The CURRENT 2017

CURRENT The

IN THIS ISSUE : TROUTS FRISCO STEELHEAD OF THE TONGASS INTERVIEW: DOUG MCKNIGHT PRIVATE WATER: GRANBY RANCH

Catalog 2017

MADE

BY HAND. HEART. AND SOUL. T H E B E ST WA D E R S I N T H E W O R L D ST E M F R O M I N N OVAT I V E D E S I G N , C U T T I N G - E D G E M AT E R I A LS ,

AN D THE SKILLE D WOR KERS WHO PLEDGE A L L E G I A N C E T O I T E V E R Y D AY. F R O M A B L A N K R O L L O F G O R E - T E X ® FA B R I C , T H E S A M E H A N D S T H AT D O U B L E - H A U L S I N K T I P S A N D ST R O K E D R I F T- B O AT O A R S C U T,

WAD E R

E N D R E S U LT O F A PA I N STA K I N G P R O C E S S

M AK E R

A N D T E N A C I O U S T E ST I N G . T H E Y ’ R E A LS O T H E

S E W, TA P E A N D , F R O M S C R AT C H , H A N D - B U I L D

S T I T C H E S S W E AT E D F O R P E R F E C T I O N .

C U T S M A D E W I T H F LU I D M OT I O N I N M I N D .

S I M M S WA D E R M A K E R S B R I N G T H I S C H E M I ST R Y T O E A C H A N D E V E R Y S E T O F W A D E R S T H AT L E AV E S O U R B O Z E M A N , M O N TA N A FA C I L I T Y. T H AT ’ S W H Y T H E I R ST O R Y I S O U R ST O R Y.

2 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

J O H N S A L C E D O , P R O D U C T S P E C I A L I S T,

E V E R Y W A D E R T H AT B E A R S T H E I R M A R K .

# WADERMAKERS

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 3

NEW WATER

by Tucker Ladd: Owner, Trouts

E

volution. By its definition it’s the gradual development of something from a simple to a more complex form. So much of fly fishing is based around the idea of evolution, whether it be the insects we are trying to imitate, the gear we buy, or the ecosystems in which we fish. Evolution is also a representative term for the growth of the Trouts Fly Fishing brand over the past 12 years, because in order for us to meet the needs of an ever-changing consumer in an ever-changing sport, we need to be ever changing ourselves.

The CURRENT is just one example of this, and the pages that follow help to further communicate and demonstrate how Trouts has evolved to meet the needs and expectations of the modern fly angler. Whether it be our online presence, our foray into the world of outfitting, our growing list of Signature Services, or the addition of our second location in Frisco, CO., everything we do at Trouts is about ensuring that your next day on the water is a good as it can possibly be.

But it is also important to take stock of how the sport of fly fishing is evolving, and how we as anglers can help facilitate the direction that our sport ultimately takes. There is one area that we as consumers and recreators leave far too much on the table, that being conservation. Our sport, and the livelihood of everyone working in the Fly Fishing Industry, rests solely on the natural resources required to fly fish. Yet far too little is done to help ensure that our fisheries are present and vibrant for generations to come, and this is the call to action that we all must heed.

We recently embarked on an exercise to establish a Brand Promise for Trouts Fly Fishing. This promise was not a customer facing initiative, but more something that provided us with a direction and purpose internally that we could operate from on a daily basis. In the end we coined the term “Endorsed By Mother Nature”, as it reinforced our commitment to not only our sport, but more importantly the environment and the natural resources our sport depends on. This is not to say that conservation hasn’t been an important part of our ethos, instead this brand promise helped provide us a simple phrase to keep us moving in a unified direction.

So as the Trouts Fly Fishing brand continues to evolve, our commitment to our sport, our industry, and most importantly our customers, is that we will do so with the care and recognition of our most invaluable asset: nature. We hope this commitment will provide value and meaning for customers doing business with Trouts, and we hope it encourages everyone in our industry and sport to identify ways they too can be a part of the solution. I hope you enjoy all that follows this message, and please be sure to think of Trouts for all your future fly fishing needs.

Sincerely, Tucker Ladd Owner, Trouts Fly Fishing

4 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

CURRENT The

TROUTSFLYFISHING.COM 1303 E. 6th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80218 1.877.464.0034 ©2017 Trouts Fly Fishing

CURRENT The

CONTENTS From Trouts

Catalog 2017

Features

Editorial 4 12 Guest Cast

by Kirk Deeter

Guide Service/Rates 2017

6

14

Trouts Frisco

Mends & Bends

9

Steelhead of the Tongass

Educational Offerings 2017

10

16

About Trouts

18

20

Private Water: Granby Ranch

Trout Tips

19

24

Interview: Doug McKnight

Trouts Signature Services

22

by Camille Egdorf

COVER: Rewards for a day stripping streamers on the Miracle Mile, Wyoming.

Photo: Ivan Orsic

16

24 2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 5

GUIDED TRIPS, OFFERINGS & RATES

O

ne of the best aspects of

fishing in Colorado is the abundance of fishing options, many of which are available year round.

It is with that reality that we are proud to offer Guided Fly Fishing Trips 365 days a year! Trouts Fly Fishing is committed to offering our clients the best in guided fly fishing adventures. We cater our trips to our clients’ needs to ensure that their time on the water is relaxing, enjoyable, and most importantly, memorable. So whether you are looking for a quick half-day outing, an overnight float trip down the Mighty Colorado River, or perhaps looking to organize a unique corporate event on a world-class private ranch, look no further than Trouts Fly Fishing.

Below is a list of fly fishing trip options, as well as their associated costs. To maintain a quality experience for all of our clients, we try to keep the guide to client ratio at 2:1. All trips go out rain or shine, unless conditions are deemed unsafe by the guide. If you have any questions or you would like to book a day on the water with us, please call the shop at (877) 464-0034 or email us at info@troutsflyfishing.com.

6 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

HALF DAY FLY FISHING TRIPS

$295 1 OR 2 ANGLERS (+$125 FOR 3RD ANGLER) Half day trips take place during the most productive time of day for fishing during a specific time of year. These trips typically last 4-5 hours, and include 3-4 hours of fishing time. Trip includes: drinks/refreshments, terminal tackle (flies, leaders, tippets, etc.), and fly rods.

Waders & boots can be rented for a nominal fee. * Lunch is available for half day fly fishing trips upon special request and for an additional fee. Please make sure to discuss this at the time you book your trip.

