Spring 2024 | Volume 21, Issue 2

3 years in development 16 Iterations of material packages 8 different variations of slickness formulas And over 2500 hours of field testing

ALL TO GET TO THIS POINT

“

The new Magnitude clear floating line comes out of the bucket clean. No tangles.

And, for my clients, that’s the difference between a heart attack and a high five.

-Dustin Huff

“

Introducing The New Magnitude Clear Floating Fly Line Duracoat

Clear Floating Technology

EST +

Specialized dual-polymer design optimizes line stiffness, slickness, and abrasion resistance while significantly reducing line memory and tangles.

Clear Floating Technology uses naturally buoyant polymers for the ultimate in stealthy presentation and best-in-class durability.

EST+ - proprietary slickness additive that provides unmatched durability, smoother shooting, and eco-friendly performance.

Executive Publisher Jennifer Bird Founding Editor Derek Bird Managing Editor Bob Covey Associate Editor Gary Bird Art Director Terry Paulhus Content Administrator Kim Carruthers Office Administrator Selina Latham

Executive Producer Film & Television Chris Bird Department Editors Derek Bird Frank Brassard Brian Chan Kastine Coleman Jim McLennan Derek Olthuis Jeff Wagner Contributors Kirk Deeter Derek DeYoung Jake Dicks Danie Erasmus Faceless Fly Fishing Diane Michelin Arian Stevens

Fly Fusion is published quarterly by Fly Fusion Ltd, a division of Bird Marketing Group Inc. 111, 7 Avenue S, Suite A Cranbrook, BC V1C 2J3 1-888-435-9624 info@flyfusionmag.com flyfusionmag.com The current issue of Fly Fusion can be found across North America in specialty fly shops, sporting goods stores and retail outlets for $8.99.

One-year subscription: $28.95 Two-year subscription: $49.95 Three-year subscription: $69.95 Add $12.00 shipping and handling per year for international subscriptions.

Editorial submissions are welcome and should be sent to the address above attention to the Editor. Email queries can also be emailed to editor@flyfusionmag.com. Visit flyfusionmag.com for the full writer and photographer guidelines. Unsolicited submissions will be considered and must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Fly Fusion assumes no responsibility for the return or loss of solicited and unsolicited material.

All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, or endorsements. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2023 Fly Fusion Ltd. Printed in Canada.

Canadian Mail Publication Agreement #41202551.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Fly Fusion, 111, 7 Avenue S, Suite A Cranbrook, BC V1C 2J3 Return undeliverable US addresses to Fly Fusion, PO Box 227A, Eastport, Idaho 83826.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

© Photo Faceless Fly Fishing

flyfusionmag.com

7

8

The Soul of Fly Fishing

CONTENTS 12 THREE SPIRITS OF THE SNAKE Kirk Deeter

The “trinity” of the Snake River—a pristine freestone stream teeming with pocket water; a tumbling flow through an Ansel Adams-esque riverscape; and a tailwater as productive as anywhere in America— can be experienced within 90 miles of the road which runs along it. Author Kirk Deeter takes a spiritual float.

20 OLD FRIENDS NEW WATERS

Story Derek Bird, Photos Arian Stevens Come on an adventure from our home waters in the Kootenays south to the iconic trout rivers of the American west. As anglers, we are made better by experiences, community and those individuals we fish with. After a lifetime of fly fishing, I’m still learning and am honored to learn from some of North America’s most knowledgeable fly anglers.

26 FROM DUSK TIL DAWN Danie Erasmus

Pale Morning Duns and Pale Evening Duns are two hatches anglers don’t want to ignore. Aquatic insect specialist Danie Erasmus takes us through the differences between crawlers and the clingers, and tells us how to best imitate the nymph, emerger and adult phases of these abundant mayflies.

32 ROD REVIEW ROLL CALL Fly Fusion Editorial Staff

Fly rod progression is a little like the punctuated equilibrium theory of biology: the idea that evolution occurs in spurts, rather than the slow, steady path suggested by Darwin. Our team casts some of the year’s most-anticipated fly rods and reflects on the technology and traditions which spawned them.

10 40 46 52

Stream Lines Tight Loops, Tight Lines On the Vise Editor’s Choice Gear

56 60 64 66

Wandering Currents Stillwater Secrets Water Marks End of the Line

On the cover: Arian Stevens Contents: Faceless Fly Fishing

flyfusionmag.com

9

STREAM LINES

Lord of the Winter Flies Fly Fishing for Survival

Derek Bird I’m always willing to share a few fly-fishing secrets. My favorite fly, for example, is the one the trout are taking. My favorite season is the one when trout are biting.

My favorite stream is the one where the trout are plentiful and the anglers are few.

10

The Soul of Fly Fishing

A

n enormous chasm exists between ignorance and forgetfulness, though both can produce the same result. That’s why I’m going to discuss eggs again, so that I don’t let myself forget I lived in ignorance for a good portion of my life. I seem to write about egg patterns every couple of years, but I had a few new thoughts hatch so I figured I’d discuss their progeny. This idea originated while I was practicing the craft of “dark nymphing” and then eventually leached out into a life lesson for myself.

First, I’d like to reiterate I was against using eggs for most of my life, which is the same as saying I was against egg patterns for many of the 40-years I’ve been fly fishing. But about ten years ago I experienced a bit of a metamorphosis.

I’m not saying I’m a butterfly since the transition; I’m just saying I now experience success later in the fishing season than I used to. What I mean by success is that I catch trout almost every time I’m out later in November and December as opposed to how I used to define success at that time, which was “Well, at least I’m out enjoying the sounds of the river. It’s better than sitting at home wishing for warmer weather so I can throw some dries.”

For most of my life I perpetuated the negative egg stigma, which I assume like myself originated somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. The specific egocentric strain affecting me was likely caused by a regionally narrow perspective. Before the climate evolved to hyper volatile, winters in the Kootenay region of the Canadian Rockies started in mid-October and lasted until March (this is not fact so much as recollection), so winter fishing was nonexistent unless you consider ice fishing angling. Then by the time the ice melted, most rivers were closed to fishing until after run-off in mid-June. When they finally opened, I can remember fishing stonefly nymphs for a

short window, like a few weeks, and then tying on dries by the end of June and fishing dries all the way through to October. In other words, because I lived in a place and time where the fly rods needed to be put away for the winter months, I had the luxury to buy into the elitist attitude that egg and worm tying recipes originated in the mind of Beelzebub himself.

Then I moved to the coast to a place where there’s not a nutrient rich stream within two and a half hours of me, which means there’s not a lot of aquatic activity in the streams I often fish. The trout at the coast don’t behave the same way as the trout in the Rockies. Their survival depends more on the salmon cycle: fry on the spring and early summer menu, and eggs and salmon flesh on the fall and winter menu. In the summer and early fall, I can dryfly fish for coastal cutthroat, but they’re most interested in terrestrials. That’s not to say I can’t match a late June caddis hatch, but I can’t “set my watch” by any hatches, nor when one is happening can it ever be described by the cliched word “prolific”.

Why am I saying all of this? I’m not trying to defend myself for “dark nymphing”. A number of years back, I stopped defending myself, and no longer even feel the need to use Egg Sucking Leeches so I can establish a faux credibility. I believe I’m a better person for doing it. And by doing “it”, I mean using egg patterns the way they’re intended to be used—under an indicator.

So now that I’m liberated and feel no shame, what have I learned when I stand back and evaluate the egg dilemma? Just that it’s easy for a person to create hierarchies and theories when they’re egocentric and have limited life experience. I guess that’s why I knew so much more and was assured of so much more when I was young, and feel like I know so much less now even though I know infinitely more (which is only a droplet in the vast ocean of

and healthy existence. It’s not just eggs and fishing. It’s life itself. We divorce ourselves all the time. In an affluent culture like ours, we pretend work has nothing to do with existence. We pretend relationships are superfluous, and our interdependence has little to do with our essence.

Somehow, we even find ways to divorce sexuality, the foundational building block of existence, from existence.

Hmm. Where was I? Sexuality…right eggs. Not knowing something essential and forgetting something essential are very different but can lead to the same results, which can very quickly escalate to a hellish existence. This is why we teach and remember. Teach that though we don’t know if the feather or the egg came first, we do know that it started somewhere at some time, and we are not isolated from that moment at this moment in time. We are, in fact, part of a miraculous lineage. You and I get to carry the freedom of that responsibility at this point in history.

After a hard week’s work, where we’ve earned a paycheck that helps to provide food and shelter for family, we might have some money left over for some fly-fishing gear. And then when the weekend arrives, we recharge by going to the river to catch and release a trout or two.

When I state it that way, it’s very possible I still do fly fish to survive.

© Illustration Diane Michelin dianemichelin.com @dianemichelin

knowledge). My eyes are opened to all I don’t know, which makes me a much better learner really because it allows me to admit I need to learn.

Evaluating my egg snub also taught me this gem: the farther away I get from recognizing my existence is more about survival than anything else, the more I naturally theorize and create ideas that have nothing to do with reality. Then when I live out those bastardized ideas, I destroy my chance at a healthy existence. What do I mean by this? Fishing itself is a case in point. At one point, in humanity’s history we were hunter-gatherers. If we didn’t catch a fish, we might not exist long enough to theorize about how we were going to do better the next time we tried to catch a fish. I assume when this was the case, my distant ancestors likely did anything they could to catch a fish in order to survive—egg patterns and SJWs included (anachronistically speaking).

But now that most anglers don’t have to catch a fish in order to survive, it’s easy to forget it was that way once.

When we divorce an activity from its origin or essence, it’s easy to create theories and hierarchies that have little to do with anything but making an ignorant person sound smart and self-assured. Fly-fishing culture isn’t immune from this disease. We have hierarchies all over the place, from the best gear companies all the way down to about the best type of fish to catch (a trout is better than a whitefish, and a whitefish is better than a pikeminnow, and a pikeminnow is better than a carp and a carp is better than…ok I guess hierarchies do have a natural bottom tier).

What am I driving at?

Does this mean that there’s no right and wrong, no better way to do something? No not at all. But what it does do is remind me to never divorce myself from origin and existence, because if I do, all the theories and hierarchies I create in my mind will also be divorced from a meaningful

flyfusionmag.com

11

Three Spirits of the Snake

An angler’s pilgrimage and a lifetime of lessons Kirk Deeter

© Photo Arian Stevens

T Kirk Deeter Kirk Deeter is the Editorial Director and Vice President of Angling for Trout Unlimited. He’s also the editor of Angling Trade, and a former editor-at-large for Field & Stream. He has authored several books, most notably The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing. He’s chased fishing stories in 28 countries throughout the world, and now lives in Colorado.

14

The Soul of Fly Fishing

he thing I like most about long, mighty rivers, is that they have multiple personalities.

You can actually find the spot in Minnesota where you can straddle a little trickle that becomes the Mississippi, and in that place find it hard to imagine it being the same massive, muddy aorta that pumps freshwater through Venice, Louisiana, and into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Colorado tumbles tenderly through its namesake high country, then morphs into something else entirely as it plods through high desert and red rock, raging, at times, through the Grand Canyon before petering out altogether.

