Blog


February 1, 2012
John Ewald

Riding High: A Season on the Fly from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

Another EPIC new teaser has been added to the 2012 official selection list for this years’ Fly Fishing Film Tour.  Tickets for over 40 venue events have already sold out!  Don't be left out of the crowd.  You won’t want to miss the best fly fishing films on earth this year.  GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!  This film, along with the other killer film selections, will be shown in Great Falls, MT March 30th at the Best Western Heritage Inn and in Sandpoint , ID April 20th at the Historic Panida Theater.  This event is proudly sponsored by Big R Fly Shop.  Tickets are available at Big R and on the Fly Fishing Film Tour website.  Don’t delay, or you’ll be a fish out of water!

 

 
January 30, 2012
Big R Fly Shop
Regal Vise Review
by Erik Haugen - Sporting Goods Buyer
Vise Model:  Regal Medallion w/ “C” clamp
Flies Tied: JJ Special, Hi-Vis Beetle
 
 New England-made Regal vises are simple, durable, well made products. It’s amazing how well they work in tying your favorite flies and holding a variety of hooks. When I started
working at the shop, I got to tie on all different kinds of vises. After getting in a Regal Medallion with the swivel insert, I was hooked!
I believe the Medallion to be the best vise for central Montana tiers, tying bugs for freestone creeks and tailwater madness! At the base of the head/jaws is a swivel point so you can rotate the vise 360?. There are four different sets of jaws that you can get for your Medallion, and I would strongly recommend getting one with a bronze base. Choose the “C” clamp option and you can tie anywhere, anytime on anything! I would recommend this vise to anyone who wants a solid vise to tie with and not have to worry about hooks slipping out, not being able to see the underside of the fly, etc. If you follow Regal’s hook placement guide, these jaws will hold hooks firmly and allow you to get aggressive with your tying!

Regal Vise Review
by Paul Bloch - Great Falls Fly Shop 
Vise Model:  Regal Medallion w/ “C” clamp
Flies Tied: DLH Midge, an assortment of scud patterns
 
Regal Engineering knows how to make fly tying vises. Whether you are tying 2/0 streamers which require a wrenching or delicate #20 emergers, this vise does it all.  The Regal Medallion is a vise which covers all the grounds required to tie mostly any pattern.  This vise incorporates a semi rotary with either c-clamps or a base.  The jaws on this vise are tough and snug.  The spring stays taught for decades, the base has five separate compartments for bead and hook storage.  You can take this vise on the road with you too!  If you are looking for a long lasting, proven vise for under $200, the Regal Medallion will get the job done right.  Knock off vises which look similar might work for the time being, but the Medallion will most likely outlast you and your kids.    


 
January 30, 2012
Big R Fly Shop
February 2nd, 2012 General Meeting Info

The Missouri River Fly Fishers' monthly meeting on Thursday February 2, 2012 at the Giant Springs FWP office will host Guest Speaker Don Thomas from Lewistown, Montana. Don will be speaking on fly fishing "The Flats Around The World". The meeting is open to the public and begins at 7:30 pm.

Don Thomas has spent his entire life outdoors. Although he worked for years as a physician, he has also been a commercial fisherman, bush pilot, and guide. He now writes for Traditional Bowhunter, Ducks Unlimited, Retriever Journal, Bowhunter, Gray's Sporting Journal, Fish Alaska, and Big Sky Journal.   He freelances regularly for most national magazines that cover fly-fishing, wing-shooting, and bow hunting and has authored 16 books on these subjects with several widely respected publishers. Although most familiar with outdoor opportunities in Montana and Alaska where he has lived all his adult life, he has traveled extensively in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Siberia, and South Pacific. Above all, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors and working with his wife Lori, herself an accomplished outdoors woman and photographer.

 

The Splash by Denny Hanson

Have you ever been fishing and had the unexpected moment where your foot slips on a rock and in the water you go?  Well, I remember as a kid, the first time I fell in.  My dad was taking me with him hunting when I was about 8 years old.  We went to cross the creek behind the house, and I got my boots stuck in the mud.  Struggling to get out of the mud and up the bank where my dad stood waiting with the dog and shotgun, I somehow came out of my boots and fell backwards into the creek.  Of course dad was laughing until the grouse come out of the brush pile and he missed it.  Yes, that was the beginning of many splashes. 

