Ever wonder what a mouse eat looks like from a trout’s perspective? This clip from the BBC’s Wild New Zealand follows an angler, a mouse, and a brown trout as all three work to achieve their goals.
Federal Judge Rejects Trump Administration’s Plan for California Water, Benefits Wild Salmonids
Water is one of California’s most coveted commodities. Water allocations, therefore, are some of the most disputed and challenged issues in California. These disputes are enlarged in California’s Central Valley, where farmers, ranchers, municipalities, salmon and steelhead, and other threatened species all rely on the depleted resource.
Earlier this week, District Court Judge Dale Drozd placed an injunction on the Trump Administration’s plan to give farmers more water. This injunction comes as Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta steelhead, which rely on the water and strong flows, are at historic lows.
“Given that it appears to be undisputed that California Central Valley steelhead are declining, the court has serious concerns as to whether this reasoning satisfies the National Marine Fisheries Service’s obligations under the Endangered Species Act to evaluate whether the [rules] would jeopardize the species or destroy or adversely modify crucial habitat,†Drozd wrote late Monday.
By no means is this ‘water war’ over. This decision, however, should help the endangered Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta juvenile steelhead, which is a win nonetheless.
For more, on this decision, read this article by Courthouse News.
Hitting the Reset Button in the Name of Native Trout
Jackson, Wyoming
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hitting the reset button on a small stream called Game Creek. Game Creek flows into Flat Creek, which then flows out of the National Elk Refuge, and joins the Snake River just below Jackson.
If you would have fished this creek 70 years ago, you would have caught nothing but healthy, native Snake River cutthroat trout, but since then the state introduced brook trout to give anglers the opportunities to pursue different species. This was the first nail in the coffin for Game Creek cutthroat. The second was the construction of a highway in the ’60s that disconnected Flat Creek from Game Creek, effectively cutting off Game Creek from the cutthroat running up it to spawn. This gave the new tenants of Game Creek the opportunity to expand and out-compete the native cutties, and by 2000, Game Creek was nearly 100% Brook Trout water.
But Wyoming Game and Fish aim to change that. The agency plans to use rotenone (a fish poison) to kill of any remaining brook trout in the creek, and once they are out, stock the creek with its original inhabitants, Snake River cutthroat trout.
Since the introduction of Brook Trout, Wyoming and other western states have been battling an uphill battle against the Brook Trout’s manifest destiny dreams. Wyoming, for instance, allows each angler to harvest 16 Brook Trout per day, and other states have even more aggressive regulations. These states are working to incentivize anglers to aid in the removal of the tenacious Brookie.
Source: Idaho Falls Post Register
Get Schooled: Orvis Launches Bevy of Virtual Fly Fishing Educational Opportunities Online and on Cable Television
From Orvis:
Orvis, the family-owned outdoor retailer that specializes in fly fishing gear and education, takes its proven teaching methods for anglers online, offering one-on-one lessons and other educational opportunities to those homebound by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the popular television show, “The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishingâ€Â is launching new episodes on cable television and digital streaming platforms throughout the spring.
Beginning immediately, Orvis Adventures is offering programs that will allow participants to refine their casting and angling skills remotely. The virtual programming includes two packages including video analysis, one-on-one instruction, and in-depth feedback from Orvis instructors. The packages range instructor involvement and price, but both promise to aid participants as they work to improve their casting at home.
For more information on virtual instruction opportunities, visit https://www.orvis.com/fly-fishing-schools.
“Sharing the sport of fly fishing through educational experiences and adventures has been our passion for over 160 years,†says Orvis COO Simon Perkins. “This spring, we’ve found that people are craving education and experiences more than ever, so in this time when we aren’t able to physically come together on the water we’ve designed alternative ways to connect with our community. We hope that our catalog of videos and resources can inspire people to take this time to learn something new and refine skillsets, whether it is to help facilitate safe and responsible moments in the outdoors today or future adventures down the road.â€
In addition to virtual casting instruction, Orvis is now releasing new episodes of the popular “The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishingâ€Â series on television and digital platforms throughout the spring.
