Our Biggest Fly Box

Where do you put all those flies, you know the ones that have rusty hooks, unraveled thread, or just worn out from the abuse of a guides hand. Marty found the ultimate project the other day, placing all the Steelhead and Bass flies that have been piling up in the "Garage Mahal"( shop in Condon where we base our bass and steelhead fishing trips) for the last 8 years and sticking them into the Styrofoam on the back of the garage door. We estimated 120 dozen approximately 1500 flies. As I scanned over the flies, I did notice a few dozen still in worthy shape that I'll have to add to my fly box.

Stay tuned for more "Garage Mahal action."

Be Thankful

Sid's positive attitude is contagious and her passion for steelhead fishing, colorful art, skiing, and dedication to her family is inspiring. Sid is the artist of a resent published book called Understanding Mont essori , which has nothing to do with fish but gave me a reason to ask her a few questions about fly-fishing anyway.

When did you land your first Steelhead? Sid: It was on the Deschutes about 1992 , the evening after I had given up steelheading. I was frustrated and tired of trying to get this illusive "thing." John Smeraglia took me out to a secret hole now known by Steve and him as Syd's hole and he knew that my fifth cast was going to be the one. And it was. I did land it which doesn't always happen with your first hook up.

What was the experiance like of landing that first fish. Sid: It was a thrill like no other. Hard to describe, but I did scream a few times and pee my pants. Being connected to a wild beast sends all their energy right to me and through me and then the respectful delightful fight is on. Actually landing the fish is a sort of solemn awesome thing too, because I get to see the beauty of the fish so close up and then let it go as carefully as possible when it is ready.

What inspires you to paint? Sid: I love color. Watercolor and pastel let me play with color and translate ideas and dreams to paper.


Words of inspiration. Sid: Be thankful.

Catch and Release Photo Contest

Hannah Belford of the flyfishergirl website is having a photo contest. Check it out and submite your photos and written words on catching and releasing wild fish. The winner gets a Redington reel. Here are the details, have fun.
This contest is all about proper care and handling of fish, with an emphasis on releasing the trophy ones UNSCATHED. Face it, we have all seen the grip-n-grin hero shots of our lifetimes. Are those large gamefish still out there? Yes, but certainly not in the numbers of the old days. Why? Well, the majority of people did not have the amount of education available in the past as we do today to be able to properly understand the benefits of catch and release and ramifications of angling as a whole.
Angling kills fish. However, with proper care and attention one can minimize the impact. In fact, if one chooses to fish strictly catch and release barbless hook angling - you are going to give the fish the best possible chance for survival…well next to not using a hook. My vegan dad and stepmom woulda called me on that.
Of course, there are many learned skills and many common sense rules when it comes to care and handling of fish that applies when landing them. Please share yours with us and win a Redington Rise Reel - http://www.redington.com/prod.php?k=46435&p=RDT5-3037R001&, courtesy of Redington Fly Fishing - http://www.redington.com/
Rules are…
The contest will run for one week exactly, and the winner will be chosen by flyfishergirl (Hannah Belford) and Pete McDonald of http://www.redington.com/.
Parts of this contest are going to be based on honesty. Yep, not a rule…but it needs to be said. Hopefully you submit pics of your fish, not someone else’s.
Contest is open to both sexes and all ages.
Emphasis is on fly caught fish, but the contest is open to all methods of angling for those 16 and under.
You must register on http://www.flyfishergirl.com/forum to be able to participate, and your entry needs to be submitted to http://www.flyfishergirl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=336&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
We want to see a minimum of 3 photos and a maximum of 6 per posting.
We also want to see some written information about how you practice proper releasing techniques.
Images can be a maximum of 450 pixels wide and/or 338 high.
You are limited to ONE posting - so make it count!
Points to know are…
The reel is available in your choice of Dark Charcoal, Burnt Orange or Moss with four models to choose from: 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10.
Technical help in regard to postings and the forum can be found at http://www.flyfishergirl.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=29
If you are having problems registering or have questions, drop a line to info@flyfishergirl.com
Good luck everyone! I am excited to see what you post. Not only are you going to possibly win a great reel, you are going to help educate others on proper care and handling of fish. Thank you!

