While it may be known for its epic Salmon Runs and Steelhead fishing in the second half of the year, the Salmon River in Oswego County, New York is home to some of the craziest smallmouth fishing we have ever experienced. Each fish was bigger and healthier than the last, and the swift current of the Salmon River made the fights insane! Every year these fish pile into the river to spawn and feed during the warmer months before they head back out to Lake Ontario. We had the opportunity to head up north with Oswego County Tourism to try our hand at landing a few of these trophy Bronzebacks and wanted to share what got us tight!
#1 – Identify Ambush Points
Smallmouth by nature, tend to be lazy fish when they are in a river, and prefer to use as little energy as possible when they are on the hunt. Similar to trout, they like to sit in places where they will be out of the current, but have the ability to shoot out and feed quickly and aggressively. Drop-offs and transition water will almost always hold big fish, above you can see us working a seam where the water goes from light to dark as it swirls in a big Salmon River pool. Smallies use the dark water to both hide from predators and as a means of hiding out until an unsuspecting piece of prey washes downstream into their hungry jaws.
#2 – Don’t Overlook the Pocket Water
As we were walking along the River on the Douglaston Salmon Run, we initially walked by spots which held the biggest fish of our days on the water. Smallmouth can hold in very shallow and fast water, behind rocks and in current seams. This fish was hiding behind a big boulder right at the top of a fast riffle and shot out to inhale the fly as it swung past. With the river full of post-spawn smallies, each fish will fight to hold its feeding position and defend it aggressively, so don’t be afraid to throw some bigger patterns to get a big reaction strike from a pissed off green football!
#3 – Bring a Sinking Line
When we fished, the water levels were up a little high, but that didn’t seem to bother the smallies at all. We could see them rolling deep in the fast current. Even with weighted flies, the current was a bit too quick but the Scientific Anglers Sonar Cold Sink 25 was just what we needed to get our flies down to them. Casting our streamers upstream of where we saw the fish, we allowed the flies to sink and then started our strip-strip-pause retrieve and waited for the telltale thump and head shakes of a smallie eat.
#4 – Fish with Friends
When the Smallie bite is on, doubling up on fat bass is pretty much the norm, once we found a hungry school of fish, it was nothing but “Fish on!” answered quickly by “Me too!” Because these fish are aggressive and not at all shy, they are the perfect way to get your fly-curious friend to pick up the old 6-weight and start chucking big flies out into the current to catch their first fish on the fly. Just don’t forget to remind them to strip set!
#5 – Bring a Diverse Fly Selection
While Smallmouth bass aren’t always the pickiest of eaters, having a good mix of flies can be key. We fished a variety of Shultz’s Red-Eyed Leeches, Clousers, Crayfish, and wooly buggers. In different sections, each different fly seemed to elicit different responses from the fish. In the deep pools, they wanted the crayfish and leeches bounced off the bottom, but in the riffles, we dead-drifted streamers around rocks to find our fish. Having a box with a few flies of various flies is also important depending on the river bottom. Unweighted flies produced fish when swung through the riffles and then as we entered the deeper runs and pools we switched up our presentation to heavier flies to get down to the fish.
If you’ve got Smallies on the mind, consider shooting up to the Salmon River, New York, we promise you won’t be disappointed and your bass thumb won’t wear off for weeks to come!
Daybreak; a balmy breeze brushes your back and cools the sweat beading on your forehead. You hear the unmistakable “swoosh†of a massive figure slicing through the surface and you send a corner-hooked crab toward the sound. A sharp tap, your line tightens and the sea explodes with the most impossibly amazing vision, as a mighty missile wrapped in shimmering scales launches skyward.
Power profound, dazzling aerial amazement; this is the silver king we call tarpon. Exuding a truly magnetic mystique, this legendary Florida fish boasts a peerless attraction for thrill junkies and highly technical anglers alike. Why would we ever risk such majestic magnificence? More on this in a moment.
First, a look at the Sunshine State’s history books reveals how the pursuit of tarpon engagements has deeply impacted coastal communities with an economic opportunity that helps sustain a full array of businesses from guide services, to bait and tackle shops to local hospitality industries. These entities depend on the tarpon; they depend on its history, its present, and its future. It’s not only the daily dollars derived from sport fishing expenditures — this is about tradition, culture, a way of life to which locals remain deeply devoted and outsiders fondly embrace.
Many great individuals like former president Teddy Roosevelt, prominent businessmen such as Thomas Edison and Barron Collier and renowned sportsmen like author Zane Grey; all of whom found soul-filling recreation at Southwest Florida’s tarpon lodges. But this precious species has also delighted scores of everyday anglers from all walks of life; each driven by the gleeful goal of feeling that power and witnessing those spectacular leaps.
Each of these anglers invested their time, their hard-earned resources, their mental and physical diligence with the hopes of securing that invaluable prize of saying “I did it. I caught a tarpon.â€
This is truly a legacy fish. The tarpon has manifested more allure, driven more dreams, broken more hearts and beamed more smiles than any fish in Florida waters. All this amazing creature asks is that we leave an equally honorable story; one of sensible, sustainable water management based on science, bolstered by diligence and bound by appreciation. We must be legacy makers, not legacy breakers. Essential to this is Everglades restoration — a holistic look at ensuring an uninterrupted flow of clean water into this fragile, yet potentially powerful ecosystem. Tarpon and numerous other gamefish and forage species depend on “The Glades†for their life cycles, so protecting this unique area of the state stands paramount. The puzzle has many pieces, but clean water creates the common border and the master key.
