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Written by: Rich

Published: 25 July 2016

Hits: 3691

The summer heat is here, and it feels as if it's been here for quite some time now. With drought like conditions since spring, it really feels like September on our rivers.  The lack of rain has exposed streambeds leaving many streams at a fraction of their normal size.  I really wonder what the impact is on our freestone stream trout, as they are undoubtedly stressed as a result.  That being said, the fishing on any of our nearby tailwaters has not only been the only game in town, but it has often been nothing short of spectacular depending on where and when you fish on any given day.  

On the Farmington, the standard fare this time of year is rather small; summer caddis, midges, olives, some sulphurs, chocolate duns, and even trico's can be found and are the consistent daily insects.  But there are also a few larger bugs kicking around including the slate drakes, some stone flies later in the day or early if they aren't hatching at night, and of course its that wonderful time of year when terrestrial fishing can be nothing short of great if you pick your target areas accordingly.  The downside of things this year with current drought like conditions is the Farmington is pretty much the only game in town for trout in our state, so the pressure is very high.  Add in the heat wave and the non fishing pressure and the river can feel at times like a zoo.  There are some solutions however, starting early or late, or if you are confined to fish midday, seek out areas that are shaded near some highly oxygenated pieces of water and you should find a fish or two. 

Water with depth may be very difficult to find under these types of conditions, but trust me when I say this, it really isn't as important as you may think.  All a good sized trout may need for a holding lie this time of year is an area less than 2 square feet with only inches of depth.  As long as that particular lie isn't being run over frequently by water craft or the errant wader, a larger trout will hold up in water like that as long as there is either some sort of cover overhead in the form of riffled water, shade or some other means nearby with which they can elude any predators.  Let those few tidbits help you choose your waters wisely, they have always seemed to produce for me under conditions like that which we are currently experiencing.  Conversely, you can always go out and hit some warmwater fishing as it can truly fill the void and make for some exciting and fun fishing as well.

If you are however confined to midday fishing, I cannot express the importance of fishing terrestrials as the midday insect activity may be non existent depending on where you are on the river.  Ants, and winged ants for that matter can be a mainstay for many trout as they can errantly fall into the water, especially on a breezy day.  Although the ants you may find can be rather small, I often like to prospect water with something a little bit easier on the eyes unless trout are selectively feeding on a specific size or color of ant.  Many times when you are seeing no insect activity, yet are experiencing trout feeding on the surface, dimpling as if they are sipping spinners yet you cannot seem to buy a fish on a spinner pattern, chances are they are eating tiny winged or wingless ants that are on the water. 

The highlighter Ant is one of my favorite patterns to prospect with during the summer, and has accounted for some rather great days on the water both here on our home waters and on many other streams.  I keep a selection of them on hand at all times in the summer as they float well, and are rather easy to see on the water even in the smaller sizes that I tie them.  Try tying a few and seeing for yourself, add them to your terrestrial selection, I know you won't be disappointed.  They are bouyant enough to even use in a dry dropper rig with some of the smaller nymphs that you may want to use as well, so keep that in mind when your out there.  If you need them to float a little higher or suspend some slightly heavier nymphs, simply change the wing material to snowshoe or cdc and you should be able to do so with ease.

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If small flies is not your cup of tea, do not be of the mindset that streamer fishing is out of the realm of possibility.  Smaller sized streamers can produce throughout the day, especially on those overcast cloudy days and even during periods of high sun.  And under low light conditions, you can catch some rather large trout on bigger streamers as well, even with lower water.  If this is more your speed as watching floats or tightlining nymphs albeit the most productive means has become a bit of a grind, you will often be rewarded with some very nice fish if choose your time of day and locations to fish wisely, as the photos below depict the outcome.

On a side note, I will be shutting my shop down for a prolonged period of time as work begins to get a bit more hectic as well as some other things going on in my personal life.  That being said, the best way to find out if I will be able to tie anything up for you will be by email.  I am just going to let you all know right now that most likely I will not be filling any requests for several months.  I am still trying to catch up and clear my plate so for those of you who are still waiting on your orders, I am working on those every day to get caught up.  As soon as things change and get back to normal, expect a post letting you all know the store is back up and running again.  Material requests are always welcome and should be filled without issue, flies on the other hand will not be the case, but your local shops should be able to get a much larger selection of my patterns from MFC so inquire within your local shop.

