July 2015 | VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | #fishingischeaperthantherapy
First Annual Summer Suds & Cast Off UPCOMING SPOKANE WOMEN ON THE FLY EVENTS Event was a Success!!! By Heather Hodson July - Thursday & Friday 7/9-7/10 Priest Lake Kayak and Fish The first event as part of the Spokane Falls Trout Sunday 7/12 10am-2pm Women’s Fly Fishing 101 Class Unlimited Chapter Women’s Initiative was a huge Friday-Sunday 7/17-7/19 St Joe River Camping/Fishing success!!! Thank you to the 30 women and their Wed & Thurs 7/22 & 7/23 Women’s Fly Fishing 101 Class families who spent your afternoon with us. August – The casting competition was a lot of fun and we’ll see Tues & Wed 8/12 & 8/13 Women’s Fly Fishing 101 Class if the winners can keep their title at next year’s event. Friday-Sunday 8/14-8/16 Women’s Guided Musky Trip Kim Palmer won the “distance” competition by casting more than 55ft. Heather Hodson won the accuracy competition. We gave out annual awards at the picnic September – and this tradition will continue as we recognize funny Friday-Sunday 9/11-9/13 Kelly Creek Camping/Fishing stories and serious participants of SWOTF.
2015 Awards: “Most Improved” – Jen Barclay Heather’s Monthly Tip… “Most Conservation Minded” – Megan Ellis This time of year, it’s a good idea to fish the “Fill Your Waders” – Tiffany Hansen shallow riffles, diamond chop runs, faster water, “First Fish on a Fly Tied” – Lori Myers behind rock, narrow deep slots and under cut “F-Bomb” Award – Kim Palmer banks in order to find the bigger fish.
We also felt that everyone who caught their first fish on the fly should be recognized. These women are: Megan has just recently accepted a position on the Deanna Camp, Kate Gray, Tiffany Hansen, Angie Spokane Falls TU Board. Congratulations!! Dailey, Megan Ellis, Joanne Petite and Lori Myers. Good job ladies!! We all know that it’s not easy to wade some of our rivers, Tiffany Hansen can attest to that. She Since Jen Barclay became a part of the group in received the “Fill Your Waders” award for taking a January she has blossomed into this amazing and nice spill on the NF of the CDA River. confident new person. As many of you know, Jen had a significant accident in Afghanistan. She has had to Not only is it amazing to catch your first fish on the conquer many hurdlers in her life since and she fly, but when you catch a fish on a fly with a fly that amazes me every time I’m with her. Her tying and you’ve tied it makes it even more special. Lori did fishing skills has shown dramatic improvement. This just this, she was on Priest Lake and caught a fish and so many other reasons is why Jen received the on a “Pat’s Rubber Leg” that she tied during one of “Most Improved” award. our “Hackle and Hops” events.
The “Most Conservation Minded” award went to Finally, Kim Palmer and myself have know each Megan Ellis. When Megan puts her mind to other for quite awhile and I’ve never heard her cuss something, she goes all in. I’ve seen this with Fly like I did on a cold windy day in February when Jodi, Fishing as well as Conservation. Megan has Kim and myself explored Twin Lakes. I’ll leave the volunteered for several organizations to help with details to your imagination but let’s just say being river clean-ups, trail building/maintenance and has in a float tube when it’s windy and having to use the begun to volunteer with Trout Unlimited. In fact, restroom is not a good combination!
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Hoot Owl – What is it?? Does it apply to our area? By: Heather Hodson
Within the past week Montana has began to enforce the How does this affect us as anglers? First off, it’s “hoot owl” fishing restrictions for the Bitterroot, Clark harder to catch fish. Your best bet is to fish early Fork, Blackfoot, Big Hole and several other rivers. mornings when the water temperatures are still Fishing closes from 2pm to midnight due to water cooler. Also, please handle the fish properly. temperatures greater than 73 degrees for 3 consecutive days. Does this mean that we should stop fishing the rivers of Eastern Washington and North Idaho? Not As the water temperatures rise, trout are more necessarily. It does mean, however that we need to susceptible to stress. The warmer water holds less be mindful of the fish and our actions while fishing. oxygen therefore the fish feed less. Here are some steps to take to properly handle a fish, especially in these warmer conditions.
Temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees are prime for brown and rainbow trout. Brook trout and cutthroat Limit amount of time fighting the fish trout evolved in slightly colder conditions, so they prefer Do not remove them from the water slightly colder water. Temperatures between 60 and 63 Limit grip and grins degrees are optimum for most trout. Wet hands before handling a fish to keep the protective coating As the water heats up in the summer, trout seek colder water. They will choose deep shady undercurrents, The Idaho Fish and Game have done many studies on linger at the mouths of cooler tributaries or locate cool River that shows during these hot summer days, the natural springs. Keep in mind: Your stream thermometer fish seek thermal refuge in specific areas of the river can help you locate natural springs. In warm conditions, based on species and size structure. Click here for trout will also be found in riffles and rapids. Although more information on the studies.. Also the chart is this water may be warm, it contains more oxygen than provided to us from the Yakima Headwaters TU who slower moving water. is working to get these signs made and distributed along the river.
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Gadget Geek By Heather Hodson While on a Women’s Trout Porn Fly Fishing Weekend in $21.95 Utah I was introduced to the Marketing Manager for The Day Pack - Tacky Fly Fishing, Spencer Higa. Tacky kindly gave each Small, light, sleek, compact of the ladies “The Original Tacky Fly Box”. I’ve used a Holds 180 Flies lot of fly boxes and I have to say that Tacky makes a great product! Silverbow and other local fly shops carry these fly boxes. The sleek design and silicone storage system is definitely worth the money. Check out Tacky’s Website at http://tackyflyfishing.com/#home and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Tacky offers three different size boxes tailoring to your
fishing needs. Whether you’re walk and wading or
fishing from a boat, they’ve got you covered. $32.95 Big Bug Box - The Original Tacky Box - $24.95 Silicone mat designed specifically for larger flies Light, sleek, yet extremely durable polycarbonate Holds flies with hook sizes up to 2/0 box that holds 168 flies Clear lid for visible access to flies Off-set slit design Latch-less magnetic closure system
How to Set-Up a Dropper Rig: By: Kim Palmer
1. Leader Choice: Start with 7.5 ft – 9ft of 4x monofilament leader (mono leaders float) loop to loop it to your fly line. 2. Dry Fly Choice: Choose your dry fly and tie it on your leader using a clinch knot. (Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Hopper is a good choice), this will also act as your indicator. a. Make sure that the dry fly is big will not sink when you add a dropper. 3. Attach Fluorocarbon tippet: Tie a 4 or 5x fluorocarbon tippet on the bend of your dry fly hook with a clinch knot; the length of tippet should be approximately the depth of water you're fishing; keep in mind the longer this section is the harder it will be to cast. a. Average length is 12 inches to 2ft. b. I use fluorocarbon tippet because it is more difficult for the fish to see and it sinks faster. 4. Choose your dropper fly: I like to use a bead head nymph that I have confidence in such as a Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph or a Copper John. 5. Apply Floatant: Apply floatant only to the dry fly being careful not to put in on the fluorocarbon tippet or dropper fly.
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Dry-Dropper Presentation By Kim Palmer How to Fish your Dropper Rig: I like to fish the dry-dropper rig in shallow riffles. The faster moving water gives the fish less time to inspect and just react. Another great method is to fish your way up stream, cast your Dry-Dropper rig in front of rocks allowing the set-up to flow around the rock and back toward you, as your hopper dropper rig is drifting back toward you, lift your rod and strip in the slack.
Low Water Trout Tactics By Heather Hodson
With August like flows on our favorite rivers, fishing can be more difficult. Here are a few recommendations to be able to continue to catch fish. First and foremost this is the time to slow down and be cautious when approaching the river. Do not step into the water until you have at least a couple casts a few feet in front of you. Fish all flies that hit the water, YES, event the ugly casts can still catch fish. Try to fish upstream when possible. Fish are facing upstream for oxygen and to feed, if you’re cast is upstream you’ll be able to keep yourself behind the fish.
