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A Closer Look at Stripping Baskets

Nate Holmes
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A Closer Look at Stripping Baskets

If you are reading this, you are probably in the market for a stripping basket, or at least curious about what different brands have to offer. Well, if any of those things describe your situation, you have come to the right place, because I, along with you, am also looking for a perfect stripping basket for my applications. This article will go over three major, different designs and compare them in a winner takes all (my money) battle.

What is a stripping basket?

A stripping basket is an essential fly fishing accessory for any angler who plans on wade fishing in circumstances where one would have more line ready to shoot. If you wade the saltwater surf and shallows or wade a Stillwater, you are probably familiar with having your fly line magically becoming tangled on every object within a reasonable radius. When you strip your line into a stripping basket, the line is contained and will not become a nuisance.

Hard Plastic Stripping Baskets:

The most common kind of stripping baskets; plastic, box-like stripping baskets are simple, durable, and sometimes extremely pricy. With Orvis models reaching up to $90 shipped, these are a major investment, but there is a reason why brands like Orvis can get away with charging those prices; demand. The box-like designs are time tested and most likely will not do you any harm. The built-in, plastic cones keep the line from bunching up and tangling, allowing for smooth casting and uninterrupted line clearing. Depending on the company, the baskets may or may not have holes in them. Baskets without holes don’t fill up with water, but if a wave breaks over the basket, you will need to pause your fishing to empty the basket out. Baskets with holes may run on the wetter side, but you won’t have to worry about clearing it out. 

Alex Ford rocking the Orvis Durable Stripping Basket

Innovative Designs:

Some companies like HMH and Ahrex have taken a different approach to the basic stripping basket. HMH’s line tender is a foldable, flexible, mesh-bottomed stipping basket coming in at around $60. What makes this basket special is its ability to be packed up during transport. When you aren’t using it, this basket folds up into a small frisbee sized bag. This basket is kitted out with a mesh bottom that lets water pass freely in and out of the basket. For an extra $15, you can purchase the matching “shooters”, which are the flexible equivalent to the plastic cones on the hard plastic models. 

HMH Linetender

Ahrex, a Scandinavian hook manufacturer, came up with one of the more abstract stripping basket designs on the market. The Ahrex Flexistripper is essentially a sheet of flexible plastic with flexible spikes attached to the top. This device is attached to a belt similar to a wading belt. Coming in at around $60, this is an exciting innovation. With the goal to be minimalistic, to not worry about water in the “basket”, and to be downright effective at the tasks of a stripping basket, the Flexistripper does seem to get the job done. The design may take some getting used to for some, but I think other companies will follow in Ahrex’s wake in making even more innovative designs.

Ahrex Flexistripper
Ahrex Flexistripper – A minimalist’s dream

DIY Options:

Although there are a lot of great options on the market, many fly fishers tend to create their own stripping baskets. A stripping basket can be made at home for around $20, and though they may not be as outstanding as the other ones mentioned in this article, they will certainly get the job done. Any large plastic container, clothes hamper, or even a cardboard box can get the job done with a few modifications.

How to make your own stripping basket:

So, after learning a bit more about the different designs and options to the overwhelming stripping basket, hopefully, you can narrow down your search to a group of items that will fit your needs.

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Famous Fly Origins: The Pheasant Tail Nymph

Ameen Hosain
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Famous Fly Origins: The Pheasant Tail Nymph

Fly fishing has long been a sport of tradition. For generations, gear, techniques, and knowledge have been passed down from one lineage to the next. Out of all these ideas and facets of our sport, perhaps the most recognizable are some of the famous fly patterns.  Few fly fishermen find themselves on the river without an array of flies, all of which were invented by someone, somewhere. How often do we take time to learn the origins of the very things our dear sport revolves around? Not often enough. Perhaps the most famous of all trout flies is the Pheasant Tail Nymph.  This simple, yet effective pattern is the epitome of a fly that has left a legacy in its wake and possesses a history that deserves to be told.  

Invented by Frank Sawyer, the Pheasant Tail has remained a staple in the fly fishing world for over a century.  Frank worked as a River Keeper on the River Avon; a chalkstream in England, where he was responsible for making sure wealthy clients caught their share of trout. His desire to catch large quantities of fish combined with a passion for fly angling and fly tying led him to develop an entire genre of fly called the ‘ sunken nymph.’ 

These innovative patterns were designed to be fished subsurface, in order to imitate small baetis insects. The first and most effective of these flies? You guessed it; the Pheasant Tail.  However, Frank’s version of the fly was much simpler than today’s renditions. The original pattern contained only two materials; copper wire and pheasant tail fibers and was designed to be fished along the bottom of the river, or as an emerger. His pattern proved extremely effective and quickly became world-famous. Check out a video of Frank tying the fly below.  

