Hatch Finatic 9 Plus - Spey Reel Review



Hatch Finatic 9 Plus Fly Reel

Over the years I have grown fond of reels that have light clicker drag systems. These drags keep just enough tension to prevent the line from free spooling. When trying to stop, slow or maintain perfect tension on a fish, it all depends on the use of your palm or fingers to apply tension manually. The human touch, as I like to call it, has dominated my fishing for years, but maybe this preference has resulted from a lack of trust in my equipment?

I was happy to get out on the Deschutes. Other than just taking in the spectacular landscape, I had a couple goals in mind. I wanted to see how the Hatch Finatic 9 Plus would work as a spey reel. But I also wanted to hook one of these hot early run steelhead - simply because it is one of the greatest events I can think of. Anyways, my hopes were not dashed in either respect.

Backyard Snapshots

Today we celebrate our home, Hood River Valley and The Columbia River Gorge.



Mt. Hood



Bauer Fly Reels at Closeout Prices

Bauer MXP4 - Black

**UPDATE** Please note, we have sold out of all the following reel deals - so the links will be broken.  So sorry for the inconvenience! If you would like to view our current closeout sales, please click HERE

We are very fortunate to carry Bauer Fly Reels. These reels are manufactured 300 miles south of our fly shop in Ashland, Oregon. This corner of Southern Oregon is home to the legendary Rogue and Umpqua Rivers - which have no doubt, helped to infuse a bit of soul and spirit into the craftsmanship of these fly reels. Bauer is a proud company. And they should be; after all, they use the finest materials and they have designed one of the smoothest drag systems on the market today. In a sport where staying in touch with your surroundings is paramount, these fly reels enhance feeling and keep you connected with both fly line and fish. Aerospace stock aluminum, solid wood reel handles, no plastic parts…

Here are some shots of the MX6 which makes for a really nice spey reel – meaning plenty of capacity; smooth drag with great stopping power; weight balances out most spey rods; easy to adjust drag knob. And all this while being extremely sharp looking…

Streamer Fishing for Trout - Sink Tip and Full Sink Fly Lines

Trout and Streamer

If you like to streamer fish, it is best to have some sort of sink-tip line with you. Keep one strung up on another rod, or simply load one up on an extra fly spool.

The benefits are huge.

Why? Well, for one, casting is far easier. When fishing tips, we do not need long lengths of leader. Between 3-5 feet of stout mono is adequate. A short leader means that it is easier to turnover furry, sometimes large and weighted streamers. The transition from fly line to fly is much smoother, and less likely to break down on the cast. Heavy flies or flies that don’t cut through the air very well on the end of a long leader/floating line setup can be a pain to cast.

Furthermore, these lines are dense; so they add weight, and naturally help to flex or load your fly rod. You can really feel the rod come under load which makes for a lot of stored energy and adequate timing on the forward stroke. On the forward cast, as a result of the added density, the line holds its form and forward momentum extremely well. The result is a nice accurate cast to the target.

Fishing Report - Columbia River Gorge and Beyond

Report for July 15th, 2012


They're Back - Deschutes River Hen


Things are heating up on the Deschutes in more ways than one. Steelhead are around near the mouth but water temps are again pushing 70 in late afternoon into the evening so it’s best to get an early start out there. If it feels like bathwater, then folks should probably give them fish a break, because you will kill them. If you have a thermometer, 68 is a good time to quit. They might swim away after battle, but their chances of making it are not good. Besides, they’re not as grabby in these temperatures, so concentrate on the early mornings with a dry line and then maybe some tip work through noon or early afternoon. Swing by the shop for some great, traditional hair wing patterns or sift through our giant selection of “dirty” sink tip flies.

On the trout end this time of year, my favorite go-to fly is the X-Caddis. This is an awesome searching pattern when covering rocky seams and shade lines. It’s kind of a crossover pattern as well; using an adolescent hind-end to mimic smaller mayflies that may be popping out there. If you want to tandem with this fly, try one of Silvey’s Edible Emergers on the back end. Both these patterns are light, castible and fun to fish. Have some Floatant on you and some Dry Shake to keep your flies floating well, because these fish may not be “smart” but their instincts are pretty tuned up! Early AM – be thinking about spent Caddis. You can often tell by the way the trout is feeding whether it they are keyed in on dead flies. Their rise-forms are very subdued. Big fish will rise very lazily and you might only see the slightest bit of nose and dorsal as they sip these off the surface.

Fishing With Gabe

Gabe doing what he does best.

As a fishing guide you meet many interesting folks along the way. Many are retired or have demanding careers or just everyday people who are willing to try something new. We share some stories, catch some fish, enjoy a day on the water and sometimes you’ll see them next year or maybe never again and so goes the life cycle of a fishing guide.

