“This was an amazing experience traveling half way around the world chasing the elusive Permit on the fly. I’ve always heard stories from all my clients who fished for these Permit that are hard fish to catch. And boy were they correct!
This trip took me from Hawaii to California to Texas to Belize City. Once in Belize City I took a smaller charter plane to the most southern city in Belize, Punta Gorda, “The Permit Capital of the World.” I had a great time fishing six full days with Captain Yogi from the Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge. Hours and hours on the bow of the boat for a two second window of opportunity to cast at these ghost like fish is all worth it when all the stars aline, getting to witness a giant Permit totally attack your sinking crab pattern. Unreal experience!Â
Belize is one of the most beautiful places, it’s full of different islands and lagoons. I couldn’t think of a better place to catch my very first Permit. Thank you Yogi!”
Follow Captain Chris Wright on Instagram @alohafishinghawaii. Chris is Fly Fishing Guide in Hawaii and holds 7 IFGA World Records.Â
In this gear review, we’ll be going over a product that is going to change the way anglers approach still-water fly-fishing: the Rapid Raft, from Uncharted Supply Co. This summer, we had the chance to get our hands on the new Rapid Raft and put it to the test through rain, scree, and hail: in some of the most rugged terrain that the Colorado Rocky Mountains have to offer. Check out our thoughts on the Rapid Raft Below…
Initial Thoughts:
To promptly make potential bias known, we at Flylords have been fans of what Uncharted Supply Co. has been up to long before we decided to publish this review. As anglers, hunters, and overall outdoor recreationists: we recognize that getting off the beaten path can be intimidating. Anyone who focuses on creating a smarter and safer solution for those who aim to defeat trail traffic is A-OK in our book. Still, upon assessing the performance of their Rapid Raft, we approached the task with a clean slate.
Upon removing the deflated raft from its packaging, one factor was undeniably evident. This thing was small. Arriving in a package about half the size of a shoe box, I was astonished to think that the item that sat, almost weightless in my two hands, was going to support me and my gear above 30-40 feet of frigid alpine lake water. Nonetheless, it was time to take it outside.
The contents of the package contained an extra buckle for the raft, an instruction manual (which I promptly lost), and a rolled-up, 3-pound, green brick of thick TPU-coated nylon material… or, as I should phrase it: a raft. When talking to the folks from Uncharted, I had heard its dimensions compared to that of a loaf of bread, but it wasn’t until I was holding it in my hand that I really understood what they were talking about.
The Raft (center), compared to a hip pack and a 4-wight fly rod.
Upon unbuckling the two ends of what was to be the air chamber, I rolled the rest of the raft out like one might when setting down a ground tarp or a tent. With ease, the opposite end of the raft shot through the air and neatly rolled out to reveal an orange belly surrounded by the deflated walls of the vessel. The opening to the raft, or as I referred to it already, the air chamber, was protected by a hard wall of black flexible lining, which served to protect the seal from anything getting in or out upon inflation. Off the bat, the now unfurled structure of the raft reminded me of a typical heavy-duty dry bag. Which, from an engineering perspective, is sort of what it was.
Now, it was time to inflate. By grabbing the ends of the roll top, and keeping the air chamber open, I was able to rip the uninflated raft through the air, filling it about halfway. From there, I closed the chamber and began rolling the top towards the front of the raft – which now actually resembled a watercraft that could support an angler. Once I approached the end of the neck or the rolling portion, I clasped the two buckles together and trapped the air inside.
On the outside of the, now, mostly inflated raft, there was a small plastic valve that could be used to finish off the inflation process. With the same amount of effort one might expend to inflate a light-grade sleeping pad, the raft’s walls were tight and the rig was ready to be used. Now, standing about 6 ft. tall, the raft looked and felt sturdy and ready to sit in. Now all that was left was for it to be deflated, packed away, and taken into the field.
