The Gorge Fly Shop News Blog

Bauer CFX Reel Review

2012-01-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

With the introduction of the CFX, Oregon based Bauer Reels has reinforced their growing position in the quality reel market.

In hand, they weigh like a reel should – Not too light and not too heavy. This is what quality materials and quality machining feels like.

Turning the reel knob reveals a seamless relationship between spool and housing. Revolution occurs naturally, and offers no sound for those who prefer a more subtle presence on the water. (A slight click can be heard as line leaves the reel)

The aspect that really blows me away about all of Bauer’s reels, however, (The CFX is no exception), is the smoothness of their drag systems. It engages immediately – free of any noticeable bumps that often accompany initial drag system startups.

Unlike Its predecessor, the MSL, which had a cork disc, the CFX utilizes an encased carbon fiber disc drag system. What this move accomplishes for us is less time spent on cleaning and general maintenance and that can be a “Reel Drag”…

One more note on the drag system: I love the design of the knob but my thoughts remain mixed as to the location. It is shaped like a star and it is easy to adjust with only one finger. This is actually brilliant! However, like all other reels, it is centered but it is centered on the spool-side, NOT ON THE BACK HOUSING.

So what does this mean? Well, being on the same side as your reel hand, it is quick and easy to adjust, especially when you only need to dedicate one finger to the cause. But, if that spool handle is spinning wildly at the mercy of some reckless quarry, sending your finger into that lion’s den might be a tricky maneuver. I suppose that decision rests on your own personal dexterity and your ability to stomach the sight of your own blood.

Personally, I often like to palm the reel in the heat of battle and only adjust drag when there is a pause in the run. In this case, there is no trouble unless your quarry lives in the salt and takes a one way ticket to the horizon. For fresh water species, undoubtedly trout and bass, I think the drag knob location is great – allowing for quick adjustment.

Oh yea, unlike the MSL, the drag knob does not completely release from the spool, so the chances of losing it in the river drop down to zero.

A few other notes: The CFX is a fine looking reel indeed. Its style seems to embrace a blend of yesterday and tomorrow thereby making it a wholesome fit for any day. The housings are all black and folks have the choice of a wide range of spool colors. The spools are V cut allowing for added capacity.

By balancing out a stick with a CFX you not only quench your thirst for quality, but you also aid in the wellbeing of American families. Every Bauer reel is manufactured at their facility in Ashland, Oregon.

Bauer CFX (Free Fly Line)

Have a good time out there,

-Duffy

Gorge Fly Shop now Mobile

2012-01-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

For all you Smarphone users out there our online store is now set-up to purchase items faster and quicker with Paypal Express on our new mobile phone site.

Need to access our full site? No worries, scroll down the page and click "Full Web site".

Fly Fishing Film Tour 2012 Lands in Portland, Oregon

2012-01-17T11:19:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 3rd 2012 is approaching.

If you have plans that do not involve viewing a cornucopia of fish porn at the nostalgic Bagdad Theater in Portland, it is time to cancel them.

If you have no plans (This will be so after canceling them), then it is time to get your tickets and make yourself unavailable to all other trivial matters.

Built in 1927, The Bagdad has provided a picturesque setting for both film and stage for generations. When walking or sitting in the breast of this marvel, one can't help but feel awed by her stature. It would actually make a fine venue for something that wasn't even happening!

"Hatch" trailer - by Gin Clear Media from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

But, lucky are we to also get a facefull of video that depicts some sort of story centering around our favorite character. I think the name is Fish... Traditionaly this night brings me great joy because it gives me a chance to experience three of my most favorite things at the same time. Beer, Pizza and Fish. And, I must confess, Fish humble me as does footage of our wider world. Watching these videos makes me wish that I could be multiple places at once. Sometimes they make me feel like I am not seeing enough or doing enough to challenge my own curiosity. But, my best response is simply one of reverence and wonder to know that these events actually happened at a particular moment in time.

Get your tickets

Simms Flyte Jacket - The Perfect Inner or Outer Layer

2012-01-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

One of those inevitable and slightly dubious tasks that I face each time I head out to a piece of water is how I am going to dress myself. It sounds trivial but there actually is a bit of thought that goes into building a layering system that works. Just the term, “weather” is indicative of fluctuation. It is interesting to live in a dynamic world where stepping into moments of change often necessitates a bit of planning. If you do not think carefully about how you are going to wrap your body, you just might become miserable and being miserable is not one of the reasons we choose to go fishing.

I like garments that are neither restrictive nor bulky. When I’m on the water, I need full range of motion and the only appendages that hang from my body are those that will help me on my task. I don’t need a floppy jacket that hooks every thorn bush or one that dips its loose folds into the water. I’d rather not have a cumbersome sleeve cuff catching my running line when I’m in the meat of the hunt.

Steamlined comfort and functionality!

At the same time, clothing that seems as though it were painted across your shoulders and then pops a stitch on the cast, is far from keeping you pliable for the situation at hand. Let your body do what it needs to do by wearing garments that afford fit and motion.

What else? Round up those layers that make you comfortable. If you have the right wear with you, comfort should always be within an arm’s reach. Your layers should all be breathable. Sweat needs a place to go other than dripping out of your pits and down your torso. Aside from making you “squishy”, moisture can drop the core temperature when you sit idle or a cool breeze moves in.

If you think about the different layers that start at your skin and end at the elements, they should grow in thickness and/or their ability to block wind and precipitation. This time of year, I like to throw on a light polypro shirt. Then, I take stock of the thermometer and try to get a forecast. What I think about mostly, is that outer-most layer that I wear INSIDE my waders. Being a steelheader, I appreciate traveling light as I work down a run. No vest or fanny pack. I prefer to keep some tippet, hooks, and a tip wallet in my wader pockets. I have a slender box of critters that I tuck into the inside of my waders and yep, I’m ready to go. Unless it’s raining, I’m not wearing a coat over my waders as they can be cumbersome and make it more difficult to get to my maxima. For me, the last layer inside of my waders is the most important. More than likely, it will be the barrier to the elements for the majority of the day.

So, if it’s cold, I might have a few layers on inside my waders: A soft lightweight, a soft mid weight layer and then another mid-weight layer that is wind and rain resistant. If need be, I might even add an additional lightweight layer for added warmth. All the layers breathe and the last layer repels the elements without being too bulky or restrictive. As I said earlier, this layer is the key and this is where Simms new Flyte Jacket comes into play.

The Flyte Jacket embodies streamlined comfort and functionality. Wear it with one layer or wear it with multiple layers. It is that perfect front-line barrier that slides in beneath your wader straps. It renders you agile, protected and it helps to keep your focus where it matters most. It actually pains me when I fail to get my layering right. For me, this little bit of preparation is all a part of the fishing process. Maintaining my own condition needs to as efficient as possible or else the entire process starts to crumble. It doesn’t matter which fly I tie on if I am not physically, mentally and emotionally in the game. Aside from all the fly rods, reels, lines and flies in your bag the greatest tool is really ourselves. The Simms Flyte Jacket will help to keep you sharp and accessible. It’s also a pretty nice looking jacket for those of you that don’t mind looking how you feel.

Check out the specs: Simms Flyte Jacket - New for 2012

Check out: Additional Layering Options

Have a good time,
-Duffy

Steelhead Fishing Report 01/06/2012

2012-01-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

The Hood, Sandy and Clackamas rivers are presently flowing at ideal levels. The weather is mild and winter steelhead are finding their way back home. The rivers have cleared rather quickly following the recent surge. Although we shouldn’t expect numbers to peak until march, there are enough fish around to necessitate some fleegan floggen.

Now would be a perfect time to get out there and create your own fishing report!

Recent Encounter. Photo: Jeff Hickman

We all have our favorite patterns to serve up to the steel…

This time of year, I’m reaching for red, orange, white and shell-pink patterns when the day is bright. If the sky is gray, I’m a sucker for black & blue. Keep in mind, there is no important “hatch.” If you open up your box and you are taken by a certain pattern, then chances are that you will not be the only one.

That said, it can’t hurt to switch up, when your mood says so. Tying on a new pattern can work wonders for your confidence and it can help to inject passion into the swing. Twist on an intruder if you’re feeling like a bully. How about a gob of flash if you want to show off? Feeling shy? Tie on something a little more subtle…

Surf the waves of your emotions, but be careful not to stay in the trough too long. One thing is certain: (well maybe), you will not hook a steelhead if you are angry! An appreciative, happy nature will help charge the current for that electrifying connection.

Have a good time,
-GFS

SA Skagit Extreme Intermediate Head

2012-01-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

Rivers are falling into shape rather nicely and the Clackamas was no exception yesterday, as I got a chance to spend time swinging bugs with my good pal and steelhead guide, Jeff Hickman. We had a stellar time out there probing the goods with tips and spun wads of marabou. It sure felt good to share a few laughs and maintain the search that is so bitter sweet this time of year.

One of Jeff's rods was strung up with a Scientific Anglers Skagit Extreme Intermediate Head that I was able to play around with a little bit. It is certainly a joy to cast, but the real benefit is how this line works to slow down fly speed and achieve a deeper presentation. I really think that this line is going to be a game changer, especially during mid winter excursions.

Here, Jeff gets into a little more detail on the line and how it can help you out there on the river.

SA Skagit Extreme Intermediate Head

Drop us a line or shoot us an email if you need any grain weight recommendations. We are always happy to hear from you!

Have a good time out there,

-Duffy

Winston BIIMX Spey Review

2011-12-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

A guide buddy recently told me that this was his favorite all around stick to use while chasing steelhead. His words: “It is my favorite rod.” Hmm… although he is a year round, fin-sniffing machine, I figured that this type of statement demanded further explanation.

“It just feels so very nice.”

Okay… It was time to get to the bottom of it.

Short speys are gaining more popularity with every passing year. Why not, you put the right line on em and lookout all you 8134’s! The line goes. Thanks to the recent short spey head innovations over the last few years, the little guys are getting promoted rather quickly.

Short, fast tapered rods are not for everybody however. A shorter rod means that you lose lever length. A faster rod demands more line speed. Folks that are new to the world of spey casting will certainly have more difficulty learning their craft with one of these. It’s kind of like picking out a surf board. In the beginning, a longer, broader board will help you maintain your balance and help you to ride on the tongue of a wave. More surface area allows you to stay afloat more easily. But, after getting the actual ride down, you may find that these big boards are not quite as agile as you would like. You want to start cutting more quickly and lightening your feet on the crest. The best surfers you see out there any more are on short skinny boards.

The same is true for spey casters. Upon becoming comfortable and consistent with the cast, many anglers find that it’s time to try something new. Wouldn’t it be nice to hold a lighter stick in your hands? I tell you, they are much easier to tote while weaving through the streamside thatch to your secret seam line. They fit better in a raft or a drift boat. You break fewer of them on overhanging tree branches. They allow you to cast in tighter quarters. Essentially, you lighten your load and your motions are left more agile and closer to your own body. It’s far less work to sweep a short stick around all day. I feel much lighter and closer to my own personal intent with a shorter rod. My motions become more crisp. The chain reaction from my torso to the rod tip is much tighter…

At 12 feet 3 inches, this rod is on the tall end of the short spectrum – but not too tall to be cumbersome. Lately, I have been thinking about short sticks to use in the winter. An exceptional rod in my quiver is the 11 foot 9 inch 8wt TCX. It is light, easy to tote around, crisp and it is powerful. You got to be on time with it however, or you’ll pay the piper. Performance can come at a price after all. How would the BIIMX be different?

As far as back bone goes, they are essentially the same. The BIIMX 7/8 is really a stout 7 wt, but at 12 feet 3 inches, I found that I like to line it with the same amount of grains as I would the TCX 8wt - which is 11ft 9 inches long. Although it is fairly fast, it is more forgiving than the TCX. Over all it’s got a little more flex from tip to butt. Under a good load, one can feel the tension down in the cork. Anglers that prefer a real light line could go with a 480 Skagit (This is real light.) Most folks will find the sweet spot from 510-540 grains. I like a 510 Airflo Skagit Compact or the Airflo Skagit Switch. SA has a Skagit head that seemed to feel pretty groovy in the 520gr line size. I didn’t get a chance to try out any dry lines but I have moved away from the Scandi Heads in favor of the new Airflo Rage Head. This line cuts the breeze way mo betta (Nothing is worse than having your leader land way upstream from your head!)

This stick feels like a good friend should. For those looking to elevate their performance and lighten their load, this is the rod. The cork feels exceptionally comfortable in hand. And, It is so incredibly smooth! Although it is fast, it does flex - and it does so very smoothly. After pinching yourself, you remind yourself that, “Oh yea, it’s a Winston! Why should I be so astonished? Yea Winston is there at the top, no doubt. I found the BIIMX 7/8 to be an intimate feeling stick that likes to operate at a highest level of performance. In the right hands, it can be no other way. Oh yea, it is also a gorgeous, classy looking stick, as all Winstons are.

