The Caddis Fly: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Cedar Lodge Report February 2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

February started out with seven inches of rain in 24 hours here at Cedar Lodge. It’s absolutely incredible to see how the “crystaline” waters we had been fishing just a day before turned into raging torrents carrying glacial mud and trees. Unfortunately we were unable to fish for a couple days before a three day break for staff. We were back at it 5 days post storm though, and amazingly the rivers were clear and fish were present.

Pure guide speculation here, no science, but our observations of recent high water activity seem to point to rainbows getting flushed out of the system and browns hanging in. Brown trout retaining their residence much better despite massive pushes of dirty water. In the early days after the flood from former tropical cyclone Fehi there were very few rainbows around. Browns were out and feeding in decent numbers, holding in the slower runs. We look forward to a push of new new fish (both browns and rainbows) to populate the streams for the remainder of the season.

Clear water is critical for this next push but so to is the terrestrial activity. I am not sure what kind of a beating the aquatic life took but the rivers we have been fishing of late have taken on a new level of clear. The sub-surface rocks are super sticky even with rubber bottom boots. The worry is that many of the mature caddis and mayfly nymphs may have been flushed out to some degree. We will be counting on the hoppers, cicada, crickets and beetles for the remainder of the season.

Posted in Fly Fishing Travel | 1 Comment

Chinook salmon losing genetic diversity

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Via Science:

Chinook salmon, an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest, have lost up to two-thirds of their genetic diversity over the past 7000 years, researchers report. The finding underscores a long-held concern that future salmon populations are imperiled by a combination of stream habitat loss, overfishing, dams, and the release of millions of fingerlings from hatcheries—even as the fish try to respond to climate change and ocean acidification.

“It’s a fascinating report,” says Matthew Sloat, a fisheries ecologist with the Wild Salmon Center, a nonprofit salmon conservation group in Portland, Oregon. “The main conclusion is not terribly surprising,” he says, but “it does confirm a long-standing guess that there has been a broad loss of genetic diversity in the [Columbia River] Basin.”

Genetic diversity is often key to enabling a species to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In salmon, for example, some individuals or populations might carry genes that make them less susceptible to new diseases or warming seas, enabling the species to survive the loss of other genetic strains.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

New Product Review by Jay Nicholas -Stonfo Spillo Curvo Elite

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This most likely is a tool that has been around for some time and I’m just now discovering how useful it is on my fly tying bench.

At first I didn’t even know what the heck it was, but this finely crafted tool has very quickly earned a place in my tool rack and in my hand.

This is a curved dubbing picker.

The formal classification is here -Stonfo Spillo Curvo Elite.

Although you might wonder what the big deal is and why not use a straight bodkin to tease dubbing, or a brush, and I have used both myself and used both to modest satisfaction – but there is something substantially more satisfying in this curved bodkin, a finer motor control, and less frequent risk of cutting core thread with either a straight bodkin or a wire brush.

Im sure that personal preference plays a big part on whether an individual prefers one tool over another, but this curved bodkin has already earned a regular place on my fly tying tool bench.

Jay Nicholas Early 2018

Jay’s Jiggy Chub Fly Tying Video

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay’s Jiggy Chub is a dynamite trout streamer tied using natural colors on a jigged hook. This fly rides hook side up which helps prevent snags and the body is tied with a wireless synthetic fox brush which doesn’t absorb water so it will cast really well. It can be fished under an indicator or cast, stripped, and swung for Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Northern Pike Minnow, Small Mouth Bass and Whitefish. Because it is a prey imitation, it will fish well in waters with or without Chub.

Jay’s Jiggy Chub

Cement: Loc-Site brushable
Hook: Umpqua S506H Jig #2
Tail: SR UV Blood Quill Marabou Olive/Tan
Tail: Peacock Krystal Flash
Body: Wire Free Synthetic Fox Brush Black
Collar: Senyo’s Chromatic Brush Pale Bronze
Eyes: Hareline Double Pupil Black/Chartreuse
Thread: Danville’s 210D Brown

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

New Product Review by Jay Nicholas – Ripple Ice Fiber

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Here we go again. Brace yourself for several new product reviews to follow. As you may know, I am fortunate to be able to test many new materials and tools—this is part of a never ending quest to explore new options and determine if they are inferior, superior, or about the same as product I’ve used previously.

I had heard about Ripple Ice Fiber a few months ago, saw some, and was not impressed. Then I picked up a fly tied by a friend, notched something especially attractive about the wing, and took a closer look. EEEEkkkkkk.

