Should you have any questions concerning tips and tactics, feel free to contact us at jloftin@rockinglflyfishing.com or jeff@jeffloftinflyfishing.com March 28, 2011 Apache Casting Often times I think the fly fishing world focuses too much on casting. The truth is learning to make a nice clean thirty footer just isn’t that hard. Granted there are situations where good distance casting is a must, but is it really? So much has been written on the subject that at times I think we should petition Congress to change the name of our sport to “Fly Casting” as the fish has very little to do with our collective focus. Rod manufacturers’ really like this mind set. Why? It’s simple… It sells gear. At one point, the industry became so focused on casting that while the rods cast great they were absolute fish losers. The truth is a great fly rod must multi task, casting being only one thing of many it must do to “put fish to memory or film.” It’s funny to see the faces of students when they find out that I am not a casting instructor during a casting class. I tell them I’m a “Fly Fishing” instructor and today we’re focusing on casting. We always begin with “in fly fishing we cast the weight of the line and the fly is just along for the ride.” Then comes the rope drills. With the rope they learn about energy transfer. Then I do some stunt casting that leaves little doubt that the fly line will always and can only follow the path of the rod, regardless even of the rods’ bizarre orientation. After this five to ten minute introduction, casting begins. First we focus on just false casting by putting the rope drills to practice. Then we go straight to a simplified presentation cast. Usually within a few minutes, most can make a very nice thirty footer with some consistency. Once everyone is able to make a nice clean thirty footer, I ask how many would like to learn an “advanced casting technique?” I tell them it is probably the most productive fishing cast they can learn. I tell them it is THE cast of Fly Fishing Masters…The Apache Cast… Well, curiosity is a powerful tool and WHO KNEW??? They just really want to learn to catch fish on a fly rod and have no illusions of casting over a hundred feet, especially on day one. With curiosity at a peak, having learned how to cast cleanly and accurately to a modest distance and excited to get to the water, I cover the Apache Cast. Rule #1: Dress for success. Select clothing and gear that blends in to the fishing environment. Rule #2: Never let your shadow lead you in the direction of your intended presentation. (Sun at your back) Rule #3: Never let your shadow follow you in the direction of your intended presentation. (Sun directly in your face) Rule #4: Make no sound or wake while moving. (Wading or boating) Rule #5: Make clean quiet presentations. Don’t thrash the water!!! Invariably folks look at me in a very peculiar way at this point as nothing about Apache Casting has anything to do with casting, or does it??? Following these five simple rules will help any angler catch more fish, nearly regardless of their casting prowess. These rules benefit all anglers regardless of species pursuit. Apache casting is something ANYBODY can do! Monstrous double hauls, impeccable timing, compact casting strokes all have their place. We also, though, need to acknowledge that the fly fishing industry has created a perception that has become a faux reality. Ask any Tenkara aficionado, where fly fishing is always inside thirty feet or even less and often much less. I love the two-handed rod but we should at least consider the advice of one of the Northwest’s finest steelhead guides where he provides a brilliant counter to long rod gurus in suggesting most folks would catch more steelhead if they would just effectively fish the water right in front of them. Fly fishing for trout can really be broken into only three basic elements; Approach, Presentation and Drift. Each element has multiple sub-elements. Casting is only one sub-element of many falling under Presentation. Let’s not make more out of casting than that. Learn how to Apache Cast right now. Practice it every time you’re on the water. Practice it regardless the species you’re after. Practice it consciously no matter what type of fly you’re casting or method of retrieve. Do this and you’ll catch more fish, I promise… When I first became a proficient caster I couldn’t wait to be a casting instructor. Years past that stage in life, I’m content to be a fly fishing instructor…After all isn’t that what folks really want to do? February 14, 2011 Fishing with Guides There are few things that will improve your outdoor experiences as quickly as going with a professional guide. In order to get your money’s worth, think teacher, not guide. Every trip with a guide should be a learning experience. Finding fish is easy. Tying knots is easy. Casting is easy. Choosing the right fly is easy. Any skill can be mastered with time. It is however hard to refute the old saying that time is money. Given work schedules, rising fuel costs and other activities that require your attention, guided trips offer a real and tangible way to lower your costs to become an independent and successful fly