The sad truth is that most of the water molecules that swish around my waders when I fish the Colorado in Gore Canyon will end up on vegetable fields in California (if they make it that far), but I still like to think that some of them might actually end up in the Sea of Cortez.

The Delaware is “trouty” up top, briny at the mouth, and, in April, filled with shad in the spots near where George Washington made the river crossing with the Continental Army that changed geopolitics forever.

The Missouri—the longest—always makes me wonder what Lewis and Clark must have felt, experiencing the transformation of that water as they pressed from the high plains toward the Continental Divide.

Pick any lengthy river…it goes on and on.

But the one river I’ve always found to be most mysterious, most intriguing by way of metamorphosis, has been the Snake River. With the Snake, I don’t think of the transitions so much as personalities. Rather, I consider them “spirits,” because fishing the Snake has, for some odd reason, always felt very spiritual, larger than life, and force of nature for me.

It’s weird, I know.

But when the brothers Bird—Chris and Derek— invited me for a little fly-fishing jaunt on the Snake, I of course said yes and jumped at the opportunity. And we’d end up fishing (and filming thanks to an exceptionally rare national park permit) three distinct stretches of the Snake: the upper stretches, inside Yellowstone National Park, upstream of the confluence with the Lewis River; downstream from that, the float in Grand Teton National Park which is recognized by many as the “Ansel Adams

section” of the river; and then what I think of as the “celebrity stretch,” the South Fork of the Snake in Idaho, downstream from the Palisades Reservoir and the dam that makes this water one of the most prolific and productive tailwaters in the world.

Three rivers in one. One tumbles down a gradient through permanently-preserved wilderness. You can cast from one bank to the other in many places with an average 5-weight, were it not for thick forest and canyon walls that interfere with most backcasts. The best part about fishing this part of the Snake is that you never know what you’ll find lurking around the next bend—could be a moose, could be griz, but only very, very rarely will it

large Snake River cutthroats in this water, as there has been for eons.

Third, is the tailwater that flashes both the attributes and the drawbacks of any popular western American tailwater. A constant flow of cool, clean water spilled from the bottom of the dam, abundant populations of invertebrates for trout to gorge on, and a dense population of fish of various species (a point of contention for many) is intertwined with the inevitable armada of commercial drift boats, DIY day-trippers, and others. When a staffer at the boat ramp has to direct traffic toward to different spots in a supermarket-sized parking lot—“day trips, over here, overnighters go that way”—starting in the early morning

© Photo Arian Stevens

be another angler. This is classic pocket water, teeming with a mix of small-to-mid-sized cutties and browns, with the occasional bruiser salmo trutta mixed in. It’s drydropper water.

The second is a majestic racehorse flow that sweeps through the shadows of the most photogenic mountain range in the Lower 48. This is best-floated water, where the native Snake River cutthroats are wily and willing at the same time. Here, one must know how to fish dry flies with precise casts toward the banks, and more importantly, without creating drag after the fly hits the water. If you can slowly count to five as your fly rides along the bank with a drag-free drift, that’s the ticket. There are some very

flyfusionmag.com

15

on a weekday, you know it’s a river that gets pressured, hard. But you also know that pressure happens because the fishing is really good. In fact, it’s way better in my opinion than other legendary tailwaters that get hit at least twice as hard on a daily basis.

This “trinity” of the Snake River is experienced within a little over 90 road miles (about two hours, not including traffic delays) that mostly run along the river.

The distance from Swan Valley Idaho to Colter Village in Wyoming is really about half of that as the crow flies.

But in that relatively compact area—“compact” at least by open range standards—an angler can experience so many diverse facets of trout fishing. Different species, different techniques, different approaches, floats and wading, small stream, big river… there are a lifetime of lessons that can be learned within 100 miles of the Snake.

That to me was the point of the trip. At least part of it.

The other part, was that I felt compelled to come back and fish a place I hadn’t fished in 15 years. It wasn’t so much that I was curious to see how time had changed the region. I already knew about Teton Pass at rush hour, the traffic lights, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Those are all over the new West now.

No, the other part was that I was on a pilgrimage of sorts. Because this region, and this river in particular had a profound influence on my life in many ways that I hadn’t expected, yet now appreciate very deeply.

Upstream: Paula Shearer joined the crew for this hike up the Snake inside Yellowstone. A guide on the Bow River in Alberta, Paula is absolutely the real deal when it comes to casting a fly rod, and a kind person as well.

This stretch of water on the Upper Snake is the type where you don’t have to overthink things. In other words, the fish are where you think they’ll be, riding hard seams around rocks, mixed among the deadfall along the banks, and so forth.

And they aren’t super selective eaters, either. You can fish dry flies almost any time, any day. A smallish attractor pattern like a Simulator or a Humpy—something that rides high enough in choppy water for you to see—is usually the

16

The Soul of Fly Fishing

ticket. You might double your odds by dropping a small attractor nymph pattern like a Copper John or Hotwire Prince (the kind that sink quickly) on about 18-inches of 5X tippet from the hook shank of the dry. But if you like precision casting into tiny pockets and seams I’d just fish a single dry.

It’s also the type of water where a group of friends can fish as a team, trading shots, and leap-frogging one another as they work upstream.

So that’s exactly what we did—a few anglers who had never fished together before, working as a team, laughing, trading barbs, calling out shots like we’d been doing this for years. Pristine rivers and eager trout often have this effect on people.

Once, when it was my turn, I waded out to a spot behind a riffle that fanned out into a boulder garden pool.

It seemed like there was a player around every rock. The key for me was to be methodical and work casts back and forth, focusing on one target at a time. You don’t want to flock shoot in those situations, because you end up being “everywhere and nowhere.”

I caught handful of small trout, and called it good for that spot. Paula would tie into the first big one an hour or so later. And near the end of the day, as we had reached a small waterfall and decided to turn around and head back downstream, Derek found the boss.

Around that same time, the group noticed that I was bear-crawling, hand over foot, fly rod clenched in my teeth, up the side of a steep canyon wall. While that might seem like a gritty thing to do, the truth is that I was too lazy to walk a couple hundred yards back upstream (into the current) to the spot where the trail met the river.

The other truth was, I thought I was taking a shortcut so I could beat the team to the juicy run I had seen on this side of the river as we first passed by.

It turned out to be mistake, but not a bad one. As the group marched by on the trail overhead and I clung to the rocks below, they offered cheerful encouragement and told me where to meet them when I figured this situation out.

I made it to the trail without incident, but also came to grips with the fact that maybe I’m not the fly-fishing bushwhacker I used to be.

“It’ll be fine,” I said. “It’ll happen.”

Chris Bird was nervous as we pumped up the rafts near the boat ramp, because the report was that this section of the Snake that ran through Grand Teton National Park got rained on the night before—and not just a summer spritz, a deluge that many western ranchers might describe “like a cow peeing on a flat rock.”

Everyone expected the river to be blown out less than a mile downstream from the launch, where a common offender tributary often clouded the water, even after lesser rains.

But it was a “go” regardless, because the subject of this day was conservation and long-time Jackson icon John F. Turner, who with his brothers owns and operates the fourgenerations-old Triangle X Ranch in Moose, Wyoming. A former Wyoming state senator and Director of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Turner is a living legend in these parts, and certainly within the fly-fishing community.

Somehow… by some miracle… perhaps even some legendary influence… the crew obtained a permit to film

this float inside the park. We were assigned a park ranger— whom we were told not to film, interview, or quote, so I’ll leave him anonymous, even though he was extremely cool and politely answered all the questions I asked anyway— and when we asked how often he did film crew floats in this part of the park, his answer was profound.

“Never,” he smiled.

I didn’t actually fish this day. I was part of the “support team,” meaning I just rowed a one-person Watermaster, scouted a run here and there, and mostly just hung out with the park ranger asking questions I wasn’t supposed to ask.

It was an enlightening day. First, I learned “Tetons” means (in French) exactly what I suspected it meant. I suppose that makes sense as the first thing that might pop to mind for a French trapper who had been wandering the high plains and mountain ranges for a spell.

Secondly, I did not know this, but as officers of the law, park rangers are often assigned different duties, and sometimes even sent to work at other Park Service sites around the country. For example, a ranger from Grand

© Photo Arian Stevens

Midstream:

flyfusionmag.com

17

Teton might be sent to help secure the U.S. Capitol around a Presidential inauguration.

Fishing wise, the party took a couple hours to get started. It was bad news-good news, though—bad because we hadn’t caught anything, and had burned through what was supposed to be the cleanest of the water, but good, because, much to our surprise, the river wasn’t all that dirty after all.

In fact, I’d say with just a little tint, but still a good three to four feet of visibility—plenty of viz for a trout to see a PMD dry fly—the conditions turned out to be about perfect.

John and Derek indeed started catching fish—larger than average, beautiful, native Snake River cutthroat trout.

I turned out to be right, and Chris breathed a huge sigh of relief. I never told him (until now, I guess) that I was bluffing at the boat ramp. I had no idea.

I didn’t feel bad about not fishing, because I was rowing, and learning and looking around. The setting was surreal— cloudy and ominous, black and white. I realized we were literally floating through an Ansel Adams landscape. A herd of bison forded the river and climbed the bluff.

This might just be the most beautiful float in the world.

Downstream: On the third day, we drove southwest from Victor, Idaho, and met up with Mike Dawes and his crew from Westbank Anglers for an overnight float on the South Fork of the Snake.

The thing about fishing this section of the river— and many notable tailwaters for that matter—is that the chaos, crowds and confusion on the boat ramp which often seems disheartening almost instantly dissipates when you shove off. Rivers this large, and this productive, with so many trout and so many bugs, offer little pockets of solitude. If you can find a little riffle with trout heads poking up, you don’t need blinders. You’re in your own world.

This was the day that I got to share a dory with Derek, whom I already admired as an author, but was also bonding with as a fishing buddy as the trip unfolded.

18

The Soul of Fly Fishing

After all, fishing is really, ultimately about 10 percent pulling on fish, and the other 90 percent the miles you roll, the places you see, the animals you see, and the people you share those experiences with. It’s late-night burgers or barbecue, and early morning breakfast burritos. The morning smell of mist, bug spray, sunscreen and coffee, and the sound of oars creaking and water lapping against the side of the boat.

It was good fortune, in my mind that Derek and I would fish the South Fork section of the Snake together, because there’s so much you can do here on any given day. Like the river as a whole that has many different personalities, the South Fork has many characters in and of itself.

Bang the banks with streamer flies and look for Mr. Big? No problem. Anchor up on an island and find a riffle with sippers… that’ll take you through an good hour or so.

Covering water with a tandem grasshopper-dropper rig is easy enough.

And at the end of the day, pulling into a tent camp for a warmup and stories around the fire, followed by a gourmet meal, then more campfire, is about as good as it gets. It made me smile to think this adventure stacks up against anything to be had in some far-off corner of the world.

