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It’s Terrestrial Time!

Bobby Norgard
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It’s Terrestrial Time!

We are in the dog days of summer. Right now, it is hotter than two rats in a wool sock and streams/rivers are hot, low, and clear. But even with all this disdain, summer is one of the most fun times to target trout. The reason is simple. While the mayflies are preparing for their fall appearance, the land bugs and animals or “terrestrials” come out in groves. It may be stifling hot at some moments but take a moment to listen to what is around you; the frogs are peeping for a mate, the crickets and grasshoppers are chirping into the night, and the cicadas noisily keep campers awake at night. These terrestrials are the types of critters that trout are now keyed in on, and the ones that should be coming out of your fly boxes! In the following sections, I will outline some of the infamous bugs that appear during the summer and some tips and tricks on how to fish them.

Grasshoppers: the King of the Terrestrials

West is best. Not only is this a saying comely referred to for surf casting on the east coast, but it holds true for grasshoppers. Here on the east coast, grasshoppers are certainly around, but not in the numbers in the western United States. But while I mentioned that terrestrial fishing is better and more popular in the west, the history of terrestrial fly fishing was surprisingly developed right here on the east coast.  Vince C. Marinaro in his 1950 book A Modern Dry Fly Code, is credited with developing the class of artificials known as terrestrials. And he did that on the Letort Spring Run in central Pennsylvania. Ed Shenk, along with Martino, developed the Letort Hopper, one of the most popular and decorated hopper patterns to date. Do not let anyone ever say that the East Coast does not have a great terrestrial hatch because we certainly do!

Chubby Chernobyl
One variation of a chubby chernobyl

Hoppers still manage to find themselves in dicey places by misjudging jumps or getting blown into the water on a windy day. Splashing a big hopper pattern in the middle of summer sometimes makes the weariest trout let their guard down. One of the best methods for fishing grasshoppers besides pounding the banks is to use the hopper-dropper method. Off the shank of the hopper, tie 18-24” of tippet down to a nymph of your choosing (a smaller dragonfly nymph works wonderfully in the summer). Your hopper is now a nutritious sight for a hungry trout and also your indicator. This is a great way to fish riffles in the summer and other fast-moving waters. My choice of hopper for the hopper-dropper is a big foam Chubby Chernobyl, a popular pattern out west for grasshoppers and the salmon flies. The Fat Albert is another popular choice for this technique.

Ants: Snacks for Trout

Trout love flying ants. The Catskill mountains are notorious for a flying ant hatch of epic proportions. I have only ever hit a flying ant “hatch” a few times. Once on the main stem of the Upper Delaware and another during my time at Penn State. What is unique about these hatches, is that they come and go quickly. They swarm up to do Ant things – build nests, protect the colony, move the queen – and then disappear just as fast. But when they do manage to find themselves in the rivers, trout gobble them up. Matching the hatch is almost nonexistent with ants. Just get the pattern close and you will be into some success. These patterns are rather simple to tie. Two balls of dubbing separated by some hackle should do the trick. Or even foam works well.

Caterpillars: A Fuzzy Wonder

Caterpillar
Owen Sentiwany used a bright green bugger to capture this beautiful brook trout.

I think every fisherman has a story about finding a Woolly Bear Caterpillar streamside and sending him into Davey jones’s locker. During summer many years ago, I was in the Pocono mountains and these fuzzy caterpillars were everywhere. I was a young child at the time, I proceeded to gather a handful of them and chuck them into a fast-moving run. Within seconds, a feeding frenzy began, as trout ravenously devoured these tasty morsels. My father immediately tied on a Woolly Bugger (another pattern developed in Pennsylvania by Russell Blessing) and I spent the next hour catching fish cast after cast. While the Woolly Bugger resembles many different insects and animals, I like to think it resembles the Woolly caterpillar best. Even though August is a little late for caterpillars, stragglers are still around and fish cannot resist an easy target. Remember that green-inch worms are also around. A green weenie is a great nymph pattern to be tied under a hopper or fished alone. Or dare I mention a mop fly to imitate a grub!

Beetles: Insects or Indicators?

