FEBRUARY 2012
Farm Store Fly Fishing
E R U T A E F E R U T A E CR
FLY FISHING OPPORTUNITIES:
LAKE PEND OREILLE
GEAR DEALS Y • AR
EA
R
DEA
LS • FE B
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» The bins are full of the newest winter tailwater fly patterns
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NEW WINTER FLY PATTERNS
UAR Y
» Brief Bio: Who is Big R Store Manager John Teini?
• FEBR
FARM BOY TO FARM STORE
DE S
» Find out what goes on Saturday mornings in the Big R Fly Shop
UARY GEAR
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SATURDAY MORNING FLY OR DIE-HARDS
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Editor’s Angle From the Editor
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Farm Boy to Farm Store Q & A with Great Falls Store Manager John Teini
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Fly Fishing Film Tour April 10th • Sandpoint, ID
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A Division of Big R Stores February 2012 • Volume 5, Issue 2
Gear Review Rio Switch vs. Airflo Speydicator
contents
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Saturday Fly or Die-Hards Saturday Mornings Will Never be the Same
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30th Annual MRF Banquet February 25th • Great Falls, MT
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New Cold Weather Flies Bins are Full - Grab ‘em While They’re HOT!
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Save On Gear! Simms, Redington, FishPond, William Joseph and more!
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Fly Fish Idaho Lake Pend Oreille Offers BIG BASS & TROUT
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Fish the Farm Store Find Cool Fishing Items in the Farm Store
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Why Fly Fish? Megan Johnson Shares Her Passion for Angling
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Blast From the Past: Blogs Popular Blog Posts From the Flyshop Website
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Creature Feature Paul Bloch Ties Up a Mean Stonefly
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Fly Fishing Film Tour March 30th • Great Falls, MT
ON THE COVER Aaron Richter’s Gerrard Rainbow in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho Photo Credit: Aaron Richter
BIG R FLY SHOP Great Falls, MT (406) 761-7918 4400 10th Ave. S Great Falls, MT 59405 BIG R FLY SHOP Ponderay, ID (208) 255-5757 477181 N Hwy 95 Ponderay, ID 83852 EDITOR PUBLISHER DESIGN & LAYOUT GENERAL INQUIRIES
Paul Bloch Fred Tellen
Calvin Fuller Megan Johnson
Sam Wike Alfonso Martinez Rob Guevarra/John Ewald robg@csww.net
CONTRIBUTORS Calvin Fuller, Paul Bloch, Fred Telleen, Megan Johnson, Rob Guevarra, John Ewald
To keep current in fly shop happenings and the latest fishing reports, visit us @ www.bigrflyshop.com 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 CSWW Inc., dba Big R Stores. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
clothing and selling a pair of Sawyer Oars at the fly shop in Great Falls, MT, and Brian was busy working on our annual Missouri River Fly-fishers banquet and art auction that will take place this month on the 25th of February in Great Falls. Paul Bloch has been working with Fred and Matt to prepare the shop with all the new gear and madly driving before work shifts to the lower Missouri to get “locked.” Calvin says that “things have been crazy” in north Idaho as they receive all their spring merchandise. Calvin has also spent time meeting with the Idaho Fish and Game which he will report on later. Megan recently shared she has been thinking of seeking shelter in our tent and cot display for moments of rest between pallets of inventory ready to be set. Erik and Calvin are sneaking to south Idaho this weekend (product research?). Our Omak Fly Shop is coming right along. We are now receiving multiple truckloads of merchandise for the store every day, and interviewing employees for the new store. I hope you are all fishing more than me this February but I plan to play catch-up soon (I hope)!
