Rocky Ridge Ranch Private Lakes, Deschutes Trip, Boat Wheel, Brian Silvey Tandem Tube Flies, Sandy River Spey Clave
The Fly Fishing Shop HOME. * Search Catalog Trips & Schools Bargains SALE ENDED
Our Waters Order Info Steelheadquarters Events
1-goal: total reliability!

Topics  GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!
Rocky Ridge Ranch
Deschutes Trip Offered
The Caddis Are Coming
Outcast Boat Wheel
Tandem Tube Flies
Customer's Pictures
Spey Clave
All pictures are Mouse-over.
Rocky Ridge Ranch, Private Lakes
Patty & Mark fished the lakes at Rocky Ridge Ranch 02/22 & 02/23, just to find out if the trout were moving and what kind of shape they might be in. The weather was mild with afternoon temperatures in the high-fifties. Water surface temperature was 34-degrees.
Some February days are warm and calm...
The afternoon was calm and clear. A sparse hatch of Chironomids brought a few trout to the surface.
Mark Bachmann examines a winter trout and notes its fine condition...
As expected, Wooly Buggers fished with sinking lines proved to be the most productive way to fish.
This trout put a good bend in Patty's rod...
We reconfirmed our love for our Outcast PAC 9000 boats. If you don't own one, you don't know what you're missing.
Porker...
We encountered many of these football shaped chrome plated rainbow trout.
Inch long & green fly...
Small Damselfly Nymphs fished in shallow water areas proved to be very effective in some of the lakes.
Deschutes Trip Given To Native Fish Society
Don't miss the 14th Annual Native Fish Society Auction + Banquette - April 10
The Pacific Northwest is blessed with many unique and interesting fisheries. The ownership and every person who works at The Fly Fishing Shop - Welches, Oregon understands that sharing these resources with other users is a privilege. To us that means we have responsibilities.  We must put back more than we take. We are willing. The donation listed below is an attempt at paying a small token of our dues. We believe The Native Fish Society is an organization worthy of our support. This prize constitutes the last open dates of our August/September Jet Boat Calendar for 2010. One hundred percent of the money raised will go to a great cause; Native Fish Society.
22' with 330 horse power...
Two-Night Trip: noon August 5 to noon August 7 (4 anglers have entire camp).
 "You are waist deep in the riffle. Shadows from the towering basalt ramparts above turn the water golden brown.  The fly rides in the surface film under light tension, the long rod balances lightly in your hand. Your eyes wander to the Great Blue Heron who is stoically perched in an alder tree across the river. You are content in this soft fluid world.
The line tightens in a slow, but deliberate pull and the heavy fish twists and turns trying to dislodge your hook. Your rod arches with his power and the line melts from your screaming reel. An incredible distance away the huge silver and gunmetal fish bolts through the surface. You are caught in the frenzy of your first Deschutes steelhead and time stands still..."

