If you have young boys like I do, you can appreciate the value of an indestructible fly box that also floats. In my quest for such a box (and sanity) I've found the Orvis Lightweight Floating Fly Boxes to fit the bill nicely.

Orvis Lightweight Floating Fly Boxes

Step on it, fold it in half, or run it over (or give it to a 12-year old for a week). Orvis' Lightweight Floating Fly Box will pop back into shape.

These indestructible, floating boxes are 75% lighter than Orvis' adjustable boxes. They feature a rippled side for your nymphs and dries and a flat side for your bulky streamers (or those "creative" flies your kids come up with).

Orvis' Lightweight Floating Fly Box is constructed of lightweight, versatile foam and an abrasion-resistant exterior finish.

Getting what you need: $11.95
Maintaining your sanity: priceless

If you have a favorite fly box that can stand up to the terror of a 12-year old and floats to boot, leave us a comment below - our readers want to know!

Indestructbile Floating Fly Boxes is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• Olive The Little Woolly Bugger – A Wonderful Story
• Fly Tying Material of the Week: Snowshoe Rabbit Foot
• [Fly Tying] Snowshoe Rabbit Foot

Click here to watch video.

Tips on Tying PMD Sparkle Dun

As Craig points out in the video, selecting the proper deer hair is critical to tying this pattern properly. The short deer hair fiber with black tips that Craig describes comes from the leg of the deer and is commonly known as Comparadun hair. Comparadun hair is solid rather than hollow making it finer and easier to tie in.

Material List

Hook: TMC 100 #16-20
Thread: Danville Yellow 6/0
Body: PMD Superfine dubbing
Wing: Natural Comparadun Deer Hair
Tail: Ginger Z-lon

Enjoy!

Looking for more fly tying videos? Check out our library of over 400 fly tying patterns.

[Video] Tying a PMD Sparkle Dun is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• [Video] Happy Mother’s Day Caddis
• [Video] How-to Tie a Baetis Mayfly Dun
• Sparkle Hair Fly Tying Material

Guest post by Rich Strolis

Farmington River Tailwater

Well June came and went and the fishing was nothing short of spectacular. The Farmington River has been holding steady at a flow between 240-350 cfs with temperatures in the 50's, perfect for trout. With releases a bit lower than last season and a reservoir with an abundance of water we should see sustained cold water into mid-August or later before we get any sort of flip effect.

Yellow Mayflies Abound

The sulfurs are here in full force and have been providing some great surface activity from anytime in the afternoon. With 3-4 different sizes and colors emerging at any given time, it pays to have a few of the same patterns in sizes ranging from 14-20 in pale yellow, bright yellow, orange and pale olive to cover your bases.

A sulfur parachute, or snowshoe emerger in those color ranges usually gets the job done, but don't neglect fishing the nymphal stage, as it can be the most productive stage to imitate. This can usually be imitated with a pheasant tail or hare's ear in a dark to rusty brown color, but a variety of other smaller mayfly nymphs out there will be the ticket.

Isonychia, Blue-Winged Olives and Needhami

The first brood of Isonychia are here, and they can emerge sporadically at any time, most likely in the later part of the day. A larger comparadun or snowshoe emerger fished blind in the riffles can bring even the largest of fish to the surface, and the takes are usually violent.

Various olives from small to minute are also a daily occurrence as of late, and like the sulfur, are in a variety of colors as well. Light olive to dark olive, pale grey to apple green, in sizes 28+ to as large as a 16.

Needhami (Little Dark Hendrickson) are hatching in good numbers a well with spinner falls occurring at the same time as new insects emerge, so be sure to have imitations of both.

Summer Caddis and Terrestrials

Summer caddis are hatching most mornings, and dark blue sedges, tan, grey and black caddis hatching sporadically on any given day. Larger yellow craneflies are still emerging in good numbers and lastly, little yellow sallies are just starting to come into the picture, so I guess it is safe to say, there is quite a wide range of food choices out there trout to choose from.

Throw in the fact that terrestrials are a key part of mid day fishing and you have a wide range of options. A well placed ant, beetle or inch worm can be the ticket in keeping a bend in the rod on hotter sunny days, and don't be bashful at going large either.

Rubber Hatch Starting

As usual, this time of year the river receives a great deal of use from watercraft, so adjust your fishing mindset accordingly. If you happen to be on the water during a high watercraft traffic day, seek out areas of lesser traffic and you should strike gold.

And lastly, on high hot sunny days, target the shaded riffles and seams and you will find some success. Should be another great month of fishing ahead. Good luck!

