CELEBRATING 8 YEARS AS THE VOICE OF SALTWATER FLY FISHING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
ATLANTIC SALMON: BACK FROM THE BRINK - TOM KEER CATCH AND RELEASE REVISITED - E. DONNALL THOMAS BEARING DOWN ON SILVER SALMON - JOE DOGGETT TRAVEL MEDICINE: AVOIDING APOCALYPSE DEEPWATER HORIZON: TEN YEARS LATER DISTANCE CASTING: THE DOUBLE HAUL NUBIAN ADVENTURE - PETER MCLEOD TERRY BAIRD’S HULA SHRIMP
ROAD TRIPS
& REDFISH
49
SEPT/OCT 2020
PLUS: COOKING GAMEBIRDS, MIXING MARTINIS, WATERPROOF TECH TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 1
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A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF HIGH-PER 2 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
RFORMANCE, HANDCRAFTED FLY RODS.
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TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 3
Sometimes we are rewarded for braving the fall weather with a northern Florida redfish. Photo: Michael Martin 4 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
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Jersey City sunset from the water. Photo: Mandritoiu
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TM
On the Cover: There are those magical moments when the sun’s retreat alone is memorable. Add a long-distance hookup on a Lowcountry red in the grass and you’ve created an image for the ages. Paul Dougherty captured this Eight Year Anniversary cover shot in Charleston after a day of shooting that was just about done. An epic way to end it.
GUIDE TESTED.
GUIDE TRUSTED.
Editor-In-Chief: Managing Editor: Creative Director: Food Editor: Travel Editor: Historians: Editors-at-Large:
Joseph Ballarini George V. Roberts Scott Morrison Kelli Prescott Peter McLeod Pete Barrett & Ed Mitchell Joe Doggett Mark Hatter Ryan Sparks James P. Spica Jr. Interns to the Editor: Sophia Ogden Heather Thomas
Creative Contributors: Abbas Adam Terry Baird Joseph Ballarini Joe Doggett Paul Dougherty Paul Frischhertz Carl Harris Henry Hughes Tom Keer Mandritroiu
Michael Martin Peter McLeod Stephen Paulson Trey Reid George Roberts Jamil Siddiqui Spoke Hollow Outfi tters E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Kyle Weaver Rob Williams
About Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is the voice of saltwater fl y fi shing in a bimonthly print and digital publication. We focus on delivering high-quality content, the very best photography, destination travel, reputable commentary, and technical features from the saltwater fl y fi shing culture. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine began as a digital publication in 2012 and debuted as a print magazine in 2016. Combined, the digital and print versions reach readers in over 45 countries. In many places throughout the world, fl y fi shing has become important to both people and the environment. As a method of fi shing imbued with values of stewardship and conservation, it connects people with the marine world in signifi cant and positive ways. We, the anglers, are the last line of defense for our outdoor spaces. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine supports the arts and creativity, conservation, and organizations that trumpet this message. We’re grateful for your support and we welcome photographic and written contributions. TFFM is published six times annually, and your print subscription includes the digital version. Subscriptions are available through our website. International subscriptions are also available for most countries. Please contact our general mailbox, admin@tailfl yfi shing.com, with any advertising, subscription, or submission questions.
Tail Fly Fishing Magazine 2300 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-763-8285 tailfl yfi shing.com
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GEAR GUIDE
Waterproof cameras, watches, and speakers that are sure to make your wishlist.
26
INSIDE THE BOX
The fall migration is here, and Carl Harris of CGH Custom Tackle showcases some cool fall offerings to help you get in on the topwater action.
46
ON THE PLATE: COOKING GAMEBIRDS
Food Editor, Kelli Prescott, offers up recipes for dove, quail, and other wildfoul that don’t require a wing and a prayer.
52
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
A brief history of the most iconic of cocktails, recipes included.
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DISTANCE CASTING: PART FIVE
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In the final installment of this series, George Roberts takes you through the double haul: what it isn’t, what it is, and how you can use it to improve all of your casts—long or short.
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THE HULA SHRIMP
REDFISH ROAD TRIP
Photo essay. Photos by Paul Dougherty, words by Captain Rob Williams.
DEEPWATER HORIZON: TEN YEARS LATER
In 2010, Trey Reid was a field reporter for ESPN covering the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. On the tenth anniversary of the United States’ worst environmental disaster, Trey revisits the Louisiana Delta.
CONTENTS
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Fly angling veteran Terry Baird was racking up IGFA records before many TFFM readers were born. In this feature Terry shares with you the most innovative fly of the last 30 years that you’ve probably never heard of.
68 76 82 84
BEARING DOWN ON SILVERS
Armed only with a willow wand, author Joe Doggett shares a stretch of the Shelikof Strait with an angler crankier—and much larger—than himself.
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Many anglers travel to rural, remote, or impoverished areas—but those aren’t terms you want to describe your medical care. Travelmedicine physician Abbas Adam shows you how, with a little preparedness, you can avoid a trip to the witchdoctor on your next angling adventure.
BACK FROM THE BRINK
Some experts have written off the Atlantic salmon as good as extinct in the United States. Author Tom Keer reports on a novel hatchery program that just may prove them wrong.
POETRY
AVOIDING APOCALYPSE: A TRAVEL MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE
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AN ANGLER OPINES: RELEASE OR RETAIN?
“Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once,” wrote Lee Wulff. But when we put them back, are they actually living to fight another day…? E. Donnall Thomas takes a hard look at the dogma of catch and release.
Two poems by Henry Hughes.
NUBIAN ADVENTURE
Travel Editor, Peter McLeod, heads for some fun in the sun in Sudan. Triggerfish and bluefin snapper and giant trevally … O my!
Photo: Kyle Weaver TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 11
— LETTER FROM THE EDITOR — MARRIAGE MILESTONES are marked each year by
accident. I mention it not to thump my chest but to
traditional gifts usually made of or containing a specific
make a point. That solo was the result of studying
material. This tradition dates back to the Roman Empire
Biscayne Bay over the last 13 years. Of fishing with
when a man would crown his wife with a silver wreath
(and listening to) knowledgeable guides like Bob
for their 25th anniversary and a golden wreath for their
Branham, Greg Poland, Carl Ball, and Joe Gonzalez.
50th anniversary. Emily Post popularized this practice
Of taking my licks. I spent countless hours at the Fly
in her 1922 book, Etiquette, which included a list to
Shop of Miami back when it was still good, run by
simplify spousal gift-giving. Traditional gifts include
David Olson and Jorge Martinez, just listening and
necessary items like paper and leather as well as
learning. In other words, I did the work. I listened to
valued items like precious or semi-precious metals and
the “old dudes” as well as everyone else with sound
gemstones. Although these traditions have no specific
knowledge. This enabled me to do it myself that day
bearing on fly fishing, we detail them in an attempt to
and as long as I continue to fish.
explain our redfish theme: For an eighth anniversary, the traditional gift is bronze—a perfect fit for this red-
I HOPE TO PASS this can-do spirit on to my son, who
infused issue.
will pass it on to his children. Perhaps a future editor of a future publication will defend my contribution
AND SPEAKING OF CUSTOMS: These days, our culture
to saltwater fly fishing when a newbie asks why he’s
simply ignores traditional practices and historical
bothering to talk about the guy who launched TFFM
influences. I addressed this once in a previous editor’s
so many decades ago. Maybe respect for tradition
note, responding to a young man who asked that we
and the past will gain momentum and fly anglers will
“stop writing about old dead dudes.” There was a bit
remember the sport’s customs without reminders.
more to my response, but in summary I simply told him that we will not stop doing so. Tail Fly Fishing Magazine
WE LEARN from those who came before us. I
will never turn its back on the history and lineage of
continue to learn from them and all of you as well.
saltwater fly fishing. We will always make room to remember the pioneers like Rhode, Dimock, and Brooks.
THE COUNTLESS FLY TYING features and DIY
(You can find these features in the historical figures
adventures that avid anglers submit reinforce my
section of our blog.) The very fact that we print TFFM in
belief that innovation still exists and people are doing
the digital age exemplifies our dedication to traditions.
the work. With any luck, the next crop of innovators will emerge.
WE HAVE RECEIVED more and more reader requests for the path of least resistance or the best place to land
THAT SAID, we’ve managed a very respectable lineup
a specific fish—and unfortunately, these requests don’t
of content for this special anniversary issue, including
necessarily come exclusively from those new to the
a gamebird recipe to enjoy in the fall, Peter McLeod’s
sport. When I respond I generally think, You should
travelogue on fly fishing the Nubian Flats, some truly
be doing it the hard way and learning how to do it for
remarkable photos from newcomer Paul Dougherty,
yourself.
and a fly tying feature by Terry Baird, an old dude who was setting IGFA records long before many of our
I ENCOURAGE READERS to tie their own flies and
readers were born. As we say with each issue, this one
leaders, rig their own gear, and take responsibility for
is better than the last.
their own fisheries. My fear is that because so many people are entering the sport in this Google Earth,
Enjoy the issue.
prepackaged-everything era, innovation and tradition will wither. I RECENTLY CAUGHT A PERMIT fishing solo—no guide, just me. Yes, luck is always involved, but this was no
179
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Joseph Ballarini
THE UNDERTOW LONELINESS
by James P. Spica Jr.
begins to feed on itself. Fishing is
other anglers; after a few hours of
you who are reading this piece,
surrounds me—the bustle of life
we wish to be. Not all anglers share
a distraction, an escape, indeed a
solitude I begin to imagine waves
of course).
in a bayou where man and wildlife
the same anxieties, but every one of
means of relaxation—except that
literally wiping me from the beach
share a stage—the darkness arrives.
us is alone with those thoughts that
black and steel gray. What if I were
the lonely angler is an emulsion of oil
without a trace. It’s a curious, gradual
There’s a price to pay for being
I fear being stranded in pluff mud. Or
creep in between casts. Spending
out there—swept out, overboard,
and water, in which the therapeutic
inversion.
alone with one’s thoughts. Some are
falling from my craft. Or being swept
the day on the water alone with
stranded, left to die. The physical
nature of solitude competes with
unquestionably malign—like a fear
out into open water and bobbing
only your thoughts for company is
strength I’d need to tread water
the emptiness of land, water, and
I really only have myself to blame:
of sharks where no sharks could be.
helplessly miles offshore. I’ve never
a certain reminder that fishing lays
would be easy to muster compared
soul. Sometimes there’s more oil,
The truth is that I prefer to fish
Some are formless and shapeless,
come even marginally close to such
us bare in one way or another. Now,
with the mental strength I’d need to
sometimes there’s more water.
alone. Even when I’m with another
others are specific and morbid. The
eventualities. I have a phone and a
excuse me while I gather a rod and
angler, I always suggest we go our
darkness seems nearer, civilization
GPS and a variety of safety gear in
a box of blurple flies and fish under
Fishing leads me to a variety of quiet
separate ways and meet up after an
farther away.
my waterproof pack. Reality doesn’t
the stars.
Such thoughts absorb me when I’m
places, which is great until solitude
hour or more. I just like to be alone
fishing alone.
turns to loneliness—turns from a
with my own thoughts, I guess—even
The horizon line is terrifying. At this hour, two colors meet there:
stave off despair.
pleasant high into a well of paranoia.
though I never know when those
Anxiety has plagued me all of my
All the way to the beach I’m praying
thoughts are going to devolve from
life. Loneliness leaves one alone
to and pleading with a higher
with
one’s thoughts, so the chemically
imbalanced mind
power
to
figuratively wipe the sand clean of
peaceful reflection to irrational
anxiety. I rarely
tell other anglers about this (except
stop the daymares. One moment I’m completely absorbed in casting crab flies to marsh redfish from a kayak; the moment my old friend Anxiety
But if emotion weren’t a part of next
taps me on the shoulder.
Despite the peaceful bustle that
fishing, what would be the point? Being alone—and feeling the visceral implications of being alone—allows us to come to terms with who we are, not who
Photo: Scott Morrison
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— LETTER TO THE EDITOR — EVER READ A PERSONAL PIECE that’s so poignant,
others cause you to pause, reflect, and take a hard
so apropos that it strikes you in the ribcage and
look at who you ain’t. Down here in Louisiana we’re
nearly takes away your breath? Such was my reaction
partial to the saying, “Be who you is, not who you
to “Loneliness” by James P. Spica Jr. (July/August
ain’t.” Can’t get much more honest than that! Over
2020 issue number 48).
the years I have come to “befriend” all of these emotions, sometimes can even predict their arrival
Clearly, the line between loneliness and solitude is a
and now refer to them as my “imaginary friends”!
fine one. Similar to Spica, I relish the state of solitude, being alone, thinking only of fat fish, beautiful stars,
“… if emotions weren’t a part of fishing, what would
and the taste of bourbon later. Fly fishing allows one
be the point?” Spica accurately observes. Trust
to forget about life for awhile, to get away from all
me, fly fishing by yourself allows an angler an
the crazy commotion. Fly fishing is a magnet—I’m
unencumbered and brutally honest view of who one
drawn to it, can’t resist its pull, but, like Spica, while
is and who one is not. So tomorrow I’ll be fishing
savoring solitude, escaping all the disturbance, I’m
my home waters. Again waiting for the sweet sound
occasionally visited by Mr. “Anxiety” and (for me)
of my fly line ripping off my Hatch, hoping to be
his cronies: Anguish, Fear, Paranoia, Confusion,
surprised one more time. But it would not surprise
Obsessiveness, Regrets, Envy, Disappointment. And
me if some of my “cronies” surprised me.