My buddy said that it’s his year round rod of choice. I can see why… It’s not too bulky to dwarf an average summer run and it’s got the backbone to perform on larger, brighter winter fish. I gave it a shot with a 12 foot chunk of T-14 and yep, it handled it without protest.

The only real problem that I have with this rod is that I don’t actually own one! You bet that I’ll be saving my pennies.

-Duffy

Winston Boron IImx 12'3" 7/8 Weight Spey Rod, FREE LINE!

Oregon Rivers Surge

2011-12-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

I.. was dreamin...of a ... wet...Christmas...

Well, guess who heeded the call! Yep, that jolly ole fat man, Kringle sent us a trenchant dousing alright.

Weeks of high pressure had left our rivers thirsty. But now, with this hefty gulp, they will likely swallow up fresh winter steelhead and scatter them throughout your favorite fly water.

Chances are that the rivers will not be back in shape til early next week, but we'll have to see how the chips fall. Here is a look at what the rivers are doing today. They are expected to keep rising over the next few days...

Have a good time,

-Duffy

WHAT'S UP WITH GABE?

2011-12-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

This is the title of our new periodical column.

Its purpose: To update the angling community as to the adventures of our local fisher-extraordinaire. You see, Gabe is not your average angler. While only in his early teens, he has hooked more fish than most of us could only dream of. His passion is second only to his prowess. He is a young man posessed. If he is not busy working hard in school, he is on the water. If he is not on the water, he is in the fly shop sharing his adventures or planning his next outing. He is an extremely humble, likeable fella and we are fortunate to share in his passion. Here are a few shots from this past season. We can only imagine what the winter will bring...

Whew... All that fishing is hard work!

Well, we intend to keep a close eye on him when he wakes up. We will make sure that you stay informed. Who knows, maybe he will give up a few of his secrets in the next "What's Up With Gabe?" posting.

Have a good time out there,
-Duffy

Happy Holidays Everyone

2011-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Sage One

2011-12-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

I know that there was a lot of hype surrounding this rod earlier this year, and it's likely that many of you are waiting to read more reviews. Well to put it simply, from my time spent casting this stick, I can tell you that the look, feel and overall casting performance of The One is astonishing. This is not a beginner rod. This stick is designed to take intermediate and expert casters to the next level. And it will.

The experts at Sage are calling it a "Game Changer." Check out this short video to find out why...

Video from Sage

Featured Sage One Rod

Features

Fast action
Konnetic Technology construction
Fuji ceramic stripping guides
Hard chromed snake guides
High grade, custom tapered, shaped cork handles
Walnut wood and Golden Bronze-colored aluminum anodized freshwater reel seat
Weights 6 through 10 have an all Golden Bronze colored aluminum anodized reel seat
Black powder coated aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion

Rod Specs:

Length: 9'
Line: 4 Weight
Sections: 4
Weight in Oz: 2 1/2

Tierra Del Fuego - Land of Massive Brown Trout

2011-12-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

Feel like getting out of town? How about an adventure to the toe of the Southern Hemisphere. You just might find one of these...

Jerry has a line on a remarkable trip to the Rio Grande that is now being offered at a reduced price.

Check it out at Fish Head Expeditions to catch up on the details...

The Gorge Fly Shop Newsletter December 2011

2011-12-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

If your not subscribed to our monthly newsletters what are you waiting for?

This months letter was too special not to advertise, please check it out at our Facebook page if you haven't already read it.

December 2011 Newsletter

We truly hope that your Christmas is jolly and that your New Year gets off to a wonderful start. The Gorge Fly Shop is nearing its 20th anniversary so we thought that it would be appropriate to tell the shop's story. Our main feature in this newsletter titled, "A Fly Shop Story," gives us a biographical view of Travis Duddles and the realization of his boyhood dream.

As always, have a look at some of the featured items in the Gear Bag. Beneath the zipper lies some fantastic items that would love to accompany you on your next outing...

On behalf of all of us here at the Gorge Fly Shop, thank you all for your business and your undying enthusiasm for our beloved sport. May we all follow our hearts to that place where the river flows.

[Continue Reading]

New River Report

2011-12-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

12.14.2011 Report

Well, we have made to yet another winter steelheading season. All right! Now we just need a little water in our area rivers. Cmon, rain already – this is the Pacific Northwest afterall! [Continue Reading]

Be sure to also check out our selection of Outerwear Clothing and Rods & Reels in Closeouts.

Advanced Anchor Placement

2011-12-11T00:56:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Tom Larimer doing a video on Advanced Anchor Placement.

We thought we would share this video from the Deneki Outdoors Blog with you. Enjoy

The affordable Alpental Pullover Fleece

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are you in need of a gift for that perfect someone?
Looking for that perfect addition to add to the closet... Something special they can wear as they take you out on the town, or that great addition they can add to their fishing attire. Something they can wear under their waders to keep them warm? Check out ExOfficio's answer to that very question.

The Alpental Pullover was inspired by the active mountain lifestyle: on the slopes during the day, relaxing at the fireside by night. This adventure sweater will take you from fall to spring, and every snow day in between with insulating fleece - a durable outside and a so-soft inside.

Features:

Critical seams moved off the shoulder to prevent rubbing
Indestructible button system closure with four buttons on placket
Hidden security zipper pocket on left sleeve
Durable high-strength outer fleece
Soft brushed fleece interior
Dropped sweater tail for extra coverage
Lightweight
High warmth to weight ratio
Quick drying
Sizes: S-XXL

Care Instructions: Machine wash cold; wash inside out; wash separately; no bleach; dry flat; do not iron, no steam; dryclean petroleum solvent only
Fabric: Ridgeline Fleece -- 100% Polyester

TCX Switch Rod Review

2011-12-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are in need of a little info on these stunning sticks, take a look at this review posted by Jerry Swanson with Fish Head Expeditions. He hits on all the points and he includes grain weight windows for each size. I have been fishing one these for over two years now, and let's just say that we have become extremely close...

TCX SWITCH REVIEW

Have a good time out there,

-Duffy

Sage TCX Switch Rod | Buy Now

Our New Store

2011-12-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

The New Store, Check it out here.

NOTICE: Existing Gorge Fly Shop Customers...
For security reasons, if you have an existing account with our old store you will need to create a new password. Listed below are directions on how to do so.

Step One: Use the "forgot your password" page to email a temporary password to your email you use to access your account.

Step Two: Log into your email account and retrieve your temporary password (copy).

Step Three: On the www.gorgeflyshop.com web page click "My Account" on the top of the page to log into your account with your temporary password (paste).

Step Four | Finally: Once your logged into your account, click the "Modify Personal Information" link and scroll down to where it says password and password confirm. - Enter a NEW password and click "Continue".

You are now ready to shop on our new store!!!
Thank You, The GFS Team

Browse our Catalog

Another set of screen shots

2011-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

A few more teasers while we continue adding products and making changes to better serve you.

Shop by Rod Series within each Brand

View the rest of the Screen Shots here.

First set of screen shots

2011-11-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a first glance at what our new store will look like. Below are just a few screen-shots of our features and product layouts. New Store Coming Soon...

Product View

Store Update Coming Soon

2011-11-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Over the last several months we have been working hard at building a better, easier functioning store to better suite your needs. Our goal is to organize products & categories in an easier more desirable format and over the next couple days even weeks, we will be finsihing the final touches.

Please note! In order to better serve you we will be upgrading our store at the end of this month. It will be much easier to navigate. You will be redirected to the new site when it comes on-line. We recommend that you update your bookmarks to the new address. When you login to the new site your username is still valid, as is your customer information. You will need to recover a new password and you will be good to go.

Over the next couple of days check back here at our blog for a few screen shots of what to expect in the coming weeks Thank you for your business. Have a wonderful Holiday! - GFS

If you have any questions or even suggestions please feel free to do so. - webmaster@gorgeflyshop.com

We are always looking forward to your feedback.

Happy Turkey Day

2011-11-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone: We are thankful for our customers that make us who we are now becuase without you, we would not be here today. We are also thankful that our business allows us to make so many people happy and that we are just about to celebrate 20 YEARS in business!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Be safe and enjoy! Gorge Fly Shop

Cold out? Need a gift but can't decide?

Be Sure to check out our Closeouts and Outerwear section of our current online store.

New From Confluence Films - Connect

2011-11-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

The shop copy of this film has definitaly gotten its play lately. Take a couple of minutes to check out the trailer for this new flick. As is the case with their previous two films, the cinematography is pretty slick.

[More Details]

Thar She Blows

2011-10-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

A little after noon time today, an explosion rang out deep in the bowls of Condit Dam. By the looks of the video, it seems that she was a little backed up. Cheers to new beginnings and the return of free spawning fish to their rightful spawning grounds!

Say Cheese!

2011-09-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a fresh look at the faces behind the counter, the phone and the keyboard... Before your next cast, drop on by or give us a shout. We are here to help you on your own personal paths of discovery!

Back Row - Left to Right: Dan Gordon, Theresa Medici, Steve Johnson, Greg Darling

Front Row: Mike Duffy, Dell, Lyndsey Duddles, Travis Duddles

Time On The Deschutes...

2011-09-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Apologies for my lack of posts. When I am not in the shop, I am busy guiding for Larimer Outfitters. We are full swing out there right now so I thought that I would share a few shots from the river. Hope your time on the water is memorable! Swing on by the shop if you have any questions on fly tackle or places to swing a line!

Have a good time out there,
Duffy and the GFS Staff

SIMMS IN-VEST JACKET Heading Down The River

2011-08-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

With a teary eye, anglers around the globe will say goodbye to the SIMMS In –Vest Jacket.

Bummer… I can think of no other piece of outerwear that offers more value to anglers than this particular coat.

Here is why:

This coat is weather-proof, breathable, light, packable, comfortable, and versatile (it can be worn in a variety of different weather conditions.)

Yea, OK, we’ve heard it all before right? These features should not be astonishing. There are plenty of other coats out there that provide the same features, however, there is one major detail that has set this coat apart…

The price. $99.95 is an absolute steal. I suggest you embrace the thievery and swipe one before it is too late. Letting this degree of value slip through your fingers may create serious frustration down the line.

I guess SIMMS had to reel in their philanthropy budget. Get a hold of one before inflationary prices get a hold on you!

SIMMS IN-VEST JACKET

Have a good time out there,

-Duffy

Land More Fish - Fish a Tube Fly.

2011-07-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

Like a diamond yet to be unearthed, the tube fly waits to get its foot into the next willing fly box. But more times than not, it sits there beneath upturned noses and passing glances and it shudders as fingers reach for the General Practitioner tied on a #3 TMC.

It is a formidable battle – to fight tradition and embrace change. But, although fraught with meaning, history is just what the word suggests. History is history. This is a dynamic world. Evolution is all around us. Today is not yesterday. Tomorrow is not today. There are more pieces to the puzzle…

Of course, we all have our preferences; like those who are unwilling to swing a sink tip or those who would prefer to use a bamboo single hander as opposed to a graphite two hander. If these methods peak one’s enjoyment, then evolution is dead and this is ok. End of story. There is no argument against someone’s glowing, stagnant contentment.

But if there is a budding will to land more fish – to lengthen your connection to a pinned steelhead, the benefits of swinging a tube fly should no longer be ignored.

Why?

Well it all comes down to the hook. These stinger hooks have a shorter shank which translates into a shorter lever. On longer hooks (even your traditional spey flies in sizes 5 and larger) the fish is more able to spit the hook during battle because this extended lever can often work the sharp end free. Kind of like how the longer the tire iron, the easier the nuts will turn…

Additionally, we are able to set the hook where we want it to sit at the tail of the fly. We can set it with the point riding down or, if we are worried about hooking rocks, we can set it with the point riding up. A hook positioned back towards the end of the pattern helps encourage a solid hookup into the corner of the fishes jaw. This is right where we want it – sunk right into the sinewy corner of the lip. Often when the fish comes up to take the pattern, her mouth will slide down the line and the hook will head straight for the money zone. Patterns tied on fixed hooks with too much material hanging behind will often result in short strikes with no purchase granted.

Days may pass before we get the grab so we need to be swinging flies that have razor-sharp hooks. It is hard enough to locate a willing steelhead so when the time comes we best offer them something that is going to sink in. Tube patterns give anglers the ability to always present a factory fresh point. Believe it or not, changing a hook is quite an easy task. Basically, the mono is threaded through the tube and then a loop is tied at the tag end. (The two most popular loop knots being the Double Surgeons or the No-Slip Mono Loop). The pinched loop is then threaded through the eye of the hook and then seated by passing the hook through the loop and then snugged up tight to the eye. Some hooks are beyond repair or require too much attention in the heat of a run. This is when I reach into my wader pouch and pull out a freshie. (Freshie: Gamakatsu Octopus #2 or Owner #2). I want to turn that otherwise brief encounter into an elongated one. I want to see cunning swath of nature up close and personal.