EDITOR’S ANGLE
It snowed for five minutes today which for this year is a snow storm, and much needed precipitation. I tweeted Brian Neilsen at Finfetchers and Fred Telleen at Mystic Waters to see if they caught a glimpse of all the snow fall we have been getting. They missed the five minutes of water glory that we will need more of to float the Smith in July again this upcoming season, and to make sure that the big healthy rainbows from Lake Pend Oreille can swim up past the Clark Fork River in to their tributaries to spawn, and to make sure Washington gets to open all of the eastern steelhead tributaries for another consecutive year. It’s a busy time of year in the fly fishing biz believe it or not. When I heard back from Brian and Fred from my quick and sarcastic Tweet Fred was hanging up new Simms
{Editor’s Angle from the editor}
Sam Wike Editor/Buyer Big R Stores
Alfonso Martinez and son Bryden with his Missouri River rainbow
Feb 2012
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Feb
Feb
$12 in advance 95 477181 N Hwy 57 (208) 255-57
$
$
ble at: Tickets availa y Big R Pondera
F3T
r u o T m l i F g n Fly Fishi 0 2 l i • r p A r e t a Panida The o h a d I , t n i o p d n Sa • 14 online • 15 day of show b
Eichardt’s Pu 212 Cedar St 05 (208) 263-40 m
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or online @ ww
er P a n id a T h e a t ic r o t is h e h t A v ie w in s id e Feb 2012
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CREW REVIEW
RIO SWITCH LINE Review by Fred Telleen
Last season I picked up a couple RIO SWITCH lines. From reading the description, I was pretty sure they would work as intended. I loaded the 5/6 on my 5wt 11’7” Beulah Platinum Spey Rod. The 6/7 went on my 6wt Sage TCX 11’ 9” switch rod. The Switch Line features a 55’ head portion designed for both spey casting and traditional overhead casts; hence the “Switch” capability. I primarily used the Switch Lines for nymphing. With a Thingamabobber and leaders from 6’-12’, I had no trouble launching single, double and snap style spey casts. I think I came up with a few hybrid casts as well. Basic roll casts and straight lift and launch pick-ups were also in the bag. If you want to mix in an overhead cast, no problem, it is a Switch Line after all. After a client lost one of my Rio Grand fly lines to a big fish, I decided to try the 5/6 Switch Line on a 10’ 6wt Sage XP. I use 10’ 6wts for much of my guiding in Alaska. I noticed right away that clients were able to lift and cast longer leadered nymphing rigs with ease. Easy casting is more fun and leads to more effective fishing effort, which usually results in more fish landed. The 5/6 was a perfect nymphing line on my 10’ single hand rods. I like to set up my leader with 2-3’ of 30# Maxima butt section from fly line to indicator. The indicator then becomes the anchor point for setting up the cast. The long head and thick tip makes picking up indicator rigs a snap. Once a drift is initiated, the control capabilities are fantastic. The heavier heads make mending a breeze, even in a stiff breeze. The technical advantage of a longer body and back taper, make for easy stack mends and allow for long drifts. I really don’t nymph any other way on the Kenai River in Alaska or the Missouri River in Montana. If you want to switch up your tactics, you can loop on a Rio Versileader. A 7’ Versileader can transform your set up to a sink tip, perfect for swinging flies. The Versileaders are available in sinking rates of 1.5” 7” per second. This configuration won’t throw large flies like a Skagit spey head, but does broaden the usage of the single switch line. You can bet there will be a couple Switch Lines on my boat this coming season.
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Feb 2012
Review by Paul Bloch
CREW REVIEW
AIRFLO SPEYDICATOR LINE
The Speydicator allows spey junkies to cast how they like to and to fish incredibly long drifts. I am not one of these spey junkies, but I am turned on by the ease of dead drifting with a line like the Speydicator. If lined up one size on a limber 11 foot four weight such as the one I have been using all winter, it’s nymphing made easy. I can run a 50’ drift easy, strip to the head, shoot 50 feet up stream, double handedly mend the entire line, and stack mend until the little pink air bubble bounces or disappears. This line is ideal for nymphing, allowing you to turn over two flies, two #1 tin shot, and a 1 inch bobber, all like it’s a dry fly. Try it out if you want. 9 ½ - 10 ½ foot single handed rods are all you need in my opinion, but this is downright dirty. Additional Info From www.airflo.com The Speydicator was designed to throw an unreasonable amount of weight at the end of an unreasonable length of tippet with an unreasonably large indicator. With the help of Steelhead junkies (who would rather remain unnamed) the Airflo Speydicator floating line has evolved into a tool any serious Steelhead Nymph fishermen cannot live without. The lines come in four sizes starting at WF4. They all have a short 21 to 23 foot head with a long 12 to 15 foot rear taper. Behind the rear taper is a 25 to 30 foot heavy level mending zone. The combination of the rear taper & mending zone allows the fisherman to reposition the head after casting and still have enough mass to stack mend line for 60 feet or more. After the mending zone the line is made with Airflo’s unique low stretch ridged running line, helping you to stick fish even at the end of the longest drifts.
