphite casting rods and spinning reels, California fly anglers took winter steelhead from the Eel and Russian rivers. Early winter steelhead fly fishers also took fish on Oregon's North Umpqua River and Washington's Kalama.
Syd Glasso, the legendary Olympic Peninsula flyfishermen who created the celebrated Spey flies that transformed winter steelhead fly design, regularly filled a punch card each winter before the end of February and used a fly rod to entice every one of his catches.

While experts such as Glasso made it look easy, enticing, playing and ultimately landing a winter steelhead on a fly rod is a major achievement that usually requires an incomparable commitment of time and effort. Fortunately, it is neither as impossible nor as daunting as some would portray such an endeavor.

One way to illustrate that fact is that guides put fly-fishing clients, who presumably possess widely varying levels of skill, onto winter fish on a regular basis. How? The guides put them into areas where there are fish, then provide the right tackle and teach their clients how to fish for winter steelhead.

While booking a trip with a winter steelhead fly-fishing guide is an excellent way to obtain an introduction to the sport, anglers who would rather fish independently can also increase their catch potential by adopting the techniques used by guides and veteran anglers.

Late winter and early spring is also when many wild winter steelhead return to the rivers, and their metabolisms are often stimulated by warming water temperatures."

"How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead..."

These next 4 posts will be about How To Catch Steelhead on a Fly-Rod. Thanks to Game and Fish Magazine for the use of this and numerous other articles about Fly-Fishing...

Some really great info here...

-Michael

===========================

How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead:

"How to Catch Your First Fly-Rod Steelhead
Follow these tips and you'll fast be on your way to one of fishing's most exhilarating experiences!

By Doug Rose

Taking a steelhead on a fly rod is one of angling's most celebrated achievements, and especially so when targeting winter-run fish.

While summer-run fish in desert and southern rivers tend to respond eagerly to floating flies on dry lines, winter steelhead are more than likely hugging the bottoms of rivers and loathe to feed in high-flowing, cold waters. They've long been one of the most challenging of fly-fishing targets.

'You can't catch them on flies,' was a constant refrain when I began prowling winter rivers 20 years ago. Of course such a statement then was absent truth just as it would be today."

"When Big Bugs Hatch..."

Here's a great article that tells you all about the Hex Hatch...Great info if you plan on tying on one of these flies to your line.

-Michael

======================

The Hex Is On:

"The largest of the mayflies, for all you Latin lovers, is the Hexagenia limbata, commonly referred to as the Hex. These giant yellow mayflies inhabit lakes and the slow, meandering sections of some rivers.

This is an extremely fickle hatch. Hexes are even more sensitive to weather than green drakes or stoneflies. I would advise against loading up the truck for your big Hex adventure until you've called a few fly shops or talked to other anglers about the condition of the hatch.

The nymph of the Hex spends daylight hours buried in mud. A couple of hours before dark they start to move about and feed. Fish a weighted nymph just off the bottom underneath a strike indicator. Using a jigging motion, lift the fly just off the bottom and then allow it to resettle in the silt.

Just before the sun kisses the horizon, adult mayflies begin hatching. Forget about light presentations on light tippets. A big, cumbersome Hex makes quite a commotion on the surface. Let the fly sit, and then twitch it periodically to imitate the struggling of the naturals. Since you're fishing at or near dark, there is no reason to fish a light tippet. Start with a 2X leader and work your way to smaller tippets if you get refusals.

Cripple patterns are extremely effective when imitating the Hex. The Quigley Cripple on a No. 8 hook is a good choice. For a standard adult pattern, the only one I have relied on is an extended-body Parachute on No. 6 and No. 8 hooks.

Most dry-fly action takes place at or after dark. Be sure to check local regulations before fishing at night. Always bring a headlamp and plenty of mosquito repellent when fishing a Hex hatch. -- Justin Karnopp "

"Learn How To Catch Big Finicky Trout With The Big Bugs!"

Learn these guide tips from Justin about how to fish for trout in the late spring and early summer. Often it's more than just the fly...It's how you present it!

I've heard this over and over again and I fully believe it to be the case.

Enjoy the article...

-Michael

=======================

When Big Bugs Hatch:

Late spring/early summer marks the annual hatches of big stoneflies and mayflies, and the annual migration of anglers who come to cast meaty flies to meaty trout.

- Justin Karnopp

If his first drift was perfect, the fish would probably take. But if he short-lined the drift, the fish would refuse and not come back. It would take significant slack to get a good drift, and then he would have to remove that slack quickly when the fish took, but not too quickly, because of the way that trout generally take stoneflies. Then he would have to pull the fish hard to the left to keep it from wrapping around the snag just off the bank. "Go ahead and make your cast," I said.

Understandably, the guy gave me a quizzical look and asked, "Aren't there some easier fish to catch around here?"

"Nope. These fish have seen a lot of flies the past two weeks. They're still taking stones, but you have to be able to put them into the little crannies that they have retreated to," I replied.

"I thought that trout were supposed to be easy to catch during the salmonfly hatch," he said. I've heard the same comment dozens of times over the years, and you probably have too.

When summer spurs the hatches of big bugs such as the salmonfly, golden stone, and green drake mayfly, anglers flock to Western streams to get in on the action. The big attraction of these hatches is three-fold: One, it is just plain fun to see fish come up and take big dry flies; two, this is the best time on many rivers to hook the biggest fish that elude anglers the rest of the year; and three, the aforementioned angler's perception seems to be a widely held belief.

Many anglers think that if they show up during these hatches they are sure to leave a good chunk of the trout population with sore lips. This isn't always the case.

First of all, these hatches are weather-dependent. Stoneflies like warm, sunny days, and drakes like overcast and a little rain. I've been blessed with days when I've had both, and a smorgasbord of big bugs drove trout into an all-out feeding frenzy. However, this is not the norm, and weather is not something that is within our control. Due to the popularity of these hatches, trout are under intense fishing pressure and become skittish. Anglers who come prepared with some fundamental presentation skills, the right gear, and realistic expectations can enjoy these fantastic hatches to their fullest.

