Remember the Salmon Cannon? The new fish passage device aimed at quickly shooting migrating fish up a pneumatic tube to pass dams and other impoundments. Well, they’re back and this time they’ve stepped up the capabilities of the Salmon cannon into a new, automatic system, called the “Passage Portal”, allowing their systems to function without humans, reducing fish stress and handling time.
Since we last covered their innovations, Whooshh has also introduced several new advancements aimed to create systems that can sort fish, like separating hatchery steelhead from wild run fish or denying passage to invasive species like the Asian carp species that threaten the ecosystems of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes. You can learn more about that project, here!
You can discover more information about Whooshh’s new projects and inventions on their website.
Over the weekend, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released his “Energy and Salmon Concept.” Â Congressman Simpson developed the far-reaching plan based on three years of meetings with stakeholders, tribes, and other elected authorities to better understand the Snake River’s complexities. The Snake River once enjoyed prolific salmon runs. “But the historical plentiful runs of the Snake and Salmon Rivers are no more,” Congressman Simpson said. Idaho salmon populations have plummeted since the construction of the Snake River dams. Today, all of Idaho’s salmon and steelhead are listed as threatened or endangered. The Congressman has made it clear that he hopes to see salmon return to Idaho in strength within his lifetime. Therefore, he set out on a three year process to ask the larger Snake River community, “what if the four Lower Snake River Dams (LSRDs) were breached?”
The “Energy and Salmon Concept” is an all-encompassing approach to removing the four LSRDs. The key point of the plan is to save Snake River salmon without causing excessive harm to the industries that have depended on the dams for decades. Further, it highlights the reality that constant litigation and burgeoning spending have not made a dent on salmon recovery, but rather fueled a highly corrosive discussion. It does not have to be a never ending fight over salmon or the dams; there are many ways to replace the dam’s benefits and recover Snake River salmon, Congressman Simpson found.
“The removal of the dams would become the cornerstone of a broader effort to stop the decades-long salmon wars, during which conservation interests win in the court but lose in the river,” Trout Unlimited’s Chris Wood said.
Simpson’s $33.5 billion plan represents a departure from the failed ‘either, or’ approach and ushers a new, holistic discussion for the Snake River. Among other provisions, the plan would:
Breach all four dams by Fall 2031
Replace hydropower through a $10 billion grant for clean power generation
Improve watersheds
Lock in the other dams in the Columbia River System for 35-50 years and end lawsuits relating to anadromous fish
Efficiently transport grain and agriculture products
Protect impacted communities through economic development funds
Provide funding for agriculture irrigation mitigation
It is important to note that this plan is currently just a conceptual framework. It is not an actual piece of legislation, yet. However, the magnitude of this announcement and movement cannot be understated. Congressman Simpson identified what it would take to keep all parties whole AND remove the four LSRDs, saving Snake River salmon. Further, he outlines how this plan can become a reality through an upcoming stimulus or infrastructure package.
Earlier this year, renowned salmon scientists wrote a letter to the Governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana stating, “Incremental changes will not recover these fish and if we do not remove the four lower Snake River dams, the basin’s salmon and steelhead are highly likely to become extinct.” Congressman Simpson agreed on that conclusion: “While I cannot be certain that removing the four LSRDs will bring back Idaho’s salmon, I am certain that if we do not remove them our salmon and steelhead are on a certain path to extinction.”
“The Pacific Northwest has never been so well-positioned, with numerous delegates in key leadership positions on both sides of the aisle, to shape our own future; a better future. We urge our congressional delegation to show leadership in coming down on the right side of history, to undertake the largest river restoration project ever, and end the decades-long struggle to recover wild salmon and steelhead,” said Idaho Rivers United Executive Director, Nic Nelson. “While much still needs to be done to ensure the success of this effort, for now, we celebrate this monumental step forward.â€
Salmon used to thrive in Idaho. As legend goes, salmon were the reason for the Snake River’s accidental naming convention. The river’s name came from an S-shaped hand sign made by members of the Shoshones tribe. European explorers misinterpreted this hand sign, which is now thought to have truly meant, “the people who live near the river with many fish.†Recovering these fish to their historic abundance will be difficult and expensive. But Snake River salmon represent so much culture, history, and opportunity that their recovery may just be possible. We applaud Representative Simpson’s effort and will be following its progress.
A new year is upon us which means it’s time for a fresh selection of films for the F3T, and we are pumped for this stellar line up. Once again, we will be sitting down with the filmmakers selected in this year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour – to go behind the scenes on how these films were made. To kick off this year’s tour, “A Journey Upstream†from our very own Andrew Braker and his brother Eric. We had the chance to sit down with the Braker Brothers to discuss the tale of two seemingly unrelated fish species that help us understand the connectivity within our environment and the importance of a healthy Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Andrew: We’re brothers, native Marylanders, and fly fishing fanatics who have always dreamt of creating a film about our home watershed, the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Personally, I’m a student of environmental sustainability, as well as a conservation writer for Flylords. I have a passion for learning about the natural world around me, and I’ve come to enjoy expressing that passion through creative writing. Oh yeah… and when I’m not doing that, I’m usually splitting my time casting for striper on the Bay, or trout in the mountains.