fisherman by reducing the learning curve. Choosing a good guide is not as difficult as it may seem. Many fly shops have guide services available. Go to the shop and assess it for yourself. Is the staff friendly and engaging? Is the shop clean? Does the shop appear to be in good repair? Does the shop appear to be organized? How does the staff dress? Is the shop service oriented? It is no mere coincident that first class fly shops generally have first class guides or only recommend first class independent guide services. Here’s the odd part, most trips cost about the same regardless who you choose, so you probably won’t save anything by lowering your standards. Independent guides, those not working through a fly shop, can be easily found through the internet. Guiding is something most do until someone near and dear to them says, “get a real job.” There are a high percentage of career guides that work independently. Many shops take a huge percentage of the guide fees for themselves leaving little for the lowly shop guide to buy groceries with. The next thing to do is book a trip. Pick something that interests you. Remember, this is supposed to be a learning experience as well as a fishing experience. Nearly all shops require a deposit. Check on the cancellation policy. If given the opportunity, meet with your guide in advance of the trip. Guides often hang around their respective shop on off days. Many guides work in their respective shops a couple days a week. Preparation prevents poor performance. Always ask what you need to bring. Make sure your gear is ready to go. Nothing ruins a trip like fiddling with gear that doesn’t work. Most guides have “loaner” equipment. This can be a great way to try out different rods and reels. Make sure you have good serviceable waders and boots if appropriate. Nothing ruins a day like leaky foul weather clothing. Never count on your guide having a camera. Cameras don’t last long when you’re outside five days a week, 50 weeks a year. You’ve picked your adventure, you’ve picked your guide carefully, and your gear is ready to go; now it’s time to have fun. You, the client, have as much to do with the quality of your trip as the guide does. Guides know how to catch fish, they are not mind readers. Be honest about your skill level. Any river offers a variety of opportunities and challenges. Over state your skills and you may end up fishing techniques or runs that are way over your head. Be honest about your expectations. Do you want to catch a lot of fish or big fish? These are often two entirely different things. If you have problems with some technique ask for some help. If the river is new to you but you plan on fishing it on your own later, tell your guide exactly that. If you want the day to be a learning experience, say so. Using your guide as an instructor is probably the best use of your money. You can circumvent spending thousands of dollars, thousands of miles and years of frustration by fishing with a good guide just once. Remember, it’s your dime, make the most of it. One thing you can do to improve your experience is to make sure you’re “warmed up.” If you are a sporadic angler, break out that fly rod and practice a little. Time spent doing this will only add to the quality of your experience. Have fun! Great guides love to fish. It’s more a passion than a job. Guides have fewer secrets with enthusiastic clients. I recently had a client on a headwater adventure for brook trout (specks). This guy was a good fisherman but more importantly he was just a good guy. His enthusiasm was infectious. When the eight hours was done, no one noticed or cared. I even fished a little after my duties were done. He caught fish and wore a smile all day long and I’d like to think he picked up a little something to improve his game. That’s what guided trips are supposed to be about. Once on the water, NEVER guide the guide! This is their water or it is supposed to be. If you are an experienced angler an exchange of ideas is not a bad thing, just ease into it. In decades of taking people fishing I have never failed to learn something from a client. You should be asked if you have any allergies or other medical conditions that might present a health risk. You should also be asked if you have any medication on you to deal with sudden medical concerns and where it is. You should be asked if you can swim. These are all questions that an experienced guide will ask right up front. If for some reason these issues are not raised, volunteer the information yourself. Professional guides have spent years in the snow, wind, rain and blazing sun to hone their skills. Most fly fishing guides also tie flies. If you want to up your fly fishing game quick, fast and in a hurry, book a trip. Whether wishing to understand a particular river for later solo trips or improving your skill level quickly, guides/instructors are a great way to save time, money, and frustration. December 27, 2010
