Let your Oregon legislator know that Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, and Fishing in general should be exempted from this Fur Ban House Bill, as it will have a negative impact on all of our businesses and all of your suppliers.
Learn more about the bill here: HB3390
To oppose this bill as written, please click on the Testimony Submission Form for HB3390 to submit your opposition statement.Please Act TODAY as it is going before Committee 3/30/2023 !
Recent fluctuations in weather has made fishing a toss up. Some days, as of late, fishing is on and the fish are cooperating, other days things are a bit slower. It seems like spring is on its way, but the weather isn’t quite sure what it wants to do. Warmer days are bringing the hatches and great dry fly fishing we’ve all been waiting for, but the colder days have been putting a damper on good fishing.
The long awaited March Brown hatch has begun on the lower portions of our local rivers. Both March Browns and Baetis (Blue Winged Olives) will become active during the warmest part of the day. Depending on the weather, this can begin as early as 11, and wrap up as late as late afternoon as the temperature drops. I have seen a handful of Skwalas lately, and even saw some small Grannom Caddis on the lower Mckenzie that last warm Saturday we had. These spring hatches begin on the lower river where it is warmer and move their way up as the season progresses, and water in the upper stretches warms.
Nymphing will still be most productive on colder days, or warmer days when there aren’t bugs coming off the surface. Small baetis imitations such as: Bender #18, Roza’s Jigged Pink Pheasant Tail #18, and Rainbow Warrior #16 work great. These March Brown imitations are deadly this time of year: Morrish’s Sparkle Donkey #14, Jigged Double Down Pheasant Tail #12-14, and Hogan’s Clinger Nymph #14 . Modest stonefly imitations for migrating Skwalas include: Tunghead 20 Incher #10-12, Double Bead Epoxyback Peacock #10-12, and Jigged Hot Spot Girdle Bug #10-12. Whitefish are also still spawning, and there are eggs still in the river. If things are slow consider fishing an egg pattern. Otter’s Soft Milking Egg #12 in Apricot is very close to the size and color of the eggs; Fulling Mill’s Slush Egg #14 is a great jigged option that is more of an attractor. I like to pair a larger fly with a smaller fly for searching. I often will also pair a flashy attractor pattern with a more natural looking one. As I fish, I let the fish decide what they prefer and adjust my other fly accordingly.
Dry fly fishing will be at its best during the warmest part of the day. Smaller Baetis (Blue Wing Olives) can be seen hatching on cooler days; on especially warm days we will start seeing more March Browns. Sometimes these two hatches can happen side by side so watching the fish feeding can help. Baetis imitations are smaller and include: Baetis Cripple #18-20, Blue Winged Olive Ext. Body #18-20, and Galloup’s OG Bent Cripple Olive #18. Some great March Brown dries are: Hi and Dry Western March Brown Parachute #12-14, Galloup’s OG Bent Cripple Brown #14, and Sparkle Dun March Brown #12-14. If you like fishing dry dropper setups, pair a Skwala imitation with a jigged nymph below. A Double Stack Chubby in Black/Peacock #12 or Brown/Gold #10 will imitate one well. Although the fish here in the valley don’t key in on the Skwalas like out east, they may eat a chubby on a warmer day when they are already looking up.
March Brown’s have the unique ability to shed their shuck subsurface during their ascent, so they don’t always spend a lot of time on the surface like other mayflies. This is why there are so many march brown wet fly patterns, and stinging wet flies for this specific hatch is so popular. Some of our favorites for this time of year are: Fulling Mill’s March Brown Wet Fly #12-14, Bead Head March Brown Emerger #12-14, or a March Brown Soft Hackle Spider #12-14. Swinging these before or even during the hatch can sometimes be even more effective than fishing dries.
