Big R Fly Shop January 2012 eMagazine

Farm Store Fly Fishing

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• R DEAL

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SLOTS STILL AVAILABLE BOOK TODAY!

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» Coming to Great Falls, MT and Sandpoint, ID

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FLY FISHING FILM TOUR

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» We Review Renzetti and Regal Vises

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WE ALL HAVE OUR VISES

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HONDURAS PERSPECTIVE

» A Brief Q&A With Friends That Came Along

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JANUARY 2012

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Editor’s Angle Sam Wike gives us a glimpse into the future

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Slay Day Cold water, good friends, lots of fish

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Honduras Perspective A brief Q&A with friends that came along

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Crew Profile May we introduce Calvin Fuller and Megan Johnson

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Gear Deals Patagonia, Simms, Teva, Loop and more!

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We All Have Our Vises The Crew reviews Renzetti and Regal vises

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Fly Fishing Film Tour March 30th • Great Falls, MT

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30th Annual MRF Banquet February 25th • Great Falls, MT

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The Spey Side There’s a lot to know, but don’t be overwhelmed

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Omak Exploration Scouting out North Central Washington

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Last Call for Baja The clock is ticking. Sign up today!

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Video Classroom January Creature Feature and a few notes on knots

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The Back Page Shop news and announcements

A Division of Big R Stores January 2012 • Volume 5, Issue 1

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

ON THE COVER John Klinefelter’s jack in Ascension Bay, Mexico Photo by Justin Olson

Paul Bloch Fred Tellen

Calvin Fuller Megan Johnson

Sam Wike Alfonso Martinez Rob Guevarra robg@csww.net

CONTRIBUTORS Christie Blankenship, Paul Bloch, Calvin Fuller, Megan Johnson, Sam Wike, Reg Crawford, Erik Haugen and Mark Ozog

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.

This is by far the most fishing we have been able to do in December and January for a long time. Hopefully everyone is taking advantage of mid-winter 50º weather and an active Missouri River trout population. January is a great month for gear and new fly enthusiasts, as new shipments of all the new gear and flies are showing up right now. We have already seen some of the new patterns for spring fishing, including some new nymphs, Skwala’s, and streamer patterns already in the bins in both the Ponderay and Great Falls fly shops. Construction is still underway at the Omak, WA fly shop, however product is shipping to the new fly shop location the beginning of February, and we are going to open its doors as soon as we can set product up. We have already received lots of great feedback from area fisherman and lodges in the Methow and Okanogan Valleys.

We have a new team member, Johnny Ewald, who will be behind the scenes making sure we have current information on our website, and fresh fly tying videos and content for everyone to learn from. If you have the winter blues, make sure you check out our website and learn how to tie Fred Telleen’s Shop Sculpin. Visit the shop and check out all the latest fly tying materials to hit the shelf (Maybe you can win our contest on the back page?). We have some great resources in the fly shops to start off the year. If you have any questions on fly tying or fishing this winter, make sure to stop in and talk to Fred or Paul in the Great Falls fly shop, or Calvin and Megan in the Ponderay.

EDITOR’S ANGLE

We’re Excited About What’s in Store for 2012

Happy New Year!

Sam Wike - Editor/Buyer - Big R Stores Jan 2012

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New Year’s Day on the Mo’. The gorgeous, good friends showe were hungry and the brats were

FROM TOP LEFT: Lunch, Rob Patton, Fred Telleen, J IN THE BOAT: Brian Holum, Paul Bloch and Keaten L FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Keaten LaBrel, Alfonso Martin Sucka’, Rob Guevarra, Paul Considine, Matt Kegel, S

e weather was ed up, the fish en’t bad either.

John Teini and Paul Bloch LaBrel nez, Isaac Price, Mountain Sam Wike and John Teini

DESTINATIONS

GRAHAM’S PLACE: Guanaja, Honduras

Christie Blankenship and Paul Consedine Share Their Experience Interview by Sam Wike

One of our hosted fly fishing trips was to Guanaja, Honduras at Graham’s Place Lodge. We had a great trip, although the fishing was tougher than expected. The lodging, food, and character of the place made it a memorable week in Central America. Guanaja is a small fishing village in the Bay Islands. The actual city is built completely on stilts, although lots of people also live on the main island and Cayes surrounding the area. We caught some big bonefish, triggerfish, parrot fish, barracuda, wahoo and other random species around the area. Lots of permit were seen but never landed, as well as a few rolling tarpon. The amount of coral and small sized flats made the fishing tougher than traditional bonefishing destinations.

