I M.O.W.'s

I M.O.W. tips are the way to go this time of year. Not as cold asit is going to be but not as HOT as it was. I have been out there lately and can tell you there are still fresh Summer Steelhead showing up in Most of the rivers east of Welches and 2014 is not to far away now. Take a look at these as a great way to control fly deepth and help fly speed. I MOW's here!!

The fly to have if your out in the next couple weeks!!

Steak and Eggs takes another late season chromer!!

Well I can tell you in the last 2 weeks the fly to have on the Deschutes, JD, and Grande Rhonde. Is the Steak and Eggs. As the water gets colder the bigger flies are better, but I like to cast flies that are light. The Steak and Eggs is the fly to use easy to cast  even on a single handed rod. and with the rivers containing spawning salmon the trialling egg is a double kicker. Steak and Eggs pick a few up and you can try them for yourself.

Christmas Party!!! Dec 14th

December 14th the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches is going to be the place to be!!! As we have done in many years past we are throwing a holiday bash! With many of the Northwests best fly tiers and anglers, plus in store discounts and classroom presentations on a variety of Steelhead related topics. The roster includes:

Mark Bachmann

Scott Howell

Tom Larimer

Travis Johnson

Jeff Hickman

Bruce Berry

Jon Covich

Eric Neufeld

Charles St. Piere

Gary Sandstrom

Dick Sigara

George Cook

So come up to the shop, look around, learn something. Mingle with the best in the biz.

Up to Date Fishing Report 10/21/2013

Even at the shop we are finding them.

 

Well the week of variable water heights is calmed down and back to stable. Steelhead should be finding the proper holding water again. Trout fishing has been out standing as well. Small Baetis, and Mahogany Duns are out and the nymphs are in full swing. Small stone fly and cased caddis nymphs as droppers.

The Cascade lakes are still producing well and will get better the closer we get to not being able to access them. the Salmon river is only open for 10 more days, so get your time in while you can. the upper stretch above final falls is fishing really well for brookies too!!

Now is the season and with these warm days we are having get in and asking where to fish. Hope to see you all soon.

Once The River Clams Down.



Fish are on the move!

Well that high water last week got the fish moving! Now that the river is back in shape be ready!!! Steelhead numbers are down but you wont catch them if you don't go. Also I personally have seen an increase in the average size of the fish lately. The bulk of the fish are going to be above Maupin.

This is about the time I start using 10 lb. tippet, just in case. On another note the October Caddis are out thick. The trout love the nymphs as well as the sporadic Mahogany Dunns you will see. some regular caddis stuff around too. Hatches have been in the warmest part of the day so keep the dries ready.

This is the time of year that dry waders will kepp an angler smiling.... If your are leacking give us a call. (503) 622-4607

Wading boots are kind of a BIG deal.



Matching boots are cool, but the main reason is they are the best.

Well being fishing twins with your wife is a super cool thing, right. The reason is the guide model simms boots are the best. Finally a company Simms has combined comfort and durability and as a guide who is super rough on his equipment and his boots take most of the abuse, they are the best. I have over 100 days on these boot with more to come. Sandy river, Deschutes, lakes, and long hikes along small mountain streams. The same pair has done it all.

My wife on the other hand like them for the other main reason. The feel great on your feet!!! She id not as hard core as I am but still demands a certain feel from her boots. Funny the same boots fit her needs as an anglers.

For the comfort and longevity there is not a better boot for the money. If you are in the boot market check them out Simms Guide Boots. Remember the weather is about to cool off falling in is no longer an option.

Are you Ready??

Are You Ready?

 

Good July fish, sun a blazing!

Yes I am talking about summer Steelhead season. Which at this point is about a month from good consistent fishing. What ever Columbia river drainage you fish it is time to dust off your rods and reels and get ready to chase Steelhead.

I am writing this because after I opened up my last years fly boxes and looked at the condition of some of me leaders and tippets, I figured I could not be the only guy with a short but important list of things to make sure I am ready to go that first time out on the water.

Well stocked fly box is always a good way to start the year!

Lets start at the terminal end of the tackle. A fresh box of flies could not hurt. Flies are what attach us to the fish. Rusty or bent hooks can be problems in the future. Weather you tie your flies or buy your flies, keep in mind up date you inventory. Having an wide range of colors and sizes is key in the summer months and is something I really recommend. Sizes from 3 to 10 are commonly used in my fishing. Like I have said before the warmer the water the smaller the fly I will use. Temps over 67 I go really small (that’s what the sparse 10’s are for). Color can be of personal preference but be sure small and dark is always an option in you Summer Steelhead fly boxes.





