FALL 2020 | VOLUME 17, ISSUE 4

40% stronger than the premium competition.

29% stronger than our previous material.

Independent 3rd party lab tested.

Proven wet knot strength.

Trust the facts.

The Results Speak for Themselves.

7.0lb 6.0lb

3.0lb 2.0lb 1.0lb

WET KNOT STRENGTH

4.0lb

STRAIGHT TENSILE STRENGTH

5.0lb

0.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ SA Absolute Trout 5X

SA Freshwater 5X

Competitor 1*

Competitor 2*

Competitor 3*

Competitor 4*

Competitor 5*

*Competitive materials in no particular order: Rio Powerflex+, Rio Powerflex, Umpqua, Trouthunter, Trouthunter EVO

Introducing Scientific Angler’s Absolute Leader and Tippet.

scientificanglers.com

FOCUS One of the best parts about not traveling long distances to chase fish has been more time on the water with friends. These friendships have come about because we share a love for fish and pursuing them in wild places.

© Photo Derek Olthuis

Publishing Team Chris Bird Jennifer Bird Editorial Team Derek Bird Gary Bird John Van Vleet Group Art Direction Terry Paulhus Circulation Consultant Scott Bullock Office Administrator Kim Carruthers Websites Breeze Web Department Editors Derek Bird Brian Chan Dana Harrison Jim McLennan Derek Olthuis Jeff Wagner Contributors Gary Borger Faceless Fly Fishing Curtis Hall Nick Kuchmak Jordan Oelrich Erik Svendsen Strick Walker Wesley G. White

Illustrations Tyler Hackett wanderingbluelines.com @wanderingbluelines Jon Howlett @jon_howlett_artist 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 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.

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: $69.95CAD 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 2020 Fly Fusion Ltd. Printed in Canada. © Photo Derek Olthuis

flyfusionmag.com

9

10

The Soul of Fly Fishing

CONTENTS 14

20

28

34

TACTICS FOR TROPHY STILLWATERS Jordan Oelrich Chasing rainbow trout over 10 pounds in still water is a challenging game.

It is not by accident that the same anglers who are willing to fish through 10 consecutive fish-less hours on a lake are also those with albums full of photos of gargantuan rainbow trout they have encountered over the years. With these tactics in hand, you’ll be one step closer to landing that double-digit rainbow of your dreams.

THE SECRET RIVER Gary Borger Many anglers barge right into the stream looking for fish, without paying attention to the water along the bank. It’s tempting to leave the shore behind and get those waders wet, but that’s not always the best idea. After a lifetime of angling all around the world, Gary Borger shares what he calls The Secret River, and its location just might surprise you.

QUIET CORNERS Wesley G. White Hidden far from the overflowing parking lots of Montana’s most famous rivers, there are still places that lack crowds and the only noise is made by flowing water breaking over the rocks. Highways here see few travelers, most of whom are traversing the long distances between each metropolis. These tucked-away gems are still filled with a welcoming silence and plenty of eager trout.

FLY LINES IN FOCUS Jeff Wagner We spend a lot of time thinking about how to look at fly lines. With the number of lines on the market, it can be overwhelming. And with all of those lines and so many applications, is there any way to really compare them or call out which might be better than another? In this Fly Line Review, we attempt to demystify fly lines and provide you with as much information as possible to make finding the right line for you a lot less frustrating.

INSIDE 12 42 46 50

Stream Lines Profiles Long Lines Wandering Currents

54 58 64 66

Stillwater Secrets On the Vise Water Marks End of the Line

© Photo Derek Olthuis | © Subscriber cover photo: Curtis Hall; newsstand cover photo: Faceless Fly Fishing

flyfusionmag.com

11

STREAMLINES

The Dog Days

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. © Illustration Tyler Hackett wanderingbluelines.com @wanderingbluelines

12

The Soul of Fly Fishing

I

don’t know if I ever thought I’d admit this, but I miss menial conversations about the weather. With all the craziness of 2020 came much discussion in the public arena, and with media being what it is, it’s easy to get caught up in the popular topics.

It seems that everyone I meet wants to weigh in on the sensitive matters of the moment, and those discussions even spilled over into “on the water” conversations.

So I want to go on record and say that I miss talking about the weather. If you study any type of communication theory, there are lots of reasons why we talk about the weather, but one of the most obvious is that it’s difficult to have a disagreeable conversation about clouds, rain, and sunshine. I say “difficult” because I know it’s not impossible, especially since climate change is always one degree of separation away from any discussion.

In an effort to create a safe zone for meaningless conversation, which in the long run is actually very meaningful, I’d like to discuss ways to keep meteorological discussions trending toward a favorable forecast. As a baseline let’s picture obvious candidates for a harmless weather conversation: two farmers standing beside a fence after a long day of haying. One looks up and says, “I reckon those clouds gonna bring rain.” The other responds, “I reckon a little rain’s good for the crops.”

I reckon if this is going to work then it’s best to start at the most adverse place regarding weather in relation to fly fishing in order to show that all can be redeemed. If we discount hailstones the size of tennis balls and lightning, then wind is likely the fly anglers’ worst enemy. But think of this as you fight a strong wind the next time you’re floating down a stream wishing you’d purchased the low profile drift boat: this is a fantastic opportunity to adjust the trajectory

of your casting plane in order to use the wind as a force for good. Head wind—no problem—just tilt the plane of your casting triangle forward so the wind can help load the rod on the back cast, providing extra power to cut under the wind on the forward stroke.

Just like that, your fly is inches from the bank. What?

You say the wind changed direction on you. Of course it did. Wind can be unpredictable like that. Stay positive. Just tilt the plane your casting triangle in the opposite direction. A low back cast helps cut through the hurricane behind you and then watch as the extra force delivers your fly to exactly where you want it to be on your high forward cast. You’ll likely gain some distance in this case. See, wind is your friend.

So as not to create a false sense of confidence, like a school kid who knows how to solve one math equation and then goes away only to find that all the variables on other textbook questions don’t fit his newfound understanding, you’ll need to also understand the positive nature of inconsistent wind in relation to casting a fly. The gusts that come at you from unpredictable directions—they can be tricky. I won’t waste time explaining the facts. Who wants to know that the when there’s not enough energy or an uneven amount of energy in the casting stroke the top leg of the loop drops below the bottom…blah, blah, blah. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of wind knots in your line—you were going to tie one as part of your non-slip mono loop knot anyway.

And don’t even get me started on the money you’ll save on piercings because of the hooks through cheeks and ears when fly fishing on windy days.

You don’t want anymore piercings you say? Umm. Did you know blustery autumn days help oxygenate lakes so as to help the trout avoid winterkill? Oh, you’re not a stillwater angler. Umm. Did you hear the

joke about the kid who broke wind in church? He had to sit in his own pew. Oh, you heard that one before?

Yes, I heard that methane adds to the warming of the planet. Interesting.

Where was I…winterkill…right. Winter storms add to the snow pack, which is great for fish. And any time Mother Nature wants to help by providing lots of snow so that the rivers stay high and cool through the summer months, she’s always welcome to do so. What about high snow pack coupled with a rainy spring? If she helps out too much then the fisheries quickly become unfishable. Umm. That’s a tough one, but extra high sustained run-off allows for dormant mosquito eggs from the past 10-15 years to activate into larva, which can help the trout pack on the pounds. Every angler loves larger trout. That’s a fact. No, you’re right that statement is unverifiable so it’s more of an assumption.

What? You hate mosquitoes. Umm. Maybe you need to learn to toughen up. Sorry, that was harsh and a bit of a personal attack. I’m sorry. You make a good point. It’s tough to enjoy the serenity of fly fishing when you’re breathing in those pesky little buggers.

I have a suggestion. Go out and buy some repellant, take a mosquito pill (yes, they really exist), and buy a Buff.

You might even consider wandering down the essential oil route. I assume there’s some type of oil that’ll help with mosquitoes. With all your purchasing power from the money you saved from the free piercings, you’ll be able to inject money back into the economy.

A rejuvenated economy means more money in your pocket, so you can take a trip to a warm place where there are no mosquitoes.

What’s that? You’d like to do that but you can’t because of all the travel

bans. Umm. Umm. More and more I’m feeling like I want you to be able to take a trip too. Pardon me? Yes, you’re right. Maybe it is time for a serious conversation.

I reckon the clouds are going to bring a little rain.

What’s that you say? If we grab our coats and fish through the rain, there’s usually a pretty good BWO hatch afterwards. Yes. An afternoon of autumn rain will likely bring on a good hatch of blue-wings. That’ll produce a crop of big trout looking to feed. You’re hoping for that? Me too. I reckon I am too.

flyfusionmag.com

13

Tactics for Trophy Stillwaters Jordan Oelrich

T Jordan Oelrich Jordan’s professional fly fishing career began at the age of 17 as a fly shop employee. Over the past decade, Jordan has continued to fulfill his purpose of educating both novice and experienced fly anglers to better improve both their skills and their confidence on the water. © Photo page 14-15 Nick Kuchmak

16

The Soul of Fly Fishing

here were few moments more freeing than parking my Honda hatchback in the parking lot of the local fly shop, the day after I graduated high school, to head into work for the day. While everyone else I knew was off to business school or making grand plans, there was only one thing on my mind: Perfecting and honing my skills on the trophy stillwaters that inhabit British Columbia’s interior region.

This journey began in my teens; I was infatuated with the ideology that a rainbow trout could feed only on small insects and invertebrates and reach sizes of 8, 10, and even 15 pounds. I would (and still do) spend countless waking hours reading stocking reports, searching Google Earth, studying bathymetric maps, and planning short-stinted exploratory trips in search of the next 10-pound rainbow that will pull my strike indicator beneath the water’s surface.

Chasing rainbow trout over 10 pounds in still water is a challenging game. It is not by accident that the same anglers who are willing to fish through 10 consecutive fish-less hours on a lake are also those with albums full of photos of gargantuan rainbow trout they have encountered over the years.

So, what makes this such a different game than visiting a local put-and-take lake? The first primary obstacle in fishing for trophy-sized rainbow trout in stillwaters is their constant access to a seemingly unlimited food source. Lakes do not grow big fish by being barren of aquatic insect life.

What does this mean for the angler? It means that, all of the sudden, your representation is a needle in the proverbial haystack of hatching insects and swimming invertebrates.

The second difficulty is that you are pursuing fish that

have a ph.D in fly inspection. These fish do not reach such incredible sizes by being naive, and though much is to be said in the dispute about a rainbow trout’s memory, their encounters with hooks throughout their life is bound to lend a hand in making them difficult to fool.