"The emergence of the big stonefly species and the big mayflies is no secret to the legion of fly anglers who have these events marked on their calendars annually. The trout catch on quickly, and those anglers armed with the right patterns and techniques will come home with big-fish stories."

"Expert Tips Revealed For Catching Speckled Trout on the Fly..."

Take a look at this article about catching Specks on the fly. Sounds like a hoot!

What do you think? Is Fly-Fishing the best method for hooking into these fish?

-Michael

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Specks on the Fly:
By Carl Warmouth

Often anglers are surprised to learn that there are times when a fly rod is the best instrument for fooling speckled trout. Listen as the author reveals some of these situations.

The guide eased the skiff quietly toward the dock as I stood, fly in hand, ready to cast. The halogen lights on the dock lit up elongated circles in the black water and surrounding night air.

'This dock doesn't hold a lot of fish,' he said, 'but the ones that are here are big. You'll probably only get one or two shots at them before they spook. If you don't hook up now, we'll come back later.'

My eyes worked hard to focus on the fading area between the brightest water and the dark, looking for a target to cast to. The guide's prediction was right on, as it had been for the previous 10 or so docks we had fished that night. Three nice fish, about 24 inches long, lay like logs in the water, just waiting for something to eat. The tide was falling hard, sucking water out of the bay like a giant, draining bathtub. I made a cast upstream of the dock, just beyond the range of the lights, and allowed the shrimp-imitating fly to drift well into the light. I gave the fly one strip and the line went tight. A nice fish, about No. 50 for that night, charged under the dock, then back out. The trout next headed up the current, then down, then made a blazing run into the deeper water of the bay. A few minutes later I was releasing the best fish of the night alongside the boat.

Few people would dispute that speckled trout, or specks as they are often called, are among the most sought-after of all Gulf Coast game fish. However, the number of anglers that pursue them with fly-casting gear, although growing, is small when compared to other angling methods. I suspect the reason for this is that some people are intimidated by the whole concept of saltwater fly- fishing, and others are just skeptical that it can be as productive as the methods they are familiar with.

This is a shame, because speckled trout make for fantastic fly-fishing. Their tendency to frequent shallow water, wide range of habitat, abundant numbers and willingness to hit a fly make them perfect candidates for anyone with an interest in fly-fishing - novice and expert alike."

"Top 10 Indispensable Go-To Trout Flies Revealed!"

Stick to these Top 10 Flies and you'll be sure to catch most of the hungry trout out there...

-Michael

==============================

10 Indispensable Trout Flies:
By Doug Rose

These time-tested patterns will put you into fish more often than not — and save you valuable time from searching for that just-so-perfect fly.

A lot of flyfishers fall deeply under the thrall of trout flies. They like to fish them. They like to tie them. They like to accumulate the materials, be they natural or synthetic, employed in fly recipes. These anglers' fly boxes are stuffed with patterns that imitate virtually every insect, forage fish and terrestrial that trout prey upon in rivers or lakes. For these anglers, it isn't enough to carry a mere grasshopper pattern - they carry a Dave's Hopper and a Joe's Hopper and a Chernobyl Hopper.

"Fortunately, anglers don't have to confine their fly selection to two flies. But most flyfishers will probably take nearly as many trout with far fewer patterns than they usually carry. In fact, you might actually catch more fish. As a part-time fly-fishing guide, I have observed that most anglers spend far too much time pondering fly selection and far too little time considering how to present the fly to the fish. Most trout fishermen would, similarly, profit greatly by spending more time practicing casting and less time at the tying bench.
If you ask 10 veteran flyfishers to list their indispensable trout patterns, of course, you won't get two lists that are the same. But the dry flies, nymphs, wet flies and streamers listed below would earn a slot in most expert trout angler's fly boxes. For beginners, this list is also an excellent foundation upon which to build a fly collection."

"Exposed - Fly-Fishing Patterns For Nailing Bluegill"

Here's a good article for all you Bluegill and Crappie fishermen out there...

Just goes to show not all fly-fishing is for trout.

Anyone ever eat BlueGill or Crappie? Decent Meat? I'd imagine they are mostly bone.

-Michael

================================
Game & Fish Bluegills Fishing:

"I cleared about 30 feet of line off the reel, made a simple double haul and laid the popper gently on the water's surface, about 10 feet off the bank. I didn't even have time to twitch the fly before a fat, hand-sized 'gill sucked the fly under."

....

The main thing you want to remember, when going after panfish like bluegills, is to keep your tippet as light as possible. A 4 weight is fine, though a 2 weight is likely better. That's especially important if you'll be using slow-sinking flies like an ant or worm. The thin diameter line will sink faster. Also, the lightweight tippet won't kill the action of a popper or slider.

Catching assorted panfish, specifically bluegills, on lightweight fly rods is a hoot. I've been using a 2-weight, 7 1/2-foot fly rod for years. The next best thing is to go with a 1 weight. Catching panfish is all about having fun. The super lightweight rods allow even the smallest panfish to show its muscle. A 4-weight rod is about as heavy as you want to go. Otherwise, you'll overpower the fish and cut down on the action.

The patterns discussed here will work throughout the summer months from top to bottom. Get three or four of each of the flies mentioned and you'll be set for some classic panfish angling.

Leaky Waders Can Be Fished In Another Day...Just Watch Out For Those Blackberry Bushes!

How many of us just go out and buy new waders or accept having leaks vs. just fixing them?

Read the article below and learn how to easily repair pin-hole leaks in your waders....

-Michael

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise9.htm:

"As I was looking over the damaged waders I was explaining to my customer how to properly find pinhole leaks and the proper method for fixing them. The first step is to spray the areas that you are feeling the leaks with regular rubbing alcohol. Within seconds you will notice little black dots appearing on the material. These are the areas that you will need to work with. Since alcohol dries rather quickly, you may need to spray more that once to find remaining holes. Once you have found the culprit holes, you will need to have some form of sealant handy. My preferred sealant is Aquaseal. This is available by itself or with Cotol. Cotol is a drying agent that will increase drying time. "

Remember The Golden Rule When Fishing...

