Tail Fly Fishing Magazine - Issue 49 Sept/Oct 2020

CELEBRATING 8 YEARS AS THE VOICE OF SALTWATER FLY FISHING

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

ATLANTIC SALMON: BACK FROM THE BRINK - TOM KEER CATCH AND RELEASE REVISITED - E. DONNALL THOMAS BEARING DOWN ON SILVER SALMON - JOE DOGGETT TRAVEL MEDICINE: AVOIDING APOCALYPSE DEEPWATER HORIZON: TEN YEARS LATER DISTANCE CASTING: THE DOUBLE HAUL NUBIAN ADVENTURE - PETER MCLEOD TERRY BAIRD’S HULA SHRIMP

ROAD TRIPS

& REDFISH

49

SEPT/OCT 2020

PLUS: COOKING GAMEBIRDS, MIXING MARTINIS, WATERPROOF TECH TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 1

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RFORMANCE, HANDCRAFTED FLY RODS.

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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 3

Sometimes we are rewarded for braving the fall weather with a northern Florida redfish. Photo: Michael Martin 4 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 5

Jersey City sunset from the water. Photo: Mandritoiu

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TM

On the Cover: There are those magical moments when the sun’s retreat alone is memorable. Add a long-distance hookup on a Lowcountry red in the grass and you’ve created an image for the ages. Paul Dougherty captured this Eight Year Anniversary cover shot in Charleston after a day of shooting that was just about done. An epic way to end it.

GUIDE TESTED.

GUIDE TRUSTED.

Editor-In-Chief: Managing Editor: Creative Director: Food Editor: Travel Editor: Historians: Editors-at-Large:

Joseph Ballarini George V. Roberts Scott Morrison Kelli Prescott Peter McLeod Pete Barrett & Ed Mitchell Joe Doggett Mark Hatter Ryan Sparks James P. Spica Jr. Interns to the Editor: Sophia Ogden Heather Thomas

Creative Contributors: Abbas Adam Terry Baird Joseph Ballarini Joe Doggett Paul Dougherty Paul Frischhertz Carl Harris Henry Hughes Tom Keer Mandritroiu

Michael Martin Peter McLeod Stephen Paulson Trey Reid George Roberts Jamil Siddiqui Spoke Hollow Outfi tters E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Kyle Weaver Rob Williams

About Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is the voice of saltwater fl y fi shing in a bimonthly print and digital publication. We focus on delivering high-quality content, the very best photography, destination travel, reputable commentary, and technical features from the saltwater fl y fi shing culture. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine began as a digital publication in 2012 and debuted as a print magazine in 2016. Combined, the digital and print versions reach readers in over 45 countries.

In many places throughout the world, fl y fi shing has become important to both people and the environment. As a method of fi shing imbued with values of stewardship and conservation, it connects people with the marine world in signifi cant and positive ways. We, the anglers, are the last line of defense for our outdoor spaces.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine supports the arts and creativity, conservation, and organizations that trumpet this message. We’re grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions.

TFFM is published six times annually, and your print subscription includes the digital version. Subscriptions are available through our website. International subscriptions are also available for most countries. Please contact our general mailbox, admin@tailfl yfi shing.com, with any advertising, subscription, or submission questions.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine 2300 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-763-8285 tailfl yfi shing.com

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GEAR GUIDE

Waterproof cameras, watches, and speakers that are sure to make your wishlist.

26

INSIDE THE BOX

The fall migration is here, and Carl Harris of CGH Custom Tackle showcases some cool fall offerings to help you get in on the topwater action.

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ON THE PLATE: COOKING GAMEBIRDS

Food Editor, Kelli Prescott, offers up recipes for dove, quail, and other wildfoul that don’t require a wing and a prayer.

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SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED

A brief history of the most iconic of cocktails, recipes included.

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DISTANCE CASTING: PART FIVE

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In the final installment of this series, George Roberts takes you through the double haul: what it isn’t, what it is, and how you can use it to improve all of your casts—long or short.

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THE HULA SHRIMP

REDFISH ROAD TRIP

Photo essay. Photos by Paul Dougherty, words by Captain Rob Williams.

DEEPWATER HORIZON: TEN YEARS LATER

In 2010, Trey Reid was a field reporter for ESPN covering the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. On the tenth anniversary of the United States’ worst environmental disaster, Trey revisits the Louisiana Delta.

CONTENTS

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Fly angling veteran Terry Baird was racking up IGFA records before many TFFM readers were born. In this feature Terry shares with you the most innovative fly of the last 30 years that you’ve probably never heard of.

68 76 82 84

BEARING DOWN ON SILVERS

Armed only with a willow wand, author Joe Doggett shares a stretch of the Shelikof Strait with an angler crankier—and much larger—than himself.

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Many anglers travel to rural, remote, or impoverished areas—but those aren’t terms you want to describe your medical care. Travelmedicine physician Abbas Adam shows you how, with a little preparedness, you can avoid a trip to the witchdoctor on your next angling adventure.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

Some experts have written off the Atlantic salmon as good as extinct in the United States. Author Tom Keer reports on a novel hatchery program that just may prove them wrong.

POETRY

AVOIDING APOCALYPSE: A TRAVEL MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE

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AN ANGLER OPINES: RELEASE OR RETAIN?

“Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once,” wrote Lee Wulff. But when we put them back, are they actually living to fight another day…? E. Donnall Thomas takes a hard look at the dogma of catch and release.

Two poems by Henry Hughes.

NUBIAN ADVENTURE

Travel Editor, Peter McLeod, heads for some fun in the sun in Sudan. Triggerfish and bluefin snapper and giant trevally … O my!

Photo: Kyle Weaver TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 11

— LETTER FROM THE EDITOR — MARRIAGE MILESTONES are marked each year by

accident. I mention it not to thump my chest but to

traditional gifts usually made of or containing a specific

make a point. That solo was the result of studying

material. This tradition dates back to the Roman Empire

Biscayne Bay over the last 13 years. Of fishing with

when a man would crown his wife with a silver wreath

(and listening to) knowledgeable guides like Bob

for their 25th anniversary and a golden wreath for their

Branham, Greg Poland, Carl Ball, and Joe Gonzalez.

50th anniversary. Emily Post popularized this practice

Of taking my licks. I spent countless hours at the Fly

in her 1922 book, Etiquette, which included a list to

Shop of Miami back when it was still good, run by

simplify spousal gift-giving. Traditional gifts include

David Olson and Jorge Martinez, just listening and

necessary items like paper and leather as well as

learning. In other words, I did the work. I listened to

valued items like precious or semi-precious metals and

the “old dudes” as well as everyone else with sound

gemstones. Although these traditions have no specific

knowledge. This enabled me to do it myself that day

bearing on fly fishing, we detail them in an attempt to

and as long as I continue to fish.

explain our redfish theme: For an eighth anniversary, the traditional gift is bronze—a perfect fit for this red-

I HOPE TO PASS this can-do spirit on to my son, who

infused issue.

will pass it on to his children. Perhaps a future editor of a future publication will defend my contribution

AND SPEAKING OF CUSTOMS: These days, our culture

to saltwater fly fishing when a newbie asks why he’s

simply ignores traditional practices and historical

bothering to talk about the guy who launched TFFM

influences. I addressed this once in a previous editor’s

so many decades ago. Maybe respect for tradition

note, responding to a young man who asked that we

and the past will gain momentum and fly anglers will

“stop writing about old dead dudes.” There was a bit

remember the sport’s customs without reminders.

more to my response, but in summary I simply told him that we will not stop doing so. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine

WE LEARN from those who came before us. I

will never turn its back on the history and lineage of

continue to learn from them and all of you as well.

saltwater fly fishing. We will always make room to remember the pioneers like Rhode, Dimock, and Brooks.

THE COUNTLESS FLY TYING features and DIY

(You can find these features in the historical figures

adventures that avid anglers submit reinforce my

section of our blog.) The very fact that we print TFFM in

belief that innovation still exists and people are doing

the digital age exemplifies our dedication to traditions.

the work. With any luck, the next crop of innovators will emerge.

WE HAVE RECEIVED more and more reader requests for the path of least resistance or the best place to land

THAT SAID, we’ve managed a very respectable lineup

a specific fish—and unfortunately, these requests don’t

of content for this special anniversary issue, including

necessarily come exclusively from those new to the

a gamebird recipe to enjoy in the fall, Peter McLeod’s

sport. When I respond I generally think, You should

travelogue on fly fishing the Nubian Flats, some truly

be doing it the hard way and learning how to do it for

remarkable photos from newcomer Paul Dougherty,

yourself.

and a fly tying feature by Terry Baird, an old dude who was setting IGFA records long before many of our

I ENCOURAGE READERS to tie their own flies and

readers were born. As we say with each issue, this one

leaders, rig their own gear, and take responsibility for

is better than the last.

their own fisheries. My fear is that because so many people are entering the sport in this Google Earth,

Enjoy the issue.

prepackaged-everything era, innovation and tradition will wither.

I RECENTLY CAUGHT A PERMIT fishing solo—no guide, just me. Yes, luck is always involved, but this was no

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Joseph Ballarini

THE UNDERTOW LONELINESS

by James P. Spica Jr.

begins to feed on itself. Fishing is

other anglers; after a few hours of

you who are reading this piece,

surrounds me—the bustle of life

we wish to be. Not all anglers share

a distraction, an escape, indeed a

solitude I begin to imagine waves

of course).

in a bayou where man and wildlife

the same anxieties, but every one of

means of relaxation—except that

literally wiping me from the beach

share a stage—the darkness arrives.

us is alone with those thoughts that

black and steel gray. What if I were

the lonely angler is an emulsion of oil

without a trace. It’s a curious, gradual

There’s a price to pay for being

I fear being stranded in pluff mud. Or

creep in between casts. Spending

out there—swept out, overboard,

and water, in which the therapeutic

inversion.

alone with one’s thoughts. Some are

falling from my craft. Or being swept

the day on the water alone with

stranded, left to die. The physical

nature of solitude competes with

unquestionably malign—like a fear

out into open water and bobbing

only your thoughts for company is

strength I’d need to tread water

the emptiness of land, water, and

I really only have myself to blame:

of sharks where no sharks could be.

helplessly miles offshore. I’ve never

a certain reminder that fishing lays

would be easy to muster compared

soul. Sometimes there’s more oil,

The truth is that I prefer to fish

Some are formless and shapeless,

come even marginally close to such

us bare in one way or another. Now,

with the mental strength I’d need to

sometimes there’s more water.

alone. Even when I’m with another

others are specific and morbid. The

eventualities. I have a phone and a

excuse me while I gather a rod and

angler, I always suggest we go our

darkness seems nearer, civilization

GPS and a variety of safety gear in

a box of blurple flies and fish under

Fishing leads me to a variety of quiet

separate ways and meet up after an

farther away.

my waterproof pack. Reality doesn’t

the stars.

Such thoughts absorb me when I’m

places, which is great until solitude

hour or more. I just like to be alone

fishing alone.

turns to loneliness—turns from a

with my own thoughts, I guess—even

The horizon line is terrifying.

At this hour, two colors meet there:

stave off despair.

pleasant high into a well of paranoia.

though I never know when those

Anxiety has plagued me all of my

All the way to the beach I’m praying

thoughts are going to devolve from

life. Loneliness leaves one alone

to and pleading with a higher

with

one’s thoughts, so the chemically

imbalanced mind

power

to

figuratively wipe the sand clean of

peaceful reflection to irrational

anxiety. I rarely

tell other anglers about this (except

stop the daymares.

One moment I’m completely absorbed in casting crab flies to marsh redfish from a kayak; the moment my old friend Anxiety

But if emotion weren’t a part of next

taps me on the shoulder.

Despite the peaceful bustle that

fishing, what would be the point?

Being alone—and feeling the visceral implications of being alone—allows us to come to terms with who we are, not who

Photo: Scott Morrison

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— LETTER TO THE EDITOR — EVER READ A PERSONAL PIECE that’s so poignant,

others cause you to pause, reflect, and take a hard

so apropos that it strikes you in the ribcage and

look at who you ain’t. Down here in Louisiana we’re

nearly takes away your breath? Such was my reaction

partial to the saying, “Be who you is, not who you

to “Loneliness” by James P. Spica Jr. (July/August

ain’t.” Can’t get much more honest than that! Over

2020 issue number 48).

the years I have come to “befriend” all of these emotions, sometimes can even predict their arrival

Clearly, the line between loneliness and solitude is a

and now refer to them as my “imaginary friends”!

fine one. Similar to Spica, I relish the state of solitude, being alone, thinking only of fat fish, beautiful stars,

“… if emotions weren’t a part of fishing, what would

and the taste of bourbon later. Fly fishing allows one

be the point?” Spica accurately observes. Trust

to forget about life for awhile, to get away from all

me, fly fishing by yourself allows an angler an

the crazy commotion. Fly fishing is a magnet—I’m

unencumbered and brutally honest view of who one

drawn to it, can’t resist its pull, but, like Spica, while

is and who one is not. So tomorrow I’ll be fishing

savoring solitude, escaping all the disturbance, I’m

my home waters. Again waiting for the sweet sound

occasionally visited by Mr. “Anxiety” and (for me)

of my fly line ripping off my Hatch, hoping to be

his cronies: Anguish, Fear, Paranoia, Confusion,

surprised one more time. But it would not surprise

Obsessiveness, Regrets, Envy, Disappointment. And

me if some of my “cronies” surprised me.

while some of the thoughts in front of these emotions are obviously unrealistic or innocuous enough,

—Mark J. Miller, Ruston, Louisiana

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 13

R E T A I L E R S C A R R Y T A I L

ALASKA Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W. Diamond Blvd, Suite 114 Anchorage, AK 99515 907-770-2666 mossysflyshop.com CALIFORNIA Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store 2700 W. Orangethorpe Ave Fullerton, CA 92833 714-525-1827 bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. com COLORADO Front Range Anglers 2344 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303-494-1375 frontrangeanglers.com CONNECTICUT The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9400 compleatangleronline.com FLORIDA 239 Flies 3431 Bonita Beach Rd SW Unit #205 Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 908-3513 239flies.com Black Fly Outfitters 11702 Beach Blvd, #109 Jacksonville, FL 32246 904-997-2220 blackflyoutfitters.com Forgotten Coast Fly Company 123 Commerce Street Apalachicola, FL 32320 850-653-1024 forgottencoastflycompany.com Florida Keys Outfitters 81219 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 305-664-5432 floridakeysoutfitters.com Flounder Creek Outfitters 515 Garden Street Titusville, FL 32796 321-567-2931 facebook.com/ floundercreekoutfitters/ Mangrove Outfitters 4111 Tamiami Trail E Naples, FL 34112 239-793-3370 mangroveoutfitters.com Ole Florida Fly Shop 6353 N. Federal Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33487 561-995-1929 olefloridaflyshop.com Orlando Outfitters 2814 Corrine Dr Orlando, FL 32803 407-896-8220 orlandooutfitters.com

