FlySpoke

Fly Tying Tip #127

2012-02-25T20:23:00.003-05:00

Recently I spent some time with Enrico Puglisi. I asked him to show and explain the uses of his various materials, and in what flies they were most often found.

Now, if you are a salt water angler, you probably understand the outstanding importance of these materials. But as a Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon guy, I am going to find some new aspects of what I was shown.

I have been incorporating Enrico's brushes with materials like Finn Raccoon and Arctic Fox and I am getting some great fat back effects. The brilliance, body and colors are in a class of their own.....I'm looking forward to mid March on the Salmon River and close by New York creeks to confirm what I think I already know........

FlySpoke Spring Casting Lesson Schedule

2012-02-23T12:30:00.002-05:00

During the months of March & April, I will be offering group lessons in single and two hand casting. Please contact me by phone or email for sign up. Every class will be strictly limited to the first 6 students paid at a cost of $35 for each class, except those classes indicated differently below. These are two hour plus classes unless indicated, and you are guaranteed to leave a better caster than when you arrived. The locations are listed. It doesn't mater what level you are at now. I am making these classes long enough so that personal attention is possible for all. Beginners to advanced are welcome. All classes are mixed gender. This is an opportunity to improve your casting as well as catching. I have scheduled these classes so that anyone who takes a week one or two class will get the time to practice before returning for a later more advanced scheduled class.

March 24, 2012
Class 1 - 9am Single Hand Service Veterans(free class)any donation will be 100% given to Project Healing Waters. The only requirement is you are serving or are a veteran. This is a land class and will cover the many aspects of what it takes to make a great presentation. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire
Class 2 – 1:30pm Two Hand Steelhead Skagit & Scandi Short Head Underhand Casting, this is a water class, waders are required. Headed to Pulaski post spawn on the swing? Perfect timing. Profile Falls Recreation Area, Bristol., New Hampshire

March 31, 2012
Class 3 - 9am Single Hand Casting, this is a land class for beginner to medium skill levels. You will go as far as your ability will allow. You will leave this class with the total understanding of what and how a tight loop is made. Correcting and improving will be the focus. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire
Class 4 - 1:30pm Two Hand Casting Including Shooting Salter Style. This is a water class. Waders are required. Traditional Spey, Scandi, Skagit and Salter Overhead. The Switch Rod will be addressed. Get all the information you will need to fish in the style of your choice. Rods, lines, tips, leaders and casting style for each will be detailed. Profile Falls Recreation Area, Bristol, New Hampshire

April 7, 2012
Class 5 - 9am to 11am for 12 to 17 year old Single Hand Beginners Casting, Parents welcome to attend $20 per student, This is a land class. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire
Class 6 - 11am to 12:30 11 years old and under Beginners Class Any donations will be 100% given to Casting For Recovery. Parents asked to attend. This is a land class, Start a casting life correctly. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire
Class 7 - 1pm Single Hand Casting with the emphasis on Spey Casting style for one hand. This is a water class and waders are required. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire

April 14, 2012
Class 8 - 9am Single Hand Casting, let it all hang out and finish with the longest cast of your life. This is a land class. Geared to casters who feel they have good to excellent skills. Massabesic Lake Park, Auburn, New Hampshire
Class 9 - 1:30pm Two Hand Casting, all styles will be addressed. For the two hand caster who wants to refine their style. Personal attention will be the key to making sure that you are maximizing the potential of your style. This is an in the water class, waders required. Profile Falls Recreation Area, Bristol, New Hampshire

Please contact me at William@FlySpoke.com or call 603-501-9511. Private lessons can be arranged at any time. I work specificity geared toward your angling agenda. I am a Federation Of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor having achieved what it takes to offer the highest of learning experience.

Detailed information will be supplied for all casters who register for a class. Soft drinks and water will be provided. No hooks or flies are needed. Your equipment as is will be fine. Should you desire purchasing equipment that is style specific I will be happy to advise what is needed. Cleaning lines is encouraged.

My Letter In Reference To Rebuilding the Dam At Scribner's Mill On The Crooked River In Maine

2012-02-23T08:09:00.007-05:00

Dear Mr. Bullard,

I write to you in opposition of a favorable decision to obstruct the Crooked River at Scribners Mill.

Throughout New England there is an understanding, that at one time, dams were erected for a propose. The greater good of the people was served. We also have an understanding that the decimation of our natural resources caused by those actions were not serving the interests of the greater good.

Today I see no positive application or effect of a greater good by allowing a single company or person to obstruct any waterway, let alone a water resource as valuable to the great State of Maine as this one with it's fate in your hands.

Respectfully,

William
If you are opposed to damming the Crooked

River, then now is the time to stand up and be

counted. Please send your letters and e-mails to:

Bill Bullard

Project Manager

Division of Land Resource Regulation

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

312 Canco Road

Portland, ME 04103

Bill.Bullard@maine.gov

If you feel that you need more information, e-mail:

Steve Heinz: heinz@maine.rr.com

Spring Steelhead , Swing Or Drift? The Choice Is Yours..........

2012-02-22T09:59:00.021-05:00

Right now the door is opening wide on the available styles to fish the fly for Steelhead in New York State. As February turns to April, there is a constant increase in the effective amount of time per day that offers a connection. Between now and the second week of April you should plan to make the trip.