Kelts and Caddis

Holding on to the last good days of Steelhead fishing before heading to the John Day River for bass, we enjoyed another day of great company and fishing on the Sandy. October Caddis covered rocks along the banks in the early morning. Caddis belong to the family Dicosmoecus. They range from California to Alaska. The larva of these giant caddis build tube-like cases. During the winter months when the larva are tiny, these cases are made from vegetable matter attached to a foundation of silk. As the larva grows in size through the spring months they abruptly switch to cases made from small gravel. You can observe these larvae crawling around on the streambed dragging their cases with them as the forage for algae and decaying plant and animal matter. During the the summer months of June and July Dicosmoecus larvae are important trout foods. Daily behavioral drift cycles occur in the early afternoon, usually peaking about 4:00 P.M. They are one of the few families of caddis that leave their cases before behavioral drift cycles. This makes them extremely enticing to large trout. In August these larvae seal themselves in their cases and by September they are ready to emerge as adults.
Emergence occurs from late afternoon until dark. The pupae usually swim and crawl to shallow water, but some emerge mid-river. Many actually crawl from the water to hatch on rocks along the shore. Even when adults are not active, you can tell if October Caddis have been hatching by observing their shucks on stream margin rocks. Seeing Caddis along the banks is a sign of a health river.

Mid morning Marty tailed a beautiful kelt for me. When fishing for the income summer fish there is a chance of hooking a strong kelt making its way to the ocean. Handle these fish with care and keep them in the water, this is the future return.

Jere!

Jere Eshelman goes two for two yesterday with me!
Nice way to wrap up the Sandy River guide season!
Thanks all!

Osprey Steelhead News

This is the blog of the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee and our publication, "The Osprey." We believe the first step towards conservation and recovery of our anadromous fish is an informed community of advocates. Through our publication "The Osprey" our website, and this blog, we hope to share relevant news regarding the management, science, and politics surrounding steelhead and salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Click the photo to view this blog!

Ladies Day

Ladies day was a success!
Today was the first time ever that an all woman's cast gave presentations at the Sandy River Spey Clave. Over forty woman showed up today to learn how to spey cast for the first time or improve their skills. It was a blast meeting so many new faces and future fishing friends.

Ladies Spey Army

Dawn "MC"

Denise Maxwell

Hope to see you there tonight!

NFS Film Event

"Rivers of a Lost Coast"

by Justin Coupe and Palmer Taylor, narrated by Tom Skerrittfrom "A River Runs Through It"
May 13, 2009 Cabell Center ~ Catlin Gabel School8825 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR Doors open 6pm, Showtime 7pmTickets ~ $10Available at door
Sponsored by NFS and Catlin Gabel School. For further info and a movie trailer visit:

http://www.riversofalostcoast.com/

Day of the Dolly

Our best freind Campbell Williams wrote this fine tale below sometime this winter from the Sauk River.

Please enjoy:

Cold, 41* and raining steady. Low hung cloud canopy has kept the groundhog down under. River conditions are low and gin clear, not another soul on the river all day. I came up with a few new fly patterns earlier in the week and was eager to give'm a swim. I again stepped into the chilly NW waters of the Sauk river in hopes of finding some winter steel. I hit my favorite run first, which is well worth the hike. It gives me a chance to warm my legs and stretch my back as I duck and dodge the barren salmonberry briers. Fresh elk tracks remain in the receding snow and I follow them down to the rivers edge. Once again I string up my trusty Winston 13'3" spey rod and pull out line from the Hardy "Bougle MK IV" reel. I feed the line through the guides and tie on one of my new inventions, purple this time. The rain is pounding now and will remain so for the next hour. I peer across theriver looking for the slightest rip made from a submerged rock some eighty feet away. The rod is loaded with its double spey cast and I punch out line to the designated lye. The first cast is always the best for me as its been a week since my last and I always enjoy a good cast. I look down river, following my line, mending it as needed and glance to where I'd like to fish later on in the day. At the end of my swing I begin my step down river, strip line in, in a rhythm that I create and load the rod again for another cast. It all feels so good to be here. The mosses on the trees across the river are an unusual burnt orange and brown hue. There are a few rust colored patches mixed in here and there too. Everything is so contrasted with the dull winter colors of grey, green, blue, brown and gold. I strip in my line again and Yank! yank! three strips in and I've got a fish on! I lift the rod and see a Dolly of about 18" thrashing at the end of my line. This is "ok" I think, as its only my second cast of the day. I release the fish back into its river and continue moving down stream. Drifting off into my day dream state, a half hour of swinging flies passes before I'm struck again. I lift the rod to see another dolly thrashing about and its voracious appetite for the fly I'm using, jostles me from my calm. Thinking,"great" two for two, these new flies get some attention, now it's timefor a steelie. I finish my first run with two dolly's and no metal, but I'm content with the fly pattern I've chosen. Moving down stream, I pick up oddly colors stones that seem so out of place on this river bed, it makes me wonder how far away it originated to get here.

