Now that the Omak lake road is back up and running, people are finding it easier to get to Rufus Woods Lake. For the anglers using flies, the word is that it's been great. I would recommend fishing up river of the net pens. In the last few weeks, Colville Tribes has released about 15,000 two pound triploid rainbows in and around the pens. If you are looking for something a little beefier, go up stream. Your fly won't be mobbed by the smaller released fish. Fish the seam waters just off any current. This type of water is real suited for swinging streamers. Need to stock up on flies? Check out our fly selection here Since we did not have a steelhead season in the area, this will help you get your local fix for the spey rod. Depending on depth and speed of the water, a T8 to a T11 MOW tip will do just fine. Also, a Polyleader in the Fas...

If you didn't know, you do now. Also, be sure to show up this Saturday at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint, Idaho for the F3T-Fly Fishing Film Tour. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Don't know what F3T is? Check this out.   

The vast majority of the ice has disappeared since my last report and Amber Lake is fishing well. Bloodworms, balanced leeches, and chironomids will be effective along the shoreline for anglers itching to stare at a bobber. Damsel nymphs and leeches slowly retrieved on an intermediate line should get it done for those not willing to stay in one place for too long. Temperatures are supposed to be in the fifties, the sun doesn’t set until 7:00, and it's officially spring! What else do you need to end cabin fever and get out there with your family? Gooooooo!!!!! Need to stock up on gear before you go? Gear up with the North 40 Flyshop here

Medical Lake is still pretty iced over. The good news is that, with each passing day, more ice is melting. This gives anglers who don't mind fishing from shore, the chance to catch their first brown trout of the season. Curious how the rivers are doing? Check out North 40 Fly Shop Fishing Reports here. Give it another week and the lake should be wide open for those of you looking to get out in your float tube. Have you seen the new North 40 Fly Shop website? Browse it here.

Since 1979, Loop Tackle has stood as an innovative, forward-thinking company, always striving to educate anglers as well as provide them with quality gear. With their outside-the-box perspective, Loop was able to create the first ever large arbor reel seen in fly fishing. Since then, large arbor reels are in every fly shop around the world, and used widely from trout to tarpon. At North 40 Fly Shop, we're a proud dealer of Loop rods and reels... we also get out with new gear and put it to the test. Here's our "Top 3 Reels from Loop Tackle," overview. Read through and see which reel you think would fit your style--if you have any questions, contact us here. A Review of the Loop Multi Reel  Loop had their work cut out for them when they decided to offer a bomb proof diecast reel for an affordable price. After using the Multi, I can confi...

While we can’t exactly proclaim that Spring has sprung here in the Upper Pacific Northwest, winters long hold on us seems to be slipping away more and more each day. Have you seen the new North 40 Fly Shop website? Browse it here. Even in days where the snow is falling, it's melting away from below faster than it can accumulate. This has been a long hard winter and it has definitely pushed spring run off a few weeks back compared to the previous few years. This certainly hasn't helped to ease this itch that so many of us are developing this time of year. The days are getting longer though and fish are finally starting to get active and actually hunt for food. I went up on the Clark Fork River in Montana this past weekend in hopes of finding some of these feeding fish. Unfortunately, we were met by howling winds at our first stop so be...

Developed in Alaska and tested in the northwest and Montana, Jerry's Summer Sculpin is a great fly to add to your quiver.  Great profile, lot's of movement and subtle flash combine to make this fly one that trout can't ignore. Materials 25mm Shank  Small Dumbbell Eyes Loop #50 Braid (You can use this Intruder Wire) Micro Rabbit or Trimmed (Thinned) Zonker Strip Red Polar Chenille Grizzly Flutter Legs Peacock Ice Dub Green Barred Predator Wrap Senyo’s Laser Dub Tools Regal Fly tying Vice Loon Outdoors Gator Grip Fly Tying Dubbing Spinner Loon Head Cement Need an introduction to Jerry French? Here it is: "Hi, I'm Jerry French. I was born and raised on the West coast, where I developed a love of fly fishing early on. At the age of 16, I loaded up my Volkswagen Beetle and chased trout all over Washington, Oregon, and BC. My trout addicti...

We have all heard it, "You should have been here yesterday. " That’s what the weather was telling me today when I got out to Omak Lake. Yesterday was warm and sunny, just a beautiful day and I was stuck indoors. Today was a grey cold with a little drizzle, but since I was there, I gave it a shot. I did not see any of the cutties cruising the shallows along the shore line. I worked my way east along the shore with no takes. I got to the runoff creek that was flowing at a good rate into the lake. Now normally this would have been a really good place to locate a few fish. After changing my fly a couple of times, I had what I call a there and gone. Felt the fish, got a couple of tugs, then nothing. The strike was weak at best. After about 45 minutes, I had another brief tug. I ended my fishing out on the dock, with one more there and gone...

FlyMen Fishing Company introduced Double Barrel Popper & Slider Bodies last year to the fly tying world and changed the way poppers are tied forever. No longer will you have to waste time gluing, waiting, painting, more waiting, then finally tying your bug. These soft foam bodies are remarkably easy to use. All you need is a lighter and bodkin to create a  channel through the body. Tie a thread base on one of the Surface Seducer Popper Hooks, add a little Zap-A-Gap to the thread base, then slide the body onto the hook. Easy peasy poppers! At this point, you can get creative by using paint, markers, or keep it simple by leaving the body plain. The recessed eye slots make it easy to attach the Surface Seducer® Dragon Eyes with a little UV resin. Finish the fly with a marabou, hackle, flash, and rubber legs. But how do they work in ...