How many times have you been swimming in a pool to find a green, shiny, beetle floating amongst you? The Japanese beetle is an invasive species that is here to stay. Introduced in the early 1900s, these beetles now inhabit the entire eastern coast. And somehow, they always find themselves in water providing a tasty snack for fish. Besides the Japanese beetle, many other beetles are active in the summer months. Like many terrestrials, matching the hatch is not all that important here. Just having something that resembles the beetle shape should be good enough to trick a fish. Black foam is a popular choice for matching the beetle profile. This is another good prospecting fly similar to grasshoppers as you will not necessarily get a bona fide hatch. It is not a pattern I fish frequently but worth a try on a hot summer day.

Cicadas: The Loudest Insects Alive!

Brown trout cicada
This trout found a drowning cicada for an easy meal. Image courtesy of John Fallon (fallon_outdoors)

Sit outside in the summer and just listen. What do you hear? The loud rumble of electricity running through powerlines? Or is it one of the largest insects on the east coast yelling for a mate? There is no denying the sounds of cicadas. Annual cicadas (ones that hatch yearly) are around during the summer months. In 2021, we had an incredible hatch of Brood X cicadas, one of the 13-year life cycle cicadas, that led to amazing fishing. These incompetent fliers can fall out of the tree like a small meteor crashing into the earth. And if it happens to be in a river, fish see a juicy steak. Fishing during a cicada hatch is one of the most fun a fly fisherman can have. Throw subtly right out the door! When cicadas hit the water, there is nothing subtle about it. This is one of the only times in fly fishing where a big, ungraceful splat is a go-to cast.

Brood X cicada pattern
A Brood X cicada pattern tied by envisionflyworks. You probably won’t need these specific colors for another 13 years but annuals are green and black for tying inspiration.

Lanternflies: Invasive Fun!

Lanternfly instars
Immature lanternflies feasting on a sapling in Pennsylvania. Image courtesy of Paul Hallberg 

As of 2014, Lanternflies have become a new terrestrial to add to the fly box! They are a nuisance and should be killed on sight if you cross one, but fish eat them just like cicadas! The jury is still out on whether fish think they are actually lanternflies or maybe cicadas or just some other large bug. But either way, they are fun to fish with, just like cicadas. I will not spend too much time talking about these but refer back to my previous article for more information on this invasive species.

Mice: Creeping While You are Sleeping

Mouse brown trout
My good buddy Kyle tricked a healthy brown on the west branch of the Delaware to eat a mouse designed by envisionflyworks

I will finish this article with my favorite terrestrial animals to fish with, mice! While all the previously mentioned categories can be classified as terrestrial insects, mice actually fall into the terrestrial animal category and therefore are included in this article. I don’t think it is a big secret anymore that trout, especially large bruisers, eat mice on a regular basis. There is nothing better than rowing down a river at midnight with a full moon lighting up the bow as you listen for your mouse pattern to get blown up. Fishing with mice is more a sound-type of fishing than a visual type of fishing. I will offer a few pieces of advice for those who want to play the night game. First of all, use a heavy leader. Fish have a much harder time seeing the leader at night. I typically use a 10-20 lbs leader during the evening. This also helps with throwing these large mouse patterns. Second, do not strip these patterns like a streamer. An injured baitfish moves along erratically throughout the water. If you have ever seen a mouse swim, it is calm and rhythmic. Try tucking the rod under your arm and using two hands to swim the fly across the water in a slow, constant movement. Lastly, when you do have a fish strike, do not set the hook! The number of times, you will pull the fly right out the fish’s mouth will drive you crazy when you first start mousing. Just continue on, pulling the line in until you feel pressure. Then give it a good strip set! This will guarantee success. Sometimes fish hit it multiple times before they take the fly. Be patient! Mousing is a fun way to finish off an evening when the action just would not let you go home before dark. Things really do go bump in the night!

PigDog mouse pattern
A stellar mouse pattern (PigDog mouse) tied by envisionflyworks. If you haven’t tried purple colors yet, I would highly suggest it.

Summer fishing is usually frowned upon by trout fishermen. But it doesn’t have to be. My favorite time to fish is the end of August into the beginning of fall. The reason being is that, unlike fall where fish seem to only want a certain type of mayfly, in the summertime, opportunities are endless! Early morning mayflies can transition over to flying ants, followed by grasshoppers, ending with mice! Any combination can happen to make summer an exciting time to get on the water. Just be careful of those water temperatures and practice safe fish handling!

