This week we wanted to take a break from our usual videos to remind you to support your local fly shop. The Fly Fishing Film Tour put a great video together where you get to hear from many fly shops about how they are handling these times. Luckily, many fly shops are beginning to open back up, but some are still operating under special guidelines. Our fly shops need us more now than ever, and now is a great time to support your local shop.
Tim Johnson is an extremely talented artist and fly designer, a guide at Utah’s Falcon Ledge, and a recreational therapist. As an artist he creates watercolors, oil paintings, drawings, and custom pyrography designs on rod grips, which he calls “TimmyGrips.” Flylords got the chance to sit down with Tim as he described his artwork and encouraged people everywhere to get a grip on their creativity and let it fly. Check out Tim’s artwork and comments below!
Tim: The interesting thing is I don’t really tie fly fishing into the things that I do. The things that I do have come out of fly fishing. I’m a recreational therapist nine to five. I work with kids on the autism spectrum and do therapeutic work with them in experiential modalities. I got into that because, while I was a TA for the fly fishing class at BYU, I was a guide and was volunteering at the veterans hospital in Salt Lake City at the PTSD Unit. I was teaching vets how to tie flies and then I’d take them on fishing trips.Â
[After the trips] I would get letters or emails from their wives and they would say things like “Jim is sleeping through the night which he wasn’t able to do before.†I found that there were all of these reductions in the symptoms of PTSD that were powerful and profound, so I went to my professor of the fly fishing class and said we should be using fly fishing as a tool to treat people. He was actually one of the professors in the Recreation Therapy Department, so he said “Hey, come on in, here’s your new major.†So fly fishing brought me to recreation therapy.Â
I’ve taught classes at BYU as an adjunct professor and that’s because of recreation therapy, which was because of fly fishing. I’ve helped start non-profits that were based on the same principles, and I’m actually a minority owner and part of the product development team for Tacky Fly Fishing, which was recently acquired by Fishpond. All of these things are connected directly or indirectly to fly fishing. It’s not that I bring fly fishing into them, but rather fly fishing brought me into them.Â
Tim: I didn’t really have a time when I wasn’t in art, and some of my earliest memories are drawing things. I think one of the reasons that people stay in art is that almost everybody is in art at some point in their life—everybody plays something and creates something. Some people get out of that, and I think it happens early on when you start to recognize that other people are looking at your art.Â
Some of my earliest memories of art are people giving me positive feedback. I remember being in kindergarten and one of the fifth or sixth graders came in to help us do a project. So, I’m a kindergartner and I was drawing an F-14 Tomcat because it was the jet that was in Top Gun. And I remember [the older student] saying he didn’t think he could draw a jet that good. Getting that kind of feedback in elementary school was very reinforcing to me.Â
I always remember having drawn. Any time I’m in a meeting, even now when I’m doing therapy meetings, I’m always doodling and drawing. It helps me focus and so that’s been something I’ve done my entire life. There’s never been a time that I wasn’t an artist in one capacity or another and I wish more people had continued to do that. I really do feel like we all have that innate artist inside of us and most of us are expressing it as little kids but then it gets shut off at some point. But I just never had it turn off. I’ve been doing hours of artwork forever—it was never really jumped into, but has always been there.Â
Tim: I think the majority of people who stop creating things don’t do so because they never really liked it. It’s because they didn’t feel good about what they were making, but not because they didn’t enjoy the process of making it. They stopped because they were comparing [their art] to other people’s or because they felt self-conscious about it for whatever reason. I think we’d have far more artists in the world and a much more satisfying depth and breadth of artistic work if we encouraged people a little more to keep doing what they’re doing rather than contributing to them feeling bad about themselves.Â
Tim: One of my favorite things that I’ve ever done I’m doing right now with Orvis. We did an Orvis live Facebook video where I taught people how to draw a fish and I just made it super simple. [In the video] I’m trying to say these ideas of “I don’t care what you think your experience is or how good you think you are, just come try this. You’re going to do a better job than you’ve ever done before because I’m going to break it down and make it easy for you.†So many people showed me their before and after [drawings]. They were so proud. I think people are more open to [drawing] right now, too. They’re stuck at home and they’re willing to try things that they weren’t trying before. They’ve done great.
