Landlocked salmon are predators. That's been a proven fact for over a century. So when you put a couple hundred 13" plus salmon in a pool below a hyrdo facility, you can bet they'll be keyed in on baitfish spilling out of the reservoir above. Just about any pattern that imitated a fish did well here. The challenge was trying not to spook the salmon so they'd be inclined … [Read more...] about Fly Fishing for Hatchery Salmon
Scud Back Gone Bad
Most fly tying materials have a super long shelf life, but beware that some materials, like plastics similar to rubber bands, can go bad. Found a few packs of Hareline scud back from a few years back that I had to dump. Might be a good idea not to stock up heavy on scud back - buy it as you use it! … [Read more...] about Scud Back Gone Bad
Streamers: Old School vs. New School
The Grey Ghost is a classic Maine streamer. It's intended to imitate a rainbow smelt, the primary food source for landlocked salmon. I use it all the time and fish it with confidence. It's worked for generations, but I'm not yet sure whether it's so popular because it so closely matches a smelt, or because it's the best that was available at the time. So it's fun to … [Read more...] about Streamers: Old School vs. New School
Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly Tying Materials
You know you've gone deep down the fly tying rabbit hole if you're considering dyeing your own materials. First off, you have to tie a heck of a lot of flies and need a lot of materials, and second, you must be extremely discerning when it comes to color. Most of us don't go even close to that far, but a few have gone all the way. A.K. Best might be the best of the latter camp, … [Read more...] about Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly Tying Materials
Trouting With the Owl
Reprinted from the February 2017 issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal It’s a long offseason for a fly fisherman in northern Maine. Sitting by the fire while cold wind blows snow across the fields outside, I’m going over memories from last summer and dreading the months before I can do it again. Ice fishing’s great, and it helps us get through the long winter, but it’s … [Read more...] about Trouting With the Owl