The flash material in the wing was the new stuff I had rejected.

So I went and picked up two packets to give it a try myself.

I chose Minnow Mix and Smolt Blue.

I see no need to get all gushy about this new material – I NEVER post a review on a new material unless it inspires me.

Honestly, I really like this material for flash in my steelhead tubes, Intruders, and my salmon closures.

I am also a big fan of Lateral Scale, but this new Ripple Ice Fiber is SURE to be a winner. Sometimes you just get that tingly feeling and the deal is sealed.

Ripple Ice Fiber is offered in 17 colors and

Electric Ice Fiber is offered in 7 fluorescent colors

Get to it—this is good stuff and very fishy.

Jay Nicholas, early 2018

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Introduction to Fly Fishing Class 2018

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The 2018 Introduction to Fly Fishing Class schedule has been set. Our classes are designed for individuals who wish to learn the basics of fly fishing. Inspired by the original casting classes held by Les Eichorn, Bob Guard and Mel Krieger our 6 hour class will have interested anglers on their way to fly casting mastery.

Our classes are divided into two sessions. The first two hour session is a “in the shop” session where terminology, equipment, knots, entomology, fly fishing tactics and where to find fish are covered. The second four hour session is a on the water casting instruction where students learn three fundamental casts.

All equipment is provided, a textbook is included and we maintain a one instructor to 5 student ratio.

Cost is $55, all equipment is provided, sign up at the shop or call 541-342-7005 to sign up.

Class Schedule for 2018 : Classes on two dates are Friday evening (6-8PM) at the shop and Saturday at Alton Baker Park (9am-1pm). Classes on three dates are Wednesday (shop 6-8pm), Thursday, and Friday evenings Alton Baker Park (6-8pm).

March 23,24
April 20,21
May 18,19
June 15,16
July 18,19,20
August 15,16,17
September 28,29
October 26,27

Posted in Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips | Leave a comment

Christmas Island Outfitters @ Crystal Beach Lodge with The Caddis Fly Shop and Bryson Fairlamb

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

May 8th-15th 2018

Caddis Fly Shop manager Bryson Fairlamb is hosting a trip to Christmas Island in May 2018. Almost every fly fisher on the planet has heard of Christmas Island. Christmas Island is the world’s largest coral atoll and a virtual paradise for stalking bonefish. It is a vast Matrix-like network of endless hard sand flats, lagoons, channels and reefs spread out across the Earth’s largest raised coral atoll. The main lagoon harbors the world’s most expansive system of productive shallow water flats. Bonefish, trevally, trigger fish, sharks, snappers, puffers and milk fish patrol more than 100 named flats perfectly designed for wading fly anglers. Christmas Island is a veritable wonderland for the saltwater fly angler and Christmas Island Outfitters is there to make your dreams come true. The fishing is all done by wading on hard sand and coral flats. Anglers can also choose to fish the bluewater by boat usually with no added cost. The lodging is not fancy but clean and comfortable. Think of it as more of a base camp to access the best flats fishing destination in the world. The travel time is fairly easy and you will experience some of the world’s best saltwater wade fishing. Christmas Island Outfitters is a very affordable option and you get to learn from and fish with some of the most skilled flats guides anywhere. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in flats fishing for the first time as well as to seasoned flats anglers alike. Come join me for the adventure of a lifetime.

Links to more information on the trip:

Christmas Island Web Page: http://flywatertravel.com/destination/ChristmasIslandOutfitters

The Ultimate Atoll by Dylan Rose: https://issuu.com/flywatertravel/docs/2015ultatollexpanded.f?e=7909021/13486597

Rate: $2,570.00 per person based on double occupancy

Note: Private rooms and guides are available for an additional charge

Included: Accommodations, meals, guide fees, Christmas Island ground transfers, flats transportation.
Not Included: Airfare to and from Christmas Island, alcoholic beverages, visa fees, travel insurance, gratuities ($20-$40 per guide per day and $120 per angler/per week for lodge staff), laundry services, fishing licenses, departure taxes.

To Join the trip click on the link below:
https://reservations.flywatertravel.com/reserve/res12543-caddis-fly-shop-bryson
or
Contact Fly Water Travel or
Bryson Fairlamb
Fly Water Travel:
800.552.2729
Dylan@flywatertravel.com
Bryson Fairlamb bryger19@earthlink.net OR 541-342-7005

Itinerary:

Monday / May 7

You will need to arrive in Honolulu on Monday or before and overnight at your elected hotel (accommodations are independently arranged and not included).
Tuesday / May 8
Depart Honolulu / Arrive Christmas Island: Outside of customs you will be met by head guide Bita (Peter) Kairoi (head guide). Bita will help you load your gear into the lodges transport truck(s), then you will drive 20 minutes to the lodge. Once there you will receive a brief introduction from Bita and/or Kata (the lodge manager), check into your room and prepare tackle for fishing the next day.

