From Patagonia
OCT 18, 2019 —
On Wednesday, October 30 we will be releasing our feature film, Artifishal, for free!!
Artifishal is a film about people, rivers, and the fight for the future of wild fish and the environment that supports them. It explores wild salmon’s slide toward extinction, threats posed by fish hatcheries and fish farms, and our continued loss of faith in nature.
Learn more at: patagonia.com/artifishal
This summer I returned home for a few weeks of guiding in the Sierra. Here are some pics to enjoy.
Aidar
First Fish on a Fly Rod
Native Rainbow
The Chaffins
Mr. Chaffin
Stimulator
Native Rainbow Trout
Pat
Lower River
Don
Smallmouth Bass
Brent
High Sierra
The Preacher and Chad
Parachute Adams
The Preacher
Rainbow Trout
Rob “The Magician”
Creg
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Sequoias
For information contact: Yosemite-outfitters.com
Tight Lines,
Greg Nespor
– Caddis Fly Shop and (Lead Guide/Yosemite Outfitters)
From Scientific Anglers Blog
Usually when we discuss line management in fly fishing terms, we refer to line control on the water and handling line while wading or in a boat. Today, we are going to look at line management in a different way. In short, what do we have to do to preserve the life of our fly line and achieve optimum performance?
During use, fly lines pick up material that is in the water. This happens anywhere we fly fish- in trout streams, bass ponds, saltwater flats, and more. There is a build-up of residue that adheres to the line, creating friction that slows the line as it passes through the rod guides. This same residue can also increase the density of line, making it float lower in the water and become harder to pick up. Bottom line- the performance of the line is compromised.
The fly line is arguably, the most important part of our entire outfit. The line weight determines the type of fishing we can do and the outfit is assembled around that line weight. You can have the finest fly rod made with a proper weight line, but if the line is dirty or sub-standard in some way, casting becomes difficult at best or possibly even impossible.
A good line will make any rod perform to its maximum potential. Having the line balanced to the rod with a proper taper design are keys to this. A modern, premium fly line is a precision tool and just like most tools and equipment, needs periodic maintenance. We are fortunate that this is a quick and simple process.
Scientific Anglers fly lines are made of a proprietary formulation of PVC coating that is adhered to one of several type cores, depending on what the line’s primary purpose is. We feel that PVC is the best all-around coating for fly lines at present. The addition of microscopic glass bubbles make the line float, while tungsten powder makes it sink.
Various additives help to increase the slickness of the line and increase durability. Scientific Anglers AST and AST Plus are impregnated through the entire line, from the core to the outer surface. They are not just a coating which wears off over time causing the line to “drag” through the rod guides and decrease casting efficiency and distance.
AST and AST Plus last the entire life of the fly line and are designed to move to the surface of the line, passing through microscopic pores, to maintain the slickness and UV protection of the line. Over time and depending the type of water where the line is used, these pores can become clogged and the performance of the line is affected. This is most prevalent in places with a lot of vegetation, algae, or suspended matter in the water.
To clean the line and open these pores, the best item to use is Scientific Anglers Fly Line Cleaning Pads. These have a micro-abrasive side to them, very similar to a polishing pad. They can be used on all fly lines from any manufacturer. Wet the pad, pinch it over the line, and run it up and down the line. Do this until a bit of the line color shows on the pad. At this point the line is clean and ready to fish. This will also restore slickness and floatation to any line containing AST or AST Plus. You can rinse of the pad and store it for future use.
In this short video, Scientific Anglers R&D Manager, Josh Jenkins gives us a look at using the Line Cleaning Pads.
If the line is really dirty, say lots of caked-on scum or after extended saltwater use, an extra pretreatment may be necessary. In this case, Scientific Anglers Fly Line Cleaner is the perfect thing to use. This is a biodegradable soap specially designed for fly line cleaning and will quickly and easily restore line performance.
