“For me personally salt water fly fishing has got to be one of the most challenging yet thrilling & rewarding hobbies I’ve been able to enjoy. My husband has been fly fishing for 10+ years and I recently decided to learn the sport and let me tell you it did not come natural to me. I’m typically known as the Jess of all trades and I finally came across something I’m just not GREAT at. With my husbands, patience, coaching & persistence I have come a long way but there’s just something about getting in-front of a huge tailing red, chest beating & knees shaking that makes you forget a few things!
With a plan in place my husband and I were headed to our favorite fishing location. With only 20 minutes to our destination we noticed a severe wind change, so to our weather channel app we go. A huge storm was headed right over our fishing destination so we made a complete turn around to new water we’d never explored to dodge the storm. Shout out to the weather man for being right for once because boy did it storm there. Just 20 miles down the road we found beautiful banks, clear water, just the right amount of sunlight, perfect wind direction and the storm behind us. Everything lined up perfectly and so did the redfish. While few of them were pretty spooky others were showing themselves and all their glory.
I may have missed a couple fish but this trip turned out to be one of my best days on the bow. I have become obsessed with the sport. When I’m not fishing or sleeping, I’m thinking about fishing. If you’re interested in fly fishing, go take the casting lesson. Buy the rod & reel and practice. Get out there amongst them!”
In Iceland, recent observations at fish ladders designed to facilitate the migration of wild salmon from the sea have raised concerns about the presence of unexpected “intruders.”
Reports on social media suggest that suspected escapees have been discovered in a minimum of 32 rivers throughout north-west Iceland. One of these posts included images of fish infested with sea lice, a parasite known to pose a deadly threat to wild fish. The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) of Iceland has since verified the presence of farmed fish in multiple river systems.
The recent escape incident occurred at a pen located in Patreksfjörður and is owned by Arctic Fish, a prominent salmon farming company in Iceland. Arctic Fish is a subsidiary of the Norwegian salmon industry leader, Mowi. This escape incident has revived demands from environmentalists, sport fishers, and certain politicians for stricter regulations or even a potential ban on open-pen fish farming. This is not the first such incident, as in the previous year, another salmon farming company, Arnarlax, faced a £705,000 fine for failing to report the escape of 81,000 fish in 2021.
Gummi and his 73-year-old father, Jakob, have successfully apprehended 44 farmed salmon in the last two weeks by shutting off the ladder to prevent them from swimming upstream. In a garage located near their residence in the coastal village of Blönduós, just a short drive from the river, they can identify distinguishing features that differentiate the farmed fish from their wild counterparts. These include worn gill covers, shortened and malformed snouts, and the absence or damage of fins. Gummi has already forwarded 11 of these fish to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) for detailed analysis.
The primary concern lies in the potential impact of an ongoing influx of farm-raised salmon into the critical headwaters of wild salmon habitats, which could result in a decline in wild salmon populations. Stay tuned for further updates as this story evolves, shedding light on efforts to manage and control the presence of farm-raised salmon in Iceland.
To check out the full story be sure to check out this post from Karen McVeigh at The Guardian.
To kick off the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve got just the treat for you: Our 8th annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Over the last few years we’ve gotten some fantastic submissions, and can’t wait to see what everyone has up their sleeves this spooky season. We’ve got cutting edge prizes lined up to giveaway to the Top 3 winners from our contest partner, Benchmade Knives! Unlimited entries allowed, so get to carving! We will choose the Top 12 finalists, and then leave it up to YOU to vote for the winners on our Instagram stories. The contest ends at Midnight, EST, on Oct. 30th, 2023. Scroll down for details on how to enter below:Â
How to Enter:
Post your carving on Instagram using #flpumpkin2023
Follow @flylords and @benchmadeknifecompany in your Instagram post
Mention and tag @flylords and @benchmadeknifecompany in you caption!
PRIZES:
FIRST PLACE: Benchmade Knife Company Custom 3 Piece Set
SECOND PLACE: Benchmade Knife Company Meat Crafter or Station
Explore more of last year’s entries on Instagram under the #flylordspumpkin2022 hashtag! As submissions roll in we will be sharing the latest entries on our Instagram, so stay tuned at @flylords.
In the latest Behind the Lines, presented by Airflo Fishing we were lucky enough to catch up with Kelly Galloup. Kelly is the owner and operator of the Slide Inn, a legendary fly shop along the banks of the Madison River in Montana. Mr. Galloup has been a household name in the fly fishing industry for years, pioneering streamer tactics on the western trout rivers. As well as designing some of the most well-known flies including the Sex Dungeon, Barely Legal, Peanut Envy, Zoo Cougar, and many more. Kelly is also a fly line designer for Airflo Fishing and has designed most of Airflo’s freshwater sinking lines and nymphing lines. We were lucky enough to catch up with Kelly to discuss how he got into the industry, fly line design, and some streamer tactics, check out the full interview below!