Feb 2012
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FLY OR DIE
Saturday Morning Crew at the Great Falls Fly Shop Like a box of chocolates, there’s usually one in the bunch that makes you sick. by Rob Guevarra - Big R Corporate Office
Regardless of the condition of the local waters, the weather, or even the season, there is always an assortment of native and introduced species of fly fisherman that pass through the Great Falls shop at any given time. On Saturday mornings in particular, you can find a handful of these anglers stacked up around the fly shop counter like
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Feb 2012
trout congregated behind a boulder, drawn in by the free locally roasted Big R Fly Shop coffee, held in place by idle conversation and a tray or two of store bought cookies. I’ve witnessed this phenomenon on occasion, passing though the fly shop to gear up for a day’s outing. The group consists of older to middle-aged men; retired doctors, practicing attorneys, school teach-
ers, diesel mechanics - a diverse group no doubt, drawn together by a common passion. For these men, you can tell that it’s less about the quarry and more about the fellowship. Collectively, they represent the true “old school” faction of the sport as some of them have been actively fly fishing and tying since the 1940’s. One Saturday morning I called up
FLY OR DIE
Bob Keith (right) showing how thrilled he is to be interviewed.
Matt Hagel at the fly shop to find out when the Saturday morning crew usually shows up. “9...9:30” he says, “They’re in a little earlier when the weather’s good.” I hang up, half feeling like I was talking to a guide, asking what was the best time be on the water. I get to the Great Falls Big R store just after 9:30 and round the corner to the fly shop. There are already about a dozen guys standing in small groups, coffee cups in hand. Some are over the fly bins chatting
FROM TOP: Bob Keith’s Partridge Peacock Hotass, Partridge Orange, Stag Caddis, Missouri River Special and All Stages Caddis
about dry flies, while others at the counter talk politics or who their pick is to win the super bowl this year. I make a quick scan to see who looks the most approachable and notice Bob Keith seated across from me at the counter. “How long have you been coming here for this?” I ask. “Since the beginning” he says, and unbeknownst to him, he is today’s first victim. Call it ignorance, but I didn’t actually realize who Bob was. No one told me that I
had fished his Stag Caddis and Missouri River Special patterns hard for the last couple of summers. Or that the partridge feathers I use to tie my own caddis patterns came from him. A commercial tier? For a while now, yes. Teaching fly tying to rookies such as myself? Yup, that too-for about the last 20 years. And here I am, asking Bob if he ties flies. In my mind, it’s like asking Michael Jordan if he’s into shooting hoop. Sitting next to Bob is Keaner Boyce 72, who taught himself how to fly fish and tie Feb 2012
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FLY OR DIE
Keaner’s Rockchuck Hopper
A while back, Keaner Boyce (left) visited the fly shop to tie his Rockchuck Hopper, which we filmed for posterity. Click the video link below, get your materials together and give it a tie!
bugs when he was around 8. “I perform a public service”, Keaner says. “The trout that come into the Missouri from Holter Lake do so with damaged fins.” So that guides will stop complaining that their clients aren’t catching perfect specimens, “I’ll catch the “finless wonders” and throw them on the bank. That way, I’m also making room for the walleye.” He also claims to own a t-shirt that says “end of the rainbow” on the front with an image of a trout in a skillet. I laugh heartily at this and think to myself “he’s probably just kidding.”