while some of the thoughts in front of these emotions are obviously unrealistic or innocuous enough,
—Mark J. Miller, Ruston, Louisiana
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 13
R E T A I L E R S C A R R Y T A I L
ALASKA Mossy’s Fly Shop 750 W. Diamond Blvd, Suite 114 Anchorage, AK 99515 907-770-2666 mossysflyshop.com CALIFORNIA Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store 2700 W. Orangethorpe Ave Fullerton, CA 92833 714-525-1827 bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. com COLORADO Front Range Anglers 2344 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303-494-1375 frontrangeanglers.com CONNECTICUT The Compleat Angler 541 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203-655-9400 compleatangleronline.com FLORIDA 239 Flies 3431 Bonita Beach Rd SW Unit #205 Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 908-3513 239flies.com Black Fly Outfitters 11702 Beach Blvd, #109 Jacksonville, FL 32246 904-997-2220 blackflyoutfitters.com Forgotten Coast Fly Company 123 Commerce Street Apalachicola, FL 32320 850-653-1024 forgottencoastflycompany.com Florida Keys Outfitters 81219 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 305-664-5432 floridakeysoutfitters.com Flounder Creek Outfitters 515 Garden Street Titusville, FL 32796 321-567-2931 facebook.com/ floundercreekoutfitters/ Mangrove Outfitters 4111 Tamiami Trail E Naples, FL 34112 239-793-3370 mangroveoutfitters.com Ole Florida Fly Shop 6353 N. Federal Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33487 561-995-1929 olefloridaflyshop.com Orlando Outfitters 2814 Corrine Dr Orlando, FL 32803 407-896-8220 orlandooutfitters.com
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ORVIS Ocean Reef 1 Fishing Village Drive Key Largo FL 33037 305-367-2227 Orvis.com ORVIS Sandestin 625 Grand Boulevard Ste 101 Sandestin, FL 32550 850-650-2174 Orvis.com The Angling Company 333 Simonton St Key West, FL 33040 305-292-6306 anglingcompany.com GEORGIA Cohutta Fishing Company 39 S. Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 770-606-1100 cohuttafishingco.com ORVIS Atlanta Buckhead Square 3255 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404-841-0093 Orvis.com The Fish Hawk 764 Miami Cir NE #126 Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-3473 thefishhawk.com LOUISIANA ORVIS Baton Rouge Perkins Rowe, Bldg. H 7601 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ste. 140 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-757-7286 Orvis.com MARYLAND Alltackle 2062 Somerville Rd Annapolis, MD 21401 888-810-7283 alltackle.com MASSACHUSETTS The Bear’s Den 34 Robert W. Boyden Rd Taunton, MA 02780 508-977-0700 bearsden.com MONTANA Frontier Anglers 680 N. Montana St Dillion, MT 59725 406-683-5276 frontieranglers.com
NORTH CAROLINA Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd D5 Cornelius, NC 28031 704-896-3660 carolinaflyfishing.com OBX on the Fly PO BOX 508 Manteo, NC 27954 RHODE ISLAND The Saltwater Edge 1037 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI 02842 866-793-6733 saltwateredge.com SOUTH CAROLINA Bay Street Outfitters 825 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902 843-524-5250 baystreetoutfitters.com ORVIS Charleston 535 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (854) 999-4985 Orvis.com Southern Drawl Outfitters 1533 Fording Island Rd Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-705-6010 southerndrawloutfitters.com TEXAS Bayou City Angler 3641 Westheimer Rd Suite A Houston, TX 77027 832-831-3104 bayoucityangler.com Gordy & Sons Outfitters 22 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 713-333-3474 gordyandsons.com ORVIS Austin 10000 Research Blvd - B04B Austin TX 78759 512-795-8004 Orvis.com ORVIS Houston 5727 Westheimer - Suite A Houston TX 77057 713-783-2111 Orvis.com
NEW YORK
ORVIS Plano Preston Towne Crossing 2412 Preston Road Suite 200 Plano, TX 75093 972-596-7529 Orvis.com
River Bay Outfitters 980 Church St Baldwin, NY 11510 516-415-7748 riverbayoutfitters.com
ORVIS San Antonio 7427 San Pedro Ave. Suite 104 San Antonio, TX 78216 210-812-3017 Orvis.com
Sportsman’s Finest 12434 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78738 512-263-1888 sportsmansfinest.com Swan Point Landing 1723 Cherry Street Suite 4 Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-7926 swanpointlandingflyshop.net Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co. 1933 E. Levee St Dallas, TX 75207 888-824-5420 tailwatersflyfishing.com UTAH Fishwest 47 West 10600 South Sandy, UT 84070 fishwest.com 801-617-1225 WASHINGTON Peninsula Outfitters 19740 7th Ave NE, Suite 110 Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-394-1599 peninsulaoutfitters.com Emerald Water Anglers 4502 42nd Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 206-708-7250 emeraldwateranglers.com The Avid Angler 17171 Bothell Way NE #A272 Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 206-362-4030 avidangler.com WYOMING Lander Fly Shop 305 Main Street Lander, WY 82520 307-438-3439 landerflyshop.com CANADA Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop 199 Queen St. East Toronto Ontario M5A-1S2 647-347-7370 Driftoutfitters.com Retail Chains: Barnes & Noble—630 retail locations in the USA Books-A-Million—260 stores in 32 states Bass Pro Shops—95 locations in the USA Dick’s Sporting Goods (select locations)—over 700 stores in the USA Field & Stream Stores—35 locations in the USA Indigo Books—over 200 stores under various banners
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 15
Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera Waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof to withstand 7-foot drops, crushproof to 220 lbf, and freeze-proof to 14 degrees F, the Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera is as tough and rugged as any good fly fishing camera should be. It’s also as smart as it is durable, with an f/2.0 high-speed lens, 20 fps burst shooting capability in RAW, and anti-fog dual plane glass for capturing the best possible image every time. Thanks to a specialized image sensor, the Olympus TG-5 can even take the best picture in low lighting, and Ultra HD 4k video and Action Track Sensors only add to the plethora of features. $449
GEAR Fujifilm FinePix XP130 Waterproof Digital Camera The small, compact, yet rugged Fujifilm FinePix XP130 Waterproof Digital Camera is waterproof to 65 feet, shockproof up to 5.8 feet, and freezeproof to 14 degrees F and comes with many great features, including underwater and underwater macro modes, which give you the best possible underwater images; a Burst Mode Button; a 28mm wide-angle lens; as well as 5x optical zoom. If you’re looking to capture your next angling trip on video, this camera comes with a Full HD Movie feature (1080p/60 fps) that can also freeze moving images up to 320 fps. $129.95
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GoPro HERO7 Black Since its first release, GoPro has become synonymous with outdoor adventures, so it’s no wonder they’d have a camera that’s perfect for all of your angling adventures. The GoPro HERO7 is compact, sleek, and features the all-new HyperSmooth stabilization at 60 fps in 4k, making for the best images from a GoPro camera yet. TimeWarp and Hyperlapse features create smooth moving time-lapses. SuperPhoto mode makes shots look great in any light with tone mapping and noise reduction. Voice Control gives you 16 commands for hands-free operation. Feel free to show off your next catch in real time on social media with this camera’s live-streaming capabilities. $229
GUIDE Power Vision PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone Regular cameras can only show you so much; the Power Vison PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone can take you far beyond your usual view, as it is a fishing drone, not a camera. This underwater drone allows you to see from a depth of 98 feet and features a 210foot tether, 4K UHD video screen, 1080p real-time streaming, 12MP photos, 5f ps Burst Mode app for viewing images on iPhone/Android, and a 64 gb memory card. Once you put on the Zeiss VR goggles, they, along with the PowerRay Wizard Underwater Drone, will allow you to explore the underwater world like never before. $599
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CHASING Dory Underwater Drone With a 1080P HD camera, a F/1.6 lens for a wider FOV, and a live-streaming feature, the CHASING Dory Underwater Drone will make you feel as though you’re really under water. The built-in true color restoration algorithm will only add to the vividness of the experience, and two 250-lumen headlights will make sure you can guide the drone in the darkest of waters. The Dory is, in fact, one of the smallest underwater drones on the market—but don’t underestimate it. With all these features and more, including a WiFi Buoy and dual play mode for two users, the CHASING Dory Underwater Drone packs a lot into what looks like only a toy. $499
GEAR Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone Another great option from Power Vision, the Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone has a plethora of unique features, such as a 220-degree retractable 4K camera that sees above and below water, selfrighting flip capabilities, and a one-button home function that will bring your drone back to you instantly. So perfect is the Powerdolphin for fly anglers that it even comes with mobile fish-finding technology. That, plus image transmission up to ½ mile, ultra-long battery life, and a speed of up to 10mph makes the Power Vision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone a great choice. $999
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Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone By using an IOS or Android app on your smartphone, you can control the Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone’s every movement. The app can even create a customized route and depth for BIKI, with the drone filming the entire time, allowing you to see BIKI’s pathway on video when the drone returns to the surface. BIKI can also be controlled via a remote control, and features bionic driving, 4k UltraHD video, camera stabilizer, and underwater suspension. With so many amazing features and two different ways of navigating BIKI through the water, the Robosea BIKI Underwater Drone truly stands out among all the underwater drones on this list. $999
GUIDE Youcan BW-Space Pro Underwater Drone The Youcan BW-Space Pro Underwater Drone is a product that prides itself on its stability, as well it should considering that the drone is powered by four thrusters, making it perhaps the most stable drone on this list. Other features that match this feat in greatness include a 4k UHD camera, digital defogging, +/- 45 degree adjustable tilt, auto-adjust lighting, 330 feet dive, and 130 degree wide angle lens. Those aren’t all the features that come with the Youcan BW-Space Pro, which in itself is quite impressive. With a 5-hour battery life, you have plenty of time to play with and figure out all there is to know about this underwater drone. $1399
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 19
Suunto Traverse Alpha Hunting & Fishing Watch The many features of the Suunto Traverse Alpha Hunting & Fishing Watch include a GPS navigation system, high resolution digital display, built-in digital thermostat, barometric pressure detector; and calendar function as well as moon phase calendar. All of these impressive features come in a textured stainless steel bezel with a stylish military-style strap, making this the perfect accessory to any outfit in your wardrobe. At only 12.8 ounces, you’ll barely feel that you’re carrying all of this amazing technology right on your wrist. $299
GEAR Seaholm Flats Chronograph Watch This entry is the Rolls Royce of this issue’s Gear Guide. This beauty is shockresistant, and water-resistant to 200 meters. The Seaholm Flats Chronograph Watch was designed in Austin and is made in Switzerland. It’s a certified dive watch that’s built to endure the most extreme marine conditions. Fly anglers can use the tachymeter scale to calculate speed and distance—a great feature if you’re going to be exploring flats with a carbon fiber lightning rod in your hand. The Stainless steel case is 41 mm in diameter with a height of 11.6 mm—so it’s not too big and doesn’t create another snag hazard. The band is 316L stainless steel with solid links and is surprisingly light. Also includes a diver’s extension Nylon NATO strap. The Flats Chronograph Watch is available in black or flats blue. (seaholmautomatic.com) $3,495
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SunRoad Outdoor Fishing Watch The SunRoad Outdoor Fishing Watch is proof that you don’t need fancy equipment to get the job done. A stainless steel case is connected to an ultra-comfortable canvas band, making for a lowkey, slightly rugged look. Features include a weather indicator with thermometer; altimeter, and barometer function; and a high-res digital display. The features are few, but the price is right. $149
GUIDE Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Weighing less than a pound, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is one of the loudest speakers that comes in a tiny package, with a bass response that surpasses the original Wonderboom, along with a 30 percent better battery life. If it’s still not loud enough for you, the Wonderboom 2 can be paired with other Ultimate Ears Wonderboom products for the best, loudest sound imaginable. On top of all that, this speaker has an IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating. All of these great features in a .93-pound package? Turns out, it’s not impossible! $99.99
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Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Another great speaker option from Ultimate Ears is as light (at 1.2 pounds) and durable as it is loud—and it can get very loud without distorting. Much like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2, the Boom 3 is also waterproof and dustproof. The speaker has a one-touch mix button, allowing you to pick what you listen to without the aid of a smartphone. With 15 hours of battery life, this is an awesome speaker with an awesome sound that’s well worth the money. $149.99
GEAR Fugoo Style Depending on your personality, the Fugoo Bluetooth speaker can fit it with its selection of three different “jackets”: Style, Tough, and Sport. Not only can the Fugoo match your look, it can keep up with your energy level with a whopping 40-hour battery life. It’s small and easily portable, as well, at only one pound. This speaker has a great sound. Pair two of them and play in Stereo mode. Many haven’t heard of Fugoo, even though they make some incredible speakers at an amazing value. $69.99
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GUIDE TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 23
NEW
MAVERICK
Shown with Sage Spectrum Max Reel
Designed to maximize quick-shot presentations, the MAVERICK m a k e s t h e m o s t o f s a l t w a t e r ’s f i n i t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s .
Handcrafted in the USA
24 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
S A LT W AT E R /
FAST ACTION
Christmas Island Outfitters sageflyfish.com
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 25
New Flies from CGH Custom Tackle
(SLIM) CRICK BISCUIT SLIDER Tail, 4” Sand Eel Size 1,/0 Modified Ultra Suede
Although this issue is redfi sh-heavy, we can’t ignore the major migrations taking place for the next several months along the East Coast: striped bass, bluefi sh, and false albacore. From Maine to North Carolina you’re likely to encounter busting schools of hungry gamefi sh gorging themselves on the available local fare in preparation for their southward trek. If you’re a typical East Coast saltwater fl y angler, an intermediate or fast-sinking line is your go-to. However, maybe now’s the time to string up a fl oater. The surface smash of a double-digit brawler is one you won’t soon forget. This is dry fl y fi shing on acid! The cutting-edge work of Carl Harris of CGH Custom Tackle (cghcustomtackle.com) bridges the gap between fl ies and lures. Reminiscent of the fl y rod lures popular before spinning tackle became widely available, Carl uses sheet foam, glue, and epoxy to construct a variety of poppers, sliders, and divers to fi ll all of your surface and near-surface needs. The SCW Spearing is a variation of Harris’ Soft Chew Wiggler 2.0 (for tying instructions, see issue 45, January/February 2020) that swims like a Rapala and suggests a number of silverside and anchovy species. If calamari is on the menu, however, the SCW Squid is the right fl y for the job (make sure you have a few Squid for next spring’s striper fi shing as well).
” COOLA POPPER - Size 3/0, 3/5 Peanut Bunker
SOFT
CHEW WIGGLER - Size 1/0, Modified Ultra Suede Tail, 3.5” Spearing 26 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Two recent additions to the CGH Custom Tackle lineup are the Coola Popper and the Crick Biscuit Slider. The Coola Popper was
Size SOFT CHEW WIGGLER -Squ id 2/0, Ultra Suede Tentacles, 5”
inspired by the Hula Popper freshwater bass plug produced by the Fred Arbogast Company in the 1940s. Arbogast produced a fl y rod version with a body molded from hard plastic. Carl Harris’ rendition is very cool indeed—available in sizes 2/0 to 5/0 and several color variations including Peanut Bunker. The 3/0 version pitches easily with an 8-weight outfi t and kicks up more than enough commotion to ring the dinner bell (“Move over, Crease Fly”). The Crick Biscuit is Carl’s update on a sand eel slider from 30 years ago and is designed to move quietly on top. Sliders are effective whenever gamefi sh are keyed in on the surface, but they can be particularly deadly in calm waters during twilight and after dark. Use a steady hand-over-hand retrieve and get ready to rumble.
(MED)- Size GUMMY HEAD MINNOW Tail, 3.5” Mullet 3/0, Ultra Suede CGH Swim
The Gummy Head Minnow incorporates Carl’s innovative Ultrasuede Swim Tail, which gives a third dimension to the fl y’s action. You really have to see this fl y in the water to appreciate it. For a new spin on tradition, CGH offers a Lefty’s Deceiver and a Clouser Half-and-Half dressed with tails made of Ultrasuede. (If you must use a sinking line, you’ll tie no more effective fl y to the end of it than a Half-and-Half.) There’s no need to dredge the depths when the fi sh are trying to jump into the boat. Fly fi shing is most exciting when it’s a visual game. Make the most of the autumn blitzes by getting yourself a fl oating line, grabbing a handful of surface fl ies, and have a blast! If you have a box of fl ies you’re particularly proud of, send it to us (or a few high-resolution photos) with a description of each fl y and we’ll consider it for the Inside the Box feature.
ed Glass HALF/HALF - Size 1/0, ModdeifiTail , 3” Sue ra Ult ), Eye (Moderate Sink
GUMMY HEAD
MINNOW (SM 1/0, Ultra Sued ALL) - Size e CGH Swim Ta il, 3.5” Minnow
DECEIVER - Size 1/0, Modified Ultra
Suede Tail, 3”
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 27
28 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
by Rob Williams Photos: Paul Dougherty
South Carolina’s Lowcountry is a world-class fly fishing destination right here in the United States, just a short road trip away from many of the country’s bustling metropolises. The beauty of the Lowcountry marshes is reason enough to make the trek, of course—but its redfish nudge South Carolina into the mustdo column. In fact, Lowcountry redfish are the perfect saltwater fly fishing target.