I had to get home. My parents were coming to visit.

So I hitched a ride in the camp’s jet boat back to the boat launch where we’d started the day before, then began the long drive back to Colorado.

The last time I had fished here was with Charlie Meyers and Matt Woodard. Charlie had mentored me as a writer, and he wanted to show me the many personalities of the Snake. So we spent a few days kicking around this region together. After we hauled out of the South Fork late in the afternoon, we decided to drive through the night, all the way back to Denver. The conversation that kept us both awake as we traded turns behind the wheel was what led us to write The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing together.

Charlie never saw the book printed. And I’ve kind of kept the Snake River as the last place we’d fished together locked in time. As wonderfully diverse and alluring as these parts of the river are I wasn’t sure about coming back.

Now I cannot wait to return.

T h e a l l - n e w 4 t h g e n e r a t i o n H e l i o s™ i s t h e c u l m i n a t i o n o f a s e v e n - y e a r q u e s t to achieve precision beyond all previous limit s of your imagination. Proven four times more accurate than Helios 3, the previous industr y benchmark.

IT’ S WH E R E ACCU R ACY CO M E S A LI V E .

TE S TE D & PR OV E N 4X more accurate when compared to Helios 3, the previous industry benchmark for accuracy 25% more durable in extreme breakage testing • 10% lighter swing weight

Or vis commits 5% of pre-tax profits to protecting nature orvis.com

Old Friends New Waters Cracking the Code Derek Bird I’m always willing to share a few fly-fishing secrets. My favorite fly, for example, is the one the trout are taking. My favorite season is the one when trout are biting.

My favorite stream is the one where the trout are plentiful and the anglers are few.

Photos Arian Stevens

20

The Soul of Fly Fishing

I

f you’ve joined us over the last three seasons of the Fly Fusion Series you’ve experienced some epic western flyfishing adventures. If you’re new to the series, this season we’re going to start off on my home waters in the Kootenays.

Then, we’re going to travel south to explore the streams of the famed American west. I invite you to join me on a journey of learning and discovery, where I meet up with some of North America’s most knowledgeable fly anglers, along the banks of some of North America’s most iconic trout rivers. This season, I was honoured to share water with friend, acclaimed writer and Trout magazine Editor, Kirk Deeter, as well as retail pro and angling legend Mike Dawes, of Westbank Anglers.

Acclaimed writer and conservationist Kirk Deeter This guy is a gem. Kirk’s a genuine guy. He’s down to earth. I really appreciated his relaxed approach when he fishes. He approaches the river like a guy who fished for trout all over the world, or what I assume a guy who’s travelled and fished as much as Kirk would. Nothing rattles him. The fish aren’t biting…oh well. We will figure it out.

And if we don’t, then no worries, we will figure it out tomorrow. What a great attitude to have.

There were a few days on the water when we were filming where the trout were not cooperating, but Kirk was always a calming presence, regardless of how the fishing was, he was just enjoying his time on the water. I’m not sure if we’ll ever be able to scientifically prove this, but I think fish might be able to feel an angler’s calm demeanor because I think anglers like Kirk, catch more fish than guys who are stressed out because they’re not catching fish. For lack of a better pun, it’s a classic catch-22, I guess.

flyfusionmag.com

21

As anglers, we are made better by experiences, community and those individuals we fish with.

After a lifetime of fly fishing, I’m still learning and am honored to learn from some of North America’s most knowledgeable fly anglers. This next season, get out on the water and take a friend, even if the fishing is tough, you’ll find the conversation on the way to the river to be rewarding. You never know what fly-fishing secret they carry that might just make the day the best one yet.

22

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Retail pro and angling legend Mike Dawes This guy is one with the South Fork. He’s a fly angling Yoda. He offered me the front seat of the drift boat at the start of the day, and I declined because I wanted to see a master at work… and Mike and his river did not disappoint. The weather was inclement to say the least, so the fish were not really looking up, so Mike went to them.

He fished streamers for the day. And the more places I fish for trout with streamers, the more I understand, choosing the right fly is only half the battle. The other part is figuring out where to put the fly and how to retrieve the fly. The South Fork was very much a pounding the banks situation, but not like the stereotypical grassy cuttbanks.

Here, structure was more often undercut and eroded tree roots, so there was lots of precision casting and hoping the streamer dove quickly so as to not get hung up on a wayward root. Also, there was no stripping the streamer like a mad fool. I assume because of the flow rate, once I had the fly under the root ball, it was more of a steady couple of strips.

flyfusionmag.com

23

He taught me that I had an advantage fishing streamers behind him in the boat. He said watch for the structure that he misses and then hit that.

I’ll be able to pick up lots of fish that way. I felt really good about that advice until I really wasn’t picking up many fish behind him, so we switched seats and I started to catch some trout.

24

The Soul of Fly Fishing

NEW

ROVE SOLID

visit abelreels.com

+ TITANIUM OPTION ROVE: /rōv/ - travel constantly without a fixed destination; wander.

Now available with a solid frame ROVE Solid starting at $745 Pictured: ROVE Titanium 4/6 Solid with Underwood Ridge Riser Engraving - $1,645

Build your new ROVE with precision machined titanium components • • • •

Lightweight Additional rust and corrosion resistance Titanium components include: counterweight, spindle, draw cap, draw rod and draw ring Choose from multiple color options: Powered Brown, Voltaic Blue, Energized Green, Natural Titanium, Atomic Amber, Electric Pink and Iridescent Indigo

Voltaic Blue +$500 for Titanium Upgrade on all ROVE models and sizes

M A D E

I N

T H E

U S A

From Dusk til Dawn

The ABCs of PMDs and PEDs

© Photo Danie Erasmus

Danie Erasmus

PMD DUN MALE

I

n western North America, the Pale Morning Dun (PMD) and Pale Evening Dun (PED) are two important hatches anglers cannot ignore. Both mayflies are abundant and distributed across the West, with hatches from May to September. Any serious fly angler heading out to the river needs to pay attention to these mayflies as trout feed routinely on the nymphs, emergers, and the adult phases of these bugs.

Pale Morning Duns PMDs belong to the Genus Ephemerella, in the family Ephemerellidae, a family of crawler nymphs. Two species, E. excrucians and E. infrequens, are commonly referred to as PMDs. On the river, these species are indistinguishable; to separate them, an angler needs to capture male spinners and evaluate their reproductive organs under a microscope.

That being said, E. infrequens is slightly bigger than E. excrucians, but E. excrucians is the most prevalent of the two. These two species hatch at different times, thereby creating a greater window to match the PMD hatch.

Over its range, PMD hatches start as early as late May, and continue until September. They inhabit rivers at high elevations in mountains, but also those in lower-lying areas. These differences in elevation create very different temperature regimes in rivers, resulting in very different natural phenomenon. Generally, at lower elevations, PMDs peak in June, while in colder, higher-elevation mountain streams they hatch as late as August. Rivers warming up faster tend to have hatches earlier. And rivers with more consistent temperatures, such as tailwaters and spring creeks, tend to have more prolific hatches—which also tend to come off earlier.

Size matters More so than other mayflies, PMD nymphs vary in colour, appearing in different shades of brown, even within the same river. Mature nymphs—those ready to transform into duns—have wing pads that are nearly black. It’s also possible to see the red eyes of the male duns developing in the mature nymphs. The male and female nymphs are also different in size, with the males being one hook size smaller. The females usually grow to around a size 14 standard hook; the males are typically closer to a size 16.

This size difference also translates to the duns and spinners.

These size differences can be important, as the sexes hatch at different times. For the angler, it’s not important to have male and female imitations, but rather a range of sizes— 14s, 16s, and maybe a few size 18s.

PMD nymphs prefer the rocky bottom habitat found in the riffles and runs of freestone rivers, tailwaters and spring creeks. They are also very adaptable, thriving in sections of water with a lot of plant growth. The fast-flowing water in riffles and runs often wash nymphs into the current, and combined with their tendency to perform behavioural drift, PMD nymphs are made vulnerable to trout predation.

Behavioural drift is a phenomenon observed in many riverdwelling insects searching out new habitat.

Opportunity flops Typically, PMD males hatch earlier, and then wait for the females to arrive. In the late morning to early afternoon, PMD nymphs make their way to the surface to emerge.

They are poor swimmers and therefore ascend slowly, exposing themselves to trout predation. Once at the surface, the wing case splits open, revealing a bright yellow mayfly dun, ready to crawl out. Most of the time the duns emerge without issue, but many get stuck in the nymphal shuck, or damage a wing, preventing them from flying away. These duns are called stillborns and cripples, respectively. Naturally, these flopping duns become easypickings for trout. PMDs are more prone to this stunting than any other group of mayflies, a fact not missed by trout and an opportunity which should not be passed on by anglers.

PMD duns have opaque wings that range in colour from pale yellow to pale gray. Their abdomens vary from bright yellow to orange. This colour variation is often seen in the same river. The spinners have clear, glassy wings with abdomens which have darkened a little in colour, ranging from a deeper yellow to orange-brown.

Pale Evening Duns The name Pale Evening Dun describes several Genera in the Heptageniidae family. These include Heptagenia, Nixe, Leucrocuta, and Cinygma. But be aware that some sources refer to only one specific species, Heptagenia elegantula, as

flyfusionmag.com

27

Danie Erasmus Danie Erasmus teaches biochemistry at the University of Northern British Columbia. His research focusses on aquatic insect biodiversity using DNA barcoding. He has written numerous articles for fishing magazines and has published the book Hatches of British Columbia Trout Streams.

PMD DUN EMERGING

28

The Soul of Fly Fishing

the PED. PED nymphs are clinger nymphs and have the classic flattened bodies, eyes on the dorsal side and three tails. This general description also describes Western March Brown (WMB) nymphs, however, mature WMB nymphs are larger (size 12) and more elongated in shape compared to the smaller (size 14) and more stout appearance of PED nymphs.

The body shape of PED nymphs have evolved to allow them to live on rocks in the fast-flowing water of riffles.

While this is true for clinger nymphs like WMBs, Yellow Quills, and Dark Red Quills, PED nymphs can also live in slower water.

Tail spin To the untrained eye, PED duns are easily mistaken for PMD duns, and vice versa. However, easily-identifiable characteristics separate them, including the number of tails and appearance of the wings. PED duns and spinners have two tails and PMD duns and spinners have three.

Yes, even though PED nymphs have three tails, the duns and spinners only have two. Also, PED duns have wings with more pronounced venation (arrangement of veins), compared to PMD duns.

PEDs start hatching mid-afternoon, and in most regions across their distribution, PED hatches peak in July.

However, anglers can expect to encounter a hatch anytime from June to early September. When observing PED duns emerging on the surface, it appears that they fly away almost immediately. The reason for this quick takeoff is that the duns emerge from the shuck just below the surface or in the surface film. Some duns may even emerge from their nymphal shuck at the bottom of the riverbed. By the time they are on the surface, the wings have been inflated and they are ready to go. Also, PEDs do not produce a lot of cripples during their emergence. Their quick take-off and lack of cripples means the dun stage of PEDs are not nearly as visible as a PMD hatch.

