Month: November 2018

Education, Stories

3 Tips On How Carp Made Me A Better Fly Fisherman

Carp. Making lemonade out of lemons is what it’s about. Besides Oklahoma State University and Eskimo Joe’s, Stillwater is just a dot on the Oklahoma map. I am currently living there because of my dad’s Air Force ROTC job at OSU. When moving from fishing the greatest tailwater fishery on the planet, the Missouri River in Montana, to fly fishing for carp in Northern Oklahoma, one can certainly count on being bothered by the itch to get out West. But there are ways fly fishing carp can help one become a better fly fisher in general. Learn More “3 Tips On How Carp Made Me A Better Fly Fisherman”

Fly Tying

How To Tie: The Dolly Llama

One of the most famous and versatile streamers tied for hunting big trout and salmon. The Dolly Llama is the go to fly in Alaska. With an unlimited number of color combinations you can size this fly up or down for the water you are fishing. The big heavy conehead in the front allows for this fly to get down to fish and the articulation mixed with the flowing rabbit gives it a ton of action and movement in the water. This pattern is sure to put a heavy bend in your rod especially when fished on the swing. Go darker colors for trout and lighter brighter colors for salmon.

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Fly Tying

How To Tie: The Smoke Wagon

After watching a Kelly Galloup video where he says he has his best fishing one fall while using this pattern, you stop and tie up a bunch! This fly one me over really quickly due to the ease of tying and the sweet profile. A light weight streamer pattern, this fly shines as a point fly in a two fly rig. Lead it with a nice heavy cone head of some sort and let this swing off the back for some big hits!

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Education, Stories

The Fly Fishing Obsession that Happened by Accident

Part 1: Once I meet someone new it becomes apparent to them quite quickly that I have a lot of hobbies, like to stay busy and might be classified as having an “Type A” personality. I have a hard time sitting still and am always up for trying something new.

I rock climb, mountain bike, road bike, hike, camp, backpack, travel, hangout with my dog and am an avid photographer. Sometimes the better question is what don’t I do? For the longest time one of those hobbies was fly fishing. Learn More “The Fly Fishing Obsession that Happened by Accident”

Fly Tying

How To Tie: The Purple Biot CDC Midge Emerger

Ever seen a purple bug? Me neither. Doesn’t matter though as purple catches fish! The main theory behind this is that purple is the last color in the light spectrum that can be seen in low light. This means when you have two flies submerged in a deep hole one natural brown and the other purple, the purple will be much more visible to the fish. With a smooth biot body and a CDC puff for the wing buds I love the way this fly looks. During the right day and time the fish will be all over it as well.

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Fly Tying

How To Tie: The Klinkhammer Midge Emerger

Named for the creator of the style the Klinkhammer fly this style of tying can be deadly on the water. Hans Van Klinken developed this fly to give another way to wrap hackle around a parachute post while allowing the abdomen of the pattern to become submerged. Just like a real emerging insect that is trying to break the surface film during its break free from the water into flight. This midge variation is a great pattern during the early emergence of a midge hatch when the majority of the bugs are pushing through to the surface.

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Stories

My Son’s First Fish On A Fly He Tied

There are so many different first trips of the year and I love them all! There’s the first trip out in early spring. The water is cold, the fish are slow, and all of my gear is a little disorganized. But I’m playing in the mountains, so it’s fantastic. Then there’s the first trip with friends. I don’t always like to mix those two trips. On the first trip of the season, I spend more time in the back of my Jeep, or sitting on the bank than I should. I don’t remember where all of my stuff is. Learn More “My Son’s First Fish On A Fly He Tied”