Over the last several years of hosting trips and spending days on the river almost exclusively with spey anglers, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of overhang; the term used to describe the amount of running line left outside the rod tip during the cast. Adjusting the amount of overhang can greatly alter the…
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Tips
Guide Poll: Most Common Mistake Made Fighting Big Fish
There aren’t many moments on the water more exciting than the first realization that you’ve hooked into a big fish. A trophy fish. Walter. Perhaps that fish of a lifetime. Unfortunately, that moment is all too often followed by one of the most discouraging moments on the water; when that fish of a lifetime comes…
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How to Change the Angle of Your Spey Cast – North 40 Video
One of the major advantageous of spey casting, as well as a defining characteristic of what a spey cast actually is, is the ability to change directions in a single (or at least minimal) motion. The ability to pick a fly up from a downstream position and move it to the center of the river…
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Timeless Tips: Tag Your Split Shot
Way back in 2011, Alaska West alum and trout guru, JEB Hall, gave us the details for his go-to rig when slinging beads for big leopard rainbow trout. It’s still as current as it was six long years ago, so if you haven’t checked it out, be sure to hit the link to give it…
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Spey Casting – Casting Plane and Wading Depth
Have you ever started off a day feeling great about your cast only to change runs and have it seemingly all fall apart? You’re blowing your anchor, failing to get your D-loop elevated off of the surface of water, or any other of the myriad of things that can go on while spey casting.. We…
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Timeless Tips: All About Spey Rigging
We make sure to pick the brains of the many guests who frequent our lodges on what topics they would like to see most on the blog. Whether in Alaska or the Bahamas, a reoccurring request is a more comprehensive explanation of spey gear. Modern rods, lines, tips and so on are constantly evolving and…
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BTT’s Justin Lewis on Bonefish Camouflage
Ever wonder why bonefish are so difficult to spot on the flats? You’re not alone. While there’s no substitute for time on the water, most first-time flats anglers are relieved to learn that bonefish aren’t just difficult to see, they’re actually able to change their color to their corresponding environment! But don’t take it from…
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Pro Tip: Stripping Flies – Force the Rod Tip Down
Whether you’re stripping flies for salmon, trout, or bonefish, when fishing streamers the name of the game is action. The more action you’re able to impose onto your fly, or better yet, the more control you’re able to have over the action of your fly, odds are the more effective your fly is able to…
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When to Set the Hook When Swinging Flies – North 40 Video
When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, one of the most common faults we see on a regular basis from our anglers is setting the hook too early. In most avenues of fly fishing (trout, bass, bonefish, you name it), setting the hook quickly is critical in order to establish tension and ensure a solid…
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Timeless Tips: Selecting Bonefish Flies
How do you choose which bonefish fly to fish on any given flat? Keep these three basic variables in mind – color, size/weight, and sizzle! Color Most of the time, you want the color of your fly to basically match the color of the flat. The match doesn’t need to be exact, but it should…
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