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Life Is More Fun Playing In The Mud!

Kayla Lockhart
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Life Is More Fun Playing In The Mud!

The thing I love most about fly fishing is the challenge that I am faced with every time I step into the water, can I outsmart any fish today? With fly fishing for carp that challenge is set to another level. These “trash” fish will bring the best and worse out of me because of how smart and tricky they are to catch. One of my first opportunities to catch a grass carp was in Arizona. I was new to fly fishing still at the time so I was feeling very excited! I wanted to catch one of these “spooky heifers” to prove to myself that I could do it. I was fishing in a canal that winded and curved through a neighborhood where every midwest grandparent resided. I was on a small boat with a couple friends that new the water and the habits of these grass carp very well. We cruised around squinting at the banks of the water looking for little mouths to slowly come up and chomp on the surface of the water, all while dogs would be running up to the bank and start barking at us. Despite the noisy dogs, I had a few chances to cast my dry fly at a couple rising carp, that is when I realized just how spooky they truly are. First cast, I spot the carp and get excited and make my cast quickly and  as I watch my fly dropping and getting closer to the water I realize that it is going to land right on the fish’s head, and in just that moment of realization the fly lands and the fish darts away and takes all his homies with him!

The man feeding them waved at us, smiled and then began walking away and the fish were all smart enough to know that “dinner time” has ended. They all started to slip deeper into the water, disappearing. I knew I had to make my cast now before they all disappeared. I spot one in the school of about 10 fish, I lifted my fly rod up and cast my dry to the left, above the carp’s head. I see that it landed perfectly! I waited and watched the little mouth slowly opening and closing…getting closer and closer to my fly, my adrenaline starts pumping, I feel the excitement building up as I impatiently wait for this fish to get to my fly. What was only mere seconds, with my excitement taking over it felt like an eternity for this fish to get to my fly!

Here it is, I see my fly and the fish’s mouth slowly open, his head turns to my fly…then BOOM! it happened so fast, in a blink of an eye… I set my hook and grin… just as fast as my excitement came to me it left me even quicker. I had popped the fly right out of the fish’s mouth. This is where “carp bringing the worst out in me” comes in. I turned into a drunken sailor with no filter yelling out every curse word I knew. I was so frustrated with myself, but in hindsight, it definitely taught me not to never do that again! The sun was setting and with the sunlight playing a large roll in carp fishing we decided to bring the boat in. As if being frustrated and being outsmarted by grass carp all day wasn’t enough, as we are getting the boat onto the trailer the trolling motor falls off the boat, it must not have been fastened on tight enough. I offered to go into the water and get it since it was not that deep and I was wearing shorts. I took two steps towards the submerged motor and “swoosh” the thick algae covered cement boat launch knocked me down like a rug being pulled beneath my feet and I fall completely into the water. Needless to say more, I finished the day with some beers to saturate my carp frustration.

I was not going to let that frustrating experience stop me from catching one of these fish. It just made me want to outsmart one and challenge myself to get one even more. I attempted many, many more times resulting in more frustration and no carp. Then, one day I was home alone during my second summer here in Portland. I have not made many friends since moving here so if KC is not around I have the option to go fish alone. With the many strong, slippery and rocky rivers here I decided since I was going out alone that maybe this would be a good chance to finally get my carp on the fly!

It was about 7am when I left to head out to a spot where I felt confident I could spot some common carp. When I arrived I watched the water from a high bank where I could have a good advantage to see the fish without them seeing me or my shadow. It was a bright, very hot day and I could see fish everywhere. Some of the carp were just cruising and there was a few sunbathing, so I knew I did not want to go after those and kept walking and looking. I made my rounds through a couple spots from the bank casting at fish with a few rejections and a few spooks. Another “perk” of fishing for carp is that you are sight fishing for them and typically not in the clearest of waters, forcing you to rely a lot on your senses of touch to know when to set the hook and noticing if the fish does anything different than what they normally would do or if you have the advantage of seeing their gills flare, and even then you can still get it wrong. After moving on from spots where I had no luck I waded out to about knee deep in the water. With myself being so short it can be difficult to not get the sun glare on the water when trying to spot fish but after squinting, with my hand blocking the sun from my eyes I spotted three carp tailing. I waited and watched to see what direction they were going so I knew where their heads were. They were about 40ft out from me, give or take. I cast above and in front of the fish’s heads and waited for my fly to sink, then I slowwwly started stripping my fly in towards them as they were heading towards my fly. I watched them all swim right over my fly without even thinking twice about it… I was not giving up though! I took a few steps to the right and made my cast again and this time Instead of an actual strip retrieval method I was sort of twitching my fly as I stripped in and I watched as one tail stopped right where I believed my fly should be, I felt the smallest twitch in my line and I set my hook in hopes that this time I will have a fish on my fly and not being ripping it out of the water alone once again. Within seconds after setting my reel was screaming at me, peeling line out! I got him! The carp was going nuts! Swimming out and then back in, splashing his tail on the water, giving me the fight I have heard about so many times. I was Screaming and laughing with excitement! I felt so satisfied! I finally outsmarted one of these fish and was having the best time because of it!

