Trailer hook style flies have become extremely popular for salmon and steelhead for a number of reasons. They allow dull hooks to be changed, reduce the the number of ‘short’ strikes, and allow large profile flies (i.e. intruders, leeches, and so on) to be tied with shorter shanked hooks for better holding power. However, when tying…
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Tips
Casting to Bonefish – Start With a Sweep
Ask any angler new to bonefishing the most difficult part about flats fishing and they’re likely to say casting in the wind. Dealing with wind can be tough, and because of it we’ve written quite a few articles on it in the past (like here, here, here, or here – okay you get it). However,…
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DIY Dehookers for Bonefish
Dehookers certainly aren’t anything new, but more and more these days we’re seeing our guests using them for bonefish. A simple dehooking tool not only helps to safely remove stubborn hooks from fish’s mouths, they also allow the fish to be released without ever being handled OR removed from the water.. And that’s a really…
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Presenting to Bonefish – Simplified
A lot has been written on where to land your fly when fishing for bonefish. While a whole bunch of factors can come into play when making the best presentation, things can happen fast on the flats, and the ability to make a quick decision is often the key to success. Therefore, when making your…
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Check Your Fly
Whether fishing on foot or from a flats skiff, most shots at bonefish begin with the fly in hand in what we usually refer to as the ready position. That means that throughout the day, even when the fishing is really good, the fly spends a lot of time in your hand. Therefore, we suggest that…
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Bonefishing Myth: The Color of Your Shirt Matters
Several years ago we suggested to the flats fishing world that it might not be the best idea to wear a bright shirt when fishing for bonefish. However, since then we’ve seen plenty of bonefish caught wearing just about every color under the sun. That got us thinking.. Light, pastel colored clothes might be a good idea…
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Tying With Mono Eyes
We’re spinning up a lot of bonefish flies these days, and while our bonefish aren’t overly picky, we still like the challenge of tying flies that best imitate what bonefish like to eat. For the most part, bonefish forage (shrimp, crabs, baitfish, etc.) blend in really well on the flats. Thus, choosing a fly that best…
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Tying Traditional Hairwings – The Colburn Special
A few of you have asked us to put together some step by step tying posts for some more ‘classic’ fly patterns for salmon and steelhead. So, today we present you with a classic hair wing style pattern called the Colburn Special. Enjoy! The Colburn Special – Tying Instructions Originally designed for Atlantic salmon (by…
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Keep a Spare Rod Close
When poling for bonefish from a flats skiff, typically only one angler fishes from the front of the boat, while the other waits patiently in the back of the boat until it is his/her turn on the deck. The angler in the back of the boat has plenty to do anyhow, from freeing up tangled fly…
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Mending – Lift, Don’t Flip
It’s often said that a good drift is more important than a good cast. While we would certainly agree, that’s not to say getting a proper drift of your fly is always easy. Proper mending is an art in itself and today Alaska West guide, Jason Whiting, is back with a great tip on making…
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