It should be noted that many stinger-style patterns that are tied on shanks or wire can also accomplish a great hookup. In this case, hooks are fastened on a fixed loop of either heavy mono, backing material or in some cases light gauge wire that is tied into the fly. These are great patterns, but it is typically much more difficult to change out the hook on these flies when the time comes. Often the loop material is either too short, or too thick to make switching it out very efficient.

Well, as if we really need to speak of more benefits of the tube fly, but yes, there are more. One major advantage is fly longevity. When a fixed hook pattern finds that unforgiving stump out in the meat of the run anglers are all too often faced with donating the pattern to the river. Conversely, tube fly patterns that have securely hooked the infamous rock fish are often reeled back into hand with only the hook missing. Furthermore, if the loop that holds the hook is seated loosely to the tube, often the fly will slide up the line, away from the thrashing jaws of the fish. Time and time again, after a formidable battle with a fixed hook pattern, releasing the hook from the jaw is followed by an early fly retirement party.

When it’s time to bust out the sink tip and fish some larger profiled patterns, that’s when I reach for the tube fly. I guess I just enjoy fishing a fly that has the tendency to land fish and remain in the lineup to fish and fish again. It seems that they are all I swing anymore and this will likely be the case until I learn something new that can add to or change the process. As I said before, we all have our preferences. I’m just saying that I prefer the tube fly because I land way more fish when I use them.

We are stalking more tube patterns in the shop this year. Swing on by and we’ll show you the patterns and the hooks we like to fish as well as a quick and easy way to rig up the stinger hooks. Here at the Gorge Fly Shop we honor the annals of history, but we keep an even closer eye on the remarkable, yet completely natural innovations of today. This story is seen in our fly bins. Come check out some of the latest, cutting edge patterns developed from the passionate folks at Idylwilde. Tied by guides. Fished by guides. I guess they want their customers to land more fish, or at least grant us the opportunity…

Have a good time out there,

Duffy

Columbia River Bass Are On The Bite

2011-06-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Although often buried in the shadow of the Steelhead and Salmon runs, Columbia River Small Mouth Bass are gaining well-deserved notoriety. Five and six pound bass are landed regularly and finding a place to fish is not a problem on this giant, coveted waterway.

Here is what resident Bass Fishing Guide, Gregory Darling, recently had to say about conditions out there:

"Fishing has been good on fly and gear. A lot of fish are up shallow and ready to spawn. The males are very terriortoral right now. They fan out a nest and concentrate on keeping it clean to attract the females. Fly patterns working well for me include larimers sculpin leech in black, large wooly buggers and I have a good black/red articulated steelhead pattern with no name that has worked well. Due to water clarity, Blacks and dark colors are working best."

Here are a few shots taken from this past week...

For any questions regarding Small Mouth Bass fishing on the Columbia or to book a guide trip, please contact Greg at Gorge Guide Service

Of Ice and Steel...

2011-06-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Dear friend of the Gorge Fly Shop and avid fly fisherman, Charlie Chambers of Hood River, Oregon, was kind enough to share this wonderful tale that came to pass this winter season. Make sure that you click the link at the bottom to taste the full flavor of the trip!

Has to be the strangest winter and spring for steelheading in quite some time. Can you believe it, measurable snow on the coast, wet spring with cold water temperatures and the Columbia ripping high. Tough conditions like that, a flyfishing guide is well worth the money spent. Several friends and I headed out to the coast to chase the chrome towards the end of February. Half the group was traveling from out of town including Ian who was coming from the East coast. Our travel out to the coast was in doubt because of a winter storm that was going to lay down quite a bit of snow and icy conditions but fortuitously we made it over the pass to a warm house rental. Conditions looked about as bad as one could hope to go out and swing for steel with clear skies, cold air and water temperatures and gin clear water. Fortunately, among our guides was Jeff Hickman who managed to help us all hook and land fish on a day that the air temps started in the 20's. On that day, we hesitated at our rendezvous spot with Jeff debating the sanity of going out and fishing. Weather was bad enough that we elected to not float, primarily because the boat was locked into the trailer with frozen ropes and winches. But, we still caught fish including one memorable fish that decided to leave two separate pools on me and wrap my backing around a large midstream boulder while cartwheeling down a rapid. Most importantly, a guide has your safety paramount in his priorities. Check out the web link where Jeff's concerns for safety prevented Ian from an icy body surfing experience. The video at the end of a short slide show, courtesy of my buddy Harvey, tells the tale better than any verbiage. Not only did Ian come out and land a steelhead in his first try on a spey rod for steelhead but did a little bit of extreme rafting. What a trip!!!

CLICK HERE for the slide show and video. (It might take a few moments to load)

Thanks Charlie! Looks like a memorable one!

Closeouts!

2011-06-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

The Gorge Fly Shops Closeouts Page

Abel Super 6 Fly Reel | Abel Super 8 Fly Reel

Rio T-8, T-11, & T-14 Fast Sinking Line

Some Hitch Hikers Are Best Left With Their Thumbs Out

2011-06-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

We do it. We mess with the natural web on a daily basis. Actions and reactions... What's best for us isn't always what's best for our surroundings. Our landscapes - the places we call home, the places that warm our hearts, can only afford a certain level of generosity. We take and take and take some more and that is all fine, as long as nature can endure and she is accepting of our own desires. We are a part of the whole, not against it. The questioning of consciences can be a daunting task but overall, it is a healthy event. Balance. Nurturing responsibility, accountibility - not that big a deal. With respect to our watersheds, this is one more thing that needs to be addressed. I wouldn't want the weight of this hard-shelled colony on my shoulders...Nor would the Columbia River Basin I suspect.

Here is a link to Oregon Department of Fish and Game's website concerning Aquatic Invasive Species permits for motorized and nonmotorized vessels:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/invasive_species/quagga_zebra_mussel.asp

To find out what other invasive species are of concern for the state of Oregon click HERE.

Have a good time out there,

-Duffy

Reverence

2011-05-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

A Lean Tribute to Hood River Valley

2011-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Fishaholics sometimes do need a break. There is room in that mind of yours, somewhere in the back, to draw your attention to thoughts that do not involve fish. I know it's difficult, but sometimes we find ourselves in surroundings that deserve undisturbed attention. For folks in the Hood River Valley this is evident in the spring when our landscape tends to crawl out of its skin. "Hey, look at me. I am gorgeous." This is her time and, certainly, it is an easy task to recognize the beautiful world that we all rent for a spell.

I Thought I would post a few shots or, better yet, moments that entered my eye over the past couple of weeks. What is it about photographs? Can't we all just lock experiences away in our minds and recall the image on call? I wish I could. My mind is a cluttered mess, like a closet that I just toss stuff into and hope that what I'm looking for lays somewhere on top. I confess, I need help sometimes. So here is to you Hood River Valley. I offer up these images in celebration of your radiant aesthetics. I would like to preserve your place on the top of the pile with these moments that struck me just so...

Hey look, a fish photo!

Have a good time,

Duffy

Greg Darling Recounts Recent Trip to The Keys

2011-05-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Gorge Fly Shop employee and Columbia River Bass Guide, Greg Darling, recently found himself standing above the turquoise waters off Cudjoe Key – about 20 miles short of Key West, Florida. Lucky bastard!!!

Seems that this time of year lends itself to an annual angler migration to points where the sun burns hot and the Margaritas flow unimpeded.

Why the Keys? Well there are lots of fish that swim the shallow flats and channels looking for lunch. These fish, when offered an adequate presentation coupled with an equally pressing determination, will inhale your fly and go go go to the horizon; taking your hot, uncoiling line and your heart beat with them into the blue abyss.

As Greg would find out, three days on the water would provide a roller coaster ride of experiences and emotions. The look in his eye as he recounted his trip revealed a film reel of highs and lows, frustration and elation and at times, an introspective, overwhelming peace…

What could Greg tell me about the trip?

-Our guide was a crusty, salty old fella. You know, he’d been at it a long time and his patience level was about bottomed out. He was, however, exceptionally talented in locating fish and positioning the skiff.

-It was truly amazing to see the variety of life out there in the flats. From little fish, to sharks, the birds… everything hinged upon the existence of the other. At one point we had hooked and battled a nice Permit.

Oh Boy.

But we became concerned about the presence of an over-sized bull shark eyeing our catch. At that point, before we released her back into the sea, the guide caught a smaller bait fish, hooked it to a buoy and tossed it out towards the shark to keep it occupied. In seconds, the buoy was pulled under and the shark met snack and hook. With the shark out of the picture for a while, the Permit was revived and she jettisoned back out into the channel. Afterwards, we motored over to the buoy where we were surprised to find not a Bull, but a Lemmon Shark attached to the line. We removed the hook and she too, swam off into the blue.

We definitely had our chances with the Tarpon, some of which were true giants. We were able to hook a handful, but setting the hook into such a boney jaw can be a true chore and it is always a gamble. They are extremely powerful animals and trying to harness their ambition is really exhausting! Here we hooked an astounding Silver King and the jump can be seen right around second 13 on the film reel. Yea we were pretty excited about this fish for sure. Guess you can probably tell from the commentary!

-I would have to say that between the two fish that we mainly targeted, the Permit are the ones that best get up under the folds of my skin. They are the perfect mixture of power and agility. And there is something so mesmerizing about their eyes . You definitely work for them, but the reward is life altering.

-There was one day out there where I had landed a nice Tarpon, a beautiful Permit and we figured that we would go chase down some bonefish to top off the Grand Slam. We came up empty handed on that front, but we had some fine opportunities. A couple of times I had a fish pinned and she was screaming out line and then just slack. But that’s fishing, you know. Supposedly, the Bonefish population grows as you draw closer to the mainland, but that said, we found a few out there but none of them would ever come to hand...

No Hopping in the water for photo ops around here. Too many sharks!!

It was written all over Greg’s face. He had found a place where his dreams became a reality. He would go back. Somewhere in the tropical blue he would again find a connection with the ocean’s vast menagerie. “There’s just something about those fish, man. They just tear you up, you know.”

“Yea, that’s what I keep hearing,” I reply

Late Afternoon

2011-04-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Three O'clock in the afternoon. Why not head down to the river for a few swings? Theresa moseyed down the run. Before you know it, I hear little yelp and the rod starts shaking...

By the looks of her, seems that Theresa got a hold of a "Down-Streamer". She had a remarkable amount of spunk considering she had just gone through the rigors of labor. Once we saw her shape, we got her in and out, stealing a second for a quick shot. She scurried back into the current. Safe travels fair lady..

She took one of these - my new favorite fly. The Foxee Dog was created by Charles St. Pierre who is long time Spey enthusiast from the Seattle area. It's quite enticing in the water. I've had the opportunity to see more than a few fish hooked on it this winter/spring season.

Jeez, Dell. Time for some teeth scrubbin. Smells like you been dining on rotten salmon again.

Have a good time,

Duffy

Boo Boo Makes A Big Boo Boo

2011-04-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

How the dazed bruin made it to the lip of the Dalles Dam spill gate, remains a mystery. What a strange a world we live in. We can never be sure what type of sights we will encounter on any given day. Certainly, this bear had no idea it would end up perched on the edge of a wall of concrete, poured by the hands of man. A fishing trip gone awry? I wonder what thoughts passed through her head as she contemplated her predicament...

After much head scratching on the part of wildlife officials, a decision was made as to how to remedy the situation. Read the full article HERE to find out more on the curcumstances, and how the fateful moments unfolded.

Western Rivers Finds Steel On The Hood

2011-04-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding Don Elder and Anne Tattam, both of Western Rivers Conservancy for an afternoon of fishing on the Hood River. These two individuals work tirelessly for the cause of wild river preservation. They do this by aquiring land and placing it in the hands of parties that are able to manage vital habitat responsibly. As it turns out, Western Rivers was able to facilitate the purchase of habitat along the stunning West Fork of the Hood River, to to help ensure a healthy ecosystem in the upper basin. You see, our home waters still boast a robust run of wild, winter steelhead and this is a resource that we all want to see thrive for generations to come. Not only concerned with preserving healthy habitat, Western Rivers also sets goals of preserving access to anglers - for it's all of us; those who fish and care deeply for these watersheds who will help manage the beauty and the miracles that earth has provided us.