Numbers don’t lie Compared to PMD hatches, those of PEDs tend to be more sporadic, and not nearly as intense. Although there can be literally thousands of both mayflies in a section of water, an angler observing a hatch probably sees in the order of a few hundred PMD duns hatching at any given time.

On the contrary, they probably only see tens of PED duns hatching. While there can always be exceptions, anglers shouldn’t expect to see large PED hatches or trout gorging themselves on PEDs.

What’s in a name?

Fly anglers are passionate about naming their insects.

This has led to a proliferation of common names aiming to describe every single species of mayfly hatching on the water. This is not necessary. For matching the hatch, the general trend nowadays is to have one common name to describe several species. For example, “PMD” describes two species of mayflies, while “PED” describes a complex of several species across four Genera. This idea simplifies identification for anglers and what to use to match the hatch.

Some sources still create confusion. When perusing online sources and books, be aware that PMDs and PEDs are western North American mayflies. In the East and Midwest there are different Ephemerella species which go by different common names—Sulphur Duns (E. dorthea) or Hendricksons (E. subvaria), for example. Anglers have not helped curtail the confusion by calling another eastern crawler species, Ephemerella invaria, the Eastern PED. This Eastern PED is more closely related to the Western PMD than the Western PED. In the West, the Heptagenia Genus is a major component of PEDs, but Eastern Heptagenia species are more commonly labelled with the Cahill moniker as part of their names. When it comes to fishing, these details are really a situation of seeing the forest for the trees.

Matching the hatch A good rule of thumb when it comes to matching the hatch is to match the natural in size, shape, and then colour. Use these criteria when imitating PMDs and PEDs.

For nymphing and imitating PMD and PED naturals, probably the most effective generic pattern to use is a beadhead pheasant tail nymph, and variations of this pattern. This fly pattern’s colour is close to the colour of most naturals. However, PMD and PED nymphs do have different shapes and adapting the beadhead pheasant tail nymph to imitate them is easily done.

To modify the beadhead pheasant tail nymph to imitate PMD nymphs, tie the nymph with shorter legs and tails. To imitate PED nymphs, tie flies on curved scud hooks and use larger beads, with lead wire in the thorax.

The larger bead and lead wire helps produce a fly with a wider appearance, similar to the wide shape of clinger naturals. The same adaptations can also be applied to flies like the Copper John. Self-styled flies are always an option too and provide the extra satisfaction of catching trout on your own designs.

Perfection versus production Beware though, not all modifications are good, even though it may make intuitive sense. For example, to PMD SPINNER

PMD DUN EMERGING

30

The Soul of Fly Fishing

PED NYMPH

PED SPINNER MALE

imitate the flattened bodies of clinger nymphs, fly tyers have experimented by physically flattening fly patterns with pliers. These flattened flies have not had the success those experimenters had hoped!

Many mayfly nymphs have lighter-coloured ventral sides, and this is especially true for PED nymphs. Tying nymphs with light-coloured ventral sides is a lot of extra work, and I am not convinced it’s worth the extra effort. However, for some fly tyers the pursuit of fly-tying perfection and producing flies which resemble closely the natural is important. For them, making nymphs with lighter-coloured ventral sides can be worth the added time and effort.

There are times when trout focus solely on emergers and refuse the most well-presented dry fly. Very different approaches are used to imitate the emerger phase of PMDs and PEDs. PMDs emerging on the surface are often imitated with floating emerger fly patterns—dry flies with trailing shucks, or imitations resembling cripples. Whereas swinging a soft hackle to imitate the subsurface emergence of the PED dun is a common practice for many anglers.

Dry flies tied to imitate PMDs can easily be employed to imitate PEDs, and vice versa. This is true for both duns and spinners. This approach keeps things simple and saves space in a fly box. In that vein, anglers should have a few different designs—Catskill style dry flies, Parachutes and hackleless dry flies such as Comparaduns, for example.

While the low profile and low-riding parachute style dry flies are the most effective, there are times when the other styles are key. A catskill dry fly riding high on the water is often better when the water surface is more turbulent.

Comparaduns are great when looking for low-riding dry flies with a smaller footprint on the water. When combined with a trailing shuck, comparaduns can also be used as an emerger imitation.

Both PMDs and PEDs are western North American mayflies, and although both names describe several species of mayflies, Pale Morning Dun nymphs are crawlers, while Pale Evening Dun nymphs are clingers.

Because trout feed routinely on the nymphs, emergers, and the adult phases of these bugs, anglers heading out to the river will do well to learn the ABCs of PMDs and PEDs.

New and Very Catchy.

Introducing the new Session series of rods from Scott.

Fast with feel technology coupled with easy loading and responsive touch. Perfect.

Scott Fly Rod Company | Handcrafted in Montrose, Colorado

www.scottflyrod.com

Deflection Direction Fly rod roll call Editorial Staff

© Photo Jessica Haydahl

Zoom zoom With cars, we can measure their acceleration in terms of how fast they go from zero-to-60 miles per hour, we can show how fast they brake, quantify their horsepower, measure pre-skid Gs for track holding and much more.

These variables can be compared across classes of cars, within classes and even against the same model in previous years. Sure, not everyone cares about acceleration power; some want more room, more luxury or more towing capacity. But at least those things can be measured. With fly rods, it’s not so simple. Many variables are more in the control of the caster and what an angler wants from a rod is much more subjective.

34

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Of course this is what makes fly fishing so special—its inherent, unquantifiable and enigmatic characteristics are what draw many of us to the sport.

Still, as rod reviewers, we have to have some measurable parameters. When it comes to the plethora of fly rods on the market, we can indeed quantify and categorize. Primarily, we have two characteristics by which we define rods: deflection and recovery. Deflection is how much a rod bends, based on a standard static weight, and recovery is how fast it comes back to a rodstraight position.

Are there more variables we could measure? Of course! Would the average angler really want to sift through that data and would they actually find it useful? Not likely. Even with our deflection and recovery measurements, we can quickly get lost in the weeds. Suffice to say if we group rods by these two variables, rods with similar characteristics will perform and behave similarly.

And with 10-plus years of data behind us, we can now clearly say that this method of testing is effective, and objective. Where we, as rod reviewers, insert our opinions is in what style of fishing we believe the rod will be best at, or where it would perform most optimally. This is a judgment call and is based on shared understandings of what dry fly, streamer, and nymph rods are and how they should perform. This is where the science and art start to intersperse.

For all rods, we cast with true-weighted lines and half-weight-heavy lines, using 7.5-foot and 9-foot leaders. With that out of the way, we hope you take almost as much enjoyment from learning about these rods as we took from casting them. Consider this information, visit your favourite fly shop and give a few rods a wiggle. Then think carefully about giving yourself your own early Christmas present and get out and fish. © Photo supplied by Sage Rods

F

or fly fishing magazine editors, anticipating when manufacturers’ fly rods come in for review is a little bit like waiting for Christmas Day as a kid.

What was under the tree this year?

More variety, more innovation and more improvements.

Sure, prior versions of the models reviewed below all caught fish, they all allowed anglers to cast a tight or wide loop, they were all lightweight and all had a variety of other pleasing characteristics. But, for those paying attention, fly rod progression is a little like Stephen Jay Gould’s “punctuated equilibrium” theory of biology—the idea that evolution occurs in spurts instead of following the slow but steady path that Darwin suggested.

Those spurts are particularly noticeable when comparing today’s rods to those manufactured decades ago. Casting a Sage TCR from the early 2000s next to their state-of-the-art R8 is like comparing a 1984 Ferrari Testerossa to a Ferrari Purosangue today. This perspective highlights the fact that technology changes aren’t just marketing hype. That said, one needs a keen eye to spot the fly rod industry’s small steps and how they add up, over time, to giant leaps forward.

flyfusionmag.com

35

© Photo supplied by Orvis

Greys Wing Streamflex 8 ft 6 in 5 wt

Recovery Rate: Medium Deflection: Medium

Price: $498

Surprising would be a good word to describe the Greys Wing Streamflex. The new graphite and blank design have a lower profile, and the smaller-diameter blank has resulted in a crisper, more responsive feel. While many may find the handle a bit slim, for me it was a refreshing change. So many rods today have large grips but Greys, for one, has figured out that many anglers find the smaller, slimmer handle easier to control—something about the direct connection you get with the blank. Our testers found themselves moving their hands up and down the handle to find their correct position—a freedom of form which they appreciated. This rod is a great all-around stick which excelled in making tight loops and throwing accurate presentations.

Orvis superfine glass 8 ft 5 wt

Recovery Rate: Medium

Deflection: Medium

Price: $1,295

This is a fibreglass rod that responds more akin to graphite—and it also feels like graphite, with its thinner blank and better balance. This rod truly performs well in a variety of conditions. The softer character of the tip allows for delicate presentations, but the heavier butt section provides solid power, enabling a surprising-easy ability to chuck bigger flies.

Obviously at 8-feet long, this isn’t going to be in your quiver as your nymphing rod. But it rocks as a streamer stick. The testers appreciated the colour contrast of the greens, giving the classic material a modern look.

Winston Air2 Microspey 11 ft 3 wt

Recovery Rate: Fast

Deflection: Medium/tip

Price: $399

How do you spell fun with a fly rod? M-i-c-r-o-s-p-e-y. Few rods really give you the ability to try something new, which is always a great way to just enjoy being on the water. But what is a microspey rod? Basically, take your favourite dry fly rod, lengthen it by a few feet, grip it with two hands and there you go. For a single hander trying two-handed casting, this is the perfect starting tool; the shorter rod allows a nice transition before tackling something longer than 13 feet. Plus, microspey in itself is a fantastic skill to learn. The Air 2 has a little faster recovery than Winston’s previous Microspey rods but it still has that deep load you can feel building.

What our team found most engaging was to use long bellied, single-handed lines in 5-to-7 weights (the Airflo Super Trout was also fun to try). Rather than just going for short heads, I think the character and spirit of the Winston rods are brought out by more traditional, longer-headed spey lines which enable traditional spey techniques and also carry a bit more line. There are few things quite as cool in fly casting as shooting 100 feet of line with an 11-foot 3 weight Microspey rod.

36

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Loomis IMX PRO V2 9 ft 5 wt

Recovery Rate: Fast

Deflection: Medium/tip

Price: $595

Many of our testers are enthusiastic, long-time Loomis fans. The IMX Pro V2 brings back something that they remembered fondly from the Loomis GLX (a cornerstone of the company’s arsenal): progressive flex and sneaky power. What is most impressive about this rod is what I think can best be described as its “natural” feel. I almost forgot it was in my hand while casting, which I think is the mark of the best fly rods. Whether casting short or long, small dries or a dry/dropper, our reviewers were able to focus on where they wanted the rig to go—not how to prevent a tailing loop or a tangle. This is when magic on the water happens, when the cast becomes second nature and the fishing comes first.

