Farm Store Fly Fishing
AUGUST 2012
Big R Fly Shop
Hopper Mania Presents
Watch on Pa ge
HOPPER ISSUE
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Stop! Hopper Time
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» Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh, We Break it Down
Hopper Mania
» Big R Fly Shop Presents a Short Film
BugShot
» Killer Closeups of Hoppers in Their Habitat
rish Mor r e Hopp
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iFish
playlist
Click to Listen
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Editor’s Angle Fishing is Red Hot in July!
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iFish Playlist Music Currently Playing in Our Ears
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Rifishulousness Fishing Video of the Month
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Stop! Hopper Time. Hopper Season Has Arrived in Full Force
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A Division of Big R Stores
ON THE COVER John Ewald with a Gallatin River Rainbow Trout Bozeman, MT Photo by Jacob Robidou
August 2012 • Volume 5, Issue 7
BIG R FLY SHOP Great Falls, MT Hopper Mania (406) 761-7918 Cornfed Educates Us On Some Hopped Up Hopper Patterns 4400 10th Ave. S Great Falls, MT 59405 Hopper Tips Just a Few Tips to Increase Catch Rates With Hoppers Keaten “Cornfed” Labrel Jerrin Uecker Hopper Forecast 2012 Outlook: Excellent for Fishing, Grim for Grasslands
BIG R FLY SHOP Ponderay, ID (208) 255-5757 477181 N Hwy 95 Ponderay, ID 83852
BIG R FLY SHOP Omak, WA (509) 422-9840 1227 Koala Dr Omak, WA 83852
Calvin Fuller Dustin Bise
Stephan Avena Greg Bennett Tom McCormack
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Fly Shop Gear Redington, Sanuk, and William Joseph
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New Crew Member Introducing Dustin Bise of Big R Fly Shop Ponderay
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Bugshot A Closer Look At the Many Different Grasshopper Species
CONTRIBUTORS Keaten Labrel, John Ewald, John Teini, Dustin Bise
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Killer Hopper Candy Meaty Morsels!
To keep current in fly shop happenings and the latest fishing reports, visit us @ www.bigrflyshop.com
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The Musselshell River John Teini Relives His Childhood
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Creature Feature Vagabond Hopper by Cornfed
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Hidden in Plain View We Review Extraordinary Eateries
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Gear Showdown Floating Fly Lines - Double Taper vs. Weight Forward
EDITOR PUBLISHER DESIGN & LAYOUT GENERAL INQUIRIES
Sam Wike Alfonso Martinez John Ewald robg@csww.net/john.ewald@csww.net
Big R Fly Shop Magazine is a free monthly electronic publication bringing the latest perspectives, events, blogs and products related to the sport and art of fly fishing. This magazine is published online @ www.bigrflyshop.com every month. To receive email notifications when new issues are released, enter your email address HERE. All email addresses will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for purposes connected with Big R Fly Shop. © Copyright 2012 CSWW Inc., dba Big R Stores. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
EDITOR’S ANGLE
ThE
HOOK POINT Contributor’s Corner
Stop! Hopper Time. Not to get you confused with the ever so popular song, U Can’t Touch Thisby MC Hammer, but when I think of hopper season, the lyric “stop, hammer time” stands out in my mind. Tis’ the season for the time to “hammer” large browns and rainbows on behemoth, bulky, jumbo, mammoth, monster, whopper hopper patterns! Similar to the Salmon fly hatch in mid to late June on popular freestone rivers such as the Yellowstone, Madison, and Big Hole Rivers here in Montana, the hopper “hatch” brings heads to the surface on all your favorite ‘stones, tailwaters, creeks and stillwaters. This is your time to shine as a fly angler. If you want a fish to brag about to your friends, chances are you will have a shot to do so after hooking a 24” brown on a size 4 hopper. The hopper outlook across the Northwest, especially here in Montana, is chalking up to be “hazardous”. Farmers see this as a potential threat to their hard earned time growing crops this year, but fisherman see this as a feeding frenzy and a wonderful opportunity to hook into a trout of a lifetime on a “dry fly”. Numbers as high as 15 hoppers per square yard can equal hundreds, thousands, possibly even millions of grasshoppers along the banks of your favorite fishery! Mark your calendars to be out on the water as much as you can this fall, I believe it will be nothing short of a spectacular hopper fishing season. Not sure what patterns to use? We’ve got you covered with a very educational short film “Hopper Mania” with Keaten “Cornfed” Labrel of Big R Fly Shop Great Falls in this issue. The bins are full in the fly shop with all the best patterns, so hop on in and we’ll help you choose what patterns will work best when and where. But above all, get out on the water and be safe, have fun, and make your friends and fishing buddies envy you as you pose with that whale trout with a whopper hopper hanging from it’s gnarly hook jaw.
