New Steelhead Flies from RIO

RIO's Mykiss Muddler - Purple

Everyone who swings flies for steelhead needs muddlers in their boxes.  RIO’s Mykiss Muddler is a beautiful version you will want to add to your collection.  It will also be the one you reach for first on your next outing.  The flat head causes this muddler to dive into fishing position quickly.  This fly’s happy place is being swung on a floating line just slightly below the surface.  Tied on a #5 Black Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron.

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RIO's Horse Play - Natural

While fishing the Dean River in BC, we noticed many Deer Flies (commonly called Horse Flies) buzzing around, harassing us. We also noticed that steelhead smashed them with a revengeful attitude if given the chance. We had tied up some samples and sent them to another coworker the following year. The result... she ended up getting her largest steelhead of the trip on the pattern. That sealed it and thus the RIO Horse Play was born.

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Rio's New Revised Euro Leaders

Rio updated both of their Euro Nymph leaders with now the option of butt material color. You can now get brown or chartreuse butt material in the black/white and pink/yellow leaders. Got Euro questions, we have answers.  Feel free to give the shop a call to get your Euro Setup dialed!

Shop Rio Euro Leaders Here

Shop GFS Select Euro Kits

Shop Euro Nymph Flies here

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Friday's Feature Fly

The Rio Soccer Mom is one of our favorite trout streamers in rivers and Stillwater.  Now available in the Thin Mint color scheme.

Rio Soccer Mom - Thin Mint

Shop Other Buggers/Leaches here

Shop our extensive selection of flies here

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Spring Cleaning for your Fly lines

Remember a clean fly line will perform better than a dirty one.  Here are a few options to aid in keeping your fly line clean.  

Shop Fly Line cleaner and accessories here:

Shop fly lines and accessories here:

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New for 2024 - RIO Elite Pickpocket

Finally!  A multi-density short head Skagit! The Pickpocket has all the fishing advantages of longer multi-density heads, but is much easier to cast when your back is against the brush. Snag one before your next trip to the coast!

Read More/Shop Here

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Do you know if you have the right saltwater fly line?

Having the right lines for your saltwater trip is a critical piece of the puzzle.  There are so many of them available today that picking the right one can make your head spin.  Reach out to the shop to get set up with the ideal line for your specific destination and target species.

Shop Saltwater Fly Lines Here

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RIO Flats Clear Floater - New for 2024

Spooky fish got you down?  Go incognito with RIO’s New Premier Flats Clear Floater.  Based on the awesome Flats Pro taper, these two new offerings deliver the goods with stealth. Both versions are full floating and available in a 6 foot clear tip (weights 8-10) and full clear (weights 7-12)

Read More - Shop Here

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New 2024 - Rio Elite GameChanger Body

The original Skagit Max Gamechanger set the bar for multi-density heads.  The new Gamechanger Body taper is based on the rocket launcher that is the RIO Scandi Body. Available in a variety of densities to get you down in the zone, this head is certain to become a favorite of winter Steelheader's everywhere.

Read More/Shop Here

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GFS Stillwater Kits - Hand Selected

Sage R8 Core with Galvan Torque Reel & Spool

One stop shop lake game. High mountain lakes are just getting in motion or just thawing out. No matter it's high time to hit the mountain lakes. Travis put together a couple outfits to make it easy to see what an angler should be thinking about. 

Echo Stillwater 5100-4 with Lamson Liquid 3-pack Reel & Spools

Shop Stillwater Outfits

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RIO Premier Bank Robber Fly Lines

Fishing Hoppers is some of the best summertime fun one can have fly fishing for trout. The action can be fierce. Be nice to have a line that can punch a foam bug into the wind and still present it precise and accurate. 

BANK ROBBER

Meet the New RIO Premier Bank Robber

The fine front taper delivers crisp and precise, the rear weighted head carries those foam concoctions to their target, the long back taper make for easy mends. Bring that all together with Slickcast and now you have a attention getter. 

When the heat is on and the big bugs are on the bushy banks, reach for a bank robber!

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Carp Crack

With hot weather and low water the time to stalk the mud flats for carp is here. Get the action with a known good pattern you can count on. 

Shop Carp Flies

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Friday's Feature Fly - Lil Kim

Shop RIO's Lil Kim - Copper

It's the L-I-L to the K-I-M, baby. Cast and strip, or swing with a trout spey set up. No "big fish" box would be complete without the Lil' Kim in multiple sizes and reflective color properties. Get it in copper to keep things natural, silver for water with a more green hue, or gold for run-off. Tie on a size 8 for easy casting, or go big with a size 4 for deep pools.