Amen Brother!

Treat Others Like You Want To Be Treated!

The guide that wrote this short article on River Etiquette is dead nuts on in my book.

Most of these rules are common sense for the courteous fisherman, however not all are that smart.

Maybe the Fish and Wildlife services can post these rules in their rule books. Might be a great way to get these rules out to the masses. Especially the newbie fisherman that may be totally clueless as to the law of the land...or...ummm...water :)

-Michael

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http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise8.htm:

"The subject of river etiquette is a touchy one. While one angler might think an action is all right, another angler could be extremely offended. The following will demonstrate some common points in the world of fishing and etiquette, dealing with both bank anglers and boaters. ...

...*For the most part, the enjoyment of fly-fishing isn't so much catching fish, it's the experience of being in the water, enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the river, trying to trick Mother Nature. The one thing that can ruin all of that is an ignorant angler, invading upon the area and disrupting the peacefulness of the moment that the other angler is experiencing. If we all follow these general rules, and treat others as we'd like to be treated, then our fishing days will all be great, regardless of how many we catch."

Great Jaw-Bending Set-Up For Western Steelhead!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise7.htm:

"As I waded out to the upper end of the first run I was very careful not to make too much commotion. It was 8:30 am, the sky was gray, and the air was magically motionless. I never make my first cast to the prime water, experience has taught me to work my way slowly across to the other side."

====================

Great Tip and Awesome Story about Fly-Fishing in November on the Trinity River of California for Steelhead. Sounds like Sandy was in them thick! Way to Go!

-Michael

The 3 Key Knots to Fly Fishing Success!

Don't lose gear or worse yet, lose a fish!

Check out this page for the 3 most basics knots you'll need to master when fly-fishing.

-Michael

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise6.htm:

"One of the most critical areas of knowledge leading to confidence on the stream is knowing that your Knots are tied correctly. While there are entire books written about knots and how to tie them, for most freshwater situations you really only need to master the following three:


� PERFECTION LOOP
� SURGEON'S
� IMPROVED CLINCH

While many others would also include the reel backing knot and nail knot, it is not included because they are usually done at the shop where you bought your line or when they load it on your reel. Instructions for these two knots are included in the package with your new line. The knots included here are the ones that you will be using ninety nine percent of the time on the stream.

Let's start learning them in the order we would use them while preparing for a day on the stream. To connect the leader to the butt section of the fly lines, use the perfection loop. "

"A Secret for Hard Fished Waters"

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise5.htm:

"With todays burgeoning ranks of new fly fishermen, the amount of pressure on well-known, quality trout water has increased, in some cases significantly. This means fish are seeing more flies. Often, the same patterns over and over. This can lead to a 'negative conditioning response,' or a situation where the fish start to ignore, or shy away from flies they see too much of, or have been hooked on too many times. These trout get the deserved reputation as being 'tough', or highly selective. A prime example of this would be the fish in and around Hat Creek Powerhouse II. It's not unusual to see 8 or 10 anglers fish for hours for only 4 to 5 fish. That's tough! "

=========================

Sounds like some of the places up here in Washington. Almost all of the waters up here are crowded that way. Up here we call it "combat fishing".

Me personally, I like to have some peace and solitude when fishing. Often I'll try out other areas of the same body of water just to get away from the crowds.

I'd be curious to hear how things are in other areas besides Washington and California. Is this sort of thing happen elsewhere as well?

-Michael

P.S. Great advice in this article BTW.

The Perfect Last Day - What It Takes To Catch A Steelhead...

Wanna know what it takes to catch a steelhead? Well, read this awesome story about one being caught on the Trinity River. Those fish are smarter than most fisherman. Just hooking into one is only half of the battle...Keeping one hooked is another story!

==========================

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise4.htm:

"This opposite shoreline, at one point, had caught my attention. The overhanging brush and irregular shoreline created one of those perfect lies. My mind imagined a good fish resting just off the bottom. I placed myself directly across from that spot. As I cast the golden stone I could tell that it was going to fall on the water far enough upstream to allow my fly to drift on the bottom, right by the fish's nose. Maintaining that all- important contact with the fly, the line drifted until it was slightly downstream from me. At this point in the drift, a take would normally be a slight hesitation in the speed of the line. To my surprise and pleasure, the rod lunged downward and the line started racing downstream. It had been a long time since I had experinced a strike that forceful directly in front of me. All I had to do was raise my rod tip and I instantly knew I was into a mature Trinity River steelhead. If I let this fish have her way, within seconds she would have found refuge in the tangles of a downed tree. I leaned on my rod at a downstream angle with as much pressure as the tippet would allow. Luck was on my side; I was able to turn her head. With a boil on the surface this bullet turned toward the center of the stream. As experienced steelheaders know many fish are lost in this initial run. I was spared that fate. "

Wow, I Didn't Know They Made Jacket's Like These...

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise3.htm:

"As I pulled my arm out, I did not feel cold, nor did I feel wet. I squeezed the water from my sleeve (arm down of course) and did not feel the cool water on my skin. Wow! It's not 'water proof' I thought. I took a few steps back to my spot and continued to fish. I was very comfortable and happy. Happy that I had purchased what was and still is 'the greatest jacket in the world.' "

==========================

Anyone ever used one of these Simms Windstopper Water Resistent Jackets before? They sound great...Hard to believe the guy reached into the water and his arm didn't get cold....Is this another fish story?

-Michael

Revealed! Trout Season Opener Pro Tactics!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise2.htm:

"Well, its that time of year again. We're fortunate to live in a part of the world that boasts some great year-round angling, but there is something about the mountain stream opener that always jacks my anticipation level into high gear. Beautiful native trout, hungry and naive after a long winter without any angler pressure-sign me up!"

=====================

If you've been hibernating all winter, this is a great time of year to go fishing!

This article emphasizes the waters of Northern California, but the tactics revealed here apply to all trout fishing.

Enjoy,

Michael

Don't Always Listen To The Guy On The Bank!