As the fish was getting more and more tired I reeled him in close to me. I was alone so there was no handy ‘net guy’, I needed to tail and land this fish on my own. Carp are still spooky and will try and run even after they are tired with a hook in their mouth so after two attempts of tailing and the fish running off I was able to get my hand around his tail and when I went to step and angle my body to grab under the fish with my other hand my boots were stuck in the muck, muddy bottom of the water and I started to fall and all I could think as I was falling to my knees was DON’T lose this fish!! I had my hand still around his tail and pulled the fish towards me in the water as I fell and he was flailing all over the place splashing me. I was getting covered with mud, but somehow I managed to get my first carp on the fly and all on my own!

This memory will stick with me as one of my favorite fly fishing stories and I couldn’t be happier it was with a carp. They remain still to this day as one of the funnest fish to catch on the fly to me, even thru the rollercoaster of challenges, frustrations, and excitement they put me through and when I do get the chance to outsmart them which luckily happens more often now after all the practice I’ve had, the fight they put up makes it all worth it.

Kayla is an ambassador for Redington and Dark Seas Division clothing company. For more of Kayla’s fishy activity, check her out on Instagram! Special thanks to Matt Harrison for the photos!

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Scientific Anglers Amplitude Grand Slam Line Review

Jared Zissu
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You can prepare all you want for saltwater trips, but in the end, Mother Nature is going to do whatever the hell she wants. That’s why it is critical to have gear that performs when the moment arises. When you are tucked tight in between a mangrove riddled creek and have one cast to reach the fish right around the bend you need a fly line that is going to load up quickly and shoot with ease.

We found ourselves in that exact situation last week in the Everglades while searching for juvenile tarpon, redfish, and snook. After hours of scanning flats and weaving through creeks we found some snook laid up in a shallow hole thirty feet away. Tall mangroves towered over the boat on all sides, making the cast a little sketchy. No worries, the new Amplitude Grand Slam (AST Plus) from Scientific Angler got the job done. One false cast and let her rip. My fishing buddy on the bow put a nice shot right on target, the hook up was inevitable. The first of many snook we tricked with the help of the SA line. We were amazed by its casting ability.

This line is by far the slickest line we have cast, and that has a lot to do with why it casts so damn far. It’s completely textured from the tip through the running line to help with the bomb casts to moving targets, and overweight to load the rod for those quick precision casts on the flats or in close quarter mangroves. Saltwater fly-fishing is all about capitalizing on the few shots you get. There is not time for fly lines that can’t get the job done. Pick this line up for your next tropical adventure and feel the difference.

Dorn Brown is a Fly Lord’s ambassador and a member of the fly fishing club at Clemson University. Spending his summers guiding in Montana, Dorn embodies the true essence of a trout bum. However, don’t let that fool you. This guy knows how to catch all kinds of fish! From freshwater to saltwater, he does it all! For more, check out Dorn’s Instagram and online blog.

Ruth Sims’ Path to Steel

Jared Zissu
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Ruth Sims’ Path to Steel

My first fly cast was roughly 2 and a half years ago. When I was 5 my dad put a spinner rod in my hands because he just couldn’t wait any longer for his future (yet nonexistent at the time) son to be born. Little did he know he was planting a fishing seed that would grow and grow with an insatiable thirst. Before fly fishing came to me I had heard of the fish Steelhead trout but knew nothing about it except for old fishing tales my dad talked of. Being born and raised in Seattle my favorite fishing use to be the endless species inhabiting Elliot Bay. When I cast my first fly rod that all changed.

