Missouri River Fisheries Meeting

If you fish the Missouri River in South Dakota you will want to attend a meeting at the Outdoor Campus West on February 1st. Game Fish and Parks staff will discuss the impacts on Missouri River Fisheries caused by flooding this past summer. How will Oahe fish in 2012? Be at the Outdoor Campus on February 1st at 7:00pm to find out.

Tying the Shuttlecock Buzzer

This pattern is based on the Shuttlecock Buzzer patterns I have seen published in Czech books and websites. I typically tie these in smaller sizes for imitating emerging midges on my local trout streams. My favorite sizes are 16-22. Black, Olive, and Grey are all productive colors. This fly can be tied much larger when fishing chironomid hatches on stillwaters. When tying this fly in larger sizes it helps to add 1 or 2 feathers to the wing.

Materials:

• Hook: Tiemco 2488 size 14-22
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Fl. Orange
• Thread: Wapsi UTC 70 Denier Color to match body color
• Rib: Silver Ultra Wire
• Wing: Natural Dun CDC
• Abdomen: Super Fine Dubbing color to match natural

Happy Tying

Fly Fishing Film Tour 2012 returns to Rapid City on March 7th!

The Fly Fishing Film tour makes it's triumphant return to Rapid City on March 7th 2012! Tickets on Sale Now at the shop for $12. They will be $15 the night of the show. The showing will be held at the Elks Theatre- this year it will be on the big screen. Doors will open at 7:00pm. Show starts at 7:30pm. Don't miss it! 

 Get more information on the films and filmmakers at the tour's website: http://flyfilmtour.com/

See you on March 7th at the Elk Theatre.

Tying the Pearl Core Cased Caddis

This is a cased caddis larva pattern tied in the Czech style. This nymph is tied on a jig hook with a slotted tungsten bead that causes it to bounce along the bottom with the hook point riding up. Cased Caddis patterns are very effective, especially in freestone streams. Fish this fly on point, with a smaller offering above it.



Materials:

• Hook: Umpqua C400BL Size 10-14
• Bead: Slotted Tungsten Bead
• Thread: UTC 140 Denier
• Head: Hareline Dubbin Pearl Core Braid
• Collar: Whiting Brahma Hen or Partridge Feather
• Hackle for Case: Strung Brown Saddle
• Case:Hareline Dubbin Hare's Ear Dubbing

Too cold to fish today...I guess it is winter.

High today in Rapid City was only 18 degrees- what happened to the 40's, 50's, and 60's? Don't worry, it is supposed to warm up again by Friday.

But what to do until then? I highly suggest coffee and fly tying. You know, those things we used to do in the winter time.

I have been on a heavy espresso bender today. Since I can't do much outside and I have been working at the computer all morning, I require a few extra shots of liquid energy. Later today, while still sailing high on the seas of caffeine I will sit down at the tying bench to film some new tying videos and to refill my fly boxes.

Here are a few fly pattern videos to revisit. These patterns will be useful by weeks end:

The Fabulous F-Fly


CDC Midge Emerger


Translucent Midge Pupa

Winter Midge Hatches have Begun

They're back! When I was out on Rapid Creek this past Sunday I saw fish feeding on midges up top. I hadn't seen any fishable hatches yet, but there they were. The midge hatches that occur January through March here on Rapid Creek in town are spectacular. Maybe it is because any hatch that brings fish to the surface in the middle of winter is rare and something to celebrate, but to me it seems that winter or not these hatches generate some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. I fish in town much more than I used to and have begun to look forward to the fishing opportunities to be found there during the winter. The midge hatches are definitely a highlight.

If you get a chance to fish this hatch here are a few flies to take along:

F-Fly (tie in black or olive size 18-20)

Morgan's Midge size 20

CDC Adult Midge size 20

Matt's Midge size 20-22

Two New Tying Videos

Chewee Bloodworm



Click to See the materials list

Czeched Out Hare's Ear Nymph




Click to See the materials list

Winter, eh?

Well it has been an odd "winter" so far. We are used to warm weather here in the balmy west of the river Banana Belt, but these sustained highs in the 40-50's are peculiar. Looks like a dip into the 20's is coming next week though- there are still several of days with highs over 40 in the forecast between now and Wednesday. Make sure you make the most of them.

Fishing has been excellent on Rapid Creek below Pactola and here in town. I haven't been up to Spearfish recently, but I would bet that fishing through town and in the valley is benefiting from this warm weather. Rumor has it that Crow Creek is fishing well too.

I got out yesterday after a long hiatus. Had a busy month at the shop that culminated in a three day inventory counting session! Wahoo!

It was a relief to have time to fish for a change, even if it was only for an hour. Didn't see any risers, but I think the winter midge hatches should crank up soon. Yesterday I kept up my experimentation with French and Spanish style nymphing. I will post soon about the leader rig I am using for this style of fishing.

The new Sage ESN 10' rods are perfect for nymph fishing this way. The 3 weight fishes extremely well on Rapid Creek. The 2 weight would be a blast here in the Hills. There might be one of those in my future.

If you get a chance to get out in the next few days, email us some photos at the shop- flyfish@rapidnet.com.

Tying the RS2

Developed by Rim Chung. The RS2 is a proven pattern. Time after time it fools picky fish. Luckily for fly tiers, it isn't too tough of a fly to tie. Perfect fly to imitate emerging baetis ascending to the surface.

See the materials list at: http://flyfishsd.com/tying_the_RS2.htm