Blog

Montana now has its first-ever statewide fisheries plan.  The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission adopted the plan last week, after noting that it’s a complex document that tries to balance a wide range of issues. However, not everyone believes the plan goes far enough or is complete. Mark Aagenes, conservation director for Montana Trout Unlimited, said their members are confused by the... Read more

Are you tired of mid-terms, research papers, and math classes? Do you have a son or daughter with a love for exploration and learning? If so, NOLS (The National Outdoor Leadership School) has a program to cure your study hall blues…. Spending a semester in the southern hemisphere with NOLS is the ultimate college course for any aspiring outdoorsmen, guide, or people who have adventure in their blood…  You won’t be sleeping in a dorm room; instead a tent will become... Read more

After we got back from Omak in October, Matt Gutzmann from the Great Falls shop got “swing fever”. After never connecting with a steelhead and 20 hours of driving, he was ready for revenge. Back in the fly shop, he decided to order himself an Echo 6wt Spey which was matched with a 450 grain Skagit Compact, ran by Rio Slick Shooter, and shot with a 10ft Rio Mow tip (2.5ft floating and 7.5ft of T-11). We drove to the Missouri this weekend with our new fly fishing buyer, Paul... Read more

I just received an email announcing the latest issue of Montana Fly Fishing Magazine. There are 140 pages of great photos and articles. The winter issue is their 6th offering and worth a look.  You can subscribe to the magazine by email so you don't forget about it next month.  Check it out. About Montana Fly Fishing Magazine: Montana Fly Fishing Magazine is a bi-monthly e-zine that appears on the 15th day of every even month. It is the first online magazine devoted... Read more

Our Big R Fly Shop in Ponderay, Idaho is hosting a Holiday Fly Tying Contest during the month of December. Winners of the best holiday related fly will receive some cool shop gear for their creative efforts. The winners will be chosen on the 22nd of this month. For contest detail, please call the fly shop at (208) 255-5757 Read more

  We're getting more and more new items here at the shop everyday.  Stop in and check out our newest rod selections from TFO and Echo, as well as our other rods from St. Croix, Sage, Redington, Winston, and Scott.    We have the Soft Hackle Tenkara rod from TFO.  Based on a traditional Japanese method of fishing using only a rod, line and fly, tenkara fishing permits anglers to make precise casts, delicate presentations... Read more

You never know what you might find when you search for something on the internet. I was searching out some new fly tying materials when I stumbled on this Peoria Carp Hunters video. You've got to watch these guys. Read more

After our Alaska guiding season, my buddy Stacy Corbin hunkers down as the snow flies, recharges, and gets ready for spring fishing in Baja. Cooper Landing Alaska has some similarities to Craig, Montana. There are few people and even less fishing going on in the winter. For that reason, Stacy spends several months stalking the beaches for rooster fish and/or running out of the Cabo harbor in his boat. I have been living in Great Falls (outside of my Alaska guiding season) since the... Read more

 We just recieved our first shipment of Echo Switch Rods! When I unpacked the first rod I was very pleased with the aethetics. This rod is a unquie color, The matte finish pale olive just screams sage brush country! The cork also has rubber accents which really give it a nice look and some added durabilty as well. One other feature that stood out to me was the single foot chrome guides, also a great addition to a value switch rod. These are fairly short, fast action fly rods designed to... Read more

5. Build a closed cell foam seat. Using closed cell foam to build a raised seat on your tube goes a long way to staying warm.  I shaped mine to fit my tube then used 1 inch webbing to strap it into place. It keeps you sitting high and out of the water, and the closed cell foam insulates great. It also is more comfortable. 4. Wear bulky layers. You want to trap as much air between your legs and the water as possible. I wear a Patagonia Capelene 3 base layer, synthetic... Read more