New Catch Magazine

The new issue of Catch Magazine has been released. Fair warning, you may need to update your browser to make it work correctly, but trust me it is well worth it.

Same amazing photography and videos, new layout and quicker load times.

As always you can view it here,  Catch Magazine.


Look at that, two blog posts in one day! Hooray.

Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic.
-RB

Bonefish Mania! Fly-Tying 101: #8 The Crazy Charlie

The months of tropical fishing have descended upon us here in the Pacific Northwest. And by that I mean, for those that don't steelhead in our lovely winter weather and can afford it, they trick their significant other into a tropical getaway, ditch them at the pool and go fish for Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish, etc. Or those of you that are lucky enough to have a fishing spouse then you can forget the ditching them at the pool part.

this usually entails loading up on leaders, tippet and of course, flies. Crabs, shrimp, and other scintillating patterns top the list, and most look like you need a PhD in physics to tie. We have a super simple fly that you can vary in color that will work, and work well. It also works up here for Salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat in pink and chartreuse, so you got that going for you as well. Here we go with fly-tying victim #8, The Crazy Charlie.

 

Supply List

Hook: Daichi 2546 #6

Thread: UTC 140, match color to body

Eyes: Bead Chain Eyes, silver

Body: V-Rib, Match color to thread

Throat: Calftail, Same color as body/thread

Flash: Pearl Crystal Flash

Step 1:  Anchor thread onto hook shank. Cut bead chain eyes so that you have two beads connected. Place near eye of hook leaving enough space to build a head later. X thread over the center of the bead chain eyes 8-10 times tightening it down as you go making sure the eyes stay straight. If you feel they are still loose after this you can wrap thread until you feel it is tight enough.

Step 2: Wrap thread back towards the bend of the hook, tie in the v-rib (for this we are using chartreuse, which is the most popular color), wrap thread forward in front of the bead eyes. Wrap the v-rib forward keeping it tight and being sure to not overlap. Wrap to the back of the eyes, then pull it up and over the eyes between the space. Tie it down and trim excess.

Step 3: If you have a rotary vise, flip the fly over so it is upside down. If not, Pull the fly out and turn it upside down. Take a clump of calftail (You can also use bucktail if you so wish), tie it in base first. You want the calftail to be about 1.5-2 times as long as the hook shank. Tighten it down, trim the calftail bases at an angle from the hook eye backwards.

Step 4: Cut the crystal flash the same length as the calftail, tie it in over the calftail, tighten down, trim excess and tie over the calftail and crystal flash, building a nice even head. Whip Finish. I also recommend cementing the head.

Where It Fishes: Anyplace you can find bonefish or permit or tarpon. The Bahamas, Belize, Florida Keys, etc. The green and pink version also works very well in Washington on Chum salmon, steelhead and coho in the rivers. And sea-run cutthroat, pink salmon in the sound from the beaches.

Colors: Pink, tan. chartreuse, silver, orange, black and white. I've also seen a blue version not sure if it fishes or not. 

As usual, this and other fly-tying lessons can be found on our Fly-Tying Page.

Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.

-RB

The Best of 2011, Creekside Edition

We have entered 2012 with tails...err...tales of steelhead in our brains and dreams of fishing trips to come. 2011 was a year of high water, really high water into mid summer, a crappy summer of weather until the very end, Donald Trump's run for president and subsequent tongue lashing as he pulled out (please, please run as an independent, we all need something to laugh about), epic steelheading and great fall trout fishing.  All in all, from a fishing standpoint it was a great year. So in the effort of beating a hatchery steelhead into further submission, so to speak, we shall review the year, Creekside style.

Best Steelhead River, The Klickitat: While steelheading was pretty good across the board this past year, the Klickitat takes the cake. This fall it provided more entertainment for fly-fisherman and gear heads then Donald Trump's presidential campaign did for Jon Stewart. A lot of fish, and not just hatchery fish were being caught, lots of big wild fish, bringing smiles to even the most hardened man's face. Hell, even I caught some, which tells you just how good it was and I have proof.

See. Proof. Anyway, the Klickitat fished really well this year. We recommend you start thinking about heding down there next year, hanging out with the boys from the Steelhead Ranch and hooking some chrome in the cold, crisp autumn air.




Creekside Catch of the Year: This one was a tough one to determine.We had some good ones to peruse. From little girls holding their first fish to seasoned vets showing off slabs we got them all. So after much thought, for our Catch of the Year we have chosen. (Someone queue a drumroll or something.)