But, there were other people who were like, “well, I’m not an artist.†I hate that phrase—I’m not an artist. I get that all the time at shows. I’m like “you’ve been an artist since you were born, you’ve just been hiding it for a long time and it’s time to get back on that train.†Every opportunity I get I challenge the notion that somebody’s not an artist or challenge the idea that they can’t draw and let them know that they should regardless of how good or bad they think it is. They should just draw because it’s fun.Â
Tim’s first instructional video on how to sketch a trout can be found here.
His second video on how to add color and light to the sketch can be found here.
Tim: I stumbled across it. Pyrography itself—burning artwork—is a very old practice. The way I got into it is my brother Dave paid for me to go to Alaska with him to go salmon fishing. I wanted to give him a gift back so I got him an 8-weight fly rod that he could use to catch these silvers that we were fishing for. I bought the original Orvis Helios when it had first come out and it was exactly like mine. We had identical rods, and I wanted to be able to separate the two. We met up at my dad’s house and my dad’s soldering iron, which he used to do electronics work, was sitting on his desk. I was like “I can heat that thing up and I can put Dave’s name in here.†And I thought “well why would I put Dave’s name on it? I should put something cooler on it.â€Â
[Dave] is a bit of a Dungeons and Dragons nerd, so I said “if you had a named rod like the named swords in The Lord of the Rings movies and stuff, what would its name be?†And he said Dashnor or something. I inscribed on the top and bottom of the grip “Dashnor is my name. I am the salmon’s bane.†And then I realized if I can burn words into this, I can burn anything into this—I might as well just burn a salmon into it. So I burned a silver salmon into the grip and he was super stoked.Â
So then I started burning my other rods. Because there’s no eraser, it took me quite a while until I felt confident that I could take somebody’s $800 fly rod and get it just how I wanted it in one try. It’s worked as long as I take my time, and I’ve never had a rod, out of hundreds that I’ve done, that I wished I had an eraser for.
Tim: I don’t have a favorite. I have times when I get into one and I feel really awesome about it, but to me the various media of art are like the different forms of fly fishing. There’s one that I may prefer at a time or I may feel like I’ve been away from it for so long that I have to get back to it. Whatever medium I’ve been away from for a long time is probably going to be what I want most in that moment.
Tim: So in terms of stuff that I’m proud of it’s usually an accomplishment that went beyond what I thought I was going to be able to get out of myself. My oil painting “Reflecutt†is a good example because it was my first time in that medium, so I had lower expectations for myself than I would have in other media, but I thought it came out awesome and it sold immediately. Having done really well on that for my first time in oil made me feel really good about it and made me want to do it more.Â
I’m also proud of the limited edition rod series I did with Orvis. That was hard for me, very hard—it was 500 TimmyGrips. It was the worst summer fishing of my life by far. I feared for my eyesight. I was like “do I need to get a brace to prevent carpal tunnel?†Being able to get through that and seeing what came out of it was awesome.
Like I said, I’ve done hundreds of TimmyGrips, but every once in awhile I get a rod from somebody that is absolutely irreplaceable. More recently a friend of mine, Mark, sent me his son’s rod. His son was a guide on the Green River and he’s passed away. Mark still fishes with the rod once a year to remember his son. He hands me this rod and says “I’d like you to burn my son’s image into it.†The hardest artwork in the world in my opinion is to do a person. It was intimidating because of the level of difficulty, but also because of the intrinsic and changed value of this rod and how irreplaceable it was. So that was literally like a spiritual experience for me to make that artwork on that particular rod and give it to Mark and have him feel like he was really seeing his son.Â
Tim: [Finding a new idea will] surprise me when it happens. For example, I can remember when I was a really little kid and I’d only recently started fly fishing. I visited my brother at college in Utah and we fished the Provo River. I caught a 23 inch brown, and in my experience it was the biggest fish of my life at that point. I just remember its pectoral fins being enormous—just huge paddles. I just remember being struck by that and that informing my next drawing.Â
From then on I’ve been having these instances where I’m just struck by something on a fish that I hadn’t noticed before and representing it in my next painting. I think “that’s a truth of fish that I didn’t know until now, but because I’ve experienced it I’m going to share that same truth through my artwork with somebody else.†Those big pecs on the brown were the first inspiration that I can remember. It’s the same process with fly tying: I’m looking at things, being struck by something like the translucence of a Crane Fly larva and saying “how am I going to find a way in the medium of fly tying to create this facet of this organism that I don’t see in other flies that are available?†I think 80% of artwork is teaching yourself how to see what’s actually there—being able to recognize what my eyes are actually taking in and then convert it to two or three dimensions.Â
Tim: What I love about it is that I get to take these things that I think that I see and feel, and I get to show them to somebody in a way that I might fail to if I were just explaining it verbally. It’s more fulfilling for me to explain things in a way that you can see—in a way that I’ve created with my hands.
