ALT FLY FISHING VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3 // HOPE THIS ISSUE FINDS YOU WELL

CONTENTS

DEC//JAN 2021- VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3

FEATURES 46. THE CURSE

RITUALS AND SUPERSTITIONS. LATE NIGHTS AND HARD DAYS. HEX FLY CO TALKS ABOUT WHAT’S MOTIVATES US ALL...THE CURSE.

64. CAIRNS: A FEW MORE ON FLY

TIMOTHY BLACK TAKES YOU TO CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA LOCATED IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND IN SEARCH OF NUMEROUS SPECIES ON FLY.

80. THUNDERBIRD

ROBIN McCORMACK OF THUNDERBIRD DESIGN SHARES HIS ART AS WELL AS WHO HE IS AND HOW HIS ROOTS LEAD HIM TO SHARE HIS WORK.

96. HIKING AND HOOKSETS

CASEY CALLISON HIKES THE ROCKIES WITH NON-FISHERMEN, MANAGING TO BREAK AWAY FROM TIME TO TIME TO ENJOY THE FISHERY.

110. SODIUM PART DEUX

MIKE, AKA IPPY, MANAGES TO DIG UP SOME CONTENT FROM THE ARCHIVES TO KEEP HIMSELF WARM DURING THESE COLD WINTER NIGHTS.

DEPARTMENTS

28. RAMBLE ON: LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 32. TUNES: HOPE THIS ISSUE FINDS YOU WELL 36. BEGINNERS GUIDE: THAT’S KNOT SENSE 38. SAMPLE LOADOUT: EMERGENCY WINTER CAR KIT 40. REHASH TO REFRESH: WINTER IT‘S NOT ALL BAD 42. THROUGH THE PACES: RANGE REELS AVAIL 126. TIDBITS OF INTEREST: GET A MILE HIGH IN DENVER 128. GO GET BENT: LAIR O’ THE BEAR 130. STEWARDSHIP: DON‘T BE ONE OF THOSE TOURISTS 132. TAILWATERS: LET’S SEE IF THIS WORKS 134. IPPY STORIES: SOMEWHERE WEST OF TOPEKA 136. AROUND THE BEND: FEB//MARCH 2022 SNEAK PEEK

PHOTO: THE COMMODORE

ALT FLY FISHING DEC//JAN 2021- VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3

STAFF

CONTACT

MICHAEL “IPPY” IPPOLITO

INFO@ALTFLYFISHING.COM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

GENERAL Q&A

MANAGING EDITOR

ADVERTISING

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SUBMISSIONS

COLTON ORBAKER SARAH WHITE

MARTKETING@ALTFLYFISHING.COM SUBMIT@ALTFLYFISHING.COM

CONTRUBUTORS

JOHN SCHMIDT, TIMOTHY BLACK, ROGER IPPOLITO, ROBIN McCORMACK, JUSTIN GUTTING, JOSH KELLY, CASEY CALLISON, LAUREN PERKINS, RORY BROOKES, JOSH HUTCHENS, BEN PICKETT, JOE MAPLE, HEX FLY CO

SPECIAL THANKS

DC CUSTOM RODS, LID RIG, BONEYARD FLY GEAR, QUALIFLY REELS, RIVERSMITH, TORNADO ANCHORS, HARRY FISH ART, BASS POP FLY SHOP, IT SET YOU FREE OUTDORS, BEAR, FLORIDA FLY CO, DOWNSTREAM WEAR, WHAT THE FIN?, WYND TACKLE, HEX FLY CO., FLORIDA FLY CO., RANGE REELS.

DON'T USE OUR STUFF AND DON'T HURT YOURSELF

20 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LOOK, DON’T USE OR REPRODUCE 2021.

ANY CONTENT FEATURED IN THIS MAGAZINE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT. SOUND FAIR? COOL. ALSO, WE’RE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY REASON IF YOU HURT YOURSELF, OTHERS, OR PROPERTY DOING STUFF DESCRIBED IN OUR MAGAZINE. ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CLAIMS MADE BY OUR ADVERTISERS OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY OUR AUTHORS. THANKS. SERIOUSLY, DON’T RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE ELSE. TH

- REA CTIV E D E S I G N - EC O - FR I END LY LEAD FREE MAT ERIALS -

S U PER- DU T Y C ONS T RU C TI O N - G U I D E TESTE D & APPROVED

HIKING AND HOOKSETS FLY FISHING THE ROCKIES WITH NON-FISHERMEN

SODIUM PART DEUX

610.608.1544

DEPARTMENTS:BEGINNERS GUIDE

THAT’S KNOT SENSE ///MIKE “IPPY” IPPOLITO

Spoiler alert: we won’t be showing you how to tie any knots as there are already a ton of great videos and step by steps a short google search away. Instead we will be turning our attention to a few key knots beginners need to know and when to apply them.

CLINCH KNOT We’re going to lump this in along with the improved clinch knot. Some swear there’s a difference in strength with the improved, others don’t and prefer the relative ease of the regular ol’ clinch knot. Either way, learn both. standa go-to knot for dry flies and This is the standard nymphs. For single dries, just attach it to your tippet with this knot. With indicator nymph rigs with multiple flies, tie your first fly to your tippet with the clinch and tie your second one off the bend of the hook of the first with the clinch. Easy-peasy.

