Friday's Featured Fly

Friday Featured Flies are a tray of Mattioli's Trout Spey Buggers by Aqua Flies.  These flies are on their way to our friend in Great Britain.  We just updated our Trout Spey Rod Guide.  Here we break down trout spey rods, what size is the right size?  Plus, more questions are answered for you here.   Happy Spring!  Of course, always give us a call if you have questions.  541-386-6977

Today's featured fly is a new one coming in from Aqua Flies.  Stu's Barred Ostrich Intruder.   This fly is tied with Barred Ostrich, which is arguably the most successful steelhead colorway.  Send these baddies on your next Steelhead Adventure.  Need a Steelhead Rod for that next adventure?  Check out our Steelhead Spey Rod Buyers Guide

This week's Friday's Featured fly is coming to you in the form of a "Happy Meal"!  Well, kind of....meet our newest fly kit.  Our favorite Trout Stillwater Balanced Leech Kit.  The flies come in our logo pucks and are perfect to drop into your pack/bag or waders.  

Beck's Sili Legs Lite is undoubtedly one of the best bonefish patterns of all time. Call it a Gotcha with the huge bonus of rubber legs.  The "lite" version is tied with bead chain eyes for skinny water.  Don't go to the Bahamas without a fistful of these!

About what any steelheader needs.  A fistful of good leeches!  This one checks all the boxes.  Not too big.  Not too small.  Little bit of flash.  Hot cone.  Send it!  Aqua Flies Bunny Hare Leech in black/blue.  In stock now.  

All this dark weather means Blue Winged Olives!  The RIO's Film Critic is one of our favorite emergers.  The upright wing is just big enough to make it visible on gray days.  Fish it alone or trail it behind a bigger dry that you can see well.  If you are getting ready for Sping, check out our Five-Weight Buyers Guide

Catch Dirty PT Hot Pink Jigged - What doesn't this Nymph have going for it? A jig hook, soft hackle, Pheasant Tail, and a hot bead. A fantastic prospecting pattern that has a little bit of everything. We carry them in sizes 16 and 18

Some of the most effective bonefish flies could be described as "plain with a little pop".  Bonefish prey tends to be stealthily camouflaged to match the bottom and avoid detection.  This is where the "POP" comes into play.  RIO's Bone Doctor has an overall tan color scheme with just enough flash to draw attention.  This one works

Doesn't it look like it's about to crawl away!?  Here's RIO's take on the Flexo Crab in tan.  Made quietly famous in the Seychelles, this style of crab has caught the attention of Permit and other crab eaters across the globe.  Guides on Christmas Island love this one for triggers.

It's hard to beat a good cheeseburger!  The fly version has all kinds of great crabby characteristics.  Feczko's Cheeseburger is quietly one of the best bugs for Triggers.  Fun trick fly to try for Permit, too.  

Signature tyer of this fly, Jeffrey Feczkko, reached out to us and shared the story of how this fly came to life. We would love to share it with you.  6 or 7 years ago, in the middle of an atol in the middle of the Indian Ocean, he created what would end up being one of the best flies for trigger fish.  Jeffery is very humbled by the popularity of his fly and appreciates RIO for reproducing this fly.  To note Charlie tried bringing this fly in last year but was sold out!  We are excited to now have it in the shop.  

We want to personally thank Jeffrey for reaching out and sharing his story behind the scenes of this incredible fly.

RIO's Banana Stand. This little gem is slightly flashier than other Shrimp Patterns is a great pattern in less-than-ideal conditions for bonefish and redfish. Tied with materials that are subtle yet have a tad of flash, resulting in a highly visible and enticing fly for murky water and low-light conditions

It's dark and rainy here in the PNW.  Some warm Flats Fishing sure sounds good!  Today's Friday Featured Fly is RIO's Smelling Salt.  This one was originally intended for laid-up Tarpon, but works equally well for all things that live in mangroves! 