The other thing that’s rewarding about artwork is it’s a trip, man. It’s a trip to say that I can take a blank canvas, piece of paper, some pigments—things that are essentially worthless—and just by using what I have and what I know I can turn it into something that I think is great. And people prove to me that they think it’s valuable because they’ll actually give me dollars that they’ve worked for with hours of their lives and they’ll trade them with me for things that have no intrinsic value—things that I just assembled. I think there’s something ancient and human about wanting to be able to take what’s in your environment and develop it into something greater. I think that fulfills a need for us. I wish more people would get back into doing that. The message that I’m on now is just trying to get people to be more willing to do art and just let themselves be. Find ways to be creative. It makes people feel so much better.
You can find more of Tim’s artwork on his Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
As a lifelong fisherman, Nick Zebrowski has taken some memorable fish before, but recently, Nick caught a 28†brown on a size 20 BWO on the Upper Delaware and has the pictures to prove it.
Often called the Big Horn of the East, the Upper Delaware is home to some of the biggest wild browns an angler can catch this side of the Rocky Mountains. The gem of the East garners fishermen from all around the globe to come to try their hand at catching a true once in a lifetime fish in the Catskill region, known to many as the birthplace of fly fishing in America.
This prime tailwater was formed in 1964 with the creation of the Cannonsville Reservoir. The reservoir was created as a water supply for New York City and flows over 150 miles via an adequate system to the city, where it currently supplies nearly half of New York City with its drinking water. Some even say the clean water is the secret behind New York City’s delicious pizza.
The Upper Delaware was first stocked with trout in the late 19th century when a train carrying a load of trout from California to a New York fish hatchery derailed nearby. The conductor, fearing that the trout would perish in the heat, ordered them dumped into the Callicoon Creek, a major tributary for the Delaware system. Brown trout from Germany were stocked later in the century until 1993. The trout that remain in the river are wild, reproduce naturally, and have thrived in the cool water released from the dam ever since.
The fish here are known for being very educated and difficult to catch. I have heard that if you can regularly catch fish on the Upper Delaware, you can catch fish just about anywhere in the world, which so far, in my experience, has proven to be true.
A few searches online will recommend using 15-18 foot leaders, perfect presentations, and well-tied flies in order to offer anglers the best chance at catching a fish here, most of which are in the 12-15 inch range. Others will swear the best way to catch a trophy brown is fishing at night using large streamers or mouse patterns. Others still will swear the only way is euro nymphing.
In my time fishing in this region, some 25 years, a 26+ inch brown has become a thing of folklore. I’ve heard many people end a conversation about a slow day or a missed fish counterbalance it with, “but you know, there’s 30-inchers in here,†and I’ve certainly done the same.
I have occasionally heard of fish around 30 inches caught on the Upper Delaware, but it is usually at night on mouse patterns and the actual size of the fish, along with where it was actually caught, is often debatable, but not this fish. Before anyone accuses me of spot burning, the Upper Delaware is no secret and hasn’t been for a long time. While fishing there last summer, I counted more than a dozen drift boats within eyeshot and about that wading in the water, and it wasn’t even a weekend or a holiday.
Nick went out to the Upper Delaware on Thursday, May 28th, with his girlfriend’s son, Jonny, to do a little fishing. He mostly had Jonny fishing and was able to help him catch a couple of fish, but he did bring along his own dry fly rod just in case there was a good hatch. After a while, Nick saw a few fish dimpling just below the surface. He tried a few flies without any luck before deciding on his go-to on a cloudy day, a size 20 Blue Winged Olive, tied on 5x tippet. The fish took it on the third cast. Nick said he knew it was a good fish, probably at least 20 inches which is a great fish out East, as it dogged him below the surface. He had no idea how big the fish was until it took off downriver, breaking water in the process. A few passersby in drift boats stopped to help Nick land the fish, and after nearly 15 minutes and several more runs into the backing, the fish became tangled around the line. Nick was sure he wasn’t going to be able to land it, but a Good Samaritan was able to get the fish into the net.
