Future Speycaster

Waterwatch

WaterWatch protects and restores natural streamflows in Oregon rivers. Since 1985, WaterWatch has pursued a single clear mission: To protect and restore flows in our rivers to sustain the native fish, wildlife, and the people who depend on healthy rivers. WaterWatch is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

Paying Your Dues

Its happened to us all at one time or another, whether we're wading out to a deep run, standing in swift water, carefully walking on moss covered rocks, or chasing a fish that's taken us to our backing, we've had a little encounter with the river. Sometimes a wading staff might brace your fall or a rock sticking our of the water; if your lucky. As soon as you hit your waders fill with frigid water guaranteed to get you back on your feet; quickly, as if nothing happened.

We love ya!

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

Stinging Nettle is a native plant to North America and can be found on river banks in the Pacific Northwest. Nettles are high in Vitamins A, C, D, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium. When cooked this delicate plant taste like spinach. This is the time of year to harvest the new grow before it flowers.

Inspiration

The Northwest fly tying expo, in Albany Oregon brought over 150 tiers to the event. With so many tiers to watch, one can find inspiration for tying steelhead, bass, trout, Alantic salmon, and salt water flies. I was able to watch Lora Martinez tying a beautiful fly, perfect for enticing a John Day River summer steelhead. Brian Silvey was busy tying Caddis Pupaes gearing up for trout fishing on the Deschutes and watching Harry Lemire tye a Black Cap without a vise with such patience and precision is a marvel within it's self .

Winter Steelhead in its prime!

Steelhead love Hardy Reels. It is such an exhilarating feeling to hear the Hardy zip after hours of and hours of doing the swing. Click and Paw drags talk to you. They are a good friend. Make a solid cast and they blurp a sound of approval. Hook a screaming steelhead and they sing a song of victory!

They hold a ton of soul. William Hardy and his brother John James formed the HardyBros partnership in 1873. They both loved to fish. In 1891 Hardy introduced their model Perfect fly reel andpatented it's design. This very fine fly reel has continuedin production with minor alterations up to recent times. A favorite of both anglers and collectors the model Perfect reel is perhaps their best known product.

Free Flowing Rivers

Marmot Dam

The Sandy River is a free flowing river! Marmot dam was decommissioned in July 2007 and the Little Sandy River dam was decommissioned in 2008; this is a great triumph for conservationist, fisherman, and boaters, (http://www.marmotdam.com/ .)

Gold Hill Dam

The Gold Hill Dam on the Rogue was removed last July freeing 153 miles of river for Salmon, Steelhead and boaters, (http://www.waterwatch.org/ .) This is just the begining to a trend of dams that will be decommisioned in the near future.

Condit Dam

Condit dam on the White Salmon is scheduled for this year, (http://www.whywild.org/site/.htm. )

Powerdale Dam

Powerdale dam on the Hood River is scheduled in 2010, ( http://www.hydroreform.org/news/2003/06/06/pacificorp-to-remove-powerdale-dam-on-oregons-hood-river. )
Elwha Dam

Steps are also being taken to remove the Elwha Dam on the Elwha River, (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/ .)

Winter Fishing

Snowy tree tops, frozen guides, leaky waders, bald eagles diving over our heads, icicles hanging off one's beard, wet wool, a warm cup of hot coco from a thermas, swinging flies, rippling water, crisp air filling my lungs. Just being in the element around us are rejuvenating.

First Ever Ladies Day at the Sandy River Spey Clave

For more info see http://www.flyfishusa.com/about-our-waters/spey-clave/spey-clave-agenda.htm or contact miaflora2@yahoo.com .