While tackle and tactics have certainly developed throughout the decades, we still catch the exact same fish that thrilled the earliest recorded anglers. The tarpon has not changed; only its environment. That’s a gut-check reality we can no longer afford to ignore.
There was a day when anglers would dress in formal attire to fish for a species they held in the highest regard. Imagine what could happen if we showed tarpon as much respect today by devoting concerted effort to maintaining a healthy Everglades habitat for generations of silver royalty.
The tarpon have done their part. It’s time for us to do ours.
It’s been said that trout do up to 90% of their feeding underwater. Whether or not this number is accurate, the point remains the same: trout do a lot of eating under the surface.
While many anglers prefer the delicacy and finesse of dry fly fishing, using nymphs is almost always more productive. Nymphs, or flies that imitate immature insects and are fished underwater, are meant to take advantage of the fact that there are always bugs subsurface. This is why nymphing skills are a must-have in the arsenal of any fly fisherman.
Like dry flies, nymphs come in a variety of styles and patterns. Technically, nymphs are a type of wet fly. The term wet fly broadly refers to any fly fished under the surface of the water. That said, many anglers use “wet fly†to refer specifically to traditional winged wet flies, which are usually swung and were historically fished up to ten at a time.
Nymphs, though technically wet flies, refer to subsurface flies that specifically imitate insects or crustaceans, generally don’t have wings like traditional wet flies, and sometimes have a bead for added weight. Though categorizing nymphs isn’t an exact science, there are several notable types, styles, and features used to differentiate them. Here are a few of the major ones.
Non-beadhead nymphs
Nymphs without beads are some of the simplest ones out there, and can be very effective. In heavily-pressured areas where fish are wary of flashy things, non-beadhead flies may be the way to go.
Beadhead nymphs
One of the most commonly-fished styles is the beadhead nymph. As their name implies, these nymphs have a bead near the eye of the hook. This makes them heavier. Although an angler can add weight to the line with split shot, having the weight incorporated into the fly is usually more convenient, efficient, and easier to cast.
Euro nymphs
Euro nymphs generally refer to a group of very heavily-weighted beadhead nymphs that ride “upside down†underwater. Since getting down in the water column quickly is important in nymphing, these flies are gaining more and more popularity.
Emergers and soft hackles
Sometimes grouped separately from other nymphs, these two styles are very effective and worth mentioning. Emergers represent vulnerable insects that are on their way to the surface to transition to the next life cycle stage. Trout take full advantage of this vulnerability. Emergers are fished right below the surface or suspended in the film, much higher than other nymphs. Soft hackles also mimic emerging insects, and though they can be dead drifted, they’re usually swung in the current to entice hungry trout.
Top nymphs for trout
With so many different types of nymphs, it can be hard to narrow down which one to fish when you get to the water. As with most things in fly fishing, it depends a lot on the day, the fish, and the location. The good news, though, is that there are also tried-and-true nymph patterns that have stood the test of time across most trout waters. Here are a few examples.
Pheasant tail – a simple and effective generic mayfly nymph, useful on nearly any body of water.
Flies tied and photographed by Svend Diesel.
Hare’s ear – one of the deadliest and most versatile patterns, often fished as a mayfly or caddis larva.
Copper John – another stonefly pattern with a little more flash and color than a prince nymph.
Flies tied and photographed by Svend Diesel.
Zebra midge – midges fish well year-round in most places and are a staple of any flybox.
Flies tied and photographed by Svend Diesel.
San Juan worm – great for high-water days with heavy flows and off color water.
Flies tied and photographed by Svend Diesel.
Pat’s Rubber Legs – also called a girdle bug, this large stonefly nymph is great for big rivers or rivers at high water stages.
Flies tied and photographed by Svend Diesel.
How to pick the right ones
Choosing the right nymphs is important to consistently catch trout. The more you fish a particular river or lake, the more you’ll get to know the flies that work best there. If you’re unfamiliar with what to use on a given body of water, there are a few steps to take to narrow down your fly choice.
Consult existing informationÂ
There are a ton of resources, both online and in print, that provide information like where different insects are found, what type of water they prefer, and when they hatch. Some even give fly pattern suggestions to match. This is a great way to go in with an educated guess.
Look under rocks
Sometimes it’s hard to get close enough to flying insects to accurately identify a matching dry fly. Nymphs, on the other hand, are easy to find by lifting up rocks and looking underneath. It’s not necessary to know the exact species of bug you find. It’s helpful to know common groups like mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, but in reality all you need to do is match the look and size of the fly to the insects you find.
Ask a fly shop
One of the quickest and easiest ways to narrow down a selection of nymphs is to check at your local fly shop. Most fly shops are more than willing to give some suggestions for the area, and no one knows the fishes’ feeding habits quite like the guides targeting them every day.Â
Ways to fish nymphs
Arguably more important than the actual fly is how a fly is presented. This is especially true for nymphs, which can be fished several ways. Here are four common techniques for fishing nymphs.
Indicator nymphing
An indicator is essentially a small, lightweight version of a bobber, and using one is probably the most widely-used nymphing technique. Though indicator fishing itself has quite a few variations, the most common is a dead drift. This means the fly moves at the same speed as the current, suspended from the indicator above. When the indicator goes down, it’s time to set the hook!