Featured image by John Fallon (fallon_outdoors)

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Angler Story of the Week: Big Brown runs for Undercut Banks

Nelson Oxley
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Angler Story of the Week: Big Brown runs for Undercut Banks

A note from Nate Burr:

“We were a couple miles from the end and to be honest I was tired and about ready to be done. I had the guys fish a flat that sometimes holds good fish. Clouds had rolled and although we were fishing shallow water we couldn’t see below the surface with the glare. Chads dry ripped under water and straight up stream under my oar. I knew pretty instantly that this was a big trout. I spun the boat around so Chad was facing upstream and the fish continued to rip upstream, then it jumped. No one said a word after the jump. The fish was almost to backing when it turned and came right at us. I started rowing hard backwards so Chad could keep tension on the fish. It went under the boat and straight into an undercut grass bank. Somehow Chad coaxed the fish off that bank and weaved it around a snag. The fish came up close to the boat and I could see it was on the #18 on 4.5x. It layed over for just a split second and I almost went out of the boat extending to net it. The fish rolled perfectly into the net and we all started screaming. I’ve grown up on the south fork and guided it for the last 7 years and I have never personally seen a fish of that caliber. It was an incredible moment to have one in the net.”

Follow Nate on Instagram @flyynathan  and guiding for the Teton Valley Lodge.

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Omega Protein Spills Menhaden Haul, Large Red Drum Wash Ashore Dead

Flylords
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Omega Protein Spills Menhaden Haul, Large Red Drum Wash Ashore Dead

Back in July, pictures began making the rounds on social media of what appeared to be another net spill by the increasingly unpopular and controversial Omega Protein. To make matters worse, this spill involved an unknown number of large red drum discarded along with the thousands of menhaden. Omega Protein is the largest participant in the commercial menhaden fishery on the Atlantic Coast–mostly reducing their catch into fish meal and oil. Menhaden are regularly labeled “the most important fish in the sea,” because of their role as both an essential forage fish, sustaining species like striped bass, red drum, bluefin tuna, whales, dolphins, and ospreys, and as filter feeders. They’re even capable of filtering seven gallons of water per minute gallons of water per day! Today, however, one state and one corporation are removing millions of pounds of Menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership wants that fishery held accountable.

Menhaden management is complex. One state, Virginia, is allocated 78.7 percent of the total coastwise quota, which is 194,000 metric tons. So, Virginia is allowed to catch more than 150,000 metric tons of menhaden, which translates into more than 335 million pounds. Well, Omega routinely fishes in the Chesapeake Bay, removing millions of pounds of this essential forage. species from he nation’s largest estuary and nursery for many important species such as striped bass and red drum.

Just this summer, Omega has been responsible for two net spills, leaving thousands of  fish washed along shores around the Chesapeake Bay. The most recent net spill occurred on July 25th near Virginia’s Kiptopeke State Park and resulted in an unconfirmed amount of adult red drum and menhaden washed ashore.

Omega is the only remaining reduction fishery operation on the Atlantic coast, and Virginia is the only accommodating state. Other Atlantic states abandoned this industry over the years. Yet, now Omega persecutes menhaden populations with tactical precision, employing spotter planes, dozens of large fishing vessels, and purse seine nets (net length is about 1,000-1,400 ft, and net depth is from 65-90 ft, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

According to NOAA and ASMFC, there is very little bycatch in the Menhaden fishery–less than one percent. However, two concerns remain: there are no observers to monitor potential bycatch required and in a nearly 430 million pound fishery (194 metric tons) and one half a percent of bycatch is 21.5 million pounds. No matter how diligently Omega operates they will incidentally encounter non-target species, and given the sheer volume of this fishery, that can add up.

While ASMFC has implemented a harvest cap in the Bay and ecological reference points (considering menhaden’s ecosystem role for management) are under development and the most recent 2022 stock assessment update concluded that the coastwide stock is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, many organizations are concerned about the damage being done to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Specifically, they’re concerned about ‘localized depletion’ in the Bay, which is the idea that Omega is removing too many menhaden, thus harming species in the bay reliant on this cornerstone forage species. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is leading this effort, along with other groups such as the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, and is now asking Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to regulate Omega’s menhaden operation out of the Chesapeake Bay’s jurisdictional waters until the science can prove that localized depletion is not happening.