Lamson 9 ft 5 wt Radius

Recovery Rate: Medium

Deflection: Medium

Price: $1,195

The Radius, by Lamson, is a generally-decent fishing tool. I see it as an all around stick that might have more muscle than precision, but will always get the job done. The grip is a bit unique and will suit a larger hand and the look is stealthy and clean. Our testers enjoyed the progressive flex of the rod and appreciate the price point on what feels like a very durable and usable tool on the water.

Winston Air 2 9 ft 5 wt

Recovery Rate: Medium

Deflection: Medium/tip Price: $449

The Air 2 is a great rod. Classic and timeless Winston. I’m not sure we need to say much more, but, since my editors asked: What you will find with the Air 2 is a slightly improved recovery rate, which makes the rod more responsive.

This rod has a soft tip, slightly stiffer butt section and absolutely premium components. The flip side of these premium components is that they can make the rod slightly heavier. But practically…do a few ounces of weight really matter that much? We have taken modern fly rods to such a place of lightness and length that the industry is now compensating by adding weight to (some) fly reels. I’d suggest the tiny bit of premium bulk makes the Air 2 even more classic and timeless.

flyfusionmag.com

37

Orvis Helios D 9 ft 5 wt and 9 ft 8 wt

Recovery Rate: Very fast

Deflection: Tip

Price: $998

The D series seems to be the new standard in fast action tip-flex rods. The rods are light in hand, with solid balance. The Helios D rods have excellent recovery rates, with best-in-class stability, which reduces tip bounce to a minimum. It seems that Orvis has found the magic recipe for the graphites they use and the design. With that said, these rods are not for everyone. Most will use half-to-full-weight heavier lines to get the rods to bend more, slow them down a bit and generally make it easier to wield their power. Bear this in mind when choosing rods, and make sure you are comparing apples to apples. If you are comparing a 905 Helios D while casting a half-weight heavy line to a Winston Air 905 rigged with a true-weighted line, you will find the Helios D casts further. No longer is the weight the standard as printed. The 905 will require a half-weight heavy line for most to generate high line speeds with optimal control and accuracy. The 908, on the other hand, casts close to a true 8 weight. Both are exceptional sticks in a variety of freshwater and saltwater applications.

Sage R8 Salt 9 ft 8 wt

Recovery Rate: Fast Deflection: Tip

Price: $1,100

The R8 Salt does not feel like the rods of old from Sage. Those had very high recovery speeds and minimal deflection.

These modern rods have a bit more deflection and a fast recovery rate—although not faster than prior models. That being said, overall, Sage’s recovery rates are some of the fastest in the industry and have been for a number of years, and this rod is no slouch. In fact, the R8 is probably one of the most fishable rods in the lineup. It is forgiving with a variety of fly lines, which makes it more controllable. When casting long distances, our team found that it was easier to get the 8 weight to dump an entire fly line by using a half-weight-heavy line. You may feel the same.

Scott Wave 9 ft 7 wt

Recovery Rate: Fast

Deflection: Medium/tip

Price: $675

With so many rods going up in price, the Wave is now mid-priced…hard to believe. But while putting rods to the test in the light salt, this was the one we kept picking up. We were not thinking about how to cast it, we weren’t worrying about where the tip was or what was happening with the line. We were simply targeting fish, making a cast and assuming the rod would follow through…which it did, every time. Many of us found that almost undefinable magic between angler and rod when using this stick. To be fair, finding this magic can be somewhat individual, but as rod testers, it was definitely something worth noting. For its moderate price and classic feel, the Scott Wave quickly became the staff favourite. It displayed a rock-solid performance for all of our purposes.

38

The Soul of Fly Fishing

PRESENT

Get your tickets at

THETROUTTOUR.COM

TIGHT LOOPS, TIGHT LINES

Kastine Coleman Kastine Coleman is a Fly Fishers International casting instructor, a two-time IGFA world record holder for Atlantic salmon, fishing guide and co-owner of Tight Loops Tight Lines with her partner Terry Byrne. She is a director with FFI and the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation and a SPAWN board member. She resides in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, with her three children..

All photos Jake Dicks

Salmon on First and Goal On football and fly fishing

W

hen I pick up the phone, there’s a deep voice on the other end, and it’s impossible to miss the charismatic American accent attached. John, as the caller introduces himself, is inquiring about booking a few days of guided fishing for the coming summer.

The conversation takes the usual track, with lots of time spent on details of getting here and travelling on the island of Newfoundland. With every word spoken, John’s excitement builds. His anticipation resonates through the receiver, and as we converse, I am painted a vivid picture of a passionate angler ready for a new experience.

A game plan We live in the Canadian province which every day is first to see the sun rise—the most easterly point in North America. Newfoundland is remote and rugged, surrounded by ocean, with ponds and rivers on almost every bend of the island’s few roads. The land mass is vast, with sparsely-populated communities spread out by long stretches of highway. There’s low levels of cell reception in between towns, but frequent “wowmoments” from admiring the landscape tend to fill the void. When anglers arrive here, by plane or by ferry, we shuttle them from the blacktop, down the bumpy dirt roads and onto our winding trails through the woods.

We’ve been in the business long enough to know that what people are seeking in this province is not simply fish, but adventure, solace and a connection to nature.

Advanced analytics Eventually, I discover that John Gillen is a retired NFL linebacker, having played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the New England Patriots in the 1980s. Admittedly, my knowledge about American football is limited; at first glance, fishing and football seem completely different. However, I soon find out the two sports share some commonalities—parallels other than having “tackle” and “line” as part of the lexicon. Both fly fishing and football require skill, precision and focus.

Technique also plays a crucial role in both, whether it’s casting a perfectly-presented fly or executing a precise

40

The Soul of Fly Fishing

flyfusionmag.com

41

pass. Patience and perseverance are also important, as success in both pursuits often comes from persistence and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Buttonhooks Many months after that initial phone call, the football player and the fishing guide are standing on the side of a river together. John has graciously agreed to allow us to film one of his guided days of fishing for our television show—a proposition I had put forward only one day earlier, after watching him fish for a few moments with Terry. After I witness John intensely follow his dry fly and set the hook at lightning speed, I know it’s something I have to share with our audience. Sometimes that’s the way the film business works. Carpe diem, as they say.

Formations Repeatedly presenting a dry fly to a rising Atlantic salmon is no easy feat. It’s even harder on an open stretch of water, with no exposed rocks to use as landmarks. And

42

The Soul of Fly Fishing

it’s especially tough when you can’t see the fish in the water. The flowing river and subsequent ripples trick your eyes into moving with the current, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the fish was. On many occasions I have fallen victim to this optical illusion and have wasted countless precious opportunities casting a full foot below my target. Because they aren’t feeding in the freshwater, the majority of salmon won’t be bothered to turn and chase a fly that’s not in front of their noses.

Touchdown As Terry coaches John on placement and he gently lays the fly on the exact bubble of the correct seam, the salmon strikes immediately. So does John. I rarely witness an angler with such impressive reaction time and as he plays the fish, I can’t help but smile. Every jump is met with fascination and excitement, and it’s as if I am experiencing my first salmon all over again. John brings the fish to the net and marvels at its beauty. But then as he releases the fish, for a split second, it’s like he’s

flyfusionmag.com

43

just fumbled a football. When it leaves his fingertips, he drives his hands back into the water and scoops the fish back up into his arms. Recovery! But then he realizes he’s on the river, not the gridiron. Meanwhile, my entire being surrenders to laughter. John, too, surrenders, relaxing his embrace and allowing the fish to swim away.

Instant replay After taking a moment to breathe, John relives the story of the catch from start to finish, remembering his cast, the take, and every moment of action from the salmon as it leapt through the air. As a guide, it is incredibly rewarding not only to have your sport hook a fish, but to know they truly appreciate the efforts that you put in to finding those fish for them. We can tell that John is enamoured by the species and the river systems we call home.

Timeout Newfoundlanders have a rich food culture, and I’ve prepared a humble shore lunch to help slow down

the day. We are blessed with being able to live field to table—if we so choose—and it’s rewarding to prepare something that I’ve played a part in growing or harvesting. Today I’m cooking fresh Newfoundland lobster with garlic butter, accompanied by coleslaw and potato salad. We’ve also got moose sausages cooked over a beach fire, a wild treat that warms the fingers nicely after stripping cold fly line.

Endzone Not every day on the water ends with fish and lobster, but we’re incredibly lucky to be able to share these experiences with our guests, regardless of the details of the outcome.

We’re grateful to John for the reminder to treat every day on the water like your first—full of joy and excitement. If you find yourself needing a reminder on how to approach your day with curiosity and gratitude, I’d encourage you to watch the episode of Tight Loops Tight Lines titled “Salmon on first and goal” from our brand new season, airing in January 2024 on Sportsman Canada, and also found via the Fly Fusion website.

NEW

Cimarron: /sim-uh-rohn/ - wild, untamed.

Introducing the newest large arbor Ross Reel with best-in-class fish stopping drag Made in the USA

$295 SIZE

4|5

5|6

WIDTH

0.98”

1.02”

DIAMETER

3.25”

3.50”

WEIGHT

5.8 oz

6.2 oz

LINE WEIGHT

4-5wt.

5-6wt.

CAPACITY 20#

WF4 + 65 WF5 + 50

WF5 + 80 WF6 + 60

REEL MSRP

$295

$295

SPOOL MSRP

$147.50

$147.50

visit rossreels.com

M A D E

I N

T H E

U S A

ON THE VISE

Deer to Me Frank Brassard Frank Brassard is a fly tyer and fly fisher based in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. When he isn’t chasing trout in cold, glacier fed streams, he enjoys taking traditional nymph and dry patterns and giving them his own twist. Frank’s flies can be seen on Instagram at @frank.brassard

46

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Understanding the versatility and variability of deer hair

I

’m not so much interested in the chicken or the egg debate. As a fly tyer and sportfish angler, I’m more interested in the chicken and the deer discussion.

Not what came first, mind you—just the fact that we only need these two sources of materials to tie flies capable of catching pretty much any fish we target.

Salt or freshwater.

Bold statement? You bet. Are there some exceptions?

Probably. Still, I’d argue that between these humble animals, creative fly tyers have been gifted all the natural materials they need to produce everything from the smallest dry fly to the largest articulated streamer.

Although far from it in the animal kingdom, when it comes to the fly tying food chain, the chicken and the deer are at the very top.

Why? Because of the variety of materials that can be harvested from them. By using fibres found only on chicken and deer, we can create flies with different buoyancy, different movements and different air resistance.

No doubt many of you devil’s advocates are already clucking about the utility of pheasant, quacking about the irreplaceability of duck and stamping your feet in defence of the practicalities of rabbit. Hear me out. If you’re unable to imagine a world without CDC or spiky dubbing, let me reassure you that I’m not insinuating we go cold turkey on the full panoply of materials we’ve become accustomed to.

I’m simply putting forward the importance of chicken and deer in their applications and availability. In this piece, I’ll focus on deer hair and hope to provide you with a guide to help select the right type of hair for the flies you intend to tie.

