Crab Creek- A Hidden Washington Gem

Went to my wife's nieces wedding this weekend, and in true Floatfisher style we had to add a little fishing into the trip. Finding and fishing new water is always exciting, especially when it is a hidden

gem like Crab Creek outside of Spokane. Booked through our friends with Silverbow Outfitters, we were hooked up with Double Spey Outfitters guide GL.

 A beautiful unassuming creek that runs through the rolling farm fields, very, very unassuming, but relatively full of beautiful Redband rainbows. Another first for Floatfisher and the Ms.. This beautiful creek afforded me to brush up on photo skills, so the wife got movie star treatment all day.

 GL runs to net another one of Mary's fish. She kept him very busy all day

 GL and Mary talking about the one that broke the line. GL assures Mary there's a bigger one in the next pool ahead.

A successful day on the water lead to SMILES. Smiles leads to even more days on the river.

Floatfish is one lucky Chicken.

Fly Pattern of the Day- Zebra Midge

This pattern has been fishing very hot as of late on many of the rivers. Often mentioned, sometimes passed up as a go-to fly. Quite passing it up and use it. Tie it in different colors and fill your small box.

Zebra Midge

Hook: TMC 2499 or 2487, Sz. 16-22

Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus

Bead: Silver Tungsten

Rib: Extra Small Silver Wire

3 Streamers

Photo of the Day- "Morrish's - Trailer Trash Baitfish"

Fly Pattern of the Day- " the Focal Point"

Focal Point

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz. 12 - 16

Thread: 8/0 White

Abdomen: White 8/0

Rib: Small Silver Wire

Thorax: Orange Angora/ Orange Sow Mix

Hackle: Badger 

Photo of the Day- "Looking for Risers"

The eye in the sky looks for rising fish up river,

Dirty Hippy by crazy Charlie Craven

Dirty Hippy Brown tied by Charlie Craven

Stopped in to visit Charlie as it has been a little while since my last deposit. Had to make sure there was nothing new out there, and by god there was. A couple new streamer patterns by Charlie. As the Double Gonga is, the Dirty Hippy Brown and Dirty Hippy Rainbow is sure to be the next super streamer.

Towing High in the Sky

Water Towers from the past are cool. Can't help but to stop and shoot them when passing by.

This one comes from Dalton, NB

Smith River Flashback-

Usually try for a permit on the ever so beautiful Smith River in late April or early May, have elected to draw for warmer months and times. With that that demand comes the chance that you will not be drawn, that was the case again this year. 

Although we have had far more trips that look like the photo above, there are no other canyons like this to float. Especially beautiful to float with a coat of snow.

The towering cliff walls are the highlight to days two and three. It simply dwarfs the boat 

photo. If you have not floated, get on it.

The "line up".

The morning dusting of snow, just seems to be a common occurrence in April, everywhere.

Put in for a permit next year or simply hire someone to do all the work for you. Either way

you will not be disappointed.

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Lil Green Streamer"

Lil Green Streamer

Hook: TMC 811S, Sz: 6-8

Eyes: Red/ Black Dumbell Eyes

Thread: Olive 6/0

Tail: Olive Barred Rabbit

Collar: Olive Barred Rabbit twisted in dubbing loop

Legs: Barred White/ Black Rubber

"River Sounds" by Rolf Nylinder

River Sounds from Rolf Nylinder on Vimeo.

A great little video short to get you in the mood with your morning cup of coffee. 

Fly Pattern of the Day- " Orange Yeti"

An adaptation of Hans Wielman's  fly, found it on the fly tying site and thought I should tie a few up to try on the next outing, as the colours and pattern just work. Hell, I have all the necessary items to tie, I might as well.

The YETI- Variation

Hook: TMC 100BL, Sz. 14-18

Thread: Olive 8/0

Tail: Coq De Leon

Abdomen: Olive Nature Spirit Dry Fly Dubbing

Thorax: Blend Sow Scud and Angora Goat (Original pattern calls for Seal- got no Seal)

Las Pampas , Argentina by Bryan Gregson

Bryan Gregson Photography | 2013 Las Pampas, Argentina from Bryan Gregson Photography on Vimeo.

Some great photograghs from a recent visit to Argentina. Bryan captured some truely great stills, and edited themfanatastically. Enjoy the short 2 minute show.

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Pink Peril Variation"

Based off Hans Weilenmann's original pattern the Pink Peril. I decided to tied something just a little 

different today. A very sleek and cool looking pattern. Should be a good pattern for bull trout.

Pink Peril Variation

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 8-10

Thread: White 8/0

Body: Grey UV Ice Dubbing

Rib: B/R Silver Wire

Wing Collar: Spirit River- Pink Halo Fusion Flash

"Wild and Scenic" by daniel lambardi

Wild & Scenic from daniel lombardi on Vimeo.

A nice quality video discussing Wild and Scenic Rivers. Take a look and enjoy.

Shoulda ..... Damn Weather ...... So Costly

What started out to be such an innocent week of work and then a trip too the Bighorn River, turned into something much better but more expensive. With all the great weather we have been having in Denver as of late (ha ha), it ended up screwing my work and fishing schedule up something fierce.