Rich Strolis
Catching Shadows Guide Service

Rich Strolis is an independent guide on the Farmington and Housatonic rivers in Connecticut. A fisherman of 25 + years and fly tyer of 20. Aside from guiding clients on his home waters frequently, Rich is a passionate and innovative fly tyer who showcases several of his creations in his monthly fly tying videos.

***Visit our Farmington River Fly Fishing Guide for additional information and current stream conditions.***

Farmington River Fishing Well Through Summer Heat is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• CT – Farmington River Fishing Report 05.25.10
• CT – Farmington River Fishing Report 04-27-10
• [Video] Vitreus Soft Hackle

Click here to watch video.

Nice photo collage of fly fishing Gunnison River in Colorado set to some cool music.

Gunnison River Fly Fishing Report

While the salmonfly hatch is over, Caddis and small stoneflies are providing excellent dry fly action and it won't be long before hopper season is here!

A quick update on fly fishing the Gunnison is provided below (courtesy of Orvis):

Gunnison River - Central CO Rockies | Colorado Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Report Date: 07/08/2010 Reported by: Willowfly Anglers Water flow: 712 cfs Visibility: 36 inches Water temperature at mid-day: 56 Degrees F Water condition: Clear Best time of day to fish: 9 AM to 7 PM Best stretch: Almont to Coopers Ranch "Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance: Fly Name: Fly Color: Fly Size(s): stonefly nymphs black, golden 6-10 BLM copper-ish 16-18 caddis olive, tan, brown 14-16 Green Drakes 10-12 Fishing season: March 1 - October 31 (Prime: June 20 - August 20) Real-time water flow data from USGS: Tips of the week: Fish tandem nymph rigs and dry-dropper rigs. Streamers are also effective, especially when the water is a bit stained. Best Techniques: Fish tandem nymph rigs with a mayfly nymph, like a Micro Mayfly or BLM, trailing behind a larger stonefly nymph. Fish a dry-dropper rig in the afternoon with a big stonefly adult on top and a BLM or Copper John below. 7 day forecast: The Gunnison River is fishing great. Green Drakes and PMDs are now hatching on the Gunnison. Caddis are hatching in the afternoons/evenings. This is some of the best dry fly action of the year.

© 2010 The Orvis Company, Inc.

Finding this report a little dated? View the latest Gunnison River Fly Fishing Report

.

Gunnison River Fly Fishing Report is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• CT – Farmington River Fishing Report 05.25.10
• [Red Hot] Fishing Report – South Holston River, TN (11-02-09)
• CT – Farmington River Fishing Report 04-27-10

Click here to watch video.

Pale Morning Dun Patterns

One the more famous hatches of the year in the Greater Yellowstone area, including the fabled waters of Yellowstone National Park and southern Montana is the Pale Morning Dun or PMD hatch. As George Anderson put's it,

This is THE hatch of the year on the famous spring creeks of Paradise Valley, like Armstrong’s, DePuy’s and Nelson’s. Anglers in the know book early to secure a space on these spring creeks during "prime time" of the PMD hatch, knowing that this will be some of the finest fishing – especially dry fly fishing – of the entire year.

This hatch occurs on most Montana streams, usually in July, but different species of the same basic insect make this perhaps the most important hatch of the season, especially on the flat-water streams like the spring creeks, the Firehole, Slough Creek, Soda Butte and the Lamar river in Yellowstone Park and also tailwaters like the Lower Madison and the Missouri.

Pale Morning Dun Emerger

It is natural to think that during a full blow PMD hatch, trout would feed on the high riding duns, but many have found that fishing emergers, cripples and even emerging nymphs is usually the ticket to catching more fish. Trout, like most wild animals, prey upon the weak and often pass on the duns that can fly off the water at any given moment and prefer emerging PMDs struggling in the surface film, trying to free themselves from their nymphal shuck.

John Barr realized this back in the 1970's and developed the infamous Barr Emerger. Since then numerous variations of the Barr Emerger have evolved including this one shown to us by Aaron Jasper in tonight's fly tying video.

This is a pretty quick fly pattern to tie and you don't need to fuss too much, just go easy on the dubbing so as to maintain a thin profile on the fly.

Material List

Hook:Tiemco 2499 SPBL
Body: Lifecylce Dubbing, dark brown
Thorax: Superfine dubbing, pale morning dun
Wing:Z-Lon, white
Tail: Darlon, dark brown
Ribbing: Crystal Flash, brown

Enjoy!