John Ewald
iFish
What we currently listen to. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp Chappo - Come Home Keane - Spiralling Chris Whitley - Big Sky Country The Gaslight Anthem - The ‘59 Sound Ra Ra Riot - Too Too Too Fast Jeremy Fisher - Scar That Never Heals Rogue Wave - Debaser Hugo - 99 Problems Spoon - Paper Tiger The Whitest Boy Alive - 1517 The Shins - Simple Song Ben Lee - Catch My Disease Dashboard Confessional - Get Me Right Young the Giant - 12 Fingers Jimmy Eat World - Disintigration 4
Aug 2012
Click to Listen
[ri-phish-yuh-luhs-neyhs]
ri•fish•u•lous•ness
-noun
RIFISHULOUSNESS
rifishulousness
ridiculously fishy, causing or worthy of ridicule; absurd; preposterous; laughable, insane, full of awesomeness: That fly fishing video was so sick, it was rifishulousness!
The entirety of this production was created by: Marc Crapo www.nosportsallowed.com
Aug 2012
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HOPPER TIME
STOP!
Hopper Time!
Adult hoppers vary in size, but the majority range from 2-5” in length. They also vary in color, but generally use mimicry to hide themselves from predators (transform colors like a gecko to match where they’re living; camouflage if you will) . Therefore, if you’re fishing an area of stream next to a wheat field, more than likely the hoppers will be gold in color. Some hoppers display extremely bright color characteristics to illustrate to predators they are poisonous (which they are not). That is why colors like fluorescent yellow and chartreuse work during certain times of the summer.
HOPPER TIME
As hoppers make their way to the waters here in Montana, it is important to take some time to discuss the life-cycle and different variations of patterns used to imitate hoppers and other leggy terrestrials. Hoppers are one of the largest out-of-the-water food sources for fish, meaning they do not spend any part of their life-cycle within the water. Where they do spend a large portion of their life-cycle as adults is in streamside grasses and brush. This makes them very susceptible to the water especially during breezy days or harvest.
Grasshopper Lifecycle approx. 1 full year
Winged egg-laying adult early to late fall
egg stage wintering 6 months
5th Moult
nymph stage hatching begins in early spring 4th Moult
Moulting Stage 4-7 weeks 1st Moult
2nd Moult
3rd Moult mid summer
There are basically two categories hopper patterns fall under; realistic and attractor. Realistic patterns incorporate more realistic features that hoppers themselves have (profile, legs, color, size), whereas attractor patterns exaggerate certain things that fish might key in on. Each have their own particular situations that work better than the other. If you’re fishing tail waters where fish have the opportunity to inspect the fly a little longer, we would recommend fishing realistic patterns. If you’re fishing freestones (especially if cutties are in them), we would recommend bulkier attractor patterns that draw attention to the fly. Aug 2012
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Big R Fly Shop Presents
Hopper Mania
A short informative ďŹ lm about ďŹ shing realistic and attractor hopper patterns
1. Throw hoppers later in the day. Although hoppers can be productive earlier in the day, the best results will be found as the temperature rises later in the morning and afternoon. Grasshoppers will not be active in the mornings when dew and frost have covered grassy fields and the streamside vegetation that surrounds the fishery. Be patient and hope for some stronger winds to pick up the hopper fishing. Windy afternoons can be a great indicator that the fish have keyed on to hoppers. Usually within 30 minutes of some strong winds, hoppers have been blown to the water and fishing a hopper at this point should get you the results you are looking for. 2. Don’t stick to the banks. Bank fishing hoppers will get results more often than not, but when it comes to hopper season, strong winds will blow them to all reaches, from bank to bank. As water flows begin to recede late into the summer, undercuts against the banks become exposed and shallow, no longer able to hold trout. Trout must move from these banks into new habitat. They will seek refuge near boulders, riffles, and long deep glides. Another reason for fishing away from the banks and focusing your attention on these other areas is that if you are fishing a moderate to high pressure angling fishery, most likely the fisherman before you and the fisherman before him has already pounded the bank and the trout has seen its fair share of hopper patterns. Trout that have taken residency in the other areas of the river have not seen many patterns overhead and are far more likely to fall victim to your hopper you have presented to it. 3. Twitch your hoppers with some action and be patient on slow takes. By giving your hopper some action of the surface, you increase your chances of getting that trout’s attention. Many fish actually look up, waiting for a large splat on the surface and then the immediate twitch. A live grasshopper on the water will
