Fly Fishing Instruction, Why Its Important

Fly fishing is a complex sport. Often times those who try to learn on their own or depend on a friend, who may not be qualified to instruct, wind up frustrated because they develop poor habits and don't catch fish as they had expected.
Through the years I have purchased used tackle from guys who became bitter about fly fishing and decided to hang it up and try something else. It doesn't have to be that way.
I liken fly fishing to playing golf, another complex sport. Instruction from a club pro can get one started on the right track. He will teach you the basics; a good swing, the short game, sand shots, putting and how to manage your game on the course.
We teach fly fishing in much the same way. We start with setting up the rod and reel, the various knots used in attaching backing, line, leader, tippet and fly. Next comes fly casting, line control, fishing on and below the surface, how to handle big fish, reading the water to determine where fish hang out, etc. We even discuss aquatic entomology, in layman's terms, so that the student will have an idea of which flies work best.
Instruction is "On Stream" and usually takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We don't stop until the client says that he or she understands what has been taught.
A learning session followed by a day fishing with the guide will help assure a great start into this wonderful, hopefully lifelong, sport.

Ed's Blue Qwod Nymph (weighted)

Would you like to have a fly that you can use with confidence all season long? Sure you would.
Consider the following:
Paraleptophledia; Bicornuta------------------Blue Quill
Baetis; Tricaudatus---------------------------Blue Wing Olive
Paraleptophledia; Adoptiva-------------------Blue Dun
Hence the name, Blue QWOD
There are more than 50 varieties of Mayflies that fit these general descriptions. They start to
hatch in April and continue right through October. The hatches here in Vermont are generally sporadic but continuous day by day. Sizes vary from #14 to #20.
As you can see the Qwod is a simple fly to tie.
I start with a dry fly hook and weight it with fine lead wire. The tail is blue dun hackle and the body is dubbed muskrat. Blue dun hackle and a small head finishes the tie.
I use a floating line with 5X or 6X tippets and fish the Qwod both upstream and down in riffles and pool run-outs trying always for a drag free drift.
Don't confuse the Blue Qwod with the standard Grey Nymph. The Qwod is small and that's the key.

More later

Guides at Work

Yes, it's true. Even though the fly fishing season is yet to begin our guides are busy tying flies and scouting some of the nearby rivers, looking for additional hot spots.
We do this at this time of year because the trees and brush are bare of leaves and visibility is good. We drive along the streams, occasionally stopping to check out new areas closely on foot.
It's all part of our goal, working to be the best guiding service in Vermont. We hope to serve you during the upcoming season.
Conditions: Lots of snow atop of Mt. Mansfield. We're hoping for warm, sunny days and cool nights so that the run-off will be gradual. An ideal spring, exactly the same as our Vermont
Maple Syrup producers wish for.
Hexagraph Fly Rods: Good News! The Hexagraph fly rod company is maintaining 2006 prices at least through July of 2008. I love my Hex. It's an 8' 6" for a 4/5 line, perfect for trout, salmon, bass etc. If you're interested in a lifetime of great casting and better fly fishing order a Hex through our shop and I'll pay the shipping costs.

We will be offering new products on our website very soon. Logoed T- shirts, Classy flies on Brooch Pins, and more!
Shipping Costs: I have reduced shipping costs to the minimum as you can see on our website. I know how high shipping costs can turn-off a customer. Some companies charge high S&H prices and make more profit by doing so. I think it's wrong, period.

More later, Ed

Think Fly Fishing

It's a cold snowy, February day here in Northern Vermont and I'm tying flies in preparation for the upcoming season. I'm thinking "Fly Fishing". It's not that far away.

Here's what's new.

We are adding to our guiding staff this year. Friendly, experienced gentlemen who know our rivers and can help our clients enjoy the outing while catching fish.

I'm introducing my original extended body Mayflies on the web site. These patterns have a proven record of success on our nearby rivers as well as Lake Willoughby and Caspian Lake.
One of our best kept secrets is emerging out of the bag.

Maybe the snow runoff will be slow and gentle this spring, allowing the rivers to maintain a nice even flow rate so beneficial to fly fishermen who like wading to their hot spots.

More later. Ed