Right now we are in the pre spawn mode waiting for water temperatures to increase from the winter's lows. The sun is getting higher and there is a relatively small amount of snow in the woods. This is an odd year for sure. Cold mornings will turn to increasing temperatures that can raise the water by very small increments that will give fish the trigger to get on the bite. You are looking for days that the high temperatures will be in the low forties at best. The reason is that when the day is bright and extra warm the river will receive melting snow and ice that will lower the temperature. This is a key factor to putting the fish down. A gradual melt from the hills is what will make for the best conditions.

February
My number one desire is to swing flies with a two hand rod. Because I know that my options are limited during the beginning of this period, I make sure that I am well prepared for my day on the water. I will have time enough during March and early April to use a longer two hand rod for the pure swing. Water temperatures will raise and the fish will get far more aggressive to chase a fly. During the end of February right until the spawn I use a two hand rod that can be converted by a change of tips and leader to swing or nymph. I refer to this as my Swimph Rod. The soft tip is the key to handling Steelhead with light tippets.

March
This is the transitional time where a number of things are happening rapidly. You are going to need to make choices between how you will spend your time as well as where. This is the time when the biggest fish of the season will be on the move, fresh from the lake and swimming with the direct purpose of nature. This is the greatest opportunity for a trophy on the swing in the lower part of the river. This is also the easiest way to go home for the day without a fish. There is always the option to stay in the middle and upper river to nymph to the largest quantity of fish that the resource will receive for the year.

By the end of March it is spawning time, the air and water temperatures are moderating, fish are all there. The entire river is full of a mixed bag of fish and depending on the water quantity and temperature some fish will start to drop back to the lake. When this happens I go to full swing mode.

April
The spawn can continue depending on water temperature. This is a time for me to swing with any number of fly styles. There are a lot of hungry fish available in a warming flow. I am prepared to go really big with stinger leaches, intruders and tubes. West Coast Syd Glasso style flies as well as smaller soft hackle and collar creations will all take fish. The lower part of the river will get my attention as the fish are starting to make their way past me to the lake to spend the summer.

This is the time to go as much as you can. There is no other fishery on the East Coast that compares with the possible quality fish you could hook. Don't let the talk of crowds and unruly people stop you from experiencing this fishing. Pay attention to the weather, the river flow and making sure you are fully prepared to be out all day. The reality of Steelhead fishing in New York is that the angling civility is increasing with the quality of the fishing.

Nymph when you must. Swing when you can.............

William

Can Instinct Be A Learning Process?

2012-02-17T09:50:00.004-05:00

A few days ago, I received a phone call from a very good friend and highly experienced angler. He called to tell me about his day fishing and the events that happened. In great detail, he told me of the five hook ups through the day and how and where. I was really happy for his good fortune and wished I had joined him. The important fact was that he remembered every aspect of what occurred.

Any day in February, that you have five hook ups is a great day to me. I then asked how his partner did. "He didn't get any to take" he said. "We were fishing the same water with the same flies and I just can't explain why. He has all the passion and desire and did work hard, but just did not connect."

Well, I think I can explain exactly why and it has to do with what I call Learned Instinct. Fish have instinct that is extremely powerful. The slightest thing out of place will freeze them from moving, let alone take a fly.

Some of us will go through an entire day and not give a thought as to what is happening under the water. Some of us will watch with great concentration as our line moves with the flow. Some of us could close our eyes and feel every move the line is making. When you get to that point you have achieved Learned Instinct.

The angler who throws out his line without thought is relying on luck. The angler who watches every movement is learning. The angler who can feel has learned what is right and makes it happen without thought. Sort of like a basketball player who has achieved spontaneous action. No premeditated thought goes into the process but the result is a basket.

The difference in my friend and his partner is the number of hours of careful attention paid to what is happening at every moment.

The moral to this story is that you need to fish a lot if you want to be successful. Not every day will produce the catch, but your chances increase with every moment you are willing to pay attention.

William

Maine Atlantic Salmon In Jeopardy

2012-02-15T14:40:00.003-05:00

I received this letter today and asked to spread the word......

Unfortunately, the Atlantic salmon restoration program in Maine is officially on it's deathbed. As of July 1, 2012 the program will enter into a death spiral and become a vestige of its former self. The program is in a whole lot of trouble.

How did we get here?

Here is a little history lesson. If you recall, beginning with the McKernan administration when it cut the Atlantic Salmon Commission budget by 63%, the State of Maine has repeatedly failed to properly fund diadromous fish restoration. With each successive budget since those dark days of the early 1990's , more and more (State of Maine) General Fund dollars were diverted for other uses (some obviously legitimate, others not). Riding in on their white horses were the federal agencies waving a few dollars that the State gratefully accepted in lieu of funding programs that the State should be funding. First, it was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - that lasted less than 10 years until they tired of being the State's sugar daddy. Second, it was NOAA who established a grant program with specific deliverables essentially making the state's scientists their field technicians.

