Wayne Jordan just demoed a Sage One for the first time.  He really liked it. He was back at the rack fondling the rods today and I asked him what he was doing.  He said he was feeling the "serenity sticks."  I had one of those aha moments.  While I often touch them and have waking dreams all the time, I’ve never quite framed the fly rod as a "serenity stick."  But serenity can certainly be attained when handling a fine fly rod.  Whether it happens on the water, in the store or at home, just picking one up can take you back to that moment or that perfect place where we all love to dwell.  An unspoiled morning on the river, a memorable fish, and a day spent with a great fishing partner. When work gets you down, think about reaching for your favorite serenity stick.  If your current stick does not make you go ah with pleasure, come...

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. Want to learn how to stretch your leather boots so they fit perfectly? Below you'll find a North 40 guide to getting your boots shined up like new. Step by Step Instruction on Cleaning Leather Boots 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...

Rain! After a healthy shot of weather covering most of the region our rivers have swelled, rejuvenated fish, and relieved anglers of stagnant fishing almost simultaneously. Of the three major rivers, the Clearwater was effected most by the precipitation, resulting in a flush of sediment throughout the entire system. As things head back to normal, take advantage of fishing the drop. Lots of happy, grabby fish around. Remember all those juicy pieces of water from August and September? Revisit those locations that do not normally hold fish during low water. I know I will! Are you still fishing a floater? Is there a need to sink em? Personal preference really, the unwritten guide of water temperature would still warrant a floating line. Do you want to tangle with a big B on 10lb max and a 6wt? Bring your good luck cap if you want to see 'em ...

As my eyes open this first day of November, I am greeted by the same noise that I fell asleep to.  Heavy rain fall.  My immediate thought is that the river must be blown.  Making my way to the coffee machine, I reach for my phone to check river flows.  Looking at the Coeur d Alene  river first, I see that indeed the fish have received their first good bump in river flow.  The river has gone from around 160cfs to almost 600cfs. I also immediately check the St. Joe river. Wow! Totally blown.  Its up to 1550 cfs.  Having made up my mind yesterday to swing streamers no matter what the choice is easy, I'll be on the CDA River today.  Dropping over the back side of Fourth of July pass I am greeted by a small window of sunshine.  A brief  smile  appears on my face as the slight possibility of staying dry today seems like a possib...

I have been looking forward to writing this article. I have a special spot for the armed forces of this country. My little sister, Kalireyna, is deployed right now on the USS Normandy, so to hear from active service members or vets is always something that interests me. Tanner VanPelt served in the Marines from 2002-2006 and was deployed twice: 02-03 as a heavy machine gunner, and again from 05-06 as a Scout Sniper. He grew up hunting and fishing in Northern Idaho, and after serving his four years in the Marines, came back to enjoy the Northwestern lifestyle. He has been with North 40 for a long time and his story with us is interesting as well. He actually applied with his new born son in the back of his car with his wife, "I had been in the hospital for about three days, hadn't seen a gun in as long- figured I could drop an app on the w...

If you’ve been out there, this past week or so, you might have noticed there are still a few caddis around. Tan Hydropsyche. Maybe that’s why anglers are finding success swinging soft hackles.  Or maybe it’s all those emerging midges and pseudos and BWO’s. Kevin Lyons has been getting his wife hooked up on Pink Lightning bugs.  Little ones.  He’s been catching his fish on tiny emergers like the Purple Donatello.  Terry Jenner’s been happy with the Last Chance Cripple.  There can be a prime dry fly hatch window from 1-3 pm-ish. Fish are eating scuds.  This time of year they are at their largest size.  Think big scuds in the morning with your little midge or mayfly dropper.  Pink Ray Charles are working.  Skip the Fire Bead for now.  It will be on the menu soon enough. If you find yourself on the water until evening, y...

Bruce Berry's Background on the Flash Tail Good flies are good flies and Flash Tail is just that. This is a pattern from a longtime friend of mine named Jason Hartwick. Together, Jason and I learned about the Pro Sportfisher brand prior to the product having an actual name a long time ago- circa 2008-09? Been awhile. Since then, I’ve become the distributor for Pro in the U.S., and Jason has guided a bunch of years in Alaska while at the same time building a successful guiding business chasing anadromous fish in Northern California. Why the Flash Tail came to Be I had the opportunity to spend a week with Jason at my house recently, and of course we sat down to tie some flies. When I saw the Flash Tail, I was immediately interested in the fly. "It’s just a marabou tube," he said, trying to dodge my curiosity. "Nope," I said, "there is a...

This last weekend, the 24th and 25th was a busy one for the local rivers. If you wanted to fish a run you better have been there at 0 dark 30. Seems everyone was on the water shortly after sun up. Once we finished fishing the run we started at it was anyone's guess which run would be next. On the Okanogan River most of the anglers are working down stream of Malott. Once we were able to get in a run it was pretty apparent someone else had already worked it. That was ok because no two people use the same fly or work the run same. The catch has dropped off quite a bit since opening day, but there are still players out there to be caught. Temperatures have dropped since the opener. Water temps on the Okanogan river are in the upper 40’s to low 50’s. Air temps have been a bit chilly in the morning so dress warm. As far as what’s working...

On the Methow River a lot of the pressure is below Carlton, with water temps on the river around the mid to upper 40’s. As far as what’s working, well it seems it’s an angler’s choice. For those of us swinging a fly, Hobo Speys in the blacks, bluesand reds seem to be working the best. The smaller Intruder style has been doing very well. If you’re one inclined to nymph, the number one fly is the Double Bead Peacock stone. Trail off of that with a bead or a small size #14 Flash Back Pheasant tail nymph, Lightning Bug in pearl, blue, purple and even red. If I can recommend one thing, try something that you think no one else is using. This is where home tied flies come into play. Hope to see you out there. Stop in to the shop in Omak and let us know how you did. The coffee is always on.