Field Testing:Â
As we prepared to head out for a weekend of testing the raft, we kicked around a few potential hills to climb, debating which one might best showcase the raft’s full scope of capabilities. Eventually, we landed on a healthy hike to a series of lakes, located just a few hours East of us, that we believed had the potential to hold some trout. So, in typical weekend-warrior fashion, we packed the trucks, grabbed the dog, and hit the road: excited to do some genuine exploring with this product.
Once we reached the trailhead, it was time to vacate the interior of the trucks and get to going. I was pleased to see that my Rapid Raft , as well as our videographer’s, fit snugly onto the base of our packs, synched tightly onto where one might normally carry a tent or pad. Not to mention, with it weighing only 3 LBS, the raft rode comfortably with us over the entirety of the hike without needing any adjustment, whatsoever.
The rest of our pack’s contents consisted of fishing gear, raincoats, camera gear, and a first aid kit. On the exterior of the pack, we carried a double-blade kayak paddle, which we had picked up from Walmart, broken down, and strapped to the side of our packs with Heli straps. When using the Rapid Raft for angling purposes, we recommend packing a paddle similar in nature to the one shown. On the water, the raft is light enough that it can be maneuvered by simply paddling with your hands, but when juggling a fly-rod and being pushed around by wind – using a paddle to get around is far more practical for getting on, and staying on fish. We’re hoping to see Uncharted Supply Co. come up with their own soon.
After around 3 miles of hiking and 1.5k ft. of elevation gain, we had finally made it to our destination. The lake, walled in by towering cliffs and fields of scree, boasted shimmering dark blue waters textured by the reflections of quickly forming storm clouds and the last of the pine trees that populated the border of the alpine zone. It took less than a minute before we witnessed the first trout breach the surface of the middle of the lake and pull down an unsuspecting mayfly to its watery demise. As if on queue, in the still unsettled ripple of the first eat, came another…and another…and another.
With excitement and haste, we tossed down our packs and began to get to work. Quickly, I released the Rapid Raft from my pack and started my way down to the water. In less than 3-minutes (less than the amount of time it took me to rig my fly rod), the raft was unrolled, filled with air, sealed, and ready to be deployed.Â
Now, because the raft’s floor is not inflated like the sidewalls, it can feel a bit awkward to get into at first. It takes a bit of practice to find the best method of entry, but with some practice, it can be nailed down pretty easily. What I found to be easiest, when loading into the inflated Rapid Raft, was to find a flat section of the bank, and place the tail end, just on the grassy edge. Then, with both feet forward, slide forward into the opening of the raft and push off of the bank just as your butt is about to hit the bright orange floor. However, it really boils down to user preference and whatever you feel comfortable with.
As any angler who’s familiar with fishing high Alpine lakes in the West can imagine, getting off the shore was a game-changer, to say the least. As I navigated the lake with fly-rod in lap and paddle in hand, I was able to quickly push from one pod of rising fish to the next with ease and little time wasted. Traditionally, the bane of fishing a mountain lake is being glued to the shore, watching the center of the lake, which is far out of casting range, erupt with rising fish, as you stay confined to the banks, watching cruising trout ignore your fly again and again. But now, with cast after cast, I mailed my fly to different zones of the lake that most likely haven’t been fished with a fly all year (and considering the hike, maybe ever).Â
Perhaps 20-minutes had passed since I got onto the water, and we already had several Cutthroat trout on the board. Next to me, our videographer, Preston paddled around in his raft, documenting the action (Note: to showcase the level of trust we had in these rafts, which were rated for 400 LBS, our camera raft was working with around $60k of camera gear in the middle of this lake).
Unfortunately, our time was cut short by an incoming storm, and with the first echo of thunder, we decided to make our way to shore and scabbard our rods for the night. Here’s a fun tip: If you’re fishing on one of these rafts, and you’re met with a surprise monsoon, the raft makes a fantastic impromptu shelter…
Behind the scenes: Captured by our Photographer: Dylan Brown.
Rolling the Rapid Raft up was as easy as opening the air channel, folding in the edges, and rolling it back up towards the buckles. Within 10 minutes of being forced off the water, we were able to get back on the trail and make our mad dash down hill. As the cold of the evening met our wet clothes, we made our way downhill laughing and shivering, bewildered by the rafts capabilities and grateful for the unconventional adventure it had inspired.