FULL DAY FLY FISHING TRIPS

$395 1 OR 2 ANGLERS (+$135 FOR 3RD ANGLER) Full day fly fishing trips will typically last from roughly 8am – 4pm. These trips include: Lunch and drinks, terminal tackle (flies, leaders, tippet, etc.), and fly rods. Waders & boots can be rented for a nominal fee.

FULL DAY FLOAT FISHING TRIPS

$495 1 OR 2 ANGLERS Full day float fishing trips typically last from roughly 8am - 5pm. These trips will take place on the Colorado River and include lunch and drinks, terminal tackle (flies, leaders, tippet, etc.), and fly rods. Waders & boots can be rented for a nominal fee.

BEST-OF-DAY FLY FISHING TRIPS

$345 1 OR 2 ANGLERS (+$125 FOR 3RD ANGLER) AVAILABLE OCTOBER 15TH-MARCH 15TH Best-of-Day trips last 6 hours and are designed to take advantage of the phenomenal fishing still to be had throughout the colder months of the year. Trips will run from approximately 9:30am-3:30pm, when the sun is at its highest and the fishing is at its best. Trip includes: drinks/lunch, terminal tackle (flies, leaders, tippets, etc), and fly rods.

Waders & boots can be rented for a nominal fee.

GROUP AND CORPORATE (7+ PEOPLE) FLY FISHING TRIPS

Group trips can be conducted as Bestof-Day or full day trips. They include: flies, leaders, tippets, rod and reel rental, beverages, lunch (full day trips only). In addition, the cost of these trips includes a 20% gratuity for the guides, and all trips are billed in full in advance. What’s not included: wader and boot rentals, fishing license, gratuity for the guide

PUBLIC WATERS

Colorado has some of the finest and most extensive public water options of any state in the Rocky Mountain West. While our water access might not be as encompassing as some of our neighboring states, the abundance and quality of public access is unmatched.

Trout’s Fly Fishing is proud to offer the most in-depth and encompassing resume of public water options of any outfitter in the state. So whether you’re looking for a close to town option for a quick get away, a challenging tail-water fishery to enhance your angling abilities, or a relaxing day spent in a drift boat, we have the water and resources to meet the needs of any angler. But don’t let this list of angling options overwhelm you, as our seasoned and qualified guide staff will determine your fishing location based upon experience level, angler goals, and seasonal conditions. However, in the event you have a certain piece of water you’ve been dying to fish, don’t hesitate to formally request one of these world-class fisheries when booking your next trip with us.

EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES

In addition to our extensive list of Public Water offerings, Trouts Fly Fishing is pleased to offer our customers unparalleled access to some of the finest and most sought after Private Properties & Ranches in the state. Our list of Exclusive Properties is ever evolving and designed to offer anglers a plethora of fishing options and experiences. Tossing dry flies to wild brown and brook trout sound like your idea of fun? What about sight fishing to trophy rainbows that could exceed 30”? Got a group of 20 of your best clients you want to show a day on the water they’ll never forget? Rest assured our extensive list of Exclusive Properties will have you covered on any of the above situations, plus more!

TROUTS FLY FISHING IS PROUD TO GUIDE ON THE FOLLOWING EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES: Rowdy Trout Ranch - N. Fork of the S. Platte River, Boxwood Gulch Ranch - N. Fork of the S. Platte River, Long Meadow Ranch - N. Fork of the S. Platte River, North Fork Ranch - N. Fork of the S. Platte River, Granby Ranch - Fraser River.

TROUTS FLY FISHING IS PROUD TO GUIDE ON THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC WATERS: Colorado River, South Platte River (and it’s tributaries), Arkansas River, Blue River, Williams Fork River, Roaring Fork River, Frying Pan River, Eagle River, Bear Creek, Clear Creek.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 7

LESS IS MORE

8 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

MADE IN MONTROSE, COLORADO U.S.A. ROSSREELS.COM

(

MENDS & BENDS I

give a lot of casting lessons through the shop and I’m still yet to meet an angler who doesn’t want to cast further and with higher line speed and power.

Most people I work with seem to think the key to a better forward cast is simply applying more power or casting “harder”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Are there times when making a long cast (particularly into the wind) is going to need a little extra “umph” to get it out there? Sure. But this isn’t the only key to that success.

In fact, it doesn’t matter how much extra power you give the forward cast, you’ll never get the results you want if you don’t do one key thing – make a perfect backcast.

I use the reference of golf a lot as well when teaching casting lessons.

Not that I’m a great golfer by any means, but I know enough to know that swinging the club twice as hard doesn’t make the ball go twice as far – trust me, I’ve tried. The same is 100% true with a fly rod.

So before we jump into this handy little trick I’m about to share, if you only remember one thing from this message, let it be this: It is impossible to make a good forward cast if you make a bad backcast.

On almost every casting lesson I give, we easily spend at least 50%

or more of the time just working on making a proper back cast. And while there are numerous nuances that I could dive into regarding this topic, this is how we always start things out.

If you’ve found yourself frustrated by your casts, head to a local park and give this a try.

1. Strip out 40 or 50 feet of line and while standing with good posture and facing forward, make several false casts. Once you’ve made three or four and are carrying the line through the air it’s time to move on to step 2.

2. FREEZE on your next backcast.

Once you’re certain the line is lying on the ground behind you, turn and look at it by twisting your body or taking a small step to the side.

What do you notice when you look at that line lying on the ground? Is it lying in a “J” or curved arc? Is it lying straight as an arrow? If you haven’t guessed by now, the ‘straight as an arrow’ path of the line is your goal.

When making a fly cast, your goal is to have the line traveling on a straight plane back and forth between you and your target. The only way to get your fly line to travel on a straight plane is make sure your fly rod is traveling on a straight plane. If the fly line on the ground behind you is doing anything other than lying in a straight line, this without a doubt,

by Kyle Wilkinson

means your rod is not traveling in that all-important ‘straight plane’.

I would be willing to bet the majority of you who try this will notice the fly line has some sort of curve to it, most likely wrapping around behind towards your non-casting arm/shoulder.

This is the most common result I see during my casting lessons and the reason for this being the case is simple.

Most people can make their 20-30 foot ‘trouty’ casts (as I’ll call them) without much problem. When you start getting into the 40+ foot zone though, most people will start to add a little twist to their casting stroke, inadvertently wrapping their fly rod clear back behind them in an attempt to get more power. Without getting too off topic, lengthening your casting stroke is definitely a great way to add power/ distance, however if it’s happening at the expense of good casting form then it’s only going to make things worse.