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ORVIS Ocean Reef 1 Fishing Village Drive Key Largo FL 33037 305-367-2227 Orvis.com ORVIS Sandestin 625 Grand Boulevard Ste 101 Sandestin, FL 32550 850-650-2174 Orvis.com The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West, FL 33040 305-292-6306 anglingcompany.com GEORGIA Cohutta Fishing Company 39 S. Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 770-606-1100 cohuttafishingco.com ORVIS Atlanta Buckhead Square 3255 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404-841-0093 Orvis.com The Fish Hawk 764 Miami Cir NE #126 Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-3473 thefishhawk.com LOUISIANA ORVIS Baton Rouge Perkins Rowe, Bldg. H 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ste. 140 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-757-7286 Orvis.com MARYLAND Alltackle 2062 Somerville Rd Annapolis, MD 21401 888-810-7283 alltackle.com MASSACHUSETTS The Bear’s Den 34 Robert W. Boyden Rd Taunton, MA 02780 508-977-0700 bearsden.com MONTANA Frontier Anglers 680 N. Montana St Dillion, MT 59725 406-683-5276 frontieranglers.com

NORTH CAROLINA Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd D5 Cornelius, NC 28031 704-896-3660 carolinaflyfishing.com OBX on the Fly PO BOX 508 Manteo, NC 27954 RHODE ISLAND The Saltwater Edge 1037 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI 02842 866-793-6733 saltwateredge.com SOUTH CAROLINA Bay Street Outfitters 825 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902 843-524-5250 baystreetoutfitters.com ORVIS Charleston 535 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (854) 999-4985 Orvis.com Southern Drawl Outfitters 1533 Fording Island Rd Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-705-6010 southerndrawloutfitters.com TEXAS Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston, TX 77027 832-831-3104 bayoucityangler.com Gordy & Sons Outfitters 22 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 713-333-3474 gordyandsons.com ORVIS Austin 10000 Research Blvd - B04B Austin TX 78759 512-795-8004 Orvis.com ORVIS Houston 5727 Westheimer - Suite A Houston TX 77057 713-783-2111 Orvis.com

NEW YORK

ORVIS Plano Preston Towne Crossing 2412 Preston Road Suite 200 Plano, TX 75093 972-596-7529 Orvis.com

River Bay Outfitters 980 Church St Baldwin, NY 11510 516-415-7748 riverbayoutfitters.com

ORVIS San Antonio 7427 San Pedro Ave. Suite 104 San Antonio, TX 78216 210-812-3017 Orvis.com

Sportsman’s Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78738 512-263-1888 sportsmansfinest.com Swan Point Landing 1723 Cherry Street Suite 4 Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-7926 swanpointlandingflyshop.net Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co. 1933 E. Levee St Dallas, TX 75207 888-824-5420 tailwatersflyfishing.com UTAH Fishwest 47 West 10600 South Sandy, UT 84070 fishwest.com 801-617-1225 WASHINGTON Peninsula Outfitters 19740 7th Ave NE, Suite 110 Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-394-1599 peninsulaoutfitters.com Emerald Water Anglers 4502 42nd Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 206-708-7250 emeraldwateranglers.com The Avid Angler 17171 Bothell Way NE #A272 Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-362-4030 avidangler.com WYOMING Lander Fly Shop 305 Main Street Lander, WY 82520 307-438-3439 landerflyshop.com CANADA Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop 199 Queen St. East Toronto Ontario M5A-1S2 647-347-7370 Driftoutfitters.com Retail Chains: Barnes & Noble—630 retail locations in the USA Books-A-Million—260 stores in 32 states Bass Pro Shops—95 locations in the USA Dick’s Sporting Goods (select locations)—over 700 stores in the USA Field & Stream Stores—35 locations in the USA Indigo Books—over 200 stores under various banners

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 15

Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera Waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof to withstand 7-foot drops, crushproof to 220 lbf, and freeze-proof to 14 degrees F, the Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera is as tough and rugged as any good fly fishing camera should be. It’s also as smart as it is durable, with an f/2.0 high-speed lens, 20 fps burst shooting capability in RAW, and anti-fog dual plane glass for capturing the best possible image every time. Thanks to a specialized image sensor, the Olympus TG-5 can even take the best picture in low lighting, and Ultra HD 4k video and Action Track Sensors only add to the plethora of features. $449

GEAR Fujifilm FinePix XP130 Waterproof Digital Camera The small, compact, yet rugged Fujifilm FinePix XP130 Waterproof Digital Camera is waterproof to 65 feet, shockproof up to 5.8 feet, and freezeproof to 14 degrees F and comes with many great features, including underwater and underwater macro modes, which give you the best possible underwater images; a Burst Mode Button; a 28mm wide-angle lens; as well as 5x optical zoom. If you’re looking to capture your next angling trip on video, this camera comes with a Full HD Movie feature (1080p/60 fps) that can also freeze moving images up to 320 fps. $129.95

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GoPro HERO7 Black Since its first release, GoPro has become synonymous with outdoor adventures, so it’s no wonder they’d have a camera that’s perfect for all of your angling adventures. The GoPro HERO7 is compact, sleek, and features the all-new HyperSmooth stabilization at 60 fps in 4k, making for the best images from a GoPro camera yet. TimeWarp and Hyperlapse features create smooth moving time-lapses. SuperPhoto mode makes shots look great in any light with tone mapping and noise reduction. Voice Control gives you 16 commands for hands-free operation. Feel free to show off your next catch in real time on social media with this camera’s live-streaming capabilities. $229

GUIDE Power Vision PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone Regular cameras can only show you so much; the Power Vison PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone can take you far beyond your usual view, as it is a fishing drone, not a camera. This underwater drone allows you to see from a depth of 98 feet and features a 210foot tether, 4K UHD video screen, 1080p real-time streaming, 12MP photos, 5f ps Burst Mode app for viewing images on iPhone/Android, and a 64 gb memory card. Once you put on the Zeiss VR goggles, they, along with the PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone, will allow you to explore the underwater world like never before. $599

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 17

CHASING Dory Underwater Drone With a 1080P HD camera, a F/1.6 lens for a wider FOV, and a live-streaming feature, the CHASING Dory Underwater Drone will make you feel as though you’re really under water. The built-in true color restoration algorithm will only add to the vividness of the experience, and two 250-lumen headlights will make sure you can guide the drone in the darkest of waters. The Dory is, in fact, one of the smallest underwater drones on the market—but don’t underestimate it. With all these features and more, including a WiFi Buoy and dual play mode for two users, the CHASING Dory Underwater Drone packs a lot into what looks like only a toy. $499

GEAR Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone Another great option from Power Vision, the Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone has a plethora of unique features, such as a 220-degree retractable 4K camera that sees above and below water, selfrighting flip capabilities, and a one-button home function that will bring your drone back to you instantly. So perfect is the Powerdolphin for fly anglers that it even comes with mobile fish-finding technology. That, plus image transmission up to ½ mile, ultra-long battery life, and a speed of up to 10mph makes the Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone a great choice. $999

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Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone By using an IOS or Android app on your smartphone, you can control the Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone’s every movement. The app can even create a customized route and depth for BIKI, with the drone filming the entire time, allowing you to see BIKI’s pathway on video when the drone returns to the surface. BIKI can also be controlled via a remote control, and features bionic driving, 4k UltraHD video, camera stabilizer, and underwater suspension. With so many amazing features and two different ways of navigating BIKI through the water, the Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone truly stands out among all the underwater drones on this list. $999

GUIDE Youcan BW-Space Pro Underwater Drone The Youcan BW-Space Pro Underwater Drone is a product that prides itself on its stability, as well it should considering that the drone is powered by four thrusters, making it perhaps the most stable drone on this list. Other features that match this feat in greatness include a 4k UHD camera, digital defogging, +/- 45 degree adjustable tilt, auto-adjust lighting, 330 feet dive, and 130 degree wide angle lens.

Those aren’t all the features that come with the Youcan BW-Space Pro, which in itself is quite impressive. With a 5-hour battery life, you have plenty of time to play with and figure out all there is to know about this underwater drone. $1399

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 19

Suunto Traverse Alpha Hunting & Fishing Watch The many features of the Suunto Traverse Alpha Hunting & Fishing Watch include a GPS navigation system, high resolution digital display, built-in digital thermostat, barometric pressure detector; and calendar function as well as moon phase calendar. All of these impressive features come in a textured stainless steel bezel with a stylish military-style strap, making this the perfect accessory to any outfit in your wardrobe. At only 12.8 ounces, you’ll barely feel that you’re carrying all of this amazing technology right on your wrist. $299

GEAR Seaholm Flats Chronograph Watch This entry is the Rolls Royce of this issue’s Gear Guide. This beauty is shockresistant, and water-resistant to 200 meters. The Seaholm Flats Chronograph Watch was designed in Austin and is made in Switzerland. It’s a certified dive watch that’s built to endure the most extreme marine conditions. Fly anglers can use the tachymeter scale to calculate speed and distance—a great feature if you’re going to be exploring flats with a carbon fiber lightning rod in your hand. The Stainless steel case is 41 mm in diameter with a height of 11.6 mm—so it’s not too big and doesn’t create another snag hazard. The band is 316L stainless steel with solid links and is surprisingly light. Also includes a diver’s extension Nylon NATO strap. The Flats Chronograph Watch is available in black or flats blue. (seaholmautomatic.com) $3,495

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SunRoad Outdoor Fishing Watch The SunRoad Outdoor Fishing Watch is proof that you don’t need fancy equipment to get the job done. A stainless steel case is connected to an ultra-comfortable canvas band, making for a lowkey, slightly rugged look. Features include a weather indicator with thermometer; altimeter, and barometer function; and a high-res digital display. The features are few, but the price is right. $149

GUIDE Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Weighing less than a pound, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is one of the loudest speakers that comes in a tiny package, with a bass response that surpasses the original Wonderboom, along with a 30 percent better battery life. If it’s still not loud enough for you, the Wonderboom 2 can be paired with other Ultimate Ears Wonderboom products for the best, loudest sound imaginable. On top of all that, this speaker has an IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating. All of these great features in a .93-pound package? Turns out, it’s not impossible! $99.99

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 21

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Another great speaker option from Ultimate Ears is as light (at 1.2 pounds) and durable as it is loud—and it can get very loud without distorting. Much like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2, the Boom 3 is also waterproof and dustproof. The speaker has a one-touch mix button, allowing you to pick what you listen to without the aid of a smartphone.

With 15 hours of battery life, this is an awesome speaker with an awesome sound that’s well worth the money. $149.99

GEAR Fugoo Style Depending on your personality, the Fugoo Bluetooth speaker can fit it with its selection of three different “jackets”: Style, Tough, and Sport. Not only can the Fugoo match your look, it can keep up with your energy level with a whopping 40-hour battery life. It’s small and easily portable, as well, at only one pound. This speaker has a great sound. Pair two of them and play in Stereo mode. Many haven’t heard of Fugoo, even though they make some incredible speakers at an amazing value. $69.99

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GUIDE TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 23

NEW

MAVERICK

Shown with Sage Spectrum Max Reel

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24 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

S A LT W AT E R /

FAST ACTION

Christmas Island Outfitters sageflyfish.com

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 25

New Flies from CGH Custom Tackle

(SLIM) CRICK BISCUIT SLIDER Tail, 4” Sand Eel Size 1,/0 Modified Ultra Suede

Although this issue is redfi sh-heavy, we can’t ignore the major migrations taking place for the next several months along the East Coast: striped bass, bluefi sh, and false albacore. From Maine to North Carolina you’re likely to encounter busting schools of hungry gamefi sh gorging themselves on the available local fare in preparation for their southward trek.

If you’re a typical East Coast saltwater fl y angler, an intermediate or fast-sinking line is your go-to. However, maybe now’s the time to string up a fl oater. The surface smash of a double-digit brawler is one you won’t soon forget. This is dry fl y fi shing on acid!

The cutting-edge work of Carl Harris of CGH Custom Tackle (cghcustomtackle.com) bridges the gap between fl ies and lures.

Reminiscent of the fl y rod lures popular before spinning tackle became widely available, Carl uses sheet foam, glue, and epoxy to construct a variety of poppers, sliders, and divers to fi ll all of your surface and near-surface needs.

The SCW Spearing is a variation of Harris’ Soft Chew Wiggler 2.0 (for tying instructions, see issue 45, January/February 2020) that swims like a Rapala and suggests a number of silverside and anchovy species. If calamari is on the menu, however, the SCW Squid is the right fl y for the job (make sure you have a few Squid for next spring’s striper fi shing as well).

” COOLA POPPER - Size 3/0, 3/5 Peanut Bunker

SOFT

CHEW WIGGLER - Size 1/0, Modified Ultra Suede Tail, 3.5” Spearing 26 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Two recent additions to the CGH Custom Tackle lineup are the Coola Popper and the Crick Biscuit Slider. The Coola Popper was

Size SOFT CHEW WIGGLER -Squ id 2/0, Ultra Suede Tentacles, 5”

inspired by the Hula Popper freshwater bass plug produced by the Fred Arbogast Company in the 1940s. Arbogast produced a fl y rod version with a body molded from hard plastic. Carl Harris’ rendition is very cool indeed—available in sizes 2/0 to 5/0 and several color variations including Peanut Bunker. The 3/0 version pitches easily with an 8-weight outfi t and kicks up more than enough commotion to ring the dinner bell (“Move over, Crease Fly”). The Crick Biscuit is Carl’s update on a sand eel slider from 30 years ago and is designed to move quietly on top. Sliders are effective whenever gamefi sh are keyed in on the surface, but they can be particularly deadly in calm waters during twilight and after dark. Use a steady hand-over-hand retrieve and get ready to rumble.

(MED)- Size GUMMY HEAD MINNOW Tail, 3.5” Mullet 3/0, Ultra Suede CGH Swim

The Gummy Head Minnow incorporates Carl’s innovative Ultrasuede Swim Tail, which gives a third dimension to the fl y’s action. You really have to see this fl y in the water to appreciate it.

For a new spin on tradition, CGH offers a Lefty’s Deceiver and a Clouser Half-and-Half dressed with tails made of Ultrasuede. (If you must use a sinking line, you’ll tie no more effective fl y to the end of it than a Half-and-Half.)

There’s no need to dredge the depths when the fi sh are trying to jump into the boat. Fly fi shing is most exciting when it’s a visual game. Make the most of the autumn blitzes by getting yourself a fl oating line, grabbing a handful of surface fl ies, and have a blast!

If you have a box of fl ies you’re particularly proud of, send it to us (or a few high-resolution photos) with a description of each fl y and we’ll consider it for the Inside the Box feature.

ed Glass HALF/HALF - Size 1/0, ModdeifiTail , 3” Sue ra Ult ), Eye (Moderate Sink

GUMMY HEAD

MINNOW (SM 1/0, Ultra Sued ALL) - Size e CGH Swim Ta il, 3.5” Minnow

DECEIVER - Size 1/0, Modified Ultra

Suede Tail, 3”

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 27

28 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

by Rob Williams Photos: Paul Dougherty

South Carolina’s Lowcountry is a world-class fly fishing destination right here in the United States, just a short road trip away from many of the country’s bustling metropolises.

