In the Loop Fly Fishing Magazine - Issue 42

THE BOUNDARY WADER COLLECTION

There’s truth in wanting to do something yourself if you want it done right. So we did. Our Boundary wader collection with GORE-TEX Pro Wader laminate sets a new standard. No heavy sell. No BS. We make gear all anglers can trust, 100% of the time, no exceptions.

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Photo by Marcos Hlace

Having just returned from a trip to Greenland in search of arctic char on the Kangia River, we’ve experienced, firsthand, a fishery frozen in time – an anachronism if you’d like. As improbable as it may seem, there are still places on this planet, that remain intact and impervious to the onslaught of the ego-centric and greedy Anthropocene era.

Having fished for salmon in Norway over the years, witnessing the dramatic decline in salmon numbers - and having developed a very bleak view of the future because of it - it was refreshing to swing for fish in a pristine habitat with myriads of wild and reckless fish. It was delightfully uplifting in fact.

Maybe, if we stick together, and do the right thing, our children and grandchildren will be able to experience the same thing? Maybe – if we stand up for what is right - we can protect what needs protecting and revitalize the places we’ve screwed up? There’s always hope…

Our September 2024-edition features articles from Patagonia, Cocos and Keeling, Northern Norway, Poland, Denmark, Oman, and the US where there are still places and fisheries to fish; to fight for and protect. Let’s do it together!

Photo by Marcos Hlace

#INTHELOOPMAG Presents

Headed for Adventures in Patagonia by Emily Rodger

A Fly Fishing Paradise Beyond the Horizon by Josh Cheong

Hidden Treasures in Poland by Kurt Konrad

In Search of Salalah’s Fickle Permit by Trevor Skinner and Nick Bowles

Fly Fishing for the Queen of the Sea by Rasmus Ovesen

Sodium Free Stripers by Joseph Clark

And much much more...

Contributors

RASMUS OVESEN

Oslo-resident, Rasmus Ovesen, was handed his first fly rod at the tender age of eight, and he has been a borderline fluff chucking fanatic ever since. Rasmus has written articles for some of the world’s most renowned fishing magazines, and his travels take him to re mote areas across the globe in search for fish that will test and challenge his skills to the maximum. He has seen his fair share of ex posed backing in the tropics, but his heart truly belongs to the soulful realm of trout and salmon fishing.

KURT KONRAD

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

Kurt Konrad is a Slovakian fly fisherman and professional pho tographer who has been fly fish ing all his life. He travels exten sively - fly rod in hand, and even though trout and grayling are his main foray, he also finds time to pursue pike, barbel, carp and other borderline sportfish with the fly rod. Kurt also dabbles in fly fishing films, and he often finds himself conflicted about whether to be fly fishing, shooting pictures or filming.

JOSH CHEONG

A keen angler and photographer, Josh has been fishing since his early teens, growing up chasing trout in the high country streams of Victoria, before moving to the saltwater playground of Exmouth on Australia’s West Coast to chase the host of species many only dream of. His passion for fishing, photography, and the outdoors have taken him to many parts of the country to capture not only the species on offer but also the memories that go along with it. Follow Josh on Instagram: www.instagram.com/indeptangler_josh/

our readers? If so, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always looking for quality material for In the Loop Magazine, and we look forward to reviewing your material.

info@intheloopmag.com

wears with some pride. He started saltwater fly fishing nearly 45 years ago in his native Australia and many would say he is still trying to get it right. He currently resides between the UK, Dubai and Oman, often seen with a rod in hand and thinks he’s got life just about right.

utor to numerous fishing mag azines world wide. He has also written, co-written and contributed to more than 30 books about fly fishing and fly tying. He has won medals in some of the worlds most prestigious fly tying competitions, and for the past fifteen years he has worked as a consultant for the Mustad Hook Company. http://thefeatherbender.com/

w www.alphonsefishingco.com

t +248 422 9700 [GMT+04:00]

m +27 60 980 7316 [GMT+04:00 WhatsApp]

e reservations@alphonsefishingco.com

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Experience the world’s best fly fishing with Blue Safari Fly Fishing, a specialised Seychelles based operator that has spent decades pioneering the fly fishing at these remote Outer Atolls. Our trips are designed to make all your fly fishing dreams come true by providing the best guides, skiffs, lodging and atolls with abundant waters full of trophy fish.

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Headed for Adventures in Patagonia Argentina

Settling into my seat on yet another flight bound for a fishing trip, I’ve grown accustomed to the curious glances and quizzical expressions often thrown my way. Those looks are usually accompanied by the question, “Where are you headed?”

By: EMILY RODGER

by: MARCOS HLACE

Photos

Maybe it’s fair - single woman on an international flight traveling to what many would consider an exotic or remote destination - so it’s an exchange I’ve become familiar with, as if it’s scripted into the prelude of every journey I undertake.

I reply to whoever’s asking that I’m en route to a fly fishing trip, to which I hear back, “You don’t look like a fly fisher,” their eyes lingering on the incongruity between my appearance and the stereotype of a fly fisher they hold in their imagination.

But, just like the rivers I cast my line into, there’s more beneath the surface than meets the eye. True, I don’t travel in waders or a fishing vest, so I guess it’s accurate that I don’t “look the part,” so to speak. But do any of us? (Travel in waders or is a one-dimensional person?) No individual is so simplistic as that.

A passion for fly fishing doesn’t define my entirety, just as the place I’m traveling to today - El Encuentro Fly Fishing in the heart of Patagonian Argentina - doesn’t fit into a box either.

This destination will turn out to surpass even my preconceived notions, opening me up to truths to be discovered beyond fishing itself - truths that will take me out of my comfort zone and undeniably alter the ways in which I think about people, place, and identity.

From Stranger to Friend

What enthrals me most about traveling for fly fishing is the opportunity to explore so many new-to-me regions, people, and cultures and –naturally - deepen my knowledge of fly fishing.

With each new destination I arrive not only with my rods and reels, but also with an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn something new.

I firmly believe it’s thanks to this approach that every trip has consistently provided me with fresh perspectives and profound insights into life, while at the same time allowing me to foster enduring friendships and hone new skills. This has never been more true than during my time in Argentina.

It was a personal connection that prompted me to book the trip in the first placefriendship with a fishing guide named Nico, who I first met on a previous fly fishing trip to Bolivia.

As Nico guided me through the waters of the Bolivian jungle - teaching me everything I needed to know about golden dorado and pacu fishing - our conversations frequently turned to our respective homelands and love for the places that raised us. Nico’s impassioned portrayal of his native land and vocation in Argentina left a lasting impression on me, one I wanted to experience for myself.

Nico returns to Argentina during trout fishing season, and so I made it a goal to join him there and experience firsthand the culture and heritage - not to mention fishing - he had told me about during our time in Bolivia. I wanted to see where Nico was from - how this land had shaped him into the guide he is todaysee the fishery he had told me about and hone my craft in a whole new way.

I didn’t just want to see Argentina the way a travel site or Instagram page might tell me to see it, I wanted to experience this new locale for all it was and could teach me. I wanted to go beyond the surface.

A Destination for Gathering

As the wheels of the plane touched down on Argentine soil, I felt a surge of excitement—not only to fish, but also to be reunited with this fishing guide turned friend. Nico guides at El Encuentro Fly Fishing, a hidden gem of a base camp nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Patagonia.

From the moment I set foot upon its hallowed grounds, I was enveloped in a sense of awe and possibility, as if the very air I was breathing in crackled with the promise of adventure.

El Encuentro is the epitome of rustic elegance—offering top-notch amenities, genuine hospitality, and bespoke service to its guests. Originally built by a grandmother in the early 1980’s as a gathering place for her family, it has since evolved into the primary hub of the area, while retaining the warmth and intimacy upon which it was founded.

Perched atop a hill overlooking the Rio Futaleufú and the majestic Andes, the lodge provides flawless yet cozy accommodations, ensuring a

truly immersive experience in the heart of Patagonia. However, El Encuentro is more than just a single lodge - it’s a network of experiences, each offering its own unique charm and allure.

Nearby, the Brook Trout Base Camp beckons adventurers with its offthe-grid charm. There, guests stay in well-appointed cabins or double-occupancy safari-style wall tents, dining on communal meals that rival the cuisine of the finest lodges. Additionally, nestled amidst the Cholila and Los Alerces National Park lies Valle Del Carrileufu Lodge - a six-bedroom space that serves as an extension of the El Encuentro family, offering guests a sanctuary amidst the breathtaking beauty of their surroundings.

It might sound funny to say, but it’s easy to see my own personality reflected back to me in El Encuentro’s various accommodations. I have an appreciation for the elegant and beautiful, and yet I’m also equally as happy in a more outdoor-centric base camp.

Just as El Encuentro is comprised of many different spaces all under the lodge’s one umbrella, so too do we each contain many different sides. There’s diversity in every living thing—lodges, fish, people—something I was just beginning to discover anew on this trip.

More than Meets the Eye

But my journey to El Encuentro was not merely a quest for luxurious accommodations or panoramic vistas, it was a journey of discovery, a quest to unearth the hidden treasures of a land steeped in history, tradition and, of course, fly fishing. Every day I spent in Patagonia felt like a fresh adventure as I ventured out to different rivers and lakes in search of some of the most prodigious brown, rainbow, and brook trout I had ever laid eyes on.

Casting dry flies into crystalline waters became a daily ritual. Whether it was the majestic Rio Futaleufú, the many lakes, or a secluded mountain stream, every body of water offered its own unique charm and challenge. The thrill of exploring new fishing spots made each day feel like a brand-

new trip, with every cast bringing the possibility of encountering trout that seemed to defy imagination. It was a journey of constant discovery, where the adrenaline rush of the chase was matched only by the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscape.

“It was a journey of constant discovery, where the adrenaline rush of the chase was matched only by the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscape”

This trip marked one of my first experiences with small creek fishing, a departure from the “bigger is better” ethos often associated with the pursuit. Yet, the gratification of learning this style of angling - in smaller bodies of water, catching modest fish - was undeniable, but it was also different from the type of fishing I’m used to.

If I’m being honest, I wasn’t initially excited about the possibility of fishing in these smaller creeks during part of our stay. I tried to think of it like an experiment, attempting to find the draw in something new, I wasn’t fooling myself though. But when the day came for Nico to take us out into the creek, I was surprised by what awaited me.

What I thought would be an exercise in patience and tempering my excitement quickly turned into a challenge in precision and narrowing down my focus. These fish weren’t going to come easy. The creek was so skinny and small compared to the bigger bodies of water I’m accustomed to fishing in, which required me to narrow my focus to just that area and lean in.

It wasn’t easy, and when I relied on Nico and dialled in on those precision bow and arrow casts, able to get the fly underneath an overhanging brush or tree, I was able to accomplish what I had set out to do: bring in a fish and leave with that feeling of triumph like nothing else. Another instance of expectation not matching reality - the reality being far more nuanced, and far better.

What truly distinguished this trip in my mind though were the people. First, of course, being Nico, the one who led me on this journey. Nico personifies the spirit of Argentinapassionate, hospitable, and fiercely proud of his heritage. His vivid portrayals of the lodge and the region were what initially lured me back to Patagonia, and his knowledge and generosity opened my eyes to the many facets of Argentina and its ecosystems.

Also accompanying us on many a fishing excursion was Marcos Hlace, another skilled guide who also served as the trip’s photographer - his lens not merely capturing images, but moments of profound beauty and connection. One of those moments: when I accidentally hooked Nico’s guide-in-training, Rolo, on a cast.

The image was captured forever in Marcos’ frame —all of us laughing as I held up Rolo’s arm for the photo as if to say, “I caught this guy!” It’s an image that will stay in my mind’s eye forever, reminding me of the laughter found in the learning, whether that’s

learning to fish in a new environment like a small creek or simply learning how to give yourself the grace and permission to enjoy whatever it is you’re working at.