Tightlining
Generally considered a more advanced technique than indicator fishing, tightlining is a very effective strategy for getting good drifts with a nymph at close range. Tightlining involves holding the rod tip high to keep fly line off the water, creating a drag-free drift. Since there’s no indicator, it’s up to the fisherman to feel a strike, notice a twitch at the end of the fly line, or see a fish open its mouth before setting the hook.
Swinging
Swinging is a classic technique, and is often used with soft hackle flies. This method involves casting out into a current and letting the line pull tight, causing the fly to “swing†down and across below the angler. Swinging is one of the best ways to thoroughly cover a run, since the wide arc of the fly leaves no area untouched as you take steps downstream.
Stripping
Nymphs can be stripped in rivers, but more often they’re stripped through stillwater. Since most aquatic insects can’t fight the flow of a river enough to move deliberately across a channel, it can look unnatural to strip nymphs in moving water. A quickly-stripped nymph in a pond or lake, though, can trigger aggressive strikes from cruising fish.
Learn how to rig up for your next nymphing trip here!
Photo: Mark Rauschenberger
Tips for fishing nymphs successfully
Nymphing is an art, and it takes a lot of practice to do successfully on a consistent basis. Since there are so many variations of nymphing, there are lots of different methods and techniques to master. That said, a few basic tips will go a long way when the details matter.Â
1. Set the hook quickly
When fishing dry flies, setting the hook often requires a slight pause to be effective. Jumping the gun is common, since the angler may see the fish before the fly is actually in its mouth. The opposite is true for nymphing. Whether you’re feeling for a strike or using an indicator, you should set the hook as soon as possible, since both of those triggers mean the fish has already made solid contact with the fly. Set the hook too slowly, and the fish will be long gone.
2. Make sure you’re getting down enough
If there’s one thing that’ll make or break the quality of a drift, it’s the depth. If trout are feeding underwater, they’re usually feeding near the bottom. Drawing them out of their feeding lane is easier said than done, but getting into the feeding lane is possible with weight. A single split shot can completely change the outcome of a drift.Â
3. Treat every bump as a strike
If you’re getting deep enough with your nymphs, you should be hitting bottom now and then. This will cause an indicator to dip, which can get confusing when you’re looking out for bites. Knowing that more often than not, it’s just a rock, some fishermen start to ignore smaller bumps on their indicator. This can lead to a ton of missed fish, as some takes are very subtle. To maximize your number of hook ups, set the hook any time your indicator bumps. Better to set the hook for a rock than not set the hook on a fish!
4. Minimize line on the water
Excess fly line on the water does one thing really well: drag. Unless you’re using a technique that benefits from drag, like swinging, you’ll want to minimize the amount of fly line on the water. Sometimes long casts are required, and in these cases it’s hard to keep line off the surface. But, in many cases, simply pulling in excess line and lifting your rod tip will eliminate all drag, creating a perfect dead drift.
For the latest video of the week, we head down to Belize to see what the Belize Permit Club is up to. Permit are arguably the toughest fish to catch on the fly, and one of the most rewarding too.
In the video, they claim that they have the best permit fishery in the world, and the footage that follows definitely shows that they have something special down in Belize. Showing off some amazing flats and some perfect shots at tailing permit, we can see why this is one of the best places on the planet to catch permit.
Tip 1. Practice Off the Water – Really load that rod, practice your bow and arrow cast before hitting the water so know how much you can load that rod to let those fly shot out there.
Tip 2. Keep those fingers out of the way! - No one likes to get hooked so make sure you look at how you are holding the fly so you don’t end up with a barb in the finger. Holding the fly at the shank with the hook pointing upwards will prevent this.
Tip 3. Keep the Arm High – The biggest problem that I see with people when they are doing the bow and arrow or ‘slingshot cast’ is that they keep the arm they are holding the fly with too low. Keeping the arm Low will give you little to no control as it will cause the rod tip to wobble all over the place and so removing the accuracy from the cast
Tip 4. Don’t pass up hard to reach water – So many anglers walk past some great fishing purely because to make a cast is just too hard for them.
Tip 5. Bring those hands together. – Bringing your hands parallel and over the top of one another allows for greater accuracy to put that fly right in the money zone.
20 years ago Greenback Cutthroat trout were thought extinct. But after a small population was discovered southwest of Colorado Springs, they are now being reintroduced to their historical range in Colorado. Recently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Colorado Trout Unlimited teamed up with 60 volunteers to carry 800 yearling trout up 2.5 miles of trail to the headwaters of Clear Creek. The Greenback Cutthroat is the state fish of Colorado and after extensive population recovery efforts by CPW, are on the rise in their home waters.
Fly fishing is a sport where age is just a number. For instance, take 94-year-old retired US Marine Pilot, King Lambert, who is still out there chasing big trout. In June, he and a group of fishing buddies he’s been fishing with for 30+ years hit the water with Idaho Angler Guides and got to work.
Photo courtesy of Idaho Angler
They set up King in a camping chair (Hank Patterson Style) and he got to casting. The guides say the moment he started casting the fish started filling the nets of the group. The biggest being a 20-inch wild brown trout!
“I was utterly impressed by his determination; he really squeezed every minute of that trip out of us,” said Lewis Hunt, a fishing guide at Idaho Angler. “He was in it till the bitter end. He just doesn’t quit.”
Image courtesy of Idaho Angler
Fishing is an ageless passion and for those who need to get outside, King’s story is a beacon of hope. I for one hope to be found fishing my home waters until my last day and its epic to see King out there making it happen!
