The Salmon Fly

Every spring across the trout-laden rivers of the American West, something spectacular happens. As runoff begins to subside and the days stretch longer, an enormous insect emerges from the cobbled riverbeds.  The Salmonfly—Pteronarcys californica, a massive, prehistoric-looking stonefly that ignites the water with life and draws trout to the surface with a reckless hunger.

The Salmonfly is a species of giant stonefly in the order Plecoptera. They grow up to 3 inches long, being one of the largest aquatic insects in North America. Adults are typically dark brown to black with vivid orange or rust-colored markings on the underside.

Pteronarcys californica

 These insects are indicators of pristine river systems, and they require cold, clean, well-oxygenated water to survive. You can find them in rivers like the Colorado, Henry's Fork, Deschutes, Madison, and the Gunnison to name a few.

The Salmonfly’s has a long-life cycle. The nymph stage can last up to 3 to 4 years, the nymph lives beneath the surface, crawling among stones and river bottom debris. They feed on organic matter and slowly mature. As water temperatures climb in late spring, nymphs begin migrating toward the riverbanks in preparation for emergence. During this time, trout will feast on these vulnerable nymphs. At night or early morning, nymphs will crawl out of the water onto rocks, logs, or grasses and split their exoskeletons to become winged adults.

The Salmonfly are massive in size.

Adult Salmonflies have a short terrestrial life of just a week or two. They fly awkwardly, mate, and females return to the river to drop eggs, slapping the water surface and are often easy targets for trout.

For fly fishermen, the Salmonfly hatch is of legend. It is an incredible time of the most explosive dry fly fishing of the year. Witnessing a big trout suddenly rise with abandon and crashing through the water surface to devour these Salmonflies is extraordinary! Timing is everything. The hatch typically runs from mid-May to early July, depending on location, altitude, and weather. Rivers warm from the bottom up, so anglers often follow the hatch upstream over days or weeks.

Dead drifts close to banks, under overhangs, or near logs often draw violent takes from trout lurking for an easy, high-protein snack. If you haven’t experienced this unbelievable kind of dry fly fishing, put it on your fishing agenda to seek and fish it!  See you on the river!

A New Fishing Season!

Manhattan Midge.

Spring is well underway, but the fly tying and prep is always ongoing.  This blog is of fly tying and fly patterns I have been tying for myself, guide trips, and fellow anglers wanting these flies to fish.  I will share some of the many fly ties and some highlights of when and how to fish these patterns.  Some are of my signature designed fly patterns as well as many featured known tiers and their fly patterns. I will keep adding to this blog with fly patterns.  Enjoy and share your thoughts. 

Simple Quill Midge.

The Simple Quill Midge. Cruise by once, eat on the return!  This fly pattern seems to turn heads under some of the harder fishing conditions, but often very productive fished in the springtime.

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Hook:  Togens 3x heavy scud size 20

Thread:  Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0 black

Body: Hand Stripped Quill natural

Wing case: Fluoro filaments clear

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors: Anadromous Fly Company Arrow point straight 4” orange

Manhattan Midge in purple.

Forrest Dorsey’s Manhattan Midge, a true pleaser in the tailwaters as the days are warming up.  There is an absolute mind-boggling phenomenon with the draw of purple to trout.  It seems when the trout want purple, that is all you fish!  This beautiful fly pattern stirs lots of trout particularly in the spring and summer time fishing.

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Hook: Togens 3x heavy scud hook size 20

Bead: Glass small

Thread: UNI-Thread 8/0 purple

Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire x-small copper

Wing: Fluoro Filaments clear

Thorax: Peacock herl

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor 4” Titanium Rainbow

Rojo Midge.

Another favorite midge pupa, Greg Garcia’s, Rojo Midge. Amazing fly pattern that is alluring to the trout with the red glass bead, gill tuft, and the contrast of red and copper ribbing.  A favorite in the S. Platte River particularly in Deckers and Cheesman Canyon.

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Hook:  Togens Curved Nymph 2x size 18

Thread: UNI-Thread 8/0 Mahogony

Bead: Small red glass bead

Gill: Fluoro Filaments clear

Ribbing: Ultra wire small copper

Collar: Peacock herl

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor 4” Titanium rainbow

Pale Ale Midge.