The next morning, against our better judgment… we made our way back up the hill for one more round of fishing before making our drive back home. While the rain managed to follow us back up… it was worth it.
Final Review:Â
Weight:
Packability:
Size (Fully Inflated):
Time to Inflate:
Modularity:
Durability:
Ease of use:
Functionality:
Cost:
Look:
Conclusion:Â
As an angler in the West, fishing high alpine lakes had always felt somewhat limited. Spending hours hiking up to an e-scouted lake can many times lead to disappointment. After spending 50% of your time walking the perimeter of the lake and untangling your rig from trees that seem to come out of nowhere, one can often times become discouraged, especially after still being refused by perimeter trout who still can’t be convinced to take your tackle even after the 16th fly change. Even in the high alpine zones, not being able to reach the center of the lake, or areas where foot travel simply can’t take you, can often cause you to miss out on a large percentage of the lake’s fishable water.
This is, of course, not to say, the experience is only about catching fish – but it never hurts to get a few when you’ve hiked so far. This is exactly why we are completely sold on the Rapid Raft. Because of its small, lightweight, and durable construction as well as, the ability to inflate it in a matter of minutes, it’s not a piece of gear you have to even think about packing – it should be a permanent resident in your hiking outfit. Having the ability to explore a lake, with ease, in its entirety brings still water fishing to a completely new level, and whether you’re working dry flies to actively feeding fish, or exploring subsurface with a balanced leach or chironomid , the Rapid Raft is a simple solution that is going to let you do so like never before. From our personal experience, we can guarantee that we’ll never hit the trailhead without it.Â
The New York Times recently featured an article highlighting one angler’s fight for water access in Colorado. The story is unfortunately as old as the concept of private property, and one that will likely never end wherever landowners, anglers, and property lines converge. We highly recommend giving the article a read and the impacts cases like this may have on public waterway access.
In need of a new YETI Cooler?? Well, perhaps you should book a flight to Alaska and hire a bush plane because YETIs are washing up all over beaches in Southeast AK.
The coolers are washing up because the shipping containers they were housed in spilled off a container ship nearly 1,200 miles from the beaches they’re now getting rolled onto. The coolers are up for grabs, with even YETI bringing attention to the free coolers in an Instagram Reel posted earlier this year (above).
You can learn more in the article from Alaska Public Media, here!
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) might not be a super well-known name in the fly fishing world, but in the world of conventional angling, the trade organization is famous. Their annual ICAST trade show in Orlando is where new products are announced and industry deals are made. Last week, the ASA announced that they would be creating more space for fly fishing products and brands in their 2023 show. Learn more below!
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is pleased to announce its plan to significantly enhance the fly fishing sector at ICAST 2023. As the overall recreational fishing industry continues to evolve domestically and internationally, now is the perfect opportunity for companies related to fly fishing to expand their reach in the general market. ICAST is the venue to help them do just that.
At ASA, our goal is to represent the entire recreational fishing community, and fly fishing plays a key role in reaching a specific audience of anglers. Most issues related to access, clean water, and abundant fisheries overlap both conventional and fly fishing with ASA providing a powerful voice that is heard and respected by the administration, on Capitol Hill, and around the country.
Introducing fly fishing as the main category at ICAST 2023, specifically in the New Product Showcase, is yet another benefit ASA is providing to support the enhancement and expansion of the sale of all types of recreational fishing products.
The New Product Showcase will now include an expanded fly fishing presence with the following subcategories:
Fly Fishing Rods
Fly Fishing Reels
Fly Fishing Waders & Wading Boots
Fly Fishing Lines, Leaders, Tippet & Line Accessories
Fly Fishing Packs, Bags & Luggage
Fly Fishing Technical Apparel & Accessories (Other or Miscellaneous)
The winner of these fly fishing categories will be announced during the Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception along with the standard suite of New Product Showcase category winners. Current showcase definitions and rules will apply.
