One August afternoon on a southern Colorado river, my guide handed me one of the more godawful dry flies I’d ever seen—an abomination constructed entirely of foam, rubber, and synthetic fibers. Although hardly a purist, I do appreciate at least a nod to fur and feathers in a fly, and this thing looked like a science project. Seeing the look of horror on my face, Jason assured me that the fly was his favorite hopper pattern for the water and a pattern on which he had taken. . .
Read MoreSearch Results for: Hays
Ask an Expert: Bootfoot or Stockingfoot Waders? (Repost)
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[Editor’s note: I’m lucky enough to be writing this blog from a building that’s full of experts on fly-fishing gear, tactics, destinations, and anything else that relates to the sport. If you’d like to ask a question about any of these topics, comment below this post or send an email to [email protected].]
Question from Joseph Tigerclaws Torres on Facebook: Is a bootfoot wader better than a sock foot one? Why would you choose one over the other?
Answer from Tim Daughton, Orvis Product Developer for waders and boots: Neither stockingfoot nor bootfoot waders are necessarily better than the other. They do, however, offer certain benefits that must be considered before deciding which is right for you and the type of. . .
Read More REPOST: Fishing a Mountain Pool in 15 Casts
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The keys to catching good numbers of trout on steep mountain streams are stealth and speed. Wild brook trout are wary, fast, and can hide in tiny spaces. There are lots of predators that eat these fish, so they’ve evolved heightened senses and evasive maneuvers. You need to learn how to move and fish upstream without spooking the fish in front of you, and you want to cover as much water as possible to get your fly in front of more fish. Think stealth and speed…
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Sulphur Usual
The original Usual dry fly was created by Fran Betters of Wilmington, New York, who specialized in fishing the fast water of the West Branch of the Au Sable. To do so, he needed flies that floated well, and his first famous creation, the Haystack, used a single clump of deer hair as both the wings and legs of a fly. Building upon that concept, he created the Usual, which substituted. . .
Read MoreBest of OrvisNews.com: 5 Keys to Stealth
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| bag should be left far behind on the bank, though. photo by Sandy Hays |
Watch a heron stalk its prey in the shallows of a pond or a river, and you can clearly see why stealth is so important to anglers of all kinds. Yet many fly fishermen still act as if the fish were deaf, blind, and stupid, which keeps anglers from having the kind of success they desperately want. A good fly fisher is always aware of his surroundings and how his place in them may be tipping off the fish that something’s amiss. Here are five ways you can be more like that heron:
1. Blend in. This starts with your fishing clothes. Try to wear stuff that’s drab and won’t set you off against the streamside background. You don’t need full turkey-hunting camo, but wear both a shirt and hat of neutral colors.
2. Don’t be flashy. That hemostat looks great dangling from your vest, but it reflects the sun on a bright day. If anything on your person is sending out such signals, tuck it in a pocket or attach it under your vest.
3. Keep a low profile. Trout can detect movement along the banks, so if you crouch (or even crawl, when necessary) as you approach a good lie, you’ll increase your chances of moving under the radar.
4. Watch your shadows. Don’t let your shadow, or that of your fly line, fall over the fish. Since many of their predators come from above, fish are terrified of shadows. Position yourself relative to the sun to keep shadows away from good lies.
5. Slow down. If you walk, wade, and move more slowly, you’ll make less noise and less commotion in the water, and you’re less likely to alert your quarry of your presence.
Read MorePicture of the Day: Ready for My Closeup
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Picture of the Day: South Andros Bonefish
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Tom’s 5 Tips for Preparing for a Bonefish Trip
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casting and angling skills before you head to the tropics.
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I’ve watched even experienced trout anglers become frustrated, angry, and even embarrassed on bonefishing trips because they weren’t ready for the wind, difficult fish spotting, and unfamiliar directions given by a guide. Just a little preparation will make your first trip a lot more fun. And since most people travel a long way and spend a week’s pay or more for a bonefishing trip, the investment of time and energy in a little pre-trip training is certainly worth it.
Read MoreREPOST: Layering for Warmth and Comfort
The advent of breathable waders a couple of decades ago has helped to make the majority of our wader-adorned fishing experiences much more enjoyable. Gone are the days of vulcanized rubber and neoprene waders that were effectively like fishing in a really heavy-duty trash bag—waterproof but uncomfortable. However, wearing incorrect layers under your breathable. . .
Read MorePicture of the Day: Spanish Rainbow
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trout caught from a crystal-clear tailwater in the Spanish Pyrenees.
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