Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring The Fly Fishing Shop

your angling day. Snooks inhabit both fresh and saltwater and like mangrove edges, oyster bars or lighted docks from which they can ambush prey. They feed primarily on baitfish and shrimp. They are extremely fond of sardines and anchovies. Snook are designed to feed on or near the surface. A floating fly line and a surface popper or gurggler can provide explosive action. A 2 1/2" White Zonker and one of the new clear tip fly

..Snook takes popper...

lines is also big medicine. Snooks average 3-15 pounds with 6-8 pound fish very common. We found that #8 gear was most comfortable for our recent South Florida trip. Don't hesitate to call for more information on guides and tackle.
More on-line info on South Florida Trip
The world record Snook is 53 pound, 10 ounces. To Top

(continued from 11/13 The Fly Fishing Shop Insider)
Are They More Than Grist For The Mill?
In 1974 crucial water flow management improvements on the Sandy River brought about more favorable conditions for Chinook migration. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife started an aggressive hatchery program with upper basin spring Chinook. Up to 420,000 spring Chinook juveniles are raised at the Clackamas River hatchery and planted in the Sandy and Salmon Rivers. These are from the lower Willamette stock of hatchery fish, which are mostly Clackamas River fish. In the 1890's Sandy River Chinook eggs were used to restart the Clackamas River runs. Now these same genetics are being used to restart the Sandy River runs. It's kind of like the genetics were on loan. These Chinooks have in fact adapted to the Sandy River better than they have adapted to the Clackamas. To Top

Sandy River Chinook runs have prospered and grew in numbers through the 1980's and 1990's. The run of 1992 was estimated at 9,200 fish with an escapement of 6,000 spawners. Run timing has become less critical with both earlier and later returning fish able to find mates. In the past several years there is indication that our present spring Chinook runs are stretching out over slightly longer periods.

What was primarily a May and June run has now become a March through July run. Spawning used to be late September. Now some Chinooks are spawning from early September through late October. The food chain in once again getting longer.

The study of biological science assumes that if there is a niche, then some organism will fill it. Much of the Chinook habitat in the upper basin is nearly the same as it was in 1800. If this habitat is maintained in this same condition, it is reasonable to assume that Chinooks will eventually exploit all of it. It may be possible to once again have July spawning Chinooks in the watershed. To Top

Fall Chinook spawn in the main stem and larger tributaries throughout the basin. The largest spawning concentration is from the mouth of the Bull Run River to Dabne Park. These runs are comprised of four genetically different races of fish. First to come are the Thule Chinooks. These fish are already colored when they begin to enter the river in late August. They are done spawning by late September. Next are the later bright Chinooks. They enter the river beginning in early October and are done spawning by December. Latest to come are the winter Chinooks. They enter the river December through January and may spawn as late as February. Dispersed through the runs are Columbia River Hatchery stray Chinooks. There has been no other hatchery intervention since 1977. Recent reductions in commercial harvest have brought better returns of Sandy River fall Chinooks. However, runs are still far below basin carrying capacity The 1995 run may have been 3,500 fish, with a basin carrying capacity of over 10,000.

Think of the biomass provided by 15,000-20,000 spawners in the upper basin, rather than 1,500-5,000 spawners....and another 6,500 Chinooks spawning in the lower river. The food chain in the river would be much richer. Every Chinook that spawns in the watershed is money in the bank.
(to be continued in 11/27 FFS Insider) To Top

Ross Gunnison Platinum Reels (IN STOCK)
Platinum colored reels are very popular. Witness the acceptance of the Abel Super Platinum Series and the Sage 3000 series. Platinum (silver color) harmonizes with nickel silver reel seat fitting on many of the more expensive Sage and Winston rods. In stock are G-2, G-3 and G-4 models. They are the same price as the black ones. Platinum isn't on-line yet. Just give us a call for immediate delivery. To Top

*** The Happy Face	HOOK: Mustad 34007, #1 THREAD: 3/0 to match popper color TAIL: buck tail to match popper color UNDER BODY: small pearl tubing POPPER BODY: cut from 1/4" sealed cell foam sheet, is used in white, yellow, chartreuse or pink. Body is longer at top than at bottom. A happy face is drawn on front with water proof marker.
This deadly productive surface popper/gurggler is tied by Captain Bob Marvin of Naples, Florida. On our recent trip fishing with Capt. Bob the Happy Face proved to be very effective on snook, tarpon and jacks. To Top

This is possibly the best part of the season to fish for Deschutes for steelhead. There are lots of very good fish and few anglers. Hwy 26 through the Cascades is clear of snow, is scenic and has very little week day traffic.
If you would like to read a detailed Deschutes River Fishing Report, click here.

Fly Rod Test Drive - Sage 890-5 SP
(Field Test - Florida Everglades - Snook -11/06/00-11/10/00). If you are traveling by airplane there is no doubt that a short rod case is a real advantage. A short rod case is easier to carry through the air port and easier to carry on an air plane. Five piece rods pack down into very short cases. The Sage five piece SP Series rods all come with an extra tip section which could be very handy. This was the third destination trip for my 890-5 SP and I still like it. I don't feel that the extra pieces result in less performance than rods that require a longer case. This rod builds very high line speed and allows extreme accuracy when target casting. Combined with a Ross Gunnison G-4 and a RIO Quickshooter clear tip fly line it was a very effective weapon for Snook & Jack Crevalle. To Top
ALL 158 MODELS OF SAGE 2001 FLY RODS ARE ON-LINE HERE.