Certain childhood memories seem to resonate more than others. Many of them revolve around summer break and several are simple in nature. For me it was running through a sprinkler, mowing the grass for an elderly couple down the street, watching the bugs dance under the lights during a baseball game and of course having a cool snack from time to time when the dog days of summer rolled around. With this theme in mind and the dog days seemingly early this year we decided to offer up a cool memory for the young and young at heart. For a limited time we are giving away an old fashioned soda at all of our stores for kids who bring in a colored picture of Cecelia, our farm truck mascot. You can click here [ Cecelia ] for a printable version of her or clip her picture out of our ad running July 9: 19. Keep cool and create lasting summer memori...

Gathering 11 close friends and heading North to chase pike and walleye seemed like a dream two months ago. Days were spent in the shop tying flies, preparing gear, and dreaming of 20 pound pike smashing top water flies. Daily conversations happened with customers who constantly wanted to know when we were leaving. Finally, the day came. Everything was packed in my truck and all I had to do was get in and drive. Joining me on the five hour drive that night to Great Falls was Denver from the CDA Fly Shop. We left just at that magic hour when every deer, elk, and bear in the area seemed to be crossing the road between the Idaho border and Plains, Montana. Arriving in Great Falls just after midnight, we crashed at our buddy Keaton’s house for the night with a 6 am departure for Flin Flon scheduled the next day. The conversations were along...

The following is a press release from Zoetis. With the earlier, warmer summer here in the Northwest--it's never been more relevant and time sensitive. Please take care of your horses out there. -N40 Horse Owners Can Still Take Action Against West Nile Threat Vaccination, good management helps offer protection during peak mosquito season FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 25, 2015 Peak mosquito activity in the United States occurs July through October, which places horses at the highest risk of contracting West Nile virus (WNV).1 Much of the United States has experienced increased rainfall this spring, and the first cases of West Nile have already been documented this year.With the right vaccine and preventive measures, it's not too late for owners to help protect their horses against this life-threatening disease. West Nile is transmitted by mos...

Danner Lindstrand likes to stop by the fly shop on a daily basis.  We missed him for a couple days.  Then he showed up with a swollen hand and a tale.  He’s planning some revenge on the rattle snake, but I imagine his parents would prefer he just stay away from them in general.  It’s not like he was looking for trouble when he got bit though. Danner was climbing up a bank adjacent to the Smith River near Truly Bridge.  He slipped and put his hand down for balance and it ended up in a bad place.  It turned out to be a big snake.  You can see the punctures. He got swift medical attention and after two nights in the hospital, he’s out fishing once again.  A little more cautious now and with a bit of a chip on his shoulder about rattle snakes, but at least he’s alright. Be watchful out there.

One could argue that the Zebra midge is one of the best trout flies of all time. This is especially true on western tailwaters. As a fly tiers, we always tinker with the best patterns and try to make them better.  When midges and BWO’s are hatching, this version with a wing and tail tuft of CDC has proven quite effective. Materials: Hook: TMC 2488H #16-#20 Bead: Plummeting Tung 5/64" Thread: UTC 70 Wing/Tail: CDC White Wire: Small Chartreuse Ultra Wire or X-Small Silver   Color Options

We jumped at the chance to fly fish the state’s most diverse lake for Father’s Day this year. Who knows: Troll a bugger and you could get an 18 lb. Tiger Trout that was in fact the record breaking fish pulled from this 151 acre lake this spring! When we pulled up to the Bonaparte Lake Resort and Restaurant, we were surprised at the beauty of the area. Our camping spots were lakeside and launching in and out of crystal clear waters was a cinch. For Father’s Day, and being at over 3,500 feet, the water was bathtub warm and great for kayaking, canoeing and swimming all of which the kids did! But the question was: was it too warm to fish? The answer turned out to be Yes and No-. The multi-species lake did not exactly disappoint-..from the dock itself the kids caught Tiger Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and Smallmouth Bass. The trout wer...

Tons of bugs out there.  Great dry fly opportunities.  Solid nymphing. Caddis, caddis, caddis-. Lots of Brown Drakes.  Sometimes.  In the right places. The weather is going to heat up for the next week.  Go fishing early and then stop by the shop.  We are air conditioned!

Alter's Pike Slider is a good fly for chasing pike in the North West. This fly can be tied larger and longer by simply adding more length to the tail. This version is a slight variation by wrapping bunny around the shank of the hook and adding some arctic fox. Fish this fly on a floating line or sinking line. Materials: Hook: Gamakatsu B10S 2/0 Tail/Body: Barred Rabbit Strip Olive/Brown Flash: Flashabou Perch Head/Thorax: Olive Fox, Red Fox & Black Craft Fur Eyes: Living Eyes Fire Eyes Finish: Clear Cure Goo Thick  

For the past 26 years, I’ve spent summer solstice fly fishing in Alaska.  I usually fish until midnight or later into the following day.  Daylight is not an issue.  This was my first summer solstice in Montana.  It gets dark around 10 pm, but that left enough time after work to get in some great evening fishing. What a difference a day makes, or an hour, or even a moment.  So many bugs are hatching.  So many stages are available for the fish to eat.  Sometimes its mind numbing.  Sometimes it’s really basic.  I’ve had times recently where I’ve tried fly after fly and felt out of the game.  Then last night I tied one on and never looked in my box a second time. I was enjoying success with a new caddis pattern.  At the same time, Wayne Jordan was getting eats on his favorite PMD emerger.  Two different flies.  Two dif...