Eric: For as long as I can remember, the outdoors and filmmaking have been two things at the center of my life. Any free time Andrew and I had when we were growing up was spent building forts in the woods or catching creatures in our local stream. As I got a bit older I started to experiment with video cameras. From making stop motion animation with LEGOs at the age of 8, to launching my own video marketing agency in 2019, my passion for storytelling through video has only grown stronger. During this time, my passion for the outdoors has also grown stronger. Merging my love for nature and my passion for storytelling has proved to be effortless with the creation of A Journey Upstream.Â
Flylords: Tell us about how the idea for the film came about?
Eric: It was kind of a product of COVID-19. Obviously the pandemic is an awful thing that the whole world’s been dealing with, but for us, in this very specific way, it was almost a blessing in disguise because it forced us into the house at the same time— freeing up more time than we’ve ever had. The two of us were actually walking our dog together when the idea came up…Â
Andrew: First we were spitballing about making a film centered on one of the native Maryland fish species. The conversation immediately went to striped bass since it’s Maryland’s most well-known fishery. Then the conversation shifted to brook trout, which is arguably our personal favorite fishery. Then it hit us… what if we could make a film about both? And, not only that… What if we could make a film that shows the connection between both?
Flylords: What does the “Lefty Kreh F3T Youth Film Category†mean to you guys?
Andrew: We are so incredibly proud that our film was chosen for this category. We never met Lefty in person, but we’ve heard enough stories to know that the man was a complete legend. Part of his legacy includes educating and inspiring the next generation of anglers, so it’s only fitting that “A Journey Upstream†is a film created by two young fly anglers, with the hopes of inspiring other young fly anglers.Â
Eric: It’s also worth noting that Lefty was also a native Marylander. He actually spent a lot of his time fishing the exact rivers and streams that Andrew and I grew up fishing. Even though we never met Lefty, we feel a powerful connection to him because of the fact that we’ve both fished these waterways.
Flylords: Describe the roles of everyone involved in the creation of this film?
Eric: This project was a product of our cooperative effort. We both co-directed the film together, so the whole process was done hand in hand. With that being said, Andrew sat more on the writing and communications side of things, while I focused on the videography and editing side. We also had an incredible group of people that helped us along the way.
Andrew: The stakeholders in the film include some pretty remarkable individuals: John Neely is the Chair of the Maryland Sportfisheries Advisory Commission, and a key member of the Chesapeake Conservancy’s board; Dylan Taillie is an Environmental Communicator for the University of Maryland and is also a super fishy dude; and Shawn Kimbro is an author and local legend here on the Chesapeake Bay. We also recruited the help of some of our closest friends: Kirk Marks acted as secondary videographer and primary photographer, and Jonathan Bland was our captain/guide through it all.Â
Flylords: How did you go about location scouting and determining which locations would fit this film best?
Eric: One of the most beautiful things about this film is the fact that we’re Maryland natives. So honestly, there really wasn’t much scouting. We’ve been scouting out these spots over the course of our lifetimes. With the topic of our film, it happened very organically that way.Â
Andrew: One of the main goals of the film is to highlight the contrast between two very different fisheries. When we were choosing the places to film, we specifically chose areas that really revealed that contrast. For example, when fishing for striper, we wanted to capture the vastness and power that comes from the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay. Then, when it was time to target brook trout, we turned our attention to the quaint forested areas, with moss covered rocks, and tiny streams. The spots we chose were guided by the question “how can we draw the biggest contrast possible?â€
Flylords: We really like how this film highlighted the conservation side of the great outdoors. What does the Chesapeake watershed mean to you guys?
Andrew: We love it so much… I think having a conservation message is integral because our physical ability to continue fly fishing depends on having healthy natural resources for years to come. If I want to be able to take my grandkids out on the Bay and teach them how to fly fish for striped bass some day, we need to change the way we manage the species, and the environments that they live in. We need a long term approach if we’re serious about wanting these fish to stick around.
Eric: We have a really strong connection to the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed. We grew up here, learned about the Watershed in science class, and experienced it firsthand as we developed our fishing skills over the years. Beyond that, fishing the Chesapeake is important to us because it’s in our blood… Our grandfather was an avid Chesapeake angler, but unfortunately he died before we really got a chance to fish with him and learn about the fishery through his eyes. Luckily, both of our parents instilled a love for nature into us at a young age, and our father passed the skill of spin fishing down to us. Since then we’ve taken that love for nature, and the skill of fishing, and brought it to the next level— pursuing a connection to our heritage and living out our grandfather’s legacy.
Flylords: With the new catch and release brook trout designation for the state of Maryland, how do you think this will impact the brook trout fishery? Do you think more states will adopt this policy?
Andrew: The native population of brook trout throughout the Appalachian Range has dwindled to a small fraction of what it once was. If you know a thing or two about brook trout, you know that they are incredibly fickle. Slight adjustments in temperature, chemical levels, nutrient levels, etc. can cause entire stream populations to get wiped out. These fish have so much going against them, so the best thing we can do for them as anglers is to limit the amount of fish that we take out of the water. This is the first step towards sustaining brook trout populations for years and decades to come. Hopefully other states will see the value in this.Â
Flylords: What impact do you think this film will have on the younger fly fishing generation?