I quickly realized the challenge that it presented. As an electrical engineer, I see the world in numbers. I saw fly fishing as a physics problem with endless parameters and variables and most importantly an infinite amount of solutions. Solutions that I became addicted to solving. I saw it as a problem that I could take around the world and solve it anywhere! About 3 months into fly fishing it occurred to me that I actually lived in a mecca of sorts to one of the most resilient and highly sought after fish: the Steelhead.

The first winter I drove out to the Olympic Peninsula almost every other weekend from Nov-April in search of them. Not even a bite the entire winter. And also I have a confession…every blue moon I would bring out a gear rod and use it. I needed the fix!!! Especially during salmon season, those hos saved my life and kept the addiction alive. Ok, I said it. Back to the glorious steelhead on the fly story.

Winter Season #2

After what was probably one of the greatest pieces of advice I decided I would not pick up a spinner rod even if I went all winter without a bite. A friend once said, “How will you ever catch one on the fly if you don’t use your fly rod?” That kind of stuck in my head, so I chose to dedicate myself to the challenge.

I spent, even more, time out there. Sometimes every weekend I would make the 4-hour drive and fish my heart out. I’d catch cutthroat and sometimes the occasional salmon but never that steelhead. Checking river gauges and forecasts became a morning ritual. Because even if I wasn’t there I could talk with friends and check my predictions that the river was in ideal conditions. By the end of winter number 2, I felt like I had walked/waded the entire coast. Part of the problem was I straight up just wasn’t that good of a fly fisher. I acknowledged that. I wasn’t that good of a fisherperson PERIOD. That’s when I decided well since I know the waters but I’m not good at catching fish I had better practice getting good at catching fish. And that’s what I did. From about May 2016 until just before steelhead season this winter I probably averaged about 2-3 days/week on the water. It worked! I started catching fish. My dead drift was ballin outta control by the end of summer, I could catch fish after fish on the swing given the right conditions and I felt unstoppable. This is progress considering when I started I didn’t know a single person who fly fished and I would spend my days on rivers watching YouTube videos on how to cast while trying to mimic what I saw.

THIS winter.

I knew I was ready. I knew the waters. I knew how to catch fish. I had confidence. Sometimes driving out to the coast I would envision the fish, watch it notice and take my fly and feel the imaginary set. On my first trip of the season, two of my friends joined and on the second day, we took a guided trip with Justin Tenzler. First-day nada. The second day, there he was. My first Washington steelhead. A beautiful rosy-cheeked hatchery.

That kind of adrenalin cannot be easily replicated unless you do it again. So, of course, I went back, we fished 10 hours in torrential downpour and freezing crosswinds without a bite. It was glamorous. Did this make me want to stop? No. It made me want to come back… kind of like a crazy person. And so I came back. My friend An Ren Tan and I booked another trip with Justin he said to meet him at 5:45 AM to head to the boat launch. I had no inkling about what was going to happen in the next couple of hours…that I would not only get my first Washington wild steelhead but that it was going to be the biggest fish I had ever caught…also that I was going to get two of them.

At first, I had no idea I had hooked him. I thought it was a log and so I sort of jerked on it to try to get it loose, that’s when it displaced 15 feet in about 2 seconds and revealed itself in its true glory via a free Willy style burst from beneath. I thought, actually I think I said, “OH SHIT it’s a fish!” even then I didn’t realize what I had come across, I just focused on trying to get it on the reel. I have sort of trained myself not to be too excited about a fish until it is physically in the net. I think Justin and An Ren were quite surprised at how calm I kept as well as the way I played it and took suggestions about how not to lose it! After a battle of what seemed like a lifetime, An Ren netted it. That’s when I lost my shit. It was like opening a present on Christmas morning.

I got out of the boat looked in the net, hands trembling and said, hmmm that’s a little wider than usual. It was love, at first sight, I looked up, all 3 of us smiles from ear to ear. The boys confirmed, “Ruth, that is a fish of a lifetime.” My quest for my first Washington wild steelhead was over and I was on cloud 9.

The cherry on top was knowing that the way these two helped me through the fight and how they were just as excited as I was, meant these guys were automatically fishing friends for life. I am a strong believer in by surrounding yourself with positive people, places and things, good things will happen. Indeed they did. And as an extra bonus, I ended up catching my 2nd biggest fish to date, another wild. And now here I am, I’ve fallen in love with this thing we call fly fishing all over again.

