This week we catch up with Alex Waller and Juan Pablo Aravena on their Heli backcountry fishing trip to the south island of New Zealand. The boys pack in 6 days of food, shelter, and plenty of fishing gear to target an extremely remote population of brown trout. In the first episode, the boys hike a few miles in some thick bush, have a super sketchy river crossing, and catch some epic trout outside of camp. Enjoy as Juan Pablo (JP) and Alex explore the area surrounding their camp. Also, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the next 3 episodes from this epic adventure.
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While this fish was not landed on a fly rod, it’s still an incredible catch well worth talking about…
Gayle Gordon and her husband were fishing the legendary annual Chinook run at River’s Inlet in British Columbia when a heavy fish crushed the cut-herring attached to one of their Mooching rigs.
“It was my turn to run the rods while John ran the boat,†Gayle explained to Salmon Trout Steelheader (STS). “We were mooching about 25 feet [down], and when the fish bit, the head shakes were so violent, so strong. Because of the [dark] water color, you can’t see the fish until they break the surface, but I knew that this was something unbelievable!â€
The Gordons are experienced anglers and knew they had something big on as the 25-minute fight played out, which attract a flotilla of other boats looking to see what was bending their rod so deeply.
“The people up there are so awesome and very courteous,†she told STS. “Basically, the whole fleet saw us catch it. They made a circle around us and watched—and when we got it, they went nuts. He was brilliant chrome and not a mark on him. What an amazing, amazing fish.â€
After netting the fish, the Gordons did what they usually do, and took length and girth measurements prior to releasing the fish. This particular brute measured 55 inches long and 38 inches wide, and depending on which weight formula you prefer, the fish was somewhere in the range of 100 pounds to 122 pounds.
If they had taken the fish in to get weighed, it would have shattered the current IGFA All-Tackle record that stands at 97 lbs. and 4 oz., set by Les Anderson in Alaska’s Kenai River.
If you ask me, it’s practically sacrilegious to come back with fresh fish in the cooler and not cook up some for dinner. Between unloading the gear, filleting the fish, downing a brew, and all the other essential post-fishing chores, there often isn’t much time to get fancy. This recipe is quick, easy, and tastes like something that kept you in the kitchen all day.
Speckled trout actually aren’t trout at all, rather members of the drum family. So it should come as no surprise, that they cook up nicely. Their meat is white and flakey, with a softer texture than most inshore species. These highly sought-after fish can be found in the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s safe to say anglers have been known to stretch the truth from time to time. This go-around, I’ll spare you the exaggeration. ‘Specks’ are popular with anglers for a handful of reasons; they’re beautifully colored with purple and yellow hues; their dental work is next to none, and they’re delicious – especially when fried. While they might not peel drag or take you into your backing very often, I’ll give it to them – they do have some fight. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, there’s also always the chance of landing that 30-inch gator some folks spend a lifetime chasing. Fish of that caliber aren’t common, but they’re around. If you’re fortunate enough to land one please consider releasing it, as it is almost certainly a mature female. Besides, I think the smaller ones taste better anyway.
As with all self-harvested protein, the quality of your meal begins with the care you implement in the field. I’m a big fan of bleeding fish. To do this, slit the gills with a knife or a pair of scissors while the fish is underwater. It’s important the fish is submerged to encourage ample blood flow and prevent coagulation. This technique kills the fish quickly and removes a large volume of blood from the flesh, resulting in a cleaner taste. I bleed every fish I keep, not just speckled trout. It’s worth noting that speckled trout are best cooked fresh and don’t freeze particularly well. So, if you’ve got a couple on hand, it’s time to get busy.
A couple of fish counts have been causing quite a few biologists scratch their heads at the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, one of the 4 major dams that have been the center of an ongoing dam removal campaign.
This year, the count of returning Coho salmon was up 300% compared to last year’s numbers with a total of 24,000 fish counted at the dam. While 24k salmon may seem like a low number, it helps to consider that between 1980 and 1996, only 89 TOTAL salmon were counted at the Lower Granite Dam. One theory for the increase is the Nez Perce Tribe’s Coho stocking program in Lostine River and Clearwater Basin, where the Tribe introduced nearly 500,000 smolts in 2017. However, the overall increase in Cohos along the entire Pacific coastline has baffled biologists.
“Coho are bonkers all the way up the West Coast, and I don’t really know why to be honest,†said Kyle Bratcher, a fish biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “There’s something going out in the ocean that’s changed that’s allowed them to do well.â€
While it is incredible to see Cohos doing so well, another fish count is cause for concern. As of November 30th, only 39,359 returning steelhead have made it to the Lower Granite, a whopping 20,000 fish lower than the US Army Corp of Engineer’s 10-year average.
