We’ve got rain on the way and it’s about time. It’s been a very dry Autumn and early Winter this year, especially in contrast with last Winter’s record rain and snow fall. We’re currently prepping for the first North Coast shoot. Edgar Blair of Elysium Films is on hold to shoot this sequence. Ed has an incredible eye and we’re very lucky to have him with us.
The flows on California’s North Coast rivers are very low and most rivers are currently closed to fishing. These rivers will rise dramatically once the heavy rainfall begins and will begin to clear when the storm passes. Knowing which rivers clear first, at what rate, and at which level they fish best, is the key to timing this trip.
So what do we do when we’re anxiously watching the weather and the flows? We tie flies and thank our friends at Idylwilde for developing the best Steelhead patterns around!
Hartwick's Hoser - If you haven't joined the Hoser Nation then get on board!
If you haven’t seen a fly produced by Idylwilde, then you don’t fly fish much. The raw talent this institution has, developing patterns for Steelhead and every other game fish on the planet, is amazing: Hartwick, Hickman, Silvey, Morrish, Fox, Marts, Morejohn and of course, the legendary Bob Quigley, to name just a few. Check out their link (at the Things We Dig BIG! column) and marinate yourself in awesomeness!
Morrish's Medusa - I fish this fly with a lot of confidence (and not just for Steelhead).
Pictures courtesy of Idylwilde Flies.
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