by John Ewald
HOPPER TIPS
Hopper Fly Fishing Tips
immediately kick for its life to the banks or any debris floating down the stream. Many trout know this and will instinctually realize that an easy meal awaits. Watch for two types of takes, the aggressive charge and the subtle inspection sip. When the trout charges hard at your fly, most likely you will see a wake followed by a watery explosion on the surface. In this instance, you will want to set your hook very quickly as trout feeding in this manner means they want to get in and get out. Other trout will casually swim up to a hopper, pause for a moment to inspect their meal, then slowly open their mouth and sip in the hopper. When this happens, give at least 1-2 full seconds longer when setting the hook. You will have a higher percentage of hook-ups by waiting longer. This extra second or two may be agonizing, but patience will pay off and the reward is well worth it. 4. Try using a variety of patterns and sizes. Try using a variety of patterns and sizes. Depending on the climate and environment you are fishing in, grasshoppers will be different colors and sizes. Smaller freestone creeks and streams tend to have smaller streamside grasshoppers. Larger spring creeks and tailwaters see a larger population of grasshoppers and they are most likely larger in size. When fishing hoppers in different places, try fishing two hoppers at once. Try fishing a larger attractor type hopper in size 4 or 6 as your lead fly and trail a smaller more realistic size hopper in size 10 or 12 about a foot to a foot and a half behind it. More often than not, the larger the trout, the bigger meal it will take. So be ready to see the larger attractor hopper get smashed, but be sure to keep an eye on both patterns.
Aug 2012
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HOPPER FORECAST
2012 Grasshopper Forecast Kevin Wannder and Ruth O’Neill Montana State University Grasshoppers are common across Montana, especially in the eastern prairie counties where they often damage rangeland and cropland. But since 2009, the grasshopper forecasts have been especially grim, with about 17 million Montana acres under serious threat. These annual predictions are based on late-summer counts of rangeland grasshopper surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) in Helena. According to the USDA, over the past three years, the western U.S. has been on the brink of an epic outbreak of a severity we haven’t seen since 1985. That was when hyper-abundant grasshoppers demolished huge swaths of Montana’s rangeland, farmland, and prairie, leaving crops in ruins and sparing little forage for livestock and wild game.
But insects are affected by weather, and the last two cool and wet spring seasons suppressed the grasshopper outbreak in two ways. The cool weather increased grasshopper mortality and the extra moisture allowed grasses to recover better from feeding damage. Will Montana dodge the grasshopper “bullet” again in 2012? The answer to this question likely depends again on the weather and on the number of egg pods over-wintering in the soil. The last two cold, wet springs suppressed, but did not collapse, the outbreak. Unfortunately, grasshopper-friendly conditions later in the summer of 2011 saw 16 million acres of rangeland in Montana with 15 or more grasshoppers per square yard, similar to the 2009 numbers, and many egg-laying females were observed in the field. With so many nymphs hatching out in 2012, a hot and dry spring may mean the grasshopper outlook will again be severe, and damage to Montana’s rangeland and cropland could be more severe compared to the last two seasons. Grasshopper populations increased dramatically, from one million acres with high numbers in 2007 to 17 million acres in 2010 (areas colored red had 15 or more per square yard). However, damage was not as severe as expected due to the last two cold and wet spring seasons. But the populations have maintained their 2010 levels with 16 million acres heavily infested in 2012.