One of my favorite winter/spring larvae, Juan Ramirez's Pale Ale Midge.  These simple larvae have won the trout on some of the colder winter days as well as moving into springtime.  

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Hook:  Togens Curved nymph 2x barbless, size 18

Thread: UTI-Thread 8/0 Lt. Cahill

Ribbing: Slim Rib, clear

Back: BIC permanent marker, Honey brown

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Arrow point curved 4” chartreuse green

Burnt French Fry Mini Leech.

This Burnt French Fry mini leech is absolute magic when the trout are keying in on leeches or larger meals in the rivers, creeks, and lakes.  I always say, if you haven't fished a leech, you really should!  Leeches exist in lots of rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks.  They are nocturnal and best fished early morning, sunset, or overcast days, as well as having success during the day.  Leeches are quite prevalent usually in the spring, summer, and fall times of the year.  

Hook: Togens Heavy 3X Scud hook sizes 14, 16, 18, and 20

Thread:  UNI-Thread 8/0 black

Segmentation/flash:  Flashabou iridescent pearl extra limp

Abdomen: Pine Squirrel crawdad orange

Head: Synthetic Peacock Herl

UV: Solarez Bone Dry

Matchstick Midge.

The Matchstick Midge is one of my designed midges I duplicated fishing the S. Platte River here in Colorado.  A year-round midge often fished deep in the water column.  A simple midge that fishes well in the tailwaters.  I could not believe how many fish I caught in the San Juan River in New Mexico on this midge!

Hook:  Togens 3X Scud Heavy hook

Body:  UNI-Thread 8/0 Tan

Segmentation: UTC Wire hot orange small

Head:  UNI-Thread 8/0 Mahogany

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Paisy Midge.

I call it, the Paisy Midge. A chironomid in size 20 on Togens 3x Scud hook, tied with Semperfli Nano Silk 30D 18/0 olive thread, UTC Ultra silver wire small, head with UTC waxed thread 12/0 brown.  Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor titanium rainbow scissors for the precision cut.  UV Resin: Solarez Bone Dry clear.  This another favorite midge that fishes well in the spring, summer and fall.

Hook:  Togens 3X Heavy Scud hook size 20

Thread: Nano Silk waxed 18/0 olive

Ribbing:  UTC Ultra Wire small silver

Head: Waxed 12/0 brown

UV Solarez Bone Dry

Mercury Blood Midge in red and black.

The Mercury Blood Midge is a favorite winter midge to fish. It mimics a blood worm larva that are prevalent in our rivers.  One of Pat Dorsey's magnificent fly patterns.  A favorite spring and summer pattern trout cannot resist.  A very easy tie and crazy effective!

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Hook:  Curved nymph 2x size 18

Bead: Clear silver lined glass small

Thread: Uni-thread 8/0 red

Rib: Ultra wire gold, small

Thorax: peacock herl

Scissors:  Arrow point 4” straight orange

The Orange Scud.

I have been studying scuds for some time. Scuds are a staple food for the trout in the tailwaters. When scuds die at the end of their lifecycle, they turn bright orange in color. This makes for a very easy meal for the trout high in protein.  Successfully fished in the summer and fall months, when the trout are focused on the scuds, hang on!!

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Hook:  3X heavy scud hook size 16

Thread: UNI-thread 8/0 fluoro orange

Head/tail: Antron yarn, burnt orange

Body: Ice dub orange

Rib: gold wire extra small

Back: Scud back 1/8” clear

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor 4” titanium rainbow

Paisy pupa midge (Photo coming soon)

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Hook:  3x scud heavy, size 20

Thread:  Nano Silk 18/0, olive

Ribbing: UTC Ultra wire small, silver

Gils: J Fair Ultra fine flash, pearlescent

Head: Semperfli waxed 12/0, brown

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissor:  Anadromous Fly Company Titanium coated spring 4.5” curved

Miracle Midge.

It’s a Miracle Midge that does the trick! Stay warm!  One of my go to midge patterns in the wintertime when fishing is tough, a size 22 or 24 Miracle Midge seems to do the trick!  Also, a favorite in the springtime.

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Hook: Togens 3x scud heavy, size 20

Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 white

Segmentation: Ultra Wire X-small copper

Head:  Nano Silk 12/0 black

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company TC arrow point curved 3.5” orange

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Bling Midge.