In summary, next time you’re at the park practicing your casting be sure to freeze on a few of your backcasts. Pay attention to how the line looks lying on the ground and you’ll instantly know the degree to which you need to re-focus your attention on perfecting your backcast. Start making perfect backcasts, and I can guarantee your forward casts are going to look better than they ever have.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 9

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 2017

I

t has been said by countless anglers that one of the greatest things about fly fishing is that you’re truly never done learning. It is with this in mind that we are proud to offer an incredibly comprehensive Educational Program designed with one simple goal in mind - to make you a better fly angler. Whether you’re brand new to the sport, have travelled the world countless times over with a fly rod, or perhaps fall somewhere in between, we are confident you won’t find a better line-up of lessons, classes and schools ANYWHERE. Read on to view the exciting array of educational offerings we have in store for 2017!

CLASSES & LESSONS ORVIS 101- Offered multiple times

each month, Orvis 101’s are the perfect way to immerse yourself into the wonderful world of fly-fishing.

These classes are mindfully built with the beginning angler in mind and cover basic terminology, fly selection, rigging and knot tying. Class size limited to eight students. Offered at our Denver location only.

Cost: FREE! Duration: 1 hour.

ORVIS 301- Recently completed an

Orvis 101? Our Orvis 301’s are the perfect next step in continuing on your path to becoming a self-sufficient fly angler. During your 301 you’ll have the opportunity to spend a day on the water with one of our Professional Fly Fishing Guides, building upon the skills learned during your 101.

During this course you will have the opportunity to work on rigging, 10 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

fly selection, basic entomology, safe wading practices, proper presentation, various casting techniques – and the best part of all – fighting and landing fish! To ensure maximum attention is given to each student, we adhere to a max ratio of three students per guide.

Offered through our Denver location.

Cost: $149. Duration: 6 hours.

UMPQUA FLY TYING 101- Always

wanted to learn to tie flies? There’s never been a better time! Trouts is excited to partner with Umpqua Feather Merchants to begin offering FREE introductory classes geared towards the budding fly tier.

Topics covered include general terminology, tool identification and application, basic materials and their uses – and of course – tying flies!

Upon completion of the class you’ll walk away with several hand-tied fly patterns that are ready to fish on our local waters! Offered at both our Denver and Frisco locations, December through March. Class size limited to six tyers.

Cost: FREE! Duration: 1 hour

CASTING & COCKTAILS- Let Trouts

Fly Fishing help you become the best caster you know! Our legendary Casting & Cocktails events are held once a month from April through September and are geared towards one simple goal – to make you a better caster! Each month, we’ll head down to a local park to offer FREE casting lessons to anyone that shows up. There’s no need to sign up in advance. Simply come on down, bring your fly rod (or use one of the many we’ll be providing) and let us help you improve your casting…all while enjoying a cold beverage or two! It doesn’t get easier than that! Casting & Cocktails are offered at both our Denver and Frisco locations. Check our Customer Events Calendar for

details on date/time/location.

Cost: FREE!

BUGS FOR BEGINNERS- Have you

ever felt confused about what fly you should be fishing? Ever been overwhelmed on whether to reach for a size 18 versus a size 20? Beadhead or nonbeadhead? Flash or no flash? Well then, this class is for you! Our Bugs For Beginners class is designed to help take the mystery out of fly selection.

Rest assured you will walk away from this class a more confident and knowledgeable angler when it comes to fly selection. Classes are held once a month at our Denver location.

Cost: $25 (but you’ll also receive a dozen flies!)

Duration: 1 hour

ONE DAY SCHOOLS TWO HOUR LESSON-

Our Two Hour Lessons are an ideal way to get an on-water introduction to the sport of fly fishing. We’ll go over the basic principles of fly fishing, and allow you to apply these new skills on one of our local waters.

Available at our Frisco location only.

Cost: $150 for 1 person, $50 per person extra (limit of 3 participants).

DAY BEGINNER FLY FISHING SCHOOL-

June 10th, July 8th, August 12th, September 9th Our One-day Beginner Fly Fishing school is the perfect way to get on the fast track to success towards becoming a self-sufficient fly angler.

These schools are held on our Exclusive Private Property – The Rowdy Trout Ranch, located just one hour outside of Denver. Class size limited to 12 anglers.

Cost: $195. Duration: 8 hours.

CARP SCHOOL-

May 9th Catching a carp on a fly rod is considered the ultimate freshwater challenge by many anglers. They’re

smart, spooky, and can at times be downright challenging! During this on-water school, our expert instructors will provide you with the knowledge and tactics to increase your success when pursuing this worthy gamefish. Class size is limited to nine anglers and will be offered through our Denver location.

Cost: $149. Duration: 8 hours.

our Exclusive Private Property – The Rowdy Trout Ranch – and will cover basic terminology, rigging, knot tying, fly-selection, followed by an on-water portion of the day where you’ll get to practice your casting and presentation and catch a few fish! Class size limited to 10 anglers.

Cost: $195. Duration 8 hours.

STREAMER SCHOOL-

January 28th, February 18th Got a saltwater trip on the books?

This two-hour class is designed to provide casting, presentation, and retrieval tips to ensure success on your next saltwater adventure! Class size limited to eight students and will be offered through our Denver location.

Cost: $50. Duration: 2 hours.

September 17th, October 22nd Streamer fishing can be one of the best ways to catch the largest trout of your life. During this school you’ll have the opportunity to float down the Colorado River as our expert instructors teach you the basics of fly selection, retrieval methods, presentation and more! You will walk away from this school a much more confident and knowledgeable streamer fisherman. Class size is limited to six anglers and will be offered through our Frisco location.

Cost: $250. Duration 8-10 hours.

LADIES ONLY BEGINNER SCHOOL-

July 23rd, August 27th Fly fishing has long been thought of as a male dominated sport. The good news is, we’re out to change that! Like our One-Day Beginner School, this school will be held at

SALTWATER PREP SCHOOL-

MULTI-DAY SCHOOLS

TWO-DAY BEGINNER FLY FISHING SCHOOL-

July 15th/16th, August 19th/20th Our Two-Day Beginner Schools are the perfect way to spend a weekend learning all about the great sport of fly fishing. Day one will be spent in a classroom setting where you’ll learn basic terminology, rigging, fly selection, knot tying, casting and more. Day two will be spent on the water with our Professional

Fly Fishing Instructors practicing presentation, rigging, safe wading practices, and fighting and landing fish! Class size is limited to eight anglers and will be offered at our Frisco location.