Wednesday to Monday / May 9 – 14
Six full days of fishing on Christmas Island.
Each day you’ll depart via truck or catamaran for the day’s fishing, and spend time exploring the endless hard sand flats and pristine atolls that surround the island of Kiribati. Virtually all fly fishing entails sight casting to visible fish while wading in shallow water.

The typical daily schedule at Christmas Island Outfitters:
6:00AM: Wake
6:30AM: Breakfast
7:00AM: Depart for flats
8:00AM – 4:30PM: Fishing
5:30PM: Back at the lodge
7:00PM: Dinner
Please keep in mind that your daily schedule will vary in accordance with tide conditions and your fishing desires.

Tuesday / May 15
Depart Christmas Island / Arrive Honolulu:

Posted in Fly Fishing Travel | Leave a comment

Detroit Lake Shutdown, Santiam Fish Recovery

Posted on January 20, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

From the Statesman Journal: A project intended to improve conditions for endangered fish could mean essentially emptying Detroit Lake for one or two years.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to build a 300-foot tower and floating screen at Detroit Dam to improve water temperature and fish passage for salmon and steelhead in the North Santiam River.

But the $100 to $250 million project has sparked alarm over the potential impact to water supply in Salem and Stayton, for farmland irrigation, and to the economies of Detroit and the Santiam Canyon from the loss of recreation at the popular reservoir.

“In the long-term, this project has a lot of positives, from a healthier environment for fish to better operation of the dam,” Marion County commissioner Kevin Cameron said. “But there is a huge risk in the short-term.”

At its core, the project represents the latest chapter in the struggle to preserve native fish while maintaining the benefits of dams and reservoirs.

The Corps is taking public comment on the project until January 23.

From Native Fish Society:

Throughout the Pacific Northwest, dams have altered streamflow and water temperatures, impounded water over historic habitat, and prevented fish from migrating freely to the ocean and back to their homewaters. As their presence has increasingly put threatened and endangered fish in jeopardy, engineers have tried to design work-arounds including fish ladders, truck and haul programs, selective water withdrawal towers, juvenile downstream barging, and even a salmon cannon! All of these experimental projects bend the basic survival needs of the fish to the will of humans– and it isn’t working.

It has happened on the Deschutes River and the Snake River. The North Santiam is the next watershed in which agencies want to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to modify infrastructure without meaningful evidence to support that strategy. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently accepting scoping comments to develop alternatives under an Environmental Impact Statement. We need your help telling the Army Corps of Engineers that restoring volitional access for wild salmon and steelhead to the headwaters of the North Santiam River is critical to the survival of the Upper Willamette salmon and steelhead populations. Without access to their historic spawning grounds, and ability to freely swim back to the ocean, Detroit Dam will jeopardize their survival.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Trout Clouser Baby Rainbow Fly Tying Video

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video Jay shows us how to tie a Trout Clouser utilizing the New Pastel Bucktail. This is a very effective fly for trout and Chinook salmon. It is a common misconception that more materials means more flashy but utilizing less materials will help your flies sink faster and fish have no problem seeing your fly. Jay recommends using a smaller hook for excellent hook ups. Happy tying!

Trout Clouser (Baby Rainbow)

Hook: Daiichi DX452 #6 or Gamakatsu Glo Bug #6
Cement: Loc-Tite brush on
Flash: Krystal Flash Peacock
Thread: Danville 210D Fl. Blue
Eyes: Hareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes Black/white/Black Extra Small
Belly: Pastel Bucktail Red, Orange, Minnow Blue
UV Deer Creek Fine Flex

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

Loon Fly Tying Tools – Reviewing a few options with Jay Nicholas

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Loon is a respected source of high quality fly tying tools and quite a variety of associated products. I have only been using Loon tools for the last two years, but they have been so good that I decided to make special mention of several that I use regularly.

Loon Rogue Forceps with Comfy Grip
These are pictured at far left in the photo and are a stunning stealth black.
Cushioned finger grips. Lockable feature.
Serrated cutting scissors at base.
Fly-eye cement remover/knot un-tyer.
serrated gripping nose to hold hooks or your fellow angler’s tongue securely.