Bling midges are a great midge in the tail waters especially winter. I will often fish it deep as my last trailing midge. My kind of bling.🎣 This simple midge pattern is a fish catcher imitates a midge larva and a winner especially when the trout are keying on midges.

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Hook:  Scud 3X heavy, size 20

Thread: UTC Ultra thread 70 Cream

Gil: Flashabou extra limp

Head:  Nano Silk 18/0

UV:  Bone Dry

Scissors: Razor 4” Titanium rainbow

Black Beauty Midge.

Pat Dorsey's Black Beauty Midge size 24 that can fool a lot of big bucks!  This simple year-round midge pattern has put more fish in my net than any other midge pattern!  One of the easiest midge patterns you must tie and always have some in your box!

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Hook:  Togens Dry Fly size 24

Thread:  Nano silk 30D 18/0 black

Segmentation: Danville fine wire gold

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly CompanyTitanium Coated spring 4.5 straight.

No Mercy Midge.

One of my favorites very effective midge, Phil Iwane's No Mercy Midge. The blend of camel and silver looks like trout champagne.🍾 Happy New Year!  A favorite year-round pattern I often will fish in all of our beloved tail waters.  The CDC tuft movement in the water and the flash of the wire segmentation on the camel is irresistible to the trout!

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Hook:  Togens Scud 3x Heavy, size 20

Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0W, camel

Segmentation: UTC Ultra Wire small, silver

Head:  Nano Silk 30D 18/0, black

Gil: Cul De Canard Tuft, white

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company TC Arrow Point curved 4” chartreuse green

The Anneworm.

Tyler Boroff's Anneworm, red annelid. Red candy for the trout!  When the trout are keying on the red bloodworm, the trout will hit this annelid hard!  

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Hook:  Togens Curved nymph 2x long length size 12

Thread: Glo-Brite 

UV:  Solarez Thin, Hard formula

 Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Titanium Coated Spring Scissors, curved

Foamie Homie Midge.

Tyler Boroff's Foamie Homie, some true trout slayers.

Hook:  Togens Scud 3x heavy hook, size 20

Body thread:  Semperfli Nano silk 18/0 30D brown

Ribbing: Danville’s Fine wire, gold

Flash: Flashabou Magnum pearl

UV:  Solarez Bone dry

Head:  Nano silk 18/0 30D black

Wing: Evazote foam 1/8” white

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor 4” titanium rainbow

Cat's Caddis Larva aka Green Cheeseburger.

Cat’s Caddis Larva with a little Christmas spice

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Hook:  Togens Scud 3x heavy hook size 16

Thread:  Semperfli Nano silk 30D, black

Segmentation: UTC Ultra wire silver small

Body:  EZ Magic dubbing, olive

Head:  Semperfli Straggle Legs black

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry, black

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Razor 5” Titanium blue

The Holo Midge.

Spring is so near! The Holo Midge is a flashy fly pattern an absolute winner in the rivers! In the drift hard to miss, sure to get smashed!

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Hook:  Togens 3x Heavy Scud hook size 20

Bead: Glass small

Thread:  Semperfli Nano Silk black

Body: Holo Tinsel medium pink

Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire silver small

Wing case: Fluoro filaments clear

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly CompanyTitanium 4” Razor rainbow

Matchstick Emerger.

The Matchstick Emerger, an emerger that has trout saying yes!

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Hook:  Togens Scud 3X heavy size 20

Thread: UNI-Thread 8/0 tan

Segmentation: Ultra Wire small hot orange

Head: UNI-Thread 8/0 mahogany

Wing:  Evazote foam white

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company 4” Tungsten Carbide Razor Titanium Coated

TF Midge.

When winter fishing gets tough, I’ve had great success fishing the TF midge. The quill segmentation along with the fluoro filaments are an amazing attention combo for those picky fish.

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Hook:  Togens 3x heavy scud hook size 20

Thread:  SemperfliNano silk 12/0 black

Body: Hand stripped Quill olive

Wing case: Fluoro Filaments clear

UV:  Solarez Bone Dry

Scissors:  Anadromous Fly Company Titanium coated spring curved

Pink Scud.