By August of 1985, masses of starving grasshoppers had moved into windbreaks and residential areas, in places as thick as 400 adult grasshoppers per square yard. The famished grasshoppers devoured the foliage, and sometimes the bark, of garden plants and shrubs, and clipped every blade of grass down to the soil. They ate holes in clothes hung out to dry, chewed the insulation off wiring, and bit people hard enough to break the skin. Sam Wike’s Rooster from the beach
Source: http://www.theprairiestar.com April 12, 2012
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Aug 2012
Read More
HOPPER FORECAST
GEAR UP
$49
99
Womens Long Sleeve Damselfly Shirt
This versatile and flattering button-up will become your ultimate go-to top for both the outdoors and everyday wear. • 100% Nylon • VersiWick™ fabric Advanced wicking properties offer supreme control in moisture management by quickly moving moisture from the skin to the fabric. • UPF 30+ VersiSun™ fabric By blocking harmful UVA and UVB rays helps prevent sun burn and skin damage, so you can stay outside longer. • Pintuck design down both chest panels & back vent • Button up front 12
Aug 2012
GEAR UP
Womens Willow River Wader The Willow wader offers women the comfort, fit and durability every fisher-women craves with feminine details to boot. • Waterproof Fabric has been treated to resist penetration by water and wetting. • Breathable Blocks out water but allows vapor from sweat to pass though. • 100% nylon, 3-layer DWR coated wader fabric Contains an added coating to make this fabric water-resistant. • Opposing buckles for easy conversion to waist high • High density neoprene bootie • Chest pocket with drain holes • Flip-out pocket with YKK zipper • Belt loops with wading belt included • Integrated gravel-guards • Double layer-knee • Fleece lined handwarmer pocket
$129
Great Falls and Ponderay and Omak stores only.
We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct printing errors. Prices are subject to change without notice. Some items limited to stock on hand. Prices quoted in US currency.
99 Aug 2012
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GEAR UP Sanuk, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, is a footwear brand based in Southern California. Sanuk, the Thai word for fun, was founded by Southern California native Jeff Kelley when he started making sandals out of indoor-outdoor carpet. The ďŹ rst product created was green carpeted and entitled the "Fur Real" after one shop owner asked if the novelty sandal was "For Real." The Fur Real ďŹ rst became a runaway hit through boutique stores and not the intended surf shops. The novelty act was followed up by a sandal wrapped in wire mesh, a leopard print version, and styles made out of a poncho material in a variety of colors. Sanuk has grown to include style options for men, women and youth and is distributed across the United States and in over 50 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. Sanuk centers itself around a positive lifestyle advocating the slogan, "Smile, Pass it on!". See stores for different styles and pricing
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Aug 2012
Great Falls and Ponderay and Omak stores only.
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We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct printing errors. Prices are subject to change without notice. Some items limited to stock on hand. Prices quoted in US currency.
Aug 2012
GEAR UP
Exodus Pack II
So maybe you are not leading millions of people to the promised land. However, with this vest combo you would sure look cool doing it. The William Joseph® Exodus is the best way possible to combine the storage and load carrying capabilities of a back pack with the organization possibilities of a vest. And when one or the other is not needed you can play home physicist and split the two with the click of a few buckles. You can now be self contained, organized, and oh so comfortable.
• Zip-No™ Closure System The Zip-No system utilizes rare earth magnets, which we have converted into rope like strands that are actually sewn into place. The result is a watertight seal which closes exactly and perfectly under any condition every time. • AirTrack™ Suspension • Removable Vest • Hydration Compatible
$169
99
Aug 2012
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CREW BIO
PONDERAY’s Big r Fly Shop
Dustin Bise
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Aug 2012
I was born in Spokane Washington which has been my primary residence for most of my life. I spent my summers on an island near Port Townsend overlooking Puget Sound. I developed a passion for rivers though whitewater kayaking and rafting, studying under my family and the Olympic athletes at Cascade Raft and Kayak School on Idaho’s Payette River. Kayaking was always a little too scary though, and I learned later on that I could experience the rivers in a very unique way through fly fishing. It combined my love of the outdoors, water reading skills, and the adrenaline of kayaking, with a much lower risk and slower pace. My first trout on the fly was a Sea Run Cutthroat out on Puget Sound, and I fine-tuned my skills by spending as much time as I could, exploring and fishing the St. Joe and Spokane River. As my angling progressed, I discovered steelhead and spey rods. There has been no turning back since I started, and my passion for the sport only Greg shows off another nice cutt grows deeper every day I am on the river. After graduating high school in Spokane I spent two years studying photography, followed by graduating from the National Outdoor Leadership School, where I spent three months in the wilderness developing skills such as wilderness first aid, backpacking, navigation, risk management and leadership. We backpacked, rock climbed, and backcountry skied our way through an accredited semester. I have also served two terms with AmeriCorps doing volunteer work. My first year was with the Washington Conservation Corp. My crew of five young adult’s primary duty was building cattle exclusion fence along headwaters of the Columbia to protect and restore steam habitat and water quality. In addition, we were involved with emergency disaster response, aiding in the 2008 floods of the Chehalis River for a month, then heading to Louisiana in the wake of hurricane Katrina. My second term was spent on a wilderness trail crew, maintaining and repairing the Pacific Crest Trail in the area around Mt. Adams. I love to spend my free time in the outdoors, hiking, fishing, climbing, and snowboarding in the winter. Sandpoint is a perfect location for all of these activities and I couldn’t be happier with where I have ended up. Our crew here at Big R is great!
