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How to Tie: The Deer Hair Frog

Greg Stohrer
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How to Tie: The Deer Hair Frog

In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Savage Flies ties a variant on Dave Whitlock’s deer hair bass bug, the Deer Hair Frog.

Learn About This Fly:

Difficulty: Intermediate

As we approach the dog days of summer, it is important to respect our trout friends and give them a rest if water temps get too high. Check with your local fly shop for temps or bring a stream-side thermometer to the river to ensure ethical practices. This time of year presents exceptional opportunities for warm water species, especially large and smallmouth bass. The topwater bite for these species is some of the most exciting fishing one can do, and the Deer Hair Frog is just the tool for the job this summer.

Spinning deer hair can be frustrating and a bit time consuming, but the finished product is worth every second. Becoming comfortable using deer hair will allow you to tie streamers, poppers, and even hopper patterns. Having the ability to customize colors and density is something that makes this natural hair so attractive for tyers and why many professionals use it. When it comes to trimming, take your time and make small adjustments because once it’s cut it won’t go back on!

Topwater bass fishing is a great alternative to trout fishing when temps get too warm. Explosive and aggressive eats will make you forget all about trout sipping dries off the surface and might just fuel another addiction. Enjoy the process and dog days of summer, no matter the species you are targeting. The Deer Hair Frog is a pattern that will turn those traditionally slower days of summer into some of the most exciting days on the water yet.

Ingredients:

Now you know how to tie the Deer Hair Frog!

Video and ingredients courtesy of Savage Flies.

Here We Go Again–State of Alaska Appeals Rejected Pebble Mine Permit

Will Poston
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Here We Go Again–State of Alaska Appeals Rejected Pebble Mine Permit

Yesterday, the State of Alaska requested the U.S. Supreme Court vacate the Biden administration’s January 2023 rejection of the key permit for Pebble Mine–effectively killing the misconceived project. After years of public input, environmental review, extensive advocacy by both sides of Pebble, and back-and-forth the Environmental Protection Agency rejected the Pebble Mine’s Clean Water Act 404(c) permit due to the project’s “unacceptable adverse effects on salmon fishery areas in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds of Bristol Bay.”

May be an image of text that says '"The Governor is ignoring Alaskans and science with this lawsuit. And even more appalling, he is using public funds to prop up out-of-state mining executives at the expense of Alaska's salmon and all the people who rely on them. It's anti-Alaskan." Alaska Director Nelli Williams Trout Unlimited PERBLE MINE'

Alaska Governor Dunleavy, who had previously indicated legal action to push Pebble forward, had this to say: ““Our constitution is clear: Alaska is responsible for utilizing, developing, and conserving all of the State’s natural resources for the maximum benefit of its people,” Dunleavy said in a Wednesday statement. “Bureaucrats in Washington D.C. are exercising unbridled and unlawful power to choke off any further discussion on this important decision affecting so many Alaskans.”

These facts hold more true, however. Pebble Mine would be located smack in the middle of Bristol Bay’s headwaters, threatening the world’s most productive salmon fishery. Alaska has immense natural resources and, yes, it is entitled to utilize them. You’d think the State’s elected officials would understand the value in protecting the world’s most productive and sustainable resources for generations to come over the short-term benefits from a foreign owned copper and gold mine.

You can read Alaska’s brief to the U.S. Supreme Court HERE. Also, TU Alaska needs help; here is how you can help protect Bristol Bay:

“Call Governor Dunleavy! If you live in Alaska, leave a message with the Governor’s office – (907)465-3500. Tell him you support protecting Bristol Bay, are an Alaskan resident and his lawsuit undermines Alaskan interests. Please tell us if you call and leave a message so we can track the pressure the Governor is receiving!

Support our legal team! As we prepare to push back against these unwarranted legal claims, we could use your continued financial support. Your donation will go directly to our work to protect Bristol Bay and defend the good work we’ve already accomplished together.

