When you’re deep in the Alaskan backcountry and you end up breaking your fly rod, sometimes you have to adjust accordingly. Anglers Jackson Golick and Nicholas Perry did just that on a recent fishing trip. Watch below as Jackson hauls a cast to a coho, strips, and then proceeds to hook and fight the coho as Nicholas helps assist with the rod flexing.Â
Jackson explains the situation as “We were fishing silvers and one of the rods we had broke right above the first ferrule. So instead of putting it away, we only fished with the broken rod for the rest of the evening. Caught a ton of fish on poppers-super fun!”
“This was a small shallow stream so my anchor fly was a wet bushy dry fly that was sticky in the surface film. I used a soft 3 weight to create a subtle bounce. The second attempt was a happy accident. The anchor fly caught a piece of grass keeping the bouncing fly in frame for a second chance.”
In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Hot Spot Nymphing ties a European nymphing variation on a classic, the Polish Pheasant Tail.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
It’s no secret that the top producing patterns for competitive anglers come in slim, simple, and easy variations. European nymphing often calls for flies with minimal drag, in order to get down and keep as tight of a connection as possible, to detect every strike. This is one of the most effective ways for targeting trout and there’s a reason why it has become a very popular trend in the past 5 years. The Polish Pheasant Tail is a fly that adopts the European nymphing style and will produce fish similar to other style patterns.
If you are able to tie the classic pheasant tail nymph, you will have no problem with this fly. There are no difficult sections to this fly, but if you are a novice it is wise to take your time to ensure proportions are accurate. Keep in mind that these patterns will be banged off rocks and the bottom, so they do not need to be perfect. Do not get attached to the Polish Pheasant Tail, as you will likely snag and break several off like any good nymph.
If you are unfamiliar with European nymphing, there is ample literature online, as well as this piece written here at Flylords. This is another tool in the quiver and one that every angler should try out. Be sure to check out other Euro style flies, tie them on, and watch the magic happen. The Polish Pheasant Tail is a simple, yet effective, nymph pattern that every angler should carry in their fly box.
“I was driving my jet boat back from my day of guiding and saw this moose standing in the middle of the river. Then I noticed a bear stalking up the island behind the moose so I got my camera out. My father was actually the other voice in the video. He was staying at the lodge I work at and I was guiding him that week.”
When it comes to luxurious getaways, high-end dude ranches and international fly fishing escapes are more often than not the focus of our Lodge Spotlight Series. However, in this installment, we’ll be looking way East of the Mississippi and plotting a course for Western Pennsylvania, home of the one and only Nemacolin Resort.
For those who know the name, Nemacolin Resort possesses a reputation for being bigger than life. Occupying over 2,200 acres in Southwest Pennsylvania, Nemacolin is a guest resort that prides itself on creating a uniquely magical experience for every guest that decides to visit. Within Nemacolin’s campus boundaries, one can find an airfield, a casino, a zoo, a meditation garden, an antique automobile museum, a field club, as well as much much more – and that only scratches the surface. To do it all in a day would be an impossible task. To experience all the resort has to offer in a month would even be an impressive feat. So, to say that Nemacolin embodies the spirit of extravagance is, somehow, still a gross understatement.
Founded in 1987, Nemacolin all started when founder, Joseph A. Hardy III, was searching to purchase a couple of acres of land near a body of water in hopes that his daughter, who is now the current owner and president of Nemacolin, Maggie Hardy, could have somewhere secluded to fish (something we all spend our days wishing for). However, upon seeing the property, Joseph Hardy fell in love with the land, thus beginning the ever-growing familial venture that Nemacolin is today.
During our time at the resort, we had the privilege of experiencing some of the outdoor activities that Nemacolin had to offer; such as fly fishing, clay shooting, golfing, and off-roading. Of course, we took some time to indulge in some of the included creature comforts such as fine dining and whiskey tasting, as well. So, go ahead and follow along as we recount our experience and offer some insight into what a typical few days at the Nemacolin Resort might entail.Â
Arrival
Being a pretty typical fishing bum myself, never would I have dreamed of experiencing a place of such grandeur – especially, as a guest. So, it was without hesitation that when we received an invite to come to see the Resort, we leaped at the opportunity. Before we knew it, wheels were touching tarmac at PIT, and our crew was headed Southbound to the small town of Farmington, PA.