So on this day, it was only fitting to see Don and Anne out there, sliding through various runs, and exploring the fruits of their labor. The water was high, but on the drop. And after winning a best out of three round of rock-paper-sissors, Anne positioned herself into the top of the run and began methodically swinging her fly through about 3 feet of visibility. About a quarter of the way into the run, the planets aligned...

Contact led to some furious reel spinning and a spell of daunting head shakes. On the far end of the line swam a formidable fish - one of might, a champion of both river and sea. The battle was a memorable one. Time stood still - there was only connection, with the river and its blood. It was a long moment and he finally came to open arms... A fine fish. A wild buck.

Being a strong proponent of switch rods on our area waters, I toted along a couple on the outing and Don and Anne were only too happy to oblige. Both sticks casted beautifully and gave us the opportunity to get up under the tree limbs and shoot line where it needed to land. The amazing part about these sticks is that even though size is scaled down, the capacity to throw some serious line is there. I like to think that these sticks work to make the spey world more intimate. Light in hand, and easy on the shoulders, they are a pleasure to cast. Coupled with the right line, an 11ft 8 or 7 weight switch is the answer to all my pursuits here on local waters. If you ever get the chance, try the 8110 Sage Z-axis lined with the new Airflo Skagit Switch (480 grain). Also, a little easier on the wallet, the 8113 CPX Switch does little to compromise performance. Try this rod in the Airflo Skagit Switch 480 gr. as well. The 7 weight versions of these rods are equally triumphant and I like to line them with the 450gr switch head. That said, if your casting style demands a slight overlining, bump up to the 510gr for the 8wt and the 480 for the 7wt. If this is the case, your movements will be much slower, allowing the added grain weight of the line to do the loading for you.

Thank you Western Rivers for your thoughful care in protecting this most valuble resource. I hope that we may all find it in ourselves to act responsibly out there, and may we never take this remarkable gift for granted. Her rights need to be respected...

Have a good time,

Duffy

ODFW Expects Promising Summer Steelhead Run

2011-03-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Using a few early season indicators, scientists estimate that some 391,000 Summer Steelhead should be streaming up the Columbia this season. Although promising, this number puts us somewhere around the 10 year average. Certainly this estimation falls far short from the record season of two years ago when more than 600,000 fish passed over Bonneville Dam. Read More

Airflo's New Skagit Switch

2011-03-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

Fresh off the press, Airflo's Skagit Switch line has arrived. This line is designed for short spey rods, switch rods and for those anglers who prefer a swing method of fishing. This taper should not be confused with Rio's Switch line which is designed for an indicator and/or drift style of fishing. Airflo's Switch is most similar to Rio's Skagit Short, however there are a few differences.

For a more robust bio on Airflo's Skagit Switch click Here.

Most of this winter season, I have been enjoying the lightness and the agility of switch rods on our area rivers. Up until a week or so ago, the lines that I have been using have been mainly the Rio Skagit shorts on an 11' 7wt , 11' 8wt and an 11'9'' 8wt advanced switch rod (Sage 11'9'' TCX). Although it all comes down to the angler's casting stroke, I find that I like a 425gr -475gr for the 7wt, a 475 - 525 for the 11' 8wt and the 525 gr on the 11'9 8 wt TCX. That said, I like these lines well enough and I have enjoyed some pretty ok casting.

Last week I got a chance to play around with some of these new airflo lines and I was actually blown away.

I think the major difference is the shape of the loops and how the lines actually turn over at distance. I put a 450 gr on an 11'7wt Z-axis which casted like a dream, although a 480gr would also work for those preferring a more relaxed stroke. Also got a chance to throw a redington 11'3'' CPX Switch with the Airflo 480gr which was nice, but I think I would prefer the 450gr personally.

The thing that seperates these lines is the polyurethane coating. This material, as oppossed to the PVC used on other line brands keeps the surface like new, years down the road. It also encourages a very supple form that translates into tighter loops on the casting outlay. Furthermore, I think that Tom Larimer and the folks at Airflo nailed the taper on these lines. These lines have an ucanny ability to turn over towards the end of the casting length to help carry it through for maximum distance. They are also quite resposive in close. At times, I have found that the RIO Shorts like to turn over a little too quickly thereby hampering a smooth, tight loop for distance. But do not take my word for it, you should give one of these new lines a shot and see what you think.

Want to chuck a load of T-14 and a lead-eyed intruder? No problems here.

Have a good time out there,

Duffy

Hmmm... Choices, Choices, Choices...

2011-03-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

What's more difficult, picking a flick at your local video store, or deciding which fly pattern to offer that fabled winter steelhead? For some, dedicating a fly to a given piece of water can be agonizing, and time consuming. Could your choice determine your chances of hooking one of these critters? Tough to say, however some would argue that it makes all the difference in the world. I once witnessed George Cook go through box after box, scanning for that pattern that would inevitably raise the Ghost.

"What about Mr. Frumpy? Pretty crittery lookin huh.." He would say while tilting the bug to and fro.

"Oooh, how 'bout Huskerdoo? Umm flashy..." Only to sit it back down on the foam bench.

And so it went - Georgie scanning the line-up, examining the roster in search of that one pattern that was destined for glory...

At one point I informed George that I would give him 45 seconds to make his choice. Uh oh, the pressure was on. The beads of sweat on his forehead began to multiply.

"I like em all buddy; we just got to get one in the water..." I muttered.

As the seconds hit zero, he reluctantly picked a Purple Green Butt. A fine choice. A proven performer on the D. Great, lets fish!

It was not to be. Hindered by second thoughts, Georgie clipped off the bug and reached back in to the deep array of fly boxes.

"What about The Shad? Shaddie!" He held up a ruffled, dusty spey fly.

"I tied it with the hair from my cat's ass!"

I loved it. The forgettable step child. She posed upon his fingertips- glowing in all of her drab glory and wrapped in the haunches of his favorite feline. Why not?

Moments later, a wild hen straightened out his line putting an end to an otherwise fishless morning.

Just a little anecdote there. Without diving into the whole "Does Fly Choice Matter?" debate, I thought I would show a couple patterns that have had a fair amount of success this winter. These are Idylwilde patterns tied by Northern California Guide, Jason Hartwick.

Hartwick's Hoser - Pink & Purple

Tied on a tube, this pattern throws a giant, flowing profile in the water. He has added weight in the form of a large tungsten cone that he slid onto the tube in reverse. This is a creative, yet real practical move. For one, the weight will fight the buoyancy of the material, but additionally, it creates a nice solid bump in the body against which to tie in the artic fox, marabou, flash and so on. For many of us who would just use a dubbing ball of wrapped ice dub to achieve the same bump, using the cone seems a refreshing idea on the subject. Its edges are more abrupt thereby creating robust flaring effect to the material.

Hartwicks's Hoser - Black & Blue

Lately, we are starting to see some color in our area rivers. This is certainly a welcoming sign to steelhead anglers who choose to swing flies. More than other types of angling, swing fisherman depend more on finding aggressive fish. We need to find fish that have lost their weariness and that are more apt to act upon their emotions. When I'm standing about thigh deep in a run and I can just barely make out the silhouette of my boots, I am a confident angler. These are the times that I most often go big, choosing a large profiled pattern to scare up some response. Hartwick's Hoser is developing a fine reputation as a steel attractant all up and down the west coast. Maybe its enticing profile will bring you some formidable memories this spring season.

For info about how to rig these patterns on your line check out this video from Eric
(EZ) Neufeld who stands as the Idylewilde rep for Oregon and Washington.

Swing on by the shop and grab a few for your box.

Have a good time out there,
Duffy

Simms New Cold Weather Pant

2011-02-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

Simms rep and angler extrodinaire Eric Neufeld swung bye the shop to discuss some new items for the fall line. In addition to some nice options in the layering line, a new pant is sure to keep some anglers cozy this fall season. Here EZ goes over some of the features of the new Cold Weather Pant.

Winter's Brush...

2011-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

This image just in from Washington. Fellow angler Michael Bray hooked this formidable buck while swinging a fly on an undisclosed, coastal river. From spending time with Michael and taking part in his undying enthusiasm for this species of fish, imagining the story of this encounter is heart warming. Something tells me that he has been searching for this event his entire life....

Don't Miss This Year's Festival Of The Fly!!!

2011-02-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

Once again, Andrew's Pizza Pub and Cinema brings you a fun-filled evening of motion picture, great eats and a glowing atmosphere that is ripe with raffel and door prizes. Somehow, Chris was able to get an early release of the new film, The River Why? that follows the life of a young man who finds solace in the cool flows of Oregon rivers. The picture was filmed here in our home state and it is based on the novel, The River Why? by James Duncan. The book itself remains dear to countless angler hearts throughout the world and this is the first time that this magical tale has ever been brought to the screen.

Sure to boost audience cheer are the 10 raffle tickets that are included in the $20 admission price. Among the items being given away are fly rods, fly reels and a guided fishing trip with Larimer Outfitters! This event should not be missed. Come on out and support your local watershed. A significant portion of the proceeds will go to stream restoration on both the Hood and White Salmon rivers in honor of long time local resident, Glenn Hack. Click HERE for event details...

Down On The Hood

2011-01-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

Running strong

Back in shape

umm

My companion

cool, green & flowing

On the trail

Seam marks the spot

The offering...

The acceptance

Drake Film Tour Coming to Portland

2011-01-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

Get your tickets now. They will likely not be available at the door. Portland's showing will play Feb. 12th at the eclectic Bagdad Theater on Hawthorne Street. Click HERE to buy tickets and get directions to the event. It is a party for the senses.

Here is a trailer for a flick that will likely play.

LOW & CLEAR Official Trailer from Finback Films on Vimeo.

It's Got To Go Somewhere

2011-01-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

Mother Nature has Shown her teeth out here in the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rain has bumped some area rivers well above flood stage. A few homes along the Sandy River have picked up in search of some real estate closer to the Columbia. The Clackamas remains above flood stage. Here in Hood River, our river swelled up to above 13,000 cfs. That's a pretty rigorous flow considering she likes to average around 1,200 cfs this time of year. These videos were taken January 17th at a flow of 12,750 cfs. While we were down there there was a utility truck that rolled down the tracks towards town. They stopped at the bridge and thought better of the crossing.

To Barb Or Not To Barb.

2011-01-11T23:08:00.000-08:00

This age old debate has risen again on the banks of the Columbia River. Washington State Fish and Wildlife had hoped to administer a no barb policy on the hooks of all anglers fishing from the mouth of the Columbia, all the way to the McNary Dam. The rule was to begin this January 1 of 2011, however it looks like they have dashed their hopes for now. One other big player failed to agree with this policy change - the state of Oregon. For generations both Oregon and Washington, have agreed on regulations so as to smooth out the grey areas on the water. She is a shared river, although in some areas, the river is more in Washington and in other places, she falls more under the jurisdiction of Oregon. Instead of going ahead with the plan, Washington has resolved to wait out issue in hopes of garnering a better discussion with policy makers from Oregon.

As an angler, I love to finally lay my hands upon that mythical creature, after it has taken my fly, peeled line from my reel, given it her all in fits of courage and her burn for life. It is indeed, a sacred moment, one that touches you, for you have just made a connection to another thing in our animal kingdom. Your hearts beat together and as you cup her brillant body you see a reflection of her triumphs and her shared destiny. You are proud to be a part of her life and the majesty of her existence. And if you must eat, it is a worthy sacrifice from your own, hardworking hands.

I love this moment. I like to land fish, but personally I do not need a barb to encourage such an outcome. If you get the hook sunk, past the barb, it certainly helps keep the fish pinned. This point is hard to argue with, however what type of playing field do we actually need as anglers? I get it, you got to eat. This stuff sure tastes good and there's no doubt about it.

The major issue with a barbed hook in the Columbia River system is that there are many threatened species of anadromous fish that use the river as a highway to get back to their birthplace tributaries. In order for a wild, native species to survive, it must make it back to its origins to reproduce. Both Spring and Fall Run Chinook native to the Snake River are listed as Threatened. Columbia River Chinook are listed as Threatened. Columbia River Chum Salmon are Threatened. Steelhead native to the Columbia and Snake River both, are listed as Threatened. Snake River Sockeye are Endangered. These fish are listed under federal law of the Endangered Species Act because there is a good chance that without proper actions they will disapear from our watersheds forever.

Unlike other types of hunting, we are rarely able to pick and choose which fish we hook. There is always the chance that the pulse on the end of the line is wild, and she must be released quickly and unharmed. This release is where the barb can really create issues. The longer she stays, head out of the water, the less her chance of survival. Trying to pull the hook free by yanking back and forth can tear apart vital blood vessels and portions of the inner-gill. Often a fish will suffocate before bleeding to death, sometimes the other way around.