Invented in an era where dry fly fishing was the norm, Frank’s ‘sunken nymphs’ opened up an entirely new world of fly fishing.  He quickly learned that subsurface flies were much more efficient than dry flies and thus began developing techniques to fish these new patterns effectively. 

Along came the style of nymphing now known as the Netheravon style; named after a village alongside the River Avon; where Frank fished the most. This method involved the ‘sink and draw,’ where the fly was allowed to sink and then made to swim upwards to the surface either by pulling in line or by raising the rod tip. This raise of the fly in the water column was intended to mimic the motion of an emerging insect, moving from the bottom of the river to the surface.  The goal was to have the fly raise in front of a targeted fish, in order to induce a take. The perfect fly for this method? None other than the Pheasant Tail. 

Frank went on to perfect this craft and wrote many articles and books about his observations on the trout streams of South West England.  The most famous of which is titled Nymphs and the Trout, where he discusses his fishing and tying methods in depth.  Frank’s discoveries paved the way for modern nymphing techniques, and now have a firm place in fly fishing history.  Even today, anglers from across the globe use the Pheasant Tail Nymph and variations of the Netheravon style to consistently catch trout.  

Flies are the essence of our sport, and carry tradition, stories, and longevity alongside their fish catching capabilities.   So, next time you’re on the trout stream, looking into your box of flies, take time to understand that each of them has a history.  Part of the beauty of our sport is the timeless passing down of knowledge and tradition, so remember to appreciate our fly fishing ancestors.  Oh, and next time you’re fishing a pheasant tail (which will probably be next time you fish) don’t forget to give the Netheravon style a try. You never know what fish you might entice.  

Article and photos from Ameen Hosain, who is a content creator and fly fishing guide based out of Boulder, CO. Follow him on Instagram @thefishboulder.

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Orvis Cancels 2020 Guide Rendezvous Citing Coronavirus Fears

Dan Zazworsky
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Orvis Cancels 2020 Guide Rendezvous Citing Coronavirus Fears

As more and more large scale events, get canceled due to Coronavirus fears, it was only a matter of time before the novel virus took a fly fishing event down. The first to fall, the 2020 Orvis Guide Rendezvous set to take place on March 21 in Roanoke, VA.

Coronavirus fears have also sparked waves of destination fly fishing travel cancellations and drove airfares down to incredibly low levels. So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to brave the airport and avoid the virus, chug some EmergenC, grab a few bottles of hand sanitizer and take full advantage of the lower prices and go fish somewhere new!

From Orvis:

Dear Orvis Endorsed Partners and Friends,

Like businesses across the country, here at Orvis we have been monitoring the ever-evolving situation with Covid-19, the coronavirus. Our top priority throughout has been the health and well-being of our employees, our partners, and our customers.

As a global show, OGR attracts people from all parts of the world and the United States. After careful consideration of the recommendations and guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and our partners at Global Rescue – as well as conversations with many of you – we have decided to cancel the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Roanoke, VA later this month. At this time the Down the Hatch Festival will take place as scheduled at Roanoke’s Elmwood Park on March 21, 2020.

This decision was not made lightly. We value our partnership with each of you tremendously and understand how important the Orvis Guide Rendezvous is to the fly-fishing and wing-shooting community. We are working to bring the content of OGR to you for 2020, which will come in the form of electronic presentations and recorded sessions. We will be in communication with you on those sessions as the timing becomes clearer.

We also know you will have other questions around this cancellation. We appreciate your patience while we work through logistics internally. We promise to keep you informed and we will reach out again in the coming week.

This community is incredibly important to Orvis and we look forward to connecting with you every year at this event. We thank you for your partnership as we all try to keep our community safe and healthy during this global challenge. Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

Best Regards:

Bill McLaughlin
President & CEO

Simon Perkins
Chief Operating Officer

Steve Hemkens
VP, Rod and Tackle

Scott McEnaney
Director, Orvis Adventures

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Bill Limiting Suction Mining Heads to Washington State Governor

Dan Zazworsky
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Bill Limiting Suction Mining Heads to Washington State Governor

Suction dredge mining, unfortunately, has been used for decades to prospect for gold and other rare minerals in many waterways. The method involves a high-pressure water pump that vacuums up rocks, gravel, and sediment, stirring up and re-distributing sediment and gravel wherever they’re prospecting.

According to the Yakima Herald, the new bill, HB 1261, would prohibit suction dredge mining in all critical habitat areas at all times. Other forms of mineral prospecting would still be allowed.”

The Herald also spoke with Crystal Elliot, the Washington habitat director for Trout Unlimited, [who] said taxpayers have invested for years in restoring water quality and fish habitat, an investment countered by outdated motorized dredging laws.

“Today, our lawmakers remedied this glaring oversight in our regulations,” she said.

The bill is now headed to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s desk, who is expected to sign it into law, which will take effect later this year.