As the rental truck puttered down US-40 East, the rolling green hills complimented by a Pennsylvania Summer Sunset quickly opened up to a sight that could be witnessed from miles away: the Nemacolin Chateau. It was a structure that looks like it was plucked straight from the imagination of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and dropped atop the tallest hill overlooking the small town below. As we rolled through the gates, we all grew restless with anticipation as we poured over our glossy paper map, attempting to pick out where we’d be staying amongst the countless features and attractions the campus had to offer.
A glance at the Nemacolin Chateau. Image courtesy of Trip Advisor.
After a few wrong turns and some minor course corrections from the helpful resort staff, we pulled up to the entrance of our home for the next 72 hours: Falling Rock. Immediately upon arrival, resort staff met us and promptly unloaded our bags as a parking valet pulled the truck around back. We would soon learn the entire campus was accessible via on-demand shuttles, and it would be the last time we’d need car keys until we were headed back to the airport.
An outside view of Falling Rock. Courtesy of Nemacolin Resort.
Upon entry into the lobby of Falling Rock, we were immediately greeted with glasses of champagne and a check-in card. As we filled out our information, looks of: “Oh boy. What have we gotten ourselves into...” were exchanged amongst our party. As if the champagne at the door wasn’t enough, it was once we completed our check-in that we were greeted by the butlers assigned to each of our rooms. That’s right. Butlers.
As we were escorted to each of our rooms, walls of exquisite paintings and unique sculpture art met us around every turn. Even the elevator walls were decorated in an elaborate carpeting that, after a glass of champagne or two, could leave anyone with enough entertainment to last the night.
Once we reached our rooms, we were left awestruck by the beautiful open space we were each to be staying in. With breathtaking views of the grounds, heated bathroom floors, and details as specific as a menu from which you could select an array of different pillows to sleep on… this place seemed to have it all. After coming to the conclusion that things couldn’t seem to get any better, we were quickly proven wrong. It was dinner time.
Food:Â
When it comes to the culinary experience at Nemacolin Resort, it is just that: an experience. Within the first moments of entering ‘Aqueous‘, the high-end restaurant located just right of Falling Rock (our living quarters for the week), it was apparent our team was in for a treat. Accompanied by the symphony of chatter and the clatter of silver and ceramic, the aroma of freshly prepared seafood and fine wine filled out nostrils as we were escorted to our table to meet our host and field guide, Ty, to discuss the days to follow. That of course would have to wait as we indulged in a total sensory overload of sights, smells, and tastes.
Some mentionable favorites from the night would be a “seafood tower” which featured a display of fresh fish, shellfish, and other delicious oceanic delights that transported us from a dining room in Western Pennsylvania to the shores of New England. But that was only us getting started. Additionally, we indulged in tomahawk steaks larger than our heads and seared to perfection; complimented by a list of delicious, imported wines longer than a retail pharmacy receipt.
Over the course of the following afternoons and evenings, we experienced a meriad of different food options ranging from casual pub cuisine to some of the finest dining the Resort had to offer. All of which, equally as sapid and fulfilling – yet, also offering a delightfully diverse experience pending the location of the table. Whether it was Bavarian pretzels and quesadillas at the Peak, or eloquently plated Steak Frites, chicken breasts, and cheese boards at Lautrec, there was a one-of-a-kind experience to be had and wonderful company to share it with. Oh, and the desserts? Don’t even get us started…
A complexed fusion of raw materials, such as icing and beats, culminated to be one of the finest desserts to ever grace our palettes.
Additional to mind-melting food and wine, our taste buds were also treated to a sampling of fine whiskeys, led by Nemacolin’s in-house whiskey Sommolier. Within the Hardy Room, which is an indoor cigar room, library, and bar, we sat back and sampled multiple locally-sourced whiskeys, while simultaneously learning about the complexities and nuances that make each glass its own unique encounter. While I, and much of our team, often operate by the standard of: “If it’s brown, it’s down” (With no correlation to the deer-hunting figure of speech), when drinking whiskey; I can happily say we all walked away from the tasting with a much more profound understanding of what it means to truly experience the finer elements of fermented corn.