Don't Always Listen To The Well Meaning People On The Bank!

You know the kind...The friendly guy that's just full of advice.

These folks decided to drift the river anyway and had a great time and caught a ton of fish to boot.

As always though, remember that anytime you step foot in the river, you're taking a risk.

-Michael

===============================

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise1.htm:

"What a great day to be on the river! When we got down to the access, there was a nice man who began telling us about his friends attempting the same float, but never made it. He made a few other remarks to try and persuade us into not attempting our journey. We chose to ignore his advice, as my PAC 800 had already proven it could handle tougher waters than these.

The rest of the day consisted of catching fish, shooting rapids, getting a tan, and having a great time.

The three of us used three different methods to catch fish. I chose to high stick the faster water with a double nymph rig. A size 12 Hare's Ear with an olive Bird's Nest (#14) did the trick. My friend Mike chose to use an indicator with a Bird's Nest (#12) and an olive Poopah (#14). Our other friend, Mike, used a dry with a nymph dropper. All three of us caught a ton of fish through the entire float. It was amazing to see how many fish were in the tailouts. These fish would stare up at us as we floated by, at least the ones that we didn't catch. "

Don't Scare the Fish!

This is a great article that tells you the best way to not scare the fish that you're trying to catch!

It's amazing that some people spend all this time rigging up their gear and then due to the way the fly moves through the water, the fish are actually repelled by it!

They even include a nice diagram for the best way to rig your indicator.

Definitely learn something here folks...

-Michael

==============================

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/vise.htm:

"'Lower Sacramento Indicator Set-Up'

The following information and image are those of the proper indicator set-up for the Lower Sacramento River. The most difficult part of fishing the lower Sacramento is getting set-up with the correct gear. This river is stuffed with football shaped Rainbow Trout that have a wonderful food source. The only way to peak the interest of these fish is to make your fly seem as real as possible. Many of us think that our fly is doing exactly what its supposed to when it is underwater, but that isn't always the case. Much of the time the fly is either pushing or pulling the line through the water, causing the fly to look out of place. This, in turn, causes the fish to spook or move away from the feeding zone.

**ALERT !!!! -- NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAILS have been confirmed in California rivers!

http://www.theflyshop.com/report.taf:

"**ALERT !!!! -- NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAILS have been confirmed in California rivers. The snails are very tiny and highly reproductive. The problem is created by their high numbers--billions of them--soon they cover every stone, log or other object in the water. In the process they will consume all the algae that other, more desirable trout stream invertebrates need to survive, including mayflies, stone flies and caddis flies which are vital parts of the food chain. A collapse of the food chain may result in a collapse of the fishery, plus the birds and otters that depend on the fish for food.

Be sure to wash/bleach your wading boots and gear before heading out to another river. Actually, someone just finished a study and here's what they found. Mix equal parts Formula 409 Disinfectant and water then soak gear for 5 minutes. If this method is not possible, spray gear with the same mixture from a squirt bottle and keep wet for 5 minutes. This has shown to kill 100% of the mudnsnails with minimal damage to gear. Pay particular attention to the inside of boots, under laces and inside tongue gussets! Let's help to stop the infestation whenever and wherever we can!! Educate yourself and take responsibility, assume there are snails everywhere. The future of our waters are in YOUR hands! Do something about it! "

===================

Wow, this can't be good...If you fish these waters, please do your part.

-Michael

"The Fly Shop" - A One Stop Shop For Northern California Fly Fishing...

If you're looking for info about Fly Fishing the waters of Northern California, this is a great place to spend a little time.

Their website features stream reports, info about their guide service and fly fishing camps, their own product line of flies, info on the best places to fish in Northern California and much much more.

Before heading out on the Trout, Salmon, Steelhead trip, take a look at their site and if you're in need of a guide service, why not give them a shot?

With the info they provide on their site, I'm sure they give you a straight deal and make sure you got into the fish!

Tight Lines,

Michael

Ever Fished The Hat Creek Riffle?

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/hatcreek.htm:

Fly Fishing on Hat Creek

The section on Hat Creek from Powerhouse #2 down to Lake Britton provides an array of quintessential fly fishing water; it is where the serious fly fishermen spend their time. This section of river is 3.2 miles long, all of which is designated as Wild Trout water with Trophy Trout restrictions.

The Wild Trout section begins at Powerhouse #2, where the creek cascades down a long riffle before tapering off into the deep weedy water below. This riffle is probably one of the most popular - and productive - portions of water in the entire state. Every day of the season there are likely to be several anglers working the riffle. Despite this constant pressure, the riffle fishes well throughout the seasons, with dry fly hatches occurring almost every day and great nymph fishing when the fish aren't rising. "

===================

Sounds like this body of water could be quite the challenge. If you're confident in your abilities why not give it shot?

A bad day fishin is still better than a good day doing something else :)

-Michael

Yuba River - Dry Fly Fishing At It's Finest!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/yuba.htm:

"In addition to the fantastic dry fly fishing, the Yuba is famed for its strong, hard-fighting fish. Many of these wild rainbows exhibit frequent reel-burning runs and red-sided aerial displays. Each and every one of these fish, especially when taken on a dry fly, will erase all memories of 'the one that got away.' "

=================

Sounds like a fish story.

Nah, just kiddin'...Often rivers like this that don't get a lot of fishing pressure have some of the hardest hitting fish. At least that's been my experience. What's yours?

-Michael

Is This The Finest Wild Trout River in California?

ttp://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/pit.htm:

Some people seem to think so...

Just don't fall in the Pit :)

"There is some truth to these statements. The Pit tumbles down a steep, rugged canyon marked by a seemingly endless array of slick boulders. The hiking can be arduous, and the wading can be tricky.

But for those adventurous anglers willing to work a little, the rewards of fishing the Pit River are well worth it. The tough reputation of the river keeps many anglers away, making the Pit a great place to get away from it all. Each and every pocket of water on the river holds fish, and amazingly large fish at that.
These wild, football-shaped rainbows are the definition of strong-willed and hard-fighting. Many anglers, after finally summoning up the courage to test the Pit's tumultuous waters, have remarked that it is arguably 'the finest wild trout river in California.' Indeed, the strength and power of these scrappy rainbows will astonish any angler who challenge and conquer the Pit.