Everyone has been doing the best on warmer days. Even days with clouds can be productive as the clouds help insulate the temperature from fluctuating; small bugs feel a 1 degree difference much more than us. The best days are those with stable, warmer temperatures. Keep an eye on the gauges for flows and temps. High flows and low temps make for unfavorable fishing conditions. Flows on the lower Mckenzie have been conducive for a float, and the lower river is in great shape for fishing. Inconsistent flows and rain on the Middle Fork Willamette have made fishing there a crapshoot. Now is a great time to get out and get your dry fly fix!
-Simon
In this video Simon gives an overview of the new Hareline Foamanizer fly tying bench organizer system. The Foamanizer is completely modular. It’s great way to keep your fly tying tools and supplies close at hand and ready to go. Stop searching through bags and boxes for beads, hooks, threads, lead and more; get the new Foamanizer system here.
We are proud to announce we are now a carrier of Monic Fly Lines. Monic is based out of Boulder, Colorado, and has been around since the early 90’s. They are responsible for introducing clear tipped lines to the market, and have mastered that niche for both salt and freshwater. Monic lines are Eco-Friendly and made PVC free, this means there won’t be toxic chemicals leaching into our beloved waters. As PVC lines are exposed to the elements, the compounds break down and not only taint our waters, but also weaken the coatings on our lines, and cause them to crack. Once this happens, dirt and debris make their way into the inner core, which then begins to absorb water and sink. The PVC free lines from monic avoid a lot of this, as a result, they are better for our waters, and last longer. According to Monic, their lines should have a lifespan approximately 2-3 times longer than their PVC counterparts. These lines are a great value, and preform on par with other top line brands, at a fraction of the price. As stated above, Monic manufactures both fresh and saltwater lines. At the Caddis Fly Shop, we carry both, but this review will focus on their freshwater lines.
Precision Dry Stealth WF3-6F
Starting with the line I have fished, Monic’s Precision Dry Stealth line is a floating line offered in in line weights 3 to 6 and runs $104.99. It is a weight forward floating line that is specifically designed for the tactical dry fly fisherman. This line features a 12 foot clear tip with a welded loop. In the belly of the taper, the line changes to a dark, translucent chartreuse, and continues through the rear taper and into the running line. The 38 foot taper is designed to turn over dries and present them extremely delicately to picky trout. The line features a low-stretch core, which makes for quick hook sets when it counts. This line is unique, and stands out as there is not another dry fly trout line like this on the market.
I was hesitant to fish this line; I never had heard of Monic. I decided that taking it out on a nice winter day for an afternoon Baetis hatch would be a great time to test it. I swapped my old line out and spooled the dry stealth line on and headed down to a tailout I liked to fish. I was greeted by a pod of trout lazily sipping Baetis duns off the surface; just what I was hoping for. I was surprised that fish were continuing to rise right next to my fly line like nothing was there. Fish after fish rose to my flies. With my other lines, I feel like the pod of fish would spook after a few fish, or sometimes even after a few casts, nevertheless I continued to pull fish out, until the hatch died down. This outing gave me my much-needed dry fly fix mid January, and I headed back to my truck content with my time spent on the water.
I was skeptical at first that the clear tip was a marketing gimmick, but after several outings, I do think it makes a difference. I had another day, more recently, swinging emergers during another Baetis hatch. I had trout hammering my flies so much so that by the end of the hatch, they were obliterated and completely unrecognizable. This line would excel fishing spring/limestone creeks, on lakes for dries, or places with pressured or especially finicky fish. This line is one of the slickest I’ve ever casted, and its ability to shoot large amounts of line with ease is impressive. My only issue with the line is that it has a mono core which coils and holds its memory in colder temperatures, so this line is really is more of a 3 season line. The slickness makes up for the coiling though, and shoots the coiled line with ease. I am looking forward to warmer weather to really put this line to the test on some spring fed streams, as well as see how it performs locally with the various hatches coming up.