As I grew into my teens, I began to fish with my friends, and started to score the falls into the water from 0 to 10.  I can remember several splashes by friends that scored a 4 or 5 with some good laughs, but I also remember fishing the Loyalhanna River with my father in the spring in Pennsylvania, and doing a Jerry Lewis on the edge of the river, and falling in backwards with only my head dry, and wedged between two boulders.  I laid there for 5 minutes while dad sat on the rock laughing.  I guess he would have scored it an 8 or 9.    By the time I reached my late teens, I became aware how athletic I was, but also have found some of the most grease creeks in Pa.  One trick dad taught me, was always have a change of clothes in the pick-up.  By my 20's, I had become highly skills at changing cloths behind the door of the pick-up along many rural roads. 

Over the last few years, I have found ways to catch myself with my arms and only get my sleeves wet.  I would score these type of splashes around 2-3.  However, two of the best splashes in my fishing history occurred when I was with a former coworker and another time with my wife. 

My coworker, Steve, and I went to Dillon, Montana to fish Pointerdexter.  Steve was fishing about 15 yards downstream from me, when I heard the splash.  There were a lot of willows between us, and I could not see him, however, I was quite familiar with the sound.  I immediately started to chuckle.  When I walked around the willows, I saw Steve completely soaked from head to toes.  After laughing for about 5 minutes, he explained how he went into the cold spring creek, and went completely under water.  I scored him an 8 until we started walking to the truck, and I walked behind him and observed him walking like he just got off a horse and water still in his waders.  Then I changed the splash score to  a 9.9

Then lastly, there was this time, my wife Carol and I went fishing on Belt Creek.  Before leaving I explained to her that the rocks in the creek were extremely greasy.  It was a warm summer day, and she insisted that her Teva sandals were fine.  Well, you know the story.  The splash occurred and I knew better about laughing .  I scored that splash a 4, but if I was not so scared to laugh, it would have been an 8.

 
ABOUT US

The Missouri River Fly Fishers is a non-profit organization based in Great Falls, Montana who work to further the sport of fly fishing in our community by promoting the education, trout, and conservation of the sport of fly fishing.

The MRF donates to many causes supported by Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly fishers.
 

 
In This Issue
The Splash
ABOUT US
General Meeting Info
Upcoming Events
  • February 25th MRF Banquet
  • March 30th F3T Film Festival
Quick Links
 
 

 
January 30, 2012
Big R Fly Shop
BOZEMAN—Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host four public meetings in the upcoming months as the first step towards developing a recreation management plan for the Madison River. FWP is seeking input on how the public views recreational use on the river. This information will be used in the preparation of a draft management plan, which will then be circulated for additional public comment. The goal of the plan is to help preserve the quality of recreational experiences and protect natural resources.

FWP is also seeking applicants to serve on a citizen advisory committee that will be asked to develop recommendations for managing recreation on the Madison River. The committee application form and information about the planning process are available on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html. Applications are due by March 16, 2012.
The Madison River is highly valued for the quality of its recreation opportunities and is often the most heavily fished river in the state. Due to this popularity, concerns have been raised about congestion on the water and at access sites, as well as social conflict between different user groups.

The scheduled public meetings are as follows:

Ennis, Wednesday, February 15, 6-8PM at the Ennis Middle School
Bozeman, Thursday, February 16, 6-8 PM at the Comfort Inn
West Yellowstone, Tuesday, February 28, 6-8 PM at the Holiday Inn
Whitehall, Thursday, March 1, 6-8PM at the Whitehall High School

If you are not able to attend one of the scheduled meetings you may complete an online survey at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html or comment by sending an email to mrrp@mt.gov. Comments will be accepted throughout the planning process.

For additional information on the Madison River Recreational Plan, please visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/madison/default.html. Any questions may be directed to the River Recreation Manager, Cheryl Morris, at 406-994-6359.

-FWP-
 
January 27, 2012
John Ewald

"THE ARCTIC" trailer - by Beattie Outdoor Productions | Fly Fishing Movie from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.