 I will however have some fresh new videos and patterns for you all this fall and winter so keep an eye out for those at some point.  There have been some solid new producing flies that I have been playing with for the past 12-18 months that have proven their weight and are worthy enough to share.  Not to mention I am starting to fill in speaking dates and presentations with a few clubs as you will see on the calendar.  that being said, if your club is looking to have me join you one evening, now is the time to plan your date as my availability has the tendency to quickly disappear.  Have a great rest of your summer and good luck out there on the water.

-RS-

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Written by: Rich

Published: 20 June 2016

Hits: 9748

Do you still get out to fish? I hear this exact phrase quite a bit these days, even after completing the daunting task of writing a book. Although some harmlessly ask this question, some on the other hand judge other's level of competence with a fly rod on the number of fish pictures on their Instagram feed. Not gonna lie, when I was a bit younger and felt that it was of utmost importance, I too probably judged some of my fellow fisherman. I guess it's human nature, apparently I grew out of it, or maybe I see things a little more clearly as I get older. Whatever it is, I will say this, my level of competence or skill does not have a direct correlation with my "social media feeds". If anything, I post less, enjoy the fish that I catch more, and although I may not fish as much as I did when I was responsibility free, I still like to think that I know my way around a trout stream.

Lately, there has been an ever increasing level of toxicity in social media, so much to the point that I have slowly weened myself off of the need to post content regularly. There is also a higher level of sensitivity out there where it seems as though everyone is hypersensitive to what others say. It is clearly a double edged sword leaving a lot of us confused. Listen, social media is here to stay, it has become a part of pop culture and we all need to embrace it. There are more pro's than con's in my opinion, and it has vastly improved the level of sharing and feeling of community in our little world of Flyfishing. My only real observation is that lately, it seems there is zero filter; some people feel compelled to be nothing but downright disrespectful and nasty. Personally, I prefer people who tell it like it is, I myself try to pride myself on being upfront and honest, but the key is to do so in a tasteful and professional manner.

Tom Bie, editor of the Drake Magazine had a great little piece addressing "Expectation Gaps". In short, Bie put things in perspective; social media as a whole has started a trend of unrealistic expectations and the overuse of certain catchy phrases. Hate to say it folks, but pull back the reigns, and let's ground this thing a bit. Keep it real, and in sight and remember why you Flyfish, big fish are a possibility, not a necessity or commonplace. If these are the expectations you set for yourself, you might want to consider another hobby.

Greg Senyo said it best lately in a podcast with April Vokey, "I don't care what people think, and some of you may not like what I have to say, but I am going to tell you what I think regardless of whether or not it's PC..... Personally, I think we all need to stop being so damn "PC" and tell it like it is".
I couldn't agree more, good, constructive criticism is an extremely valuable tool, so I guess many need to flat out get over it. Let's be real, life isn't always all gum drops and lollipops, more often than not it is full of all sorts of trials and tribulations and obstacles. Good things are built over time, and along the way there are more bumps and bruises, upsets and failures than successes. But, the strong willed persevere and push on.

In that same podcast, April and Greg both talk about the often forgotten "secret ingredient" that everyone who wants to become successful in the Flyfishing industry is after. There truly isn't a secret ingredient folks, it all comes down to pursuing your passion and that old cliche phrase of putting your time in. Hard work, dedication, and experience over time are by far the three key ingredients that will lead to success. After the completion of my book, I fielded more questions from people who like myself are chasing their dreams by making a living out of the sport. It's not easy, I currently juggle two careers, but in short time will have only one, and it will revolve around the sport of Flyfishing. Financially, it may not be a very wise decision, but if it's the quality of life you can have then for certain you will be happy. Without a doubt the three things Greg and April highlighted are some of the biggest pieces of advice one can lend to any of you out there that wish to turn your passion into a profession.

To build on those three very important ingredients, I also think there are some outlying ingredients that will further your success. Although they may sound elementary, for some they may be harder than you think to accomplish. So here's my 2 cents so to speak.

Don't ever hesitate to share the knowledge you've gained over time with others. Every year since I started tying at Flyfishing events I get asked, "why do you put up all those tying videos free of charge?" My answer everytime is simple, "why not?" Never forget where you came from, I always remember those times when I was that new guy to the sport and the many ups and downs and frustrating times I had both on the water and at the vise. If you have something that is going to help out someone regardless of how large or small it may seem to you, by all means do so. We need more people involved in our sport to ensure that our resources are here for future generations to enjoy. Conversely, be your own filter on what you may want to share as it too can have a negative impact as well.

