Showing posts with label aqua flies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aqua flies. Show all posts

May 8, 2026

Friday's Featured Fly



Bugs have arrived, and the fishing is only going to get better!  The Salmon Fly Hatch is one of the most famous hatches known to anglers from all around.  We are lucky enough to have this right in our backyard.  The Deschutes Redside trout are hungry, big, and fun to catch.  We created our own Go to Dry Fly Kit so you don't have to think about it.  Our favorite flies for the famous hatch.  




Friday's Featured Fly RIO's Juicy Stone - Everything is lining up to have an excellent salmon fly season on the Deschutes River.  If you do not have these bugs in your box, we suggest you get yourself some.  We even created a kit for you, one-stop shopping with all of our favorite flies.   Deschutes Salmon Dry Fly Kit


Balanced Leeches are a critical part of any stillwater angler's arsenal.  Just in from our friends at Solitude, the Tungsten Balance Leech in Phantom.  Doesn't get any better than this one!  This is also part of our GFS Kit - Trout Stillwater Balance Leech kit.  





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.

Oct 13, 2025

Hoody's Hanger - New Steelhead Skating Fly from Aqua


There is simply nothing like taking a steelhead on a skating fly. The pursuit brings out innovative new designs to entice this steelhead bite. 

After many years of skating dry flies for steelhead, Hoody found that tying his skaters on a 60° hook had the most success. The fly skates, pops and gurgles, making it hard for fish to resist. 

Hoody's Hanger is easy to cast and will pop well due to the tail end of the fly being weighed down by the hook. This keeps the legs down and the foam up for that iconic pop. 

Greatest of all are most of the fish hooked on the 60° jig hook are landed. 

Black and blue for those early morning dawn patrols and over cast days, orange for bright fish, and white for that 12 O’clock lunch fish when everyone’s taking a nap.


https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Jul 5, 2024

Friday's Featured Fly


It’s game on for Chinook in some of their most famous fisheries.  Stu’s Chinook Intruder
is the perfect fly.  It holds a big profile but doesn’t hold much water.  Available in several color combos.




https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Feb 8, 2024

"Let us Fill your Fly Box"

You have heard the saying "Let us fill your cup" often used by wineries and brew pubs.
Well here is our Gorge Fly Shop Version 

"Let us fill your fly box" 
With one of the biggest selections of flies for any/all applications we are your go to shop!

P.S. there are more flies in our backroom.
 
Not sure what flies you might need, give the shop a call and let us create a custom fly box just for you. 541-386-6977


https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Apr 28, 2022

Friday's Feature Fly - Jerry's Summer Sculpin - Burnt Orange


Just like Jerry's steelhead flies, his trout flies utilize tying techniques to build a durable fly and a fly that has a profile that will not collapse in heavy water. This Summer Sculpin has an overall length of 3.5".



https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Mar 11, 2022

Friday's Feature Fly - Stu's Ostrich Intruder


Using long flowing materials is one of the key Intruder features. Stu's Ostrich Intruders are tied on 43mm shanks with 5/32-inch brass eyes. Stock flies come with a AquaTalon hook.


https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Jan 5, 2022

Aqua Flies - Stu's Chinook Intruder

A larger version of our standard intruder, but tied on a tube, the Chinook Intruder is approximately 4" in length. Using a generous amount of flash and UV enhanced ostrich and schlappen, this intruder is sure to anger a chinook into striking the fly. Rigged with a stout ring eye black nickel hook.


https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Feb 21, 2020

Aqua Flies - Hartwick's Marabou Tube


Hartwick's Marabou Tube Flies are tied on a 1" plastic tube. Utilizing marabou, Angel Hair, and an ostrich wing, these flies have a lot of movement. They are lightweight and easy to cast. Ring eye hook included.
These Marabou Tubes have a lot of movement under a swing and perform well with sink tips.

Shop Steelhead Flies

https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Sale-Closeouts-c38.htm

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Apr 15, 2018

Aqua Flies - Jerry's Dirty Hoh

More Aqua Flies arriving daily. 

Today we received Jerry French's Dirty Hoh. Using rabbit strip to create leech like movement and a front shoulder that produces a large profile, this steelhead fly is sure to turn some fish.

Find Jerry's Dirty Hoh and many more Aqua Flies at "The Gorge"


"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
GorgeFlyShop.com Join our TeamContact Us


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Apr 6, 2018

Aqua Flies - Stu's Ostrich Mini Intruders


Stu's Ostrich Mini Intruder is a great new fly pattern. It is tied on a 25 mm shank and has small brass eyes.

Find Aqua Flies at "The Gorge"

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
GorgeFlyShop.com Join our TeamContact Us


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Mar 29, 2018

Aqua Flies - Brett's Klamath Intruder - New for 2018


New for 2018, from Aqua Flies is Brett's Klamath Intruder. We brought 4 colors of this pattern in stock including Red/Pink, Orange, Black/Blue, and Rusty/Olive. This little intruder is tied on a 15mm shank and has a great profile while providing movement. A great summer steelhead pattern that sould also double as a trout swing pattern.

Find more Aqua Flies at "The Gorge"

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
GorgeFlyShop.com Join our TeamContact Us


"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Feb 27, 2017

Columbia River Gorge Fishing Report (2/27/17)

I have been out of town for a while, so of course the steelhead have started showing up and the snow melted...

A winter beauty, brought to hand by our in shop legend Mr. John Garrett

Winter steelhead reports have been good and steady throughout most of the Gorge and beyond.  Good rains, warmer temps, and higher flows have gotten fish moving and biting (well as much as a winter steelhead will bite).  Heavy sink tips are the name of the game, and we have had a lot of people getting bit on our new Aqua Flies steelhead selection.  Shakes those cabin fever blues off and get out there and get fishing!

Carp on fly, in February!
While back in Chicagoland, I did get out fishing a few days in the crazy unseasonable weather they were having.  Zeroed on our musky hunt, but caught some largemouth and carp.  Which reminded me how quickly these warmwater fish can respond to spring temps.  Don't be afraid to get out there bass and carp fishing locally as soon as the weather breaks.  Look for dark colored bottoms in the area you are fishing, those will warm up first.  The carp we found were in as little as 4 inches of water with their backs out, slurping up insects and worms.  If you can find green vegetation you will likely find some bass too, especially in shallow dark colored bottom areas.

A few degrees increase in water temp can get fish feeding, even if the water is barely over 40F.

Trout fishing has been steady to excellent on the Deschutes, especially after the washout last week.  Skwala nymphs and BWOs have been good, as well as the old standards.  The Skwala hatch could start anytime from now through March.  I like an olive or brown stimulator, but there are a number of great patterns to match this hatch.  I tend to stick to size 10.



Flows:  The USGS sites give us real-time flows, while the NOAA site shows us predictions based on weather patterns.  Both are invaluable tools.


Hood River:

Klickitat
USGS
NOAA

Clackamas:

Deschutes near Madras:

Deschutes at the mouth:

Columbia River
Bonneville Dam Water Temps
Columbia @ Hood River (The mouth of the Hood backs up at 75 feet)

As always, we are happy to talk fishing anytime.  Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office.  541.386.6977



Ryan Van Duzor
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977


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