We will keep you informed on the lawsuit and EPA’s Clean Water Act protections, as well as our work to secure permanent safeguards from large-scale mining for the watershed. Until then, please stick with us and stay tuned for the next call to action.

Sincerely,

Nelli Williams and Trout Unlimited’s Save Bristol Bay team”

Cover picture by @FlyOutMedia

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The Lower Deschutes Remains Open Through September For Summer Steelhead Fishing

Nelson Oxley
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The Lower Deschutes Remains Open Through September For Summer Steelhead Fishing

From The Wild Steelhead Coalition:

In a significant development for anglers and fishing enthusiasts, the Lower Deschutes River has secured its steelhead fishing season, ensuring it will remain open until at least September 14. This positive outcome comes as the river successfully reached a crucial milestone in its carefully structured management framework.

During the period of July 1 to July 25, an impressive total of 10,809 unmarked summer steelhead made their way past Bonneville Dam, surpassing the minimum requirement of 9,900 steelhead needed in July to sustain fishing operations. This achievement has averted an early closure, which would have been enforced if the passing count fell below the specified threshold. In such a scenario, fishing on the river would have ceased on August 15.

The attainment of this key threshold is a testament to the effective management strategies implemented to protect and maintain the steelhead population in the Lower Deschutes River. Conservation efforts and responsible fishing practices have played a crucial role in ensuring the continued availability of this beloved fishing opportunity for both locals and visitors.

To support the conservation efforts from the Wild Steelhead Coalition, be sure to check out their website by clicking HERE. Follow them on socials HERE. 

Check out the articles below:

Summer Steelhead Season Opens on the Deschutes

How to Tie: The Steelhead Candy Intruder

Angler Story of the Week: Fly Fishing For Baja Mahi-Mahi

Nelson Oxley
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Angler Story of the Week: Fly Fishing For Baja Mahi-Mahi

A note from Sambo:

“When people are down in Baja on the beaches, throwing flies, it seldom even occurs to them to catch, let alone see, a mahi-mahi from the shore. I always thought of them as a species that could only be caught trolling via the bait and switch. So when Jeff Fezcko, or @tothegills, yelled “dorado” on our first day of the four we had with him, I didn’t believe it. It all happened so fast.”

“He grabbed the teaser rod, and I chose my fly rig, which I felt most comfortable with that day, and we rushed to where Jeff spotted the fish destroying bait. The fish came in immediately on the first tease, but I was so nervous that I failed to present my fly correctly on the first try. The only thing going through my head was, “Do not mess this up and don’t trout set!” Next thing you know, after a lot of tears, screams, and sweat, I had the fish of a lifetime in my hands, and we had tacos de la playa!!”

Angler Story of the Week from Sambo Tiny Stoklosa, be sure to follow Sambo on Instagram at @larry_quantum.

Check out the articles below:

Video of the Week: Baja Buffet

Flavor on the Fly: Blackened Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw, Peach Pineapple Salsa & Sriracha Aioli

Video of the Week: Fly Fishing for Bass out of Kick Boats with Blue Line Co

Landen German
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Video of the Week: Fly Fishing for Bass out of Kick Boats with Blue Line Co

In this Week’s Video of the Week, we catch up with Adam and Steve from Blue Line Co in their newest film targeting bass on the fly in a remote section of the river. In years past Adam has attempted to fish this section of water on foot but to no avail. With the help of kick boats, the guys motor to the mouth of the river, drop anchor, and then hike the tubes up a few miles to float back down. The goal in mind was to test some new fly patterns to some un-pressured fish and that is exactly what they got. So sit down and enjoy as the crew talks you over their new patterns and breaks down a new waterway.

Here at Blue Line, we have been tying flies for about as long as we have been fly fishing. We started tying because we had to. The lack of fly fishing shops and good bass and warm water patterns drove our passion for the vise. We found patterns from saltwater and trout fishing. We would tie bigger or smaller sizes and better colors of some popular flies. Over the years this turned into fly design. We have a different approach here at BLC on flies. Figure out what triggers fish and put those aspects into a fly design. Sometimes it’s color, sometimes shape, others its movement. We use these aspects to design flies that catch fish, not fishermen. We only sell flies that we trust ourselves and personally use in our fly boxes. Check us out here: bluelineflies.com

Check out these rad articles as well!