Eric: We’re really hoping that this film inspires the next generation of anglers. It was such a big deal for us to try to incorporate that message into the film. We wanted to highlight the idea that it’s the younger generation’s responsibility to use their passion and their skills to make a difference in the world around them. We hope to see more young fly anglers starting to fish, getting passionate about conservation issues, and possibly making films!Â
Flylords: The film highlighted the reach of the Chesapeake with two key species, Stripers and Brook Trout. Which species do you guys prefer to fish for more often?Â
Andrew: I love striper, but I think it’s safe to say that brook trout are my favorite species “period.†Since brook trout require the highest degree of water quality and habitat health, it’s no coincidence that when you’re brook trout fishing, you’re also putting yourself in some of the most intact stream habitats that exist on Earth. Those are the places I daydream about. Also, just look at brook trout… I mean c’mon.
Eric: I think our love for brook trout fishing goes back to our childhood. One of our favorite things to do growing up was to go “creeking”— exploring local creeks, looking for minnows, picking up crayfish, and doing stupid stuff in the woods. For us, fishing small brookie streams is just “adult creeking.”Â
Flylords: What did you guys learn in the making of this film?
Eric: I think it is incredible how willing people are to help when you’re able to communicate what you’re trying to do. I was baffled by the amount of support we were able to gather during this project. Reaching out to get brands involved and connecting with industry professionals can be pretty daunting. You think that it’s going to be super hard and you are going to have to reach out to hundreds of people and only a few will say yes. But in reality, if it’s something you’re passionate about, and something where you know there is a group of other people who share that passon, it is absolutely amazing to see how willing everybody is to help. The brands that we worked with including The Chesapeake Conservancy, Cheeky Fly Fishing, and Douglas Outdoors were all so willing to help right off the bat. We felt the same way with our stakeholders in the film: John Neely, Shawn Kimbro, and Dylan Taillie. So, don’t let those limiting beliefs keep you from starting a project, because in reality, people may be more willing to help than you expect.
Andrew: This film helped me reaffirm the idea of how much the fly fishing community “cares.†When you spend as much time as we do fishing for different species, and spending time in the unique environments that they live in, you start to really care for those natural resources. At some point in your fly fishing journey, your care for those resources develops into something that goes far beyond merely catching fish… It becomes more about conserving those resources for the future. Partnering with other anglers with a similar understanding can lead to some amazing results. “A Journey Upstream†is one of them.
Thank you Andrew and Eric Braker for your time and for discussing this incredible project with us. Make sure to go follow @a_journey_upstream on Instagram, as well as, their production company @motion_digital.Â
Also, follow along with the film tour @flyfishingfilmtour to see where they will be next!
Chasing wild steelhead has always been on my bucket list, but to be honest I was intimidated and thought of it as more of a pipe dream. When I found myself working in Northern British Columbia during the summer of 2019, my dream of catching a wild steelhead suddenly seemed more attainable. I had been transplanted into a foreign watershed where the possibilities seemed endless, yet difficult and I felt totally out of my element. I knew that this opportunity had happened for a reason. I committed to picking up a spey rod and slowly began learning about the elusive anadromous fish that inhabit the streams of northern British Columbia.
In the fall of 2019, Garrett and I both committed to a steelhead trip. I was already working in the area and it only made sense to spend my days off searching for a wild steelhead right? We rolled up with a rooftop tent, which I’ll admit was nowhere near as luxurious as our good friends and mentors Colin and Allison in their wall tent. With new spey rods in hand and the desire to figure out what the hype was all about, we started on this new adventure. Sure enough, on Garrett’s first day he hooked and landed his first steelhead. Boom! Just like that, he was on the board. I spent the next 9 days without a single bump, and then finally catching what was likely a “morice fish†aka a small steelhead or possibly resident rainbow. To me, it was a success, but it wasn’t the encounter I was hoping for or expecting. I learned a lot on that first trip. The emotional ups and downs, trying to remain confident and persevering because you’ve been told, “Steelhead aren’t hard to catch, they’re hard to findâ€. I was hungry for more and after seeing Garrett fight and land a beautiful 36†buck on the last day of our trip, I knew this had just become an annual trip for us.
Just like the steelhead run up the river every year, we found ourselves running back to the Bulkley Valley this past fall for another shot at a wild steelhead; this time with a few newly acquired adventure tools. With a jet boat in tow, a wall tent, and hopefully improved casting skills from a winter spent practicing on the Bow River, we were ready for round 2.
Our anticipation and excitement were somewhat tempered with a slow start for the first few days. There was a lot of talk around “steelhead camp†as we call it, about how low the fish count was and “where have all the steelhead gone?†At steelhead camp we’re the new ones, fishing amongst unknown legends, some of which have been fishing the river for 20+ years. The conversations around the fire quickly become my favorite part about this newly discovered annual adventure. Everyone comes from a different place with a different background and a story, or two, to tell. Ultimately we’re all there for the same reason, hoping to encounter a wild steelhead and share those moments with new and old friends alike.
The morning I caught my first real-deal steelhead started the same as every other morning at steelhead camp. The alarm went off at 6 am, we threw another log in the wood-burning stove, made some coffee, and wadered up; our dog Horto raring to go as usual. We walked to the jet boat through a thick layer of fog, which usually covered the river valley each morning. We were barely awake, but optimistic for another day and another opportunity at a steelhead. We ripped down the river, all of the sudden wide awake with the cold blast of wind in our faces. We parked at a run that had been productive that past few days. After talking to Garrett we agreed that Id take the top of the run and he’d work the tail out.