Flylords: Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Montana?
Kelly: I grew up in Traverse City Michigan. I owned a fly shop and guide business there since 1980. I started reading about MT in the 60s. I came out in the late 70s to see my fishing buddy who was going to school in Bozeman and was working for Bob Jacklin in the summer. I, like many others, fell in love with the area from day one. I had a very successful fly shop and guide business back in MI but just could never get past the draw of the mountains. As my rivers got busier and busier I decided to follow my dream and move to Montana. I bought the Slide Inn in 2000 and moved out spring of 01, and have never looked back once.Â
Flylords: When and what made you decide that Montana was home?
Kelly: I think the seed was planted reading magazine articles in the early 70’s and then after I came out the first time it was really just a matter of when and not if I was moving here. I love so many parts of MT. that it is really hard to say why I chose here but the Madison Valley was the first place I fished and I think it just got into my head that it was where I belonged. I remember very clearly driving up the valley with all my life in a trailer behind me and I saw the mountain range for the first time above the Slide Inn. I took a big breath and said, this is where I belong. Â
Flylords: Tell us about your fly shop, how long has it been in business and where is it located.Â
Kelly: The Slide was in business for decades before I bought it but it was never a fly shop, more of a general convenience store. Considering it is located on the banks of the Madison it seemed like a pretty natural place for a fly shop. When I opened the shop in 2001 it was about 400 sq feet and has now grown to over 5000 sq., and we now have a second location in Ennis that is close to the same size. The Ennis location has become our base for all online sales and shipping. In both shops we cater more to hard goods than anything, of course, we have some clothing but most of our real attention is on flies, rods and reels, lines and of course we have one of the biggest fly tying inventories in the world.Â
Flylords: You’ve been an Airflo Fly Line designer for a number of years, what’s the process that goes into designing fly lines?
Kelly: It is pretty simple really, you find a need for something better than what we have and make it. When I first started trying to get new lines built I was told to just use this or just use that. WTF does that mean? The guys at Airflo (particularly Gareth) understood that being close enough is not what serious anglers want. We want specific tools for specific jobs, and then we build them.Â
Flylords: Why do you prefer Airflo fly lines over the competitors?Â
Kelly: Well, first off I designed many of them. I know exactly what I need in the line whether it be for me or my client. 40-plus years of guiding teaches you a lot about practical fishing techniques. There are thousands of great casters out there that can do wonders with almost any line but that is not what a guide deals with. My lines are designed to make my customers fish better, not for the parking lot hero who wants to show the world how far they can cast. I deal in real-world fishing scenarios. The team and I spend all the time it takes to make the line perform exactly how I want it to, so I am confident it will perform for anyone else. I also really like the Polyurethane-based coatings. I have designed lines for other companies who used PVC-based coatings and it was always an issue getting the lines to stay soft so they didn’t coil in colder temperature waters and then not cracking, which are both side effects of not getting the PVC cocktail right. I have never had an Airflo line crack, and that is also backed up by Airflo’s warranty.
Flylords: What is your favorite Airflo fly line that you have designed?Â
Kelly: That is a hard question to answer, everyone was designed for a reason which was really fun to work through, but I would have to say the SUPERFLO SHOVELHEAD is my favorite.Â
Flylords: One tip for anglers who are trying to step up their streamer fishing game?
Kelly: Don’t be intimidated by sinking lines. I seldom fish more than two feet below the surface and often will be hunting flats that are less than a foot deep. One of the biggest misconceptions in fishing for big trout is they are in the big deep water, they are not. I have seldom seen a big fish in more than four feet of water and like I said I often will be fishing a foot of water with a 200 to 280 and have no problem with getting hung up. If you start your retrieve as soon as the fly hits the water you can keep the fly in any depth you want. Learn to move your fly with your rod and not your stripping hand. HUNT YOUR FLY, DON’T HOPE IT!
Flylords: If you could fish one fly pattern for the rest of your life, what would it be?Â
Kelly: Ouch, I guess if it is just one fly it would be a Sex Dungeon, most likely unweighted.Â
Flylords: Favorite month of the calendar year to fish your home waters?Â
Kelly: October.
Flylords: Any new and exciting fly-tying patterns or fly lines you can let us know about?Â
Kelly: No new lines coming out this year, but do have a new fly, the Slick Willie. This fly has been racking up some great fish in the last two years. My flies don’t get released until they have been fished by me and my guides for two years. Slick Willie has accounted for more 25†fish than any other fly I developed since the Dungeon.Â
Flylords: Anything else you want to add, events, or projects the shop is working on?