Gotcha! Ok, ok. Here is the real Catch of the Year.

Hugh and Scott doubled up on the Klickitat!

Top Fly: The bead. I keed, I keed. There were a lot of great flies this year. The one we would choose to be the top fly for this year would be everyone's favorite to say because it drums up Bill Murray. I, of course, am talking about the Dali Llama, as our fly of the year. Cinderella story, this greenskeeper...

Ok and with one finally thing.

Epic Fail of 2011: Steven Tyler. We are talking to you. You single handedly cleaned out our feather market with your silliness of using grizzly hackle, in your hair, while on American Idol. So consequently all us poor defenseless fly-fisherman had nothing to tie size 26 gnats with. So congratulations, you sir, are Creekside's Epic Fail of 2011.

There's our best and worst of 2011.

In other news the westside rivers are coming back into fishing shape, especially the Snoqualmie and Sky. So head on out and get some steelhead that are within reach of Seattle.

I hope everyone had a great New Year and here is to a very fishy 2012.

Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB

Creekside Angling Winter Rate Special!

We here at Creekside Angling are happy to announce that for the dates of December 1st through the 15th of March we will be offering special winter rates for trout fishing on the Yakima River of $275 for 1 or 2 people! This includes flies, leaders, tippet material and if you can't provide your own rod/reel we have those too. These trips will be bring your own lunch and last around 6 hours on Washington's only blue ribbon trout stream. Snacks, water and soda will be provided.

The Yakima in winter can be a perfect time to float. The water is low and clear and the fishing can be excellent. However it is eastern Washington and it will be chilly so don't forget to bring warm clothing and some waterproof gear and a thermos of coffee may not be a bad idea either. The scenery isn't bad either.

The fishing has been good on the Yak and the weather hasn't been terrible at all so give us a call here at the shop (425-392-3800) if you would like to set up a trip and we can get you rolling on a mid-winter excursion that breaks the doldrums of fly-tying and watching the BCS nightmare known as bowl season.

Tomorrow should bring a post entailing our first full-length fly-tying lesson featuring Shop Pro Charlie Robinton! Learn how to use our new Sculpin Helmets to tie a killer Yakima winter staple, the Sculpin. So stay tuned for that and enjoy the slice of nice weather we are having. Get out and angle!

Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB

Negate the La Nina Effect

We heard it all fall. La Nina is coming! La Nina is coming! Farley may have said that El Nino was Spanish for the...Nino. It means boy, but if any of you think La Nina is some cute little girl you got problems. More like the little girl from the Exorcist. Anyway, I know what most of you were thinking. Pft...La Nina...HAH! Whatever man...it ain't nothing, until oh...this past week. That's when she strolled in and gave you swift kick to the mommy-daddy button before you even knew what was going on. BOOM! 3 feet of snow, 4 inches of rain, blown out rivers, Chum salmon spawning on Highway 2, some guy in Carnation began building his ark, etc. Don't believe me about the Chum Salmon? Queue that footage Ace!



Feel silly now? We were talking about La Nina and her nasty little self.  Waterproof clothing? Of course. But you don't want to look like the Gordon's Fisherman or the dude from I Know What You Did Last Summer sans hay hooks, right. Well we have what you need here at your local Creekside Location.

We just received a huge order of Simms outerwear, waders, boots and knick knacks sure to help you with negating the effects of La Nina.  We have the full range of Guide Jackets, the fleeces, gloves, waders and boots.

Like this Simms Guide Jacket. Perfect for battling the elements and torrential rains that come with winter fishing in the Pacific Northwest and it's pretty stylish too. I mean as far as waterproof raingear goes.

Or how about this Rivershed Sweater for those of you looking for something to keep warm during those bitterly cold days chasing trout on the Yakima or Steelhead on the Grand Ronde in February?

This is just a peek at the stock of products we have just waiting to meet your wintertime fishing needs.  We even have flies and other accoutrement's that you may need on your adventures chasing fish during the season of the witch...err...La Nina.

So if you don't feel like staying cooped up all winter with the in-laws or significant other, watching HGTV or playing World of Warcraft or whatever else it is you crazy kids do these days. (Please no elaboration, we get it ok?) But don't feel you have the right gear to make the fishing experience more enjoyable then staying at home drinking tea and watching Golden Girls reruns. Come on down and hit us up with whatever questions you may have, try some stuff on, create the X-Mas list and hand it out to whoever may be slightly acquainted with you, and get geared up for La Nina winter.