On the fish board, the fish is just shy of 28 inches and very likely over 10 pounds. Some photos were taken, and the fish was revived and released back into the Upper Delaware. For those who don’t live in the region, this is not a lake run fish from the Finger Lakes or Lake Ontario, both of which are heavily stocked each year.
Regarding the fish, Nick said, “This fish had nothing to do with me. I was just doing what I always do, going fishing.†Later, he said, “I’m just happy there’s finally proof of the mythical 10 lber in the river.†Jonny, 4 years old, was unimpressed and said he had seen bigger fish before.
So that’s the real secret to catching a trophy brown on one of the most highly pressured rivers around: there isn’t one. Show up day after day and get to fishing because you never know when an ordinary afternoon will turn into one you’ll never forget.
This story was written by Benjamin Burgholzer and used with permission. Benjamin is a Ph.D. candidate at Binghamton University in English with a Creative Writing emphasis. You can find more of his work on his Website, Instagram, and Twitter.Â
Well, It’s just about that time of year again where we set aside a day for the man in our lives who taught us some of the most important lessons we never knew we needed to learn. Dads around the world spend the year tirelessly dedicating themselves to bettering and caring for the next generation. Whether you’re planning on spending this Fathers Day alongside your old man on the water, or simply sitting down with him for a dinner at his favorite restaurant; show him your appreciation by getting a gift that goes above and beyond the typical “#1 Dad mug†(or god forbid: a tie).
Here is our list for the top 15 gifts to give the angler in your life this Fathers Day (2020)!
It’s time to ditch that raggedy-old-leather belt for something that’s just as stylish as it is practical. When it comes to quality, few do it better than the folks over at Fishpond. Like their quality standard, this belt specializes in delivering a no-slip feel over a strong nylon construction. With this belt, Dad can head straight from the river to happy hour without missing a beat.
Coffee and Fishing pair together like aged wine and sirloin *chef’s kiss*. If you’ve ever spent some early morning drives next to your particularly grumpy old man, we suggest prescribing a hearty cup of Early Riser Morning Blend for daily consumption. He’ll feel good with some top-notch bean energy sloshing around behind his eyes, and you’ll feel great knowing that every bag of Early Riser coffee donates a portion of their proceeds to charities such as Trout Unlimited and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Dad still lugging around that rusty old toolbox every time the boat needs a minor repair? Is that $10 plastic bin that has more holes in it than swiss cheese finally had all it can take? Tired of rummaging around through old egg crates trying to find that pair of pliers you could swear you just saw? It’s time to let the folks at Yeti do what they do best and replace your old bargain gear with gear that’ll never need replacing again. The YETI loadout box is the perfect gift for getting organized. Whether it’s a toolbox, gear bin, or something in- between, dad is sure to have what he needs by his side wherever he cares to go.
*Knee-high socks not included* I don’t think there’s too much to say about this gift other than…duh. If your dad doesn’t already own a pair of these “bad-boys”, or at least something similar, is he really your dad? Built in the USA with SIMMs quality assurance behind them, you can be sure this footwear can withstand any test dad can put it through. Not to mention, with wet-wading season rapidly approaching, these sandals are the perfect gift for on and off the water.
When it comes to sunglasses, there are few people who do it better than Costa Del Mar. Designed to deliver the most comfortable fit, while also withstanding anything dad can put them through, these 100% polarized sunglasses are the perfect replacement for those lop-sided $12 gas station sunglasses. This Fathers Day, give your dad the gift of a day on the water without eye-strain, and a life unburdened by long term ocular damage.
Frigate Reserve Rum pairs well with a day of fishing the flats and campfire smoke. Distilled by rum masters in Panama, this bottle of aged perfection is a magnificent way to cheers your old man for the countless hours he’s dedicated to you, as well as to the many more you’ll enjoy together. Made good enough to be served by itself, Frigate Reserve tastes best when enjoyed with the company of family.
Think Dad’s got enough Grateful Dead apparel? You must be the captain of the ship of fools. We’re stoked to introduce our new line of custom, officially licensed Grateful Dead BUFF’s, available in both “Dancing Bear” and “Steal Your Face” designs. Whether it’s protection from the sun, wind, or snow; these Grateful Dead BUFF’s are sure to make a very “Grateful Dad”.
