Page 43 - Blog
Tying flies isn’t a new art. Since before Victorian times, people have been twisting fur and feathers around crude hooks, using materials commonly swept off of barn floors. A lot of time has passed since then and a lot of things have changed. Hooks are now made in large factories. And, fur and feather farms produce a consistent product while industry leaders set the standard. Companies like Umpqua and Whiting lead the way helping to evolve what was once a niche activity into a more widely known obsession. What's setting the standard in fly fishing right now? Here are our top 5 picks from IFTD. Up until the late 1960s, there was no industry standard, other than… awful. Hackle that was used was imported from Asia from what they called “village chickens”. Consistency didn’t exist, and the highly sought-after grizzly pattern was un...
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Categories: ApparelPosted: December 18, 2018
Lightweight and comfortable, the Itaska Women’s State Hiking Shoe has an all rubber outsole. Plus, it has a waterproof, breathable membrane. This makes the State ideal for those trails that cross streams and demand a little more traction for gripping various terrains. This is the State Hiker from Itaska Footwear. This hiker is shown actually in a women’s style. It is gray split leather upper with the nylon material and you’ll notice the real subtle accents with the purple in the lacing, in the tape, and then also on outsole itself. Unlike the first style we looked at, the County Hiker, this one has an all rubber outsole to it and the one feature that we have packed in this particular Hiker unlike the County that we just reviewed, this has a waterproof breathable membrane. And how do you know if it’s a wat...
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Posted: December 14, 2018
As a fly shop in the mountain west, trout butter our bread, but they are not the only game in town. Many people are looking beyond trout to lots of other fly fishing possibilities. Carp have become a standard topic in the shop and we basically have two camps. Those who have fished for them and can’t believe how fun they can be and those who, for various reasons, have yet to try. In addition to carp, we’ve recently discovered the fun of chasing freshwater drum. My favorite styles of fly fishing, regardless of whether I’m fishing for trout or any species, involve either swinging flies or sight fishing to specific fish. Often with river carp and drum, I can do both. I hunt for a fish that I can target with my fly. Then I need to factor in the current speed and fly weight so that my fly arrives right in front of the fish. ...
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Posted: December 13, 2018
Missouri River Winter fishing is all about the weather. Our temperatures in Montana bounce all over the place. When we get warming trends, the winter fishing can be exceptionally good. It’s all about having the freedom or fortune to go when the weather is right. Swing Season The Missouri River is an awesome canvas on which to apply a swung fly. December through March is an excellent time to employ the swing game. Picking the right water is the key to winter time success. You may find some fish nosing toward faster water at shelves and drop offs during the warmest part of the day, but in general, think softer water. Walking speed current is often ideal. That zone between the faster mid-river flow and the almost dead water near the banks is key. Groups of fish will move back and forth throughout slow-moving runs. Water fr...
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Double-walled insulated, Yeti drinkware keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold without question. Made of durable stainless steel, and new for this season, Yeti introduces their limited-edition camo bottle available in 18, 20, 30, and 36-ounces. Hi, Casey Sellers with Yeti here talking about our new limited-edition camo. The camo is going to be available in the 20 oz., 30 oz., 18, and the 36 oz. bottles. This camo pattern is unique to Yeti, our founders designed it themselves. So, look forward to our ode to old school waterfowl camo coming this year.
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Categories: FishingPosted: December 11, 2018
Simms has 13 new gloves for 2018/2019. Here are a few of our top picks to help keep your paws warm and working this winter and spring. Simms Warming Hut Glove This glove is serious and is the new glove I am most excited about. The Simms Warming Hut Glove features Primaloft insulation which is more than capable of warming your hands on the coldest days. There is also a warming pocket to add hand warmers in case your hands are nearly frostbitten after toughing it out on the river. These are my go-to gloves for operating a jet boat during steelhead season. Their water-resistant shell does a good enough job at keeping your hands dry and warm on those snowy, blustery days. These gloves have a thin fleece lining for comfort and are a size larger than normal to allow maximum mobility. The built-in wrist leashes make them easy to fi...
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Posted: December 11, 2018
Simms has 13 new gloves for 2018/2019. Here are a few of our top picks to help keep your paws warm and working this winter and spring. Simms Warming Hut Glove This glove is serious and is the new glove I am most excited about. The Simms Warming Hut Glove features Primaloft insulation which is more than capable of warming your hands on the coldest days. There is also a warming pocket to add hand warmers in case your hands are nearly frostbitten after toughing it out on the river. These are my go-to gloves for operating a jet boat during steelhead season. Their water-resistant shell does a good enough job at keeping your hands dry and warm on those snowy, blustery days. These gloves have a thin fleece lining for comfort and are a size larger than normal to allow maximum mobility. The built-in wrist leashes make them easy to fi...
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Posted: December 11, 2018
Rugged-tough and designed to securely keep valuables protected from intruders, the Liberty Safe USA Series Safe is given a 40-minute fire rating. This safe is specifically ideal for those that live in town close to fire and police departments. While the Liberty Safe 1776 Series Safe, featuring 11-gauge steel is fire rated for more than 60-minutes and is best for those that may not live in town or close to emergency responders. Video Transcription So I'm Andrew Like with Liberty Safe. I wanted to introduce you to a couple new series that we have of safe models. One is the USA series. And this has a 40 minute fire rating. This is a safe that if you're in town it's going to give you a really good starting point for fire protection as well as security. Any time you're looking for a safe you want to consider where you live, how far ...
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Posted: December 07, 2018
It’s winter time. For many anglers, that means fly tying season. Customers often come through the shop this time of year, pick up a few materials and lament on how long it’s been since they went fly fishing. My question is always why? If the weather isn’t terrible, why not go fishing in the winter? It’s Fire Bead Season. Baby, it’s Cold Outside Before we talk about fire bead flies, let’s explore what winter means to anglers and fish. People get cold in the winter. So, do trout. People can warm up with layers, hot beverages, and external heat sources. Trout are stuck with the temperature of the water they are swimming in. Advantage goes to the humans. Especially when they understand what that cold water does to the trout. Layering up before heading out? We have you covered. Trout metabolisms slow down consi...
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Posted: December 06, 2018
Missouri River Winter fishing is all about the weather and it looks like it will be warming up a bit this weekend and into the beginning of the week. Following the weather is key to planning an outing this time of year. Look at the low temperature the night before and follow the rise the next day to determine what time you want to be on the water. The warmer the low, the earlier you can get out there. Swing Season In places, you will still find some fish in steady flow, but for the most part, fish are shifting to their winter zones. Think softer water. Walking speed current is often ideal. You will often find fish nosing toward faster water at shelves and drop-offs midday. Active fish will also feed where the current picks up at the tail of a run or hole. They are avoiding the fast runs and quick water they frequent in summ...
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