“The Orvis Guide To Fly Fishing†was originally made popular on cable television in 2012, when thousands of anglers learned the basics of fly fishing from Orvis’s Tom Rosenbauer, an award-winning fly fishing author, and podcaster. The second season, which highlights advanced fly fishing techniques and tactics, is being broadcast on The World Fishing Network weekly and is shared on the show’s YouTube channel post-broadcast.
The World Fishing Network is offering a free, three-month preview to non-subscribers on many major television service providers. Viewers can also find the complete first season and new episodes from season 2 of “The Orvis Guide To Fly Fishingâ€.
Furthermore, in recent weeks the Orvis team has committed to sharing educational experiences, including multiple fly-tying workshops each week, through its Facebook platform. These Facebook Live videos, as well as Orvis’s full collection of video content, is available on The Orvis Company YouTube channel.
Tell President Trump to Protect Bristol Bay
It’s the eleventh hour for Bristol Bay. The US Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make its final permit decision later this summer. In the long fight that has been Pebble Mine, not much has changed. The mine would still be located in an amazingly productive and vulnerable ecosystem. The permitting process is still flawed. Thousands of Alaskans and individuals all over the country still oppose the mine. Yet, Northern Dynasty Minerals (the company behind Pebble Mine) chugs along, by spending hundreds of millions of dollars on DC Lobbyists.
As fly fishermen and outdoors people, we have all advocated on behalf of Bristol Bay for years now. We have submitted comments highlighting the flawed science of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the potential devastating consequences of a failure at the mine. But these comments have largely been ignored. Well, it’s time to put the pressure on President Trump–who ultimately is the final gatekeeper for Pebble Mine. President Trump will decide if Pebble Mine and the foreign-owned Northern Dynasty Minerals secure the key Army Corps of Engineers permit.
Save Bristol Bay is making a final plea to convince President Trump to deny the permit:
Dear Mr. President,Â
We are writing to ask for your help on an issue that threatens American jobs and outdoor traditions. As anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts we are extremely concerned about a massive open-pit gold and copper mine that a Canadian mining company is proposing to build in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska.   Â
The efforts to develop the massive mine in this unique area threaten more than 14,000 American jobs, a fishery worth more than $1.5 billion dollars annually and a sport fishing and hunting paradise. It is considered a world-class fishing destination, which even your son and grandson have enjoyed. Â
If built, the mine would decimate many miles of streams and up to 10 billion tons of mine waste would have to be stored without accident behind earthen dams, forever. The mine is relentlessly opposed by most Alaskans, as well as anglers, hunters and other outdoor recreation businesses from around the country. Â
Preventing this mine from moving forward would protect American jobs, safeguard the culture of rural America, and ensure that our national outdoor heritage prospers.  Â
If Theodore Roosevelt were alive today, he would draw the line and stop this mine from jeopardizing so many things American value. Please stand up for American businesses, jobs and a hunting and fishing paradise by denying a permit for the proposed Pebble mine.Â
Sincerely,Â
[your name]
To add your name to this petition and help protect Bristol Bay, go to Save Bristol Bay’s take action page.
Staying Afloat: Tailwaters Fly Fishing
*We are going live on Instagram with David and Tailwaters at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, May 14th*
Introducing the Staying Afloat Series, where we take an inside look into the lives of many different fly fishing guides, shops, brands, and lodges across the world in hopes of finding out how the COVID is affecting them, what they are doing to help, and how we can do our part to help them.
Meet David Leake, the owner, and operator of Tailwaters Fly Fishing. David has nearly fifteen years of experience in the fly fishing travel and retail industry. In addition to being the owner of the company, David manages the travel department at Tailwaters.
Flylords: What is Tailwaters Fly Fishing?Â
Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co is located on the Trinity River in the “Design District†neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. We moved to our existing building on the river in January 2016 following ten years in another Dallas location. We operate both the Fly Shop as well as our travel booking agency – which has actually been around since the Westbank Anglers days in Dallas in the late 1990s. Further, we have a vibrant fly fishing instruction and locally guided trips program as well. Our business model is similar to other shops/agencies in that we represent 60+ destinations around the world and enjoy the symbiotic relationship between the travel department and the retail brick and mortar. For nearly twenty years we have orchestrated trips for our clients to all the usual destination fisheries from Seychelles to Kamchatka to South America, all throughout the Caribbean, etc. We also enjoy the exclusive sales and marketing responsibilities for The Palometa Club on Ascension Bay – as well as send hundreds of anglers a year to Southeastern Louisiana for redfish. The shop is an active dealer for most of the industry’s primary vendors, and we have a very unique warehouse space outfitted with a bar and a huge backyard on the river – both very unique to Dallas.