All-Around Trout WF4-6F
The All-Around Trout is Monic’s standard weight-forward floating trout line, and it comes in weights 4 to 6 and is 59.99. It is the go to line for the angler that wants to do it all. It features a 41 foot taper is designed to handle a range of fishing situations and techniques. The rear taper extends back to offer easy mending, line control, and roll casting. The front taper is delicate enough to turn over small dries, while also being able to handle nymph rigs and streamers. The line is engineered to perform in a variety of circumstances such as blue-lining on small creeks, or fishing on larger rivers. This line features a fiber braided core, which gives the line low to moderate stretch, while also providing some shock absorbing properties for aggressive takes. Generally, entry price point lines do not have this much technology packed into them. This makes this line an excellent line for a new angler, or a well seasoned one.
Advanced Trout WF4-8F
Monic’s Advanced Trout line is their more aggressive weight-forward floating taper and is offered in 4 through 8 weight options and costs $79.99. This lines taper is 36 feet and features Monic’s “Javelin” taper. This is their more aggressive taper which allows you to throw cumbersome rigs with confidence and ease. This is perfect for setups like: heavy nymph rigs, nymph rigs with split shot, double nymph rigs, bushy dries, large dry dropper rigs, poppers, and streamers. The construction of the taper allows the rod to be loaded with less line out and the slickness of monic lines allow you to shoot more line with less backcasting. Even though the line is engineered with an aggressive taper, it will present your smaller flies well. This line features a fiber braided core, which gives the line low to moderate stretch, while also providing some shock absorbing properties for aggressive takes. For seasoned caster that can control a more aggressive taper, this line is a great “do it all” line. Whether you’re fishing small creeks on a 4 weight, or fishing for steelhead on an 8 weight single hand rod, this line will deliver for you in situations where a more powerful taper is preferred.
Trout Master WF4-6F
Lastly, Monic’s Trout Master is for experienced fisherman that want a high-performance line with some extra features. This line is a weight-forward floating line and is offered in weights from 4 through 6; this line costs $99.99. The main feature of this line is its tri-color coded 30 foot taper which shows the angler what section of the line they are at. The front taper is green, the belly is gray, and the rear taper through the running line is light blue. This is great for the distinguished angler who likes extra features to help inform their casting style at different distances. The front taper aids in delicate presentation of dry fly and dry-dropper rigs. The line does have increased mass in the belly, which loads your line with ease and gives the line the power to load more cumbersome rigs like nymphing setups. The rear taper has increased mass and length to aid in an experienced angler making micro adjustments to their drift with mends, even at longer distances. This line features a fiber braided core, which gives the line low to moderate stretch, while also providing some shock absorbing properties for aggressive takes. Monic designed this line with the proficient angler in mind, and the line will serve an excellent caster well.
-Simon
As the nights warm, and water temps creep up more and more, March Brown Nymphs become more active. In this video, Simon demonstrates how to tie a killer March Brown Nymph Jigged style. The buggy legs and slotted tungsten bead give this pattern an excellent “clinger” profile in the water.
Hook- Umpqua U660BL-BN: Size 12
Thread- Danvilles 70 Denier: Tan
Bead- Hareline Mottled Brown Slotted Tungsten Bead: 5/32, 3.8mm
Tail- Hareline Pheasant Tail: Natural
Abdomen- Hareline Hares Mask Grade #1 Natural, Hareline Squirrel Hair Dubbing: Brown, Medium Soft Wire: Copper
Thorax- Hareline Hares Mask Grade #1 Natural, Hareline Squirrel Hair Dubbing: Brown, Micro Pine Squirrel Zonker: Natural, Cinnnamon Tip Turkey Feathers,
UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry
Wax: Hareline Touch Dub Wax Large Tube
Additional Tools- Hareline Zirconia Dubbbing Rake & Umpqua Dream Stream Dubbing Twister
We are proud to announce we are now a dealer of Fulling Mill. They are a UK based company that started its roots in fly fishing in the 1930’s. Fulling Mill’s long history of fly fishing is reflected in their craftsmanship and high quality of their products. We now stock a wide assortment of their best flies, boxes, and hooks. Special orders can be accommodated as well if you’d like something that we don’t currently stock.