I used to catch myself becoming so focused on the outcome that I would lose my appreciation for the process. So much joy can be found in the learning itself. Yes, it’s often humbling, sometimes humorous (if you hook the wrong kind of prey!), but maybe it’s in that process that we truly learn who we are and who we’re meant to be. A testament, once again, that everyone and everything transcends more than what meets the eye.

Seeing Below the Surface

As I reminisce about my time at El Encuentro, a profound sense of gratitude fills me for the experiences that still await, knowing that each journey is but a stepping stone on the path to self-realization. For in the end, it is not the miles we travel or the fish we catch that define us, but rather the connections we cultivate and the memories we cherish along the way.

Ultimately, this trip was about so much more than fishing for me—it was about immersing myself in the Argentine life, experiencing everything from savouring local cuisine to trying my hand at making empanadas for the first time. It all revolved around embracing novel encounters and forging connections with the people, fish, and places that render Patagonia so extraordinary.

ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Everything is subject to change, and nothing (and no one) will reveal itself in its entirety upon first glance.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned from my travels, it’s that by maintaining patience and inquisitiveness there’s always more to uncover - always new perspectives to be found to the people, places, and pursuits we hold dear.

“It is not the miles we travel or the fish we catch that define us, but rather the connections we cultivate and the memories we cherish along the way”

During one of our final days in Argentina, we were driving through these rugged, dry mountains. I had no idea how we were supposed to find a body of water in this landscape. But, lo and behold we climbed one last rocky hill and there it was: one of the most luscious bodies of water I’d ever seen.

We’ve likely all encountered Heraclitus’ famous assertion before: “No man

The end result was so much more than I expected when we set out that day - more beautiful, more diverse, more nuanced - than I could have ever imagined. That’s what Argentina and El Encuentro taught me on this trip: we are all so much more - life is so much more- than meets the eye.

It takes diving deep, often being willing to take a risk, to see below the surface and find that hidden truth. Our first impressions are not always wrong, but they very, very rarely offer us the full picture of anything.

That’s true in travel, it’s true in relationships, in a dynamic sport like fishing, and it’s true of life itself. Yes, that newly discovered information can present challenges and discomfort at first, just like fishing in an unknown environment or meeting someone new, but I firmly believe that if you’re open to these changes and willing to embrace what comes next, there’s no telling what you can gain, or what fish you just might end up catching.

A Fly ParadiseFishing BeyondHorizonthe DISCOVERING COCOS KEELING ISLANDS

By: JOSH CHEONG

Pictures by: EUGENE PAWLOWSKI

If I were to start this article by telling you to close your eyes and imagine yourself on an atoll in the Indian Ocean, covered with white sandy beaches, palm trees in every direction, turquoise blue water with wadable flats for miles, casting to double-digit bones, hungry packs of GTs, triggers as big as dinner plates, and the fabled bumphead parrotfish, it would be a pretty safe assumption that this was another article about the Seychelles. Another article about a great land far away with an equally out-of-reach price of admission. This is not that article. There is another, less famous gem in the Indian Ocean that fly anglers from all over are quickly discovering: the Cocos Keeling Islands.

The Cocos Keeling Islands lie some 2,100 km off the western coast of Australia. Covering an area of 14.2 square kilometers and made up of 27 islands, they offer a diverse range of fishing styles from reef edges, surf lines, and ankle-deep flats—all waiting to be explored with a fly rod in hand, a small pack of essentials, and a good pair of wading boots.

This is the perfect destination to give beginners, who may have only fished for trout, a taste of saltwater fly fishing, while also dishing out challenges to keep seasoned pros occupied.

Things Are Done a Little Differently Around Here

Upon flying into the main island of West Island, you quickly discover that things are done a little differently here as you’re thrown headfirst into “island life.”

The airstrip runs 3 km down the 9 km of this skinny island. You climb out of your air-conditioned seat, step off the plane, and are smacked in the face by the warm, slightly humid temperament that you’d expect from a tropical island. The runway has no

fences, with the main road of the island right beside it, and residential houses next to that. Your luggage doesn’t come off on some fancy conveyor belt; instead, it’s driven up to the doors with the same buggy and carriage it was unloaded from the plane with.

Unloading is done by yourself as you hastily search to ensure all your luggage has arrived on the flight, not just your nominated “priority bag.”

A quick safety briefing later, and you’re let out of the terminal like a bunch of excited school kids at the end of term.

As you drive to your accommodation, you solve some of life’s great mysteries. “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the crabs!” as you dodge both and the odd fallen coconut on the road. Nothing is far away here.

Your accommodation is probably walking distance from the airport, and the fishing flats are the same distance again. Just don’t cross the runway - that’s the number one rule.

A Postcard in Every Direction

The Cocos Islands really give you the quintessential tropical island experience. That tropical island getaway you’ve always seen on TV or in magazines unfolds right in front of you. From palm trees and coconuts to beaches largely undisturbed by humans, it really is a postcard in every direction and a wonderland for anglers who also take a keen interest in photography, like myself. I have done several trips to the islands now, and each and every time, I come away with new and exciting images to share with friends and family.

What to Target First

With a host of species on offer, it really is an angler’s paradise in terms of species diversity. One day, you can be targeting GTs on the surf line; the next, you can be fishing just a few hundred meters away from that same spot with a very real chance of a sailfish. But for most anglers, bonefishing is what will be first on their minds - an iconic fly species that is challenging enough to keep you interested but forgiving enough to prevent you from pulling your hair out.

Bonefish

Bonefish inhabit a variety of habitats on the Cocos Islands. These silver, speedy torpedoes can be found both reef-side and within the atoll’s large lagoon. For me, and I’m sure for many others, it’s the lagoon fishing that is the major drawcard. The thought of sight casting to tailing fish in ankle-deep water is what saltwater fly fishing dreams are made of.

“20 to 30 fish days are not uncommon”

Luckily for us, these dreams can become reality if you approach slowly, quietly, and with an accurate cast. On a good day, it’s possible to lose count of the number of fish you encounter - 20 to 30 fish days are not uncommon, and you’ll soon find yourself passing up smaller fish in the hope of finding a trophy.

For bonefish, an 8-10wt rod will cover all situations, with a 9wt being ideal.

While traditionally a little heavy, the bones at Cocos are of good average size, and fish in the 70cm+ range are not uncommon. This setup also helps get the fish in quickly and healthily to avoid the resident reef sharks, as well as assisting with punching out an accurate cast into a head or crosswind.

Floating lines will suffice, but floating lines with a clear sink tip allow you to get your fly into the zone quickly. Bonefish respond best to presentations on or very close to the bottom, so getting your fly there as quickly and as stealthily as possible greatly increases your chances of a hookup. Heavily dressed shrimp flies excel at Cocos.

Don’t be afraid to use larger flies, either—shrimps tied on #2 hooks work very well. On days when the fish can be a bit fussy, you can always downsize to your “typical bonefish flies” to entice a bite.

GTs

While there are a few locations where GTs regularly roam, they are a nomadic species that can appear anywhere at any time, so it pays to carry a rigged GT rod with you at all times. If you are serious about catching a GT, don’t mess around with anything less than a 12wt with a robust reel to match. While your average Cocos fish might be 10-15 kg, a 30 kg fish is not out of the question, so having the gear to handle such a predator is a must. GTs don’t come easy, so doing everything you can to put the odds in your favor will pay dividends when it comes to finally connecting to that dream fish. Don’t overcomplicate your setup - a floating line to an 80lb-130lb straightthrough leader to a black/purple brush fly is usually all that’s needed.

The Rest

While bonefish and GTs are the main target species for anglers, there are a host of other species that call this beautiful part of the world home. Bluefin trevally, red bass, passionfruit coral trout, barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, triggerfish,

and permit are just a few of the species that may be on offer on any given day and make for a great change of pace when you’ve caught your 10th, 20th, or 50th bonefish for the week. While some species will cohabit, it pays to do some research to try and nail down the exact gear and tactics required if you plan on chasing these additional species.

The Essentials

• Tackle: If only packing two rods, I’d take a 9wt and 12wt. If you’re packing three, an 8wt, 10wt, and 12wt. A fly box with a good selection of shrimps, crabs, and a few larger baitfish in a variety of sizes. Leader material from 16lb through to 120lb would be a great selection that covers you for 95% of the fishing available at the Cocos Islands.

• Waterproof Backpack: A good quality waterproof backpack or sling bag is a great investment when working the flats. I recommend one with a waterproof zip as opposed to the traditional roll-top variant, as it makes getting in and accessing your gear that much easier.

• Quality Wading Footwear: You’ll be spending a lot of time wading at the Cocos Islands, so looking after your feet will ensure you have a trouble-free stay. Make sure to have well-fitting boots and invest in a pair of neoprene socks to keep out the sand and coral.

• Sun Protection: The sun bites differently at Cocos. Expect very high to extreme UV ratings, which can be quite a shock if you’re not used to fishing in these tropical waters. You will benefit greatly from wearing sun-protective clothing, not only to keep from getting burnt but also to keep cool and prevent heatstroke. A buff, hat, and long-sleeve shirt are a minimum, but don’t neglect your legs and hands either.

• Polarized Sunglasses: A pair of good-quality polarized sunglasses is a must—not only to look after your eyes but also to allow you to spot fish much more easily than without them.

placing lost or broken items once on the island is not going to happen. If traveling as a group, split the spares between you to reduce weight. At a minimum, I’d take a spare fly line for each setup, plenty of leader material, and a spare rod or two.

DIY or Guided

• Spares: The islands are very remote, and it pays to bring spares of important items with you, as re-

A DIY trip is very possible with wadable flats surrounding the main island of West Island and ferries that can take you between some of the surrounding islands. However, to maximise your time and get the most out of the money you spend just getting there it pays to enlist the services of a guide or lodge to fast track your success. My trips have always been with the guys from Hello Backing Fly and Sportfishing. Nick has put together a fantastic operation with some very keen and knowledgeable guides whose passion is to put you onto fish. A host of modern sports fishing vessels, including a Maverick and Hells Bay skiffs, allow for quick and efficient transport across the flats, as well as providing a rock-steady platform to fish from.

They also have a Sportsman 19 Reef, which is perfect if you want to target something a bit larger, like a sailfish or GT on fly. Having the ability to move quickly and efficiently around the lagoon will allow you to fish the right flats at the right tide, a task not so easily done on foot. For more info: www.hellobacking.com.au

Cocos and Keelings

The season runs from late October – May. These are the least windy months as the trade winds subside over the summer months, it does get pretty warm but no different to any other tropical flats destination.

Cocos Islands Keeling Islands, also called Keeling Islands, external territory of Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean. The islands lie 2,290 miles (3,685 km) West of Darwin and NW of Peth and about 560 miles (900 km) southwest of Christmas Island (not to be confused with the one in the pacific).

The isolated territory is made up of two coral atolls, the southern comprising 26 islets and the northern containing only North Keeling Island. The principal islands of the Keelings include West Island (the largest in the territory, with a length of 6 miles [10 km]), South, Home, Direction, and Horsburgh.

“Most of the Cocos Malays live on Home Island and the remainder of the Cocos population resides on West Island”

Population roughly 544. The land is low, with the highest point in the territory rising to only about 20 feet (6 metres) above sea level. The climate is warm and humid.

conut plantation workers, mostly of Malay origin, who were brought to the islands by John Clunies Ross. Most of the Cocos Malays live on Home Island and the remainder of the Cocos population resides on West Island and consists mostly of mainland-recruited employees of the territory administration, together with their families; most are there on short-term postings.