Now, NOAA is backing out of its agreed to 5-year commitment to the State starting with year 2 of the agreement. The State had requested $1.5M per year for the five year term of the agreement in order to perform all the deliverables that NOAA was asking of the State. The grant is to support 14.5 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs = staff positions). NOAA countered with $1.2M and the State agreed and the State was poised to layoff 2.5 FTEs on July 1, 2012. Additional positions were not to be filled at retirement (also on July 1). So effective July 1, the program was to be pared down to 11 FTEs. However, NOAA reconsidered and is now cutting an additional $500K from the grant. Needless to say, this cutback will have a devastating impact on the State's ability to perform any semblance of restoration. As it stands today, effective July 1 the State will have 5 FTEs in the entire State working on restoration. (Incidentally, the Penobscot will be down to 1.5 FTEs or 2.5 FTEs depending on how staff are realigned). It is a travesty in two respects: 1) NOAA has reneged on its agreement and essentially has pulled the rug out from under the State's program late in the game; 2) the State should have recognized the risks of federal handouts and the fact that the spigot could be turned off at a moments notice. Sadly, but not surprisingly, the State has no backup plan. What makes it even sadder is that this is occurring on the eve of the removal of two dams that has been ballyhooed as the greatest thing to happen in diadromous fish restoration. Well, the State of Maine is certainly not prepared to move forward and the entire restoration is now threatened: no resources = no restoration. NOAA has not so secretly desired control of the program. Looks like the ball is now in their court. Unfortunately, the State has abdicated its management rights and NOAA is the big bad wolf waiting for little red riding hood, ready to pounce on the carcass. Mark the date - July 1, 2012.

It would be helpful to spread the word and get some sort of groundswell of support to communicate concerns to the Congressional delegation and others who may have control of purse strings, federal or otherwise. John Burrows at ASF has been contacted and he and Andy Goode are now aware of these dire circumstances. We all need to let others know.

Scuds Are Everywhere

2012-02-12T08:10:00.001-05:00

As part of the order Amphipoda, the physical composition of scuds offer a substantial food requirement for trout and land locked salmon.

They tend to thrive in an alkaline environment and are rich in calcium. The other great feature is that they are available all year long. They live world wide with over 700 different varieties.

The life of these macro-invertebrates starts as an egg that hatches aquatically. There is no metamorphosis as in the mayfly and caddis insects we might be more familiar with. The scud grows in size over it's one year life span through a molting process as in other Crustaceans.

There are a few distinct characteristics that are most important to us as anglers. The first is the color range. The most abundant family of scud is in the Gammarus genus. They range from white, tan, brown, olive and when dead will be a pale orange. Their size range can be as large as a size 8 and as small as a 22. You will find scuds primarily in dead water lakes and ponds and small streams. They hide on bright days and are most active when cloudy.

Scuds should be tied on straight hooks as well as the more common curved. This is because, when active, they dart around and extend their bodies to swim. The features that should be included in our creations will incorporate two pair of antennae, two eyes, thirteen individual body segments from the head and eight pairs of appendages that are spread to the end of the body. There is no tail as they are not true shrimp.

I fish Scuds as part of my regular routine. There is nothing like a white Scud to get a big brown trouts interest. In waters where this rich food form is present, they should be part of your daily routine.

William

Fly Tying Tip #126

2012-02-11T07:53:00.003-05:00

Many years ago, I fished Atlantic Salmon in New Brunswick, Canada out of Arlington Bamfords camp. Sadly I only knew Mr. Bamford in his ending years. He was a wise angler who lived the legends of the Marimachi and I remember one very valuable piece of information he shared with me.

One day in October he asked me, "what is the first thing you do when you get to the river?. Looking puzzled and too young to bother with anything other than jumping in and catching a fish, he said, "ya take a big hand full of gravel and wash your hands, they can smell you"

Given the incredible sense of smell that fish possess, and the understanding that fish automatically turn off instinctively when factors are out of sync, it has led me to think about this statement in broader terms. Not only what smells I am adding to my fly just to tie it on, but the storage containers where I keep my materials that could be adding unwanted aroma. We might enjoy the distinctive value of a good Cuban cigar, but last I heard, fish don't smoke....

Please Welcome A New Sponsor

2012-02-10T07:31:00.002-05:00

Mark Wilde, owner of Uncle Jammer's Vermont Guide Service, has been guiding for 14 years. His passion for fly fishing, combined with the skills and patience developed over 30 years as a high school agriculture and natural resources teacher make him an effecive guide and instructor. A Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting instructor and Instructor at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, Mark especially loves teaching fly fishing and witnessing first time experiences of his clients.

I highly encourage you to let Mark by your guide.

Fly Tying Tip #125

2012-02-09T08:06:00.003-05:00

A Little Sparkle Might Just Get Some Attention

There is a world of special effects to be found at your local pharmacy store. Display after display of nail polish in every color possible and containing tiny bits of sparkle. When Mayflies go through the transformation from nymph to dunn, they must release themselves from the bottom of the river, swim up and break through the surface film. As you can imagine this is not an easy task were in not for the production of gas bubbles that aid in buoyancy.

This effect can be replicated by use of flash back or dubbing with UV properties. A way that I create this look is to use very small amounts of nail polish with holographic flecks. I will paint bodies, wing casings or just the head. You will find many products with flecks of all different sizes. I even use these for the heads of Steelhead flies. Try it, you might even paint a nail or two.....

Swing, Swing, Swing

2012-02-05T16:43:00.005-05:00

When I was fifteen years old, I was a musician, well more like a guitar player. Me and the band would run through the fields in town pretending to be the Beetles. The drummer's father, a music buff from the 1940's himself, wanted to take us to see the great Gean Krupa in New York City, playing at the Metropole Cafe. I was very excited for this opportunity and can still see Gene up on the high stage playing his immortal Swing, Swing, Swing.

Today getting fish on the swing, swing, swing is of great importance for me. I am in my sixth year using a five weight switch rod and use it for all medium to large river trout situations including nymphing. This is the third year doing the same with an eight weight Switch for Steelhead. There are so many advantages to this style of fishing that not using these tools is down right foolish. If you are stuck on your nine foot single hand rod, please consider a switch. Line control is one value and by itself enough reason for me. The one major thing to consider is that the tip be soft. Properly named by my angling partner, Leo, a "Swimph Rod". You need the happy medium between swinging a faster action and having a softer tip to handle the quick changing reaction when playing a big fish on light tippet when nymphing. Especially Steelhead......