Sweet early season fish!!



Next I would check the where about of your thermometer. Having one is better than not having one. Keeping a close eye on the weather and the water temp give you a place to start. Not only with water type but size of fly. When I went to find mine it was broken so I am glad I checked before my first day on the river!!

Now lets face it we have all tried to make use of every inch of leader we have purchased but the truth of the matter is buying all new stuff never leaves anything to question. So if you have any doubt while reading this go an toss all your old tippet and get new spools of…. Now listen very CLOSELY. MAXIMA!!!! There is no substitute for the best Steelhead leader material you can buy. If I told you only half the fish stories about big Steelhead I have seen landed on Maxima with wind knots in it, you would never use anything else either. Along with tippet goes your Polyleaders or tapered leaders. I would carry at least 2 Polyleaders. I have seen them last 2 years I have watched them be destroyed in 15 seconds. They cost 15 dollars but are worth every penny so take care of them. If you tie your own leaders then now is the time to start. So you are saving angling time not wasting fishing time or good drinking time building new leaders. Again use Maxima for your leader building kits.

On a final note I would like to put Summer Steelhead fishing into perspective. Swinging flies for Summer Steelhead is not only a productive way to take fish but also defiantly the most enjoyable way with the highest amount of earnable gratitude. Now like with all angling for anadromous spices you are going to see all kinds of days on the water. Not catching fish is not only a possibility but also a fact of what will happen. In the end when I look back at my journals over a long enough time span, you will average one to two fish a day. I don’t like to view anything in fishing as a failure, especially things like Steelhead you can’t control. Always keep your eyes on the positive and learn something new everyday. And always have FUN!

Want to get the word out.

It is coming up on us all fast Christmas...But before that the FFS Christmas Party!!! oh yeah. As we normally do we will be having presentations on casting and lines as well as lots of the worlds best fly tiers here to show you there stuff. Plus in keeping with the Christmas spirit we will be doing the annual Christmas raffle.

Need we say more.

With the free food and goodies, push an in store discount give that day and that day only, how can you loose. Hope to see you all there!!!

The Trout Fishing is has been Awesome.

The Trout fishing on the Deschutes has been AWESOME as of lately. On the past few trips over we have been trout fishing in between Steelhead sessions. It has been super productive and the fish are big. With a combo of dry dropper and nymph fishing an hour or so a day has been doing the trick with the sometimes long time periods between Steelhead takes.

Lovely Redside taken during the heat of the day.

The Steelhead fishing has been tough this year but giving up wont catch you fish. The test of a real Steelhead fisherman is the drive to keep casting and fishing to the best of your casting ability. So when the time presents itself your the one who is ready. My last trip was just that way. My sports want to keep casting along with me shoving him into as many runs as I could get him to fish. We ended up hooking a few fish.

The hard work pays off!!! Brad catches his first summer Steelhead.

Call the shop for up to date reports 503-622-4607. Or just swing in on your way to the next fishing adventure.

Has the Season rolls on...

Well as the Fall season approaches the cooler mornings and changing of the leaves are starting to be noticed. Now we can all see that the fish counts are low... In my opinion this year is the true test of real Steelhead anglers. The harder the fishing comes the more they persist.

One of many taken on a dry fly.

We could talk Steelhead numbers and methodologies all day, But if you want to go out and be on top of the game right now trout are the way to go on the Deschutes. I was out with a couple of good friends of mine last Friday and intermixed with the Steelhead angling we went trout fishing!!! Wee HAMMERED them... crushed them and almost all were on the surface!

These are also fun but have been tough lately.

We also caught a couple of Steelhead but the trout were awesome. Plus know one was fishing for them, or has been fishing for them. Call the shop or stop in and get the details on which flies we used and when and where to go... Enjoy

We have been busy

Mark making the best of the prototype.

Well we have been busy here at the Fly Fishing Shop. Working the River both local and the Big "D". I am going to be honest the the Steelhead fishing has been tough but those who don't go down easy are still getting fish. Floating line still seam to be best, not to say sink tip wont work but does not seem any more effective.

Mark finds a fresh Deschutes fish on the 6126!!! Good equipment is fun to fish!

On a better note the new Sage "One" rod are all ready to go... Finally I know. The back order on Sages part was a bummer but maybe they did not anticipate the following of this rod series. If I were in the market for a new summer Steelhead Spey rod then  the 6126 Sage one takes the cake.

We have been messing around with these rod since the prototype we saw in Febuary. More full flexing that the Z-axis and coupled with the vibration reduction. You have one of the sweetest 6 wts ever made. Call the shop for details or just order on online...order 6126 Sage one! yeah!!!