Shop Streamers

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RIO Skagit Leaders - New for 2022

The Skagit Leader is the ultimate tapered leader for delivering big, heavy flies typically used with skagit shooting head systems. Its short overall length and abrupt taper give this leader the most powerful turnover possible so none of the energy generated during the cast is sacrificed in the final few feet. While leaders of level tippet are commonly used with skagit heads, the hinging effect they generate hampers tuornover of bulky patterns. The Skagit Leader eliminates this effect for the smoothest delivery of the heaviest flies out there.

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Friday's Feature Fly - RIO's Film Critic BWO

Hands down one of the best mayfly emergers in the game, the Film Critic shines on technical waters, especially spring creeks. It represents a hatching mayfly at its most vulnerable stage, giving trout an easy meal. Tied on a scud hook for added realism, with a tail that looks identical to an empty body casing as the insect emerges. A segmented body and forward-facing poly wing provide an accurate silhouette, and the top hackle of the thorax keeps this fly riding in the surface film.

Shop RIO's Film Critic BWO

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Friday's Feature Fly - RIO's Hopedale Crab

For those targeting winter redfish in Louisiana, this is the fly you need. Proven to entice and land multiple bulls over 30 lbs., this fly was the winner after a recent research trip. With extra heavy lead eyes and a stout saltwater hook, the Hopedale Crab is a redfish slaying dream. It also has been proven to entice drum of large sizes.

Comes in Chartreuse, Black, Brown and Olive (pictured)

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RIO's Baby Bonefish Fly

Built on a 6/0 hook and gamechanger style construction. 

This pattern began as a "gamechanger style" of fly for a trip to Christmas Island. It had been tied with the understanding that "if there's bonefish there then GT's must feed on them too". The first day it was tied on the guides took turns scrutinizing it and laughing, after all, it was almost 8 inches long. Throughout the day the guide was caught multiple times (while he was supposed to be following with the 12 wt at the ready) having unhooked the Baby Bonefish and was dragging it through the water mesmerized by the movement. This first baby bonefish fly landed bluefin trevally, barred jack, and even a frigate bird until it was lost before any attempt at a GT. It has been a great addition for those that want a really large, meaty fly for saltwater use. It also withstands trolling well and can be easily colored if needed on the water to mimic other species.

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RIO's PTO Popper Fly

This unique foam popper comes from the mind and vise of Mick Trompen. Mick shared this pattern with RIO and we are glad he did. The fly is tied with a hollow head that ensures this fly sit low in the water - helping it from being knocked out of the way from attacking fish. The hollow head also makes this fly less wind resistant than solid foam poppers, while a flexible, durable coating protects the foam from fish's teeth. Finally, the hollow head creates an awesome bubble trail if you like to pop it or retrieve it quickly. Don't overlook fishing it very slow though too.

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RIO's New Meat Sweats Streamer Fly

That rush of heat and perspiration that comes after a large meal of protein. We don't know if fish perspire, but we do know that they enjoy RIO's Meat Sweats.

This jigged sculpin has a unique belly filled with lead to keep the hook up and the fly down deep. Whether your throwing for trout, bass or redfish, we know your quarry will make room for another bite.

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Grand Opening Thank You

Thank You Everyone 

Over 200 guests came out for our Grand Re-Opening Party of Gorge Fly Shops' New location. So nice to have room for parking, events, casting and just hanging out.

EVERYONE can't wait for next years event and though that has not been decided upon I believe it's unanimous among all that this has to happen annually.

I have to say I don't think anyone of us here at "The Gorge" anticipated the benefit of large events like this to come from moving away from downtown Hood River. The change has brought a new vibe to our fishing community.

The weather was perfect and Mt.Adams in the backdrop just emphasizes the mountain life going on here.

Call it a rebirth, revitalization, or a reunion! Along with this party came a sense of togetherness which I haven't seen for some time in this local fishing community.

We owe it all to you!
Thank you to all the guests who came out and supported us. Also Thank You to all who couldn't make it and yet you shared it, sent your family and your friends. How cool is that!

Thank You to all the Reps. We appreciate your time and your willingness to participate. Your interactions with our customers is invaluable.

Thank You to all the Reps and Manufacturers who donated products for our prize giveaways. Many happy customers won some really great gear.

Thank You to the Deschutes River Alliance and Fly Fishing Collaborative for being on hand to share the good things happening and the long road ahead.

Thank You to Freebridge Brewing and Jola's for the great eats and drinks.

Thank You to our local guides for participating and bringing your boats. Your continued support is much appreciated.

Same Place Next Year!!!

(we'll keep you posted on the date)

Thanks Again from all of us at

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Tarpon Notes for Saltwater Fans

 I don’t consider myself any kind of expert, but I’m an addicted tarpon-on-a-fly angler. I’ve had some great training from guides and casting instructors in my fly fishing career. I’ve had some great advice from the folks at the Gorge Fly Shop for much of my equipment.