The beauty of the Lowcountry marshes is reason enough to make the trek, of course—but its redfish nudge South Carolina into the mustdo column. In fact, Lowcountry redfish are the perfect saltwater fly fishing target.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 29

What makes redfish so perfect? First, anglers can sight cast to them, thereby getting in some technical fishing.

Second, pound for pound, redfish are a hard-fighting species. And finally, they’re just absolutely beautiful.

Fly anglers can pursue redfish all year, but a fall fishing trip is ideal: Beginning in September and October, when late-summer heat gives way to more moderate autumn weather, redfish sense the falling water temperatures and change their behavior dramatically. Instinctively recognizing that their forage is about to disappear, they begin to feed heavily at all times and in places where they usually would not. When this happens, fly anglers interested in exciting sight fishing will want to target redfish in three specific habitats: High tide flats, low tide flats, and small creeks.

30 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 31

High tide flats fishing, possible in only a few places in the world, is plentiful in the Lowcountry in autumn. Around the full and new moons the tides are abnormally high; water floods up into the spartina grass surrounding the creeks, creating a field of flooded grass in which redfish may gorge on crabs. As the stronger-than-normal current comes into the marshes, redfish take the opportunity to go deep in the grasses to hide from predators and procure an easy meal. When they stop to slurp up crabs in the shallow flooded marsh, redfish often stick their tails straight up in the air, which indicates their position to the fly angler hoping to sight cast with a fly rod and weedless fly.

Determine the direction the redfish is headed and place the fly just a few feet in front of it. Make short strips just as he gets to the fly. Redfish anglers generally don’t suffer for lack of feedback, because redfish either hammer a fly—in which case line will commence screaming out of your hands—or spook off, leaving only a wake and shaky knees behind them.

32 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

A low tide flat is a large muddy area that holds at least a little bit of water even at the lowest of low tides; redfish love these low tide flats especially because their number-one predator, the bottlenose dolphin, hates them. Dolphins love a meal of redfish, but they’re careful to avoid very shallow water, especially at falling tide. Low tide flats also usually feature numerous oyster mounds that serve as “structure” for redfish.

Growing schools of redfish will swim around and around from one oyster bed to another, feeding on anything in their path as temperatures continue to dip.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 33

Redfish make long blistering runs in these large muddy flats because they have nowhere to go but out and away from the skiff. From fall through winter, Lowcountry low tide flats fishing provides exceptional sight-casting opportunities because the water is so clear: When you enter a flat you can often see the redfish exploding on baitfish and shrimp in large schools from 50 yards away. A trip to the low tide flat is also great for newcomers to fly fishing: Larger schools of fish mean anglers can usually get a few good shots before the school is spooked—and even after that, there are still more schools remaining.

34 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Creek fishing is my personal favorite for many reasons, but especially because I enjoy the idea of catching a big fish in a small creek. When you set the hook on a 30-inch redfish in a 10-foot-wide creek, you’d better have brought your A game because there’s no telling where that fish will decide to go. It may head around the corner 60 yards in the creek to wrap you around grass. It may try to break you off on the nearest oyster bed. It may head straight for you under the boat and out of the creek. Redfish like the shallow creek for the same reason they like the flats: These habitats are difficult for predators—both human and dolphin—to access.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 35

Redfish will push far up into the shallowest part of the creeks at low tide to feed and to hide—and that is precisely when we like to target them with fly rods. Pole silently up a tiny creek on a crisp fall morning and spot schools of large 20- to 30-inch fish busting on baitfish, their backs and tails out of the water—and shaky knees and intense memories are all but guaranteed.

36 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The sights, smells, and sounds of the marsh draw angling novices to South Carolina every year; the delights of the fishery ensure that even the most experienced fly anglers never want to leave. Hiding in plain sight, a short drive and a world away from the East Coast’s bustling cities, South Carolina’s Lowcountry redfish are the only excuse a fly angler needs to schedule a fall road trip.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 37

:

TEN YEARS LATER

by Trey Reid

The end of a fishing day is a natural

said. “I still love going to work every

crevalle that maliciously herded big

time for reflection. So with the

day. You get to see things that most

schools of menhaden. Things got

evening sun slipping lower and

people go their whole lives and never

more interesting when bull sharks

bathing the Louisiana coastal marsh

see. It never gets old.”

showed up to the dinner party,

in golden light, it seemed fitting

smashing through the middle of

for Captain Mike Frenette to wax

The previous few hours of fishing

the baitfish schools while the jacks

philosophic on four decades of fishing

made Frenette’s point. Our objective

judiciously turned their attention

one of the Gulf of Mexico’s most

was redfish, a species that’s

to the outer edges. At one point the

productive estuaries.

emblematic of this coast and its

entire piscine spectacle drifted under

people—strong, tough, adaptive,

Frenette’s boat to offer an intimate

“I’ve seen a lot of changes, but it’s

and resilient—but we spent most of

glance into the feeding habits of

still an incredible fishery,” Frenette

the afternoon casting flies to jack

large predatory fish.

38 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 39

We rotated between three menhaden

“With as many sharks as we’ve seen

rig exploded April 20, 2010, killing

schools in an area the size of four

here, I’m surprised you had it on as

11 people. Situated 41 miles off the

football fields, casting into the fray

long as you did,” Frenette said. “I

Louisiana coast and nearly a mile

when we found more jacks than

think we’re fighting a losing battle

deep, the ruptured well that caused

sharks. Nearing the appointed time

today.”

the catastrophe sent an estimated

to head back to Frenette’s lodge at

130 million gallons of oil into the

Venice Marina, I hooked up with my

The outcome was frustrating and

Gulf of Mexico over the next three

fourth jack of the afternoon and the

disappointing, but it was still a hell of

months. The oil slick spanned more

sixth in two days. The previous five

a day. And it was a radically different

than 57,000 square miles and soiled

had been lost to equipment failure or

experience from the last time I was in

an estimated 1,100 miles of coastline

angler error, but I was still optimistic.

a boat with Frenette.

from Louisiana to Florida. The small

The fish made a series of punishing

town of Venice, located at the end

runs and stripped a good portion

I met Frenette in June 2010, in the

of Louisiana Highway 23 about 75

of backing off the reel. Roughly 45

midst of what has been called the

miles southeast of New Orleans, was

minutes into the engagement, with

worst environmental disaster in US

the epicenter for the spill response.

the backing recovered and the fly

history. I was on assignment for

It’s also home to Frenette’s Redfish

line back inside the guides, the rod

ESPN.com to report on the BP oil

Lodge of Louisiana, established 1985,

started shaking violently. Thirty yards

spill and its effects on recreational

the first fishing lodge at Venice

away a plume of red water roiled

fishing. Following a complex series

Marina.

the surface as the 9-weight went

of mechanical failures and human

sickeningly slack.

errors, the Deepwater Horizon oil

40 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The fishing and oil industries are

Frenette, a past president of the

a hearing room in the US Capitol to

the dual engines that drive Venice’s

Venice Charter Boat and Guides

testify about the spill and its effect

economy. It’s an unincorporated

Association, was idled by fishing

on his livelihood before the US Senate

community, population 202, that’s

closures and was spending more time

Environment and Public Works

the last outpost of civilization before

in front of TV cameras than in the

Committee.

the Mississippi River empties into the

bow of his Triton. His appearances

Gulf, a jumping-off point for inshore

included NBC’s Today show, National

“I’m losing everything I’ve worked

and offshore fishing trips as well as

Public Radio, Fox Business, MSNBC,

for,” Frenette told me one evening

oil platforms.

Reuters and The New York Times.

during the ongoing disaster. “I’m

One day he appeared on a live shot

losing my way of life. This year is

In June 2010, Venice was crawling

for The Situation Room with CNN’s

shot. We know that. But are we

with officials from every government

Wolf Blitzer and later recorded

talking one year, three years, ten

agency imaginable. Charter captains

another CNN interview with Anderson

years before things get back to

and commercial anglers used their

Cooper.

normal? That’s the scariest thing

boats to carry workers and absorbent

about this. We’re on the brink of

oil booms to the coastline. News

Frenette and I spent a day following

media from across the globe had

then-Louisiana Governer Bobby

erected makeshift sets in any free

Jindall and a swarm of media to see

Frenette lost an entire year of

space between fishing camps and the

where crude oil was washing ashore

business because of fishing closures,

surrounding marsh.

near Pass a Loutre and Redfish

but now, a decade after the spill,

Bay. A week later, Frenette was in

his life and business have mostly

disaster here.”

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 41

returned to normal, although he

noticeable issue with that stock.

Partnership. “When the oil spill hit,

says he used most of his retirement

There just doesn’t appear to be some

we were just kind of still coming out

savings to stay afloat. And while

big crash.”

of some very powerful hurricanes:

the spill caused significant damage

Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Gustav.

to specific sites along the coast,

But the BP oil spill didn’t happen

The commercial and recreational

including loss of marine and bird life

in a vacuum, and the scope of the

fishermen were just coming back and

and significant habitat degradation,

disaster can only be understood in

getting their feet under them again,

the widespread systemic crash of fish

the context of the long, enduring

and then the oil spill hit.”

populations that many feared didn’t

struggle to protect Louisiana’s

materialize.

fragile coastline and marsh against

It was the latest in a string of

recurrent disasters both natural and

calamities to befall the coastline

manmade.

of a state that calls itself the

“As far as an obvious crash as a result of the oil spill, nothing points

“Sportsman’s Paradise.” Louisiana

to that,” said Jason Adriance, finfish

“We’ve certainly had our troubles,”

loses land at the rate of a football

program manager for the Louisiana

said Chris Macaluso, director of the

field an hour, and since the 1930s the

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Center for Marine Fisheries for the

state has lost about 2,000 square

“With redfish, there’s been no

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation

miles of coastal land, an area roughly

42 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

equivalent to Delaware.

miles of canals for exploration and

additional land loss. Throw in the

The causes are numerous and

infrastructure. Hundreds of miles of

growing threat of rising sea levels—

intertwined. After the Great Flood

navigation channels added to the

according to the National Oceanic

of 1927, Congress ordered the Army

problem by allowing water to eat

and Atmospheric Administration,

Corps of Engineers to build levees

away at the land and speed erosion.

southern Louisiana has the highest

along the Mississippi River, and while they had the desired effect of preventing destructive floods, there were deleterious consequences. It cut

relative rate of sea-level rise in the

“In the simplest terms,” Macaluso said, “we’ve broken the plumbing.”

the mighty river off from its delta,

US—and the outlook dims even more.

For Frenette and others who fish and live on the Louisiana coast, the

preventing the massive sediment

Without the Mississippi naturally

problems aren’t abstract. Cruising

loads from spreading across the

flooding and replenishing its delta,

out of one of the many distributary

river basin and rebuilding land. The

southern Louisiana has been steadily

bayous leading from the big river to

problem was exacerbated after the

sinking for decades. When powerful

the Gulf during our June fishing trip,

discovery of oil and natural gas along

hurricanes make landfall from the

Frenette pointed to a spot where just

Louisiana’s coast in the 1930s. Oil

Gulf, there’s now less land to dampen

20 years ago the land stretched 2

companies dredged thousands of

their surge, which in turn causes

miles toward a distant oil platform;

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 43

today it’s all open water. Two weeks

good use.”

fresh water diversion argue that

after the relatively weak Tropical

Louisiana’s Coastal Restoration

moving that much fresh water into

Storm Cristobal made landfall in the

Master Plan also calls for

the system will harm saltwater-

area, the edge of the marsh appeared

construction of sediment diversions,

dependent fisheries.

as if a track hoe had scraped away

which would create cuts in the

huge chunks—2 feet of raw black

Mississippi River levee to divert

“Diversions have to be a part of the

dirt left where marsh grasses stood

sediment-laden water into the marsh

solution,” Macaluso said. “We need

a fortnight before. Cristobal also

to restore natural connections and

to have the ability to be adaptive

put more than a foot of water over

allow the river to replenish the delta.

in operating them. It’s a dynamic

the parking lot at Frenette’s lodge

system. It’s supposed to change. Of

at Venice Marina and the highway

“The primary reason the system

course, there are detractors, and

leading into town.

is broken is the lack of sediment,”

they’re becoming organized. Folks

Macaluso said. “There hasn’t been

have told us, ‘We will not accept you

“They just built the highway up

a single scientific study in 50 years

putting that much fresh water back

another couple of feet after Katrina,”

that hasn’t come to the conclusion

in the system.’ But the political will

Frenette said. “You have to wonder if

that we need to put suspended

is strong, the scientific evidence is

the government is going to think it’s

sediment from the Mississippi River

there, and now the money is there.”

worth the cost to keep raising it at

back in the system. If we put an

some point.”

annual slug of sediment back in

There’s no disagreement that coastal

there, it’s enough to stop subsidence

Louisiana is a special place that

and help with sea level rise.”

needs restoration and conservation.

years of making plans to stem

People in Louisiana carry a fierce

the rising tide of coastal erosion,

independent streak. Combine that

Louisiana officials are bringing some

with the state’s history of political

of those plans to fruition by using oil

corruption and you have the

spill fines and penalties paid by BP

ingredients for a lack of consensus on

“It’s still the best place in the United States to go fishing,” said Adriance, the LDWF biologist.

and others.

fixing the problems. The complexity

But hope remains in the form of a grand environmental irony. After

“Restoration work has been ongoing

and enormity of the issues further

“This is the estuary,” Frenette

complicate matters.

said, sweeping his hands wide to demonstrate the scale of the massive

for a long time,” Macaluso said. “Prior to the spill money coming in, you saw

A 2019 study by Louisiana State

system. “It’s the nursery for the

small projects, little projects here

University professor Eugene Turner

shrimp, the crabs, the finfish—all of

and there that cost $20 million, $30

published in Restoration Ecology

it. If we lose it, we lose everything.”

million. That seems big, but it was

suggests two older diversion

just enough to keep us above water.

structures, one that went operational

Trey Reid has written for numerous

Now we’re starting to see $100

in 1991 and the other in 2002,

newspapers, magazines, and

million, $150 million, $200 million-

actually resulted in net loss of land.

websites, and is a former field

scale projects, rebuilding entire

Proponents counter that a pair of

reporter for ESPN. He works in public

beaches and entire barrier islands

planned structures that would divert

and media relations for the Arkansas

as opposed to little chunks here and

river sediment into Breton Sound and

Game and Fish Commission,

there. Don’t get me wrong. The spill

Barataria Bay will operate on a much

producing and hosting the agency’s

was an incredibly destructive event

larger scale (their estimated cost

television show, Arkansas Wildlife. He

and an unprecedented environmental

is between $2 billion and $4 billion)

also hosts the outdoor radio show,

catastrophe. But our conservation

and move much more sediment to

The Wild Side on 103.7 FM The Buzz

leaders and anglers have stayed firm

replenish the delta. But that brings

in Little Rock, which can also be

in making sure the money is put to

up another issue: Opponents of

heard as a podcast.