Duration: two (2) 8 hour days. Cost: $489

GUIDE SCHOOL-

April 24-30 Always wanted to become a fly fishing guide? Here’s your chance! Our sixday Guide School will provide all the necessary tools to prepare you for a successful career as a fly fishing guide.

Cost: $1495

PRIVATE LESSONS- Aside from our

extensive list of classes, lessons and schools, we are proud to offer a variety of private lessons designed around what you are hoping to accomplish in your fly-fishing education. From casting to fly-tying, rigging to improving your on-water skills, give us a call and tell us what you’re looking for. We’ll be more than happy to design a program tailored to your exact needs! Private lessons are offered through both our Denver and Frisco locations.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 11

G

GUEST CAST

o web surfing for information

on ammunition for hunting rifles and you’ll be amazed just how much dialogue you can find, for example, on 165-grain bullets versus 180-grain options for hunting elk with a 30.06. Bowhunters very carefully deliberate over the lengths and weights of the arrows they shoot. So why is it that many anglers don’t obsess over the lines the choose for a fly rod?

There are, of course, many options available, and I’m one of those who wasted years and a lot of money by making fly line selection an afterthought. I’ve learned that fly lines are the key ingredients, and I think there are great sales opportunities at Trouts to this end. I recently took multiple different WF5F fly lines on a trip to Cinco Rios Lodge in Coyhaique, Chile to test over 10 days.

I saw a variety of fishing conditions with everything from technical spring creeks to wind-swept lakes and brawling rivers. I found that a really great rod could be judged for its efficiency and effectiveness with different lines. Here are my thoughts on three RIO lines that I used during that trip.

RIO INTOUCH GOLD

This has become a “gold” standard for a lot of casters because it works well on so many rods. It’s weighted a half size heavy, which allows more intermediate anglers to feel the load a little better and turn over some larger bugs. If I’m going for super tricky, technical water, I’m probably going to opt for RIO’s InTouch Trout DT, but the RIO Gold is hard to beat for a great all-around line. I also like the RIO Perception with its super-low stretch and pickup-set down casts without a lot of false casting.

12 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

RIO INTOUCH SINGLE HAND SPEY

This will surprise you, but this is my favorite line that RIO makes. The name will trick you into thinking it’s all about roll casting and such, but this line is extremely smooth and accurate line for forming overhead loops. I’ll tell you exactly what this line is….a perfect hopper fishing from a drift boat line where you’re consistently banging 40-50 footers at the bank. Strip it in to the color change (like you do when spey casting) to hit the right load point.

Pick it up and fire. Anyone with a drift boat or raft should have at least one of these lines rigged and ready for terrestrial season. It’s also a great option for streamers. I believe it is the most underrated fly line on the market today.

RIO INTOUCH OUTBOUND SHORT

This was the wind line. It’s also a big bug line. When you want to

by Kirk Deeter

switch to an articulated leech and toss that into a 20mph headwind, this is the line to have on. There’s a lot of wind in Patagonia, and I wouldn’t go on a trip there without at least one of these in tow. That said, I’m not sure it’s the most practical for me and the situations I fish in the Rockies.

For anglers fishing in open spaces, like a lake, or throwing big flies, this is the line. It’s a heavy line with a very aggressive front taper holding the majority of the weight up front, which is ideal for beginners.

I recommend trying this next time you’re headed out on a trip or even on your home waters. Take your favorite rod, have a few lines spooled up and see what you think works for the fishing scenario you’re working on that day. Then try it for other fishing situations. I guarantee you’ll find a great line for each one.

THE RIGHT LINE

FOR EVERY FISH. RIOPRODUCTS.COM

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 13

NEW DIGS

TROUT’S FRISCO

Located right on Main Street in the heart of downtown Frisco, this new shop instantly offered customers the first class retail experience synonymous with the Trouts Fly Fishing brand.

2016

was a big year

for Trouts Fly Fishing in many ways. To start, it marked our 21st year of serving the Denver angling community.

That alone is reason to celebrate in and of itself. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing our customers with the finest and best retail product mix, customer service, educational offerings and events, online store, guided fishing opportunities, and more.

As our business has continued to grow over the years, the idea of opening a second location has long been a topic of discussion and debate.

We are well aware that serving our customers to the fullest extent possible is paramount to not only our success, but yours as well. With this in mind, it became easy to recognize that having only one location to fulfill this goal, ultimately wasn’t accomplishing it to the degree we knew was possible.

14 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

As we considered possible locations for a second storefront, Summit County was always at the forefront of our discussions. The abundance of water that lies within an easy drive of this area could last a person a lifetime, and as such, the decision became an easy one. So in April 2016 the final coats of paint had dried, the final fly bin stocked and we couldn’t have been more thrilled to officially open the doors of our second location.

Located right on Main Street in the heart of downtown Frisco, this new shop instantly offered customers the first class retail experience synonymous with the Trouts Fly Fishing brand. And while this certainly had us feeling pretty good, it could definitely be argued that we were ultimately just as excited to unveil an incredibly enhanced outfitting presence. The addition of this new location allows us to now offer guided trip options for both float and wade fishing on the Blue

River, Colorado River, Williams Fork River, Eagle River, Roaring Fork River, Frying Pan River and Arkansas River. Pair this with our already impressive mix of guided fishing options available through our Denver location, and Trouts Fly Fishing is proud to now offer customers the most comprehensive guided fly fishing menu in the entire state of Colorado.

While modest in size, our new retail location will offer the best brands in the industry including: Simms, Ross, Hatch, RL Winston, Scott, Abel, Rising, Rio, Scientific Anglers, Yeti, RepYourWater, Nautilus, Redington, Umpqua, Lamson and more!

Next time you’re headed through Summit County, be sure to stop by and say ‘Hi!’. We’re confident you’ll be glad you did.

TROUTS FRISCO 970-668-2583 309 B. FRISCO, CO 80443 FRISCO@TROUTSFLYFISHING.COM

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BOOK A TRIP...

BUT ONLY ONE WAY TO MAKE SURE IT’S RIGHT. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. A-TO-Z TRIP SUPPORT. FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY DESTINATION.

FI S Y L

E

L

TH

ADVENTURES

D

H

F

SAME PRICE OR LESS THAN BOOKING ON YOUR OWN.