It is a pocket-water fisherman's dream-stream, flowing through a scenic canyon that is littered with boulders of all shape and size. These boulders, and the oxygen-rich waters flowing around them, provide the perfect sanctuary for dozens of species of aquatic insects. This massive food source enables the feisty rainbows to grow big, fast, and strong. "

This sounds a lot like the fishin' I used to do as a kid down on the Upper Coquille River in Southern Oregon. This type of fishin' was a blast. If you couldn't bring home trout for dinner after a day's fishing on this type of river, then you must not have gotten your line wet!

One thing we as fisherman must always keep in mind is safety. Be careful when walking across those mossy slippery rocks...I've busted my ass quite a few times and it ain't no fun.

Kinda puts a damper on the day and you'll be feeling it for a few days later :)

Have fun,

Michael

Test Your Skills on the Gin-Clear Fall River!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/fall.htm:

"Limited public access is only one of the many reasons that Fall River is so popular with spring creek fishermen. The valley that the river winds through is spectacular, with the visages of both Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen watching over the region. Wildlife abounds, with ducks, geese, otter, muskrat, eagles, osprey, herons, and deer (to name a few) all making their appearances from time to time along the entire length of the river. It can be difficult sometimes to concentrate on the fishing with all of the shows Mother Nature puts on around you.

The wild trout in the river, however, are certainly the biggest draw of all. The fishing is technical and demanding because of the gin-clear water, but with a competent guide these incredible fish become accessible to anglers of all skill-levels. We are often asked about the best time to fish Fall River and the answer is simple and usually the same: "Whenever you can get there!" The fish and wildlife are ever-present, and the insect hatches reliable. Anglers can expect thick numbers of PMD spinners starting in May, Tricos and Caddis all summer long, the famous Hexagenia in June and July, and great Baetis hatches throughout the late summer and fall."

=====================

Wow, this place sounds like a challenge. I like the fact that it doesn't get a lot of pressure, like much of the rivers up here near the Puget Sound of Washington.

Sounds like the best way to tackle this river would be to get ahold of a guide and let them show you the way to get er' done!

-Michael

Massive, Powerful Fish Shatter Rods on the Trinity River!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/trinity.htm:

All of these fish are full of fight; hook into one and you'll be the one that's really hooked! They are the true acrobats of the freshwater world, frequently jumping and thrashing about on the surface of the water in between reel-blazing runs and powerful rod-throbbing head shakes.

Traditionally, steelhead have been known as 'the fish of a thousand casts.' Indeed, in most watersheds that hold these sea-going rainbows, hooking a couple of fish in a week of hard fishing (often in inclement weather) is considered a good week. We're fortunate, however, to have the Trinity River, where our guides average 4-8 hookups a day and double-digit days even occur from time to time. This is some of the most consistent steelhead fishing anywhere. "

===================

As a Salmon, Trout and Steelhead fisherman myself I could only imagine what it's like catching one of these monsters on fly gear.

I've never broke a rod before but I'm curious to hear if you have.

There must be some monsters in the Trinity!

-Michael

Don't Lose Your Focus On The McCloud River!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/mccloud.htm:

"The river itself is unlike any other, cascading through boulder-strewn pocket water into emerald pools. All of this cool, aerated water creates perfect conditions for stoneflies, and the McCloud has lots of giant Salmonflies and Golden Stoneflies. When these big bugs are hatching, it's feast time for the trout!

There are also lots of caddisflies in the river, including the massive October Caddis, as well as multitudes of mayflies. The incredible insect life on the McCloud are another of the things that make it such a marvelous fishery, with various dry flies rising consistently throughout the season and productive nymph fishing in all of the many pockets and pools. "

======================

Sound like a place to take the family on a camping trip...

Mmmm...I can taste it right now...Fried Trout with butter, salt and pepper!

Anyone hungry?

-Michael

New to Fly Fishing? Here's a Great Place to Learn...

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/uppermccloud.htm:

Upper McCloud River

The Upper McCloud River, near the base of Mt. Shasta, provides Northern California anglers with crystal clear, ice cold water everyday of the season. A perfect place for beginning anglers, or younger anglers. The Upper McCloud can, at times, be absolutely loaded with aggressive rainbows, browns, and even the occasional brookie. Dry flies often work well all day long, and a small mayfly or stone nymph dropped under that dry fly will almost ensure success when placed in the right spot. A perfect stream for that lightweight 2 or 3 weight rod. The mix of hatchery and wild fish, averaging 8-12', can provide plenty of action. They're not giants, but they sure can be fun and plentiful. A fish over 14' should be considered a real trophy here. The wading is of moderate difficulty and the access is easy and plentiful along Hwy 89, and also near Fowler's Camp. After June 1 it's a great place to wet-wade and beat the summer heat. This is a great classroom for younger anglers just getting started in the sport. Call for information or available guide dates."

==================

If you're just getting into the sport, this might be a great river to check out. Sounds like some great trout fishin' in some awesome scenery there.

Click on the link to check out the pics...

-Michael

Hook Double Digit Steelhead in the Famous Feather River!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/feather.htm:

The Feather River

The Feather River near Oroville first gained national notoriety during the California gold rush, when thousands of prospectors from all over the world scurried to the Oroville area seeking riches and scouring the river for gold. Oroville was originally known as Ophir, the Egyptian word for gold, and was famed throughout the west as the rowdiest mining town in the state. The effects of the gold mining on the river and the area's still-rowdy reputation are ever-present today, yet a new valuable asset has been discovered in the Feather River: STEELHEAD!

Fly Fishing the Feather River

The construction of Oroville Dam the tallest earthen dam in the nation closed off much of the river's spawning and nursery grounds for its native anadromous salmon and steelhead. The Feather River Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery was opened in 1967, and today the returning runs of both species are back on the rise, boasting good numbers of returning fish, both hatchery and wild, spawning each year throughout the river system. "

==================

Fly Fish near the rowdiest mining town in the West!