With the arrival of colder temps don’t put up that fly rod. Winter provides some of the best fly fishing for trout, salmon and steelhead. In the extremes, below freezing, we have to do some things differently to have our equipment work. First let’s start with the fly line. Not all fly lines are cold weather friendly. Those of us familiar with winter fishing know this well. For the uninitiated, this may come as a surprise. Nothing will kill a day of winter fishing like having stripped line coil on the waters surface and nearly refuse to come uncoiled. Most line companies tout this line or that line as having good cold water characteristics. These are the lines that should remain supple in cold weather. Some are better than others. The average cold weather line will fish very well only after a good initial stretching. I generally pull of about sixty feet and give it a good stretch. Pull the line then let it relax. If the line lies straight, you’re ready. If the line still is a little wavy, stretch as needed until it lies straight. A great cold weather line will require no stretching. Temperatures in the single digits make almost any line a little stiff. Always keep your line dressed but more on this later. The next issue to address should be the reel. Keep it dry! I’m a bad one to dunk my real every now and then. Nothing makes an experienced angler feel foolish like turning a reel into a block of ice. Believe me, I mean a block of ice. Locked up, won’t work either direction, done fishing until thawed and dried. There are reels that have all moving parts sealed off from the environment and this can be a real plus in below freezing conditions. If your reel freezes up don’t force it! Some reels can be damaged in doing this and might even require a trip for warranty repair. Should your reel freeze up, unzip your jacket and put it under your armpit. This is one of the warmest parts of your body. You’ll end up a little wetter and a little colder but let that be a lesson to you. Regardless the advertising, there really isn’t much you can do for your rod. I have tried too many products that all lay claim to keeping rod eyes from freezing. Basically these products inhibit water from sticking to the eyes. All require re-applications. I use 100% silicone spray. True enough, most help but they are far from effectively stopping ice building on eyes. Once ice builds on the eyes you need to get it off. Usually a little squeeze of the fingertips is all that’s required to break the ice loose. Some folks will lower their rod into the water and shake it. This thaws the ice and frees the eyes up. Should you employ this method there are a couple of things you should know. Once out of the water give the rod a real good shake. This will rid the rod of excess water. Keep the reel out of the water. The other thing of note is the rod must be taken down and dried at the end of each day. Don’t forget water expands as it freezes. This can damage your rod. For rod dunkers, make sure and wax your ferrules very well. This will help seal the hollow rod core from water invasion. Admittedly I use all the aforementioned methods with limitations. I never submerse a rod in freezing weather below the first ferrule. Water inside a rod blank with temperatures in the single digits can destroy a rod. Now you know why I prefer two piece rods… Never use high temperatures from household appliances to thaw that frozen rod. “Too hot” can easily damage your casting machine. Let the rod and reel come up to inside temps slowly and gradually when you get home. Wipe it down, wax it up, give the eyes a little silicone spray, and be ready for the next time. By applying these strategies, you will remain on the water longer and make more drifts. Dealing with ice is just part of winter fishing. December 1, 2010 Forgotten Conservation
Isn’t it great that so many folks are concerned about catch and release? This has been a good thing. I’ve spent hours talking to folks about pinching down barbs, the woes of treble hooks, bait fishing, invasive species, fishing spawning runs and so many things that may or may not negatively impact our fisheries. These concerns are to be commended, right? Chances are you too have engaged in some of these types of conversations. Usually if the person is strongly against something they don’t do it. You won’t find a person animate about fair hooking fish using the Moffit System. Maybe that was a bad example but I think you know what I mean. Heck, there are folks that think fishing anything less than 5X is just wanton killing of fish. Isn’t it odd… There seems to be no end to what one person thinks is correct and the other thinks is near criminal when it comes to fly fishing. I do several presentations every year for clubs and the like. Ethics is always a topic of conversation at these events. I listen to questions and concerns over our fisheries. I hear conversation that is all directed towards regulatory changes needed to make the local fishery better. Make no mistake these are great things and I am very glad that people are engaging in dialog to promote habitat and healthy fisheries. Then I ask the tough question. The one no one is expecting. The one no one thinks will be asked. The type of question that only ol’ Jeff would ask, you know the ones that make you squirm. “How many of you have the 1-800 number or any number programmed into your cell phone for your local Game Warden or Conservation Officer???”