Six years ago, and for that matter one year ago, there were no lines available for what I was attempting to do. One Rod, One reel, One line that converts to both swinging and nymphing. Most people think of a switch rod as one that will cast single or double handed, but that is not how they got their name. One day master rod builder Bob Meiser and West Coast casting Guru Mike Kenney were fishing together for Steelhead. Bob had a new short rod he wanted Mike to try out. Bob said "Let's Switch" and a new concept was born. Their collaboration with Temple Fork is proof of what two experts in their own right can achieve.

I started out taking heavier than standard requirement weight forward lines and cutting off all but fourteen feet of the head and attaching that to thin shooting lines. This line was able to handle indicators and weights for nymphing or poly leaders for swinging without the inertia issues that occur when using standard lines.. Having a braided or mono loop at the front made the quick change possible. Then I started to take short belly Spey lines, bought on sale, cutting back the head until I have fifteen to eighteen feet of belly and then an integrated shooting line. People would look at me funny and just nod politely.

Today you can purchase a number of very short head lines. The one I really like is the Royal Wulff Ambush. These lines are the same idea as the lines I built and are now the norm for switch rods. I still use the ones I build. Not because they are better but because they are mine. Maybe some time one of the rod companies would be interested in building the first Swmiph.

Yesterday, was another great winter scene in New England. I went to the river knowing that even though the water temperature is very cold the fish were taking when the fly was moving. I had prepared for the day by building some larger size streamers and leech flies. It has been the olive color that has been the hot ticket.

Same rod, Same reel, Same line with an easy choice between bottom bounce nymphing and swinging with sink tips and poly leaders or just removing the indicator. Today, the only reason to have a single had rod in your hands is when fishing the dry fly. For that I can think of no better tool.

William

The 2012 Atlantic Salmon Season

2012-02-03T13:43:00.014-05:00

Click Graph For Latest Results

Here in the North East United States, so far, we have had one of the mildest and storm free winters on record. If you look at the graph above it holds the reasons and understanding of why this happens. In prior posts, I have explained the North Atlantic Oscillation and it's effects on Atlantic Salmon returns in North America.

Simply, the NAO has been in a positive, northerly position, state for this entire season starting back in October. Also note that the red line forecasts show a possibility that we will be in a negative position very soon. If the temperature in the North East gets colder you will know why.

You may have seen on the news the extra cold temperatures that have been locked in the Arctic. Because the boundary between high and low barometric pressure in the North Atlantic has been pushed so far north, the cold is blocked and can not move south. Conversely, the warm is able to travel farther north carrying the storms and warmer air in the elevated jet stream across Southern Canada. This would usually mean greater snow fall in Quebec and the Eastern Providences.

What this also means is that those storms traveling across North America are moving into the Atlantic Ocean at a higher latitude disrupting the winter feeding areas that Atlantic Salmon require to sustain numbers and size. Food is scattered and harder to find. It also means that these storms will travel farther north in the Atlantic and circle down into Europe causing lower than normal temperatures and substantial snowfall. The normal path would have these storms joining with the effects of the Gulf Stream and offering Europe a typically mild winter. Given the news reports I have seen, sadly Europe is having a less than typical and deadly winter.

As hard as it is to make any prediction, and if I were only using the information so far, and except for one factor, the writing would be on the wall. I would say we are going to certainly have a down turn from last year. Not a bad season because of the fairly even line on the graph. Years past have had the spikes be car more dramatic in both directions. If the graph were to turn negative and stay that way for the balane of the winter I might have a different opinion.

This year, the X factor is that there have not been so many harsh storms that have moved across Newfoundland and north to Greenland. I have been told by a highly reliable source in Newfoundland that things are close to average with a bit more snow on the eastern part of the Provence.

This factor could negate the effects of the oscillation alone. If the ocean is not tormented then predator will find it's prey comfortably.

So as the season progresses into summer, remember that the Oscillation is in an upward swing of it's thirty five year cycle. Just like the banner year of 1996 during the doldrums happened, 2012 might not go down in history as very special. But then again..........

So, now that I have said this, it is a wait and see for me. This is year number four trying to understand Earth science from an anglers point of view. Also it is very early in the winter season to conclude any prediction. I plan to closely follow the NAO for the next three months as conditions could change. I know that I need many more years of full season information to completely understand all the effects that are possible.

William

Love The Colors This Time Of Year

2012-01-30T14:38:00.000-05:00

There is something about the cold of winter that brings out all the colors on the rainbows. The shimmer of their cheeks and the exclamation of spots has the ability to keep me warm forgetting the wind for a moment. The water over the weekend was 32.5 degrees and the fish were taking stripped and swinging flies. You just never know........

"That In Your Grandfather's Day There Ran Salmon You Could Walk On Their Backs"

2012-01-30T07:45:00.028-05:00

In the stellar Scottish folk song , "Neptune", written by Jim Malcolm and performed by The Poozies, the lyric states that man is what our oceans fear most. "Neptune, I think I'm In Love With The Sea" What we are willing to do now will have a profound influence on the world we leave our children and children's children.