It was early and we had a shot at catching fish on the dry. We both walked to our respective spots and started skating small bomber like patterns across the water. After about 45 minutes as I was nearing the boat, I thought to myself, darn, another run with nothing. I made another cast and halfway through the swing, a boil…or was it a boil? I had never risen a steelhead on a dry fly, so at this point, I wasn’t even sure. I took two steps up and cast again, hoping the fish would give me a second chance. Sure enough, it did… but no solid hook up. Everything went quiet. Meanwhile, I was freaking out inside, internally screaming HOLY SH!#, was that a steelhead? I cast one more time.. nothing.
I decided to finish off the run, making my way to the boat and grabbing my other rod. I yelled to Garrett “I think I had a fish boil for my dryâ€, he yelled back “well you better get up there and try another fly or throw a tipâ€. You don’t leave fish to find fish, right? I walked back up to my landmark on the bank and decide to throw a small black and blue streamer. I made one cast and as my line straightened out, halfway through the swing, boom, it happened. Hookset and off the fish went, screeching my reel into the backing in what felt like seconds. I yelled out to Garrett “I got one!…And I’m scaredâ€, he’s shouted back “you’ve got it, hang on!â€. As promised by those who fish for steelhead, the fight did not disappoint. My bicep felt like it was going to explode at one point; Garrett began stalking the fish with the net. Suddenly the fish took another fast and powerful run, pushing my limits and making me doubt if I would be able to land it. Eventually, the fish came closer to shore, giving Garrett a better shot at getting it in the net. At this point, I was praying he would get the fish in the net and I’m sure he was thinking just the same.
My first steelhead. Photo: Garrett Wilson.
Garrett got closer to the fish, making one quick scoop, and it was done. My first big wild steelhead was in the net and I felt so full of emotion that I could have cried. A quick moment with the fish and I released it on its way, being sure to keep that beautiful giant in the water and revived quickly. Garrett and I shared a high five as he congratulated me on my fish. I was beyond happy. We walked back to the boat, shared a celebratory sip of rum, and headed on our way to the next run.
My second fish, a nice hen (female). Photo: Colin Kish.
PS, the remainder of the trip was amazing and I managed to land one more beautiful hen (above) and lost 5 other large fish. We also had a close encounter with a grizzly bear…a story for another time :).
Story and photos from Kate Targett, an aquatic biologist, angler, and skier based in British Columbia. Follow along with her adventures at @ktargett. Cover photo from Garrett Wilson.
Most of us are in the dead of winter. Intense snowfalls, iced up rivers, and frozen boots are common place for anglers who love fishing this time of year. Nymphing is proven to be very successful during the winter months but takes can be very subtle. Having the right set up is crucial for detecting strikes and landing more fish in the long run. But what exactly is the “best” setup? In this tips and tricks video of the week, Lance Egan of Fly Fish Food breaks down a series of fly line to leader connections and which type provides the most success.
Types of Fly Line to Leader Connections
5. Loop to Loop Connection
This type of connection is performed by tying a perfection loop in both your fly line as well as your leader.
One loop is then placed through the other loop and then the tag end of your leader is pulled through the loop to complete the connection.
Although this is a very popular connection type, it is not good at all for euro-nymphing. This is due to the loops being clunky and may be hung up in your guides. Long euro-nymphing leaders are constantly moving in and out of your guides therefore smooth leader connections are crucial.
4. Folded Over Loop Connection
This type of connection is achieved by shaving the end of your fly line off and then folding it over to make a small/thin loop.
The loop is then sealed using super glue or UV cure resin.
You can then attach your leader to the loop using a clinch knot.
3. The Nail Knot Connection
A nail knot is a classic knot used in many situations and can be very effective in this situation.
It is crucial for the nail knot to be as clean as possible. The wraps should not be overlapping.
Tag ends must be cut as tight as possible to prevent the connection from hanging up in the guides.
2. The Needle Nail Knot Connection (Lance’s Vote)
This connection is considered the most effective for euro-nymphing and provides the least amount of hang ups.
It is important to remember that this connection requires braid-core fly line as mono-core fly line will prevent the needle tool from working with this knot.
This connection is achieved using a needle nail knot tool to create a hole in the fly line and then running your leader through the hole to create your nail knot.
1. The Super Glue Splice Connection
This connection is arguably the cleanest and smoothest fly line to leader connection you can use.
This connection is performed by splicing your leader and fly line together and then using super glue to coat the connection to improve durability.
The only issue with this connection is that they are susceptible to failure on occasion but due provide the smoothest connection.
After looking over all of these types of connections, the loop to loop would be considered least effective and the needle nail knot or super glue splice are considered the best connections. If you are in a pinch, the clean nail knot is also a great connection type for euro-nymphing. Again, the goal is a smooth connection that can slide through your guides without getting hung up. Give these connections a shot next time you’re on the water to determine which suits you the best. Good luck and tight lines!
For more tutorial videos visit Fly Fish Food by clicking here.
The only reason this essay exists is because I can’t seem to wrap my head around a piece that I was writing about the deserved pretentiousness of fly fishing. The internet is full of articles telling fly fisherman to be ambassadors for the sport, it is full of articles that tell fly fisherman to be kind and less egotistical, but there is nothing that makes the point that fly fishing is significantly harder than spin fishing, requires much more dedication, and deserves its ego in just the time investment alone. It’s a complex piece that attacks spin fishing and glorifies fly fishing by defending its pretentiousness and ego. However, no matter which direction I go in that essay, I continuously contradict myself, drive it in circles and find myself fearful of a community blackball by all the nice guys in fly fishing. So I put it on the shelf, where it’ll live until I am either more brave, cultured, or mature.