Oh my! You would think I told a “Farmers Daughter” joke from the pulpit during Alter Call. Some stare in disbelief. Some get the “dear in the headlights” look. Some immediately look down. A few have looked downright angry as if I’d done something wrong in raping their illusion of a personal phony messiah complex. All too few realize what I’m trying to get at with the question. I think it rich with irony how we will criticize some other fellows legal form of angling and not have the often toll free number to report violators. We proudly display our “Zero Tolerance Catch and Release” stickers but couldn’t call the law if we saw someone breaking it to the harm of the fish we boldly acclaim to protect. You just can’t make this stuff up… Now before I make anybody upset, let me clearly state that I have certain beliefs about what fair angling is just like the next guy. As a traveled angler, I have a lot of ideas about what is fair angling. I always want to know what the local ethics are and abide by those as well. Rest assured I always carry my ethics with me wherever I go. I always stay within the law. One thing I know for sure is our fisheries people are the best they’ve ever been. Nearly all states realize the potential from revenues generated by sportsmen. The best fisheries departments are all about self-sustaining fisheries. These are a real financial cash cow. Once the fishery is healthy and reproducing all you have to do is monitor and police it, minimal expenditure for maximum return. Oh yeah!!! States all over the country are getting in on this. There are still problems out there but with awareness things continue to change in the fish’s favor. I said all that to say this, regardless what I think fair angling is I support the laws as they stand. If I disagree with a law then I challenge that law through the appropriate channels. There is no need to challenge some poor fellow with a copy of the regulations in his pocket, yet many will. Rarely to the fellows face, they usually save their comment until around a bunch of like minded folks. There’s nothing quite like the addiction of accord!!! (There’s a lesson there for all you devoutly blue and red folks) So here we are this community of concerned folks about nature and the environment, holding the high ground on the morals of outdoor stewardship. We give our time and monies to improving our waters. We enjoy the privilege of pursuing our outdoor quests. We do what we want to help, maybe it’s time we do what we have to do. No freedom or privilege will remain so if viewed as duty free. This was once called “civic responsibility”… I have found while giving presentations that about 2% of us have the ability to report game violations in any reasonable time frame. Wanna help our sport absent your opinion or need for accord? Wanna do it in a way that is assured consensus? Wanna fulfill your personal responsibility to your privileges’? Find out how to contact your local Game Warden or Conservation Officer and be prepared and committed to doing so should the need arise. In closing I know there are a number of readers that will think how their Local Officers seem to show little concern. I know there are many of us angered by judges that let violators go. I can only advise as I did throughout my supervisory career in law enforcement, DO YOUR JOB. "What or how" anything happens after that, then and only then, have you earned the right to criticize or try to change.
Fishing Below Freezing
Eyes ice up when line carries water through them. One of the best things you can do to prevent eye freezing is to keep your line dressed. A well dressed line shucks water much better. The water is what builds ice on the eyes. So a well dressed line leaves more water in the river and brings less to the eyes of your rod. You will also benefit from reducing the amount of line movement through the eyes, remember the line is what brings the water. Try to fish with a fixed distance of line as much as you can. Don’t single haul as this builds ice singularly. Double hauling will build ice doubly. Try to prevent shooting line if possible. Minimizing line movement through the eyes requires some thought, and change in habits and strategy, but it really has the biggest affect on reducing ice.