"How do I woo you and make you love me"

As anglers of fresh and salt, we see many of the effects of a polluted and changing environment. We work hard to be as clean as possible, yet the problem can not be helped by anglers alone. Here, where I live, in New Hampshire the Androscoggin River in Gorham, one of our premier trout and salmon waters, is listed catch and release because of residual pollution from one hundred years ago. You can't eat the fish.

"Don't oil my beaches, don't slaughter my whales"

What is happening in Russia, China, India and still to a degree here at home, is the most destructive environmental decline known to mankind. The creation of dirty power and metals exploration is being done in ways that are not environmentally safe. Their logic to America is, " You polluted without the slightest regard to what was happening to the planet, you were made rich by your exploitation and now it is our turn". As an American, I must agree with the view that the world should share a turn to be wealthy and have it's people be rewarded.

But what I ask is simple.

"Don't cross me with diesel, cross me with sail"

Learn from what we did and learn that what the United States did during our Industrial Revolution was wrong. It doesn't take me long, when I cross over many of our New England rivers, to make a comment something like, imagine what it must of been like that fateful spring when all the migrating fish were trapped below that first dam. The result might make the wealthy have more money but the people will pay the price.

"Give me some time to heal up my wounds"

Today in the USA environmentalists are pushing hard to reclaim our rivers. Dams and pollution sources are being removed from the landscape. Steady improvements are being made to water quality. All over the world in the large three countries mentioned to some very small, there are highly motivated people who want security for their families. That security will only be available if the planet that is inherited will be free of the illnesses that are inevitable if the path to riches without regard is followed.

Push The Issue

It is very easy to just move forward and rely on others to take care of this matter. I recently made a small step and joined Trout Unlimited. I think that small steps by many needs to be the course to follow.

"Give me more poison and I will die soon"

In the spirit of my belief, I have started the FlySpoke 'For The Earth' banner. This is a list of organizations and charities that are making a difference that you will find in the left hand column on the front page of this blog. Please look them over and help if possible.

I realize how small I am in the scope of this issue. But I feel compelled to be that small part. Angling is a big part of my life but angling in pure water and breathing clean air is far more important.

"Neptune, I think I'm in Love with the sea"

Please email to me any organizations you would like to have listed.

William

I Went Fishing Yesterday

2012-01-14T09:27:00.006-05:00

Looking at the Weather Channel, about the cold front rolling across the Mid West, made the decision to be outside yesterday a bit of a gamble. The report listed winds between 20 and 30 miles per hour, a combination of sleet, snow and rain, with plummeting temperatures as the day progressed.

Sounds perfect, and I went fishing.

The new snow, that fell the day before, made for a truly beautiful winter environment. Arriving later than usual, I geared up and made my way to my favorite pool. Within four casts I had an eighteen inch rainbow with cheeks of crimson and fins as translucent as can be. Just a wonderful example of New England at her best. A nice part of catching this fish is because a new fly that I created did the trick. Half Feedinator and half Jailbird with a rib of burned Peacock Eye.

For the next three hours I worked the entire run from top to bottom with every fly I could think might work. The weather meandered between sleet to snow and surprisingly I was warm and comfortable . No wind yet, as the front had not run through and temperatures were staying in the mid thirties. I just kept thinking how perfect it was and only if the fish were feeling the love.

Knowing that my time was short, due to a commitment back home, I decided to call it a day. Well, almost. I made a short drive to one other small pool. No footprints in the snow and why not throw a few casts. In the next hour the heavens opened to bright sunshine, the wind started to make some noise and I could feel the temperature making a steady decline. The other thing that happened was I hooked five rainbows, the largest was twenty four inches and the smallest was twenty and one salmon of nineteen. This small untouched pool had so many fish it was just amazing. This was a real steak and eggs event with the two flies that took all the fish being an orange red dot egg and a micro San Juan Worm. The fish were taking the fly at the end of the swing and feeling the take was hard and vibrant. These were aggressive fish even though the water was in the mid thirties.

I had to leave. I didn't want to leave, but I had to get going.

This morning, as I tell you about this story, the front has passed, the temperature will be minus digits by tonight and winter will be holding the North Country captive for a few days. I'm looking for a moral to the story or a some reason that I could be so lucky. Let's just say I will be looking forward to the next Friday the Thirteenth.

William

In The Spirit Of Winter Angling

2011-12-29T10:46:00.005-05:00

New Year's Day is often shrouded in a blanket of deep snow here in New England. Arriving at the river early usually means frozen guides and enough layers of clothing to make mobility a bit harder than usual. The only things that will stop me from being out, this hallowed season opener, will be single digit temperatures or very dangerous driving conditions. It's looking pretty good on both counts right now with clear skies and temperatures in the mid to upper thirties..

This is a day that can be very special and seems to be gaining interest, as my email has been active with inquiries from friends wanting to be out and on the water. January 1 is imprinted in my being and is not one I want to miss.

Today, I had the dog out back for a walk and it is the first time this year the trees were cracking in a stiff wind. The pond down the street should be solid with skaters playing hockey but is still open water. I keep thinking that the law of averages is going to be demanded and January is going to be hard to take. The North Atlantic Oscillation is telling me the colder temps should hold off for a few days at least.

For now, I am in front of a fire reflecting on one of the finest angling years of my life and looking forward to Sunday to get it started again. My fly box has been readied for a month now with a great winter selection of proven winners. The high water of early December has leveled to a perfect flow and the snow cover starting to accumulate in the North Country will keep levels safe.