In this gear review, we’ll be thinking small and dreaming big by diving into the Yakoda Supply fly catalog, and seeing how some of these bugs perform on the water. In this breakdown, we’ll be looking at 5 different flies from Yakoda Supply, and going over what stood out to us with each one once tied on the end of some 5x/6x. Considering the cooling temps and changing seasons, we decided to focus on some sub-surface entomology – specifically nymphs and similar patterns designed to be floated beneath a bobber, or on a tight line rig. Check out how these flies faired in durability, presentation, and overall effectiveness in our review below…
Initial thoughts:Â
When it comes to flies, many anglers consider themselves indifferent. However, any guide will tell you that the biggest difference between a day of hauling fish into the boat, and a day of stinking like roadkill is oftentimes the adaptability of an angler, and their willingness to constantly change their offerings. Trout may have brains the size of a pistachio, but their unwavering instinct will quickly lead to a harsh refusal of any fly deemed suspicious. Luckily, there are a million flies out there to try, and with some help friends our friends at Yakoda, we now have a few more.
Yakoda Supply is a brand based in Colorado and specializes in affordable fly-fishing-focused gear such as unique apparel and in-the-field fishing systems. A few years ago, Yakoda has branched out into the fly-supply game, and now offers a plethora of unique flies, designed by Yakoda, and tied through MFC.
When approached to try out Yakoda’s unique selection of flies, we were more than grateful for the opportunity to try some new patterns not found in our local fly-shops. Considering the amount of daily foot traffic seen on our local waters, it was around that time of year that the fishing had started to slow down and the usual run-of-the-mill patterns had begun to lose their potency (let’s disregard pegged eggs here…). So, it wasn’t long after receiving a few Yakoda fly tins that we had our gear together and were eagerly on our way to our local waters to try to dish out some lip piercings.
We also had the chance to test out the Yakoda Modular Sidekick, a perfect ADU for frequently accessed items. This pack now stays permanently fastened to all of my gear.
Field Testing:Â
Over the course of a few days, we had the chance to test out these flies in a variance of different environments. After day 1, we narrowed down our test subjects to just a few flies and worked water from there. The flies that were chosen from there, you can find covered below:
Starting off at bat, we have what may have been the crowd favorite: The Yakoda Mountain Dew.The Mtn. Dew is an attractor pattern, serving less to mimic a specific type of subsurface insect life, but more to act as a flashy enticement to tempt a curious trout to bite.
This fly possesses a slightly caddis-like composure with its iridescent green body and dubbing collar, but its purpose underwater is more vaguely proportionate to Lance Egan’s Rainbow Warrior – fly that has inspired countless others like it. Due to the slim tapered build of the fly and the weighted bead head, we found it was easy to work it through fast-moving pockets and pick up trout with only a few seconds between drifts. However, this fly could also be fished in larger. slower moving pools, attracting takes from fish that were buried down in the colder water.
What’s really great about this fly is its versatility. As most who favor flash over match will agree, this fly is usually a safe bet in almost all circumstances. Sometimes, as a great way to alert trout to a hanging dry just above it, or as a delicious alternative hanging off a tag end, it’s certainly a fly you want to have a few of at all times.
Next on the list is the Yakoda CDC stonefly. We tried this pattern in a couple of variations, but the one that seemed to work best for us was the golden stonefly imitation. Designed to mimic golden stonefly larva, this is a refreshing alternative to some other patterns on the market. While Golden stoneflies, or Yellow Sally’s, are a well-noted summer bug, the fish didn’t seem to mind.
We were super surprised by the success that the CDC stonefly brought, especially considering our proximity to the summer months. While stonefly larvae can be found in most western rivers year-round, fish tend to become a bit more selective and prefer smaller midges once the weather gets colder. Then again, talk to any Pat’s rubber legs enthusiasts and they’ll have me swallowing my words.
This fly capitalized on its vibrant colors, and upon getting wet, turned into a glowing mass of feather and biot. With its heavy weight, this fly plunged quickly and with grace – its CDC collar dancing in the water all the way down. During its drift, this fly possessed a perfect combination of weight and material that it presented a natural tumble across the bottom, while still appearing lifelike and inviting to any hungry trout whose feeding lane it entered. To anyone who knows a thing or two about tying, they know that CDC works in the water in a unique way that’s simply irresistible to trout.
To anyone who’s versed in their zoological identifications: Annelid is a fancy term for: yes, a worm. But unlike the infamous squirmy wormy or San Juan worm, this fly acts and operates a little differently. Tied solely around the hook shank, and coated with a resin finish, this fly more closely mimics the smaller annelids that often get pulled off submerged logs and rocks as opposed to the nightcrawlers you grandpa fished on his ugly stik.