Flylords: How has the CO-VID outbreak impacted your business?
Dallas’ “Shelter in Place†orders effectively closed our doors entirely until last week. All of March and April we ran a skeleton crew working the phone and online orders as well as curbside service. Many of the crew are back in the office and we are now “open at 25% capacity†in keeping with the Governor’s plans for reopening the economy in Texas, but we are of course not turning the door as much as we would like.  Revenue from the in-store and online sources is obviously a fraction of what we planned or bought for. Our travel business grinding hard finding resolution to all the canceled trips (so far) and obviously new bookings are non-existent.  However, we are guiding a number of local trips enjoying the lovely Springtime Texas weather and some awesome bass fishing.
Flylords: Tell us a little bit about the CO-VID Shelter in Place Raffles you guys have been doing?
The raffles have been a complete lifeline for us. When the shit hit the fan, we all met at the shop to kick around ideas. Within 45 seconds of the “now what?†conversation about survival plans, one of our guys pitched the idea of the raffle. Ten minutes later we threw up an Abel Texas Flag reel on Instagram and it sold immediately. The winner of the raffles donated the reel back and we auctioned it again with the same result. Since then, the raffles have expanded their reach with huge engagement – and are the only reason we are able to remain solvent and make payroll.
The raffles have also exposed us to hundreds of new customers and revealed a youthful movement of guys and gals that we did not even know were out there supporting us. Folks that normally don’t book (or cannot afford) high priced travel or throw down on a Sage / Hatch outfit or some G4Z waders have come out of the woodwork to participate and contribute to keeping us afloat. I assume part of it is the platform and the typical demographics that are active on Instagram, but you simply would not believe the amount of well wishes, love, kindness, and put your money where your mouth is to support this campaign has generated from the younger generations. It has been the single most refreshing and humbling customer interaction in nearly 20 years. I don’t think there is any way I can express enough gratitude towards our customers participating and the staff supporting this historic grind.
Flylords: Being in the fly fishing travel business how have you been coping with the pandemic?
Step one was overcoming the monster wave of communication required with hundreds of traveling clients who’s trips are immediately effected. Next is the ongoing process of understanding options and finding solutions for credits and reschedules for everyone.  Every destination/operator has set forth different policies relative to their individual circumstances, the timing, their location, and their balance sheets. Some lodges are able to “just roll it over†while others simply don’t have that option. The grind of finding solutions and seeing through revised plans and financial outcomes for everyone is a full-time job.  Hopefully, travel restrictions and COVID anxiety will not extend into the summer season – or we will start that whole process again with domestic summer trips to Alaska and the Rockies, Kamchatka, Russia, and other saltwater destinations. It is obviously very hard to make any long term plans or formulate any strategies until we have a better picture of what is in store with this mess. For now, it is truly a one week at a time approach.
Flylords: What have you been telling your travel customers?
Not that any business is immune, destination fly fishing travel is uniquely NOT well suited for a global pandemic.  Unlike huge hotel chains or airlines, the mom and pop fishing lodges are not getting any bailout money from Uncle Sam. Further, the fundamental economics of how fishing lodges operate create huge challenges that we try to make resonate with our travel customers. We try to make it clear that your trip deposit and final payment are what actually capitalize on your trip. Each season’s expenses including payroll, mortgages and other debt, private water concessions, food and fuel, and much more are funded by trip deposits… Most of which is already spent long before you arrive at the lodge.  For that reason, refunds are unequivocally NOT an option.  Some operations have instated more flexible policies than others, of course, depending upon their individual circumstances. It is our job to share this information with our clients hoping for a peaceful resolution that will allow all parties to remain solvent and ultimately carry on and go fishing one day. At the same time, we are very sympathetic to our clients’ individual health and financial circumstances as well. We understand the emotions including the anger and the attitude that their options in some cases are “not fairâ€. At the same time, we also try to send the message that it is also not fare to the lodge owners and employees who are having their businesses and financial well being completely destroyed. While all lodges are making huge concessions to find a common ground, enforcing some version of their existing cancellation policies is the only way to survival for so many of these lodge owners who have sunk their whole life’s work into their program.