BUGSHOT
Bugshot
Romalea Guttata: Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Orthoptera Caelifera: Grasshopper With over 11,000 known species of grasshoppers wordwide, eager and willing trout feast smorgasbord style to an endless conveyor belt all summer long. Aug 2012
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BUGSHOT Miramella Alpina: Green Mountain Grasshopper
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BUGSHOT
Aug 2012
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BUGSHOT
Oedipoda Caerulescens: BlueCoryphistes Ruricola: Bark Mimicking Grasshopper 20
Aug 2012
BUGSHOT
-Winged Grasshopper Melanoplus Femurrubrum: Redlegged Grasshopper
Aug 2012
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BUGSHOT
Caryanda Spuria: Indonesian Grasshopper 22
Aug 2012
Jul 2012 Aug 2012
COLLEGE FISHING BUGSHOT
Macrotona Australis: Spur-Throated Grasshopper
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BUGSHOT Pseudoxya Diminuta: Small Rice Grasshopper (nymph)
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Aug 2012
BUGSHOT Aug 2012
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BUGSHOT
Chorthippus Biguttulus: Bow-Winged Grasshopper (nymph) 26
Aug 2012
Aug 2012
BUGSHOT
Glyptobothrus Brunneus: Common Field Grasshopper
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BUGSHOT Chorthippus Parallelus: Meadow Grasshopper
Xanthippus Corallipes: Red-Shanked Grasshopper
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Aug 2012
BUGSHOT
Melanoplus Differentialis: Differential Grasshopper
Aug 2012
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HOPPER CANDY
killer
HopperCandy
Para Triple Decker
Mor
donkey kong
Para
Idyls 30
Aug 2012
Foam Hopper
Red Legged Hopper
HOPPER CANDY
rrish Hopper
Tan Chubby Chernobyl
achute Hopper
Swishers
Foam pmx Pmx
r Shelia Hopper Aug 2012
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MUSSELSHELL
Growing up on the Musselshell River, I learned to fish for what some people would consider junk fish; Channel Cat’s, Mud Cat’s, Carp, Red Fin Sucker’s, Goldeye’s and Small Mouth Bass. During my younger years, I used the typical conventional tackle… a spin rod, hook and worm with a large weight to hold it down. This was a simple and a very successful method of fishing. I would say my brother and I caught a fair amount of fish using this method for several years in between irrigation sets, hay stacking, or just a day of relaxation. Back then, fishing was a lot about relaxing after a hard day’s work, spending time with family, and cooling off in the heat of the day.