There are many great places to fish during winter. So many avid anglers don't take part in the off season and are missing some great fun. Think about the possibilities near you. Is there a post spawn Brown Trout river with a dam above the area you fish. How about a lake with a dam that releases water to meet winter levels and harbors Landlocked Salmon and trout that might emigrate. Good places to swing a Black Ghost for sure. Think about where the fish would be during the middle of winter and you just might find a rainbow.........I'm just saying...........

Wishing you a safe and wonderful New Year with many adventures and a few big fish......

William

The Joy Of Tube Flies

2011-12-13T10:26:00.001-05:00

In my opinion, tube flies are just plain fun. I don't need any other reason to tie them and try them. I will do my best to offer the pro's and con's.

Pro's

A tube fly, based on material, length and shape can be both lighter or heavier than flies tied on hooks.

A tube fly can be much longer with the hook in the back of the fly without creating damaging leverage.

The hook size of a tube fly can be changed according to situation and fish species.

You can make plastic tube flies hitch or skitter for salmon.

A tube fly will accept cone heads, bead chain and baffles with ease directly on the tube as you are tying.

Con's

Sorry, I can't think of any.

There are many different size and weight of tubes available on the commercial market. The range of fly structure is substantial. From straight style ranging in plastic to tungsten, from H.M.H., to the various shapes of metal from Eumer and ProTube, to all the different bottle tubes made in Europe. Your choices are endless.

Here is a tube within a tube constructed Scandinavian style fly that I would use for salmon on heavy rivers as well as Steelhead everywhere.

The reason for using tubes on long flies is the most important positive characteristic to me. Take a Carrie Stevens style streamer for example. These well noted and documented gems of New England lore and crafted on special long hooks were made this way so that the point is at the back of the streamer. The leverage from line to hook point caused by the long shank of these hooks is very damaging when the fish is thrashing about. A tube fly separates from the hook and causes less damage toward a live release practice. Also you will land more fish, should you like the table fare, because the leverage does not rip out the hook.

Tube flies will get weight added as you are tying the fly. Stacking cones with a palmared hackel between each is possible. With hooks you must apply the weight first and then tie toward the weight.

A tube fly is made with a small diameter connecting tube that holds the hook in place. This allows for quick change of a tail that can have different materials and colors for accent to the fly. Adding that little plume of red marabou with a bit of crystal flash just might be the ticket.

Hitching for salmon in summer is as simple as drilling holes at the side of the head and threading your leader through the hole.

I have now tied many tubes over the last ten years for Atlantic Salmon and am working on steelhead patterns to swing with an 8 weight switch rod. I will give you an up date as soon as I have a few flies to show. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

If you want to know more about tube flies please e-mail me a flyspoke@gmail.com

Fly Tying Tip #124

2011-12-06T07:36:00.003-05:00

I find it very hard to be purchasing my tying materials on line. Standard items like brand name hooks and a number of synthetics that I know well are not the issue. Fur, feathers and the vast array of new items becomes a factor. A smarter way, be it more time consuming, is to visit your best fly shop and bring the materials with you that you intend for a pattern. Compare color vibrancy and contrast with the materials you need to purchase to complete the fly. This will also give you a good idea if the items you purchased in the past are of high enough quality as well. Size and quality can be worked around but color and dying variation can not. Inspect the entire inventory at the shop and pick what will be the best. Ask the shop owner their opinion. Having that person to talk with is worth the price of admission.

William

Swinging The Salmon River

2011-12-05T15:00:00.010-05:00

There is a place on the Salmon River in New York that is a fly swinging paradise. It's location is accessed by a very long walk to the lower portion of the Douglaston Salmon Run property. The pool is called The Meadow Run. From top to bottom and through a narrow yet deep gut between two islands, it offers the best and most aesthetically pleasing swing you will find on that river. There are many places on this former Atlantic salmon River that offer a good swing and if you love to cast with two hands a trip to Pulaski will not disappoint. Just don't let yourself get hung up on the negatives.

The top of The Meadow is created where a strong rapid quickly becomes a steady flow through the center. This water is not the best for nymphing or floating. From that point you can find fish for the entire three hundred yards down river. Broad and constant flow makes it best suited to the swing. There are far better locations like upper and lower Clay hole right next door that will give indicator and float what they came for. The tail flattens and widens to form three separate channels around islands. The center cut is deep and the lane of choice for most of the migration. During low water conditions this area below the main pool will receive most of the attention.

The problem with this pool, and all others on the river, is that there is no rotation. Sometimes it can be down right uncivilized because of all the different methods of legal fishing that are allowed. The high stick nymphers take the least room, we Spey Boys need more and the Center Pin and Spin rods would float their egg sacks all the way to the lake if they could. The time when the crowding is most prevalent is first thing in the morning. Only the least caring are still in bed as the sun comes up. I get to my designation at least an hour before sun rise and there still can be five anglers standing in the run. Sad to say, but as true as can be, this is not a gentlemen's sporting river. By mid day the crowds seem to disperse through the area and opens the door to getting in some quality swinging action. This past Saturday I was able the hook up two fish on the swing in the lower part of the pool. Because the location is close to the lake the possibility of a real bright and very large fish becomes clear. You need to stay with the rhythmic cadence of the swing and make as many quality passes as possible.

Another fine choice would be to find locations in the two fly zones that offer water that is less frequented because of proximity to access points. You will not find any center pin or spinning rods here. Most anglers are using indicators and nymphs and there are an increasing number of two hand casters. In low water these places will be available by crossing and walking. In higher flows you will need to use one of the bridge crossings and walk. In some cases you will be the only rod on your side and looking at six to ten on the easy side.