 Adventure In Paradise  
Extended river camping is my specialty. We will be camped on prime water. In addition, we have another fifteen miles of first-class water; all of which are within easy reach from camp with our big powerful jet boat.
You sleep soundly on a deeply padded cot within the comfort and security of a well ventilated tent. You arise early from a great night's rest. Upon awakening, the sage-laden air fills your nostrils. You sip a steaming cup of coffee, eat some pastries, then don your waders and step into the sparkling river as your guide explains the finer points of presentation and acquisition...  
Itinerary:
Arrive at Mack's Canyon at noon.  Load gear in the boat which is already in the water.  Run to camp.  Stow your gear and get comfortable in camp.  Enjoy some refreshments as you prepare your fishing gear for the afternoon hunt.  Fish that evening, spend the night, fish the next day, spend the next night in camp, fish the last morning and leave right after brunch, depart from Mack's Canyon at noon on the third day.
The Deschutes River is regulated so that all fishing is done while hiking or wading. 
Fishing from a boat is not allowed. 
I use a jet boat for transportation.  
This boat hauls lots of gear and will give you maximum comfort and access to all parts of the river.
I provide all meals and camping gear. 
You will sleep on a comfortable padded cot in a large, secure dome tent (double occupancy).  
Cooking and eating is done in a screen house.  
The potty has its own special tent for privacy.  
A hot water shower and privacy shower stall will be available at all times.
Meals can be customized to fit any dietary requirements. 
I do not furnish sleeping bags, waders or personal items.
You will need to provide your own State Fishing License and steelhead tag.
Shameless promotion...
To review some of the accomplishments of Native Fish Society:
Projects In Favor Of Wild Fish.
The Caddis Are Coming!
By: Rick Hafele
Cutthroat trout...
Last week I talked about the early arrival of the brown willow flies or Skwala stoneflies. Well another early arrival is also taking place, one that I look forward to every spring, but one many anglers never even realize is there. It’s a small caddisfly that goes by several common names including saddle-case caddis, turtle-case caddis or little black short-horned sedge. These small, even tiny, caddisflies thrive in mountain streams with cold, well-oxygenated water and moderate to fast currents, the same kind of places where trout thrive.
Glossosoma Caddis, and notice the Baetis mayfly in th lower right hand corner...
Though small (only about a size 18 or 20) when adults are abundant they are easy to spot on shoreline grasses and shrubs. If you see lots of them running around it’s a good time to fish adult or pupa patterns. This photo was taken on the banks of the Deschutes River on February 4
Saddle-case caddisflies belong to the family Glossosomatidae, which includes six genera and 80 known species. Three of the six genera – Glossosoma, Agapetus, and Protoptila – include species that can be important to the fly fisher, but it is species of Glossosoma that create the best fishing because of their size (8 – 10 mm long) and abundance. In early February I found the species Glossosoma schuhi emerging in large numbers on the Deschutes, and it or similar species will be showing up on just about every western stream throughout the spring. It is not important that you know what species is present, but what is important is that you can recognize this group of caddis and know when and where trout are feeding on them. Their importance is emphasized by Gary LaFontaine in his book Caddisflies, where he says, “Not just among caddisflies, but among the entire fauna in many trout rivers the larvae, pupae, and adults of Glossosoma create more selective feeding situations than any other organism at certain times of the year.”
turtle-case caddis
The little domed cases of the saddle-case caddis larvae often go unnoticed by anglers. Once you know what to look for, however, you will find them in nearly all trout streams.
Their common name, turtle-case or saddle-case caddis, refers to the turtle shaped shell-like case the larvae construct of small stones, and the fact that the underside of the case does not completely seal in the larva but rather forms a small strap or “saddle” that allows the head and tail of the larva to protrude. These simple cases are considered the earliest attempt at making portable cases by caddisflies. The finely tapered tubular sand and plant cases of better-known cased caddis larvae are the results of a hundred thousand more years of evolution.