W OR

AN D 2017 DE ST INATIO N GU IDEBLE AT TRAVEL CATALO G NO W AVA ILA NG .CO M WW W.Y ELLOW DO GFLYFI SHI

WWW.YELLOWDOGFLYFISHING.COM TOLL FREE: 888.777.5060 FOR A FREE CATALOG

Africa - Alaska - Argentina - Bahamas - Belize - Bolivia - Brazil - Canada – Chile Christmas Island - Cuba - Guatemala - Guyana – Iceland - Kamchatka - New Zealand Seychelles - St. Brandon’s - Venezuela - Yucatan - United States & More TROUTS FLY FISHING IS YELLOW DOG’S PREFERRED COLORADO FLY SHOP

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 15

by Camille Egdorf

STEELHEAD OF THE TONGASS Visiting Southeast Alaska is a little like taking a step into Narnia.

A

vast, thick rainforest blankets

the hills and mountains in a way only Mother Nature would be capable of achieving. Streams shrouded by large spruce trees carve their way through the moss covered bedrock; the primal beauty of this environment is breathtaking. Large ferns and yellow skunk cabbages decorate the rainforest floor making it seem like you could see fairies at any second. There truly are no words to describe the Tongass National Forest.

Southeast Alaska is completely unique from any other area of the state I’ve

16 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

visited and a place every avid angler or traveler should experience.

I was able to experience the Tongass this past April accompanied by my co-workers from Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Tom Melvin and Bryan Gregson, traveling to the sleepy town of Wrangell, Alaska to visit a lodge I’ve heard about for many years: Chrome Chasers. Family owned and operated, they have been exploring, discovering and accessing steelhead streams in Southeast, Alaska that very few, if any other fishermen, have seen. The lodge’s manager and owner, Rick Matney, is a good friend of mine from back in Montana, and for those of you who are unfamiliar with Rick, he’s a jack of many trades and one of the fishiest people I know.

He, along with his dad and brother, have been operating Chrome Chasers

for over a decade and have built a program dedicated to finding wild steelhead. Their season typically runs from April to early May and when their season ends, Rick goes back to Montana to begin guiding, his brother begins looking forward to guiding fall bear hunts on Kodiak Island, and his dad stays in Wrangell where he runs a fur shop, offers extended stay lodging, and prepares for trapping season. The Matney clan is a very entertaining and capable troop when it comes to the outdoors. Just spending one week with them was an education!

Throughout the week, we utilized a 33-foot outboard boat (named the “Chrome Chaser”) that took us anywhere from 10 to 50 miles each day to access prime steelhead waters.

This was my first trip to Southeast Alaska so I was like a ‘fresh off the

“The steelhead found here are among the most untouched and wild fish found anywhere in the world.” plane’ tourist each time we left the boat harbor. It wasn’t uncommon for us to see whales, sea lions and otters while en route to our river for the day.

Once we reached the river, we had to anchor roughly 300 – 500 yards off the shore due to the extreme swing in tides. Alaska is known for its massive 20+ foot tides, so captains must be sure to leave their vessels in areas where they won’t go dry. If they do, they’re stuck for the next 12 hours until the tide comes back in. So, to access the shore we all piled into a small inflatable dinghy equipped with an eight-HP tiller motor and putputted our way to shore.

Hiking in the Tongass is intense and not for the faint hearted. Steep inclines, muddy trails, downed trees and devil’s club are routine obstacles while walking. I was grateful for the heavy-duty carb loading we did at breakfast each morning. I got a good laugh when Rick announced his solution to being tired, “When I get tired, I just eat chocolate covered donuts.” My feet still ache after the endless hours of walking, wading and climbing we did – but the reward was worth it.

The steelhead found here are among the most untouched and wild fish found anywhere in the world. Because these rivers are so inaccessible, these fish have flourished for thousands of years and continue to today under very little pressure.

Having fished multiple steelhead fisheries on the West coast and in parts of British Columbia where numbers of steelhead caught are exceptionally small, I was blown away by the numbers we saw. Alaska is nothing like your typical steelhead fishery. Our worst day of fishing consisted of five adult steelhead brought to the net – and as any avid steelheader can attest – that is an exceptional day. One of the fonder moments of the trip was when we spotted a group of 10 – 15 steelhead at the tail-out of a long run. I had just hooked and landed a fish, so I told Tom it was all his. The water was gin clear so it was as if we were watching TV as Tom made a perfect cast. The fly swung right in front of the group and when it seemed as though there were no takers, a single fish dropped out of the group for a textbook eat.

Then it was off to the races! After a 15-minute battle around rocks and submerged logs, we cradled the fish into a handmade net which allowed the fish to sit lengthwise in the water.

After a couple photos, we returned the bright hen to the river where she disappeared into the copper-colored water. Slaps on the back, grins and fist bumps followed shortly thereafter.

The rivers we fished varied in size depending on the weather and how much rain fell at a given time.

What got my attention most was how quickly these streams turned

from raging torrents to small, innocent looking tributaries. The soil surrounding Wrangell and the Tongass is comprised mostly of rock, and when the tundra becomes fully saturated, all the rain water washes into the rivers in a matter of minutes. On any given day, the water levels increase and decrease dramatically, which has a direct impact on the fishery. If the water is too low and no rain is in the forecast, there won’t be enough water for the steelhead to enter a river system.

If there’s too much water, then it becomes nearly impossible for anglers to access the river. We experienced both of these situations which made for a tougher week.

The Tongass is a special place and has the ability to captivate any level of angler. I was certainly transfixed by its remote beauty, wildlife, and of course, the steelhead running up its streams. It’s a place where people can truly lose themselves in endless forest and water. I immediately fell in love with it and will always feel its pull.

Rick had told us a story about a man who had given all his wealth away to charity and moved to Wrangell in attempt to escape society. For nearly 20 years, this man lived in the woods with only a tarp, a tattered sleeping bag and a small boat. “He was as happy as a man could be,” Rick said. I wonder if he fished for steelhead as well.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 17

ABOUT TROUTS

T

routs Fly Fishing’s Flagship store is located in Denver, CO between Downtown and Cherry Creek North. We have been Denver’s premier fly fishing outfitter and retailer for 22 years, and pride ourselves on offering the most complete fly fishing experience possible. Our newly renovated 3,000 sq/ft store offers everything the discriminating angler to beginner fly fisher would need or desire, in addition to playing host to all of our classes, seminars and hosted get-togethers. And did somebody say flies? With over 3,000 open fly bins, Trouts Fly Fishing plays host to the largest fly inventory on display in the West! We have flies for every destination you might travel to, as well as patterns for Colorado streams that you can only find at Trouts Fly Fishing. We take great pride in our fly selection, and we believe that once you witness the massive offering we have, you won’t want to buy your flies from anybody else.