44 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 45

Text: Kelli Prescott Photos: Kelli Prescott, Stephen Paulson, Paul Frischhertz, Spoke Hollow Outfitters Gamebirds present a challenge in the kitchen. Wild birds have much

Dark- or red-meat gamebirds,

less fat, are richer in flavor, and

however, can be a little trickier

usually yield less meat per bird than

to navigate to the plate.

domesticated fowl.

Often when cooked beyond medium, these birds take

Utilizing the entire bird is

on a deep iron flavor and

important—especially in the case

may become liver-like

of game you harvest yourself. Too

in texture. That’s not

much time goes into harvesting

necessarily a bad

one’s own meat to let anything go

thing: I recommend

to waste. After you clean birds, save

either marinating and

the carcasses; once roasted, they

grilling to medium rare

are perfect for making stock. Don’t

or—as I have done with my

forget to save the hearts, too: Simply

dirty rice—cooking longer

pan fry on high heat and enjoy

and using in place of liver.

cooked medium.

Dove, duck, and any other

White- or light-meat fowl is easier to

dark-meat birds, are delicious

work with and more forgiving than its

stewed in gumbo, gravies, or any

red-meat counterpart; virtually any

dish with a rich flavor profile that can

method will produce tasty results.

stand up to their deep, gamey flavor.

Whether grilling and glazing, stewing, or frying, preparing birds like quail

I have included a few of my all-time

and pheasant is usually foolproof.

favorite recipes in this feature; I hope

Just pretend it’s chicken, and you’re

you enjoy them as much as I do.

ready to go!

46 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 47

My take on a Cajun classic, this

for 3 to 6 hours or until

transfer rice onto a sheet tray to cool.

dirty rice gets its color and flavor

desired concentration

While the rice cools, get a large skillet

from house-roasted duck stock

is reached. Strain stock

hot and add crumbled ground pork.

and crispy bits of pork and dove

and put away into Mason jars. Will

Sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.

breasts instead of liver. Feel free

keep two weeks in the refrigerator.

Cook on high heat, using a spatula

to use any dark-meat gamebird in place of dove in this recipe.

For the stock, preheat oven to 450

to break up meat into fine bits. Once If you don’t want to make your own

it’s very crispy, remove the pork with

stock, beef stock is a good substitute

rendered fat and set aside.

for this recipe.

degrees F. Arrange 8 to 12 duck

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into

carcasses on a sheet tray, drizzle with

Prepare the rice. When making

the pan, keeping it very hot. Add

olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and

rice, always use a heavy-bottomed

cubed dove breast meat into the

cracked black pepper, and roast for

saucepan and start by drizzling 1

skillet and sprinkle with salt and

about 15 minutes or until browned.

tablespoon of olive oil and turning

pepper. Cook on high heat, tossing

heat to medium high. Add rice,

once or twice until all sides are

In a large stock pot, combine 4 quarts

stirring constantly so each grain

browned.

water, roasted duck carcasses, and

gets lightly coated in oil and begins

any juice on sheet tray, and set heat

to cook. You will see the grains turn

Turn down heat to medium. Return

to medium low.

more opaque as they cook; this

pork and fat into pan, adding onion,

technique is called parching and

bell pepper, celery, and green onion.

Add garlic, onion, and celery. Gently

allows the grains to stay separate

Add spices and butter. Cook for 5

clean the outside of the veggies, but

once the rice is done. Continue to

minutes, stirring frequently, until

don’t worry about removing the peels

parch rice for 3 to 5 minutes.

veggies become soft.

chop and throw them in. The peels

Add duck stock. Add enough stock to

Turn heat to low. Add about 4 ½ cups

on the onion and garlic will help color

cover the rice with about 1/2 inch of

cooked rice and gently toss. Let the

the stock along with the browned

stock—typically about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup

flavors come together on low heat for

bits of duck.

less than package instructions call for.

a few minutes.

or stringing the celery. Just roughly

Bring rice and stock to a boil, cover, Add salt, bay leaf, parsley, and

and turn heat to low. Let cook for

Turn heat off, add parsley and chives,

peppercorns. Simmer on medium low

20 minutes. Remove from heat and

and serve.

48 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

INGREDIENTS: For duck stock: 8 to 12 duck carcasses 1 head of garlic 1 yellow onion 1/2 bunch fresh parsley 2 stalks celery 1 tsp whole peppercorns 2 bay leaves 4 quarts water For dirty rice: 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice 2 to 3 cups duck stock 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1/2 cup diced green onion 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley 2 tbsp fresh chopped chives 1/2 lb ground pork 1/2 lb dove breasts, cubed (about 10 birds) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper 1 bay leaf 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp paprika

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 49

Inspired by Nashville hot chicken,

black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon each

Dredge buttermilk-soaked quail

this fried quail is easy and

cayenne pepper and paprika. Let sit

directly into seasoned flour. Fry

addictive.

at least 2 hours to overnight.

breaded quail in 350-degree vegetable oil for 2 to 3 minutes or

Quarter skin-on whole quail so that

When you’re ready to fry, set up a

you are left with two sections: (1)

bowl with seasoned flour for the

the leg quarter and (2) the breast,

dredge, a cast iron skillet with half an

with ribs removed and wing bone

inch of vegetable oil for frying, and a

still attached (airline breast). Once

sheet tray lined with paper towels for

Whisk hot oil ingredients to combine.

quail is quartered, place in a bowl

draining.

Brush fried quail with hot oil. Serve

until crispy and cooked throughout.

Let quail drain 1 to 2 minutes.

with 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon

with bread and butter pickles and a

each kosher salt and fresh cracked

wedge salad.

INGREDIENTS:

For dredge:

For hot oil:

vegetable oil, for frying

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil from frying pan

8 whole quail, quartered

1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

1 tbsp honey

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

50 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

This wedge salad is simple to

Combine all ingredients for

Assemble wedge salad and spoon

make and refreshing to eat.

dressing and whisk together; keeps in

dressing over the top, finishing with

Fresh herbs and my homemade

fridge up to two weeks.

flake salt and cracked pepper.

INGREDIENTS:

For buttermilk dressing:

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 head butter lettuce, split in half

1/2 cup Duke’s mayonnaise

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 cup chopped heirloom tomatoes

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup sliced English cucumber

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup chives, roughly chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup fresh dill, leaves picked

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives

1/4 tsp Maldon flake salt

1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

1/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

buttermilk dressing set this salad apart.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 51

52 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TFFM Staff Though probably not of Italian

suggests that “Professor” Jerry

The fourth and final origin story

descent as many no doubt believe,

Thomas, the great American

attributes the drink to New York City

the origin of the classic martini

mixologist credited with “inventing”

bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia,

remains somewhat murky. In fact,

professional bartending and writing

who allegedly served the drink in

the martini boasts at least four

the aforementioned Bar-Tender’s

1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel.

origin stories—not too shabby for a

Guide, concocted the martini in

Time is not on di Taggia’s side here,

cocktail.

San Francisco. In the second edition

however: His Knickerbocker cocktail

of Thomas’ guide, subtitled How

appears more than 25 years after the

Residents and local historians of

to Mix Drinks, or The Bon-Vivant’s

legendary Martinez Special as well as

small-town Martinez, California,

Companion, he included a recipe

the publication of the Bar-Tender’s

claim the martini was invented

for a drink known as the Martinez;

Guide.

there during the Gold Rush of the

that recipe, however, contains a

mid-1800s. As the story goes, a

maraschino cherry, sweet vermouth,

Martinez happily promotes itself as

miner who had recently struck it rich

and sweetened gin, and could

the birthplace of the martini, just

decided to celebrate his good fortune

represent a variant of Thomas’

as Punxsutawney has embraced

at the local tavern. He requested

original martini.

the redoubtable groundhog Phil,

champagne, which was not available.

who first put the little Pennsylvania

The bartender, capitalizing on the

The martini’s third origin story

borough on the map. As a result of

good fortune and festive spirit of his

is centered on Martini & Rossi,

our investigation we believe that

nouveau riche customer, concocted

an Italian sweet vermouth first

Jerry Thomas probably created the

a beverage from what he had on

produced in the 1860s, which came

martini; even his nod to the Martinez

hand at the moment: gin, vermouth,

into being at about the same time

Special in his own publication seems

bitters, maraschino liqueur, and a

as the martini. This origin theory

to bolster his claim. But at the end

slice of lemon. Dubbed “The Martinez

would appear to make sense because

of the day, does it matter? The

Special,” the cocktail was a hit with

distilleries created recipes for their

cocktail’s origin is murky, the cocktail

the entire community and was

distilled products. If regulars began

itself is clear, and the martini—in 118

eventually published in the seminal

bellying up to the bar in droves to ask

varieties and flavors—continues to

Bar-Tender’s Guide in the 1880s.

for “a gin and Martini,” eventually

appeal to consumers more than 140

that might have been shortened to

years later.

In a book on the martini, Barnaby

“martini.” Unfortunately, however,

Conrad III acknowledges the Martinez

nothing but sheer speculation

claim but proposes an alternative

sustains this theory.

origin story for the drink: Conrad

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 53

The Classic Martini

Pomegranate Martini

Time: 1 minute

This one is tart and tangy. Most of the pomegranates that

Yield: 2 martinis

come from the United States originate from California;

Ingredients:

November, so that’s when you’ll see pomegranates in

½ oz dry vermouth

cocktails. Pomegranates also store well and are used

4 oz gin

frequently in winter cocktails. We like pomegranate

6 pimiento-stuffed green olives

because of the high concentration of antioxidants (really

the season runs from the end of September through

vitamin C) and some of the micronutrients it contains to Directions:

offset the less nutritious vodka.

followed closely by the gin. Shake for 30 seconds. Divide

Time: 5 minutes

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the vermouth, into two cocktail glasses. Garnish with three skewered olives each.

Yield: 1 martini Ingredients:

1 ½ oz vodka 1 oz pomegranate juice ½ oz triple sec 1 tsp frozen limeade ½ cup ice as needed 1 slice lime Directions:

Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, triple sec, and limeade with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lime or lemon peel.

54 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The Dirty Blue Martini This traditional drink that doubles as an appetizer is sometimes found in more upscale foody establishments.

It makes a wonderful selection on a hot day after chasing fish in the September heat. This cocktail calls for a small bit of prep work if you are making it at home: You’ll be stuffing classic green pitted olives with blue cheese (or Ballarini’s preference, Stilton cheese).

Time: 5 minutes

World’s Greatest Martini This variation requires a high-quality gin (Hendrick’s is our favorite) and vermouth to be the world’s greatest. A twist of lemon zest is an alternative to the olive garnish.

Time: 3 minutes

Yield: 4 martinis Ingredients: 8 oz gin

Yield: 2 martinis

½ oz dry vermouth

Ingredients:

4 cups ice cubes

4 oz premium gin (you could do worse than Bombay Sapphire) ½ tsp olive juice (adjust to personal taste)

½ oz sweet vermouth 4 pimiento-stuffed green olives Directions:

6 green olives stuffed with blue cheese

Fill cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes. Add about 1/2

Directions:

coat ice and pour off liquid. Add 8 ounces gin to coated

Step 2: Measure and pour gin into glasses.

martini glasses, garnish with pimiento-stuffed olive, and

Step 1: Gin and glasses must be kept chilled in freezer.

Step 3: Add 1/4 teaspoon olive juice to each glass.

ounce each dry and sweet vermouth. Shake enough to ice in shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into four chilled serve.

Step 4: Garnish each glass with three speared green olives stuffed with blue cheese.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 55

Meyer Lemon Martini Frank Meyer introduced Meyer lemons to the United States from China in the early 20th century. This sweet winter citrus is thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. Most important for martini purposes, Meyer lemons have a sweeter, less acidic flavor than the more common lemon. If you have to use a regular lemon, add a little extra sugar to taste (or not).

Time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 martini Ingredients:

2 tsp white sugar 2 tsp warm water 1 Meyer lemon, peeled and juiced 2 oz vodka (we like Tito’s or Ketel One) 1 oz orange liqueur (such as Cointreau®) 1 cup ice 1 tsp white sugar, or as needed for rimming Directions:

Combine 2 teaspoons sugar and warm water in a cocktail shaker; stir to dissolve sugar. Pour Meyer lemon juice, lemon peels, vodka, and orange liqueur into the shaker; add ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Remove a lemon peel from the shaker and wipe the rim of a martini glass with the peel. Dip the rim of the glass in 1 teaspoon sugar, or as needed. Strain martini into prepared glass.

You may use two teaspoons of simple syrup to sweeten the martini instead of the dissolved sugar. To make simple syrup, bring 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup water to a boil until sugar is melted. After cooling, store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks.

56 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

photo: Brian OʼKeefe

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tailflyfishing.com TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 57

ORGE ROBERTS

by GE

THE ESSENTIALS OF DISTANCE FLY CASTING: PART FIVE photos by JAMIL SIDDIQUI

IN THIS SERIES OF ARTICLES WE’VE TAKEN AN INDEPTH LOOK AT WHAT I’M CONVINCED ARE THE THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF DISTANCE FLY CASTING: LOADING AND UNLOADING THE ROD PROPERLY, FORMING TIGHT LOOPS, AND LENGTHENING THE CASTING STROKE WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A LONG DELIVERY. IN SHORT, ALL THE PRINCIPLE GAINS YOU’LL MAKE IN ADDING DISTANCE AND POWER TO YOUR CAST WILL COME FROM REFINING THESE THREE ASPECTS. TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, BECOMING A GOOD DISTANCE FLY CASTER IS A MATTER OF REFINING YOUR FUNDAMENTAL ROD-ARM MECHANICS.

58 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

1

In deconstructing my own fly cast—ripping

I’ve never seen a poor caster who had a solid

it down to its foundation and rebuilding it in

double haul.

increments—I was surprised to learn that I could cast an entire 90-foot fly line without

WHAT THE HAUL IS

hauling. This made me call into question the

A haul is simply a pull on the fly line during the

role of the double haul in the casting sequence.

casting stroke. Pulling fly line through the guides during the stroke lets you pull harder against

In truth, I found I could cast an entire fly line

the fly line’s resistance (weight and inertia)

without hauling, but it required my longest

and allows you to bend or load the rod deeper

casting stroke, and my rod hand had to travel

than you could bend it with the casting stroke

the very long straight-line path perfectly.

alone. You can demonstrate this to yourself by

The slightest deviance would result in a cast

attaching your fly line to a fixed point (such as

that fell short of the mark. This helped me

a tree). Try to bend the rod using only your rod

to understand the importance of rod-arm

arm. Next, try bending the rod using your rod

mechanics, as well the role of the double haul,

arm as well as simultaneously pulling on the fly

in making a long cast.

line with your line hand. You’ll notice with the

WHAT THE HAUL ISN’T

latter effort you’ll be able to produce a deeper bend.

Too many fly anglers have mischaracterized the double haul as “the secret”—or at least

Remember that the deeper you can load the rod,

the necessary ingredient—to casting distance.

the more power you can put in the cast. Hauling

Nothing could be further from the truth.

helps you load the rod deeper.

