While we often intentionally skate or strip a mouse, wog, steelhead caddis or popper we refuse to do the same with many of the dry fly patterns we fish. For a great number of presentations we continually mend or cast as to eliminate or reduce drag on the fly. This is great technique for most dry fly fishing but sometimes fish like that sz. 14 caddis dragging across the surface. I’ve watched many fish refuse a perfectly presented fly only to chase it down when drag is introduced into the drift. Though we all know caddis are quite active on the surface other aquatic invertebrates create quite a rucus on the surface. Present your fly drag free first and if rejected add a little action, you might be surprised at the results.
Archive for March, 2010
“Let that dry fly skate”
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010Alaska Wildlife Notebook Series
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
The Alaska Wildlife Notebook Series (click on link) is a great informational resource provided by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game. Containing biological and species descriptions for well over a hundred Alaskan mammal, bird, & fish species; the Notebook Series gives you a great overview of our wild residents.
Here is a small excerpt from Arctic Grayling
Life history:Grayling have evolved many strategies to meet the needs of life in what are often harsh and uncertain environments. Grayling can be highly migratory, using different streams for spawning, juvenile rearing, summer feeding, and overwintering. Or, in other areas, they can complete their entire life without leaving a short section of stream or lake. Winter generally finds grayling in lakes or the lower reaches and deeper pools of medium-sized rivers such as the Chena and Gulkana, or in large glacial rivers like the Tanana, Susitna, and Yukon. Their tolerance of low dissolved oxygen levels allows grayling to survive the long winters in areas where many other salmonids would die. With the coming of spring, grayling begin an upstream migration to spawning grounds. Like salmon, grayling faithfully return every year to the same spawning and feeding areas. Grayling spawn for the first time at an age of 4 or 5 years and a length of about 11 to 12 inches.
“Hit the front of that rock”
Sunday, March 21st, 2010Often fly anglers neglect the front of an in stream boulder or rock for the enticing looking water behind. They save their cast, wait, make a presentation behind the rock and often come up empty handed. Often times trout sitting behind a rock will not be feeding aggressively or even not at all. The currents behind a rock ,while providing decent lies for a resting trout, often deflect drifting food to the sides away from the resting water. The front of that same rock on the contrary will most likely hold more aggressive fish, actively feeding in the current created by ideal stream hydraulics. The current near the bottom of the stream just in front of the rock is often times an easier place for a trout to hold than behind that same rock . In addition all the food in this lane drifts right to the trout’s nose. Lead an in stream rock by about 6 feet or more depending on current speed, and work the front with your streamer. Always remember the current we see on the top is not the same current on the bottom let alone just below the surface.
Bush Pilot Trick-How to remove flies
Friday, March 19th, 2010This also work s great on mosquitoes, white socks and no see ums.
Thanks to all for a great show
Monday, March 15th, 2010I’d like to thank all those who attended the midwest fly fishing show this past weekend. I met some great individuals and we booked a few new anglers. I am headed back down to Mexico with a couple anglers who have participated in an Afa trip in the past. We are looking at opening up FREE flats trips to the Yucatan for those who attend
an Afa trip in Alaska this coming summer. Look to future posts for more information.
Midwest Expo this weekend
Thursday, March 11th, 2010I will doing a seminar this Saturday, March 13th, at the Midwest Flyfishing Expo at 3:30pm. I will also be in the Nomad Anglers booth all weekend. The show is being held at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center. We hope to see you there.
Articulated Heavy Weight
Sunday, March 7th, 2010This fly, as the name implies, has a bit of weight on the front. The big cone and articulation gives it a great deal of movement and it fishes extremely well out of a raft in faster water. Short casts coupled with strip-1 second pause-strip-1 second pause-strip, will pull big trout and char out from the banks and from in front of the rocks. This pattern can also be tied in olive, white and natural rabbit strip.
Hook: Gamakatsu C14s size 2. The fly is tied on any standard streamer hook with the hook bend cut off. Attach the cut front hook to the stinger hook with 30lb backing material.
Thread: Black 8/0
Tail: Black magnum rabbit strip with the tip of the tail tied to the hook. Grizzly hackle, 1 on each side.
Collar: Palmered black rabbit strip followed by black UV ice dub
Throat: Red flashabou
Head: 3/8 oz Nickel cross-eyed cone
Circa 1950’s Katmai fishing footage
Friday, March 5th, 2010Here is a great old film shot in the Katmai region back in the 1950’s.
Video courtesy of Costa Del Mar & IGFA