Source: Yakima Herald.

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Tips for Maintaining Ice-Free Fly Rod Guides

Evan Garda
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Tips for Maintaining Ice-Free Fly Rod Guides

The first day of spring is only weeks away and there has been some downright warm weather across the country. All of this has many of us dreaming of wet wading and fishing large dries on a regular basis. With that being said, we aren’t in the clear yet, especially those of us living in colder climates. Winter storms and sub-freezing temperatures are still a reality over the next few months. If you’ve managed to make it this far into the winter fishing without some sort of ice-off product for your rod guides, I’d love to know your secret.

Ice-Off

Products like Stanley’s Ice Off Paste can make a cold day on the water bearable for less than $10. This product helps to minimize ice build-up on your guides and line, cutting down on frustration and making casts a reality.

Stanley’s Ice Off Paste from Loon Outdoors is a great option.

Applying this product generously to your guides and fly line will help reduce ice build-up on those chilly days. This process should be completed prior to wetting your line. If you experience ice build-up throughout the day, re-apply Stanley’s Ice-Off Paste as necessary.

DIY Alternatives

In the event that you lose your ice-off or don’t have any handy, Pam cooking oil or Chapstick will work. You can apply the spray or lip balm to your guides and line as you would with fishing-specific products. While both of these products serve as a somewhat effective alternative, Stanley’s Ice-Off is my preferred product.

 

Pam cooking spray works as an alternative to fishing-specific products.

In the inevitable event of ice build-up after a long cold day on the water, never “snap” or break the ice off of your guides. Doing so could cause your guides to break. Rather, dip your rod tip under the water (which is presumably warmer than the air) to melt the ice away. Make the most of your time on the water the remainder of the winter and into the chilly start of spring with ice-off for your guides and line.

Article by Evan Garda, he is a Content Intern here at Fly Lords and can be found chasing trout throughout the west with his trusty fly rod check out his adventures at @evangarda.

Cover photo from Landon Mayer (@landonmayerflyfishing) check out his full article below. 

Landon Mayer’s 5 Winter Trout Fishing Secrets

When the Fish Gods are Against You

Clark French
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When the Fish Gods are Against You

Do you ever feel like the fish gods are blatantly against you? 2019 was not exactly what I would call a “fishy year,” and 2020 is starting to have that feeling too.

Now I am not against self-reflection. I have ruminated on the fact that I bring a lot of the issues I experience on myself; I am, after all, obsessed with catching musky- and with a flyrod just to push the stick a little further into my own eye. Even still, I am certain Triton has a voodoo doll with a bit of my hair on top of its head that he likes to poke with his trident all willy-nilly-like. I think I can prove my point.

2019 ended with the happy arrival of my first child; a happy, healthy daughter born in the early hours of December 1st. I was overjoyed! I happily accepted that my time outdoors would be few and far between for the next few months.

When I did get the opportunity to sneak away for a few hours (thanks to my amazing wife), I decided to try something easy-stocked trout in a beautiful area of East Tennessee would be enough to at least scratch the itch. The weather had been unseasonably warm for most of December, and I was hoping there might even be an afternoon midge hatch.
Enter Boreas, purple winged god of the north wind! My day of “easy” trout fishing was spent breaking ice out of my guides while the mercury stayed below twenty-eight degrees all day. The beautiful stream was beautiful all right, beautiful the way a barren lifeless desert is beautiful. I didn’t see a fish all day, let alone move one.

The one positive thought I had as I got into my truck that day was, “At least I have paid my dues. Next time will be better.”

Well, next time rolled around in early February. I had the calendar pegged on Saturday the 8th for a month. Great plans of Musky glory were made! The month of January continued with unseasonable warmth. February looked as though it would be more of the same. That is until Zeus himself decided to sling one of his lightning bolts right at me in the form of a biblical week of rain. The river we were planning on fishing went from 800 CFS to 38,000 CFS overnight.

With Musky glory seeming more and more unlikely (not that it is ever really “likely”), we called an audible the night before we were set to fish. We decided on a lake about forty-five minutes outside of Chattanooga. We figured it would be our only hope of finding clear(ish) water. At least there wasn’t any more rain in the forecast. Instead, Boreas decided to pull double duty on me. The forecast was now calling for a “dusting” of snow with 1-3 inches at the absolute most.

I awoke the next morning to a few snow flurries, but nothing was sticking yet. “I can deal with this,” I thought. The snow started falling a little harder as we pulled out of Chattanooga and headed east. By the time we were to the lake, there were eight inches of snow on the road. We could barely see the water from the road, but what we could make out was unmistakably Yoo-hoo-colored. We knew getting home would be no easy task. We heard a report of 13 wrecks on 75; the police had shut down south-bound traffic. So, we held out hope for some clean water in some of the creeks that fed into the lake and tried to find a put-in that wasn’t covered in ice.

