Big R Fly Shop eMagazine - January 2014 Issue

FARM STORE FLY FISHING EXCLUSIVE:

JANUARY 2014

The SIMPLICITY of WHY WE FISH by Rick Matney

ALWAYS FREE

Missouri River Wade Guide Next three hot spots below Craig, MT

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FLY TYING Employee of the Month: Fire Bead Sow Bug p.14

ulous Reel D c i ea d Ri

Creature Feature:

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Hogan’s Redheaded Step Child p.16

p4

PRODUCT ANALYSIS

Loop Xact 7130 Spey Rod p.11

DEAL OF THE MONTH: GET 25% OFF MATERIALS WHEN YOU BUY A NEW VISE

ON THE COVER: Slay Day Rainbow. Photo by Jerrin Uecker THIS PAGE: Different fish, different day. Photo by Jake England

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JANUARY 2014 • VOL 7, ISSUE 1 bigrflyshop.com

CONTENTS 9

FEATURES

The Simplicity of Why We Fish by Rick Matney Lord of the Species, Rick Matney gets back to basics

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Mo’ River Wade Guide (cont.) by Brian Neilsen

Sterling Ranch Access, Bloomquist’s Bridge, and the Stickney Creek Ramp

DEPARTMENTS

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Product Analysis:

Spey Rod

Calvin Fuller reviews the Loop 7130 Spey Rod

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Rod Tips with Fred Telleen

Wading with cold feet? Just bag ‘em up!

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Employee of the Month:

Fly Tying

Fred at the Great Falls Fly Shop ties the Fire Bead Sow Bug

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Product Analysis:

Boot Socks

Rob Guevarra reviews Fits Expedition Boot Sock

Deal of the Month

BUY A NEW

VISE

.........

25% GET

OFF MATERIALS

Creature of the Month Redheaded Step Child p.16

Guide Profile F2O p.25

What the heck is this?

Product Review p.15

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Deals of the Month Buy Any Vise at Regular Price and get

We Proudly Carry

Your Entire Tying Materials Purchase

Buy any fly tying vise at regular price and receive 25% off your materials purchase.

Excludes clearanced, discountunied, or already sale priced items. Discount to be applied at time of vise purchase. Limited to stock and quantities on hand. Sorry, no rain checks.

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149

Waterworks Lamson GURU 2

MODEL DIAMETER WIDTH WEIGHT ROD WT LINE CAPACITY

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444812

Guru 2 3.30” 1.10” 4.90 oz 5, 6 WF6 100 yds 20#

Temple Fork Outfitters Pro Series

8’6” 5wt 9’ 6wt 9’ 8wt

TFO5864PS/834551 TFO6904PS/834557

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CENTRAL MONTANA

TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN

Every New Year’s Day for the last 5 years,

we here at the Great Falls Fly Shop and Big R Corporate Office have gone fishing. Regardless of weather conditions or temperature, we shake off the cobwebs from the previous night’s festivities, don our warmest, techiest base layers, and make our way down the 60 or so miles to Bull Pasture, the fishing access temjust below Holter Dam. Some years, the tem perature dips below zero, where ice crusts over rod guides and facial hair. During our 2014 excursion however, we were fortunate enough to have a day that was just above freezing, which makes me wonder why we all didn’t show up in shorts and flops.

Every year we show up for Slay Day reaffirms the notion that our ritual is, and has always been less about catching lots of big fish (which happens anyway), but more about camaraderie. For us, the day represents our passions, our fortitude, and the common thread that binds us.

Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Fred Telleen Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker

Rob Guevarra Photo by Alfonso Martinez Photo by Jerrin Uecker

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Jake England Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker

Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Rob Guevarra Photo by Alfonso Martinez From left: Jake England, Tanner Way, and Fred Telleen Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Denver Rathbun Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Paul Considine Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Alfonso Martinez

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Fred Telleen, Jerrin Uecker, and Terry Jenner Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Jerrin Uecker and Fred Telleen Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Kona and Jerrin Uecker Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker

Alfonso Martinez Photo by Jake England

Jerrin Uecker Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker Photo by Jerrin Uecker

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Holter Dam Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker

Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Tanner Way Photo by Alfonso Martinez