Glossosoma pupae don’t look like much, but during adult emergence pupae are readily taken by trout.
Pupa patterns can be simple, just try to closely match the size and general color of the natural.
Glossosomatids are restricted to flowing water, and their greatest abundance occurs in cool rapid streams of small to moderate size, though large rivers like the Deschutes have excellent populations as well. The larvae feed by scraping the fine layer of algae called periphyton off the surface of smooth rocks.  Their case is pulled with them, so they are rarely exposed.  Like most cased caddis they must make their case larger as they grow.  Unlike many other cased caddis, which simply enlarge their current case, saddle-case caddis must build a new case each time they molt.  During these periods the larvae abandon their old cases and end up drifting in the current, sometimes in large numbers.  Over 1600 larvae per square meter per hour have been measured in the drift.  The stomach contents of trout likewise reflect this behavior.
turtle-case caddis larva
Larva patterns are simple but effective when saddle-case caddis larvae are drifting.		 LaFontaine’s emergent sparkle pupa
LaFontaine’s emergent sparkle pupa in a size 18 can produce well during hatches of these little caddis.
 Once the larvae reach full size pupation begins.  First the case is securely anchored to the side of a rock in moderate to swift current.  Larvae often seem to congregate at preferred spots resulting in the surface of some rocks becoming completely encrusted with the little domed cases of the larvae.  After anchoring the case, the larvae spin a fine silk cocoon inside and transform into pupae. Since any drop in water levels will leave the anchored pupae high and dry, and dead if left that way for long, pupation can be a hazardous time for these little caddisflies.
Pupation takes three to six weeks. Mature the pupae break out of their cases, ready for their ascent to the surface.  Glossosoma pupae are 7 to 10 mm. long (typically a size 18 to 20 hook) have yellowish tan bodies, and dark gray or black wingpads when mature.  Their hind legs are fringed with fine hairs making them effective oars that they use to swim with a quick erratic darting motion.  Once at the surface the pupae either swim to shore where the adults emerge along exposed rocks, or split their pupal exoskeletons immediately and the adults float or run briefly on the surface, then fly for the safety of the shoreline.
Glossosoma adults have dark gray wings and bodies.
Glossosoma adults have dark gray wings and bodies. 		After mating females dive underwater to lay their eggs.
This photo shows a group of males all,  interested in the same female. 
After mating females dive underwater to lay their eggs. If your dry flies aren’t working on the surface, fish them below the surface to match this behavior.
The adults are nervous creatures.  If not for their small size and grayish black color, they would easily be seen running and skittering over rocks and shrubs along the bank.  After mating females return to the water to lay their eggs, when they again become vulnerable to hungry trout.  On reaching the water the gravid females sit briefly on the surface then dive under and swim to the bottom where they paste their eggs to a rock.  They then let go and swim back to the surface. Trout zero in on the subsurface adults incased in a bubble of air and sparkling like little balls of light.
Emergence periods for these caddisflies often extend over a four to eight week period.  The specific time of year depends on the species and water conditions. In the West, with its diverse populations, a near continuous chain of hatches occurs from March through November. Species in many streams have a bimodal emergence, or two hatches per year, with peak emergence in the spring from late March to late May, and again in the fall, typically from early September to late October. Given their early appearance this year expect to see them from now until May or June and then again in the fall.
Fishing success depends on timing and observation.  Observation is the biggest factor.  These small caddisflies go unnoticed through their entire life cycle by most anglers, or if seen as larvae clustered on a rock or as adults skittering over the bank, they are not registered as important to imitate. In fact, all stages – larvae, pupae and adults – are available to trout and worthy of imitation.  The larvae become available during periods of high drift rates when old cases are left behind to build new ones. Gary LaFontaine has this to say about the importance of the larvae: “From May to July, when the larvae are reaching full growth, this genus, with its caseless drift, creates a unique situation. The dominant species in an area can completely control the dawn and dusk activity of a stream. The larvae form a food supply in the current that concentrates both forage fish and game fish in or below riffles that have high populations of the insect.”
My suggestion is to make sure you have a few larval patterns in your fly box and give them a try in the spring, early summer or whenever you see a good number of their little domed cases on the rocks in riffles. Fish the larval pattern dead drift close to the bottom.  Areas below a riffle will be your best bet.  A strike indicator will also prove very helpful, as trout are in no rush to take these small, helpless, but enticing larvae.
If you find some cases pull a few off and look for pupae inside. If pupae are present, and you have seen some adults along the shore, it’s time to fish a pupa pattern. Emergence periods during the day typically occur in the morning or late afternoon. I have found that pupa patterns can catch fish through most of the day, though there is often a period of slower activity from around eleven until two.  Fish may concentrate their feeding on the pupae at different depths so experiment to find the best depth to fish.  If you're not seeing any surface activity, then more than likely fish are feeding close to the bottom. Sometimes the pupae are easy to spot.  I remember looking down at my waders on one April day while standing in a riffle fishing a nymph and seeing dozens of small Glossosoma pupae clinging to me as they were preparing to emerge. I switched to a pupa pattern, much to the trout’s approval.
For fishing pupa patterns use the same setup you had for the larva.  Cast upstream and let the pupa sink (will likely require a split shot on your leader).  As it swings below you give it some light twitches so it seems to be darting to the surface.  Strikes to the pupa can be gentle or violent.  I find a strike indicator helpful in seeing the gentle ones.  The violent ones are easy, just don't snap your leader on the strike.
Adults are best imitated with small dries fished wet, or with the diving caddis patterns described by LaFontaine.  Egg laying activity will generally be in the afternoon and evening.  You can also fish a pupa and adult pattern together.  Put the pupa on the end of your tippet and attach the adult to a dropper.  Cast up and across and let them both sink underwater.  You will likely find that some fish take the pupa while others like the adult pattern.  The effectiveness of the adult pattern may increase as fish switch their feeding from pupae to the egg-laying adults.
This season, while fishing one of your favorite streams, take a good look around.  Pick up a few rocks and check for the small turtle-like cases of these little, inconspicuous caddis.  If you find them, chances are, hungry trout will be finding them too.
Want To Learn More? Sign up for Trout Fishing PhD School !!!
Outcast Boat Wheel - Is Here !!!
Now getting your Outcast boat to the water just got easier.
Now getting your Outcast boat to the water just got easier.
The Outcast Pontoon Boat wheel is a much requested product from many pontoon boat owners. This is a really handy device that allows easy transportation of one's pontoon boat over varying terrain. This whole setupattaches quickly and easily and works as well as we think it should, and we are really critical of most products in our shop. This unit fits all of the Outcast and Fishcat pontoon boats and allows the boat to be "wheeled" much like a wheelbarrow. It simply fits at the rear (or front) of the seat mounting rails. Two thumb screws secures the adaptor to the frame. There are no other steps required. Simply place the wheel unit into the round collar and flip the lever to secure it in place. Use the same lever to loosen the wheel unit, strap wheel to the boat deck ( or take it back to the car) and you're fishing!!! This is the best application of a wheel unit that we have seen in many years. There have been many styles, but the Outcast unit is the best. The function and quality is exactly what we have come to expect from the Outcast folks.
Quick connect...
Item Description Price To Top
440-000145 Outcast Boat Wheel $119.95 SALE ENDED
Brian Silvey Tandem Tube Flies
Black & Blue Fleshy Red Purple
Egg Sucker Orange & Pink Red & Orange
Complete Set Tube Snakes are even bigger tandem tube flies!
The hook trails the fly, resulting very few missed fish...
Maximum movement in the fly results in maximum hook-ups from steelhead...