Wow, this place has some history. Sounds like a good place to go on a vacation. Spend some time exploring the town the Ophir/Oroville and get into some nice Steelhead fishing in October and November.

What's the limit on Steelhead down there? Man, I couldn't imagine hooking into double-digit numbers of fresh steelhead. What a blast!

-Michael

Fly Fishing the Lower Sacramento River

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/lowsac.htm:

"The Sacramento River was dammed just north of Redding in the early 40's. One result was the formation of Shasta Lake, which tamed the powerful flood waters that had threatened rural communities and farmlands throughout the Central Valley. The agriculture that has become a staple of California life was guaranteed consistent crops by the millions of acre-feet of cheap water utilized for irrigation, as well as enough hydro-electric power to supply tens of thousands of homes. The Sacramento River Delta, however, began a catastrophic decline, and one of the most formidable runs of Chinook Salmon in the world was decimated. "

====================

WOW, did you know that was how Shasta Lake was formed?

I sure didn't...Very interesting.

Did you know that at one time the town of Redding, CA. had a population larger than spawning runs that had once numbered in the millions?

Never fear though as according to this article the salmon are making a comeback!

-Michael

The Upper Sacramento River - One of the Best In The West!

http://www.adventuresinflyfishing.com/uppersac.htm:

"Located within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the Upper Sacramento River may be one of the best 'roadside' fisheries in the West. Just try to convince us here at The Fly Shop any different and you'll most likely be in for a longwinded conversation. Despite the nearly 40 miles of easily accessible water there are over 15 freeway exits and railroad tracks that parallel the length of the river the Upper Sac remains surprisingly lightly fished. In fact, anglers willing to hike even a mere 10 minutes along the railroad tracks from almost any access spot will find themselves fishing water that remains relatively untouched for most of the year.

The 'Upper Sac' is freestone fishing at its best. The river is made up of riffles, runs, pocket water, small holes, huge pools and undercuts, all of which provide anglers with opportunities to fish dry flies, a variety of nymphing techniques, or even streamers, all in a day's fishing. Rainbows are the predominate fish in these waters, and most are healthy, wild, and native to the river system. They are full of fight, and usually go straight up in the air when they feel the prick of a fly in their lip. "

================

Can't think of a better place to fish than this.

Easy Access, plenty of variety in fishing conditions, and little to know fishing pressure....WOW!

-Michael

What could be any better?

Have you ever fished the waters of Northern California?

Wow, after living up here in the Northwest, I could only
imagine what it's like to fish in the mild climate of CA.

The clear, cool refreshing waters sure do put out the fish.

The next series of post will be about some of the more
popular destinations in Northern California.

Enjoy :)

-Michael

Five Essentials to Casting

As explained By Bill Spicer

FFF Master Certified Master Casting Instructor

As I was preparing for my Master Certification I studied the cast with Master Casting Instructor Chris Seipio. Through this study I have had to obtain reading material on this subject. One such book Chris recommended was The Essentials of Fly-Casting put out by the Federation of Fly Fishers. In this book there are five essentials all casters need to know if you wish to cast with any proficiency. These are fairly straightforward rules, and with a little explanation, they are easy to follow.

1) There must be a pause at the end of each stroke, which varies in duration with the amount of line beyond the rod tip.

This just means you must stop the rod and wait for the line to straighten out before you continue with the next casting movement. The longer the line the longer the wait.

2) Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum.

This mostly applies to when you start the cast. Your hand must anchor the line before you start the cast. Try not to have any slack line when you pick up the rod to begin the cast. Slack line does not allow the rod to load (bend) when you begin.

3) In order to form the most efficient, least air resistant loops, and to direct the energy of a fly cast toward a specific target, the caster must move the rod tip in a straight line.

Think of painting the ceiling with your rod tip, remembering that the ceiling is flat and not domed. Or imagine a tight rope above you, trace the rope with the tip of the rod, this will help you keep a straight-line path with the rod tip.

4) The size of the casting stroke must vary with the length of line past the rod tip.

Simply put, short line short stroke, long line long stroke.
This is one of the major causes of a tailing loop. If you find that your loop is tailing and you think your stroke is O.K., try increasing the length of the stroke, this should stop the tail.

5) Power must be applied in the proper amount at the proper place in the stroke.

This is the other major cause of a tailing loop. Most novice casters apply the power too early in the stroke, thus causing a tailing loop. The power needs to be applied later in the stroke. I tell most of my students to speed up evenly to a sudden stop; this actually kills two birds with one stone. It gets the student to apply the power in the proper place, and it teaches the student to stop the rod properly.

These are the steps to get you started. You must practice though; a park is the best spot I have found, because there is no fish to distract me.

Do yourself a favor, and take a lesson or two. The cost is minimal compared to what you have spent on your graphite rod, disc drag reel, or neoprene waders, and it will make casting more enjoyable.

Good Luck!

Thanks to Bill and all of the others over at thenewflyfisher.com for the use of this great article.

Entomology - What Is It and Why It's Important...

One of the wonderful aspects about fly-fishing is that it encourages you to learn more about nature. Everything is interconnected and one of the strongest links between various parts of the eco-system comes through acquatic and terrestial insects. Understanding the fundamentals of entomology will help you to determine which important hatches exist on your favourite body of water, comprehend a specific insects behaviour so you can modify your techniques to match this behaviour, and how to recognize and identify which order a specific insect belongs to (ie. Mayfly versus caddisfly). The net result of this increased understanding will be a marked increase in your ability to catch fish (solve the stream side riddle of what the fish are currently eating) and also enhance your appreciation of the incredibe bio-diversity that surrounds you.