Loon 4-inch Razor Adjustable Fly Tying Scissors
These are pictured second from left in the photo.
Adjustable tension.
Very fine-point and sharp blades.
Slightly serrated scissors.
Also available in a 5-inch model.

Loon Ergonomic Dubbing Brush
These are pictured third from left (center) in the photo.
The handle really makes it easy to hold and manipulate this dubbing brush.
Durable fine metal brush.

Loon Ergonomic Fly Tying Bodkin
These are pictured second from right in the photo.
The handle does in fact make it simple to hold and manipulate this bodkin.
Fine and durable point.

Loon Gator-Grip Dubbing Spinner for Fly Tying
These are pictured at right in the photo.
This spinner will not roll off your desk.
Substantial weight makes for perfect spinning of dense material.
You have two options that are interchangeable as shown in the photo – very adaptable.
The finger loop makes it easy to wind your dubbing brush around tube or shank.

I hope you will feel comfortable giving Loon fly tying products a spin on your fly tying bench. They have performed very well for me.

Jay Nicholas – early 2018

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Cohen’s Sculpting Scissors – New Product Review by Jay Nicholas

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

I discovered an entirely new-to me scissor recently, put them to work, and liked the results so much that I decided to share this information.

There are four options now available of this very solid scissor for fly tying the Cohen’s Curved Sculpting Scissors – with straight and curved blades in both 4-inch and 5-inch.

These fly tying scissors have slightly serrated edges and this makes them very good when shaping or sculpting materials as you will on muddlers, Kinky Muddlers and a wide variety of flies that use natural and synthetic materials packed from loosely to very tightly. I’ve been tying kinky muddlers lately using EP 3D fibers, Steve Farrar Flash Blend, and many of the Sculpting Flash fibers.

Best wishes, have fun with your fly tying adventures, and may the fish smile on your best efforts.

Jay Nicholas- early 2018

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

F3T 2018 coming to Oregon

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The Fly Fishing Film Tour recently announced some 2018 dates. This African Tiger trailer looks awesome:

The tour is coming to Portland Feb 10, Bend on Feb 17, Corvallis on February 24.

Posted in Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | Leave a comment

Jay’s Swing Jig Fly Tying Video

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video Jay ties a Jigged version of the Ultralicious Steelhead Tube Fly. This fly is tied on a #2 Jigged hook using the same color combination of black and blue and includes Double Pupil Eyes. It is fished best swinging for both summer and winter steelhead. The benefit of using a jigged hook versus a Tube Fly is that the hook will ride up so you’re less likely to snag and this fly actually has a little less material than the tube version. If you’re not experienced in tying tube flies yet this is a great alternative. This is a proven color combination that has worked well for Jay and other anglers.

Jay’s Swing Jig (Fl. Blue)

Hook: Umpqua S506H Jig #2
Thread: Danville’s 210D Fl. Blue
Eyes: Hareline Double Pupil Black/Chartreuse
Tail: Rabbit Strip Black Barred Fl. Blue
Collar: Senyo’s Chromatic 3.0 Brush Midnight
Body: Lagartun Carded Flat braid Holo Fl. Blue
Collar: SD Blue Saddle

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

Jay’s Ultralicious Steelhead Tube Fly Tying Video

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay’s Ultralicious Steelhead Tube (Fl. Blue) is a vibrant Summer and Winter Steelhead fly that can be fished in any water. The weighted eyes help this fly sink faster and the loose rabbit strip gives this fly lots of action. Swing this bad boy through your favorite run next time you go out and watch your reel scream. Happy tying.

Jay’s Ultralicious Steelhead Tube (Fl. Blue)

Tube: Pro 40/40 or Pro blue classic tube
Thread: Danville’s 210D Fl. Blue
Cement: Loc-Tite brush on
Eyes: Balz Eyes medium chartreuse
Body: Lagartun Carded Flat braid Holo Fl. Blue
Rabbit Strip: Black Barred Fl. Blue
Collar: Senyo’s Chromatic 3.0 Brush Midnight
Collar: SD Blue Saddle

Posted in Fly Tying | Leave a comment

Photos from the South Island – Cedar Lodge Heli Fly Fishing Lodge

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

New Zealand’s South Island offers anglers and photographers some unreal subject matter. Brier Kelly who is super solid photographer and angler recently visited us at Cedar Lodge. I thought I would share some of his shots from his recent trip. You can follow Brier on Instagram at brier_kelly. I was fortunate enough to guide Brier and his mom Lynn a couple of days and got lucky with Brier’s camera myself. Enjoy!