Video of the Week: Streamer fishing in a fall storm with Blue Line Co

Video of the Week: Local Legends Ep.3 – Searching for Sea Run Brook Trout with Brad Leone

Video of the Week: Ibera the Golden Marsh with Fly Fish Food

Montana Contemplates ‘Hoot Owl’ Restrictions for the First Time on NW Montana Rivers

Nelson Oxley
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Montana Contemplates ‘Hoot Owl’ Restrictions for the First Time on NW Montana Rivers

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks officials constituted “Hoot Owl” restrictions to protect fisheries that are exposed to warm water: designed to limit fishing and safeguard trout fisheries after 2pm during the warmest parts of the day. In addition, the Hoot Owl restrictions encourage anglers to get out on the water early when the water temperatures are best.

Recently, officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), have contemplated the Hoot Owl restrictions for the first time on some rivers like the Beaverhead, Bitterroot, Jefferson, Lower Madison, and Sun rivers. This year Montana struggled with snowpack, resulting in historically lower flows and hotter water temperatures in mid to late afternoons.

From Montana FWP: “Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks is advising anglers that the entire mainstem of the Bitterroot River (from the confluence with the Clark Fork near Missoula, to the confluence with the East and West Forks) is now under hoot-owl restrictions, effective Monday, July 24, due to warm water conditions.  Hoot-owl restritions close fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight.”

Anglers anywhere can also help reduce stress and mortality for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:

  • Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.
  • Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
  • Let the fish recover before releasing it.

To check out all Hoot Owl restrictions and fishing closures check out this public release from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission by clicking HERE.

Check out the articles below:

Low Flows & Hot Water: What To Know About Summer Fly Fishing

Summertime Fly Fishing: What You Need to Know

Reel of the Week: 5 Tips Fly Fishing for Red Kaloi in Borneo

Austin Kane
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Reel of the Week: 5 Tips Fly Fishing for Red Kaloi in Borneo

Growing up, Momma NéNé always told me that a quality opponent is a gift. With that mindset, I can confidently say the Red Kaloi of Indonesian Borneo tops the list as the finest opponent I have fly-fished for. Structure-loving and with canine-level intelligence, Kaloi exit their lairs to inspect your presentation, and if it suffices, they immediately take you back to the woodshed and kick your ass.  

Here are five tips to put the odds in your favor if you’re lucky enough to tangle with the Giant Gourami that calls the second oldest rainforest in the world home:

Keep Your Arm Happy

Protect Your Mental Health

Keep Your Back Happy

Keep Your Mind Happy

Pack Properly

Bonus Tip: Get A Damn Good Guide

Keep your arm happy

Learn from my mistakes. Pack a slow action rod with a soft tip and stout bottom third. Initially, I focused on the potential fight with my rod choice. I love fighting strong fish with my 10wt Sage Salt HD (roosterfish, jacks, tarpon, etc.), so when my buddy offered up his 9wt Salt HD for the trip, I jumped. It was an awful choice. I got my first case of fly-casting forearm “tennis elbow” with it. The majority of Kaloi casts are tight, precision shots. 20-40 foot casts. Backcast sliding underneath hanging vines, forward cast landing between two submerged tree trunks. And give it a pop so the 2/0 cockroach fly makes a big ripple. Pack a rod that loads easily. 

Luckily, I switched to my favorite rod, the Hardy Zane Pro 8wt, and paired it with Fajar’s Scientific Anglers Jungle Titan 8wt floating line. It was the perfect fit. Oddly enough, this fishery is one of the few times a fly reel is purely for line storage; you can’t give these fish an inch. Set the hook and hold on for dear life. 

