As they say – Behind every great angler is a great net man.. Okay, maybe no one says that, but they should! Landing big fish takes team work. Any body who has attempted to put the mesh on a hot fish in heavy current knows that there’s just as much skill required of the net…
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Steelhead
Tying Tidier, Stronger Steelhead/Salmon Flies
Last week, Stuart Foxall shared with us a nifty fly tying trick for gauging the proper length of stinger loops when tying trailer-hook style flies for steelhead and salmon. Today he continues the topic with step by step instructions on how he attaches stinger loops to create not only tidy looking flies, but flies worthy…
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Popular Posts on Winter Fly Fishing
We might be hiding out in the Bahamas, but that doesn’t mean our hats aren’t off to all of you out there planning to get after it this winter. Winter will be here before you know it, and while it might not fit the description of perfect fishing conditions, fly fishing in the winter can…
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OPST Steelhead Shanks – Why We Like ‘Em
Finally, the shanks we’ve been waiting for.. We tie a lot of stinger-style flies for salmon and steelhead at our lodges. Judging by many of your comments, you do too! We’ve been playing around with OPST’s Steelhead Shanks lately. They just might be our favorite all around shank for spinning up large profile patterns for…
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The Lady Caroline – Tying Instructions
A couple weeks back we put together a step by step on how to tie the Colburn Special, a traditional hairwing pattern for salmon and steelhead. Traditional salmon flies are no less productive than they were 100 years ago, and more and more anglers these days are finding the joy in not only tying, but…
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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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Fight Dirty – Down and Dirty
Just a reminder that when fighting big fish, we really like the down and dirty approach – pulling hard, with the rod tip low and to the side, thus bending the rod deep into the butt section. Click on almost any part of the previous sentence for a visual of what we mean. We find…
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Help NFS Protect Native Fish From Strip Mining
The good folks at The Native Fish Society (NFS) have issued a call for action, and they need your help! According to the NFS, several watersheds home to wild, native salmon and steelhead in southwest Oregon are being threatened by proposed nickel strip mines. The headwaters of concern include three National Wild and Scenic Rivers, some of…
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The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions
Our buddy Stuart Foxall is back again with yet another great step by step fly tying post. Today’s pattern? The Miles Davis Leech, a super effective fly for steelhead, salmon, or even big trout. Thanks Stu! The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions The Miles Davis black leech pattern is an amazingly simple but effective…
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They’re Here!
During the first couple weeks of our season at BC West, many of our guests join us for the chance to hook into some of the hottest chinook salmon on the planet. That’s not to say however that there aren’t steelhead trickling in as well.. Sort of like this early season beauty courtesy of BC West guide, Shane…
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