Pictures from Omega’s clean-up

In recent years, Omega has attained super-villain status in the Bay’s watershed. Images of massive vessels quite literally vacuuming up millions of pounds of menhaden spur an emotional response, especially as many of the Bay’s fisheries are struggling. And, these recent pictures of beaches covered with dead menhaden and red drum add more fuel to the fire. But the fact remains that the best available science finds the Menhaden stock to be healthy–but that does not disprove the idea that Omega is harming the Bay.

Time will tell whether this petition can influence the Youngkin administration to prioritize the health of the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem over the interests of a singular industrial fishing operation (that is Canadian-owned). One point of relevant information was the Governor’s appointment of former US Department of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to lead the VA Department of Natural Resources, which now has management authority of Menhaden. Wheeler’s appointment was ultimately blocked due to his poor environmental record during his years in the Trump administration, but now Wheeler has been tapped to lead Virginia’s Office of Regulatory Management.

Youngkin may soon start to feel the pressure from the thousands of concerned stakeholders concerned about Omega’s impact on the Chesapeake Bay and question the continued utility of a singular industrial fishing operation. But one thing is for sure, Omega must be held accountable for the most recent net spill. Charter captains, private anglers, local communities benefit from adult red drum, which are protected by a narrow slot limit, and abundant menhaden populations–yet it remains to be seen whether Omega will be penalized.

Pictures from Christine Snook who was on the beach where the net spill washed ashore.

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Flavor on the Fly: Shellfish Side Mission – Blue Crabs

Kirk Marks
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Flavor on the Fly: Shellfish Side Mission – Blue Crabs

When you think of the Chesapeake Bay, there is a good chance blue crabs come to mind. If that’s not the case, there’s a good chance you’ve never cracked into one. Blue crabs are sweet, rich, succulent, and just about as memorable as a crustacean can get. Around here, they’re as good as gold.

blue crab, crab, crabbing, chesapeake bay
Male blue crabs, like this one here, are called Jimmies. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

I’m the fisherman in the family. My dad, on the other hand – he’s the crabber. That’s not to say we don’t reverse roles occasionally, but that’s the typical breakdown. I’m the type of guy who might casually throw out half-a-dozen crab traps while he fishes. My dad takes a similar approach. He wakes up at 4:00 a.m. to run a 1,200 foot snood-line with over one hundred baits from a tiller steer Jon boat. As I said, he’s the crabber.

fly fishing, fishing, rockfish, striped bass, fly
Striped bass and blue crabs often share the same waters. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Essentially, a snood-line is a trot-line with one extra component – a dropper. Here’s how it works. A long stretch of line is anchored at each end. The line should be taught, but not banjo-string tight, more like a down-tuned bass guitar. Along the line every six feet or so, there is a one foot dropper line which is attached to a bait. Dad and I are partial to razor clams in mesh bags, but folks commonly use chicken necks and brined American eel too. After the line has been set, the crabber idles to an end, then picks up the line and places it into a ‘U’ shaped arm which extends from the boat’s stern and sits above the water’s surface. As the boat idles along, the baits rise to surface, up and over the arm.

crabbing, crabs, snood line, trot line
A baited snood-line awaits deployment. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Here’s where temperament comes into play – blue crabs are tenacious, determined, and typically not willing to forfeit an easy meal. As the baits begin to surface, as do the crabs, clenching tightly to their razor clam loot. Once within range, the crab is dip-netted, then transferred to a bushel basket. As I mentioned earlier, the line has over one-hundred baits… so things can get pretty chaotic when the bite is hot. At the end of the run, the crabber removes the line from the arm, culls the crabs, then idles back to do it all over again. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find this downtime is the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a few casts.

crabbing, boat, dad, blue crabs
My old man in his element. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Now that the bushel basket has some weight to it – what’s next? Folks along the Eastern Seaboard prepare blue crabs all sorts of ways, but here in Chesapeake Country, one method reigns supreme – steaming. Generally speaking, locals season their crabs with either Old Bay or J.O. Crab Seasoning #2. I love Old Bay as much as the next Marylander, but when it comes to crabs I’m a J.O. man through and through. J.O. Seasoning is coarser, spicier, and contains much more sodium than Old Bay. In my opinion, it’s the obvious choice when it comes to crabs.