The third primary roadblock to finding these fish is just that: finding them. Lakes that hold fish over 10 pounds require a specific list of ingredients (more on that later), and require a knowingness of precisely what to look for in a fishery. You will learn to save yourself time, energy, and gasoline by selectively searching out waterbodies before you leave your driveway. Now it’s time to get into some of the specificities that comes with chasing the rainbow trout of a lifetime in still water.

Finding trophy lakes This is the first, and undoubtedly the most important, step in targeting fish of this caliber. It is hard to catch a fish that is not there, and your journey to landing a double-digit rainbow begins with locating lakes that are conducive to growing big fish. Though this seems obvious, there are a few crucial aspects that trophy lakes will often share in common.

The first of these is a productive, nutrient-rich environment. What this means is a lake that is abundant in aquatic life, with both insects and invertebrates. Most lakes that are known to grow big fish will have a healthy population of scuds (freshwater shrimp) that are readily available to fish throughout the entirety of the open-water season. Fairly low elevation lakes are a bonus, as the growing season for these fish will be prolonged. In British Columbia, I am often looking for lakes that are fishable from early May until late October.

The next key aspect to a quality trophy fishery is the type, and quantity, of fish going into the lake. For example, a productive lake that is stocked with only 500 sterile, nonreproducing (referred to as triploid) rainbow trout each year is often bound to be a trophy fishery. There are other factors, such as elevation, winter kill, aquatic life, and water quality (pH level) that will impact the trout’s ability to grow and thrive in their environment, but a relatively light number of fish going in each year will greatly boost their odds of growing to impressive sizes.

The final considerations for finding a trophy lake

would be regulations, accessibility, and angling pressure.

The regulations for trophy lakes are often (but not always) managed in a way that harvest and ice-fishing will be minimal or completely restricted, along with some further restrictions such as a bait ban or fly fishing only.

Catch-and-release mortality is a thing, whether we like it or not. Not every fish that gets hooked, landed, and released is always going to survive, even with the best of catch and release practices. This doesn’t mean that our percentages aren’t great, but it does mean that there will often be exceptions. Lakes that are easily accessible, that grow big fish, will often be heavily pressured. This often does not give fish a chance to grow to their maximum potential size, especially if the lake is a high-harvest fishery.

Go where they live, and stay committed In the same way that you cannot find trophy rainbows in lakes that do not support them, it is also very difficult to catch them without a plan to stay committed to this pursuit.

Lakes that churn out high numbers of two-pound “cookie cutters” are great for the right day, but in the search for large rainbow trout you will often have the odds stacked against you when it comes to numbers of fish.

Committing yourself to “toughing it out” on these waters is something that is determined well before you launch your boat in the water. The decision to say “this is where I’m fishing tomorrow, and no part of me is going to pull anchor and leave at noon if I am still empty handed” is the most important one you can make in targeting trophy stillwaters.

Rod, reel, and line selection Rainbow trout that reach formidable sizes are difficult to hook, and even more difficult to land. An ideal rod for trophy stillwaters would fall somewhere in the mark of a 9.5- to 10-foot 6-weight. Though fast and ultra-fast rods are undoubtedly the leaders in market share, I tend to lean towards a medium-fast blank for a multitude of reasons.

The first being that a slightly slower rod will do a great job of throwing an open loop with extra-long leaders (often exceeding 20 feet in length).

The second bonus for a slightly longer rod is its capability to protect lighter tippets on big fish. As the rod bends further towards the cork, more weight and shock

absorption is taking place, giving the angler a fighting chance at landing the fish. In addition to added length, the use of a fighting butt will assist you in pulling on the fish and landing it quickly.

The presentation advantage Remember when we talked about how large rainbow trout did not become large by being naive? Dialing in your presentation is a sure-fire way to increase your odds on trophy stillwaters. Quirks in your presentation that would pass for “good enough” on a put-and-take lake will often not fly on a lake filled with selective fish.

We can first begin increasing our odds through our choice in tippet material. The lightest tippet material that will still allow you to quickly land the fish is ideal. For me, it is 4X (6.7-pound) full fluorocarbon for attaching my fly.

There are a multitude of advantages to fluorocarbon over nylon, the most prominent being its relative invisibility beneath the water’s surface and increased sink rate.

Small additions that could regularly be added to the line such as split shot, swivels, tippet rings, and snap rings are often avoided in the attempt to trick trophy sized rainbows.

While these will aid your fly in reaching its desired depth quicker, or add a level of convenience for the angler, they can make it or break it on difficult fisheries. Minute details, down to the size of your strike indicator, are details that are often overlooked.

The imitation game Representing aquatic insects in their natural environment can be a tall task, especially in clear water. Though there are

flyfusionmag.com

17

exceptions, which we will cover in the next point, attractor properties that might be added to the fly such as hot-spots or fluorescent beads will often become more of a deterrent rather than an attractor.

Natural, drab materials designed to represent the natural properties of the nymph, pupae, or invertebrate you are imitating will often out-fish flies that are overdressed.

Patterns that are subtle, non-obtrusive, and realistic will often perform well in shallow or clear water to spooky fish.

Manage your expectations Aside from the days when the stars truly align, targeting trophy stillwaters is not often a numbers game. It is a game of few chances and spectacular rewards. Understanding that the same lakes that will yield days of 40, 50 or more fish to the net are often not the same lakes in which you will be seeking out double-digit fish. We are always sacrificing numbers of fish en lieu of size of fish, or the other way around.

Knowing that a successful day might mean two fish to the net, one fish to the net, or even just a small handful of chances, will help keep things in perspective. Many days have been spent chasing fish in trophy lakes, only to drive home with the fact that the line never once came tight.

Sticking it out and keeping the reward in mind is a surefire way to remain patient when it feels as though nothing is going in your direction.

Considering angling pressure The angling pressure on a lake will have a very direct impact on fly selection, and it is a double-edged sword. Lakes with little-to-no angling pressure are favorable in their ability to harbor fish that are typically more willing to bite. Highly pressured trophy stillwaters can become exceedingly difficult, due to the regularity in which fish are being caught.

An even more stealth approach is often required in trophy lakes that see excessive boat and angler traffic.

Fighting big fish We have already addressed the topics of choosing tippet that is strong enough to bring fish in quickly, and rods that will get the job done, but what do we do differently once we are hooked up to a big fish? Obstacles such as broken tippets and straightened hooks are talked about often, but the greatest risk

18

The Soul of Fly Fishing

we run is promoting an excessive lactic acid build-up through fighting fish longer than we should, ultimately increasing the chances of the fish dying after release.

Our priority is getting the fish to the net as quickly as possible. This means turning their head whenever you are given the chance, applying the maximum amount of drag possible without running the risk of breaking the fish off, and applying side pressure with the rod to tire the fish in a quick and efficient manner.

Lastly, most big fish are lost moments before being slid into the landing net. This is often due to angler error, with too much pressure being applied to the tippet and the hook while the fish is on a short leash. Counteract this by landing the fish with a liberal amount of tippet out the end of the rod tip while swinging the fish into the net. The more shock that can be absorbed by the rod, the less strain will be put on the tippet and hook.

Planning ahead Targeting trout in trophy lakes is difficult, but your odds can be greatly increased by visiting a lake during its most productive times of the year. Some lakes experience very short windows of prolific hatches and productive fishing, while others will see a prolonged window that will extend for a month or more at a time. Stocking reports, regulation books, angling reports, and topographic maps will begin giving you a great idea of where to start in accordance to what you are in search of.

In closing Targeting trophy stillwaters has been a pursuit of mine for nearly a decade now. The bar is constantly being raised and we are never satisfied until we get “the next one.” Living in a region surrounded by literally hundreds of quality trout fisheries can lead to decision paralysis at times.

This is not for the faint of heart; there have been plenty of disappointing and heartbreaking days mixed with a few moments of glory that will be etched into my memory for the rest of time. Not much has changed since the days of obsessively skimming stocking reports and searching out the next trophy stillwater I can sneak off to for the day, and I want you to remember that, even on the slowest of days, the fish of a lifetime can climb on when you least expect it.

The Secret River Gary Borger

M Gary Borger Gary Borger is one of the world’s foremost fly-fishing educators. He has taught classes and lectured internationally on all aspects of fly fishing for trout and salmon since 1972. He is recognized as one of the world’s leaders in fly designing. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Campus in Wausau.

© Photos Curtis Hall curtishallphoto.com @curtishall_

22

The Soul of Fly Fishing

y first encounter with the secret river occurred in the summer of 1956, just after my twelfth birthday. It was early morning, and I had walked to a new section of the large trout stream near home. It was a long walk, but I was an initiate fly fisher, and I set out in eager anticipation of using my newfound skills to finally conquer the big browns that I knew inhabited the stream.

I was slogging along in the shallows at the edge of a long riffle, headed for a big, downstream corner pool. My oversized hip boots (“He’ll grow into them”) slipped and slid on the rocks, and I moved slowly, afraid of twisting an ankle. Suddenly, right there in front of me, was a truly big brown trout. We saw each other in the same instant, and the fish’s reaction was as startled as mine. It blasted out of the inches-deep water into the heavy flow of midstream, as I cast furiously after it. I later understood that it had been in the shallows hunting Isonychia mayfly nymphs that were hatching at that time of year.

Advance 30 years, and my wife, Nancy, and I were fishing near Twizel on New Zealand’s South Island. The evening was mild beneath a deepening blue sky, and the fish were rising. Nancy fished a long riffle and was into fish immediately. I headed up to the long pool above. Standing at stream edge and scanning the quiet, dark surface, I noticed a big nose poke out about 40 feet upstream, close to shore. It was an easy cast. No trees behind, and none overhanging the water. The 4-weight line settled quietly to the surface. But that was the end of quiet. The water erupted as several big fish tore out of the shallows in panic.

Foolishly I had not thought that other fish could be in the secret river.

The secret river is not a specific river, but a specific location on every river. It’s a place that every angler who has ever floated with a guide has experienced, but still doesn’t seem to understand. “Where did the guide ask you to cast?”

I questioned the audience at a fly fishing show. “To the bank,” they chorused back. And that is very true. “But the next day when you went back to fish the same water, you waded where you caught the fish, and cast to where the boat was floating, didn’t you?” I pointed out. Silence. Suddenly everyone understood why I call it the secret river.

The secret river is the place most of us wade so we can reach the fish that are in mid-river. They’re in mid river because we chased them out of the secret river and into midstream with our wild-eyed wading. No place is this more evident of this than on Montana’s Madison. Frequented by literally thousands of anglers a year, this incredible trout fishery still gives plenty of great days of angling to all those who search for its rainbows and browns. But few catch the really nice fish—those over 20 inches.