A few drops of the cleaner are added to a gallon of lukewarm water and mixed. Strip off the amount of line you want to clean and put it into the soap solution. Let it set for several minutes, then take a Line Cleaning Pad and wet it in the solution. Pull the line through the pinched cleaning pad to remove all of the dirt and grim on the line. Rinse the line in clean water and you are good to go with a line that will float and shoot again.
Here, Josh Jenkins of Scientific Anglers shows us the proper procedure for cleaning a dirty fly line.
If you are using a fly line that does not contain the AST or AST Plus additive, you will likely have to apply a coating to the line to enhance both floatation and shootability. Scientific Anglers Fly Line Dressing comes with a cleaning pad as part of the package. This is a hydrophobic (water repelling) solution that will noticeably increase the performance of the fly line.
A bit of the dressing is squeezed on to the foam or sponge side of the cleaning pad. Pinch the pad over and pull the fly line through the dressing. Apply more dressing if you feel the line begin to “drag”, but try not to use too much. The dressing can be used for a number of additional line treatments.
Josh Jenkins shows the correct way to apply line dressing here:
It is important to note that both intermediate and sinking lines also benefit from periodic cleaning. Although we are not concerned with floatation, using Scientific Anglers Line Cleaning Pads and Fly Line Cleaner will help these lines shoot better and increase longevity. Here a build-up of dirt may actually impede the line from sinking properly. Using these products will keep sub-surface lines performing at their best.
Final Thoughts
Scientific Anglers Fly Line treatment products are designed to keep your fly line functioning properly. A clean line will shoot easier and float higher, allowing you to present the fly more effectively. These products are simple to use and can quickly improve the function of ANY fly line. If you have a line with AST or AST Plus, no dressing is necessary. A proper cleaning will restore the line to maximum performance. A clean line matched to rod makes both casting and fishing an enjoyable experience, allowing us to focus on our primary purpose of catching fish.
My final day of guiding locally for 2019 was a memorable one. Good friend Pat Banks and I put my Ambush raft in at Armitage Park around 11am yesterday. Soupy fog enveloped the river and most the the Willamette Valley. Mahogany Duns had already begun hatching and fish were rising in the flat below the I-5 bridge. Pat made a couple of casts and a 17″ white fish took the #14 pheasant tail jig dropped off of a size #10 Parachute Madam X Rusty Orange. That was the last white fish of the day, we stuck cutthroat after cutthroat on the PT after that.
Down the river a bit and Pat hooks into something that stays down. I am thinking big rainbow a short while later Pat lands a small steelhead.
Banks, shallow riffles and mid-stream gravel bars all held fish. We fished what we thought was ideal trout water all day. Around 12 noon the fish really began to rise and we switch to size #14 Parachute Purple Rooster. The fish loved that until the sun popped out and then we went back to the Madam X with the Pheasant tail jig dropped off of it about 24″.
Just below the Wildish gravel conveyer belt now and we are still catching trout in a variety of water types. The sun is out and it’s turned into one of those glorious fall days. Pat makes an upstream cast into a nice run and his rig is immediately ripped upstream and another steelhead is leaping and cartwheeling on the surface. No idea how this fish stays on the 4x dropper tippet but Pat manages to skillfully work the fish into shallow water and I tail our second steelhead of the morning. Wow!
More trout as we quietly run down through the riffles and bars of the water approaching the Willamette confluence. Fish are rising in many of the broken riffles and we switch back and forth between dries and hopper dropper tactics. When we are on the move we generally employ the hopper dropper. With the water low and clear reading the superb looking trout water in the lower stretch is a piece of cake. Not having steelhead fished at all this year my head is definitely in steelhead mode.
I tuck the boat in behind a huge downed cottonwood midstream and Pat runs a drift just in front of the raft (10 feet from the boat) down goes the Parachute Madam X, bottom? Nope. He lifts the moderate action Winston rod and the fish slowly swims out of the perfect trout slot and into the main river. I am in total disbelief, thinking again a nice rainbow or maybe a sucker? Nope, another steelhead! This one is bigger and a buck that stays down during the 15 minute fight with a 5wt. Another steelhead to the bank and we are reveling in the moment and the day.
