Influencer I
They're a little creepy when they crawl down your neck, but you get use to it. The hatch lasts about three weeks and normally works its way upriver as the river warms. Issues with dam operation are making it a little less predictable these days, then there's our changing weather.... It got warm this week getting the bugs turned on, now a cold front will slow the hatch down a little. The big bugs like warmer weather to fly and lay their eggs...
Influencer I
That's only part of the story... My rep filled me in on the losses yesterday, sad deal. That said, it was only the bamboo rod shop and I don't sell many of their boo rods. The graphite rod shop is unaffected. Winston plans to rebuild the boo shop bigger and better. They say they'll be running full production in 2018.
Influencer I
Too busy fishing... once these pesky Salmonflies finish up we'll switch over to the Green Drakes on the Metolius. That Sweet Grass rod loves the Metolius and the misc. small Mayfly hatch...me too.
Member III
Wow! That stinks. I used Winston in my line up gear for my clients. Great company.
Enthusiast II
5081
Influencer I
Advocate III
Member III
Great advice! I have some rivers you can drift a hook, and catch a fish. Then, I have other areas where it really depends on the specific hatch going on at the moment. Are the fish feeding on nymph at the bottom, emergers, closer to the surface, or in the film, or are they going off a dry fly. Fly shops are a great resource. If you really want to be a die hard, pay for a guide. They know the spots, flies, and manners of the fish. Then go back, and try different patterns, sizes, and colors. Fly fishing is for those that are patient. I've been fishing our rivers here for 25 years, guiding for 15. Everyday, can throw a learning curve. Most of all, it's getting out, and enjoying God's creation.
Heck, 90% of my fishing is with half a dozen flies or some variation thereof. I rarely "match the hatch" and find I don't need to. Some tried and true patterns will do the trick most of the time in most waters.
Influencer I
Enthusiast III
More often than not that's @OregonTrail4runner for me. Most of the materials I tie with come from his shop, and I look forward to his emails.
Advocate III
Have faith ... and patience. Watch some videos on YouTube and never go fly fishing on a blustery, windy day (That will destroy anyone's confidence). Make sure the rod loads properly (That the line is sufficiently behind the rod), before you start bringing the rod forward. Do so gently. If you hear the line snapping behind, you're going too fast. I have days when it feels like I can cast a mile and there are days I should never have gone to the river. If you really want to have some fun, "swing" a two-hander for trout sometimeMore often than not that's @OregonTrail4runner for me. Most of the materials I tie with come from his shop, and I look forward to his emails.
I SUCK at fly fishing, can flip a two-hander around OK., and haven't been out on the D in 4 years, when it broke my S10. Made me a lil gun shy, and figure if I go back the other side will break. I don't think the wife's been in that rig since that weekend...
I had a back injury a number of years ago. While I was sitting at home, I decided I was going to take up fly fishing (already a gear angler). Bought a blank from Lami, components from Anglers Workshop (RIP) and got into it. My wife bought me lessons from Kaufmann (RIP) that didn't pan out with the closing, so I've never had any training at all.
Above all, have fun with it ... Good luck!
Member I
Advocate III
I will generally use a 5wt. here, unless I am fishing bigger waters fishing large streamers, hoping to land a massive brown and, then, I will generally use the "Death Star," which is a Sage two-hander in 7 wt.
I'm Jeff (Sully) member#5142