Flylords: Have the travel customers been understanding of this?
A solid 97% of all travel customers have been super cool and understanding. The fallout has also been an interesting case study in revealing true colors. Often times the guy you are worried about calling is the one that says, “no worries man… good luck and charge my card for another $1000 and send it down to the boys as a tipâ€. Other times, the guy you think is going to be the easy one completely comes unhinged. While there have been too many credit card chargebacks and uncomfortable conversations than I ever want to relive, my memory of this mess will be about all the kind and understanding folks that rose to the top.
Flylords: How are some of fly fishing brands helping out fly shops during these times?
ALL OF OUR VENDORS HAVE BEEN AMAZING.  They have all been communicative, supportive, and understanding of the financial burden this has caused.  First and foremost, despite their own financial woes, just about all vendors have suspended A/P for the time being.  Others like Hunter Harlow and the crew Sendero Provisions have organized LIVE concerts online to raise funds for Texas-based companies like us. Sightline Provisions also organized a Retail Shop Takeover and donated a proceeds of online sales to us as well.  So freaking cool!  Another cool example of community support was organized by Patrick Duke (@artandangling) who held a raffle for his painting of Iguana Island on Ascension Bay.  Patrick raised $7300 from the raffle that is being given directly to the guides and staff of the Palometa Club in Punta Allen to help them weather the storm. I envision more and more of these kind and selfless campaigns happening down the road. Finally, being asked to participate in this interview is also super flattering – so thank you for allowing us to share our message with Fly Lords and your audience.
Flylords: How can your customers support you right now?
The lowest hanging fruit is to shop us online, play on the Instagram raffles, or just give us a call to place an order. We have been asking folks to dust off their tackle and gear to see if anything needs replacing, bite the bullet and ditch the leaky waders or rain jacket a season sooner, and generally “get in front of†your gear-up session for your next trip or day on the water that is or is not yet on the books. Furthermore, while I understand that booking travel at the moment does not have much appeal, also consider getting in front of that bucket list trip or 2022 or 2023 and make a deposit! Availability will surely be a piece of cake, and cancellation/refund policies will be relaxed for the time being. Lodges, guides, and outfitters all around the planet are needing deposit funds to remain solvent.  It is a win-win if you can swing it financially.
Flylords: What do you guys look forward to most after this pandemic passes? Â
Selfishly, I CANNOT WAIT to go fishing/traveling. I am already hearing stories of tarpon laid up where they have not been in 40 years, permit floating in front of the house on the beach, cleaner water, and other oddities only made possible by less human traffic. How cool will that be to check out? From a business perspective, I am sure anyone self-employed is daydreaming about this opportune time to hit the reset button. During moments when the glass feels half full, I can envision life and work after COVID-19 as simpler, more nimble, less stressful, and smarter.
Be sure to check out Tailwaters on Instagram @tailwaters, online https://www.tailwatersflyfishing.com/shop/, or give them a call at (888) 824-5420.
Cheers to Fat Tire and New Belgium Brewing for making this series possible. Throughout the “Staying Afloat Series,†we will be sending beer to people who are really in need of a “pick me upâ€. If you have a good story for someone who deserves some beer shoot us an email theflylords@gmail.com.
How to Tie: The Henry’s Fork Salmon Fly
In this week’s How to Tie video feature, In the Riffle is going to show us how to tie the Henry’s fork Salmon Fly.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Named after the Henry’s Fork, a tributary river of the Snake River, the Henry’s Fork Salmon Fly is tied to imitate the final stage of the salmon fly, which is a common hatch during the spring and summer months in Idaho. The salmon fly is the largest insect within the stonefly family and is one of the most visually distinct bugs in the diet of a western trout.