Ultimately, what makes Trouts Fly Fishing different than the other fly shops out there is our commitment to offer our customers the most comprehensive offering of fly fishing related goods, information, and customer service as possible. We want

18 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

to go beyond just selling gear, and break down the barrier that typically lies between fly shops and fly shop patrons. There are no secrets, and no information will ever be withheld. All we want is for everybody who steps through our door to feel as welcome and satisfied as possible; and to then have a great day on the water.

OUR HISTORY

Trouts Fly Fishing opened its doors to the Denver angling community in the spring of 1995. Located on Old South Gaylord Street, Trouts started as a quaint neighborhood fly shop that serviced the greater Washington Park Neighborhood. The store remained in its original location for over 10 years, establishing itself as one of the top fly shops in the greater Denver area.

In May 2005, Denver native and long-time Trouts customer Tucker Ladd came in and purchased Trouts Fly Fishing just before the shop was about to shutter it’s doors. Having patronized the shop for years as a young angler, Tucker had a deep fondness and respect for Trouts and the superior customer service that was always provided. With a desire to keep a Denver tradition alive, Tucker worked tirelessly to preserve the Trouts name and the renowned

reputation it had achieved in their decade of business. So with a fresh stock of inventory and a new energy and feel, Trouts quickly reopened its doors to their faithful following.

It didn’t take long for the shop to outgrow its space, so in the winter of 2007, the shop was moved to its current location on East 6th Avenue.

Located in a historic 19th Century home in the Morgan’s Historic District of Denver, Trouts now boasts over 2000 sq/ft of retail space as well as an in-house fly fishing learning center, world class guide service and destination travel division. The shop carries the top brands in the business including: Simms Fishing Products, Sage Fly Rods, R.L. Winston Rod Company, Scott Fly Rods, Orvis, Ross Reels, Waterworks Lamson, Nautilus Fly Reels, Tibor Reels, Hatch Reels, Abel, Scientific Angler, Rio Products, Fishpond, Howler Brothers, Hairline Dubbing, Whiting Farms, Costa Del Mar, and Smith Optics just to name a few.

But what will strike you most on your initial visit to Trouts is the warm feel the shop exudes, as well as the unmatched customer service offered by the Trouts knowledgeable staff.

So come on by the shop, our home is your home, or maybe we’ll see you out on the water.

(

TROUT TIPS

GO WITH THE FLOW Problem: The water is fluctuating and the fishing is poor.

Solution: Try changing your

approach based on high or low water conditions.

W

ater flow is one of the best

ways to predict when trout are going to be moving into a river from stillwater, beginning to move in the river in which they reside full time, or begin feeding heavily from the food being supplied. The best scenario for the trout is when the water is up or on the rise because it provides cover, oxygen, and food supply. The problem for the angler can be adverse conditions and getting to the water too early or too late when the flows begin to fluctuate.

I get excited when the flows increase, knowing that the change in temperature will get large trout to migrate and supply them with some big food items, increasing my chances at catching some big boys. I look for two things in high water before I even begin my adventure. First, I look for water levels holding at their highest point. This means that the trout that began to move to new holding and feeding grounds have adjusted to the high-water mark and are holding, waiting for their next meal. Second, I look for when the water has reached its peak and begins to fall. At this point, the water will usually clear up, improving conditions for sight-fishing.

The trout continue the same heavy feeding behavior and find a wealth of food. You also stand a better chance in deepwater runs where trout that were dispersing in the higher flows or migrating upriver are now forced into

by Landon Mayer Excerpted from his book:

101 Trout Tips: A Guide’s Secrets

areas with cover.

Low water can also be a friend at its worst point. This drop in flows can result in success at the inlets to stillwaters. This is when large trout that were holding in the river system or in moving water are now forced into the stillwater environment, often with big appetites. Not only is this new territory for them, the confused targets are now in competition for food and will look for any meal. This allows you good chances with numerous disciplines of flies, including drys, nymphs, and streamers. If luck is on your side, there are also times when you are on the water the very minute that flows begin dropping from the high mark.

For a few hours large trout will hold where they had cover in big water on the edges even though they are now exposed in the low water.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 19

PRIVATE WATER

GRANBY RANCH

20 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

Located in the heart of Grand County Colorado, just outside the town of Granby, lies a slice of fly-fishing paradise known as the Granby Ranch.

L

ocated in the heart of Grand County Colorado, just outside the town of Granby, lies a slice of flyfishing paradise known as the Granby Ranch. Home to nearly four miles of the Fraser River, the Granby Ranch is what western fly-fishing is meant to be. If the idea of wading crystal clear waters, throwing bushy dry flies to rising fish, being surrounded by mountains in all directions, and doing so without another angler in sight sound like your idea of a perfect day, then the Granby Ranch is for you!

THE RIVER:

The Fraser River is the first main tributary of the Colorado River and offers small- to mediumsized stream fishing in a variety of settings. With it’s headwaters starting near Berthoud Pass, the Fraser travels North for 32 miles until it reaches the Colorado River near Granby. This freestone river offers easy wading and is comprised mostly of riffles, runs and tailouts connected to deep bend pools.

Home to completely wild rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout, the Fraser grows some truly great fish despite its relatively small size.

Best of all, the Fraser is extremely accommodating to anglers of all skill levels.

THE FISHING:

The Fraser is home to an abundance of aquatic insect life and receives all the major western hatches including Blue Wing Olives,

Pale Morning Duns, Red Quills, Tricos, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stoneflies and Salmonflies. On any given day throughout the year, this river provides dry fly anglers the opportunity to ‘match the hatch’ in every way possible. That said, if you were to ask any of our guides their favorite aspect of fishing the Fraser River, their answer would undoubtedly be the hopper fishing!

From late June through October, drifting a hopper pattern over a shallow riffle or close to a grassy bank can result in some incredibly aggressive strikes that will cause even the most seasoned angler’s heart to skip a beat or two! Aside from the phenomenal dry fly fishing found on the Fraser, fish can also be caught throughout the year on traditional nymph rigs and streamers.