Photo by Jerrin Uecker Fred Telleen Photo by Jerrin Uecker

Alfonso Martinez Photo by Jake England

Photo by Jerrin Uecker

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The Simplicity of Why

We Fish

After fishing the world, one Angler rediscovers the purpose of his passion in his own backyard

ooking back at the last ten years in the world of fly fishing as I have seen it, I can’t help but notice the trend to go further, deeper, and more exotic. Words like “hardcore” and “extreme” are now common place. I will admit that I have been guilty of this mentality from the start. My excuse however, is that I come from a background of professional skiing and motocross. It’s in my blood and a part of who I am. The modern day fly angler has now earned a new title of “Bro” and long gone are the days of the gentleman. When did fly fishing get competitive? Or cool?

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Fly Fishing was something I did between physical therapies and recoveries from the last pile up that left me with broken bones and impalements. It’s funny how the older you get, the more you simplify your life, and find yourself settling into a safer trench.

After re-connecting with several of my old friends from the ski and motocross world via social media, it was very interesting to hear what they are doing now. Amazingly, many have become fly fishing guides. Not sure what the connection is, but there seems to be a trend. Very few have actually grown up. Most

have found a way to make a living not having a real job. There seems to be a lifelong trend to be a kid. Kind of a “Peter Pan” sort of mentality.

With that in mind, lets take an extreme bro brah adventure to get stoked, and not use an exotic location, helicopter, or unlimited funds. New rules; go find a spot within 10 miles of your house. Target a species that won’t ever be on the cover of The Drake, and get back to why you started “fishing” to begin with.

snatched it so fast, I didn’t catch it with my eyes. I was onto something. Fly chance to a Pink Soft Hackle (maybe like the color of fish food). Repeat.

Plucked again! I strip set of course, about how I would on a tarpon. Turns out they have these little paper mouths that are very soft and not strong.

Making the proper adjustments, I was able to actually hook up and see the fish struggle back. Off. Pulled the hook. Ok, so I have managed to catch most of the worlds most challenging game fish.

{ My location will remain unnamed. My target, the common goldfish. }

by Rick Matney

After being taken to school, the author hoists up his prize; the common goldfish.

As I approached the pod, I found them to be much more wary than the permit of Boca Pila. I pondered the fly choice. I decided on a Pheasant Tail Nymph; size 18. After several failed attempts at an approach, I made it to within 50 feet of a group of 20 or so.

Mostly orange, but some white/orange, brown/white, and one that was red, orange, and white. I layed down a cast with the 4 wt slightly past and to the left of the pod. Damn! All spooked. New pod, same results. Ok, game plan change. I noticed that the pods would move back and forth down the bank in a small territory. New plan was to find the boundaries of their territory and wait till they were at the opposite side of their range and place the fly. Success. As the pod approached, I started with small, slow strips. One charged out ahead, power refused my fly, and returned to the pod.

Now the entire pod was surrounding my fly, all of them being very prudent about avoiding it. Fly change; Bloom’s Soft Hackle, black, size 18. Pod lap number two. Again, one charged out ahead only to stop 1 inch shy of my fly and not eat it.

These little $#%&@ were more picky than a Hawaii bonefish. Next pass, another fly, and now a sharp, short strip.

Again refusal. Fly change again, and now a long fast strip. Pluck! What! The second the fly slowed from the strip, one

These little $#%&@ have me broken down into a 8 year old throwing a tantrum. At about hour two I’ve had countless refusals, and have been officially schooled by Johnny’s little pet that he didn’t want to flush down the toilet, so he released it into the neighborhood settling pond. Assuming that I have educated this pod, I moved to another pack of urban piranhas. Cast, strip, hook up! Appling a smaller amount of pressure, I battled the tangerine beast. I pulled him into the shallows and observed my fly hanging on by a thread to his already torn mouth. I scooped him up with one hand. Finally! I have captured the little $#%&@. Next target.

You may never see a goldfish as an angling target, but the point of the story is not about the fish, but the simplicity of why we fish. When it comes right down to it, we can’t forget the little kid in us. Of all the places and fish that I have been fortunate enough to see and catch, that little pet escapee gave me one of the harshest mental beat downs of my fishing career. Don’t let the glimmer of the big screen’s gnarly fish, exotic locations, and helicopters cloud your perspective of why you fish, bro.