Hauling will not turn a 60-foot caster into an 80-foot caster. A well-executed haul may

TIGHTER LOOPS

increase the distance of a good cast by ten

I’m convinced hauling produces tighter loops.

percent—and that, I think, is being generous.

Remember that the tighter the loop you can

Conversely, I believe a haul adds nothing to a

form, the farther and faster your cast will travel.

poor cast—and may in fact make it worse, as

I strongly suspect that most of the extra distance

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 59

we get from hauling comes simply from forming a tighter loop. Also, tight loops are especially important when casting in the wind—particularly a headwind.

PERHAPS THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF HAULING—WHICH THE VAST MAJORITY OF FLY ANGLERS TEND

I’m not entirely sure how hauling produces

TO OVERLOOK—IS THAT HAULING

tighter loops, but I suspect it has to do with

DIVIDES THE WORK OF LOADING THE

how the haul bends the rod. If you look at the photo sequence you’ll see that the haul focuses the bend in the upper third of the rod (Figure 10) rather than distributing the load over the entire blank. That is, the haul bends the rod more like a candy cane than a drawn bow. I believe this has the effect of “squashing” the

ROD BETWEEN BOTH OF YOUR ARMS. Higher line speed adds distance and power to your cast—again, this is especially important when dealing with wind. I’m reluctant to mention this to students, because as soon as I

loop flatter—i.e., tighter.

do they try to haul very quickly, which usually

INCREASED LINE SPEED

working on the haul you forget about trying to

Hauling produces higher line speeds. The speed of your line hand during the haul is added to the speed of the unrolling cast. For a long time I had doubts about this. I had it in my head that the extra speed produced by the haul came simply from bending the rod deeper.

Then, one day, while hanging a clothesline in the backyard, I began playing around with it, hand casting. Hand casting is simply casting a fly line without a rod. (If you’ve never seen it, a YouTube search of “fly casting without a rod” will produce a video of Florida guide Michael Mauri demonstrating hand casting at a show.)

You can actually hand cast any weighted rope, cord, or line, including clothesline. In hand casting the clothesline, I found I could cast 20 or so feet of it with just my rod hand, but it took a great effort, a very long casting stroke, and it produced a mediocre result. However, when I added my line hand and a haul, the line was much easier to cast; it unrolled much faster and formed a much tighter loop. The increased speed could not have come from a deeper load on the rod, because there was no rod. The increased speed of the cast had to be the direct result of the haul.

60 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

ends up ruining the cast. I suggest that when add speed to your cast; focus instead on using the haul to help you bend the rod during the casting stroke. If you use the haul to help you load the rod, line speed will take care of itself.

BETTER TIMING If you were to shoot a bit of line on either your back cast or your forward cast and then trap the running line in your line hand just as your loop was about to unroll completely, you’d feel a slight tug on the rod tip. If you’re tuned into it, this tug can help you with your timing.

Giving back fly line after the haul is sort of like a controlled shoot. The force of the unrolling loop will want to take line with it, and your line hand will move toward the reel to give back line. It’s as if you’re shooting a couple of feet of running line without actually releasing it.

The result is that you’ll feel the line unroll and straighten better than if you did not haul. This results in better timing, and if you can time your casts better, your casts will automatically be better.

HAULING MAKES ALL CASTS …

EASIER

TIMING OF THE HAUL

Perhaps the greatest benefit of hauling—

casting is, “When do you execute the haul?”

which the vast majority of fly anglers tend to

Simply put, the haul coincides with the final

overlook—is that hauling divides the work of

part of the acceleration—what Joan Wulff calls

loading the rod between both of your arms.

the power snap, Lefty Kreh calls the speed-up-

This reduces the work of the rod arm by half—

and-stop, and Fly Fishers International terms

no small thing. Reducing the work of the rod

rotation. This is the portion of the stroke that

arm results in all casts becoming easier to

engages the wrist—the straightening of the

make.

wrist at the end of the back cast stroke, which

A frequent question among students of fly

moves the butt of the rod about 45 degrees As I said, in deconstructing my own cast I

from the underside of your forearm (Figures

learned I could cast an entire fly line without

1 through 3), and the adductive movement

hauling—but it required my longest casting

(pushing forward) of your wrist at the end of

stroke, and my rod hand had to track perfectly

the forward stroke, which brings the butt of the

along a straight-line path to produce a loop

rod parallel with the underside of your forearm

tight enough to get the job done. The slightest

(Figures 9 through 11). There is no way to time

error in tracking resulted in an imperfect

the haul by sight. Like so much in fly casting,

loop with my cast falling short of the mark.

timing the haul to coincide with the wrist action

If you use both of your arms to load the rod,

is a thing of feeling that comes with practice.

the necessary length of the casting stroke is reduced. It’s much easier to get your rod hand to track straight along a shorter path than it is a longer one. (Note that, for the purposes of illustration, in the photo sequence I use a much longer casting stroke than I would need to deliver a fly 70 feet.) Also, the added benefits of the tighter loop and the higher line speed you get from hauling make long casts much easier to pull off.

In truth, you’ll almost never have to cast an entire fly line in a fishing situation. The practical benefits of the double haul are most evident in your working saltwater casts of 50 to 70 feet. Combined with a solid set of rod arm mechanics, a well-timed haul makes a 70-foot delivery effortless (not to mention beautiful to watch). This is well within the capabilities of anyone who fly fishes.

LENGTH OF THE HAUL Keep in mind that the haul is a sort of mirror image of the casting stroke. More precisely, it’s a sort of mirror image of the final part of the stroke: the power snap or speed-up-and-stop. If your power snap (that is, your wrist movement) takes place over a short space, as it does for a short cast, your haul will be fairly short as well.

But if your wrist movement takes place over a long space, as it does when you’re making your longest cast, your haul will be long. The rod hand and line hand should always be in synch: short stroke, short haul; long stroke, long haul.

THE GIVE-BACK After you’ve completed the haul, the force of the unrolling loop will want to take running line with it. You’ll move your line hand toward the reel to give back the line—but only at the speed that the unrolling loop wants to take it. That is, the give-back is not simply an automatic

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 61

rebounding of your line hand toward the stripping guide. The haul is relatively fast, but the give-back is slower and more deliberate.

2

Don’t try to shove running line up through the stripping guide at the end of the haul—let the unrolling loop dictate the speed of the giveback.

3

The give-back sets you up to make a haul on each subsequent stroke.

THE DOUBLE HAUL SEQUENCE Figures 1 through 12 illustrate the double haul used in a casting sequence. During the first part

4

of the back cast stroke, the rod hand and line hand remain close together (Figure 1). During the final part of the acceleration—what Joan Wulff calls the power snap and the late Lefty Kreh called the speed-up-and-stop—the line

5

hand pulls directly opposite the path of the rod hand, forcing the rod into a deeper bend (Figure 2). Here you should have the sensation of pulling your hands apart under tension. The haul continues throughout the unloading of the rod (Figure 3). As the loop of line unrolls on the

6

back cast, your elbow will leave your side and your rod hand will drift upward and backward to position you for a longer forward stroke (Figure 4). Also, your line hand begins to move toward your rod hand to give back the hauled line (Figure 5), but only as fast as the unrolling

7

cast wants to take it. By the time the back cast has unrolled completely, the rod hand and line hand will be fairly close together (Figure 6). During the first part of the forward stroke, your rod hand and line hand will move forward together (Figure 7) and the rod will begin to load (Figure 8). Your rod hand and line hand will remain fairly close together during the first part of the stroke (Figure 9). During the second part of the stroke, your line hand pulls the fly line toward your hip while your rod hand completes

62 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

8

9

improve your own fly casting game. As I’ve learned over the past 50-plus years of fly fishing, casting well is often the difference between angling success and failure— particularly in a challenging fishery—and is pleasurable in itself. If you refine the three

10

fundamental aspects we’ve detailed, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any challenge you may face in the fly angler’s world—salt water or fresh.

11

I’d like to thank my friend Jamil Siddiqui for his expert photographic skills in helping me to illustrate the concepts in this series. I’d also like to thank the Diamondback Rod Company (diamondbackfishingrods.com), which supplied me with the white instructor rods with which

12

the photo sequences were shot.

the forward stroke (Figure 10). (Notice here that the rod is bent like a candy cane.) The rod unloads (Figure 11), and the loop of line sails forward with increased speed and power, and with less effort

TFFM’s managing editor, George

from your rod arm (Figure 12).

Roberts, has taught fly casting for

I’ve just described the conventional double haul.

This is how I learned to haul, and this is how I

more than 25 years. His fly casting book and video, Master the Cast:

still teach it. However, this is not how I actually

Fly Casting in Seven Lessons and

execute the haul myself. My own double haul

Saltwater Fly Casting: 10 Steps to

mechanics fit Joan Wulff’s description of the

Distance and Power, are listed among

adaptation of the technique that she has termed

the recommended study materials for

slide loading. But that’s a topic for another

instructor certification by both Fly

article….

This concludes our series on the essentials of distance fly casting. It’s my sincere hope that you’ve taken something away from these articles

Fishers International (FFI) and the UK’s Game Angling Instructors’ Association (GAIA).

that you will be able to put into practice to

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 63

a l u H p m i r Sh The

by Terry Baird

The Hula Series grew out of my observing the actions of

Varying the basic design has allowed me to imitate

diamond jigs while ice fishing in Bear Lake, Utah, in the

such diverse food items as shrimps, minnows, crabs,

early 1980s. Fishing these small spoon-like jigs vertically

palolo worms, inch-long bobtail squid, as well as

down to nearly 50 feet, I was amazed at how much

freshwater nymphs and leeches. I’ve also created

action they had. Some would circle while swimming with

Hula versions of a number of classic fly patterns,

a wiggling action on the drop, while others would shake

including Bob Nauheim’s Crazy Charlie, Winston

and dart on the retrieve. There was continuous inherent

Moore’s Agent Orange, and Chico Fernandez’s

action of the lure itself!

Bonefish Special. I’ve used Hula variations successfully in ultra-thin water for bonefish, in

Being an avid fly angler, I knew I had to try to develop

the West Coast surf for corbina, and in deep water

a tying method that would recreate the same self-

with sinking lines for tuna. In fresh water, Hula flies

swimming action. Testing early prototypes in buckets,

have caught trout and panfish, largemouth and

sinks, and bathtubs, I could see a wide range of

smallmouth bass, and landlocked stripers, to name

possibilities. Simple changes in design affected the

only a few species.

water flow or resistance, effectively altering the action of the fly. Varying the size of the metal bead chain (or

Salt water or fresh, surface to 50 feet or deeper,

substituting them with lead dumbbells), the size and

trout to tarpon to giant trevally—your specific

number of plastic beads; the hook gauge, gape, or length

angling needs will dictate the wonderful Hula

of the shank; or the tail or winging materials all altered

variations you’ll create. And to think it all started by

the fly’s action.

fishing through a hole in the ice!

64 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

The self-described “original dirt bag,” Terry Baird has been fly fishing in salt water since the 1970s. His innovative flies have appeared in pattern books by Lefty Kreh and Dick Brown, among others. Terry has set five IGFA World Records. His 2-pound tippet record for cutthroat trout (8 pounds, 9 ounces), set in 1987 in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, remains unbroken. Terry lives on the island of Maui, where he stalks outsized bonefish with ultralight tippets.

Materials

-3H, size 4 Hook: Gamakatsu SL11 ment Thread: Clear monofila ok eye chain tied in behind ho ad be r ve sil m diu Me : Bead Chain stores) beads (available in craft g un str c sti pla arl pe Beads: 3-millimeter antennae) ystal Flash (to suggest Kr e ng ora ds an str o Flash: Tw ok into the bend of the ho Tail: Orange rabbit tied Braid) braid (such as Bill’s Bodiarl pe of d an str gle Sin Braid: shabou strand of wide pearl Fla Body Wrapping: Single other markers Coloration: Sharpie or cement or similar water-based ar Cle ad He rd Ha on Lo Finish Coat:

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 65

Step 1. Attach the monofilament

thread to the hook and fasten the bead chain eyes using cross wraps.

Step 2. Tie a quarter-inch-long tuft of rabbit fur into the bend of the

hook. Flank each side of the tail with a single strand of Krystal Flash (the flash should be more than twice the length of the rabbit). Next, tie in at the bend of the hook the strand of pearl braid as well as the strand of Flashabou.

Step 3. Tie in the first section of four plastic beads, fastening the string

just behind the hook eye on the far side of the hook. Wrap the mono thread loosely around the shank and between each bead, securing the beads to the far side of the hook shank (wrapping loosely will allow you to adjust the beads on the finished fly). Work front to back, securing the exposed string at the bend of the hook. Trim any excess string at both tie-in points.

Step 4. Work the mono thread for-

ward between each bead and secure the second strand of plastic beads in the same manner to the near side of the shank.

66 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Step 5. Wrap the strand of Flashabou forward between each set of beads

all the way to the eye of the hook and back to the bend. Tie the Flashabou off and trim any excess.

Step 6. Pull the strand of pearl braid over the top of the fly and secure

it with the mono thread, wrapping forward between each set of beads.

Tie the braid off behind the hook eye and finish the head with a whip finish. Here you may choose to use a Sharpie or other marker to color along the pearl braid to suggest the shrimp’s segmented appearance.

Step 7. Remove the hook from the

vise and place the fly hook-point-up on a flat hard surface (such as your tying table). Press down on the fly, rocking it back and forth. Since the beads were tied in loosely, they’ll widen outward from the shank, producing a flat surface to the underside of the fly (that is, the side with the pearl braid) and a curving arch to the line of beads.

Step 8. Finish the fly with a coat-

ing of Loon Hard Head or a similar water-based fly finish over the entire body and head of the fly. When the coating dries, use a black Sharpie to mark the rearmost two beads to suggest eyes, and then give the entire fly a second coat.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 67

Bearing Down on Silvers

by Joe Doggett Thick grass covered the ridge. Bush

about one hour over the Aleutian

Cappel and I jumped back. Sims

pilot and lodge owner Bill Sims

Range from Sims’ Newhalen Lodge

grabbed my parka arm. “Stand your

pushed through the thigh-high stalks

(newhalenlodge.com) on Lake Clark in

ground and stay close together; he’ll

while Ed Cappel and I plowed along

Bristol Bay. “Pristine,” “isolated,” and

leave us alone.”

in his wake, toting rod tubes and

“majestic” accurately described the

shoulder packs.

setting.

We were hiking from Sims’ Cessna

So, abruptly, did “alarming”: Just

I whipped out a pocket camera and

206 to a silver salmon stream on the

ahead, a big brown bear materialized

fired off several clicks. He was old and

Shelikof Strait, between the Alaska

from a brushy dip in the terrain.

cranky, his rheumy eyes and cubby

Peninsula and Kodiak Island and

Whoa—welcome to real Alaska!

ears and yellow fangs visible amid a

The brute paced in a deliberate semicircle, all the while staring at us.