The F3T website has released yet another film for the upcoming tour this year.  The film, The Arctic is the newest adventure brought to us by Beattie Outdoor Productions.  As with all of RA's films, the areas fished are captured well on film and always tend to excite the viewer.  Be sure you don't miss this one the night of the tour in which you attend!

 
January 26, 2012
Paul Bloch
If you don't already know this, I love fishing drag free drifts under bobbers (indicators for the snooby reader.)  I have been criticized for this hundreds of times, and even corked out of my drifts on several occasions in spite of my tactics (TODAY).  Growing up, I learned the importance of knowing what your lure looks like under water.  It's obvious that many people don't think this way when they are fishing.  I couldn't count the times I have seen people lose it because they are not catching fish when using "the exact same thing" as a fisherman that is producing big numbers right next to them.  In most cases, the fisher person locking up on the regs is in the right water, though it may only be one microcurrent away from the unproductive wrecking ball angler. 


CLASSIC MO' RIVER BOWS NYMPHED UP TODAY 


Learning the water you need to be fishing at the right time only comes with experience, and lots of time on the water.  Don't expect to know where and how to fish if you haven't put in your time.  Fly shops and blogs can help, but not too much.  It's like upper level physics, if you don't study, you will fail.  


BIG ROB PATON GETTING IT DONE TO UNDER THE BOBBER


A good piece of advice for you from someone who struggled to fish bobbers correctly is to watch anglers who know how to run a proper drift.  It wasn't until I watched a good buddy run razor sharp drifts until I understood why certain people catch more fish.  I thought I knew how to nymph, I didn't.  I thought nymphing was lame...(selling your soul.)  I considered myself a 0x streamer fisherman.  I usually only fished streamers, even when fish were eating emergers.  When fish started to eat drys freakishly, then I might have tried to throw on that strand of 4x and throw a dry.  I was the guy that was stripping streamers all day, who would once in a while connect with a decent brown.  I'll be the first to admit that I was unknowledgeable.  Sometimes when I look at streamers, I think to myself that they are no different looking than crank bait.  They are called sculpins, but look like needle fish.  Streamer fishing is as close to cranking 6 inch plastic baits as it comes.  This may be why its so fun!  I love to strip streamers when it's on, and when I do it, I usually get rewarded with a nice slab of gold.  


BROWN I TOOK ON A STRIPPED STREAMER YESTERDAY ON THE MO.


THE SIX INCH 'BOW THAT WAS HANGING OUT OF THE PICTURED BROWN'S JAWS

Whatever it is that you are doing, do it right.  If you are pulling around streamers at the right pace and depth, it will probably be worth blowing your shoulder doing it.  If you like bobber fishing, get technical with your leaders, and present your flies the way fish want them.  If you are soaking bait with a gear stick, use small barbless hooks, its the least you can do.  If you are using this trickery, be nice to the fish, because I know as well as you that you will catch them.  The gear guys I watched today caught ALOT of rainbows.  They were using small hooks and quickly released every one they caught.  I applaud these guys for that, and realize that we all have our place on the river if we are holding a MT fishing license.  Sticking a size 4 hook in a 16 inch rainbow's face is like sticking a clothing hanger hook in yours.  This goes out to all breeds of fisher people.  Please be nice to the fish, it's all alot of us have. 
 
January 24, 2012
Big R Fly Shop
Renzetti Vise Review
by Calvin Fuller - Ponderay Fly Shop Manager
Vise Model:  Traveler 2200 Pedestal Base Model w/ Clouser Cam
Flies Tied:  Steelhead intruder patterns, double hook lake trolling flies, clouser minnows, Pro Tube System™

 
      The Renzetti Clouser series serves its’ purpose tying larger salt water and steelhead patterns. The new Cam Lock System clamps the hook well, resulting in little vertical movement. Previous models had a less efficient, harder to work wheel lock system. This was a good improvement. The smaller head design helped for proper placement of material resulting in good silhouettes for baitfish patterns. The vise head also held the Pro Tube System™ mandrel making it easy to tie Pro Tube flies. The rotary feature allowed for proper placement of material when getting into detail with steelhead patterns.
           
