It all happened so quickly on a late spring day in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and as Ad Crable for Lancaster Online writes, “something toxic came barreling downstream near the stream’s confluence with Musser Run, wiping out, within hours, nearly every kind of fish, crayfish and aquatic insect along a 4.5-mile stretch.” The stream was littered with white lifeless fish floating unnaturally in the water. Currently, the cause of the fish kill is not known although authorities are investigating the source of whatever caused this incident.
Photo Courtesy of Derek Eberly
The creek had been undergoing successful conservation efforts over the last 50 years, transforming a once warm and meandering spring creek to a cold, clean stream filled with wild trout. A group of passionate anglers gathered around the waterway and formed the Donegal Fish & Conservation Association (DFCA) to continue to foster positive growth along the stream and to build a community around the beloved spring creek.
A Dead Wild Brown Trout. Photo Courtesy of Derek Eberly
The DFCA released a statement regarding the tragic event:
“A major fish kill occurred on the Donegal Creek during the weekend of April 26th, which affected both wild and stocked trout, other species of fish and aquatic life. The Donegal Fish and Conservation Association has been a steward for this watershed for over five decades and will continue to dedicate itself to the stream’s restoration to maintain a vibrant watershed. The DFCA will continue to assess the situation and communicate with state agencies, riparian landowners, and the local community. It is the position of the DFCA to refrain from speculating on the cause of the fish kill. The DFCA encourages anglers, sportsmen, and the community to allow our state agencies to do their work. Donegal Fish and Conservation Association is proud to work alongside property owners and values their partnership in maintaining a healthy watershed. Please visit our website, www.donegalfish.weebly.com, for more information on the work done by DFCA. Email club President Brian Cunningham at donegalfish@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or concerns.”
If you’d like to get involved and help to restore this stream, please consider donating to the DFCA on their GoFundMe page.
In this How- to video, Tim Flagler from Tighlines Productions will show you a smart and easy way to tie the Zebra Midge.
The zebra midge; whether it be black, red, or green can be considered one of the most important flies any angler can carry in their arsenal. From giant steelhead to freshly hatched brook trout, this fly never seems to fall out of favor with big and small fish alike.
Luckily, the zebra midge is not only one of the most effective flies you can throw, but also one of the easiest to tie. This is a perfect tie for anyone: whether they are brand new to the practice, or have years of experience under their wader belts.
Fly fishing had always been a passion for Jeremy Brooks, and he had been guiding people onto epic fish since his high school days at Santa Fe Prep and Colorado College. And on May 5th, as he boarded Aeroflot flight SU 1492 on his way to join the Ponoi River Company as a guide for the summer season. But he never made it. Aeroflot flight SU 1492, crashed and caught fire on the runway at Moscow Airport killing 41 people, Jeremy was the only American killed in the incident.
As CNN reports: “Ivan Valdez, acting as a spokesman on behalf of Brooks’ family, told CNN Monday that the US Embassy had confirmed that Brooks was one of the crash victims. Brooks worked at Valdez’s fly shop and guide service, The Reel Life, based in Santa Fe.”
Image from Jeremy Brooks’ Instagram
“Jeremy was the kindest soul you will ever meet,” Valdez told CNN. “He was always such a positive individual, always had everyone’s best interests at heart. Jeremy’s biggest passions were his family, friends, and fishing. Jeremy just had the biggest heart in the world, the world’s lost a great individual. He was like a son to me.”
We here at Fly Lords would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jeremy Brooks’ friends and family.
The 10 Best Fishing Snacks You Should Always Take With You on the Water
Once the waders are fastened on, the rod is rigged, and the boots have touched the water; there isn’t much that can distract an angler in pursuit of some hungry trout…that is until their own belly starts rumbling. Fly fishing can be a physically demanding hobby, whether you’re fishing from gravel put in, or spending your nights in a tent in the high Sierras: your engine needs fuel. Instead of wasting time off the water finding a meal, or simply procuring one from your adventure mobile, pack one of the snacks we’ve listed below in order to get the calories you need to stay focused and haul in that once in a lifetime fish.
With 5 grams of Protein packed into every bar, whether you’re heading out from base camp or driving up the street, this snack is essential in every anglers’ pack. With energy crammed into every bite: this snack is easily transportable, lightweight, and most importantly TASTY. Grab a couple of these guys before a day on the water and you’re sure to beat the mid-day hunger wherever your trip takes you.
Grass-Fed Chomps Beef Jerky is a step above the rest when it comes to an on the go meaty snack. Not only does Chomps provide a large variety of flavors such as jalapeno beef to Salt & Pepper Venison, but they contain no added hormones, no sugars, and are made from 100% grass fed Livestock. Chomps has it all for the hungry carnivore looking for a protein boost to keep them tossing heat cast after cast.