Acquatic and terrestial insects are of intrisic importantance to fish and the whole ecology of a watershed. The following links, in combination with good books and on-the-stream experience, will lead you to be a better fly fisher and naturalist :

British Columbia Entomology
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/bugs/index.phtml

Dragonfly & Damselfly (Order Odonata)
http://www.capecod.net:80/~bnikula/on4.htm

Odonate Links
http://140.232.1.5/~tartiss/odonate.html

Aquatic Ecology (has numerous links to good entomology websites)
http://www.nysfola.org/alinks


Recommended Books:

The Caddisfly Handbook - An Orvis Streamside Guide by Dick Pobst & Carl Richards (published by The Lyons Press)

Hatches II – A Complete Guide to the Hatches of North American Trout Streams by Al Caucci &

Bob Nastasi (published by The Lyons Press)

Matching the Hatch - by Ernest G. Schwiebert Jr (out of print but available in used book stores)
Art Flick’s Streamside Guide to Naturals & their Imitations – by Art Flick (published by The Lyons Press)

Caddisflies by Gary LaFontaine (published by The Lyons Press)

Balancing a Fly Rod

To learn the basics doesn't it make sense to at least take a look at some of the info from back in the day? Afterall, the fundementals are the same today as they were 100 years ago.

Enjoy and be sure to leave your comments below if you liked this article.

-Michael

==================================

In 1889 R. C. Leonard, a tournament caster, stepped to the platform without a reel on his rod and simply coiled the line at his feet. With that abbreviated rig he proceeded to smash all existing distance records, including his own, by a wide margin. It was a shocking thing to competitors and spectators alike. It was a momentous discovery from which not only tournament casters but fishermen as well should have profited. That early-day pioneer discovered an extremely important principle in rod dynamics. It amounts to this: That the caster must move the useless weight below the hand as well as the useful weight above the hand; that the removal of dead weight below the hand helped to overcome inertia more quickly, increasing the tip speed, thus imparting a greater velocity to the projectile or fly line. It should have been a valuable lesson to everyone, but it wasn’t. It remained only among the tournament casters for many years.

If you examine the books and catalogs of those early days you will discover that manufacturers and fishermen-writers discussed very learnedly and extensively such things as "fulcrum point," "counterpoise," "balancing the fly rod," and "letting the rod do the work," none of which has any merit whatsoever. Not until very recently has there been an awareness of this valid principle. It is evidenced by the availability of numerous fine, very lightweight reels on the market today. In view of this trend I should not be discussing this subject at all, except for the fact that I am frequently surprised by the comments of writers and the recommendations of suppliers or manufacturers prescribing a specific size and weight of reel to balance a particular rod. There can be no such thing as balance in a fly rod. There can never be a fixed "fulcrum point." Every inch that the cast is lengthened or shortened changes the alleged balance and every unnecessary ounce in an unnecessarily heavy reel dampens and degrades the cast. If you wish to explore this a little further, you can try an experiment as I did some years ago. If you have or can borrow enough reels, let us say in two-ounce increments, all the way from the lightest, about two ounces, to something about eight or nine ounces, you will have enough to make the experiment. Use the same weight of line on the same rod for all trials. With the lightest reels the casts are sharply and cleanly delivered flat out with enough velocity to turn over the leaders. You also get a tighter front bow if you want it. As the reels get heavier there is a noticeable lagging in the forward loop until finally with the heaviest reel there is decided dropping of the loop, and probably a failure to turn over the leader properly. This effect is most pronounced on long casts. And consider how much worse it could be with those reels that were manufactured with a hollow arbor into which the purchaser was urged to pour lead pellets through a little trapdoor in order to correct the balance of his fly rod!

You can suit yourself about these matters but for me there is only one sound system and that is: Use the lightest possible reel of good quality and adequate capacity no matter how long or heavy the rod may be . . . .

---Vincent C. Marinaro, In the Ring of the Rise, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, copyright 1976, pp. 30-41.

Fly Fishing Spring Creeks

Perusing fly fishing articles is a great way to learn more about the passion of fly fishing. The library of fly fishing literature rivals other forms of fishing even though in sheer numbers fly fisherman are out numbered by almost all other forms of fishing. There are terms in fly fishing literature that are thrown out frequently without explanation or definition. One such subset of these terms is the classification of fly fishing rivers. One can read for years and hear about freestone rivers, tailwaters, and spring creeks, without elaboration of what these terms actually mean in general and to fly fishers in general. We will attempt here to explain these classifications a little bit. This first in a series of articles will go into the spring creek.

Spring Creeks are infamous in the United Kingdom, long credited as the ancient birthplace of fly fishing. Specifically, in the UK and the Midwest United States, are the limestone spring creeks. By definition spring creeks are fed obviously by springs. What this means for fly fishing is that the water temperature will most likely remain stable year around, ideally in the high forties to low fifties on the Fahrenheit scale. Stable temperatures allow for a healthy environment for aquatic insects to grow, which doesn't take a huge amount of mental power, to make the jump to the thought that this is also great for the growth of fish.

Not only do the water temperatures remain steady but the volume does as well. Unlike other rivers that depend upon snow melt, and/or dams, spring creeks water comes bubbling up from the surface, and is fed by springs and smaller spring creeks as it works itself downstream.

When one thinks of spring creeks, one thinks of, meandering hills, gentle slopes, meadows, and wide shallow valleys. Although spring creeks can occur in mountainous regions as well, carving out a niche that is usually reserved for freestone streams. They typically are at lower elevations.

The characteristics of spring creeks, leads to some special considerations when selecting your arsenal of fly fishing flies. The meandering of the typical spring creek, with all its stable features lends also to vegetation growth. Therefore insects that feed of vegetation are the rule here. Also the banks tend to be cut into the earth, perfect habitat for mud dwelling grubs, worms and nymphs like the hex. There also tend to be abundance of scuds, sow bugs, as well as midge patterns. Since the terrain is likely grassy, look for terrestrials like hoppers and crickets. And in the riverbank itself will be ants and beetles. Terrestrials make a good bet all summer long. A good selection for spring creeks will include, patterns imitating species above, as well as some small classic dry flies, like Adams, BWOs and PMDs.