Big Bonefish in certain destinations love big Flies! These are a few of our favorites for the Bahamas and beyond. Saltwater gear sales have picked up recently.  Weather changes increase the desire to find warm tropical water.  Searching for the big fish that call it home.  If you have not hunted for Bonefish before, you should put this on your bucket list.  Check out Sage's Limited Edition Grand Slam Salt R8 rod paired with a Sage Enforcer limited edition reel.  Our crew has a ton of Saltwater experience.  If you have questions, give us a call. 

No doubt about it.  Some of the best trout spey flies come in natural color schemes.  Aqua Flies' Trout Spey Intruder is a scaled-down, unweighted pattern tied in an intruder-style.  Buggy and wiggly.  This one gets it done!

Cooler fall weather has our minds wandering to the Caribbean. Salt season is upon us! Here’s one of Andros Island’s unofficial official bonefish flies.  The beefy RIO's Gotcha Clouser in size 2.  Simple and deadly!

It's getting deeper into fall, and many of the rivers in the northwest are filling up with coho.  If you're looking for a fly to strip on a single-hander or jig throughout the swing, check out the Starlight Leech Pink.  Heavy eyes to get down and work the twitch that love.

Limited Deschutes Trips with Sam Sickles

Spring Spots Available with Sam Sickles: Lower Deschutes Dry Fly Trips at an Early Booking Rate

Spring in the Gorge means one thing for a lot of us—Deschutes trout season is calling. If you have been thinking about getting out on the Lower Deschutes with a seasoned guide, now is a great time to lock in a trip with Sam Sickles of Steelhead Outfitters. Sam is offering limited spots for Gorge Fly Shop customers for early bird bookings.

A word from Sam...
The birds are chirping, the grass is growing and giant stonefly nymphs are making their way to the bank.  Spring in the Gorge means trout fishing on the Deschutes.  I’m offering an early booking rate for Gorge Fly Shop customers, 10% off ($585) if you book by April 15th. Along with a killer boat ride and a fabulous lunch I will show you the five most important tips for dry fly fishing on the Lower Deschutes!  

SteelheadOutfitters.com

Sam Sickles 

PO Box 115 

Hood River, OR 97031 

samsickles@gmail.com 

(541) 400-0855

Gear Up

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - March 27, 2026

Winter Steelhead

We're nearing the end of the season with just a few more weeks left.  Time to search out your grand finale!  The first couple weeks of April can produce some excellent fishing, and the crowds will start to thin.  And it's just a wonderful time to be giving it a try.  There are plenty of notable signs of spring throughout steelhead country, but they're especially evident on the coast.  The plants are exploding and a lot of the spring birds are showing up.  The salamanders are filling up pools along the rivers and the water temps are staying in a very favorable range.  The steelhead will be making their last big push here.  Time is no longer on there side and Spring Chinook are not too far behind them.  If you want to get a few more cracks at winter fish, get out there sometime in the next couple weeks while there are still chrome fish to be had.  

Deschutes Trout

Certainly wouldn't call it busy out there and the reports we've been hearing are quite good.  The river is at a very nice spring flow and the water temps are good.  Still a pretty mixed bag of bugs on any given day, but one worth focusing on is the early caddis.  They may not be present in big numbers every day, but the fish have certainly been into them.  If you're nymph fishing, but sure to try a caddis larva behind your standard larger point fly.  Larva patterns with some green in them have been very productive.  Beyond that, the streamer fishing has been periodically off the charts!  If you get to try it on a cloudy day, hope for some surface activity, but push the streamer fishing in between.  This is a great time of year for some amazing streamer fishing if conditions line up.      

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - 3/16/26

Winter Steelhead

The second major "Atmospheric River" passed recently passed through the Pacific Northwest, and it was a dandy.  Most rivers that see winter fish were at or approaching flood stage.  It seems like we've received about 70% of our winter precipitation in two different rain events this time around.  Things are going to be on the high side for a few more days but we have a fairly dry extended forecast. 

The good news about all the water is that it is sure to move a ton of fish around.  We have approximately one month left of the season and these last few weeks can be the best of the year. The stage is set for a great finale!

