Big R Fly Shop eMagazine - August Issue by Big R Store

CONTENTS

AUGUST 2013 • VOL 6, ISSUE 8 bigrﬂyshop.com

FEATURES

Chopaka Lake by Josh Mills

Josh takes us to one of his favorite spots

21 Get Up, Stand Up

by Calvin Fuller

In Sandpoint, ID with Boardworks Paddle Boards

35 Idaho Panhandle Stillwaters by Calvin Fuller Lakes of the Idaho Panhandle

DEPARTMENTS

Creature Feature by Dustin Bise Tying the Sparkle Minnow

15 Maintenance Matt with Matt Gutzmann Reel Refresh

31 Creature Classic by Dustin Bise Tying the Stimulator

Nautilus Reels Deal of the &Korkers Boots Month p3 COVER & THIS PAGE: Photo by Jake England

PONDERAY,

p19

SPECIAL OFFER p7

By Dustin Bise

Summertime

It is hot, the bugs bite and sting, the car is always 120˚ inside, but the fish are active and the rivers clear and in great shape for wading. The grasshoppers are growing and molting, hexegenia mayflies are hatching from the big pond, and caddis are thick enough that I need a face mask for my bike rides home in the evenings. This is the time of year where fishing a soft hackle in a riffle produces steelhead like grabs from big rainbows on our tailwaters, and when the midday sun can only be beat by a cold beverage and a foam grasshopper. Soon the October caddis will arrive along with fall run of spawning brown trout. We are trying large streamers already, getting ready to swing flies at dawn and dusk in hopes of one of the giant 15lb browns that call the depths of the big pond home. When the heat is just unbearable, we simply set down the rod and go for a swim, or dock the boat and head into town for a cold one and a burger or slice of pizza. The bass are strong and aggressive right now, eager to eat a big streamer on a cast into heavy cover. Just be careful not to cast too close, or you’re sure to lose your fly. The steelhead are starting to trickle in from the ocean as well, and soon the cold fall mornings on the Clearwater River will be calling us. Summer in North Idaho is short but sweet, so enjoy it while you can. Soon enough, we will be back to midge fishing in a snowstorm.

Dustin Bise. Gret Falls Fly Shop’s Denver Rathbun fishes under Sand Creek Bridge in Sandpoint, ID

Nautilus

CCF

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Constructed with sleek yet tough whitewater raft type material and seamless toe guards.

High performance wading boot with the perfect blend of traditional styling and innovative technology.

• OmniTrax® 3.0 Interchangeable Sole System adapts your traction to meet the performance needs of each river system

• Low profile Boa® speed lacing system for quick on/off and custom fit; significantly faster than previous system

• Boa® speed lacing system for quick on/off and custom fit; significantly faster than previous system

• Waterproof materials (including sleek synthetic material similar to whitewater rafts) reduce water absorption, thereby reducing overall weight, and dry faster to help prevent the spread of invasive species

• Waterproof materials reduce water absorption, thereby reducing overall weight, and dry faster helping to prevent the spread of invasive species

• The reduction of stitched seams improves durability and eliminates potential failure points • Regrind rubber toe cap provides an added layer of durability without adding weight

• Integrated midsole drainage ports allow water to drain quickly keeping boots lighter • Strategically placed seams reduce fatigue and the possibility of seam failure • True Fit™ sizing

• Integrated midsole drainage ports allow water to drain quickly keeping boots lighter • True Fit™ sizing

CAT CHING

UP WITH

PREMIUM FLY FISHING REELS

BRFS: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Andrew. Who are you again? AD: Hello friends of Big R Fly Shop! First off, let me send a huge thanks for your support of one of our great dealers, Big R Fly Shop. These guys run a top notch specialty fly shop in three locations across the northwest. I’m very pleased to be working with them in the fly fishing industry. My name is Andrew Dickinson. I’m the General Manager at Hatch Outdoors. My job encompasses all manors of tasks, some of which include inside sales, customer service, daily operations, quality control, product development, office snack provider, and toilet bowl cleaner. The fly fishing industry is comprised of some of the finest individuals anywhere so I feel very blessed to be working here. And yes, I do fish avidly whenever I have the time, generally every week during the summer. BRFS: Most of our readers are familiar with the brand, but when it comes to Hatch’s history; not so much. When did the company come together, who founded it, and where are Hatch Reels made?