From Duck Camp Co’s new spring line, we’re stoked to present the Hooksetter Longsleeve shirt. Available in many colors such as Largemouth Green, Red Drum Plaid, and Wahoo Blue, these shirts are as stylish as they are practical. Designed with anglers in mind, these shirts are made with Nylon Supplex fabric that breathes extremely well and they also have UPF40+ sun protection to keep Dad cool and concealed during those long days on the water.
6 months ago, we came across GHOSTech splash-free indicators. Since then, they have been our go-to indicator when fishing gentle water for easily spookable fish. GHOSTech’s lightweight bubble design and aerodynamic build allows them to land gently on the water and remain undetectable while still delivering a consistent drift in every float. The perfect solution to Dad’s who reject big floating bobbers, but still wanted to catch fish subsurface, these are as easy to cast as a size 14 Adams. With each indicator made by hand in the USA, GHOSTech SI’s are made with each individual angler in mind and are sure to change the way Dad sees nymphing.
The generic wooden net has been a staple to fly fishing since the first brook trout was caught in Pennsylvania. However, over the last 10-5 years, the demand to change over to rubber mesh has never been higher. Because Rubber is much more durable than its mesh predecessor, as well as much less harmful to fish (rubber creates less friction, thus helping to preserve the protective slime on fish) these nets can be found on the backs and hips of almost any angler you come across on the water. While Dad may not believe he needs a net to land a fish, it will certainly improve his “land to loss” ratio, as well as aid in the safe release of all his fish. These nets are an extremely affordable, but wholesome gift for any angler.
When it comes to producing quality reels, few people do it better than our friends over at ROSS. From their diverse line-up, the Gunnison Reel, inspired by the famed Gunnison River, is a top-notch fly reel with the aesthetic of Dad’s traditional preference, and the modern technology of one of the best reels on the market. Crafted in Colorado, this reel is forged to withstand anything you can put it through and then some. This Fathers Day, give dad the gift of a reel that’ll last a lifetime.
Handcrafted by our friend Edgar Diaz at Sightline Provisions, these leather and steel cuffs are a tribute to the true angler spirit. Available in a plethora of patterns such as trout, tarpon, bonefish, GT, Dorado, bear, and many many more, each cuff has an individual feel that separates itself from any other bracelet on the market. Perfect for a day on the water, or a night at the pub, these bracelets are sure to be Dad’s new staple accessory.
Is your old man bored with tying the same old 3 flies? It’s time to get him excited to get back on the vise with the Spawn Fly Fishing Shank Bank S2 heads. Available in colors such as black, white, green, orange, and more; these fly heads utilize Spawn’s 90-degree shank hook with their Kestrel head design to deliver an incredibly versatile fly base. As the days get hotter, and fish get deeper, it’s time for flies to get heavier. These shanks are a great way to introduce your dad to the fun of tying articulated flies while also creating some seriously enticing fish food.
If there’s one way to describe Fishpond Fly Packs, it’s Versatile. By delivering a multitude of wearable positions, this pack is perfect for keeping Dad staying comfortable and limber for those long days on the water. With a detachable/ adjustable shoulder strap as well as a removable belt system and built-in net holder, this pack can be integrated perfectly in any position your old man prefers. Backed by Fishpond’s quality assurance, it’s time to upgrade to the guys who make gear that works with anglers, not the other way around.
Not all gifts have to come in boxes with ribbons. If you’re struggling to find the right gift for the guy who has it all, consider giving the gift of giving back. With over 300,000 members across the country, Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization that is responsible for the preservation of some of the most important trout waters in the US. Coming in at only $35, this is not only one of the most affordable gifts you can give, but one of the most meaningful.
Jayboart is an incredibly talented artist who specializes in dog and fish portraits. However, until June 13th, he is doing Custom Fathers Day Commissions for 50% off. If you’re looking to memorialize the catch of a lifetime, or just give your Dad something a little more personal than a new rod, you can commission a custom portrait today. With this gift, you’re not only giving dad something extra special, but you’re supporting small artists in the angling community.