RIVER MANAGEMENT:

Trouts Fly Fishing is proud to be the exclusive Outfitter for the Granby Ranch. To ensure a quality fishing experience for all, we adhere to a strict management policy in which we have divided the river into four different sections or ‘beats’. By taking this approach, we have complete control over which sections of river are being fished on any given day, and more importantly, can ensure each section is receiving ample ‘rest periods’ where no angling is taking place. During a full day of fishing, an angling group will fish a specified beat in the morning, followed by a different beat in the afternoon. At no point during the year is any beat ever fished twice in a single day. Lastly,

no beat is ever fished more than three days in a row before receiving a full day of rest. While following this protocol can be tedious from an administration standpoint, and at times even result in turning customers away due to lack of availability, the quality and consistency of the fishing that has come as a result is truly something special.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Located just 90 scenic miles Northwest of Denver, getting to the Granby Ranch couldn’t be easier.

Head West out of Denver on I-70, and approximately six miles after passing through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs, take exit 232 onto Highway 40. At this point you’ll begin the incredibly scenic drive up and over Berthoud Pass, which tops out at 11,306 feet. After stopping for a quick photo-op at the top of the pass, you’ll begin to wind back down into Grand County, passing by the famed ski resorts of Mary Jane and Winter Park. The last stretch of the drive will take you through a wide open valley where you’ll see cattle grazing, coyotes and deer meandering about, and if you’re really lucky, a moose or two lingering in the willows.

Whether your plans have you simply fishing for the day, or perhaps taking a long weekend to enjoy all the amenities that Grand County has to offer, the Granby Ranch offers 365 days of fun and adventure just over an hour and a half away from Denver.

HOW TO FISH GRANBY RANCH:

Give either our Denver or Frisco location a call to book your trip to Granby Ranch. There is an additional $140 per person rod fee that is required to access the property.

This fee also includes a hot lunch at the club grill, or you can opt for our standard river side lunch.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 21

TROUTS SIGNATURE SERVICES

T

routs Fly Fishing has always strived to be more than the traditional fly shop. With a diverse customer base that fishes locally, as well as traveling to the far reaches of the globe with a fly rod in hand, we know that to be an industry leading fly shop we need a dynamic offering of services to meet the needs of everyone of our customers. This is what we call our Trouts Signature Services.

Trouts Signature Services are a variety of services unique to Trouts

REEL RIGGING

Fly Fishing, and more importantly help us stand out from the competition. While we are a fly shop, first and foremost we are a fly fishing retail store. Our focus is on the goods and services we offer our customers daily. While we proudly offer one of Colorado’s most reputable guide services, guiding is not how we pay our bills. Far too many fly shops these days rely on outfitting as their primary source of revenue. While this is great if you’re only looking for a guided trip, you will find that these stores lack in the ways of added benefits and value to their customers.

From day one, Trouts Fly Fishing has strived to do things differently, and we are confident that you will find that the experience offered at Trouts Fly Fishing is far beyond what you will find at any other fly shops.

Properly rigging any fly reel, whether for trout or tarpon, is a technical and highly important factor when getting ready to hit the water. Nothing will ruin a fishing trip faster than equipment failure. We believe one of the most crucial pieces of this is rigging your fly reel. While this can be done at home, we always recommend bringing your fly reel into us so that we can ensure that everything (backing, fly line, leader) is properly loaded onto your fly reel and ready to hit the water. Whether you’re headed to a local, high mountain brook trout stream, or Tanzania to chase Tigerfish, our team of experts will make sure you’re fly reel is properly set up and rigged to ensure maximum enjoyment during your precious time on the water.

With years of rigging experience, and countless trips across the globe to fish for a multitude of species, the staff at Trouts Fly Fishing is highly experienced and detail oriented when it comes to getting your gear ready.

This is an often overlooked aspect to any fly fishing excursion, but it is something we take very seriously.

So what does this service cost you? Well if you purchase your fly reel and/or fly line from Trouts, this service is free of charge for the life of the product. If you weren’t fortunate enough to buy your gear from us, we charge $5 to rig any trout reel, and $10 for all big game reels (saltwater, salmon/steelhead, pike/musky, etc.). So the next time you’re looking to purchase a new fly line, or just make sure your reel is ready for your next trip, be sure to bring it by Trouts Fly Fishing and let our expert staff make sure you gear is in fish ready form!

22 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

ANGLER REWARDS PROGRAM We recognize the fact that we wouldn’t

be the shop we are today without our dedicated and loyal customers. It is with this in mind that we want to help make your dollars go further when you shop with us. Being a member of our Angler Rewards Program comes with many incredible benefits we know countless customers will appreciate and provide all the more reason to continue shopping with Trouts!

The details of this exciting program are as follows: 1.) Earn 10% Cash Back on all qualifying purchases* made during the calendar year.

2.) Enrollment in Preferred Email List with special members only offers and events throughout the year.

3.) Happy Hour prices on flies ALL THE TIME! 4.) FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING on all online/phone orders The Fine Print: • *Qualifying Purchase: Qualifying purchases include in-line, full priced items only. Excluded items include: sale items, special offers, repairs, items discounted more than 10%, gift cards, sales tax, postage, labor, rentals and membership fees.

• Refunds are non-transferable and have no cash value • Any Cash Back Store Credit issued, that remains unused during the calendar year it is issued in, will be deleted at the beginning of the following year.

• 10% Cash Back: will be paid as store credit in February during the following year after credit was earned.( i.e. cash back earned during the 2015 calendar year will be paid in February 2016. ) • Cost: $25 one-time initiation fee. $15 annual renewal fee for each consecutive year.

• $15 renewal fee will be automatically paid out of Angler Rewards points earned during the previous year.

• There is an annual $150 qualifying purchase minimum to remain in the program, and a $250 qualifying purchase minimum to quality for dividend.

• The Angler Rewards Program will be monitored frequently, and changes to the program may occur.

GEAR UPGRADE

LET US HELP YOU GET OUT OF YOUR OLD, OUTDATED EQUIPMENT, AND INTO SOME NEW GEAR! We know our customers are always interested in getting into new and better fly fishing equipment, and we also understand this isn’t always practical when you already have gear that is suiting your needs. So we created a program to help you get out of the old, and into the new. Whether it’s a piece of equipment you never use, or a rod that just doesn’t meet your needs any more, bring it in and let up do the leg work to help you turn your unwanted gear into cash.

SIGNATURE ROD SERVICE

WHY WOULD YOU PURCHASE A FLY ROD FROM ANYONE ELSE?