General Manager of Hatch Fly Reels, Andrew Dickinson is one fishy fella. And you know the old addage, “birds of the feather flock together”, or something like that. Anyway, we are kindred. The man of many talents takes a moment to asnwer answers a few questions about the ferarri of fly reels Interview by Rob Guevarra

AD: In 2013, Hatch celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary. Back in 2003, two fly fishermen with ideas about how to make a better fly reel started Hatch within 2 weeks of meeting each other for the first time. John and Danny have grown the company to it’s current level by maintaining a superior level of quality, timely inventory, innovative ideas, and grassroots representation around the world. They both bring unique strengths to the table, wrapped up in similar Southern California personalities. John and Danny are both SoCal natives and the Hatch brand embodies the lifestyle they and all of us at Hatch love to live. Our reels are made 100% in the USA. We machine every part in Vista, CA, our anodization takes place a mile away, and shipping to all corners of the globe is done in-house. Every reel goes through multiple levels of quality control with hands-on inspections and precision analysis at every step of production.

BRFS: Why should our customers choose Hatch? AD: There are many reels to choose from in the fly fishing industry. A fly fisherman can never complain about lack of options. We like to say we make the Ferrari of fly reels. Here’s why:

• Our reels are machined entirely out of Bartock 6061-T6 aluminum, Rulon, and Stainless steel.

• Our reel foot is one piece with the frame for increased strength and elimination of corrosive screws.

• Our reels maintain a high strength to weight ratio,

allowing them to be banged up and still stay in the game.

• We have developed a low maintenance stacked disk drag

that utilizes self lubricating Rulon braking pads and laser cut stainless steel disks. By using more than one braking pad, we increase the braking surface area tremendously. The smooth application of drag enables our reels to protect tippets and land more fish.

• Our drag system is sealed to allow you easy fishing in

the harshest environments. A Hatch drag is designed to keep water, sand, silt, and grit out of the drag compartment even when dunked in the surf or river multiple times.

BRFS: You don’t have to sell me, Andrew. I’ve been fishing Hatch for years. So what’s on the horizon for Hatch? Without giving away too much, can you talk about what's in the hopper? AD: Great question! Our machine shop is very large and gives us tons of resources for developing ideas into products. The Custom Shop is our in-house venue for developing limited edition reels to complement our current Finatic Fly Reels. Our one of a kind signature Lance Boen and Rene Harrop reels were smash hits. We’re about ready for a fresh custom shop item so look for a new limited edition reel or item in the next year. Our Tempest Saltwater pliers have had great success. We are developing a new set of pliers for release in 2014. Our sights set on a new reel to add to our Finatic lineup. I can’t reveal which size yet, but we are developing the prototypes now. This reel will be available in 2014 as well. We also keep making reel innovations to our Finatic line. New crank handles for our big game saltwater reels are in the works and will be available towards the end of this year. Our apparel line has grown tremendously, with over 20 hats, a beanies, visors, and new t-shirt designs put out this year. We are about to change over our t-shirt lineup again with 12 new designs to be released throughout the year, starting in September 2013.

• Every Hatch reel can easily be switched from Right or

That’s our company in a nutshell. Thank you for your attention and if you have any questions about our product, please ask the good folks at Big R Fly Shop or give us a shout at Hatch Outdoors.

• Mid and Large Arbor spools fit interchangeably on the

My email is andrew@hatchoutdoors.com and visit us online @ www.hatchoutdoors.com

Left Hand retrieve by the customer. No need to send back to us at the machine shop. same frame, allowing one reel to cover 3 or more line weights.

• Our counterweight and spool crank are the same weight to achieve perfect balance when the spool rotates at high speeds. When that Tuna takes off at 100 mph, your spool will rotate with no wobbling on the frame.

Go catch some fish! Opposite page: Andrew on Carlsbad Beach in SoCal with a Barred Surfperch caught on his Hatch 5 Plus Mid Arbor.