Subscribe to Fly Fishing Reporter (it's free!) and we'll email you a new Friday Night Fly Tying Video every week.

[Video] Pale Morning Dun Patterns is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• [Video] Vitreus Soft Hackle
• [Video] How-to Tie a Baetis Mayfly Dun
• [Video] Happy Mother’s Day Caddis

Click here to watch video.

Sage Vantage Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Outfits

The Vantage Rod Series caters to fly anglers who are just getting their feet wet. Engineered to be easier to use for novices who typically cast shorter distances, they boast a Medium-Fast Action and a slim-line ferrule design that makes them fast, smooth, and light. Distinctive features include hard chrome snake guides, Hardloy stripping guides, a titanium anodized-aluminum reel seat, pre-shaped cork handles, and a Cordura rod tube. Color: Mocha. Outfits include a Sage 1600 Series reel, a matching rod/reel case, flyline, and backing. Made in USA.
List Price:
Price: 405.0

[Review] Sage Vantage Fly Rod and Reel Outfits is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• Sage Fly Rods
• [Gear Talk] Ross Evolution Fly Reel – Get Them While You Can!
• How to Save Hundreds on a New Orvis Helios, Hydros or TLS Fly Rod

Bob Jacklin, author of numerous books on fly fishing Yellowstone National Park, shows us how to tie his favorite Western Green Drake in our Friday Night Fly Tying Video brought to us by The Weekly Fly.

Yellowstone Area Green Drake Hatch

If you are heading out to fish the Henry's Fork or other rivers in the greater Yellowstone National Park area, you'll want a few Green Drake dry flies in your quiver. While the Green Drake hatch can be fickle at times, if you catch it right it can be a glorious event. Bob Jacklin knows this well and shares his tips on tying his favorite Green Drake for the greater Yellowstone area.

Material List

Hook:285 Dia-Rikki (or 1x nymph hook)
Body:Australian Possum dubbing, light olive
Hackle:Yellow grizzly
Wing:Elk Hair, Grey
Tail:Deer Hair, Olive
Ribbing:Gudebrod Silk Thread EE, Yellow

Enjoy!

p.s. For more information about fly fishing Yellowstone National Park and the flies you'll need consider one of Bob's books.

Fly Fishing the Yellowstone in the Park

The Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park is widely know for two things: the spectacular Yellowstone Falls, and a few miles of world-class dry-fly fishing for native cutthroat trout. But for all its reputation for easy pickings for big fish, the river can be devilishly difficult, depending on the season and the fishing conditions. Those big, burly cutthroats have seen it all and, at times, they can seem downright jaded--unless you know how to fish for them.

List Price: $ 12.95

Price: $ 8.31

Subscribe to Fly Fishing Reporter (it's free!) and we'll email you a new Friday Night Fly Tying Video every week.

[Video] Tying Bob Jacklin’s Green Drake is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• [Video] Craig Mathews Fly Tying Videos
• How to Fish the Big Bug Hatches
• Bob Jacklin’s Madison River Monster Brown Trout

This Fly Fishing Tip is brought to you by RiverBum.com and Jake Ricks of Utah Fly Guides.

Every year at about this time in the Rockies the big bugs come out. This usually means Green Drakes, Stoneflies, Salmon Flies, and occasionally some other big bugs like Brown Drakes. These flies obviously get the attention of the trout in my local rivers, however, they can also present some challenges. Here are a few ideas about how to have a great fishing day when the big bugs come out to play.

1. Be Prepared With Many Patterns

Be prepared with several types of patterns. I've seen fish that have seen a lot of Green Drakes start to key in only on the nymphs and emergers. With a lot of food drifting in the current during these hatches they don't have to expend the energy to take the adults. Be ready to trail a Green Drake nymph imitation or a Green Drake Emerger pattern as a dropper behind the dry fly. At other times they may only take crippled adult flies so have some cripple patterns on hand.

2. Fish Drowned Flies

In Salmon Fly and Stonefly hatches sometimes the fish will only take drowned adult flies so be ready to sink those babies with spit or Xink.

3. Fish the Start of the Hatch

3. Be sure to hit the start of the hatch and not the tail end. In the first 1 to 3 days that the big bugs are hatching the fish will be ravenous. By day 4 to 7 the fish may simply be full and even though you'll see big old bugs drifting, you might have trouble catching fish. If you find yourself in this situation you can always try to go way upstream to get ahead of the hatch. Hatches will often start in the lower reaches of rivers and then day by day progress upstream as water temperatures go up.