Christie and Paul went on the trip with us. Here are some questions from a guy/girl perspective of the trip. Paul has been on quite a few fishing trips with us over the years. This was Christie’s first exclusively fly fishing destination trip.

You attended our little fishing trip down to Graham’s Place in Honduras. After an all night flight to LA, then to El Salvador and then finally to Roatan, Honduras; What did you think about jumping on a little 8 seater plane headed to the islands?

Christie: Ahhhh I dunno… I was exhausted, and it was 80º in the plane, and I was a bit nauseous, I couldn’t breathe, and I was avoiding a panic attack. Once the plane got off the ground I calmed down, the air was circulating, I could see the view and thought “this is pretty cool.” It was a really amazing view of the mountains and the ocean and I started getting excited.

Paul: I was used to it… nothing new for me. It’s always fun to be on those small planes and it feels like the trip is finally starting.

What was your first impression of Mr. Graham, the owner and what is the most stand out thing about him?

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Jan 2012

Christie: He was nice. He kept making me drink with him.

Every time I would try to leave the restaurant he called me back for “one more”.

Paul: Well…(laughs)...he was really hospitable. The most standout thing were some pictures he showed me late one night of him partying with some girls at the lodge. That’s all I should probably say about that.

What was the toughest part about the flats of Guanaja?

Christie: It was tough walking on coral. I got extremely excited to finally get a great bonefish eat and the fish took off.

I was excited but the fish broke me off because of the coral.

Paul: Not spooking the fish. The flats were small and just a little bit of pressure each day and the bonefish were wary.

What was the coolest fish you saw caught during the trip?

Christie: Bonefish. I’m pretty sure it would have been a permit if we could have landed one.

Paul: Wahoo. It was the first deep sea experience I’ve had. It was fun to go with Graham. He knew a lot about it and you could tell he was pretty passionate about deep sea and sport fishing.

How was the food? What was the best meal?

Christie: I liked the fresh grilled wahoo you guys caught the best.

I think it came with rice. The food was really good but towards the end, I was ready for some chicken strips and pizza.

Paul: The food was excellent. The best meal was the wahoo. I caught it!

HONDURAS As promised, here are a few more “wish you were here” photos from last November’s trip to Guanaja, Honduras.

Clockwise from bottom left: Paul Considine holding up dinner (wahoo), Paul with a jack, Graham’s guide with Dan Falcon, Dan with a Honduran bonefish. Monte Cooper with a bone of his own.

Jan 2012

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CALVIN FULLER Big R Ponderay Fly Shop Manager

Family, Fishing and Physics I was born into a fishing family. My father loved to fish and would often leave for days at a time chasing trout with a fly rod. I was destined to become a fisherman myself. My first memories of fishing are on a small inlet off the Snake River fishing for panfish with a bobber and worm. He always told me to pick up my slack line. I started fly fishing when I was five years old on the Touchet River in Eastern Washington.

Growing up, we would go on camping trips, and I would always bring my fishing stuff. I never lost interest in fishing and preferred fly fishing through my teenage years.

For my senior graduation gift my father took me fishing in Alaska at Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge. It was an awesome gift that became the initiation into my fly fishing career.

After fishing there for five days, the lodge owner Brian Kraft offered me a guiding position for the summer. I became an Alaskan Guide the next year while studying Physics at Western Washington University during the rest of the year.

After guiding for four years and steelhead fishing on the Skagit all winter and spring, I graduated and settled down. I moved to Sandpoint, ID where I married a local girl, Camille Lovell, had two boys, Landon and Beckett, and opened up my own fly shop, Sandpoint Outfitters.

After owning my business for six years, an opportunity arose with Big R Fly Shop. A mutally benifical agreement was reached and the rest is history (or present/future). Now I am running the fly shop and sporting goods department at Big R in Ponderay, ID, and I am loving every minute of it.

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Jan 2012

CREW PROFILE

MEGAN JOHNSON Big R Ponderay Fly Shop

From Alaska to Idaho Sandpoint, Idaho native Megan Johnson grew up spending six months out of the year in Alaska’s backcountry. “I was raised on a family-owned hunting and fly-fishing lodge in Alaska. While most little girls were playing with barbies, I was playing with fly tying material”, Megan says. “I thought salmon-flavored tap water, daily griz sightings and 30” rainbows on the first cast were normal. I’m fairly certain I didn’t even know what a spinning rod was until I was a teenager.”