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What makes redfish so perfect? First, anglers can sight cast to them, thereby getting in some technical fishing. Second, pound for pound, redfish are a hard-fighting species. And finally, they’re just absolutely beautiful. Fly anglers can pursue redfish all year, but a fall fishing trip is ideal: Beginning in September and October, when late-summer heat gives way to more moderate autumn weather, redfish sense the falling water temperatures and change their behavior dramatically. Instinctively recognizing that their forage is about to disappear, they begin to feed heavily at all times and in places where they usually would not. When this happens, fly anglers interested in exciting sight fishing will want to target redfish in three specific habitats: High tide flats, low tide flats, and small creeks.
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High tide flats fishing, possible in only a few places in the world, is plentiful in the Lowcountry in autumn. Around the full and new moons the tides are abnormally high; water floods up into the spartina grass surrounding the creeks, creating a field of flooded grass in which redfish may gorge on crabs. As the stronger-than-normal current comes into the marshes, redfish take the opportunity to go deep in the grasses to hide from predators and procure an easy meal. When they stop to slurp up crabs in the shallow flooded marsh, redfish often stick their tails straight up in the air, which indicates their position to the fly angler hoping to sight cast with a fly rod and weedless fly. Determine the direction the redfish is headed and place the fly just a few feet in front of it. Make short strips just as he gets to the fly. Redfish anglers generally don’t suffer for lack of feedback, because redfish either hammer a fly—in which case line will commence screaming out of your hands—or spook off, leaving only a wake and shaky knees behind them.
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A low tide flat is a large muddy area that holds at least a little bit of water even at the lowest of low tides; redfish love these low tide flats especially because their number-one predator, the bottlenose dolphin, hates them. Dolphins love a meal of redfish, but they’re careful to avoid very shallow water, especially at falling tide. Low tide flats also usually feature numerous oyster mounds that serve as “structure” for redfish. Growing schools of redfish will swim around and around from one oyster bed to another, feeding on anything in their path as temperatures continue to dip.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 33
Redfish make long blistering runs in these large muddy flats because they have nowhere to go but out and away from the skiff. From fall through winter, Lowcountry low tide flats fishing provides exceptional sight-casting opportunities because the water is so clear: When you enter a flat you can often see the redfish exploding on baitfish and shrimp in large schools from 50 yards away. A trip to the low tide flat is also great for newcomers to fly fishing: Larger schools of fish mean anglers can usually get a few good shots before the school is spooked—and even after that, there are still more schools remaining.
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Creek fishing is my personal favorite for many reasons, but especially because I enjoy the idea of catching a big fish in a small creek. When you set the hook on a 30-inch redfish in a 10-foot-wide creek, you’d better have brought your A game because there’s no telling where that fish will decide to go. It may head around the corner 60 yards in the creek to wrap you around grass. It may try to break you off on the nearest oyster bed. It may head straight for you under the boat and out of the creek. Redfish like the shallow creek for the same reason they like the flats: These habitats are difficult for predators—both human and dolphin—to access.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 35
Redfish will push far up into the shallowest part of the creeks at low tide to feed and to hide—and that is precisely when we like to target them with fly rods. Pole silently up a tiny creek on a crisp fall morning and spot schools of large 20- to 30-inch fish busting on baitfish, their backs and tails out of the water—and shaky knees and intense memories are all but guaranteed.
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The sights, smells, and sounds of the marsh draw angling novices to South Carolina every year; the delights of the fishery ensure that even the most experienced fly anglers never want to leave. Hiding in plain sight, a short drive and a world away from the East Coast’s bustling cities, South Carolina’s Lowcountry redfish are the only excuse a fly angler needs to schedule a fall road trip.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 37
:
TEN YEARS LATER
by Trey Reid
The end of a fishing day is a natural
said. “I still love going to work every
crevalle that maliciously herded big
time for reflection. So with the
day. You get to see things that most
schools of menhaden. Things got
evening sun slipping lower and
people go their whole lives and never
more interesting when bull sharks
bathing the Louisiana coastal marsh
see. It never gets old.”
showed up to the dinner party,
in golden light, it seemed fitting
smashing through the middle of
for Captain Mike Frenette to wax
The previous few hours of fishing
the baitfish schools while the jacks
philosophic on four decades of fishing
made Frenette’s point. Our objective
judiciously turned their attention
one of the Gulf of Mexico’s most
was redfish, a species that’s
to the outer edges. At one point the
productive estuaries.
emblematic of this coast and its
entire piscine spectacle drifted under
people—strong, tough, adaptive,
Frenette’s boat to offer an intimate
“I’ve seen a lot of changes, but it’s
and resilient—but we spent most of
glance into the feeding habits of
still an incredible fishery,” Frenette
the afternoon casting flies to jack
large predatory fish.
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We rotated between three menhaden
“With as many sharks as we’ve seen
rig exploded April 20, 2010, killing
schools in an area the size of four
here, I’m surprised you had it on as
11 people. Situated 41 miles off the
football fields, casting into the fray
long as you did,” Frenette said. “I
Louisiana coast and nearly a mile
when we found more jacks than
think we’re fighting a losing battle
deep, the ruptured well that caused
sharks. Nearing the appointed time
today.”
the catastrophe sent an estimated
to head back to Frenette’s lodge at
130 million gallons of oil into the
Venice Marina, I hooked up with my
The outcome was frustrating and
Gulf of Mexico over the next three
fourth jack of the afternoon and the
disappointing, but it was still a hell of
months. The oil slick spanned more
sixth in two days. The previous five
a day. And it was a radically different
than 57,000 square miles and soiled
had been lost to equipment failure or
experience from the last time I was in
an estimated 1,100 miles of coastline
angler error, but I was still optimistic.
a boat with Frenette.
from Louisiana to Florida. The small
The fish made a series of punishing
town of Venice, located at the end
runs and stripped a good portion
I met Frenette in June 2010, in the
of Louisiana Highway 23 about 75
of backing off the reel. Roughly 45
midst of what has been called the
miles southeast of New Orleans, was
minutes into the engagement, with
worst environmental disaster in US
the epicenter for the spill response.
the backing recovered and the fly
history. I was on assignment for
It’s also home to Frenette’s Redfish
line back inside the guides, the rod
ESPN.com to report on the BP oil
Lodge of Louisiana, established 1985,
started shaking violently. Thirty yards
spill and its effects on recreational
the first fishing lodge at Venice
away a plume of red water roiled
fishing. Following a complex series
Marina.
the surface as the 9-weight went
of mechanical failures and human
sickeningly slack.
errors, the Deepwater Horizon oil
40 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
The fishing and oil industries are
Frenette, a past president of the
a hearing room in the US Capitol to
the dual engines that drive Venice’s
Venice Charter Boat and Guides
testify about the spill and its effect
economy. It’s an unincorporated
Association, was idled by fishing
on his livelihood before the US Senate
community, population 202, that’s
closures and was spending more time
Environment and Public Works
the last outpost of civilization before
in front of TV cameras than in the
Committee.
the Mississippi River empties into the
bow of his Triton. His appearances
Gulf, a jumping-off point for inshore
included NBC’s Today show, National
“I’m losing everything I’ve worked
and offshore fishing trips as well as
Public Radio, Fox Business, MSNBC,
for,” Frenette told me one evening
oil platforms.
Reuters and The New York Times.
during the ongoing disaster. “I’m
One day he appeared on a live shot
losing my way of life. This year is
In June 2010, Venice was crawling
for The Situation Room with CNN’s
shot. We know that. But are we
with officials from every government
Wolf Blitzer and later recorded
talking one year, three years, ten
agency imaginable. Charter captains
another CNN interview with Anderson
years before things get back to
and commercial anglers used their
Cooper.
normal? That’s the scariest thing
boats to carry workers and absorbent
about this. We’re on the brink of
oil booms to the coastline. News
Frenette and I spent a day following
media from across the globe had
then-Louisiana Governer Bobby
erected makeshift sets in any free
Jindall and a swarm of media to see
Frenette lost an entire year of
space between fishing camps and the
where crude oil was washing ashore
business because of fishing closures,
surrounding marsh.
near Pass a Loutre and Redfish
but now, a decade after the spill,
Bay. A week later, Frenette was in
his life and business have mostly
disaster here.”
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 41
returned to normal, although he
noticeable issue with that stock.
Partnership. “When the oil spill hit,
says he used most of his retirement
There just doesn’t appear to be some
we were just kind of still coming out
savings to stay afloat. And while
big crash.”
of some very powerful hurricanes:
the spill caused significant damage
Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Gustav.
to specific sites along the coast,
But the BP oil spill didn’t happen
The commercial and recreational
including loss of marine and bird life
in a vacuum, and the scope of the
fishermen were just coming back and
and significant habitat degradation,
disaster can only be understood in
getting their feet under them again,
the widespread systemic crash of fish
the context of the long, enduring
and then the oil spill hit.”
populations that many feared didn’t
struggle to protect Louisiana’s
materialize.
fragile coastline and marsh against
It was the latest in a string of
recurrent disasters both natural and
calamities to befall the coastline
manmade.
of a state that calls itself the
“As far as an obvious crash as a result of the oil spill, nothing points
“Sportsman’s Paradise.” Louisiana
to that,” said Jason Adriance, finfish
“We’ve certainly had our troubles,”
loses land at the rate of a football
program manager for the Louisiana
said Chris Macaluso, director of the
field an hour, and since the 1930s the
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Center for Marine Fisheries for the
state has lost about 2,000 square
“With redfish, there’s been no
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
miles of coastal land, an area roughly
42 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
equivalent to Delaware.
miles of canals for exploration and
additional land loss. Throw in the
The causes are numerous and
infrastructure. Hundreds of miles of
growing threat of rising sea levels—
intertwined. After the Great Flood
navigation channels added to the
according to the National Oceanic
of 1927, Congress ordered the Army
problem by allowing water to eat
and Atmospheric Administration,
Corps of Engineers to build levees
away at the land and speed erosion.
southern Louisiana has the highest
along the Mississippi River, and while they had the desired effect of preventing destructive floods, there were deleterious consequences. It cut
relative rate of sea-level rise in the
“In the simplest terms,” Macaluso said, “we’ve broken the plumbing.”
the mighty river off from its delta,
US—and the outlook dims even more. For Frenette and others who fish and live on the Louisiana coast, the
preventing the massive sediment
Without the Mississippi naturally
problems aren’t abstract. Cruising
loads from spreading across the
flooding and replenishing its delta,
out of one of the many distributary
river basin and rebuilding land. The
southern Louisiana has been steadily
bayous leading from the big river to
problem was exacerbated after the
sinking for decades. When powerful
the Gulf during our June fishing trip,
discovery of oil and natural gas along
hurricanes make landfall from the
Frenette pointed to a spot where just
Louisiana’s coast in the 1930s. Oil
Gulf, there’s now less land to dampen
20 years ago the land stretched 2
companies dredged thousands of
their surge, which in turn causes
miles toward a distant oil platform;
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 43
today it’s all open water. Two weeks
good use.”
fresh water diversion argue that
after the relatively weak Tropical
Louisiana’s Coastal Restoration
moving that much fresh water into
Storm Cristobal made landfall in the
Master Plan also calls for
the system will harm saltwater-
area, the edge of the marsh appeared
construction of sediment diversions,
dependent fisheries.
as if a track hoe had scraped away
which would create cuts in the
huge chunks—2 feet of raw black
Mississippi River levee to divert
“Diversions have to be a part of the
dirt left where marsh grasses stood
sediment-laden water into the marsh
solution,” Macaluso said. “We need
a fortnight before. Cristobal also
to restore natural connections and
to have the ability to be adaptive
put more than a foot of water over
allow the river to replenish the delta.
in operating them. It’s a dynamic
the parking lot at Frenette’s lodge
system. It’s supposed to change. Of
at Venice Marina and the highway
“The primary reason the system
course, there are detractors, and
leading into town.
is broken is the lack of sediment,”
they’re becoming organized. Folks
Macaluso said. “There hasn’t been
have told us, ‘We will not accept you
“They just built the highway up
a single scientific study in 50 years
putting that much fresh water back
another couple of feet after Katrina,”
that hasn’t come to the conclusion
in the system.’ But the political will
Frenette said. “You have to wonder if
that we need to put suspended
is strong, the scientific evidence is
the government is going to think it’s
sediment from the Mississippi River
there, and now the money is there.”
worth the cost to keep raising it at
back in the system. If we put an
some point.”
annual slug of sediment back in
There’s no disagreement that coastal
there, it’s enough to stop subsidence
Louisiana is a special place that
and help with sea level rise.”
needs restoration and conservation.
years of making plans to stem
People in Louisiana carry a fierce
the rising tide of coastal erosion,
independent streak. Combine that
Louisiana officials are bringing some
with the state’s history of political
of those plans to fruition by using oil
corruption and you have the
spill fines and penalties paid by BP
ingredients for a lack of consensus on
“It’s still the best place in the United States to go fishing,” said Adriance, the LDWF biologist.
and others.
fixing the problems. The complexity
But hope remains in the form of a grand environmental irony. After
“Restoration work has been ongoing
and enormity of the issues further
“This is the estuary,” Frenette
complicate matters.
said, sweeping his hands wide to demonstrate the scale of the massive
for a long time,” Macaluso said. “Prior to the spill money coming in, you saw
A 2019 study by Louisiana State
system. “It’s the nursery for the
small projects, little projects here
University professor Eugene Turner
shrimp, the crabs, the finfish—all of
and there that cost $20 million, $30
published in Restoration Ecology
it. If we lose it, we lose everything.”
million. That seems big, but it was
suggests two older diversion
just enough to keep us above water.
structures, one that went operational
Trey Reid has written for numerous
Now we’re starting to see $100
in 1991 and the other in 2002,
newspapers, magazines, and
million, $150 million, $200 million-
actually resulted in net loss of land.
websites, and is a former field
scale projects, rebuilding entire
Proponents counter that a pair of
reporter for ESPN. He works in public
beaches and entire barrier islands
planned structures that would divert
and media relations for the Arkansas
as opposed to little chunks here and
river sediment into Breton Sound and
Game and Fish Commission,
there. Don’t get me wrong. The spill
Barataria Bay will operate on a much
producing and hosting the agency’s
was an incredibly destructive event
larger scale (their estimated cost
television show, Arkansas Wildlife. He
and an unprecedented environmental
is between $2 billion and $4 billion)
also hosts the outdoor radio show,
catastrophe. But our conservation
and move much more sediment to
The Wild Side on 103.7 FM The Buzz
leaders and anglers have stayed firm
replenish the delta. But that brings
in Little Rock, which can also be
in making sure the money is put to
up another issue: Opponents of
heard as a podcast.