We were sitting at the top of a steep snow-covered road staring down at a snow-covered boat ramp wondering if we could make it down to it when Momus, God of Fools, showed up in the form of a jacked-up Tundra pulling a glitter boat. The driver called out the window “Well, we found the only other idiots dumb enough to fish in this! Y’all gonna give it a go?”
Somehow, we made it down to the ramp without sliding off the road. We manually cleared eight inches of snow and another six inches of high-water-detritus off the ramp and eased the Towee into the lake; all the while snow continued to pour down.

We threw a Hail Mary and made a run to a creek we thought might have some clean water. Snow beat down on us and greatly impaired visibility as we ran, but somehow we made it to the creek without hitting a submerged tree.

We caught our one break of the day as we eased into some cleaner water upon entering the creek. We turned the transducer on and promptly received a message that said “Error! Transducer NOT Connected!” I guess our cable splice job after we tore the transducer off on our last trip to the Etowah (that’s a whole different story) didn’t really work. We were in an alien lake with no way to find submerged structure, being pelted with heavy wet snow, throwing 500 gr sinking lines with flies the size and weight of a soaking wet wool sock.
As if things weren’t bad enough, the boat had begun to rapidly collect snow. There is nothing slicker in this world than gelcoat covered in three inches of slush. I nearly fell out of the boat on multiple occasions as I danced to keep fly line from finding its way around my feet and ankles.

After a few hours of fruitless chucking and ducking we decided to pack it in. The snow had finally stopped as we pulled back onto the main part of the lake, so we decided to throw a few more casts before calling it a day. We pulled a couple of beers from the cooler where we were keeping them warm and poured a little out for the gods hoping they would decide to shine down their good graces upon us with a fifty-inch musky (or any musky really) or a twenty fish day the next time I am able to sneak away for a day of fishing.

By the time we had made it back to Chattanooga, there was not a flake of snow on the ground. The temperature had spiked to 54 degrees – further proof the gods are mocking me.

Article by Clark French, check him out at @clarkfrench.

How to Make Musky the Fish of Less Than a Thousand Casts

Costa Behind The Guides: Blane Chocklett

New World Record Siberian Taimen on Fly

Dan Zazworsky
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New World Record Siberian Taimen on Fly

Featured image from IGFA

The Siberian Taimen (Hucho taimen) is amongst the largest salmonids on the planet capable of living over 55 years and growing well over 100 pounds in the wild. Large, predatory fish, Taimen are known to eat just about anything that enters their aquatic territory and are known to eat large rodents and birds off the surface. A now-famous fly fishing target, the Taimen is receiving more attention, especially where conservation is concerned, which probably helped produce the latest world record Taimen on the fly!

From IGFA:

“Russian angler Ilya Sherbovich visited the Tugur River, Russia, late last year in search of record-setting taimen; the trip was a success, to say the least. Not only did he set the new IGFA All-Tackle World Record, but he also set the IGFA Men’s 12, 16, and 20 lb Tippet Class World Records for taimen. His heaviest catch maxed out his 50-kilogram scale, so the catch was officially recorded at 48.62-kilograms (107-pounds, 3-ounces) once the weight of the sling was deducted, although the fish was likely larger than the approved weight. He caught all four fish while fly fishing weighed them in a sling, and released them all to fight another day. Congratulations, Ilya, on four amazing fly fishing World Records and two Taimen over 100-pounds on the fly.”

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2020 F3T Behind the Lens: Expectations

Collin Terchanik
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2020 F3T Behind the Lens: Expectations

For this Fly Fishing Film Tour Behind the Lens series, we had the chance to sit down with Paul Nicoletti from Van-O-White Productions to discuss his film, Expectations. This film takes you all the way down to the Bahamas. As we all know, this part of the world is greatly impacted by devastating hurricanes. Both hurricane Irma and Dorian have seriously affected many of the island communities that benefit from anglers’ dollars. Read on to see how this fishery has recovered and how we can do our part to help.

Flylords: Tell us about yourself and your job?

Paul: “You can be a broke fisherman, but if you see the beauty in everything you have a wonderful life.” - Red Gold, a fly fishing documentary produced by Felt Soul Media was the first film that completely transformed the way I looked at the world as a young adult.

I’ve always loved documentaries and their ability to impact the way you see the world. Until taking more of a full time role with the F3T this October, I hadn’t spent more than 1 month in a particular location in over 4 years. My current job is multi-faceted. In addition to managing 25 national tour film tour showings, I have been a part of choosing films for the F3T, producing the Stonefly magazine, logistics and tour planning. Film tours are a lot of work and driving. I absolutely love it. We inspire young kids to get into fly fishing, help raise money for conservation groups around the country, and most of all, get people from different places and backgrounds stoked about fly fishing.

Flylords: Tell us how the notion of this film came about?