Protect your mental health 

It’s not you, it’s the fish. The Kaloi’s selectiveness may drive you to madness. I was beside myself in the first few days, convinced I had pulled the hook out of multiple Kaloi mouths. Then, on the second to last day, I watched a Kaloi tap my fly with its nose, circle the fly, tap again, circle again, and tap once more, all while swimming downriver in sync with the drift. The canoe, fly, and fish moved downstream in perfect harmony for 60 feet or more. And then the Kaloi disappeared back to the depths. When Kaloi eat, they eat. But they also like to rise and check things out. And maybe even gulp some water to make the fly sink to get a better look at it. And make your heart race into your ears. 

Keep your back happy 

Plan to pack a (truly) waterproof backpack for all the usual reasons (the rainforest can be somewhat rainy) but, more than anything, for the boat rides. An airtight bag makes for a great pillow to sit on in the narrow canoes. My trusty 5-year-old Patagonia backpack whistled out air the first day. It is less comfy to lean into water bottles and fly boxes. Peacefully perched on Fajar’s Yeti backpack full of air while reading, motoring upriver under the jungle canopy was a borderline religious experience. It also allowed me to rest and be ready to fish to the best of my ability once it was time to stand up and be alert. Since the trip, I picked up the Fishpond Submersible rolltop backpack. It is divine. It’s the closest I have seen a dry bag get to an actual hiking pack (sturdy hip belt, chest strap that doesn’t ride too high). I have never been a fan of waterproof items with zippers, so having a load-bearing pack which is also a roll top dry bag is the perfect combo. 

Keep your mind happy

Even if you aren’t a ‘have an emergency copy, paperback reading, always keep a headlamp with you’ kind of person, I highly suggest being prepared to read a book on trips like these. Diving into an excellent adventure tale saved my sanity as the river rose ten feet in a matter of hours one morning. I got lucky and happened to start the finest non-fiction book I’ve read yet on this trip, No Mercy: A Journey Into the Heart of the Congo (O’Hanlon). Other favorites from this year I can heartily recommend are Into the Heart of Borneo (O’Hanlon), Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart (Butcher), A Bend In The River (Naipaul), and two bonus classics you’ve likely heard of but may not have read: Ninety-two in the Shade (McGuane) and A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (Maclean). Most know the latter book, but I am always surprised by how few have read it, and even fewer have read the other stories. Those stories are golden nuggets waiting for your eyes to discover them. 

Pack Properly

Pack the best UPF hoody you can find. Equatorial rainforests can get steamy. I grabbed a Simms Intruder snap hoody before my initial trip to Djibouti in 2022, and it’s the best fishing shirt I’ve worn. I wore it for eight days straight on that trip, wading up to chest-deep in saltwater most days. Not a single freshwater rinse the whole time, yet the shirt never smelled, and I never got sunburned through it, even when soaked. I was sold. Over a year later, I still adore it. The material does not weigh itself down when wet, like most hoodies. The buttons allow you to adjust how tight the shirt is around your neck and, most importantly, maintain coverage between the shirt and buff on the back of your neck even if you don’t wear the hoody. I believe I fish better without the hoody on, but I always like to have it in case the sun gets to roasting levels. I am also a big fan of the Simms Intruder BiComp shirt and wore that on the trip as well. Both shirts have zippered chest pockets, which is crucial for me. I keep chapstick and lens wipes in that pocket at all times. 

Bonus Tip: Get a damn good guide

Enthusiasm got the best of me the first few days, and I was over-casting. I wanted to hit every single spot that looked promising. On the final day, I fished one-on-one with Ming and took a third of the casts I had earlier. He said no to the majority of my cast requests. All casts were intentional. Each location was agreed upon verbally. Teamwork at its finest. And that deliberate casting paid off. Ming was the first person to catch a Red Kaloi on the fly and is an encyclopedia of knowledge about the jungle and its inhabitants. Sharing a boat with him was a richly rewarding experience. 

Stay tuned to check out the Reel of the Week from Austin Kane promoted on Flylords social channels, you don’t want to miss it! Reel of the Week from Austin Kane be sure to check him out on Instagram @austinvkane. Be sure to check out Kaniak Fishing to join an adventure with Austin!