For this river I use marabou collar flies and bunny leach flies with eztaz heads. Some anglers are going so far as to use more traditional West Coast Steelhead and European Temple Dog style flies with a good deal of success. The water temperature is the key to how well you will do. The colder the water gets the slower and deeper you will need to run your fly. Most situations during late October through the first week of December can be handled with Scandi lines and poly leaders. As the river cools down you will want to switch to a Skagit and might need to go as heavy as t14 at times. I greatly prefer to use non weighted flies as the action is far better. It is also much easier to control depth and speed by having the ability to control my line and not have the fly drag on the bottom. This river loves to eat flies and using weight can take it's toll.

Right now, the crowds have started to thin and the river is loaded with fish. In normal years the ground would be snow covered and walking made more difficult. This year, for the two hand fly swinger, the window of opportunity is still open. The key to right now is that you can not get hung up on what you think should work. If big leech and marabou flies are not producing then move smaller down to sparsely hackle more insect looking. Change flies not only by color but size as well. Make sure you are running the lightest tippet that you dare.

Many of the Lake Ontario and Lake Eire tribs are producing well right now. The Salmon River is but one that gets a great deal of attention. We need to swing more and hope that in the future some of the pools will start to rotate. I expect the next few weeks will see a lot of action for the few who will make the effort.

William

Sometimes At Berry Brook They Are Just An Illusion.........

2011-12-04T14:25:00.006-05:00

Each year I spend some time at Berry Brook in Rye, New Hampshire. This location has the possibility to reward you with a sea run Brown Trout that can be as large as eight pounds. I always try to fit in a day or two during December to stop and watch the water. I don't even take the rod from the car unless I see a fish. The rod has left the car three times over the last fifteen years.

Today was just a beautiful morning with the sun shinning and a constant wisp of high clouds moving from the South West. From Brackett Street you have a good vantage point by standing on the river right up stream corner of the bridge. Remember these are large fish you are hunting and the slightest turn will cause the water to move. I keep my eyes moving from above to below the bridge. Fifteen minutes moves to an hour and I am now forcing myself to stay. On the down river side I am doing my best to wait for the tide to start to build with the hope of a fish moving up. On the up river side I am hoping for a fish that has traveled and is in the deeper holding pool. I have seen them in both these locations yet the only action has been below the bridge on an in coming tide.

As angling accomplishments go, the illusive Brown Trout of Berry Brook still rank high on my stringer list. Hooking two and landing none has kept it out of reach. I'm sure that I will continue to show up a few times a year when the time is right. Today was just another day spent with an illusion.......

William

THE TOP 10 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE FISHING STEELHEAD ON THE SALMON RIVER IN NEW YORK

2011-11-30T07:54:00.005-05:00

#10-When nymphing leave your fast action rod in the car, the softer more shock resistant the better, those fish are crazy
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#9- Get to the river well before dawn, you will be lucky to be first
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#8-3X Fluorocarbon works fine using a Davy Knot at the fly and a Double Surgeon leader to tippet, lighter will get you a few more hook ups but you won't stand much of a chance
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#7-Change flies every 15 casts
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#6-Have enough flies with you to give patterns that work to others, you will receive in kind
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#5-Visit all the local fly shops, spend money at each, and ask the same questions looking for consistency
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#4-Constantly check your leader for damage
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#3-If you are swinging flies always choose the harder to access less frequented side of the river
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#2-Let your fly dangle in the current at the end of each swing
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And the #1 thing to remember while fishing Steelhead on the Salmon River in New York

You are but a humble participant in a game that will require all the skill you can surmount when a big November Steelhead decides it is the boss..........

Dark Light Shallow Deep Bright Dull Heavy Light Slow Fast Cold Hot........................................ In Relation To Trout, Salmon and Steelhead

2011-11-24T10:41:00.001-05:00

Most of us will fish all day without the slightest consideration of the reasons we fish the fly we do. "It sure worked yesterday" might be the best rational that we come up with. Could yesterday have been a perfect match for that fly that was used at the end of the day that offered just the right light in a depth of water with just the right weight to have the fly traveling at the correct speed in the perfect color and contrast that matches the situation? Take a deep breath..........

Each and every angling day can be broken into very small segments where perfect may only happen but a few times. My contention is that the more we are willing to have those perfect moments the greater the possibility for a connection.

Dark Light
Each complete fishing day consists of the same start to finish. It's like the "Hippy Dippy Weatherman" routine of the late comedian George Carlin. "Darkness will turn to light and later in the day it will get dark again". Given the fact that a Salmonoid has the ability to see white and black in total darkness and blue as the first and last other color you can have a good opening and closing just by utilizing this information. There are 24 different hues that will be available through the day. With the highest visible color being blue followed by reds and orange and concluding in green you will have a basis of choice. By also taking into consideration the use of these colors as fluorescence you can enhance what a fish can see by changing the spectrum waves and how they pass through and are absorbed by the clarity or increase in tannin in the water. Every water body has a different clarity.
Shallow Deep
During your day you will encounter water at different depths. Because water has the natural ability to absorb and defuse light, the amount of light will be determined by the depth that it can penetrate the location you are fishing.
Bright Dull
Bright sunshine offers us the greatest array of colors the fish can see. This is when the end range spectrum can be effective. Contrast has the greatest effect. When the day is dull the available colors that will be seen are more in the dawn day to dusk cycle. A bit of flash can be just what is needed to be noticed.
Heavy Light
Simply said we pick the weights, length of leader, weight of fly and size of fly that matches the moment.
Slow Fast
For me the speed that my presentation is traveling can have the greatest effect on getting a reaction. I want my fly moving at the speed the fish want and seeking this piece to the puzzle can be the most difficult of all. Moving at the speed of the water is a good place to start.
Cold Hot
Take the temperature of the water when you arrive. Take it again each hour. If you have a warming trend, even in a quarter of a degree increments you can know that the fish will make short movement to your fly. Remember that on days that are sunny with snow on the ground the rising air temperatures can cause the water to get colder. The other end of the range into very warm conditions will also limit the activity of our quarry. They will seek cooler and shadier locations to spend the day with lower light availability.