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Feb 2012
I did learn a thing or two just eavesdropping on these guy’s conversations. It may not have had anything to do with fly fishing, but my notion that this motley crew of fish bums was actually a substantial knowledge resource was confirmed. If you find yourself in or around the Great Falls area on a Saturday morning, stop by the fly shop and pull up a barstool. The coffee’s always hot and the guys never mind a new face. Although I was told that there is hazing for new members.
You will need: • Size 8 streamer hook • 6/0 tan Unithread • Pale yellow antron dubbing • Brown hackle - 14 or smaller • Rockchuck or red squirrel hair Good luck and have fun!
MRF
t e u q n a B l a u MRF 30th Ann• .25 b e F n n I e Heritag a n a t n o M , s l l a F Great
$ 35 and available at e r a Tickets p Big R Fly Sho 4400 10th Ave 41 (406) 761-74
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p The Trout Sho eet 110 Bridge Str 74 (406) 235-44
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o Windsor Plyw
r Blvd
4314 North Sta 56 (406) 452-19
: E Z I GRAND RAFFLE PR e g a k c a P g n i h s i Ultimate Fly F • n Fly Rod • Simms Waders Winsto • Wading Boots
• Fly Reel & Line
Feb 2012
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NEW FLYS 14
Feb 2012
NEW FLYS Big R Fly Shop has just recieved a NEW stash of the hottest & freshest winter flies for your favorite cold weather fisheries. Try the new Firebead Tungsten Sowbug in pink, grey or tan flavors. Want to put a new twist on an old favorite? The Brown & Orange Beadhead San Juan worm does just that. It’s a perfect weapon for any cold tailwater. These flies are so hot they won’t last long. Grab a handful and get out on the water already! Feb 2012
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GEAR UP
BIG R LOGO’D 4 PIECE ROD CASE W/PURCHASE OF ANY FLY ROD
SCOTT A4 4 PIECE FLY ROD
A4 rods cover a wide variety of fishing situations from small creeks to inshore and saltwater flats. So whether you like to pursue trout, panfish, salmon, or tarpon, there are A4 rods designed to get the job done better.
2995
LEFTY KREH FLY LINE • Excellent general-purpose line • Easy to cast and high floating • Optimal line density for high floatation • Supple and easy to use in most conditions
BIG R LOGO’D NEOPRENE REEL COVER W/PURCHASE OF ANY FLY REEL
2995
RAJEF SPORTS ECHO MICRO PRACTICE FLY ROD The Micro Practice Rod makes casting anywhere fun and productive, practice whenever you can't be on the water. Rope and yarn imitate the exact action of a full size fly rod, enabling you to perfect your casting motion and timing. 418763
7999
3/4” pink or yellow 495530 pink 668189 yellow
1495
• All around trout fly line for both long and short casts • Texturing gives reduced memory for ideal turnover • Designed for cold waters • Six feet of super high floating Dry Tip technology
7999
MASTERY TEXTURED SERIES TITAN TAPER FLY LINE
ALL FLOUROCARBON TIPPET
95 3 ALL NYLON TIPPET
295 RIO LEADERS 3X, 4X, & 5X 9 FT leaders in stock
50 meter spools afford anglers superior material at a low per meter price
• Loads quickly and delivers the biggest flies to the furthest targets • Formulated for mild climates • Ideal boat or wading line • Textured surface shoots further and with less memory • Braided multifilament core, mod stiffness, strong delivery
Feb 2012
95 4 1
25 ct Guide Packs.
MASTERY TEXTURED SERIES TROUT STALKER FLY LINE
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37500
3995 TONIC SKAGIT OR ELIXIR SCANDI SPEY LINES
AMP SERIES MAGNETIC CHEST PACK
Built with rugged 315 HT Nylon Auto Airbag fabric, this lightweight bag features a new breathable backpanel anatomically designed for ultraplush, all-day comfort. 668219
REGULAR
OFFE
PRIC
Just like the Zip-No closure system it utilizes, this chest pack’s beauty is in its simplicity. It has all that you need, no fluff just straight up. A workstation, some interior organization, a no snag design and the most comfortable neck strap in the industry. The more you do something, the more you realize what you don’t need. 445475
ALL HYDRO FLASKS IN STOCK
6995
1995
MEN’S CROSSWATER WADERS 100% nylon 3-layer fabric Opposing buckles for easy conversion to waist high. Integrated neoprene gravel guards. Chest pocket with drain holes. Flip-out pocket with YKK zipper. Belt loops with wading belt included. High density neoprene booties.