Paul: After working on the F3T for the last two winters I had a lot of time to hang out with audience members from around the entire country. I started to ask (everyone) two very simple questions. What did you think about the films? and why? Just like fishing, everyone has an opinion on what works and what doesn’t. I started to hear that everyone still remembered the older films like “Doc of the Drakes”. My friends and I agreed, we wanted to make a low budget film and keep it as authentic as possible. I grew up watching films like Red Gold, The Trout Bum Diaries, and Eastern Rises. I always loved watching people authentically capture what it was like to go fishing with their best friends. I guess, the notion of this film came about because we wanted to see if we could see how challenging it is to go out and make a film that the audience would like.

Flylords: Did you guys really fish the location blind and wing it?

Paul: We went in completely blind. We had no idea what we were going to find. I hate to say it, but in today’s world it’s really hard to find wild places that are lightly touched by man-kind. It evoked the question, how many un-explored destinations are still out there? For us, curiosity killed the cat. It all started when we met Will Blair. Our old bosses had connected us with Will at the Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont after a day of packing up our gear for the 2019 tour. Will didn’t know much about the fishery. He had only been once before and the weather conditions were tough. On his first visit, he saw a lot of potential because there was a nice collection of habitat, flats, and proximity to deep water. Our friend group mutually agreed that it meant there was potential to catch a wide variety of species. When we first started talking about the island with Will he admitted that he really had no idea what was there, and we appreciated Wills honesty. He promised one thing. There will be beer.

Part of our confidence in Will is based off his experience. We figured that if he could successfully own and operate a lodge for 20 years in Russia(—he’s on to something). We (Rex, Sanford, Elliot and I) were poor at the time. The thought of risking it for the bonefish biscuit became a reality. The overwhelming consensus between the group was… we never get these opportunities! Let’s go.

Flylords: What did this trip mean to you guys?

Paul: There are (4) of us in the film. I actually grew up with two of them, Elliot and Rex. Elliot used to bring a full backpack of textbook sized Cabela’s catalogs into 8th grade history class. Our teacher used to yell at us all the time for picking out our favorite lures and flies in the back of the room. A few years later I met Rex and we spent most of middle school and high school fishing wild trout streams, freshwater lakes, and the Long Island Sound. I met Sanford (the banana guy) during my first year guiding in Alaska. All together we have 3 years of time guiding and living with each other in western Alaska.

We re-ignited our love for fly fishing. When your passion becomes your job it’s easy to sometimes forget where you started. Regardless of your perspective on a fishing trip it’s easy to set expectations. At the end of the day it’s about being outside, spending time with your best friends, and living in the present.

Flylords: What’s something you learned on the trip?

Paul: Sometimes the most fascinating learning experiences appear in times during our life when we are not paying attention. Hurricane Irma ruined the island’s infrastructure two years previously and more than half of the island’s population had left after nature took its course. It left the island’s school ruined and their grid system out of power. Our lodge owner, Phicol Wallace spent some time explaining to us how hard it is to come up with a way to build a “sustainable economy on the island”. It was a learning experience to understand from our new friends the impact outside angling dollars bring into the Bahamas. After chatting more with Phicol about the social and economic impacts the island has on the Bahamas, I wanted to know more. I did a little investigating and was lucky enough to talk to Doug McKnight who works as Yellow Dog’s program manager for the Bahamas and Honduras.

We spent some time talking about the impact hurricanes have in the Bahamas. Without water and power, lodges can’t be open, but you probably want to get down to the Bahamas to fish some of those islands for a different reason. Hurricanes offer a few things that are advantageous for fish: Less angling pressure and a flush of nutrients that can improve the productivity of their food sources. The more important reason is that it helps the local economy to rebound. Yellow Dog is also responsible for creating the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation. We experienced some incredible fishing shortly after hurricane Dorian. Visit Yellow Dog and talk to Mike about which lodges were affected by Dorian.

Flylords: Why did Elliot decide to throw poppers for bonefish?

Paul: Elliot is the kind of angler who could care less about what others think. He loves to tie flies and one of his passions is being a naturalist. His attention to detail and love for nature hasn’t changed since I met the kid in 6th grade. Before finding the bonefish, Elliot had been targeting mangrove snapper, sharks, and barracuda at the random ambush points at the exit of the bay. After working past the other species he found a few pods of bonefish and he also noticed large schools of glass minnows everywhere. After catching plenty of bonefish on an array of classic flies Elliot decided to experiment with something new and started by tying on a small crease fly. He made his first cast and he got the eat!

Flylords: How did the rest of the team act once Rex caught his permit?

Paul: Our last day of fishing was a total crap shoot. We had stayed out until 3 in the morning letting loose and shark fishing off of a rocky point. The next morning was rough. After a little bit of snorkeling, everything started to come together. It all started when Sanford landed his massive barracuda and trigger fish. After a successful stint of filming and fishing, we decided to test our luck with a flat we had seen permit on earlier in the week.