Named for their salmon-colored abdomens, the Henry’s fork salmon fly is an easy target for massive trout. Once they emerge from their nymph-like state, male flies sit vulnerable as their wings dry. During this time, these floating protein-bars are incredibly vulnerable to trout awaiting their scheduled feeding time. Once the male’s wings are dry, they immediately begin to look for a mate. Surveying banks and rocky vegetation, males search for females in order to restart the process. In this time, plenty of bachelors are snatched up by sub-surface predators before they get to pass on their lineage.
There are hundreds of ways to tie the salmon fly. Some include foam, some, specialized wax-paper wings. However, when it comes to consistency and dependability, the Henry’s Fork salmon fly is always a solid option. Due to its simple material make-up, as well as its lightweight build, this fly is sure to float well, and die-hard.
Ingredients:
- UTC ultra thread 140 denier, orange
- Size 8 Anrex FW531 barbless hook
- Black coastal Deer Hair
- Whiting Brown Rooster Hackle
- Rusty Orange Hairline Dubbing
- Natural White Elk Hair
Now you know how to tie the Henry’s Fork Salmon Fly!
Video courtesy of In The Riffle
5 Highly-Rated Monthly Fly Fishing Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes have become a modern-day craze filing into just about every industry you can think of. The desire for these convenient boxes of goodies has sparked multiple fly fishing companies to jump on the bandwagon. These boxes highlight everyday accessories and tools that will suit all types of fishermen as well as fly tyers. Each month provides new surprises including a plethora of flies to chuck at anything that swims. In the following curated list, we highlight 5 popular fly fishing subscription services taking the industry by storm.
Postfly Box
Kicking things off, Postfly Box leads the pack as a highly sought after fly fishing subscription service. Postfly prides itself on delivering premium quality flies and accessories to your doorstep on a monthly basis. Each box is professionally curated to supply anglers with their desired flies based on their location. Do you worry about matching the hatch throughout the year? No need to worry, Postfly Box provides flies for hatches year-round.
A common misconception with products produced in Southeast Asia is the lack of care for employees. That is not the case with Postfly. They work very closely with each employee in Thailand providing them with care and support in every way. The key factor is the pride and passion poured into each and every fly created and the love the employees have for this company. Postfly strives to improve the quality of life for all of its employees and that speaks volumes.
Subscription packages include:
Guide Series – $44.95/Month
- Includes:
- 2X the Flies
- Premium gear and accessoriesÂ
- Size variation in selected flies
- Streamside tools
- Monthly Fly Guide
- Custom stickers
- A tapered leader
Over $80 value in every box giving anglers everything they need for their next trip. Available in one, three, six, or twelve-month payment options offering discounted prices for those who pay for multiple months at a time.
The O.G. – $24.99/Month
- Includes:
- A rad experience
- Premium quality hand-picked flies in every box
- Gear and accessoriesÂ
- Monthly Fly Guide
- A custom sticker
- A tapered leader
Over $35 value in every box with the option to change species at any time. Also available in one, three, six, or twelve-month payment options offering discounted prices for those who pay for multiple months at a time.
Subscriptions can be selected for multiple species including Trout, Warmwater, Saltwater, Steelhead & Salmon, and Fly Tying. With the option to cancel at any time, Postfly Box will fully prepare all fly fishermen for their next adventure!
The Fly Crate
The next subscription service captivating the fly fishing industry comes from The Fly Crate. With the rapid advancements being made in the sport, The Fly Crate strives to provide anglers with education, tips, and advice that will aid in their time on the water. Each Fly Crate subscription box is specifically designed to suit the needs of those enrolled in their services. Whether you are a trout or a bass fisherman, The Fly Crate will keep your lines tight at all times.