Check out the articles below:

Reel of the Week: DIY Giant Trevally Fishing in Djibouti

Angler Story of the Week: Fly Fishing For Red Kaloi

First Ever Borneo Red Gourami or ‘Kalou’ Fish Caught on Fly

Fishing Tips: How to Catch and Release Trout

Andrew Braker
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Fishing Tips: How to Catch and Release Trout

Catch and release trout fishing isn’t just a rule or a law. As anglers, we want to practice good catch and release skills so that these fish can return to the water strong enough to escape predators and continue to grow to spawning age and beyond. If all anglers practiced good catch and release skills our fisheries would be better off! So, check out this video from Red’s Fly Shop all about how to catch and release fly fish.

Giant 220lb Wels Catfish Drags Angler Down River

Nelson Oxley
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Giant 220lb Wels Catfish Drags Angler Down River

Spain’s River Ebro has earned its reputation as the “catfish capital of Europe,” boasting an abundance of enormous wels catfish. Ditch Ballard, an experienced English fisherman and owner of Ebro Mad Cats fishing service, recently added another thrilling chapter to the river’s legendary tales. On a freezing February night, Ballard found himself in a gripping battle with a colossal catfish that pushed his skills and endurance to the limit.

Initially targeting carp from his small boat, Ballard suddenly felt a powerful tug on his line. His 10-foot rod bent deeply, and he watched in amazement as his reel’s line rapidly disappeared. With years of experience under his belt, Ballard immediately recognized that he had hooked a massive wels catfish!

Check out the full story by clicking HERE!

Check out the articles below:

Potential World Record Bonefish Caught in the Indian Ocean

Summertime Fly Fishing: What You Need to Know

Copco 2 Dam Removed, Three Dams Remaining for Klamath River Project

Will Poston
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Copco 2 Dam Removed, Three Dams Remaining for Klamath River Project

The world”s largest dam removal project is progressing according to schedule, as the first  Klamath River dam (Copco 2) fell last week. The Copco 2 Dam is the smallest of the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath that will be removed. These dams have blocked salmon, steelhead, and other species from completing their migrations and accessing hundreds of miles of habitat essential to their life histories. Once this project is complete, however, some 400 miles of restored habitat will be available and give these runs a chance for recovery.

“We are about to witness healing on a major scale,” said Dr. Ann Willis, California Director, American Rivers. “Dam removal is the best way to bring a river back to life. The Klamath is significant not only because it is the biggest dam removal effort in history, but because it shows that we can right historic wrongs and make big, bold dreams a reality for our rivers and communities.”

Earlier this summer, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), which was transferred ownership of the dams and responsible for their removal, issued an update on construction. “While this is just the first step, it certainly is an exciting moment,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of KRRC. “Crews are making fast progress in these early stages of the project, and we are on track with our removal timeline.”

According to KRRC’s construction timeline, work is on track with a target completion date (all four dams removed) of late 2024. Also, pre-construction restoration efforts are well underway in preparation of all this new habitat becoming accessible to migratory species.

Late last year, TU, NOAA Fisheries, and other partners unveiled a restoration blueprint for the Klamath Basin.”In the end, the report identified over 80 potential habitat and fish passage restoration opportunities, nearly 80 potential locations for screening irrigation diversions, and almost 40 projects that would benefit instream flows within the reservoir reach,” said Nell Scott, who leads TU’s restoration work in the upper Klamath Basin. “It then evaluates potential impacts to fish recovery and rates each of these projects as high, medium, or low priority. We expect this plan to be a tool for conservation partners to engage and partner with private landowners in the reach to accomplish restoration goals.”

We’ll be following this project and restoration work closely, so keep an eye out for more stories and interviews. This is one of those transformational habitat restoration projects that will inject life, re-inject salmon and steelhead, and restore much of the Klamath River Basin.

Cover picture from KRCC.

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