High Water

Streams are a bit high right now if you haven't noticed. Time to fish the lakes (which are fishing well by the way) or to head out and try your luck for warmwater species.

 Black Hills lakes are often overlooked and offer anglers good shots at fish in the 15-20" range. Good fishing has been reported from Pactola, Sheridan, Center, and Sylvan Lakes. Fish a mini leech or crystal bugger on an intermediate sinking line for all around success. Another technique that is akin to bobber fishing, but is very effective is to fish a strike indicator rig with a couple of chironomid patterns 4-8' below the indicator. Once you establish the depth the fish are holding, there will be plenty of action.

As for warmwater pursuits, fishing for white bass in Pierre has been good, smallmouth fishing is picking up on the missouri, and pike fishing has been good at Pactola. Sheridan and Stockade should start producing bass soon. Sounds like this could be a good year for everybody to get out and try their luck at getting a big northern on the fly.

Tying the Tungsten Mini Leech

This is my version of one of our most popular selling flies, the Bead Head Mini Leech. This fly has proven extremely effective on the lakes and streams of the Black Hills. However, it will no doubt work well on most trout lakes.

Take note of the "clump dubbing" technique that will make it easy to achieve full buggy dubbed bodies without the use of a dubbing loop.

Tie in Black, Olive, or Blood. Sizes 12-14

Tying the Translucent Midge Pupa

This easy to tie midge pupae pattern combines flash into translucence an attractive and fish catching package. Tie it in sizes 16-22. Vary the color of thread to change the color scheme of the fly.

Special Guests at this Saturday's Open House

Don't miss out on a special opportunity...

Our good friends from Andersen Sales Tom and Gail Andersen and Dave Gellatly will be at this weekends open house! These fine folks represent Sage, Rio, Redington, Umpqua Feather Merchants, and Tibor Reels. This is your chance to see and demo equipment from these companies and ask any questions about the gear to the people who know the most about it.

• Come and try out the newest Sage rods and reels.
• Preview the latest fly patterns from Umpqua Feather Merchants
• See the new Redington Sonic Pro Waders
• Find out what Rio fly line is best for any situation
• Get a chance to handle the new Tibor Signature Series Reel

Thanks to Tom, Gail, and Dave for travelling to be a part of this special event. These are great friends of the shop and of the Black Hills, please come out to see them!



Sage TXL-F Raffle to Benefit the Black Hills Fly Fishers

Andersen Sales has very generously donated a Sage TXL-F 7'10" 3 weight to be raffled off to benefit the Black Hills Fly Fishers. Please come out to support the club and to have a chance at winning this incredible fly rod.

Open House Event this Weekend

Mark your calendars! We are going to have a customer appreciation/5 year of Hans' ownership open house extravaganza on May 14th. There will be food, fun, special guests, and best of all some super special deals on some of your favorite products. This is a don't miss event!

Don't miss out on:

*Specials on select Simms Products (one day only be sure to be there to save on many of your favorite items)

*Gear Specials (one day only be sure to be there to save on many of your favorite items)

*Fly Tying Demos

*Crow Peak Brewery Tasting!

*Food

*Raffle tickets will be sold to benefit the Black Hills Fly Fishers. Raffle tickets will enter you in a drawing for a Sage TXL-F 7'10" 3 Weight

Specials will run all day. The shop will be open 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Tying the Boat Anchor Scud

Fishing the Bighorn or other western tailwater? Hate using split shot? Use this scud pattern in place of weight and save yourself the trouble of digging for split shot or untangling rigs. The trout dig it. Caught some of the biggest fish of the past trip on this fly.

Breaking News- Kelly Galloup coming for presentations this Saturday.

Don't forget that Kelly Galloup will be here this Saturday. This is an opportunity not to miss. Here is a run down:

Black Hills Flyfishers

Special Feature Presentation

Don't Miss this Opportunity!

Kelly Galloup
Nationally Known Host of Fly Fish TVon the Outdoor Life Network
Big Trout Fishing Guide and Angler on the Madison River, Montana- Fly Tying Author

Saturday May 7, 2011 in Rapid City, SD

Hands-On Streamer Fishing- May 7, 2011 11:00 am- at Canyon Lake Inlet- no flies on the end of your line will be allowed to insure the safety of all.

Tying Cripples and Spinners- May 7, 2011 2:00 pm- SD School of Mines Classroom Building- Room CB 204-  *see http://www.blackhillsflyfishers.blogspot.com/ for materials list*

Tying Big Trout Streamers- May 7, 2011 4:00 pm- SD School of Mines Classroom Building- Room CB 204-  *see http://www.blackhillsflyfishers.blogspot.com/ for materials list*

Proven Streamer Tactics for Big Trout- May 7, 2011 7:00 pm- School of Mines Classroom Building- Room CB 204

All sessions are free!

Please RSVP to any of the events so we can plan on the number of people attending each session.

RSVP to this email address: blackhillsflyfishers@gmail.com