• Hatch spools attach securely to the frame with a twist off cap, eliminating springs and tension pieces that can wear out easily. For more technical specs, models, and other product offerings, go to www.hatchoutdoors.com/innovation

EELS R G N I LY FISH F M U I PREM

l e e R h tc , T Hra S U e G ingh tohf AU duon t a h m t E E at R a F t e as th ge y buy an

...simpl

Quantities & Styles are limited

Bise’s Sparkle Minnow

PLAY This is a variation of Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow and is one of my all-time favorite streamers. It has been one of the most productive streamers in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere you like throwing big, flashy baitfish. This pattern has also proven its effectiveness on stillwaters. We’ve carried these flies in the shop before and they are absolutely deadly. This fly typically works on grey days, but it gets a lot of attention on sunny days as well. Either way, you should definitely include this pattern in your streamer arsenal. To capitalize on this pattern’s effectiveness, you will need a dubbing brush tool. Today we’re tying this fly in pearl and silver, but you can vary things up by trying gold and pearl, which is ideal for cutthroat.

with Dustin Bise

MATERIALS: • • • • • • •

TMC #300 Streamer Hook - Size 2 1/4” Real Eyes in Nickle/Pearl White & Gray Maribou Tan UV Crystal Flash Silver Ice Dub Dubbing Brush Tool .025 Lead Wire

Dubbing brus h tool

LOOMIS,

Words and photos by

Josh Mills

“If you think dry flies on a lake are cool, then consider Chopak

s you come through Tonasket, up Loomis-Orville Highway and pull through the one horse town of Loomis, WA, look up and to the right and take a gander at the Chopaka grade. Utter some words in disbelief. Pray to whatever fishing god you enlist to help your success and take one of the more harrowing roads you’ll roll up in the pursuit of our swimming quarry. Needless to say, bring a spare tire. But there is hope ahead because if you think dry flies on a lake are cool, then consider Chopaka Lake, Miles Davis.

For the past 5 years, Chopaka has been a highlight of spring for our group. When you climb that grade, you think you’ll be the only group on the lake, in pristine solitude. Fact is the lake is well known, very well known. It doesn’t matter, as long as you can find a camping spot. The setting around the lake is postcard-like. A deep ridge frames the west side of the lake where camping resides_broken peaks to the west. The north bowl is heavily timbered and steep and the south end flattens out into the weed beds that make the lake famous.

ka Lake,

Miles Davis”

There’s a wonderful cadence to a trip to Chopaka. No alarm bells; just wake up when you want and enjoy breakfast, because the show doesn’t start until you want it to. Start with your standard lake fair. Double chironomid rigs towards shore produce consistently. If you’re into trolling soft hackles, buggers or leeches, hold on because the strikes are usually violent and I have noticed a propensity for the fish in the lake to jump repeatedly. For those with intermediate lines, bring your damsel fly imitations because the fish key in on them

heartily as the spring moves into summer. It can get so thick with the damsels that the fish move towards the shore to knock the nymphs off into the water as they crawl up the reeds. The daily schedule is highlighted by Chopaka’s big draw, the daily emergence of callibaetis mayflies. The first swirls are the telltale signs that the cruising rainbows have keyed onto the floating steaks. Suddenly, the air will be filled with the dancing and bobbing of the mayfly duns in the sexually charged air of bug reproduction. While we’ve done well

Left: Chopaka Rainbow Right: OMR and Larry discuss high level of fish BS.

with full adult duns, the key lies in throwing mayfly cripple patterns to the swirls. Covering the rise brings the most success for me, but there is sometimes so much activity that you just chuck it out there and watch it fall under attack. You think it’s coming from one fish, and it gets slurped by another. If you can, get out of your pontoon or pram and get on shore. You will be amazed as you count the cruisers that are very active and feeding. I don’t have that much will power because when that hatch is on, I feel like a bird dog on point. The hatch’s duration and timing varies from year to year, also on what part of the lake you’re fishing. Usually the week we go, it will last 1 to 3 hours if conditions are right. The quickest way to kill the hatch is a strong breeze but if it dies, the bugs

Left: Looking south on an electric spring morning. Right: Fay “OMR” Mills lifts another one.