4. Fish At The Right Time

Be sure to fish at the right time. Most of the big bugs around my area hatch in the middle of the day. Fishing late in the day after the hatches can be a waste of time. Sometimes you can fish nymphs all day but often the fish get full after a big hatch and they simply wait for the next day's hatch to eat again.

5. Get Out On The Water!

As I write this I know that big Green Drakes and Stoneflies are hatching on some of my favorite rivers so I'm taking a little time off from guiding and following my own advice as I fish this week. Following these few pointers should help you too to catch more fish when the big old bugs are out and about in your area but remember that nothing works if you don't get out on the water. Hopefully you can because the good thing about big bugs is that they certainly interest every fish in the river, including the big boys.

Good luck and tight lines! Hope to see you on the water.

Jake Ricks
Fly Fishing Professional, Guide, and Author

Enjoy our Fly Fishing Tip & Tactics? Subscribe to the Fly Fishing Reporter eNewsletter and we'll make sure you don't miss any.

How to Fish the Big Bug Hatches is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• [Video] Baetis Wet Flies
• 5 Tips for Fly Fishing New Waters
• [Video] How-to Tie a Baetis Mayfly Dun

Migrating Wild Salmon at Dagger Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Click here to watch video.

I think the video says it all.

If you would like to help:

www.wildsalmon.org
sos@wildsalmon.org
1-800-SOS-Salmon

p.s. Thanks to Moldychum who shared this video on Vodpod.

Save our Wild Salmon is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• Fly Tying Videos: Midges
• Fly Tying Videos: Soft Hackles
• Fly Tying Videos: Nymphs

Party at the drop off
Image by Mr eNil

This Fly Fishing Tip is brought to you by RiverBum.com and Jake Ricks of Utah Fly Guides.

Why Fish Like Drop Offs

When reading water, whether in a stream, river, lake, or ocean, be sure to pay particular attention to drop offs. These prime locations, where shallow water abruptly drops to deeper water, are the perfect spots to find fish. The shallow water areas are generally productive with lots of food and the deep water affords fish protection from predators and a place to escape bright sun in the middle of the day. Here are a few tactics for fishing drop offs.

Fly Fishing Drop Offs in Rivers

I've had a lot of success in rivers by casting to the shallows upstream of the drop off and letting flies drift off the drop and into deeper water. This is particularly effective with nymphs. If your flies hang up on the bottom in the shallows don't yank them off simply pull them along the bottom until they reach the drop and then let them drift from there.

Fly Fishing Drop Offs in Lakes

In lakes and in salt water it often pays off to position a boat, tube, or whatever you might be floating on, just off of the drop off on the deep water side. Cast streamers or other flies like leeches or nymphs into the shallows and then pull them off of the shelf toward deeper water. Slow your retrieve as the flies reach the point of the drop so they fall along the drop off. Most often your strikes will occur just as the flies start to fall.

Fish a Multi-fly Nymph Rig

Another effective lake technique is to use a static nymph rig consisting of 2 or 3 (where legal) nymphs suspended under a strike indicator like a Thingamabobber. Hang the flies a little deeper than the shallow water shelf just off of the edge over deeper water. This is the zone that fish often cruise while looking for food without straying too far from the deep water.

Pay attention to drop offs as you read water and select spots to fish and you'll have a better chance at finding more feeding fish.

Good luck and tight lines!

Jake Ricks
Fly Fishing Professional, Guide, and Author

Enjoy our Weekly Fly Fishing Tip? Subscribe to the Fly Fishing Reporter eNewsletter and we'll make sure you don't miss any.

Products mentioned in this article and where to get them:

Thingamabobber Strike Indicators Size: Small 1/2" dia. (5 pack)

• Available in four sizes
• Feature trapped air technology so the indicator rides high on the water
• Easy to cast, great for fly fishing
• Multicolored packs
• Quantities vary by size

Thingamabobber Strike Indicators feature trapped air technology so the indicator rides high on the water. These lightweight round indicators are very easy to cast. The line guides are gentle on light leaders and are easy to attach and adjust for water depth. Thingamabobbers stay in place on your line and never sink and dont need additional floatant to stay afloat.

Price: $ 4.95

3 Strategies for Fly Fishing Drop Offs with Nymphs & Streamers is a post from: Fly Fishing Reporter

Related Articles:

• Fly Fishing with Strike Indicators: Smoky Mountain Style
• 4 Tips to Catching Big Trout Down Deep
• Euro Nymphing: Czech Nymphing, French Nymphing, Spanish Nymphing