Will some trout be my Valentine? Pink scuds, hand tied with love.💕

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Hook:  Togens 3x heavy scud hook size 16

Thread:  Textreme Standard 6/0 fluoro pink

Head/tail: Ice dubbing hot pink

Body dub: Ice dubbing hot pink

Rib: Ultra Wire X small gold

Back: Scud back 1/8” clear

Scissors:  Andromous Fly Company Titanium coated spring curved

(Photo coming soon)

The Smokejumper is midge pupae with a translucent appearance with its silver wire ribbed body. When the pupae emerge, they propel themselves up through the water column using a small bubble of gas to reach the surface from its nymphal state to become a winged adult.

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Hook:  Togens 3x Heavy scud hook size 16

Thread: Uni-Thread 6/0W, olive

Rib: Ultra wire small silver

Wing case: CDC puff, natural

Thorax: Peacock herl

It's a new year of Health, Happiness, and Fly Fishing!

What’s been on your mind as you think about what’s most important in 2025?  Are you focusing on personal goals, relationships, or something else entirely?  I have always been a goal believer to grow, flourish, and create happiness into my life.  Really, none of these desires are anything new, but an ongoing life journey.  Most of my desires for growth are centered around fly fishing truth be told.  How about you?

Having good health enables us to participate and contribute to the fullest of our physical capabilities.  As a serious-minded athlete as a skier and a former competitive motocross racer, I am not naive in getting injured.  When I decided to immerse into my fly fishing endeavors, I presumed fewer encounters of injuries.  To descend freely by the force of gravity, or falling, is an unmistakable injury I have learned no one is exempt from in fly fishing.  Some of our river bottoms are incredibly rock, slippery, and unforgiving.  The natural reaction to falling is often extending our arms and hands, to try to catch oneself, or brace for impact.  

My right nondisplaced scaphoid
wrist waist oblique fracture.

I have encountered a few falls through the years with fishing resulting with broken fingers and even a fractured wrist.  All of which I have recovered and continue to fish and fly tie.  To improve any further falls, weight training particularly legs and core strength along with downhill skiing manifested great equilibrium and stability.  

My right hand with moderate first and third
interphalangeal osteoarthritis from fractures.

For hand grip and finger dexterity strength, for years I use the Grip Master, now the Finger Strengthener - Finger Exerciser for Forearm and Hand Strengthener on Amazon - Hand Grip Workout Equipment for Musician, Rock Climbing and falling Cat in the Hats.

 

Less falls means more days out on the river and being able to tie the best flies for the trout.  Plus, sheer happiness of catching lots of trout in all the lakes, rivers, and creeks.  Stay healthy, happy, strong, and injury free! Happy new year to you!  See you on the rivers!

Happiness and trout!

2025 Calendar of Fly Fishing Events!

March 22nd, 2025, Saturday is the West Denver Trout Unlimited Fly Tying Clinic!

Location:  Jefferson County Fairgrounds

15200 W 6th Ave

Golden, CO 80401

(303) 271-6600

Times: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

It is West Denver Trout Unlimited 46th year, with over 50 local and nationally-known tyers.  Also, you can buy previously owned gear and fly tying materials, and enter our huge bucket raffle.  Never tied a fly? Visit their Tie Your First Fly area and tie one!

Active military personnel and kids 12 and younger are admitted free.

Proceeds support West Denver TU’s conservation and education activities.

Anglers All, me and 4 other great women tiers for a Women's Showcase fly tying event, March 15th, 2025, Saturday!  

Anglers All 5211 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120

Times:  1:00pm to 4pm

I hope to see you there!

The Fly Fishing Show, Denver 2025, February 21, 22, and 23rd the Gaylord Rockies Resort!

The fly fishing show of the year, join me, Dave Allison, Jonathan Artunez, Kevin Arculeo, Nick Benik, Marcus Bevier, Tyler Boroff, Michael Burgess, Jeff Currier, John Demuth, Jude Duran, Daryl Eakins, Joel Evans, Tim Flagler, Dylan Gonzales, Eli Gonzales, Jason Haddix, Travis Hanson, Larry Holt, Phil Iwane, Joe Jackson, Tim Jacobs, Stephen Johnson, Merne Judson, Bill Kirk, Lance Kittel, Chris Krueger, Steven Maldonado, David McElwain, Kim Mutaw, Hans Mylant, Carl Pennington, Juan Ramirez, Jane Retherford, Jeff Rowley, Allen Rupp, Shane Schuster, Steve Schweitzer, Spencer Seim, Robin Spaight, Scott Stisser, Rick Takahashi, Son Tao, Matt Thornton, Cat Toy, Todd Turner, Frank Whispell, Jason Yi, and Tom Ziegler.