I mean hey…why should monster browns get all the meat?
Because what’s better than sticking to your crunchy roots? Power up Trail mix is a specially crafted mix designed to provide a late afternoon boost and kick fatigue in the butt. Made from 100% all-natural ingredients, Power up trail mix has mixes to cater to any dietary restrictions including gluten-free, and vegan options: all still made with fresh delicious ingredients. We recommend packing a baggie of these in the top of your waders and saving the rest for a job well-done treat on the way back to home base.
Be careful… once you have a handful it’s hard to stop
Just because you’re not throwing worms to fish doesn’t mean you can’t have some for yourself! Yes, while we don’t recommend substituting a meal for a sugar-filled treat, we know there’s no way ALL those vest pockets are filled with gear. Why not indulge your guilty pleasure and pack a sugary snack to brighten up a fishless day, or even put down with some water to keep that blood sugar steady? However you choose to enjoy these tasty worms, it’ll put a smile on your face and always manage to calm down that insatiable craving that manages to strike at the worst times.
Fishing with your kids? Bring a pack of these bad boys… you can thank us later.
While this isn’t technically just a snack, it sure can be eaten like one. Greenbelly is a meal sup. for hikers, made by hikers. Containing 1/3 of your daily value of fats, proteins, and fiber; this supplement is perfect to throw next to your reel in the day pack and head off the beaten path. Whether your hiking through the rugged mountain terrain or sloshing around a salty cove, this portable meal guarantees you’ll have the power to focus on your mission—not your hunger.
6. Natures Candy Flavored Cravings Killer: Dried Fruit
Dried fruit, specifically picks like dried mango’s, dates, and apricots; are the true definition of natures candy. Being light and portable, a few bags of these are the perfect snack for a hot day in the sun. Filled with natural sugars and vitamins, these little delights can be consumed by the handful as a guilt-free pleasure, and while you can’t fit an entire apple in your fly bag, a small bundle of dried apples can be conveniently stowed next to your nymph box as a quick and easy snack to be had in-between changing flies.
Feeling really hungry? Drink water with your fruit. The fruit will absorb it and expand in your stomach to hold you over until that next meal.
No, this snack won’t actually target the trout for you, but it WILL make sure you have the energy to do so. Pretzels are a classic, and a great source of a little bit of salt, a little bit of sugar, and a healthy dosage of carbohydrates to keep the all-day angler sharp and energized. These snacks can be kept in (almost) any crevice there is on an angler and can be readily accessed for a carb boost that will make sure the hands on your watch don’t determine how much time you have left on the water.
Need an extra boost? Pair pretzels with some portable peanut butter (try saying that 3 times fast).
This snack combo has been in the pockets of anglers since the beginning, and there’s a good reason for that. Carrots and Peanut Butter are a killer combo that has essential vitamins, sugars, and loads of protein sure to satisfy any adventurer running on low. The healthy mixture of some fresh veggies and a mouthful of peanut butter can’t be beaten when it comes to refueling in-between fishy holes.
Feel free to use celery as well. Heck, it’s practically designed for holding PB.
So much power in such a small, tasty snack. Power beans are jelly beans infused with carbohydrates, proteins, and tons of vitamins. These are real magic beans that taste like candy but work like an energy shot. Put a couple of these in your pocket and you’re off to the races. These little guys can be consumed with such convenience, you could pop a few in your mouth with one hand and wrangle a meaty fish with the other! (though truthfully, we wouldn’t recommend it…)
Some people like to keep their fish, and some prefer to let them go. However, instead of making the hard choice, just carry around a few sticks of Pescavore’s delicious Ahi Tuna Jerky strips. These jerky sticks are finely crafted to be delicious, and with each stick being an impressive 12G of protein and a solid source of Omega3, how could you say no? Oh, did we mention they’re caught responsibly with minimal ecosystem disturbance, and without the use of FADs? With this jerky, you can enjoy a healthy snack, as well as a healthy conscious.
I learned to read and teach kids through guiding, and I knew that their attention span was limited (especially a kid with my DNA.) If any part of their first experience fishing sucked, they were way less likely to be into it.
My daughter Harper has been around the water and fly fishing since she was a baby.  I wanted us to have that time and those memories together for the rest of our lives, so I knew this much, “don’t F*** this up.” I’ve seen the dude that brings little Timmy to watch Dad throw streamers in the cold all day, (not cool dude) and Timmy looked miserable.