DOUBLE SURGEON'S KNOT Simply put, this is the easiest way to attach more tippet to your leader. The blood knot certainly has its time and place, it can be more difficult for beginners and it may not be the best for flouro to mono.

Whether you’re switching up your tippet or rigging up some nymphs, this is the get it done knot.

NON-SLIP LOOP KNOT (AKA LEFTY’S LOOP) Loop knots are best applied to streamers as they will aid in the action and movement of your fly in the water as you work it. You can use it for some dry fly and nymph applications to aid the presentation of your flies, but again, loop knots are best suited for streamers. there are several loop knots to choose from, the While the combination of ease to learn/tie and strength make the non-slip the ultimate loop knot. Pile on the fact you can adjust the size of your loop as you tie it and you have yourself a sure fire winner.

NAIL KNOT We’re going to warn you in advance that this knot can be daunting for beginners, however it is absolutely essential to know, especially for those new to the sport. Fly lines either come with a loop at the head for your leader and a loop at the end of your running line for your backing, a single loop at the head to attach your leader, or no loops at all.

If you have a line with a single loop at the head for the leader, you will need to be able to attach it to your backing at the end of your running line with a nail knot. Should the fly line have no loops, then you will need to attach the backing to the end of your running line with a nail knot and attach your leader or loop substitute at the head.

Luckily there are several nail knot tools to choose from and we strongly suggest that you pick one up and take the time to become comfortable with using them to aid you.

TOP RIGHT: A nail knot tool, this is important when tying backing or leader onto a fly line without loops. TOP: What knot would you use for nymphs?

What about dry flies? MIDDLE: A non-slip loop knot.

SODIUM PART DEUX

The snow is welcome at rst as the weather slowly starts to weed out the less faithful.

Tourism drops, the crowds dissipate and the hike shortens. However, your enthusiasm eventually begins to wane. Frigid days take their toll and your mind begins to wander. “Man, some sodium sounds really good right about now,” you say to yourself as a frozen gust of wind envelopes you.

WORDS BY: MIKE “IPPY” IPPOLITO, PHOTOS BY: MIKE, JUSTIN GUTTING & BEN PICKETT

DEPARTMENTS:STEWARDSHIP

DON’T BE ONE OF THOSE TOURISTS ///JOE “SYRUPY GOODNESS” MAPLE

Unfortunately, tourism is what drives our industry.

Sure, some of us are perfectly content to toil in our own waters, but many enjoy traveling to destinations near and far to enjoy fisheries. While a majority of fly fishermen are respectful, there are quite a few who are not and view it as just another sideshow in their family vacation.

We see this often, trash left on the sides of our rivers and streams. Abandoned tubes wedged in and around various pieces of cover and structure. Cigarettes and cans left to their own devices.

It does doesn’t just stop at what they leave behind, but also their mannerisms. Poor parking, crowding other anglers, and arguing with hospitality staff and waitstaff. For the most part, they act as though since they don’t live here they don’t have to make an effort to act decently.

Many feel like it's their vacation, a point in time where Ma everything is about them and their convenience. I understand that going somewhere new with family members where you’re typically spending large sums of money to enjoy yourself and have the best

experience possible can be stressful and makes you feel entitled, it still doesn’t give you the right to behave as such.

While I beli believe many of our readers are courteous and thoughtful anglers, any opportunity to gently remind someone that they must still be mindful of others no matter the circumstances is one worth taking.

Remember to clean up after yourself, any trip with a guide warrants a tip of no less than 20%, and waitstaff and hospitality staff are not there to be personal servants. If you waited too long to book an outing, please do not take it out on those who wish to help you.

Often people lose sight of the people behind what they wish to enjoy, and worse the environment around them, while on vacation. Treat others, and the environment, as you wish to be treated.

How would you feel if your hometown suddenly became a tourist destination?

TOP LEFT: Beer, tubes, plastic forks and who knows what else. TOP: A tube that got away, whether intentional or not, is still a problem. LEFT: Masks have become a real problem as of late, but plastic bottles and cigarettes have always been top offenders.

AROUND THE BEND FEB//MARCH 2022- VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 SNEAK PEEK

FEATURES AND DEPARTMENTS CAN WE CALL THIS HOME?

AFTER SEVERAL MOVES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE ALT CREW IS GETTING USED TO THEIR NEW SURROUNDINGS, HOPEFULLY THIS ONE STICKS

TIPS, TRICKS, AND INFO

GET READY FOR THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING WITH SOME HELPFUL INSIGHTS TO WHAT YOU WILL NEED BEFORE THE SNOW EVEN MELTS

MORE FEATURES, UM, FEATURING ARTISTS

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE SHOWCASING VARIOUS ARTISTS IN OUR INDUSTRY SO IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING WE’LL HAVE SOMETHING COOL FROM SOMEONE AWESOME

ESCAPING THE COLD? TOO EARLY TO TELL

WHILE WINTER CAN BE A DECENT ENOUGH TIME TO HIT THE WATER WE’RE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE LOOKING TO ESCAPE TO, WELL, PROBABLY FLORIDA. ***CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO UNCERTAINTIES SURROUNDING COVID-19***

PHOTO: TROUT BUM JOHN

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