How nice are Oregon fall days? So much to do all over the state and right in our own back yard.
CD
Our friend Jon Covich is leading a trip to Columbia this coming May. Check out the info below. The trip looks awesome! Reach out to Jon at jcovich@mindspring.com for more info.
From Mangroves and Mojitos – Jon Covich
I know…..I know! This Blog is supposed to be all about Cuba. Well, I am just going to expand the horizons a bit to a country that starts with a “C” and where the people all speak Spanish. So, it is not really that different!
Many of you who have been with me on trips have heard about my interest in Colombia. I am bringing a group in March to the Orinoco basin where we will fish for Peacock Bass. Now, I have been able to add a second destination, which I am really happy about. Our challenge has been to find outfitters who had all of the pieces of the puzzle together, and that has been harder than you might think. We are really comfortable with what we can now offer.
The Pacific Coast of Colombia is quietly talked about by people in the know as an undiscovered mecca for both inshore and offshore species of saltwater fish. With the jungle canopy descending directly to sandy beaches, and rock outcroppings jutting out of the surf, the coast here is wild and teeming with a plethora of species that one might not expect.
In the late Spring, the ocean comes alive as masses of Sardines congregate near the sandy shores of Bahia Solano. Although fed upon by all species of predatory fish, schools of Yellowfin descend on these bait balls, making the surface a boiling mass of fish torpedoes. Sailfish and Marlin also will congregate here, pushing through the writhing masses of bait and feeding themselves to the brink. And, much of this is happening with the backdrop of the beach and jungle only a few hundred yards away. Nowhere in the world do these pelagic species come as close to shore to feed, making this a truly unique experience and cutting down on long travel times each day to access them.
BLACK SANDS – PURE FISH PORN from Machado Outdoor Films on Vimeo.
Black Sands Lodge is located on the beach, a fifteen minute boat ride from the small town of Bahia Solano. Our group will arrive there by a short commuter flight after having spent a night in the very interesting city of Medellin. The lodge has beautifully appointed rooms, and all guests will have a room to themselves. Meals are hearty, and often made up from seafood from the nearby ocean.
Our small group will fish five full days. The boat used by the lodge is brand new, and beautifully outfitted. Three anglers will fish from this 32’ Contender, taking turns casting to whatever fish are present, and often needing to rest in between battles!! I will host, making this my fourth trip to Colombia. I will also coordinate with guests before the trip, be on hand in Medellin to show people the city, and then advise during the fishing portion of the trip. I will spend part of the time in the boat with guests, taking photos and video. Other times, I may be in a smaller skiff nearby, doing the same thing with a better perspective. In any case, I will be along every moment of the trip to help when needed, and to share my knowledge of fishing in general, and Colombia more specifically.
I have room for 3 (and 1 spot may already be taken.) Fly Water will start advertising the trip this Thursday. Here are dates and prices:
Dates: May 22-30, 2020
Pricing: $5013 per person (includes all transportation once in Colombia, two nights at hotel in Medellin, 5 full days fishing, all food and drink at lodge, single rooms at lodge)
I love the fall season for steelhead fishing and for the past three years my good friend and fishing guide Rob Hrabik (@Sierraflyguy) and I have ventured out in October for the “Fish of a Thousand Casts.”
Rob’s beauty
This year was exceptional fishing for us despite the low fish-counts. We were up early swinging skaters with a dropper. We covered lots of water and kept moving. This is the key to steelhead fishing, covering lots of good water with effective casts and take a few steps. Move!
Extra tube? Check Flies? Check Beer? Check
Years ago my girlfriend built homemade panniers for a bike tour across Tasmania. She had limited supplies, because at the time she was working in Antartica and made due with two buckets she grabbed from the McMurdo Station kitchen. They work great and three years ago Rob and I decided to leave the raft at home and use bikes instead to camp out. Why? You can go back up-river. But what about a jet boat? Simple….expensive, don’t’ have one, and I’m a sailor who uses wind not petrol.