My favorite time to fish the Madison for its bigger fish is after everyone has left for the evening. About an hour before dark, anglers begin abandoning the currents for the eateries in West Yellowstone, or other areas, and then head off to their respective hotels for the night. When I see the last of them clearing the parking lot, I set up my

rod with an 8-foot leader ending in a 2X tippet. After knotting on a size 2 or 4 White Wulff, or other highly visible imitation of like size, I clinch knot a 15 -inch piece of 5X to the hook’s bend, and add a size 16 Iris caddis at the end.

I take only the set-up rod. No vest, no waders, no sunglasses, not even a hat. I find a nice smooth rock to sit on close to a section of the secret river that is at least knee deep, smooth flowing, and preferably with some big protruding rocks. Then I just sit and watch. As the day disappears, and night begins to creep across the stream, I see a big nose poke out. No casting. Just sitting still and watching. After a few moments, another nose pokes out.

Still I sit. After about five minutes, I have four nice fish working within 20 feet of my position. Time to cast.

One cannot possibly hope to see the tiny caddis emerger, but the husky White Wulff is highly visible, even in the gloaming. It floats over the point where I saw a big nose poke out, and then there’s a rise close to the big marker fly. Tightening, I connect to a very healthy brown.

And so the evening goes. I’ve caught more 20- to 23-inch browns from the Madison using this marker fly tactic in the secret river than by any other method at any other time.

But fishing the secret river is not just for late evening fishing. On bright days, the fish may be in the secret river if the waters are not highly disturbed. One year, my son, Jason, and I were fishing the Spearfish River is South Dakota. Not a large stream, it nonetheless can hold some very nice trout. I was on one side and Jason on the other as we fished carefully upstream. Suddenly I notice a fish flash

flyfusionmag.com

23

about 20 feet upstream from Jason, and tight to the bank.

The water was only a few inches deep, at best. I called to Jason and told him where to cast. The fish took on the first drift. Suddenly it was all too easy. He spotted my side, and I spotted his side. We alternated fish as we moved along.

All of them were in the secret river within a foot or two of the shore. It was a delightful day filled with fish, and the fun of spotting for each other.

New Zealand is the land of the secret river and spotting fish. The best way to fish the rivers of the Antipodes is to very carefully stalk the banks, staying well out of sight, and watch for big fish holding in the near-shore shallows of the secret river. And then, it’s one-on-one. Predator versus prey. If the fly rodder is in the least clumsy in the cast, or rushes the stalk, the fish is gone. It’s presentation skills at their pinnacle.

My wife, Nancy, and I were fishing the upper Dingle River on New Zealand’s South Island with our friends, Bob and Beverly Pelzl. It was a blue-sky day under a wonderfully bright southern hemisphere sun. But even though the water was atmospherically clear, and the sun high overhead, we had to use every skill we had to spot the big fish. It’s amazing how well camouflaged they can be.

First, we used tan polarized sunglasses. Tan because most stream bottoms are some shade of tan, and tan glasses allow the greatest contrast between dark and light areas. Then we watched every potential lie very carefully.

Sometimes, after watching for a minute or two, we would start to move and flush out a particularly nice fish which we hadn’t seen, lying within inches of shore. We watched particularly for the fish’s shadow, simply because their color blended so well with the rocks, and because the often riffly water hide the rainbows so well, even though some were two feet in length. We spent time looking at long things rather than at round things—fish are long and rocks are round. We also watched very carefully for movement—the flash of a fin, the flick of a tail, the turn of a head.

Once a fish was located, then came the stalking strategy. Most anglers simply do not have any strategy for approaching the prey. Most just wade along blithely, flicking the fly to potential lies. Not a strategy for New Zealand. No, one needs to plot every detail. But, with a

24

The Soul of Fly Fishing

bit of careful stalking and careful casting, the Dingle’s big rainbows fell one after another to nymphs and dries. It was an exceptional day.

Anglers fishing the secret river, no matter where, need to pay heed to New Zealand strategies. Certainly not all rivers are as clear as those of that island nation, and mostly the fish are not as large. But fish in the shallow edges are just as spooky in any other place in the world, and the fly fisher needs to pay attention to every detail. Joe Brooks probably said it better than anyone when he coached, “Fish it before you wade it.”

Typically when nymphing the secret river, I will fish upcurrent. I use a larger, white indicator (which looks like a gob of foam) to act as a “suspension device” so my fly doesn’t get hung in the bottom every other cast.

I position it up on the leader at a distance equal to the depth of the water in which I’m fishing. Typically I’ll fish a couple of small bead heads, or a use a small split shot with a couple of unweighted imitations. And I’ll typically use the Shotgun Tactic. Cast upstream only 20 to 25 feet, and lift the rod as the fly drifts back about 10 feet. Then immediately pick it up and recast. Make 20 casts or so to cover the width of the secret river before moving up 10 feet and repeating the process. Don’t rush, pay attention, and cover the water well.

Fishing a high-mountain river in Argentina, a river not unlike a slightly smaller Madison, I was startled to see Exequiel Bustos, who was fishing with me that day, wade out into the heavy currents of mid river and turn and cast to shore. I knew immediately what he understood. The fish were not in the fast, heavy flows of mid-river, they were in the secret river along the shore line.

I immediately set up my “secret river” rig and began probing the calmer waters along the banks with the Shotgun Tactic. It was the right move. We took fish all day.

Nothing too large, but certainly enough fish to make the day more than worthwhile.

Many fly fishers are stumped about making a backcast when the rod is nearly vertical at the end of the Shotgun Tactic drift. Simply turn your torso toward your casting arm side, drop the rod tip a bit out to that side, and make an elliptical stroke. Make the backcast a bit sidearm, and then, during the pause, bring the tip up and around

flyfusionmag.com

25

and make the forward cast with the rod more upright.

The elliptical stroke is essential because it’s the way one casts shot, weighted flies, sink-tip lines, big air-resistant imitations, etc. without hitting one’s self or tangling the flies.

When fishing a dry, I classically fish down and across stream. I make a 25 to 30 foot cast, checking the rod, and drawing it back to vertical as I shoot extra line (a parachute mend). This allows me to lower the rod as the fly runs down. I can thus dead-drift the imitation about 15 feet, and then allow it to drag and skate across to my side.

If it sinks on the skate, I just fish it across that way. It’s surprising how often a fish will grab the swinging fly.

Too often, fly rodders fishing the floating fly will lift the imitation at the end of the swing and make a nearly endless series of false casts to dry the fly before making the next fishing cast. Don’t do that. Use the “C” pickup. Snap the rod tip around in a “C” movement, starting at the top of the “C” and ending at the bottom, and then immediately, without pause, lift the line into the backcast. The line pops off the water and jumps around, snapping the water out of the fly. The dry imitation can immediately be recast to potential lies. It’s amazing how efficient this tactic really is—every cast is a fishing cast.

Reading the secret river is not really difficult, but pay attention to both depth and current speed. Water less that knee deep can certainly, and often does, hold good fish.

I usually find them in such places early and late in the day or during a good hatch. Not always, but usually. Fish in such areas are usually quite spooky; they know they are exposed to predators. If the water in the secret river is knee deep or more, then fish will most likely be there all the time (a prime lie). Such places require careful and thorough attention.

And remember, the secret river can be any width.

For example, in a heavy, curving riffle the secret river on the inside of the curve can be wide and shallow. On the outside of the curve, the secret river will be narrow and often rather deep. Fishing in Patagonia, I came to just such a place. It was great spot for a nice fish or two. I switched to a large, black Strip Leech, and began fishing downstream from the top of the riffle. I positioned myself at the top of the shallow water on the inside of the curve.

Casting across and slightly down, tight to the far bank, I

26

The Soul of Fly Fishing

allowed the big imitation to swim along and dead drift in the narrow secret river on the outside of the curve for a couple of feet and then allowed the currents to swing it across to my side. Once it was hanging downstream from me, I worked the fly back for a few feet, moved downstream two steps and recast.

The retrieve on my side, in the shallow secret river on the inside of the curve, took a couple of smaller fish.

Nothing of any size seemed to be in the riffle area. Still I fished on, two steps, repeat. Then, moments after the fly dropped to the surface, tight against the far bank, the line jerked tight, and I was fast to a very nice rainbow. It was the only big fish I took from that riffle, but its fight, and its husky size, made seeking it out, two steps at a time while casting to the secret river on the outside of the bend, more than worthwhile.

Another time, fishing New York’s Salmon River, we located a spot very similar to the one in Patagonia.

The bend was not as sharp, and so the secret river on the opposite shore was several feet wide, but still fairly deep—and I might note, filled with steelhead. Three of us rotated through the secret river and landed over twenty of the chrome-bright steelies in an evening’s fishing.

One of the reasons that the secret river is so attractive to fish is that the currents are slow, the fish can hold without the threat of being washed away, and it’s much easier to watch the surface drift. In the quieter waters of the secret river, fish can simply hug the bottom and be protected from currents.

Anglers who regularly fish the Henry’s Fork of the Snake have come to appreciate the secret river above all other potential lies in the river. When a hatch is on, the big fish line the banks and feed heavily. Anglers who have not fished the Fork with any frequency classically march up and down the banks, watching for mid-stream rises.

Those who know the Fork find a spot where they can watch the water close to the bank, and then they just sit and wait. When a big nose is sighted, the anger wades out and carefully moves into position to fish down and across, drifting the fly in the quiet currents along the shore. It’s deadly.

Pay attention to the secret river. It can be your secret to a most successful day.

%(67 2) 6+2:

%(67 2) 6+2:

)/< 52' 6$/7:$7(5

%(67 2) 6+2:

'(19(5 &2

'(19(5 &2

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF HIGH PERFORMANCE HANDCRAFTED FLY RODS. SCOTTFLYROD.COM

Quiet Corners WESLEY G. WHITE

Wesley White is a multigenerational Idahoan who works as a photographer and guide in the greater Yellowstone area.

Currently living in Montana, he guides anglers in Yellowstone National Park and works internationally behind the lens. Find out more about his work at wesleywhitepro.com

28

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Hidden far from the overflowing parking lots of Montana’s most famous rivers, there are still places that lack crowds and the only noise is made by flowing water breaking over the rocks. Highways here see few travelers, most of whom are traversing the long distances between each metropolis.

Tucked away down a dirt sideroad is a lonely raft put-in, quietly anticipating our arrival.

Jake Wells and I ride along with Bryce Daviess through an endless wall of trees that coat Montana’s northwest landscape. The wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country become hidden behind seemingly endless pines where protected bull trout still inhabit the icy-blue streams and cutthroat trout eagerly rise to attractors. It’s here that we plan to raft down a hidden gem or two, seeking stoneflies and solitude.

flyfusionmag.com

29

A rural, primitive put-in requires us to haul and drag the raft down to the river where you won’t find any drift boats. Whitewater with varying degrees of difficulty are encountered and most drift boats would likely be a bathtub if they managed to stay afloat. We finish prepping the raft in the cool morning air with the sunlight breaking over the treetops. Fishing starts early when the sun is fully up by 6 a.m.