Thank God it’s ski season again.

Dope, shred, gnar, bro brah’s!

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Product

ANALYSIS Reviews you can use

Our resident spey guru and Ponderay Big R Assistant Manager, Calvin Fuller, took the Loop Xact 7130 out for a test throw on the Clark Fork River in Northern Idaho. He used for his test: • Loop GCD Floater 7wt 417gr with a 5ft poly leader • Skagit compact 450gr with 10 ft of T-10 Watch the review video below to see the Xact 7130 in action.

PLAY

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XACT 7130

The new Xact Series by Loop has a smooth, deep, medium fast action that seems to be pretty forgiving. The 7130 features a traditional round handle in a cork mix that's tougher and longer lasting that traditional cork. This cork blen resists mold as well as everyday wear and tear. The Xact Series also has durable chrome snake guides, double coating, and the rod model inscription and dot mark is on each ferrule so you won't get mixed up with other rods.

It's a great in-between rod for Skagit and Scandi casters that handles both lines effectively and can be loaded deep with a Skagit, or off the tip with a Scandi line. A couple things about this rod that I feel could be improved; it does feel heavier in your had than higher price point rods, the cork mix handle is stiffer than traditional cork, so it gives you a different action when casting the rod, and the feel of the cork is a little rougher in your hands than traditional cork rings.

A couple of good things about this cork handle on this rod is that it's a lot tougher than traditional cork. Even though it is an entry-level rod, it casts as good, if not better than other manufacturer's higher priced rods. Overall this rod is unbeatable for the price. I would say it'd be a perfect rod for a spey ďŹ sher who's on a budget or it'd be a great back up rod.

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TIPS

ROD

Fred Telleen with

Big R Fly Shop Great Falls

Cold feet? Just bag it.

So you now own a fantastic pair of breath breathable waders and have all the layers you need to keep your legs and core warm, but what about your feet? They are still stuck in those non-breathable neoprene booties and the reality is that 35-42 degree winter water is going to chill your feet quickly. What can you do? Here is a trick I’ve been using for years, borrowed from some ice climbing and winter camping days. Try adding a vapor barrier around your feet. Simply put, slip on a plastic bag.

It is counter intuitive, especially when we are using breathable waders to keep us dry, but hear me out. A vapor barrier around your feet helps keep you warm and dry in a very different way. It keeps your perspiration from wicking out to the non breathable neoprene where it will get icy cold and continue to build up. The small amount of perspiration remaining within your bag fools your skin into thinking it’s in a warm and wet environment where further perspiration is unnecessary.

The easiest thing to do is to simply slide a bag over your sock when you slip into your waders.

This makes it easy to slip your wader booties on and makes it easy to slide them off later. After you remove your feet, the inside of your neoprene wader booty will be dry and remain funk-free thanks to the vapor barrier bag.

If you want to get more technical, start with a thin liner sock, slip into the bag and then add a heavier insulated sock over the bag. This is the method climbers and winter hikers typically use.

You can even purchase specific vapor barrier socks, but I simply collect my plastic grocery bags and use them.

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FOOT

BOOT COLD WATER

Employee of the Month Fire Bead Sow Bug

We would like to recognize the Fire Bead Sow Bug for its exemplary achievement, contribution, and performance as a valued teammember of our fly box.

MATERIALS: • Mustad S30-3906 - Size 16 • 3/32" Tungsten Bead - Fluorescent Orange • UTC 70 – Fluorescent Fire Orange • Sow/Scud Dubbing – Shrimp Pink • Hen Saddle Hackle – Dun

PLAY

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Product

ANALYSIS Reviews you can use

by Rob Guevarra

Fits Sock Co.

Expedition Boot Sock We take our feet seriously. Comfort, breathability, and warmth are key features we look for when we’re shopping for, say, wading socks. Now, these socks aren’t specifically for wading, but they sure are the best socks for the job that we’ve ever seen.

Manufacturer’s Claims: FITS Expedition offers mid-calf height, perfect for taller hiking boots.

