fly fishing

Fly Fishing Banquet Scheduled in Twin Falls, Idaho

The Magic Valley Fly Fishers are busy preparing for their annual fly fishing banquet to be held  February 20th.    It will be an honor and a special treat for area fly fishing enthusiasts to  hear from Trout Unlimited’s On the Rise host, Frank Smethurst.   The Turf Club  always prepares a delicious dinner with choice of prime rib or chicken teryaki.  The evening will be filled with the program, games, and prizes. Ticket holders will also be treated to a morning Fly Tying Seminar given by Frank Smethurst.  The registration form misstated the location for the seminar which will be held in the College of Southern Idaho (CSI)  Desert Building Room 119 at 9 AM on the 20th.
This event is just one of the many outdoor recreation related opportunities available to the Magic Valley area in Twin Falls.  Be sure to check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

fly fishing

Fly Fishing Derby Planned

Clear Lake Country Club is planning a Fly Fishing Derby on February13th.  It sounds like a fun event.  Register early as there is a limit to how many can enter.  Read more at Magic Valley Fly Fishers.

fly fishing

Magic Valley Fly Fishers

I love sharing  my passion  for fly fishing with other enthusiasts of the sport.  The Magic Valley Fly Fishing organization provides me with that opportunity.

The goal of the Magic Valley Fly Fishers is to promote, preserve, protect, and enhance fly fisheries and function exclusively for education, charity and betterment of all fishing and conservation in the Magic Valley and the state of Idaho.  MVFF coordinates with governmental agencies, the Idaho Fish and Game, and private land holders to improve and promote fly fishing.

MVFF supports trout in the classroom, habitat rehabilitation, access for handicapped, and the Ruel Stayner scholarship to College of Southern Idaho fisheries students.

Learn more about this group and their upcoming January meeting.

fly fishing

Fly of the Month – Modified Zebra Midge

Late fall has arrived and a short flurry of snow here today reminded me that winter is on its way. Unless your favorite fishing location closes for the winter though you don’t need to hang up the fly rod just yet. I have a pattern that has become a favorite of mine from late fall through the early spring months. It is simple, and it works as a great midge pupa imitation.

I fish it a variety of ways. Often I will fish it with a double nymph rig as the bottom fly fishing it deep with the aid of split shot. In the spring I like to use it as a dropper off an adult Skwala Stonefly pattern on rivers that have that hatch and fish it in the top foot of the water column. It will work all year I am sure but my focus during the summer seems to shift to the many other hatches that take place and my use of this midge pattern takes a back seat.

Midges though are a popular winter staple for trout as they do hatch in many locations all year. Even on a cold winter day, the mid day sun can warm things up enough to bring about a midge hatch that will bring even the most lethargic of cold blooded trout to the surface.

This pattern is basically a Zebra Midge with a few slight modifications. It’s simple to tie, and has for the last couple years been my top fish catching pattern on a variety of rivers.

Figure 1-I usually tie this pattern on hooks size #18 or smaller. This one is on a #18 TMC 2457.

Figure 2-Push a 2mm nickel bead onto the hook.

Figure 3-Lay a base of black thread then I tie in a short tail of a few grizzly hackle fibers. Midges do not have a tail like a mayfly but I tie this with a few fibers at the end as I like to think it gives a little wiggle to the end of the fly.

Figure 4 – Tie in a short section of fine silver wire and advance the thread to the head of the fly building a slight taper with the thread as you go.

Figure 5 – Make evenly spaced wraps with the wire up to the head and tie off with the thread.

Figure 6 – Tie in a small loop of Iridescent Krystal Flash. Then whip finish and drop some head cement on the head and a little on the body of the fly.

Figure 7 – The finished product.

This article by: BaseCampLegends.com

See the original article at GotHunts.com

fly fishing

Catch and Release on Silver Creek

Since 2007 there has been an advisory not to eat fish from Silver Creek because of elevated mercury levels.  The levels were reported in error and the advisory has been lifted.   Although the lifting of the advisory is good, I don’t advocate the harvest of  fish caught in this world renowned trophy trout fishery.  Practicing Catch and Release fishing helps to insure fishery’s longevity. Besides that if you practice catch and release, you never reach your limit and can fish all day instead of just a few hours.  Read the entire article.

fly fishing

Project Healing Waters provides Inspiration

I’ve heard about Project Healing Waters which takes disabled veterans fly fishing to help with healing of the mind and soul.   I’ve found that my time on and in the water casting a line does wash away my cares and problems, if even for the short term.  It is very restorative.   I found some of their stories as well as others on the Real American Stories website.  Read and watch these inpirational stories at Real American Stories – Project Healing Waters.

fly fishing

RISE Flyfishing Film in Boise

RISE Flyfishing Film-Nov. 17th in Boise.

This is for all those who love fly fishing & rafting Idaho’s rivers, traveling, or have a passion for the outdoors. Portions of the proceeds will go to Trout Unlimited and Idaho Rivers United. The better the turnout the more support can be given to preserve our Idaho Rivers and Fish!!!!   Read more …

fly fishing

Fish Rap: Fall is here, and you better go fishing

I have to agree about fishing this time of year.  Especially fly fishing, I love the fall air and the lower water levels.  It is so relaxing to be on or in the water casting a line.  And Idaho has so many great places to go fly fishing.  As I’ve heard from many others, ‘it’s not all about catching’.  We a fish takes your fly it is just the icing on the cake for the experience.

An Idaho Statesman  writer wrote, “It’s the best time of year to fish as far as I am concerned.

Think about it: In the spring we have high water and bugs. During summer we have blazing heat and crowds. But in fall, the weather is great, the water is in prime condition and the crowds have thinned.

Go ahead, take your pick of where you want to fish. Reservoirs are starting to produce good fishing again, and you can often have your pick of the camp spots. It’s a great time to pick up a big fish because they’ve been feeding all summer long.”  Click to read the Idaho Statesman story.

fly fishing

Thousand Springs Festival

The Thousand Springs Festival is being held again this weekend in the Hagerman Valley.  This fun event that is in its 17th year features Idaho artistans, live music, food, beverages, fly fishing booth, activities for the kids.  The Ritter Island paradise and the surrounding waterfalls can also be enjoyed on wagon rides and canoeing.  Come visit the Hagerman Valley and this special treat that it offers anually.  Schedule avaialble at  http://www.thousandspringsfestival.org/main.asp.

fly fishing

Fly Fishing Rejuvinates

My love of fly fishing gives me a chance to get away from my real estate business and rejuvinate my mind and body.  One of the places I love fishing is Yellowstone Park and the surrounding area.  Having fished the park multiple Memorial weekends, in July, and also in the fall, I have to say that my favorite time is the fall.  Especially when the elk are in the rut and you can listen to them bugle and watch them trying to keep their cows in the group.

When planning a trip to Yellowstone Park, I check with  Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone to see check on water conditions and hatchs.  Blue Ribbon Flies puts out a great newsletter about area fishing.  Here’s the link to their latest newsletter – Blue Ribbon Flies Newsletter.