Taking a look around for inspiration on what fly to use, it would be hard not to notice the shucks of a recent stonefly hatch. Thousands of dried exoskeletons litter the bank everywhere I look.

A foam attractor will work great, as the trout here aren’t picky and are still on the lookout for a salmonfly or golden stone. Westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout are the dominant species in the river and almost immediately we find a few willing to smash a fly.

30

The Soul of Fly Fishing

flyfusionmag.com

31

32

The Soul of Fly Fishing

As we float over the deep pools, looking down, I see huge bull trout completely unfazed by our drifting shadow or presence. The raft nearly fits bank to bank, and yet these piscivores hold their positions in the water column hunting trout and Rocky Mountain whitefish. The untimely hooking of a cutthroat could result in a bull trout stealing the catch off your line. Widely protected in Montana, we float on without disturbing them.

Towering canyon walls progressively box us in, shadows loom and deep cuts in the rock conceal trout. Pitching a stonefly dry up against the wall entices fish who are escaping the midday sun.

Every bend produces another stunning view of the river which has remained unobstructed by other boats. Nearing the end of the day, the river calms and enters pastoral land that remains unchanged by time. A welcoming silence fills this corner of Montana. It likely always will.

flyfusionmag.com

33

Fly Lines in Focus

Jeff Wagner When he’s not fishing or casting you’ll find Jeff hiking or biking the back country with his family.

They also volunteer their time to conservation efforts with groups such as Fly Fishers International.

Oh, and during business hours Jeff does business stuff.

© Photo Faceless Fly Fishing

W

e spend a lot of time thinking about how to look at fly lines. With the number of lines on the market, it can be overwhelming. And with all of those lines and so many applications, is there any way to really compare them or call out which might be better than another? Each company has their own technology to make them shoot through the guides with ease, float higher, or be more durable. Add in price and the picture becomes almost incomprehensible.

The multitude of lines can be overwhelming but even just understanding what is on the box and what all of the numbers mean to make a decision can be a challenge. Let’s look at some of the fly line designations you see when you look at a fly line box.

A few examples: WF-5-F: Weight-forward, 5-weight, Floating WF-5-S2/S4/I: Weight-forward, 5-weight, Sinking type 2/ Sinking type 4/Intermediate sink WF-8-S: Weight-forward, 8-weight, Sinking Line Profile (taper): The first designation is the overall taper shape—WF/DT/SH - Weight-forward, Double Taper, Shooting Head. This can have a number of designations but everything in our test is weight-forward and probably 95% of lines sold are weight-forward. Most fly line manufacturers also call out the specifics around the taper.

There are numerous weight-forward tapers with infinite possibilities in front taper, belly, rear taper, and runningline combinations that will dramatically impact how a line fishes and casts. The head is the front taper, belly, and rear taper’s length added together. We have covered tapers in the past but here are a few quick reminders.

Front tapers: The section from the leader connection to the belly. A shorter front taper means an easier time

34

The Soul of Fly Fishing

turning over large or wind-resistant flies, but a more aggressive presentation. Conversely, a longer front taper means a more delicate presentation but likely less ability to cast into wind or turn over bigger flies.

Belly: The portion between the front taper and rear taper; it can also be tapered. The longer the belly, the more line that can be carried outside of the tip and the more line that can be mended. Additionally, a longer-belly line can be roll cast further. A shorter belly can be better to shoot distance, as you can get into the running line faster and have the head outside of the tip of the rod.

Rear tapers: From the head to the start of the level running line. Rear tapers control the turnover of the belly and can determine how much line you can carry outside of the tip, as well as how much you might be able to mend or work with on the water.

Head: Combination of the front taper, belly, and rear taper.

A short head might be less than 30-feet long while a long head might be more than 70-feet.

Weight: The second designation manufacturers use is the weight. This will be listed in either the fly line weight in AFFTA standard (5-weight, 6-weight, 7-weight, etc.), or in grains for sinking and two-hand applications. If the line weight is the AFFTA standard, be sure to read a bit further.

Many fly lines today, and probably most of the popular lines, are a half-weight heavy; this is typically called out on the fly line box itself or on the manufacturer’s website.

This is good to know as it changes how a line feels on a fly rod. For example, a softer-action rod can feel sluggish or doggy with a half-weight heavy line. A trueweight 5-weight line will be around 140 grains in the first 30 feet, with a range from 135 to 145. With such light weights and tight ranges, a half-weight heavy line might seem inconsequential, but considering a “heavy” 5-weight can be as much as 155 grains, that extra 10-15 grains is a 7-10% increase in the first 30 feet grain weight.

Density: The density designation is next, and most lines sold are floating (F). From there, we have F/S or sinktip lines. F/S lines will vary in the length of the sinking section at the tip and can be as short as a few feet to as much as 20-feet. S, or full-sinking lines, and I, or intermediate-sinking lines, are both full-sinking lines, with intermediate lines usually being the slowest sink rate. What is important to note on F/S and S lines— and even some I lines—is the rate of sink. This will usually be denoted by a 1 to 7, with 1 being the slowest sink rate and 7 being the fastest. This can vary with manufacturer and other variables, so look at the fly line box for the sink rate. This will normally be provided in IPS, or inches per second.

Where the specialty or even technique-specific lines of manufacturers come in handy is when you need to dial in your presentation for a specific application. For example, a standard WF-5-F line is great for a wide variety of situations. The best application is probably fishing dry flies or swinging wet flies and, while they are good in many applications, they are only great in a few applications. However, if you are fishing a multi-nymph rig, maybe even with a large strike indicator, it will likely not turn over the flies efficiently. This is where specialty lines win. While they may not be good in a variety of situations, they are exceptional in a narrow range of applications. A nymph taper is a great example. It has a short front taper and an aggressive belly with much of the mass up front and will turn over the flies easily with less

effort. However, if you were to cast a size 16 dry fly with a 9-foot leader, you find it challenging to get the fly or the leader to land with minimal disturbance. The same is true for sinking applications where you may need to get a fly down 3- to 10-feet or more and keep the line in the strike zone longer. You can get a fly down to depth with a floating line and some weight with a long leader, but not only will it be tough to cast, but it will also not stay in the depth where the fish are holding. Fishing a sinking line with the proper depth rate and sink length (S or F/S) will allow the fly to get deeper faster but also stay in the zone longer.

When we think about choosing lines, it starts with the application. For many this can be the most challenging part of specialty lines. Think about where and when you will be using the line. Key factors are fresh or saltwater, warm or cold water, floating or sinking, fishing depth, moving or still water and what kind of flies and conditions you will be fishing. Be realistic about what you will be doing and how often. For many, a generalist or multi-purpose fly line will work. That said, if you find yourself constantly battling the gear and conditions or having trouble getting your fly in front of the fish consistently, it is time to explore some specialty lines.

Things to Consider How technical or specific your line needs to be: techniquespecific lines tend to run a little more expensive How often you fish: if you’re on the water more than a few times a month, a better line will be less expensive in the long run How harsh the conditions are: durability is key, and lines made for certain conditions will last longer For the average angler, a good quality fly line goes a long way. In fact it can make a rod with sticky guides or a clumsy action actually feel better. And the frustration of a sinking line or a line that wears out quickly can be easily overcome with a good line. And, in comparison to a new rod or even the cost of fuel or eating out during that fishing trip, a fly line is critical. Weigh the additional benefits of the extra bucks spent on the line based on your needs but you may find spending a little extra on a fly line will go a long way!

flyfusionmag.com

35

W

hen Field Editor Jeff Wagner set out to do a fly-line review, we knew we wouldn’t be able to include every single fly line made for every single fishing application.

What we could do, however, was provide him with more than 30 different lines from various manufacturers so that he could cast and fish with them in a variety of situations.

What follows are his reviews of his standout lines and

tapers, along with company breakdowns of the major line manufacturers, along with a chart that displays all the lines he tested over the last several months. While this isn’t intended to be an exhaustive review, it does provide Jeff’s picks for General, All-Purpose, Two-Handed, Streamer, Stealth, Stillwater, Stillwater Sinking, Saltwater Sink-Tip, True-Weight, and Warmwater Sinking lines. We hope you find this information useful the next time you start shopping for a fly line.

Airflo Airflo is a UK-based company producing lines made of Polyurethane with low stretch cores (6%). They have a groovedline technology that runs the length of the line to reduce friction and release water and dirt more easily. They also have welded loops and line ID. Their product offering is broad, with many mainstream lines but also many specialty lines.

They have recently merged with the Mayfly group after many years with North America distribution by Tim Rajeff and Rajeff Sports. line

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

SuperFlo XCeed SuperFlo River and Stream SuperFlo Presentation SuperFlo Stillwater Skagit Driver Skagit Driver

5-wt.

5-wt.

5-wt.

5-wt.

630gr.

660gr.

$99.99 $99.99 $99.99 $99.99 $59.99 $59.99

Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh

Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane

Float Float Float Float Float Float

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Float Float Float Float Float Float

Cold Cold Cold Cold Cold Cold

Standout: Two-Handed

Standout: Stillwater

A treat to cast and fish for newbies and advanced alike, this line is great for Skagit applications, but I found it also perfect for switch rods. The short, compact head is easy to load and launches, making even the neophyte two-hander look like a pro.

We have all spooked trout on clear lakes on calm days as they cruise the shallows in search of their next meal. A 15-foot front taper makes this line the perfect weapon when presentation matters. Combine that with a 45-foot-plus head for longer casts and a low-vis color, this line makes the difference.

Airflo Skagit Driver

36

sink rate warm|cold

Airflo SuperFlo Stillwater

ARC ARC is a growing fly fishing company. Their 99 designation denotes their belief that the lines with this designation are good for 99% of fly fishing situations. ARC has about seven line series with multiple weights in each series. The lines are made of polyurethane and produced in the UK. They do have line ID and welded loops with a low stretch core (6%). ARC also uses grooves that run the length of the line to reduce friction and water pick up. line

Streamer 17 ARC99 Salt ARC99+ Bonefish/Redfish

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

6-wt.

8-wt.

5-wt.

8-wt.

$89.95 $89.95 $84.95 $89.95

Fresh Salt Fresh Salt

Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane

Sink Tip 17’ Float Float Float

sink rate warm|cold

6-7ips Float Float Float

Cold Warm Cold Warm

Standout: Streamer

ARC Streamer 17

Like their 99 series of lines made for a wide variety of applications, I find this line similar in application for streamers. From lakes to pounding banks at high water, this half-weight heavy fly line has proven its worth for us. The fast sinking 17-foot head drops streamers quickly into the fish zone but the sink tip is short enough to be managed on longer casts with a mend.