68 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

halo of buzzing flies. The bear glared

We regrouped and topped the crest

Only, it wasn’t a tidal surge—it was an

before casually waddling away, his

to face the stream. The morning

incoming wall of chrome-bright silver

massive bulk rocking and swaying.

was clear and mild, the wind was

salmon. The dozens of fish formed

light, and no evidence of encroaching

bulging wedges across the shallow

Sims smiled. “That right there is

civilization was visible. White-topped

bottom. Cappel and I breathed the

a genuine Big Boy, as close to an

peaks framed the green valley, a

sharp, clean air and exchanged a rare

honest thousand-pounder as you’re

sloping glacier cleaving one distant

glance between old fishing partners:

likely to run across. Notice how he

wedge. Grassy cut banks and open

Right time, right place!

looks pinheaded—the huge gut and

gravel bars rimmed the creek, which

hips make that big head seem small.

meandered into a protected bay

“There’s a 15-foot tide today, and it’s

Those mature boars don’t like to be

off the strait. As we watched, what

just now starting,” Sims said. “We’ll

around people. Mostly it’s the young

looked like a small tidal bore pushed

have five or six hours before we have

males and sows that we see. We

from the mouth of the stream and

to get out of here. Don’t want to lose

give ‘em their space, and we have an

across the first riffle.

our landing strip.”

understanding.” Bear Whispering 101.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 69

The “landing strip” was a long

our packs on a knobby outcrop, we

not always about making things easy.

gravel bar several hundred yards

rigged up. Occasionally, Cappel and

And after all, it doesn’t get much

downstream. Sims had buzzed the

I enjoy different fly fishing strokes:

easier than when Sims lowered the

creek, tilting, turning, checking,

Today, he used a 14-foot, two-hand

flaps and skated the little plane

before dropping the 206 onto the

Burkheimer steelhead rod, and I

across a beckoning bar and said, “Fish

narrow slope. The fat tundra tires

strung a vintage 9-foot bamboo

right there!”

bumped and bounced, scattering

rod—an Orvis Shooting Star, an

pebbles and sand, before we idled to

early saltwater model with a 2-inch

We used floating lines and a variety

a stop.

butt extension. Based on the serial

of streamers and dry flies; in

number of 21,408, it was made

deference to the slower action of the

“Sorry we had to hike,” he explained,

in 1957. Mated to the cane was a

bamboo, I selected smaller, lighter

“but this long pool up here is where

Bogdan Model 0, Stanley Bogdan’s

salmon patterns. We seldom had to

most of the fish are. Usually I try to

great 2-to-1 multiplier, ideal for a

wade more than knee-deep, and it

land right on top of ‘em.”

9-weight salmon rod. A contemporary

took maybe five minutes before a

whiz-bang rocket-launcher graphite

smooth cast with the classic cane

We met up with guide Parker Boswell,

stick would have been more efficient,

drew tight against a heavy swirl.

who had cut cross-country from the

but there’s something to be said

Downstream, Cappel’s big rod dipped

plane to check out the site. Dumping

about saluting the past. Maybe it’s

and bent as he backed slowly onto

70 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

the bank. We each caught 35 or 40

pleasing and robust profile, thick but

dark snout cleaves and porpoises

silvers, keeping the limit of three

not too thick—a fish that radiates

as the surface churns, and it is

each. (Some rivers along the Shelikof

substance.

remarkably easy to yank the fly

Strait allow five.) All were freshly minted, straight from the sea.

before the fish commits.

After two hours of swinging and stripping an assortment of

I was advancing upstream, burning

Silver salmon in a shallow stream

streamers, I changed to dry flies.

with the Silver Fever and keenly eying

are an excellent fly rod fish,

The high sun illuminated the gravel

another gang of fish. I slyly crept

aggressive and strong. They average

bottom, and the gray-green images

into position, moving as only a tuned

8 to 12 pounds in the region, and a

of stacked salmon were plainly

predator can, when Boswell yelled,

15-pounder is worthy of a grip-and-

visible: Sight Casting 101.

“Doggett! Heads up! Heads up!”

or jump as high as the wonderful

Watching a fish break from a pod

I tend to get tunnel vision when

top-end rainbows of the Bristol Bay/

and chase the skating fly carried our

hardcore fishing. Plus, I’m literally

Iliamna drainages, but the chromers

fishing to its highest level. A silver

half deaf. Either of these flaws can

boast considerable stamina; the

with an attitude typically follows

create issues in bear country.

Bogdan yielded backing on numerous

close, maybe rising and boiling

occasions. And a fresh silver has a

several times before snatching. The

grin. Silvers usually don’t run as far

Thirty yards ahead, a bear plowed from the brush and into the stream.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 71

Personally, I could not have executed a better sneak if I had been trying to qualify for my Junior Woodchuck Bear Stalking Merit Badge. The beast halted in midstream. Once again, I whipped out my little camera for a killer shot but was horrified— absolutely horrified—as the apex carnivore charged straight at me.

Well, that’s what it looked like.

Actually, the rascal was chasing salmon. It was a young bear, maybe three years old, considerably smaller than the Big Boy but considerably larger than the nearest NFL interior lineman. The bear pulled up, throwing water after missing a fish, then bounded toward Boswell and Cappel like a playful puppy—that is, like a playful puppy weighing in at 500 pounds.

The hulking swashbuckler cavorted back and forth, sloshing current and scattering salmon and having a grand time amid the stream of plenty. Then it stood on hind legs at 20 yards for a better look. The whole tableau was harmless but exciting—and more than a bit unnerving.

I’m not sure what the rules of engagement are along the Shelikof Strait (much of which is within the Katmai National Park), but the Newhalen guides do not carry guns.

Our heaviest weapon was Boswell’s small wooden club used for whacking the unlucky keepers. That or maybe the nearest streamside rock: Stone Age Tactics 101. When a determined bear gets too close, the drill is to start yelling and chucking. Pushy intruders respect this defiant “Don’t Tread On Me” stance; conversely, turning and running might trigger an instinctive chase response.

72 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Potentially offended bear advocates take note: Goliath may have been felled by stone, but a hand-hurled projectile that bounces from the thick pelt and slab muscle of a bowed-up brown bear does absolutely squat. The harmless thump simply lets the animal know it is not welcome.

If a bear starts chasing a hooked salmon, the savvy angler points the rod straight at the fish and pulls back smartly, conceding quick defeat. For that reason, a 12- or 15-pound tippet is a better circuit breaker than a stubborn 20. Potential grip-and-grin glory aside, contesting the law of possession with an otherwise tolerant thief probably isn’t a great idea. For the most part, give bears plenty of perimeter, and both residents and non-residents are happy.

After a fine lunch of hot seafoodsalmon chowder, we started working downstream. With the rising tide,

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 73

new sea-run fish were entering the

and the fishing I’ve experienced

salmon. And no small part of the

lower stretch almost under the

seems as good now as during early

reward is to feast on this abundance

shadow of the Cessna wing. We saw

expeditions in the mid-90s. The

in pleasant weather and amid utter,

several more bears—notably a sow

brown bear population certainly

raw solitude.

with three yearling cubs padding

remains strong, a positive index for a

across a muddy tidal flat about 200

healthy Alaskan environment.

yards away. The trailing cub lagged

The plane banked, tilting the horizon and offering a craned-neck view of

behind and struggled with a bit of a

The late summer to early fall silver

the silver bends and braids flowing

limp. Sims shook his head. “That one

runs have their ups and downs, but

with teeming life. The whole place

won’t make it long; that big boar will

the Shelikof rivers are consistent

seemed insulated from the passage

kill and eat it.”

producers for the serious lodges that

of time. I sighed and sank back in the

scout weather conditions and fish

seat. I was exhausted, and a strained

I looked with sadness at the poor

movements. Frankly, that recent trip

tendon in my right forearm ached

little cub. Wilderness is harsh.

was one of our best. The average day

from playing too many strong fish.

might yield 10 or 15 silvers per rod, all

The hot breath of my 73rd birthday

We loaded into the 206, and Sims

taken while wading and using floating

was on my balding, graying head. I

ran through his checks. The powerful

lines. A good day doubles those

listened to the steady drum of the

engine blasted down the bar, and the

counts. A great day is ridiculous.

propeller and wondered if I had one

plane popped smoothly into the sky.

more of these amazing adventures Such numbers might sound

left in me.

That bountiful day last September on

preposterous compared to the

the Shelikof Strait was a remarkable

frustrations on hard-fished water,

Far below us, the quiet valley didn’t

experience. It felt fresh and new. But

but they reflect the potential of true

care one way or the other.

it was not: I have been privileged to

wilderness. If a downside exists, it’s

make 40 or 50 fly-outs to the region

this: The fishing can be too easy.

Joe Doggett was an outdoor

over the past 25 years.

Working hard for a few fish tends to

columnist for the Houston Chronicle

make each hookup more significant.

for 35 years. He also was on the

Running north to south, the go-to

Maybe my hackles are showing, but

masthead of Field & Stream as a

fly fishing drainages include Lower

occasionally it is refreshing to grow

contributing editor. He is retired

Kamishak, Douglas, Swishak, Big

tired of bending the rod on quality

but writes occasional features for

River, and Hallo Bay. Anglers access

fish. It’s payback for casting all day

various outdoor magazines. He enjoys

the various streams by either float

for two or three steelhead or Atlantic

traveling to fish, hunt, and surf.

plane or wheel plane. That remote

salmon. Not to mention casting

coastal stretch remains undeveloped,

all day for no steelhead or Atlantic

74 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

M

Y

D

A

Y

ST

E HIL E T H E S U N I S S T I L L S L

ARTS W

EP IN

G

AND IT G

O

E S

A

S

L

O

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G

A

S

TH

E

EN

D

O

F

M

Y

LI

N

E,

PL

U

S O

R MI

NUS

THE L

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O

F A NI

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M

O

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TE

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©2020 Monic Fly Lines. All rights reserved.

BACK FROM THE BRINK: Saving Atlantic Salmon from Extinction, One Parr at a Time

by Tom Keer

Low gray clouds that spurt rain have

they’ll sit in their trucks and wait out

anglers, they’ll know that the best

different effects on fly anglers. When

the downfall. When the rain stops

fishing is yet to come.

a low-pressure system rolls down the

they’ll head back to the river for

river and the first drops fall, some

more. The hardiest of them simply

Steady rain brings cooler

anglers make a beeline for pancakes

pull rain gear from the back pocket

temperatures and richly oxygenated

and coffee at the nearest greasy

of their vests and keep fishing. The

water to a salmon river and a rise

spoon. As the rain falls harder, others

funny thing is that the latter group

in levels that lights everything up.

make “one last cast” after another

might have done a rain dance in the

The higher, faster water enables

until they can take no more. Then

first place: If they’re Atlantic salmon

fish returning from the sea to leave

76 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

low-water pools and move upriver to

epic in proportion, has intrigued

smoltification, during which these

spawn. Atlantic salmon can snake

and inspired generations of anglers,

fish born in the sweet water become

their way through boney riffles until

biologists, and conservationists.

tolerant of the salt and drop out of

they hold in the quiet water. Some

Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantic

the rivers to begin their life at sea.

are positioned behind boulders,

salmon don’t die following a spawn.

Smolt mature into Atlantic salmon

others in lies—and when more rain

Instead, their fertilized eggs laid in

and complete a 3,000-mile swim from

falls they’ll continue upstream again.

a redd grow to become first alevin

coastal New England to the west

and then parr. When old enough,

coast of Greenland. After one, two,

parr undergo a metamorphosis called

or even three years in the brine they

The odyssey of the Atlantic salmon,

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 77

return to spawn in the rivers in which they were born.

Their homecoming is a joyous occasion for everyone. Camp owners welcome fishermen from far-flung locales while local fly anglers cast

the brink of extinction.

caught Atlantic salmon was George H. W. Bush in 1992. Add to that

A century ago, and before

the fact that most Atlantic salmon

refrigeration, more than 300,000

restoration programs were shuttered

Atlantic salmon arrived in New

as failures, and our native fish seems

England rivers each summer and

doomed.

were easy to net. Atlantic salmon were so American and so plentiful

Some would be content to allow the

that they were standard Fourth of

wild American Atlantic salmon to

July fare, served up with peas, a

become extinct like the heath hen

vegetable ripe enough to harvest in

before it—but not the Downeast

late June and early July. Since then

Salmon Federation (DSF). In 2012 on

overharvesting, dam construction,

Maine’s East Machias River, the DSF

and the silting and polluting of rivers

launched the Peter Gray Parr Project

Scotch.

have combined to reduce domestic

(www.wildatlanticsalmon.org), based

Atlantic salmon numbers to an

on the successful salmon restoration

No one fishes for wild Atlantic

all-time low. Today fresh salmon for

methods employed by legendary

Independence Day is no more; now

British fisheries biologist Peter Gray

we slum it with hamburgers and hot

on England’s River Tyne. Gray spent

dogs at our Fourth of July picnics.

27 years managing the famous

and mend. Guides coach anglers through backing-burning runs and leaps. Townsfolk line riverbanks, turning Atlantic salmon fishing into something of a quiet spectator sport.

Fish tales of salmon lost and caught are the talk over coffee, bourbon, or

salmon in America: Their stocks are so imperiled that Atlantic salmon are classified as an endangered species. That’s terrible news, because Atlantic salmon are unlike brown trout imported from Germany.

They are unlike gaudy ring-necked pheasant imported from China.

Like the brook trout, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and white-tailed deer, Atlantic salmon are one of us. A century ago they were as common as a summer sunburn; now they are on 78 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Kielder Hatchery and in his tenure A little bit of history has been lost

developed a unique and successful

as well. No longer is the first Atlantic

way to raise salmon as salmon. First

salmon caught in Maine’s Penobscot

Gray located his hatchery adjacent

River sent to the President of

to the river where salmon spawned.

the United States; that tradition

Next he diverted river water from

ceased 25 years ago when the fish

the Tyne to flow into the hatchery

was classified as endangered. The

so fish were reared in water identical

last President to receive a Maine-

to that in which they would live.

Then he created the substrate box

others became meals for predatory

that closely replicates a wild salmon

fish and birds.

ONE DAY MAYBE

rearing tanks black to darken the

Peter Gray’s program has been hailed

WE OR OUR

parr and condition the small fish to

as one of the most impressive wild

low light conditions so that when

Atlantic salmon restoration efforts

they were released into the wild the

in the 170-year history of Atlantic

parr would be naturally wary. Finally,

salmon conservation. His results

as the fish developed, Gray increased

were staggering: Annual salmon

tank water flows to turn fish into

returns increased on the River Tyne

“little athletes” capable of life in the

from 724 to nearly 10,000 adults.

wild. The strong fish were stocked in

A recreational fishery for these

the fall when the water temperatures

wonderful gamefish has now been

were cold so that their metabolic

open for years.