Fulling Mill makes proven fly patterns for both fresh and saltwater. We stock both, but this article will mainly be focusing on their freshwater products.
Jigged Nymphs
Roza’s Jigged Pink Pheasant Tail
This is one of the most productive flies we have in the shop this time of year. If the water is clear, running a Roza’s Jigged Pheasant tail through some slower water is sure to get you an eat. The slim profile of this small sized 18 nymph makes it a fantastic Baetis (BWO) imitation. Until things really warm up these Baetis nymphs currently make up a large portion of our local trout’s diets; so it a must have.
Crostons Full Metal Jacket Jig
Our new Size 14 Crostons Full Metal Jacket Jig will prove itself to be an indispensable fly in the coming weeks. It’s slim body, robust head, and large legs make it a great Clinger nymph imitation. March Browns being of that family will be active and hatching as soon as we get some warm weather. Croston’s Full Metal Jacket will be an important fly in your box for that hatch; for now it can make a great general attractor pattern that gets down deep fast.
Weiss’s Possum Anchor Jig Fly a great general attractor with a slim body and a CDC collar. The CDC pulsates in the water and gives the nymph a lot of movement which will catch a fish’s attention. A sparse collar of flashy dubbing near the bead helps create a great silhouette, especially when the CDC is pressed along the body in the water. This fly can be dead drifted or swung. Its lighter color and CDC can make it a great fly to swing during a caddis hatch.
The UV Green Weenie in a size 14 is a great fly for this upcoming hatch of Grannom caddis this spring. The Grannom caddis or “Mothers Day Caddis” is the first large hatch of caddisflies of the year and the fish go crazy for them. Often with spring runoff flows, timing this hatch can be difficult. This is where having a nymph like this in your box can save your day. Sometimes the Grannom Caddis’ come off in such great numbers that the fish will be feeding subsurface more than on the top. This is again where having a great caddis imitation like this can turn a bad spring day around quick.
The Squatchy B Jigged Nymph is a high and dirty water hero. It is a jigged stonefly nymph imitation that comes in sizes 8 and 12. Rubber legs make it durable and provide a lot of movement; a partridge collar creates even more movement and drive fish nuts. This fly is sure to be seen during high, off color water or get deep and move enough to catch that large fish’s eye in a deep pool.
The Jigged Swimming Drake makes a great imitation for all drake nymphs. Brown, green, or gray, this nymph will cover all of your drake needs. It comes in a size 12 or 14 and features a marabou tail, rubber legs, dubbed body, and a large copper bead. This fly will preform well around drake hatches, and can also imitate a range of stonefly nymphs. Its large silhouette and radical movement make it a great fly to use during high, off color water.
Croston’s Jigged Chenille Worm
Croston’s Jigged Chenille Worm has been my guilty pleasure lately. Fulling Mill’s take on a jigged San Juan will be sure to impress you. It is tied with an inverting bead in the center of the fly and features a simple chenille body. The body is secured with UV resin for increased durability. For rainy days or spring runoff this fly can’t be beat. It comes in red, hot pink, and soft pink; all in size 14.
The Perdiworm Jig combines the body of a Perdigon nymph with the tail of a worm and creates a deadly euro style worm pattern. Fine red rubber legs protruding out of a slim Perdigon body with flash ribbing is sure to get deep and find some takers. Rubber legs and a UV resin coated body makes for a super durable fly. This one comes in a size 12 and makes for a great flashy attractor to pair with another more natural nymph.
The Jigged Slush Egg is unique because it is a jigged egg fly. We don’t see too many of these, unless they’re tied up at home, so it is great to have jigged egg option to get in from a fly company. It is a small flashy pink egg tied on a size 14 hook with a matching pink bead. This fly makes a great whitefish and trout egg imitation. With whitefish currently spawning, and trout right around the corner, this fly is one you don’t want to leave home without.