Now I am forced to write on a new subject, one brought to you by the very fear, contradiction, and repetition of the piece I can’t bring myself to write. I recently took a trip down to southwest Colorado to fish some new water in the middle of the winter. This trip came after listening to Into The Wild on audiobook the week prior. My feet were itching to be outside yet despite my history as a Marine, I don’t hold the stupidity and/or indifference towards nature to make some ridiculous, and deeply unprepared trip into the backcountry to escape society, so I settled on a very tame road trip revolved around fly fishing.
For those that have not read Into the Wild, let me give you a quick summary. A kid named Chris McCandless, burns his possessions after college, travels the western United States armed with books by Tolstoy, Jack London, and Thoreau, develops a deeply romantic view of life thanks to his impressionable nature and seems to “pretentiously†offer life advice to all the adults he comes across. Eventually, he decides he is going to live off the land in Alaska. He pieces together, quite literally, an awful plan, and walks into the Alaskan bush. 100 or so days later, he is dead. Shocking. But his death isn’t the spoiler alert, the spoiler alert is looking at this kid and seeing the super complex nature of humans, and falling in love with this kid’s bravery and willingness to live out his own dream and lifestyle even if it is ill advised at best. The spoiler is both loving his willingness to tackle adventure and hate his immaturity and inability to see past his very narrow view of how others should live.
After reading this book, I quickly spent the better part of the following week entrenched in the balance of adventure and planning. In preparedness vs resourcefulness. And as mentioned above I am uninterested in some grand alaskan adventure but I am deeply invested in making my fishing trips as valuable as possible. So I started to put together some lessons from Into The Wild to apply to your next trip.
Plan, but don’t plan much: Of course you should plan for a fly fishing trip. But keep it to clothes, gear, flies and letting people know where you’ll be. Otherwise, leave shelter, food, and route completely ambiguous. One of Chris’s more insightful quotes in the book is “The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure”. And I think there is a lot of truth in that, I think one of the things that keeps a trip enjoyable is the unknown. There are infinite places to eat and sleep, so really-don’t plan it. Let’s call this the “magic bus theory†you’ll find a place to rest your head, no need to google it. After one of my best fishing days we picked a roadside motel, and grilled chicken wings in the parking lot on a grill we bring on all of our road trips. We drank, and laughed our ass off in twenty degree weather. I’m not suggesting you eat wild berries in the woods and construct your own shelter, I am simply saying that void of a plan, you may have an experience that you really remember, an unexpected pleasant add on to your fishing trip.
Meet people and hear them: It seems a little unfair to say that Chris McCandless didn’t listen to the people he met. But the book seems to really portray him as this kid that loved to tell people how they SHOULD be living. It doesn’t seem to make note of a single circumstance where he came across a new contact and didn’t go out of his way to share his Tolstoy-esque regurgitated views of life. And while I have nothing against sharing your own views on living, (you might have noticed that I am doing that in this article/essay) I do believe it is a much more enjoyable endeavor to actually hear the person you meet on the river while fly fishing than to impose whatever beliefs you have, either on fishing or life. Let’s call this the “I don’t know shit theoryâ€. A theory that if deployed more regularly by Chris, may have drastically changed the course of his adventure.
This happened to me when I met Dean. Dean and I shared a stretch of river and were both Euro Nymphing, so naturally we started shooting the shit, talking about flies and leaders, and general fishing conditions, eventually I found myself in a run next to Dean where I noticed fish aggressively feeding. I caught three or four fish and told Dean to hop in, he made a quick fly change and a depth change and on his second drift he caught a great rainbow that I was happy to net for him. I noticed his net, a wooden net that looked far from commercially produced and I complimented him on it. Dean then shared the story of the net with me. Dean won the net in a silent auction for a veterans nonprofit organization that focused on fly fishing, unbeknownst to him he was bidding against his best friend Duane. Duane died a month ago, Dean had intended on giving the net to Daune but obviously death, as it often does, ruined the opportunity of a good deed.
I didn’t tell Dean that I lost my best friend when I was 17, and I didn’t tell Dean that I remember exactly how fresh the wound is a month after a loss. I didn’t offer up any advice on how to deal with it, I didn’t pretend to understand his situation nor did I advise on next steps for his life. I didn’t say anything because I am wise, I just didn’t have the words.
Luckily for me this played out exactly as it should have, his very next cast he put another wonderful rainbow in Daune’s net and I walked away smiling. Several days later, I ran into Dean again on the river, we laughed and caught up for a few minutes and then he watched as I fought and landed the best wild fish on the trip. I like to think Daune had something to do with that. It was yet, another unexpected pleasant add on to my fishing trip.
Wild is a state of being: McCandless was very obviously and outwardly attempting to fill a void. If I was a betting man, it would have been the void that most young men feel of being a wild animal in an increasingly domesticated world. The same void sent me to war at 21, or convinces a 22 year old to buy a motorcycle. And I believe it’s this same void that sent Chris into nature in hopes of interacting with nature as animal would. Being wild, in the wild. I think fly fishing is one of the purest ways of engaging directly with nature. I view it as problem solving via senses. Being present, using your eyes, ears, rationale, and previous experiences to predict and control a desired outcome is, from my definition’s standpoint, as wild and as animalistic of an action one can participate in.