ICAST Fly Fishing is located on prime exhibit space on the main 20’ aisle reserved for fly fishing-specific exhibitors. In addition, the traditional ICASTing Pond will be side-by-side with the FLYCASTing Pond and adjacent to the New Product Showcase.
Also new for 2023 will be the addition of both Non-motorized and Motorized Boating Accessories to the showcase category list and an expansion of the technical apparel categories to include women and men providing more choices for these well-populated fields.
After the success of their “Stripers in Our Hands” campaign, Keep Fish Wet has announced a new grassroots campaign “to empower recreational anglers to better protect wild steelhead,” in collaboration with the Wild Steelhead Coalition.
Announcing Steelhead In Our Hands, a new grassroots effort to empower recreational anglers to better protect wild steelhead. Keep Fish Wet and the Wild Steelhead Coalition have collaborated to highlight how people can safely play, handle, and release a wild steelhead to improve its chances of survival after it swims away.
Across their native range, wild steelhead are in dramatic decline. In the United States, 11 of 15 steelhead population segments are listed under the Endangered Species Act. In Canada, certain populations like those of the Chilcotin and Thompson rivers are at imminent risk of extinction. Many river systems, including the Skeena system and Columbia basin, have seen their worst returns on record in recent years.
Recovering wild steelhead populations will require large-scale efforts to address the many threats they face. One thing we as anglers can control immediately and directly is the unintentional mortality and impacts caused by catch-and-release practices. In many watersheds, the majority of steelhead returning each season will be caught and handled by anglers. Some of these fish will die, regardless of our best intentions, and many will endure sublethal short and/or long-term impacts, such as reduced spawning success. With anglers interacting with so many steelhead, even a small improvement in catch-and-release survival can have a big influence overall on a population’s ability to sustain, or even grow, their numbers.
“With numbers so low, and populations so precarious, it is crucial that every wild steelhead is able to reach their spawning gravel and spawn successfullyâ€, says Brian Bennett of the Wild Steelhead Coalition, “As anglers, we have the responsibility and opportunity to reduce our impact on these iconic fish, helping to ensure their survival now and into the futureâ€.
“If we’re going to continue fishing, we must reduce our harm, go above and beyond regulations, and use science-based best practices to create better outcomes for each wild steelhead we catch and releaseâ€, says Sascha Clark Danylchuk, Executive Director of Keep Fish Wet.
As part of this campaign, Keep Fish Wet and Wild Steelhead Coalition collaborated with Maine-based artist and guide Bri Dostie of Confluence Collective to create a free-to-use graphic with custom illustrations that highlight the impacts of catch-and-release, as well as the science-based best practices that can reduce mortality.
“Scientists know a lot about how human interactions affect the fish we catch, but that information doesn’t help anyone if it stays in a journal article behind a paywall,†said Dostie. “We wanted to make sure every angler is empowered with the information they need to protect the fish they care about — and art is one way to share that information more broadly.â€
The “Steelhead In Our Hands†infographic is available as an open resource for guides, fly shops, and the fishing community to use to help anglers steward the wild steelhead resource.
For the past 12 years my fishing activity has been related only to the area where I operate my guiding, so as I had the chance to explore new areas and stalk different species, it’s also true that it has been pretty much the same kind of thing, saltwater sight fishing in a harsh and desert environment.