Here is Fulling Mill’s classic inspired take on March brown wet fly. With matched wet fly wings, gold tinsel ribbing, dubbed body, and partridge legs, it is as productive on the swing as it is beautiful. Although it may look too pretty to fish, this fly should be a staple in your box in the coming weeks as the march brown hatch picks up. These come in a size 14 and 12 which is nice as you can swap between sizes and figure out which the fish prefer. If you’re a wet fly connoisseur, this is a great fly to pick up and get your spring time swinging fix.
Here we have a unique and flashy attractor egg pattern from Fulling Mill. The FAB Biscuit Blob Fly comes in a size 10, so it is a larger egg pattern. It is tied with a flashy, long fiber chenille and features a chartreuse foam butt and pink body. Its most unique quality is that it has some foam under the chenille so it will give the egg more of a natural buoyancy in the water. Pair it with a heavier nymph, and tag this off its back to let the FAB Biscuit’s foam give it a natural more buoyant presentation. This fly is also tied on a more stout hook making it fishable not only for trout, but also other anadromous fish.
Jigged Streamers
The Tatical Jig Zonker is an extremely effective sculpin/ small streamer tied with rabbit strip body and collar. It is tied on a jig hook and rides “point up” this is especially effective when fishing sculpin patterns deep, bouncing them along the bottom. The Tactical Jig Zonker comes in a size 12 in a natural rabbit color as well as olive.
Croston’s belly flop sculpin is a different take on the jigged streamer above. It is tied far more sparse, making it easier to cast and sink faster. The zonker body is also a tad longer to add more movement. It is very heavy and features a tungsten bead as well as a tungsten scud body. Due to it’s construction it makes a great euro streamer. It can be drifted in a tight line style and twitched downstream to imitate an injured fish. It comes in one natural rabbit color in a size 10. This fly gets down deep fast into the feeding zone; while other flies are still sinking, Croston’s Belly Flop Sculpin will already be in the feeding zone doing the work for you.
The Jiggy Fat Minnow breaks conventional trout fly boundaries in a sense that is can be extremely useful in both warm and cold water fisheries. When water gets too warm to responsibly trout fish in the summer, this fly will drive bass nuts. It comes in a wide variety of colors, all size 10: Olive/White, Brown/White, Bluegill, and Sexy Shad. The Jiggy Fat Minnow is a great example of a “do it all” fly.
Dry Flies
Burkus Bearback Rider Salmonfly
The Burkus Bearback Rider Salmonfly makes a killer salmonfly imitation. With three layers of foam this fly is unsinkable and is buoyant enough support the weight of midsized tungsten beaded nymphs with ease. An orange chenille belly, ribbing on the abdomen, and knotted rubber legs make it a realistic, yet effective pattern. Whether you’re catching the legendary salmonfly hatch on the lower Deschutes, or catching the salmonflies on your local stretch, this pattern is sure to impress.