      So far, the only con I’ve found is the rubber band on the vise head that keeps the jaws aligned. I have broken one already and find this feature could be fine-tuned. The vice is still functional without the rubber band. It just takes one extra step to set the hook correctly in the jaws of the vise.

 
January 23, 2012
Big R Fly Shop
SEND US YOUR BEST STREAMERS FOR THIS MONTH’S CONTEST

We’ll pick the top five entries which will then be put to a public vote. The top three entries will receive these great prizes:
 
1st Place:        Full Saddle Hackle - a $69.99 Value
2nd Place:      Euro Saddle Hackle - a $49.99 Value
3rd Place:       Silver Saddle Hackle - a $34.99 Value
 
Come in to the Great Falls Fly Shop to submit your entries. There is no limit to the number of entries. Entries must be submitted by January 29th. Winners will be announced in the March issue. Your choice of hackle colors is limited to stock on hand. All entries become the property of Big R Fly Shop.
 
If you’re unable to make it to the fly shop, mail your entries to us at:
 
Big R Fly Shop Tying Contest - Streamer
Attn: Erik Haugen
5109 Alaska Trail
Great Falls, MT 59406
 
 
January 23, 2012
Fred Telleen
Nautilus FWX 7/8

In the Big R Fly Shop in Great Falls, Montana, we carry Nautilus Reels.  It was there I saw the FWX 7/8 for the first time.  Every few days, I’d open the case and play with it.  That’s pretty much how I choose a reel.  After I hold it a few times, I can tell if its the one.  I figured I’d play with the Nautilus until sometime this spring.  When I could stand it no longer without a fly line, I would likely get one.  Then low and behold, I received a package in the mail this past week.  In the package was the perfect trout spey reel along with a card from Paul and Johne.  Paul and Johne are two of my long time guests in Alaska and we’ve shared some memorable days on the Kenai River.  They must have decided I needed a nudge to continue putting them on fish or maybe they felt bad about the gifted Ross Canyon 3 that I’d had stolen a few years ago.  In any event, thanks very much guys. You were Spot On!

I set up the reel in the shop last week. For backing, I loaded the spool with 125 yards of 50# Spider Wire Stealth Braid.  Its super slick, super strong and packs down tightly on the spool.  It will also slice through the water easily if a big fish should run it out there.  To my backing braid, I looped a 33 meter shot of 30# Loop LTS flat nylon Shooting Line.  The LTS shoots incredibly well and adds little bulk to the reel.  It also slices through the water easily, which is great when a fish is already towing a skagit head and heavy tip.  I tie a non slip loop knot at both ends of my LTS.  To the terminal side, I added an Airflo Skagit Compact 390  grain head with a length of 22.5′.  To the Skagit head, I loop any of the tips in the Medium MOW series from Rio.  The 10′ tip with 7.5′ of T11 is my favorite for most trout spey conditions.  To my MOW tip, I loop on 3-4′ of 12# Sunline FC Super Sniper.  Then I tie on the fly du jour with a non slip mono loop.

On Sunday, I put this outfit to the test.  The Nautilus FWX 7/8 is incredibly light in the hand and a pleasure to fish. With my backing/running line set up, there is plenty of spacing for a skagit head on the spool. I had a chance to get the drag pulled, and it was buttery smooth. This was the first time I’d tried the Skagit Compact 390 and it worked perfectly on my Sage TCX 6119.

If you need help setting up your perfect trout spey, stop on by.  We have lots of options in the store and can special order just about anything you need so you can get your spey on.
 

 
January 20, 2012
John Ewald

"Geofish: A Mayan Prophecy" trailer - by MOTIV Fishing | Fly Fishing Movie from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.


 The Fly Fishing Film Tour website just released a new teaser today by Motiv Fishing, formerly known as AEG Media - the creators of the Trout Bum Diaries series.  This film, Geofish: A Mayan Prophecy documents a trip deep into the jungles of Belize.  The mission:  to find undisclosed fishing areas on the other side of the deepest and most rugged jungles.  It is the second film in the series, the first was Geofish: Mexico.  If you liked this film or any of the Trout Bum Diaries series, I'm sure this film will not fall short in great film, adventure and fly fishing.