I've learned over time that there are certain things you may want to be a little more guarded about, and they usually hinge around those truly special places you may like to fish. Be sure to share those places with the right people who truly appreciate them and protect them with their best interests, and places like Instagram and Facebook might not be the best places for them. The biggest draw in Flyfishing in my opinion is the sense of wonder and adventure, and some things are meant to be found on ones own accord and not by spreading to the world. I made a vow early on when I began writing articles, I wouldn't entertain the idea of writing about specific fishing locales. It is a very personal decision, but it is one I feel very strongly about and it makes total sense for me.

Advice on how to fish a pattern, a specific type of water or a given hatch is one thing, finding the coordinates to a specific piece of lesser known water is one that should be figured out by the angler or assisted by a guide if you catch my drift. Sometimes, some things are better off left unsaid, and if you want all the answers to everything for that instant gratification, well maybe you should take up another hobby. I'm more apt to give you advice on how to fish a specific pattern, or tie it for that matter, but don't get upset when I won't freely tell you the exact location that I caught that last fish I might have posted on my social media feed; figure it out on your own time and don't judge me for being that way.

Educate yourself frequently, and take the time to listen to what others tell you. You, or I or anyone for that matter do not know it all. I am always learning something new, and in our sport especially the growing process is a constant. Be a humble sponge, stay grounded, question ideas but don't turn your nose to them immediately. If you are suspect of an idea, spend the time to prove or disprove those suspicions on your own, but don't automatically dismiss them as you feel above them or you may not like the source they are coming from. There have been many things over the years that I was both skeptical about or entirely convinced on until I tried them myself, and sometimes I was very much surprised at my own results both good and bad. Never say never.

Do your best to not alienate yourself from others. This believe it or not can be harder than you think at times. We all have things that we may prefer more than others, favorites so to speak. In trout fishing the best example is what way you like to fish. Are you a dry fly only kind of angler, do you prefer to dredge runs with nymphs because it is your best bet at catching fish consistently, or are you the guy who likes to chuck nothing but streamers all day in hopes of tricking a trophy? Remember, although you may prefer one particular thing more than another, others may very well not share your same interests. So before you go pointing fingers, throwing digs or other negativity, always remember that what's good for you isn't always good for everybody. The one great thing about being a trout flyfisherman is we probably have the largest amount of diversity in how we can chase our quarry. You may find like I have that you will periodically change your favorite methods frequently, so never stereotype or alienate your fellow fisherman. I am no angel here folks, I have been "that guy" before and as I have grown older realized just how ignorant I once was in that regard. I now embrace it all, and bounce from method to method several times in a season, why be narrow minded when you can be well rounded.

So my rant is over, I hope some of you found some substance in what I wrote, if not no harm no foul. But maybe give it some thought, I am only speaking on observations from afar, and don't get upset if you see less and less in the social media atmosphere from me, I am hoping to reinvent myself in that realm in the not so distant future.

-RS-

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Written by: Rich

Published: 28 May 2016

Hits: 3011

Well, well, well, another busy spring is almost behind us all. I can’t help but sit back and reflect on how fortunate I have been so far this year, and the many great experiences that have come my way. Although it seems like just yesterday, Memorial Day Weekend is already upon us, and the weather looks to be relatively cooperative for the most part.

We are closing in on the halfway point of 2016 at an alarming pace, and it has been quite a good year on the water too. Regardless of the flows, locally the fishing has been very good although many people have questioned my ability to get out there and fish on a very regular basis, I am here to tell you that I have been able to sneak away every week to a vacant stretch of water to keep my sanity.

The Regal has been smoking as well, and my current back up on flies is running about 7-8 weeks at the moment. If you need bugs for a trip later this summer, I highly recommend getting in line now or else I can’t promise you’ll get them in time.

Several customers have been sending in some really neat photos of their catches with some of my bugs, and it has seemed like an every other day ordeal. Keep them coming folks, it is never a bother, and it brings me pleasure to see the excitement of your catches.

Many of my patterns with MFC are dialed in and shipping to fly shops all over, and the quality is right where it is expected to be. If your shop doesn’t carry any of them, give them a holler and I am certain they won’t be disappointed.

Lastly, one of the more readily known flies just received some added press in the pages of Field and Stream magazine. The Shimmer Stone made the cut as one of the top 20 new commercial patterns available. It was totally unexpected, but I was happy to see that particular fly continue to get some recognition as it is nothing short of a consistent fish catcher.

Well, I must go now, I have to hit the road to meet up with my girls for the weekend. I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend, go out and enjoy it with family and friends and I will be back with more interesting stuff in the weeks and months to come.

-RS-