Kelly: We have a new series coming out this fall/winter on our YouTube channel that is all fishing. I am really excited about it, mostly because I will get to go fishing more and share how we do what we do. They will be 25 to 40-minute shows featuring fishing techniques, reading water, rigging, and of course, fly tying.Â
To get in touch with Kelly follow his shop on Instagram at @galloupslideinn or check out his YouTube channel HERE.Â
In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Michael Jensen ties a streamer pattern that will bring the worst out of aggressive trout, the Yellow Monster Bugger.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Fall is officially here and that means one thing: streamer fishing. Every angler should be bringing an arsenal of streamer patterns to take advantage of aggressive fish to the river. With water temperatures cooling and brown trout entering pre-spawn mode, the fall bite has officially commenced in many areas of the states. Having a healthy assortment of streamers is an effective way to fish when water temps drop, and the Yellow Monster Bugger is a pattern to begin with.
Tying articulated streamers is not for the faint of heart. Often times these flies are very difficult and time consuming, always holding the possibility of being lost due to a submerged log or rock. The process should be enjoyed and considered practice, as the more you tie this style fly the better and more efficient you’ll become. That being said, the Yellow Monster Bugger is a fantastic articulated streamer pattern to start your inevitable tying obsession with.
Fishing a sinking line with this fly will bode well in deeper water, but prove tricky in the shallows. Bringing a floating line will allow you to fish different situations with a streamer and allow for more opportunities for eats. As the season progresses, make sure to avoid redds that pop up to leave those spawning trout alone. Enjoy the fall fishing season and increase your odds of your line coming tight by bringing the Yellow Monster Bugger to your next outing.
In this Video of the Week, we catch up with Ben Sittig from Huge Fly Fisherman in his most recent short video of an insane streamer day. Not all fishing days are created equal and that’s what keeps us coming back. Sometimes it’s the crew you’re with, sometimes it’s the weather and views, and sometimes the fishing is absolutely epic. Ben and his friends just happened to have one of those days where all those things line up and make for a trip of a lifetime. So sit down and enjoy this unbelievable fishing day of good camaraderie, views, and even better fishing.
From humor to ethics, to great storytelling, Ben has built an awesome community for the Huge Fly Fisherman crew of the world. If you haven’t already checked out his channel we highly recommend you do! As Ben would say relax it’s just fishing and Stay Huge!
Make sure to check out these epic articles as well!
“I have fly fishing property that is fed by a 4k gallon per minute spring. We have 6 ponds fed by the spring. I was checking the outlet of this pond when I pulled up in the farm truck, I believe this mouse jumped out of the engine compartment. I noticed it running along the rocks at the edge of the pond. I pulled my phone out to shoot a quick video. As I leaned down to video him, he bailed off the rocks and into the pond and started swimming. I thought this might get interesting… The trout in this pond were released there 4 years ago as fingerlings and are pretty aggressive with anything that happens to get in the pond. The mouse didn’t make it far before finding that out. I was lucky enough to be filming it happen. I’ve seen it happen with wood duck ducklings a few times but wasn’t able to film it.”
Instagram reel from Clare Lyons, be sure to visit his page at @clarelyonsflyfishing.Â
Kate Sherin is a Redington Ambassador, passionate angler, and conservationist from Nova Scotia—a huge thank you to Redington for supporting this conservation angler story.Â
I slide the key into the ignition and bring my mid 90’s Jetta to life. The diesel engine muffled as a homemade burned CD blasts through the speakers. It’s early June, 2005 and I’m slightly late for school. I grew up just outside of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, along the estuary of the LaHave river. I enjoy driving to school, my route takes me along the river and into town. My high school is situated on the river, atop one of the more famous Salmon pools. As I turn into the student parking lot I see several guys across the road, gearing up rods and pulling on their waders to head down for a fish.Â
They say hindsight is 20/20 and if only I knew then what I know now. This river, that was a staple landmark of my childhood, was famous. The mighty LaHave, once one of Nova Scotia’s most famous Atlantic Salmon rivers. The river that brought people from all over to its picturesque Hemlock lined banks to experience the incredible returns of wild Atlantic Salmon.Â
It eats at my soul knowing the fishery I had access to in my own back yard. I think to myself, wow, what a lunch break that could have been, fishing for Salmon between classes. As fate would have it, I did not start my Salmon angling journey until 2 years after the river was closed to salmon angling. The river shut down in 2010 due to a drastic decline in returns. The decline in LaHave salmon can be attributed to several factors; The river experienced a catastrophic bought of acid rain in the 80’s, climate change, an increase in at sea mortality from the commercial fishery in Greenland, and the introduction of invasive species, smallmouth bass, and chain pickerel.