Stepping into the second run of the day is a bit tricky. I've tied on a new flyin the same pattern with a different color scheme. The current is swift on river left but only knee deep and I need to make it to the center,where a small island sits just below the surface. The far side of the river has a nice deep slot that can be seen from a mile away. Its coloration is a deep glacial green with a slight milky tone mixed in and is coaxing me to wet a fly there. "God, there should be something inthere" is all I can think as I wade across and down the swift current. Upon reaching my island destination, I try to remain squatted down so as not to spook any fish that may be laying close to the bank on the first couple casts. My first cast is short and quarters well down stream, landing just this side of a small seam. I wait for the arm wrenching yank of a metal head, but no. Cast two, a little further down and swinging beautifully, nada. Cast three, I stand up for this one as itsa bit further down still and I don't feel as though my presence will spook any creatures below. Swing....Yank, yank!! No line leaves my reel and I know its another dolly. I snap off a handful of pictures for eachfish before I release them back to their water world. I do enjoy the color patterns of these fish, with the white under belly, brown speckeld body, contrasted with vibrant red spots. They blend in perfectly with the river bottom. The day continues on and on in this fashion. The rain is relentless and my sleeves have wicked up moisture all the way to my elbows. With all the rain that has fallen today, I take notice at the slight color change in the river and change my fly again for the last run of the day. Kicking stones to warm up my feet for my hike backup stream, I pause to look at an over turned stump that lays partially submurged along the river shore. What awesome currents it must of taken to dislodge this tree and float it down to where it resides now. I step into the last run of a six hour day, to swing a dozen casts before I head in. I'm yet to get a hit in this run this winter and wonder to myself if it even holds fish. Step, cast, swing, step, cast, swing...nuthin. "Ok, make one good last cast and call it a day" I thinkto myself. I step, load the 13 footer and punch out one last good one,down and across. It settles into its routine and near the end of its swing I begin to step out of the river. Ankle deep and two steps from shore...Yank, yank! I turn to see what the commotion is, as I wasn't paying attention while walking out. Steelie? this one is taking line finally! I see a good size tail flip down on the dimly lit river and hope for the winter metal I've been waiting for all day. The fish comes to the bank shortly after and again its another dolly, this one being the biggest of about 24". I release her back into the wild and call ita day that I wont soon forget.

BCW

Tell all your friends

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Thank You.

Happy Mama Mama Day

Dear mum,

I know this is an old photo of us. Look, I dont even have any hair yet. I just love this picture of us with our fist fish back when I was 6 months old. Wow I am already 17 months! I love you mom!

Love, Tegan

A Ma and Pa Fly Shop in The Dalles

If your driv'en on Interstate 84 heading to the Deshutes, Klickitat, John Day, Grande Ronde Rivers stop by " Fly Shop of the Dalles" to pick up a few flies, tying material or the reel and rod you left home. Jan and Jeff the owners of the fly shop are avid anglers and can answer any question about currant fishing condition or just sit down and tye a fly (the vise is always out.) They don't mind.

One of the many cool designs by Jan.

What is a Rotary Screw Trap

Tegan and I caught up with Katy and Christine from the Zig Zag Forest Service yesterday. We checked out the screw trap and looked at smolts captured in the trap, on a tributary to the Sandy River. A screw trap captures smolts migrating from their home waters out to the ocean. Katy and Christine are collecting fish data such as weight and length of fish to monitor the overall health of the river or tributary, and estimate a population return for future years.

Coho

Cutthroat

Steelhead

Summer Steelhead!

More of them in the river everyday!
Rich Batcheller with one from yesterday.

Experimental acrylic painting by Mia January 2008.

The Fly Fishing Journal

I can't wait to see the first issue of Fly Fishing Journal in August 09.' Being a snowborder in my younger years I've spent many hours flipping through countless snowboard magazine, gawking at images that left my imagination cringing for those endless powder days. Jeff Galbraith has been the editor of Snowboarder Magazine and since then has focused on publishing the magazines Frequency and The Ski Journal and are nothing short of the best in their respective fields! Needless to say given the reputation of these Ski magazines, The Fly Fishing Journal will be a touch of class with images that will leave you wishing you could quit your job and go fishing.

"The Flyfish Journal photography will showcase the highest quality imagery. Featuring fly fishing's greatest contemporary feats, as well as classic, timeless images that define every era of the culture." "Equally interested in publishing incredible images of fishing's unheralded and unknown. Seeking images that speak to the soulful eccentricities of fly fishing, shots rich in context, character and feeling. Creative shots the others won't run."



http://www.theflyfishjournal.com/

Native Fish Society T-Shirts

Limited Edition Native Fish Society T-Shirts.

There will be only 150 men's shirts available and around 25 shirts specifically cut for women.

The shirts were designed by Laundry Studios / Meat is Good for You, Inc. and are done on organic ringspun cotton with a quality screenprint job. They will sell for $25 each, with every cent of the proceeds going the NFS. Our goal is to sell out at the Sandy River Spey Clave, but those who cannot attend and would still like a shirt can contact Fran Taylor at http://us.mc552.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=fran@molalla.net.