Heavyweight for warmth and protection. Nylon reinforced exterior for extra durability. Heaviest sock available in the FITS line.

Technology: Full Contact Fit™ Dynamic Toe Cup - Conform to the natural shape of the toes for a close, individual fit. That means there is no extra fabric to cause chafing. The top stitching is placed so there are no hotspots.

FLY

SHO P

2014 Regular Price $18.99

Heel Lock - The Y-shaped stitching creates a deep pocket that locks in the heel. The sock keeps its shape and stays put.

Full Contact Cuff - stays in place due to a tighter ankle and looser calf (proper gradience) Composition: • Wool 74% • Nylon 13% • Polyester 3% • Lycra Spandex 2% • Acrylic 8% Final Word: Fits hits the mark with their Expedition Boot Sock. These durable, moisture wicking socks fit incredibly, making them one of the most comfortable socks on the market. Merino wool naturally wicks moisture and is an antimicrobial fiber, so with a 70+ percent merino wool composition, these socks excel in both catagories. So if you are in the backcountry, your friends will appreciate you wearing merino over products that are all poly or spandex, which get stinky quickly.

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We asked Big R apparel buyer, Kayla Williams, how some of the other brands hold up to Fits socks, and she stated very matter of factly that they are “not comparable. We carry a lot of great socks, but FITS is called fits because they literally fit so well, its unreal. I would also add that the use of synthetics, wool, or “non-cotton” materials has been done. Every high-end sock company is doing that already, and then those companies try and differentiate themselves via marketing, lifetime warranties, unique color offering and designs, etc. But most of those items don’t provide tangible benefits in the sock that are different. That’s where FITS stands out. They are doing things no one else is that are visibly different in the product, and now others are trying to copy them.

Visit them on the web @ fitssock.com

Creature of the Month Hogan’s Red Headed Stepchild

Hogan Brown designed the Red Headed Stepchild to take the place of two general attractor nymphs; the Red Copper John and Red Headed Prince. The Red Headed Stepchild employs proven fish attracting elements like the color red and a flash back. Most important to the success of this fly is its accurate silhouette of a mayfly or small stonefly. He fishes this fly as a dropper behind bigger stoneflies or caddis pupae. The Stepchild has also worked well for steelhead when dropped off an egg pattern. He has had consistent success on rivers where fish get a lot of pressure from Pheasant Tail Flash Back, Red Copper Johns, and Red Head Princes. The Stepchild will perform in just about any fishing conditions, but it shines most at times where fish are not keyed on a specific hatch and are in an opportunistic feeding mode.

Hogan Brown - Stepchild Designer (from Idylwilde website) MATERIALS: • Dai-Riki #070 - Size 16 • 1/16" MFC Lucent Bead - Tungsten Red • Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails - Natural • UTC Ultra Thread 70 - Brown • UTC Small Ultra Wire - Red • UTC Medium Tinsel - Pearl • Grizzly Krystal Flash - Black/Red

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W

E

G GUI N I D D A

The

Missouri River

From the Sterling Ranch Access to Stickney Creek Ramp

Missouri River fly fishing guide and reel friend, Brian Neilsen, gets on the keyboard to walk us through the next three, highly productive, incredibly fun spots on the Mo’. Just below Craig, Access, Bloomquist’s Bridge,, and the Stickney Creek Ramp Ramp.

MT we have the Sterling Ranch Access The aim of this guide is to introduce you to walk-to wade spots on the Missouri that you may have always wanted to fish, but never knew enough about, or never had the opportunity to fish. If you do follow our suggestions and hit these spots, we hope that you always go out with safety and conservation in mind. That said, read on, have fun, and fish hard.

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to Great Falls

stickney creek ramp

Bloomquist’s Bridge

sterling ranch access Craig Frontage RD to Helena

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Sterling Ranch Access - (First Bend above Bloomquist Bridge)

Easy access to side channel from here. This water can fish quite well using multiple tactics. During low water and winter conditions, this spot is an awesome location to swing streamers using your favorite two hander and skagit rig. During high water, the side channel is ideal for pitching streamers into the rip-rap or nymphing the soft seams. It always seems possible to catch fish here, however. Due to the high bank behind the angler, overhand casts can be difficult along the length of the side channel.