It’s normal that I started to need something different, but for a while I didn’t have the chance to jump into something I really wished for, which meant a trip somewhere to the North, plenty of cold freshwater, lush, green environment and some fish I have never chased before.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
A good friend of mine told me he was going to organize a small fishing season in the Swedish Lapland, in a virgin area full of Pike and Grayling, using a helicopter to reach the camp, and then camping for a week. Well, I couldn’t be anymore excited. First, I called my good mate Marcello, who was on two trips with me back in 2008 in the very beginning of my tropical fishing. Marcello was waiting for a fishing trip since then and of course after my call was on fire, with a few calls I put together a bunch of good clients, friends, everything was set, and everybody was excited. Â
Secondly, I had to build up my wardrobe for cold weather and start tying plenty of Pike flies, which I really like to do, and very soon we were ready to go.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
There’s no rose without thorns, as we arrived in Stockholm, luggage of the three of us were missing. Of course Marcello and I, who are the only ones to fly fish, all our rain clothes, fly rods, flies and sleeping bags were in Vienna, Austria. Not a good start, it seemed this summer the situation in Europe with luggage was a total disaster. Â
Luckily the guys already at the camp left us clothes, jackets, sleeping bags, but no fly rods available, which kicked us down, especially because of a cold front. The Pike are super slow, and fly fishing would have been way more effective.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
Shortly, on 8 days of fishing we had to spin fish for 5 days in XL clothes, taking everything in with a lot of philosophy.Â
The water where we fished is a big system of lakes and rivers. To move inside we had kayaks available, which made it magnificent since we had to paddle and work for our fish, while exploring the area since it’s the first season we have fished here.Â
During our five days of spin fishing, we moved a lot to explore the area. We mapped the surroundings to understand where to fish, especially since we didn’t have our fly rods. We spent a few hours chasing Grayling with crazy results.
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
Eventually we managed to get our bags on the fifth day. Meaning, we had three good days of fly fishing ahead of us, considering we were camping, this was more of a “fly fishing marathon.â€Â
The river in front of our camp was infested with Grayling. We decided to warm up immediately on them with a fly rod, realizing how cool it is fishing for these species.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
First of all it’s not that easy, nymphs are not effective, the water is turbulent, and you must present your fly in order for them to see it. Once hooked, they pulled properly. It’s definitely immaculate fishing, worth spending a lot of dedicated time to chase a very big Grayling. It seemed to us that bigger ones always stay in the same spots with some perseverance. It is possible to hook some tank Grayling on the fly, fish over 1.5 kg.
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
At this point, we were finally ready to chase Pike, the main reason why we are here, and we planned a long kayak paddling to cross the main lake and reach a river where none of the previous fishermen walked upstream. To make things just perfect, at the entrance of the river in the lake, there is a small cabin with 2 beds and a stove where we spent a few hours sleeping during our marathon.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
Our way to the river mouth took us about 10 hours since we stopped fishing on the way. We could see how effective fly fishing was, we started having nice action in very shallow water about 1 meter down. Walking around these little bays surrounded by grass and big floating flies, we retrieved our lines very slowly. I finally managed to get a solid 110 cm Pike (43â€), with my beloved Giorgio Dallari reel. This fishing immediately reminded me of saltwater. I really enjoyed the wading and shallow waters we fished. Once the Pike jumped all over the place, I was hooked.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
We eventually arrived at our destination, after a solid 10 hours of fishing, we started to walk upstream this new river. It’s a very fast flowing stream but I felt like we were going to find Pike somewhere. In fact we found two big pools, mostly 1 kilometer long in a slow flowing channel where we caught a few. The third pool was a much smaller, shallower water, and a true shame to fish them with a 9 wt, to the point that I set up my 5 wt rod with a light, bulky, and long fly made of Marabou and Saddle Hackles. I caught some fish in the 70-75 cm range. On a 5wt fly rod, a super fascinating river environment, I felt it was something special.
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
We kept moving upstream, and the river moved extremely fast. I found a small, fast flowing pool that smelled of Trout. I put on a small and heavy streamer, and boom! A big head shakes and I think I got her, when it comes up I see another Pike that this time decided to swim downstream, taking me into the backing and giving me some proper fighting on my 5 wt rod in the rapids. What a cool catch, not a record but compared to the whole picture, made me unbelievably happy!
