Page 142 - North 40 Outfitters

It's show time for the Methow and the rest of the Upper Columbia Region. Finally got the official word yesterday. The steelhead season for the Upper Columbia region will open on October 15th. Here is the official notice from WDFW. You’ll need to take a look at it know what all the official rules to the season are. The one down side to the notice is that the Wenatchee River will not be opening at this time. From what I have been told the Wenatchee River has not meet the escapement numbers needed for it to open. The department will continue re-evaluating the numbers, and if they improve, might open it at a later date. A few points to be known about our season up here. This fishery is to reduce the hatchery marked fish in the system. That is why there is a mandatory retention of the marked hatchery steelhead.  In years past, I know from...

So the forecast is calling for wind. That’s not unusual in our region. It’s also going to be pushing or exceeding 80 degrees. That’s downright summery. So it’s warm, but windy. What do you do? If I was not manning the fly shop, I’d go fishing. I mean we are about out of summer days. Here a few suggestions. Look for smaller channels on big rivers. Use River bends, trees and bluffs to your advantage. Anything that takes the brunt of the wind or channels it to a direction you can work with. Pick a place where you have the wind behind you. Cast high and you will feel like a hero. Pick a place where you can cast across the wind. It’s easy to cast cross wind. You will need to adjust your aim for some downwind drift on longer casts though. Cast over your downwind shoulder. This is really important and will keep you from wearing your...

These energetic and highly vocal birds are a welcome and frequent sight at bird feeders. The North 40 region is home to four species of chickadee, and unless you live far from any trees, at least one of these four species should be flitting in the woods around your home. The Black-capped Chickadee Photo by Furntree - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7053199" This is the most common and widespread chickadee and can be found throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana. They can be found in coniferous and deciduous woodlands along waterways. They thrive in urban areas as well. They can be separated from other chickadees by their solid black cap and throat, with a distinct white cheek patch running forward to the bill. Additionally, they have diffuse white wing edges that form a pale wing patch, when folde...

I prefer sticking with the Olive/Peacock color scheme for the tail and body. When fish are in the clear, I like an all olive fly. If they are mudding and the water is stirred up, I will use Orange legs and FL. Orange or FL. Green thread. While providing some movement, the legs become outriggers to help the fly remain hook up, as it rests on the bottom. They also slow the flies decent on a drop. Let it set a foot or so in front of a fish. Then give it a bump so it puffs some silt. You’ll soon be in your backing. Thread: UTC 210 Hook: 3X Long Streamer #8 Eyes: Spirit River Real Eyes 5/32" or small Painted Lead Eyes Dubbing: Arizona Semi-Seal Dubbing, Canadian Olive Tail: Olive Wooly Bugger Marabou Legs: Silicone Micro Mini Legs, Orange or Olive

The first Monsoon of fall has come roaring through.  Lots of people complaining about the weather.  The ones not complaining were out fishing.  Hopefully, they were wearing Gore-Tex.  It really makes a difference.  I’ve spent countless days under torrential down pours.  The kind of days where you have to bail the boat multiple times.  Many of those days have been memorable for the quality of fishing experienced. The fish are already wet, so they don’t mind rain one bit. We are fortunate that a company right here in Montana makes the very best Gore-Tex outerwear for anglers.  I’ve relied on Simms waders and jackets to keep me fishing in the worst weather for many, many years.  Over time, many of my Alaska clients saw my comfort level in the elements and outfitted with Simms.  Simms is the business and pleasure suit of choic...

You did it. Spent hard earn money on a nice pair of Justin's or Tony Lama's. Then it happened: rain, mud, gumbo, pasture land flat tires... or kids, or maybe all that at once. When you want to get your boots back in action and ready for a night out, you need to do it the right way. Below you'll find a North 40 guide to getting your boots shined up like new. Step by Step Instructions 1. Use a damp cloth to remove any mud or residue (you can also use a dry eraser or brush to remove any scuff marks) 2. If your boots become wet or saturated, the first thing you need to do is remove the insole 3. Use an absorbent tissue paper such as a paper towel and dry the boot thoroughly 4. Remember to never put your boots in direct heat as it causes cracking 5. Once your boots are thoroughly dry, use a leather conditioner on the boots with a dry cloth or ...