Boxes
The Tactical Fly Box is Fulling Mill’s standard double sided box, and holds an impressive 520 flies. This box has enough clearance to hold larger chubbies and strongly nymphs with ease, or you could fill it with 520 of your favorite smaller nymphs. Pre cut foam slits are durable and will keep your flies safe. [186 (W) x 104 (D) x 30 (H) 149 grams]
The Tactical Max box is essentially the Tactical Box, except it is a tad bit deeper, and it has a double sided leaf. This depth and leaf increase the storage from 520 slits in the Tactical Box, to 960 in the Tactical Max. Due to the leaf, this box does not have as much clearance for bushier flies. It does make a great box for smaller, low profile nymphs and dries. It can easily combine all of your smaller flies into one box. [186 (W) x 104 (D) x 40 (H), 250 grams]
Think of the Stealth Box like a single-sided version of the Tactical Box. It is great for low profile nymphs and dries and is slim enough for you to hold several in your pack. This is a great way to compartmentalize flies into different boxes as these boxes are slim, but still hold an impressive 260 flies. [186 (W) x 104 (D) x 17 (H) 114 grams]
The Hopper Box is essentially a deep version of their Stealth Box. The increased depth make it a great box for a summer day trip. It has enough depth to hold dries as small as tricos all of the way to large hoppers and chubbies. It also has plenty of space for some jigged or standard nymphs making it a perfect box for a summer day fishing a dry-dropper setup. The increased depth also makes it a great streamer box. This box, like the Stealth Box offers 260 foam slits, except it offers significantly more clearance for your bushier flies. [186 (W) x 104 (D) x 17 (H) 114 grams]
If you are a minimalist and like to travel lightly, the Pocket Box would be for you. It has enough room for small dries and nymphs for a day out on the water. For its small size, it offers storage for an impressive 122 flies if they are placed side by side. Their slim profile makes them great for compartmentalizing your flies by type, while maintaining a light pack weight. [119 (W) x 84 (D) x 20 (H)]
Hooks
Fulling Mill’s standard jig hook, the Jig Force [FM5045] is a strong jigged hook offered at a great value in sizes 8-18. It features a 50 degree jig eye and is 2x heavy. The hook’s stout construction keeps them still when tying with strong thread and can hold up to large, strong fish. It comes in a pack of 50 hooks for for $13.95 making it a steal if you like to tie jigged nymphs.
The Jig Force Short hook specializes in tying Euro style nymphs. It features a 45 degree horizontal eye, is 2x heavy, has a 2x wide gap, and is forged for extra strength. These forged hooks are extremely durable, and are unique in their look due to their unconventional 45 degree bend and horizontal eye. These also are offered in a 50 pack for $13.95 and come in sizes 10-16.
In this video Simon helps clarify five different types of strike indicators. He discusses attachment and benefits of each style. Thingamabobber, Airlock, Oros, NZ Strike Indicator and Slip n Strike style indicators are covered.
This video demonstrates how to tie a Double hooked Deceiver fly. Alex uses new Ahrex Hooks, Next Generation Fish Skull Shanks and new Tie in Fold Over Eyes from Hareline. This pattern can be tied in numerous color combos and works well for a variety of predator species. If you are gearing up to fish Lake Billy Chinook for Bull Trout consider this pattern it’s a good one!
Double Deceiver Fly Pattern
Rear Hook: Gamakatsu B10S size 1
Thread: 150 Denier GSP Veevus
Tail: White Bucktail – White Saddle Feathers
Body: UV Polar Chenille
Wing: White and Shad Gray Bucktail
Front Hook: Ahrex SA210 size 1
Shank: Flymen NGS 25mm Shank
Body: UV Polar Chenille
I know I am a little late reading this book as it was published in September 2020, but Lords of the Fly was worth the wait. Full of wild stories involving legends of our sport and the early days of fly fishing for tarpon. Loved hearing about flats boat designs, the beginnings of Tibor and Abel reel companies, modern-day guides and the obsession that burns in IGFA record hunters. I really enjoy reading history books and Burke conveys the history of Tarpon fishing brilliantly. He covers the tarpon’s place in history as I had never heard, including art and Biblical lore. Coming fresh off my first trip to the Keys chasing these prehistoric giants last June, I could literally not put this book down. Hope you enjoy it too.
BF
Simon demonstrates how to to a cool Grannom Caddis pattern complete with egg sack and realistic wing profile. The spring Grannom caddis emergence can be frustrating, make sure to have a few of these on hand when you see fish looking up during the hatch.