Prices good through March 11th. Great Falls and Ponderay stores only.
WHITEWATER DRY BAG
2495
CLARK FORK MESH VEST
100% polyester quick-dry mesh vest with a practical pocket layout. Knitted, lightly padded collar for comfort. 9 external zip/Velcro closed external pockets. Fleece fly keeper. 3 interior pockets with zipper closure. Large rear-zip closed storage pocket.
GEAR UP
HEADWATERS DAY PACK Regularly $119.99
• Reinforced see-through material • Puncture and abrasion resistant bottom • Fishpond Jacquard accent webbing with clips • Roll-top closure
1795
TIKKINA 2 LED HEADLAMP
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.
Orange
Lime Two LEDs: • 23 lumens (maximum level) • shines up to 23 meters (maximum level) French Rose Compact, light and comfortable: • single compartment contains LEDs and batteries • adjustable headband
Feb 2012
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GEAR UP
17999
REGAL TRAVEL VISE GET READY FOR THE BAJA MEXICO TRIP IN MAY AND TIE UP SOME SALTWATER PATTERNS 95 WITH PRODUCTS FROM HARELINE AND ENRICO PUGLISI ALL HARELINE CRAFT FUR IN STOCK
1
This fly tying vise weighs under two pounds thanks to a new lightweight aluminum base and a new offset design that takes up half the space of the conventional vise. Same great reliability, rock-solid stability, performance, and great rotating and swiveling Regal jaws that fit size 22-1/0 hooks. Three pockets on the base for hooks and beads.
495
ALL ENRICO PUGLISI 3D FIBERS IN STOCK Enrico Puglisi 3D Fibers will help you to achieve what you haven’t been able to do before – perfectly blended colors to match the hatch!
FLY TYING REPLENISHMENT CARD Buy any vise or fly tying kit and get 25% off your next fly tying materials purchase. See shop for details.
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Feb 2012
close up of fibers
175
ALL WIRE AND THREAD IN STOCK
999
5 Minute Z-POXY is a premium two part epoxy adhesive that dries clear. Vibration resistant and fuel proof, this epoxy is perfect for all types of hobbies and crafts. 442010
Packages come in Large, Medium, and Small feathers
FIVE MINUTE Z-POXY SYRINGE
295
ALL BARRED MARABOU IN STOCK
GEAR UP
395
JUNGLE COCK NAIL FEATHERS
19999
GRADE #2 DELUXE JUNGLE COCK
OFF
RICE EGULAR P
R
ALL LOON OUTDOOR PRODUCTS IN STOCK
Spirit River’s Jungle Cock Feathers can offer a touch of raw and pure beauty to a range of your favorite fly patterns. Whether you’re using these beautifully enameled nail feathers to complete an authentic gaudy salmon fly a la William Blacker or George Kelson, or just looking for something a little more interesting than a plastic stick on eye for your saltwater baitfish patterns, these feathers will do the trick. 659840
450 VISE A fixed angled vise using many of the same parts as our CREST 3000 Vise. Slotted jaw. Lifetime warranty made in USA
Prices good through March 11th. Great Falls and Ponderay 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.