Cortland Cortland is a well-known brand produced in the US that also produces many other types of line and cord. While they have gone through multiple company changes over the last 10 years they seem to have found a new footing in fly fishing, going back to their roots. Their offering is solid with some great specialty lines such as the Bass Specialty Line in this review.

Cortland lines are PVC with welded loops line

Specialty Bass Streamer Streamer Sink Tip 15 Tropic Plus Redfish

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

6-wt.

6-wt.

7-wt.

8-wt.

$79.95 $89.95 $89.95 $99.95

Fresh Fresh Fresh Salt

PVC PVC PVC PVC

Float Float Sink Tip 15’ Float

sink rate warm|cold

Float Float 6ips Float

Warm Cold Cold Warm

Standout: Warmwater Floating

Cortland Specialty Bass

While the Bass line is named with a specific intent, this line is a great allaround stillwater/lake warmwater line. Fishing for a variety of species and turning over big and wind-resistant flies is easy. You won’t lose it in the air or on the water with the bright color either.

flyfusionmag.com

37

Guideline Guideline is a company based in Sweden and Norway, and the fly lines are produced in the UK. Their product offerings are tailored to fishing in that region and often have specialty products that reflect the region and are innovative and specialty, such as the Coastal WF Intermediate F/S line in this buyer’s guide. They use polyurethane and have a strong focus on sustainability. They also have line ID and low stretch cores (6%). line

Coastal Evolve Power Presentation Predator Evolve

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

6-wt.

5-wt.

8-wt.

$85.00 $85.00 $85.00

Salt Fresh Fresh

Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane

Sink Tip Float Sink Tip

sink rate warm|cold

.5-1.5ips Float Varies

Both Cold Both

Standout: Saltwater Sink-Tip Coastal Evolve The Coastal Evolve is a saltwater, coldwater, sink-tip line with a narrow application. This combination of attributes makes it narrow in application but perfect for coastal areas where deeper subsurface presentations are necessary. A noted benefit of the Coastal is a “Power-Boost” area at the front of the belly to help turnover in windy conditions.

Monic Maybe not as well known as the other companies, Monic is located in Boulder, Colorado, and has been around for nearly 25 years. They were one of the first to use non-PVC coatings and their claim to fame is certainly their clear, intermediate sinking lines. They have a heavy focus on sustainability with PVC-free lines, fly-line recycle program, and recyclable packaging that is sustainable, forest certified, and minimialistic. line

Henley Intermediate Clear Skyline Plus Henley Clear Phantom Tip Icicle

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

7-wt.

8-wt.

9-wt.

5-wt.

$59.99 $69.95 $69.95 $79.95

Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh

Non-PVC Non-PVC Non-PVC Non-PVC

Sink Float Float Float

sink rate warm|cold

1-2ips Float Float Float

Cold Warm Cold Both

Standout: Stealth

Monic Henley Intermediate Clear Monic’s claim to fame and still their hallmark. For so many applications where a line on the surface isn’t necessary, Monic lines are low-stretch, responsive, slick, and almost invisible in the water. Perfect for still water and moving water applications where stealth is necessary. Give it a good stretch and fish away almost undetected.

38

The Soul of Fly Fishing

RIO Also a top line producer globally, located in the US, and part of the Farbank group of companies (Sage, Redington, RIO).

RIO has developed a new line coating to reduce friction without textures or grooves that is brand new and a game changer (see Elite RIO Gold). RIO also produces a number of general lines along with many specialty lines. Their lines are PVC and have welded loops, line ID, and various slickness coatings. Rio also features a ConnectCore to reduce line stretch. line

Elite RIO Gold Gold Technical Trout DirectCore Jungle Fathom CleanSweep DirectCore Permit

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

5-wt.

5-wt.

5-wt.

8-wt.

5-wt.

8-wt.

$119.99 $99.99 $79.99 $119.99 $79.99 $119.99

Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Salt

PVC PVC PVC PVC PVC PVC

Float Float Float Sink Tip Sink Float

sink rate warm|cold

Float Cold Float Cold Float Cold I/3ips/6ips Warm Multiple Cold Float Warm

Standout: General

Standout: Stillwater Sinking

Standout: Warmwater Sinking

“Stupid ridiculous” is the best way to describe how smooth this line is and how easy it is to cast.

RIO’s new SlickCast coating is the secret and provides a noticeable and real improvement in friction reduction. Combine this with their ConnectCore low-stretch core and the result is a highly sensitive and fishable line. For the next best in RIO’s lineup, the Elite Gold is the clear winner.

One of the challenges with fly fishing stillwaters using flies is imparting action to the flies akin to a conventional lure or the real thing. The CleanSweep lines sink at three different rates, with the slowest rate near the fly, causing a belly of line that undulates the fly, moving it through the strike zone while also holding at the desired depth.

While I didn’t have a chance to take this line to a jungle, it has made its way to both rivers and lakes for warmwater species with big flies that need to get down quickly. It makes those previously jerky casts that feel like you’re going to tear a rotator cuff smoothed out turning over big flies easily. But the sink tip allows for visibility and control of the rear of the line while the tip sinks reaching the leviathan below.

Elite RIO Gold

RIO Fathom CleanSweep

RIO DirectCore Jungle

flyfusionmag.com

39

Scientific Anglers (SA) For North America distribution, they are one of the top line companies, manufacture all their lines in the US, and are owned

by Orvis. SA produces many mainstream generalist lines as well as many specialty lines. They were the first developer of the textured lines now available in the Amplitude series. This technology is meant to reduce friction and lower dirt and grime adhering to the line. They offer a variety of technologies using PVC coatings along with welded loops, line ID, and advanced slickness coatings. line

SONAR Grand Slam Clr Tip SONAR Int/Sink3/Sink 6 Amplitude Infinity Camo Amplitude Infinity Salt Mastery Standard

weight

price

water

material

float|sink|tip

8-wt.

8-wt.

5-wt.

8-wt.

5-wt.

$89.95 $99.95 $129.95 $129.95 $79.95

Salt Fresh Fresh Salt Fresh

PVC PVC PVC PVC PVC

Sink Tip 8’ Sink Float Float Float

sink rate warm|cold

1.25ips Warm I/3ips/6ips Cold Float Cold Float Warm Float Cold

Standout: All Purpose

Standout: True-Weight

A stand out all-purpose line. With Amplitude texture and AST plus slickness technology for improved casting, the camo coloring makes this line truly universal. The longer 47’ to 53’ head (depending on weight) makes it great at longer distances requiring some mending. Being a halfweight heavy also allows it to load faster action rods at a shorter distance.

The Mastery Standard might sound like it should come in a black-and-white box, but the reality is that the AST coating technology is what propelled many a cast over 100 feet in its heyday, and with a 50-foot head, this line has a broad range of application. Add in the welded loops, line ID, and a price nearly one-third less than its textured counterparts, and the true-weighted Standard is a viable alternative.

SA Amplitude Infinity Camo

SA Mastery Standard

Why pay more?

Fly lines vary in price from $20 to over $120. So why pay the premium? Rather than wade into the technology of each company, let’s even the playing field a bit and say that while you may have your favorite line company, they each have their own technology and merits and rarely do we find a line (or rod, or other gear for that matter) that we would call “bad.” While all line companies have good tech, it is important to understand that the more you spend, the more you get.

Just like like a base model car and top-of-the-line package each gives you something additional. The question is if that additional benefit has value to you and your fishing.

40

The Soul of Fly Fishing

RESHAPE THE FUTURE

THE NEW 7X rod series introduces the innovative design and performance advantages of our exclusive and pioneering new heptagonal blank construction process. The technical benefit to the fly fisher is a greater percentage of the rod’s energy is utilised in a positive tracking manner towards the intended target. This results in effortless water coverage when both accuracy and distance is required.

7X FLY ROD SERIES | FIND OUT MORE AT LOOPTACKLE.COM

PROFILES

Strick Walker Strick Walker A fly-fishing industry veteran, Strick Walker is now the Chief Marketing Officer for Simms Fishing Products based in Bozeman, Montana, having transitioned from similar roles at Merrell footwear, Patagonia, and Converse.

Born in Pennsylvania, his trout roots run deep.

42

The Soul of Fly Fishing

John Van Vleet: You have been in the outdoor industry for a number of years. Can you just give me an overview of how you ended up coming to Simms from some of your other experiences?

Strick Walker: Sure. Well, I mean I’m a lifelong angler, specifically been fly fishing for a long time. I’ve known Casey Sheahan, the CEO, for many years. Case and I met when I was at One Percent for the Planet, probably 11 years ago. Basically, I was at Merrell and he reached out. They were looking for a new marketing lead. He and I started talking last June. I was kind of happy at Merrell, and we were doing good work. I have young kids, and we weren’t all that excited to move.

Case and I talked for, actually for many months, just about how potentially a remote situation would work. I was ultimately so excited about the opportunity, and it just seemed like a fit. So, that’s how I did it. This is a dream job for me, to be able to work at Simms, which is a brand I’ve loved for so long—and with Case and this team that is incredible, for this brand at this moment in time. It’s a dream come true for me.

JVV: That’s real cool. So, knowing what you knew about Simms and it having such a history in the industry over the last 40 years or so, what were the main draws to you about Simms, as a company?

SW: Well, I mean they make just such great product. I think that’s first and foremost. Simms has always just made great gear. As a marketer, obviously, it makes the job a whole lot easier when you’re promoting just incredible products. It just has such strong brand equity and I’ve loved it for that reason. Simms has always had its priorities centered around fishing. I’ve always loved that focus; I’ve always loved their attention to detail on the product. I love that they’re American-made. A lot of the waders are American-made here in Montana.

It’s just such an authentic brand, and I feel like fishing

is kind of having a moment right now. So, to be able to be part of this brand when the sport of fishing seems to be growing in popularity, and to be able to represent these people and great, great, great products, it is really fun.

JVV: I’m glad you kind of mentioned that fishing’s having a moment right now. Just anecdotally speaking with a lot of my buddies and people that I know in the industry, it does seem like a lot of companies surprisingly are having very strong springs. And that it seems as if people are going out there and buying fishing equipment and making sure that they get on the water. Especially in times like this, how important do you think that is for the industry? How important is the industry to people right now?

SW: Yeah, we’re seeing a lot of people certainly going fishing. The rivers seem to be pretty crowded and that’s great. I mean I know it was incredibly important for me.