What was to be an innocent storm on Monday turned into a two day, hole-up blizzard in Cheyenne, closing most of the roads heading north to Gillette and Montana, thus canceling my work in Wyoming and fishing in Montana. 

That mean't I would be home for the weekend, as simple trip to the camera shop for a new tripod, ended up with a new wide angle lens for the new camera, damn the luck!

The moral of the story, it is always cheaper to go fishing each weekend, than to stay home. See what can happen.

I love her, she is a beast on the camera!!

Baetis Train by PA Undercurrent Outfitters

Baetis Train from PA Undercurrent Outfitters on Vimeo.

Quality hip video shorts continue to be produced every week, yet another by PA Undercurrent Outfitters on fishing Baetis, Blue Wings, BWO's, whatever the lingo, fishing rising and eating
these little morsels is the best. Enjoy the short and the great soundtrack.

Fly Pattern of the Day- "8 Bead Stone"

 8 Bead Stone

Hook: TMC 5263, Sz: 6-8

Thread: Tan 8/0

Abdomen: 4 Medium Rootbeer Glass Beads

Thorax: 2- Large Rootbeer Glass Beads/ 1- Extra Large Golden 

Yellow Glass Bead

Tail: Olive Sili Legs 

Legs: Olive Sili Legs

Antennae: Olive Sili Leg

Mother Nature's Beauty- The Jungle Cock Cape

Many of the feathers and materials we tie with are extremely beautiful, but none more so than the Jungle Cock. The markings, with the golds, yellows and blacks are astonishing.

Always a pleasure to pull this out and look and use it.

Saturday River Sightings

A pretty rare sight for our river, not many down by the ditch. Alway like to see our four legged friends.

Very shaggadelic this time of year as they loose their winter coats.

Can't leave out our other favorite river friend, Mr. Rainbro

Fly Pattern of the Day- " The Usual- BWO Style"

The Usual- BWO Style

Hook: TMC 100BL, Sz. 14-18

Thread: Veevus Olive 10/0

Tail: Dun Snow Shoe Rabbit

Abdomen: Olive Brown Superfine Dubbing

Wing: Dun Snow Shoe Rabbit

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Collier's- Flashback Caddis"

This pattern was originated by noted Colorado tier Dennis Collier. A very simple and effective caddis 

pattern for the upcoming MD Caddis hatch. As with most Floatfisher patterns, very minimal on the materials list, but a fish catcher.

Collier's  Flash Caddis

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: Black Veevus 10/0

Abdomen: Small Chartreuse Wire / 1- Strand of Black Krystal Flash for Back

(Wind 5 turns of wire, pull K-Flash forward and repeat)

Wingcase: Amber Zelon

Thorax: Black 10/0 Thread

Fly Pattern of the Day- " Quigley's Geezer Pleaser "

Quigley's Geezer Pleaser

Hook: TMC 5263, Sz: 6-10

Thread: 6/0 Black

Tail: Dubbing Ball of Black Superfine Dubbing/ Black Sili Legs

Body Foam: Yellow/ Brown (Top) Foam

Thorax: Yellow Superfine Dubbing

Legs: Orange Sili Legs

Wing: Grey Widow Web

High Vis: Brown under Pink Foam

Fly Pattern of the Day- "Black Ice"

Once again I spent time discussing the Black Ice pattern to a few fly fisherman and aspiring fly tiers, This pattern is not widely know away from the Arkansas River, but is a great producer. Tied by Signature Idylwilde Flytier Larry Kingery, it features a very simple list of materials that most have in there supplies, and you can tie them in a host of colors to cover the various hatches. 

These are a staple in my boxes in every color, especially black, gold and copper. 

Black Ice (Baetis Pattern)

Hook: TMC 2487/2499, Sz: 16-22

Bead: Black Tungsten

Thread: Black 10/0

Tail: Black Hen

Abdomen: Black Halo Tinsel

Rib: Black Wire

Throax: Black UV Ice Dub / Black Quick Decent Dubbing

Wing Case: 2 Strands Black Halo Tinsel

"Slow and Steady" - Video Short

Slow and Steady from David Clifford on Vimeo.
Today could be one of these days here in Colorado. We received a bunch of snow as part of a very big and wet spring storm passing through. Thank goodness, we can certainly use the moisture

Day On the Ditch with Fishspotter

Fishspotter, aka Larry Friedrichs had another rare Saturday off from guiding, so we took the opportunity

to do a little R/D on the river with new fly patterns. Weather was beautiful, almost a little to nice to put the baetis hatch down for the day, but this fish were still feeding.

Our biggest concern was the water, demands from the ranchers and irrigators had recently put another hurt on the river drawing it down to a mere 187 cfs. at launch in time. You must be pretty good on the sticks at this level, as there are more rocks than water in your way. We still managed to navigate our way down our favorite stretch and catch a fish or two on some new patterns.

One of our finned friends headed back to his feeding lane.

Orvis Helios 2 w/ Battenkill was the weapon of choice for the day.

Still under development so we can only show a distant picture, however, it caught many fish. It is a keeper.