Congrats on the monster steelhead, Ruth! For more of Ruth’s fly fishing journeys, follow her on Instagram.

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In Loving Memory: A Fly Fishing Tale

Jared Zissu
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While reflecting on the memories I have had through fly fishing, I couldn’t help but think of my first fish.  I want to share my story.  I hope that as I do you can not only reflect upon your first fish but think about the memories you have from fly fishing. And if you haven’t had your first fish moment yet, keep going at it!

I had heard about fly fishing from a number of friends over the years but never brought myself to try it. When I was helping my grandparent’s move we had to put some of their things into the storage unit. Among those things was a pair of green, musty, neoprene Hodgeman waders and felt boots, my grandpa’s 9 foot, a 6 weight fly rod, and a 6 weight medalist reel. I always enjoyed firing up the trolling motor on my grandpa’s boat and fishing with him. Unfortunately, these days came to an end when my grandpa was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to sell his boat. With my grandpa’s deteriorating health preventing him from fishing, I thought it would be really cool to learn how to catch something on my grandpa’s fly rod.

I began talking to him a lot, as well as other people about fly fishing and did a lot of research on it. I learned the basic terminology of a fly rod setup….leader, tippet, clinch knot, blood knot, nymphing, dry fly, strike indicator, split shot, floating line, sinking line, etc. I got everything in “fishable order” and headed up to the Provo River. To make a long story short I must have logged more than 40 hours over the course of about 3 weeks of not getting a single fish, let alone a single bite. I always thought for some reason that in order to catch a fish I needed to be in chest deep water. So I remember standing in the water during the late summer evening hatches, witnessing fish jumping all around me. It seemed like they covered all of the surface area of the water around me except for the small surface area that my size 16 elk hair caddis covered. I ended up slowly losing the faith and not bringing my net along with me anymore. I began to give up but I just wanted to catch something so bad on my grandpa’s fly rod that giving up was not an option!

It was on a warm, summer evening when I rigged up my size 16 sow bug (which I have saved to this day) that things changed. I can still feel the consistent tug that occurred as a fish began to violently shake its head.  I was in utter shock when I realized this was no chunk of moss, no stick, no snag in a heavy current, but something with life in it….I had hooked up on a fish!  I can’t describe in detail about the fight because I was stressed out of my mind in trying to get the rainbow over to the bank without having it break off. And because I was losing the faith, I did not have my net so that didn’t help. I didn’t know how the drag system worked and was shaking so bad I could not palm the reel. I ended up getting the fish to the bank and nearly filled my waders as I literally dove into the water to get my hands on it before it took off. I was able to get my friend’s attention to come, witness, that catching a fish on a fly rod was a reality. We measured the rainbow out at 16.5 inches and I was able to get a picture of it for my grandpa. I was on cloud nine as I trudged along the bank in my neoprene hodgemans that were a number of sizes too big. I couldn’t wait to tell my grandpa about it!

The times have changed from going to just get one fish on a fly rod, trying to not get skunked on each outing, to sight fishing a particular fish and catching that particular one.  But it has been amazing to be there to witness the “first fish on a fly rod moment” for a number of my friends and reflect upon my own.  It is a moment all of us should never forget…a moment where if you are like me you don’t think twice about how big the fish was or how many times it jumped…but that you fooled a fish into devouring something that represented a natural bug in a river…cool stuff!

 I am grateful for the lessons I learn through fly fishing, the places it has brought me, and the awesome people I meet through it. My grandpa has already passed on but I cannot help but think about him while on the river.  I have been in instances where it seems at times the fish just are not going for anything. I have learned that we cannot completely control that…but that we can always control whether we have a good time out on the water.  And that is what matters most!

Jesse Rawle is a member of the Tug Life Trio based out of the Provo area in Utah. Although Jesse started off self-taught like many fly fisherman, he knows how to fool picky trout. These guys know how to catch some fish! Check the team out on Instagram here.

Photographer Spotlight: Steven Ooi

Jared Zissu
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Photographer Spotlight: Steven Ooi

Steven Ooi is the kind of guy that feels more at home in a backcountry tent than in the walls of a modern home. Steve defines home as not where you live but where you feel the most comfortable, and that to him has been the outdoors.