So I knew that I had to keep it as interesting as possible. From the time she was big enough to hold a fly rod, I have worked with her. Â She learned to cast on a floppy five-weight fiberglass rod since they load so easily.
I have heard more times than I can count, “can’t wait until my kids are big enough.†Guess what, they’re big enough. Kids are amazing. Their brains are little sponges and they seem to be able to absorb info way quicker than most adults. I wanted everything she absorbed about fishing early on to be perfect. Kids love games, so at home, we made up different games and got creative on teaching her how to cast and make hook sets with those short little arms.
I waited for a day when I knew everything would be perfect for her when she was four years old (weather, water, fishing) and that’s what I’ve done ever since. That way no matter whatever happens in life, she’ll be able to close her eyes and imagine those 75 degree days in Arkansas catching fish in the sun.
This particular day I’ll have forever. We had stopped to wade Rainbow Island on the Little Red River. It was her first time wading. She had fished from a boat plenty, but wading takes a certain sense of “fishiness†to be really successful.  I witnessed something most people will never witness. A fly rod yielding, three feet tall little girl completely massacre a pile of rainbows.
They might has well have been trophy browns to her and I. I set her up with a set amount of line out of the reel, just enough to make an upstream cast, a mend, and then a swing on the downstream end of the drift. Towards the end of every other drift when her fly would start to swing up, a fish would tag it. She fishes with a 10’ 3 weight rod with a butt below the reel, so she can have the leverage of a 10ft rod and a weight small enough for her to be able to lay back on the rod and fight her heart out. Â
Harper is 6 now and fishing better than ever, but it isn’t about the fishing at all. Sure, someday I’ll fill her in that catching and fishing are two different things, but for now, I’ll just enjoy that she thinks fly fishing is all sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns.
Story and photos from Cameron Lester. He is not only a dad but a husband, lake bum and fly fishing guide on Greers Ferry Lake and The Little Red River in Arkansas. You can also check out his Leadercast Podcast or give him a follow on Instagram.
In a Bill introduced to the US Congress on the 1st of May will recognize outdoor therapy as an official treatment method for veterans suffering from mental health disorders. This bill, HR 2345, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a task force made up of five cabinet secretaries from the departments of Veterans Affairs, Interior, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Defense and the Chief of the Army Corp of Engineers. They are tasked with investigating the best uses of public lands for Veteran treatments and therapy.
Image: Doug Buerlein, courtesy of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Christopher Smith from New Jersey who had this to say regarding his bill, “Studies have shown—and veterans organizations strongly concur—that outdoor recreational activities can provide powerful therapeutic and healing benefits as well as camaraderie for veterans struggling with combat-related injuries or post-traumatic stress. We should be thinking outside-the-box to discover as many ways as possible to help veterans, and opening up federal lands and removing barriers to access for remedial outdoor recreation is a no-brainer. My legislation would help increase access to this treatment option.”
The Bill is receiving plenty of support from both sides of the aisle in Congress and from many in the outdoor recreation industry, who all see this as an opportunity to help more Veterans recover and heal.
Meet Alaska! She is a 3-year-old bird dog from Norway. She loves hunting, but she is also very fond of fishing. When I catch a fish, she takes it and loves to carry it with her everywhere, she is so proud. I think she might need to learn the practice of catch and release fishing.
Alaska’s mom Janne Svihus resides in Norway, give her feed a follow here for your daily dose of Alaska!
“Austin, Texas (April 30, 2019) — YETI® Holdings, Inc. (“YETI†or the “Companyâ€) (NYSE: YETI), a leading premium outdoor brand, expands its product offerings with a new cargo-style LoadOut GoBoxTM.”
“The YETI LoadOut GoBox leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to utility and durability. Designed for secure organization, this versatile gear fortress is ideal both on-the-go, or back at basecamp. The waterproof and dustproof GoBox can hold and protect everything from duck calls and rangefinders, to tippet and camera lenses, thanks to the included removable caddy, compartment divider, and Pack AtticTM deployable pouch. The LoadOut GoBox is built to be nearly indestructible—ready to endure seasons in the sun, negative temps in the field, and repeated abuse being lugged in and out of the truck, the boat, and the blind. And when it’s all said and done, the GoBox stacks up neatly until your next adventure.”
The GoBox is now available on YETI.com for $249.99. Available colors include white, tan, and charcoal. Accessories included: Divider, Caddy, and Pack AtticTM.