To commission a custom portrait, shoot @Jayboart a DM on Instagram, or shoot him an e-mail at jayboart@gmail.com
https://theflylords.com/the-ultimate-fly-fishing-gift-guide-2019/
Father Daughter Fishing Trips are the Best…Especially in Belize!
A powerful message from our friend at All Water Guides, Alvin Dedeaux. Alvin said he didn’t want to make this video, but it was the video he needed to make.
Read our interview with Alvin, here.
Euro-Nymphing (aka tight-line nymphing), originated in Europe and has steadily rose in popularity in the states. Although a much more technical approach, euro-nymphing allows your flies to sink much faster. Nymphing improves the chances of your flies reaching the bottom potentially resulting in greater hook-up ratios. In this tutorial, world-renowned fly fisherman Lance Egan breaks down how to create his signature euro-nymphing leader.
For more in-depth fly fishing tutorials, Check out the Fly Fish Food YouTube channel.
Your Complete Guide to Czech Nymphing (Tips, Flies, Rigs, and More)
With this film coming up on being 4 years old, we figured we would throw it back to one of our favorites of all time. Cosmo is an incredible film that really got a lot of people interested in the GT fishing that the Indian Ocean has to offer.
In the film, you get to see multiple species being caught, but it is obvious that the giant trevally is the ultimate prize. These fish are tough, breaking rods and spooling reels, but they are able to get it done and land some amazing GTs. Check out the full film to see exactly what they get into.
Throwback Video of the Week: Jack Dennis Presents: World Fly Fishing Championships
Last May, 2020, President Trump announced an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and EconomicGrowth (EO). The EO’s purpose was to remove outdated, burdensome regulations; strengthen efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU); improve environmental review efficiency; and, fast track federal aquaculture projects. On the cover, this sounds great. IUU is a very real issue, and this increased attention is good for our fisheries. Similarly, promoting American seafood and economic growth are undeniably good–especially during these trying times. Rolling back marine regulations and advocating for certain types of aquaculture, on the other hand, prove more controversial topics.
IUU is a global issue that accounts for 26 million tons of illegally-caught fish (10-23 billion dollars) and is often closely tied with other criminal activities. While IUU generally occurs on the high seas and in developing nations, US fisheries and industries are not immune from IUU. In the United States, fishermen who adhere to international and domestic laws are undermined by those who engage in this IUU fishing. Additionally, the conservation goals intended by these laws are eroded by IUU fishing. For example, a 2019 report to congress identified Mexico as one of the countries engaged in IUU fishing in US waters. Mexico-flagged fishing vessels have notoriously illegally fished in the Gulf of Mexico for the controversy-riddled red snapper.
IUU fishing is a serious problem that negatively affects American commercial fishermen and nullifies conservation measures. The calls to address IUU fishing in President Trump’s EO, therefore, are well-founded and will help American fishing and conservation interests.
The EO directs the Secretary of Commerce to identify “a prioritized list of recommended actions to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production within sustainable fisheries.” This is a muddied issue because many marine-related regulations seek to ensure sustainable use and conservation while balancing industry interests. Even though the EO indicates that any regulatory rollback “shall be consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; the Endangered Species Act of 1973; the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and other applicable laws,” there are still reasons to worry.
The marine and fishing regulations of today are in place because of past abuses and irresponsible use of marine resources. This is why the directive to remove regulations, regardless of their burdensome effect on fisheries, will be met with some hesitance and/or flat out opposition. The Center for American Progress put it like this: “Returning to the days of collapsing stocks; hundreds of thousands of dead seabirds, turtles, and sharks; and flattened bottom habitat that can no longer support juvenile fish is not in anyone’s best interest.”
As if President Trump’s EO wasn’t complicated enough, here comes aquaculture as the document’s premier subject. To make things simple, think of aquaculture as divided into finfish and non-finfish aquaculture. Finfish aquaculture has serious drawbacks and implications for wild fish populations and marine environments; whereas non-finfish aquaculture, generally, improves water quality and provides quality aquatic habitat.