Early mornings, longer nights, sleeping in a truck, consistent suspense, good friends, and better memories is what the past three days were for Drew and me when we visited Lewiston, Idaho in hopes of hooking into a big steelhead. I’ve always wanted to chase steelhead because it has such a passionate and devoted following. I figured it was time to begin the lifelong process of learning every aspect about their habits and tactics and really get into the- lifestyle- I almost said sport, but it’s more than that. It’s truly a lifestyle. First Impressions When Learning to Swing Flies My first experience? Addicting. If it wasn't for the knowledgeable employees in the fly fishing and fishing department at Lewiston's North 40 store, we would have left without a single grab. We fished everything from swinging colorful flies through gorgeous ...

Above average temperatures with very little precipitation will be the trend through the first half of October. Summer rods, dry lines, and unweighted flies still seem to be the weapons of choice. The Clearwater continues to run just under 2500cfs. I've heard mixed reports of productivity. Some have gone over a week without a pull, others get one here and there. Fish every bit of water. Fish the short cast. You might get a surprise grab. These smaller A-run fish account for the majority of the fish population and are much more trout like by nature. The B run fish arrival is on the horizon and should happen within the next couple of weeks. The Snake is still very warm, running between 63-66 degrees over the last few days. Much warmer than the Clearwater, but also a lot more water. I have yet to make it to the Grande Ronde, but it sounds l...

In trying to find the origination of the Montana Wonder Bug, the internet yielded patterns for other wonder bugs. However, I found that a number of the old school crowd fished the fly with their Dads in the late 1940s... and their Dads probably fished it in the 20s and 30s with the rubber tail coming from rubber bands or appropriated from the girdle of a female they knew. The fly was fished wet or in the film mostly in the winter and early when the "snow flies" (midges) were hatching. Materials: Hook: 12 -16 Tail: small round rubber legs Body: black or brown dubbing Hackle: grizzly rooster neck to size   -- OLD MO ANGLER

Every year we head down to Lewiston and fish the Clearwater River for steelhead and salmon.  Each year our intent is to swing flies during the day and pull plugs at night. Night fishing on the Clearwater River and Snake River can be very fun if the conditions are right.  My plug of choice is the Brad's Lighted Wiggler in various colors.  I usually like to run a few different colors to see what they are wanting to eat.  Brad's Magnum Lighted Wiggler also works well. The Clearwater requires barbless hooks, so I prep my plugs before heading out fishing.  I first remove the front treble hook and split ring.  Then I remove the rear treble hook and add a #7 crane swivel to the split ring.  On the back of the crane swivel I add another split ring, a size 4 works fine.  Then I add a Gamakatsu Octopus hook to the split ring.  Having the...

Leaves are turning. Days are getting shorter. It’s time to wear waders again. Waters are cooling and that is a good thing for cold water critters like trout. Cooling waters are also going to bring about a menu change. For those of you struggling with the Trico and the Pseudo, it’s a good change. Get ready for fall Baetis and October Caddis. Baetis may be small, but they are easier to fish than the trico/pseudo fare. Remember those flies that worked so well in May? They are back on the menu. October Caddis are big and they can provide some crashing takes on the drift and the skate. This is a bug worthy of fishing on that little 2 handed trout spey for added fun. If you took a break during the hot summer weather, break time is over. Fall is a wonderful time to be on the waters. Stop in to replenish your fall fly selections and maybe c...

As you round the bend on Montana 41 South and enter the town of Twin Bridges, the splendor of the community is easy to appreciate. "Twin" is a quiet town whose primary inhabitants are ranchers and fly fishermen. It doesn’t boast a huge affluence and economic luster, but Twin isn’t impoverished and rundown. Twin is a living example of practicality and simple sophistication surrounded by pure decadence. Well, at least for those who appreciate western heritage and good fly fishing. The town banner embodies this spirit better than any other town crest I have ever witnessed. The bronc rider wielding what appears to be a Winston rod tethered to a trout in buckskin and blue exemplifies the essence of this strong community. Welcome To Winston Winston Rod Company epitomizes this same essence. At first sight, the small building on the way out ...