44 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
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Text: Kelli Prescott Photos: Kelli Prescott, Stephen Paulson, Paul Frischhertz, Spoke Hollow Outfitters Gamebirds present a challenge in the kitchen. Wild birds have much
Dark- or red-meat gamebirds,
less fat, are richer in flavor, and
however, can be a little trickier
usually yield less meat per bird than
to navigate to the plate.
domesticated fowl.
Often when cooked beyond medium, these birds take
Utilizing the entire bird is
on a deep iron flavor and
important—especially in the case
may become liver-like
of game you harvest yourself. Too
in texture. That’s not
much time goes into harvesting
necessarily a bad
one’s own meat to let anything go
thing: I recommend
to waste. After you clean birds, save
either marinating and
the carcasses; once roasted, they
grilling to medium rare
are perfect for making stock. Don’t
or—as I have done with my
forget to save the hearts, too: Simply
dirty rice—cooking longer
pan fry on high heat and enjoy
and using in place of liver.
cooked medium.
Dove, duck, and any other
White- or light-meat fowl is easier to
dark-meat birds, are delicious
work with and more forgiving than its
stewed in gumbo, gravies, or any
red-meat counterpart; virtually any
dish with a rich flavor profile that can
method will produce tasty results.
stand up to their deep, gamey flavor.
Whether grilling and glazing, stewing, or frying, preparing birds like quail
I have included a few of my all-time
and pheasant is usually foolproof.
favorite recipes in this feature; I hope
Just pretend it’s chicken, and you’re
you enjoy them as much as I do.
ready to go!
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My take on a Cajun classic, this
for 3 to 6 hours or until
transfer rice onto a sheet tray to cool.
dirty rice gets its color and flavor
desired concentration
While the rice cools, get a large skillet
from house-roasted duck stock
is reached. Strain stock
hot and add crumbled ground pork.
and crispy bits of pork and dove
and put away into Mason jars. Will
Sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
breasts instead of liver. Feel free
keep two weeks in the refrigerator.
Cook on high heat, using a spatula
to use any dark-meat gamebird in place of dove in this recipe. For the stock, preheat oven to 450
to break up meat into fine bits. Once If you don’t want to make your own
it’s very crispy, remove the pork with
stock, beef stock is a good substitute
rendered fat and set aside.
for this recipe.
degrees F. Arrange 8 to 12 duck
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into
carcasses on a sheet tray, drizzle with
Prepare the rice. When making
the pan, keeping it very hot. Add
olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and
rice, always use a heavy-bottomed
cubed dove breast meat into the
cracked black pepper, and roast for
saucepan and start by drizzling 1
skillet and sprinkle with salt and
about 15 minutes or until browned.
tablespoon of olive oil and turning
pepper. Cook on high heat, tossing
heat to medium high. Add rice,
once or twice until all sides are
In a large stock pot, combine 4 quarts
stirring constantly so each grain
browned.
water, roasted duck carcasses, and
gets lightly coated in oil and begins
any juice on sheet tray, and set heat
to cook. You will see the grains turn
Turn down heat to medium. Return
to medium low.
more opaque as they cook; this
pork and fat into pan, adding onion,
technique is called parching and
bell pepper, celery, and green onion.
Add garlic, onion, and celery. Gently
allows the grains to stay separate
Add spices and butter. Cook for 5
clean the outside of the veggies, but
once the rice is done. Continue to
minutes, stirring frequently, until
don’t worry about removing the peels
parch rice for 3 to 5 minutes.
veggies become soft.
chop and throw them in. The peels
Add duck stock. Add enough stock to
Turn heat to low. Add about 4 ½ cups
on the onion and garlic will help color
cover the rice with about 1/2 inch of
cooked rice and gently toss. Let the
the stock along with the browned
stock—typically about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup
flavors come together on low heat for
bits of duck.
less than package instructions call for.
a few minutes.
or stringing the celery. Just roughly
Bring rice and stock to a boil, cover, Add salt, bay leaf, parsley, and
and turn heat to low. Let cook for
Turn heat off, add parsley and chives,
peppercorns. Simmer on medium low
20 minutes. Remove from heat and
and serve.
48 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
INGREDIENTS: For duck stock: 8 to 12 duck carcasses 1 head of garlic 1 yellow onion 1/2 bunch fresh parsley 2 stalks celery 1 tsp whole peppercorns 2 bay leaves 4 quarts water For dirty rice: 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice 2 to 3 cups duck stock 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1/2 cup diced green onion 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley 2 tbsp fresh chopped chives 1/2 lb ground pork 1/2 lb dove breasts, cubed (about 10 birds) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper 1 bay leaf 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp paprika
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 49
Inspired by Nashville hot chicken,
black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon each
Dredge buttermilk-soaked quail
this fried quail is easy and
cayenne pepper and paprika. Let sit
directly into seasoned flour. Fry
addictive.
at least 2 hours to overnight.
breaded quail in 350-degree vegetable oil for 2 to 3 minutes or
Quarter skin-on whole quail so that
When you’re ready to fry, set up a
you are left with two sections: (1)
bowl with seasoned flour for the
the leg quarter and (2) the breast,
dredge, a cast iron skillet with half an
with ribs removed and wing bone
inch of vegetable oil for frying, and a
still attached (airline breast). Once
sheet tray lined with paper towels for
Whisk hot oil ingredients to combine.
quail is quartered, place in a bowl
draining.
Brush fried quail with hot oil. Serve
until crispy and cooked throughout. Let quail drain 1 to 2 minutes.
with 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon
with bread and butter pickles and a
each kosher salt and fresh cracked
wedge salad.
INGREDIENTS:
For dredge:
For hot oil:
vegetable oil, for frying
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil from frying pan
8 whole quail, quartered
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 tbsp honey
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
50 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
This wedge salad is simple to
Combine all ingredients for
Assemble wedge salad and spoon
make and refreshing to eat.
dressing and whisk together; keeps in
dressing over the top, finishing with
Fresh herbs and my homemade
fridge up to two weeks.
flake salt and cracked pepper.
INGREDIENTS:
For buttermilk dressing:
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 head butter lettuce, split in half
1/2 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup chopped heirloom tomatoes
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup sliced English cucumber
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chives, roughly chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup fresh dill, leaves picked
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
1/4 tsp Maldon flake salt
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
buttermilk dressing set this salad apart.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 51
52 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TFFM Staff Though probably not of Italian
suggests that “Professor” Jerry
The fourth and final origin story
descent as many no doubt believe,
Thomas, the great American
attributes the drink to New York City
the origin of the classic martini
mixologist credited with “inventing”
bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia,
remains somewhat murky. In fact,
professional bartending and writing
who allegedly served the drink in
the martini boasts at least four
the aforementioned Bar-Tender’s
1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel.
origin stories—not too shabby for a
Guide, concocted the martini in
Time is not on di Taggia’s side here,
cocktail.
San Francisco. In the second edition
however: His Knickerbocker cocktail
of Thomas’ guide, subtitled How
appears more than 25 years after the
Residents and local historians of
to Mix Drinks, or The Bon-Vivant’s
legendary Martinez Special as well as
small-town Martinez, California,
Companion, he included a recipe
the publication of the Bar-Tender’s
claim the martini was invented
for a drink known as the Martinez;
Guide.
there during the Gold Rush of the
that recipe, however, contains a
mid-1800s. As the story goes, a
maraschino cherry, sweet vermouth,
Martinez happily promotes itself as
miner who had recently struck it rich
and sweetened gin, and could
the birthplace of the martini, just
decided to celebrate his good fortune
represent a variant of Thomas’
as Punxsutawney has embraced
at the local tavern. He requested
original martini.
the redoubtable groundhog Phil,
champagne, which was not available.
who first put the little Pennsylvania
The bartender, capitalizing on the
The martini’s third origin story
borough on the map. As a result of
good fortune and festive spirit of his
is centered on Martini & Rossi,
our investigation we believe that
nouveau riche customer, concocted
an Italian sweet vermouth first
Jerry Thomas probably created the
a beverage from what he had on
produced in the 1860s, which came
martini; even his nod to the Martinez
hand at the moment: gin, vermouth,
into being at about the same time
Special in his own publication seems
bitters, maraschino liqueur, and a
as the martini. This origin theory
to bolster his claim. But at the end
slice of lemon. Dubbed “The Martinez
would appear to make sense because
of the day, does it matter? The
Special,” the cocktail was a hit with
distilleries created recipes for their
cocktail’s origin is murky, the cocktail
the entire community and was
distilled products. If regulars began
itself is clear, and the martini—in 118
eventually published in the seminal
bellying up to the bar in droves to ask
varieties and flavors—continues to
Bar-Tender’s Guide in the 1880s.
for “a gin and Martini,” eventually
appeal to consumers more than 140
that might have been shortened to
years later.
In a book on the martini, Barnaby
“martini.” Unfortunately, however,
Conrad III acknowledges the Martinez
nothing but sheer speculation
claim but proposes an alternative
sustains this theory.
origin story for the drink: Conrad
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 53
The Classic Martini
Pomegranate Martini
Time: 1 minute
This one is tart and tangy. Most of the pomegranates that
Yield: 2 martinis
come from the United States originate from California;
Ingredients:
November, so that’s when you’ll see pomegranates in
½ oz dry vermouth
cocktails. Pomegranates also store well and are used
4 oz gin
frequently in winter cocktails. We like pomegranate
6 pimiento-stuffed green olives
because of the high concentration of antioxidants (really
the season runs from the end of September through
vitamin C) and some of the micronutrients it contains to Directions:
offset the less nutritious vodka.
followed closely by the gin. Shake for 30 seconds. Divide
Time: 5 minutes
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the vermouth, into two cocktail glasses. Garnish with three skewered olives each.
Yield: 1 martini Ingredients:
1 ½ oz vodka 1 oz pomegranate juice ½ oz triple sec 1 tsp frozen limeade ½ cup ice as needed 1 slice lime Directions:
Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, triple sec, and limeade with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lime or lemon peel. 54 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
The Dirty Blue Martini This traditional drink that doubles as an appetizer is sometimes found in more upscale foody establishments. It makes a wonderful selection on a hot day after chasing fish in the September heat. This cocktail calls for a small bit of prep work if you are making it at home: You’ll be stuffing classic green pitted olives with blue cheese (or Ballarini’s preference, Stilton cheese). Time: 5 minutes
World’s Greatest Martini This variation requires a high-quality gin (Hendrick’s is our favorite) and vermouth to be the world’s greatest. A twist of lemon zest is an alternative to the olive garnish. Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 4 martinis Ingredients: 8 oz gin
Yield: 2 martinis
½ oz dry vermouth
Ingredients:
4 cups ice cubes
4 oz premium gin (you could do worse than Bombay Sapphire) ½ tsp olive juice (adjust to personal taste)
½ oz sweet vermouth 4 pimiento-stuffed green olives Directions:
6 green olives stuffed with blue cheese
Fill cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes. Add about 1/2
Directions:
coat ice and pour off liquid. Add 8 ounces gin to coated
Step 2: Measure and pour gin into glasses.
martini glasses, garnish with pimiento-stuffed olive, and
Step 1: Gin and glasses must be kept chilled in freezer. Step 3: Add 1/4 teaspoon olive juice to each glass.
ounce each dry and sweet vermouth. Shake enough to ice in shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into four chilled serve.
Step 4: Garnish each glass with three speared green olives stuffed with blue cheese.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 55
Meyer Lemon Martini Frank Meyer introduced Meyer lemons to the United States from China in the early 20th century. This sweet winter citrus is thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. Most important for martini purposes, Meyer lemons have a sweeter, less acidic flavor than the more common lemon. If you have to use a regular lemon, add a little extra sugar to taste (or not). Time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 martini Ingredients:
2 tsp white sugar 2 tsp warm water 1 Meyer lemon, peeled and juiced 2 oz vodka (we like Tito’s or Ketel One) 1 oz orange liqueur (such as Cointreau®) 1 cup ice 1 tsp white sugar, or as needed for rimming Directions:
Combine 2 teaspoons sugar and warm water in a cocktail shaker; stir to dissolve sugar. Pour Meyer lemon juice, lemon peels, vodka, and orange liqueur into the shaker; add ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Remove a lemon peel from the shaker and wipe the rim of a martini glass with the peel. Dip the rim of the glass in 1 teaspoon sugar, or as needed. Strain martini into prepared glass. You may use two teaspoons of simple syrup to sweeten the martini instead of the dissolved sugar. To make simple syrup, bring 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup water to a boil until sugar is melted. After cooling, store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks.
56 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
photo: Brian OʼKeefe
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tailflyfishing.com TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 57
ORGE ROBERTS by GE
THE ESSENTIALS OF DISTANCE FLY CASTING: PART FIVE photos by JAMIL SIDDIQUI
IN THIS SERIES OF ARTICLES WE’VE TAKEN AN INDEPTH LOOK AT WHAT I’M CONVINCED ARE THE THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF DISTANCE FLY CASTING: LOADING AND UNLOADING THE ROD PROPERLY, FORMING TIGHT LOOPS, AND LENGTHENING THE CASTING STROKE WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A LONG DELIVERY. IN SHORT, ALL THE PRINCIPLE GAINS YOU’LL MAKE IN ADDING DISTANCE AND POWER TO YOUR CAST WILL COME FROM REFINING THESE THREE ASPECTS. TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, BECOMING A GOOD DISTANCE FLY CASTER IS A MATTER OF REFINING YOUR FUNDAMENTAL ROD-ARM MECHANICS.
58 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
1
In deconstructing my own fly cast—ripping
I’ve never seen a poor caster who had a solid
it down to its foundation and rebuilding it in
double haul.
increments—I was surprised to learn that I could cast an entire 90-foot fly line without
WHAT THE HAUL IS
hauling. This made me call into question the
A haul is simply a pull on the fly line during the
role of the double haul in the casting sequence.
casting stroke. Pulling fly line through the guides during the stroke lets you pull harder against
In truth, I found I could cast an entire fly line
the fly line’s resistance (weight and inertia)
without hauling, but it required my longest
and allows you to bend or load the rod deeper
casting stroke, and my rod hand had to travel
than you could bend it with the casting stroke
the very long straight-line path perfectly.
alone. You can demonstrate this to yourself by
The slightest deviance would result in a cast
attaching your fly line to a fixed point (such as
that fell short of the mark. This helped me
a tree). Try to bend the rod using only your rod
to understand the importance of rod-arm
arm. Next, try bending the rod using your rod
mechanics, as well the role of the double haul,
arm as well as simultaneously pulling on the fly
in making a long cast.
line with your line hand. You’ll notice with the
WHAT THE HAUL ISN’T
latter effort you’ll be able to produce a deeper bend.