300 VISE A fixed angled vise. Lifetime warranty made in USA 653543
Feb 2012
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IDAHO FISHING 20
FLY FISHING IDAHO North Idaho can be a very interesting and frustrating place to fly-fish. by Calvin Fuller - Ponderay Fly Shop
Tons of opportunities and huge fish are available in our area; the only problem is timing. You could be sitting at work on days where the temperature outside is 70 degrees and 15 pound rainbow trout are sipping black ants off the surface in Lake Pend Oreille (Pond-er-a), but the perfect conditions of high overcast, a light wind, and female carpenter ants flying around by the thousands and crashing into the water occur for just a handful of days. Scum lines of dead or dying ants cover the surface of the lake while everything in the water is looking to eat them, so fishermen arm themselves with 7 weight rods, long leaders and floating line. The key is finding where natural eddies occur around rocky points with access to deep water. In these areas trout from 12 to 40 inches in length rise to the surface to feast on the ants. When the hatch goes off and the evening water is perfect, it literally looks like a hailstorm has hit the lake because of a huge number of fish are feeding on the surface. Anything can be caught once the line is cast out; bass, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, bull trout, whitefish and lake trout all feed during this prolific hatch. The real trick is to find the areas where the bigger fish are hanging and focusing all your attention there.
Feb 2012
Lake Pend Oreille is a unique fishery offering some of the finest bass fishing around, and at the same time, it hosts some of the largest rainbow trout in the world. Most of the local streams in the area have nice fish in them during certain times of year, and fish move in and out of the lake as opposed to residing in the creeks all year long, which allows fish to grow very large at a faster rate than rivers. During Spring, large rainbow trout come out of the lake to spawn in various streams and rivers. With the right timing, you can expect to hook into the largest trout of your life. Swinging flies in certain areas can produce some epic grabs with hot fish. In most of the smaller tribs, making the switch to nymphing can land rainbow and bull trout from 4 to 25 pounds. The larger fish are usually pure strain Gerrard rainbow trout that can reach 20 pounds during a 5 year period of their life, and using straight 20 pound maxima and 7 to 9 weight rods is part of the typical set-up when fishing for them. When these fish hit the current, good luck landing them.
IDAHO FISHING
During Fall, brown trout from Lake Pend Oreille start their spawning migration into some of the tribs that dump into the rivers connected to the lake. Catching them at the right time, before they get in their reds, can produce some awesome streamer fishing for browns up to 15 pounds, though most are generally 4 to 8 pounds. Summer is a great time of year to focus on the bass fly-fishing opportunities on the lake, which contains both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Most of the fly-fishing is for smallies averaging 1 to 3 pounds, though 4 to 6 pound fish are seen almost every time you head out on the water. Fish larger than 6 pounds are hard to fool, and a lot of them swim in Lake Pend Oreille. Some of the largest fish tagged by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are around 10 pounds. Most fishing consists of banging the shoreline with large streamers or top water patterns. The best times of year to chase the larger fish are later Spring or early Fall. I prefer fishing in early May through the Fourth of July. By the time July 4 hits, the lake is at full pool and temps begin to hit the mid 60s. Floating lines are all you really need to be successful for bass in the lake.
Bull trout have a large stronghold here in North Idaho. Most tributaries to Lake Pend Oreille are full of large bull trout up to 25 pounds. In “secret” areas, pools can be found with 20 to 30 fish in them, and fly casters can selectively catch these fish on large streamer patterns. Most of the time gear gets broken; leaders are tested, rods snap in half, reels seize up. Be sure to go properly equipped if you want to try and land these fish in their tricky lies. All in all North Idaho, especially Lake Pend Oreille, has many opportunities for © COPYRIGHT 2009 Keokee Publishing catching large fish. The trick around here is timing due to the small windows of opportunity. If you get it right, you will land the biggest trout or smallmouth bass of your life. Feb 2012
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FARM STORE
Fish the Farm Store Big R Stores offers a plethora of everyday useful items, not only for farming, but also for fly fishing. by John Ewald- Big R Corporate Office
re
i W d e l Coi
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Feb 2012
Tube Brush
FARM STORE
Suction Hosing
Tractor Seat
Feb 2012
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WHYLIFESTYLE FLY FISH
Why Fly Fish?
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By Megan Johnson
Most would think my reasons for fly fishing are a product of having been raised in the lifestyle. Although I didn’t have much of a choice after spending the majority of my years in an Alaskan fly fishing lodge, the allure of the sport stuck with me. If I had to summarize my explanation in one sentence – it would be the unparalleled challenge, constant action, and simple purity that only fly fishing can offer. I’m the kind of person who gets bored easily – and fly fishing gives me something to do all the time, even when fishing is slow. There’s always a cast to perfect, a challenge to be met. It’s an ideal outlet for us ADD & OCD inflicted individuals.