I live on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, in a small town tucked right up against the mountains.

What the area lacks in cultural diversity, endless choices in restaurants and access to boutique shopping experiences it makes up in breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. From bald eagles to grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep and deer, our population of beasts far exceeds that of people. As a result, the relationship between humans and wildlife is deeply intertwined and inherently complex. Like many communities which interface with the wilderness, our backcountry has become a fragile balance of industry and recreational interests, but hunting remains a way of

life, where game is taken not for sport but to fill freezers and feed families.

Every year in November, I reach out to the local hunting community, asking if anyone has a deer hide they would consider donating to my fly tying desk. Usually, my inbox will fill up in less than 20 minutes with dozens of positive replies; I then proceed to collect on two or three of the kind offers. Over the years, I have learned to carefully select what parts of the hide are best for my tying goals, and importantly, how to process the hair for storage. Since I started asking local hunters for help, I have cleaned and preserved hides from three whitetails, one mule deer, an elk, a moose, a few rabbits and even a grouse pelt. My desk drawers are chock full and I have more deer hair that I could ever need in my lifetime.

I recognize that the vast majority of tyers don’t get their deer hair this way, nor does their acquiring of materials probably include scraping and tanning. Most of us do our “harvesting” by heading down to the local fly shop and choosing from dozens of small packages on a wall-mounted display. But between the somewhat confusing names—Primo, Spinning, Comparadun, Hock, Belly, Mid-Season, Late Season, etc.—it can be difficult to make a selection. What hair should you choose to tie an Elk Hair caddis, for example? Is it the same as you need to tie a Tilt Wing or a Bufford? I’m hoping that by the end of this article, the answer will be a bit more clear.

The first thing to understand is that depending on where on the animal’s body it grows, the property of deer hair changes. The purpose of the hair, of course, is to provide the animal with protection against the elements, whether brush or bugs or rain, snow, heat or cold. In a fly tying setting, it’s the latter driver which dictates the type of hair we’re selecting for. The areas of the deer’s body that are more vulnerable to losing heat will be protected by a different type of hair than the ones which are less vulnerable. In that regard, the hair on the animal’s back, neck and rump will typically have longer and thicker hair than the hair on its sides and legs. That’s because the back and rump are where the largest muscles are, whereas the deer’s lower legs are mostly just ligaments, tendons and bones— much less susceptible to heat loss.

flyfusionmag.com

47

It’s important to understand that a shaft of deer hair does not have a solid core (aka the cortex). But neither is it completely hollow. If you were to cut a hair shaft in two and look at it under a microscope, the cortex would look 4 3 something like a sponge, or as though it was comprised of dense bubbles.

7 That’s because the cortex is filled with air pockets, whereas the outside shell of the hair (cuticle) is made of hardened keratin—the same material that your nails are made of. The relationship between the thickness of the cuticle and the amount of air contained within the cortex will dictate its ability to flare and float. The thinner the cuticle, the more flare you’ll get when binding down the material to the hook. And the more air trapped within the cortex, the greater the buoyancy of that patch of hair.

Now that we have a base understanding of what gives hair its flaring and floating ability, let’s figure out what type of hair come from what part of the deer.

48

The Soul of Fly Fishing

1 Mask or head: The hair on the head of the deer is quite fine and short. It is also quite coarse. It has poor flaring and floating ability. Unfortunately, deer mask is 1 not very common in fly shops. This is 2 partly due to its relatively-narrow scope of 5 applications, but mostly due to the 6 difficulty of acquiring deer mask in the first place. Removing the skin from a skull is a tedious process and most hunters will trim off the hide below the head when skinning the animal in the field.

Flies: Because of its stiffness and texture, it is ideal for wings on dry flies, such as small caddis or other very small dry flies.

Sold as: Deer Mask

2 Neck and back: This is a 20-30 cm strip of hair along the top of the animal which runs from the neck to the rump. Some of the longest hair is found here, as it protects the spine and has evolved to having excellent heat retention

and snow shedding properties. The hair found here usually has a good long taper and produces a very fine texture in the upper 40-50 per cent of the shaft. The long and fine taper has a thicker cuticle and thus less flaring. This is the best hair for wings and smaller spun body flies.

Flies: Streaking Caddis, Stimulators, Goddard Caddis, Irresistible Sold as: Backstrip, Stimulator Hair, Hopper Hair

upper 60 percent of the hair from deer tail wont flare at all.

Tail hair is also very stiff and very durable. This is the perfect hair to tie large streamer wings, and it’s often used for flies used to hunt the toothier predators, such as pike and musky.

Flies: Clousers, Buffords, Howitzer Sold as: Bucktail

5 Body: This is the side of the animal. It covers a large 3 Rump: Long, coarse hair is what you find on the backside of the deer. Due to the thin cuticle and length of the hair, rump fibres are the best hairs for spinning and stacking. It has tremendous flaring and floating proprieties and makes for the best hair when tying bass bugs and streamer collars.

Flies: Bass Poppers, Frogs, Mice Sold as: Spinning Hair 4 Tail: Although it is a relatively small piece of hair, the tail has varying properties. The base of the tail has hair that will flare under some thread pressure. Conversely, the

Follow us on Instagram Facebook TikTok

Download the App

area and can therefore vary in length and quality. Its compressibility and buoyancy will depend on the time of year the animal was harvested. The later in the season, the denser and coarser the hair. The quality will also depend on the time of harvest. A deer that lays down in snow will cause less damage to the hair’s tips than a deer that lays down in dirt and sticks. Although most reputable companies such as Nature Spirit and Shor will ensure that only the best products make it to shelf, take a good look at each package before buying.

Flies: Bombers, Muddlers, Sculpins, Hoppers Sold as: Body Hair, All Purpose, Primo

Over 1,400 New Line Items in our 2023-2024 Catalog See the New items at your local Hareline Dealer or on our Website www.hareline.com

flyfusionmag.com

49

6 Belly: This hair is found on the underside of the animal. Belly hair is naturally white and perfect for dying.

It is also extremely coarse and dense. This is the ideal hair for spinning large flies. Unfortunately, it represents a relatively small patch on the body and typically, the pieces sold are also quite small. When you find a colour and quality you like, stock up: the flies you tie with belly hair usually require quite a bit of material. Do not hesitate to open the package and inspect the pieces inside. Belly hair will come in small squares of hard, dry hide. Similar to body hair, depending on the time of year when the harvest took place, the belly hair will differ greatly in length and thickness.

Flies: Dungeons, SIDs, Drunk and Disorderly, Bass Bugs Sold as: Belly Hair, Body Hari (Shor)

7 Legs or hocks: Leg or hock hair is short, fine, and stiff. Similar to the mask, its best use is for wings on smaller flies, where flaring must be minimal but buoyancy maintained. The hair at the top of the leg will usually be a bit longer and softer than the hair on the lower portion of

the leg. The barring on this hair is very distinct.

Flies: X-Caddis, Comparadun, Sparkle Dun Sold as: X-Caddis, Deer Hock I hope that this guide will shed some light on deer hair and helps you next time you’re standing in the shop or browsing a website, trying to decide what type of hair to buy for that Parachute Madame X. Always keep in mind that deer hair is a natural fibre and unlike synthetic, the quality and specification from one pack to the next will always differ. This is where shopping at your local fly shop pays off. Don’t be afraid to open the packages and scrutinize the products. If you find a colour or quality that you really like, don’t hesitate to buy a few of them.

Finally, if you are the kind of tyer who shies away from the more advanced deer hair techniques, I invite you to visit the YouTube channels of gurus such as Barry Ord Clark or Andreas Anderson. They both do an excellent job at demonstrating step-by-step the techniques of stacking, spinning and shaping deer hair.

Fish Pond

TIME-TESTED GEAR

Switchback Pro

52

The Soul of Fly Fishing

What sets this carrying system apart is the belt. It might seem odd that a belt would be the selling point for me, but this belt is built not just for functionality, but for taking abuse. A common design flaw many fishing packs share is they tend to move and shift around, especially sling packs.

This belt keeps the pack seated where it should be and includes some built-in extra features like a net holder. The details on the pack, such as the Tacky fly patch, magnetic drop-down pocket and stretchy inside pockets all aid in making this a good, highly functional pack, but the beefy belt makes the Switchback Pro carrying system stand out. fishpondusa.com

Costa

Mainsail This summer I wore the Costa Mainsail on various trips throughout BC. The Costa Mainsail are a comfortable fitting sunglass with great coverage for sun and lenses that cut glare extremely well, making for an enjoyable day on the water in the sun or in shaded conditions. I found the best test for these sunglasses was on long days of fishing bull trout and cutthroat in small remote rivers of the Kootenays.

Unlike other lenses I’ve worn, I found my eyes adjusted very well to the color and more importantly didn’t distort color or affect my vision when I took them off after wearing them for several hours.

When searching for bull trout in super deep fast-moving pools, it’s great having a lens that can pick up different colors. The 580G Green Mirror glass lenses excelled at it and helped contrast fish and colours while fishing in a mix of sun and shade that often comes with fishing tight cliffy rivers with big tree cover. Having the lenses contrast colours so well made it easy to pick up fish in various water conditions and depths. The quality glass lens also didn’t pick up any scratches or marks after various long treks through brush and are easy to clean. Although I haven’t worn these in a saltwater setting, several days of fishing bass on open water proved to be a great test for eye comfort and glare reduction. They fit my face very well, and although they don’t have a lot of wrap on the sides, I never felt like the sides of my eyes were over exposed to the sun. costadelmar.com

FishPond Nomad

The FishPond Nomad Mid-Length net boasts a deep, 12-inch bag, a 13x18-inch basket and a long handle to stuff between my pack and my back.

The net stayed put while I walked the banks of a famously fertile river and didn’t impede my casts as I threw an absurdly heavy sink tip rig in hopes of dredging up a moving fish. The Nomad MidLength’s strength is its utility. I brought it in my boat on the cold waters of Maligne Lake, in Jasper National Park, where I used its length to help me safely reach past the gunwales and scoop a feisty rainbow. And I brought it on day trips and walkand-wades in the Rockies where it helped me quickly land and release the biggest bull trout I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. fishpondusa.com

St. Croix Evos

St Croix, a well-established and respected angling company has announced its return to the fly-fishing community with its latest offering. Introducing EVOS and its saltwater equivalent, EVOS SALT – a pair of premium, high-performance rod series three years in the making that marry power with precision. Advanced anglers looking for fast-action performance over a wide range of modern fly-fishing techniques have a new choice. EVOS challenges the status quo of traditional fly-rod design and sets the bar for multi-technique performance. Conceived and delivered for anglers who make life decisions based on hatch charts, gage heights, and migration timing, EVOS consists of 14 four-piece models ranging from line sizes #4 through #8.