The Nemacolin Field Club:Â
With offerings such as; clay shooting, archery, hunting, and of course: Fly Fishing, the Nemacolin Field Clubtruly embodies the spirit of sport. During our stay at the resort, we spent the majority of our time enjoying some of the activities that the field club and its staff had to offer, such as exploring meandering trout streams and honing in our form behind a 12-gauge.
Fly Fishing at Nemacolin:Â
Day 1:
After arising from a steak-and-wine-induced food coma, we stuffed our fishing gear into bags and headed down to the lobby, where we were greeted by a golden morning sunrise and a shuttle ready to transport our team to the field house for a day on the water. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our friends, Mike Steiner and Ty Schaefer, with hot coffee and a firm handshake.
Once we entered the field house itself, the familiar smell of wood fixtures and shotgun lubricant assured us we were in a place somewhere slightly more familiar than the night prior. The walls, lined with exotic mounts, unraveled droves of hunting and fishing tales accompanied by the usually uncommon companion of such: proof. As we paced the perimeter of the facility, just trying to take it all in, we were met with some forms to sign and licenses to get. You could tell from the look in the eyes of our guides, there was no time to waste – we were going fishing.
After a quick ride up the road, interrupted only by a quick stop at a gas station for some breakfast sandwiches (a true delicacy to those in waders), we arrived at the first stream we would be fishing. Shaded by a canopy of Oak and Pine, the gentle current of the brook ran adjacent to the fishing house, where we polished off the last of our breakfast sandwiches and admired some of the antique skin mounts that decorated the hand-crafted wood trim of the old Pennsylvania abode.
It wasn’t long after we were finished rigging up several 4 and 5-weight rods with some dry-dropper combos that we tromped down to the river’s edge and plotted a plan of attack. being on private water owned by Nemacolin certainly proved to be advantageous, as within just a few moments of crowding the south side of a riffle coming off a large rock, we saw a fish rise to the top to sip the last of the morning hatch. The fish rose again. And again. With just a few casts above the riffle, a gorgeous rainbow trout jumped out from its cover and engulfed the small Adams-style dry fly. From lot to the riverbank, we had a fish in the net before the coffee in our cups had time to cool.
As the day progressed, it was a lot more of the same. Splitting up into 3 groups, we fed fish after fish, hastily grabbing at each fly as soon as it was solidified in its drift. The stream was cool and the current was calm. As each fish hooked, with some landed and plenty lost, the guides celebrated with enthusiasm and cheer, as if it was their first time seeing the act performed, or doing so themselves.
As we worked our way up the stream and reconvened by the road, we decided the sun was high enough that it was time to retire for the afternoon and allow the stream some rest. As we headed back to the vehicles, each party exchanged fish stories, jokes, and laughs. That day was one we wouldn’t forget, but we all knew it was time to up the ante and go seek out some wild trout.
Day 2:Â
With smiles still firmly plastered to our faces, we grabbed our raincoats and loaded up for a beautiful drive off to a public, wild trout stream where Nemacolin guides oftentimes bring their clients who were looking for a fun challenge.
As we pulled into the riverside lot, the fog consumed our party as our 4 anglers and the 4 Nemacolin guides poured out from the vehicles and made haste toward the River Quivers. It wasn’t long before the only sounds heard from our posse were the sounds of boot laces being cinched tight and reels screaming as fly-line was hastily ripped from its housing and fed through the rods.
Once all flies were tied on and ginked, we again split up into groups and approached the river, this time with tender step and care. It wasn’t long before Mike, perched atop a boulder extruding from the ripping current, spotted a small trout rising underneath an overhanging Mountain Laurel. After taking a moment to watch the current and assess the shot, mike waited for the fish to rise again. After what felt like an hour, but was probably only around 30 seconds or so, the fish came up again, and Mike took his cast.
The fly and the 6x tippet it was attached to gently unfolded atop the water, just about 2 feet above where the trout was sipping. In perfect rhythm with the bubbles around it, the small caddis floated down, right through the trout’s feeding lane. Surprisingly, however: no one seemed to be home. Again, Mike brought his fly back, and with a few false casts, laid out a perfect presentation in the same spot. No dice. He repeated the process again, and again, and again; and like a mad man, stubborn and determined, repeated the process over and over to no avail. However, on around the 15th drift, the little trout abruptly broke the surface and grabbed the fly. In a torrent of excitement and disbelief, Mike ripped the rod tip back… but the fish was gone. We’ve all experienced it. A missed fish set on a moment too early or a second too late… in the end, we’ll never know. Poor Mike lowered his rod, let out a howl, then smiled and turned his body upstream in pursuit of a more-willing participant.