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
After about 16 hours, we decided to come back to the cabin and catch up on some rest, dry our clothes, and eat something before we continued our marathon. After some rest we start paddling and fishing our way back. As the sun warmed the water, activity picked up and we caught more Pike in many spots on our way back. We eventually got back to the camp, realizing we had been out fishing for about 29 hours, visualizing all the fish we dreamt of, we caught.Â
Photo from Robert Pljuscec
On the last day we motivated ourselves to fish for Grayling since we didn’t get much sleep. It would have been incredible if our bags didn’t get lost in Vienna. But, that’s it, when life gives you lemons you try to make lemonade, which eventually it was. All that said, now we can’t wait to go back with better flies, more knowledge, and hopefully all our fly gear in one piece!
Nicola Vitali was born in Italy and has been fishing ever since he was four years old. Since his love for fishing started at a young age he’s traveled all over the world to fly fish exotic places. Vitali, a multi-language speaker is the founder of Wild Sea Expeditions where you can find him managing trips in Sudan and the Island of Socotra. Photos by Robert Pljuscec.Â
After requesting that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) modify the state’s red drum (or redfish) regulations earlier this year, the Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association is  hoping the DNR will consider their pleas and arguments, as well as those from many concerned anglers. For a quick brush up on what the Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association is trying to accomplish, check out this story from earlier this year.
The Georgia DNR announced that it would be changing the red drum regulations and scheduled two public hearings this week: one in Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, and another in Brunswick, Georgia on Thursday, September 22, 2022, each at 6:00 PM. The Brunswick meeting will also include virtual access for those who cannot attend in person. In addition, written public comment will be received through Thursday, October 6, 2022.
The Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association sounded the alarm on their red drum because they are seeing a declining fishery with more effort and participation, but the regulations haven’t changed. Also, other coastal states have far more conservative red drum regulations than Georgia’s. Thankfully, Georgia DNR has recommended a suite of regulatory options, which the GSAA is supporting: three-fish daily limit per person, a maximum limit of nine red drum per vessel, and a no-harvest rule for Captains.
“With a lack of regulation change in over 20 years and over a 500% increase in anglers in that same time frame along with what our anglers and captains are seeing on the water we know it’s time for change,” said Captain Chad DuBose of the Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association. “We’re both appreciative and supportive of the recommended regulatory changes put forward by Georgia DNR.”
If you are a Georgia angler or anyone who care about the state’s coastal redfish fishery being sustainable and opportunity rich, be sure to make it to the hearings or submit an online public comment, and also support the Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association.
In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Tim Flagler with Tightlinevideo ties a simple yet extremely effective egg pattern, the Nuke Egg.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
September is finally here and that means two things: cooler temperatures and spawning fish. For us, the fish, and the environment, I think everything needs a break from the heat. As we enter the fall season, there are many fishing opportunities that emerge. Streamer fishing will certainly pick up, but with spawning trout it is always important to remember your trusty egg flies. The Nuke Egg is a pattern that will trick those trout feeding on eggs and will make for fantastic days on the water.
Egg flies are notoriously simple and easy to tie. With only two materials besides thread, this fly is perfect for beginners interested in tying. By changing color and size, you will be able to fish this pattern nearly every season with success. Pairing the Nuke Egg with a large stonefly nymph is an efficient system for Great Lakes fish, as well as trout during spawning seasons.
Simplicity in fly tying can be often the most effective. Being able to tie a high quantity of several types of variations allows any angler to improve their tying skills and “match the hatch” on the water. Different days certainly call for different flies, including eggs when fish are spawning. The Nuke Egg is a must have for the Fall and Spring seasons, but very well can work year round.
Ingredients:
Hook: Scud/pupa hook (Here a Dai-Riki 135), Sizes 8 and 10
In this week’s Video of the Week, we catch up with Scottie and the Wild Fly Crew in their newest episode of their Series the Sailboat Diaries. This go around the crew leaves the bus on US Soil and embarks on a 14-day sailing trip through the Caribbean searching for their top bucket list fish, the bonefish. Follow along as they chase a fish they’ve never caught in a completely new part of the world.
In this 3 part series by Wild Fly Productions, the crew gets thrown out of their element. No trout, no mountains, and worst of all no proper red beers. Check out their page here so you don’t miss episode 3 and if you haven’t watched their other series you can get them all here: Wild Fly Productions.