crabs, steaming, seasoning, fishing, food
Crabs in the steamer pot, just after recieving a dusting of J.O. Crab Seasoning #2. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Sitting down to a pile of crabs isn’t only about the meal, it’s just as much about the conversations, laughs, and camaraderie inspired by the gathering. It’s a labor of love, best accomplished with some pals by your side and a few adult beverages within reach. The following recipe is simple, time-tested, and known to impress even the proudest of Marylanders. And trust me, everyone from this state thinks they’re the authority on crabs. Here’s looking at you.

crabs, cooked, dinner, steamed, food
Get ’em while they’re hot. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Until next time, enjoy and good luck out there!

Steamed Blue Crabs:

Ingredients:

  • 2-dozen Jimmies (male blue crabs), alive
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 lager beer, doesn’t have to be anything fancy
  • 4 cups water
  • 1.5 cups J.O. Crab Seasoning #2
  • Melted butter, for dipping (optional)
  • Extra J.O. Crab Seasoning #2, for dipping (optional)

Method:

1.) Place a footed steamer basket inside a steamer pot. If you don’t have a footed basket, use a false bottom to keep a standard steamer basket a few inches off the bottom. Place the pot onto a propane burner or stovetop.

2.) Pour the vinegar, beer, and water into the pot.

3.) Using tongs, place six crabs into the pot at a time. Evenly season with 0.25 cup J.O. Crab Seasoning #2. Repeat until all the crabs are in the pot and seasoned. You should have 0.5 cup of seasoning leftover at the end. Place a lid on the pot.

4.) Apply high heat. Once the crabs start to steam, cook for 20 minutes.

5.) Turn off the heat, then transfer the crabs to a covered table. Sprinkle the remaining J.O. Crab Seasoning #2 evenly over the cooked crabs.

6.) Get to pickin’. There’s no one way to pick a crab. It’s a skill that often gets passed down from generation to generation, with slight variation. But if you haven’t a clue, check out the article “How to Pick a Crab Like You’re From Maryland” by Spoon University or the video “How to – Pick a Crab” by Jay Flemming.

7.) If you’re a dipper, serve with melted butter and extra J.O. Crab Seasoning #2. Pair with your favorite lager, pilsner, gose, wheat ale, IPA, or summer cocktail. Enjoy!

crabs, steamed, food, cook
Hot & Steamy. Photo: Kirk Marks (@kirkymarks)

Article by Flylords Food Editor Kirk Marks, an angler, photographer, and culinary aficionado based in Kent Island, Maryland. Give him a follow at @kirkymarks. 

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Chasing Apache: Spreading Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention through Fly Fishing

Nelson Oxley
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Chasing Apache: Spreading Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention through Fly Fishing

In this Interview Team Flylords caught up with Rafael Salado and Allison Riggie to learn more about Chasing Apache and their movement to spread mental health awareness and suicide prevention through fly fishing.

Flylords: Tell us more about Chasing Apache?

Rafael: “Chasing Apache was created to spread mental health awareness and suicide prevention through fly fishing. In summer of 2023, Allison (my girlfriend), Boba (our Great Dane) & myself will be hitting the road in our Jeep to fly fish the lower 48 for trout and spread mental health awareness. We will be saving Arizona for our last stop as that is where the Apache Trout can be found. My cousin’s nickname was, “Apache” which is how we came up with the idea to chase after the Apache Trout in his memory. I also feel a deep connection to the Apache Trout as their population has finally been restored after decades of cooperative protection and recovery efforts.”

Flylords: How did Chasing Apache come into fruition?

Rafael: “On May 6th, 2021 my beloved cousin hanged himself.  

Prior to hanging himself, he lived a beautiful life. He was a nurse, he had graduated from college, he was an investor, a light weight angler, a hell of a cook, and great son/grandson/friend/nephew/brother/cousin.  He deeply cared for others and truly had the biggest heart. This dude blew me away when he took our grandmother and his mom to an Aventura concert. For those who may be unfamiliar with Aventura, he is a big time Dominican Bachata artist.  