Like the one that got away. Luckily, where there’s one opportunity – another is not far.
Luckily for Mike and for all of us, it wasn’t long before our wishes were granted. Tucked into tiny pockets of pooling water, we found beautiful brook trout and brown trout more than willing to eat a carefully presented fly. It wasn’t long before, up and down the river excited yells echoed against the canyon walls as each group of anglers finally found themselves on a fish.
As we all began to work upstream towards a large boulder feature, the separate groups began to congregate. With fish on the board for all, laughter and fish puns took the place of quiet focused casting. Soon enough, after a few more fish were netted, we all gathered together in a parade back to the trucks to celebrate a job well done. Surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery and in the presence of amazing company, it was hard to leave this place, as it felt like we had just arrived. But with a few more tales to add to our personal anthologies, and some new water conquered, we couldn’t help but trade our melancholy brought on by the thought of leaving, for the pure bliss of time well spent on the water.
Clay Shooting:Â
With fish off the mind (for now), it was time to transition our field pursuits to some things that go boom. Specifically of the Italian Variety.
With a closet full of top-of-the-line Beretta Auto Loaders and break action over-unders, it was hard not to feel like a kid in a candy shop when brought into the Nemacolin Field House’s gun closet. After a safety run-through and a brief shotgun fitting, our team loaded up into the fieldhouse golf carts and sped down the paved path with aspirations of dusting some clay pigeons.
When it comes to sporting clays at Nemacolin, it feels more like navigating a golf course than it does a shooting range. Of course, the proper safety measures are in place, but the offering Nemacolin delivers is second to none when it comes to the shooter’s experience. This became extremely evident to us as we pulled up to our first stop and unloaded at the covered shooting bleachers.
Before our team squeezed the trigger, Ty, who has somewhat of a knowledge of shooting classy, whacked down a couple of pigeons like it was nothing, in order to demonstrate how the course worked. From there, each of us took turns working the range as orange discs flew from low to high, left to right, and close to far. With some helpful coaching from Ty, we began knocking targets out of the sky with relative ease.
After a few rounds each, we loaded back up into the carts and zoomed down to the next position. The beauty of having the range set up like a course was the advantage it presented to us as shooters to learn and adapt. As soon as we got used to one environment, we were forced to reset to a new one. Additionally, each throwing mechanism was set to throw their clays down a drastically different path, at different speeds, and different angles. Paired with the helpful teachings of the Nemacolin staff, we were able to hone in on each element of our shooting as we progressed through the course, ending with us feeling 10x more confident than before, and our shoulders about 2x more sore than before.
Additional Activities:Â
In our short stay at the Resort, we were able to slip in some additional activities besides fishing and shooting, such as golf, off-roading, and touring the property.
Golf:Â
When you enter the gates of Nemacolin, one of the first things you notice is the expansive golf course that surrounds the property. Looking as if it was plucked straight from the lowlands of Scotland, the rolling hills of green, accented by old stone walls and various water features, tell a story of their own.
Should you have the chance to play through the beautiful course, Mystic Rock, offered to Nemacolin guests, you will officially be able to say you’ve shared the same course with some of the most successful golfers to ever play that game, including the one and only Tiger Woods. That’s because from 2003-2006, after a suggestion from Tiger himself, Nemacolin hosted the PGA Tour: Pennsylvania Classic. With all this in mind, some of our team wanted to make sure we slipped in a round on the legendary course.
On a rainy summer morning when we got to experience the course ourselves, there wasn’t much that could dampen our spirits. While not possessing the same caliber of golf game as some of the champs that had walked the green in years prior, it would’ve been near impossible to not have a fantastic day when getting to play a course designed by the one and only, Pete Dye, and with one of Nemacolin’s top pros. While we had to battle through some unwelcome rain, as well as one or two balls sent to their watery demise within the various hazards that populated the course, getting to play a course like Mystic Rock is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity. That being said, maybe next time we’ll hit the Golf academy first for a few extra pointers…
Hit ’em low, hit ’em far. Nemacolin Pro shows off her skills with an absolute missile down range.