• The largest exhibit floor in the history of the Denver Fly Fishing Show, yet again!

• New 2025 products from manufacturers.

• Programs and learning opportunities for youngsters and families.

• Women’s Fly Fishing Showcase focused on the

woman angler.

• Casting demos and instruction with Christopher Rownes, Gary Borger, Landon Mayer, Jeff Currier, Mac Brown and more!

• Fly tying with Phil Rowley, Ed Engle, Tim Flagler, Pat Dorsey, Tim

Cammisa and more!

• Classes with the Experts where you can get one-on-one time with the Pros.

• The must-see International Fly Fishing Film Festival on Friday at 6:30

featuring award-winning fly-fishing films.

• The most extensive list of professional speakers across the globe.

• Lodges, resorts, exotic vacation destinations offering the best fly fishing

trips on the planet.

• Live, on site Podcasting

• Live and art demonstrations

• Live bamboo rod building demonstrations

• New rods, reels, lines, accessories, clothing, waders, boots, books, DVDs and

anything else you may want to purchase, plus our exclusive author’s booth.

• Conservation organizations and opportunities to volunteer for the sport

you cherish.

Please join this amazing fly fishing event!  I hope to see you there! 

The St. Vrain Angler Trout Unlimited Fly Tying Expo 2025!

WHEN | February 8, 2025, Saturday

WHERE | American Legion Post 32 Longmont, Colorado

ADMISSION | $20 - See Event registration page

Doors open | 12:30pm

Food and beverage available for purchase at venue

The St. Vrain Angler Trout Unlimited and Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop co-host an annual Fly Tying Expo that features expert tyers from Northern Colorado and throughout the state. This Expo offers the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with the tyers where attendees can chat and learn their patterns, tips, and pointers. With more than 30 tyers demonstrating an astounding variety of flies, attending the Expo is a crash course in upping your tying skills.

The Fly Tying Expo is a fundraiser to support the Chapter’s work and outreach. Flies tied at the event are donated by the tyers for bucket draws. The event also features a silent auction including trips and fishing related items. Fundraising proceeds go to:

1.  Youth programming that introduces kids to fly fishing and healthy watersheds; 

2.  St. Vrain Creek habitat improvement and restoration; and

3.  Educating our community on the value of healthy streams and trout habitat.

2025 Tyer lineup 

Jonathan Antunez | Scott Drake | Rod Dufour

Phil Cavendor | Chuck Esch | Jason Haddix

Kevan Davidson | Stephen Johnson | John YI

Shannah Fedus | John Majerus | Steve Maldonado

Dennis Martin | Mark Mcmillian | Teryll Monroe

Rich pilatzke | Jane Retherford | Micheal ringus

Dick shinton | Marty staab | rick takahashi

anh thai | cat toy | Susan underwood

James Ushiyama | Frank whispell | janine whispell

lydia wickizer | fran Blayney | Phil Iwane 

stephanie hazelton

January 18th, 2025, Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm!

Angler's Covey, Womens Fly Tying Showcase

Please join me for this very special event featuring a day of fly tying by the ladies!  Come see Anh Thai, Cat Toy, Rachel Leinweber, Amy Grigg, and Lydia Wickizer tie their favorite fly patterns.

This is a great opportunity for fly tyers of all abilities to ask questions, learn, and be a part of the fly tying community!  There will be some giveaways throughout the day.

Don’t miss this chance to see some of most creative and awesome women fly tyers!

Anglers Covey:

295 S 21st St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

We hope to see you there!