In regards to travel and adventure, I don’t think this starts and stops on the water. I think it starts from the removal of things that hinder your sense of wild. Like a cell phone, or a tv, or any other device that pumps you full of useless information that distracts your senses from the need to problem solve. When you are out to travel and fish, and your goal is exist in nature, I don’t see much value in sea-sawing back and forth between the overly domesticated world and the endless unpredictable wild world.
My advice on this is easy and clear- leave it behind. Travel to places removed from cell phone service, or turn the phone off. Stay away from a computer and tv. From the moment you step off on your trip, to the moment you return- stay as wild as you can. Meaning, use your senses, rationale, and previous experiences to problem solve for a desired outcome. Let’s call this the “Chris was definitely right about this theoryâ€. Chris knew that the advancement of comfort and convenience was altering all of our relationship with nature, so he promptly removed those things from his life and relationship with the outdoors.
Now, these lessons wont fit for every trip and it certainly won’t fit for every angler, and that is totally ok. They’re simply lessons I took from a book I read and interpreted and applied to my own trip and will continue to apply to in the future. I am both a McCandless lover and hater. I, like him, have complex and often contradicting opinions on various subjects. I do hope you will indulge me and apply these lessons on your next trip. Be Well.
Colorado, home to a plethora of rivers, streams, and high alpine lakes, is the ideal location for your next fly fishing adventure. From the Salmon Fly Hatch on the Gunnison River to the Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch on the Arkansas River, there is an opportunity for everyone to get out on the water and enjoy all that Southern Colorado has to offer. Below, we will walk you through each of the major rivers, how and when to fish them, as well as guide services/fly shops in the area.Â
The Gunnison River offers a wide variety of fly fishing options, from techy dry fly fishing, to heavy water nymphing, to the salmon fly hatch in early summer. With various access points ranging from drive-up to physically demanding hikes, there is a place for everyone on the lengthy river. Located in western Colorado, the Gunnison is formed at the confluence of the Taylor and the East rivers in eastern Gunnison County before flowing through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Later, it is joined by the Uncompahgre River. The river continues through desert canyons, and after winding through Dominguez canyon, joins the Colorado River. Flowing for 180 miles and passing through three different dams and reservoirs, the Gunnison offers a diverse fish population including rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. Between the months of Late August and October, there is a Kokanee salmon run from Blue Mesa Reservoir up the Gunnison. The exact timing differs from year to year, but mid-September is generally the peak of the run.Â
Best fishing seasons:
April-September
Flies:
Dry flies:
Elk Hair Caddis
Lawson’s No Hackle (or other BWO patterns, depending on the look of the bug on the water)
Harrop’s Thorax Dun (Pale Morning Dun)
Nymphs:
Caddis (Hares Ear, Pupa)
Stonefly (Pat’s Rubber Leg, Prince Nymph)
BWO (Pheasant Tail, Slim Shady)
Streamers:
Mini Leech
Montana Whitemouth (white or olive)
For more information regarding flies to fish on the Gunnison, check out our article here.
Regulations:
The regulations on the Gunnison River vary from place to place, so be sure to verify the specific regulations for the area you will be fishing.Â
As the second-longest river in the United States, the Rio Grande offers an abundance of fishing opportunities for all ability levels. From its headwaters between Creede and Silverton, it flows 60 miles east through to the San Luis Valley and then turns east to flow toward New Mexico. The section of the river between South Fork and Del Norte is designated Gold Medal Water. The river is then joined by more than 50 tributaries, offering various options for small, pocket water fly fishing. If you have the opportunity to do so, a float fishing trip has the potential to bring your experience on the Rio Grande to a whole different level. Regardless, there are opportunities to catch brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout while on the water.Â
Best fishing seasons:
Mid-June through OctoberÂ
**Please note that the water becomes too low to float starting roughly August 1Â Â
Flies:
Dry flies:
Elk Hair Caddis
Royal Wulff
Parachute Adams (later in the season)
Nymphs:
Bitch CreekÂ
Pat’s Rubber Leg
Pheasant Tail
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger
Sculpzilla
Meat Whistle
Regulations:
Daily bag limit: 4 trout
Possession limit: 8 trout
Artificial flies and lures onlyÂ
Brown trout:
Daily bag limit: 2 trout
Possession limit: 2 trout
Minimum size: 16†long
Rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediatelyÂ
There is lots of private property along the Rio Grande, so be sure to respect all signs and marked banks
The Uncompahgre, a tailwater located in southwestern Colorado, is undeniably one of the best-kept secrets in the state. Originating in Lake Como deep in the San Juan Mountains, the river makes its way towards the towns of Ouray, Ridgway, and eventually Montrose. 75 miles from its start, the Uncompahgre converges with the Gunnison River in Delta. The river runs into the Ridgway Reservoir, before continuing downstream through a 1.5 mile long stretch of public water called as Pa-Co-Chu-Puk. “Pacoâ€, as it is known, is largely man-made due to a massive reconstruction project completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and Trout Unlimited in 1994, following the construction of the dam. Along with the man-made nature of this part of the river, the trout population is entirely non-native. Cutthroat and rainbow throat are stocked frequently, but it is the naturally reproducing brown trout that set the Uncompahgre apart. These fish reach impressive sizes with many over ten pounds being caught each year. In addition to these browns, rainbows and Colorado River Cutthroat come from tributaries along the river. Aside from Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, the Uncompahgre can be fished in many other places, generally located downstream from Ridgway Reservoir.Â
Best Fishing Seasons:
While the Uncompahgre can be fished all year round, certain months cater to certain types of fly fishing. The colder months are conducive to nymphing, whereas the warmer months offer opportunities for both dry fly and nymphing techniques.
