Having just returned from Christmas Island to snow, freezing rain, and slush, I can now take some time to reflect back on how amazing this last trip was. We did a repeat of our trip last year, timing it around the tides, and stayed at the Ikari House. We booked this trip with Frigate Adventure Travel and co-hosted 16 guests. Fishing this year was incredible. The average bonefish size increase over the previous year and is expected to continually increase due to harvest restrictions. Since 2007 locals have managed strict catch and release practices on bonefish to help increase size and thus increase tourism, their main source of income for the island. This year the Ikari House was stacked with all the best guides on Christmas Island. Moana, English, Simon, Russel, and other famous CXI guides are all now staffed at the Ikari House, maki...

If you tie streamer flies, you are going to want to see the new Zip Strips that are exclusively available at North 40 Fly Shop. Zip Strips are twisted rabbit strips with the hair still attached to the hide. Unlike Zonker Strips, you don’t have a hair side and a hide side. The strip is universally hairy and the hide is invisible. It’s like a perfect dubbing brush without a thread or wire core. The core is the natural hide, thinned and twisted. Zip Strips have a little stiffness when dry, but when they get wet, the hide gets soft. I swam a fly in the fly tester tank (for a week) with a Zip Strip tail and body. I kept expecting it to unwind or loose shape, but it swam like a champ. You’ve really got to see Zip Strips in action to appreciate what they can do. When I think of all the sculpin and rabbit strip fly patterns I’ve tied ov...

In a recent post Keith described an outing on the steelhead fishery on the Columbia River below Well’s Dam. In this issue of the North 40 eMag, there is a write up of the techniques and flies we use to target this fishery. Since then it has been the most talked about subject around the shop. It is an inspiring place to fish what can perhaps be described as the quintessential tail water fishery. The Need for a Two-Hand Rod on the Columbia River As you stand in front of the enormous mass of concrete that is holding back the mighty current, of the 4th largest flow in North America, which is beating at your knees. The size and magnitude of the Columbia at any point in the US is intimidating and by focusing on its vastness it feels insurmountable as an angler. However, if a person approaches it with a cautious evaluation she will slowly rev...

Saturday on the Missouri was windy but luckily I went on Sunday and it was nice. The weather warmed up and the wind was down to a dull roar. Lots of people nymph fishing up by the dam still but with the warm weather the swing crew was getting lots of grabs. Small buggers and Hobo style flies were getting eaten on the swing. We fished up above the Wolf Creek bridge and got a few fish but decided to move down because of all the people. We moved down by the Dearborn and hooked a few fish there as well. It is easy to tell where the rainbows are spawning and lots of them are sitting in full spawn mode in the shallows so watch where you are walking, and try not to disturb them. We got fish mostly on firebead flies as we were nymphing the whole day. Firebead Ray Charles and Firebead Soft Hackle Sow bugs are working. Had I known the wind was go...

If you happen to visit our fly shop in Great Falls on any given Saturday a little after 9 am, you will find a gathering of anglers, all unique characters, but their combined wealth of knowledge about the fly fishing opportunities in the area isn’t found in any guide book. These guys know what you can’t find on the internet about fly fishing on the Missouri River and many waters across the state. The wealth of knowledge in the room is certainly thought-provoking. Thoughts are expressed on a variety of topics. The incredible ineffectiveness of the Water Boatman when fly fishing still waters has been up for recent debate. Discussing the proper length of a soft hackle in relation to the shank length of a hook can go on for hours. Recently there have been growing concerns over the lack of whitefish. It seems that back in the day, you cou...

 Winter has been losing its grip this week. Temps have warmed and the Chinook Winds are roaring along the Rocky Mountain Front and out across the plains. I’m also seeing the sunrise on the way to work, confirming that the earth is tilting toward longer days. How about the fishing? I talked to a Canadian gentleman who had some great swinging above Craig this week. He was running the Kreelex and some Polar Minnows along with a few leechy patterns in sizes 6 and 8. He had a big smile on his face and was bummed to be driving back to Calgary. A little wind does not mess up the swinging opportunities. Especially if you pick the right water. Nick from the store got out in town on Wednesday. He found some trout and hooked a big carp. The carp are congregating at the springs right now and will likely be packed in there until the main river star...

We often see people enter the store, spin a 360 and then watch as their eyes glaze over.  There are lots of materials to choose from.  We are always here to help, but in an effort to add clarity, we are going to bring you a post each Tuesday showcasing fly tying materials. This week’s feature is Polar Chenille, including UV Polar Chenille, and Fluorescent Polar Chenille. Polar Chenille has become one of my favorite fly tying materials. While this product is not brand new, many anglers are still discovering how effective it can be and how easy it is to tie with.  We have recently added to our collection of colors and styles for your fly tying pleasure (and mine). Polar Chenille works for bodies, tails, accents, even entire flies and is available in UV and Fluorescent color options.  The fibers undulate in the water like marabou, but...

Test Your Fly I was pretty excited when we got our Flymen  Fly Tester in the shop.  I’ve been wanting a testing tank since I witnessed one used by the Mepp’s Lure Company at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show back in-well back a long, long time ago. Terry Jenner heads up the Project Healing Waters fly tying night each month here in Great Falls.  He also ties a few flies for himself.  Terry is joining Joe, Paul and Denver on the trip to Belize in April.  He’s busy tying flies for bonefish, tarpon and permit.  He’s also been testing them in the tank and making tweaks.  That’s the whole point of the tank.  View the profile and the proportions of your chosen fly in the water.  By the time you are ready to fish, you will be able to pick a fly with confidence, knowing how it is going to look. Come on by with a new fl...

On January 8 at the Giant Springs Fish Wildlife and Parks office, Jason Mullen from Montana FWP will present the annual 'State of the Rivers' address.This presentation will detail the health of our local rivers including the Missouri, Smith, Sun, and Belt Creek. Not only is this an informative presentation, but anglers will have a chance to ask questions of our local fisheries biologist. The presentation is sponsored by the Missouri River Fly Fishers Club and is open to all. We hope to see you at 7:30 pm this Thursday.