Too many fly anglers have mischaracterized the double haul as “the secret”—or at least
Remember that the deeper you can load the rod,
the necessary ingredient—to casting distance.
the more power you can put in the cast. Hauling
Nothing could be further from the truth.
helps you load the rod deeper.
Hauling will not turn a 60-foot caster into an 80-foot caster. A well-executed haul may
TIGHTER LOOPS
increase the distance of a good cast by ten
I’m convinced hauling produces tighter loops.
percent—and that, I think, is being generous.
Remember that the tighter the loop you can
Conversely, I believe a haul adds nothing to a
form, the farther and faster your cast will travel.
poor cast—and may in fact make it worse, as
I strongly suspect that most of the extra distance
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 59
we get from hauling comes simply from forming a tighter loop. Also, tight loops are especially important when casting in the wind—particularly a headwind.
PERHAPS THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF HAULING—WHICH THE VAST MAJORITY OF FLY ANGLERS TEND
I’m not entirely sure how hauling produces
TO OVERLOOK—IS THAT HAULING
tighter loops, but I suspect it has to do with
DIVIDES THE WORK OF LOADING THE
how the haul bends the rod. If you look at the photo sequence you’ll see that the haul focuses the bend in the upper third of the rod (Figure 10) rather than distributing the load over the entire blank. That is, the haul bends the rod more like a candy cane than a drawn bow. I believe this has the effect of “squashing” the
ROD BETWEEN BOTH OF YOUR ARMS. Higher line speed adds distance and power to your cast—again, this is especially important when dealing with wind. I’m reluctant to mention this to students, because as soon as I
loop flatter—i.e., tighter.
do they try to haul very quickly, which usually
INCREASED LINE SPEED
working on the haul you forget about trying to
Hauling produces higher line speeds. The speed of your line hand during the haul is added to the speed of the unrolling cast. For a long time I had doubts about this. I had it in my head that the extra speed produced by the haul came simply from bending the rod deeper. Then, one day, while hanging a clothesline in the backyard, I began playing around with it, hand casting. Hand casting is simply casting a fly line without a rod. (If you’ve never seen it, a YouTube search of “fly casting without a rod” will produce a video of Florida guide Michael Mauri demonstrating hand casting at a show.) You can actually hand cast any weighted rope, cord, or line, including clothesline. In hand casting the clothesline, I found I could cast 20 or so feet of it with just my rod hand, but it took a great effort, a very long casting stroke, and it produced a mediocre result. However, when I added my line hand and a haul, the line was much easier to cast; it unrolled much faster and formed a much tighter loop. The increased speed could not have come from a deeper load on the rod, because there was no rod. The increased speed of the cast had to be the direct result of the haul.
60 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
ends up ruining the cast. I suggest that when add speed to your cast; focus instead on using the haul to help you bend the rod during the casting stroke. If you use the haul to help you load the rod, line speed will take care of itself.
BETTER TIMING If you were to shoot a bit of line on either your back cast or your forward cast and then trap the running line in your line hand just as your loop was about to unroll completely, you’d feel a slight tug on the rod tip. If you’re tuned into it, this tug can help you with your timing. Giving back fly line after the haul is sort of like a controlled shoot. The force of the unrolling loop will want to take line with it, and your line hand will move toward the reel to give back line. It’s as if you’re shooting a couple of feet of running line without actually releasing it. The result is that you’ll feel the line unroll and straighten better than if you did not haul. This results in better timing, and if you can time your casts better, your casts will automatically be better.
HAULING MAKES ALL CASTS … EASIER
TIMING OF THE HAUL
Perhaps the greatest benefit of hauling—
casting is, “When do you execute the haul?”
which the vast majority of fly anglers tend to
Simply put, the haul coincides with the final
overlook—is that hauling divides the work of
part of the acceleration—what Joan Wulff calls
loading the rod between both of your arms.
the power snap, Lefty Kreh calls the speed-up-
This reduces the work of the rod arm by half—
and-stop, and Fly Fishers International terms
no small thing. Reducing the work of the rod
rotation. This is the portion of the stroke that
arm results in all casts becoming easier to
engages the wrist—the straightening of the
make.
wrist at the end of the back cast stroke, which
A frequent question among students of fly
moves the butt of the rod about 45 degrees As I said, in deconstructing my own cast I
from the underside of your forearm (Figures
learned I could cast an entire fly line without
1 through 3), and the adductive movement
hauling—but it required my longest casting
(pushing forward) of your wrist at the end of
stroke, and my rod hand had to track perfectly
the forward stroke, which brings the butt of the
along a straight-line path to produce a loop
rod parallel with the underside of your forearm
tight enough to get the job done. The slightest
(Figures 9 through 11). There is no way to time
error in tracking resulted in an imperfect
the haul by sight. Like so much in fly casting,
loop with my cast falling short of the mark.
timing the haul to coincide with the wrist action
If you use both of your arms to load the rod,
is a thing of feeling that comes with practice.
the necessary length of the casting stroke is reduced. It’s much easier to get your rod hand to track straight along a shorter path than it is a longer one. (Note that, for the purposes of illustration, in the photo sequence I use a much longer casting stroke than I would need to deliver a fly 70 feet.) Also, the added benefits of the tighter loop and the higher line speed you get from hauling make long casts much easier to pull off. In truth, you’ll almost never have to cast an entire fly line in a fishing situation. The practical benefits of the double haul are most evident in your working saltwater casts of 50 to 70 feet. Combined with a solid set of rod arm mechanics, a well-timed haul makes a 70-foot delivery effortless (not to mention beautiful to watch). This is well within the capabilities of anyone who fly fishes.
LENGTH OF THE HAUL Keep in mind that the haul is a sort of mirror image of the casting stroke. More precisely, it’s a sort of mirror image of the final part of the stroke: the power snap or speed-up-and-stop. If your power snap (that is, your wrist movement) takes place over a short space, as it does for a short cast, your haul will be fairly short as well. But if your wrist movement takes place over a long space, as it does when you’re making your longest cast, your haul will be long. The rod hand and line hand should always be in synch: short stroke, short haul; long stroke, long haul.
THE GIVE-BACK After you’ve completed the haul, the force of the unrolling loop will want to take running line with it. You’ll move your line hand toward the reel to give back the line—but only at the speed that the unrolling loop wants to take it. That is, the give-back is not simply an automatic
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 61
rebounding of your line hand toward the stripping guide. The haul is relatively fast, but the give-back is slower and more deliberate.
2
Don’t try to shove running line up through the stripping guide at the end of the haul—let the unrolling loop dictate the speed of the giveback.
3
The give-back sets you up to make a haul on each subsequent stroke.
THE DOUBLE HAUL SEQUENCE Figures 1 through 12 illustrate the double haul used in a casting sequence. During the first part
4
of the back cast stroke, the rod hand and line hand remain close together (Figure 1). During the final part of the acceleration—what Joan Wulff calls the power snap and the late Lefty Kreh called the speed-up-and-stop—the line
5
hand pulls directly opposite the path of the rod hand, forcing the rod into a deeper bend (Figure 2). Here you should have the sensation of pulling your hands apart under tension. The haul continues throughout the unloading of the rod (Figure 3). As the loop of line unrolls on the
6
back cast, your elbow will leave your side and your rod hand will drift upward and backward to position you for a longer forward stroke (Figure 4). Also, your line hand begins to move toward your rod hand to give back the hauled line (Figure 5), but only as fast as the unrolling
7
cast wants to take it. By the time the back cast has unrolled completely, the rod hand and line hand will be fairly close together (Figure 6). During the first part of the forward stroke, your rod hand and line hand will move forward together (Figure 7) and the rod will begin to load (Figure 8). Your rod hand and line hand will remain fairly close together during the first part of the stroke (Figure 9). During the second part of the stroke, your line hand pulls the fly line toward your hip while your rod hand completes
62 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
8
9
improve your own fly casting game. As I’ve learned over the past 50-plus years of fly fishing, casting well is often the difference between angling success and failure— particularly in a challenging fishery—and is pleasurable in itself. If you refine the three
10
fundamental aspects we’ve detailed, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any challenge you may face in the fly angler’s world—salt water or fresh.
11
I’d like to thank my friend Jamil Siddiqui for his expert photographic skills in helping me to illustrate the concepts in this series. I’d also like to thank the Diamondback Rod Company (diamondbackfishingrods.com), which supplied me with the white instructor rods with which
12
the photo sequences were shot.
the forward stroke (Figure 10). (Notice here that the rod is bent like a candy cane.) The rod unloads (Figure 11), and the loop of line sails forward with increased speed and power, and with less effort
TFFM’s managing editor, George
from your rod arm (Figure 12).
Roberts, has taught fly casting for
I’ve just described the conventional double haul. This is how I learned to haul, and this is how I
more than 25 years. His fly casting book and video, Master the Cast:
still teach it. However, this is not how I actually
Fly Casting in Seven Lessons and
execute the haul myself. My own double haul
Saltwater Fly Casting: 10 Steps to
mechanics fit Joan Wulff’s description of the
Distance and Power, are listed among
adaptation of the technique that she has termed
the recommended study materials for
slide loading. But that’s a topic for another
instructor certification by both Fly
article…. This concludes our series on the essentials of distance fly casting. It’s my sincere hope that you’ve taken something away from these articles
Fishers International (FFI) and the UK’s Game Angling Instructors’ Association (GAIA).
that you will be able to put into practice to
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 63
a l u H p m i r Sh The
by Terry Baird
The Hula Series grew out of my observing the actions of
Varying the basic design has allowed me to imitate
diamond jigs while ice fishing in Bear Lake, Utah, in the
such diverse food items as shrimps, minnows, crabs,
early 1980s. Fishing these small spoon-like jigs vertically
palolo worms, inch-long bobtail squid, as well as
down to nearly 50 feet, I was amazed at how much
freshwater nymphs and leeches. I’ve also created
action they had. Some would circle while swimming with
Hula versions of a number of classic fly patterns,
a wiggling action on the drop, while others would shake
including Bob Nauheim’s Crazy Charlie, Winston
and dart on the retrieve. There was continuous inherent
Moore’s Agent Orange, and Chico Fernandez’s
action of the lure itself!
Bonefish Special. I’ve used Hula variations successfully in ultra-thin water for bonefish, in
Being an avid fly angler, I knew I had to try to develop
the West Coast surf for corbina, and in deep water
a tying method that would recreate the same self-
with sinking lines for tuna. In fresh water, Hula flies
swimming action. Testing early prototypes in buckets,
have caught trout and panfish, largemouth and
sinks, and bathtubs, I could see a wide range of
smallmouth bass, and landlocked stripers, to name
possibilities. Simple changes in design affected the
only a few species.
water flow or resistance, effectively altering the action of the fly. Varying the size of the metal bead chain (or
Salt water or fresh, surface to 50 feet or deeper,
substituting them with lead dumbbells), the size and
trout to tarpon to giant trevally—your specific
number of plastic beads; the hook gauge, gape, or length
angling needs will dictate the wonderful Hula
of the shank; or the tail or winging materials all altered
variations you’ll create. And to think it all started by
the fly’s action.
fishing through a hole in the ice!
64 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
The self-described “original dirt bag,” Terry Baird has been fly fishing in salt water since the 1970s. His innovative flies have appeared in pattern books by Lefty Kreh and Dick Brown, among others. Terry has set five IGFA World Records. His 2-pound tippet record for cutthroat trout (8 pounds, 9 ounces), set in 1987 in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, remains unbroken. Terry lives on the island of Maui, where he stalks outsized bonefish with ultralight tippets.
Materials
-3H, size 4 Hook: Gamakatsu SL11 ment Thread: Clear monofila ok eye chain tied in behind ho ad be r ve sil m diu Me : Bead Chain stores) beads (available in craft g un str c sti pla arl pe Beads: 3-millimeter antennae) ystal Flash (to suggest Kr e ng ora ds an str o Flash: Tw ok into the bend of the ho Tail: Orange rabbit tied Braid) braid (such as Bill’s Bodiarl pe of d an str gle Sin Braid: shabou strand of wide pearl Fla Body Wrapping: Single other markers Coloration: Sharpie or cement or similar water-based ar Cle ad He rd Ha on Lo Finish Coat:
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 65
Step 1. Attach the monofilament
thread to the hook and fasten the bead chain eyes using cross wraps.
Step 2. Tie a quarter-inch-long tuft of rabbit fur into the bend of the
hook. Flank each side of the tail with a single strand of Krystal Flash (the flash should be more than twice the length of the rabbit). Next, tie in at the bend of the hook the strand of pearl braid as well as the strand of Flashabou.
Step 3. Tie in the first section of four plastic beads, fastening the string
just behind the hook eye on the far side of the hook. Wrap the mono thread loosely around the shank and between each bead, securing the beads to the far side of the hook shank (wrapping loosely will allow you to adjust the beads on the finished fly). Work front to back, securing the exposed string at the bend of the hook. Trim any excess string at both tie-in points.
Step 4. Work the mono thread for-
ward between each bead and secure the second strand of plastic beads in the same manner to the near side of the shank.
66 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Step 5. Wrap the strand of Flashabou forward between each set of beads
all the way to the eye of the hook and back to the bend. Tie the Flashabou off and trim any excess.
Step 6. Pull the strand of pearl braid over the top of the fly and secure
it with the mono thread, wrapping forward between each set of beads. Tie the braid off behind the hook eye and finish the head with a whip finish. Here you may choose to use a Sharpie or other marker to color along the pearl braid to suggest the shrimp’s segmented appearance.
Step 7. Remove the hook from the
vise and place the fly hook-point-up on a flat hard surface (such as your tying table). Press down on the fly, rocking it back and forth. Since the beads were tied in loosely, they’ll widen outward from the shank, producing a flat surface to the underside of the fly (that is, the side with the pearl braid) and a curving arch to the line of beads.
Step 8. Finish the fly with a coat-
ing of Loon Hard Head or a similar water-based fly finish over the entire body and head of the fly. When the coating dries, use a black Sharpie to mark the rearmost two beads to suggest eyes, and then give the entire fly a second coat.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 67
Bearing Down on Silvers by Joe Doggett Thick grass covered the ridge. Bush
about one hour over the Aleutian
Cappel and I jumped back. Sims
pilot and lodge owner Bill Sims
Range from Sims’ Newhalen Lodge
grabbed my parka arm. “Stand your
pushed through the thigh-high stalks
(newhalenlodge.com) on Lake Clark in
ground and stay close together; he’ll
while Ed Cappel and I plowed along
Bristol Bay. “Pristine,” “isolated,” and
leave us alone.”
in his wake, toting rod tubes and
“majestic” accurately described the
shoulder packs.
setting.
We were hiking from Sims’ Cessna
So, abruptly, did “alarming”: Just
I whipped out a pocket camera and
206 to a silver salmon stream on the
ahead, a big brown bear materialized
fired off several clicks. He was old and
Shelikof Strait, between the Alaska
from a brushy dip in the terrain.
cranky, his rheumy eyes and cubby
Peninsula and Kodiak Island and
Whoa—welcome to real Alaska!
ears and yellow fangs visible amid a
The brute paced in a deliberate semicircle, all the while staring at us.