The EO calls for “Removing Barriers to Aquaculture Permitting,” identifying “Aquaculture Opportunity Areas,” “Improving Regulatory Transparency for Aquaculture,” and “Updating the National Aquaculture Development Plan.” Simply put, there is a need for aquaculture in today’s world. Global populations are growing and, therefore, outpacing wild supplies of protein-rich seafood. So, offsetting that demand with aquaculture seems like a rational option. As alluded to, however, there are serious drawbacks to finfish aquaculture, which is why stringent regulations and environmental reviews are so important. There are several examples of catastrophic failures at finfish aquaculture operations that had devastating effects for the respective ecosystems. Yes, aquaculture will be needed to feed America and the world, but it must be implemented responsibly and under strict regulatory-regimes. This EO, unfortunately, seeks to streamline aquaculture projects and limit environmental reviews.
The American Saltwater Guides Association highlighted one of the most pressing concerns regarding finfish aquaculture: “First and foremost, we can not increase harvest of baitfish to feed large aquaculture operations. That would undermine the keystone of the ecosystem and have long lasting impacts on wild populations of fish.”
While the idea of increasing American competitiveness in the seafood industry is an undeniably positive goal, deregulation and streamlining possibly harmful industries is not the answer. The administration’s focus on IUU fishing is a step in the right direction for our fish populations and commercial fishermen. The rest of the EO, however, would likely lead to unsustainable practices for our marine resources and could come at the expense of recreational anglers.
Like many fly anglers, I have been spending more time behind my vise as of late. It’s easy to take an abundance of time at home for granted but very soon we will be busy again with picked over fly boxes. When that happens, time behind the vise will be hard to come by. For that reason, I wanted to share a few quick patterns to help re-stock your boxes and put fish in the net. All of these patterns can be tied in under two minutes with minimal practice, making them great last-minute ties.
Next up is the Mercury Bead Black Beauty a tailwater favorite throughout the west. The glass bead is representative of the gas bubble trapped inside midge pupae prior to emergence and offers a different look from many standard midge patterns. The black dubbing collar adds just the right touch of buggy-ness to get the job done. Add a little flashabou under the ribbing and you have a Flashback Black Beauty or remove the bead for Pat Dorsey’s classic Black Beauty. Instructions on tying this classic trout fly pattern can be found in the video below from In The Riffle.
As you can see, the foundation of the Zebra Midge, Chocolate Thunder, and the Mercury Black Beauty are all similar, relatively simple, and open the door to hundreds of variations. In half an hour you can twist up a variety of midge larvae and pupae to cover your bases to fool the pickiest of trout.
You can put away your magnifying glasses for the next few patterns. Â Runoff is affecting rivers and streams across the country. With the rising water comes an abundance of worms throughout the ecosystem. There are a variety of worm patterns from the classic San Juan Worm to the Pig Sticker, but I prefer the infamous Squirmy Worm.
My go-to worm pattern variation, also a quick tie, comes from Cheech at Fly Fish Food. His enhanced version is more durable than a standard Squirmy Wormy and has a bead head that I love. It never hurts to have a few worms in different colors (red, pink, and tan) when flows bump. Cheech’s original video is over 8 minutes long but includes a lot of explanation. Watch it once and you’ll be a worm tying master!
These 5 trout fly patterns will be familiar to many, but are classics and instant-classics for one reason, they work. If your boxes are still looking sparse, maybe it’s time to twist up a few of these bugs. With any sort of practice, these 5 trout flies can easily be tied in under two minutes, making them great choices to twist up late at night or while your last cup of coffee is brewing before hitting the water. We would love to hear some of your favorite quick-tie patterns in the comments!
Article by Evan Garda, he is on the Content Team here at Fly Lords. He can be found chasing trout throughout the west with his trusty fly rod. Check out his adventures at @evangarda.
![How to Come Prepared for Fly Fishing [COVID Style]](https://i0.wp.com/theflylords.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Screen-Shot-2020-05-30-at-9.48.07-AM.png?fit=696%2C382&ssl=1 "How to Come Prepared for Fly Fishing [COVID Style]")
As many fly fishing guides and outfitters begin to start guiding again, Trout Trickers Guide Service in Colorado made this comical and educational video about how to come prepared for fly fishing COVID Style.
Step 1: Safety Equipment
Step 2: Fishing Attire
Step 3: Clean the Workspace
Step 4: Trust Your Guide
Trout Trickers is a fly fishing outfitter located in Eagle and Roaring Fork Valley’s legendary trout fisheries. Be sure to check them out on Instagram at @trouttrickers or online at trouttrickers.com.
Technical Rigging Tips with Colorado Fly Fishing Guide Matt McCannel