Conclusion
In all of the above you will find the basic pieces toward seeking the goal. Give some thought during a day on the water to these physical characteristics might be beneficial. The one constant is contrast. Do we put a red dot on a chartreuse egg because it looks like blood? Or is it the contrast that enables the chartreuse so visible from the background? There is little contrast between red and orange and a great difference between pink and black. Enhancing the go to color with a strong second choice is a very important factor. Incorporating the properties of iridescence, as can be seen in peacock hurl and many synthetics will also give added sparkle. What puzzle lies before us can be annualized, what can be annualized may be answered and what can be answered makes us better anglers.

William

The Copper Cap

2011-11-14T11:25:00.002-05:00

This was yesterday's hot fly for fishing for Rainbows. I fished it dead drift nympy style with 6x on a medium sink 7 foot PolyLeader. I found it to work best in the faster water. You can also change color of the body and head to black, brown, tan or olive.

COPPER CAP VIDEO

Hook-Any Curved 18-22

Body-Red 70 Denier Thread

Rib-7X Clear Mono

Thorax-Brown SLF With Copper Accent

Wing Case-Copper Mylar

Head-Red 70 Denier

Getting To The Bottom Of It With Poly Leaders

2011-11-10T12:53:00.002-05:00

This past week I traveled to a beautiful river in New York State. The regulations on this river are that no added weight, indicators or weighted flies are legal. You may use sinking line so long as it is not a lead core type. This is heaven for the two hand caster and I plan to return as much as possible.

The fishing is done mostly by swinging flies with single hand, switch and two hand rods between 9' and 12'6". Six seems to be the go to weight. In order to have the correct presentation you must vary the depth and speed of your fly according to river flow and depth of pool. The fish will take swung flies but you must get them down toward the bottom a bit.

The Salmon range from a few to twelve pounds. There are also Steelhead and large Brown Trout available so the opportunities are as wide a range as the flies in your pocket. The best flies we found for swinging had somber Bronze Malard wings with gold bodies. I'm sure that under different conditions it would be something else.

Having the correct depth was made easy with the incorporation of using PolyLeaders connected loop to loop at the end of a modified switch style line. I think the closet thing that is commercially available would be the Royal Wulff Ambush line. A short head line that will make crisp yet decent length casts while standing close to the bank and under trees and bush. In shallow locations, a hover poly could be used, and in deeper faster runs changing to a 6.1ips sinking and longer poly could be changed over in a matter of a few minutes. Just keep the tippet on as you change and you are all set. The other variable will be the length of your tippet. Typically I ran the tippet at about three feet. If I wanted to ride a little higher, I just added another foot or so with a Double Surgeon's Knot.

This is a great system that turned over larger size flies with ease and made overhead, switch and Skagit style casting easy. They also cast very well with single hand rods and offer an added push of distance and line speed. The AirFlo company was the first to make these tapered specialized sinking leaders and created them for improved casting accuracy as well as sinking. I first started using these PolyLeaders while fishing the River Tay in Scotland about eight years ago. No one fished without one. They were not in any store that I could find in the States at that time. Now every major line company and fly shop has a well stocked supply.

Another application and reason to carry PolyLeaders would be for the angler who wants to make sure that all bases are covered when nymph fishing. As you have your fly line ended with a small loop you can high stick with or without an indicator and weight and then change over to a poly in a very fast time. I often fish one set up at the top of a pool a different rig for the deeper middle and am willing to change for the tail out. It is always optimal in only one perfect style at that moment and the challenge is to get it right as much as possible.

There are some anglers who confuse these new style leaders with sinking heads that are clunky and do not cast well on single handed rods. They will get you down to the bottom when made from T-7 to T-14 and should be used as a line extension and not a leader. Longer length tapered mono leaders or knotted tapered leaders should be attached to the end of these sections. I use them as cheaters with Skagit lines when I need to go down deep and fast. Cheaters are used to make sure that the length of your fly line head is always the same so your casting stroke can be constant. But that's a topic to itself and for another time.

Weather you are a nymph fisher with weights and indicators or a swinger of streamers you can make your set up do both with the same rod, reel, spool and line by the use of PolyLeaders. This is very inexpensive to give a try and will add an extra piece to the puzzle.

William

Fly Tying Tip #123

2011-11-02T08:37:00.001-04:00

I have a fond appreciation for tying Atlantic Salmon flies for fishing or for fun. One thing that is present on most is the symmetrical look that an up curved tail will give. The idea is that you will have the tip of the tail touch the tip of the topping. The easiest way to do this is to pre select the tail and the topping and soak them in warm water. Then have a collection of bottles in different diameters to lay the feathers on and let them dry. Make sure they will match by holding the feather on the bare hook. Lay in the tail and crimp bend the topping exactly where it must sit at the head of the fly.