Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Hatch Magazine. My father once told me that “home is where you hang your hat.” I believed it, for a time, at least. I mean, as a young boy, who was I to argue with the wisdom of a grownup? I’ve come to realize, though, that “home” is … Read more
We all have a passion in life, even if, like my kids, we haven’t really figured out what it is yet. For fly fishers—real, die-hard, rather-fish-than-eat anglers—our passion is simple. A rod, a line, a fly and some water are all it takes to ignite the lamp in our souls and put our passion to … Read more
The mountain whitefish native to the northwest U.S. There’s trout water, and then there’s trout water that also holds mountain whitefish. The latter is likely healthier. Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are often greeted by anglers with the same enthusiasm they might afford a creek chub or a sucker. The slightly downturned snout may not be as … Read more
Steelhead are never easy to catch. If they were … well, they wouldn’t be steelhead. But they might be especially difficult to catch on a skated dry fly. One western river, the desert section of the lower Deschutes, is known for big, fresh-from-the-Columbia chromers that will, indeed, hit a dry fly on the skate. Captured … Read more
Wet flies fished on the swing can be among the most effective patterns for trout, particularly in late summer and early fall when migratory fish, like brown trout and brook trout, are aggressive and hungry. Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions ties a great wet fly pattern in the video above. Although originally tied in England … Read more
My streamer fishing has been on hold this summer—I’ve been on a dry-fly kick, what with hopper season in full swing here in the West. But, when it comes time in just a few weeks, I’m going to tie a few Pine Squirrel Trout Spey streamers, thanks to the video below from Tim Flagler of … Read more
Once you have the simple cast down—the pick-up-and-lay-down cast—it’s time to start bringing your line hand into the equation. In the short video below, Orvis’ Pete Kutzer shows us the proper method for holding the line while casting, including where your hand should be to avoid catching your line on your reel or the butt … Read more
I love to swing soft-hackle flies. It’s one of the best fishing methods I know for trout in steadily moving water with a generally constant depth. Below, RIO Products Brand Manager Simon Gawesworth shows you what kind of water you’ll be looking for when you’re out to swing soft-hackles, and he’ll give you some gear … Read more
West slope cutthroat trout from Grayling Creek, Yellowstone National Park. Just a quick update from Yellowstone, with more to come (I promise). I had the good fortune to take a quick drive a couple of weeks ago along the Grayling Creek corridor in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, and I figured I’d stop … Read more
Congratulations to D. Ostrosky of California, the winner of the Grand Prize—a fly-fishing trip to Montana—in this year’s TU Sweepstakes. J. Mott of Iowa is the Sweepstakes’ first-place winner. Mott will receive a new Sage Ignitor fly rod (a 9-foot, 7-weight), coupled with a new Sage Spectrum MAX reel. Second-place winners P. Caldwell of Hawaii … Read more