Flies:
Dry flies:
Mathews’s BWO Sparkle Dun
Elk Hair Caddis
Lawson’s No Hackle
Nymphs:
Zebra Midge
MayhemÂ
Bead Head Brassie
Regulations:Â
With the exception of Pa-Co-Chu-Puk the regulations on the Uncompahgre are as follows:
Bait and artificial lures are allowed
You can keep all fish up to the legal limit (bag limit of 4, possession limit of 8)
From its headwaters located near Leadville, Colorado, the Arkansas River flows through the Arkansas River Valley before meandering through the towns of Buena Vista and Salida and eventually flowing through Royal Gorge. 150 miles late, the river winds through the Colorado Plains before continuing its journey southeast until it converges with the Mississippi in eastern Arkansas. The river’s headwaters are known for the sheer number of fish that call the river home, not for having mind-blowingly large fish. Immense numbers of naturally reproducing brown trout can be found throughout this section of the river, as well as rainbows that are introduced as fingerlings. On average, there are about 2,000 fish per mile in these 150 miles, an incredible number for a river of this size. Anyone who has floated the Arkansas will tell you that a day spent floating the river is well worth your while and that Royal Gorge is a beautiful place to visit if you are in the area. If you choose to wade fish, there are a multitude of options. Regardless of how you choose to fish the river, the best jumping-off places are Salida or Buena Vista, both offering accommodations and outfitting services year-round. In addition to the number of fish that can be found in Arkansas, the river is also known for its famed Mother’s Day caddis hatch, which, as its name implies, occurs in early May.         Â
Best fishing seasons:
March-October
**There is winter midge fishing available in the colder months
Flies:
Dry flies:
Elk Hair Caddis
Lawson’s No Hackle (or other BWO patterns, depending on the look of the bug on the water)
Parachute Adams
Parachute HopperÂ
Nymphs:
Zebra Midges
Pat’s Rubber Leg
Tungsten Copper John
Bead Head Caddis Pupa
Streamers:
Sheila SculpinÂ
Mini LeechÂ
Minnow or baitfish patterns (ask the local fly shop for specifics)
Regulations:
From the Stockyard Bridge (CR 102) below Salida to the confluence with Badger Creek, 7.5 miles:
Artificial flies and lures only
Both the bag and possession limit is 4 fish, no size limit
All rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately
From the Highway 24 river overpass below Leadville, downstream to the lower boundary of Hayden Ranch as posted:
Fishing with artificial flies and lures only
The bag, possession, and minimum size limit is one fish under 12 inches in lengthÂ
If you have any other questions about regulations on the Arkansas River, please click here.Â
Tucked back in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, the Piedra River flows through deep canyons and the Weminuche Wilderness in the Southern part of the state. The Piedra can be divided into three different sections, the headwaters that drain from the Continental Divide into the Weminuche Wilderness, the East Fork flows through rugged canyons, accessible only by hiking in, and the Middle Fork which follows Forest Road 636, and is accessible by car and by hiking in. Between Forest Road 631 and U.S. 160, the main Piedra proceeds through 24 miles of a narrow valley and is the prime spot for adventurous fly fishermen. Below U.S. 160 the river flows across private land and onto the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. With large populations of cutthroat, brook, brown, rainbow, and cutbow trout, all three sections offer a different experience and an amazing opportunity for some off-the-grid fly fishing.