While most kids her age were complaining about taking out the garbage, Megan was hard at work at the lodge.

Though it was difficult for Megan to leave her friends in Sandpoint every year, she remembers secretly loving her months in Alaska. Her dad was the bush pilot and guide, her mom was the chef and her and her sister were the

waitresses and housekeeping. Not a bad way to grow up.

One of her earliest memories of fishing was of her dad hooking her into a salmon equivalent to Megan’s size at the age of 7. “He handed me the rod and walked away. I was terrified…but after landing it, there was no looking back. To this day I prefer fly fishing, but have learned to cultivate a passion for lake/spin fishing after moving back to the lower 48.”

Jan 2012

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CREW REVIEW

WE ALL HAVE OUR VISES

This month the Crew reviews Renzetti and Regal Fly Tying Vises 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 hooks. When I started working at the shop, I got to tie on all different kinds of vises. After getting in a Regal Medallion with the swivel insert, I was hooked!

I believe the Medallion to be the best vise for central Montana tiers, tying bugs for freestone creeks and tailwater madness! At the base of the head/jaws is a swivel point so you can rotate the vise 360˚. There are four different sets of jaws that you can get for your Medallion, and I would strongly recommend getting one with a bronze base. Choose the “C” clamp option and you can tie anywhere, anytime on anything! I would recommend this vise to anyone who wants a solid vise to tie with and not have to worry about hooks slipping out, not being able to see the underside of the fly, etc. If you follow Regal’s hook placement guide, these jaws will Regal Medallion w/ bronze base hold hooks firmly and allow you to get aggressive with your tying!

Regal Vise Review

by Paul Bloch - Great Falls Fly Shop Vise Model: Regal Medallion w/ “C” clamp Flies Tied: DLH Midge, an assortment of scud patterns Regal Engineering knows how to make fly tying vises. Whether you are tying 2/0 streamers which require a wrenching or delicate #20 emergers, this vise does it all. The Regal Medallion is a vise which covers all the grounds required to tie mostly any pattern.

This vise incorporates a semi rotary with either c-clamps or a base. The jaws on this vise are tough and snug. The spring stays taught for decades, the base has five separate compartments for bead and hook storage. You can take this vise on the road with you too! If you are looking for a long lasting, proven vise for under $200, the Regal Medallion will get the job done right. Knock off vises which look similar might work for the time being, but the Medallion will most likely outlast you and your kids.

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Jan 2012

The Renzetti Clouser series serves its’ purpose tying larger salt water and steelhead patterns. The new Cam Lock System clamps the hook well, resulting in little vertical movement.

Previous models had a less efficient, harder to work wheel lock system.

This was a good improvement. The smaller head design helped for proper placement of material resulting in good silhouettes for baitfish patterns. The vise head also held the Pro Tube System™ mandrel making it easy to tie Pro Tube flies. The rotary feature allowed for proper placement of material when getting into detail with steelhead patterns.

So far, the only con I’ve found is the rubber band on the vise head that keeps the jaws aligned. I have broken one already and find this feature could be fine-tuned. The vice is still functional without the rubber band. It just takes one extra step to set the hook correctly in the jaws of the vise.

Regal Renzetti Traveler 2200 w/ Clouser Cam

Regal Vise Review

by Megan Johnson - Ponderay Fly Shop Vise Model: Regal Inex w/ “C” Clamp Flies Tied: Steelhead intruder patterns, double hook lake trolling flies

CREW REVIEWS

Renzetti Vise Review

by Calvin Fuller - Ponderay Fly Shop Manager Vise Model: Traveler 2200 Pedestal Base Model w/ Clouser Cam Flies Tied: Steelhead intruder patterns, double hook lake trolling flies, clouser minnows, Pro Tube System™

Don’t let the standard appearance of this vise fool you. Though it lacks the bells and whistles of the more expensive models, it performs the basic, mandatory tasks needed to tie a fly incredibly well. Once secured, there is absolutely no movement from the hook or “C” Clamp. It features an anodized black steel jaw and a simple spring-powered lever release. After tying several lake trolling flies that require a fair amount of pressure, the jaws proved to be rock solid and lived up to the “Bull Dog Tough” Regal name.