68 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
halo of buzzing flies. The bear glared
We regrouped and topped the crest
Only, it wasn’t a tidal surge—it was an
before casually waddling away, his
to face the stream. The morning
incoming wall of chrome-bright silver
massive bulk rocking and swaying.
was clear and mild, the wind was
salmon. The dozens of fish formed
light, and no evidence of encroaching
bulging wedges across the shallow
Sims smiled. “That right there is
civilization was visible. White-topped
bottom. Cappel and I breathed the
a genuine Big Boy, as close to an
peaks framed the green valley, a
sharp, clean air and exchanged a rare
honest thousand-pounder as you’re
sloping glacier cleaving one distant
glance between old fishing partners:
likely to run across. Notice how he
wedge. Grassy cut banks and open
Right time, right place!
looks pinheaded—the huge gut and
gravel bars rimmed the creek, which
hips make that big head seem small.
meandered into a protected bay
“There’s a 15-foot tide today, and it’s
Those mature boars don’t like to be
off the strait. As we watched, what
just now starting,” Sims said. “We’ll
around people. Mostly it’s the young
looked like a small tidal bore pushed
have five or six hours before we have
males and sows that we see. We
from the mouth of the stream and
to get out of here. Don’t want to lose
give ‘em their space, and we have an
across the first riffle.
our landing strip.”
understanding.” Bear Whispering 101.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 69
The “landing strip” was a long
our packs on a knobby outcrop, we
not always about making things easy.
gravel bar several hundred yards
rigged up. Occasionally, Cappel and
And after all, it doesn’t get much
downstream. Sims had buzzed the
I enjoy different fly fishing strokes:
easier than when Sims lowered the
creek, tilting, turning, checking,
Today, he used a 14-foot, two-hand
flaps and skated the little plane
before dropping the 206 onto the
Burkheimer steelhead rod, and I
across a beckoning bar and said, “Fish
narrow slope. The fat tundra tires
strung a vintage 9-foot bamboo
right there!”
bumped and bounced, scattering
rod—an Orvis Shooting Star, an
pebbles and sand, before we idled to
early saltwater model with a 2-inch
We used floating lines and a variety
a stop.
butt extension. Based on the serial
of streamers and dry flies; in
number of 21,408, it was made
deference to the slower action of the
“Sorry we had to hike,” he explained,
in 1957. Mated to the cane was a
bamboo, I selected smaller, lighter
“but this long pool up here is where
Bogdan Model 0, Stanley Bogdan’s
salmon patterns. We seldom had to
most of the fish are. Usually I try to
great 2-to-1 multiplier, ideal for a
wade more than knee-deep, and it
land right on top of ‘em.”
9-weight salmon rod. A contemporary
took maybe five minutes before a
whiz-bang rocket-launcher graphite
smooth cast with the classic cane
We met up with guide Parker Boswell,
stick would have been more efficient,
drew tight against a heavy swirl.
who had cut cross-country from the
but there’s something to be said
Downstream, Cappel’s big rod dipped
plane to check out the site. Dumping
about saluting the past. Maybe it’s
and bent as he backed slowly onto
70 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
the bank. We each caught 35 or 40
pleasing and robust profile, thick but
dark snout cleaves and porpoises
silvers, keeping the limit of three
not too thick—a fish that radiates
as the surface churns, and it is
each. (Some rivers along the Shelikof
substance.
remarkably easy to yank the fly
Strait allow five.) All were freshly minted, straight from the sea.
before the fish commits. After two hours of swinging and stripping an assortment of
I was advancing upstream, burning
Silver salmon in a shallow stream
streamers, I changed to dry flies.
with the Silver Fever and keenly eying
are an excellent fly rod fish,
The high sun illuminated the gravel
another gang of fish. I slyly crept
aggressive and strong. They average
bottom, and the gray-green images
into position, moving as only a tuned
8 to 12 pounds in the region, and a
of stacked salmon were plainly
predator can, when Boswell yelled,
15-pounder is worthy of a grip-and-
visible: Sight Casting 101.
“Doggett! Heads up! Heads up!”
or jump as high as the wonderful
Watching a fish break from a pod
I tend to get tunnel vision when
top-end rainbows of the Bristol Bay/
and chase the skating fly carried our
hardcore fishing. Plus, I’m literally
Iliamna drainages, but the chromers
fishing to its highest level. A silver
half deaf. Either of these flaws can
boast considerable stamina; the
with an attitude typically follows
create issues in bear country.
Bogdan yielded backing on numerous
close, maybe rising and boiling
occasions. And a fresh silver has a
several times before snatching. The
grin. Silvers usually don’t run as far
Thirty yards ahead, a bear plowed from the brush and into the stream. TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 71
Personally, I could not have executed a better sneak if I had been trying to qualify for my Junior Woodchuck Bear Stalking Merit Badge. The beast halted in midstream. Once again, I whipped out my little camera for a killer shot but was horrified— absolutely horrified—as the apex carnivore charged straight at me. Well, that’s what it looked like. Actually, the rascal was chasing salmon. It was a young bear, maybe three years old, considerably smaller than the Big Boy but considerably larger than the nearest NFL interior lineman. The bear pulled up, throwing water after missing a fish, then bounded toward Boswell and Cappel like a playful puppy—that is, like a playful puppy weighing in at 500 pounds. The hulking swashbuckler cavorted back and forth, sloshing current and scattering salmon and having a grand time amid the stream of plenty. Then it stood on hind legs at 20 yards for a better look. The whole tableau was harmless but exciting—and more than a bit unnerving. I’m not sure what the rules of engagement are along the Shelikof Strait (much of which is within the Katmai National Park), but the Newhalen guides do not carry guns. Our heaviest weapon was Boswell’s small wooden club used for whacking the unlucky keepers. That or maybe the nearest streamside rock: Stone Age Tactics 101. When a determined bear gets too close, the drill is to start yelling and chucking. Pushy intruders respect this defiant “Don’t Tread On Me” stance; conversely, turning and running might trigger an instinctive chase response.
72 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Potentially offended bear advocates take note: Goliath may have been felled by stone, but a hand-hurled projectile that bounces from the thick pelt and slab muscle of a bowed-up brown bear does absolutely squat. The harmless thump simply lets the animal know it is not welcome. If a bear starts chasing a hooked salmon, the savvy angler points the rod straight at the fish and pulls back smartly, conceding quick defeat. For that reason, a 12- or 15-pound tippet is a better circuit breaker than a stubborn 20. Potential grip-and-grin glory aside, contesting the law of possession with an otherwise tolerant thief probably isn’t a great idea. For the most part, give bears plenty of perimeter, and both residents and non-residents are happy. After a fine lunch of hot seafoodsalmon chowder, we started working downstream. With the rising tide,
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 73
new sea-run fish were entering the
and the fishing I’ve experienced
salmon. And no small part of the
lower stretch almost under the
seems as good now as during early
reward is to feast on this abundance
shadow of the Cessna wing. We saw
expeditions in the mid-90s. The
in pleasant weather and amid utter,
several more bears—notably a sow
brown bear population certainly
raw solitude.
with three yearling cubs padding
remains strong, a positive index for a
across a muddy tidal flat about 200
healthy Alaskan environment.
yards away. The trailing cub lagged
The plane banked, tilting the horizon and offering a craned-neck view of
behind and struggled with a bit of a
The late summer to early fall silver
the silver bends and braids flowing
limp. Sims shook his head. “That one
runs have their ups and downs, but
with teeming life. The whole place
won’t make it long; that big boar will
the Shelikof rivers are consistent
seemed insulated from the passage
kill and eat it.”
producers for the serious lodges that
of time. I sighed and sank back in the
scout weather conditions and fish
seat. I was exhausted, and a strained
I looked with sadness at the poor
movements. Frankly, that recent trip
tendon in my right forearm ached
little cub. Wilderness is harsh.
was one of our best. The average day
from playing too many strong fish.
might yield 10 or 15 silvers per rod, all
The hot breath of my 73rd birthday
We loaded into the 206, and Sims
taken while wading and using floating
was on my balding, graying head. I
ran through his checks. The powerful
lines. A good day doubles those
listened to the steady drum of the
engine blasted down the bar, and the
counts. A great day is ridiculous.
propeller and wondered if I had one
plane popped smoothly into the sky.
more of these amazing adventures Such numbers might sound
left in me.
That bountiful day last September on
preposterous compared to the
the Shelikof Strait was a remarkable
frustrations on hard-fished water,
Far below us, the quiet valley didn’t
experience. It felt fresh and new. But
but they reflect the potential of true
care one way or the other.
it was not: I have been privileged to
wilderness. If a downside exists, it’s
make 40 or 50 fly-outs to the region
this: The fishing can be too easy.
Joe Doggett was an outdoor
over the past 25 years.
Working hard for a few fish tends to
columnist for the Houston Chronicle
make each hookup more significant.
for 35 years. He also was on the
Running north to south, the go-to
Maybe my hackles are showing, but
masthead of Field & Stream as a
fly fishing drainages include Lower
occasionally it is refreshing to grow
contributing editor. He is retired
Kamishak, Douglas, Swishak, Big
tired of bending the rod on quality
but writes occasional features for
River, and Hallo Bay. Anglers access
fish. It’s payback for casting all day
various outdoor magazines. He enjoys
the various streams by either float
for two or three steelhead or Atlantic
traveling to fish, hunt, and surf.
plane or wheel plane. That remote
salmon. Not to mention casting
coastal stretch remains undeveloped,
all day for no steelhead or Atlantic
74 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
M
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A
Y
ST
E HIL E T H E S U N I S S T I L L S L
ARTS W
EP IN
G
AND IT G
O
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PL
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BACK FROM THE BRINK: Saving Atlantic Salmon from Extinction, One Parr at a Time by Tom Keer
Low gray clouds that spurt rain have
they’ll sit in their trucks and wait out
anglers, they’ll know that the best
different effects on fly anglers. When
the downfall. When the rain stops
fishing is yet to come.
a low-pressure system rolls down the
they’ll head back to the river for
river and the first drops fall, some
more. The hardiest of them simply
Steady rain brings cooler
anglers make a beeline for pancakes
pull rain gear from the back pocket
temperatures and richly oxygenated
and coffee at the nearest greasy
of their vests and keep fishing. The
water to a salmon river and a rise
spoon. As the rain falls harder, others
funny thing is that the latter group
in levels that lights everything up.
make “one last cast” after another
might have done a rain dance in the
The higher, faster water enables
until they can take no more. Then
first place: If they’re Atlantic salmon
fish returning from the sea to leave
76 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
low-water pools and move upriver to
epic in proportion, has intrigued
smoltification, during which these
spawn. Atlantic salmon can snake
and inspired generations of anglers,
fish born in the sweet water become
their way through boney riffles until
biologists, and conservationists.
tolerant of the salt and drop out of
they hold in the quiet water. Some
Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantic
the rivers to begin their life at sea.
are positioned behind boulders,
salmon don’t die following a spawn.
Smolt mature into Atlantic salmon
others in lies—and when more rain
Instead, their fertilized eggs laid in
and complete a 3,000-mile swim from
falls they’ll continue upstream again.
a redd grow to become first alevin
coastal New England to the west
and then parr. When old enough,
coast of Greenland. After one, two,
parr undergo a metamorphosis called
or even three years in the brine they
The odyssey of the Atlantic salmon,
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 77
return to spawn in the rivers in which they were born. Their homecoming is a joyous occasion for everyone. Camp owners welcome fishermen from far-flung locales while local fly anglers cast
the brink of extinction.
caught Atlantic salmon was George H. W. Bush in 1992. Add to that
A century ago, and before
the fact that most Atlantic salmon
refrigeration, more than 300,000
restoration programs were shuttered
Atlantic salmon arrived in New
as failures, and our native fish seems
England rivers each summer and
doomed.
were easy to net. Atlantic salmon were so American and so plentiful
Some would be content to allow the
that they were standard Fourth of
wild American Atlantic salmon to
July fare, served up with peas, a
become extinct like the heath hen
vegetable ripe enough to harvest in
before it—but not the Downeast
late June and early July. Since then
Salmon Federation (DSF). In 2012 on
overharvesting, dam construction,
Maine’s East Machias River, the DSF
and the silting and polluting of rivers
launched the Peter Gray Parr Project
Scotch.
have combined to reduce domestic
(www.wildatlanticsalmon.org), based
Atlantic salmon numbers to an
on the successful salmon restoration
No one fishes for wild Atlantic
all-time low. Today fresh salmon for
methods employed by legendary
Independence Day is no more; now
British fisheries biologist Peter Gray
we slum it with hamburgers and hot
on England’s River Tyne. Gray spent
dogs at our Fourth of July picnics.
27 years managing the famous
and mend. Guides coach anglers through backing-burning runs and leaps. Townsfolk line riverbanks, turning Atlantic salmon fishing into something of a quiet spectator sport. Fish tales of salmon lost and caught are the talk over coffee, bourbon, or
salmon in America: Their stocks are so imperiled that Atlantic salmon are classified as an endangered species. That’s terrible news, because Atlantic salmon are unlike brown trout imported from Germany. They are unlike gaudy ring-necked pheasant imported from China. Like the brook trout, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and white-tailed deer, Atlantic salmon are one of us. A century ago they were as common as a summer sunburn; now they are on 78 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Kielder Hatchery and in his tenure A little bit of history has been lost
developed a unique and successful
as well. No longer is the first Atlantic
way to raise salmon as salmon. First
salmon caught in Maine’s Penobscot
Gray located his hatchery adjacent
River sent to the President of
to the river where salmon spawned.
the United States; that tradition
Next he diverted river water from
ceased 25 years ago when the fish
the Tyne to flow into the hatchery
was classified as endangered. The
so fish were reared in water identical
last President to receive a Maine-
to that in which they would live.
Then he created the substrate box
others became meals for predatory
that closely replicates a wild salmon
fish and birds.
ONE DAY MAYBE
rearing tanks black to darken the
Peter Gray’s program has been hailed
WE OR OUR
parr and condition the small fish to
as one of the most impressive wild
low light conditions so that when
Atlantic salmon restoration efforts
they were released into the wild the
in the 170-year history of Atlantic
parr would be naturally wary. Finally,
salmon conservation. His results
as the fish developed, Gray increased
were staggering: Annual salmon
tank water flows to turn fish into
returns increased on the River Tyne
“little athletes” capable of life in the
from 724 to nearly 10,000 adults.
wild. The strong fish were stocked in
A recreational fishery for these
the fall when the water temperatures
wonderful gamefish has now been
were cold so that their metabolic
open for years.
SEE WHAT ALL
to feed (and fall prey to hungry
The DSF has been building toward
cormorants and herons).
success for the past nine years. In
THE COMMOTION
redd for egg maturation. He painted
rates lowered and they did not look
2019, when consistent spring rains
KIDS WILL HOOK ONE OF THESE GLORIOUS FISH, AND THEN WE’LL
IS ABOUT.