SEE WHAT ALL

to feed (and fall prey to hungry

The DSF has been building toward

cormorants and herons).

success for the past nine years. In

THE COMMOTION

redd for egg maturation. He painted

rates lowered and they did not look

2019, when consistent spring rains

KIDS WILL HOOK ONE OF THESE GLORIOUS FISH, AND THEN WE’LL

IS ABOUT.

In contrast to Gray’s efforts,

brought the East Machias River to

United States Atlantic salmon

optimal water levels, the smolt-

programs—almost all of which are

trapping operation yielded 220 smolt

200 were stocked as parr by the DSF.

now shuttered—raised their salmon

departing the river for the sea—220

Not every smolt is caught, so the

like trout: They were reared in inland

captured fish that mark a three-

estimated total number of departing

hatcheries with a limited number

year trend of the highest number

fish marks the second highest

of broodstock. No conditioning was

of exiting smolt, the best trend line

number since the program began.

done. The fish lived in water different

from any river in the past decade.

The next few years of the program

from their natural environment. They

Of those smolt, 20 were wild or had

are critically important, particularly

were stocked in the spring. Some

been stocked by DSF as unmarked fry

because returning adults will begin

fish died shortly after stocking, while

from their Peter Gray incubators, and

to arrive.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 79

DSF founding CEO Dwayne Shaw

per year for the next five years, on

we had 60 redds, many state and

offers up even more good news: “One

improving tributary watersheds

federal agencies are working with

of our most important metrics is the

crucial to stocking success, and on

us to increase our capacities. We’re

number of redds in the river,” he says.

other DSF habitat management and

creating higher-quality habitat

“Those redds, the nesting areas made

protection projects. Support has

and beginning work on other area

by returning fish, are the first step

come from concerned anglers as well

rivers. What once was viewed as

of the breeding process. This year we

as numerous companies, including fly

experimental now shows scientifically

counted 60 redds, the highest number

rod manufacturer Thomas & Thomas,

verifiable results. We couldn’t be

we’ve seen since we launched the

now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

more excited about the renewed

Peter Gray Parr Project. It’s indicative

Says T&T’s John Carpenter, “Few fish

interest in saving Atlantic salmon.”

of at least 48 returning adult fish.

have the iconic presence in fly fishing

To put it in perspective, that is the

that the Atlantic salmon enjoys, yet

The ultimate goal of the DSF’s

highest number of returning Atlantic

the challenges faced by the species

Peter Gray Parr Project is to return

salmon documented since the 1970s.

are also unique—and enormous.

Atlantic salmon populations to

In effect we have reversed a 50-year

Thomas & Thomas is thrilled to

healthy numbers. Perhaps then rivers

decline.”

support the conservation efforts

can reopen for recreational fishing.

of the Peter Gray Parr Project, with

Toward that end, the DSF is doing

Removing a species from the

the goal of creating or expanding

the heavy lifting—but they can’t do

Endangered Species List is a numbers

self-sustaining runs of wild salmon

it alone: Wild Atlantic salmon need

game. The more eggs secured results

for generations to come. Together we

our help. One day maybe we or our

in more parr raised and stocked and

hope to ensure that our children and

kids will hook one of these glorious

more smolt that head to sea. Atlantic

grandchildren have the opportunity

fish, and then we’ll see what all the

salmon return over a three-year

to live in a world with these

commotion is about. To raise and

period, so the next decade will be one

magnificent fish.”

stock a single parr costs only a dollar.

of intense activity and study wrapped in a veil of hope.

To learn more about the Peter Gray Dwayne Shaw notes that the project

Parr Project or to make a donation,

has faced down skeptics from the

visit www.wildatlanticsalmon.org.

Financial support for the Peter Gray

very beginning. “They weren’t sold

Parr Project is focused on increasing

on the process or the viability of

parr production to about 400,000

the project,” he says, “but since

80 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 81

NOTHING FALSE Kenny was an East End dragger dropout deckhand, gunner on a Swift Boat in ‘68, the brown-water navy’s Zippo turrets and A lot of crazy, is what he says.

Rainbait running from bays, roiling rusty rips of anchovy and bunker. Clear November morning. Montauk Light, gulls and plunging gannets. The sideways slash and splash of false albacore. I motor close, tie on a Deceiver, hand him the rod. Kenny’s 75, fighting prostate & arthritis, but he casts a perfect lead to the moving feast, hooking

TWO POEMS

BY HENRY HUGHES

hungry lightening. Red backing, cranking back to blue, runs and reruns that smile him over. I grab the hard tail’s narrow wrist.

Double-dorsaled, magic green, and that strip of neon mackerel.

Albies or Little Tuna, Kenny insists. Ain’t nothing false about ‘em.

They’re always moving but don’t live long. Like my brother, he says.

No time to waste, he shoots again. Another albie, then another.

We bleed and ice one. They’re not bad, bad he claims.

Rounding the breakwater, the fluttering flags above Grosman’s dock.

Hey, tomorrow’s Veteran’s Day, I raise a beer. Welcome home.

Kenny lifts his can, nods, then touches the dark prints on the belly of his fish. Strange marks no one can figure out or erase.

82 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

BLUEBACKS for Ted Leeson The crumbling ramp fogged taillight red, winch clicks, boat bumping stone, oars stirring another dark October.

His soft voice, There. Cast right over there— to bedrock ledges, foamy coves and brushy banks where sea-run trout hover and hunt.

Bluebacks, he calls them. Cutthroats carrying the ocean home. They charge, flare fins, bite our squidy flies, and spit— unless we see them first and set to silver leaps that wild us past—what?— the work on our desks, pale screens, grim news, the business of being.

A rutting elk fords a riffle, otters sound a hole, and a raggedy old hen salmon fans a pebbly redd these bluebacks will raid. Everybody’s after everybody.

These days we let the wild trout go.

Still, I can smell last century’s campfire, hot stones hissing, a black skillet grabbed with a glove, salt & peppered orange fillets curling in sizzling brown butter.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 83

NubianAdventure

84 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

by Peter McLeod

a huge country. It’s 1,200 miles across,

was very exciting indeed!

and the area that’s troubled is an entirely When one thinks of saltwater flats

different country: South Sudan. The

The route to Sudan is extremely simple,

destinations, Sudan is hardly a location

distance from this area to the Red Sea is

with a direct flight to Dubai on Emirates

that springs to mind. In fact, pretty much

1,100 miles. The more I understood about

followed by a connecting flight to Port

the opposite. When the Nubian Flats

the area the fewer worries I had.

Sudan with Fly Dubai on a brand new 737-800. We left on a Sunday night and

operation was launched a few years ago, reports began to trickle through of

The coastline this operation explores

on Monday afternoon found ourselves

giant deserted flats teeming with fish.

runs from the Egyptian border south

at the desert airport of Port Sudan. Our

There appeared to be a very high density

to the Eritrean border. It encompasses

team was met by Tourette Fishing’s

of triggerfish, good numbers of bohar

some 300 miles of islands, flats, and

ground handlers, who showed us to a

snapper, bluefin trevally, and, as an added

pinnacles surrounded by some of the

minibus. Our bags were loaded into the

bonus, a few giant trevally. I’m always

clearest oceans and the best diving in

back and we headed off across the desert

on the lookout for new adventures, and

the world. This coastline is, for the most

to the coast. A 20-minute drive had us

the thought of an untapped saltwater

part, deserted, as it is the Nubian Desert.

in the town of Port Sudan, and then we

destination full of triggerfish thrilled

It’s inhabited by nomadic populations

proceeded north along the coast for 2

me. If you’ve ever fished for triggers,

of camel and goat herders, and there

3/4 hours through some of the most

you know what an obsession they can

are no fishing communities. This is key,

extraordinary landscape I’ve seen. Wild

be—sort of like permit. But Sudan…? My

as aside from a handful of small open

desert with huge, jagged mountains were

limited knowledge about this part of the

boats using hand lines, there is no fishing

visible in the distance through a haze

world immediately made me nervous, as

pressure. This sounded more interesting

of dust and heat; this was punctuated

most news reports of Sudan are hardly

by the minute. I put together a team of six

by a few patches of scrub, goats, and a

favorable. I began to research it and

anglers to go and explore the potential

few camels wandering about. As the sun

discovered I was very wrong. Sudan is

this fishery might have. What we found

began to descend behind the mountain

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 85

range we turned off the road toward the

Murray introduced us to Federico (Fede)

pulse through me. The flat was some 250

sea and the largest port in the north,

and Stuart Harley (Stu), who would be our

yards wide from the beach edge to the

Muhammad Qol. That Muhammad Qol is

guides for the week. That night we would

reef, dropping off into aquamarine water

the largest port in the north is somewhat

stay in port before heading out to our first

with the red mountain of the island in

ironic, as it’s a tiny community of sandy

anchorage at Magarsum Island; then we’d

stark contrast climbing up to our right. As

streets that lead to a military outpost of

continue to move to further anchorages,

we lined up across the flat and proceeded

two jetties and a handful of boats. The

exploring the flats as we went.

to wade slowly north, what ensued was

soldiers on this outpost mostly wore

staggering. The flats were crawling with

football shirts from Arsenal, Barcelona,

Although everyone had a cabin, the

triggers: titans and yellow margins tailing

and Real Madrid, which was somewhat

guides and crew slept topside along with

on the mixture of coral and weed. If

surreal....

most of the anglers. It can get very hot

you’ve fished for triggerfish before, you’re

downstairs, even though each cabin had

fully aware that just because there are

Here we laid eyes on our home for the

a fan, and most prefer sleeping on deck

many fish present doesn’t necessarily

week, the 60-foot motor catamaran

in the open air under the carpet of stars.

mean you’ll catch many! They’re tricky

Scuba Libre. As tenders, she has two

As we drifted off to sleep, we reveled in

little guys, each with an individual

23-foot fiberglass pangas equipped with

the gentle offshore breeze and the sound

personality. Sometimes it’s not about

30- and 40-horsepower two-stroke

of lapping water—a total contrast to our

finding the right fly but about finding the

engines. Met by the guide team from

normal lives.

right trigger.

across with our luggage. Cabins were

The first morning dawned crystal clear

The three of us had many shots, follows,

quickly allocated, and then head guide,

and flat calm. The water clarity was

and near misses. Some of the titans were

Mark Murray, briefed us on the week to

astounding, and as we stepped out onto

huge, their orange spade tails waggling

come over a much-welcomed cold beer.

the beach I felt a thrill of excitement

in the morning sunlight like small flags.

Tourette Fishing, our team was ferried

86 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Although I saw fewer in the shallows, my

The afternoon session blew my mind,

Suddenly Mark indicated for us to stop.

fellow anglers had many shots in the

with at least 15 tailing triggers along the

There, just ahead of us, was a school

slightly deeper water. The yellow margins,

edge, some the size of footballs. Again,

of tailing permit. We stood like statues

although numerous, were behaving

the excitement of follows and near

as one of the group cast out a stunning

oddly. Pairs chased each other around

misses. Finally I found a lovely titan tailing

line that dropped the fly gently near

and daisy chained. Mark believed this

between me and the bank. I moved into

them. One of the fish dropped its tail

was part of their spawning ritual, making

position and dropped the Gumby Crab

immediately to scurry over and tail on

them especially spooky. (Apparently the

10 feet to the left on a backhand delivery

the fly. No one uttered a word. Our hearts

reverse had been the case earlier in the

across the breeze. The aggressive titan

were thumping in our chests as he took

season with the titans behaving that way

did exactly what it was supposed to do: It

up the slack … and nothing.... Arrrgh!

in March and early April.) I spotted two

charged over and hit the fly like a ton of

Permit are the same wherever you are in

titans tailing in a small depression and

bricks and I was in! As it tore off toward

the world, but that was about as good an

dropped the fly off to the right. After

the coral edge, I began to pump it on

opportunity as anyone would get.

letting it sink, I gave the Gumby Crab one

my 8-weight Hardy. I was using a Rio

small twitch and a large titan charged

saltwater tapered leader with 2 feet of

over to investigate. It tailed on the fly

19-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon tippet—

THE AFTERNOON SESSION

three times as it followed it toward me

so I knew I was safe. I quickly landed

BLEW MY MIND, WITH

and I could feel the trigger nipping as

my first Nubian Flats trigger of about 6

I maintained contact with slow strips.

pounds. Nowhere in the world had I ever

AT LEAST 15 TAILING

Finally, everything went tight and he was

encountered numbers of triggerfish like

TRIGGERS ALONG THE

on. I felt the weight and then, as if on cue,

this. It was akin to fishing for bonefish in

EDGE, SOME THE SIZE OF

the fish spat the fly back at me, nearly

the Caribbean.

FOOTBALLS.

hitting me in the face!

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 87

We continued up the flat, and as I was

a huge open white sand flat. The coral

scanning around I had a quick look

edges here are treacherous; due to the

behind me and suddenly there was an

lack of tidal fluctuation in the Red Sea,

explosion of water. A giant trevally had

the coral is covered in algae. These were

snuck up on me, probably thinking I might

perhaps the most uneven, slippery, difficult

make a good meal, before charging off

edges I have ever waded—not for the

the edge of the flat. As the light faded

fainthearted. The guides have taken to

and it was time to head home, our team

wearing felt-soled leather wading boots for

estimated we had between 15 and 20

this destination, and I quickly discovered

shots each. We had tried every fly in the

that my normal Simms Flats Sneakers,

box. “Sometimes it’s not the wrong fly but

although tough enough, were pretty

the wrong trigger”—a saying that would

slippery. While we were fishing the edge

be coined on this trip. We all collapsed

of the drop-off, a large bohar snapper

into bed that night and drifted off to sleep

erupted out of nowhere, snaffled Phil’s fly,

dreaming of little flags waving in the ripple.

and disappeared. Wow! Yay! ... Oh.... Stu (nicknamed Aqua Boy after his consistent

I STAGGERED THROUGH THE SURF TO THE EDGE TO STOP FROM BEING CUT OFF ON THE CORAL.