Virgin Airlines Australia is the only airline that fly to Cocos Keeling. They fly to Cocos twice a week from Perth, on a Tuesday the plane departs Perth and flies to Christmas Island (CI) refuel and then onto Cocos Keeling Island (CKI )and back to Perth. On a Friday the flight is the same but in reverse. The flight is around 6 -7 hrs allowing for the stopover on CKI.

The inhabitants are predominantly the descendants of the original co-

BECAUSE HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Hidden Treasures in Poland THIS IS SAN

Time flies like an arrow, and a year has already passed since our first visit to the San River in Poland. We were raring to head into the river, to slosh through its cold water and to place our flies gently on its crisp film of well-oxygenated water. Last year, the San taught us a lot. We hooked a lot of fish, but we found it rather challenging to catch fish bigger than 16 inches. We knew, however, that beautiful black grayling and starkly coloured brown trout in trophy sizes were there, and that they still had to be there as we headed back this year – much better prepared!

By KURT KONRAD

Prior to this early September week, when we headed to the San again, we’d been super-busy tying nymphs, dries and streamers. Our fly boxes were teeming with neatly tied realistics and inducers, but we other cards up our sleeve too. Through social networking, Vlado had become friends with Michal - a polish guy. He knows the San as the back of his hand, just like we know our local Váh River. He helped find the best stretches of the river for us and he also advised us on the most successful fly patterns. So far so good!

On our way to Poland, we traditionally stop at whatever fishing tackle shops we come across. We spent at least an hour in each one, which meant we ended up being quite late. Late in the evening, we finally arrived at our private apartment, which was situated about half a mile from a power plant. Imagine having a drier for waders on your porch! That’s all inclusive!

The next day we woke up to the immediate ambience of a beautiful, foggy, autumn morning. The sun was doing its best trying to peek through the fog and once again, I was in such a quandary about what to do. Should I fish, or take snaps, or shoot a film?

We began fishing, French nymphstyle, in the stronger currents first - and the fish didn’t let us wait for long. The first brown trout and grayling were soon trembling and shivering in our landing nets, but size-wise they were nothing special. Around noon the fish started rising, so we moved into shallower and slower water, where we found the fish at close range. We often had fish right in front of us but especially the grayling were really picky and finicky. The small olive CDCs were the most successful for dry fly fishing and the brown trout trustfully inhaled some of our carefully tied scuds, nymphs, cinnamon sedges and palmers.

You probably know how fast time flies when the fish are biting – and soon the first day had come to and end. In the evening we sat in the cosy kitchen and tied some additional samples of the flies that had proven successful during the day. Michal joined us, and being a professional fly tyer, he had some great fly tying input for the upcoming days.

pictures and shooting the short movie “This is San”. Meanwhile, Daniel chose to attempt one of San River’s elusive Danube salmon. He did so using a six-inch long streamer, because the fishing rules don’t allow the use of smaller streamers during this time of year.

During our visit last year, we saw Danube salmon hunt 20inch long rainbow trout, so it was more than natural to give these exciting fish a chance. In the end, Daniel managed to land only a rainbow trout on his streamer. He did, however, come in close contact with a couple of Danube salmon – which instilled in him some confidence. Hopefully, when we come back next year, we will manage to land one of those trophy 40inch Danube salmon that terrorize the river.

The next day, instead of buying a licence, I devoted my time to taking

Later in the week, we moved to a stretch of the river known as the “pit near cottage”. There are some really beautiful fish hiding in there – many of them bigger than 20 inches. Daniel caught a few brown trout and grayling on nymphs, and then it was Michal’s turn.

He came to the front of “the scene” after losing a couple of fish, and was finally awarded with a beautiful rainbow trout. The rest of the guys were hunting for big brown trout, which were greedily picking mayflies off the surface.

“Martin was picking up and immaculate 20inch grayling. What a beautiful fish!”

It was very interesting to watch all the life along the river each day. Every day a different kind of insect hatched. We also saw huge number of spent spinners drifting down stream. There had to be at least 20 per square meter, and the trout and grayling proved more and more selective as the hatches intensified. As a result, if you didn’t have exact imitations in your fly box, you didn’t stand a fair chance. On the third day we started out in the “pit near cottage”-spot again.

We persuaded a few smaller brown trout using French nymph-tactics, but other than that we didn’t do so well. We did receive a call, however – from Martin, who, apparently, was battling a big grayling. We obviously scurried along to see what all the fuss was about, and when we arrived, Martin was picking up and immaculate 20inch grayling. What a beautiful fish! After a few pictures it was back in the river again, and we all celebrated the catch of a real San trophy grayling.

On the last day, we moved a few miles down river to a place called “under the wires”. There, we met a couple of Czech fishermen with whom we chatted about the fish activity in the different stretches of the river - and after testing each other’s fishing rods for a while, we began fishing.

The clear weather finally persuaded me to put the waterproof case on my camera. I took a few pictures of Daniel posing with a decent-sized brown trout he tricked on a long nymph-drift, and the rest of us caught smaller grayling and brown trout.

After it got dark, the fish started to pick micro flies off the surface.

The activity was intense, but even though we tried almost all of the dry flies in our boxes, we couldn’t persuade a single fish during the evening. That’s how challenging the San can be. We finally bid the river farewell, and came back to the apartment, exhausted, to pack our bags. However, in spite of all the exhaustion, we were already planning a date for our return.

The San River might be a little apprehensive and miserly, but it holds dear treasures for the persistent, clever and adaptive fly fisherman.

For more info, please visit: www.fish.pl

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In Search of Salalah’s Fickle Permit OMAN

By TREVOR SKINNER and NICK BOWLES

and AUSTIN COIT

Photos by TREVOR SKINNER, NICK BOWLES, JOHANN DU PREEZ

Nestled in Oman’s Dhofar region, Salalah is a captivating blend of ancient history and modern charm. Once a vital port in 13th-century trade routes between Europe and Asia, the city is steeped in legends that trace back to the mythical Queen of Sheba. Today, Salalah enchants visitors with its fragrant frankincense-scented souqs, lush monsoon-fed landscapes, and legendary Omani hospitality. Beyond its cultural allure, Salalah offers worldclass saltwater fly fishing amidst pristine beaches and untouched natural beauty. Whether exploring its storied past or enjoying its vibrant present, Salalah promises a magical and unforgettable experience.

Salalah, the ancient capital of Dhofar, was an important port in trade across Europe and Asia in the 13th Century but it’s magic goes back much further. Local legend has it that the ruins at Khor Rori, northeast of Salalah, are those of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Archaeologists have subsequently disproved that having dated the ruins starting somewhere around the 3rd Century BCE, more than 500 years after the rule of Queen Makeda. It’s now believed more likely she ruled from Saba in Yemen although she originally came from Ethiopia but after visiting the ruins at Sumhuram it’s not difficult to see how this place conjures stories of biblical proportions complete with jinns, magic, demons, fabled rulers and the founding of a dynasty all under a huge moon and the heady smell of frankincense.

Modern Salalah is no less beguiling but thankfully largely devoid of jinns, demons and biblical characters. It is still, however, dominated by the smell of frankincense in its old souqs and hidden out of the way ancient places. As if continuing with

this tradition the hospitality of the Omanis is legendary and respectful strangers are welcomed with open arms (and often an invite to take coffee or tea with their family).

The Dhofar region is the only place on the Arabian Peninsular that receives the monsoon (locally referred to as the ‘Khareef’) from late May until the end of September. During this time the wind blows, the heavens open, water runs off the mountains, lakes appear out of nowhere and the whole area turns into a green paradise while the rest of the Arab peninsular swelters over summer. In any case, the rest of the year is sub 30 degrees Celsius with very stable weather systems, in other words just about perfect.

An added bonus

As a place to just visit and soak in the culture Salalah recommends itself in spades, but for the fly fisherman there’s an added bonus. It offers some of the world’s best saltwater fly fishing but keep that to yourself. It’s not just the quality, it’s also the diversity.

The scope ranges from Broomtail Wrasse and Twobar Bream in close amongst rock ledges to Billfish and Tuna offshore with every conceivable type of flyfishing in between.

“The Africanus is unique to the Western Indian Ocean and Oman is probably the only place they are available to fly fishermen”

Many adventurous fishermen can think of nothing better than camping and exploring a white sand beach or rocky headland fly rod in hand peering into the waves or across a rock shelf for signs of movement. Southern Oman has miles and miles of largely untouched beaches. Other fisherman like the comfort of a 5-star hotel and a comfortable boat ride to chase hard fighting pelagic species or to access the coastal fishing without sand working its way into every aspect of your being, again Southern Oman is absolutely untouchable.

Permit along the shorelines However, we go there for the Permit, specifically Africanus (Trachinotus Africanus) but aren’t too disappointed if we get to tangle with Indo Pacific (Trachinotus Blochii) should the opportunity arise. Indo Pacific Permit are generally found along the beaches and are as fickle as their counterparts in the Indian Ocean atolls, Australia and the Pacific.

The Africanus is unique to the Western Indian Ocean and Oman is probably the only place they are available to fly fishermen. Its habitat is unique and, consequently, the approach taken in being able to cast a fly at them is also unique. Africanus is primarily a molluscivore and feeds on the beds of small black mussels that you find along the shoreline although on occasions takes crustaceans and small fish. ‘Nothing unique in a permit eating molluscs’ I hear you say, after all Australia’s Anak permit is colloquially called the ‘Giant Oystercracker’. Apart from its restricted availability, it’s the location of the mussel beds that provides for the uniqueness of chasing Africanus.

The beds are on narrow rock shelves hard up against the base of towering limestone cliffs, a position made even more spicy by the surges coming in from Indian Ocean which gives the fish sporadic access to their challenging meal as the waves wash over the beds and back off again.

It’s not unusual to see Permit head down, tailing on the mussels only to be cascading down off the ledge like circus acrobats as the wave recedes. Like the Anak this gives the Africanus a gnarled countenance only a mother could love and it’s not unusual to catch one of these tough guys with their nose and forehead heavily scarred.

Targeting Africanus

How does the fisherman fit into all this, you ask? Well, the object of the exercise is to hook fish by putting your fly into the feeding zone as the waves surge in and out. This necessitates some skilfully accurate casting over medium distances from the deck of a heaving well driven boat, impeccable timing and, all the while, still being able to keep contact with the fly to pick up that subtle take.

If the line goes tight then it’s hold on and hope that the fish heads for more open water and away from the various rock ledges and formations that litter the seabed close to the cliffs. Unlike their flats wandering cousins these guys know exactly where the structure is and are not afraid to use it to their advantage. This is our favourite way of fishing for the Africanus and the ‘hunt’ is addictive.

When the tide gets too low for them to access their shallow feeding grounds they fall back into deeper water, extending the fishing window for a while at least. They are much more difficult to tempt to a fly when

they are less focused on feeding and congregated away from the mussel beds so tactics have to be adapted accordingly. This is when we see marauding schools of permit patrolling the margins or ‘daisy chaining’ in large numbers. This sight sends even experienced permit fishermen weak at the knees, up to 100 permit milling around in a small space, all oblivious to you, the boat and usually your fly.

“If the line goes tight then it’s hold on and hope that the fish heads for more open water”

At the extreme of the tide they scatter and disappear into the deep waiting for the rising tide to provide the next opportunity to get a belly full of molluscs. This then necessitates some exploring up and down the coast trying to find the fish as they scatter and, once found, to try and work out a plan that will tempt a take, sometimes that works but often not although the chase is always worth it.

These fish are, after all, permit with all the baggage that comes with that species.