Larry manages the Helio's 2 to another fine rainbow. His guide put him on fish all day!

The River is a Sanctuary

The river of the west are a special place. Besides offering us a place to unwind and distress from the weeks hectic schedule, it offers tremendous sights like these. Set down the rod and look around, you might just see something you really like.

 Always have to turn around and look at my beautiful rower, so nice to have a wife that

love to row, fish and be on the river every chance she gets. I am a lucky Chicken.

Them riffles and shallows are starting to fill with fish as bug get going.

"Fly Fishing Film Making Tips" by Hank Patterson

The flyfishing video craze has hit epic levels, more and more people are making videos each day and releasing them on Vimeo and Youtube. Join our buddy Hank Patterson as he shares the finer points of
making one of these short films. Hank has shared his "three" secrets to successful film making in this episode, especially made for the upcoming Down the Hatch, Orvis Rendevous. Enjoy!

Morrish Mouse

We have watched them on all the exotic flyfishing videos, from Russia to Alaska. But flyfisherman have been using them for a lot longer than that. How about pike, bass all the other trouty waters of the US. Yes, how bout them apples.

Don't be afraid, try one , early, early in the morning when floating your favorite river, especially at sun-up or sundown and see if you get some action. Just maybe, a little sumpin, sumpin will smack the shit out of the mouse.

Don't Be Afraid of a Little Mouse!



Morrish Mouse 

Hook: TMC 8089, Sz. 8-12

Thread: Black UTC 140

Tail: Dark Brown Rabbit Strip Cut (Cut to Size)

Top: 2 mm Black Foam

Body: Natural Deer Body Hair

Bjorn Ostby - "Intruder" Series

Was perusing the fly bins at the local shops and came across this rather stellar tie. Needed something to help break in my new light box, camera and other assorted equipment I am amassing. Definitely have a little more refining to go, but I like the first pass at things.

Just love the colors in the steelhead patterns. This will be next winters project and ties. In addition, I will be tackling the beast and giving the beasts a shot.

Tie One One- " Floatfisher's Caddis Pupa Version #31"

Just how many versions of a caddis pupa can I tie, well way to many that I start to loose count. 

Over the years they all work just a little better, but like all tiers, we must try and do better.

Looking at the same ole, same ole in the box get old.

Must have something new, plus, when your at the launch or take out, none of the other boats have them. Always great to share new patterns that work with others.

FF's Caddis Pupa # 31

Hook: TMC Competition Hook, Sz.14, Barbless

Bead: Lucent Aqua

Thread: Brown 8/0

Abdomen: Tan 8/0 with Rainbow Krystal Flash

Thorax: Caddis Green UV Ice Dubbing brushed out

Soft Hackle: Brown Partridge

Antennae: Black / Pearl Krystal Flash

Collar: Brown Nature Spirit Dubbing

BWO Blues

Well, blue skies and BWO's.  Always nice when fish area rising to BWO's, 

when there are not many bugs on the surface. On this particular day, the 

feedbag was on.

 Yours truly with a nice hofer rainbow.

Swish, Right in Net

In the spirit of the Final Four this evening, I thought it would be appropriate to post a couple of shots right in the net. It is not often you get your participants to cooperate when taking some photos while in the water or relaxing and catching there breath in the net.

 As the brown are to fall, the "Bows" are to spring. Their cheek plates are always so beautiful.

Three Flies and a Weekend

Sometimes a river treats you to a special day, well she treated us to two very special days, as 

spring showed us how beautiful it can be. Although, there is not much water in the ditch right now,

it is very fishable and fishing well. Fish looked up all weekend and were eating like it was the last supper. Slow, lazy rises characterized the weekend with explosive tail-walking fights. 

Only three fly patterns were needed to fish, the Zebra Midge to start the mornings, and at about 9:30 or so it was game on with the Mercer's Missing Link and the Purple Haze. 

 Missing Link

Hook: TMC 100, Sz. 14 or 16

Thread: Tan 8/0

Abdomen: Tan 8/0 Thread

Rib: Pearl Krystal Flash

Split Underwing: Dun Zelon

Hackle: Dun Saddle

Wing: Elk

Purple Haze

Hook: TMC 100BL, Sz.14-18

Thread: Purple or Black 8/0

Tail: Moose

Abdomen: Purple Superfine Dubbing

Rib: Pearl Krystal Flash

Para-Wulff Wing- Calf Tail

Hackle: Grizzly Saddle Hackle

Saturday Face Time

It's Saturday, that can only mean one thing. Time to fish. My plans call for several of these to the net this

weekend. We will even include his cousin the rainbro.

"Getting the Shot" by 36north and Marc Montocchio

Getting the Shot: Bone & Permit from 36North on Vimeo.

Please take a few moments to watch this great video short by Mark Montocchio.
Some unbelievable videograghy on bones and permits. 

Take Time Out

Taking time out and setting the fly rod down is extremely tough to do at times, especially this time of year, as the river warm up and the fishing gets good. However the dividends in the sights can really payoff.  The morning sunrises, the daytime cloud formations and setting sun can offer stellar view. 

Looking up to capture these takes the right time and place.