Tying Class Tomorrow- Smallmouth and Carp

As you have read, some of our favorite fly rod quarry are smallies and carp. Tomorrow night in fly tying class we will tie some of our current fly favorites. These are fun flies to tie. No size 22's here. Big hooks, tons of rubber legs, rabbit strips, and plenty o' flashy stuff. Come down to the shop tomorrow at 7:00pm.

European Nymphing

Czech Nymphing and other Eastern European Nymphing techniques are gaining in popularity in the United States. I have been fishing and tying polish woven nymphs lately with great success. Join me this Saturday morning at the fly shop to learn to tie Czech Nymphs and Woven Nymphs. I will demonstrate both styles of tying. See you this Saturday at 10:00 am at Dakota Angler. I will also give an introduction to Czech and Polish nymph fishing techniques.

A great fall day...

After milling around for hours while the baby slept, Christine looked at me and said, " You can go fishing." "Really?" I replied. It didn't take too long for me to get to my car and head for the stream. I knew from our first family walk and hour or two earlier that is was nice and warm and that the hoppers were back out again. Some family time and the potential for some hopper time makes for a happy dad.

Sure enough, the creek-side grass flitted with hoppers and dimples showed on the surface of run downstream of where I had parked. I ended up with a several fish, all on hoppers.

After an hour or so of fishing I was starting to feel guilty for not being at home. Having caught a few fish and happy at the chance to enjoy the 75 degree air I headed home.

New Addition to the Dakota Angler Family

We have a new guide this week. She won't be working for awhile. She is just starting training. Rest assured, she will be the best guide we have in a few short years. Lookout trout- here Elsa comes!

Hard to believe, but it is still hopper time

The weather has been warm, the hoppers are everywhere, and judging from the reaction to hopper flies- hopper time continues. I fished last night here on Rapid Creek (tried out the Echo kid's rod the Gecko- that thing rules for fishing in town, never-mind its bright yellow color and foam urban camo handle). The fish were readily taking hoppers.

The fish seemed to like Charlie Boy Hoppers the best last night. I wish I had had some Dave's Hoppers with me. They have been working well. Right before dark I switched to my new favorite fly- the Big Secret Cricket. It took several fish.

I hadn't fished for several days and last night's hopper fishing gave me a much needed fix.

Fly Fishing Film Tour

It is coming back. Thanks to the Black Hills Fly Fishers. The film tour is going to be at the Journey Museum on Sept. 10th at 7:00pm. Come early for good conversation and snacks and drinks. The films this year are going to be great. Let's pack the house. Tickets are $5 at the door.

More details on the films etc at: http://www.flyfishingfilmtour.com/

Spearfish Creek Trout

There are a bunch of them in Maurice Intake. It isn't out of the ordinary to catch several fish, but most of the little stinkers continue to feed right at your feet. They ignore countless imitations of midge larvae and baetis nymphs- even though you can pick up a rock just upstream and see nothing but small black midge larvae and baetis nymphs. They have to be eating something awfully close to our imitations. Nevertheless, it's cast and switch flies, cast and switch flies...

And I'm not complaining. A small strange part of me actually enjoys getting snubbed by the majority of the fish. It is what fuels all night tying binges. Several good patterns have resulted from those bleary eyed tie fests. There have also been far too many disasters- of the variety that you hope are never seen by your angling pals. These are promptly razor bladed and the hook recycled.

The fish in the picture above were about four feet away and ignored most of our offerings. We had a good time anyway. It was fun to watch all the fish feeding. We did manage to catch a few on bubble backs, WD-40's, and Scuds. One of the fish was a beauty- 16" and fat. A great Spearfish Creek Rainbow.