 Here’s my “two cents”:

1. I was using a G.Loomis NRX 10 weight on many of these juvenile tarpon, but I also throw my favorite tarpon rod-the G.Loomis NRX 11 weight most of the time, because you never know when a 70 (or 120) pounder is going to show, especially on the ocean side, in the Keys.


2. Purchase the best quality equipment that you can afford. If you cannot afford it right now, save your money and get what you really want. Otherwise, you end up getting it, anyway, in the long run, when you find out that the “less expensive” equipment didn’t get the job done. Then the other stuff sits in the closet or in your rod rack. I happen to be a Nautilus NV fan. I’ve never had an issue with a Nautilus reel, and the drags are very sufficient and easy to adjust. If you read much on line, you’ll find out that Nautilus reels have very little “start up inertia”, which is important to protecting your class tippet. Yes, you can buy reels with 50 lbs of drag, but you’ll snap your class tippet on tarpon if your drag is set too tightly. 12-15 lbs of drag is plenty to get an adult tarpon to the boat quickly so that you can revive it and let it avoid predation by sharks. This is also why you NEED to use class tippet, or something that you can break off, if a hammerhead or bull shark is chasing the beautiful tarpon that you just fooled with your fly. Nautilus NV reels (Nautilus has had the NV-G format for some time now, which will fit the NV frames. The NV-G spools, I feel, are a distinct improvement, in terms of retrieval rates, and I’ve upgraded many of my spools to the NV-G spool).


3. Matching the line to the rod is important, to achieve proper loading. It’s not all an exact science. You NEED TO INVEST TIME, ENERGY, AND YOUR OWN EVALUATION. Many times, it’s best to use a 12 weight line on an 11 weight rod, etc. The Gorge Fly Shop can help you out with advice on this. “Fast action” rods: G.Loomis NRX, Helios 3D, Scott Meridian, etc., can handle “over-lining.” Over-lining can actually help many folks “feel the load”, and throw tighter loops, which is of the utmost important in saltwater fly angling. Not all of us are 6’ 2” with powerful forearms and wrists, so we cannot aerialize 60-65 feet of line, and shoot the remaining 30-40 feet of fly line. You need to be realistic in your own self-analysis, but you need to have “tight loops and high line speed”, i.e., correct rod tip path with double hauling. I practice fly casting year round; it’s like some folks going to the driving range and just working on their 7 iron, or their 3 iron. You practice the correct stroke, and develop the muscle memory. So when the tarpon show up, and the guide is asking for a 60’ cast at 11 o’clock, and “lead ‘em by 8 feet”, it’s an automatic thing. This is very important to getting a hook up, especially at a demanding tarpon venue, with sensitive and wary fish, such as the Florida Keys!


4. This, perhaps, should be number one: Spend some time throwing different rods. Everyone has their own casting stroke. I can throw a number of different rods and be happy. Personally, in the 11 weights, I love my G.Loomis NRX rods. In 8 through 10 weights, I like my G.Loomis NRX, but I also like the Helios 3D. I also have a Scott Meridian in 12 weight-a very light rod that is extremely powerful. Match those with a RIO Direct Core Stealth tip, or RIO Outbound short, or an SA Amplitude Tarpon line, and you’ll love it. You should be able to do a “quick cast”, from the “ready” position, to 60 feet, with one backcast, and have the fly turned over and the leader straight when the fly lands.


5. I tie most of my tarpon leaders, and I use RIO Hard Mono for the butt and sequential leader sections: 40-35-30-25-class (say, 20 lb). And RIO FluoroFlex Saltwater Tippet for the bite tippet, 50, 60, 80-whatever you prefer. Many guides will provide the leaders for you. In Costa Rica, I use 100 lb fluoro. Those Costa Rican tarpon don’t mind.


6. PRACTICE YOUR CASTING. I cannot emphasize this enough. Practice with a 12’ leader. If you are tying overhand knots in it, those are “casting knots”, not “wind knots.” YOU made them, with a tailing loop. Figure it out and correct it. On spooky fish, such as in the Keys, your guide will love you if you can turn over a fly on a 12 or 15 foot leader.


7. Hire a guide who is also a teacher, and who is an affable person. That person needs to be respectful, patient, be able to “correct your casting mistakes” in a diplomatic fashion, know the fish behavior on certain tides, wind directions, and be able to handle the boat appropriately. I am very pleased to be able to fish with a guide such as Joel Dickey, in the Keys, and guides such as Dion, Dubs, and Mark, at Turneffe Flats Resort. Henry Rodriguez and Pancho Xec at Pesca Maya resort on Ascension Bay. Cokie, with Avalon, in Cuba. On the other hand, your guide is working hard to get you into position to catch fish-perhaps “the fish of a lifetime.” So have some respect for his/her efforts, and prepare before you go on your trip. THAT MEANS PRACTICE YOUR CASTING! 

Have fun and ENJOY! There’s nothing like a big tarpon to tighten your blood knots!
Howard Stringert