I was in Michigan and just absorbing the daily news cycle and trying to maintain a sanity with all the COVID stuff. I would pop up to the upper Rogue at least once a week and sort of get away from it for four or five hours. It was just a return to some normalcy, like I felt like I was back in a place where things were working properly, where the ecosystem was functioning the way I remember it. That was really important for me, personally. And I think a lot of people are in the same boat. People have been kind of cooped up, so, I think it’s getting outside for a lot of people and getting some fresh air.

In a lot of ways, I think fishing is sort of a return to something that they remember from their childhood, or something that they love that they haven’t done for a while. But maybe they now have some time to do it. So, that’s good. So, I do think it’s been really important for people. And yeah. We’re thrilled. But I also think, and this is my personal take on it, I think it kind of goes beyond folks feeling cooped up and wanting to just get outside.

I mean, there’s something happening with fishing right

now. It’s growing in popularity with all sorts of people that may have not fished in the past. So, it’s cool to see it’s becoming, a lifestyle of sorts. So, I think it’s an interesting opportunity, certainly for us and just for the industry in general.

JVV: So, as the CMO at Simms, how do you go about trying to foster that community to include people that have been angling for a long time and people that are just getting into it? What are the steps that you go through in your mind when you think, ‘What’s the best way to build this up and include everybody that wants to be included?’

SW: Yeah, for sure. Well, I think, first of all, what we try to do is really be clear about the products that we make.

And we want to make sure that we’re presenting all of the products that we make in the best possible way so people can have all the information that they need to make the right purchase decisions.

I think beyond that, I’m sure you’re familiar with our Fish It Well platform, which is a brand platform that we launched before I got here. So, it’s been around for a little while. But, Fish It Well, I love it as a brand platform because it’s about the emotional benefits of fishing. It’s about a decision to live your life in fishing and all of the rewards that you can reap from doing that: connection to the environment, connection to your friends, connection to the natural world, and that whole lifestyle. But Fish It Well is also a platform that really speaks to the product quality. Like when you have time to get out on the water, and many of us don’t have a ton of time to get out there, but when you do, you know you want to fish it well.

You want to get some products that are going to keep you dry and warm and protect you from the sun and make sure that that time you have is as enjoyable and productive as possible.

So, I feel like the Fish It Well platform is a way that we can reach out to really diverse communities to speak to the benefits of fishing. And we’re really just at the beginning of bringing that platform to life in a way that’s inspirational to a variety of folks. So, that’s I think that’s what we’re trying to do there. And then we’re just also trying to really understand our consumer as best we possibly can, as we make product and try to understand their needs, and the diversity of those needs so that we can keep making great

stuff that fills those needs.

JVV: So, yeah, speaking of the Fish It Well brand platform, I think one of the things that’s been interesting is seeing some of the angler diaries, so to speak, that are on there. What was the thought behind that? And how have those been received by the consumers out there or the industry at large?

SW: Yeah, totally. Well, the thought was pretty simple.

Actually, it was just, let’s just highlight and celebrate different people within the Simms ecosystem that have been living a life in fishing and have prioritized fishing. And let’s just celebrate them in these short one-minute pieces.

So, whether they’re pros like Seth Feider, or guides, or employees, we just wanted to find folks and tell the world about what fishing means to them in these short, digestible clips. I think it’s been really well received. I think we’re just beginning to do justice to that idea.

There are all sorts of stories that we want to tell, and we’ve got a lot in the pipeline. And our hope, I guess, is that you might come across one of these profiles, and it might inspire you to fish. Or it might make you think about your life and what fishing means to you and think back to your childhood. So, they’re just meant to be these little, kind of inspirational pieces, again, that celebrate different folks within the ecosystem that are really fishing it well. And it’s one of those platforms that’s really scalable. We’ll just keep telling stories of people that are out there fishing for a long time. Because we hope that they’re kind of inspirational.

Frankly, they’re just fun to put together. It’s fun to spend a few hours on the phone with somebody and just talk about what fishing has meant to them in their life and look through the old photos and put a little piece together.

We’ve found that the subjects of those profiles are thrilled about it too. Because they then have this little sort of piece that captures some of what they’ve experienced, and how important fishing is. So, it’s been cool.

I think we find that you don’t need giant production budgets. You don’t need to make huge feature films. You can spend a couple of hours on the phone with somebody, just having a heart-to-heart conversation about their life. Then you can ask them to go pull some photos of them fishing at a young age. It’s just a really meaningful exchange, and it becomes a really meaningful piece of content. You don’t need these big crazy, crazy budgets. That’s in many ways

flyfusionmag.com

43

what Simms is about. I mean, this is an authentic, 40-yearold brand based in Montana that’s been focused on doing right by our consumers and making great product and getting on the water. It’s all about fishing and celebrating all that fishing provides to us. It’s not a big flashy kind of brand. So, I think these little diaries are great. And they also, I think, through their variety demonstrate that fishing is really for everybody. It’s not just for those pros and guides. It’s really for all of us.

JVV: Yeah. You know, one of the biggest barriers, it seems to me, to entry into the sport is that elitist attitude that scares people off. How does a brand like Simms combat that? Is this the way you combat that?

SW: I think it’s definitely one way. I think, in our brand communications, making sure to showcase and celebrate a variety of people that enjoy fishing, that’s definitely one way to do it. I think in our tone of voice on the website or in our product communications, we try to speak in language that folks can understand, whether they’re really avid anglers or they’re just getting involved.

You can always get better at explaining what your products do and how they keep you dry and what the attributes are. But I think we do a pretty good job at having a conversation with a variety of anglers, so that they can see themselves in the brand and they can understand what we make and how it’s relevant to them.

JVV: So, over the years, I’ve noticed a shift in the imagery that’s been used with Simms. For a long time, it was really gritty black-and-white photos. And now everything’s very colorful and warm and, for lack of a better term, more inviting. And I’m sure that this was a conscious shift. But why would Simms do that after such a long time where it seemed like the black-and-white was the signature look?

What sort of prompted that change?

SW: Well, yeah, it definitely pre-dated me, but yes, I think the decision was made really just to dimensionalize the brand a little bit more. I mean, Simms will always be a technical fishing brand. We’re always going to make high-quality stuff. We’re not a big lifestyle brand. We make performance fishing gear. And the black-and-white look, I think, was one that reinforced that aspect of the brand.

But the decision was made that we need to open it up and dimensionalize it a little bit, and to your point, make

44

The Soul of Fly Fishing

it a little bit more inviting, and just more approachable and accessible. Everybody’s out there with their iPhones taking shots. Everyone is a producer of content these days and we wanted to just sort of reflect that reality in the work a little bit more.

I think we always will be and will continue to be an aspirational brand within fishing. But just doing blackand-white stuff kind of gets unapproachable. So, we just wanted to kind of round it out. There’s always a place for black-and-white. And there’s a place for color. But I don’t think we want to be, or need to be, as narrow in our brand approach anymore.

JVV: So, more nuts-and-bolts type questions: what are some of the responsibilities that you have? And what are the things that you pay most attention to and work the hardest on in your role at Simms?

SW: Good question. I think first and foremost, like I say, we just make great stuff. We just make great product. So, I want to do right by the product designers and developers.

Marketing is our job, obviously, to communicate why we make the things that we make, how those pieces are different from other pieces in the same category. So, product marketing is really important thing to me. I mean, the brand is in business to keep people dry, keep people warm, like I say, keep people protected from the sun and make sure that they have a great fishing experience. We need to communicate all of the thoughtfulness that goes into product development in a way that folks can understand and apply to their lives. So, that’s a big piece.

I think the other big piece is related to the Fish It Well conversation. We see opportunity for a lot of people to get out and fish. We want to inspire people to grab a rod and give it a try and fall in love with their local watering hole and ultimately protect it. So, there’s a brand opportunity for us related to encouraging more people to fish.

But we have a bit of a responsibility. We feel that it is our responsibility to also to use our influence to protect fisheries and watersheds. I think about that a lot. We can be a really positive influence in the space and industry. But how do we do that? Many of us are on boards. How do we export positive influence on the industry? And that’s hard work, you know. That’s not easy.

But I think we have both opportunities. We have

an opportunity to keep growing as a brand and creating positive change, and an opportunity to continue making great product for more and more people that fish. And not just fly anglers. We’re about keeping people dry and warm. It doesn’t really matter if you have a fly reel or a conventional reel. It’s about fishing. It’s about giving, designing, and giving you the gear you need when you’re on the water.

JVV: Going to the product just a little bit, how difficult is it for Simms to continue to innovate? What are the challenges that you face in this innovation process?

SW: We try to just be as close as we possibly can to the consumer. That’s where all of the opportunity sort of presents itself in product design and development. You try to immerse yourself in the lives of your consumers so you can figure out what they need, or what issues they’re kind of dealing with that you could design for.

It’s tough because, yeah, sometimes those needs aren’t even known by the consumer. You have to observe them sometimes to figure out how you could improve the experience or improve the design. Does it get harder? I don’t

know. That’s a good question. I mean, that would definitely be a question for the product folks. But I think we have a billion ideas. Part of it is, well, we could make it. We believe there’s sort of some desirability from the consumer, because we’re hanging out and we’re fishing ourselves and we believe that there’s a desirability for the innovation. But is there a market for it? Is it viable from a business standpoint? Do our wholesale customers think it’s a good idea? So, great product innovation is the sweet spot between consumer desirability, feasibility, can we actually make it, and viability.

Is it commercially viable. That’s the sweet spot.

JVV: So, I know you’ve been around, worked for different companies and presumably have lived a bunch of different places. And I know you said you grew up as an angler.

What’s your favorite species to target? Or what did you grow up fishing? If you had your druthers, what would you be fishing for right now?

SW: Yeah, I grew up in Pennsylvania. So, I grew up trout fishing on pretty small creeks. And I still love doing that. I grew up also doing some bass fishing. But I would say trout fishing is still my favorite thing to do.

LONG LINES

Mentoring

Jeff Wagner When he’s not fishing or casting you’ll find Jeff hiking or biking the back country with his family.

They also volunteer their time to conservation efforts with groups such as Fly Fishers International.

Oh, and during business hours Jeff does business stuff.

© Photo Jen Bird

46

The Soul of Fly Fishing

T

he last few months have reminded me of the unimportance of fly fishing. With a generation-defining pandemic, it really does seem like getting out on the water is of the least concern, almost selfish—a seemingly irritatingly selfish desire. Reflecting on why we even fly fish creates a mental existential crisis. The time, the money, and then to only release the fish we catch, not even culminating in sustenance.

But in the last few months I have also been reminded of the importance of fly fishing. As most of our readers will enjoy these pages in North America, we are blessed to be able to have pursuits for pure enjoyment. We can get outside and enjoy nature as part of time off from work that provides for our families, and this we assume to be a human right. As if not working is as important as working. Fly fishing can bring many together, drive an economy, and keep us sane. It helps us commune with nature in a way that creates an appreciation for life and the longevity of the planet, helping us all look for more sustainable solutions.