To see a big Africanus in the gin clear water lock onto your fly only to veer away at the last moment suspecting something is not right is heart-stopping stuff but gin-clear water and permit that can just as easily see you as you can them tests the most experienced of us. All this requires that the skipper can put you in the right place at the right time. Unlike most fishing destinations tides and, more importantly, when they occur during their daily cycle is absolutely crucial when fishing Southern Oman for Africanus permit.

Once those fish have spread out away from their feeding grounds and departed the adjacent beaches it’s time to head home, hopefully after some great release photos and much shouting and laughing.

The trip home usually goes one of two ways; either loud animated conversations reliving the highlights of the day’s action or total silence accompanied by a reflective look and broad smiles. Which one doesn’t matter, they are both symptomatic of a great day on the water and that’s the whole reason we do this.

How to tackle Omani permit?

How can we possibly write an article on flyfishing and not mention gear? That would be totally remiss of us. The rod of choice is a fast actioned 10 weight, anything lighter will be like taking a knife to a gun fight. These fish, once hooked, don’t mess around and even when you can get them away from the feeding zone and into deeper water, they will make several runs looking for structure. The usual advice regarding saltwater reels applies here, good quality strong reels are de rigueur with good drags and rigid construction. Recommended lines are either an appropriate WF floating line, intermediate tip or full intermediate. Intermediate lines work best if you want to do some Permit fishing from

the beach but also work well on the boat under the right conditions.

Flies are whatever works at the time and changes to find the right formula are part of the game. First choice would be a smallish dark coloured (olive green is a good one) alphlexo crab. However, more natural crab colours also catch fish at times, we suspect because small crabs also inhabit the mussel beds and get washed around with the waves and we all know Permit love to snack on crabs. Once they’re away from the beds and patrolling the shoreline things get tougher. We’ve found that small baitfish patterns, like a Clouser, in natural colours sometimes works but also so does a spawning shrimp pattern.

Getting around

Speaking of boats, our charriots of choice are custom built 24 and 27 foot panga style centre consoles specifically designed for fly fishing with both fore and aft casting platforms. They are powered by twin 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke engines and have all the modern electric navigation aids as well as satellite phone.

A typical day will be a 45 minute to 1 hour run inshore to the fishing and a slightly longer run home. We usually have sight of land for the whole trip unless clients ask the skipper nicely and want to go wider and chase pelagics on the way home should conditions allow. Let me just say that it comes highly recommended the Mahi Mahi fishing on fly can be off the charts! Our skippers are all hand-picked, very experienced, fully qualified and licensed.

Based in Dubai

Ocean Active has been running fishing trips to Oman for over 20 years, so we know it intimately and have great relationships with local, Omani partners built up over those years.

Dubai is our home where we run daily charters for fisherman wishing to experience urban flyfishing at its best, mainly chasing the ubiquitous queenfish but also catching a fair share of other target species such as Golden Trevally. The owners, Nick Bowles, Trevor Skinner and Mohammed Al Faour are avid flyfishermen with a wealth of experience chasing and catching some of the world’s most coveted saltwater fish.

Fact Sheet:

Oman is positioned at the base of the Arabian Peninsular facing the Indian Ocean. If you follow the coast south from the capital, Muscat, you’ll come to our base just outside of Salalah in the Governate of Dhofar. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Salalah has a very modern airport with regular direct flights from Dubai. Weather during the fishing season between September and April is a very comfortable 25 to 32 Degrees C and, generally, weather systems are stable during the season. More detailed information can be found on our website: www.oceanactivefly.com

Built to Connect

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Quality isn’t measured in weeks or months. It’s a long-term commitment. By utilizing clever engineering, innovative materials that overperform and rigorous field-testing in the most extreme conditions, we offer only essential gear—serious tools built for a lifetime of hard use.

Casting for Atlantic salmon using surface tactics on a blustery afternoon in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Photo: Colin Macleod © 2024 Patagonia, Inc.

Fly Fishing for the Queen of the Sea NORTHERN NORWAY

The attempt has been made before with depressing results. Fly fishing for halibut, it seems, is for half-crazy, ingenuous dreamers only. Among them is fly fishing journalist and photographer, Rasmus Ovesen, who has travelled to Northern Norway in the hopes of hooking up with “the Queen of the Sea”.

By RASMUS OVESEN

RASMUS OVESEN and STINA DIDRIKSEN

Photos by

Some fishing plans are more stupid than others - on paper at least. To fly fish for halibut, clearly, is one of the more dubious ones; because how on earth are you going to catch a fish that has perfected, through millions of years, the art of ambush-attacking prey along the ocean floor – in the abysmal depths of powerful tidal currents and along craggy drop-offs out to sea?

I have hatched many terrible and half-witted fishing plans throughout my life. Most of them have never been realized. Those that have, on the other hand, have mostly ended up as thundering failures. Very few have been even moderately successful, but I remember them with the greatest of enthusiasm and joy. For what is more legendary than achieving (some form of) success despite all odds?

An idea is born

In June 2021, I’m fly fishing for seatrout in a handful of different fjords in Northern Norway. During my time there, I’m made aware of random catches of smaller halibut from relatively shallow areas and big specimens longline-fished from shore.

In the past, I’ve heard of people attempting to fly fish for halibut; with oversized equipment, express-sink fly lines and heavily weighted flies – and with minimal success. But, if halibut happen to show up in shallow areas close to shore at certain times of the year, it must be possible to effectively target them with a fly rod?

In between my sporadic catches of seatrout, my thoughts wander, and I see these imaginary halibut rise from the sandy bottom and abruptly inhale my fly. The images are still etched upon my mind as I return from my journey – and it doesn’t take long before I start researching the Internet.

The Internet –

The playground of fools

The Internet is a dangerous place for those looking to amplify their existing beliefs (or delusions) – or for those looking for evidence in favour of dubious causes. Consequently, it doesn’t take me long to find a video from 2013 by a crew of Norwegian radicals that catch halibut on fly

rods. The Norwegian title of the video roughly translates into; “When the impossible becomes possible” and the people in it would strike most outsiders as either eccentric or half-crazy. And even though they’re clearly blind-fishing in 10 – 20 meters of water with sparse and arduously earned results, I’m convinced that they’re on to something.

“It must be possible to effectively target them with a fly rod?”

One of the people in the film is Tommy Josefsen, who’s a friend of mine. However, when I tell him that I’m secretly plotting to go fly fish for halibut, I’m met with very little encouragement. There are, as he carefully stresses, good reasons why he hasn’t fly fished for halibut since the YouTube-film was made. And they’re too many and too profound for him to list- and elaborate on them all.

I belong to the growing number of illiterates, who aren’t needlessly affected by other people’s experiences or empirics. Instead, I leave my destiny in the hands of the Internet, embrace a now famous Albert Einstein quote saying that: “If it’s on the Internet it must be true!”, and continue my Gonzo research without further ado. (The fact that Abraham Lincoln is quoted for having cautioned people to: “Never trust Einstein quotes on the Internet,” I’m smart enough to rebuff as malignant propaganda).

The big breakthrough?

Disturbingly, there is just that one relevant, on-topic film to find online. But then an interesting guide service pops up in my search feed. An eccentric British expatriate has clearly found a protected little fjord far north where it’s supposedly possible to locate and catch halibut in shallow water. The fact that he offers guided fly fishing for halibut can only mean one of two things: That he has, somehow, cracked the code or (more likely) is attempting to lure money out of the pockets

of naïve and dreamy fly fishermen like myself.

After firing away the first email, things suddenly accelerate. A few email exchanges later I’m on the phone with a Jonny Stephenson, who – to my surprise – seems neither raving mad nor maliciously shrewd or conniving. On the contrary, he sweeps me off my feet with his British charm and with promises of a visually striking and periodically hectic halibut fly fishery in shallow water – if (and only if) the weather conditions are favourable.

A few weeks later, by the end of August, I find myself onboard a small airplane east of Tromsø. Immediately below me, a mighty snowclad mountain range reaches upwards and at its foot, a glistening azure blue fjord reflects the cloudless sky as if it was a big, vibrant mirror. It seems as if, for once, the weather gods have finally sided with me, and – not surprisingly –it’s a particularly expectant and ecstatic Jonny that greets me at the airport upon arrival.

”Welcome! It looks like you brought the good weather”, he says, in his charming British accent. ”I brought much more than that”, I respond with a twinkle in the eye, but regret it immediately. Oftentimes, I’ve been able to explain away and trivialize my lack of success on previous expeditions with reference to unfortunate weather conditions. This time, however, it seems everything is up to me and my capabilities as a fly fisherman. The next three days will show who emerges as the victor: Me or the Queen of the Sea?

Finally on the water

Later that day, I’m on the water with Jonny; a guy that proves to be a knowledgeable, experienced and pleasant boat partner. (The latter is never given in advance – and it can be a great source of concern and anxiety ahead of a multiple-day trip). Also in the boat is Jonny’s sweet girlfriend Stina, who is as mad about fishing as she is about hunting. After a short boat ride, we’re now sedately drifting a tidal channel and casting flies along a depth curve close to shore where abraded rocks, bladderwracks and sea lace are relieved by pure sand that

gradually fades into the shimmering and mysterious depths.

Even with the 12-weight, casting my prototype halibut fly is an arduous task. It reminds me more of a party wig than a fly, and the sizeable Wiggle Tail, that I’ve mounted on the fly – along with a treacherous stinger hook, makes the fly produce a coarse hissing sound when cast across the fjord’s twinkling water masses – not unlike the sound a flag makes when pointed out the window of a speeding car.

Where are the fish?

We fish a rising tide for a few hours with no results. The only hits we’re getting are from sluggish cod and small coalfish. The bycatches sharpen our concentration and make the pulse peak momentarily. Disappointment, however, follows every time. And my doubts, which constantly simmer below the surface, are nourished and emboldened every time my expectations of a fiery-tempered, oversized flatfish are met with a cod’s indolent tail flaps or the subservient pulsations of a small coalfish.

Jonny soon realizes that his client needs a boost of confidence and motivation. He launches into vividly dramatic stories of halibut catches from the area and doggedly maintains that it’s only a question of time. But even though I’m dying to believe him, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to keep the faith.

I know from experience that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I can’t abstract from the fact that there’s an infinity of water to cover – and so many unknown factors to overcome. And what are the odds, realistically, that a scarce bottom-dwelling giant of a predator - one that lies in wait in the depths of the ocean - should rise several meters to an insignificant fly?

Back to the starting point

Another few hours later we’re back at our starting point. We’ve returned to the tidal channel, and the water is now dropping. We cast like maniacs into 3 –4 meters of water, but nothing happens – and soon the day is over. The sun is already dropping behind the craggy mountains to the west under a vaguely flaring violet-blue sky.

Then another bloody cod hits my fly. Frustrated, I haul it in as fast as I can. As it appears in the water below me, and I prepare to unhook it, chills suddenly run down my spine. Below the cod, a massive brown shadow manifests itself and the cod disappears into the jaws of its ghostly prowler. The water explodes and my fly rod bends to the cork while lengths of line disappear into the depths.

“The water explodes and my fly rod bends to the cork”

5 minutes later – after several lightning-quick runs we bring the halibut to the boat. It’s neither 30, 40 or 50 kilos, which I would probably have sworn if it had somehow disappeared forever into the depths. It’s probably more in the vicinity of 10 kilos, but what formidable, muscular, and explosive 10 kilos!!!

me with a sorely needed saline injection and renewed hope and faith. There are clearly fish in the area, they’re actively feeding, and tomorrow I’m going to cast until I collapse in order to get one.