The Musselshell: An Old Fishing Spot Renewed written by Great Falls store manager John Teini 32
Aug 2012
Since graduation from high school, I have gained some skills in my fly fishing techniques, but I never found a use for this skill while living on the Musselshell River. Since picking up the sport of fly fishing, I have looked at the water many times over the past 10-15 years and have wondered; can I catch a fish in this river using a fly rod? Until this year, I thought it would be almost impossible to catch a fish using a fly in such muddy and murky water. This June, I decided to take some time to venture home and spend some time with my parents and my wife’s parents with my wife and two kids. I had a fishing trip
p R h a c l a w fi
MUSSELSHELL MONO VS FLUORO planned to Fort Peck reservoir for two days with my father and brother. In the mean time, I wanted to test my fishing skills on the Musselshell River with a fly rod. My father-in-law had mentioned a hole to me that was producing some great fish. So, I decided to work my way to the fishing hole after getting the boat ready for the fishing trip to Fort Peck. I was able to get to the hole with some stealth and I noticed schools of carp below an irrigation dam. Some appeared to be 24” - 30” in length and I started to get a little excited to see such a great opportunity to hook in to my first carp on the Musselshell. Without delay, I took aim and cast my line into the middle of the school. A few moved as if they felt the light touch of the line hit the water, but they seemed to move back into place. I waited a few seconds as my fly settled to the bottom. I gave it a twitch, followed by another, and another, and another. My line went tight and for a second I thought it had hooked the bottom. Then it did what every fly fisherman wants.The line took off through my finger. As some of you know, Carp are a hard fighting fish and the fight went on for several minutes before I finally landed my first Carp from the Musselshell River on my fly rod. Aug 2012
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MUSSELSHELL
With every third or fourth cast, I was reeling in a Carp, so I decided to try in another area of the same section of water. I sent my next cast into some ripples of water behind a piece of sandstone that is used for erosion control from years past. The cast landed and I let it settle to the bottom as my line floated downstream. Several seconds after letting my fly fall to the bottom I gave it a tug. After my second or third tug the fly once again went tight, but this time there was no mistaking the feel I had on the other end. It was a fish on, but it felt different than my past few Carp. This tug was strong and more consistent in pull and this fish on the other end did not want to come up from the bottom. After several minutes, I finally got to see what was on the other end of the fly line. It was a Catfish (Mud Cat). I couldn’t believe I could catch a mud cat on a fly. Usually you think of this kind of fish going after some stink bait, or live bait. But, there on the other end of my fly was a 12-pound Catfish. This fish took about all I had and everything my 6 wt. rod could handle to get this monster onto the muddy banks of the Musselshell River. He was no record breaker, but he was about as much fun as I have had on a fly rod in a long time. After admiring him for a few minutes I put him back in to the murky waters from which he had come from just a moment ago. That afternoon, I cast my line out many times and I caught all of the variations of fish I had once caught with my old conventional method, but this time on the fly. It was a thrill to see this old fishing spot, I once knew as a kid, still producing the thrills I can now enjoy as an adult.
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We have back issues!
Not those kinda back issues, previous issues you can read if you missed one!
FEBRUARY 2012
Farm Store Fly Fishing
CREATURE FEATURE
MAY 2012
Farm Store Fly Fishing
MARCH 2012
FLY FISHING OPPORTUNITIES:
A New Take on an Old Standard » New Gear Review: Hardy Reels
Chasing Skwalla
» At the End of winter, in Hot Pursuit
LAKE PEND OREILLE
Killer Trout Candy
» Devistating Early Spring Flies
Farm Store Fly Fishing
We Mean Business in Omak
» Meet the Crew, The Third Big R Fly Shop is Now Open!
Freshwater Wolves
» Spring Pike Fishing is in Full Moon
Rod Sense
» Our Rod Inventory Makes Sense
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CREATURE FEATURE
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E AR D E A L S YG •
GEA
C H G E AR
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» The bins are full of the newest winter tailwater fly patterns
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NEW WINTER FLY PATTERNS
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» Brief Bio: Who is Big R Store Manager John Teini?
UARY G E A R
• F E B R U A RY
FARM BOY TO FARM STORE
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» Find out what goes on Saturday mornings in the Big R Fly Shop
FE
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SATURDAY MORNING FLY OR DIE-HARDS
t x ne
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GEAR NIGHT
Got an issue!?
CREATURE FEATURE
CREATURE FEATURE
Keaten Labrel ties up his Vagabond Hopper Fly Recipe: Thread: 8/0 tan Hook: Size 8 Caddis Body: Tan Foam Thorax: Thin Brown Foam/UV Tan Ice Dub Wings: Thin Brown Foam/White Antron Legs: MFC Red Hopper Legs/Tan Barred Rubber Legs
This hopper is designed to mimick realistic features of an adult hopper while incorporating triggering characteristics that predatory fish can't resist. Hoppers are some of the largest insects that find their way to the water, therefore it makes perfect sense to tie them big. The vagabond is a foam hopper, so fish it high and let it ride. This hopper fishes great solo, but also fishes well as the everso popular hopper/dropper setup. Tie it in a bunch of sizes and colors to match the hoppers in your area.
Have you ever wondered how that Royal Wulff or Parachute Adams you use so much was tied or how to tie it? EMAIL US. We would be more than happy to tie up the pattern as close to the original as possible for your viewing pleasure. Describe the fly as best as possible or better yet, send along a pic of the fly and the name of it. Don’t forget to check out the fly tying section up on the Big R Fly Shop website HERE. We upload a new fly tying video weekly as our featured Fly of the Week, and the fly tying section continues to grow with some of our most popular fly patterns.
