November 2007 – BACKWATER ANGLER

Steelhead Fly Fishing Video on the Salmon River, New York

March 26, 2011November 25, 2007

When the indicator paused and I came tight on a fish, it was unlike any feeling I’ve had chasing fish with a fly rod in a freshwater river. These fish surprised me with the raw power they had when they made the reel sing and knocked your knuckles on blistering run after run. When a fish was first hooked the violent surface eruptions and head shaking was heart stopping. The thought “fish!” hits you when the line comes tight then a combination fear, uncertainty and quick reaction take over. The speed and strength of the fish in the river made everything happen so quickly. The …

Top Ten Fly Fishing Gifts

December 13, 2007November 25, 2007

Shopping for anglers for the holidays can be tough, but many products we stock make useful gifts no matter how knowledgeable, skilled or well stocked an angler may be. We constantly test new products from some of the biggest companies in fly fishing every year, and also get angler’s opinions on favorite products and top wish list items. #10 Airflo Ridgeline Tactical Trout Fly Line– Fly lines often get overlooked by anglers, yet a great line can help with casting and improve fish catching numbers. This line has a five year no crack guarantee and its “ridged” design and slickness means added distance and quicker …

Steelhead Fly Fishing on the Salmon River, New York

December 2, 2007November 25, 2007

For some unknown reason Steelhead fishing managed to stay off my fishing To Do List, until recently. I loaded the Mariner Hybrid with my heavier Scott rods, a big net, vise, 2x heavy scud hooks and tons of egg yarn. Patagonia Capilene layers were essential to cold weather fishing along with heavy socks and micro puff clothing. Matt Devlin and I made the seven hour drive to Altmar, New York on twelve gallons of gas on Sunday November 10th. We arrived that afternoon to find 60-80 people lined elbow to elbow in the first 100 yards of river below the town bridge. I am not …

Fish or Leaf? along the Gunpowder River

November 23, 2007

The Gunpowder river is low, clear and 48F. If you’re nymphing the most important question this week has been; fish or leaf? Quite a few large fish have been reported this week and anglers are stalking fish from the plunge pool below the dam all the way to Upper Glencoe Rd. You’ll find more water, more flow and less pressure below Bluemount Rd. Black flies in the #18-20 range are just starting above Falls Rd, and if you’re dead set on fishing smaller dries, try an Olive sparkle dun in a #20-22 from Masemore through York Rd. Pools full of log jams and deadfalls are great …

Low Flow Tips for Fly Fishing the Gunpowder River

November 15, 2007

The low water, at 24 CFs, has changed the fishing on the Gunpowder River compared to the higher flows we’ve seen the past three months. Gone are the days of big indicators, three spilt shot rigs and waist high water that threatens to knock you down. The soft edges that held trout weeks ago are now bone dry, but trout are still taking flies eagerly. Let’s face it, we dodged the low water bullet all summer while most rivers in the region suffered. Dry flies are a great option as they land softer than bead heads and won’t hang up in shallow riffles. Many good sized pools …

Fly Fish the Gunpowder River with Zebra Midges

November 9, 2007November 9, 2007

The river is flowing at 24 Cfs and is cooling a bit at 52 F. Leaves are making fishing dries challenging but the fish are looking up and blue winged olives in the #18-20 range are a good bet . Long leaders in the 10-12 ft range ending in 6x are necessary to deliver small flies at a distance that won’t spook fish. Riffles and flats are holding fish, particuarly near log jams and deadfalls from Falls Rd through Masemore RD.Small prince nymphs, pheasant tails and brassies should account for fish feeding in the “skinny water.” Many anglers in the past week have been reporting …