Feel free to apply as much force as your thread will allow. Its solid, smooth, quick adjustability makes the Inex an appealing choice for both beginners and experts.

Regal Inex w/ “C” Clamp The strength and ease of use of the “C” Clamp is the Inex’s greatest attribute. I have weak hands and frequently have to break a sweat to secure a vise, but a few firm twists was all the Inex needed to become completely anchored to the desk.

The only deterring quality I noticed is the vise’s lack of rotability. Whether you’re an expert in the market for a portable vise, without the clutter of accessories or a beginner looking for something simple and dependable, the Regal Inex comes highly recommended.

Jan 2012

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FLY FISHING FILM TOUR

Presented by The Drake Magazine - March 30th, 2012 • Great Falls, MT

by Mark Ozog - MRF Board Member

The annual Great Falls Fly Fishing Film Tour will be coming to Great Falls once again on March 30th at the Best Western/Heritage Inn Hotel. Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. The Fly Fishing Film Tour is a traveling collection of films that aim to inspire and invigorate anglers by showcasing them in a true theater environment. Each year the tour features a collection of new, cutting edge films from independent film makers from around the globe.

The tour focuses on both freshwater and saltwater film shorts, made by the best filmmakers in the business, with much of the money raised along the way going to various local and national conservation groups There will also be vendors and representatives from the flyfishing industry showing their most recent product offerings for 2012. Make sure to take part of the great beverages and food while attending the festival.

THREE WAYS TO GET YOUR TICKETS: 1. Great Falls Big R Fly Shop and the Trout Shop in Craig for $12. ( $10 for members of MRF) 2. Fly Fishing Film Tour WEBSITE for $15 3. At the door, night of the event $15 There is limited seating so pick up your tickets early. For more information, visit the MRF WEBSITE or the F3T WEBSITE Watch a teaser trailer from Gin-Clear Media's fourth feature film, HATCH

The Film Tour Hits Sandpoint

by Reg Crawford - Program Director, Tri-State Water Quality Council

F3T is making a comeback in Sandpoint thanks to Big R! We’re thrilled Big R will be sponsoring the April 20, 2012 showing, with proceeds benefiting both the Panhandle Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Tri-State Water Quality Council.

The Ponderay Big R Fly Shop has been an excellent resource for the community, and now extends their contribution to our local watershed by supporting the work of these two organizations. The Panhandle Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Tri-State Water Quality Council have collaborated over the years to improve and protect the area’s fisheries and

water quality, including an annual watershed education program that has reached over 7000 5th grade students.

We’ve lined up a great sponsor, a great cause, and a great location. The historic Panida Theatre in downtown Sandpoint is the perfect venue for the F3T, an iconic structure that draws audiences for outdoor-themed film festivals throughout the year.

See you at the Panida on the April 20th for an evening of exciting films, with drinks, prize giveaways and raffles, all benefiting our cold water fisheries.

Ticketing information for this event coming soon!

The 2012 F3T is sponsored in part by:

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Jan 2012

MRF NEWS

BANQUET

30th Annual MRF Banquet • February 25th 2012 • Great Falls

by Erik Haugen - Fishing Buyer/MRF Banquet Chair

2012 marks the Missouri River Flyfisher’s 30th year supporting Trout Unlimited; donating, protecting and helping to conserve our local trout populations and habitat’s. I’ve sat on the MRF board as banquet chair for four years now. One thing that always amazes me is the amount of support we get from Great Falls, Cascade, Craig and surrounding areas. Local businesses and individuals generously give to help support the MRF’s conservation efforts.

The MRF Banquet is our biggest fund raiser of the year that helps us have: • Monthly public meetings with speakers and fly tiers from across the state and country • Youth fly tying night at the Fish Wildlife & Parks building • Kids fishing day at Wadsworth Pond in June • Healing Waters - Taking wounded veterans fishing to enjoy the outdoors • Local river habitat restoration projects • Helping with the Sheep Creek Road care and maintenance petition/project ...and so much more!

We assist many organizations and individuals with ideas and projects that need funding. The more money we can raise at the banquet, the more projects we can help with throughout the year in and around the Missouri River Drainage.