Trout’s Signature Rod Service is a unique offering that signifies two key things: our confidence in the rod manufacturers we represent, and our commitment to providing quality equipment and service to all of our customers.

Let’s face it, when it comes to fly rods, it’s not a question of “IF” a rod will break, it’s “WHEN” and how many times. The Trouts Signature Rod Service

RENTAL GEAR

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

So what will this cost you?

NOTHING! That’s the beauty of this program; we do all the work for you. The only money that will be deducted from the sale price is any eBay and PayPal fees associated with the transaction. Plus, you get the piece of mind of knowing that your gear will be sold in a professional manor, and that we will make every effort to ensure you get the highest value for your unwanted gear.

Ultimately, we just want to earn your trust and patronage by serving our customers in every way possible to the best of our ability.

If you would like learn more about this program, please contact us at by email at shop@troutsflyfishing.com, or by phone at 877-464-0034.

means if your new fly rod breaks, we will cover the costs of repair (including related shipping and handling charges).

It’s our way of saying congratulations to you for purchasing a fine, USA handcrafted fly rod. Here’s how it works: buy any fly rod that is $500 or more from us, and if the rod breaks, bring it back to us and we’ll send it back to the manufacturer for repair, and cover all the associated costs.

through our shop • TSRS is redeemable for one (1) complimentary repair • TSRS has no expiration • Trout’s Signature Rod Service is presently available for Scott Fly Rod, Winston, Sage, Orvis, Thomas & Thomas and Epic products only.

- Bring your gear to either of our retail locations, we›ll do some research and give you a quote of what it is worth. This quote is based upon our expertise and knowledge of fly-fishing gear, as well as our experience selling used fishing gear online.

- We will then sell your gear on eBay where we are noted as a Power Seller. Items will be listed with professional quality photos, and their value will be thoroughly researched to ensure you get the most cash for your gear.

- Once the item sells, we will notify you of the sale price and place these funds in a store credit account here at the shop. These can be used when purchasing goods at the store or online.

The Fine Print: • The start date for the program is August 15, 2014 • You must have purchased your fly rod from Trouts Fly Fishing • Your repair must be processed

Trout’s Fly Fishing is proud to offer a full selection of quality rental gear. Whether for a trip to Montana for trout, Belize to chase Permit, or just heading up to the South Platte with some friends, we’ve got the gear to meet your needs. Your experience on the water is our top priority, so we only utilize the top manufacturers in the industry for all of our rental equipment.

So the next time you’re looking to purchase a new fly rod, be sure to remember that at Trouts Fly Fishing, we’re dedicated to ensuring you’re happy and pleased with everything you buy from us, no matter how long it’s been since the purchase was made.

All of our rentals are available at affordable daily, weekly or monthly rates. Rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis, however can also be reserved in advance to ensure we have what you need, when you need it. All rentals come “ready to fish”, but things like specialty fly lines, leaders and tippets are not included and will need to be purchased separately.

Trouts is proud to offer rental equipment from these fine brands: Simms, Scott, Sage, Ross, Abel & Nautilus.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 23

INTERVIEW:

24 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

DOUG MCKNIGHT

W

hen did you get started fly fishing?

I started fishing in diapers. I always have felt lucky that I had a dad and grandad that got me into the outdoors from long before I can remember any other way. I was 11 or 12 when I got introduced to fly fishing and it did not come easy for me, outside of bluegills. Once I got into my teens and got some really good professional instruction and good equipment, it came a lot easier, and that is when I got the bug.

What is your favorite type of fishing or your favorite species to catch?

I really enjoy all types of fly fishing and all kinds of species. Living and fishing here in Montana is incredible, there is so much diversity as far as trout fishing goes out here. I would say that I enjoy chasing large trout with streamers, and at certain times of the year with dry flies, as my favorite. I am also really into lake fishing, which is also very good for consistently seeing some very large fish. Saltwater flats fishing has become a big part of my game and I really enjoy fishing for bonefish, tarpon, and permit, among others.

These fish are as much fun as they are a challenge and I try and spend as much time chasing them as I possibly can. Luckily, I work for Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures as their Bahamas and Honduras program director, and fortunately, that makes it part of my job to get down to the flats for a few weeks every year.

Why do you prefer to use Sage rods and what are your go-to rods for the types of fishing you do most?

My first really good rod was a Sage and they have always been at the cutting edge as far as design and technology. In my book, they have done an incredible job with their designs. There are a lot of good rods out there these days, but I have never had an issue finding a Sage model that suited my needs and casting and fishing style. Sage has always served me well with warranty work with busted rods; I am very tough on my gear and it is always really nice to have a company set the bar high when it comes to their warranty work. I have a lot of older models that I still use year after year; they are workhorses.

What about fly fishing compels you to keep at it?

Any time you step out on the water anything is possible and everyday is different, nothing about it gets old for me. If you can’t find something cool to fish for or it’s boring, you need to broaden your game. I also have a seven-year-old boy at home who is just getting started with fishing and I really look forward to turning him into a mini-predator with a fly rod. It has been really cool to see the progression after just two years.

Photos: Scott Morrison

people I fish with in the best position possible. It can be hard to live in the moment these days, and fishing is an easy way to experience this. I try my best to soak in everything around me and let go. It’s often amazing what happens when you do. I also like to have fun and laugh on the water with friends.

You know you’ve had a great day when you have to sit down at times from laughing so hard.

Do you have any future ambitions in the sport you’d like to pursue?

I would say that my number one ambition is to fish and explore more often. There are definitely some particular fish and places that I would like travel and pursue down the road, from anywhere like my home in Montana, to far off places.

I also enjoy teaching people how to fish and would like to do more of it, especially with young people.

Getting as good with a two-handed rod as I am with a single-handed rod should be on this list too—as well as dedicating more time to art and writing.

Any upcoming projects you’re working on?

What do you think about when fly fishing?

So many projects and so little time… I spend a great deal of time at the fly tying vise and am always trying to come up with good ideas for effective flies; always on an going project. I also play around with painting and drawing and have some paintings in the works in very wide degrees of completion.

I try and not think about too much when I am fishing except purely focusing on angling itself, or putting

Doug McKnight is a professional guide with Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures. He lives near Livingston, Montana.

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 25

26 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017

INTRODUCING THE X ROD COMMAND THE WATER

s a g e fl y fi s h . c o m

2017 | THE CURRENT | TROUTS FLY FISH ING 27

28 TROUT S F LY F I S HI N G | THE CURRENT | 2017