usually come on back to fulfill their birth rite. The south end of the lake with its mass of weed beds, and the eastern shoreline tend to be a great bet for the hatch. However, do not discount the north end. There have been many a spot that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that can be just off the chain with both bobber and dry fly rods. The best thing you can do for yourself is to carry 2 or 3 rods in your watercraft of choice. One for dries, one for chironomid, and another for a sinking line to use

when trolling from spot to spot. When the main event ends, you get the opportunity to be creative. This year we found success in rigs with very short distance between our strike indicators and chironomid, and covering rises as the afternoon crept on. Folks on the lake also dial it in using intermediate sink lines with scuds and damsel nymphs. Regardless of the method, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing better than coming off the lake around 4 or 5pm for what we call â&#x20AC;&#x153;cocktail

hour”. The day is then detailed in story after story, fish after fish, success and failure. Through dinner and into the campfire hours, plans are made for the next day. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Such is the pace of our trips to Chopaka Lake. The time of year has a lot to do with how you fish the lake. Depending on when the lake is ice free, April and/or May present the first cracks at Chopaka. The summer months slow down as the fish deepen up to avoid hot water tempera-

tures and although I haven’t fished the fall, I hear it can also be fantastic. Chopaka can be amazing and frustrating in the same breath. More than anything, it’s the pace and the pattern of the trip that I love the most. In most instances, the fish are willing dance partners.

Left: Black Chironomid in your mouf, BOOM! Right: Cripple Mayfly for the win!

Reel Refresh

with Matt Gutzmann

our fly fishing reel might be one of the most overlooked, or at least most intimidating part of your fishing rig. You might clean your fly line a few times a year but how often do you get down and dirty and freshen up your reel? It’s inevitable that your reel will collect sand, grit and even salt--not just from the ocean, but from setting your reel down in roadside snow banks. Here’s a breakdown of how to clean your reel and correctly rig up the whole reel system from backing, to line, to leader; the whole shebang. If you’re not up on your knots, we’ve added a few links to guide you.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • One grungy reel Optional Items: • An old toothbrush • Nail Knot Tool • $6.99 • Loon’s UV Knot Sence • $4.99 • Warm, soapy water • Paper or cloth towels • UV Light • $29.99

Begin by removing the fly line and backing from your reel and setting them aside. Separate the spool from the reel. If you are unsure how to accomplish this, refer to the owner’s manual that came with your reel.

If you have any grease on any of your reel components, remove as much as you can with a rag. With warm, soapy water and a soft nylon brush or old toothbrush, scrub thoroughly. If you have a disc drag reel, make sure not to get water inside any of the drag components.

Dry your reel. If you have a click-and-pawl style reel, you can add some reel lube to the clicker and gear teeth.

Examine your backing carefully. If it doesn’t require replacing, tie it back onto your reel. I like to use a UNI KNOT for this step.

For a stronger bond, coat the knot with Loon’s UV Knot Sense and cure it with a UV flashlight.

If you’re reusing your line, you can use a damp rag to buff it as you respool it. Or check out last month’s LINE CLEANING DEMO.

I use a FIGURE 8 LOOP or PERFECTION LOOP on the end of the butt section.

When attaching the leader to the butt section, tie a loop into the leader material for an easy loop-to-loop connection.

Spool up your backing. How much backing depends on preference and purpose. Check with your reel manufacturer for suggested amounts.

Tie your fly line to your backing. I like to use an ALBRIGHT KNOT for this step.

I use an 18” section of 25lb Amnesia or Maxima leader as a butt section. Tie it to your fly line using a nail knot if your line doesn’t have an integrated loop. I use a Tie-Fast cheater tool.

I like to add another shot of UV Knot Sense to the nail knot for strength. This also helps your line travel smoothly through your rod guides.

13 And you’re done! Remember keep your reel clean and protected with a neoprene reel cover when not in use.

r e v i R e Rogu

e k i r t S & p i l S

R O T A C I D N I

Sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary to run really long leaders.