Lightning from a clear sky

A few snap shots later, we release the fish. It obviously doesn’t count as a fly-caught fish, but it provides

During our second day, we catch several smaller halibut between 3 and 6 kilos – in shallow bays and near estuaries and islands. Most of them hit the flies in the surface, right along the boat side, after having followed the flies, as if hypnotized, over a long distance. It’s incredibly visual and exciting, and I am now in a state of euphoria and relief. My newfound belief now seems to shape reality, and - suddenlywe’re seeing ominous, table-sized creatures under the boat randomly appearing and disappearing like ghosts. We even see a giant halibut smash a sizeable coalfish to smithereens on the surface using its brown snow shovel-sized tail as a deadly club. (Suddenly, Jonny’s speculations that it might be possible to catch halibut on poppers seem far from crazy anymore).

My mission is accomplished, but the climax still awaits. Later, in the evening, we’re back at the familiar tidal channel, drifting outwards with the falling tide, and casting our flies into 3 – 5 meters of water. Then, at one point, Jonny’s fly rod arcs and I turn around to see what’s going on. “Cod”, he growls laconically in response to the cod’s lazy headshakes, and – as if it were some sort of command, I turn around to make another cast. In that very instant, the water explodes beneath me, and the fly line is almost ripped out of my hands.

An enormous crater-like whirl crashes against the boat and through its veil I see a big shadow rapidly disappearing into the depths. All slack line comes tight and suddenly the tormented snarl of the fly reel fills the air.

An audience with the queen

An exhausting fight ensues. Time and again, we’re close to landing the powerful fish but every time it somehow evades the tail gaff, flaps its tail and heads irresistibly into the depths. One time, it heads right under the boat resulting in an unnatu-

rally concave angle in my fly rod. A sharp riffle-like “boom” rips the air, and – to my great horror - the fish is now taught directly to the fly reel. My fly rod has broken in two right above the handle.

During the rest of the fight, I feel more like a local longline fisherman than a fly fishing globetrotter. I’m bursting at the seams with nerves a few minutes later as I pull the fish to the surface one last time. This time, it’s make or break!

Miraculously - in an eruption of water and sea foam - Jonny manages to tail gaff the fish. And with it firmly secured along the boat, we break out in loud cheers, hugs, and high fives!

We gently tow the fish a short distance to shore, measure it at 134 cm (an estimated 32 kilos) and shoot a couple of quick pictures. The fly is barely clinging on to a leathery flap of skin in the fish’ enormous, craggy mouth, and I can’t help but think that, if I hadn’t looked away when the fish attacked, I might have pulled the fly right out of its mouth from pure startlement and shock.

I hold the fish by its tail, then loosen my grip as the fish starts to show signs of wanting to swim away. In no time at all, the fish has changed its colorations and camouflaged itself against the shallow bottom. When it kicks off and heads for deeper water, it disappears almost disturbingly fast in the otherwise translucent and gin-clear water, like a fading dream that refuses to be captured.

One thing, however, is unequivocally obvious: My crazy dream has come true. And even though I missed that fateful moment when the Queen of the Sea decided to inhale my fly, I can just close my eyes and vividly imagine what it looked like. I’m a dreamer after all – and a dreamer’s powers of imagination are great!

Halibut

The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is the world’s largest flatfish. Its geographic range stretches from Canada and Greenland east towards Northern Europe and Russia – limited, mainly, to the arctic reaches but in some instances occurring all the way down to the 36th parallel.

Halibut are typically found in deep water (some scientists believe that they can be found down to 2 kilometres of depth), but they also appear in shallow water, particularly during fall and winter. Here, they settle in areas with sand, abraded pebble and rocks, clay, and scattered vegetation.

Halibut are fierce but slow-growing predatory fish that feed on everything from herring, eel and crabs to coalfish, trout, and salmon. They become sexually mature at the age of 7 – 10 years depending on the habitat, but they can live up to 60 years. And in the meantime, they can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weights in excess of 300 kilos. Halibut are bottom-dwelling fish that ambush unsuspecting prey, but they are also known – on occasion - to hunt pelagically or in the surface film.

The world’s largest Atlantic halibut ever caught on a rod was landed by a German fisherman in 2004 – after a fight that lasted 1,5 hours. The fish weighed 234 kilos and measured 274 cm. In comparison, the largest Atlantic halibut ever caught on a fly rod is relatively small. It was caught by Jo Stephenson in 2016 in Reisafjorden, Norway, and was estimated at 44 kilos (147 cm). In the meantime, that fish has been topped by a halibut landed by one of Jonny’s clients in September 2021 – a fish estimated at somewhere between 65 and 70 kilos.

Equipment

Halibut are targeted with the heaviest of equipment. I used a 9’ #12 Scott Meridian fly rod in combination with a Waterworks-Lamson Cobalt fly reel pre-spooled with 250 meters of 100 lb backing and a Scientific Anglers Big Water Taper S3/5/7 with a 100 lb core. The leaders I used were a little less than a rod’s length and ended in an 80lb tippet section. In terms of flies, I used imitations of herring and mackerel tied on powerful 6/0 – 10/0 hooks – preferably with stinger hooks and jig tails in the end.

Want to catch halibut on a fly?

Jonny Stephenson guides in the Reisa area, and you can book him via email: jonny@wild-pursuits.co.uk

Additional information can be found here: www.wild-pursuits.co.uk

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Barry Ord Clarke: THE FEATHER BENDER’S ADVANCED FLY TYING TECHNIQUES

In his latest book Barry Ord Clarke, whose accolades include International Fly Tyer of the Year 2021 (Fly Tyer Magazine), offers his readers 28 fish-catching flies which challenge the flytyer to take their skills to a new level. Each pattern helps the reader to learn or perfect several advanced skills. Barry also clearly explains the best tools and materials to use to make secure, effective, and durable flies. He is the only expert in his field to have matched each of his step-by-step flytying chapters with an online video linked by QR code. This enables his many followers to watch him tie the fly on YouTube, then follow the mirrored instructions in this book at their own speed. The Feather Bender’s Advanced Flytying Techniques by Barry Ord Clarke (published by Merlin Unwin Books) https://merlinunwin. co.uk/. Also by the author, The Feather Bender’s Flytying Techniques and Flytying for Beginners.

Bajio: VEGA BIFOCALS

Named for Alejandro, Vega Cruz, AKA “Sandflea,” the Grandfather of fly fishing on the Yucatan’s Isla Holbox. The large frame Vega can help you spot giant 200-pound tarpon rolling in by the hundreds all day without weighing you down thanks to the strong yet lightweight bio-based frames.Offering a bold, squared, high coverage 8-base wrap design with wide temples to block sidelight and protect eyes from the sun. Vega puts you in a veritable cocoon ready to laser focus on the task at hand. Bajío’s polarized, color-enhancing lenses with proprietary blue light-blocking LAPIS technology cut through glare for better fish-spotting, while reducing eye strain and fatigue. For more info, www.bajiosunglasses.com

The Brand Buffet

Grundens:

VECTOR WADERS AND BEDROCK BOOTS

Built with ruggedness and durability in mind, Grundéns Vector Stockingfoot Wader stands as one of the most-durable waders on the market. The ultra-dense, 4-layer waterproof, breathable shell provides best-in-class abrasion and puncture resistance for those looking to fish harder and adventure further both in and out of water, yet maintains an awesome 30K+ waterproof rating to keep you protected, dry, and comfortable all day long. Combined with their Bedrock Wading Boots - which is available in both natural gum rubber & felt outsole options depending on the wearer’s needs - Grundéns offers the perfect wading system for all-day comfort, protection, and product durability. For more info, please refer to www.grundens.com

Lamson:

ULA PURIST II

Legends never die. A “purist” insists on adherence to traditional rules and structures. The Purist Il is a modern exception with a rich heritage. Composed of only 15 individual parts, Purist II functions flawlessly with minimalist efficiency wrapped in reimagined form. Featuring a click pawl design, the power is literally in your hands and yes, the clicker sings. Drawing inspiration from its U.L.A. lineage, this reel flaunts a super large arbor with a 30% increase in average line retrieval, defying conventional limits while maintaining the minimal mass of its predecessor. Accompanied by a fortified frame and sleek, narrow profile this is truly a reel in its purest form. For more info, please refer to the European distributor - www.flyfisheurope.com

Smith Creek: MIDDLE FORK FLY PATCH

The Smith Creek Middle Fork Fly Patch™ is the patented, extreme access, double-sided fly patch system designed with exposed ribs that protect your flies from loss due to rub-offs. Never before has it been easier to see and access your flies. It holds a lot of flies securely in custom micro slit foam and protected from damage or loss by its patented exposed ribs. Worn on it’s zinger, or a lanyard, makes it exceptionally easy to use. It’s designed to be worn on vests or clothing, chest / sling packs. For use on lanyards or D-rings an alternative attachment cable is provided. For more info, please visit the website of the European distributor: www.flyfisheurope.com

FlyTying Kit: FLYMEN FISHING CO STONEFLY PRINCE NYMPH

A next-generation stonefly pattern inspired by the classic Prince Nymph and enhanced with an Evolution Stonefly beadhead. This Fly Tying Kit contains everything you need to tie eight Stonefly Prince Nymphs, including step-by-step tying instructions, to make it easy for you to get your hands on the various needed fly tying materials all in one place. For more information, please refer to: www.flymenfishingcompany.com

Loon Outdoors: STREAMER KIT

Everything you need to keep your flies looking (and feeling) sharp. A Spartan Lanyard houses a Hook Hone, a Nip n Sip XL and an Ergo Comb. That means you’re hitting the water with everything you need to restore your flies after they have been mangled by fish or blunted by rocks. For more information, please visit: www.loonoutdoors.com

FlySkinz: TROUT TAILZ

You don’t have to make JUST trout with these tailz but it definitely makes for a good streamer pattern! These are great for all the cannibalistic or carnivorous fish out there! All anglers know that a good baitfish is a great addition to the fly box, so why not add a tasty trout to the mix! Each pack contains 6 tailz! And there are four different sizes to choose between. For more information, please refer to: www.flyskinz.com

AIR UP®: TASTE THROUGH SCENT

Air Up water bottles utilize innovative scent techno logy, allowing You to enjoy flavored water without added sugars or calories. By infusing appealing aro mas into the drinking experience, these bottles en hance hydration while promoting healthier habits. Lightweight and reusable, designed for eco-consci ous consumers seeking a refreshing twist on hydra tion. More information at www.shop.air-up.com

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Experience the magic of Mongolia

Shishged and Tengis Watershed National Park remains one of the last trophy taimen refuges. Protected solely by the true remoteness of northern Mongolia’s Khuvsgul Province, the local taimen population thrives in pristine wilderness conditions like aeons ago Requestinfomore

Sodium Free Stipers NORTH GEORGIA

For many fly anglers, the striped bass is a gamefish that can prove to be both captivating and elusive. Fishermen like myself are often kept up at night with dreams of water erupting with baitfish and glimpses of black stripes over silver bodied fish. The pure adrenaline and chaos that comes with blitzing bass is something almost indescribable with words.

By JOSEPH CLARK

Striped bass have drawn many people to saltwater fly fishing and it’s easy to see why. These fish readily take flies, fight like hell, and are extremely accessible. Every year anglers up and down the east coast of the US wait in anticipation for the striper run. With that being said these fish can be found all across the continental United States.

When it comes to freshwater fly fishing people most often think of trout, bass, panfish, and even carp. What many don’t realize is you can find saltwater gamefish in many of the same places these other fish live!

Introduced in numbers

While striped bass are native to the eastern coast of the US (Maine-Florida) they have been introduced into a number of freshwater environments across the country. As many know, striped bass are andromodus, meaning that they make an annual spawning run into fresh or brackish water rivers to spawn. This is because stripers, like many other fish, need moving water to successfully reproduce.

