Blog

Every fly fisher is bound to experience the skunk now and then; it is an important aspect of our sport. Getting skunked will test your dedication to the sport. Ask any west coast steelhead fisherman and you will surely hear stories of months or even in some extreme cases years in which the dedicated angler fishes quality water day after day and simply does not touch a fish. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong (unless of course you are STILL eating bananas in the boat)... Read more

What is wrong with this picture?  If you don't know, then you are missing a key ingredient that affects your fishing trip success or failure.  Take my word for it. Bananas do not belong near fishing gear or boats. Not even close…ever…unless you are trying to sabotage someone’s trip, and that's just wrong. One of the shop guys brought in this offensive (monkey pickle) fruit along with some yogurt in a vain attempt to eat healthy.  I'm not... Read more

It finally hit me that I am leaving to fish the EAst Cape for my second time for 7 days of cell phone-less, sandy beach, roosterfish infested waters, and I leave on Friday!  CAlvin's friends Kate Taylor and Justin Crump are already down there having a great season.  In fact when we were in Omak, WA last week at our grand opening of our WAshington state Big R Fly Shop Calvin took a phone call from Crump who was on the beach with clients looking for Roosters but all we heard was... Read more

                One aspect of my job that brings me a lot of satisfaction is seeing new faces in the store and on the water. I love hearing stories from new (and seasoned) anglers about their experiences with sport. What I enjoy even more is getting to experience the evolution of an angler first-hand.  Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in the transformation of a new... Read more

  EPA releases for public comment draft scientific study of Bristol Bay Watershed Report assesses potential impacts of mining activity in the area            CONTACT: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, 206-225-8127(cell), kader.hanady@epa.gov   (May 18, 2012—Seattle) The U.S.... Read more

I’m sure some of you who frequent the more fishy portions of the web have come across an unsavory character who calls himself Roderick Hawg Brown. I was recently interrogated by this toothless, piscine, cartoon effigy of a euro invasive trash fish.  Based on my answers, he provides some fish brained feedback.  First he attempts to grasp the word Mystic as in my business name, Mystic Waters. (For those of you with only primary school... Read more

We just received a new batch of Nautilus FWX Reels. This might just be your next reel.  The FWX 7/8 is my latest reel and I’m seriously thinking of adding the 5/6 model to my arsenal. The FWX series have become the best selling fly reel on the market today. To come close to this quality of workmanship and performance you will likely have to spend twice as much as what these reels cost. Made in USA!  Trout to Bonefish. Fresh Water Light, Salt Water Safe! Well under $300 Read more

  The Spring Chinook are pouring over Boneville Dam on the Columbia River right now.  It takes about 14 days for those fish to enter the Clearwater River in Idaho.  Fishing this year is expected to be great with record runs of Spring Chinook.  To watch the counts visit: http://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/HistFishTwo_7day-ytd_Adults.htm The last dam they are counted over before enterting the Clearwater River is Lower Granite.  Once over Lower Granite it is maybe 2-3 days... Read more

Okanogan County's lakes enjoyed beautiful weather Saturday April 28th for the General Lowlands Lakes opener! Anglers who visited the Big R Fly Shop in Omak carted off plenty of Chironomid/Blood Worm, Leech and Crawfish patterns to local hotspots like Leader, Conconully, Aeneas and Omak Lakes and most reported good fishing for Bass, Trout and even Kokanee! Creel reports from the Department of Fish and Wildlife on the local 'Put and Take' lakes opening day were as follows : Avg. Fish Caught... Read more

The rainstorm Thursday of last week has caused severe damage to the the road straight up from Loomis to Chopaka. The road has not been closed as of yesterday (April 30), but still remains extremely difficult to negotiate. The county should be running a grader within the next few weeks. For updates or more information, contact the Okanogan County Public Works at (509) 422-7300 Read more