For example, Chironomid guys fishing stillwaters in North Central Washington run as much as 25 feet of leader. With other strike indicators, there would be no way to reel up close enough to get into netting distance. Enter the Slip & Strike Indicator by Rouge River. This fully adjustable option breaks free after a strike and stays on the surface of the water, allowing you to reel in as much as you need. Simple to use, this is a must have when running extra long leaders.

Thread your leader through the black rubber peg first, tapered end down, and then the indicator, to the depth you would like to fish.

Make a small loop in the leader inbetween the peg and the indicator. Hold the loop tight against the outside of the peg. Insert the peg into the indicator. Make sure the loop is held firmly in place by the indicator.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it! When a fish strikes, the indicator will detach from the peg and both will slide freely, allowing you to reel in as close as possible without the indicator getting in the way.

Thanks to Greg Bennett at the Big R Fly Shop in Omak, WA for the photo demonstration.

SANDPOINT

by Calvin Fuller

We Hit the Water with Boardworks Stand n mid-July Big R of Ponderay and Boardworks held a stand up paddle board (SUP) demo day at Sand Creek Park in Sandpoint, ID. The turn-out was incredible with over 100 aquatic/outdoorsy-types showing up to learn all about stand up paddle boarding and to try out Boardworksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; product offering. There were several models available to take for a test drive, including a few that were awesome to fly fish from.

The Boardworks Badfish 10'6" MCIT model turned out to be the most versatile and stable platform for fishing. Everyone that tried this board agreed that it was the best option for angling. One well received feature was the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to completely deflate and carry as a backpack, making the Badfish MCIT a great option for hiking into mountain lakes and streams. Another popular model due to its extreme stability was the JoyRide in

Up Paddle Boards the 9'11" and 10'11" models. This board glides better than the Badfish, but lacks any tie downs for storing and holding gear. One characteristic that edged the Badfish as our favorite board was that its durability makes it an ideal candidate for fishing in moving water. Ultimatly, board selection comes down to your purpose and application. Sam Wike and Paul Considine take a pair of Boardworks Badfish out on a lake which they both refuse to name; figures.

Left & right: Paul Considine deftly maneuvers the lake with deadly precision.

Bass From a Stand Up Paddle Board Fly Fishing on Lake Pend Oreille can have bittersweet results, on a paddle board or otherwise. The lake is the size of a small ocean and 7-8 foot waves can overtake you in a matter of minutes on a blustery day. During the winter Lake Pend Oreilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water level drops between 7 to 11 feet. As the spring melt off occurs the lake begins to fill and backwaters become inhabited by Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass. The Idaho state record for Smallmouth bass is a 9lb 11.5oz Kokanee fed monster caught in Dworshak Reservoir. Smallmouth breaking the 10lb mark have been shocked and recorded on Lake Pend Oreille as well. These monster bass are very hard to fool.

As the lake begins to rise in the spring, the many sloughs begin to warm. The dirty water catches the sunlight much better than the clear water and bugs, bait, and bass begin to move into the sloughs to fatten up for the year. This is the time of year that I like to hop on a SUP and start sneaking quietly into shallow water. SUPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allow you to go many places inaccessable to most boats. Every year like clockwork, Cocollala and Morton Sloughs on the Pend Oreille River are the first to start putting out big pre-spawn bass. Mostly largemouth bass come out of these sloughs. As the water rises further, Fry Creek and Denton slough begin to turn on. Both

smallmouth and largemouth can be caught in Denton among the many rock piles and structure in Denton. For these sloughs, I really like using large black bunny streamers. The black color really stands out against the brackish muddy water of the sloughs. There are many other sloughs along the lake and river, and most of them can be located with any map or Google earth. The smallmouth in Lake Pend Oreille can be caught all year long with the use of conventional gear. But, for fly fishermen our best time is May/June then Sept/Oct. In May the lake temperatures cruise up into the 50’s and the fishing really heats up. You can find smallmouth on most of the rocky shorelines in Lake Pend Oreille. The best way to fish them is to move around from spot to spot. Gangs

of large fish can be found and picking on them with large chartruese streamers or top water flies can be a really fun. Pounding the shorelines of Lake Pend Oreille can open up an array of species. It’s not uncommon to scrounge up a nice Bull or Lake Trout when fishing the shorelines in May and early June. As summer heats up, lots of recreational boaters hit the water and the larger bass begin to move deeper. Large fish can still be caught on the fly, though it becomes more difficult. During this time of year I focus on fishing early in the morning or later in the evening. Areas of the lake where bass have access to deeper water are good spots. The water becomes clearer this time of year and it’s not unheard of for a big bass to come up 20 feet to pound a big streamer.