Off-Roading:Â
In stark contrast to the other half of our team’s golf outing, some of us had the opportunity to head over to the “Peak“, the Nemacolin destination for activities that’ll get your blood pumping, and do some guided off-roading.
Neither of us expected it, but it turns out that at a place like Nemacolin Resort when you’re told you are going to be doing some off-road, YOU are definitely going to do the off-roading. It became evidently apparent to us what exactly the waivers we signed were for, when we approached the kitted-out, 4″ lifted jeeps on 36″ tires, and were promptly handed the keys. With our guide in the passenger seat, we each ran through a trial course, which alone, was enough of an overlanding experience to facilitate some heart palpitations. From there, it was off the trails…
With rain pouring down, turning the two-track into a soup track, we put these vehicles to the test (and then some). Rock crawls, boulder climbs, and drops big enough to give the after-market suspension in these machines a run for its money, was just the start. The true icing on the splattered chocolate cake was getting to run the jeeps through giant accumulated mud puddles that had built up on the trails. With a torrent of rain still hammering down on us, these “puddles” turned out to be more like small rivers, and we were encouraged to go nose-first through them – without a snorkel.
Legs still shaking with excitement, we pulled back into the Peak parking lot about 2 hours later; our beautiful forest green Jeep, now the color of the Colorado River during runoff. While we were in no rush to be done with the experience, it was certainly refreshing to be back on some flat ground. It did however leave our party with some unhealthy premonitions as to what we should do to our own trucks to bring them to a fraction of the standard of the beast we had just ridden.
In Conclusion:Â
To try to sum up our short, but incredible, visit to Nemacolin, seems almost fruitless. While the times described above are a high-level recount of some amazing experiences captured on camera, the true value of Nemacolin is the moments enjoyed in between. The ownership, staff, and the hundreds of people involved in the operation are truly what holds Nemacolin a notch above the rest. There is an undeniable passion there shared amongst the staff that is impossible to ignore and infectious upon contact.
To address the obvious, Nemacolin nor we will try to hide the fact that this is a premier resort, and with premier resorts, comes a premier price. This is not a cheap place to visit, and to some, that might just not be in the cards. However, to anyone saving up or with the ability/desire to spend a little more on a truly memorable getaway: we couldn’t recommend a visit to Nemacolin Resort more.
While there is an abundant list of activities to enjoy for those who, like us, prefer to play outside and come back from our time away from work more tired than when we left, there is also no shortage of diverse and enjoyable activities anyone can enjoy. Because of its scale, Nemacolin has made it possible for anyone of any age or demographic to stay entertained and mesmerized during the entire duration of their stay.
While reflecting on our stay, it’s hard to imagine we accomplished everything highlighted above, and a whole lot more, in just a few days. Nemacolin has such an incredible eye for detail and with each activity you enjoy while there, the takeaway is so much more than just a day spent fishing or shooting clays.
Life’s all about leaving new places with more than you came with. Whether that’s a newfound appreciation for the natural world around you, or simply a few strokes off your golf game (In our case, with how we ate: it’s also an extra inch or two on the waistline). No matter what you’re trying to take away from your visit, we are certain Nemacolin can deliver.
In this Week’s Video of the Week, we look at Oliver White’s Incredible life story brought to us by Yeti and Felt Soul Media. From starting his guiding career in Tierra Del Fuego to building and running multiple lodges fly fishing has led Oliver White through a series of once-in-a-lifetime events. What started as physical therapy led to the financial district, a business opportunity, and a near-death situation. Now it’s taking him to the mythical, magical country of Bhutan to do what he does best.
If you aren’t already follow Oliver here to tag along on his amazing adventures around the world. From his non-profit organization, Indifly to the Abaco Lodge and more Oliver has expanded the fly fishing industry through different perspectives. Check out Indifly HERE as well.
During the earlier part of this summer, we had the exciting opportunity to interview two exceptional anglers, Noah Shapiro and Max Logan, who emerged victorious at the 8th annual Mile High 25 On The Fly competition. Their remarkable achievements included capturing 18 different freshwater species within just two days, all in their home state of Colorado.