Fast-action EVOS and fast/salt-action EVOS SALT tapers are both powered by a next-level carbon fiber matrix and exclusive MITO® Graphene technology. A single-atom-thick layer of carbon, graphene is the stiffest and strongest material known to science. The process fits within St. Croix’s verticalcontrol philosophy, affords extreme consistency, and delivers anglers with more of the benefits graphene can provide – namely, dramatically faster recovery, increased torsional rigidity, and significantly improved strength-to-weight ratios.

Every angler deserves an elevated fishing experience and the EVOS and EVOS SALT deliver. stcroixfly.com

Scientific Anglers

Magnitude Clear Floating Lines It’s not a secret that Scientific Anglers takes seriously the evolution of fly lines, but they did a damn good job of keeping this new line family a secret while in development. Introducing the new Magnitude Clear floating family of fly lines. Using naturally buoyant polymers, Scientific Anglers has created the next generation of clear floating lines. The Grand Slam Clear Float fly line comes with the option of a ten-foot clear floating tip that allows you to track the fly and a full clear floating line for the ultimate in stealthy presentation. Enhanced with EST+ slickness additive the lines offer unmatched durability, smoother shooting, and eco-friendly performance. The shooting texture reduces friction to deliver longer casts, which makes for the perfect line for bonefish, tarpon, and permit on the flats; also great for snook, redfish, and sea trout. The Grand Slam Clear Float fly line is overweighted by .75 sizes to load rods quickly and offers short, powerful head turns, ideal for heavy flies. For more information on this full suite of new lines, including available lines weights, visit Scientific Anglers online. scientificanglers.com

flyfusionmag.com

53

Simms

TIME-TESTED GEAR

G4Z Stockingfoot Wader Built with a super durable 4-layer GORETEX® Pro Shell lower, the G4Z Stockingfoot Wader features a 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell upper for maximum comfort, mobility, and breathability. The patterning of the wader has been updated to offer a better fit, enhanced comfort, and range-of-motion. The 4-layer lower has been extended higher up on the legs and seat to bolster the durability in the hardest working areas of the wader. One of the more visual improvements is a new spacer mesh suspender package. A harness style design provides a more ergonomic fit and breathable support. The new suspender system also comes equipped with new cam-locking hardware for on-the-fly adjustment. The new G4Z features the classic pocket array of two zippered stretch woven chest pockets and an additional two zippered handwarmer pockets. Handwarmer pockets now come equipped with a higher pile micro fleece to warm frozen fingers quickly. Two toothless, TruZip, fully submersible pockets have been added on the inside of each side of the YKK center-front zipper.

Construction drastically reduces bulk and rigidity in the upper portion of the wader to offer more comfort and mobility. For additional information on the new G4Z Stockingfoot Wader from Simms Fishing Products visit them online. simmsfishing.com

Orvis

Battenkill Reel This reel has an aesthetic design, and a solid feel. It’s great for trout fishing, and mounts nicely on a 3 to 5-weight rod. It’s easy to switch from left to right-handed retrieve. The spool is narrow, but the retrieval rate is quick for the arbour size. I enjoyed the sound of the reel with its click-and-pawl design. It helped set the mood as I landed a brook trout in the still morning air. The drag was easy to adjust with a simple twist, however, to make the adjustment, you have to remove the spool, making midfish corrections out of the question. I might suggest the reel is a little heavy for its size with its use of aluminum, but at a great price point, it would be a great addition to anyone’s trout fishing lineup. orvis.com

Abel

Nippers Abel is synonymous with top notch reels. They definitely carried on these qualities with the production of their Nippers. The blades are as sharp as can be and will cut anything from 7X tippet to backing and yes, fingernails. The blades can be easily sharpened and replaced, ensuring that this will be the last pair of nippers you’ll ever need to buy. In true Abel style and attention to detail, magnets are incorporated into the nippers to hold your fly as you cut the tippet. abelreels.com

54

The Soul of Fly Fishing

BUILT TO FISH

New for 2024, the PAC 1150 is an American-made, 2-man raft package, perfect for a rower and one angler looking to leave the crowds. This package features a custom Down River Equipment (DRE) frame, including a dry box, casting platform, lean bar with apron, and anchor system. The PAC 1150’s compact design is great for both whitewater and flatwater fishing. Available now, let this built-for-adventure raft help you access the best fishing holes with ease.

outcastboats.com | 800.966.9076

WANDERING CURRENTS

Derek Olthuis Derek loves researching and exploring new places to fish–the more remote the better. He is obsessed with sight fishing; to him there is nothing more enjoyable than stalking a fish and watching it eat a fly.

Rekindling, Resetting and Reminding Spring’s warm embrace

A

fter months of restlessness, the desire to get out and explore is overwhelming. Fishing, for me, has lately been about exploration and even more, a chance to slow down, reconnect and recharge. And at no other time is the urge to find new places and reexperience nature stronger than it is during the spring.

The lengthening days and warm sunlight which slowly melt winter’s icy grip fuel the need to get out and find somewhere new to fish.

Alpine aloofness We follow the receding snow line higher, into the mountains. We know the effort to find fish will be magnified, but also that the payoff will be worth the penance. Ice having melted away, hungry fish will prowl the edges in hopes of an easy meal. All winter long my thoughts have drifted to this scene: small patches of open water, willing fish and solitude. Does spending the winter under the hard water help fish forget past experiences of being caught? Unlike trout who live their lives in warmer water, fish in alpine environments don’t usually get a year-round education in avoiding anglers (regulations-dependent, of course). Casts are dropped near the edge of the thawing ice and even stripped on top of it. The frozen ceiling apparently offers a layer of overhead security because the trout feed freely, with nary a thought that their prey might not be what it appears.

56

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Not all who wander…

Fishing friendships—put not on ice but on winter pause—are rekindled as the passion we share is once again fired up. Not that winter fishing isn’t an option but… short, cold days tend not to have the same draw as spring’s elongated embrace. Above-zero temperatures are generally much more compatible with camping, road trips and pushing higher towards the headwaters. This companionship is what fuels many days on the water for me: the desire to go to new places with old friends.

Oftentimes we find ourselves disoriented in the woods, prospecting some zone that we have talked about fishing before but never quite made the time to check off the list. But on the water, even when we’re lost, we’re in the process of finding ourselves.

Insects are also on the move. They’re waking up from the cold, their biology knowing it’s time to transform from a juvenile to an adult. Early season hatches can be the best of the year, with bugs blanketing the water and fish gorging themselves on the perennial abundance.

Winking willows Standing on the bank, boots sunk into a mixture of mud and snow and watching fish rise, my winter restlessness is soothed. There is a refreshed and rejuvenated sense that lingers in the air—and it’s not just the smell of the budding willows. Even though my casts are rusty and lack the polish they’ll hopefully acquire later in the season, my

flyfusionmag.com

57

soul is satisfied. Watching a fish slowly rise to a fly will do that, and the first few sips of the year always seem so much more satisfying than my winter-wrought brain could even have anticipated.

Cold days spent inside is time studying maps and looking for that next place to experience. Fishing is the vehicle that drives me to be outside and gives me the needed connection with nature. When I finally get there, everything is in rebirth. The trees are sticky with life as new leaves once again adorn the branches that were so recently bare. Vivid flowers grow in even the smallest patches of open ground, creating a stark contrast between the white snow.

Simple pleasures Spending full days on the water, with nothing more to worry about than fooling a fish, is healing. If successful, as I watch the quarry swim back to its watery home, I am filled with gratitude for the chance to experience something so meaningful, so connected. The distractions of life are lost in the pursuit of something simple. And it is that simplicity that I long for.

Although we don’t always name it, as anglers, we feel it when we sit down at the vise. We feel it when we talk fishing with friends and share our experiences or prepare for the next trip. And we feel it on the water: The connection. The passion. The excitement.

The adventure. Winter serves as a reminder for me of just how much I love this sport.

Spring’s embrace is the reset button, when once again we get to spend long days in the sunlight, chasing fish and reconnecting with nature. It’s the season of ice-off, of rebirth, of insect hatches, and of rising fish. It’s also the best time for a reminder of how meaningful it is to experience stepping back into the water, seeing a fish eat, holding it momentarily and sending it back home.

58

The Soul of Fly Fishing

TRAILERS | SCHEDULE TICKETS | STREAM f ly f i l m f e s t. c o m

STILLWATER SECRETS

Talking Chronis Fine-tuning chironomid pupal patterns Brian Chan Often referred to as “Dr. Chironomid,” Brian has always viewed stillwater fly fishing through the lens of a biologist. Lakes and their inhabitants are always changing–no two days are ever the same–and that’s what Brian finds so fascinating about fly fishing in still water.

I

t is safe to say that the most significant aquatic insect emergence occurring in lakes are midges or chironomids. Even the largest and deepest lakes support chironomid populations.

However it is the smaller, more nutrient-rich water bodies which provide the best habitat for diverse and abundant populations of these members of the insect order Diptera.

Dipping in Dipterans are one of the largest and most highly-evolved insect orders and the family Chironomidae have the largest number of species of any aquatic insect order.

More than 100 genera, encompassing more than 2,000 species of chironomid, are estimated to live in North American lakes and rivers.

Prolific and prolonged chironomid hatches are what ardent stillwater fly fishers look forward to each spring after spending the past winter re-stocking their proven patterns—as well as creating new ones that, in their favourite waters, will hopefully fool the big fish.

Chironomids undergo a complete life cycle (or metamorphosis) including larval, pupal and adult stages. While all three life stages are fed on by fish,

60

The Soul of Fly Fishing

it is the pupae that are most sought after by trout and other fish species. Pupae emerge in significant numbers, and these hatches can occur throughout the open water period—although the most intense emergences typically occur in the spring and early summer months.

Gorgeous gorge At any one time there could be staggering numbers of pupa either staging at the lake bottom or slowly ascending to the surface to complete the transformation to the adult stage. As well, several different sizes and colours of pupae (different species) can emerge at the same time—as verified by throat pump sampling. Suspended or migrating pupae make an easy, highly nutritious meal that fish will gorge on day after day. Imitating these consistent pupal emergences has created an almost cult-like obsession for many anglers, folks who are constantly trying to perfect presentation tactics with fly patterns which capture the colour and size of the pupa that are present on any particular day.

The right dangle Chironomid pupae break out of their old larval cases that are found in the mud-water interface at the bottom of the lake. The larvae can be found living in as little as five feet of water, and they can be found in depths of more than 70 feet. Newly-emerged pupae will then release gases that are trapped beneath their outer cuticle (or skin) which aids in the ascent to the surface of the lake. Ascending pupae appear silvery or chrome-like in appearance. Wellknown stillwater fly fishing guru Phil Rowley recognized the importance of this pupal colour when he created the Chromie pattern, which continues to be a must-have fly wherever stillwater trout are found.

Overall it is much more effective to present pupal patterns within a foot or two of the bottom of the lake where the newly emerged pupae are most concentrated.

Strike indicators are a very effective presentation tool, as the fly (or flies) can be suspended at precise depths.

This method works well in water to about 25 feet deep.

Beyond that depth, an indicator and long leader become unwieldy to cast. That’s when fast sinking lines can be used to dangle or deep line the chironomid pupa.

