Tying An Extended Body Parachute

Great Britain’s Finest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend Mr. McCrary is showing his beautiful un-restored 1973 Triumph Bonneville 650 off at The One Motorcycle Show in Portland. The show features over 75 bikes from builders all over the U.S., A custom helmet paint job show, Motorcycle inspired art works by great artists, music, and beer. We can’t think of a better combo for a good time.

Mining for Steel

Jamey Mitchell hit pay dirt on the Sandy last week. I dont think it gets much better than this. Swung fly, beautiful day, and a beautiful fish to hand. 

Deschutes Winter Trout Report

Its been a while since we talked about trout around here. From late November to early April around here it’s easy to get tunnel vision on winter steelheading. So, to change it up a bit and get a little refreshed, here you go…A late Janurary trout report.
The Deschutes has been fishing great. Big, healthy, fat rainbows, some up in the 17” range have been brought to hand. Most of the fish, as to be expected, have been hooked in the slower seams, back eddies, and right off the bank. The river has been running a little high, but that shouldn’t put you off. In truth, around 6000 cfs out of Pelton is my favorite level to fish the “D”. It will bring the fish right into the banks where they stack up and are easy to get to.

As for fly selection, our best over all has been a Rubber Jimmy Legs in both size 6 and 8. Any color, doesn’t seem to matter. trail a small (16 or 18) pheasant tail, lightning bug, or copper john off the back end and your set. There are a ton of white fish eggs on the bottom of the river at the moment, so don’t be without a few small egg patterns, and as always in the winter, bring your san juan worms. If the river comes up even more, worms will be very important to have. BWO’s are popping off here and there. Look for them in back eddies from 11-3, and expect to see a couple gulpers. 

January Water Level Report

And so it begins…

Matts new boat is in the build process as we speak…a 22 1/2’ Willie Predator with the new 4 stroke 200hp SHO Yamaha jet to back it up. So, what does this mean to you, you ask? Watch the “F” out! This season on the Clack and Lower D your gunna see a wild ass banshee Scotsman, cruzin by you at mach 10 with his kilt, high in the air, on his way to find the next silver bullet.

Matt is booking sled trips now for both the Clack winter and summer season, and the Summer Deschutes season. Spots fill up very fast. If you want to get in, book now.   

Roger’s First

A little more time spent here…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equals better results here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday on the Clack, Roger lands his first Winter Steelhead with Matt. A big Congrats goes out to you, Roger!!!

Beautiful Sandy Steelhead

Ricardo Guzman struck chrome last week on the Sandy with one of his own Intruders. 

Catching up on a little reading

Studies have shown that children that start reading at a young age average higher test scores in school, have better communication skills, and enhanced concentration abilities. At age 2-1/2, Jake Mitchell, son of Jamey Mitchell, hopes to add another benifit from early age reading to his skill set. Keep an ear out for this up-and-comer next time your out. 

Fish to be had..

Even with the low levels and cold teps, there are fish around. We have had very high tides this past week and every Lower Columbia trib has seen a push of fresh fish. Even though we have some tough conditions at the moment, the good news is that the rivers are not blown, and the fish are there. Darker colored flies in the purples, blacks, and blues have been the most consistant, but I would male sure to have a couple pinks, reds, and orange offerings with you. If you find a run that looks too good to not give up a fish, switch from your dark to your bright fly and go through it again, sometimes thats all it takes to find a biter. 

McCrary’s Annual December Slay Fest 2011

About this time every year we get a drove of people coming in and calling, all with the same question: Are you seeing any Steelhead yet? Well…....yes…....yes we are. Time to go out and get it done people. The Sandy, Clack, Coast, and SW Washington all have fresh winter fish in them. Even though we are a little shy on moisture, and the rivers are low and clear, there are fish to be caught. Please see the evidence below, and quickly proceed to your nearest local steelhead run.

Winter Intruder Style Fly Contest

Contest Starts December 1st 2011 -  Ends Jan 15th 2012

We are having our 1st Annual Winter Steelhead Fly Contest

The winner will get a free 5 hour guided float trip and a $50 gift certificate to the shop.
Plus a blog shout out to show the world your creation

Your flies must be tied “intruder style”. Shanked ot tubed, doesn’t matter. Any colors you can think of.
Fly judgment will be based on creativity, durability, and movement in the water…....yes they will be getting a swim in our test tank.
Jack, Matt, and Jason will be your friendy judges

Each person is limited to two entries.
All flies submitted become property of NWFFO, and will not be returned, as on river testing my be required
Any fly turned in after Jan. 15th 2012 will not be accepted into the contest.

All the flies will be donated to Clark-Skamania Fly Fishers Club after the contest. To learn more about the club and all they do for conservation and education visit their website here:
http://www.clark-skamania-flyfishers.org/

Good Luck!

 

Tying the Intruder

Tube - Froden FITS XS into Med.
Rear Dubbing - SLF Prism Blue
Rear and Front Under Fur/Hair - White Artic Fox
Front and Rear 1st Hackle - Blue Ostrich
Front and Rear 2nd Hackle - Purple Jumbo Guinea
Cone - FITS Tungsten Large
Flash - KF Blue Angel Hair
Body - Blue Mini Flat Braid

Piggy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Grillos recently took a trip up the mouth with Matt, and landed this monster!
Andrew is a signature tier for Portland Oregon based, Idylwilde Fly Company.
To see some of his work, follow the link - http://www.idylwilde.com/html/signature_tiers.php?tier_id=12

 

Tying a weighted Hohbo Spey

Shank - Waddington 25mm
Thread - Uni 6/0
Hook - Owner Octopus #2
Loop - 30# Fireline
Rear Dubbing - Ice Dub - Color to suit
Body Dubbing - Ice Dub - Color to suit
Body Hackle - Jumbo Guinea
Collar - Spey quality marabou - 2 colors
Flash - Flashabou - Color to suit