Photos from the Idaho Angler, check them out on Instagram and for your next Idaho fishing adventure!
Everyone meet this week’s Faces of Fly Fishing highlight, Tanner Smith. One the best beer drinkin, meat slingin, brown trout slayin, and friendliest fisherman we know. He holds it down in Colorado where the waters are pristine and professional sports are average. Follow along as he has some important fishermen wisdom to share. He doesn’t need a lot to fly fish; just a rod, some beer, Gus, and the freedom to fish U.S water. 🇺🇸
Tanner: I’d like to think I’m an extremely good looking guy with a great beard. In reality, I have a killer dad bod and ginger facial hair, what can ya do?. Other than that I’m just another guy trying to make it in the fly fishing world. A native of Colorado, fly fishing has consumed my life for a pretty long time. Beyond fly fishing, I’m a proud owner of an Anthropology degree from the world-renowned University of Northern Colorado, where I boasted something like a 2.8 GPA. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, there’s another UNC? I am also way too loyal of a Colorado sports fan, names like Dante Bichette, Terrell Davis, Peter Forsberg, and Antonio McDyess mean something to me. Again, what can ya do?
Flylords: Why did you choose to pick up a flyrod?Â
Tanner: I am not sure if I really had a choice. My dad had a fly rod in my hand as soon as I could walk. Growing up there were two things in my household that were mandatory, watching the Broncos on Sunday and being outside as much as possible. Experiencing my dad and older brother’s passion for the sport rubbed off on me. From that point on the rest is history. There is something about fly fishing that keeps bringing me back. Maybe because it’s an excuse to start drinking beer at 7 am. Maybe, it’s the endless pursuit it offers and wild places it takes you. Maybe, it’s the friendships along the way. Those are a few reasons why I continue to pick up a fly rod.
Flylords: Tell us about your funniest experience on the water.
Tanner: There are quite a few pretty good ones. How about a fishing story that ultimately didn’t involve any fishing? Listen, I will hike however many miles needed to catch a fish. Now when it comes to hiking a 14 miler in Colorado, that’s not going to be my go to. Let’s get up at 3 am, hike up a mountain just to sit at the top for 5 minutes to take a flex photo and shoot a shooter…. I’ll pass. This leads me to my story. A couple of years ago, a few friends of mine wanted to camp and hike Mt. Elbert. I like camping, and out of ignorance, I assumed at some point along the way I’d fade off and fish for a bit while they did their thing. Turns out, the trailhead we took had a creek running by with a few beaver ponds littered around right at the start. As a friend, I couldn’t bail after half a mile so on we went. Turns out those were the only bodies of water along the entirety of the trek, some 7-8 miles. What’s funny about this you might ask? Well, I brought my fishing pack, a small net, and a two-piece fly rod tube along for the hike. People burned me pretty good along the way. “How’s the fishing up here?†“Catching anything?†“Is that a fly rod†I was asked along the way and at the summit…. I still get a random text from one of those friends asking how fishing on Mt. Elbert is. Those Bastards.
Flylords: What are 4 main essentials for a trip on the water with you?
Tanner: Three flies that may or may not work and Beer….Â
Flylords: Favorite case of beer to drink on a trip?
Tanner: This is a pretty easy one. Just about any cheap, somewhat cold American lager will do, Coors OG, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, PBR, Montuckies… and Bourbon.Â
Flylords: Do you take your dog Gus on all your excursions?
Tanner: If it doesn’t involve getting on an airplane Old G will undoubtedly be there. I picked him up when he was 8 weeks old on a way to a camping/fishing trip in Steamboat. He turns 12 in a few months. So it is safe to say the old man has put on plenty of miles. He has a reputation of being a bit of a wildcard, but he’s damn loyal. What else can you ask for?
Flylords: What do you think all beginner fishermen need to know?Â
Tanner: Simplify things, slow down and put in the work. I think too many anglers these days become overly dependent on what the fly shop or local fishing report tells them. Go figure it out. Sometimes this means just sitting back and taking in what’s going on before just rushing into the water and slapping some line around. Don’t be worried about failing and take the time to learn from those failures. The sooner you can grasp the fishes feeding habits and understand the food sources the better.
Flylords: How many days are you on the water per year?Â
Tanner: I get out somewhere between 150-200 days a year. I used to push it about 250 days a year but now that I’ve grown up a little, I’ve realized living out of my ‘02 Tacoma isn’t the most sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, I have compromised with myself that spending time with family and friends outside of fishing is also important. So now I do things like go to concerts and games occasionally.
Flylords: In your opinion, what is the most overrated body of water in CO?
Tanner: Haha no matter how I answer this question it will fire some people up. Is private water allowed? I’m going to say Boxwood Gulch. It blows my mind how appealing that place is to people. The river flows are dependent on a tunnel dumping in water, the insect life in the river is practically non-existent and it boasts an equally non-existent natural fish population. Let’s throw some weirs in the river, have seasonal stockings of big dumb pellet heads that have to be replaced yearly (at least) and charge people a boatload of money to access it. In a sport that boasts all these conservation ideals, it makes me laugh how quick people/shops jump at the easy money grab to get clients onto this “Trophy†Fishery. Now I’ll quote Forrest Gump… That’s all I’ve got to say about that.
Flylords: Streamer, dry, or wet fly kind of guy?