The “Magician” at work.
We primarily covered the surface skating flies or used a “hoover” poly-leader to swing flies just under the surface. Variations of green-butt skunks and freight-trains in purple seemed to get the fishes’ attention. We did hook up twice using sink-tips. I connected to a nice steelhead with a black leech pattern that popped off and Rob hooked up with what we believe was a king salmon who broke off.
Randall still at it!
After a week camping on the river our good friend and fly fisherman Randall Kaufmann invited us to his home on the D. We spent a few days with him and I learned more in two nights around the dinner table from Randall than in the past three years since I started my pursuit of steelhead. He even tied us some flies to use and they were successful.
Beautiful 8lb. hen that took Randall’s dropper-skater.
Steelhead fishing is awesome. They say, “the tug is the drug.” I guess you have to experience it to know the feeling, because it could literally take years to catch one on a swinging fly, yet we go out again and again fishing for them usually skunked at the end of the day, because we want that “tug drug” again.
I always wonder what these fish have gone through in life?
Steelhead Success:
Get out there and get a fly in the water. You’re not going to catch one otherwise. Go out with somebody who could show you the ropes to get started. Explore, observe, ask questions, read books and listen to those who are successful. You’ll eventually find one and when you do your life will forever change.
Tight Lines,
Greg
In this video, Jay ties another deceiver style fly for dorado.
These flies incorporates lots of hackle, bucktail, and flash for life-like movement if you’re chasing dorado, musky, or peacock bass.
Jay breaks down and simplifies these large flies and discusses techniques fishing these beast.
Hook: Ahrex PR320 2-6/0
Thread: Veevus GSP 150D White
Cement: Loctite or Hard as Hull
Tail: Strung or Flatwing Saddle (6-8) Chartreuse and Grizzly
Flash: Mixture of Holographic Flashabou & Magnum Flashabou
First three hollow stations: Black Bucktail
Finishing Bucktail: Chartreuse Bucktail
Eyes: Pro Tab or Jungle Cock sub
Head: Copic Marker Chartreuse and Blue
The question always, always comes up this time of the year, and is especially common this year because the coho salmon run is more abundant than usual, and people are catching more of these fish than they do in other years when the run to the rivers is smaller.
How can I best distinguish coho (silver) salmon from Chinook (king) salmon?
Size isn’t a good test, and features like spots on the tail and tail-firmness are elusive to many people, especially when large bright coho and small bright chinook are concerned.
Here is the diagnostic feature I suggest to classify a salmon as coho or chinook.
I look closely at the gum line, the channel where the teeth are embedded. The Chinook have a black gum line and the coho have a white gum line – without exception, and this is true whether the salmon are chrome fresh from the sea or in a well advanced state of maturity and full of bright colors.
Here are two images to show the feature I refer to. with coho on top and chinook on the bottom.
FYI both of these salmon are males, bucks, and have the characteristic kype (hooked snout) that develops as the fish mature sexually.
Coho salmon: white gum line.
Chinook salmon: black gum line.
I hope this helps anyone who has this question, and my best to you all.
Jay Nicholas, October 2019
Great day for a swim in the estuary!
Where to start?
The days fly by when you salmon fish the way some people do in the autumn. The tides flow and ebb, the moon passes overhead and underfoot, water temperatures finally moderate, and we fish. Yes we do.
Some of us fish an incoming, or an outgoing, but some fish dawn to dark regardless of the tide’s temperament.
If we are lucky, we have special days.
Imagine this.
I was poised on the bow deck of my boat last week, with the benign intention of tossing my anchor a mere 4 or 5 feet ashore onto the high ban, so as to allow me to step ashore at high tide. Of course, being a physics-educated and wordy man of 70 years, I knew that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I reasoned, however, that I could make this little tiny toss with no ill effect, and so I proceeded, One, two, three — and tossed the anchor.