88 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

Each day the sun would jump into the

donning of mask and disappearing to

sky like an orange football against the

retrieve fish) came to the rescue. He swam

backdrop of the red sand mountains, and

out over the edge, and as Phil braced

our little groups would take to their boats

himself to resume battle, Stu suddenly

like some kind of dawn raiding party as

erupted from the water like Poseidon

we hit the flats for the next chapter of the

holding the enraged bohar over his head.

adventure. As with all fishing trips, the days

Shortest bohar battle known to man.

blur into memories. It’s difficult to give the full flavor of a trip such as this, but I’ll

The Nubian Flats have a very fair giant

try to recount a few anecdotes that have

trevally fishery. On another occasion,

remained imprinted on my mind.

four of us motored out to Angorosh, an

One evening as the light began to dip

impressive rock pinnacle encircled by a

to a ball of red, a small band of us were

small flat that drops away to 600 feet of

fishing off the Eastern edge of Shambaya,

water. We intended to stake out and wait

for the GTs to come hunting. There was

GT cruised the edge with a big bluefin

backhand cast to my right, let the fly sink

amazing light with stacks of baitfish on

trevally in tow. Phil got the shot, and the

and started to retrieve.

the east side, piled against the trough by

fish chased the fly but infuriatingly turned

the rising surf. I saw GT coming along the

off at the last second. We waded out to

Bang! A massive yank and I was

edge, tried to cast backhand into wind,

the drop-off to fish over the edge and got

nearly pulled straight off my bommie. I

but I couldn’t get a reasonable shot. Ten

battered in the surf that was now coming

staggered through the surf to the edge to

minutes later, Phil came running down

in from the brisk breeze. I found a suitable

stop from being cut off on the coral. Fede,

the beach toward me as another big

coral bommie to stand on and put a blind

my guide, rushed to aid me and managed

to free line that was wrapped around a

some lovely titan triggerfish, but

drop with a nice current flowing over

coral head. As I looked over the edge into

somehow whenever the yellow margins

them—much like trout in a stream. I

the blue below I was astounded to see the

are around things just don’t seem to go

successfully spooked both and was

GT I had hooked was just one of a school

according to plan. I’m sure many anglers

beginning to feel I was cursed with this

of nearly 50 fish! After some grunting,

suffer similar afflictions with a nemesis

species. As I very slowly waded down to

sweating, and clenched teeth, I managed

species—and the longer it continues the

the bottom of island, there, on the white

to pull it up and over the edge. The fish

worse it becomes. This affliction began

sand, was a massive yellow margin tailing

swam a big circle around me back onto

for me with one particular yellow margin

happily away. I switched to a light Cuban

the flats before trying to head back to

here on the Nubian Flats of Sudan—and

Shrimp, hoping the quiet presentation

the drop-off. Finally I brought it to hand, a

this is how the story unfolded....

would make the difference. As soon as

lovely GT of 27 inches.

the fly landed the fish came straight over I had been wading a very large open

and began following the fly, nipping at it.

Those who’ve known me are aware

sand flat where the triggers had been

I continued to slowly draw the fly toward

there’s one species that I’ve always had

skittish. I finally made it up to one of

me with long slow strips and finally the

issues with: the yellow margin triggerfish.

the sandy islands to find two massive

trigger crushed it and I hooked up! Yes!

Over the years I’ve very happily caught

yellow margins tailing against the sand

The trigger looked very confused, did a

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 89

big backpedal with its pectoral fins and

minutes and some follows he hooked up

trip you need to be prepared for that and

spat the hook back at me. Aarrrgh!

and managed to land the fish, a serious

pack accordingly.

specimen. I suppose some might have As I was down on one knee, the fish

been jealous, but I was just delighted that

We fished only one area along a 300-

did not spook, so I cast again. Again, it

it had not made a fool of both of us!

mile coastline, so I’m excited about the

charged up, chased the fly and everything

fishing opportunities that Sudan holds

went tight. I raised the rod, tightened

For me this was an extraordinary trip that

for the future. This trip is by no means for

up, and it was on! Yes, got the yellow

far exceeded my expectations. There are

everyone, but if you love triggers and the

margin—or so I thought.... After a few

some important points to note. Triggerfish

possibility of some GTs and other trevally

seconds the trigger did exactly the same

are not easy. That is the same anywhere

species in a deserted part of the world,

thing: did a backpedal with its pectoral

you go in the world: There is no quick fix

this could just be the adventure you are

fins and spat the hook back at me. I have

in catching numbers of them. Each fish

looking for.

to say, I very rarely lose my temper when

has its own personality and behavior—

fishing, but in a moment of extreme

and they’re smart. The fishing is technical

anguish I might have uttered some bad

and can be frustrating, but you’ll have

language and I might have thrown my

more opportunities in Sudan over a

rod in the water.... My fishing partner had

prolonged period of time than anyplace

witnessed the event and tactfully turned

else in the world I’ve encountered. The

around to “check something” while I had

lack of tidal flows expands the windows

my temper tantrum. It just goes to show

of opportunity dramatically, and there

that our finely honed hooks are really

are some truly massive triggers here.

nothing more than toothpicks to these

Triggers are the prime target and the GTs,

coral-crunchers. I calmed down, and

I believe, should be considered a bonus

as the fish was now headed toward my

and not a certainty. Fishing for GTs is

fishing partner I requested politely that he

difficult, and in difficult conditions. The

catch it for me, as I appeared to be inept.

coral is unforgiving, so you can expect to

He turned around, and after a couple of

hemorrhage terminal tackle. To make this

90 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TFFM’s Travel Editor, Peter McLeod, is the founder of Aardvark McLeod, international fly fishing specialists.

For more information on fly fishing Sudan—or any other international destination—you can contact Peter at peter@aardvarkmcleod. com or visit his website at www. aardvarkmcleod.com.

IMAGINE BEING

SKUNKED FOR ALL OF TIME

Photo: Silver Kings

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

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 91

AVOIDING APOCALYPSE: A TRAVEL MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE

by Dr. Abbas Adam, MD Planning and booking that fly fishing trip of a lifetime

Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019, destroying

requires careful preparation. Early in the process, you

lodges and devastating the island nation’s tourism

have to scour the calendar for dates that accommodate

industry. Anglers who had planned their trips of

both a busy work schedule and a short fishing season.

a lifetime in 2020 had no more control over their

Expect the planning to take at least a year—or even

destinies than anyone else when a pandemic caused

several years. Unlike a cruise or all-inclusive resort

worldwide international travel bans. Now we wonder

vacation—planned, operated, and to a certain extent

what 2021 might hold for us all: an electromagnetic

insulated from eventualities by a professional—

storm? solar flares? asteroids?

surprises are generally unwelcome, costly, dangerous, and even ruinous during the expensive and often

Although nuclear war and zombies certainly constitute

nonrefundable fly fishing holiday.

exigent circumstances that would be difficult to plan for, anglers can take heart: As a travel-medicine

92 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

physician, I can assure you that a little pre-planning can

children, and travelers to remote, rural fishing

often prevent illness and injury entirely during travel—

destinations—and especially for anyone who might

even destination fishing travel to exotic locales.

interact with animals and wildlife.

1. PRE-TRAVEL MEDICAL CONSULT

Some fishing destinations warrant consideration of

Several weeks before traveling, anglers should consult

malaria prophylaxis, which may involve relatively

an expert in travel medicine or a travel clinic to ensure

benign side effects and which travelers must begin

that their vaccinations are up to date. Examples of

a few weeks before their trip. Traveler’s diarrhea

important vaccinations include (but are not limited to)

requires inexpensive, absolutely essential antibiotics.

tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, pneumococcal

After all, the last thing any angler wants to do is stay

(pneumonia), and yellow fever. The rabies vaccine is

inside on the throne while travel buddies are outside

expensive but very important for frequent travelers,

landing big fish.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 93

WE CAN’T CONTROL FOR EVERY EVENTUALITY, OF COURSE, BUT KNOWING THAT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN MEANS THAT WE OUGHT TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SURPRISES.

2. TRAVEL MEDICAL KIT

handy. Prepackaged travel kits are

Your DIY med kit should include pain

of course widely available in local

medication and anti-inflammatories;

outdoors stores, but most do not

dimenhydrinate (marketed as

contain all the essential items

Dramamine or Gravol) for nausea

listed.

and motion sickness; Imodium for diarrhea; and antibiotic cream for cuts and chafing. In addition,

Consider evacuation insurance

anglers should always carry a

in case of severe illness or major

reliable, CDC-approved mosquito

trauma. Numerous reliable

repellent; products containing

evacuation insurance providers

picaridin are a better option than

can evacuate a fly angler and get

products containing DEET because

him or her to medical attention in

the latter damages fly lines and

the home country within 24 hours.

leaders. Also mandatory are

Anglers will need a communication

sunscreens with appropriate SPF;

device to activate their rescue.

make sure to make a reef-friendly choice, because most sunscreens have chemicals that damage coral

94 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

3. EVACUATION INSURANCE

4. COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Most remote fishing camps have

reefs. Adhesive bandages, moleskin,

no cell phone coverage—but they

and antiseptic swabs may come in

may have a satellite phone for

emergency use. I normally travel with an Iridium satellite phone, which has worldwide coverage.

Garmin’s inReach is a satellite communication device that allows text messaging and tracking. Both Iridium and Garmin have SOS capability that can be activated for emergency rescue. Less practical than satellite communicators, rescue beacons are another option for off-the-beaten-path anglers.

5. WILDLIFE AND PETS

As I suggested above, I recommend the rabies vaccine to anglers heading out to remote, rural fishing camps where they might encounter dogs (domesticated or otherwise), bats, or monkeys. Whether an angler has been vaccinated or

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 95

not, an animal bite warrants

comes in handy during destination

which is a very tasty fish indeed.

immediate attention: Wash the

travel. Use light, soft-sided duffel

Thrill-seeking diners risk ciguatera

bite with an antiseptic solution

bags to minimize weight and size. I

poisoning, however, which can cause

or soap and water, and then seek

have a packing list on my iPhone—

permanent neurological damage.

medical care. Better yet, do your

created over a number of years and

The thrill of the exotic is simply not

best to respect natural habitats

constantly updated—so that I don’t

worth such a risk.

and avoid interaction with animals

forget anything. Pack a reusable

altogether—except fish, of course!

water bottle to minimize plastic

Perhaps the most important part

Venomous species like snakes,

waste and a few extra Ziploc bags to

of any travel fishing trip is the

scorpions, spiders, and jellyfish are

keep items dry and safe.

legwork that goes into planning it

best avoided. Keep an eye peeled for sharks. Always listen to your guide, as he or she is most aware of a region’s particular threats.

beforehand. We can’t control for 7. FOOD AND WATER SAFETY

every eventuality, of course, but

Although most of the camps and

knowing that accidents happen

lodges I have visited offer a nice

means that we ought to prepare

culinary experience and have safe

for potential surprises. Prudent

6. IMPORTANT TOOLS AND PACKING

drinking water, I always pack a water

planning will ensure that your trip

TIPS

filter just in case. Most of the time

of a lifetime becomes the stuff

Devotees of carry-on-only luggage

I don’t end up using it—but it is

of legend and not your worst

will grumble, but along with a

available nonetheless. Some fishing

nightmare.

reliable headlamp, hat, gloves,

lodges in the Caribbean will offer

and Buffs, a multitool knife often

exotic fish dishes like barracuda,

96 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 97

An Angler Opines

Release or Retain?

An Honored Fly Fishing Ethic Deserves a Closer Look

by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Option A. You can pay an Iowa farmer

Estimates of catch-and-release

to raise a hog—fertilizer, feedlot,

mortality vary, but one point is

most of the fish we caught. My folks

the whole 9 yards—and then start

certain: It isn’t zero. Most studies

had grown up dirt poor in Texas

burning fossil fuels, beginning with

show an average mortality of around

during the Great Depression, and

a trip to the slaughterhouse. Next,

three to five percent, assuming good

fishing was, among other things, a

you’ll have to fly the finished product

technique. Data show that prolonged

traditional way of putting food on

to Anchorage by commercial jet and

fights and time out of water increase

the table. There was no peer pressure

out to the lodge by floatplane. Then

mortality significantly. What are we

to release fish, because no one we

you can enjoy a glazed ham dinner

really doing when we hoist those

knew did. My father and I pretty

secure in the knowledge that you

fish from the water for hero photos

much figured catch-and-release

released every salmon you caught.

destined for social media and then

When I started fly fishing, 65 (gulp!) years ago, my family and I kept

out on our own, and by the time I’d

congratulate ourselves for “releasing” Option B. Keep a salmon, recognizing

them…?

after running upstream to spawn.

Most scientific data on release

While I still believe in this principle,

Grill it, eat it, share it with friends.

mortality comes from fresh water.

I don’t necessarily release every fish

Save the carcass and put it in a

While the marine environment is

I catch, either. Now that the catch-

crab pot so you can enjoy a fresh

different, evidence confirms that

and-release ethic has become a

Dungeness crab dinner tomorrow

proper technique can substantially

virtual Eleventh Commandment in

night.

improve post-release survival in

completed my formal education I hadn’t killed a wild trout in years.

that it will die within weeks anyway

the fly fishing community, perhaps

the salt. Biologists have looked at

we should remember that proper

Now, which option leaves the least

the effect of numerous variables

interaction between humans and

obtrusive environmental footprint?

on post-release mortality, including

nature is better guided by logic

water temperature and, for inshore

and science than blind adherence

Several questions should precede

species, salinity. By far the most

to principle. Life is too complex

the decision to release or retain. Is

important factor appears to be the

to be governed by popular trends

the fish native or introduced? How

location of the hook. One study on

alone. Often, the best answer to the

healthy are its stocks, and what is

striped bass, for example, showed a

question of whether to release or

angling’s impact upon them? What

mortality of just three percent for

retain depends upon circumstances.

is the longevity and reproductive

“shallow-hooked” fish, as opposed to

potential of the fish? The answers to

58 percent for “deep-hooked” fish

Imagine a hypothetical situation

these questions suggest to me that,

taken on bait.

based upon one given: We all need

for example, I won’t go to hell if I

Fly anglers are already ahead of this

to eat. Suppose you’ve spent the

keep an occasional redfish, but that

curve, since flies usually hook fish

day at a coastal Alaska fishing lodge

wild steelhead should be returned to

high in the mouth, but we still have

catching silver salmon on flies in a

the water no matter what.

to do a number of things correctly if

tidal estuary. Now, you’re tired and hungry and face two choices.

98 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

we’re going to accomplish anything

more than letting ourselves feel good about releasing fish.

1. Use barbless hooks. Studies show

that barbless hooks contribute less to survival than good release technique, but crimping barbs is too easy to ignore and does not result in more lost fish.

2. Keep the fish wet. My wife, Lori,

and I do a lot of fish photography and can almost always get what we need without removing the fish from the water or even touching it.

3. Minimize contact between fish and human skin. A mid-Pacific

study on captive bonefish showed that touching the fish dramatically increased their mortality, probably by compromising the slime layer that protects their skin. Use a hemostat or no-touch wire loop release device to remove the hook.

4. Don’t suspend fish by the mouth.

This can harm the jaw structure.

5. Don’t use a gaff.

6. Fight the fish quickly.

8. Employ a deep-water release

device with species that cannot

A former Alaska resident who

vent their air bladders.

now lives in rural Montana,

9. Don’t fish with bait. (This advice

have fly fished salt waters all

seems unnecessary here.)

Don Thomas and his wife, Lori, around the globe. After growing up on Puget Sound and living

If you’re not willing to do all this, stop

in a coastal Alaska village, he

7. If the hook is embedded deeply,

kidding yourself. You’re not releasing

has a soft spot for the North

cut the tippet just above the hook

fish—you’re feeding sharks. Either do

Pacific. Don and Lori’s work has

rather than trying to remove it.

it right, or keep the first fish or two

appeared in numerous national

Saltwater fish survive surprisingly

you catch, stop fishing, take them

publications.

well with the hook left in place.

home, and eat them.

TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 99

BUILT FOR LIFE www.seaholmautomatic.com

ROB FORDYCE

Host: The SeaHunter

100 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE

PHOTO: DAVID MANGUM