Tanner: Ideally, I’d like to say I’m a dry fly kind of guy. However, I’m mostly a streamer guy at this point. This has nothing to do with being too cool for nymphs or anything like that. I feel in fishing you sort of go through phases. There was certainly a time when my buddies and I lived at all the famous Colorado tailwaters nymphing away in attempts to catch as many big fish as we possibly could. That phase has sort of transitioned into slowing down and hucking the big bugs or dries. Nothing better than having a one or two-mile beat of water, alternating runs with your buddies, drinking a beer, and heckling the shit out of whoever’s turn it is to fish.Â
Flylords: If you could pick one fly for CO, what would it be?
Tanner: A Frankie Floater. This is a version of a Stimulator that my old man ties. They are like gold amongst our crew.Â
The things are flat out unsinkable and reliably durable. They also catch a few fish. I have yet to fish with anyone who hasn’t asked me for some. I will barter a few every now and again; however, don’t count on it.Â
Flylords: What’re your favorite species of trout?
Tanner: I like them all, brookies and cutthroat will always be up there because the places you catch them. However, wild western brown trout are by far my favorite. Trying to find those big summertime browns that will fall victim to a big dry fly or streamer is something that will never get old.
Flylords: Describe fly fishing in one sentence or less.
Tanner: The best way to waste time.
Flylords: Is it the solid fishery that keeps you in Colorado? Or do you plan on moving down the road? If so what’s next for you?
Tanner: Colorado has a ton to offer, which makes it really hard to leave. From a fishing standpoint, there isn’t much Colorado doesn’t have to offer. High country cutthroat, big freestones, technical tailwaters, and unreal still water opportunities are littered throughout. There are also more opportunities to make a living in the fly fishing industry here than probably anywhere else. Sure, Colorado continues to grow and that will always leave the door open. But for now, this is where I plan on calling home, with plenty of road trips around the West and airplane rides to the salt mixed in.
Flylords: To end, give us a few words of your fishing wisdom.
Tanner: Just enjoy it. Fly fishing is something we all have a limited amount of time to do. Whether it’s work or family or just life, it is inevitable that things will interfere with this passion. So control the controllables, on the days you can go, don’t let a shitty weather forecast or the desire to hit snooze when the alarm is going off in the morning stop you. If you spend enough time on the water, regardless of the circumstances it is inevitable those experiences you are chasing will begin to happen.
Gill-nets kill marine life, and they’re darn good at it. Long ago it was considered an efficient practice for commercial fishing, but today we know that they are a major detriment on ecosystems around the world. Recently a coalition of conservation-minded Belizians has gathered together to finally have the nets banned from use in their country.
BELIZE CITY, BELIZE, July 9, 2019—Gillnets are seriously damaging Belize’s marine environment, and with it, the country’s tourism industry and commercial fishery. These nets—some up to a mile long—indiscriminately kill marine life while threatening commercial fishing stocks, sport fishing species, manatees, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. With tourism representing 45% of Belize’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 70% of all tourists visiting marine destinations, a healthy marine environment is critical to the country’s economic future. Likewise, Belize’s vibrant commercial fishery is directly dependent on a healthy marine environment.
A relatively small number of licensed Belizean fishermen use gillnets. Of more than 2,500 licensed fishermen in Belize, only 83 are currently licensed as gillnet fishermen. In addition to these licensed gillnetters, there are undoubtedly some illegal Belizean gillnetters. However, the major concern is an incursion of illegal gillnet fishermen from Guatemala and possibly Honduras. These foreign poachers visit Belizean waters—including protected marine reserves—on a nightly basis to collect their plunder. In the process, they devastate Belize’s marine resources. Foreign boats with gillnets of one mile long are very capable of eliminating all marine life within their reach. Much of the sea life collected in these nets—such as shark fins—is sold in black markets. In Spring 2019, investigative reporters followed poachers to the port of Livingston, Guatemala and discovered barrels of poached permit which covered the span of a football field. Permit caught in Belizean waters are designated a catch-and-release-only species by law.
Gillnets are the fishing gear of choice for illegal fishing and countering the invasion by Belize’s neighbors is difficult since resources are limited. The Belize Coast Guard supports a gillnet ban which will significantly enhance their enforcement capabilities. It’s important to note that commercial fishermen in Belize overwhelmingly support a gillnet ban. Recognizing that fish stocks are declining, they are concerned about the future of their fishery, their livelihood and their ability to support their families.
“My family has been commercial fishing for generations and my brothers and I transitioned to guiding sport fishermen from around the world,†said Eworth Garbutt, co-owner of Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge in Punta Gorda, located in Southern Belize. “In our culture, the sea is life. If we don’t put an end to gillnetting, this way of life and our community will disappear.â€
The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries (CSF) is a group of conservation organizations, commercial fishermen, tourism representatives, and sports fishing enthusiasts with a simple goal: to ban all gillnets in Belizean waters. Members include: Belize Federation of Fishers, Turneffe Atoll Trust, Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation, Belize Tourism Industry Association, Belize Gamefish Association, MAR Alliance, Fragments of Hope, Southern Environmental Association, Oceanic Society, Fishermen Ecotourism and National Sports Fishing Association.
To-date, CSF has obtained support for the gillnet ban from key commercial fishing organizations, Belizean government leaders, domestic and international conservation groups, tourism interests and every single Belizean sport fishing lodge and fishing guide. The group produced an extensive report in March 2019, Net Loss or Net Gain, detailing the effects of gillnets on the Belizean commercial and sportfishing economies and the environment. Perhaps most importantly, CFS has piloted an Alternative Livelihoods Program in which Belizean gillnetters are trained in sustainable practices.