The International Sportsmen's Expo is happening January 9th through January 12, 2025

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

The Denver Colorado Convention Center

700 14th Street

Denver, CO 80202

Phone: (303) 228-8000

Email: info@denverconvention.com

Public Show Hours:

Thursday Noon to 7:00pm

Friday Noon to 7:00pm

Saturday 10:00am to 7:00pm

Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm

2025 Fly-Tying Video Theater Schedules 

Thursday, January 9th, 2025 12:00-3:30pm: 

Steve Schweitzer - Dick Shinton - Susan Underwood – Richard Pilatzke- Terra Groah - Todd Birchby – John Yi - Joe Brenton - Jane Retherford - Mary Manka 

3:30-7:00pm: Steve Schweitzer - Ralph Rhoades - Hans Mylant - John Vevurka – Janine Whispell – Terra Groah - Eric Pettine - Todd Birchby – John Yi – Joe Brenton - Jane Retherford - Mary Manka 

Video Tyers: Frank Whispell (12:30); Mark McMillan (2); Kirk Bien (3:30); Chris Steinbeck (5)

Friday, January 10th, 2025 12:00-3:30pm: Daryl Eakins - Dennis Martin - Dick Shinton - Susan Underwood - Frank Whispell - Janine Whispell - Ben Baxter - Cat Toy - Bret Oeltjenbruns – Steve Schweitzer - Tim Jacobs - Elkan Normadin 

3:30-7:00pm: Garrison Doctor - Scott Stisser - Steve Maldonado - Kevan Davidson - Barbara Luneau - Mark Rayman - Bill Kirk – Cat Toy - Joel Evans – Eric Pettine - Tim Jacobs - Renea Pedersen 

Video Tyers: Garrison Doctor (12:30); Steve Maldonado (2); Pat Dorsey (3:30); Steve Schweitzer (5) 

Saturday, January 11th, 2025 10:00am-2:00pm: 

Rick Takahashi - Chris Krueger - Chuck Esch - Kevan Davidson – Steve Rogers - Steve Schweitzer - Stephanie Hazelton - Joel Evans – Shannah Fedus – Frank Whispell - Cat Toy - Anh Thai

Sunday, January 12th, 2025 10:00-1:00pm: 

Daryl Eakins - John Vevurka - Chuck Esch - Phil Iwane - Bret Oeltjenbruns - Stephanie Hazelton - Antonio Rodrigues - Lydia Wickizer - James Ushiyama - Jon Easdon – Mark McMillan - Loren Mcglone 

1:00-4:00pm: Daryl Eakins – Joel Evans - Renea Pedersen – Stephen Johnson - Barbara Luneau - Mark Rayman - Joe Brenton - Eric Pettine - Fran Blayney - Natasha Blayney - Jonathan Antunez – Richard Pilatzke 

Video Tyers: Daryl Eakins (10:30); Phil Iwane (12); Loren Mcglone (1:30), Antonio Rodriguez (3)

We hope to see you there! 

Fly fishing in New Zealand

 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to fish in New Zealand.  It is worth it to travel halfway across the world and fish here!  Picturesque rivers with gin clear water, and enormous, magnificent wild trout.  We were on central North Island which is primarily rainbow trout territory.  Some of the best trout hunting and sight fishing for the wary 8-10 pound plus stout rainbow trout.  

Mt. Taranaki.

Mount Taranaki is the second highest mountain in the North Island, and it is a monumental geographical feature of the region.  The word Taranaki likely reflects the Māori connection to the land, describing the iconic volcanic mountain in New Zealand, Mount Taranaki.  Mount Taranaki, stands at 8,261 feet, a majestic and iconic stratovolcano in New Zealand.  It’s not only the second highest mountain in the North Island after Mount Ruapehu, which rises to 9,177 feet, but also holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Māori people.

Some of the most picturesque remote landscapes.

The foliage and flora found around the rivers on the North Island of New Zealand thrive in moist, nutrient-rich soils including plants like New Zealand flax, kahikatea, cabbage trees, mānuka, and rushes often grow along the banks of the rivers. Other native plants include New Zealand sedge, Māori onion, toetoe, purua sedge, cutty grass, tussock grass, and jointed wire rush.  The ecosystem is an incredibly rich that supports a variety of fish, native birds, and insects while also playing an essential role in the water purification and erosion control.

The incredible bug life in the river.

The morning skies were darkened overcast with an intermittent drizzle.  The water was crystal clear and the river bottom bejeweled with colorful large river rock.  Our guide, Adam Priest, from the Mount Taranaki area prepared us for a full day of miles to explore and fish onto one of North Island’s stunning rivers.  The river scenery was so breathtaking, I had to consistently concentrate on my wading in the river and where Adam was.  Stop where Adam did as these huge, wild rainbow trout are guarded and would flee a favorite riffle or pool immediately.

The scenery is magnificent and very remote.