Currently based in Tasmania, Steve is lucky enough to be surrounded by abundant lakes, tarns, rivers, and streams. Here live what some say to be the purest strain of brown trout. Fly fishing will make you a great observer. To have consistent success you need to notice all the details; the timing of hatches, feeding patterns of fish, even how the light reflects off the water. Through the lens, I’m always looking to capture some of these special moments, tell a story and share a common journey that we all experience as fly fishers.

Reaching for the sky a brown on the hunt takes to the air in an attempt to take down some dragonflies.

The mid-air meal with a mouthful of mayfly. The filament tail of a mayfly can be seen protruding from the corner of the mouth. 

Eat it, eat it! The best way to find out how well you tied your fly is to put it before the harshest of critics. That heart in your mouth moment, glad to say the judge approved.

Macro shot of a fisheye. 

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The Satisfaction of Fly Fishing

Jared Zissu
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The Satisfaction of Fly Fishing

 “Never stop learning, never stop experiencing, and never be satisfied.” This is what I would call an applicable motto for most of us fly anglers. The motivation to fish harder and experience more is what keeps us going and progressing in this sport. However, I dare ask, have you ever had an experience so amazing that it truly satisfied your expectations, hopes, and wildest dream.

This past year I took a trip with two of my good friends Devin Olsen and Connor Murphy. We headed North across the border for Connor and my first ever bull trout fishing excursion. What we found was second to no other trip I’ve ever experienced.

Three days of remote backpacking and fishing lead us to one of the most unbelievable landscapes with some of the most stunning fish on this planet. Our admiration and respect for bull trout and the areas they inhabit increased with every fish we caught, and every mile we hiked.

Catching, admiring, and releasing these fish was both rewarding and humbling. They truly are amazing fish! Sharing these moments with two friends may have been the most gratifying aspect of all.

Fortunately, our satisfaction fizzled as Connor ate his last Snickers bar and we hiked out in the pitch dark. We talked about heading back there someday and discussed the other dream seeking adventure we hope to experience in the future. No doubt the motto mentioned above burns within each of us, with one simple word added: “Never stop learning, never stop experiencing, and never be completely satisfied.”

These guys know how to have fun and catch some fish! For more of their work, check out Gilbert Rowley, Devin Olsen, and Connor Murphy.

A Near Miss

Jared Zissu
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A Near Miss

An impulsive decision to leave the library and fish one of my favorite spots—in the Virginia highlands—led to a catch I will never forget. I had been stuck inside, at James Madison University, preparing for a test when my dad texted me that he was making the long drive to come fish a spring creek nearby. A warm front had just moved into the valley and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hit the creek.

This creek offers exceptional sight fishing, consisting of gin clear water and offering plenty of hiding spots in the lush vegetation. There is ample food available for the trout—ranging from BWO hatches to small fall fish to an abundance of scuds. However, these fish tend to be very picky when the water is clear, requiring small nymphs fished on 5x or 6x.

What started off as a slow day, soon turned around. While stalking up the stream bank, I finally spotted a decent fish sitting behind a moss bed. His rosy cheeks and dark body stood out in the rich, green vegetation. I just watched him for a while, scared that an imperfect cast would scare him off.

Watching him occasionally eat, moving left and right as the food came to him, I finally made a cast but didn’t even get a look. I cast and cast but just could not gain his interest. I decided to throw on a secret scud pattern and boom, he finally took. I couldn’t believe it. He took me straight to the reel, and my click pawl drag was screaming for all to hear. He immediately ran upstream then bolted back, heading directly at me, eventually making his way downstream. I could feel every move and violent head shake he made through my 5wt Orvis Superfine Glass. After several long runs and an unforgettable 8-10 minute fight, I finally got him in the net.

Measuring 20.5” and weighing in at just under 5 lbs, this fish had an attitude.

Congrats on the beautiful Rainbow! Colin is a member of James Madison University’s Fly Fishing Club as a part of Trout Unlimited and Costa’s 5 Rivers Program. Check out more from Colin on his Instagram here.

6 Tips for Catching Peacock Bass in Miami

Jared Zissu
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6 Tips for Catching Peacock Bass in Miami
Going to school in Miami comes with its benefits and Flylords intern Jake Wood recently completed his first semester at Miami University. In our latest blog post, Jake weighs in on learning his new backyard fishery.