“As Director of the Belize Federation of Fishers, I can confidently state this ban is the top priority for our stakeholders. Banning gillnets throughout Belizean waters is very important to commercial fishermen for a variety of reasons, with the main one being gillnets represent an indiscriminate fishing method which is outdated and threatens the health of our stocks,†said Nigel Martinez.
The Coalition presented a formal proposal to the government calling for an end to all gillnet fishing in Belizean waters following a one-year phase-out period, paired with a commitment to raise substantial funds to assist licensed gillnet fishermen in transitioning to more sustainable fishing methods or other alternative livelihoods. A pilot program to train gillnet fishermen in sustainable shrimp trapping is underway. To be clear, this is not industrial shrimp trawling nor pollution-ridden shrimp aquaculture. This is the use of small traps—similar to lobster traps—operated by fishermen in a sustainable manner.
In Spring 2019 fishermen from Maine experienced with sustainable methods were brought to Belize for a cross-cultural educational program in which they showed Belizean fisherman how to run species-specific traps. In June of 2019, the Belizean fisherman who participated in the educational program visited Maine to receive additional training. In 2008, shrimp trawling (the major shrimp industry in Belize) was outlawed due to the disastrous impacts of the practice on reef systems. This method of harvesting shrimp does not destroy the sea floor as trawlers do nor does it contaminate ocean waters as is often the case with shrimp aquaculture.
“When I became fully involved with Belize’s gillnet ban several months ago, I realized that gillnets were a major problem,†said Craig Hayes, owner of Turneffe Flats, a saltwater fly fishing, SCUBA diving and marine eco-tourism destination. “Since then, I’ve come to realize that getting rid of gillnets is absolutely critical to saving Belize’s incredible marine resources, the tourism industry, the commercial fishery and the heart of Belize’s economy. Most of the hard work has been done and we need to get this over the finish line.â€
The Coalition has raised $250,000 for this alternative livelihood training but needs to reach their $1 million goal in order to fully convert all gillnetters to new livelihoods and to encourage the Belizean government to finalize an all-out ban. The Coalition is calling upon anglers to help with this effort in saving one of the world’s most remarkable saltwater fisheries. Those interested in supporting the cause can donate to the Gillnet Transition Fund created by the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries through their website and Go Fund Me platform: https://www.bangillnetsbelize.com/.
This gillnet ban will be a huge step forward for Belize in ensuring the sustainability of its incredibly diverse fishery and marine environment and will set a precedent not only for this small Central American country but for all marine ecosystems throughout the world.
Fly fishing streamers can be one of the most fun and effective ways to catch big fish. Whether your targeting Trout, Bass, Catfish, or anything in-between; the right cast mixed with the right streamer can yield mind-boggling results.
In this article, we’re going to lay out everything you need to know about fly fishing with streamers from what they are, to which ones to use and when. Whether you’re a seasoned vet, or a day 1 angler, streamer fishing can be intimidating, but with the right know-how, you’ll be slamming those record-breaking monsters you thought only existed in fish tales.
Streamer fishing is a method of fly fishing using a submerged fly called a streamer. A streamer is built to imitate a “bait-fishâ€, or a smaller fish that larger fish generally like to feed on, such as sculpin and minnows. Streamer flies can also take the likes of leeches, crayfish, and other underwater morcels larger fish like to dine on. Sizes of the fly can vary greatly between small and simple wooly buggers, all the way to complexed articulated flies that stretch the size of your hand.
Streamers are usually fished more attentively than the traditional dry-fly or nymph rig, as they are fished with an active retrieve. This means that their movement is mostly caused by the angler stripping in line in order to draw the fly back for another cast.
Why use a streamer?
There’s always a bigger fish
When it comes to answering why to use a streamer as opposed to a different fly setup, the main reason is simple: big fish need lots of protein to survive, and in turn, will attack big flies when given the chance. Aggressive fish will often attack meaty snacks for a plethora of reasons such as hunger, territorialism, or just plain instinct.
Streamers are also a great way to cover a large amount of water in a smaller time frame. By using certain cast and retrieve methods listed here, an angler can cover entire pools in an efficient, and often successful manner.
Streamer fishing can be one of the most exciting methods of fly fishing as it is very involved and usually produces violent strikes when a fish decides to take the fly. Every angler can remember their first time feeling or seeing a determined fish attack their streamer.
It’s not just about hungry fish! One of the most advantageous aspects of fishing streamers vs. drifting nymphs and tossing dries, is that it’s a great way to hook fish that aren’t actively feeding. Streamer fishing oftentimes triggers reactionary strikes in predatory fish such as trout, bass, and other large underwater game. A reactionary strike is when your fly glides passed a hunkered down fish, and that fish swipes at it, not out of a desire to eat it, but out of pure primal instinct. These fish got this big for a reason, and that’s because they don’t take anyone’s sh*t.
When and Where to use a Streamer…
Think Dirty, Think Deep
When?
Has there been a recent rainstorm? Are there no noticeable insects around? Is the water murky and deep? These are all factors to consider when determining whether or not to throw on a streamer.
If you’re having trouble matching the hatch, or even identifying any insects around, a streamer may be a viable alternative to topwater or nymphs. Often times, this may be due to temperature factors. Trout especially are at full energy at around 55-60 degrees F, and may not be rising if the water is too cold, or too hot. It’s not a guarantee, but by getting a large meal right in front of their faces, they will most likely be much more inclined to take it.