When COVID hit, everything just went downhill fast, really fast. We were roommates at the time the pandemic began. We became roommates when my cousin encouraged me to move in with him after my divorce, a time during which this dude stepped up to the plate big time! He would call me every single day just to check in and see how I was doing, knowing that I was an emotional wreck. Once we moved in together, we had the best time of our lives! It was the first time as adults we had really connected. He was my bestie and my brother. 

He was very outgoing, social, and family oriented, but all that changed with COVID. Everything being shut down, the uncertainty of the future as a result of the pandemic; it changed him.  He didn’t want to come out of his room.  He had the blinds down all the time, the room was so dark. He kept saying he felt empty inside and that he didn’t want to eat. I remember having to cook for him, pick up dishes from his room, clean his room, and put up the blinds for him. My beautiful cousin was cleaner than Mr. Clean himself, and definitely cleaner than me. If I left the dishes in the sink, he’d roast me! Then his manic depression hit. It went from bad to being on a rollercoaster ride with no seat belts on and you’re just trying to hold onto anything you could get your hands on. It was like living with a stranger. He started to become unrecognizable. He went from having over $40k in his accounts to being in the negative. He was very responsible and money savvy.  He went from having one car to four cars in just a few weeks.  He bought a Corvette, a Jeep, and a Camry, and he bought his girlfriend of two weeks a Mercedes. He would blow money like he had an ATM backpack strapped to him. He dyed his hair blonde.  He pierced both of his ears.   He had artwork hanging sideways all over his room. My cousin was a clean cut guy and was always organized, which is why I was so thrown off by the recent change of events. 

Unfortunately, he also became very aggressive towards his loved ones, verbally assaulting all of us. He would start an argument and stir up potential fights. He even got into some trouble with the law after a night at a strip club.   He had no prior run-ins with the law, nor had he been a frequent flier at the strip club, but his manic state had changed him completely. He obviously wasn’t himself and I started to take notice of how serious mental health is, so much more than just a chemical imbalance. 

In the spring of 2021, my cousin and I had our best friend over and we had been talking about how we were feeling about what was happening in the world as a result of COVID.  When my cousin spoke, he said his peace, but at the end he said, “I’m trying,” with a low tone of voice and a sadness in his eyes. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but the next morning when I went for my beach walk at 5am, I couldn’t stop thinking about his words and all of the signs of his manic depression.  Loss of appetite, him telling me that he feels empty inside, no longer wanting to be social, not wanting to come out of his room, and overall,  just being extremely sad.  I knew I had to do something, his life was in my hands. I remember that morning, sobbing at the beach as I suddenly came to realization that my cousin was suicidal. I jumped right in my car and drove to his father’s house, still crying, arriving a little before 7am.  When his father answered the door, I told him, with tears coming down my cheeks, “I think Apache is suicidal.” That morning my uncle had my cousin move in with him and put some supports in place to help my cousin regain some stability.

On May 6th, 2021, he took his life.

After that, and still to this day, I struggle with feelings of sadness, pain, and guilt.  Feeling as though I didn’t do enough. 

Chasing Apache came into fruition to help those who are still living and battling with mental health. This is my purpose.  I believe that healing can happen through fly fishing. They say the waters have healing powers. 

Fly fishing saved me. Fly fishing for trout and being in the water has brought me solitude and strengthened my soul and it is important to me that I share that with others.”

Flylords: What resources does Chasing Apache have to offer for people that are struggling with mental health?

Rafael: “On our website at chasingapache.com, we have a page with different mental health links if you need help figuring out where to go for support, or you can always reach out to me directly (chasingapache@gmail.com). I always try to connect with people on the water.  Anytime I meet someone fishing, I share with them what we’re doing with Chasing Apache, and how helping others while fly fishing has really helped to heal me and find peace within myself. I’m always surprised by how quickly the folks I meet on the water open up on their own and share their mental health struggles  and stories with me. It is a beautiful thing to engage in these conversations because it reassures me of the fact that I am not alone in my depression and anxiety, and I hope it does the same for them.” 

Flylords: How can people utilize these resources and be a part of Chasing Apache? Who can join?

Rafael: “Chasing Apache isn’t about who can join. It’s about eliminating the stigma associated with mental health. It’s about educating yourself through our website, resources, or conversations.  It’s about finding the right supports for yourself or getting support putting the right supports in place to help a loved one in need.  Everyone is invited to join us for our yearly 5k run/walk in my cousin’s hometown of Lynn, MA to spread mental health and suicide awareness and to remember all those we have loved and lost to suicide.  Please visit our website for more information and to register!”