Urban Miami, FL boasts, in my opinion, one of the best Do-It-Yourself Fisheries in the Southern United States. And starting in Late February, it really starts to heat up. The canal system and lakes all connect, giving any angler an opportunity to target exotic fish from all over the world, including Peacock Bass. In this city, there is water everywhere you look, so, it’s important to know where, when, and how to fish this phenomenal and challenging fishery.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Throw Meat!
Peacock Bass were introduced, along with a large number of other species to Florida in the 80’s for sport. Most of the fish average 10-14 inches, but the pride is in the fish over 3 pounds; those are the real bruisers. but all Peacock Bass are aggressive and fight like crazy. They are ambush predators who will show off with jumping and some vicious eats.

2. Strip Fast and throw Shiny Flies
Peacock bass are crazy aggressive hunters. Don’t be afraid to get some burns on your fingers from stripping your flies extremely FAST as these fish aren’t picky, anything shiny will get their attention. Keep in mind the man-made canals are often pretty deep, so something with a little bit of weight will give best results.  (Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, 239 Flies Legtastic Minnow with dumbbell eyes, or anything that will sink into the strike zone. You can also always use a sink tip or sinking fly line). If you choose to tie your own flies, anything with dumbbell eyes that looks like a fish will get eaten as long as you move it fast. As for gear: 6-8 weight rods, 12-20 lb tippet will get the job done. These fish fight hard for their size.

3. Target Structure In Canals
Focus on Structure, Bridges, and Pipes: Peacock Bass key in on natural and artificial structures for cover so they can ambush prey. Often times these structures will hold fish, so always throw a few casts around it. On a side note—Peacocks prefer rocks and down trees over grass

4. Use Google Maps
Google Maps/Google Earth is your Best Friend: It can be extremely hard to find access to the best looking spots, so using Google Earth and Maps is vital to finding fishable areas. Look for canals near malls, industrial areas, restaurants, etc in order to find easy parking and avoid driving all day looking for a pond with public parking (in general, the canals surrounding Miami International Airport have more parking than areas in South Miami). Google Maps/Earth will also help you find places with good bank access (look for grass), sidewalks or bridges

5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Make sure to always wear shoes around the canals, and keep an eye on your surroundings snakes and crocs like to hang around canals.

6. Be prepared
Be Prepared for Anything: My favorite part about the canals in South Florida is the species diversity. Along with Peacock Bass, you have chances at catching numerous types of Cichlids and Tilapia as well as Snakeheads, Largemouth, Arowana, even snook and tarpon.

This post was contributed by Flylords Intern Jake Wood, you can find Jake on Instagram @JakeWood14

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Parenting Done Right – Go Fly Fishing!

Jared Zissu
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Parenting is hard! Not as hard as fly fishing, but it’s tough man! Plus, it’s going to be hard whether you’re at home or in the outdoors, so get outside and take them fly fishing! Here are my trusty tips for taking your kid fly fishing.

First tip, head to a Timmy’s (or similar pastry establishment) and get your kid a box of donuts. Mom will likely frown upon this, but the promise of sugary pastries can keep your kid entertained for the quick drive to your fishing spot. They will inevitably crash from the sugar high, giving you the opportunity to rig up at the parking spot. Next up, sunscreen, new diaper, water, snacks, and anything you think the little gaffer will need because once they get in the backpack they will bug you for the one thing you forgot until they get it.

Get fit! You’re going to be hauling 30+ pounds of kicking, screaming weight and you don’t need your back giving out at mile #1. Retire that dad fat, run, do some squats, take a #bootygainz pic, post to your story, and promptly delete in 4 seconds. Also, this is a good time to get yourself a decent child carrying backpack. If you are a distracted and errant caster like me, it’s a REALLY good idea to get a backpack that has a canopy to shield from rogue hooks.

Bring your kid something to do, like a fishing rod! Definitely, take the hook off the lure they’re using unless you’re into shoddy piercings with rusted metal. If you chose to bring a fishing rod, make sure you periodically check that your child has reeled in the lure. Otherwise, you’ll be following their line for hundreds of yards trying to catch up to where they cast the lure 10 minutes ago as you waded upstream.