It was unbelievable. Sanford was the first one to spot the permit. It was doing figure eights over a massive ray moving toward them. Sanford had three of four shots at the fish until it literally swam underneath his rod without spooking. Meanwhile Elliot is the furthest from the fish trying to hide his lama unicorn floaty. Eventually, Rex had his chance, after 4 or 5 casts he finally put his crab fly right on the back of the ray. Tensions were high for 10-15 minutes until we could get the fish close enough to the shore for Sanford to get his hands around the tail. Rex has been trying to catch a permit for 12 years. Needless to say, it was an emotional moment for everyone. The last thing we expected was catching that permit. It’s a memory we will never forget.

Flylords: Describe each member of the team with a single word.

Paul: Rex—methodical. Elliot—wizard. Sanford—passionate. Will—Charismatic.

Flylords: Do you think you’ll all be guides forever?

Paul: In some way or another. We all have found true love for watching people enjoy themselves when they catch a fish. Professional or not, I am really looking forward to taking my friends out on the water.

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Video of the Week: Powell 150

Ben Kraushaar
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Video of the Week: Powell 150

https://vimeo.com/379307273

Contribute to Ben’s Project Here

For our latest video of the week, we had the chance to talk with filmmaker Ben Kraushaar about his latest film, Powell 150.

FlyLords: Can you give us a little bit of background on the expedition?

Ben: Our expedition marked the 150-year anniversary of John Wesley Powell’s first expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers. For those unfamiliar with the Powell expedition, On May 24th, 1869, Powell and nine other men pushed off from the banks in Green River, Wyoming prepared to float through a region of the United States known only as “unexplored territory”. They traveled 1000 miles down the Green and Colorado Rivers from Green River, Wyoming to Virgin River in Nevada. Their mission was to take scientific measurements, chart the region, and fill in our nation’s maps. Powell’s expedition was a catalyst for a western migration that is ongoing today.

The 150th anniversary of Powell’s journey offered an opportunity to once again begin a systematic and deliberate expedition into the unexplored territory of Western economies, politics, and ideologies as they relate to the water resources of the Colorado River Basin. For 71 days we retraced Powell’s footsteps with the goal of documenting the river system in its modern state.

FlyLords: What gave you the idea to make this film?

Ben: The idea to make this film started when I was a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. I was doing research on alpine lake hydrology when I heard rumors that the Powell 150 trip was taking shape. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to get involved with the trip and before I knew it, we were pushing off from the same banks that Powell pushed off from 150 years earlier. For me, this expedition offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only float continuously for 71 days, but to make a meaningful film about our nation’s most important resource, water.

FlyLords: I heard you got to do a little bit of fishing during this trip. Tell us about that.

Ben: I did a bit of fly fishing during our expedition, but not nearly as much as I would have liked to. Between rowing, and filming I wasn’t able to bust out the rod regularly, but I did get into a bunch of trout below Flaming Gorge on the Green River. That section of river is a renowned trout fishery and boasts something like 10,000 trout per mile. For trout, the tailwater’s below Flaming Gorge and Glen Canyon are the best, besides that, I fished a small creek in Gates of Lodore and attempted to get into some stripers on Lake Powell.

FlyLords: Explain the impact that you are hoping for this film to have on the Colorado River Basin.

Ben: This is a tough question but more than anything, I hope this film can wake people up to the realities of water in the West. The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American Southwest, supporting over 40 million people, 29 federally recognized tribal nations, robust agricultural enterprises, recreational economies, and ecosystems. Political and environmental factors, however, have rendered the river “over-allocated.” In other words, there is no water left for anyone who doesn’t currently have rights to it. The demand on water resources is increasing as the American West becomes more populated, and climate change is leading to aridification of the land, projected to diminish the Colorado’s annual flow by as much as 20% by 2050. Our consumption and water management are not sustainable, and we find ourselves in dire straits.

Additionally, when the Green and Colorado Rivers were dammed, manipulated, and distributed, water managers failed to include or consult Native American tribes and inequity continues to run rampant. Today, water managers are predominately white males, and despite holding rights to over 20% of the water, the 29 Colorado River Basin tribes are still fighting for an equitable future. Our film aims to provide an outlet for tribal and underrepresented voices to be heard. It is essential that we revisit water policies and ensure that we can reconcile the past to pave way for an inclusive future.

FlyLords: What was the most memorable moment of this trip?

Ben: I have fond memories from every day of the trip, but July 4th 2019 was hands down the most intense day of the trip and maybe my entire life. On this day, we found ourselves in Cataract Canyon at 54K cfs. For those who don’t know, Cataract Canyon is one of the most dangerous and deadly sections of whitewater in the United States. The river is relentless, and the rapids are unforgiving. Cataract Canyon at high water makes the Grand Canyon seem like child’s play.