View of the vendor tables at the 29th annual MRF Banquet at the Heritage Inn

This year marks our 30 year anniversary. We’re hoping for a great night, providing great deals on fishing gear and art to kick off the 2012 fishing season! We will again have an ultimate fly fishing raffle package, hat raffle for a high end rod/reel, duck pond prizes (every duck wins a prize), general raffle, MRF mugs as well as our live art auction.

The banquet kicks off at 6pm on February 25th at the Heritage Inn. If you don’t receive a mailer with ticket purchase information, come into the Big R Fly shop to purchase your admission and raffle tickets. Hope to see you all there!

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FROM THE BLOG

THE SPEY SIDE

There’s a lot to know, but don’t get overwhelmed

by Fred Tellen - Great Falls Fly Shop

Do you spey? Do you want to? Does the thought intimidate you? Many non-flyfishers are too intimidated to try fly fishing for the first time. The mystifying aura surrounding the pursuit, the technique, along with the plethora of fly choices, rods and lines can certainly be overwhelming. Spey rodding also has its intimidation factor: Long rods, big reels and so many choices for running lines, heads and tips. It’s a lot to know.

Then there are all the casts: The Switch Cast, Single Spey, Double Spey, Snake Roll and Perry Poke just to name a few.

Well I’m here to tell you that two handed rods are fun and most fly anglers can be spey casting with just a little practice.

Guess what? We have spey rods and lines in the shop

and a staff that knows about using them here in Montana, over on the Steelhead waters to the west and up in Alaska. I got started with spey casting in Montana, here on the Missouri River. It’s really great water for learning to cast and swing and there are lots of rainbows and browns that like to pull on swinging flies. Here is a link to an article I wrote for Fish Alaska Magazine titled Spey and Switch Techniques for Trout. It is a good primer to help get you started on the spey side.

Stop by the Fly Shop and check out our two handed rods.

We also have lots of line, sink tip and leader choices for you to ponder. You can pick our brains about swinging flies on the Missouri River. It’s a subject we don’t mind discussing.

Ben Sidor (right) gives Matt Kegel a few spey casting pointers on the Missouri on Slay Day.

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Jan 2012

Scouting out North Central Washington to See What Bites

by Erik Haugen - Fishing Buyer

Last November, Sam Wike and I traveled to our newest store location in Omak, WA. Having never been there myself, we jumped at the chance to check out a few of the sights and businesses in the surrounding area to get a feel for the place. I did not expect the mountainous terrain, trees and the oodles of fishing opportunities we encountered.

Big R of Omak will have a full service fly shop like our two stores in Ponderay ID, and Great Falls, MT. Though they will be mostly similar, all three shops will have a slightly different offering depending on their respective areas. Each location poses a new task for us; learning the new fisheries and identifying the needs of our new customers. We will have brands like Scott, Sage and Winston, Nautilus, Hatch, and Loop. We will pile in the fly tying materials for steelhead and Lahotan cutties as well as bass and other salmonidae.

It sure seems like a lot more to add to what we do already, but there’s nothing more exciting than learning a new area and multiple new fisheries. Everyday poses new learning experiences

and we are fortunate enough to get to learn so many new areas and new things. All the guys in the shops are excited about it as well. We all look forward to traveling to new places and fish with great new people!

We spent time in both the Okanagan and Methow Valleys Though they may seem less populated, both valleys have much to offer with the rivers that are flowing through them. Everything to me seemed spread out and allowed us to see so much more since you had to drive 20 to 30 minutes to the next spot. We had the chance to stop and fish both rivers for a brief hour or two. It was incredible just to be standing somewhere new in 20˚ temps, swinging on a new river and checking one more river off the bucket list.

We talked to some local guys and chatted online while we were out there and there is a huge buzz around the fishing in these valleys! I got a taste of what we’ll be pushing in the upcoming year. It’s great to hear what people are looking for, how people like to fish and what people want to see from Big R.

BIG R NEWS

OMAK EXPLORATION

Sam Wike (left) and Erik Haugen try out North Central Washington on the swing.

Jan 2012

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DESTINATIONS

BAJA MEXICO May 26th through June 2nd

Trip Host: Calvin Fuller - Ponderay Fly Shop Manager

This spring we are headed to Baja to chase roosterfish on the fly on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula.

Schools of fish will be crashing bait close enough to shore to get a shot with a fly. These fish are remarkable with their fins coming out of the water as they rush your fly. It looks like a striped torpedo ready for business.

