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Use floatant and desiccant together
The news out of Ashton over the weekend was pretty encouraging. The big stonefly nymphs were moving around, heading to streamside rocks in anticipation of a little sunshine. Any minute now, the fabled salmonfly hatch on the lower river would start to pop. The big bugs that crawl out of the river in late spring…
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Entrenched in the salmon cycle
“We are products of our environment.” There is much truth to this adage, and I know I am a product of my Alaskan fly-fishing environment and exposure. Six years ago when I arrived in Alaska, I was still a mere "padawan" with the fly rod. With time, I found more seasoned anglers to fish with, picked up some tips at the…
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Four flies for spring
After another two feet of mountain snow in mid-May, I’m starting to wonder when fishing season will begin. I know, I know, there’s fishing right now. All one has to do is make peace with less fishable holding water that’s cold and muddy. Don’t wade too deep, fish big stuff, and keep your line tight enough to feel the…
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Natural vs. Prince
One thing nymph anglers often forget--or may never realize--is that nymphs, particularly if they're suspended under an indicator or high-sticked through a fishy run, will ride through the water column vertically. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4KncCDsLQ The good news is, natural nymphs, when struggling in the current and not able to reconnect to river-bottom stones and rocks or other…
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The distibution wrap
Tying soft-hackle flies or some streamers that require feather fibers to be distributed evenly around the hook can be a challenge, largely because tiers often end up with a larger-and-desired thread head. That's because it takes more wraps to bind down fibers and get them pointed rearward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvciUiBefac Above, Tim Flagler give us the solution,…
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Sulphur Perdigon Nymph
Perdigon-style nymphs are great for anglers who need to get deep, and get deep quickly. Tied with lead-free wire and finished with a hard-finish UV resin, these flies drop like stones and don't push too much water, which minimizes drag. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGEP5eEwGcI Above, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions ties his Sulphur Perdigon Nymph, just in time…
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Trust the fly
Editor's note: The following is excerpted from TU's book, "Trout Tips," available online for overnight delivery. Whether I'm fishing for striped bass in Massachusetts or trout in New Hampshire, my habit has been to choose a reliable fly pattern and stick with it. When not catching fish, I focus on presentation first and the fly…
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