Some folks would argue that barbless hooks have greater ease of penetration. Without the bump, the hook is able to sink deep into the jaw more seamlessly. Once it's there we must do our best with technique and will, to keep it there. It is challenging, rewarding and at times, frustrating. But hopefully that is what we have learned to love.

Whenever I meet an elder person native to the area, if he is willing, I ask him about Celilo Falls. Down there she lay, dormant beneath the backwater. A twinkel comes to his eye as he recalls the majesty of the cascade and the priveledge of witnessing it. It was a holy place and a provider to generations. The falls are gone, but the blood that ran through them still swims on. I hope I never have to tell another, "Yes, I remember when the Salmon ran. I would fish for them. Boy how they would fight!"

-duffy

Skagit Master 2

2011-01-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

I had the benefit of watching this video last night. From the beginning you are taken into the intense, yet thoughtful world of Scott Howell who has chosen the pursuit of Steelhead as his life's greatest ambition. He is quite well-spoken, informative and not above throwing out a few shots at his own expense. Many of Scott's secrets to success are worked out clearly throughout contrasting water characteristics. Unlike the days when he and Ed would hide their fly patterns from other anlgers, here Scott shows us how to tie them. Rivers are dynamic and Scott's greatest point is that we also, have to be dynamic in our approach to becoming successful steelhead anglers. Skagit Master 2 helps to break down the age old myths that have often hindered anglers rather than helping them. It also gets you thinking on your own and reinforces the fact that every drift is your own personal Picasso. This is the greatest video that deals with presentation and and water selection to date for Pacific Northwest Steelhead enthusiasts. He firmly believes that education, and a love for the sport can help rivers get the protection that they deserve.

-duffy

No Recycling Necessary

2011-01-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

Journey into the online odyssey that is Catch Magazine. Issue 15 is served.

Ezine Submission From the Banks of Sweden

2010-12-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

из ряда вон выходящее!!!!

Hi! I from Russia and my English am insufficiently good for the story, therefore I send only a photo from fishing in Northern Sweden.

Photo with the Atlantic salmon I would name "Two big guys" as the salmon weighed 37 pounds and I not the small. The salmon hasn't suffered:)

suffered:)

Best regards,

Igor

St. Petersburg, Russia

Thank you Igor. Russian, English.... Any language may not adequately describe the majesty of this fish!

-duffy

Hmm... Sea lice - An Unworthy Scapegoat?

2010-12-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

A fire burns on the coastal waters of British Columbia. Fueled by the sentiments of conservationists and their adversary, "big business" the flame looks to be well stoked. The issue is whether commercial fish pens, in which genetically modified fish are raised by the hands of man, should be aloud to exist in habitat critical to other "Wild" species.

Aquaculture is no stranger to civilization. It is believed that ancient peoples raised eels in Australia in 6000 BC. Furthermore, evidence shows that the Chinese were cultivating carp around 2000 BC, in which genetic mutations finally gave us the Goldfish. It also spread throughout Europe during the middle ages as the costs of transporting fish became too high. Like an ear of corn but with fins I suppose, hewn in water and shopped to dinner tables world-wide, this crop is expanding and has found a home off the coast of Canada in the way of Salmon farms.

The argument against it has, for sometime, relied on habitat destruction. Fecal waste at pen sites pollute surrounding waters killing life on the ocean floor, and decreasing Oxygen levels. Some scientists equate a pen with 200,000 salmon as producing the same waste amounts as a city of 60,000 people. This waste is untreated and it often contains antibiotics and pesticides that helps desecrate vital ecosystems for wild fish prosperity.

Lately the argument against Salmon pens has centered around parasite explosions. Sea lice are a naturally occurring phenomena that grow in the wild and fix themselves to the skin of fish. It's a great program really. Free rent, get to travel and dinner is always served. A salmon is well equipped to handle a few of these little hitchhikers, but studies have shown that young salmon that are fresh to the ocean pick up an inordinate amount as they pass through critical passageways to the open sea. Click here to read up about recent studies highlighting adverse impacts of Sea Lice on wild fish. Also, take the time to watch this video that surfaced in 2009 to get a close-up view of the issue!

But wait! Just out is a study penned by a group of scientists that totally refutes conservationist claims on Sea Lice and Salmon mortality. SEA LICE NOT THE CAUSE OF WILD SALMON COLLAPSE" The lead researcher does have a history of employment with American fish farms, but, well... click here to read up on their recent conclusions. They are scientists after all.

And the fire burns on....

Duffy

E-Zine Submission (Jersey Style)

2010-12-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

Under rolling fields of blue, schools of these voracious feeders swarm. Blue sky, blue water and Bluefish... Nicely done Rob! It must have been a heart throbbing experience to make contact with this fine critter of the sea. Having grown up on the Maine coast, I fondly recall the heat of this battle!

New Jersey Coast - 8 lb. Bluefish caught with 9 weight St. Croix w/hand tied fly.
Photo: Ron R.

Thanks for the shot Ron!

-Duffy

Why Winston?

2010-12-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

Well why not, especially when you've got a company that is deeply embedded in fly-fishing history, conservation, and who is committed to churning out the smoothest casting sticks that I have ever had the pleasure of casting. Like butter amigos...

It took Winston eighty one years, but now you have it. The BIIIX. Basically it is a slight modification on the BIIX that exploded into the market in 2000. This stick is a prophet of smoothness and sensitivity. A stiffer backbone than the BIIX allows it to perform in a wider range of casting condtions.

"Incredible" is the only way to describe this new series; they are arguably the finest fly rods ever made. Utilizing higher modulus third generation Boron/Graphite composite, Boron IIIx rods offer unprecedented performance. They have an even broader casting range that lets anglers control line speed for long casts directly into the wind or gentle presentations up close. They feature a stronger butt section for lifting more line off the water. They are highly responsive and very powerful, yet lightweight with great feel and liveliness. In the words of our technical advisor Joan Wulff, "Boron IIIx rods are an amazing combination of speed, power and Winston smoothness." Boron IIIx rods come with our new, striking lightweight graphite rod tube.

Give the shop a buzz if you have any additional questions about Winston and their latest generation of flyrods.

December Newsletter Photo Submission

2010-12-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

Rogue River Fish - Photo from: Jeffrey H.

Thanks for the photo Jeffrey.
Sign up for our free newsletter and submit your photos and stories today.
submit@gorgeflyshop.com

Northern Pikeminnow Beware

2010-12-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Wanted - Dead or Dead

It is not because you're not beautiful, or that you are not deserving of a long fruitful life. This notice is a result of your diet senoir Pikeminnow. Folks around here just cannot tolerate your ravishing appetite for Salmon and Steelhead smolt that are often kegged above and below the many dams here on the Columbia River. My advice to you is to be very weary when dining because there are anglers who have become very adept at fooling you, and killing you for a wad of cash. If you didn't already know, there has been a reward program since 1991 for your head in a sack. In 2010 there was a total of $ 1.2 million bucks paid to anglers that harvested your friends and family. One angler netted a total of $81,000 during this year's six month season! Tune in Here, to see what these anglers are up to. This discrimination is not likely to be overturned. A pikeminnow hatchery is definately out of the question!

Take good care,

duffy

Happy Turkey Day

2010-11-25T18:02:00.001-08:00

From the Gorge Fly Shop Team

2010-11-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

The Group Hero Shot

"Hard Shell Taco"

Another River to Get Her Groove Back

2010-11-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

Wonderful news out of Washington state. The Elhwa river is set to have her 2 dams removed, starting september 2011. This river, once host to King Salmon in excess of 100 lbs will again flow freely through the pristine lands of Olympic National Park. Check out the story here

November Days...

2010-11-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

A couple shots from the Lower D...

Umm... Marabou tube. Ummm..

This wild hen lived in the backing....

Good to go deep this time of year....

Have a good time out there,

Duffy

Photo for the day

2010-11-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

Travis Duddles: Owner, with friends on the Klickitat

Located only ten miles east of Hood River, the Klickitat is arguably one of the finest summer steelhead rivers in Washington. Originating in the snowfields and glaciers of nearby Mt. Adams, the “Klick” winds its way south until it joins the Columbia River at the town of Lyle, WA. Relatively small in comparison to the nearby Deschutes, the Klickitat is an intimate river. Despite it’s size, endless miles of classic steelhead water make this river a steelheader’s dream... [Read more about the Klick]

Fall Focus is Up

2010-11-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Fall Focus
Autumn in the Gorge is remarkably beautiful. A step out of doors and we are swept away into a world of soft colors and crisp air. It is a time to rejoice in the welcoming transition to winter... [continue reading]

The Holiday Season
Also check out our recommended "Gift Ideas" category for the holiday season.

G. Loomis NRX Trout 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod.

2010-11-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

NRX Trout 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod.
With FREE FLY LINE
SKU: 11913-01

G. Loomis
NRX is the culmination of what we have been doing at G.Loomis since day one. We have been continually striving to build the best rod on the planet. Laminates, resin, mandrels, components and the know how you expect from us. These NRX rods look like nothing we have built before. They feel better than anything we have built before. We aren't talking about a little better here or a little lighter there...

What we are saying so there is no confusion... " This is the Best Fly Rod Ever Built!" Period!!

When it comes to the best rod for all-around trout fishing, the 9-foot 5 weight does it about as good as any rod that we make. When it comes to a feather-light touch and precision casting, this NRX can do everything you'd ask of a fly rod and more. Dry flies, nymphs, streamers, it doesn't matter - especially with the line-speed you'll enjoy with the NRX system - it's the best trout fly rod we've ever made!. It features our "progressive power taper" which allows you to make short casts as efficiently and smoothly as long ones and its ability to cast in windy conditions will soon be legendary!

Rod Specs:

Model:NRX 1085-4FLY

Length: 9'

Size: 5 Weight

Sections: 4

Taper: Med Stiff

Power: Fast

(FREE RIO GOLD FLY LINE INCLUDED)
*FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE*

Fly Fish the World | Buy Now

Swinging the Day Away

2010-11-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

Figured I would shoot a little vid so that the stunning beauty of this day could be shared. Guiding Jim is like fishing with a brother. Before you know it, the clock seems to be lying to you. The Toothy Steel failed to answer the door this day, but in light of our surroundings and the chance to catch up, success was not too hard to come bye.

Fall Fatty

2010-10-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Richard with a beauty...

This fish allegedly fell victim to a Low Water Green Butt on the Lower Deschutes. Nice work amigo!

Our Test Gallery

2010-10-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

Give us your feedback: webmaster@goreflyshop.com

Fish our Waters

2010-10-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Lost Lake Resort & Campground | Hood River, Oregon

Check out our "Choose our Waters" page for lakes, rivers and guide info.

Photo Submitted

2010-10-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Lost Lake Resort & Campground (Oregon)

A user submitted photo from Dale: Thanks Dale

Save our WIld Salmon

2010-10-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Filmmakers at the Epicocity Project are currently working to complete a short documentary chronicling the epic migration of Snake River salmon - from the rugged coastline of Alaska to Idaho's Sawtooth Mountain Range. Here is the trailer...

To find out how you can help these critters complete their epic journey visit Save Our Wild Salmon

A Beautiful Loop of Physics

2010-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

All in all it was a pretty mellow night at the Gorge Fly Shop for the unveiling of G Loomis' new batch of fly rods- The NRX Series. I guess it was hard to garner the interest at 8:00 pm on a Friday night. Hey man, drop that beer, break down camp, let go of your lady, we got to get down to the fly shop to check out these new sticks! So I guess that it was no suprise to find myself hanging at the shop with my lady and just a few tattered anglers and shop enthusiasts. We stood around eating sandwiches, telling lies, and stealing glances at Loomis' newborns that lay like a line of idols on the rack. Once the gut was full, a few of us went outside to give the rods a throw. Now I don't really consider myself a gear head. I'm not that easily excited about equipment. I feel that there are many sticks out there that perform well and once someone gets used to the action, they might perform really well. Obviously, there is no discounting a smooth taper, or the responsiveness of a tube of graphite. These sticks will take you to new heights for sure, however, they are likely not needed the vast majority of anglers. That said, the two rods that I tried out, blew my mind.

I tried the 5 wt and the 8 wt. They both blew my mind. From the beginning, I noticed my thoughts trying to gather up pennies. How could I make a big enough stack to get one of these in the quiver? First off, they are extremely light, so you just feel agile with them in your hand. Secondly, they are very responsive. Short casts were tight and strong. Thirdly, they have the backbone to chuck serious amounts of line with little effort and very quickly. The unexcitable, was somehow knocked off his feet. In my hands lay a light, sensitive, fast-actioned yet forgiving stick. I'll be dammed.