To no one’s surprise, the anchor flew onto the bank, just where I aimed it, and the boat lurched away in from shore quite rapidly. Of course, standing on the bow as I was, the movement of the boat to the left, took it right out from under my feet, and I dove headfirst over the side into crotch-deep water.
Face planted as I was, off flew my glasses and signature SIMMS ball cap, andout of my short pocket flew my IPhone.
I stood between boat and bank. steadied myself holding the boat with left hand and tuft of grass with my right, and began the search for glasses and phone, now hidden under a cloud of muddy water stirred up by my fall.
Ten minutes elapsed, the water cleared enough to reveal my glasses, but the phome was no where to be seen. Eventually, I dared to move my feet, discovered that I’d been standing on the phone, and retrieved it.
My first action was to take a selfie recording the moment, text Lisa to assure here i was alright but might not be able to text or call with a dying phone.
OK. Wet shirt off, dry coat on, climb up on the bank, waddle-off upriver, casting where I’d seen salmon rolling. Twenty minutes removed from my unintended estuarine immersion. I’d hooked a fine bronzed chinook buck.
The high bank I fished from made a poor place to release a fish, so I resolved to lead it back to the boat, get into the boat, and release it there.
Here we go again. A grass camouflaged fence post took me down and nearly back into the water. Arriving at the boat, my most careful effort to board resulted in falling nearly flat on my face in the bow, with both knees across Chris’s Winston BiiX. Still holding my bent fishing pole upright, it took me several minutes to regain my composure, sit up, and consider if I could bring the salmon close for release.
Well, I could and I did. A friend nearby motored over and asked if I was OK, did I need anything, and then went on his way after wishing me no more mishaps for the afternoon.
Truly, I am blessed to be able to appreciate such excitement.
So how has the salmon fishing been anyway?
As always, the report goes like this: salmon fishing has been Ok for some folks and slow for most.
I’ll close with some images from my ventures over the last few weeks, and add my wishes that each of you find something heart-warming in each day, whether you’re tying flies, fishing, or going about the day do day conduct of your life.
Cute little birds on the estuary in morning sunlight.
Managing the riparian zone on the estuary.
Anonymous angler releasing a kwikfish caught
Chinook.
Clousers, poppers, and tube bucktails for my friend Jack.
But where is the hog line today?
A grand hen released.
Self portrait in oarlock.
Jay Nicholas, October 17th, 2019
We are offering a shortened half day trip on our local waters for trout and steelhead October 15-November 30th. The cost of the trip is $375. The trip includes guided fishing and equipment for two anglers. The trip does not include lunch. The trip is designed to hit the best time of day, we recommend approximately 11:00am-4:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn some of our close in to the Eugene/Springfield waters. Give us a ring to discuss options, water conditions and booking possibilities. Phone (541) 342 7005 Email: caddiseug@yahoo.com 
Another Deceiver pattern from Jay Nicholas used for Chinook, Silvers, Stripers, etc.
Using a few materials such as bucktail, flashabou, and saddle hackle, Jay ties these beautiful patterns for large fish around the world.
Hook: Ahrex PR320 2-4/0
Thread: Veevus GSP 150D White
Cement: Loctite or Hard as Hull
Tail: Strung Saddles (6-8)
First 3 Hollow Stations: White Bucktail
Finishing Bucktail: Chartreuse & FL. Blue
Head: Copic Marker FL. Blue
Doug Brutocao was recently my guest at our family cabin in beautiful downtown Woods, suburb of Pacific City, where he and Joe fished for salmon while I chased fruitlessly the elusive sea run Cutthroat in no fewer than three nearby coastal rivers.Doug and Joe caught a few salmon – kings and silvers if i remember correctly – with a grueling hours to fish statistic.
SALMON REPORT EARLY OCTOBER 2019. If you are one of the lucky anglers in the right place and time you’ll go home smiling, thinking that this season’s run if just great or at least perfectly fine.
Jim Terborg brought this fine chinook to the net last week and his smile tells us all we need to know about the fishing this season.
News and Reviews on Aquaflies.
