Here is the May Garden Hackle. Enjoy!
Expanding knowledge of South Sound Cutthroat
April 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Here in the South Puget Sound, we are fortunate to live among a fishery than many of us hold dear to our hearts, Sea-Run Cutthroat. Although we fisherman may have a long history with these wild fish, from a scientific standpoint, there is still a lot that we don’t know. The number of research papers about Sea-Run Cutthroat pales in comparison to other salmonids.
This is a potential threat to the conservation of these fish and others in the south Puget Sound, because as we have learned all too well, what we don’t know CAN hurt them.
A few members of SSFF have taken the initiative to help build the knowledge base. Jason Small and Ryan Haseman are working with WDFW to count cutthroat redds on various creeks in the south sound. After being trained on the survey protocol and redd identification, they have had some success in identifying new spawning areas.
They are also helping to develop the WDFW new record/survey methods using Smartphones and ODK survey. So far it has been a very useful tool.
Jason has also been busy working with the Nisqually Reach Nature Center, WDFW, DNR and Puget Sound Corps. Recently he attended a training in beach sampling and forage fish egg identification. They are getting ready to start looking for beaches within the Nisqually reach aquatic zone that have spawning sand lance and surf smelt.
Mark your calendars!
September 14th – SSFF will be arranging a Deschutes river clean-up.
October 12th – SSFF will be arranging a Nisqually river clean-up.
Fly of the Month April 2013: Mega GF
April 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Tube: Eumer medium tube
Wing: Finn Raccoon
Belly: Ice Wing Fiber, UV & Pearl Minnow Mix
Hackle: Long Saddle Hackle
Head: Eumer Monster Cone
So much to do, so many places to fish! That’s what I love about the Northwest. Not only do our lakes and streams start to warm, the South Sound really kicks into gear. But wait, there’s more! Let’s not forget about the coast. Just about an hour’s drive west of here we open up another option to pursue more great game species. Specifically, I’m talking about rockfish and lingcod.
I recently was invited to an outing on the coast targeting these species and had a blast. I don’t pretend to be an expert at this sort of fishing what so ever, I would however like to share with you the fly that I found successful. I call it the Mega GF.
I have written about the “guide fly” before, as I regularly use it in the sound for cutthroat. The unique feature on these flies is the monster cone on the front that creates turbulence and wiggles the fur strip behind it.
When I tie these for the South Sound, I generally keep these flies around 1.5 to 2 inches long and use rabbit zonker strips which are much thinner than Finn Raccoon. Also, the original GF doesn’t have any underbelly.
My Mega GF is tied with an underbelly and Finnish Raccoon. This helps bulk up the profile without adding a ton of material. The Finn Raccoon fibers are so long you can tie a 5 inch fly with only a 1 inch piece of hide. I think 5 inches is probably the max length for the medium sized monster cone, any larger and it may be too small.
I fished this with an outbound type 8 sinking line with a count down and retrieve strategy. Tie these in a variety of colors. I had great luck with a white wing and red hackle.
April 2013 Newsletter
April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Here is the April Garden Hackle (click the image)
Enjoy and hope to see you at this months meeting
SSFF Member Profile Form
March 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Club Members,
If possible please print and complete the attached member profile. We’ll collect them at tomorrow’s meeting.
Tom Bolender
Fly of the Month March 2013: Serendipity
March 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Serendipity
Photo Credit :http://stevenojai.tripod.com/seren.ht
Hook: TMC 2457 #14-20
Thread: Uni-thread 6/0-8/0 to match body
Body: Z-Lon twisted into a cord color to match the hatch
Thorax: White or natural deer hair
Spring! Trust me, even though it still looks like winter in the Northwest, its coming. Spring is an exciting time for the Northwest angler. The search for the elusive chum fry hatch begins, rivers and lakes start to come alive and bygone-it you can still feel your fingers after a couple hours of fishing.The big meaty dragonfly and damselfly nymphs are contemplating their suicide mission towards the lakeshore and that is definitely something to look forward to, but we cannot forget what has kept us sane through the winter. Ah, the ever so unappreciated midge/chironomid, blasphemy in some circles, godlike in others. Whichever circle you hang your rod in; imitating chironomids doesn’t necessarily have to involve drowning 18 feet of leader.
The Serendipity is a pattern designed to imitate a midge or chironomid emerging from its pupa. It was developed by Ross Marigold in the 1980’s. There are many variations to this pattern, including a bead head version, but it is mainly the Z-Lon twisted and then wrapped that is the common “thread” of all these patterns.
This pattern is definitely a must have in your lake and stream fishing box. Happy tying.
Garden Hackle: March 2013
March 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Price Lake Outing
March 12, 2013 By 2 Comments
We are holding an outing at Price Lake on the last Saturday of April. (thats April 27th)
This outing has become a bit of a tradition for us at South Sound Fly Fishers. The last two times we have done this outing, we all had outstanding times.
The plan is the same as before. If you would like to come, sign up at the general meeting on Tuesday, or email Ryan at [email protected]
Even if you decide to come spur of the moment thats okay too. We will all meet up in Hoodsport at the Hoodsport Grocery store. We will need to park a few cars on the South side of the store, and car pool up because there is limited space up by the lake. This lake is only fishable by a floating device such as a pontoon boat, float tube or small lightweight car topper boat. It is a bit of a hike into the lake so make sure it is light enough to carry.
For more info on the lake and how to fish it, here are a few references
Price Lake Takle, Bugs & Misc – By Mel Hurd
Deer Hair Dragon – By Ryan Haseman
Marabou Damsel- By Ryan Haseman
New Site Features
March 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
To help improve membership experience, we are adding some great new features to the site.
Paying members will be able to access the gear and guru programs. Members can also connect, discuss and collaborate with other members.
Fly of the Month February 2013: Keta Rose
February 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Sorry, this month’s FOTM will be short and sweet.
Basically, if you are not aware of the fly the Keta Rose, you should be. Especially for the next few months.
Here is the recipe, but I will leave it to the creator Doug Rose to tell you the thinking behind the fly.
Keta Rose Time -from Doug’s Blog
Photo and fly by: Doug Rose
Hook: Gamakatsu SC15, size 6-8
Thread: monofilament, medium
Body: Holographic tinsel, silver
Wing: bucktail, bule over white, with touches of chartreuse Angelhair and blue Falshabou
Throat: Hareline EV Minnow Belly