These seeming contradictions exist everywhere.

For example, Spam: an amalgamation of animal pieces in a can that can taste good. Or Trout Unlimited: a conservation organization that focuses on invasive species (rainbow, brown, and brook trout in most of their range in North America are non-native). To see fly fishing as good and fly fishing as bad is not completely irrational, it is paradoxical. Fly fishing, like so many things, is not in and of itself good or bad—it is what we do with it that matters.

So what do we do with fly fishing to make it have more meaning? Sitting in my 12’ x 12’ office I have come to refer to as my “hole,” on Zoom almost 40 hours a week, I truly miss the people. Yes, those I work with but also those I meet along the way. The short chats on the bus,

the impatient conversations waiting in line for coffee, and my beguiling “no’ in response to “anything I can help you with?” at the home improvement store. It seems cliche to even say the last few months have been reflective, as they have been. But, maybe that is what defines the generation. A single source of impact creating a common point of focus. Something to fight against as a group, a society, and even a global community. What has surfaced for me is the importance of those relationships, those people. So, how can or even should fly fishing fit into all of this? For fly fishing, in and of itself, I don’t think it should. However, fly fishing as a tool to teach about

our natural world and share conservation probably has a place. Even more so, though, as an opportunity to spend time with one another, even at a social distance to love on one another, to mentor and shape others, and to allow others to shape us. Fly fishing from this perspective is immensely valuable.

Few things are as important, as vital, and as lifechanging as someone spending time with you to coach and mentor. It could be time at work where someone has an interest in you and your development for the benefit of you. It could be at a church where someone has interest in your growth and discipleship. Or, it could be on a river, where someone took the time to teach you about the world around us, using it as a guise to mask the vulnerability of sharing the challenges at work at church and life. This is an invaluable benefit of fly fishing as a tool to invest in others.

The challenge is often in the method. Whether it is with our own kids or a friend, we become impatient from our vantage point. We can see from outside looking in believing that this is a superior view. The greater

challenge comes in having enough humility to know that the view from the inside looking out is surrounded by walls invisible to the onlooker. Those walls are covered in thoughts, experiences, and beliefs that need to be navigated in order to move to a point of new perspective.

We often like to talk and share when we really need to listen or just be silent. Allowing the other person time to reflect on the walls, the walls we all have. For me this is often the greatest challenge. I like to empathize through storytelling and sharing my own experiences.

Often with a limiting impact. Ask a question, listen, and share sparingly.

Asking is an act that can mean as much as acceptance.

We often get offended when we extend an offer to go fishing and the answer is silence, or a polite “No thanks.”.

Nothing makes this worse than asking two, three or even 10 times with no acceptance. I can remember being asked to fish several times in my early 20s by people I held in high esteem. I said no, multiple times, often to the same person. I was afraid of not knowing what I was doing or being seen for what I really was, an inexperienced

“Rush Hour”

888.512.8812

www.tflats.com

reservations@tflats.com

kid. But, I still remember they asked and at times wish I would have said yes, yet I knew they cared enough to ask and that has stuck with me for years. Thank you, Monte.

Show up. Few things can leave more of a mark than a perceived mentor, coach, or just a friend that is a noshow. Sure, things change, plans change, but view the others person’s time as more important than your own.

Be respectful of the other person’s time.

Don’t just show up, be present. Wow, is this a tough one. Competing interests and draws for our time are everywhere. From the small magic devices in our pockets to the large magic boxes on our walls. But, people can tell if we are engaged. You notice the brief pause in someone’s voice as you look at your phone in the middle of their sentence signaling your disinterest. Time on the water means little without presence.

Teaching can seem so complicated. My wife is a 5th grade teacher and I see her pore over books on theory and principle. She strives to learn new techniques to help students engage. But, what makes her a great teacher is not the books. It is her ability to convey a message with

passion and insight from caring. No book on the concept made her a great teacher. They might help to grow her skills in an area, but she was already great. Teaching can come though example, explanation, and doing.

It doesn’t need to be some magical method, but it should be clear, concise, full of enthusiasm and come from caring.

Enthusiasm is infectious. Your passion for something can be heard and felt. When all else fails have fun and enjoy the day. Life is too short to worry about weather, flies, or temporal matters. Focus on the long term.

Let the relationship and the memories endure past the simple trials.

I find myself writing these words maybe as much as a reminder to myself as anything. It’s a double check on my time and my priorities. Finding the time to mentor can be tough, but it is also rewarding. It is likely we all get as much back out of the time we invest in others as they do.

As Pollyanna-ish as it sounds, we can all be the change we desire in the world, even through fly fishing...maybe especially through fly fishing.

COVER MORE WATER

FISH CAT CRUZER New for 2020, the Cruzer comes equipped with

durable, lightweight, 2-piece oars to cover more water, and above-water seating to help you stay dry, warm and make longer more accurate casts. outcastboats.com | 844.243.2473

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.

50

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Dream Trip Replacements

B

order closures, cancelled flights, and restrictions have contributed to a change in our daily routines and travel plans. This is not a piece about current events, just the current reality which, as a travel editor, it means wandering closer to home. Exchanging flights for a 4Runner has been bittersweet: bitter in that new countries and far-off destinations hold “dream-trip” status; sweet in that being close to home allows me to return and repeat trips while having more time with the family. With a recent trip to Russia cancelled, a replacement was needed. A few calls later, Dyson and I had decided on a fishing spot and agreed upon a meeting place to start the trip.

One of the best parts about not traveling long distances to chase fish has been more time on the water with friends. Friendships that have come about mainly in part because we share a love for fish and pursuing them in wild places. Staying within a few hours of the house makes it a lot easier to recruit friends to join—especially when no plane ticket or calling in to ask for a week off work is required.

As Dyson and I discussed options, we had agreed to hit a spot that might have some fish feeding in shallow water. The hope was that there would be some fish willing to rise to a dry or something just below the surface. Much of our decision process revolves around seeing fish. If fish will be feeding in a place where they are visible allowing for sight fishing it almost always sits at the top of the list.

The beauty of fly fishing is there are so many ways to enjoy the sport. It allows for anglers to customize the experience to fit exactly what they want out of it. For Dyson and I that meant watching fish eat!

The morning was chilly as we stepped out of the car but right away we know the plan was solid. A few large fish were cruising just off the bank, seemingly looking for food. Without wanting to rush things we watched, rods still in the car, trying to observe their behavior and then get set up. There appeared to be some small baitfish along the shore with some left over bugs crawling through the weeds. We rigged up with some small streamers and hoped our guess was correct. After switching flies a half dozen times we found a pattern they found appealing enough to eat.

Fishing was not fast but the experience was just as we had hoped. Fish were in shallow and, given the right presentation, they were willing to play.

Crouching behind a bush and making short casts as a large trout cruises past a weedbed can be nerve wracking. It will turn your heartbeat into a miniature drum line akin to what you see in a marching band at the local football game. Catch the fish or not, adrenaline spikes and fly fishing become somewhat of an action sport. It is hard to match the feeling. It creates an addiction that only comes with the visual of seeing the fish eat. This must be the driving force behind people’s love for dry flies. Although it is not always the most effective way to catch a fish it is certainly among the most enjoyable.

Such was the case with one particular brown trout that staked claim to a small area along a weedbed. He patrolled his patch of water with vigor, any fish that came near resulted in a little angry outburst before he resumed feeding. Rejection was the name of the game for the first hour after spotting this playground bully.

flyfusionmag.com

51

Finally the idea came to mind that maybe the fish would eat a dry. He had looked at five or six different flies but never committed wholeheartedly to anything.

Tying on a size 16 Parachute Adams didn’t really boost confidence levels but was worth a try. There was nothing on the water that even resembled anything an Adams would imitate, but nothing else had done the job so an Adams seemed as good as anything else.

The fly softly touched down and the fish came for a look, stared for a few seconds and then slowly swam away unimpressed. Minutes later as the fish came back for another pass the scene was repeated. As the fish rejected the fly, one last cast was made before the fish was out of range and a fly change would be in order. As the fly hit the water it soaked in a little water and began to sink, the fish turned slightly, changed direction ever so slightly and headed for the drowning Adams. Just an inch or two below the surface the fish sucked the fly in with the tell take sign of a white flash. Raising the rod to set the hook sent the fish toward safety with a burst of speed.

Hooking a large fish on a dry always creates a little panic. It is hard to believe something so small will hold

52

The Soul of Fly Fishing

tight as a heavy trout thrashes and head shakes. Luck was on our side as the fish went on run after run and then eventually tired out and came to net.

Switching off between fish made for a fun trip.

Watching was almost as fun as casting and allowed us to catch up while looking for fish. Planning a trip around the desired experience doesn’t always come together but when it does it takes it from an average day on the water to a memorable day that’s hard to forget. In the end, a weekend with a friend might be just as good or better than the “dream trip.” It all depends on planning and a little luck.

Either way, hitting the water near or far will always provide a recharge, reconnect, and much-needed escape.

STILLWATER SECRETS

Early Fall Tactics

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.

54

The Soul of Fly Fishing

W

e’ve all had tough times on the water, to the point of blanking or fooling only a trout or two after many hours on the water. By the end of the day, the fly box or boxes are in total disarray from so many fly changes and to top it off you’ve used up the last of your favorite spool of tippet material. The drive home always includes an analysis of the day and what we should have tried or where in the lake we should have fished but did not. Unfortunately, the early fall season is very prone to tough days on the water or, as I call them, “hat-fitting sessions.” We still learn things from even these most challenging days and as a result makes us better and more confident anglers.

There is no question that, in general, the fall season offers some of the best fishing action of the stillwater year. However, fall can be further broken down into good, better, and best times. The early period can offer some good fishing but there are several reasons why it can often be hit-or-miss.

Most significant is the fact the lake is in the midst of transitioning from the warm summer water temperatures to the much-anticipated colder water of mid-to-late fall. Even though fall is in the air, the large volume of water in the lake takes a much longer time to cool down to ideal trout activity temperatures. Think back to previous

fall trips when you have seen the early morning mist rising off the water. That is a telltale sign that the lake is trying its best to cool down. For the most part, trout are still confined to the colder water found in the deeper parts of the shoals and off the drop-off areas except during early

morning and evenings when shallow water temps can be up to a few degrees cooler.

