Once October rolls around, most people will be hunting, steelhead fishing, watching football or a combination of the three. Very few people are still chasing trout, which is fine by me. The hard part is always deciding where to go. Do I head to a lake or a river? Washington, Idaho or Montana? Tough decisions I know, but those are the challenges we face in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane. Looking at the constantly changing weather forecast is usually the ultimate deciding factor for me. 20-30 mph gusts and raining? Yeah, I probably won’t be inflating the float tube today. Calm and sunny? Time to hit one of my favorite eastern Washington lakes! Fly Fishing in Fall on Lakes in Washington The lakes of eastern Washington have a vast amount of aquatic life that provides protein to fast-growing trout. It’s not uncommon to catch fish over 20 inc...

Fishable Conditions are a relative term.  Above freezing is nice, but within reason, it can be a little colder.  Wind is a big influence in cold weather.  Especially sub-freezing temps. Your level of cut off based on winds of 30 mph, 20 mph, 15 mph and 10 mph or less will need to be factored into your fishability equation and the level of mercury in the thermometer.  I notice my window of fishable conditions is directly related to how long it’s been since I’ve been on the water.  The longer the separation, the nastier the weather I’m willing to challenge. The thing about fishing in the winter is really just staying comfortable and having conditions that allow you to fish properly.  If your line is freezing and your skin is freezing and you can’t make a decent cast or fishable drift, it’s pointless.  Assuming the conditio...

Fly Tying Season has Arrived We are finally experiencing our first arctic blast of winter.  We enjoyed an amazing extended fall period of mild weather and fantastic fishing, but it’s time to face the reality of winter. December is typically cold, dark and often the worst month of the year for Montana fly fishing prospects. The days are short, the nights are cold and that wind keeps blowing. The good news is we have holiday events and shopping to keep us occupied... and fly tying. December is a great time to dig into your fly tying materials and sort things out.  If you are like me, things got a bit scrambled over the busy fishing season.  Now is the time to make the plans you’ll need to fill up your boxes for the coming fishing season. Make that fly tying list and then stock up on the materials you’ll need to get after it. Want...

We spoke with experts, Simon Gawesworth, a master of the cast, and Tim Rajeff, an expert in fly rod design and manufacturing, to help us understand how to choose fly line for a fiberglass fly rod. What’s the difference between old glass vs. new glass rods? To begin Simon states, "If you only have one rod, you still are going to need a variety of fly lines (to cast for a variety) of variables." -variables such as; if you cast with a fast stroke or a slow stroke, or if you are fishing a stream with a short amount of line, or on a reservoir. He adds, "Once you start to dial it in, there are certain things that are essential in a fly line and fly rod combination." 1.)  You don’t want to overload the rod with a fly line. The first essential thing when choosing a fly line for a fiberglass fly rod, is to not overload the rod. Fiberglass ro...

Dressing for winter weather is never fun and you usually end up looking like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story; but if you're crazy like me you'll find a way to fish regardless of what the thermometer says. Patagonia Homepool Fingerless Gloves I always make sure to layer properly and put on a warm hat, although I'll usually forego the gloves because I hate the loss of dexterity when I'm fishing. That's why when I saw the Patagonia Homepool Fingerless Gloves come into the shop I got excited. The 2.5mm neoprene shell and gridded polyester lining provides warmth and wind protection for the back of your hands and wrists, while the thumb/pinky holes keep the glove in place. This leaves your fingers and palms exposed so you can keep a Kung Fu grip on your oars, or a firm grasp on your rod while stripping streamers. But what do I ...

Treat other anglers the way you would want to be treated Simple, right? This one is wide open, since anglers’ perceptions can be very different. This guideline applies to anglers that you know and fish with, as well as anglers that you meet on the river. When fishing with others, sometimes it is nice to offer the run first. Or ask what part of the run they would like to fish first to split the run. If you meet an angler on the river fishing, it is nice to greet and communicate with that angler, asking if it’s okay to step in above him, etc... Observe other anglers’ tactics before stepping in a run There are many different ways to cover water when searching for steelhead. If you take a few minutes to see how other anglers are fishing the water they are in, it may help you figure out how to stay out of their way. When swinging flies ...

As much as it hurts me to say, fishing season has officially/finally come to an end for me in the Panhandle. Some fisherman might say, "You've been fishing into December? Are you crazy?" While others will say, "You're calling it quits now? Are you crazy?!" Truthfully, I am not quitting completely. I'll still get out on the water a handful of times this December, but not as much as I normally do. I am currently switching my attention more towards skiing and duck hunting like many people do this time of year in the Northwest. It is important to realize when your "end of season" is because you should complete an annual checklist of tasks in order to properly store your fly fishing gear. By following these simple tasks below, your gear will be organized, clean and will ultimately last longer. What To Do To Prepare Your Gear For Storage Wad...

I may not be a hunter, but I do love the natural beauty of antlers. They may be simple, but they have a natural grace to them that attracts the eye, which is why I was hoping to use them in a pet project of mine. My little project has turned into a success, so I decided: what better way to show them off than a DIY Antler Jewelry Hanger. What you will need to DIY your Antler Jewelry Hanger Twine Antlers Scissors Hot Glue Gun Extra Glue Sticks Wire Electrical Tape Spray Paint (Optional) Burlap Optional: Feathers, Beads, Leather Strips, Cork Short on supplies? Pick up the rest at the store or online here Instructions for DIY Antler Hanger Step 1 Spray paint antler and set aside to let dry. Step 2 Create Your Burlap Flowers Start by cutting the burlap into strips. The thicker and longer you cut the strip, the bigger the flower, while t...

Since we have no steelhead season on the Methow this year, dedicated stream anglers in the area have been left with little opportunity since the end of September. Fortunately, the winter whitefish season has arrived, bringing at least the excuse to get out on the river. Curious how the river is doing? Check out current river flows here I fished a short section of the Methow below Twisp this week, and managed to catch one good sized whitefish on a size 16 bead-head hare’s ear nymph. The Methow is open for whitefish from Gold Creek to Winthrop, and above Weeman Bridge. The Chewuch is also open all the way from the mouth to the Pasayten Wilderness boundary falls. Whitefish gear rules are in effect, limiting you to a single hook with a hook gap of 3/16" or less (standard size 14), though bait is allowed. (See WDFW regs for specifics). Want...