But every once in a great while, someone comes along that reminds you why you started fishing in the first place. Someone who takes you back to the excitement that hooked you so many years ago; someone that not only wants to be a good angler but also lives to fish. Someone with a free-spirited, pure passion for the sport and a willingness to push boundaries and break though that secret unwritten code of what an angler is supposed to be. Someone that takes you all the way back to the beginning, so many years ago - that first spark, the first fish, the first memory of what would become a lifelong quest.

Someone that…Well, I could go on and on.

Few things in my fishing career are as rewarding as sharing a day on the water with 13 year old Gabe. I first met Gabe about 5 years ago while working the counter at Gorge Fly Shop. You could feel the energy radiating from him like a solar eclipse that could only be handled in short bursts. Then, fishing questions shot at you faster than the gossip from a teenage girl, and five minutes later, your brain is swirling and you are wondering what just happened. But you dare not try to soften the energy because you know that inside lives a dream that you recognize.

Fly Fishing for Tuna - Oregon Coast

Tuna are the hardest fighting fish period! During the summer and early fall Albacore Tuna feed within striking distance of the Oregon coast. It is a special time of year when the planets line up, the fish being close and the ocean is relatively flat. The 42’ Oppor-Tuna-ty (2005 42' Dorado Bluewater) is based out of Warrenton, Oregon. With twin inboard engines and a hull shape that is designed to plane it perfectly for this fishery. It is the only boat specifically geared up for fly fishing.


Join Captain and year-round fishing guide, Jad Donaldson, on this extraordinary trip. Day length is up to 12 hours. The time of departure varies and depends upon the tide and current bar conditions

The rate is $2000/day which includes boat, ice, bait/chum, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and all tackle, for up to six anglers. They will try to accommodate singles and doubles etc to make a group of 5.

Anglers should expect to come home from this adventure with dinner and bruised knuckles!


Jerry Swanson

Fish Head Expeditions
http://www.fishheadexpeditions.com/
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

Which End Should Get My Money

Roosters pull hard

Adages. I love them. When you are young, you believe them to be corny, trite and just plain stupid. How can only a few words contain any wisdom? But the older you get, the more you come to realize that these sayings have been around for so long because they do carry some core truths. My mother was the queen of adages, but most cannot be repeated in mixed company, much less a newsletter. Many are in Korean that I still don’t know what they mean. But she had a few gems to share, like “if a deal sounds too good to betrue, then it’s not”, or my favorite Texas adage, “A cat can have kittens in the oven but it don’t make ‘em biscuits” which to this day drives my children crazy that their dad can utter such nonsense.

Of course, recreation - especially fishing - is going to garner a few like “don’t leave fish to find fish”. Common advice regarding fly gear often tells us to “spend more on a reel than the rod”, especially with any larger species unless you prefer to crank in hundreds of yards of backing. I decided to put this adage to the test on a recent trip to La Paz, Mexico while chasing Rooster Fish and Dorado. I traveled to the Sea of Cortez with an Echo 3 Saltwater 9' 12wt fly rod, matched with a Hatch Finatic 9 Plus fly reel. The reel lists for almost twice the price of the rod. Time to put the old adage to the test!

Grande Ronde Wilderness Steelhead Float Trip

A nice Grande Ronde Buck

The Upper Ronde

If you are looking for a steelhead trip without the crowds of other anglers low-holing you everyday, but with stellar scenery, this one is for you. Floating the Grande Ronde River in the roadless section from Minam to Troy while fishing for steelhead is a unique angling treat. This trip is 4 days and 3 nights on the river, October 20-23. These summer run steelhead can be aggressive to the surface fly. When the air temperatures drop, swinging wet flies is the way to get the big pull down. These trips are outfitted and run by Little Creek Outfitters, which is owned by Marty and Mia Sheppard. With many years of experience on the Ronde and a year-round steelhead guiding, you will be in great hands with Marty and his experienced crew. Trips are limited to 6 anglers with 3 guides and includes a camp boat.


Contact:  Jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
Phone 503-539-1451

Winston BIIMX Fly Rods on Closeout



Winston BIIMX Fly Rod

People love these rods, but like all good things, they are coming to an end. The Winston BIIMX Fly Rod, a long-time front runner in Winston Boron technology, is now listed at closeout prices. These are fast-action, high performance fly rods. Light, responsive and packed full of zip, they get the fly on target in a hurry. For those who are familiar with the BIIIX series, these rods are just a bit faster. Beginners will need some time to grow into rod like this, but for intermediate to expert casters, these rods provide serious performance. We actually don’t have many in stock, so it is best to give us a shout sooner than later. Deals on high-end Winstons are pretty rare.