In contrast to Gray’s efforts,
brought the East Machias River to
United States Atlantic salmon
optimal water levels, the smolt-
programs—almost all of which are
trapping operation yielded 220 smolt
200 were stocked as parr by the DSF.
now shuttered—raised their salmon
departing the river for the sea—220
Not every smolt is caught, so the
like trout: They were reared in inland
captured fish that mark a three-
estimated total number of departing
hatcheries with a limited number
year trend of the highest number
fish marks the second highest
of broodstock. No conditioning was
of exiting smolt, the best trend line
number since the program began.
done. The fish lived in water different
from any river in the past decade.
The next few years of the program
from their natural environment. They
Of those smolt, 20 were wild or had
are critically important, particularly
were stocked in the spring. Some
been stocked by DSF as unmarked fry
because returning adults will begin
fish died shortly after stocking, while
from their Peter Gray incubators, and
to arrive.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 79
DSF founding CEO Dwayne Shaw
per year for the next five years, on
we had 60 redds, many state and
offers up even more good news: “One
improving tributary watersheds
federal agencies are working with
of our most important metrics is the
crucial to stocking success, and on
us to increase our capacities. We’re
number of redds in the river,” he says.
other DSF habitat management and
creating higher-quality habitat
“Those redds, the nesting areas made
protection projects. Support has
and beginning work on other area
by returning fish, are the first step
come from concerned anglers as well
rivers. What once was viewed as
of the breeding process. This year we
as numerous companies, including fly
experimental now shows scientifically
counted 60 redds, the highest number
rod manufacturer Thomas & Thomas,
verifiable results. We couldn’t be
we’ve seen since we launched the
now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
more excited about the renewed
Peter Gray Parr Project. It’s indicative
Says T&T’s John Carpenter, “Few fish
interest in saving Atlantic salmon.”
of at least 48 returning adult fish.
have the iconic presence in fly fishing
To put it in perspective, that is the
that the Atlantic salmon enjoys, yet
The ultimate goal of the DSF’s
highest number of returning Atlantic
the challenges faced by the species
Peter Gray Parr Project is to return
salmon documented since the 1970s.
are also unique—and enormous.
Atlantic salmon populations to
In effect we have reversed a 50-year
Thomas & Thomas is thrilled to
healthy numbers. Perhaps then rivers
decline.”
support the conservation efforts
can reopen for recreational fishing.
of the Peter Gray Parr Project, with
Toward that end, the DSF is doing
Removing a species from the
the goal of creating or expanding
the heavy lifting—but they can’t do
Endangered Species List is a numbers
self-sustaining runs of wild salmon
it alone: Wild Atlantic salmon need
game. The more eggs secured results
for generations to come. Together we
our help. One day maybe we or our
in more parr raised and stocked and
hope to ensure that our children and
kids will hook one of these glorious
more smolt that head to sea. Atlantic
grandchildren have the opportunity
fish, and then we’ll see what all the
salmon return over a three-year
to live in a world with these
commotion is about. To raise and
period, so the next decade will be one
magnificent fish.”
stock a single parr costs only a dollar.
of intense activity and study wrapped in a veil of hope.
To learn more about the Peter Gray Dwayne Shaw notes that the project
Parr Project or to make a donation,
has faced down skeptics from the
visit www.wildatlanticsalmon.org.
Financial support for the Peter Gray
very beginning. “They weren’t sold
Parr Project is focused on increasing
on the process or the viability of
parr production to about 400,000
the project,” he says, “but since
80 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 81
NOTHING FALSE Kenny was an East End dragger dropout deckhand, gunner on a Swift Boat in ‘68, the brown-water navy’s Zippo turrets and A lot of crazy, is what he says. Rainbait running from bays, roiling rusty rips of anchovy and bunker. Clear November morning. Montauk Light, gulls and plunging gannets. The sideways slash and splash of false albacore. I motor close, tie on a Deceiver, hand him the rod. Kenny’s 75, fighting prostate & arthritis, but he casts a perfect lead to the moving feast, hooking
TWO POEMS BY HENRY HUGHES
hungry lightening. Red backing, cranking back to blue, runs and reruns that smile him over. I grab the hard tail’s narrow wrist. Double-dorsaled, magic green, and that strip of neon mackerel. Albies or Little Tuna, Kenny insists. Ain’t nothing false about ‘em. They’re always moving but don’t live long. Like my brother, he says. No time to waste, he shoots again. Another albie, then another. We bleed and ice one. They’re not bad, bad he claims. Rounding the breakwater, the fluttering flags above Grosman’s dock. Hey, tomorrow’s Veteran’s Day, I raise a beer. Welcome home. Kenny lifts his can, nods, then touches the dark prints on the belly of his fish. Strange marks no one can figure out or erase.
82 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
BLUEBACKS for Ted Leeson The crumbling ramp fogged taillight red, winch clicks, boat bumping stone, oars stirring another dark October. His soft voice, There. Cast right over there— to bedrock ledges, foamy coves and brushy banks where sea-run trout hover and hunt. Bluebacks, he calls them. Cutthroats carrying the ocean home. They charge, flare fins, bite our squidy flies, and spit— unless we see them first and set to silver leaps that wild us past—what?— the work on our desks, pale screens, grim news, the business of being. A rutting elk fords a riffle, otters sound a hole, and a raggedy old hen salmon fans a pebbly redd these bluebacks will raid. Everybody’s after everybody. These days we let the wild trout go. Still, I can smell last century’s campfire, hot stones hissing, a black skillet grabbed with a glove, salt & peppered orange fillets curling in sizzling brown butter.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 83
NubianAdventure
84 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
by Peter McLeod
a huge country. It’s 1,200 miles across,
was very exciting indeed!
and the area that’s troubled is an entirely When one thinks of saltwater flats
different country: South Sudan. The
The route to Sudan is extremely simple,
destinations, Sudan is hardly a location
distance from this area to the Red Sea is
with a direct flight to Dubai on Emirates
that springs to mind. In fact, pretty much
1,100 miles. The more I understood about
followed by a connecting flight to Port
the opposite. When the Nubian Flats
the area the fewer worries I had.
Sudan with Fly Dubai on a brand new 737-800. We left on a Sunday night and
operation was launched a few years ago, reports began to trickle through of
The coastline this operation explores
on Monday afternoon found ourselves
giant deserted flats teeming with fish.
runs from the Egyptian border south
at the desert airport of Port Sudan. Our
There appeared to be a very high density
to the Eritrean border. It encompasses
team was met by Tourette Fishing’s
of triggerfish, good numbers of bohar
some 300 miles of islands, flats, and
ground handlers, who showed us to a
snapper, bluefin trevally, and, as an added
pinnacles surrounded by some of the
minibus. Our bags were loaded into the
bonus, a few giant trevally. I’m always
clearest oceans and the best diving in
back and we headed off across the desert
on the lookout for new adventures, and
the world. This coastline is, for the most
to the coast. A 20-minute drive had us
the thought of an untapped saltwater
part, deserted, as it is the Nubian Desert.
in the town of Port Sudan, and then we
destination full of triggerfish thrilled
It’s inhabited by nomadic populations
proceeded north along the coast for 2
me. If you’ve ever fished for triggers,
of camel and goat herders, and there
3/4 hours through some of the most
you know what an obsession they can
are no fishing communities. This is key,
extraordinary landscape I’ve seen. Wild
be—sort of like permit. But Sudan…? My
as aside from a handful of small open
desert with huge, jagged mountains were
limited knowledge about this part of the
boats using hand lines, there is no fishing
visible in the distance through a haze
world immediately made me nervous, as
pressure. This sounded more interesting
of dust and heat; this was punctuated
most news reports of Sudan are hardly
by the minute. I put together a team of six
by a few patches of scrub, goats, and a
favorable. I began to research it and
anglers to go and explore the potential
few camels wandering about. As the sun
discovered I was very wrong. Sudan is
this fishery might have. What we found
began to descend behind the mountain
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 85
range we turned off the road toward the
Murray introduced us to Federico (Fede)
pulse through me. The flat was some 250
sea and the largest port in the north,
and Stuart Harley (Stu), who would be our
yards wide from the beach edge to the
Muhammad Qol. That Muhammad Qol is
guides for the week. That night we would
reef, dropping off into aquamarine water
the largest port in the north is somewhat
stay in port before heading out to our first
with the red mountain of the island in
ironic, as it’s a tiny community of sandy
anchorage at Magarsum Island; then we’d
stark contrast climbing up to our right. As
streets that lead to a military outpost of
continue to move to further anchorages,
we lined up across the flat and proceeded
two jetties and a handful of boats. The
exploring the flats as we went.
to wade slowly north, what ensued was
soldiers on this outpost mostly wore
staggering. The flats were crawling with
football shirts from Arsenal, Barcelona,
Although everyone had a cabin, the
triggers: titans and yellow margins tailing
and Real Madrid, which was somewhat
guides and crew slept topside along with
on the mixture of coral and weed. If
surreal....
most of the anglers. It can get very hot
you’ve fished for triggerfish before, you’re
downstairs, even though each cabin had
fully aware that just because there are
Here we laid eyes on our home for the
a fan, and most prefer sleeping on deck
many fish present doesn’t necessarily
week, the 60-foot motor catamaran
in the open air under the carpet of stars.
mean you’ll catch many! They’re tricky
Scuba Libre. As tenders, she has two
As we drifted off to sleep, we reveled in
little guys, each with an individual
23-foot fiberglass pangas equipped with
the gentle offshore breeze and the sound
personality. Sometimes it’s not about
30- and 40-horsepower two-stroke
of lapping water—a total contrast to our
finding the right fly but about finding the
engines. Met by the guide team from
normal lives.
right trigger.
across with our luggage. Cabins were
The first morning dawned crystal clear
The three of us had many shots, follows,
quickly allocated, and then head guide,
and flat calm. The water clarity was
and near misses. Some of the titans were
Mark Murray, briefed us on the week to
astounding, and as we stepped out onto
huge, their orange spade tails waggling
come over a much-welcomed cold beer.
the beach I felt a thrill of excitement
in the morning sunlight like small flags.
Tourette Fishing, our team was ferried
86 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Although I saw fewer in the shallows, my
The afternoon session blew my mind,
Suddenly Mark indicated for us to stop.
fellow anglers had many shots in the
with at least 15 tailing triggers along the
There, just ahead of us, was a school
slightly deeper water. The yellow margins,
edge, some the size of footballs. Again,
of tailing permit. We stood like statues
although numerous, were behaving
the excitement of follows and near
as one of the group cast out a stunning
oddly. Pairs chased each other around
misses. Finally I found a lovely titan tailing
line that dropped the fly gently near
and daisy chained. Mark believed this
between me and the bank. I moved into
them. One of the fish dropped its tail
was part of their spawning ritual, making
position and dropped the Gumby Crab
immediately to scurry over and tail on
them especially spooky. (Apparently the
10 feet to the left on a backhand delivery
the fly. No one uttered a word. Our hearts
reverse had been the case earlier in the
across the breeze. The aggressive titan
were thumping in our chests as he took
season with the titans behaving that way
did exactly what it was supposed to do: It
up the slack … and nothing.... Arrrgh!
in March and early April.) I spotted two
charged over and hit the fly like a ton of
Permit are the same wherever you are in
titans tailing in a small depression and
bricks and I was in! As it tore off toward
the world, but that was about as good an
dropped the fly off to the right. After
the coral edge, I began to pump it on
opportunity as anyone would get.
letting it sink, I gave the Gumby Crab one
my 8-weight Hardy. I was using a Rio
small twitch and a large titan charged
saltwater tapered leader with 2 feet of
over to investigate. It tailed on the fly
19-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon tippet—
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
three times as it followed it toward me
so I knew I was safe. I quickly landed
BLEW MY MIND, WITH
and I could feel the trigger nipping as
my first Nubian Flats trigger of about 6
I maintained contact with slow strips.
pounds. Nowhere in the world had I ever
AT LEAST 15 TAILING
Finally, everything went tight and he was
encountered numbers of triggerfish like
TRIGGERS ALONG THE
on. I felt the weight and then, as if on cue,
this. It was akin to fishing for bonefish in
EDGE, SOME THE SIZE OF
the fish spat the fly back at me, nearly
the Caribbean.
FOOTBALLS.
hitting me in the face!
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 87
We continued up the flat, and as I was
a huge open white sand flat. The coral
scanning around I had a quick look
edges here are treacherous; due to the
behind me and suddenly there was an
lack of tidal fluctuation in the Red Sea,
explosion of water. A giant trevally had
the coral is covered in algae. These were
snuck up on me, probably thinking I might
perhaps the most uneven, slippery, difficult
make a good meal, before charging off
edges I have ever waded—not for the
the edge of the flat. As the light faded
fainthearted. The guides have taken to
and it was time to head home, our team
wearing felt-soled leather wading boots for
estimated we had between 15 and 20
this destination, and I quickly discovered
shots each. We had tried every fly in the
that my normal Simms Flats Sneakers,
box. “Sometimes it’s not the wrong fly but
although tough enough, were pretty
the wrong trigger”—a saying that would
slippery. While we were fishing the edge
be coined on this trip. We all collapsed
of the drop-off, a large bohar snapper
into bed that night and drifted off to sleep
erupted out of nowhere, snaffled Phil’s fly,
dreaming of little flags waving in the ripple.
and disappeared. Wow! Yay! ... Oh.... Stu (nicknamed Aqua Boy after his consistent
I STAGGERED THROUGH THE SURF TO THE EDGE TO STOP FROM BEING CUT OFF ON THE CORAL.