Feb 2012
I fly fish for the same reason I archery hunt…it takes the sport and strips it down to the bare essentials, the most natural form possible. There is nothing more gratifying than tying your own fly, making that perfect cast, and landing a monster. And as strange as it may sound, the myriad of frustrating opportunities fly fishing provides equally contribute to its enjoyment. Breaking off your elaborate nymph set up on the first cast, catching yourself just in time to miss the perfect hit, and sacrificing 85% of your flies to the Bush God all make the successful moments just a little more rewarding.
PAST BLOGS
Cast from the Past
Miss a blog or two from last month? Catch up on the latest posts from the Bug Blog.
Regal Vise Review by Erik Haugen - Sporting Goods Buyer Vise Model: Regal Medallion w/ “C” clamp Flies Tied: JJ Special, Hi-Vis Beetle New England-made Regal vises are simple, durable, well made products. It’s amazing how well they work in tying your favorite flies and holding a variety of... READ MORE
Do Your Thing Right
Paul Bloch
If you don't already know this, I love fishing drag free drifts under bobbers (indicators for the snooby reader.) I have been criticized for this hundreds of times, and even corked out of my drifts on several occasions...
READ MORE
Perfect Trout Spey Outfit Fred Telleen
In the Big R Fly Shop in Great Falls, Montana, we carry Nautilus Reels. It was there I saw the FWX 7/8 for the first time. Every few days, I’d open the case and play with it. That’s pretty much how I choose a reel. After I hold it a few times, I can tell if it’s the one... READ MORE
Meet Barry Hook Fred Telleen
Meet Barry Hook. He thrives in winter fishing conditions. Barry knows that Simms and Patagonia help make winter fishing fun. Today he’s outfitted top to bottom in gear that keeps him content. Barry starts with a base layer utilizing Patagonia’s...
READ MORE
2012 Smith River Float Season
John Ewald
FWP is taking applications for the 2012 Smith River float season. To help moderate fishing pressure along this gorgeous setting and excellent fishery, a permit must be acquired to float this Montana gem. A limited amount of permits... READ MORE
From Rat Holes To Rivers
John Ewald
One of the films being shown at this year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour is one that many may find to be an interesting and unlikely juxtaposition in the fly fishing world. Did you ever think you would hear the words punk rock and fly fishing ... READ MORE
Feb 2012
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CREATURE FEATURE
CREATURE FEATURE
Paul Bloch Ties up the Dirdle Bug Fly Recipe • #700B Size 6 Dai Riki hook • .025 Lead Wire • 3/16 Brass Bead - Black Nickel • Crystal Antron Chennile - Brown • 210 Ultra Thread - D. Brown • Saddle Hackle - Light Brown • Round Rubber Legs - Green Get down and dirty with the Dirdle Bug. It is a great fly to use in the spring during high water, especially on freestone streams like Montana's Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Madison Rivers, as well as smaller creeks such as Belt Creek. Not only will this fly work during spring, it will fish well throughout the "1st" fishing season. It is best fished by dredging it deep with some weight so it's bounced off the bottom. This will imitate a free drifting stonefly larvae, and the rubberlegs will really get the trout's attention underwater.
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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Feb 2012
$10 in advance
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s ic p m • ly O e id u G w o • Tradesh n io it t e p m o C g in y T ly F • Casting &
s ll a F t a e r G p o h S ly F R Tickets available aet Binigformation visit: For mor om
c r. u to lm fi ly .f or w w w m o .c p o h www.bigrflys
Feb 2012
27
Great Falls, MT
Ponderay, ID
Omak, WA
4400 10th Ave South ( 406 ) 761.7441
477181 North Hwy 95 ( 208 ) 255.5757
SOON! COMING ( 509 ) 422.9840
1227 Koala Dr
www.bigrflyshop.com
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