From a tactical standpoint, focus your efforts on doing whatever needs to be done to get below the fast surface currents, hold your fly at depth and swing it slowly.  High water is one of the situations where multi-density Skagits truly shine.  Sinking your head below the surface chop dramatically slows your swing.  Some of our favorite options for this are the RIO Pickpocket in F/I/S3, S3/S5/S7, OPST Commando Groove, and on longer rods, the Airflo F.I.S.T.  There are fish to be caught in the high water.  You just need to get your fly down to them and hang it in their face long enough to convince a grab.      

Deschutes Trout

The weather did have an impact on the lower Deschutes, as well.  The White River went from ~370 cfs to ~3700 cfs.  The water from the confluence down to the mouth will definitely be some shade of off-color for a bit.  That said, the Deschutes above the confluence of the White is looking much better.  

A few different things happening in the bug department out there right now.  BWO's, caddis and midges are the most abundant, but be prepared for some "others".  There are a few skwalas and early March Browns out and about, too.  Hope to get lucky and see a little surface activity, but it's predominantly going to be a nymph and streamer program until the flows go down a bit more.  The elevated water is a great time to nymph fish with large/dark stonefly patterns!  Dark leeches work great, too.    

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Time to Get Salty - Limited Edition Sage Salt R8 and Enforcer! UPDATED

UPDATE 3/11/2026: All remaining stock is now discounted on this Limited Edition Sage Salt R8 Grand Slam and Sage Limited Edition Enforcer Grand Slam Fly Reels

These things are hot, folks!  In stock now, the limited edition Grand Slam Series of Salt R8 rods and Enforcer reels.  Rods available in 9' 8, 9 and 11 weight.  Enforcer reels in 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.  Get them individually or dial up a fully-custom outfit!  The staff at Gorge Fly Shop has a lot of experience with these products.  Here's the rundown:

Salt R8 Rods

"Easy-Casting" and "Saltwater Rod" are two things you don't often here together, but the Salt R8 broke the mold there!  Let's face it.  Most of us get to go on a flats trip once a year or less.  It's always super windy and you will likely have to make some casts that are a bit out of your comfort zone.  So many failed shots occur because it's difficult to deliver the fly in these demanding conditions.  The Salt R8 truly excels by the fact that it's caster-friendly, but not wimpy.  It will not turn an average angler into a super hero, but it does let most folks deliver in the wind.  It has the low-end power you need, but is not so stout it barely bends.  It casts well in close, but has the punch to send a long one.  It's a great saltwater option for flats anglers of any experience level.    

Enforcer Reels

This reel has been wildly successful for Sage.  It's a sturdy build that can take a beating in a skiff or panga.  They have a minutely adjustable drag system and ample backing capacity.  For those that fish salt and do some spey fishing, the Enforcer balances out Spey rods extremely well.  Many of these reels owned by the GFS staff have gone from the flats right onto Spey rods and back again!  They nailed the aesthetic on the Grand Slam series.  The details are great, but they're not gaudy.  Very tastefully done! 

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Grundens Boundary Zip: rugged feel without the stiffness: My Take

"I’ll be straight, I didn’t expect to like these as much as I do."

I have tried enough waders over the years to know how this usually goes. You put on something new, you want to like it, and then a few trips later you are back in whatever you trusted before.
That was not my experience with the Grundens Boundary Gore-Tex Zip Wader.

What got me to try them in the first place was simple. Grundens already has a reputation for rugged gear in the commercial fishing world, and that matters to me. When a company earns its stripes in that arena, I pay attention. I wanted that same “built for work” confidence in a zip wader that I could wear for trout and steelhead.

From the first step into the Boundary zip wader, I felt confident. It was new and different, but it did not feel like a gamble. The fit and movement felt natural right away. They move with you instead of against you. They feel rugged, but not stiff. That combination is hard to describe until you have it on your body for a full day of walking, climbing banks, kneeling down, and doing all the awkward stuff that comes with actually fishing.

One thing that surprised me is how protective they feel. Not in a bulky way, more like the material and build give you a little extra peace of mind. I also found them feeling warmer in cold trout water. I am not claiming they are insulated, it just felt like a better barrier than what I am used to.

I will be honest, I was not an automatic fan of the brown color. In photos it did not grab me. In real life, it makes more sense. The more I use them, the more natural they look in the environments I fish. They look better than pictures can capture, and they have grown on me fast.