The beauty of the minimal construction of the Opal Annelid is its sink rate. Where it lacks in animation, this fly is streamlined to sink directly into a feeding lane and start fishing immediately. Considering this fly is best suited for when the river gauge rises, you want to have something that can get down fast in turbid waters.
This fly is great for picking apart pocket water, and even better for pursuading stubborn fish to bite even after they’ve seemingly sworn off insects for the day. One final thing that’s great about this fly is its durability. Unlike rubber or yarn, these flies and their protective coating are more than a substantial match for little jagged trout teeth. Considering all the fish you’ll be catching with it – you’ll be happy to see this fly can take a hit.
Upon opening the Yakoda Fly Tin, the Hotwire CDCpheasant tail stood out to me immediately. Being a sucker for the classics, pheasant tail nymphs are a staple to my tightline fly selection. Slap a CDC collar on that puppy and that fly added up to be one tasty little number.
Boasting a more natural range of colors, this fly is an excellent representation of stonefly larvae found squirming under rocks. The CDC stirs around underwater, imitating little insect legs kicking around trying not to become trout food. Fished underneath a bead of split-shot and beside a Yakoda Mountain Dew, this fly effectively plunged in and out of pockets, placing itself right in the feeding lane of unsuspecting trout.
The Hotwire CDC Pheasant tail operates on the simple notion of: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It’s a simple pattern, upgraded by a jig head and fancy collar, but simple nonetheless. If you’re new to the tightlining game, or just looking for a little extra weight under your bobber, this fly is a fantastic tag end or standalone fly for trout fishing all year round.
Lastly, we have one of the hottest flies on the list – the Green Machine. Much like the Stonefly imitation mentioned above, this fly capitalized on a large insect-like body and a lot of moving parts. The CDC collar and pheasant tail provided an excellent array of movement underwater, while the flashback and copper wire really added a shine and bugginess to the fly’s presentation.
As the clouds rolled in over us, we tied this fly on as the lead fly to a shallow rig and danced it along a gradual drop off. The fly scuttled across the bottom underneath the indicator, and bounced from rock to rock as it floated through the water. It was nice to actually see the fly in the water as we could assume a hungry fish may also be able to take notice of it.
As we worked up the tailwater, we dropped the fly in a fast-moving riffle. Within a few seconds, the bobber began to jiggle and our green little friend was on its way down river via a plump little brown trout’s mouth. Upon landing the fish and seeing the fly out of the water, it was really cool to see how the vibrant bug that had sat in the tin had morphed into something much more natural-looking – something that one could expect to see when insect-scouting under rocks.
Conclusion:Â
Overall, these flies are creative, durable, and well tied. As much is to be expected from the minds of Yakoda and the vises of MFC. As said before, when it comes to fly-fishing: the best fly to use is a good presentation. If you’re not versed in how to properly fish your rig, your chances of success are going to plummet – no matter what flies you’re using. However, sometimes it feels like you can be doing everything right – and the fish still just aren’t biting. This is when any competent angler knows to reassess what’s on the end of their line and make a fly-change. What we loved about Yakoda’s fly assortment, is that it offered us more options when doing so.
The kiss of death to an angler is getting stuck in old ways. How many folks have you met out on the river that swear by their size 18 Parachute Adams, and are complaining about not catching any fish? We’re not saying that these Yakoda flies are the final solution to all your problems, but if you’re looking to mix up your offering – we definitely recommend giving these bugs a try.
They call it “DNA Plastics” and it’s exactly what its name suggests. Researchers in China have figured out a way to take strands of DNA and turn them into usable materials. The current DNA of choice is from several different Pacific salmon species. So far the team has only built a small plastic cup out of the salmon jizz (pictured below), but the proof of concept is enough to have us all wondering, will we be outfitting ourselves with salmon sperm plastic in the near future?
Welcome to this installment of Flylords’ “Small Business Spotlight†series. When it comes to fly fishing and the outdoor industry as a whole, constant innovation and ingenuity are synonymous with the spirit of sport. New products are constantly being released, many of which don’t really meet any actual needs of anglers. However, every now and then, something comes out of the woodwork that really catches the eye and makes one think, “Wow! Now, this is a game-changerâ€. In an effort to support the foundation of the industry, Flylords is looking to bring a spotlight to small businesses we believe in. Here, we’ll highlight the up-and-comers in the industry we hope to see in every angler’s loadout one day.
For this Installment we are heading out on the river and checking out why Tornado Anchors might be the next best upgrade for your drift boat or raft.
