Early Summer 2011 News
The Yakima's best bet for dry fly fishing as of recently
Newsletter Tips
1) Free Drift - Aquatic insects get dislodged and knocked loose and 'free drift' at various levels in the water column. Some insects are far better swimmers then others. It is no surprise that the Caddis larva and the Stone nymph are great free drift patterns as they are terrible swimmers. Depending on the watershed, free drift insects are often found mid column and therefore do not require a near bottom presentation.
2 ) 'Swing takes and fighting the fish with a two handed rod' - by Jennifer Mitchell
As demonstrated at The Sandy Spey Clave
3) Two hand rod efficiency - As I see it, fishing with the two handed rod is most certainly a relaxing way as well as the most efficient way to fish the fly on the swing.
I often hear, "that river ( ie: the Methow, Klickitat, Grande Ronde, Green etc) isn't big enough to use a spey rod!" The spey rod is not just for distance! Granted, once you have mastered the ability to cast efficiently distance will be a better factor, but more importantly the two hander is a tool that allows the angler to cast the fly in a couple motions, with obstructions behind.
It is the aforementioned factors combined with the long rods superior mending ability that makes the two handed rod a great fishing tool and is not just a tool for distance. The two handed rod will save your shoulder, mend and cast the line effortlessly and allow you to fish water that would be almost impossible to fish with a single hand rod. The two handed rod is not just for distance. The two handed rod is an efficient swinging machine.
4) Two ways to present the fly - Plain and simple, there are two ways to present a fly - with tension or without - Both methods require their own arsenal of trickniques to get the job done...end of story.
Fly Shop Specials
2011 Spring
I honestly don't remember a longer spring in the 23 years of guiding here in Washington, well maybe 1996, which was a bit abrupt. Regardless, with the amount of snow pack we have in the mountains, the Summer - Fall fishing should be great on all watersheds. The small creeks as well as the big rivers will undoubtedly flow with an ample cool water supply.
Currently our fishing is 'spot on' - These are recent photos from the various fisheries we have been guiding...
The Yakima, Kettle, Upper Columbia and the Naches - photos in order...
Fishing Reports here
Newsletter Bug
Lodge Availability ... Here
Klickitat River and 'The Steelhead Ranch'
The Upper Columbia and Black Bear Lodge - Northwest Sportsman article
The Cool Factor
Seasons on the Fly - Started locally on Fox, then went to Versus and now will be on NBC! Way to go Greg!
Bull in a china shop - Demystifying the myth!
Yakima RV Park Darlene and Randy and are running a cool little camp ground on Ringer loop road, featuring pull through RV slots, full hookups or not, tent sites, and great river access...check it out!
The Always Cool Factor
New Terminology and Guidespeak
'POW' - When a substantial task has been completed, a worthy achievement has transpired, or something is just 'badass' we like to say, POW!
'Bulldogging' - It is what we do on the Upper Columbia - Wrestle big sleds on big water to wrangle with big resident bows.
Photo of the Month
In The News
Northwest Sportsman article
The Passing of Marlo Bumpus - The first out of state fishing trip for steelhead I ever took was to the Dean river in British Columbia; it was a gift from a friend... Wow, what a gift! During that week, I was fortunate to fish along side and dine with Ed Ward and Marlo Bumpus. I will never forget watching those two wield the two hander - It was pretty cool.. Since that trip and over the years I have said hello to both those two here and there at shows etc.... Marlo was a soft spoken two handed pioneer in the NW. Many who actually new him on personal basis will miss him I'm sure; But I will miss him as well because his prowess in abiltiy, humility in nature and willingness to lend advice was paramount on that awesome trip to the Dean.
Movie Review
The Mechanic (2011)
Starring Jason Statham / Co Starring Ben Foster - This is a remake of the 1972 pic with the same name starring Charles Bronson, directed by Michael Winner and co starring Jan-michael Vincent. As a youngster I remember Bronson as the cool and tough guy. Statham portrays that same aura in the current version which features a more high-tec reperotoire of weaponry, etc. Overall the movie lacks depth, but so did the original. The script is 'pretty much nada' but the movie still has the 'cool factor'. Two and 1/2 stars.
Guliver Tavels (2011)
Starring Jack Black and Amanda Peet 2011; Gullivers Travels with Jack Black was light/refreshing and humorous at the same time. Certainly not the deepest plot, nor oscar winning performances but fun and enjoyable for the entire family. Based on the novel from the 18th century with the same name, the movie doesn't follow the novel plot much but is centered around the town of Liliput, the land of little people. Two stars.
Guestspeak - Read what some of our guests have had to say about fishing with us recently.
the end...