Egg Laying Grannom Caddis
Hook- Kona BC3: Size 14
Thread- Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0, Olive & Danville’s 70 Denier: Fl Green
Egg- Danville’s 70 Denier Fl Green & Solarez Bone Dry
Abdomen- Hareline Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub: Baetis Tan, Hareline Hare’s Ear Plus: Dark Hare’s Ear, & Danville’s .006 Monofilament
Wing- Hareline Mule Deer Hair
Thorax- Hareline Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub: Baetis Tan & Whiting “100” Saddle: Grizzly Brown
Tools: DR Slick Hair Stacker
View class schedules, purchase show ticket and more here: NW EXPO
Recent cold weather has slowed trout fishing significantly. Several days and nights of cold temperatures have the fish slowing down and conserving energy. Nymphing, however, has been the most productive method of targeting trout as of late. On particularly warm days you may see an afternoon hatch of Baetis or “Blue Wing Olives”. For fishing nymphs and dries, due to the cold weather, your presentation is especially important. On cold days, you often need to present your flies right in front of the fish’s nose to entice an eat. On warmer days, the fishing should improve.
With lower and clearer water, fish have been able to key in on smaller bugs. This is opposed to when the water is high, often it takes a larger nymph or streamer to get their attention. Trout being opportunists, will happily eat stray nymphs of any species and size knocked off the bottom and into the current. The bulk of what the trout are eating lately are small baetis as they emerge during the warm parts of the day.
Small nymphs with a slim profile imitate these Blue Winged Olives the best. Some great baetis nymph imitations are: our new Bender Baetis #18, new Roza’s Jigged Pink Pheasant Tail #18, Beadhead Lightning Bug #16, Split Case BWO#18, MFC Jigged Perdigon #14, or a Rainbow Warrior #14-16.
Larger stones are in the systems still and occasionally are blown into the current. These large bugs are like a “Bone in Ribeye” to trout and serve as a high calorie meal; they are rarely passed up unless smaller flies are hatching in abundance. Some great Stonefly patterns include: our new Jiggged TJ Hooker #8-12, our new Jigged Peacock Girdle Bug, the new Swimming Drake #12, Tunghead 20 Incher #8-12, and one of my favorites the Double Bead Epoxy Peacock #8-12.
If trout are rising, fishing dries can be productive. They will be seen rising in the slack water on the softer side of seams or in the tailouts of runs eating emerging mayflies or “duns”. Sometimes, however, it is too cold, flows are too high, or the fish gorge themselves subsurface, so fishing dries will not be conducive. If conditions are favorable, the hatch will begin between 11 and 1 and depending on the weather can last from 30 minutes to a few hours.
As the day warms up swinging a soft hackle or fishing a subsurface emerger can be very productive. A size 16 olive soft hackle, Bender Baetis #18, or a Baetis CDC Emerger #18 mimics these emerging nymphs well.
If fish are seen rising, they are likely taking emergers in the surface film or duns riding the surface. Some of my favorite patterns for emerging BWO’s are Baetis Cripple #18 and Almost Dun BWO #18. Our new Galloup’s OG Bent Olive Cripple #18 makes for a great imitation of a Blue Winged Olive emergence gone wrong. Trout being opportunists key in on things like this so be sure to pay attention. Several patterns imitating duns work great like the high vis Hatch Matcher BWO #16-18, Parachute Extended Body BWO #18-20, and Tilt Wing BWO Dun #18.
Don’t let the cold weather deter you from going out. Bundle up, get out there, and enjoy the outdoors. Theres always fish to be caught!
Simon ties a deadly March Brown Emerger pattern in this video. Natural and synthetic fibers are utilized to keep this fly visible but still “emergent”. Fish the EP/Deer Hair March Brown Emerger through the entire MB hatch and you will fine good results. We have been seeing March Brown adults on the McKenzie around 130-330pm despite the cold. Look for things to really improve once things warm a bit.
Deer Hair March Brown Emerger
Hook- Gamakatsu C12U: Size 12
Thread- Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0, 50D: Olive
Shuck/ Tail- EP Trigger Point Fibers: March Brown, Hareline Krystal Flash: Rootbeer, & Pheasant Tail Fibers: Natural
Abdomen- EP Trigger Point Fibers: March Brown & Danville’s Mono Thread: .006
Thorax- Hareline Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub: Baetis Tan & Whiting “100” Saddle: Grizzly Brown
Wing- Natural deer Hair
UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry
Tools- DR Slick Hair Stacker