Background:
I remember the first time I saw a Tornado anchor when I was on a float trip in Tennessee with a good friend which forced me to turn my head and say “damn, what is that anchor”. It isn’t often that an anchor turns your head as we were used to seeing the same old lead anchors on drift boats. Since I couldn’t discern it from a distance, as soon as I hit phone service, I had to look up this new anchor I saw on the river.
Fast forward about three years to when I moved out west had access to my own raft. In that short amount of time, you have a hard time going on a float anywhere out west and not seeing his anchors on guide rigs and in shops. I got connected with Keith Webster, the owner, and inventor of the Tornado Anchors, and not soon after, there was a very heavy box waiting at the front door.
Initial Findings:
One may wonder, what makes one anchor different from another. I personally was asking this question when I got my first raft. At first, I found myself picking up one of the classic lead pyramid anchors, needless to say, it did not stop my boat. Whether that was an issue of the weight of the anchor or the weight of the people in the boat is up for debate.
The first thing I noticed about the anchor was the obvious, stacked plate design that sets it apart. While a 25-pound anchor is not something you casually can pick up to feel the quality, you could tell the anchor was well constructed. I immediately slapped it on the end of my anchor rope with a carabiner, I claimed a half-day off work for “research†and booked it to the closest boat ramp.
While it looked great on the back of the raft, it was time to put the anchor through the real test. Lucky for us, the first fish of the day was worthy of dropping anchor. Now, how fast your boat comes to a halt isn’t something you ever notice with a pyramid anchor because it continues to shuffle you downstream. However, we noticed that our raft came to a complete stop.
After the fish was landed, we continued, we noticed the steel plates in the anchor had all moved, showing that the rotating plates on the anchor served a useful purpose in our successful halt. By conforming to the riverbed, the anchor was more effectively able to grab onto rocks rather than rely solely on weight. This gives you the ability to use a lighter anchor than you traditionally would use.
Concluding our experience with the anchor. We took it outside of our usual float, across state lines, and into different fisheries with the same success. I never thought I would be so impressed with an anchor for my boat. Whether you have a raft or drift boat, this anchor is universal.
Tornado Anchors founder, Keith Webster, was kind enough to take some time to answer a couple of questions about the anchors and how this idea came to life.
FL: What is Tornado Anchors?
Keith: Tornado Anchors is a reactive design anchor. The anchor is built using a series of galvanized steel plates that rotate independently. Our design allows the anchor to contour itself to the river bottom dramatically increasing its effective surface area. This increased amount of surface contact creates the maximum amount of stopping power.
FL: Where did the idea for the anchor come from?
Keith: The idea for the Tornado Anchor was born out of pure frustration at the performance of my traditional lead pyramid anchor. The simple solution would have been to just get a heavier chunk of lead! But I am a raft owner and throwing extra weight at this problem seemed like a bad idea. I needed an anchor design that worked better pound for pound. The core design concept for the anchor design was a series of stacked fixed plates. This design would create a “ribbed†surface which I believed would help the anchor have more grab. The design quickly evolved on the very first prototype! When I started to assemble the stack of steel plates they were rotating. It was a kind of Smack your Hand on your Head moment. It was obvious that allowing these plates to freely rotate would only add effectiveness to the anchors’ design and actually be the primary feature that creates its performance.
FL: Why does your anchor make a difference?
Keith: I think the anchor has been this untalked about piece of equipment in the industry. It’s always been an afterthought or deemed unimportant. But when you think about it, it is one of the most used items on your boat! I wanted to create an anchor that worked better. That translates into a safer experience on the water. Our design stops the boat faster so you can deal with whatever the reason is that you stopped. We also wanted to make sure that we didn’t use any lead in the construction of our anchors. It is no secret that any amount of lead in our waters is a bad thing. We feel that we offer a win/win product. It works better & is better for the environment.
FL: What is it like owning a small business in the fly fishing industry? What are some of the struggles that come along with that?
Keith: Honestly, it has been an awesome experience starting this company. I have had the opportunity to talk with and form relationships with people all over the country. I am finding that this industry is a tight-knit group of guides, shop owners & boat builders that truly care about their customers, their products/services, and the environment. As far as the struggles, well they are present, but it is what it is! I guess the biggest concern is trying to keep up with demand for our anchors. All in all, we are in a good place.
FL: What is next for Tornado Anchors?
Keith: Our goal is pretty simple, we want to continue to provide the best anchors in the industry to our customers. And to that effort, we will be adding some new anchor weight models for the ’22 season as well as adding in some accessories such as Anchor Nests, Rope, Carabiners & Swivels.