While there are still abundant sources of food available, the feeding and activity levels of trout and char are still dictated by water temperatures and adequate oxygen levels. Staple food items include scuds and leeches, but often zooplankton becomes the dominant meal. Daphnia are one of the most common zooplankton found in nutrient-rich lakes. These tiny members of the crustacean family form dense masses or clusters that are quite visible to the naked eye. Daphnia and other species of zooplankton migrate vertically up and down through the water column, as they are sensitive to light. During evening and early morning hours these masses will be much higher in the water, but as sunlight levels increase they swim down to, and suspend at, deeper depths. These vertical migrations can range from just a couple meters to over ten meters in distance.

Finding zooplankton in a throat pump sample used to be a frustrating sight as imitating such minute

organisms was most often a very difficult process and not that successful. Then Blobs arrived from the UK fishing scene and changed how we approach plankton-feeding fish. Blobs can imitate a small mass of zooplankton. We often see small clusters or balls of daphnia when looking down into the water.

Various Chenille-type materials, some UV-enhanced and offered in a wide variety of colors, are used to tie these simple flies which often resemble glorified glow bugs. However, color turns out to be a very important consideration with the most consistent being orange, prawn, hot pink, chartreuse green, white, and biscuit.

Brighter-colored patterns seem to be more effective in clear water, while more subdued colors are generally more productive in slightly stained or colored water.

While some veteran stillwater anglers question what the fish are really seeing when they eat a Blob, all I can say is that they work and work best when the trout are really focused on zooplankton. Going further down the Blob rabbit hole is tying them with a contrasting-

colored mop tail. I know this sounds even more bizarre, but sometimes fish like to see something different and there are days when the latest versions will significantly out produce the regular Blobs. These patterns can be extremely effective when suspended under an indicator or retrieved slowly up through the depth zones at which fish are suspended.

Early fall fishing often equates to spending a good portion of the day searching for active fish. There may not be very many fish, if any, in the shallower water, so we need to rely on depth sounders to locate fish in the deeper parts of the lake. Focus your sounding efforts along the outer edges of the drop-off zones and even further into the mid-lake area. The lake will still be stratified, so the summer thermocline will show up and fish will often be seen suspended along or just above this temperature transition zone. In most small trout lakes, thermoclines will establish between 15 and 25 feet in depth. Trout will always seek out cool, welloxygenated water for feeding and resting. Once some fish are located at depth we can start going through

patterns that typically produce results. Dragonfly nymphs, leeches, water boatman, and backswimmers— along with Boobies and Blobs—are all good choices during this early fall period. Searching out the deeper areas of the lake can be done very effectively with both floating and full-sinking lines. Casting and retrieving patterns such as buoyant, spun deer-hair dragonfly nymphs or balanced leeches results in a slightly different angle of retrieve, while suspending mop-tailed Blobs provides a little extra movement that will often induce fish to bite. Sometimes a little change in our presentation techniques can make a big difference in the landing net.

Early fall fishing days often begin with crisp morning air temperatures giving way to warm and bright sunny afternoons. Having an understanding of where and why trout are found were they are during this transition period can make for some spectacular fishing action that blends well with the fall colors surrounding the lake.

Hand-forged wrought iron sculptures

by Internationally-renowned artist Paul Reimer

paulreimer.ca | @paulreimerart

ON THE VISE

Dana Harrison Dana feels that he is not just a fly fisher and tier, but a steward for the streams and lakes we enjoy. He is passionate for positive change in our industry, with a focus on preserving our environment for future generations.

58

The Soul of Fly Fishing

Stillwater Swirls in the Fall

I

n September and October, something extraordinary happens. The water starts to cool down, anglers begin dwindling, and the fish begin to prepare themselves for winter. Hungry trout gorge themselves on various insects and each day shortens as they feel the pressure of the first ice coming. I, like many fly fishers, find Fall to be my favorite and most productive part of the year when it comes to trout fishing.

Less pressure and hungry fish seem to lead to seriously good days on the water. As students and workers alike head back to the grind, I am left with miles of uncrowded waters, where the fish are rarely prepared.

I am sure all of you have had these days on the lake: you see fish swirling just below the surface, taking some mysterious underwater insect. When you were naive, you would throw top water dry flies in an attempt to fool an unsuspecting fish. However, after many casts and many change-ups, it seems that no matter the size, shape, or color of that dry fly, those pesky fish are just too smart for your limited dry-fly selection. Yet, just below the surface, something magical is happening. The hatch of a lifetime, for a few short weeks, twice annually. The water boatmen have arrived and let me tell you, you are in for a treat.

Water boatmen (Corixidae), which sometimes are mislabeled as backswimmers, can hatch both in Spring and Fall in the Western Canadian Rockies. The difference between water boatmen and backswimmers is that water boatmen cannot swim on their backs, unlike the aptly named backswimmers.

Furthermore, backswimmers are often larger in size with a teardrop shape.

However, both are extremely effective at catching fish when either hatch is happening. With water boatmen, shape,

Tim’s Water Boatman Hook: Tiemco TMC113BLH, sizes 12-16 Bead: Glass gunmetal Thread: Black, 70D Shellback: Mottled Thin Skin Back Flash: Pearl lateral scale Body: Ice Dub, black peacock Legs: Flexi Floss Head: Ice Dub, black peacock

flyfusionmag.com

59

The Water Floatman Hook: Tiemco TMC101, sizes 8-14 Thread: Black, 70D Shellback: Black sheet foam, 2mm Body: Crystal, Chenille Legs: Sexi or Flexi Floss

size, and color all have an important influence if you are able to fool an unsuspecting trout. It is important, if possible, to get a throat sample from a recently caught trout, to be sure you can correctly match the hatch. It seems silly, but even one size too big or a color just slightly off can mean the difference between a 50plus fish day and a skunking.

Here are my four favorite customizable water boatmen patterns to have in my fly box while on the water. As always, feel free to play with the materials you have on hand and change the colors to match your local hatches.

Tim’s Water Boatman I stumbled upon this pattern while trying to find a water boatmen fly that had a little weight to it, so I could fish it from my regular 5-weight rod without having to do a line change or add anything extra to get it under the

UNI PRODUCTS J.G. Cote Inc. 1004 Principale, Ste-Melanie, QC. Canada J0K 3A0 Fax: 450-889-5887 Email: info@uniproducts.com

surface. As it would so happen, I managed to stumble into a very effective pattern designed by Tim Drummond of Longmont, Colorado.

Tim’s Boatman pattern, for all intents and purposes, is simple and that is one of the reasons I like it. It is made up of only synthetic materials and materials most of us are highly likely to have readily available at the vise. There are no complicated tying techniques involved either, which makes a great pattern for someone just getting started in the art of tying. Whether you are in your first year of tying or your last, this is a pattern you should be fishing when the water boatmen are out.

The Water Floatman Not all Boatmen patterns are designed to be fished subsurface, as is with Phil Rowley’s Water Floatman. Water boatmen have two stages in their life where they end up on the surface of the water. Firstly, when either the males or females mature and make their way to the surface in order to fly and mate. Secondly, when the females dive bomb back into the water in order to lay their eggs. During both

Tel: 450-889-8054

THE AXXEL-MINI FLASH TINSEL

Toll-Free: 1-877-889-8054

New from UNI

Tied by Michel LeBlanc

Look to UNI Products for Spooled Fly-Tying Material!

www.uniproducts.com

these events, there is potential for the boatmen to get stuck in the surface film and flutter, trying to break free. This fluttering can invoke a feeding frenzy amongst the trout just below the surface and you do not want to be caught without a pattern to match this hatch.

FNF Water Boatman If you have not had the pleasure of checking out the guys at Friday Night Flies, I suggest you do. They are a great group of gentlemen tying all sorts of patterns, both freshwater and the salty stuff. I find they can get quite creative with the materials they have in front of them while still producing fish-catching flies that all levels of tiers can appreciate and utilize while on the water. Scott Holmes’ Water Boatman is an innovative pattern guaranteed to catch a fish.

When fishing a boatmen pattern, it is important to try different stripping techniques. Sometimes fish will want the fly stripped quickly and strike with absolute ferocity. Other times, a slow, often erratic strip will lead to an abundance of fish. Sometimes just letting it sit out will be the most effective technique. Some anglers

like to fish boatmen under an indicator and wind drift them, whereas others like to strip them back as quickly as their arms will allow. Moreover, you can fish boatmen on a dry line with a weight or a swivel to get it down, or rely on a tungsten bead you may have included in your pattern to help FNF Water Boatman it sink quickly. Other fly fishers may Hook: Tiemco TMC113BLH, sizes 12-16 rely on sink-tip lines or intermediate Thread: Brown/Olive, 70D sinking lines to do the job as well.

Tail: Crystal Flash, pearl Shellback: Mottled Thin Skin, brown Be sure to watch for rises on the lake Body: Ice Dub, pheasant tail and cast towards the recently swirled Legs: Round rubber legs water. Many times fish will double back and hit what they believe is a second boatman/backswimmer that has just landed on the water. It is always a good idea to keep mixing it up until you find that one pattern that the fish cannot seem to get enough of. Check your hooks often, as they will bend from the hard hits these fish bring. Lastly, hold on tight!

FEATURED RECIPE

JAKE’S WATER BOATMAN 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Secure your hook in the vise and create a thread base from the eye to the back.

Tie in the Crystal Flash at the rear of the hook and double it over facing backward and secure in place.

Trim to approximately ¾ the length of the hook.

Tie in a generous amount of pheasant tail by the butt ends and secure into place. Leave your thread near the back to begin dubbing.

Dub a thick, slightly tapered body up the shank to about the 2/3rds point and stop.

Secure a single goose biot on either side of the shank directly where you stopped the dubbing to form the legs.

6.

Continue dubbing in front of the legs. It’s usually a good idea to dub back over the legs slightly to hold them against the body of the fly. Leave enough room to secure the pheasant tail fibers.

Pull all the pheasant tail fibers forward in order to form the shellback. Secure these in place right behind the eye of the hook.

Trim the excess pheasant tail from the front of the fly and whip finish.

Coat the back of the fly with your UV resin of choice to add durability and add that shine to the shell back.

Jake may not be the world’s best fly tier, but what he does tie, he does well and catches fish, lots of them. When he shares one of his patterns with me, I tend to take it seriously and give it a shot myself. This pattern has proved to be a joy to tie and even more fun to fish.

Recipe Hook: Tiemco TMC113BLH, sizes 12-16 Thread: Black, 70D Tail: Crystal Flash, pearl Shellback: Pheasant tail fibers Body: Nymph dubbing, golden Legs: Nature’s Spirit Goose Biots, brown UV Resin: Loon thin

Tying Instructions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

62

The Soul of Fly Fishing

7.

8.

9.

IMAGINE BEING

SKUNKED FOR ALL OF TIME

Photo: Silver Kings

AND NOW YOU KNOW WHY WE HELPED MAKE THE KEYS CATCH AND RELEASE.