Best fishing seasons:
May-October
Flies:
Dry Flies:
Elk Hair Caddis
Parachute Adams
Lawson’s No Hackle
Eric’s Midge
Rogue Foam Stone
Flush Floater
Nymphs:
Pat’s Rubber Leg (brown and tan)
Pheasant Tail
Psycho Prince
Zebra Midge
Streamers:
Krystal Bugger (black and olive)
Cheek Leech
Meat WhistleÂ
Regulations:
From Piedra River Bridge through a mile and a half about Highway 160:
A tributary of the Rio Grande, the Conejos River is a dream river for most fly fishermen. Located near Antonito, Colorado, the river flows for 93 miles through the Eastern slopes of the San Juan mountains, before converging with the Rio Grande. The Conejos is home to rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, and, similar to the Piedra, is accessed both by car and on foot. The river’s headwaters are located above the Platoro Reservoir, and this area is accessible via USFS Road 250N (from Highway 17) and is geared toward those interested in hiking. Due to the location and nature of the water above the dam, the fish are generally smaller, but so are the crowds. Alternatively, Lake Fork is another place to fish with numerous trails located off of USFS Road 250 (you can fish all the way to Rock Lake/Big Lake). Downstream from the South fork of the Conejos, the majority of the land belongs to the Menkhaven Ranch and is well marked private property. Â
Best fishing seasons:
March-October
**There is winter fishing, but the weather is often brutal and cold, and fishing during this time of the year is not recommended.Â
Flies:
Dry flies:
Parachute Adams
Eric’s Midge
Elk Hair Caddis
StimulatorÂ
Rogue Foam Stone
Nymphs:
Mercury Midge
Bead Head Caddis Larvae
Bead Head Rubber Leg Hares Ear
Rainbow WarriorÂ
Regulations:
Downstream Menkhaven Ranch through Aspen Glade Campground, Bear Creek subdivision, HEBO Corp., and Douglas properties:
Artificial flies only
The bag and possession limit is 2 trout, 16†or longer
Platoro Lower Bridge to South Fork Confluence:
Artificial flies and lures only
The bag and possession limit is 2 trout, 16†or longer
Lake Fork to Rock Lake:
Artificial flies and lures only
All cutthroat must be returned to the river immediatelyÂ
Outside of these areas, all of the Colorado Wildlife Division fishing regulations apply. For reference, click here.Â
In addition to the many rivers that snake through southern Colorado, there are lots of opportunities to get off the beaten path and do a little bit of high alpine fishing on your own. As far as finding these lakes and streams goes, your best bet will be to hop on Google Earth or to visit the local fly shop. This type of fishing is techy and difficult, but in the end, will bring you to some amazing places and get you on some amazing fish. Please remember, the backcountry can be dangerous and unpredictable, so be careful and pack appropriately. For more tips and tricks, check out our article about high alpine trout fishing in Colorado here.Â
**Between June and August, terrestrials are an important source of food for trout in Colorado. The best terrestrial flies for this time of the year include:
Morrish Foam Hopper
Turk’s Power Ant
Any size 16 beetle
The local fly shop will be able to give you the best suggestions for what is working at the moment, but these are the essentials that I keep in my fly box.Â
The fishing regulations in Colorado vary from place to place, but it is important that you read through and understand all of the state-wide rules. Click here to view the Colorado fishing regulations. In addition to these regulations, there is a ton of private property on and around the rivers in Colorado, please observe and respect all posted signs. Before you go, a stop into the local fly shop will give you the opportunity to ask about private property, fishing regulations, and the water conditions. Be sure to pack out all of the trash that you pack in, and we will be able to preserve these delicate and valuable ecosystems for years to come. Â
Yesterday was a big day for conservation, with significant implications Oregon and Colorado. Two pieces of legislation were introduced in the Senate that, if passed, will add nearly 4,700 miles of rivers and streams to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system and 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced the River Democracy Act, which was developed after years of public input. The bill would designate nearly 4,700 miles of Oregon rivers and streams as Wild and Scenic Rivers. This designation is one of the United States’ strongest protections for rivers, and would make Oregon home to the most miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. “Rivers and streams are Oregon’s lifeblood, providing clean drinking water for our families, sustaining our thriving outdoor recreation economy, and nurturing the quality of life that brings new investments, businesses and jobs to our state,â€Â Senator Wyden said.
The protections will have a profound impact on Oregon’s wild fish. The Wild and Scenic River Act preserves certain rivers in their free-flowing condition to benefit recreational, natural, and cultural values. “Oregon’s wild fish and rivers define our landscapes and shared heritage,†says Native Fish Society’s Conservation Director Jennifer Fairbrother. “Conserving these waters for the many values they offer ensures that these rivers can continue to nourish our ecosystems, wild fish, and communities.â€
If you follow Colorado politics, you are undoubtedly familiar with the CORE Act, a bill that would add 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado. The bill is tremendously popular among Coloradans, but did not enjoy the necessary political support in previous sessions of Congress. The political dynamics have changed, however, opening an avenue to pass the CORE Act into law. Earlier this week, Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the bill in the Senate, and Representative Joe Neguse introduced it in the House. Freshman Senator Hickenlooper, who campaigned heavily on passing the CORE Act, said, “Communities across our state have worked for ten years to craft this historic effort to protect public lands. The CORE Act is key to ensuring that future Coloradans inherit both a thriving outdoor recreation economy and pristine outdoor spaces. I look forward to it crossing the finish line this Congress.”
“This legislation is built with support from local communities, businesses, and recreation and sporting groups—a model for the way on the ground conservation should happen,†says Madeleine West, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s center for public lands director. “We want to thank the Colorado delegation for listening to hunters and anglers and working to strengthen habitat for fish and wildlife for future generations.â€
These bills will improve fly fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities in Oregon and Colorado. Hopefully, they speed through Congress and become law!
In this week’s segment of Video of the Week, we catch up with the guys From Bluff Line Media, creators of the Ozarks on the Fly series. Volume 7 features Daniel Roberts who has an unprecedented obsession with freshwater Striped Bass. While most people are indoors in the dark and cloudy days of winter, you can find Daniel cruising point to point looking for bait and what lies beneath them.
Throughout this short film, Daniel breaks down the 7 “simple” steps of finding and landing one of these elusive grey ghosts. Now steps 1-5 begin from the ramp to finding the bait, but once you reach step 6 you better hope your line isn’t tangled. So sit back and enjoy as you Watch Daniel battle with one of these freshwater ghosts.
This video is just satisfying to watch. Over this past summer (2020) the Middle Fork Nooksack River Dam in Washington State was slowly dismantled, freeing the river from an impoundment and improving migratory fish passage. This timelapse of the removal process, captured in 4k by Swiftwater Films, is amazing and well worth a watch.