Dangling is basically a vertical presentation of a fly pattern using a very fast sinking line such as a type 6 or 7 full sinking line. It is the go-to method for presenting pupal patterns that are staging in the deepest parts of the lake.

The Importance of being Dull Over the past several seasons many dedicated chironomid anglers have been seeing trout in their favourite lakes become very selective to feeding on newly emerged pupa—prior to the pupa’s ascent to the surface. These pupae are fairly bland in appearance, with little or no shine or flash to their bodies. For lack of a better description we refer to these non-gassed up pupa as dull chironomids. Dull pupa will stay suspended just off the

Grey Brown and Claret Dull Pupa Hook: Daiichi 1760 2XL nymph hook in size 16, 18 Thread: Grey Brown UTC 70 waxed thread Body: Grey Brown UTC 70 waxed thread

Rib: Claret Semperfli 8/0 Classic waxed thread Collar: Burnt Orange 12/0 Classic waxed thread Bead: Brown Magic 5/64th dia.

(2mm) Gills: White Antron Coating: Loctite Instant Adhesive

lake bottom for up to several days before entering the gassed up phase and ascending up through the water column. We know this because of the excellent pupal fishing we enjoy while not seeing any adults or pupal shucks over the course of several days fishing.

Imitating non-gassed up pupa still involves tying slender, tapered bodies with distinct abdominal segmentation, as well as the prominent white breathing filaments located at the top of the pupal head. Dull body colours can be created by using fly tying thread in 8/0 or 12/0 sizes. There are a many good thread brands to choose from and I try to select ones that have the least amount of shine or lustre to the thread when tying dull pupal patterns. Thread colours to consider are black, various shades of grey, grey/brown, tan and various shades of green. The nice abdominal tapers can be created by spinning the thread to produce a flatter wrap. The segmentation or ribs can also be tied with offsetting thread colours such as red, wine, maroon, black, brown or shades of green. Finishing the patterns with a coating of cryo acetate glues such as Loctite or Superglue will help maintain the duller appearance, while at the same time making the fly extremely durable.

Steel Grey and Black Dull Pupa Hook: Daiichi 1760 2XL nymph hook in size 16, 18 Thread: Semperfli 8/0 Classic waxed thread - Steel Body: Steel 8/0 Semperfli classic waxed thread

Rib: Black 8/0 Semperlfi classic waxed thread Bead: Brown Magic 5/64th dia.

(2mm) Gills: White Antron Collar: Burnt Orange 12/0 Semperfli classic waxed thread Coating: Loctite Instant Adhesive

flyfusionmag.com

61

Small but mighty Another observation that many serious chironomid anglers have noted in recent years is the increasing presence of very small chironomid species. Lakes that have historically had hatches of larger species of chironomids are not as consistent as in the past. Pupal patterns tied on size 16, 17 and 18 hooks are making up a much larger percentage of our chironomid boxes.

The most successful chironomid anglers are constantly scanning the surface of the lake for evidence of recent or current hatches. Newly emerged adults can be closely inspected to help refine pupal pattern size and general body colour. Of course the best information comes from catching a suitably-sized fish and taking a throat pump sample, which will reveal live food sources that we can match as closely as possible. The species of chironomids that are emerging changes as the season progresses.

Recognizing these changes, and matching the colour and size of the pupa of the day—whether dull or gassed up— and fooling a few fish is what makes chironomid fishing so challenging and at the same time, so much fun.

Come and see us. We’ll get you here...

SPEY

DAY SUNDAY APRIL 14

2024 FOLLOW US

MYFLYSHOP.COM 1.800.663.6407

myflyshop

SURREY

VANCOUVER

10484 Whalley Blvd.

Surrey, BC, V3T 4H5 604.588.2833

#105-1245 W. Broadway Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E8 604.639.2278

STEELHEAD/SPEY SPECIALISTS • EXPERT STAFF • FULL SELECTION OF COURSES • MOST ORDERS SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS Photo courtesy Aaron Goodis. Purchase prints at aarongoodisphoto.com

WATER MARKS

Let Me Be Clear...

Talking dirty about murky waters Jim McLennan Jim McLennan has been fly fishing and writing about it since sometime in the last century. He continues to indulge his passions for fly fishing, bird hunting, writing, and music, but unfortunately this leaves very little time for the thankless task of keeping Derek under control during filming of Fly Fusion TV.

64

The Soul of Fly Fishing

I

grew up in a city that has a big, slow-moving and usually brown river running through it. Though every so often the fly-fishing grapevine would vibrate when somebody fishing for goldeye or pike caught a big brown trout, this river was not, in the general sense, a trout stream.

Once, as a teenager and newish fly fisher I found myself at the edge of this river for a reason I don’t recall— perhaps it was a picnic, or just a walk, maybe even with a girl. I had never been this close to the water before and when I stood beside it, the river seemed different than the one I sped across almost daily on bridges.

This day at least, the water was clear, and that was the difference. I also noticed that the current was moving steadily (and attractively) at “trout speed”—something else I hadn’t noticed during my fast fly-overs—and that there were small deflections and bits of structure near the shoreline. I found myself thinking, If I was fishing here I’d try to put my fly right where that bit of current flows past that little point. Then I thought, I know there won’t be any fish, but I’d like to come back here with my rod and cast anyway, just to watch my fly drift on the clear current.

I never did this, of course, probably because the river was rarely at this stage of clarity and beauty, but the fact that I remember having the thought must mean something.

In the cycle of a normal season, most flowing water has a variety of stages of clarity. If it’s a freestone stream it will go through the standard sequence of water rising and getting dirty with runoff in the spring, then receding and remaining clear the rest of the summer and fall, save for periods of heavy precipitation.

Spring creeks and tailwater streams are not subject

to runoff—except in extreme conditions—and so are clear most of the year. That’s one of the things, along with steady flows and cool temperatures, that make them perfect for trout and loved by fly anglers. Many rivers that flow between two lakes are also clear most of the time.

Here’s an interesting question: How clear is clear?

Without doubt the clearest water I’ve seen is in New Zealand. Before going there I’d heard this claim and had seen magazine photos that seemed to prove it. Still, I was skeptical. My streams coming off of the Rocky Mountains are clear; how could streams somewhere else be clearer? The first time I found myself over my knees in water I had identified as ankle-deep, I was convinced.

It’s puzzling that a stream which has colour can also be clear. For example, the limestone streams of Pennsylvania, including Letort Spring Run, written about and venerated by Vincent Marinaro and others, have a distinct milky tone, yet you can see the bottoms easily and would describe the water as “clear.” Streams that flow through muskeg areas are often somewhat dark—stained is a good term—from tannic acid in the water, but are also clear. The Little Smoky River in northern Alberta is a good example. A British Columbia river called the Blackwater is dark, but also clear.

When snowmelt begins or severe summer storms come, the water in freestone streams rises and becomes opaque (or nearly so) from all the debris carried in from the banks and shore. This condition is commonly described by fly fishers as blown—as in, “Runoff is here.

The Madison and Gallatin are blown.”

For most of fly fishing’s North-American history, periods of dirty water like this have been avoided by

least in my head, that fly fishing water is clear water.

Perhaps this is just a case of an old dog balking at a new trick, or maybe it’s more evidence that fishing is not only about fish.

© Illustration derekdeyoung.com @derek.deyoung

anglers. Trout, you see, are sight-feeders, and perhaps scent-feeders, but if the water is too dirty they can’t see our flies, and since our fake flies don’t smell like real food items, the trout won’t be attracted to them by their scent. Ergo, if the fish can neither see nor smell our flies we probably won’t be able to catch them.

That seems to make sense, except that some of today’s new-age fly fishers— the ones who don’t take as gospel everything the old guys tell them—seem to have figured out ways to catch fish in the dirty water of runoff or summer rain. Some well-known guides in the Northwest in fact say runoff is their favourite time to fish their rivers.

The title of this piece is an oft-used phrase, one especially favoured by politicians as a preface to launching some unintentional (or perhaps purposeful) bafflegab toward a group of reporters. But for this week’s discussion, kids, I’m going to be perfectly transparent: I don’t like fishing in dirty water.

When one of my favourite streams is opaque brown or grey, it doesn’t look right.

In fact, it’s ugly. Something crucial to the equation I seek is absent, and it might be simply the element of beauty.

So excuse me if I politely decline fishing in dirty water.

I guess it’s in my DNA or at

flyfusionmag.com

65

END OF THE LINE

Hook Up Culture Frank Brassard Frank Brassard is a fly tyer and fly fisher based in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. When he isn’t chasing trout in cold, glacier fed streams, he enjoys taking traditional nymph and dry patterns and giving them his own twist. Frank’s flies can be seen on Instagram at @frank.brassard.

For detailed instructional videos on how to tie Frank’s versions of these deadly patterns, visit frank.brassard on Instagram or scan the QR Code below.

66

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Hopper

Grayling Candy

Damsel Nymph

Ahrex FW525 Super dry Vicuña Dubbing Sooty Olive Shor Deer Whiting’s Hackles Turkey Biot CDC Textreme Standard 6/0

Ahrex FW541 Vicuña Dubbing Chadwick Sub Firehole Stone Goose Biot Partridge Crystal Flash Textreme 50D

Ahrex FW555 Vicuña Dubbing in Mawn Brown Olive Marabou Pheasant Tail Barbell Eyes Powerthread 50D

Peeping Caddis

Two-bit Hooker

Ant

Ahrex FW555 Textreme Pearl Braid Wood Duck Hare Mask Gulff Black Textreme Powerthread 50D

Ahrex FW541 Togen’s Brown Magic Beads Textreme Bodyfly in Cinnamon Whiting’s CDL Mylar Vicuña Dubbing + Kapok Gulff Thinman Textreme Powerthread 50D

Ahrex FW541 Chocklett’s Loco Foam Whiting Hackle Peacock Herl Textreme Power thread 50D Gulff Thinman

Universal Taper Lichen/Driftwood

Universal Taper Chartreuse/White

Universal Taper Moss/Chartreuse

Power Taper Sunburst/Purple

Ridge 2.0 Super Trout Camo/Driftwood

Ridge 2.0 Super Trout Fire Orange TOTAL LENGTH 120’

HEAD LENGTH - 71’ (EXAMPLE WF5)

12.5’ FRONT TAPER

14’ BELLY

15’ REAR BELLY

Power Taper Chartreuse/White

29.5’ REAR TAPER

49’ RUNNING LINE

Award winning Airflo lines

Superflo Ridge 2.0 and Superflo Smooth lines offered in new colors Power Taper and new tapers to meet the needs of any fishing or casting scenario. Camo Green/Caddis

airflousa.com

Tactical Taper Bamboo/Watery Olive

Bandit Camo/Lichen

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER. Designed to be day-in, day-out “workhorses,” IMX-PRO V2 is packed with performance and utility to cover a broad spectrum of freshwater applications. That said, don’t take it from us. Experience this diverse set of purpose-driven actions for yourself. Because, after all, actions speak louder than words.

gloomis.com