Often times, when the water is murky or deep (usually after a rainstorm) streamers can be a great way to increase your fly’s visibility and ability to sink. In clear daylight and clear water, fish will be less inclined to swipe at large streamers as thicker tippet may be more detectable, and there are most likely lots of insects to feed off of. If deciding to fish clear water with a streamer, smaller and more subtle ones will perform better.
The best places to target streamers are protected places such as under banks, behind large rocks, and around submerged logs or trees; as well as in the seams of the currents, and in deep pockets of water.
Look for cover: All fish, no matter the size, have predators. Whether it’s birds, humans, or even bigger water-dwelling creatures, fish are naturally drawn to cover and protection. Places like submerged debris (i.e. trees) act as a great hiding spot, not only for fish to hide from predators, but to wait and lurk for prey to swim by (in this case, that’ll be your fly).
Fish the seam: Checking the seam is crucial to any angler’s knowledge of the water. The seam is the invisible line of the water where two speeds of the current meet, thus creating a small pocket where fish can hang out and conserve energy. They also act as underwater drive-through lanes where fish can sit in the slow moving water and wait for meals such as insects or wondering minnows to be washed down right into their mouths.
Fish deep: This is the golden rule of fishing Streamers; they do the best when fished in deep water. If your fishing a pocket of water where you can’t see the bottom, two things are likely: 1. visibility is low, and if the fish can’t see your fly they can’t eat it, and 2, there are big hungry fish down there.
Most streamers are made with flashy elements to act as attractors to the fish. When they’re flashing through the murky water, they’re more likely to be seen than microscopic nymphs. Not to mention, the fish that are lurking at the bottoms of those big pools aren’t fingerlings. No, they’re big old bully fish who are waiting for a REAL meal to come their way…and your big fat streamer will probably look pretty delectable.
How to cast and fish a streamer
Send it far and make it dance
How to cast a streamer
Anglers spend their lifetime trying to perfect a cast of grace and precision. Ideally, we envision tightly kept loops flying through the air landing the fly perfectly on the water in an elegant and gentle nature. However, with streamer fishing, your casting will have to adapt to accommodate the weight of the fly.
When casting a streamer, stand right upstream of the hole, or current, you are trying to fish. Depending on the weight of your fly, your casting method will vary. For instance, when using a smaller (size 16-10), the typical overhead, double haul cast will suffice, but when using a larger, heavier fly (usually with the addition of extra weights such as split shot), finding the right cast calls for some creativity.
With traditional casting, the weight of the line is the force driving the fly to the water. Now that the fly is much much heavier than the line, the angler must accommodate to the change of force distribution. Things to remember when casting heavy streamers are…
Pick your Target. Before you make any sort of a cast, pick a spot where your fly is going to land. Slightly upstream is always your best bet as it will give your fly maximum time in the water as well as time to sink.
Load up. It doesn’t even need to be a back cast. As long as there is tension on the fly before the drive, there will be enough force to send the streamer flying.
It only takes a swing or two. No matter how far your target is, with enough line free, the weight of the fly will sail through the air with ease riding the inertia of the load up.
Finish with the rod tip High. At the end of the cast, make sure to finish with your rod tip in the air (aprox 120 degrees). This allows the fly to go further, and also lets it land gentler in the water, as a means to not spooking fish.
Most importantly, no matter the fly, make sure to hit within 4-5 inches of the far bank. This will assure you cover all the water that you’re fishing, as well as attracts the attention of big fish lurking under overhanging ledges.
How to fish a streamer
Fishing streamers is a method where anglers can really get creative with how they chose to fish. Here, we will go over the rudimentary rules to follow once your fly is in the water, but remember, there’s always room to add your own touch.
Get down: As we said before, if there is one golden rule of fishing streamers, it’s that bottom is key. Under turbulent flow, deeper down there will always be calmer water…this is where the big fish will be hanging out. By lurking in the deep, they can conserve energy, as well as prosper from the oxygen-rich cold water. By getting your fly down to their level, you make them do less work to find your fly, and in return, they’ll be more likely to strike at it. So, once your fly is in the water, let it sit for just a few seconds.
Mend it:Â Once the fly has been in the water for about 2-3 seconds, throw a downstream mend on it. This will allow the current to pull the fly down the side of the opposite bank in an organic fashion. This should draw out any fish that were lurking under banks, or checking out the side walls for incoming meals.
Rod tip Down:Â As soon as the fly begins its way downstream, tilt your rod tip down to as low as it can get (even placing an inch or two in the water is suggested). The closer the tip is to the water, the more natural the fly will look while you’re stripping in line. This will also allow the streamer to stay deeper during its retrieve.
little strips:Â Once the fly is well sunk, and is approaching the top of the pool you are targeting, begin stripping in line. Depending on the circumstances of the water. Small 4-6″ strips will usually get the job done. Here, most anglers also like to add a little wiggle to the rod to create sporadic movement that drives fish nuts. Continue stripping in line until the fly is about to approach the end of its drift.
Let is Swing:Â At the end of the drift, the fly will begin to swing across the pool back to your shore. This moment is the moment where most strikes will probably occur. As you keep tension on the line, continue performing small, but rapid, strips in and watch the line straighten out through the pool. What the fish is seeing during this period is their target beginning to speed up/ flee. This is the now or never moment for fish… and they almost always pick now. Continue to shake the line sporadically as well as keep tension, if the fish hits, you don’t wanna miss it.