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Did you Know?! The Big R Fly Shop Website Provides Up-to-Date Info on : Area Waters, Fishing Reports and Stream Flows. UPDATE YOUR
MIND
NOW!
You Can Also Find Other Fun and Informative Info :
Photo & Video Galleries, Fly Fishing Destinations, Quick Tip Videos, Fly Tying Videos, Fly of the Week, Bug Blog and Upcoming News and Events!
MT SUB SHOP
Montana Sub Shop by John Ewald
Montana Sub Shop, located in Great Falls, MT offers customers fresh homemade style deli sandwiches. Unique to this sub shop is that each sub on the menu is named after a popular city in Montana. Some local favorites include the Lewistown, which is roast beef, pastrami, and smoked turkey with Swiss and Provolone cheeses. The Butte has cotto salami, Italian salami, and pepperoni. With more than 20 variations of subs, the list of the most popular Montana cities is covered pretty quickly. Aside from the many cold subs offered which can be also be served hot off the grill, a small list of hot specialty subs round out the menu. An absolute must try is the Ribeye Steak and Cheese or the Hot Pastrami and Swiss. The combination of the hot grilled meat and melty cheese with the optional shredded pepperoncini’s is the perfect, delicious combination of flavors. One thing I must not forget is the bread! The bread is baked fresh daily and is probably the moistest, chewiest bread I have ever had. Lightly dusted in flour, white and wheat are your choices. Once you taste this bread, you will keep coming back for more! These subs are offered in half and whole sizes, half being about 12 inches! Half is all you need to be filled, but you are a true Montanan if you can put down a whole in one sitting. Other menu items include “seasonal soup” which means winter only when snow is on the ground and garden and chef’s salads. Also unique to the shop is an array of custom chainsaw art by a local artist. Customers can purchase various items around the eatery if they wish, or even contact the artist to have piece custom made. This final touch on this sub shop gives it that homey atmosphere and real Montana feel. Next time you are in Great Falls and want to eat at the best deli in town, be sure to stop in at the Montana Sub Shop, your belly will thank you!
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MT SUB SHOP 39 Aug 2012
DT VS. WF
DT vs. WF Double Taper vs. Weight Forward written by Keaten “Cornfed” Labrel
Having trouble determining what floating line is the best for you? Here is a short tutorial that explains the differences between two popular tapers: double taper and weight forward lines So what is a tapered line? Unlike spin fishing which uses the weight of a lure or sinker to propel the cast, fly fishing uses the weight of the line to cast. Tapered lines are basically modifications within the line that add weight in specific areas to propel the cast forward. Not only do these modifications enhance the casting motion, they also enhance line control in the air and on the water (i.e. reach casting and mending). Now that there is an understanding of what a taper is and what it does, let’s talk a little about the differences between DT and WF lines. Double tapered lines are balanced lines that have a thicker mid-section (belly) that tapers down in the front and rear portions of the line. The line goes as follows: skinny, thick, skinny. Double tapered lines are used in situations that require great accuracy and delicate presentation. They are also used in situations that require a lot of mending because the energy transfer is consistent throughout the line. Double taper lines are nice because when the used portion of line wears out you can take the line off the spool, flip it around, and start over with essentially a new line. Currently we have two different types of DT lines from Scientific Anglers in stock; Aircel and Mastery Series XPS. 40
Aug 2012
Tip
Taper
Body
Taper
Tip
DT VS. WF
Classic Double Taper Fly Line
Weight forward lines are not balanced lines. Instead, the line goes from a skinny runny line in the rear and tapers to a larger weighted (thicker diameter) belly in the front. This design is used in situations where greater line speed is in demand (casting larger flies, turning over indicators, wind, beginners, etc). You can think of it as a sling-shot propelling the line through the air. Over the past several years weight forward lines have become the most popular tapered lines within the West. Weight forward lines create much more power but give up some accuracy. You can think of them being built for speed, not comfort. The types of taper can also vary in weight forward lines. For example, one line may have 30’ of weighted taper whereas another may have 20’. Again, this is designed for specific usages. We have large stock of Scientific Anglers and Rio weight forward floating lines that are tailored to any situation.
Classic Weight Forward Fly Line Running Line
Rear Taper
Body
Front Taper
Tip
Aug 2012
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