Winston BIIMX Closeout Fly Rods

Sink Tips, Polyleaders, Versileaders - A Buyer's Guide

Find more info like this on our store page; Fly Fishing Buyers Guides

Sink Tips. Polyleaders. Versileaders.

So what’s up with all this talk about tips and sink tips and polyleaders and so on? Well, it can be complicated but we can work through it. Let’s first start by going over the major difference between a tip and a poly/versileader.

RIO Sink Tip Kit

Polyleaders and Versileaders are both words coined by their respective manufacturers. Polyleader – Airflo. Versileader – RIO. Ok, think of these as taking the place of a conventional, mono leader however unlike conventional leaders there is actually a polymer coating that surrounds the inner, mono core. These leaders come in various densities, lengths, strengths and sink rates. Just like your mono leaders, they loop onto the end of your fly line and they are tapered so as to eliminate “hinging” and encourage smooth turnover. They have more overall mass – starting thick at the loop and tapering down to just the mono core at the fly end. So think of these as a leader - A leader that attaches to your fly line the same way a conventional leader would.

A tip on the other hand...

is an extension, or meant to be a part of your fly line that is either fused or looped onto the fly line. Some fly lines are constructed to perform with the addition of a tip. A good example of this is the Rio VersiTip II Fly Line for single hand rods. This particular fly line comes complete with a range of interchangeable tips that match your needs for the situation. Lines that are built to cast tips are very versatile because you may fish it as a floating line or at different depths in the water column.

Fourth of July - Montana Style



Pro Circuit - Livingston Roundup


When Theresa called to get tickets, the lady on the phone said, “Honey, you best be thinkin about tickets a year in advance.”

Really, for a Rodeo?

In that moment it hit me how important is place and tradition and the desire to celebrate such on America’s coveted birthday. In the summer sun…

Growing up in Maine, The Fourth began with a parade through the neighborhood followed by a costume awards ceremony. One year I won a ribbon that said, “Marvelous” because I dressed like a hula girl with a generous chest size amplified by five pairs of socks.

Then there would be games on the Reserve, which was the large patch of grass that perched there above clay cliffs overlooking Casco Bay – the gateway to the north Atlantic. Egg toss, Balloon Toss, 3 legged race, potato sack race and a tug of war, where the losers would be yanked into an actual mud pit.

Then the watermelon hunt, followed by the talent show and then a big bonfire surrounded by barbeques and bottle rockets. We’d all run around while the older folks sat around yapping and getting lose on cool beverages.

Sage Unveils Circa Fly Rod

Sage is at it again.  Just announced, the Sage Circa should be available by the end of August.  Have a look at this video.  It provides an informational, yet extremely soulful look at Sage Chief Fly Rod Designer, Jerry Siem, and his latest fly rod creation.

Patagonia Stealth Atom Sling Pack - A Fly Fisher's Pack



Patagonia Stealth Atom Sling Pack

Was out on the river yesterday… Ah to be wet wading again! But I noticed one serious flaw in my gear scenario - one that I have noticed before but done nothing to fix. Well the time for procrastination died after dunking my fanny pack, once again, into the river. I am now going to remedy the situation.

I’m not a vest guy. A while back I decided that they were too restrictive, especially when wearing a lot of clothing. Trying to put one over a coat can be a chore and then once you got it on, you feel all bound up, and that’s not ideal. So I moved on to the fanny pack, which I like well enough for most situations. It holds all my flies and tippet and so on, just fine.

When I started steelheading more, I found that I could keep everything I needed in my waders. So joyful is the simplicity of stepping into the river with only a few flies and a small spool of maxima 12 lb. It’s nice to be limber - which is exactly what you are when you can finally strip off the waders and feel the river on your skin. After all, who wants to hike and fish while sweating and turning into a sloppy mess during the height of summer?

David Lambroughton's Fly Fishing Dreams

Just got a nice note from David Lambroughton. He’s one of those guys that travel the world fishing and taking photographs. Perhaps you’ve had your attention stolen by his annual Fly Fishing Dreams Calendar or been swept away by one of his images in some magazine, catalogue or web publication... His photographs conjure up nice blends of bewilderment and envy. They often make you want to get the hell away from where you might be currently working. The emails that I receive from David tend to be pretty short in type, but the attached photos uncover words that could fill volumes. Like all the ones before, this next calendar should ignite the senses and that burning need to get out and take a hike.

Wanted to let you all know that we should have the 2013 Calendars in soon and hopefully, we’ll have some screen shots of their contents. Until then, here are a few of David's shots from the Avon River in Southern England.

Avon River - Southern England

E-Danica Mayfly