Begin to jig: Once the fly has finished its swing, many anglers will make the mistake of bringing it in right away for the next cast. This is removing your streamer halfway through the game. Once you’re about parallel with your shoreline, begin larger strips and “jig” the fly. This can be done by giving gentle tugs on the rod to insinuate a lurching baitfish/ leach. Continue this with intermittent stops to present the fly like an injured animal (this technique can really be added to any part of the streamer fishing process) until your fly has made its way up the bank and back to you.
Modify Cast:Â Now, repeat all the process’ above with slight moderation. Switch up micro factors like where you initially place your fly, how long it dead drifts, and how fast your retrieve is.
Fishing streamers on still water: The above has been catered to those fishing rivers, however, the same rules apply to fishing still water such as lakes. When fishing still water, just remember to cast out as far as you can and let the fly sink as deep as it can go. On the retrieve, then work the streamer back in intermittent strips. So, for every 6 strips, give a 3-second break in-between to add some life to the fly. Don’t stop working the fly until it’s practically at your feet, because you never know when a fish will finally decide to strike!
How to chose which streamer to use
The wetter the better
For those just getting into fly fishing, streamers can be a saving grace. While dry fly fishing and nymphing rely heavily on identifying specific insect patterns and hatches, streamer fishing allows the angler to focus more on how they’re fishing the fly as opposed to what fly their fishing.
When it comes to selecting the right fly, it’s best to come prepared with lots of options. From trout streamers to bass… here’s the streamer fly patterns to look for:
Wooly buggers: When you think streamers, you’re probably thinking wooly buggers. These little suckers can come in many shapes and sizes, but usually, stay true to the traditional marabou tail and chenille body. These flies can imitate anything from a leach to a minnow and tend to be incredibly successful amongst all anglers.
Minnows and Sculpin:Â More often than not, Wooly Buggers can be worked like these fish. Often times tied with more complexed patterns, minnows and sculpin are smaller baitfish that provide a consistent food source for larger fish. Specific patterns to look out for would be that of the Muddler minnow, the conehead bunny muddler, and the S3 sculpin. These are a perfect streamer for trout or other larger river-dwelling fish.
Articulated Streamers: If you’re looking to get serious with your streamers, and have a bit of change to spend, pick up some of these bad boys. Articulated streamers come in two, sometimes even 3 parts, and are tied together with some heavy line and sometimes a bead. The design of these streamers allows them to bounce and wiggle in order to more accurately imitate a real fish. Oftentimes, when targeting monster fish, these heavy streamers will be your best bet for success.
Picking a color:Â The only thing to be meticulous about when picking streamers is the color. Depending on the color of the water, and the amount of sun you’re seeing, the color of the fly will have a great influence as to whether or not a fish can see it.
By general rule of thumb, on darker days where there is more cloud coverage, use a black or purple streamer. The dark background will outline the silhouette of the streamer. Furthermore, a purple streamer will appear with black shine. On sunnier days, lighter streamers (preferably white) will reflect the sun’s rays, thus allowing the fly to stand out under water.
Which equipment to use with streamers?
Prepare for the best…
So you have your streamers…that’s a good start. As for the rest of your gear, the general idea is to always prepare for the best. Unlike fishing drys or nymphs, heavy rods and lines will only really help you to be ready for when that PR fish hits.
Rod:Â Depending on the size of the fly, anything from a 5 weight up should do. If your planning on tossing some really large flies, as well as added weight, try to move up to a 7-9 weight rod, as it will make casting much easier. All too often have rods snapped in a cast because they couldn’t handle the load.
Reel:Â Accompanying the weight of your rod is a priority. It’s usually suggested to look for a large arbor to account for the fight big fish like to give. When the line is whizzing out and you’re down to your backing, you’ll be thankful to have the extra strength.
Leader: A crucial element to consider when streamer fishing for trout or other large fish is your leader. The suggested leader size usually ranges about 6-9 feet of 3 or 4x, but on large streamers, even going to 1-2x isn’t overkill. A sinking leader can also be an extremely useful tool for getting your streamer deep in a short amount of time. Click here for some of the best line on the market right now.
Split shot: For when you dont have any sinking leader, there’s the bane of the fly fishing community; split shot. Split shot is a less sexy, but can be very effective additive that will allow you to get your fly deep, FAST. By adding one or two size 7 split shot to your line, you’ll be drastically increasing the time your fly spends in its target area. Just attach the shot about 3-5 inches above the fly and let her rip.
Indicator:Â Fishing a streamer with an indicator is a newer technique that strikes some as unorthodox. However, in still water and slow-moving water, it can be extremely effective. This works well for smaller flies, usually leach patterns, and can be fished with relative ease. By working your streamer in with slow, intermittent strips, you can simulate an injured leach or baitfish. We usually recommend a cork or plastic indicator for this.
That’s just about all you need to know to start fishing streamers and catching the fish of your dreams. Just remember, like all things in fly fishing, these rules are subject to experiment, and in the end, use the techniques that best cater to YOUR style.
Flylords: Do you take your dog Gus on all your excursions?
Flylords: How many days are you on the water per year? 
The things are flat out unsinkable and reliably durable. They also catch a few fish. I have yet to fish with anyone who hasn’t asked me for some. I will barter a few every now and again; however, don’t count on it. 
Flylords: Is it the solid fishery that keeps you in Colorado? Or do you plan on moving down the road? If so what’s next for you?
How to cast a streamer