Basically, we had a boat flip very early in the run, and we were forced to run all the biggest rapids completely blind. We were planning on pulling out to camp and scout the most consequential rapids, but it quickly became apparent that we were running everything. When you have a flipped boat, and people swimming you can’t just quit and pull over. We had to try to catch our comrades before they drowned. Somehow, no more boats flipped, and no one died. We were very lucky that day.

FlyLords: How did you manage carrying camera gear on a trip with harsh conditions?

Ben: Filming continuously for months from a boat is a difficult task but we had a dialed system. We used Pelican cases to keep our gear safe and somehow, we didn’t break any gear. All we lost were lens caps. To keep everything charged, we utilized Goal Zero solar panels and batteries. For more info on our set up, check out this Goal Zero blog.

FlyLords: Where will we have the opportunity to see this film?

Ben: We are hoping to premiere the film sometime in 2020. Hopefully, this film will Premiere at Banff or Mountain Film. Eventually the film will be made available online, but only after it does a film tour circuit. We still have a lot of work to do and we are working hard to secure funds to see this film through postproduction. If you want to help play a part in this historic expedition and story, please donate to our Indiegogo campaign. We have some great perks! To stay up to date on our progress, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

This interview was conducted by FlyLords team member Conner Grimes (@doublehaulmedia).

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Fly Tying Vises: Which Vise Fits You Best?

Grant Michaels
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Fly Tying Vises: Which Vise Fits You Best?

Cover Image Courtesy of Svenddiesel.

Whether just getting started or a seasoned veteran, watching your homemade fly be slurped under the surface by a persnickety wild trout or sight casting your homemade velcro crab fly to a school of feisty bonefish creates a gratifying sense of satisfaction. No matter the species, the time and energy spent at the vise is well worth it when fish hit the net. Depending on the fly, certain details may be more challenging than others and may require additional equipment. We as fly fishermen are fortunate to have such a vast variety of vises to select from for our specific needs. Below, we at Flylords break down the top fly tying vises for all fly fishermen in today’s market.

Beginner Level Vises

Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit and Vise – $74.95

Scientific Anglers
Image Courtesy of Amazon.com

Kicking things off, we have the Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit and Vise. If you are a beginner when it comes to tying flies, this is the kit for you! This kit offers a plethora of very useful items for beginning tiers looking to load up their fly box. 

Kit Includes:
  • A Hard Back Travel Case
  • An Instructional DVD with Fly Tying Tutorials from Greg Vinci
  • 16 Gunnison River Hooks ranging in size (8,12,14)
Tools Include:
  • A Super AA Fly Tying Vise with a C-Clamp Table Lock
  • Scissors
  • Hackle Pliers
  • Hair Stacker
  • A Bobbin
  • A Bobbin Threader
  • A Rotating Whip Finish Tool
Fly Tying Materials Include: 
  • Olive and Gray Rabbit Dubbing
  • Medium Chenille
  • Olive Marabou Feathers
  • Grizzly and Brown Hackle
  • Peacock Herl 
  • Pheasant Tail
  • Elk Hair 
  • Black Thread, White Poly Yarn
  • Fine Copper and Lead Wire
  • A Jar of Head Cement

The Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit and Vise will provide beginner and intermediate level anglers with the perfect set up to experiment with new fly patterns. Looking to start tying your own flies and don’t know where to begin? Look no further as this kit will give anglers a hands-on learning experience to a very addictive hobby.

Buy the kit!

Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise – $98.99

Griffin Spider
Image Courtesy of Amazon.com

Rotary fly tying vises offer a whole new world for avid fly tiers. While fixed angle vises get the job done, the 360-degree rotation allows anglers to add more intricate details leading to more realistic fish candy. The Griffin Odyssey Spider is the perfect vise for beginners looking for the rotary function.

Features Include:
  • Lifetime Guarantee and 100% made in the USA
  • Jaw Capacity of 28 to 4/0
  • True 360-degree rotating vise
  • Comes with C-Clamp attachment security
  • Bobbin Cradle
  • Entry Level price point
  • Made from quality materials and made to last

The Griffin Odyssey Spider is the perfect entry-level vise that surely will not break the bank. The only minor drawback is versatility as this vise must be clamped to a tabletop. If you are looking for a quality rotary vise at an optimum price point, this is the vise for you. Grab your materials, pump out some flies, and hit the water!

Shop here!

Intermediate Level Fly Tying Vises

PEAK Rotary Fly Tying Vise – $154.95

Peak Vise
Image Courtesy of Nate Holmes

For anglers who are a little further along in their tying capabilities, PEAK offers a sleek vise design that packs a punch. Designed for optimum tying efficiency, this vise offers a minimal design a consumer-friendly price point. 