The enthusiasm of both Shapiro and Logan was palpable as they shared their experience of leading the pack and securing the win. Interestingly, they referred to the Mile High 25 On The Fly as a valuable “warm-up” before embarking on an even more challenging adventure with their teammates – the World Championships in Bosnia. For Noah Shapiro, this was his second appearance at the World Championships, showcasing his seasoned expertise, while for the young and talented Max Logan, it marked his debut in the Youth World Championship category, fresh out of high school.
From Noah Shapiro:
“World championships were a culmination of our entire team’s hard work for the past 5+ years. Bosnia challenged us in many new ways, including but not limited to 105+ weather, one fly only, food poisoning, etc. Nonetheless, we fished hard, and our results proved it. Team USA won with a 36 placing point lead over 2nd place, and 65 lead over third. To put this into manageable numbers, on the final day three of our guys didn’t have to fish and we would have still won, and if we all didn’t fish we would have taken second. None of this could have been achieved without the hard work of our Head Coach Josh Miller, our team management Tucker Horne and our spectacular guides Alex Djukic and Luka Djukic. We also need to thank all the support from the USA between our youth team coaches, our friends, and our families routing us on. Our team was Kage Kossler, Lawson Braun,  Noah Shapiro, Drew Bone, Max Logan, and Blake Hall.”
Check out the full interview from Noah & Max by clicking HERE.Â
It’s no question that using a mouse fly pattern to catch a trout is a little bit of a far-fetched concept for most anglers. But, it’s actually not that crazy, mice line the riverbanks of many different rivers, and big fish await their arrival every night. For fly fishing guide, Erik Peterson it’s a way to target the biggest fish in the river.
Client Ethan landed this brown right before he hooked the fish that spit the live mouse.
This past week Erik was guiding a client when his client hooked a fish on a mouse pattern only to end up losing the fish. When they reeled up the fly, they found a dead mouse on the other end. Suggesting that when the fish ate the mouse pattern, the hook buried into the throat of the fish and onto the dead mouse that the trout was digesting.
Erik mentioned, “We were on the Ausable River mousing around 2:00 am and we were just getting to the last corner. Ethan hooked a big trout it came out of the water and then got off. I had Ethan strip his mouse back to the boat and the mouse was hooked to the mouse fly. This was the craziest thing I’ve seen.”
It’s a mouse-eat-mouse world in the evenings on our favorite rivers.
Thanks to Erik for sharing his story, be sure to give him a follow on Instagram at @e_petersonflyfishing.Â
On August 8th, a broad coalition of Tribes, Arizonans, hunters and anglers, and other stakeholders applauded the Biden administration for taking action to permanently conserve nearly 1 million acres of fish- and wildlife-rich public lands and waters in Arizona via the federal Antiquities Act.
Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument includes Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands near Grand Canyon National Park. No state or private lands are a part of the national monument. In addition to being culturally important to a dozen Tribes, the new monument will safeguard a critical watershed, healthy fisheries and valuable habitat for big game, including mule deer and elk.
The monument will continue to be managed by multiple-use agencies, and the state of Arizona will retain wildlife management authority. The proclamation recognizes the central role of the region’s wildlife to hunting and fishing as well as the importance of access to continue those traditions. Further, hunters and anglers and the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be represented on an advisory committee that will help guide management.
“Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument is a wild landscape that supports a world-renowned mule deer herd,†said Michael Cravens, vice chair of the Arizona chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “Declaring this iconic landscape a national monument, along with preserving recreational access and keeping authority over wildlife management in the capable hands of our Arizona Game and Fish Department, not only successfully protects this region from the adverse effects of uranium and hardrock mining; it also preserves the imperative connection that people have to the land.â€
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) and numerous partners have promoted the area’s long-term conservation for years. In 2012, a 20-year ban on new mining in the area was implemented under the Obama administration. BHA advocated for the minerals withdrawal and supported the Grand Canyon Protection Act, which would have made the withdrawal permanent.