During this spawning run in 1941, the closing of the Santee-Cooper dams in South Carolina trapped striped bass in the freshwater reservoirs of Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. It was said that biologists were unaware of the fish spawning in the Cooper river and assumed with the dam’s closing that they would inevitably die off. To their suprise the stripers began to flourish in the freshwater lake. This was the first account of landlocked stripers but they have since been introduced to a number of other lakes and rivers.

Lake Lanier (my home lake) was constructed in the 1950s and shortly thereafter was stocked with striped bass to help control populations of invasive blueback herring. Unlike the Santee-Cooper system of lakes, Lanier is hatchery-supported and has little to no natural reproducing striped bass. This is mostly due to our river systems (Chestatee and Chattahoochee rivers) not having ideal spawning conditions. However, the state of Georgia stocks hundreds of thousands of fingerlings every year to keep the population healthy.

In the Lanier system the average striper is around 8-10 pounds. That being said, there have been fish caught up to 30lbs in recent years and it isn’t very uncommon to catch fish anywhere from 15-20 pounds. With North Georgia’s fairly temperate climate striped bass can be chased year round on the lanier system. While the places and tactics change with the seasons if an angler puts the time and work in they can be successful 12 months out of the year.

Prepare for striper season

Striper season on the lake typically starts around the second or third week of October with the fall bite going up until mid November. It’s this time of year that can offer some tremendous topwater fishing.

As the fall weather cools the water, stripers come out of their summer refuges. Water temperatures start around 75 degrees and by the second week of November are somewhere in the low 60s on the main lake. Fish can typically be found feeding on or near main lake humps and points ranging from 35-15 feet

deep or sporadically on the surface. During fall, stripers can be found eating both blueback herring and threadfin shad so having an assortment of baitfish patterns ranging from 3-5 inches is generally best.

“With North Georgia’s fairly temperate climate striped bass can be chased year round on the lanier system”

When fishing the lake I always have intermediate and full sinking fly lines in the boat although during this time of the year keeping a floating line for poppers and ‘’walk the dog’’ style flies provides some really fun fishing. It is worth mentioning even though a school of stripers might seem like they are eating on the surface most of the time the splash you see is just a tail kick. This is where an intermediate fly line shines.

As previously mentioned, stripers generally prefer cooler water temperatures so fish can usually be found feeding vigorously near the surface right at dawn or dusk this time of year. By mid November water temperatures are in the low 60s and stripers begin to settle into their winter patterns. From mid November all through the winter bite, the fish will primarily be feeding on big schools of juvenile threadfin shad. When fish are feeding on small shad like this they get extremely picky.

Striper flies and tactics

Having the right size fly makes all the difference in the world. Flies like Henry Cowen’s Somethin’ Else, Polar Fiber Minnows and closures in smaller sizes tend to yield the most success as the shad can be anywhere from 1-3 inches in size.

At this time of the year Lake Lanier gets its annual visits from gulls and loons. Following and reading birdlife plays a key role to finding wintertime stripers on Lanier. Where there’s birds, there’s usually bait and if there’s bait then stripers are sure to be nearby. With the cooling temperatures large schools of juvenile threadfin will seek

shallower warmer water. On my reservoir the northernmost section of the lake is shallowest, this would be opposite for a northern flowing system. Stripers can be found this time of year on or near flats 20-35 feet deep as large schools of threadfin shad will be piled up in these areas schooling by the thousands. While bait is easy to find during the winter, stripers can be somewhat elusive. This time of year birds are often an angler’s best friend. Most fish feeding on or near the surface will be accompanied by either loons or gulls.

“Striped bass can often be found eating spawning baitfish in large numbers”

By mid late december and into january water temps are dipping into the low 50s and upper 40s. While stripers will still feed aggressively during this time, often the search for slightly warmer water proves more successful. The schools of threadfin get extremely uncomfortable with the colder water and will seek warmer water even if it’s only one or two degrees.

Structures like rock or clay banks tend to hold more heat this time of year. Once the surface temperature of the lake gets below 50 degrees, stripers get extremely lethargic. For this reason the month of February is typically slower but fish can still be caught. When mid March hits water temps are usually on the rise again into the mid and upper 50’s. Once again fish will be spread out all over the lake. Main lake and secondary points with some sort of heat retention are generally the best bet. While stripers can still be found in bigger schools near their winter feeding grounds many fish can be caught in small groups or even solitarily on points.

As April rolls around, water temps are now in the low to mid 60’s and stripers will now begin to stage on main lake points near the river channel in anticipation for the spawning run. When this begins, most of the fish will make their way up the river but many fish will seek areas in or around the lake with substantial current to spawn. By May, most stripers will make their way back to the main lake and begin feeding around humps and points once again. This time of year fishes very similarly to the fall with the exception of the shad spawn.

Blueback herring and threadfin shad can be found spawning this time of year on seawalls, clay banks, rock, and other structures. Striped bass can often be found eating spawning baitfish in large numbers along with black bass. Fishing with floating lines and intermediate lines with 3-5 inch baitfish patterns is generally the best this time of year. Stripers can be caught effectively with fly gear until the lake’s surface temperature gets above 75 degrees once again.

Coming in hot

During the hottest months of the year, catching landlocked striped bass with fly gear on my home reservoir is nearly impossible. Once lake temps get north of 75 degrees stripers tend to take refuge in cooler water. Some fish find this cooler water in the river while others seek summer refuge in the lakes thermocline.

A thermocline is best described by a stretch of cooler oxygenated water typically 35-50 feet below the lakes surface. This makes targeting fish with fly gear nearly impossible. Even with heavy sinking lines stripers are

moving too quickly to target. On the other hand some stripers also find cooler water in the lake’s river system.

“Where there’s birds, there’s usually bait.

And if there’s bait then stripers are sure to be nearby”

While targeting river stripers generally has a lower success rate, pulling on a potentially 20 pound fish in small water never gets old. As far as flies for the river I usually throw bigger presentations (5in-8in flies). Although the river does have blueback herring and threadfin shad, stripers on summer vacation will often take advantage of bigger prey items. Examples of this forage would be bluegill, suckers, gizzard shad and in some instances stocked trout.

For flies I mostly throw Game Changer variations but other patterns like beast flies, larger Clousers, Deceivers, and other larger baitfish flies will work.

When choosing sections of river to fish, I’m a firm believer that faster water is your friend. While deeper sections of river might hold more striper they are harder to fool in the slower moving water. Fast moving water adjacent to deeper holding water has granted me the most success. I’ve found that time and time again stripers will sit in the deeper water throughout the day and move into swifter currents to feed during low light periods.

Waterlevels and flows also play a major role in chasing river stripers. When rivers begin to rise and the water gets dingy it gives striped bass a major advantage over their prey. In my particular area summer showers provide these conditions but in other places can be more reliant on dam releases. Some fish will stay in the river year round but once lake temps reach comfortable levels most stripers will make their way back down into the reservoir.

Be versatile

Though tactics for landlocked stripers can differ slightly from their salty brethren, the gear is very similar. As far as rods go, an 8wt setup is a good “do it all” rod. When fishing the lake I always bring two rods. One outfitted with a heavy sinking line (for fish 10-30 feet deep) and a rod with a slow sinking intermediate (for fish 1-4 feet deep).

When fishing the sinking line in the lake it is important to use the countdown method. The countdown method is nothing more than counting down until the sinking line has reached the strike zone.

So with a line that has a sink rate of 6 inches per second you would count down twice the desired depth. Whether I’m fishing with an intermediate line for surface feeding fish or a sinking line, I always retrieve the fly using short strips and frequent pauses.

When chasing striped bass in rivers, I find a heavier rod to be more forgiving. As previously stated I generally throw bigger flies in the river and with that a heavier 9wt or 10wt rod is more applicable. When choosing a reel for landlocked stripers I look for larger arbors and hefty drag systems. Backing capacity is somewhat important but somewhere between 175-250 yards is perfect. For tippet sizes I always use between 16 lb and 20 lb test fluorocarbon.

When fishing the lake around brush or in rivers, I tend to throw 20 lb more frequently to help minimize losing fish in structure. I use 16 pound often in the winter when fish tend to be in more open water. Leader length can vary but a 6 foot or 7 foot leader is plenty. On

intermediate lines a tapered leader is necessary however, when fishing with sinking lines I commonly use a straight piece of leader material with no taper. Flies for freshwater stripers can vary with their environment but as far as lake fishing goes it’s hard to beat a Clouser Minnow.

When fish are feeding on smaller shad Henry Cowens Somethin Else and Polar Fiber minnows tied on size six hooks are my choice. When fishing the river I find myself throwing lots of Game Changers. Not only do they push a ton of water, they also have an amazing serpentine action. Other staple flies would be Lefty’s deceiver, Cowens baitfish, The Coyote, Ep Minnows, Roberts Pop’s Shad, and Popovics’ Surf Candy.

Another piece of essential gear, especially for lake fishing, would have to be a good fish finder. I am a fan of Humminbird due to their Lakemaster Series of charts but anything is better than nothing. With all of that being said the best rods, reels, flies, and electronics are useless without time on the water.

MACRO SEATROUT

A FLEA CIRKUS On Micro Flies

When coastal conditions are challenging, Tobias Park pulls out the very small fleas from his fly box. The result is surprising, because while the flies are remarkably small, the average weight of the seatrout he catches moves in the opposite direction.

By PETER LYNGBY

Can you really tie all your flies without being a fly tyer?

You certainly can, according to Tobias Park. Although he finds it distasteful to fish with flies that he hasn’t tied himself, he hates tying flies and would much rather spend his time fishing.

One of the flies Tobias will soon find himself forced to tie more of is his variant of the North Zealand Bladlusaborten, which Jesper Fohrmann tied the first samples of in the early 1990s.

Tobias’ fly box looks terribly empty when we meet for a chat about big trout and small flies. Tobias Park first became acquainted with Bladlusaborten when he was just five years old, fishing for seatrout on the coast with his father.

A fixture for over twenty years – “It was my father, Mike Park, who took me on my first coastal fishing trips.

I wasn’t old enough to handle a fly rod yet, but I clearly remember how my father meticulously attached the small fly to the end of what seemed to me like an infinitely long and thin leader, tied to my bubble float. The Aborten was a success from the start, and I thought my father had invented a fantastic fly. Even though the pattern was actually Jesper’s. We caught many seatrout on the Bladlusaborten even back then, and since then, the pattern and various variants have never left my coastal fly box,” begins Tobias Park.

– “For me, Bladlusaborten is the fly for those frustratingly frequent and highly challenging days when the trout simply aren’t interested in anything. The impossible days with impossible conditions. Completely calm and clear water, and so on. I prefer to fish with larger, more common coastal flies when I find that the conditions are “right”, and I will always prefer days with a bit of wind and some colour in the water. Nevertheless, I am repeatedly amazed at the fish I encounter on these socalled impossible days.

And especially at how large some of them are. In fact, my last three fish over seventy centimetres were caught in very shallow water. Trout hunting on these days is not for everyone, though.

You need to be observant, and the fish I catch are often trout that I spot in advance. So, if you usually prefer to cover a couple of kilometres of coastline at lightning speed with a large fly, then this type of fishing is probably not for you. I’m convinced that if I hadn’t spotted them in advance, I wouldn’t have caught some of my best fish at all,” Tobias assures.

Scottish technique

When seatrout are in a good mood, they’ll take almost anything. However, most people are also aware that seatrout can be picky and hard to entice at times. For these selective fish, Tobias Park strongly believes in very small flies. – “I believe that coastal seatrout are selective in their search for food a large part of the time. Unfortunately, the big seatrout often stay a bit too far out for us fly fishers, but once they come in close, they al-

most always go for a flea. The small fleas are on the trout’s menu for most of the year, and they are an easy prey.