After several days out in them, I do not even consider going back to other zip waders in the same class. That is the part that surprised me most. I expected “these are good.” I did not expect “these are what I reach for now.”

Boundary Zips are now my "go to". The fit, the feel, and the confidence let me worry less about protecting my investment, and let me enjoy the reason I wear waders in the first place.

Takeaway: If you want rugged without feeling boxed in, these are worth a real try.


Q: Are the Grundens Boundary Zips stiff like some heavy-duty waders?
A: In my experience, no. They feel rugged, but they move naturally when you walk and fish.

Q: Did the brown color grow on you?
A: Yes. I did not love it at first, but it looks more natural on the water than in photos.

Q: Why did you switch from other zip waders in the same class?
A: The fit and “confidence” factor. I spend less time thinking about the waders and more time fishing.

What else would you like to learn about? Leave a comment.
Buyers Guide to Waders

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop Internet Sales Manager | Product Specialist

 

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Columbia Gorge Fishing Report - 3/3/26

Winter Steelhead

It feels like we've been waiting for winter to materialize for a few months now, but it doesn't seem to be happening.  Water levels have been up and down, but mostly down!  We've got a little rain in the forecast, which will be great.  We're already getting into winter steelhead crunch time.  Call it approximately six good weeks to go.  The abbreviated timeline certainly helps the angler to some degree.  Many of the fish that haven't ran upriver yet will do so in the next few weeks.  Water temps will likely be good and just getting better.  Warmer water in the back half of the month definitely equates to snappier fish on the swing.  It's easy to fish really hard during the first half of the winter and burn out, but a lot of the best fishing happens in the fourth quarter.  Get out there and give it a try in the beautiful weather!

Deschutes Trout

Trout reports off the Deschutes have been quite good lately.  It's been incredibly mild, and the water temperature is much more favorable than it could be in early March.  The river is in great shape and things are happening!  Kind of a little bit of everything in the bug department.  B.W.O.'s and midges will remain strong contenders for a while, but there's some other activity, too.  These warm days have spurred some early caddis.  There's not a billion skwalas in the Deschutes, but there are definitely enough to carry some just in case.  If nothing else, their nymphs will be getting active.  Indicator fishing with a medium-sized stonefly and a smaller dropper (olive, midge caddis larva, etc) will work well.  Keep the bigger stonefly going and change your dropper until you find the bug du jour.  Stop and watch not and again in the afternoon.  Sometimes the surface activity can be easy to miss if you're not actively looking for it.      

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Veterans Backcountry Adventures Newsletter Spring 2026

Hope everyone’s doing well as we roll into a new year. This will be VBA’s third full season and we’re seriously fired up about the trips we’ve got lined up. If you haven’t already, please help us spread the word—share the website and encourage your buddies (folks you’re willing to vouch for) to sign up for the newsletter so we can keep growing and get more people out on the water.

For anyone new, have them sign up through the website, then email me directly at john@vbaor.org to get the password for the Upcoming Trips page. Just have them mention who’s vouching for them and how they’re connected to the community.

The website is now updated with the 2026 calendar. You’ll notice we’re offering fewer events this year. Unfortunately, we didn’t land the funding we were hoping for, so we had to scale things back a bit. That said, our spending strategy over the last couple of seasons really paid off—we’ve already got all the rafts, camping gear, and camp kitchen we need to run float trips. That means our main expenses moving forward are food and fishing tackle. Katie and I are actively working to find funding to help cover those gaps.

I also want to remind everyone that I’m always open to doing smaller, shorter trips. Anything from a day trip to a three- or four-night float. If I’m around, I’d be stoked to make something happen for you and a couple buddies or your family.

Lastly, 2025 was an awesome season for VBA. The level of participation was incredible and the support from our vendors was huge. Thank you to everyone who came out—it was so great seeing you all and meeting your families. I finally ran the numbers and realized we got 78 people on the water last year. Holy crap. That’s pretty amazing.

Tight Lines,

John Messenger

veteransbackcountryadventures

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  GFS Fly Kits |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"