First the news: a new series of tube flies for steelhead and salmon fishers has been released and is available through the Caddis Fly
Angling Shop, and these are a magnificent addition to the already excellent offering in the Aquaflies catalog.
Here is one of the new tube flies, Jason Osborn’s Sputnik Tube, this one in purple.
And here is a screen shot of the entire sputnik line up – I am impressed with these flies and highly recommend that tyer and angler make sure to carry at least a few of these on the water in the fast approaching season(s).
New Product
release by
equal;oies: Doug is in the process of bagging and labeling some NEAT NEW Shrimp eyes that are flourescent. Ive seen a pile of these on my dining table in Woods and can vouch for the quality bling they will shortly bring to our tier’s bench.
Here is my iPhone photo of the new eyes, and we should have them in the shop very shortly.
And while we’re at it, I’ll add the note that Aquaflies offers a really deep bench of traditional flies, all tied to what I believe are the highest industry standards of materials, craft skills, and proportions.
Here are but a few as teasers, and kindly remember that the Caddis Fly Angling Shop can provide virtually every Aquaflies product on short notice.
Uh OH. I just realized that it is 7:19 AM.
I’m going fishing. Now. Putting a period at the end of this sentence.
Wishing each of you a good day, whether you are fishing, working, or simply making your way through your day.
Jay Nicholas, October 11, 2019
In this video professional fly tyer and blogger Jay Nicholas ties a simple snook fly called the Snook Brush Tuxedo Fly.
Incorporating materials from Hareline including the new Bling Rabbit Strips, Helix Flash, and Just Add H2O’s Flash Blend Baitfish Brushes Jay gives his input and years of experience discussing these new materials and how to work with them.
Hook: Ahrex PR 320
Thread: Veevus GSP 150D White
Glue: Zap A Gap
Tail: Magnum Bling Rabbit Strips
Helix Flash
Body: H2O Flash Blend Baitfish Brush
Tool: Hareline Finger Dubbing Brush
Super Flush Cutter Pliers
This years “Two Fly” event was the most profitable yet raising over $13,000 for the McKenzie River Trust. The event is not possible without the generous and priceless donation of the guides photographed above. These guys give up their day, to give back to the river.
From right to left: Troy Leady, Chris Daughters, Clay Holloway, Matt Ramsey, Ty Holloway, Kyle Smith, Kyle Duke, Justin Helm and Lou Verdugo, Matt Oneil(not in photo).
Guides filled plastic bins with water in order to measure fish. Matt Ramsey suggested this method last year and it worked really well. Fish are really mellow in the water filled bin, they go from net to bin, you pin them down briefly for the shot and then over the side they go with very little handling.
We mixed it up this year making the tournament “dry fly only”. Without a doubt there were a few less fish caught, and the overall inch totals were down a touch, but participants enjoyed the change for the most part. The change accomplished its intention with guides spread out over the entire course of the McKenzie, and one boat even floated down into the Willamette.
Justin Helm with Team Holloway
It was a spectacular fall day on the river. The Two Fly will be held the first Saturday in October each year. If you would like to participate please add your name to the McKenzie River Trusts’ mailing list here: https://www.mckenzieriver.org
Additional sponsors were:
Patagonia – Two fly shirts were provided by Patagonia as well as project grant dollars.
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
Ninkasi – Beer and Saturday night facility
North Fork Public House
Koffler Boats
Friday night Pizza at The Caddis Fly – Thanks to Mazzi from Hideaway for bringing his portable wood fired oven.
Clay Holloway with Team Shipman – 3rd Place finish
Matt Ramsey with Dick Matteri and Laura Parrish – 2nd Place Finish
Ty Holloway(baby Kaya) with Bob Mosqueda and Shoshana Cohen – First Place
Saturday evening at Ninkasi – Thanks so much to Ninkasi for their continued sponsorship of this event.
Thanks so much to all those who participated. Your support of McKenzie River Trust is good for fish, our local drinking water and much much more.
-CD
