All the Small Things: Part 1

Fly fishing for a number of years can make you oblivious to so many small things that make the difference in an angler of experience, and one just starting out. Fly size, placement, action, method fished, tippet length and diameter, reading water, mending line, and etiquette are all part of an anglers train of thought while pursuing fish. So much of what we do and take pride in as fishermen comes not from the gear we have, but how effectively we use it. Most of these things require time, patience and curiosity, or at least fishing with someone who does. Bow has read over 20 books relating to these aspects of fly fishing, and found a few that can be described to help those pursuing better technique.

Mending Line: Always seeing professionals do it so smoothly, and only reading simple ways to accomplish it, Bow settled for mediocrity in his mending. One day, a tough cross current that held thick trout was not allowing a natural enough drift to pick up any fish. With trout bulging at the surface, Bow had enough, and chose  to focus his energy on making smooth, subtle mends to extend his drift into the trouts' feeding lane. 
1. How To: When the belly of line forms from the differing current, a mend must be made to keep the drift natural. It is always beneficial to do this proactively: The less of belly there is, the easier it is to mend, and the more slack there is to prevent pulling the fly out of position. The physical act of mending should use the wrist and entirety of the rod. Pointing the rod tip where the line enters water (taking any slack), the line should be gently lifted, and smoothly accelerated rotating the wrist (as if flipping over a cup without splashing water). The final note should be made to flick the rod tip during this process to help carry the line. When it comes to practicing, instead of memorizing the details, focus on the phrase, "point, roll, flick".  It took Bow years to effectively do this, and is still improving.

Being Part of The Backcountry

TGTAF has joined Backcountry Hunters and Anglers in support of their effort to preserve aquatic ecosystems in Utah and throughout North America.  Backcountry Hunters & Anglers "seeks to ensure America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters."

Green Snow on the Weber

Sunday started at 5am with a cruise up Parley's, weighing the pros and cons of the Middle bwo's, or the Weber caddis. Due to inconsistent water levels and the inevitable elbow to elbow fishing, they kept on I-80 for the smaller Weber water. Bow noticed some frost on the hillside and looked at the temp. gauge to see it was a surprising 28 degrees. Bundling up, Rico waded out and threw a large Copper John. He sunk into a few good whitefish, but wanted browns. The water was low, and the sun high, so they focused on deeper holes. Around eleven, Bow noticed rocks along the bank thickly spotted. Upon closer inspection, those spots were size 16 Mother's Day Caddis. When noon came, the bushes vibrated with insects, and Bow noticed about 40 resting on his jacket. No luck from the San Juan nor the Platte Spider, so he took natures hint and tied on a green, size 18 caddis emerger. By 1, the air was full of green fluttering flies, hitting Rico and Bow in the face like Little Cottonwood snowflakes. At that point breathing through the mouth was risky, and the occasional caddis found his way into a nostril. As much as Bow loved their presence, he couldn't help but succumb to the distraction. Reeling up to shake off as many as he could, he also noticed Rico was the landing pad for about a hundred of them. Undeterred, Rico kept casting, waiting for his first brown. Crawling up to a few holes, Bow was able to get two smaller fish. And further up, the river bordered a large Alpaca farm. Being respectful of  the landowner, Bow stayed within the high water mark and spotted a good hole. At it's head were boulders 6-12 inches apart, requiring precise placement. Making a few false casts to dial in angle and distance, Bow noticed a white, bushy animal running towards him. Too small to be an Alpaca, but Bow was intrigued. He made out a head, tail and soon straightened up when he heard barking. It was not slowing, so Bow picked up a large stick. Stopping three feet away, a huge, puffy white dog barked and snarled. As much as Bow wanted it unconscious, he knew it belonged to the landowner, and didn't want to lose access for everyone over something he could walk away from. However, determined to catch a fish, he held the stick in one hand and his rod in the other, with much more attention to fly placement. Three casts later his indicator stopped just past a boulder, then made it's way back upstream. Setting the hook, line started zipping off his reel as the trout headed back behind the boulder. Now shifting both hands to the rod, Bow yelled at the dog while trying to get the fish back to open water. Rico heard all the commotion and ran up to help.
 He managed to scare off the dog long enough for Bow to land the thick, healthy brown. This trout made the effort worthwhile, so Rico and Bow headed back downstream for less stressful fishing. Still without catching a trout, Rico was determined to break his whitefish streak. He saw a bulge in the surface and made a few casts. Bow, being much less patient, headed downstream only to glance back and see Rico's rod bent from a dancing brown. He brought in his first one of the day, breaking the spell and subsequently landing three more on a caddis emerger before heading home. With the hatch this good, Rico and Bow are sure to be back this week with plenty of caddis patterns, and a few dog treats.

A Guide to Fly Shops

When Bow was a child, he became ecstatic when it was time to go to the fly shop. As luck would have it, good report cards came, and Bow would get to pick out a few new patterns. Growing up, Bow still gets excited, but for more than just flies. Most shops are inundated with copious amounts of  flies and gear for any situation, with guides happy to get to know your fishing level, and advice for the trip out. A good thing to look for in a fly shop doesn't relate to gear, but those selling it. Depending on your level of experience, 90 to 100 out of 100 guides know more than you, as it is their job. Furthermore, any shop in today's world without a friendly, knowledgeable staff doesn't stay in business. If you walk through the door and someone greets you with a smile and a hello, that's the first step. They generally ask one of two things: "Where you been fishing?" or "What can I help you find?". If you are given the first response, chances are you've stepped into the right shop. The initial question dictates whether they are sales focused, or customer focused. By asking where you've been fishing, this adds to their pool of general info which eventually ends up coming back your way. On the other hand, asking what they can find for you implies just making a sale. Bow and Rico have worked at  the same sporting goods store, being in both situations.

The more they focus on the fishing aspect, the more you can trust they want to get you into fish, not your wallet. In Rico's and Bow's experience, Western Rivers Fly Fisher is a solid place to get everything from sound advice to a hot cup of coffee. Of their employees, the more notable ones are Bryce, Nick, and Matt for their knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm for the sport. If fly fishing is new to you, the rivers to fish and flies to use can be overwhelming, so it helps to stop by the shop for some direction. The general rule applies as: Any specific info they give on hatches, rivers, or flies, you should pick up one or two small items (i.e. tippet, flies, indicators). A definite sign of appreciation and respect, and helps keep them in business for tomorrow.