“Today’s announcement marks a win for millions of Americans, including Tribal members, Arizonans, and hunters and anglers, who have for years advocated for the long-term conservation of the unique landscapes, pristine waterways, cultural values and vital fish and wildlife habitat in the Grand Canyon region,†said John Gale, BHA vice president of policy and government relations. “We offer our thanks to the Biden administration for heeding our collective calls, and we are grateful to the voices of many, in particular the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, who set us on a path toward the victory we now have attained.â€
The new monument marks the fifth time President Biden has used the Antiquities Act to conserve important landscapes, including Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado last October and, in March of this year, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada and Castner Range National Monument in west Texas.
BHA has consistently advocated for America’s national monuments system and the judicious use of the Antiquities Act as a way to permanently conserve important lands and waters. Key to achieving this outcome is a process that adheres to specific principles and is locally driven, transparent, incorporates the science-based management of habitat, and upholds existing hunting and fishing opportunities.
Caddis hatches are one of the most fun hatches to fish. They are typically big, easy to see, and trout attack them on the surface with abandon. While most fly fisherman are familiar with the adult bug, fished as a dry, the caddis bug can be just as productive in its other stages of its lifecycle. In this article we will walk through those stages and talk about how to fish each one, with some other tactics you can use to make your days fishing caddis more effective. At the end you can find a link to download a free chart for this hatch that will give you something practical to help remember how to fish this awesome hatch. Learn more about the caddis life cycle below.
Caddis Larva
Caddis larva, photo captured by Rich Strolis.
The first stage after hatching from its egg, is a Larva. The Larva are a wormlike bug that come in a variety of sizes and colors depending on which subspecies you have in your system. Tan and greenish colorations are pretty common colors, and size can go anywhere from a 12-20. In this stage, some varieties of caddis will actually build a case around themselves (similar to a cocoon) which protects them. As they forage for sustenance, these encased caddis are frequently dislodged from the rocks and carried along the river’s currents. While adrift, they serve as excellent nourishment for trout. There are a number of good “cased caddis†nymph patters you can use for this phase. You can find caddis larva in the river system throughout the year so be sure to turn over rocks, and look for free roaming, or cased caddis to see if there are many around. Spring and fall, would be two times of year where you may find trout keying on this stage as they prepare to emerge. Fishing tip:Higher water can wash a lot of these bugs that are already in the system off their rocks into the river.
Caddis Pupae
A caddis pupae fly variation. Photo captured by Chris Daughters.
As they prepare to hatch, they enter the second phase, Pupae.
This is the stage where the larva matures and they move towards the surface to hatch. When they reach the top of the water column they will sit on the surface while their wings dry before they fly. Trout can really key in on these bugs as they move upward through the water column. Fish feeding on these are likely feeding on them in the middle upper water column, just subsurface. Fishing tip:Because caddis in this stage are moving up from the bottom it can be super productive to let your flies swing at the end of the drift, which will cause your flies to rise through the water column. This can be a great way to imitate an emerging caddis.
Caddis Adult
Adult caddis fly, photo captured by Mick Talbot.
Once they have entered the caddis pupa stage, they proceed to dry their wings before transitioning into the adult phase.
This is what everyone thinks of when fishing caddis. The small moth like bug that illicit super splashy eats. When they are keying in on them on the surface, it can be one of the most fun hatches to fish. While the most prolific hatches happen in late spring and fall, there are often caddis events throughout the summer. One thing that differentiates the adult caddis from other bugs (like a mayfly) is that they can lay eggs multiple times and can be on the river system for multiple weeks after they hatch. You probably have seen caddis bouncing on the water, this is the female caddis laying eggs into water. Another interesting note on this phase is some caddis will actually “dive†to lay their eggs. You can look for “diving caddis†patterns to emulate these bugs. Fishing tip: When there are adult caddis on the water, there is still a great chance trout are still keying on emerging pupae. This makes it a great opportunity for a dropper setup with an adult and a pupa pattern. This lets you fish multiple stages at the same time.
Caddis are one of the most fun hatches to fish. Learn the whole lifecycle and it will allow you to catch more fish throughout the year. Head over to Broder Fly Fishing and visit THIS LINK to download the caddis lifecycle chart to help you understand how to fish these bugs while you’re on the river.Â
The article was written by Chris Solfelt from Broder Fly Fishing. Be sure to follow along for more iterations of “Broder Tips,” giving you the tools and intel you need to hit the water. Check out @broderflyfishing on Instagram.