Subscription packages include:
The Explorer – $14/Month + Free Shipping
- Includes:
- Six premium flies selected for your area
- Trout Unlimited Membership – First month free
- Guide Magazine
- Premium Stickers
- Sweet exclusive gear items
- Free shipping
The Troutbum – $19.95/Month + Free Shipping
- Includes:
- Nine premium flies selected for your area
- Trout Unlimited Membership – First month free
- Guide Magazine
- Premium Stickers
- Sweet exclusive gear items
- Free shipping
The Lifestyle – $24/Month + Free Shipping
- Includes:
- Twelve premium flies selected for your area
- Trout Unlimited Membership – First month free
- Guide Magazine
- Premium Stickers
- Sweet exclusive gear items
- Free shipping
The Bucketmouth – $19.95/Month + Free Shipping
- Includes:
- Nine premium bass flies selected for your area
- Trout Unlimited Membership – First month free
- Guide Magazine
- Premium Stickers
- Sweet exclusive gear items
- Free shipping
Premium value in every box. Available in one, three, six, or twelve-month payment options offering discounted prices for those who pay for multiple months at a time. Cancel or pause your membership anytime without penalty. These premium boxes will acquaint all subscribers with Trout Unlimited, a priceless offer growing the minds of conservation!
Freestone Fly Fishing Company
Acclimating people to the outdoors can be a gratifying feat, one in which The Freestone Fly Fishing Company strives to achieve year in and year out. Whether a novice or advanced, Freestone has you covered with a premium monthly selection of gear. With a guaranteed assortment valuing $40+, Freestone is a tough service to beat.
Subscription packages include:
Freestone Fly Fishing Membership – $19.95/Month + Free ShippingÂ
- Includes:
- 10-12 Premium Trout Flies / 5-8 Salmon/Steelhead, Warmwater Bass, Saltwater Flies / or Materials to Tie
- Bonus Fly Fishing Items
- Rad Stickers
- A 1-year membership to Trout Unlimited
- A Detailed Fly Guide with Tips & Tricks, Exclusive Contests, and Much More!
An excellent value wrapped up in every single box. Available in one, three, six, or twelve-month payment options offering discounted prices for those who pay for multiple months at a time. You must cancel before the sign-up date to avoid automatic renewal. Appealing brands and quality flies make the Freestone subscription service an excellent choice for anglers.
TrueFly Supply
Next on the list comes a very unique and intriguing fly fishing subscription service. TrueFly Supply brings anglers the industry’s only build your own subscription fly box. Offering various options, anglers have complete freedom of what shows up on their doorstep every month.
Subscription packages include:
Build Your Own Supply Drop – $29 (Choice of Trout or Warm Water Flies)
- Includes:
- 5 Credits to spend on Fly Fishing Essentials
- A Monthly Mystery Item
- An Educational Card
- Candy Supply
- Choices include:
- Trout Flies
- Warm Water Flies
- Flotant
- Strike Indicators
The Build Your Own Supply Drop gives anglers the chance to spend credits choosing the gear and flies issued in the boxes. Anglers can receive up to 30 flies with each shipment. Available for trout as well as warm water species, these customer curated boxes will not leave you disappointed.
The Trout Supply Drop – $29
- Includes:
- 24 Premium Flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- Stellar Stickers
- An Educational Card
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
The Pro Trout Supply Drop – $49
- Includes:
- Total value of $85 and upward
- Extra premium products from top-notch brands
- 24 Premium Flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- Stellar Stickers
- An Educational Card
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
Warm Water Supply Drop – $29
- Includes:
- 16 Premium Flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- A Sticker
- An Educational Card
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
Pro Warm Water Supply Drop – $49
- Includes:
- Total value of $85 and upward
- Extra premium products from top-notch brands
- 24 Premium Flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- Stellar Stickers
- An Educational Card
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
Salt Water Supply Drop – $29
- Includes:
- 9 Premium Flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- A Sticker
- An Educational Card
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
Fly Tying Supply Drop – $34
-
- A Total Value of $65 and upward each month
- Materials to tie 16-24 flies of selected patterns
- A step-by-step card of how to tie the flies
- Monthly Mystery Item
- A Sticker
- Perks:
- New members receive a Fly Trap Fly Holder
- Customers receive 20% off everything in the store
- Earn free boxes
- Candy in every box
Dollar Fly Club: Dirty Dozen – $12
- Includes:
- 12 Premium Flies
- 1 Fly Puck
- 2 Stickers (one from the Full Supply Drop)
- Refer friends to the Trout Supply Drop, and earn $5 towards a free supply drop for yourself
Thrift Shop Box – $24 (Non-Subscription Box available in Trout or Warmwater)
- Includes:
- 24 Flies (Trout) or 16 Flies (Warmwater)
- A Monthly Mystery Item
- A Tapered Leader
- A Sticker
- An Educational Card
TrueFly Supply offers a different view on monthly subscription services putting the power into members’ hands. This company strives to connect with its customers personally showing their dedication to furthering the fly fishing industry. TrueFly is also dedicated to conservation and sustainability. To show their support, $1 is donated for every membership added to an outdoor-related non-profit program. Customer connection, a plethora of subscription options, and a desire to further conservation make TrueFly an excellent competitor in the fly fishing subscription industry.