Pick an easy stream. This isn’t the time to prove to your fishing buddies how deep you can wade, or how you can scale cliff faces to get to that untouched lake. Rather, pick a stream that has plenty of fish that are ready to take a dry. The best times I’ve had with my son is hopper season out West where my son can watch a fish nail my hopper. You’ll never forget their reaction to a fish taking a big dry that they can see out on the water! It’s a good time to mention that fish handling is always priority #1, but quickly lift up any fish you catch so your kid can see and maybe touch it. Be prepared for them to freak out when you release the fish, as they have already deemed that fish as a suitable pet regardless of how they plan to get it home alive.

Pack light, as in, don’t pack like me. As a photographer, I’m a notorious over-packer and nothing changes when I add an extra 30 pounds to my gear. DON’T BE LIKE ME, pack light! All you really need are the essentials, diapers, change of clothes, snacks, water, 1 fly box, some tippet, nippers and a camera so you can prove to the world that in fact, you do still have a life.

Lastly, make sure to give your child lots of breaks. Just imagine being suspended by your crotch on the back of a sweating, I-didn’t-have-time-to-shower, caffeine junky for 6 hours straight. Not pleasant. But seriously, give your kid breaks as much as they need them. They’ll have a blast turning over rocks, looking for bugs, throwing sticks and trying to break your fly rod.

All joking aside, this is an important time where you’re teaching them to enjoy the outdoors much like you probably did as a kid. Always keep your child’s safety forefront in your mind and don’t worry about catching fish (the road was closed in the picture below). It’s all about the experience of getting outdoors with your kids. And hey, if it doesn’t work out and your kid turns out to be a shopaholic like mom then you’ll get a whole bunch of fishing time while they’re racking up the visa bills. Anything for fishing time, right dads/moms?

One last tip. Find yourself a good fishing buddy who is cool with a shorter and slower day, and who will be an extra set of eyes for your kiddo!

Thanks for the tips, Steve! Steve Longfield is a dedicated fly fisherman and father. For more for his work, check out Steve on his website and Instagram here!

Why You Should Stop Rigging Up in the Parking Lot

Jared Zissu
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Why You Should Stop Rigging Up in the Parking Lot

How often have you pulled into a popular fishing spot and seen people rigging up in the parking lot? We are not talking about pulling on your waders or lacing up your boots, we are talking about choosing what to fish and getting set up before you have ever looked at the water. This is a huge error that is common among anglers, often setting you up for failure before you even hit the water. Anglers simply choose from their favorite flies and put on whatever seems best for the day or whichever fly tickles their fancy in the moment without ever making any observations.

Observation is the difference between an angler that is consistently able to adapt and catch fish and someone that chooses flies at random and can’t replicate successful days on the water. The key is to understand what is happening in the water that day. Take time at the start of your day and periodically throughout to pay attention to what the bugs are doing and if the fish are responding. A good place to start is picking up a few rocks and looking at the bugs in them. Watch the drift and see if there are insects floating near the bottom, mid-column or on the surface.

For example during the spring and early summer stoneflies start to crawl toward the bank, hatching on the shoreline. Fish might go from eating smaller bugs to focusing on the stoneflies that have begun moving along the bottom, some becoming dislodged on their way.  Taking notice might be the difference between a few fish and one of the best days you have ever had.

On a recent winter guide trip, I had my client fishing deep, slow pools near the bottom with a sow bug. We had hooked into a fish here and there but it wasn’t as productive as usual. As I scanned the water, I saw a few midges coming off in a back eddy (pictured above) and watched as several fish moved into the area and set up in the middle of the water column and began feeding. We made the switch to a tight line nymph rig with 2 different midge patterns fished roughly 3 feet above the bottom, first cast, fish on! Second cast, fish on! And so went the rest of our day, we were able to consistently hook into a fish every 5 minutes or so.

Be observant on the water, it will allow you to make the necessary changes to find the fish. Some days will be more difficult to figure out than others but chances are that the fish are feeding on something!  Not being observant will rob you of the opportunity to grow as an angler, plus figuring things out is a large part of what makes fly fishing so much fun.

This post was contributed by Derek Olthuis, the founder of Trout Academy. Really excited to have Derek on board sharing his blog series with the Flylords fans! You can find him on Instagram here Derek Olthuis and TroutAcademy!
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