Features Include:
  • Materials include stainless steel, brass, tool steel, and aircraft aluminum
  • Hardened and tempered tool steel jaws hold hooks securely ranging in size from 2/0 to the smallest hooks available
  • Large stable pedestal base holds the vise no matter where it is placed
  • Surfaces are protected with non-marking feet 
  • The steel base is powder coated white for a nice backdrop to view materials easier
  • The base includes hook and bead pockets for ease of removal
  • Contains two accessory mounting holes (accessories not included)

Made of very high-quality materials and security, the PEAK Rotary vise is the perfect fit for any avid angler. Let’s be honest here, we all desire longevity in our equipment. PEAK eliminates that worry by giving anglers the opportunity to bugs and baitfish for a lifetime. In the market for a high-quality rotary vise? PEAK provides an excellent option for anglers looking to make their time behind the vise more productive.

Shop here!

Renzetti Traveler 2304 Cam Vise – $269.99

Renzetti
Image Courtesy of Svenddiesel

Maybe you consider yourself as more of an advanced fly tier and are looking for the vise to suit your needs. The Renzetti Traveler 2304 Cam Vise provides the ease and comfort of an intermediate/advanced fly tying vise. Built to last, this vise will elevate your tying capabilities leading to more success on the water.

Features include:
  • The jaws securely hold flies from size #28 to size 4/0
  • Anodized aluminum for optimum durability
  • A 6×6 base providing more stability and stem support
  • A 7” stem
  • Features an adjustable bobbin cradle, case hardened cam jaws, rotary tension screw, and a new and improved materials clip

Looking for durability and ease of use? The Renzetti Traveler Cam 2304 Vise is the choice for you. Now it’s time to grab your hooks, thread, and dubbing and put this vise to the test!

Shop here!

Advanced Level Fly Tying Vises

Regal Revolution Rotary Fly Tying Vise – $425.00

Regal Vise
Photo by Knox Kronenberg for Guide Flies

Advanced anglers enjoy spinning their thread with reliable products and Regal has provided that with the Revolution series. Captured by an unorthodox silhouette, the Regal Revolution can be characterized as the pinnacle of vise technology. Higher quality and detail leads to higher price points. This vise was meant for anglers who seek to tie detailed and advance patterns. This is the perfect vise for those who have a few more years of tying under the belt.

Features include:
  • The famous Regal clamp head design is known for ultimate hook holding power
  • Capable of being rotated to wind materials on hooks
  • Revolve around a 360-degree axis
  • Articulate 220 degrees vertically
  • A heavily weighted pocket base to holding materials

The Revolution series is know for its various styles and colors and is recommended for advanced tiers. Needless to say, anglers will never be disappointed with the quality and kindness to detail molded in each vise.

Shop here!

Norvise Standard Rotary Tying Vise – $395.00

Norvise
Image Courtesy of Svenddiesel

Experienced fly tiers around the world are fixated on rotary functions in tying vises, some find this feature a necessity. Norvise has taken this function to the next level with the production of its revolutionary design. At first glance, you may question this vise but rest assured, it will pack a punch. 

Features include:
  • With a perfect rotational centerline, the hook shanks are always aligned to center, eliminating hand wrapping
  • Precision ball bearing technology and brass hubs provide a spinning wheel feel of fluidity
  • Much faster and easier tying capabilities
  • Anglers can work thread to form more uniform fly bodies
  • Various configurations including standard inline jaws, large jaws, fine point jaws, and the tube fly system
  • Comes standard with a thread post, mounting bolts, a hex wrench, and an instructional video

This highly sought after fly tying vise will optimize your time at the tying bench with a glimpse of impressive technological advancements. The never before seen spinning technology will leave anglers fully satisfied with their choice in tying vises. If you are an experienced fly tier looking for impressive design and feel, Norvise is the vise for you. Lock in your hook and spin your heart out, you won’t be disappointed!

In a Pinch?

Let’s be honest here, we can all recall a time where we could have used our fly tying vise out on the river. Who needs a fancy rotary vise to get the job done anyway? The world-famous Lefty Kreh took this mindset to heart, using a classic pair of vise grips attached to a post and platform! His frustration with traditional vises led him to this simple yet ingenious creation. The proof is in the pudding, a pair of vise-grips double as the perfect streamside emergency back up plan. So, do not hesitate to throw this handy tool in the trunk before your next fly fishing expedition.

Lefty Kreh Vise
On Display at The American Museum of Fly Fishing, Lefty Kreh’s homemade fly tying vise. Image Courtesy of The American Museum of Fly Fishing Instagram Page.

No matter your experience level, today’s fly fishing industry provides a plethora of vise options for everyone. Now it’s time to find the vise that fits your comfort level, pump out some flies, and hit the water!

Written by Content Team Member Grant Michaels. Check out what he is up to here: @gemichaels.

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