Tips for Fishing Low Water Lengthen the Leaders – By lengthening the leader, the fly line will be a farther distance away from the fish while making casts and drifts. Fish Lighter Tippet – When water is low and clear, think about fishing a smaller (larger number) tippet size. A lighter tippet allows for a more gentle presentation and less drag with your drifts. Don’t be Afraid to Think Outside the Box – Fish more than likely have already seen the size #18 Purple Haze or Parachute Adams. This is the time to throw the Bjorn El Tigre or Hodson’s Rainbow Bright. It’s best to work your way through the run with smaller flies that will have less disruption on the water and move on to the bigger flies. Keep Changing Flies - If you’re not getting any looks or takes on the fly that you have presented but the fish are still rising, don’t be afraid to change flies until you find something they like. Find the Water that the Fish are Feeding in – You see a beautiful deep run on the river and get nothing after spending several hours there. You must again think outside the box… Fish the shallow riffles and pocket water behind rocks and shelter. Most of the time the fish rest in the deep pools and move up into the riffles to feed. You’ll be surprised at how shallow of water you’ll find big fish feeding. Blend into the Surroundings – Toning down your attire during this time of year may not be a bad idea. This can be done by matching the color of clothing worn with the background colors around the streams. This is a hard one for me. Please see News on page 6
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What’s Hatching... By Megan Ellis West Fly Fishing - http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/entomology/mayfly/green-drake.shtml
Green Drake- The largest of the mayflies- known as “trout candy”
Hatch Season for Green Drakes hatch late May through June starting at lower elevations and progressing to higher elevations. Silver Bow fly shop is reporting Green Drake hatches happening NOW on our area rivers! Both naturals and artificial flies are easy to see on the water, by both fish and anglers. The
flies are normally easy to cast. Look for action in riffle water of moderate, depth. Flies are best fished with absolutely no drag from your line or leader.
Lifecycle of a Green Drake – Green Drakes have 4 stages to their lifecycle; Nymph, Emerger, Dun & Spinner.
Presentation – Nymphs and Emergers-Shallow Nymphing – near the bottom is your best bet in riffles and runs. Let it swing through the end if you don’t get a bite on the dead drift. Use an indicator and have a tight line WHERE: Riffles and runs. Size/Color 8-12 Brown, Olive-brown. Dun Standard Dry Fly- Because the duns are large, it takes a long time for their wings to dry. So after the dun emerges on the surface, it floats for long distances on quiet flows--a sitting duck (or sitting drake, if you will) the entire distance. WHERE: slow moderate runs Size/Color 8-12 Olive. Spinners – Usually occur after sunset SWOTF and other industry pros are not about to recommend that you prowl around moving water in the dark.
Match the Hatch
Drake Nymph Fly Patterns Green Drake Fly Patterns
Olive Hare’s Green Drake Ear
Green Drake Bjorn’s El Tigre Beadhead
Green Drake Emerger Green Paradrake
Click here to find the closest location to purchase Catch Flies. http://catchflyfish.com/locate/
OUR FLIES JUST TASTE BETTER!
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Where can I fish in July? By Sara Cochran
July might be a hit and miss when it comes to 2. North Fork of the CDA River (Kingston ID) fishing. With the weather turning warmer, lake River is low but fishing can be good in fishing typically slows as fish seek deeper water. the early mornings and late evenings. As for the rivers, fishing early mornings or late Be more selective with your fly pattern. evenings to dusk is the best. Make sure to keep Hatches – Caddis, Ant Flies, PMD’s, an eye out of what is hatching in the late Green Drakes, Golden Stones. evenings for those bugs should work the best. Check out Silver bow’s Fishing Report for the 3. St Joe (Avery Idaho) updated information. Above Avery is starting to turn on. http://www.silverbowflyshop.com/fishingreports Work your way up river. Hatches – Caddis, Ant Flies, PMD’s, 1. Area Lakes Green Drakes, Golden Stones. Amber Lake – Chironomids Medical Lake – Still Fishing Well 4. Saint Mary River (Cranbrook, BC,) 3hrs North Newman & Silver Lake (Bass and Highly recommended by my parents. Musky) They went up late July last year when West Medical – WDFG just planted temps were in the mid 90’s some huge rainbows on June 13th. They did a Guided Trip with Sprague Lake – FG recently planted Saint Mary Angler - 4,000 Steelhead http://stmaryangler.com/flyshop.html Close to 30 wild cutthroat trout 12- 18” all on foam hoppers were caught. SWOTF and Trout Unlimited News Rising Nippers For those who ordered Rising nippers. The order was placed last week and the nippers should be shipped today or tomorrow. The order will be shipped to Silverbow Fly Shop for you to pick up. You’ll pay Silverbow for the nippers. Dylan from Rising supports local fly shops and wanted to do it this way. What better way for you to pick up any additional items that you might need for our summer and fall fishing trips we have planned. Maybe even pick up a tacky fly box to carry as a walk and wade box? I will send an email out when the nippers have arrived to the shop.