88 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
Each day the sun would jump into the
donning of mask and disappearing to
sky like an orange football against the
retrieve fish) came to the rescue. He swam
backdrop of the red sand mountains, and
out over the edge, and as Phil braced
our little groups would take to their boats
himself to resume battle, Stu suddenly
like some kind of dawn raiding party as
erupted from the water like Poseidon
we hit the flats for the next chapter of the
holding the enraged bohar over his head.
adventure. As with all fishing trips, the days
Shortest bohar battle known to man.
blur into memories. It’s difficult to give the full flavor of a trip such as this, but I’ll
The Nubian Flats have a very fair giant
try to recount a few anecdotes that have
trevally fishery. On another occasion,
remained imprinted on my mind.
four of us motored out to Angorosh, an
One evening as the light began to dip
impressive rock pinnacle encircled by a
to a ball of red, a small band of us were
small flat that drops away to 600 feet of
fishing off the Eastern edge of Shambaya,
water. We intended to stake out and wait
for the GTs to come hunting. There was
GT cruised the edge with a big bluefin
backhand cast to my right, let the fly sink
amazing light with stacks of baitfish on
trevally in tow. Phil got the shot, and the
and started to retrieve.
the east side, piled against the trough by
fish chased the fly but infuriatingly turned
the rising surf. I saw GT coming along the
off at the last second. We waded out to
Bang! A massive yank and I was
edge, tried to cast backhand into wind,
the drop-off to fish over the edge and got
nearly pulled straight off my bommie. I
but I couldn’t get a reasonable shot. Ten
battered in the surf that was now coming
staggered through the surf to the edge to
minutes later, Phil came running down
in from the brisk breeze. I found a suitable
stop from being cut off on the coral. Fede,
the beach toward me as another big
coral bommie to stand on and put a blind
my guide, rushed to aid me and managed
to free line that was wrapped around a
some lovely titan triggerfish, but
drop with a nice current flowing over
coral head. As I looked over the edge into
somehow whenever the yellow margins
them—much like trout in a stream. I
the blue below I was astounded to see the
are around things just don’t seem to go
successfully spooked both and was
GT I had hooked was just one of a school
according to plan. I’m sure many anglers
beginning to feel I was cursed with this
of nearly 50 fish! After some grunting,
suffer similar afflictions with a nemesis
species. As I very slowly waded down to
sweating, and clenched teeth, I managed
species—and the longer it continues the
the bottom of island, there, on the white
to pull it up and over the edge. The fish
worse it becomes. This affliction began
sand, was a massive yellow margin tailing
swam a big circle around me back onto
for me with one particular yellow margin
happily away. I switched to a light Cuban
the flats before trying to head back to
here on the Nubian Flats of Sudan—and
Shrimp, hoping the quiet presentation
the drop-off. Finally I brought it to hand, a
this is how the story unfolded....
would make the difference. As soon as
lovely GT of 27 inches.
the fly landed the fish came straight over I had been wading a very large open
and began following the fly, nipping at it.
Those who’ve known me are aware
sand flat where the triggers had been
I continued to slowly draw the fly toward
there’s one species that I’ve always had
skittish. I finally made it up to one of
me with long slow strips and finally the
issues with: the yellow margin triggerfish.
the sandy islands to find two massive
trigger crushed it and I hooked up! Yes!
Over the years I’ve very happily caught
yellow margins tailing against the sand
The trigger looked very confused, did a
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 89
big backpedal with its pectoral fins and
minutes and some follows he hooked up
trip you need to be prepared for that and
spat the hook back at me. Aarrrgh!
and managed to land the fish, a serious
pack accordingly.
specimen. I suppose some might have As I was down on one knee, the fish
been jealous, but I was just delighted that
We fished only one area along a 300-
did not spook, so I cast again. Again, it
it had not made a fool of both of us!
mile coastline, so I’m excited about the
charged up, chased the fly and everything
fishing opportunities that Sudan holds
went tight. I raised the rod, tightened
For me this was an extraordinary trip that
for the future. This trip is by no means for
up, and it was on! Yes, got the yellow
far exceeded my expectations. There are
everyone, but if you love triggers and the
margin—or so I thought.... After a few
some important points to note. Triggerfish
possibility of some GTs and other trevally
seconds the trigger did exactly the same
are not easy. That is the same anywhere
species in a deserted part of the world,
thing: did a backpedal with its pectoral
you go in the world: There is no quick fix
this could just be the adventure you are
fins and spat the hook back at me. I have
in catching numbers of them. Each fish
looking for.
to say, I very rarely lose my temper when
has its own personality and behavior—
fishing, but in a moment of extreme
and they’re smart. The fishing is technical
anguish I might have uttered some bad
and can be frustrating, but you’ll have
language and I might have thrown my
more opportunities in Sudan over a
rod in the water.... My fishing partner had
prolonged period of time than anyplace
witnessed the event and tactfully turned
else in the world I’ve encountered. The
around to “check something” while I had
lack of tidal flows expands the windows
my temper tantrum. It just goes to show
of opportunity dramatically, and there
that our finely honed hooks are really
are some truly massive triggers here.
nothing more than toothpicks to these
Triggers are the prime target and the GTs,
coral-crunchers. I calmed down, and
I believe, should be considered a bonus
as the fish was now headed toward my
and not a certainty. Fishing for GTs is
fishing partner I requested politely that he
difficult, and in difficult conditions. The
catch it for me, as I appeared to be inept.
coral is unforgiving, so you can expect to
He turned around, and after a couple of
hemorrhage terminal tackle. To make this
90 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TFFM’s Travel Editor, Peter McLeod, is the founder of Aardvark McLeod, international fly fishing specialists. For more information on fly fishing Sudan—or any other international destination—you can contact Peter at peter@aardvarkmcleod. com or visit his website at www. aardvarkmcleod.com.
IMAGINE BEING
SKUNKED FOR ALL OF TIME
Photo: Silver Kings
AND NOW YOU KNOW WHY WE HELPED MAKE THE KEYS CATCH AND RELEASE.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 91
AVOIDING APOCALYPSE: A TRAVEL MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE
by Dr. Abbas Adam, MD Planning and booking that fly fishing trip of a lifetime
Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019, destroying
requires careful preparation. Early in the process, you
lodges and devastating the island nation’s tourism
have to scour the calendar for dates that accommodate
industry. Anglers who had planned their trips of
both a busy work schedule and a short fishing season.
a lifetime in 2020 had no more control over their
Expect the planning to take at least a year—or even
destinies than anyone else when a pandemic caused
several years. Unlike a cruise or all-inclusive resort
worldwide international travel bans. Now we wonder
vacation—planned, operated, and to a certain extent
what 2021 might hold for us all: an electromagnetic
insulated from eventualities by a professional—
storm? solar flares? asteroids?
surprises are generally unwelcome, costly, dangerous, and even ruinous during the expensive and often
Although nuclear war and zombies certainly constitute
nonrefundable fly fishing holiday.
exigent circumstances that would be difficult to plan for, anglers can take heart: As a travel-medicine
92 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
physician, I can assure you that a little pre-planning can
children, and travelers to remote, rural fishing
often prevent illness and injury entirely during travel—
destinations—and especially for anyone who might
even destination fishing travel to exotic locales.
interact with animals and wildlife.
1. PRE-TRAVEL MEDICAL CONSULT
Some fishing destinations warrant consideration of
Several weeks before traveling, anglers should consult
malaria prophylaxis, which may involve relatively
an expert in travel medicine or a travel clinic to ensure
benign side effects and which travelers must begin
that their vaccinations are up to date. Examples of
a few weeks before their trip. Traveler’s diarrhea
important vaccinations include (but are not limited to)
requires inexpensive, absolutely essential antibiotics.
tetanus, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, pneumococcal
After all, the last thing any angler wants to do is stay
(pneumonia), and yellow fever. The rabies vaccine is
inside on the throne while travel buddies are outside
expensive but very important for frequent travelers,
landing big fish.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 93
WE CAN’T CONTROL FOR EVERY EVENTUALITY, OF COURSE, BUT KNOWING THAT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN MEANS THAT WE OUGHT TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SURPRISES.
2. TRAVEL MEDICAL KIT
handy. Prepackaged travel kits are
Your DIY med kit should include pain
of course widely available in local
medication and anti-inflammatories;
outdoors stores, but most do not
dimenhydrinate (marketed as
contain all the essential items
Dramamine or Gravol) for nausea
listed.
and motion sickness; Imodium for diarrhea; and antibiotic cream for cuts and chafing. In addition,
Consider evacuation insurance
anglers should always carry a
in case of severe illness or major
reliable, CDC-approved mosquito
trauma. Numerous reliable
repellent; products containing
evacuation insurance providers
picaridin are a better option than
can evacuate a fly angler and get
products containing DEET because
him or her to medical attention in
the latter damages fly lines and
the home country within 24 hours.
leaders. Also mandatory are
Anglers will need a communication
sunscreens with appropriate SPF;
device to activate their rescue.
make sure to make a reef-friendly choice, because most sunscreens have chemicals that damage coral
94 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
3. EVACUATION INSURANCE
4. COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Most remote fishing camps have
reefs. Adhesive bandages, moleskin,
no cell phone coverage—but they
and antiseptic swabs may come in
may have a satellite phone for
emergency use. I normally travel with an Iridium satellite phone, which has worldwide coverage. Garmin’s inReach is a satellite communication device that allows text messaging and tracking. Both Iridium and Garmin have SOS capability that can be activated for emergency rescue. Less practical than satellite communicators, rescue beacons are another option for off-the-beaten-path anglers. 5. WILDLIFE AND PETS
As I suggested above, I recommend the rabies vaccine to anglers heading out to remote, rural fishing camps where they might encounter dogs (domesticated or otherwise), bats, or monkeys. Whether an angler has been vaccinated or
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 95
not, an animal bite warrants
comes in handy during destination
which is a very tasty fish indeed.
immediate attention: Wash the
travel. Use light, soft-sided duffel
Thrill-seeking diners risk ciguatera
bite with an antiseptic solution
bags to minimize weight and size. I
poisoning, however, which can cause
or soap and water, and then seek
have a packing list on my iPhone—
permanent neurological damage.
medical care. Better yet, do your
created over a number of years and
The thrill of the exotic is simply not
best to respect natural habitats
constantly updated—so that I don’t
worth such a risk.
and avoid interaction with animals
forget anything. Pack a reusable
altogether—except fish, of course!
water bottle to minimize plastic
Perhaps the most important part
Venomous species like snakes,
waste and a few extra Ziploc bags to
of any travel fishing trip is the
scorpions, spiders, and jellyfish are
keep items dry and safe.
legwork that goes into planning it
best avoided. Keep an eye peeled for sharks. Always listen to your guide, as he or she is most aware of a region’s particular threats.
beforehand. We can’t control for 7. FOOD AND WATER SAFETY
every eventuality, of course, but
Although most of the camps and
knowing that accidents happen
lodges I have visited offer a nice
means that we ought to prepare
culinary experience and have safe
for potential surprises. Prudent
6. IMPORTANT TOOLS AND PACKING
drinking water, I always pack a water
planning will ensure that your trip
TIPS
filter just in case. Most of the time
of a lifetime becomes the stuff
Devotees of carry-on-only luggage
I don’t end up using it—but it is
of legend and not your worst
will grumble, but along with a
available nonetheless. Some fishing
nightmare.
reliable headlamp, hat, gloves,
lodges in the Caribbean will offer
and Buffs, a multitool knife often
exotic fish dishes like barracuda,
96 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 97
An Angler Opines
Release or Retain? An Honored Fly Fishing Ethic Deserves a Closer Look by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Option A. You can pay an Iowa farmer
Estimates of catch-and-release
to raise a hog—fertilizer, feedlot,
mortality vary, but one point is
most of the fish we caught. My folks
the whole 9 yards—and then start
certain: It isn’t zero. Most studies
had grown up dirt poor in Texas
burning fossil fuels, beginning with
show an average mortality of around
during the Great Depression, and
a trip to the slaughterhouse. Next,
three to five percent, assuming good
fishing was, among other things, a
you’ll have to fly the finished product
technique. Data show that prolonged
traditional way of putting food on
to Anchorage by commercial jet and
fights and time out of water increase
the table. There was no peer pressure
out to the lodge by floatplane. Then
mortality significantly. What are we
to release fish, because no one we
you can enjoy a glazed ham dinner
really doing when we hoist those
knew did. My father and I pretty
secure in the knowledge that you
fish from the water for hero photos
much figured catch-and-release
released every salmon you caught.
destined for social media and then
When I started fly fishing, 65 (gulp!) years ago, my family and I kept
out on our own, and by the time I’d
congratulate ourselves for “releasing” Option B. Keep a salmon, recognizing
them…?
after running upstream to spawn.
Most scientific data on release
While I still believe in this principle,
Grill it, eat it, share it with friends.
mortality comes from fresh water.
I don’t necessarily release every fish
Save the carcass and put it in a
While the marine environment is
I catch, either. Now that the catch-
crab pot so you can enjoy a fresh
different, evidence confirms that
and-release ethic has become a
Dungeness crab dinner tomorrow
proper technique can substantially
virtual Eleventh Commandment in
night.
improve post-release survival in
completed my formal education I hadn’t killed a wild trout in years.
that it will die within weeks anyway
the fly fishing community, perhaps
the salt. Biologists have looked at
we should remember that proper
Now, which option leaves the least
the effect of numerous variables
interaction between humans and
obtrusive environmental footprint?
on post-release mortality, including
nature is better guided by logic
water temperature and, for inshore
and science than blind adherence
Several questions should precede
species, salinity. By far the most
to principle. Life is too complex
the decision to release or retain. Is
important factor appears to be the
to be governed by popular trends
the fish native or introduced? How
location of the hook. One study on
alone. Often, the best answer to the
healthy are its stocks, and what is
striped bass, for example, showed a
question of whether to release or
angling’s impact upon them? What
mortality of just three percent for
retain depends upon circumstances.
is the longevity and reproductive
“shallow-hooked” fish, as opposed to
potential of the fish? The answers to
58 percent for “deep-hooked” fish
Imagine a hypothetical situation
these questions suggest to me that,
taken on bait.
based upon one given: We all need
for example, I won’t go to hell if I
Fly anglers are already ahead of this
to eat. Suppose you’ve spent the
keep an occasional redfish, but that
curve, since flies usually hook fish
day at a coastal Alaska fishing lodge
wild steelhead should be returned to
high in the mouth, but we still have
catching silver salmon on flies in a
the water no matter what.
to do a number of things correctly if
tidal estuary. Now, you’re tired and hungry and face two choices.
98 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
we’re going to accomplish anything
more than letting ourselves feel good about releasing fish. 1. Use barbless hooks. Studies show
that barbless hooks contribute less to survival than good release technique, but crimping barbs is too easy to ignore and does not result in more lost fish. 2. Keep the fish wet. My wife, Lori,
and I do a lot of fish photography and can almost always get what we need without removing the fish from the water or even touching it. 3. Minimize contact between fish and human skin. A mid-Pacific
study on captive bonefish showed that touching the fish dramatically increased their mortality, probably by compromising the slime layer that protects their skin. Use a hemostat or no-touch wire loop release device to remove the hook. 4. Don’t suspend fish by the mouth. This can harm the jaw structure. 5. Don’t use a gaff. 6. Fight the fish quickly.
8. Employ a deep-water release
device with species that cannot
A former Alaska resident who
vent their air bladders.
now lives in rural Montana,
9. Don’t fish with bait. (This advice
have fly fished salt waters all
seems unnecessary here.)
Don Thomas and his wife, Lori, around the globe. After growing up on Puget Sound and living
If you’re not willing to do all this, stop
in a coastal Alaska village, he
7. If the hook is embedded deeply,
kidding yourself. You’re not releasing
has a soft spot for the North
cut the tippet just above the hook
fish—you’re feeding sharks. Either do
Pacific. Don and Lori’s work has
rather than trying to remove it.
it right, or keep the first fish or two
appeared in numerous national
Saltwater fish survive surprisingly
you catch, stop fishing, take them
publications.
well with the hook left in place.
home, and eat them.
TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE 99
BUILT FOR LIFE www.seaholmautomatic.com
ROB FORDYCE
Host: The SeaHunter
100 TAIL FLY FISHING MAGAZINE
PHOTO: DAVID MANGUM