Left: A gorgeous smallmouth bass. Right: The intrepid Sam Wike on Lake Pend Oreille.

Gear It is and extremely cool feeling fishing from a SUP. It requires balance and quick casts. Unlike boats with electric motors, SUP’s tend to drift easily with the wind. It’s not uncommon though, to not have enough time to put down your fly rod, grab a paddle, and stop. Even though SUP’s are small and quiet, fish still spook from them. It feels like you are standing on the water with a full view of what is going on around and beneath you. I have fished off of two different boards, the Boardworks Badfish and the Joy Ride. Both offer great stability due to their width. I personally prefer the Badfish due to the increased stability, ability to be portable, and its tie-downs for holding gear. The Badfish inflates with the use of a lightweight air pump. This allows anglers to hike into places where you couldn’t bring a boat. I also like using a lightweight paddle over a heavier one. I like to fish a rod heavy enough that it can turn over large flies and shoot lots of line quickly. Generally a 6 or 7wt rod is ideal, and floating or sinking line depending on the time of year. The Bass tapers are great for turning over large flies and shooting line quickly. Eight foot leaders with 12 to 15lb test work well. For flies, I tie an array of bunny leeches on Gamakatsu B10S hooks. My favorite colors are black, white, and chartreuse. Another really good option is Keller’s Sleezeburger in a perch coloration. Top water baits are deadly early in the morning or late evening. It is a good idea, when fishing from a SUP, to have a life jacket and whistle available. It’s actually illegal not to have either on Lake Pend Oreille. Having a small anchor is also a good idea, it can quickly slow down and even stop our drift allowing you to fish slow and more thoroughly. Just try not to fall in when you set the hook.

Paul demonstrates the Boardworks Badfish’s remarkable agility.

l o o p s i n m O

X O B H C T I m e t s W y S tS Lin

n e m e g a n a eM

Switch it up Quick loading and unloading of reels; quick, easy line changes on the water; easy handling in conjunction with rod and reel. Load ‘em up. TRAVEL Select the lines you need for each outing, clip them together and throw them in your gear bag - find them when you need them; robust but light; protection against salt and grit. STACK Clip them together for simple organisation out in the field and when you get back to base; label your switchboxes for easy line identification. Sort them, stack them, store them.

BENEFITS • With spare reel spools no longer needed, you save on cash and weight • Identifying your lines is easy. Label your Switchboxes and stack them together in groups (line weights, densities, whatever…) • You don’t have to dig around in your bag feeling for loose lines or spools when you’re out fishing, or find they’re not there when you need them because they were too awkward to pack. • Your line isn’t a mess when you need it; it’s in good working order. • You don’t need a bulky line winder any more.

CREATU

CLASSIC

Stimulator This is one of my all-time favorite flies. It’s one of the flies I learned how to fish with and I have a box filled with these. I fish it a lot in fast pocket water during golden stonefly hatches. You can vary the colors with this fly; brown is a good Skwalla imitation, black mixed with orange makes a great Salmonfly, and orange in the fall makes a fantastic October Caddis adult. Have fun and good luck fishing!

with

Dustin Bise

MATERIALS: • • • • •

Size 8 Dai-Riki #270 UV2 Golden Stone X-Seal Dubbing Grizzly & Brown Saddle Hackle White Widow’s Web Elk Hair

Lay a thread base starting roughly 1/8” behind the eye and stop in line with the barb of the hook.

Tie in a small tuft of deer hair for the tail, extend passed the bend of the hook about an inch. Add the brown saddle hackle, tip

PLAY

having it 3/8ths of first.

Form a dubbing loop. Add an ample amount of dubbing as this fly is meant to have a meaty body. Once itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laid in evenly, do the twist.