So Loomis has this magic wand and somehow they managed to put a faulty reel seat on all rods below a nine weight. It seems like a stroke of bad luck or gross oversight that this could be. But it be. They are presently trying to fix the problem and they are hoping to get these rods out to the general public in the next couple of months. Rods above a size 9 line and their spey series are not touched by this problem and they are presently available. We are trying to get our hands on a demo 8 weight spey. I am giddy at the thought of giving this a go, especially if it feels anything like their singlehand series. We do have a few rods set up as demos at the shop, so swing by and give them a throw. Loomis was not kidding. They've definately got something special here...

Friendlier Nets On The Horizon?

2010-08-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

How huge would this be? Having the ability to sort catches and release all wild Salmon and Steelhead unharmed would be a monumental step towards protecting these runs of fish. Tests have been performed on 5 new styles of nets with some encouraging results. The question is, once the technology is there, how will politics influence their adoption?

Read more here.

The New G. Loomis NRX Fly Rods

2010-07-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Greg Darling and I just returned from the ICAST fishing trade show in Las Vegas, NV. We attended G.Loomis’s launch of their all new NRX series of fly rods! These rods are amazing! We had a chance to spend a lot of time on the casting pond casting the whole series of NRX rods. We were very impressed with how light these rods were. The 10’ 7 weight felt like a nine foot six weight rod. Steve Rajeff has spent the last five years designing this series of rods, he mastered every rod model in the series, so they were dialed in for each rods expected use.

Here is a quote from G. Loomis:

NRX is the culmination of what we have been doing at G.Loomis since day one. We have been continually striving to build the best rod on the planet. Laminates, resin, mandrels, components and the know how you expect from us. These new NRX rods look like nothing we have built before. They feel better than anything we have built before. We aren’t talking about a little better here or a little lighter there –

What we are saying so there is no confusion... “This is the Best Fly Rod Ever Built!” Period!!

We have been chosen to be one of 10 fly shops in the world to launch the new G. Loomis NRX fly rods. August 13^th @ 8:00 pm our store will reopen to help G. Loomis launch the NRX series. Come join us and G. Loomis staff to see and have the chance to purchase the new NRX rods before any other anglers can.

At 12:00 am on August 14^th our website will launch the new NRX series and they will be able to be purchased and shipped worldwide!

Lines for 5 Weight Switch Rods

2010-07-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the season, I was determined to find the right out-of -the box fly lines to be used with switch rods. Most of my testing consisted of using the Rio Skagit Short and Airflo Scandi Compacts. While I found that lines could be adequately matched, there arose a problem when dropping down to 5 and 6 wt. rods that would be used for trout fishing. With trout fishing, there needs to be a diverse line that can handle light, dry fly presentations, but also have the backbone to turn over big streamers and double-nymph set-ups. In this case, the skagit heads are too bulky for adequate dry fly fishing and the Scandi heads were too light to turn over anything of size and weight. Additionally, these heads do not provide enough length on the back end, for drift control and stack mending. We need a line that roll casts easily and one that can even be cast overhead in certain situations. If greater distance is in order, 2 handing the rod, spey style, is also a requirement. For rods that are 6 wt and above, there is a nice, diverse line available called the Speydicator, from Airflo. This line has a nice long, back taper for easy mending, but also provides enough weight in the front to turn over large streamers and nymph outfits. For those of us that do not dedicate their Steelheading style strictly to swinging flies, this is the line for you. It also makes a fine line for anlgers using a 6 wt, 11ft Switch rod for trout angling. However, Airflo does not yet, make one for a 5 wt rod...

Enter the Rio Outbound. This is a 37 ft head that comes in grain weight. I took out an 11 ft 5 wt switch from St. Croix. This is actually a really great rod for the money. I found it to have a medium flex with a very forgiving feel. What I found worked best on this rod, was the 330 grain outbound. This line is used typically as a shooting line for an 8 wt singlehand rod. What I found was that this line was weighted properly for an 11 ft 5 wt switch. Roll casting is a dream. Turning over long leaders with multiple pieces of weight and flies is no problem. Big streamers? No Problem. Overhead casting felt a hair cumbersome, but overall, it is a far better match than a Skagit or Scandi Head. Remember, it is a shooting line after all! There is a certain color change in the line, where the head turns into the running line. As far as Spey casting goes, what I found was that keeping this line junction down close to the reel (somewhere before the first ferral) it actually two-handed pretty well. The loops are slightly larger than a Spey line, but gaining the distance is not too difficult.

Until a 5 wt Speydicator hits the shelves, this would be my best, out-of-the-box line trout line for a 5 wt switch. Pop in the shop is you have any additional questions about the growing advantages of these rods.

Have a good time,
Duffy

Summer Steelhead Season About to Unleash

2010-07-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

July is here, and so is the start of the epic Steelhead run on the Deschutes river. Dam counts are climbing as is the anticipation of some fine, early season swingin'. Check out this vid from outfitter and guide Tom Larimer to help get you in the mood.

Summer Focus

2010-06-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Gorge is finally wringing out from an extended spring. Flowers and greenery has taken up its annual residence below the blanketed peak of Mount Hood. Summer brings a new, lively anticipation to our fishing pursuits. As temperatures rise, so too, does the beat of our angling hearts here in the Columbia basin.

Summer = Great trout and Steelhead angling. Epic Salmon Fly hatches fan into great Mayfly and Caddis activity out on the Deschutes. Boasting 3000 fish per mile the Deschutes is home to a hard-fighting, gorgeous strain of Rainbow Trout. For anglers willing a chance to hook one of their, larger sea- run cousins, Columbia River tributaries are starting to receive the start of Summer Steelhead runs. This is a giant run of fish that are ready and willing to inhale flies. Not to be overshadowed, the coming months are ripe with fine Smallmouth bass fishing on the Columbia. Early summer is a fine time to strip leeches and poppers for these reckless fish. Area lakes also offer up some fine angling opportunities.

Stop on by the shop here in beautiful Hood River. We are happy to nurture a solid foundation to your fishing adventures. The clouds have parted. It is a fine time of year to get that fly in the water….

Skagit Master 2

2010-06-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

If it is anything like the first one, this flick will be a hot seller for sure. Here, Jeff Mishler, of New water Media takes us into the Steelhead-pursuing world of Scott Howell. Scott is a legendary guide on the North Umpqua with ties to Canada and Alaska. Over the years, he has gained the reputation of being one of the sport's greatest predators and innovators. Hold on tight... Call the shop to reserve your Skagit Master 2 DVD today!

Research Looks At Impacts Of Water Temperature, 'Thermal Refugia' On Salmon, Steelhead Spawning

2010-06-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article that builds truth to an assumption that many people have held for a long time. It looks at how water temperature affects the migratory habits of Salmon and Steelhead and it opens the door to further study on management policies.

US Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Chris Peery:

"Steelhead might stay in a refugia for extended periods, sometimes as long as three or four weeks in the lower Deschutes River or in Drano Lake where cold water from the Little White Salmon River enters the Columbia. Chinook salmon, which have long migrations in a shorter window of time, might stop at a refugia site for days as opposed to weeks, if at all".

"Higher water temperatures is what prompted this study," said Peery. "The managers wondered about the potential impacts of climate change. Climate change is more than just warming; it also encompasses changes in rainfall and snowpack. If there is less snowpack, there will be a dramatic change in the life cycle of salmon."

Click Here to read more about this vital study.

Swing For Kings Revisited

2010-05-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

These fish were recently landed on swung patterns. Both hookups came in your typical Steelhead water, meaning no more than six foot deep and moving at a walking pace.

Clackamas River Buck...

Although Kings are more likely to hold in the slower tanks, they are far more reckless in faster, shallower water. It is in the Steelhead water that anglers can present an enticing drift. There is more action in the swing. Although there may be less fish in this water, what fish are there, are more likely to take a chomp.

Deschutes River Buck...

If there are boats present, fish will definately move around and often times, they will get pushed up into shallow riffles. Anglers should still try to drop the fly down into the water column. Closer is better for these critters.

Have a good time,

Duffy

May On The Clackamas

2010-05-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

The river...

One of my best clients, Jim Greenleaf, and I had a beautiful day out on the river this past week. It was one of those days when you find yourself zoning out, taking in all the surroundings and pinching yourself to make sure that you are actually awake. May is a fine time to be on the Clackamas River here in Oregon. Air and water temps climb and there is usually a bright Summer Steelhead to be found out there.

The cast...

It took a few casts, and then Jim found his rythm. Each cast, each drift, lay down on the river like brush strokes on a canvas. Water levels were prime but it was a little on the sunny-side for complete confidence. Guess all you can do is swing away. Put the invitation out there. Edible drift after edible drift and so on...

Mid day came and it was time to fill the tank.

The vittles....

After lunch, we opted for a boat ride up the creek. The breeze was cooling and it helped us from falling chin first into food coma status. Jim hopped out into a run that has been fairly hot (On the right day of course!)

About halfway through the run, his line came tight and immediately started taking off. Nice, fish on! Out of the stellar blue came a connection with a chrome Summer! A nice battle ensued and eventually the impressive fish came to hand.

The Fish...

A true beauty, she looked like a ghost laying there in the water.

Look What I Got! Nice Fish Jim!

After a celebration of high fives and deep breaths, the day continued on, much like it began. Cast after cast, finding the rythm, we became a part of the river. She was the only fish hooked that day and somehow, that felt appropriate. Now and then I would give my arm a little pinch. Yup, still awake...

Have a good time,
-Duffy

The New XI3

2010-05-14T20:39:00.001-07:00

The Xi3

The Xi3 is the choice for thousands of saltwater anglers worldwide. Here's what Travis had to say about the gear that he brought along for his latest trip to Mexico...

I just recently had a great week of permit fishing in Mexico. I brought three of Sage's new Xi3 saltwater rods: The 790-4, 990-4 and the 1090-4. I used the 790-4 for Bonefish, the 990-4 for Permit and the 1090-4 for Cuda and Baby Tarpon. I matched the following lines to these rods: Rio Tarpon Tapers to the 990-4 and 1090-4 and the 790-4 was spooled with the Rio Bonefish Taper. For the conditions, these lines seemed to work best.

The Xi3 was designed for the hardcore saltwater angler. They are very fast and powerful so that anglers can excel in challenging, maritime conditions. My first day I had a little trouble adjusting to the rod since I do not fish the salt more than a few times a year. It took a little while to get used to the stiffness, but after some practice, casting tight, strong loops became the norm. The line speed was amazing and the 9 weight had no problem powering my crab accurately through the wind. The 10 weight turned over huge flies with ease and the 7 weight had no problems throwing into the gale. After hooking up, these rods provided the necessary backbone to do battle.

don & travis permit double

Ahh Mexico...

I have fished a lot of saltwater rods, and I was truly pleased to have these new Xi3's in the quiver. Constructed with the latest graphite technology, these rods just burst with responsiveness. The fast taper is not for the beginner caster (or the faint of heart) but for those of you looking to get to the next level, this is the stick for you.

-Travis

- 2010 Mexico Trip Gallery

Swing For Kings

2010-05-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

I worked on this river up in Alaska for seven seasons. It is a special place. Home to all five species of Pacific Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Grayling, this river is an artery to all surrounding forms of life. The fish are the blood. From the Arctic Tern that flitters about,to the native eskimo people that settled generations prior, this river is a provider. Here, nature is intact and free to flow untethered by follies of man. There is a strong gravity here...

Duffy - Getting in touch

Equipped with the luxury of grocery outlets and a meager, but manageable wage, I am pulled here not to survive, but for other reasons. In search of a life more simple, a life more in touch with our extended family, I was taken by its gravity. The snapshot of the human eye can reveal so much here. The smells and sounds all add up to a surrounding that is in tune with itself. And in these waters swim fish. The blood. Sometimes really big, beautiful, chrome bright fish that, yes, are eager to take a swung fly.

Kings will take a fly. A swung fly. I realize that some places are more condusive to this style of fishing. This river is one of them. It almost seems like it was built for the swung fly. It is a fairly shallow stream, with soft riffles that fan out into even softer tailouts. The wading is very comfortable and it is difficult to find a gravel bar that doesn't fish well. Most holds are surrounded by smooth, steady current that makes effective presentation a breeze. The run is large and the fish are fresh. We would spend many days swinging within one river mile from the Bearing Sea. Fresh in from the ocean, these fish are quite rambunctious and they are even naughtier when hooked.

Unlike a Steelhead, that will at times, travel great distances to take a fly, Kings need a little more encouragement. If they are not looking up, we need to bring the fly down to their level. Enter the sink tip. As an anadromous fish angler, this could be the most valuable tool in your sleeve. To be effective with these tips is not easy and will take time to develop. Art and science each play their roles here, and when done correctly, a sunk fly encourages participation. If you want to pick someones pocket, try fishing down a run behind one of those dry fly "Purists" with a chunk of T-14. (On a side note, I actually prefer fishing in the winter here in Oregon because the added element of the sink-tip is far more engrossing. Taking depth into account and bringing the fly under tension when it matters is just plain robust. Anybody can manage an edible drift with a dryline when water temps are in the 50's. OK, sorry.)