Trout Unlimited Women’s Initiative Trout Unlimited is looking for any Women Leaders that have done a great job promoting the mission of Trout Unlimited as well as getting women involved into the sport of Fly Fishing. Please send a send a name and brief summary to Kerri Russell at [email protected].
Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited Chapters Offering Women Free Memberships for 2015 Are you new to TU and want to be a part of the amazing organization? If so, please let either Hilary or Heather know so we can get you signed up. You can also email us at [email protected] to get more information.
Spots Still Available for the Women’s Guided Steelhead February Trip Please email [email protected] to get more information about the Steelhead trip on the Olympic Peninsula in February 2016.
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Upcoming Event Details
July – Thursday & Friday 7/9 – 7/10/15 Kayak and Fish Priest Lake Idaho We’ll kayak through the Priest Lake Thoroughfare (2.5miles) and explore Upper Priest Lake. We’ll be staying in one of SWOTF’s cabin on the lake.
Sunday 7/12/15 10am-2pm Beginner Women’s Fly Fishing Class Silverbow Fly Shop 4th of seven women’s classes offered this year at Silverbow Fly Shop. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice.
Friday-Sunday 7/17 – 7/19/15 St Joe River Camping/Fishing Weekend Bring your family and we’ll spend the weekend camping, fishng and hanging out on the beautiful St. Joe River in Idaho.
Wed & Thurs 7/22 & 7/23 6-8pm Beginner Women’s Fly Fishing Class Silverbow Fly Shop 2-Part evening women’s classes offered this year at Silverbow Fly Shop. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice.
August – Wed & Thurs 8/12 & 8/13 6-8pm Beginner Women’s Fly Fishing Class Silverbow Fly Shop 2-Part evening women’s classes offered this year at Silverbow Fly Shop. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice.
Friday-Sunday 8/14 – 8/16/15 Women’s Guided Tiger Musky Weekend – Curlew Lake WA We’ll be camping at the Curlew Lake State Park Campground. We have two days of guided fishing for Tiger Musky with “Musky Dave” from Silverbow Fly Shop. We’ll divide the cost between the total number of women attending.
September – Friday-Sunday 9/11 & 9/13 Kelly Creek Camping/Fishing Weekend Bring your family and we’ll spend the weekend camping, fishng and hanging out on the beautiful Kelly Creek and the Northfork of the Clearwater in Idaho. We’re planning on camping at Kelly Forks Campground.
Saturday 9/19/15 10am-2pm Beginner Women’s Fly Fishing Class Silverbow Fly Shop Final women’s class offered this year at Silverbow Fly Shop. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice.
October – Friday-Monday 10/2-10/5/15 Fall Fishing Weekend Bring your family and we’ll spend the weekend camping, fishng and hanging out. We’ll more than likely be fishng n Montana for this event.
Friday-Sunday 10/9-10/11/15 Yakima Headwaters Trout Unlimited Women’s Weekend
Friday 10/30/15 Hackle and Hops Fly Tying Event It’s back. Space is limited to 15. Brng your tying tools and let’s get twisting.
Spokane Women on the Fly Brag Page On and Off the Water River Therapy
Tiffany with a Priest River Trout Sara with a Wyoming Pike
Cindy Representing Spokane Women on the Fly Lori’s First Fish on the Fly on the River
Peg with a St. Joe Cutty Vickie with a North Idaho Cutty