Of course, the fish can be focused on sandeels, ragworms, or something else, but more often than not, a big seatrout won’t say no to a small flea. It’s more likely to reject anything else. If you fish based on the theory or hope that the seatrout will strike hard, you miss out on many good fish. Micro-fleas are highly underrated on the coast, and it’s a shame more people haven’t realized that.

Sometimes I fish the coast with fleas at a moderate to slow retrieval speed, but if I see fish, I often just let the fly hover in front of them. I keep the line just barely taut with figure-eight nymph retrieval. The advantage of a fly like the Bladlusaborten is that it has these stabilizing materials, which makes it hover freely in the water.

There is another technique that I brought back from Scotland, where I worked as a ghillie on the Outer Hebrides for a while. On the lakes up there, it was a well-known technique to fish with two flies. But not the way it is common on the Danish coasts with a small fly followed by a big one. No, in fact the opposite. That’s why I often fish flies like the Aborten as the trailing fly behind a larger, more buoyant fly. Typically, a classic muddler like the Muddler Minnow in size 6 or 8. The muddler fly streaks through the surface and attracts attention, but the trout usually prefers the small trailing fly.

I really can’t stand fishing with two flies, and it’s not without risk with an extra hook when you hook a big fish in shallow water. But the technique is just incredibly effective. Typically, I attach the muddler to a strong 0.30 mm dropper. I attach the micro fly just about thirty to fifty centimetres behind,” Tobias explains.

Double instead of treble

The calm conditions and delicate small flies naturally call for the use of very light fly gear, but due to the possibility of catching a big seatrout, Tobias always fishes with the strongest fly gear he considers possible on the day. – “On the coast, I almost always fish with fly rods between class 5 and 7. I almost always fish the various flea flies on a floating line, but if I’m fishing more thoroughly over slightly deeper water, I might use a hover or intermediate line.

I tie my own leaders. Partly to get them exactly the way I want them, partly because I can’t bring myself to buy expensive pre-made leaders. I can tie a whole swarm of leaders for the same price as a single factory-made leader. I use nylon leaders of 10-12 feet, adjusted according to the conditions. That means with a longer butt section for rough weather or a longer tip for delicate presentations. I don’t think the super long leaders that some people advocate are necessary for coastal fishing. My leaders typically end in a 0.23-26 mm tip, but on the 5-weight rod, I sometimes go down to 0.18 mm.

As I said, I use flea flies in different sizes, and I usually tie the larger ones on single hooks, like most sand flea imitations. I’ve also tied some of the small ones on slightly stronger single hooks for a friend who needed them for fishing with a bombarda float. But they just don’t perform as well as the double hooks.

also work on the coast, but the double hooks hold much better balance. A size 12 double hook is the largest I use. I use them down to sizes that can fit inside the hook gap of that fly. In other words, really small flies. Unfortunately, you now have to search far and wide to find such small double hooks,” Tobias laments.

Tying tips

Tobias has a few tips worth noting when you tie his variant of the Bladlusaborten. The original fly had hackle stems as tails. On the hackles, a few fibers are left at the tips to form a small triangle, which helps to support the fly. However, for the larger versions, Tobias has switched to boar bristles, which naturally serve the same function.

When I fish for salmon, I often use very small flies, like Francis on treble hooks down to size 14-16. These

– “For the body hackle, I prefer to use thin feathers in dry fly quality, where I strip one side of the fibers. That way, the fly doesn’t get overdressed. The orange version is a good starting point, but I’m not too particular about the shades, and I encourage you to experiment with the tones of both the hackle and dubbing,” concludes Tobias.

Materials:

Hook: Ahrex HR428 str. 12 (Gold or Black Nickel)

Tying Thread: Black, orange or red

Tail: Orange Wild Boar

Body: Orange Seal Dubbing or similar

Rib: 0,20 – 0,25 mm nylon

Body Hackle: Grizzly

Step 1

Mount the tying thread onto the hook.

Step 2

Tie in two boar bristles so they form a V pointing backward.

Step 4

Dub a full body of seal fur.

Step 5

Wind the hackle forward over the dubbing. About 3-4 turns are suitable.

Step 3

Tie in the nylon ribbing and then the tip of the hackle at the back. Dub a full body of seal fur.

Step 6

Finally, wind the nylon ribbing carefully through the hackle, and finish the fly.

NYLINDER

A Fly Fishing Bum turned Formidable Film-Maker ROLF

Fly fisherman, Rolf Nylinder, might deliberately try to come across as a simple human being, who just happens to dabble in fly fishing films. But those of us, who have followed him for years, know that his story-telling skills are unique and highly developed and that he is capable of transforming ideas, reflections, and notions into captivating visuals like no one else. Rolf turns poetry into motion, and having watched all of his fly fishing films with great enthusiasm, we thought it was appropriate to sit down with Rolf and have a few words about his career as a flyfisherman and as a film-maker.

By THE EDITORIAL STAFF

BIO//

Full Name: Rolf Nylinder

Born: 1989

Country of origin: Sweden

Social Media: www.instagram.com/rolfnylinder

How did you get started fly fishing and why?

I’m not sure. I was fishing a lot - all kinds of fishing. Then, at some point, my brother got a fly rod. That winter, we downloaded every fly fishing film possible and started tying flies. I would say that the films made by Lars Nilssen and Lars Lenth really got me hooked on fly fishing.

What is it that fascinates you about fly fishing?

I don’t know, maybe because a fishing trip is like a miniature version of life. I like that everything is there; compressed into a little trip. But the answer to this question has changed over the years, I guess. Just the beauty of a rise, is also a good answer, I guess.

How did you end doing fly fishing films?

I was very drawn to making films right away. I just like to be living inside a little story in some way. And it’s a way to save the moment.

What’s the best part of doing films? And what’s the worst part?

The worst part is colorgrading and writing subtitles. The best part is that there are no rules. I don’t have to make it in any other way than what I like at the moment. I’m terrible at making films for others. At least I feel terrible doing that.

You’re a true story teller. How did your style of film-making and fly fishing story telling come about?

I don’t know. My first films were attempts at making exact copies of Bård & Lars (A Norwegian fly fishing duo that made entertaining and tongue-in-cheek fly fishing films back in the 90s). I even tried to talk like Lars Lenth in the speaker voice. And what I’m doing now, I have no idea about. I’m just doing the first thing that comes to mind,

What is the creative process like for you? (How do you envision and realize your film ideas)?

I am very bad at answering questions like this one. I really just DO things. I guess the creative process is trying to shut down ideas so I can finish something.

What’s your favourite among the films you’ve done and why?

Wow, I don’t know. I like the one called “the color of coral”. It was my first time fishing with Håvard and I like to see how we connect in some way.

Are there any fly fishing film makers that you’re fond of – or draw inspiration from?

Everyone is so much better than me at color grading and the overall production thing. I just don’t have that in me. I’m inspired by all of them. Tight loops, Ted Logart, etc...

Do you have any cool fly fishing film projects coming up?

Yes, I’m on my way to South Africa now, will hopefully do something there.

You’ve been the archetype of a living and breathing trout bum. But you also have a family now. How do you balance things – and make a living?

I’m working on the balance thing.

What’s the most important advice you can give to fellow fly fishers who want to get into film making?

Buy the most expensive camera. No, I don’t know. Everyone seems to work in their own way. Just start! -is a good tip, I think. Don’t be too afraid of making bad films, then you will just copy someone else. Or perhaps do that, copy someone else.

You’ve traveled to some of the most iconic fly fishing destinations on the planet. What’s your favourite destination and why?

Northern Scandinavia. I have a long-going connection to the fishing there. I know what a trophy fish for me is there. It’s fun to see the world, but fishing-wise it has nothing on the Marbaten River.

Is there a certain destination or species that you’re itching to fish?

A tributary to Marbaten in Northern Sweden.

What are your plans and aspirations as a fly fisherman and film-maker for the future?

I hope I get to spend a lot of time making films that don’t have a purpose or a finansial plan. Just random things for fun.

A Not Too Steady Flow Of Mayflies

During your travels across the globe, what has most concerned you environmentally?

Myself I guess. That is something I can change and still I’m on a plane headed to catch a fish for fun. Almost all of my “travels across the globe” was before I had kids, but now I suddenly have another one coming up. One trip every 5 years - is that okay?

5 Must-Sees from Rolf Nylinder

Floating Flies

The Great Shaku Hunter

The Color of Coral

THE ALL-NEW LIQUID MAX REEL

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”Must Watch” VIDEO

THE LAST DAY | A FLY FISHING DOCUMENTARY

By JOSH HARDWICK

In this short film, master casting instructor Dayle Mazzarella ponders what is most important in life.

Dayle is not only a world-class angler and teacher, he’s one of the most incredible humans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

THE RIGHT SPOT

Eden Bleu Hotel

Just 5 minutes from the International and domestic airport!

Instinctive performance Definitive style

New Zealand by some of the most avid and experienced trout fishermen, Primal Fly Rods and Fly Lab Fly Reels epitomize performance and value for money. More info

AN INTERVIEW WITH A FISHY ARTIST

Andrea Larko

From an early age, art has been a constant companion for Andrea Larko, providing a means of self-expression and comfort. Starting with a fascination for drawing perspective as a child, this passion grew and led to a diverse educational journey, from graphic design to illustration, and exploration of various artistic mediums. Yet, the most enduring love remained in 2D art, particularly drawing and painting. A return to Pennsylvania rekindled another childhood passion - fishing - which soon merged with art, sparking a career as an angling artist. Today, known for vivid, colorful depictions of fish and nature, this unique blend of passions has shaped a fulfilling and thriving artistic career.

By THE EDITORIAL STAFF

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into doing artwork and fly fishing?

My earliest memory is learning how to draw perspective when I was 3 or 4, and art has stuck with me ever since. I always enjoyed being able to express myself through art and carried a sketchbook with me at all times from the middle of elementary school through college. While sitting through courses I’d constantly be doodling in the margins of my notebooks or making flipbooks to entertain myself. When deciding to go to college I knew I wanted to pursue fine art, but also be practical. I chose graphic design. It just wasn’t as artistic as I had hoped and ended up switching my major after my first year to Illustration. The change ended up being a great fit for me.

I took a variety of courses from sculpture, digital art, glass blowing and flame working, printmaking, screen printing, airbrushing, ceramics, oil acrylic and watercolor painting and even popup books and apprenticing as a tattoo artist; however, I still felt most tied to the 2D arts of drawing and painting.

Sketching is a release for my anxiety and became my therapy. I knew art was always going to be a part of my life, whether I could make a living off it or not. After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York with a BFA in Illustration I landed a position as an artist for a company making figurines for gift shops. As an artist in a very conservative office setting though I didn’t exactly fit in. At the time, the recession also hit, and I decided to leave upstate New York to move back to Pennsylvania.

“Sketching is a release for my anxiety and became my therapy.”

Finding a position at a local screen-printing shop as an artist making custom designs and another at the local gazette creating advertisements kept me busy. Something I missed while living in the city was fishing, and I took back to the water soon after returning to PA. Finding solace on the water once again, I switched from spin to fly fishing.

Growing up fishing with my 3 sisters were always memories I cherished and being on the stream again tied me back to my roots. Little did I know, the one decision of picking up a fly rod changed the course of my life.

My free time from work was then spent either on the water chasing wild and native trout or tying flies. I made an account when Instagram was in its infancy, sharing the flies I enjoyed tying. From simple nymphs to classic Atlantic salmon flies and Spey flies to streamers and wet flies, I started gaining a following of others who enjoyed the sport.

Wanting some artwork for the walls in my new fly tying area I painted a tryptic in oil of a brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Sharing those paintings online started a chain reaction I also was not prepared for. About 6 months later, with art commissions stacking up 2 years in advance, I decided I was going to take a gamble and bet on myself. I quit both my day jobs a few months apart and started my career as an angling artist. 12 years later I’m still thankful for every day I’m able to call myself a full-time artist.