Here in Oregon, I always hear people talk about King Water, you know, those real slow, deep tanks. They are in there. They like the cover of depth. They like to hold in slow moving current. Yes, this is true. And these pieces of water are definatley fished best, with traditional tackle, like spinners and plugs. It is hard to get down deep with a tip that is just dense enough that it will be in the zone and still maintain a livley swing. It is possible to swing this type of water, but it is difficult. Steelheaders know that Steelhead, like Salmon will hold here as well, especially in cooler water temps, but swinging flies in these tanks is just not as effective as presenting in shallower water.

Well how to go about swinging for Kings in the great state of Oregon? Hmm, well one should locate those obvious, slow, deep tanks that have a steady enough flow to work a fly. Healthy pieces of T-14 and even T-17 will get you down into the strike zone. These swings will be slow and tedious. If you find that you are hooking bottom, bring the casting angle further downstream or decrease the size of your mend and the amount to time you bow slack to the drift. Or both. Raising your rod tip after the initial mend will bring the fly under tension sooner. Finding the bottom is always a good starting point. Once you find it, you can then present to where your fly comes under tension and swings about 3 feet above the river bed. A problem with fishing these tanks is that there isn't much life in the swing. Once you come tight, try to maintain a downstream belly and steadily work this swing towards the hang-down.

Do not limit yourself to these tanks! I think that current speed, more than depth could very well be the most important factor. It is likely that you will never find these fish in quicker, riffle water like summer steelhead. But set your sights further down the run to where the current softens a bit. Look for current breaks off the deep, rushing channels of the river and acheive an effective depth before your fly reaches the hold. Look for those little micro-slots in tailouts that lay above fierce rapids. Holds do not have to be 15 feet deep to have residents. Drop her down and swing with confidence. Persistence will eventually be rewarded.

This past week while fishing on a Columbia River tributary, I hooked two kings. The water depth was no more than waist high, and the presentation was fairly aggressive. Both these fish attacked a chartreause and blue tube with a fair amount of copper flash. There was no nibbling here. One of the fish I got to hand after a fiesty tailwalking session. The other fish was definately in charge the whole time. A minute into the fight, I was starting to question the backbone in my 13' 8 wt spey, when the water exploded. She thrashed and thrashed and then she thrashed and thrashed some more and then she sped off downstream like a rocket ship. She left my hook behind, leaving it to dangle back and forth in the cool sway of the current.

Alas, a taste of Alaska in our own backyard...

Kickin Back In Mexico Lookin For .....

2010-05-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Travis Duddles: Permit

PERMIT!!!!

Congrats to Gorge Fly Shop owner and flyfisherman, Travis Duddles for this glimmering speciman. Looks like good times down on southern Mexican shores, as Travis and a gaggle of fellow cronies bathe in the splendor of this wild reserve. Click the link to see how their week is turning out. This place is definately the end of the rainbow...

- 2010 Mexico Trip Gallery

http://www.palometaclub.com/fishing_reports_detail.php?recordID=198

Send Us Your Winter/Spring Photos

2010-04-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

Before we let go of our soggy-bottomed, adventure filled days from the winter & spring, we would love to hear how your season turned out. Was there a memorable fish? Did you fill up your waders? Flip a boat? Did you spend time with family and friends on your favorite water? Did you learn a few things out there? Any fine, new whiskeys we should know about? Any little anecdote would be great. Just something to add a little flavor, let us see what happened in your world out there. Ofcourse, photos are worth a thousand words, so be sure to send along a shot so that we can post them and help to share your experiences on the water.

Here we have local hottie and exceptional angler, Theresa Medici with her first ever, chrome Sandy River winter fish. She was the second person through the pool when the line started screaming towards the Columbia. Like a ball of sunshine, this fish brightened the otherwise dreary, drizzle infested day.

Local, swung-fly enthusiast, Dave Gee had destiny play out with this shimmering beauty while poking around on a coastal river. The lice that is tatooed just above the fin can help tell the story...

Please send along your stories and photos to Duffy at powderful1@yahoo.com

Spill Will Continue!

2010-04-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

After months of debate, the decision has been made to continue spills at key dam sites on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. This management system will combine a mixed strategy of spill and transport for juvenile Salmon and Steelhead. Click it to learn more: http://www.cbbulletin.com/383962.aspx

Gorge Fly Shop Spey Day

2010-04-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

If you like to fish, this will be a very interesting event. Drop by the Gorge Fly Shop this coming saturday the 24th to sink your teeth into the world of Spey Fishing. The Larimer Outfitter guide staff will be putting on demonstrations at the mouth of the Hood River starting at 9:00 am. This will be a fun, laid back crew that are happy to help with casting and fishing techniques. The class is free and there will be plenty of demo rods and lines available to try out. The event will switch gears and head to the shop for some great slide shows and fly tying in the afternoon. Bring your waders and boots, and rods if you got them. See you at the mouth of the Hood River for a swingin' good time.

Aint No Nookie Like Chinookie

2010-04-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Droves of anglers abound, chasing the wake of the Spring Chinnook run up the Columbia River and area tributaries. Bonneville dam counts revealed 3545 adults crested the concrete this past saturday. Click it, to see how anglers are doing out there...

http://www.cbbulletin.com/382591.aspx

The Way Home

2010-04-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

I often wonder if these fish ever feel lost. Do they get stressed, or feel hurried when they can't find their way back home to take care of business? Or, do they just do what they do, not worry about where they are going and just trust their instincts? On a personal level, I do much better on country roads. Here's the route, maybe a left and a right and then boom, I am where I need to be. Put me in a city, with a clogged spiderweb of options and roadblocks and I can feel the temperature start to rise. My chances of getting lost and sweaty increase amongst the twisting concrete and steel. Ahha, then I reach for my map and with some studious effort, I am able to reel myself back in and eventually make it to the elusive brew pub. My instincts are OK, but I certainly can't sniff my way through the maze to my destination. Thank god for signs and maps to ease the pain when the only things you know are being lost and frustrated...

Does that late-summer run steelhead subscribe to Mapquest or Onstar? Are they able to reach for the atlas and guide their way back home? Don't think so. At least not yet. These species have evolved, just like all others to carry instincts and biological traits needed to live and complete the journeys necessary to pass on life from life. These traits in all these fish are what is needed to get from A to B and to do so comfortably and effectively. The only problem is that their evolution has not been able to adapt quick enough to the industrous proceeds that we have dealt them.

Tens of thousands of years had passed before the generations of our west-coast fish laid eyes upon the Lewis and Clark party. That is a lot of evolutionary time to get dialed in and live sustainable lives in our watersheds here. Now fastforward a few hundred years and Bam, there is a concrete barrier in the middle of the road. What now? You better adapt fish. We need these things for power generation, irrigation and water transport. Adapt or die.

We now stand in a very interesting time to see how these fish deal with changes to their habitat and passage. Obviously, stocks will never be what they once were before the advent of industrialization and seine nets, but all said, there are still quite a few fish that stream up the Columbia River waterway. Fish have learned to use ladders at the dam sites to ensure that they are able to pass up and over these obstacles. The real problem is not that their upward migration is physically blocked, but how these structures impede current flow. It is the current that lets fish know that they are on the right track. Dams suppress current flow. In places, the Columbia River more resembles a reservoir than a river. What is the effect? It is like removing all the signs on the highway, or taking that city map and throwing it out the window. They begin to lose their direction.

Another result of these obstacles is that water temperature is affected. Water that is stagnant is much more likely to heat up than water with a steady current flow. This also helps to throw fish off of their migration because they want to stay comfortable. What was once a determined run up the river, is now more of an area tour vacation, with some fish stepping into many different tributaries along the way. We want to get home, but lets stay comfortable and do a little sight seeing along the way. In mid summer as the Columbia River temp soars into the seventies, fish will hunker down way deep in the pool, or tuck into an area river to cool off you might say. The migration takes far longer these days.

This little session at the keyboard was spurned from checking into the fish counts at the Dalles Dam and up. There is still a fair amount of steelhead climbing over these dams. It is interesting to think about. Where are you all headed to? Where are you supposed to be? As spring inches closer to summer, many fish along the waterway have already dug their redds and millions of fertilized eggs lay in wait like buds on a tree. Travis Duddles, the owner of GFS brought up a thoughtful point that spawn timing really comes down to water temperature. The further east you go, the colder the water temps. So it is not overly suprising that there are still summer fish making their way to the bedroom. My mind wonders if they are still on course to have a healthy spawn. Can they still make it to the upper Clearwater or the far reaches of the Wenatchee to ensure their children will carry their homewater torch. Or, will the buzzzer go off signifying that it is time to lay down and pick a river that is closest. Will they even spawn at all?

Hatcheries have popped up along with a steady line of devastated fisheries. Whether by riparian habitat destruction, poisoning, overfishing or dam placement, hatcheries have become a way to mitigate changes in the natural environment. Evidence has shown that hatchery fish are more likely to stray from their target rivers. An article in the Osprey last year displayed that the majority of the Steelhead run in the Deschutes river is actualy made up of hatchery fish from other rivers. The instinctual imprint or fish reared in a holding tank versus fish reared in a natural, free flowing environment is, quite potentially, not as defined.

Travis also told me of an interesting story concerning this one particular hatchery fish. The fish was tagged as a Hood River fish, which means that it had made the journey up the river to the Powerdale Dam. The fish was then caught and released on the White Salmon river in Washington. Some three weeks later, this same fish was caught on the Klickitat River in Washington during a hook and line survey. Hmmm... I wonder where this fish would have taken up residence. Would it have tried to spawn naturally somewhere? If so, what does this do to native fish stocks?

Enter barging or trucking. We know that Dams do affect upstream migration but they do not eliminate it. The largest problem is how they affect downtream migration. Water that is backed up behind dams warms to unhealthy levels for juevenile fish. Many fingerlings meet their fate in the thrashing turbines inside the dam and many others come out disoriented and become easy pickings for birds and other fish. There are spill sites at all the major dams that create a downstream current and safe passage. Beginning about three years ago a federal judge ruled that the Civil Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation maintain healthy spill levels during April and throughout the month of May. The result? 2009 was a record year for returning Steelhead and Salmon in the Columbia watershed. The other way that the Division of Fish and wildlife has resolved to aid in downstream migration is to transport fingerlings downstream on a barge or via truck. Again, the question of "Where am I supposed to be?" arises.

Think of being blindfolded and driven to a place in the woods and left there to find your way home. You might find a logging road and begin to walk but what of all the intersecting roads along the route. Right, left, straight or backwards? In a way, this has the same effect on fish as they are desensitized to their trail back home. If they make it back to the mouth of the Columbia at the end of their ocean journey, will they wait for the truck? Will they hesitate and scratch their little heads thinking: this dosen't smell like the barge... Hmmm, where is all the current flow? Right, left, straight or backwards?

The Columbia River is a very interesting river system. It is the artery to Salmon and Steelhead from all over its vast watershed. Sometimes, I wish the moments that I spend standing in her majesty would last forever. Like so many of us, I am an angler. And sometimes, the planets align and I hook a fish. Our worlds connect and before we seperate I often can't help myself from thinking, "Where are you from? Where are you going?"

Should it even matter?

-Duffy

Columbia River Spill

2010-04-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Questions loom over how best to manage Columbia River flows for the 2010 season. What is at stake is the survival of many runs of Pacific Salmon that are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. All anglers who purchase licenses to fish along the banks of this river and all its bountiful tributaries should be concerned about the coming decision. Please click the link below to learn more from a local writer and fisherman.

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/03/what_dont_we_know_about_the_co.html

Deep In The Heart of Spring

2010-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

What does spring time mean to you? Is it the time when the tulips pop and the grass grows green. Does it give up feelings of renewed energy and kinship? Is it time to clean out the garage? For a number of us here in the Columbia River Valley it means its time to get out there and seek out all that is fishing. Those added chirps in the air tell us that it is time to get down to the river and see how we fit into the waters that run wet with opportunity, (I will say that there is hardly a time when I do not fish here in Oregon, but I am especially dear to springtime adventures).

Columbia River Bass! They are swimming shallow this time of year and it is a perfect time to take one on the fly. Ever do battle with a Walleye? I haven't but I aim to, and I cannot wait for the encounter. The Columbia is actually a very renowned fishery for these species with plenty of water to quench the appetite. Stop in the shop and talk to Greg Darling. He is a Bass Master and a fantastic resident guide and angler.