Thank you to Keith Webster for taking the time to chat with us. If you want to learn more about Tornado Anchors or get your hands on your very own, you can check them out HERE.
Marp, Marp, Marp: The sound a Carp looks like it’s saying. Last summer was hands down one of the roughest seasons for guides and wildlife in the Western US. From droughts to fires, the struggles were endless. However, there is one species that’s been thriving through it all and an absolute blast to target on the fly when trout are no longer on the mind.Â
Carp. Carp are considered trash fish to many, yet what most don’t know is they are one of the most challenging fish to get to eat a fly. It is quite common for saltwater anglers to spend a great amount of their time practicing on carp in the freshwater before heading back to the big blue. Carp are typically bottom feeders, with small barbs on their sensitive lips to detect aquatic insects and feed on plant life.Â
When it comes to casting at them, they are both skittish and smart. Carp are very sensitive; it is rare to get one that tracks or chases down a fly unless they are actively feeding. The challenge of fooling one on a leech or dry fly is why they are a blast to target with a fly rod.
My best friend Bradley Funkhouser and I knew before the summer guide season even began that we wanted to get out and chase Carp. Any small opportunity to get away we would. Sure enough, we both found a day off together in the middle of July when our local rivers were in rough shape with high temperatures and low flows. It couldn’t have been a more perfect time to go mine for gold. Not the brown trout gold, though, but that slimy gold.
As always, we hopped in the car and sent a long drive through the night. The weather the next morning wasn’t looking too promising for our one day of fishing, windy and cloudy. Carp are best-targeted by sight-fishing. Carp feed either on the surface like cows or belly to the bottom, mudding around very similar to redfish. In our case, we had pods of huge carp surfacing and eating on top in the middle of the lake. Backs out of the water, opening their mouths above the surface like manatees.Â
The best way to typically target carp would be to fish shallow with a weighted leech pulled slowly on the bottom. These fish were very spooky to loud noises from the boat, standing too high on our chairs or getting too close. The challenge was addicting. Laying soft casts on top of 8lb-plus common carp was thrilling. As we slowly stripped black leeches on floating line through those pods, I finally tightened up on a strip-set which was followed by explosions on the surface from the group spooking and the line snapping out of my hands as the carp took off on its first run. Â
With a game of tug of war the golden cow would eventually marp its way to the net. Marp, marp, marp as they open and close their whiskers and lips just makes everyone in the boat crack up. A fish that cannot fail to make one smile is fat, stinky, but a genius carp.
For more fly fishing adventures, check out Joseph Evans on Instagram (@IdaaFlyy)!
Joseph Evans had a fly rod put into his hands at about the age of 12. The Boise River is responsible for his fly fishing addiction today. He is currently attending the University of Montana and plans to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Journalism in the spring of 2022. He spends most of his time traveling the NorthWest rowing down rivers with friends practicing photography and videography. Joseph works the fly shop at Picabo Angler in the summer and hopes to continue building experience as a guide to pursue his passion for fly fishing.
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Last week, the Hebgen Dam experienced a failure in one of its release gates that resulted in an unprecedented and catastrophic drop in water flow that put the upper Madison River’s entire fish population at risk. The effects of the dam failure were compounded when you think about the thousands of brown trout redds that were sitting full of eggs when the water dropped.
During the time that the dam was inoperable, dozens of volunteers streamed to the riverbanks to help move stranded trout back to the safety of the main channel of the river. While it’s sad that it took such a terrible event to pull together the Madison River fishing community, it was incredible to witness such an altruistic group gather to save a precious resource.
However, late last week we did receive some good news from fisheries experts on the Upper Madison and, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, “Experts are cautiously optimistic that trout populations along the upper Madison River will rebound after a Hebgen Dam malfunction reduced streamflows drastically earlier this week.”
Those experts went on to say that Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks won’t know the full extent of the damage until the river’s annual sampling event that will take place in fall 2022.
You might have a good cast, but how are your mending skills? Check out this video from The New Fly Fisher featuring guide Chris Scott. Chris walks us through a quick tutorial on best mending practices. You don’t want to miss this!
Overall, these flies are creative, durable, and well tied. As much is to be expected from the minds of Yakoda and the vises of MFC. As said before, when it comes to fly-fishing: the best fly to use is a good presentation. If you’re not versed in how to properly fish your rig, your chances of success are going to plummet – no matter what flies you’re using. However, sometimes it feels like you can be doing everything right – and the fish still just aren’t biting. This is when any competent angler knows to reassess what’s on the end of their line and make a fly-change. What we loved about Yakoda’s fly assortment, is that it offered us more options when doing so.