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Bloomquist Bridge

The first interstate bridge below Craig can be accessed by the frontage road. You can park under the bridge and fish downstream. You can find lots of heads here during the right times. The mid-river riffle is great for nymphing and swinging streamers. The first 400 yards of water below the bridge supports a wide variety of water to fish; long riffles, slow sipping water, deep swirling holes and some great bucket water farther downstream. This area is one of my favorites.

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Stickney Creek Access

This access is fantastic at the right levels. When the water is low (at around 3000 cfs) you can access the island across from the ramp and have long channels to work. The far, big channel holds a pile of ďŹ sh. Risers will hold in the skinny water, so watch before you walk.

The long, rife/run is great for nymphing and stripping streamers. When the water is above 4500 cfs, be careful wading to the island.

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Guide

PROFILE MONTANA

quickly. I have several bigger groups that return year after year and reserve dates for the next year prior to getting on the plane for their return flight. I am still concentrating on the MO and its tributaries as I don't know if there is better water anywhere in Montana, or even the lower 48 for that matter.

BRFS: Are you from around here?

BN: I'm actually a Montana native. There doesn’t seem to be to many around. There are a few guides I work with who were born in Montana, but not many, lots of imports. I was born in Bozeman and grew up in Great Falls. I have been fishing the MO in some form since I was in preschool.

Brian Neilsen

Owner of Fin Fetchers Outfitting out of Great Falls, MT is a busy man. The Bozeman born fly fishing guide, husband, and father, attended the University of Montana and received a degree in Environmental Studies some time later. “We don't need to go into details about the years” he adds.

When a guide as dedicated as Neilsen commonly use words like conservation, education, and awareness, it not only gets our attention, but our friendship as well. He emails us a few answers to some questions we’ve had.

BRFS: How long have you been guiding?

BN: I started guiding on the South Fork of the Flathead in the Bob Marshall in '93, the Smith River in '94 and did my first trip on the Missouri in '95. The Missouri proved to be much tougher than the former.

I have literally been fishing the MO for 35 years and will be going into my 22nd year on the water. I love teaching new anglers. I come away from a day on the water happier when a client learns how to reach cast or mend properly than nymphing up a boatload of trout.

BRFS: So how‘s business?

BN: Fin Fetchers is comfortably busy as of late.

Bookings are strong coming into the new year.

The popular months of June and July are filling

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BRFS: What made you decide to be a guide?

BN: Since I was in grade school, I have always wanted to be a guide. At that time I thought you fished all of the time, I could not have been more incorrect. The truth is you watch, coach, duck and row. You offer advice when necessary and offer support and condolences after missed or lost fish. I've fished five times this past summer...maybe. My daily surroundings are incredible, the nature you are privy to see on a day to day basis could fill a National Geographic film. Rain or shine, you put on a smile and drift down stream.

BRFS: What are some of the causes you stand behind?

BN: Montanans are very proud of their stream access laws and I strongly agree with them. It is exhausting, watching groups try to alter and shut down access to the best waters in the country. I am also a board member with Missouri River FlyFishers (MRF) and the annual banquet art chairman. MRF works hard on a variety of local causes from restoration projects to kids education, and raising money for our vets with the Project Healing Waters organization. The volunteer time can be a lot of work, but we have solid contributing board members and manage to get quite a bit done. It's very satisfying to float by our recent projects on sections of the MO and see our efforts pay off.

LINKS:

finfetchers.com missouririverflyfishers.com

Clockwise from the top: Prime time with Brian Neilsen (left) and Fred Telleen on the Missouri.

Another day at the offcie. Gearing up.

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{

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MISSOURI RIVER • CENTRAL MONTANA Inside Brian

Pfile’s fly box

Photo by Jake England

}

CLICK • READ • SUBSCRIBE

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In the eye of a rainbow Photo by Jake England

Great Falls, Montana 406 761-7918

4400 10th Ave S Ponderay, Idaho 208 255-5757

477181 N Hwy 95 Omak, Washington

www.bigrflyshop.com

509 422-9840

1227 Koala Dr

Big R Fly Shop e-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 e-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. Š Copyright 2013 CSWW Inc., dba Big R Stores. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.