How did your vivid, colourful style evolve?

Since I can remember, I have always drawn with oversaturated colors. It wasn’t until my 3rd year in college I finally received an explanation from an eye doctor appointment. While taking a color test they found I have a color deficiency. This seemed to explain my attraction towards creating with vibrant colors.

Unable to decipher pastels from gray soon had me realizing a portion of my wardrobe was in fact periwinkle or lilac, not in fact gray. Over the years I’ve had clients ask for more subdued colors, which is easy for me to change digitally by drawing a piece as I see it and then desaturating the colors in the editing process. I do still prefer vibrancy or grayscale though in pieces I create for myself or customers who let me take the lead. But my work has also evolved into more intricate designs and color schemes over the years.

Who

or what inspires you to do artwork?

There are a lot of artists I admire and love for their work. However, I feel like my work is inspired more by emotion. Whether I’m trying to portray the feelings of being on the water with a fly rod in hand, working through a busy mind of anxiety or pulling myself from a dark mental place; artwork has been my outlet.

“If I don’t fish for long spans of time I feel as though a part of me is missing.”

Many of my illustrations have hidden meaning with the patterns I choose or designs I incorporate. But I always enjoy hearing what others see in my more abstract work. I don’t usually share my perspective as to not stifle the viewers own interpretations.

What has compelled you to paint fish and fly fishing motifs?

The connection I have with fly fishing mimics the connection I have with my artwork on an emotional and therapeutic level. As well as lessons in patience, failures and successes, my art and fly fishing have both healed large parts of me and helped me grow in ways I didn’t even realize needed attention. They’re both humbling and uplifting at times. Between finishing a piece and knocking ink on it to getting a snag under a rock then into a tree, the frustration is a learning curve filled with many failures along the way. These lessons help me become a better angler, artist and dare I say a more down to earth person. If I

don’t fish for long spans of time I feel as though a part of me is missing. The same correlation goes with my art. I, as most artists, have creative blocks, but the water will always be my second home. Fly fishing helps me find my way back to inspiration and create visual representations of my feelings being on the water.

What is it about fly fishing that i ntrigues you?

Fly fishing is hope. Hope in a world where it’s fleeting. That’s why I fly fish.

How do you split your time between fly fishing and painting?

Owning a small business takes a lot of time. Honestly, I’m not very good at managing the workload vs time spent outdoors. I know the more effort I put into my business the more I get out of it, so I do have an unhealthy habit of working until I burn out. Usually at that point I realize it’s necessary to get back on the water to reenergize, refocus and find my center again.

In your opinion, do fly fishing and doing art complement each other – and if so how?

Yes, I wholeheartedly believe fly fishing and art complement each other. The way a stream can clear my mind mimics the way drawing repetitive patterns and spending dozens of hours coloring a single piece of work can help me process the thoughts I sometimes cannot verbalize. Has fly fishing helped you become a better artist – or vice versa?

I believe both could be true. Although I know a lot of the basics of fly fishing, there is a lot of technicalities to it sometimes. I’m very much a trial-and-error artist as well. A part of that journey led to my Bob cartoon through the many, many mistakes I’ve made while teaching myself how to fly fish and the amusing things I’ve seen on social media.

made up to thinking maybe a fish would be sitting where I know they shouldn’t, I think it’s helped me think outside the box while I’m on the stream. Most fish outsmart me, but either way I have a fun time learning from my mistakes. My art is always evolving as well, whether it’s the media, my process or style, I just like to play around and see what happens when I try something new.

Again, most of the time it’s a failure but a failure to me in and of itself is a learning experience. It’s always an adventure on the water or in the studio.

What are your aspirations as a fly fisher?

I think being an artist makes me want to play more while I’m fishing. Whether it’s with fly patterns I

My aspirations as a fly fisher are to just get out there. I have no expectations. I obviously don’t expect to catch a fish every cast, every run or even every outing. I just want to learn more. I believe there’s always room for growth and I’m always learning new things about fly fishing.

From dries to streamers and wet flies to nymphing; from bamboo, glass, graphite to Spey and switch rods; from the salt flats in Belize to the glacial water of the Kenai Peninsula to the brook trout sidewalk streams blue-lining in Pennsylvania, it’s all very humbling. Any day, evening or even half hour spent on the stream I consider a win.

Those few seconds before I release a fish everything in me feels aligned. I aspire to have that feeling of contentment more often.

Do you have any cool projects coming up; fishing- or art wise?

I’m always excited about my upcoming projects but, at the moment, I’m not able to disclose any of those coming out before my clients release them. As far as fishing trips I do not have any planned but hope to enjoy the wild trout in PA this fall.

Any advice to fellow fly fishermen, who aspire to do fish art?

I have two pieces of advice I can give to an aspiring fish artist. First is to not undersell yourself.

Your prices dictate your worth and taking a low offer or trade to “get your name out there” will not only undervalue your art, but every artists work as well. At the end of the day, giving away your talent for “recognition” is not respected and will be taken advantage of time and time again.

All companies obviously have a bottom line, but some try to get custom artwork for stock image prices. Do not sell yourself short. It’s okay to turn down companies you love and still support their brands, but you don’t have to lower your standards to meet their margins.

My second piece of advice is to not take things to heart. Critiques of artwork are necessary for growth, but criticism lies with every keyboard warrior. You need a thick skin to be an artist.

From work being stolen on a regular basis by people and companies you respected and support, to the backlash for being told you’re a sellout, you need to not take things to heart and know when to pick your battles.

There are a lot of thorns on this rose of being an artist and the more you try to grip onto them the more you’ll bleed. You need to get to know yourself well enough to not let all of the theft destroy your will to share new work online. It’s a risk. There’s no way around it. With AI, artwork online is even more in jeopardy and there isn’t any protection for artists yet from those kinds of threats.

The saying I’ve heard is “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”. I used to believe the saying, but the truth is you’ll work harder than you ever have, for less money, more stress and years of long nights that creep into seeing sunrises. But if you have the true passion to create don’t let anyone or anything stop you from pursuing your dreams. It’s all worth it to me, but don’t get me wrong, it was never easy.

I’ll take a sleepless night in my studio with my dog snoring next to me while listening to metal music and painting any day of the week over sitting in office cubicle working towards someone else’s dreams. After a decade I’m still pushing forward and reinventing myself. I keep going not only for my work, but to set a standard for every other artist after me with a passion to create and a fly rod in hand.

FAILURE is not an option

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THE YELLOW MAYFLY Fly Tying

The Wally wing technique, developed by Canadian tyer Wally Lutz in the 1970s, has recently regained popularity. Unlike other reverse hackle wings, this method uses a single feather to create both wings, making material selection crucial. While opinions differ on their effectiveness, Wally winged flies are admired for their beauty and the joy they bring to fly tyers.

By PETER LYNGBY

By BARRY ORD CLARKE

This is one of those technique that has recently become extremely popular again, after being more or less shelved, for over four decades. The original Wally wing was created by Canadian tyer Wally Lutz in the early seventies. This winging technique, falls under the category of ‘reverse hackle wings’ along with Wonder wings and Origami wings. Although all three styles have similar characteristics, the latter two require two hackles for a pair of wings and just about any type of hackle or feather with long enough barbules can be used for this technique. Whereas both wings are made for the Wally wing with a single feather. We are also restricted here to what specific feathers can be utilised for the Wally wing splitting technique. The most popular being, breast and flank feathers from various water fowl, game birds and CDC.

Your choice of winging material for tying Wally wings is paramount, if you wish to succeed! If you have purchased a packet with mixed mallard or teal flank, only a limited amount of these will be useable. Here, I can

recommend purchasing a whole mallard drake skin. Having a whole skin has many advantages. The price of a whole skin is nominal, when you think of what you pay for a little packet ‘stuffed’ with feathers that only contains only a couple of grams. All the feathers are perfectly packaged by nature on a skin, keeping them all in the same direction and neatly stacked on top of each other. This also makes selection of individual feathers in the size required easier. If you feel the investment of a whole skin is beyond your budget, consider purchasing one as a collective with other fly tying friends and splitting it.

There is a mixed school of thought in the fly tying and fishing fraternity when it comes to fishing with Wally winged patterns. Some say they are hopeless and constantly twist the leader under casting, others, like my good friend and world class fly tyer, Trevor Jones, who has been one of the pioneers behind the reveal of this pattern, swears by them. No matter what your opinion may be, I think we can all agree, that they make a beautiful fly and are fun to tie.

Regarding the technique used here that I developed to tie, Wally wings, you will require a small plastic tube to hold the barbules in place for tying in. I have experimented with several types of tube for executing this technique and have found the absolute best is a tapered reserve nozzle from a small bottle of UV resin.

Depending on what size of Wally wings you intend to tie, you will first-

ly have to adjust the tip opening of the nozzle to the correct size of feather to be used. This is simply achieved by preparing a flank feather as in step 15, and see if you can pass it, all the way through the tube, you don’t want to tie the wings in and not be able to remove the tube because the feather stem is too thick. Cut a couple of mm from the end of the tube and try again. Repeat until the correct nozzle opening is attained.

Material List//

Hook: Mustad R30 # 12

Thread: Sheer 14/0 Yellow

Tail: Ginger Coq De Leon

Step 1

Secure your dry fly hook in the vice, as shown, with the hook shank horizontal.

Wings: Picric dyed Mallard flank

Body: Yellow turkey biot

Hackle: Whiting grizzle saddle dyed yellow

Step 2

Run a slim foundation of tying thread along the hook shank, as shown.

Step 3

Select a nicely marked ginger Coq de

for the tail fibres. Tie in the bunch on top of the hook shank. The tail should be approximately the same length as the hook shank.

Leon hackle

Step 4

Select a mallard flank feather with long barbules and nice markings. Make sure that there are no short barbules in the two sections to be used for the wings.

Step 7

Place the tip into the tube and carefully pull through until you have the size of wings required. It’s always best to make the wing a little larger than needed, it can be trimmed down to the correct size later.

Step 10

Now you can tidy up the remaining stem with a few more turns of tying thread. Try and make a slight taper on the abdomen.

Step 5

Strip off the down fibres at the base of the hackle. Wet the barbules at the tip of the flank feather and straighten.

Step 8

Now, keeping the mallard flank in the tube, offer the wings up to the correct position on the thorax and secure with a couple of turns of tying thread. While retaining tension on your bobbin, carefully position the wings to their final resting place and secure with a few more turns of thread. Still retaining tension on your bobbin slide the tube off.

Step 11

This is how the wing should look from the front of the hook.

Step 6

Before you tie on the wings you will need a small plastic tube. This one is from a bottle of UV resin.

Step 9

Once secure cut away the remaining stem of the mallard flank feather.

Step 12

Now you’re ready to split the wings. While holding the tip of the mallard flank in one hand carefully separate the nearest barbules from the tip with the other hand. Carefully pull the the barbules away from the feather stem as shown. Until it tears all the way down to the thorax.

Step 13

Repeat to make the second wing.

Step 14

Trim away the excess fibers from the centre and tips of the wings.

Step 15

Tie in a yellow turkey biot at the tail base.

Step 16

Attach a hackle plier and wrap the turkey biot in tight neat turns up over the abdomen to form the body. Tie off at the thorax.

Step 17

Prepare and tie in a yellow saddle hackle at the thorax 90 degrees from the hook shank.

Step 18

Wrap the hackle forward as shown behind and then in front of the wing. Tie off the hackle behind the hook eye.

Step 19

Trim off the excess hackle and whip finish.

Step 20

Apply a drop of varnish to the head and your Yellow Mayfly is ready.

Step 21

Front view of the finished yellow may.

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