Smitty’s Fly Box
If you are an angler who enjoys variety and great customer service, Smitty’s is the subscription service for you. With a strong background in teaching the art of fly fishing, owner Steve Smith aka “Smitty†knows just what anglers need. Anglers can be confident that they will receive an awesome selection of high-quality goods each month.
Subscription packages include:
The Combo Box – $30
- Includes:
- The angler’s choice of two of the three boxes offered (Smitty’s Beginner Fly Tying Box, Smitty’s Fly Box, or Smitty’s Intermediate Fly Tying Box)
- Premium Flies
- Premium Fly Tying Materials
- A Tapered Leader
- How to Fly Tying Guide
Smitty’s Beginner Fly Tying Box – $20
- Includes:
- An instructional video and tying guide of a featured fly
- Premium materials for the featured fly
- An excellent experience for the beginning anglers.
Smitty’s Fly Box – $20
- Includes:Â
- 12 carefully selected flies for your specific area
- Flies based on specific species
- A Tapered Leader
- Strike Indicators
- Tippet Spools
- Split Shot
Smitty’s Intermediate Fly Tying Box – $20
- Includes:
- An instructional video and how to tying guide for the fly of the month
- A plethora of quality tying materials from top brands (hooks, thread, dubbing, etc.)
- A featured tie for the more advanced anglers.
Smitty’s fly boxes ship to anglers on the 10th of every month giving you something to look forward to. Talk about Christmas every month huhh? This small subscription service provides anglers with a straight to the point approach that will definitely leave you satisfied.
In conclusion, fly fishing subscription services are becoming increasingly popular in today’s industry. As you can see, each company provides similarities but each is different in its own regard. It is without question, anglers who join these services will be fully prepared for any fishing trip on the horizon. So, pick a service, fill your pack, and hit the water. Tight lines!
Written by Grant Michaels
Fly Fishing for Early Season Largemouth Bass
Spring is an exciting time. Plants blossom, animals come out, and the fish that we all love decide to wake up. One of those species is the most popular gamefish in the United States. From as early as February and March in the south, and as late as April to early June in the North, Largemouth Bass come up in the shallows of many ponds and lakes to spawn. The behavior of early season Largemouth offers exciting opportunities for fly anglers, such as incredible sight fishing, aggressive fish, and large fish in shallow water. With all these factors in mind, hitting the early summer bass right can lead to some intriguing rewards.
Where to find them:
It is common knowledge that Largemouth Bass live in most ponds and lakes around the US (except for Alaska). Every body of water is different, but there are some key features that almost all ponds have. These key features for Largemouth Bass are depth and structure. When spawning, Bass move up into shallower water and make beds. The beds are dug out circles, anywhere from dinner plate-sized to the size of a car window. Most of the time, the Bass makes their beds in two to seven-foot water, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. Also, since the Bass are mostly stationary, and in such shallow water, they make easy prey for birds of prey, foxes, and even otters. If there are any fallen trees, over handing bushes or docks, a spawning Bass won’t hesitate to make their bed in the cover. The beds are typically sandy, and there are often Bass right on top of them, so the color contrast makes them easy to spot.Â
Gear and Tactics:
Before they spawn Largemouth are extra aggressive because they want to protect their nests, whether filled with eggs, which are fertilized and rested in the substrate of the bed or just to defend their territory. Eggs of all kinds make amazing snacks, so many other species of fish, crustaceans, and even amphibians will try to steal some from the Bass. Any fly that sinks and mimics something a Bass would normally eat will trigger a strike. Some of my favorites are Bennet’s Lunch Money and Whitlock’s Near Nuff Sculpin. Depending on the size and weight of the flies that you will use, I would recommend a 5 to 8 weight fly rod, with a weight forward floating line. When fishing for a bedded Bass, cast a little bit behind the bed and make slow, short strips that bounce your fly off the bottom, or make the same cast and strip your fly a medium pace right in front of the Bass’ mouth.