I can picture it now, waking up to a cup of hot coffee, eating eggs and corn tortillas with Valentina watching fish cruising up and down the shore, shoving food in your mouth as fast as possible then running down to the beach in attempts to tangle with these remarkable fish.

Then returning at days end, sun burned, tired and sore healing wounds with cold drinks and fish stories, only to do it all over again the next morning.

This year we’re offering 3 Options for our Baja Trip: Option 1: Non-Guided for $599.00 Oprion 2: Three Days Guided for $1699.00 Option 3: Fully Guided for $2599.00 All three options included three meals each day and lodging for one full week. The great thing about this trip is that there is no limit on the amount of time you get to fish. You literally can fish right out of your front door. If you are up for running up and down the beach after a fully guided day fishing, then you are hardcore.

If you are interested this trip, please visit the fly shop Destinations Page, email me at calvin.fuller@csww.net or call (208) 255-5757. We may still have a few seats available.

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Jan 2012

Fred Telleen Ties up the Shop Sculpin

Materials List • Hook: 700 Dai-Riki, size 6 • Thread: 210 Denier, any color • UV Polar Chenille - Olive Copper • Brown Bunny Fur • Sculpin Helmet

VIDEO QUICK TIP SERIES Knots, knots and more knots

Surgeon’s Knot

by Erik Haugen

Surgeon’s Knot Variant

by Scotty McNeil

Perfection Loop

by Paul Bloch

Non-Slip Loop Knot

by Paul Bloch

VIDEO CLASSROOM

CREATURE FEATURE

Have a suggestion for a good video quick tip? EMAIL US If we use your suggestion, you’ll get cool stuff!

The Shop Sculpin is a quick fly to tie with minimal components. Fred has used it with great success in Montana and Alaska. Fish it deep on the bottom, slow in winter, stripped fast during the summer. Pop on the sculpin helmet to keep the hook riding upwards.

The Sculpin Helmet is an exciting, new style of Fish-Skull™ with a realistic, flat and broad profile that imitates common bottomdwelling fish species such as sculpins, gobies and baby catfish. Designed for use on both hook and tube flies it allows anglers to easily tie weighted streamers that fish deep and imitate popular predator food sources.

Sculpin Helmet

Choose from olive or brown.

378593, 596, 599, 602

YOUR CHOICE

We hit Pesca Maya in Ascension Bay, Mexico in June of 2011.

A smashing good time to say the least. Check out the video.

Stay up-to-date with all our Big R Fly Shop hosted trips by visiting our DESTINATIONS PAGE. Jan 2012

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FLY TYING CONTEST

JANUARY

1st Place: 2nd Place: 3rd Place:

Anyone who is interested in taking the winter fly tying classes should sign up either at the shop or by email. Our slots are filling up quickly, and we are almost at full capacity.

SEND US YOUR BEST STREAMERS FOR THIS MONTH’S CONTEST We’ll pick the top five entries which will then be put to a public vote. The top three entries will receive these great prizes: Full Saddle Hackle - a $69.99 Value Euro Saddle Hackle - a $49.99 Value Silver Saddle Hackle - a $34.99 Value

Come in to the Great Falls Fly Shop to submit your entries. There is no limit to the number of entries. Entries must be submitted by January 29th. Winners will be announced in the March issue. Your choice of hackle colors is limited to stock on hand. All entries become the property of Big R Fly Shop.

If you’re unable to make it to the fly shop, mail your entries to us at: Big R Fly Shop Tying Contest - Streamer Attn: Erik Haugen 5109 Alaska Trail Great Falls, MT 59406

FLY TYING CLASSES - GREAT FALLS • Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Classes Available • Contact the Great Falls fly shop for dates and times

THE BACK PAGE

SHOP NOTES

You can call the fly shop at (406) 761-7441 or email paul.bloch@csww.net to sign up.

...AND REMEMBER 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.

FREQUENT FLY-R CARD Buy six dozen flies and get a dozen flies of equal or lesser value FREE! Pick up your 2012 Frequent Fly-R card at the fly shop today.

WE’RE SOCIAL! Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe on YouTube

Great Falls, MT

Ponderay, ID

4400 10th Ave South ( 406 ) 761.7441

477181 North Hwy 95 ( 208 ) 255.5757

www.bigrflyshop.com

Omak, WA

C

ON! O S G Dr 1227 Koala OMIN ( 509 ) 422.9840