With apple harvest still going strong, I knew Luke had not had much time to hit the water of late. Last time I saw him, he was looking like he was in need of some fishing time. After checking the weather forecast for Sunday, I called Luke and asked if he was up for some time on the water. He told me, "I'll see you in the morning, I'll bring the boat." We hit the lake at about 10:30 in the morning. The weather forecast said little to no wind, well that was almost true. We ran down lake, but as we did the wind picked up and proved too much for us. Once we got closer to the north end, it was a lot more pleasant. We started out with the bigger streamer patterns that normally work for us. The action was okay, but the takes were of a half-hearted effort by the fish. We dropped the size of our streamers and start to get more positive action fro...

4:30AM Titusville, FL July 16th 89 Degrees It feels like I was at the Costa sunglasses party only an hour ago. In fact, it’s been a quick six hours of sleep, sushi, and a short drive from Orlando, Florida to the Casa Coquina Bed and Breakfast in Titusville, Florida. We checked into an 89 year old bed and breakfast, which sits beside the Indian River. I woke up to the sound of a gong and our ring leader, Joe Lamantia   from Mid-States, flipping on lights. Paul Considine, our buyer, Rob Bolke also from Mid-States, and I cleared the Costa party blur from our eyes. Looking around, we found ourselves waking up in a museum of world market items, in a room named the Black Pearl. Coffee was waiting for us, and so was our guide, Scott Macalla of Backcast Charters.  I bought two hot dogs, slow roasted at the gas station for brunch on the boat...

Whether you have only caught bits of a discussion on lines for two hand rods in a fly shop, or have been chasing steelhead with them since their modern conception, it is quite obvious everyone has an opinion on which line system is the proper tool for certain steelheading scenarios. Unfortunately, many speak in terms of absolutes. In such a complex sport there is no such thing, rather just a preferred method to maximize enjoyment and appreciation for the fish we pursue. And finally, there is more than one way to catch a fish. You can check current flows around Lewstown here. I believe if one wants to have the fullest appreciation for the natural abilities of Snake River basin steelhead, you must encounter one, with a fly, somewhere near the surface. Making the connection to a summer steelhead, a fish that has little to no business eating...

Nestled at the base of the Pasayten Wilderness, north of Winthrop, Washington, are the cold, clear waters of the Chewuch River.  The Chewuch is the beginning of a modern day success story with its contribution to natural rearing of Methow River steelhead and salmon. Natural preservation of its headwaters in the Pasayten Wilderness and quality land management by its neighbors lends itself to a pristine river shed surrounded by the beauty of the high desert meeting the pines. To preserve the spawning habitat of the Chewuch, her waters have been closed to steelhead fishing for decades. One of the grand gestures we’ve done to help preserve these wild fish shouldn’t we all have a sacred refuge? Luckily, we can still enjoy these holy waters even just for a brief time. For the past 10 years or so, the river has opened the Saturday before Me...

The near 80-degree temps we've been experiencing this week are coming to an end, which means some great fall fishing is right around the corner. The streamer bite has been really good on the Spokane River lately, especially first thing in the morning. I was able to fish a stretch in the valley on my way home from work this week and managed to land a few fish on an olive sculpin pattern. Want to know how the river is doing? Check out the current river flows here October caddis are showing up more and more each day, so don't forget to bring some burnt orange bugs in a size 8. I like the ones that float high and have rubber legs... Want to try out some new flies? Check out our fly selection here We've got a great assortment of all the flies you'll need. So come on in and get 'em while the fishing is hot!

Steelhead drive some people crazy. Searching for that perfect moment in time when it all comes together and the personal reward has reached its apex, sometimes it’s few and far between. For myself, and many others, seeking out steelhead with a swung fly is the pinnacle of fishing. Practicing casts with an imaginary rod and "feeling" the take mentally consumes a large part of my day. I probably look like a raver trying to figure out a new dance move while I picture that cast in my head and my arms move without even knowing it. I love theories. Especially fishing theories and, coming from a background in physics, this may come natural to me. Fishermen literally drive themselves nuts with theories, and steelhead fishermen may be some of the worst. Theories on such ineffable topics as why a winter steelhead in a sun baked run ate the strin...

Is the Missouri River any good right now? How is the Missouri River fishing? Is the Missouri River any good yet? Have you been fishing at all? Do you live in a cave? Sorry. I know people are busy. I know they have other important things that occupy their time away from work. I know not everyone goes fishing every spare moment they can get away with. My wife wishes I did not always have to go fishing, but it’s what I do. So my answer? It’s good right now. The Missouri River is fishing well. Lots of people are saying it’s really good. I’ve been out a bunch. I might even be out right now. If you like fall like I do, then just going fishing on any given day is worth it. The catching is always variable and subjective, but if you are a complete angler, you can find plenty of willing fish on any given day. By a complete angler, I mean a...

Echo Bad A** Glass Our first stop was to speak with Mr. Tim Rajeff at the Echo rods and Airflo lines booth.  Echo released a new line of "Bad A** Glass" that will be a really fun option for people single hand fishing steelhead or throwing bigger flies to bass and pike. Need glass? See what's available right here. They come in 9' 8wt - 9' 12wt and are a bad a** translucent blue color.  The second most exciting new product from Echo has to be a 3wt TR trout spey.   We will certainly have ready to cast this at next year’s Montana Trout Spey Clave. From Airflo, the product that stood out to us most is the new Scout Skagit head.  This line is following the craze of the super short Skagit heads that OPST paved the way for.  This new line has a slightly different rear taper that, Tim Rajeff argues, could offer a smoother cast to the sh...