Trout is on. Like a switch, they have flicked. The Deschutes River is home to a beautiful strain of Rainbow Trout that are rich with fight and cunning. We are seeing some nice hatches out here in the desert. Taking a fish on a dry pattern in fun. Taking one on a streamer is fun. Nymph? Fun. It is always a puzzle and It's downright fun when you, the detective, get the pieces to fit. Like chess but way more FUN. I confess, that my pursuits have yet to get out there for these wild gems because I have too busy paying homage to my fellow Steelhead.

Ahh Steelhead. This is the species that makes you cast a thousand times and then leaves you standing there scratching your head. These fish are the cream in my coffee. I like coffee, I like to go fishing. If I had no cream, I would still drink coffee. If I got no fish, I would still go fishing. But sometimes it happens, after many many hours she yanks your fly. That is the cream my friend. Don't want to dilute the blend. Just a little...Yes April is a fine time here as the surrounding rivers receive their annual batch of thick, wild winter fish. Temperatures are heating up and so does the bite. We also start to see some early Summer Steelhead making it back to their hometowns. Are we in Heaven? No, Oregon. The Spring Chinooks are starting to appear in fair numbers now. It has been forecasted that his year's Springer run should be epic.

We are all invited to the party... Or the adventure or the walk in the water or the therapy session or whatever we may be, that we feel, when we go fishing.

Have a good time,

Duffy

You Down With YKK?

2010-03-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

The first time that I saw these suckers of the river was on a gravel bar in Alaska. George Cook had made the annual pilgrimmage up to our waters to chase chrome kings and this time, he meant business. Equipped with a fresh pair of ZIPPERED waders, he looked to be at ease and ready for a new day of adventure.

I had to chuckle. The costs would surely outweigh the benefits here. They would surely leak. That grin on his face would soon fade into a damp, disgusted frown. As the week marched on, full of scales, lost fly lines and busted rods, the grin held strong. For some reason, these waders were not leaking!

So the tag on these waders is pretty steep. In my head, the $699.95 was better spent elsewhere. I have been fine in conventional waders for years now and besides, they look a little "Over the top," for my purposes.

Fastforward a handful of years and I find myself guiding out in Oregon. I am still rotating through a line-up of old Classic Guide and G3 waders and they are slowly but surely creeping ever-closer to the gore-tex graveyard. Destiny strikes one day and I am standing in a non-repairable, wet state of affairs. All my waders now RIP and I am spending my days on the Deschutes in a soggy, fungussy jumpsuit. I called my buddy Eric Nuefeld who is the SIMMS rep here in the northwest and he happened to be passing through town. EZ said that he would drop a pair off for me because that is the type of fella he is.

Hanging in the garage were a pair of used G4Z ZIPPERED waders. The next morning at the boat ramp, I pulled on dry waders for the first time in a week. Thank goodness. This would be a fine day; steelhead or not...

Since that fateful fall day, I have spent over 150 days in these waders. I continue to wear them because they are dry and because urination has never been so fine. I actually look forward to relieving myself in the Wilds of America. It is easy and pleasant to take care of business. No longer do I struggle to roll my little champ out over the wader cuff. No longer do I curse myself for dribbling on my hanging pocket. These waders give me that peaceful, easy feeling on the water. I find that I am better able to mold myself to the ebb and flow of the river when I am not fighting to hold back human nature. Let nature take its course! Let it flow! I especially like peeing in a rainstorm because I can leave my coat zipped up. The zipper is also a sweet addition when trying to pull your waders on over a bunch of underlayers.

In conclusion, I recommend these waders to anyone who enjoys fishing and who has a means to buy them. Do you need them? No. But, they will boost your overall enjoyment out there and strangely enough, they just might make you a better angler.

Have a good time,

Duffy

Native Fish Society Dinner and Auction

2010-03-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Let your support for native fish shine. We all love catching fish and certainly, hatchery fish are, at times, a part of the experince. However, these folks are trying to preserve a valuble piece of our ecosystem to ensure that wild, healthy strains of fish continue to thrive in our watersheds. Not to mention, it is a ripping fun event. Just add grain, vine and barley to wash down the delectible vittles. Good times for a good cause...

-Duffy

Tear it Down!

2010-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Powerdale Dam yankage is slated to begin this April on the Hood River. I will simply state that words cannot adequately express my jubilation... To learn more about this and what it means for fish and anglers who fish for them, check out this article:

http://www.gorgeoutdoors.org/go1/?p=2142

-Duffy

Rio Is At It Again...

2010-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Many out here in the Pacific Northwest know him simply as "Georgie." Others, as George Cook; the man, the myth and quite legendary. Well Georgie swung by the shop this past week to inform us of a little development that will become available to anglers May 10th. We think it will be a big hit with all anglers who care about depth in their fishing pursuits.

From singlehanders throwing streamers to spey folks swinging leeches, the question of sinktips always arises. What type of tip do I need? Rio is coming out with a system that allows folks to quickly change their tips while maintaining consistency in their line weight and line length. The answer is called M.O.W. It is technology that has become formalized from the exploits of Mike McCune, Scott O'Donnell and Ed Ward. M.O.W. What they are pushing here is a tip system that has a fused dry to sink portion of the line that is available in different sizes.

Many of us know that fishing different length tips can drastically change our casting stroke and casting success. Rio is offering to help us maintain casting integrity while having the choice of different sink rates. For instance, Spey fishers who are used to throwing a 10 ft tip of T-11 and decide that they need to switch to a shorter, say a 5 ft tip of T-11 no longer have to battle a casting meltdown. This is because the overall "Tip" length stays the same but the sinking portion of the tip changes. Think of it as an integrated Cheater that is fused to the sinking portion of line. As the sink tip gets shorter, the Cheater gets longer; as the sink tip gets longer, the Cheater gets shorter. The overall tip length stays the same at 10 ft.

These tips will be double looped so that attaching them to the end of a Spey or Versitip and attaching leader material to the business end, will be pretty easy. The sizes that will be available are as follows:

2.5' sink & 7.5' Cheat M.O.W
5' sink & 5' Cheat M.O.W
7.5' sink & 5' Cheat M.O.W
10' floating tip
10' sink tip
12' sink tip
Kit: All tips in T-11 and T-14 densities
All tips available in T-11 and T-14 densities

I like it a lot.
Have a good time,
Duffy

Free Ride To What?

2010-03-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers stand at a pivotal decision. It is crucial that if you care about Earth, you should educate yourself on this issue. Whether you care to act, or discuss its contents is not imperative but you should read on and at least hold the thoughts that it generates within you for a few moments.

So we have all those ladders at the dam sites which are pretty nifty tools I must admit. It is not ideal for these migratory fish that travel our rivers, but they work and they must in order to keep stocks of salmon and steelhead from going extinct. But how do juvenile fish make the journey back to the ocean? How do they get past the dams and onward to the salty taste of the Pacific? About three years ago the BOR and CCE starting ramping up flows through fish friendly spill sites at the dams and as we all know, returns of Steelhead and Coho were humungous this year up the Columbia watershed. The Columbia is also expecting an astronomical run of Chinook this year. Coincidence?

Need a free lift to the ocean? Get all your scaley butts to the dams in May of this year as we are going to increase our taxi service downstream. This is NOAA's recommendation due to low water supply in the system this year. Decrease spillage and increase barging. Please click on the link below for a more informative explanation and pay careful attention to how this technique jeapordizes the integrity of native stocks of fish.

http://www.cbbulletin.com/378839.aspx

-Duffy

Festival Of The Fly Event

2010-03-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

I want to thank the crew at Skylight Theater & Pub for putting on a great show at the Festival Of The Fly Thursday last Thursday night. I would love to see this become an annual event, so let them know how much you enjoyed the show. If you did not attend this year you need to do it next year. They raised a good amount of money for stream restoration, in which they are donating in honor of Glenn Haack. Once again thanks to the crew at Skylight Theater & Pub from the staff at the Gorge Fly Shop.

Free Ride To What?

2010-03-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

Idylwilde Flies And The Essence The Tube

2010-03-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

Zach Mertens at Idylwilde Flies has created a solid company that provides a fulcrum to the ambitious angler. Balancing the exquisite with the raw, his patterns are designed by the industry's elite and they are leading the progressive charge in fly technology. It is nice to see someone who not only writes the checks, but who is out there living it, and swinging these patterns in our surrounding waters. They have recently revamped their website, so check it out and pay fine attention to their blog. A great piece on tube flies is listed as Brian Silvey explains the benefits of one of his greatest patterns. I am right on board with the tube fly revolution and I commend their innovative dedication in this realm.
Click it.....http://www.idylwilde.com/wordpress/2010/03/you-too-can-stroke-the-chromers/

Switch Rods Continued

2010-03-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

I am unable to free my mind from the topic of Switch Rods. If you have tuned in to an earlier post on the subject, you know that these rods are not ideal for every situation but their benefits are extreme for certain types of water and anglers alike. During the past week, I resolved to try some smaller rods. Sticking with the Sage lineup, I grabbed a 5wt and 6wt Z-axis that George Cook dropped by the shop. Both of these sticks at 11 foot long, could essentially be considered long singlehand or short spey rods. Do they dominate casts in each style? No. But they can provide a creative and effective niche to your overall fishing adventures.

So the question that we keep coming back to in the shop is, "What type of lines do we throw on these suckas?" So I headed out to local waters to try to dial in some rod and line combinations...

The two out-of-the-box lines that I tried out were the Skagit Short from Rio and the Scandi Compact from Airflo. Keep in mind that line matchups for these rods can also be achieved by taking a heavier line and cutting the length back until you find those "good vibrations". This can take some time and can be tedious, so I think that I will leave that for another post. In short, upon much experimentation I have come up with the following Line combinations for these rods:

11' 8wt Z-Axis -> 475 Skagit Short

11' 7wt Z-Axis -> 425 Skagit Short

11' 6wt Z-Axis -> 375 Skagit Short, 300 Scandi Compact

11' 5wt Z-Axis -> 325 Skagit Short, 270 Scandi Compact

I was really excited to cast the 5 and 6wt switches as I think they will be interesting tools for trout fishing on the Deschutes this year. One still has the option to overhead cast these rods and with the combination of Spey techniques, those fish that were always just a little out of reach before, become accessible. As many of you know the Deschutes has some tricky wading and places where you must stand right up against the bank. These rods allow anglers to rollcast line great distances without the mishaps that a long backcast can encourage.

The Scandi Heads are best used for dry fly fishing and swinging soft-hackle emerger patterns while the Skagit Head is the tool for drifting Sculpins and other heavy streamer patterns. Although I haven't yet figured out the best line for chucking indicators and split shot, I think for now, a Skagit Head with a short dry tip of about 6 feet should work ok.

The Z-Axis rods are very smooth sticks and linger on the medium to fast side. Stiffer, faster rods will handle a little more grain weight just as softer, slower rods will need a lighter load. Since these rods lack the length of traditional Spey Rods, their lever is shorter so there is a shorter load base in the rod. Line speed must be increased to make up for this lack of load base. Timing becomes crucial as the window becomes smaller. Shorter rods loose their load faster and their D-Loops are smaller. Casters must start their forward casting stroke sooner so that the rod does not loose load and so that the D-Loop does not collapse to the river.

I think these line matchups are a great starting point. Every caster is a bit different; some being load casters and others being linespeed casters. Load casters who really want to feel the rod flex down into the butt might want to bump up the grain weight a notch. Line Speed casters can drop down a notch in grain weight. As time goes on, and your personal casting improves, bordering on the lighter side will grant you the greatest distance with switch rods. "Overloading" however, will be easier for beginners to send out a decent enough cast. The 7 and 8 weights are awesome steelhead sticks. The 5 wt is my true love for trout. The 6 wt could very easily crossover but you would be way outmatched if hooked up to a large Steelie.

See you out on the river. Have a good time,

Duffy

Snowpack Levels Below Average For Columbia River Basin

2010-02-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

El Nino strikes again and this time its getting personal. I guess it is best not to dwell on such news but you should be aware what we are up against on the runnoff scene here this year. Check out this this article from the CBB to discover how this season's snowpack stacks up against the fifty year average for The Gorge and beyond.
http://www.cbbulletin.com/378077.aspx

The Skagit Compact

2010-02-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

What in the wide wide world of sports is the right spey line for me? Hmm... Well if you live and fish in the Northwest, chances are you will need to fish a sink tip from time to time. You might even need to cast heavily weighted flies (there is a very good chance of this), and you will likely get yourself into some tricky casting situations. This being said, you are perfect candidate to fish a Skagit style fly line. Click the link below to see what veteran fishing guide and two handed guru, Tom Larimer has to say about the subject...

http://www.deneki.com/2010/02/airflo-skagit-compact-from-the-source/