For many anglers, New Zealand is known as a mecca for once in a lifetime size wild brown trout. My husband and I made the decision to go here for our honeymoon in search of these fish. For months leading up to our trip, my father repeatedly asked me, “have you practiced casting a 15ft leader yet?†Each time I quickly responded with a “nope†and moved on. I thought to myself, I’m a saltwater angler that constantly casts into chop and winds. I’ve got this. Boy was I wrong…
The Big Picture
Fly fishing in New Zealand should really be called hunting. These fish are smart. With such clarity in the water, the second you spot them they’ve likely spotted you. They smell human hunger. 15+ foot leaders and inconspicuous colored fly line and clothing is a must.
Big Picture Tips:
Always stay downstream of these fish. They can smell your scent if you cross upriver and then the pool is no longer worth fishing.
New Zealand fly fishing is all sight fishing. Look for gray moving shadows in gin clear waters. Like any type of sight fishing, once you spot a couple they become easier to find.
Because New Zealand trout have no real predators they can often be found out in the open in shallow waters.
Fish are easier to spot when the sun is high giving you a better glimpse into the river.
Walk the banks as quietly as possible as to not spook the fish… one noticeable thump and the fish you’ve been peeling your eyes to spot for the last hour is gone (made that mistake one too many times).
If unspooked and content, these fish will continue to feed happily giving you the time you need to properly set up for the perfect shot. Spend time observing their feeding behavior.
If dry fly fishing, the fly should lead the fish by roughly 2ft, nymphing by roughly 6ft.
Have a nymphing rod and dry fly rod set up so you’re ready for both circumstances.
5wt/6wt should cover most situations that you encounter.Â
Presentation of the fly is key for success meaning proper controlled drifts and no drag.
Practice turning over a 15ft leader before fishing these rivers. It’s all about stopping high on your backcast and as few false casts as possible to get the length you need to reach the fish. Waving a fly rod above their heads is guaranteed to spook the fish. Forget about double hauling.
Once you hook into these fish, get ready to move. New Zealand brown trout take off almost immediately and staying stagnant will cause the fish to break off.
Turn over rocks along the river to see what they’re feeding on.
At the end of the day, we’re all sipping flies. The sand flies are so bad along the river that there’s just nothing you can do about it.  A few flies a day never hurt anybody.
7lbs of New Zealand Gold
We quickly learned that New Zealand fly fishing is a mecca. We hunted for these fish. We tiptoed along the banks, crawled through the brush, and even used walkie talkies for communication. We wore only neutral colors so the fish had a difficult time spotting us. We used 15+ ft leaders so our fly line was inconspicuous. It’s easy for an instagram photo of a chunky brown trout to make this look easy but the truth is, it’s not. It takes a tremendous amount of patience, skills, determination, and understanding to land these fish. It took time for us to become dialed in. Definitely give yourself a few days if you’re planning on fishing New Zealand.
South Island
Without giving away any secret spots, the South Island of New Zealand is known for its tremendously fishy waters. We spent a lot of time fishing the Nelson area (northern part of the South Island) which proved to be incredible fishing and gorgeous scenery. The blue pools really do exist. During our trip, we constantly referenced John Kent’s South Island Trout Fishing Guide for guidance, tips, and access points.
Most valuable to our fly fishing success was our 4 days of guided fly fishing at Owen’s River Lodge at the beginning of our trip. This helped us get acclimated and our feet wet with local knowledge. We learned from our seasoned guide at the lodge, Paul, how to hunt for these fish. He was one of those guides that had a story about everything. He pushed us to become better anglers. I happen to love guides like this. My passion is just as intense when it comes to fly fishing.
Our Kiwi Friend Paul From Owen’s River Lodge
Each day in New Zealand was unique and memorable. We spent most of our days getting from place to place in our campervan that we picked up in Christchurch. For those interested in going to New Zealand this is a great way to explore the islands. The campervan allowed us greater mobility and to explore as much of the South Island as possible. Being a kiwi for two and a half weeks was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
You can follow along with Jenny Tates on Instagram at @jenny_tates.
Check out these other great articles about fishing New Zealand:
In this week’s Video of the Week, we travel to Vancouver, BC and see some of the freshwater opportunities that western Canada has to offer.
This video follows professional angler Paula Shearer and guide Ray Gouchie as they pursue multiple species of trout on Vancouver Island. This area of Canada is well known for the saltwater opportunities, but this video proves that the freshwater populations are healthy as well. In such a beautiful area, it is amazing to see the beauty of the fish coming out of this fishery as well. Towards the end of the film, Paula talks about how unique the same species of trout can look depending on the river or area that it comes from, and this video proves that to be very true.
This video was created by Fishing BC. If you want to learn more about the fishing opportunities in British Columbia, be sure to check out their website here.
The video of the week is selected and written by Fly Lords team member Conner Grimes.