Advance the thread 2/3rds of the length of the hook shank. Wrap the dubbing loop forward. Encourage the fibers backwards as you wrap to get a good fluff. Stop 1/3rd of the hook shank away from the eye.

Trim down the dubbing to form the abdomen. Be careful not to snip the thread.

Stack a clump of deer hair and tie on to the top of the fly. Start with a few loose wraps to keep the hair from flaring too much, then wrap backwards to secure it in place.

Continue to trim around the body, creating an even taper. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also establishing a firm base for the saddle hackle to embed into for the next step.

Tie in the grizzly saddle hackle tip first. Form another dubbing loop and advance the thread forward to about 1/8th of an inch from the eye. Twist the dubbing loop tight.

Wrap the saddle hackle foward 5 or 6 times, spacing evenly as you advance. Stop where the dubbing ends. Secure with a few thread wraps.

Form a thorax with the dubbing loop. Maintain an even taper. Secure with a few thread wraps. Be careful not to crowd the eye.

Add a portion of widows web to the top of the fly where the saddle hackle stops. Loop the material around so that it extends equal to the bend of the hook. Secure with a few thread wraps.

Wrap the grizzly hackle forward about 4 turns and secure it at the head. Finish the head with several thread wraps, again keeping an even taper. Whip finish. You can add a little head cement or varnish here to increase its durability.

PONDERAY,

by Calvin Fuller photos byy

Aurora Valenzuela

There are a great number of opportunities around Sandpoint

ost of the Alpine Lakes in the Idaho Panhandle area are between 4,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. This means that some lakes are still frozen until June. Generally by the end of April or beginning of May, fishing starts to pick up. There are literally hundreds of small mountain lakes full of Cutthroat, Rainbows, Brook Trout, and even Grayling. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocks several lakes in the

area every year with some having hold over fish that grow larger than 16 inches. The Sandpoint area also boasts many lowland lakes that are full of Bass, Tiger Musky, Pike, and other species. Most of the fish can be caught on your basic attractor patterns both dry and wet. In May we have an epic black ant hatch that fills the air with thousands of black carpenter ants that grow up to 2 inches long. The fish in every Stillwater in

t to fish small mountain lakes this area gorge themselves on these ants. I generally like to use a 3 or 4 weight with a floating line, 4x leader and whatever fly I feel will work. Small Green Buggers like Rickardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stillwater bugger, work excellent and Damsel Fly Nymphs, Dragon Fly Nymphs, and Hex Nymphs are all productive. Most fish in these systems arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too picky due to our short summers. They will feed opportunistically on most anything that hits the water.

Callahan, Smith, Parker, and Long Mountain Lake were all stocked with Grayling in 2012. There are still some holdover fish that can be caught. Most of the other mountain lakes in the area were stocked with Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. One of our most accessable mountain lakes is Antelope Lake, located just east of the town of Clark Fork. This lake is full of Rainbows and Cutthroat and is generally ready to fish by the beginning

of May. Roman Nose Lakes are a set of three lakes located in the Selkirk Range and are accessible by vehicle. Other lakes to consider in the area are Brush, Bloom, Robinson, Granite, and Solomon Lake. Down in the valley we have a several lowland lakes that are full of Bass, Perch, Crappie, Tiger Musky and other species. Livermore Lake out of Sagle has some very large bass, crappie, and perch. Gamble Lake is another good lake to hit of most spiny ray species and is located right next to Livermore. Shepard Lake is a great spot if you are chasing Tiger Muskie. These fish are extremely hard to catch on the fly, which some take as a challenge. Large perch patterns and lots of hours fishing should eventually pay off. Muskrat Lake, Kelso Lake, and Dawson Lake have also been known to produce gargantuan Largemouth Bass. There are a great number of opportunities around Sandpoint to fish small mountain lakes. The best option is to pick up a panhandle region forest service map, choose a lake, then get onto IDFGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and look at the stocking history information (see link below). Some of these lakes are remote and absolutely breathe taking. Good luck and we'll see you out there. Current stocking program information for the Panhandle region in Idaho can be found on the IDFG website. http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/stocking/speciesByDate.cfm?region=1

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