Flylords: What is your mission?

Rafael: “My mission is to leave my mark on the world, knowing that I wasn’t in this for clout chasing, fame, or money.  I did, and will still continue to do this work to make the world a better place.  The world began struggling long before my existence and will continue that struggle long after I’m gone. As Big Papi (David Ortiz) said, “If you believe in someone, it can change their world.”  I believe with enough transparency in the sharing of peoples’ personal journeys with mental health, we will change the landscape on how we address and view mental health as a society and people will be more empowered to ask for the help they need. Through deep conversations with other anglers about our shared mental health journeys, it lets them know that they are not alone.  It was because of the numerous conversations I had with other anglers about their mental health challenges, a father losing his son to cancer, a guide suffering from depression, and another angler who was on the brink of taking his own life, that I really saw how many others there were out there batting and struggling just like me. Mental Health has this stigma where it is not okay or safe to talk about unless you’re in therapy or behind closed doors. Why?” 

Flylords: How can people support Chasing Apache?

Rafael: “Buy our merch! Designed in house, at least 10% of every purchase will be donated to a cause that helps support mental health or suicide awareness.  

Donate used gear!  As we build up our guide service for inner city kids and veterans, we will need as much gear as possible to get the most people out on the water as possible.

In the coming months, we will also be adding a donations tab to our site where folks can help to fund our journey as we plan to hit the road next summer to fly fish and spread mental health and suicide awareness throughout the lower 48.”

Flylords: What events do you host, support, run?

Rafael: “We are currently working on creating a Big Brother Guiding Services for inner city kids. As a teacher and having grown up in the city of Boston, I know that inner city kids are at a disadvantage when it comes to the access of respectable fishing waters, exposure to fly fishing, and green spaces in general. You don’t see that kind of stuff growing up in the city.  What we see are MBTA buses, buildings on top of buildings, and barely any trout waters. Massachusetts does stock trout, but because demand is so high and supply is so low in the cities, if you don’t fish immediately after they stock, you won’t have a shot at hooking onto anything.  My guiding service for inner city youth will be completely free of charge and we will supply all of the equipment and materials kids may need, which is why donations are huge for us to get as many kids out on the water as we can.

We also know that the waters and outdoors have healing powers and think that they can be leveraged to help veteran’s suffering from PTSD.  We are working to partner with different veteran support groups to offer guide services for those who have served our country.”

For more information about Chasing Apache, please visit the website here. You can follow Chasing Apache on Instagram at @chasingapache. 

Redington Launches “Backcountry Blitz” Giveaway

Joseph Berney
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Redington Launches “Backcountry Blitz” Giveaway

Are you taking full advantage of alpine lake and blue line season? This is your chance to get your hands on the new Trailblazer outfit from Redington.

From Redington:

Show off your backcountry fishing game! Post your adventure on Instagram, tag @Redingtongear, and use #BackcountryBlitz to enter to win a Trailblazer outfit (rod, reel, and line) valued at over $450!
Week 1: Team Redington, featuring @mointhemountains, is headed to the hills for some alpine lake fishing.
Week 2: We’re going blue line small stream fishing with @kayla__lockhart and @kcbadger.
Lakes, rivers, or streams–just show us how you fish the backcountry! Follow along on Instagram @Redingtongear & #BackcountryBlitz
The more you post the more chances you’ll get! You must post at least once with the correct tags and register by following the link below.

TO PARTICIPATE :

Visit Redington’s Website HERE.

Follow the remaining steps on the landing page.

Redington Releases All-New Trailblazer Rod and Updated Butterstick

Reel of the Week: Jack Crevalle Crushes Topwater Fly

Nelson Oxley
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Reel of the Week: Jack Crevalle Crushes Topwater Fly

A note from Todd Jurgensen:

“Topwater fishing for big Jacks is mind blowing… Topwater is definitely not a numbers game but even the misses and close encounters are nuts.  For me, there’s no better rush in flyfishing than the anticipation you get when you see these guys coming up the flat pushing water. Some say time slows down in these situations, well so does that bulky fly when you put it in the air.  Stop thinking, drop it in the box, get it moving quick, and watch them annihilate the popper!”