Precise, quiet casting upriver to the trout, or the game was over.  A successful take and hook set required careful skills to fight and bring in these stunning wild trout.  The play of these trout was exhilarating, but needed ample opportunity to unleash, otherwise, it was a losing strategy.  If he ran, you hurdled along. The art of netting always comes right down to patience.  The first fish in the net seemed unbelievable, but an absolute moment of triumph!

New Zealand longfin eel live in the rivers and creeks.

Upon enjoying the unique plush flora, fernery, forests and coastal gardens, I discovered the New Zealand longfin eels.  They live an incredibly long life with recordings of females reaching 106 years in age and weighing up to 52 lbs.  They spend their lives in the rivers, lakes, and streams before migrating to the sea to breed.  They can grow quite long up to 79 inches in length.  Magnificent creatures if you asked me.  They may attack trout as one of my trout I caught had a bite to its tail.

This rainbow trout bit by a longfin eel.

A successful thrilling day of wading and stalking the trout!  A return to the to the hotel for a hot shower and some fish and chips for dinner.  A day full of amazing memories!  A day fishing on the North Island of New Zealand is definitely a goal or dream one would like to accomplish; I highly recommend it!

Digitalis Purpurea

The play of these trout was exhilarating!

Miss Mayfly Moxie Waders Pants and Boots Review

I had wondered if there is a women's wader pant specifically designed just for women.  Take a look at Miss Mayfly I am very thrilled to discover these fantastic women's wader pants, the Miss Mayfly® Moxie Wading Pant© are a comfortable women's wader pants that fit just right for women!  These comfortable waders are a great fit and have a padded high waist that is adjustable for size.  Good mobility in the knees and waist for wading and capability in covering a lot of river.

Winter is approaching with colder conditions where I have room in my wader pants for warm layering.  

Miss Mayfly® MOXIE Wading Boot©, Rubber- Blue are a comfortable lightweight wader women's boot with a comfortable fit, good insole foot support, and with a durable rubber sole.  I wear a 7 1/2 women's shoe with a nice comfortable fit in a size 8 of this boot. I love the grabby boot lace holders!  I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to have your boot laces come undone!  The lace holders keep everything in place and secure.   A grippy rubber sole with compatibility for cleats.

Use discount code: CATTOY for 10% savings!  

Note:  Above discount code cannot be applied additionally to promotional sales.*

Don't forget about fishing the scuds in the cold months

 

With the colder weather moving in and Old Man Winter is just around the corner, some of us may want to continue bundling up and fishing through winter.  Scuds are crustaceans that dwell in many habitats but are oftentimes in the shallow water areas on aquatic plants, river bottom leaves, and silt of cool tailwaters, springs, lakes, and ponds.  Scuds are highly nutritious and an excellent protein source for the trout. 

Fishing between weed beds can be very productive 
with some careful maneuvering.

Weeds beds are a favorite habitat for scuds, trout will often be grouped up around the weeds and river bottom areas and easily become pushed in the river current.  They are present year-round constantly swimming up and down the water column. 

One of my favorite year-round patterns to fish at
some of our favorite tailwaters.

A great fly pattern to swing by the trout all times of the year including the colder months.  My recipe in tying the scud in tan:

Hook:  Togens 3x heavy hook size 16

Thread:  UNI-Thread 8/0, tan

Back:  Scud back 1/8" clear

Thorax:  Dubbing for Scuds and Sowbugs, tan

Head/tail:  Antron yarn, tan

Segmentation:  UTC Ultra wire, gold extra small

UV:  Solarez Ultra thin, clear

Scuds come in various colors including olive, grey, greens, tans, and orange.  Scuds turn an attractive green at the late part of their lifecycle.  Scuds transform into orange in color when they die, and they can be vital to imitate in tailwaters with fluctuating water flow. When the water level drops, scuds can become stranded in the streambed, and as the water level rises again, the dead scuds are swept into the river and an easy meal for the trout.

The best way to fish a scud is a dead drift just as you would with a nymph.  Fishing within the weeds is complicated, but something you don't want to miss.  Casting into the larger channels between the weeds could hold lots of trout with the occasional hidden beast.  Fish the different parts of the water column as well as the casting into the riffles.  Fooling the trout with a tumbling scud in faster waters can be quite exhilarating!  See you on the river!

A fantastic brownie fooled by a tan scud.