On another note. The Muppets come out tonight! Hooray! Swedish Chef is back in action. Speaking of chefs...tomorrow is turkey day. I will be stuffing my face with pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and possibly some beer, watching football and doing nothing in general. I hope most of you that read this are not one of the few stuck with working at supermarkets or Wal-Mart and forced into slavery. If so...disregard what I just said about my Thanksgiving...

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and be safe. We shall reopen on Friday at the normal place and time. Sneak on over as your significant other raids the local Black Friday spots if you want to keep your sanity.

Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins

-RB

Eat the worm! Fly-Tying 101: #5 The San Juan Worm

Winter time in the Northwest means a fluctuation of temperatures and weather. One day the rivers may be low and clear, the next they could be colored and carrying houses, cows, Auntie Ann and other instruments of civilization towards Davey Jones Locker.  For those of you diehards that don't react to a snow storm as the Snowpocalypse or a torrential downpour like you should start cutting down trees, collecting animals in pairs and building an ark, this fly will help you prepare for the times when the water is off-colored and high.

There are multiple ways to tie this fly and everyone has their personal variation that they believe will work for them. We will go over the basic pattern and then get into some of the more complex variations. Overall this fly may be the easiest fly to tie in the world, unless you are fishing the Juan and using size 24 bare red hooks....yes, it works, trust me. Anyways, as I was saying, this fly is easy to tie, can be used in multiple applications and is a good all-purpose fly to have in the box. So without further adieu, fly-tying victim #5 the San Juan Worm.

Supply List

Hook : Daichi 1120 #6-20

Thread: 6/0 Uni, Color should match Vernille

Body: Vernille, Any Color or Pearl Core, Any color

Rib: Flashabou or crystal flash

Bead: Optional, but any Cyclops bead will work.

Hackle: Optional, Partridge, Pheasant Rump, Guinea

 There are multiple variations of this fly. I will do the simple version first. Then walk you through some of the variations, which aren't too difficult but can be confusing.

Step 1:  Tie down thread to hook. Cut a piece of vernille, you usually want it long enough that it is twice as long as the hook shank. Wrap thread back along the hook shank to the bend. Tie in the vernille so that about half of the vernille is hanging off the back of the hook shank.  Tie over the vernille to attach it to the hook then make a couple of wraps behind the vernille so that the tail sticks up.

          Step 1a: Slide a bead on the hook and place it near the eye. Slide the vernille through the bead. Make a wrap behind the bead and in front.

         Step 1b: If you are using pearlcore instead of vernille. Slide through the bead or just tie it down in front of the bead and another section behind. Near the bend, tie in a piece of flashabou/crystal flash and wrap over the pearlcore all the way to the bead.

Step 2: Wrap the thread forward along the hook, making a few wraps up over the vernille to attach it to the shank. When you get to the eye. Wrap over the vernille and make a few wraps in front to make the vernille stand up. 

        Step 2a: You can tie in the hackle at this point if you choose to do so. Tie it in tip first behind where the vernille/pearlcore goes up, make a couple wraps and tie off. If using a bead and you wish to add some hackle, tie it in front of the bead tip first and make a couple wraps, tie off.

Step 3: Whip finish in front of the vernille. Cut thread, and then take a lighter and burn the ends of the vernille slightly. If you are using pearlcore you will have to superglue the ends instead of burning them.

Colors: Red, pink, green, olive, blue, purple, blue, burgundy, black, root beer, and chartreuse.  the most effective colors are pink and red, especially on the Yakima in early spring. Purple can be effective as well. Blue and chartreuse seem to work better in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. You can mix and match colors as well, making the tail a different color then the front. Those versions generally work better when tied in with a bead to cover the transition.

Where it Fishes: Pretty much everywhere. They work better in cloudy/murky water, but I have caught fish on this fly all over the west. Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Utah and New Mexico. Such infamous rivers as the Yakima, Rocky Ford, Rock Creek, Flat Creek, South Fork of the Snake, San Juan, Green River (in Utah), Klickitat, etc.  The bigger versions can work for steelhead as well as trout and you can tie them down to a size 20.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. All tying lessons are located on our Tying Page.

Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins

-RB