Spring creeks are likely to be small and certain tactics need to be remembered. Everything is more likely to be noticed by your wary prey. Including your approach, your colors, your silhouette. It is best not to wade, it is best to approach from upriver, and you are likely only going to get a few casts, and then moving on is your best bet. With gentle gradient the spring creek will have many, many holding areas for trout. Using tippet down to 7x is common, as is long leaders. Perfect presentations are required, and it is a great time to practice your accuracy and line management. Bring your 4x or smaller for precise fly placement, mending if necessary must be done early in your drift and without ruckus.

Many think of the spring creek as the epitome of fly fishing. And with good reason. Their very nature, evokes relaxation, tranquillity, and all the things fly fishers love.

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. Http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.

Confidence in Fly Fishing

For those of you who, like me, have memories of fishing that pre-date memories of school, think back to as many fishing partners and trips as you can. Even those people you only went fishing with once. Then try to recall times where the success or failure of a fly fisherman seemed to lie strictly on the fly fishermans confidence. If you think about it in these terms, I bet you can remember numerous times, when an anglers, confidence or lack thereof, either doomed them or buoyed then until they started catching fish.

At times the success of a confident fly fishing angler can be attributed to persistence. An angler, confident in their abilities is just going to fish longer when things dont start hopping right away. But other days when all things are equal, the fisherman with the most confidence often catches the most fish.

Three quick stories come to mind illustrate this. First off let me say there have been plenty of times when I have been on both sides of the confidence equation. A few years ago, I was steelheading with a couple of fly fishing buddies. Unlike me, though there guys werent purists. And we were using terminal gear. Although were just dead-drifting jigs, very similar to fly fishing, I felt about as coordinated as a monkey performing brain surgery. As the day wore on more and more steelies were caught. Huge steelies, the biggest I had ever seen! None by me. I could feel my confidence shrinking. And I mean my confidence in all kinds of things, like being able to read the river, being able to detect a strike. Things that had no connection to me using unfamiliar gear. The pressure inside my head built, until I HAD to catch a fish. I didnt catch one fish that day, although I finally had a strike, and set the hook so hard I jerked it right out of the fishs mouth. And I fished longer and harder than anyone else on the trip.

Another story is almost reverse. Here in Maupin, the Deschutes River fills with fly fisherman every May and early June for the Giant Salmonfly hatch. It is a carnival of fly fishing. One year I was drifting with a couple of accomplished anglers, who were nevertheless apprehensive about fishing such a well-known hatch, A hatch documented throughout fly fishing literature. With crowds of anglers as spectators to one another. Despite all the drift boats and bank anglers I know a spot or two constantly overlooked and are rarely fished. I set both guys up with the exact rigging I use. Put them in the best two spots and made lunch, while they flogged the water to no avail. Despite their long fishing experience they were unaccustomed to the big water and the feeling of being in a spotlight, and seemed to do every action with uncertainty. After lunch I nailed numerous trout with virtually no effort. Pointed out fish lying behind rocks and caught them. It was a display they still talk about some years later.

Another day I was fishing alone, in water I know like the palm of my hand. And was getting skunked. Fishing all my usual water, using all my usual techniques I couldnt even get a strike. Yet I knew I could and did catch fish in this spot, lots of fish. I kept at it, until I heard a fish jump behind me, in a riffle I hadnt fished in years. I turned around and cast right at the head of the riffle, and nailed what was to be the first of many beautiful trout I caught that day.

If I hadnt been confident in my abilities, and in the water holding fish, I would have stopped long before. That was an instance where confidence led to perseverance. But the other two days, it seemed to be confidence only, that led to more fish being landed. Maybe there was something subtle in the presentation of the confident angler, something that cant be taught. Like the way some quarterbacks always seem to win. Or maybe like in other endeavors confident people just seem to do better. At any rate the only way I know of to develop confidence is through repeated success. And in fishing the only way to catch fish is to do more fishing.

If you are thinking this is all a stretch, I bet you can come up with very similar stories that have happened to you. Especially if like me, you have been fishing since you had a Leave it to Beaver lunch box. Give yourself the possibility that confidence in your fishing ability does play a role, in your catch rate. And the end result will be you spend more time fishing. And if that is the end result of you reading this article, then it was time well spent. Now lets go out there and build up our fly fishing confidence!

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. Http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.

Fit The Fishing Rod To The Fishing Task

See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly moving stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, your fishing rod bent beneath the weight of an unusually large catch.

Whether or not you land that fish depends on the decisions you made at the shop -- primarily the type of rod.

The ABCs Of Fishing Rods

Your rod is the most important tool you will use while fishing, and you can chose from a wide range of types, styles and lengths.

A fishing rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, wood or bamboo used to catch fish (duh). Fishing filament (line), is threaded through the ferrules (eyes) along the rod. The ferrule at the tip directs the cast. 1 end of the line winds around a reel at the base of the pole. The other end of the line has a baited hook attached to it.

Fishing rods vary from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet, with the average being 6 feet long. Rod length is chosen based on: the species of fish you target and the environment you will fish at.

Landscape

If your fishing hole is beside trees with overhead branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. Flexibility -- the amount the rod can bend before breaking -- is determined by the diameter of the pole. Light rods are thin and flexible, while stronger rods are thicker and more rigid.

For open terrain, flexible, thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet long are good, unless it is too windy.

Fresh Water Or Salt Water?

Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, while saltwater fishing is done in oceans and along the coast. Choose a rod appropriate to the environment.

Plan For Species Of Fish

Short, strong rods are best for landing game fish. Stronger and thicker rods should be used for large, aggressive fish. Such fish could break a lighter pole.

Select Rod By Material

Common types of fishing rods include bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.

Bamboo rods can be a basic, inexpensive pole with a line attached, to very expensive handcrafted rods that are used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing rods. If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, fiberglass or graphite rods are best.

Fiberglass rods are good for beginners and kids and they're reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, flexibility characteristics, and require very little maintenance.

Many experienced anglers prefer graphite rods, because they are very lightweight and extremely strong.

A Fitting Rod

Your goal should be to find a rod that fits your arm and is comfortable. If you have trouble choosing, ask someone with experience to go along or just ask the staff at a fishing store. A few pointers will quickly get you on your way -- to a world of fun.

Visit Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

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