To book a Trip with Todd or Christian click here. For more content follow them on instagram at @dupeafish.

For more stories on Jack Crevalle, check out the articles below:

When Jacks Attack with Capt. Jako Lucas

Video of the Week: Union Jacks

Video of the Week: The Wicked – Tales From the River

Landen German
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Video of the Week: The Wicked – Tales From the River

In this Video of the Week, we catch up with CoastFly and Stefan Larsson in his latest short film “The Wicked“. If you fish you’ve got fish stories, it’s the name of the game. In this case, Stefan, who is a guide, fly tyer, photographer, & all-around trout bum sits us down and tells us a tale of friendship, luck, and a huge dry fly-eating trout that they now call the “hotel trout”. The hotel trout came about – well actually we should leave that story for Stefan to tell so sit down and enjoy a nice beverage as Stefan envelops you in the world of a Swedish Trout bum.

CoastFly is a Professional Fly Tyer extraordinaire turned videographer. You won’t want to miss his creations. Check out his page here: @Coastfly

Take a peek at these other sweet articles as well!

Video of the Week: “Guided by Passion” with Geneviève Lavoie by Hooke

EBBS & FLOWS EP. 1 from Wild Fly Productions

Video of the Week: Shape Shifters by Renegade Fly Rods

 

Angler Story of the Week: Beach Fishing for Big Roosterfish

Nelson Oxley
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Angler Story of the Week: Beach Fishing for Big Roosterfish

A note from Joshua Martz:

“Beach caught grandes are a journey, not a destination that’s for sure. Consistency in fishing the Baja beach is typically evidence of a misspent youth! Certainly for me. There is simply no replacement for countless hours of experience (or an excellent guide!). Knowing where to be, when and instinctual angling when it counts are critical factors. Not wasting time and knowing your high percentage targets helps a lot, but there is even more to it than that.”

“The daily window of opportunity is small. I like luck, but I certainly don’t want rely on it. I want to be on fish when everyone else thinks they’re not around. Be passionate about whatever is your pursuit. Extreme effort, and intimately knowing your craft is ultimately more rewarding than the end results. You have to take your knocks and learn as you go.”

“It’s always great to catch a Rooster or two and head back home for a beer and some locally harvested seafood. We’re blessed to spend our lives in Baja Sur!”

For more content and fish stories around Baja Sur, follow Joshua @pursuitanglers on Instagram. 

For more tips around targeting Roosterfish on the Fly check out the articles below:

Video of the Week: Baja Buffet

Costa Behind the Guides: Jeff Feczko

How to Tie the Squid Gurler for Striped Bass and Bluefish

Nate Holmes
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How to Tie the Squid Gurler for Striped Bass and Bluefish

When the rips start cranking and squid start flying is often how I mark the start of summer. Striped Bass pour into these rips and shoals to feed on the buffet of sandeels and squid throughout the summer, but those few weeks of June and July can truly be lights out.

When I look for a fly to target these rip Stripers, profile and durability are at the top of my list. The rips can be chaotic so the Bass need something they can quickly register as food, and 20-30 fish days have a tendency to tear up flies so both of those factors are key. Not only does thing Squid Gurgler have a great profile and can last through bite after bite, but it is downright fun to fish. Bass come up and crush this fly on the surface as it chugs along, so what’s not to love? Here’s a step-by-step guide on tying this fly, so sit down at your vise and get cranking!

  1. Start off with a big beefy saltwater hook. I like to use a hook that is at least 1/0 and up to 4/0 or 6/0

2. Tie in a clump of bucktail at the bend of the hook shank as the base of the tail.

3. Tie in 3 long saddle hackles around the bucktail as tentacles and then two hackle feather bases (just the fluffy bit) on either side of the hook shank.

4. Tie in foam gurgler body (a long rectangle at least 1.5 hook shanks long and a little under a hook gap wide), another piece of hackle or schlappen, and then the synthetic rabbit zonker strip.

5. Palmer the rabbit strip and then the hackle forward to the eye of the hook and tie off. Then pull the foam forward and tie it off to finish the body of the gurgler.

6. Trim the foam to the desired length. Don’t be afraid to leave a little extra you can always take more off.

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