Ethics:
Although this is one of the best times to catch big Bass on a fly, these fish could be reproducing while you’re fishing them, so they need to be treated with respect. You have to realize that in order for there to be more Bass in that lake, they have to be successful in reproducing. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t fish during the Bass spawn, I’m just saying that when you encounter them you need to treat your fish with the utmost respect. Always practice catch and release, use barbless hooks, and keep the fish in the water while unhooking and releasing it. Also, if you catch a Bass by a bed, stay near that bed, and release the fish nearby so it can get back to protecting the future lunkers of your local lake.
Staying Afloat: Alvin Dedeaux
*We are going live on Instagram with Alvin at 7:00 PM EST on Wednesday, May 13th*
Introducing the Staying Afloat Series, where we take an inside look into the lives of many different fly fishing guides, shops, brands, and lodges across the world in hopes of finding out how the COVID is affecting them, what they are doing to help, and how we can do our part to help them.
Meet Alvin Dedeaux, the owner, and operator of All Water Guides. The operation is located in Austin, Texas where Alvin and his guides target trout, bass, and even redfish on the coast.
Flylords: How did COVID impact you and your business?
Alvin: We basically shut the business down for 6 weeks. Spring is a pretty busy time of year for us because the weather is amazing and we don’t have runoff. Initially, we could have legally stayed open, but we thought it would be better to be safe than sorry. As business owners, it was a really hard decision to make. In the end, we just decided it was best for our family as well as our guides and clients who we see as family. We just thought it was the best way to take care of our people.
Flylords: What have you been doing with all the spare time?
Alvin: I have been doing a ton of home improvement projects. The yard has never looked better. I have made a bunch of Youtube videos as well. I think the most impressive project is my wife reupholstering the seats in her 97 Tacoma 4×4. She used the leather from our garage couch and did all the work herself. The seats in her truck look like a brand new high-end luxury car.
Flylords: What are some of the home water fisheries you have been fishing?
Alvin: We haven’t been on the water in almost 50 days now. The county closed the ramps on the Colorado River so we will have to wait until they reopen hopefully in the next week.
Flylords: Are you getting clients back on the water soon?
Alvin: We have been doing a few trips on the rivers that are open. There is quite a demand at the moment. We are going slow and trying to be as safe and responsible as possible. You know, trying to take care of our people.
Flylords: Any tips for organizing your gear?
Alvin: Something that has really helped me is to separate my gear according to species or type of water. I try to keep my saltwater gear separate from my bass gear. It does mean having 2 of a lot of the basic gear, but when I grab my saltwater gear I know the pliers I need won’t be in my bass box at home when I need them on the coast.
Flylords: What are some of the products you use to organize your gear?
Alvin: My favorite new piece of gear is the Yeti Go Box. I can put everything I need from flies and other tackle to camera gear.
Flylords: Number one tip for beginner bass anglers?
Alvin: Practice your casting and don’t be afraid to lose some flies. Bass love cover so you have to be able to get your flies as close as possible, but even the best casters are going to get too close sometimes.
Flylords: If you had one sentence to describe your Seychelles trip what would it be?
Alvin: Take everything you have heard about the Seychelles and double it, it’s just that good.
Flylords: Any upcoming exciting trips in the works?
Alvin: Right now the most exciting trip will be when I get to get out on my home waters when all this calms down. After that I have so many places I want to go fish. Argentina, Michigan and Minnesota are on the list.
Be sure to check out Alvin on Instagram @alvin_dedeaux_fly_fishing or @allwaterguides and online at https://allwaterguides.com/.