Salmon fishing is my obsession. I’m extremely lucky to be able to share this passion with my husband, Scotty. Once we started traveling and exploring other beautiful Eastern Canadian rivers in pursuit of Salar, we started hearing stories of my “home†river, and the good old days. We became absorbed in the lore and tales of the past. We quickly became captivated with the river and would soak up any chance to learn more about the history of the LaHave.Â
As you mature in your fishing journey, you naturally become more conservation minded and you realize conservation is multi-faceted; conserving and preserving are nearly impossible without maintaining connections and pride for a river.Â
My husband, Scotty and I started having deep conversations on our journeys home from our salmon fishing adventures. They always started with, “imagine the LaHave still had a salmon season.” We are required to drive 3-5 hours north to access salmon water now. We started diving down the rabbit hole of what it would take to restore our home river. Afterall, Denmark and Sweden have made major progress in restoring salmon returns, why can’t we have similar success? We decided to seek out and join the LaHave River Salmon Association and found a group of like-minded individuals already battle hardened. The idea of joining a salmon association on a river with no salmon season might seem foolish to many, but the concept began to make a lot of sense the more we discussed the notion of salmon conservation and advocacy. Fishing, especially catch and release can be an inherently selfish undertaking. Scotty and I began to realize, why do you need to fish the river to care for the salmon that still call it home? This new passion for our closed home river could be a way to offset our time fishing, do some good, and create real change for future generations. Afterall, it’s everything you do without a rod in your hand that has the largest impacts.Â
Through the LaHave River Salmon Association we have had the opportunity to learn the intricacies of conservation and salmon recovery through our affiliates, The Nova Scotia Salmon Association, Adopt-a-Stream, Nova Scotia Department of Inland Fisheries, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Coastal Action. Through their guidance we have had the opportunity to restore sections of river using digger logs and rock sills, monitor water quality, and employ acid rain mitigation strategies. We’ve adopted the use of floy tags for mark and recapture of invasive species to learn migration patterns in hopes to sway regulations and develop targeted strategies for removal. This spring we helped deploy acoustic tags on out-migrating salmon to track their migration behavior. We’re beginning an artificial cold water refugia project with the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, where river water will be channeled underground, cooled, and reintroduced to the river.Â
Our involvement grew from becoming members of the LaHave River Salmon Association, to directors, and now Scotty as Vice president.Â
The unfortunate reality of closing a fishery is that people start to detach themselves from the river. It becomes a “dead river†in many ways. It’s important to advocate, protect, and restore a river, even though we can’t fish it for Salmon. The sad reality of doing nothing will unquestionably end in disaster. Last season (2022) saw a return of large adult LaHave river salmon exceeding the 20-year average. Our membership is growing, and so too the number of people and volunteers determined to chart a path for recovery. The fight for LaHave River Salmon is a game of attrition, and we’re just getting started!
“The conditions have to be right to get a mouse bite in Southcentral Alaska. You need fairly low, clear water with structure and a bit of ripple or a foam line on the surface to hide a trout’s outline. You have to slap the mouse tight to the structure and get that thing moving! A real mouse wants to get the heck out of there because it knows it’s toast. Swim it back against the current to create a wake. The most crucial part is the hookset. You HAVE to wait for the fish to turn and feel the weight of the trout BEFORE setting the hook. No dry fly hooksets. You’ll pull it out of their mouth every time.”
Case. In. Point.
“My friend Court (@flyingparret) and I were doing an exploratory mission after a guide trip. We picked out a small side channel that was full of small pools backed by logjams and woody structure. Perfect mousing habitat. Court slapped his chunky mouse pattern in front of the log and twitched it back towards us when the big ‘bow came out and waked on it. The trout refused it twice before turning around and absolutely smashing it. Perhaps it was the angle of the hookset, or too fast, or too slow, but the mouse slipped out of the fish’s mouth and the trout turned back to its shadowy lair. We made more casts through there right afterwards, but we weren’t able to bring him back out again.”
We’re hitting the road, Jack! Fly shops, the heartbeat of local fishing communities, span the nation from coast to coast. Our excitement is palpable as we prepare to embark on a journey to spotlight these shops and the vibrant local communities of the Southeast!
Last year, our adventure took us on a memorable road trip through the Rockies, with events hosted in places like Fort Collins, Jackson Hole, Bozeman, Boise, and Orem (Salt Lake City). Building on the resounding success of season one, this year, we’re shifting gears and heading eastbound and down. Our upcoming destinations include Nashville, Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston, and Marathon, Florida.
Come join the tour with us at one of these events supporting local conservation organizations. More information about the events is below.
Nashville, Tennessee
Asheville, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Charleston, South Carolina
Marathon, Florida
We’re eagerly anticipating your presence on the tour! Proudly presented by an incredible lineup of sponsors: Simms Fishing, YETI, Costa Sunglasses, Adipose Boatworks, Chittum Skiffs, Sage, Allhands Craft Cocktails, B&W Trailer Hitches, Buff, Airflo, Tornado Anchors, and Turtlebox Audio!