Brian Silvey is one of the most popular fly fishing guides in the Pacific Northwest.  His easy going manner, fish catching prowess and fly tying ability have contributed to his success.  Now we are stocking his unique Tandem Tube Flies by popular demand.  These flies come pre-rigged with a super sharp Gamakatsu Hook and 24-inches of 10-pound Maxima tippet complete with a perfection loop. Tandem Tube flies average 3.5-inches long and have a big presence in the water.

One reason for the popularity of tube flies is anglers have a better landing ratios using tube flies with trailing hooks versus traditional steelhead hooks. A series of tube flies evolved at the Silver Hilton Lodge on the famed Babine River in British Columbia.  This series of flies was tied on a short plastic tube with a rabbit strip extending well past the end of the tube.  The hook was rigged on a loop that would swim free hoping the tension on the line would hold the hook near the end of the rabbit strip as the fly was fished under tension on the swing.  This series of flies performed well, but sometimes anglers experiences strikes without hooking fish.  This was attributed to the fact the hook was dangling freely and may not always be in the correct position when a steelhead struck the fly.

As a guide designing flies for his clients, Brian Silvey wanted a fly that would take the assets of the Babine style tube flies and solve some of the perceived problems. Brian wanted a fly that would: 

  1. Fish a long fly tied on short tubes but have the hook ride at the end of the fly. 

  2. Use a tube fly system to fish a small hook that would not be dressed or attached to the fly to increase hook to land ratios.

  3. Swim like an articulated fly in the water but that the average client could cast easily. 

  4. Fish with both dry lines and sink tips.

  5. Fish effectively for both summer and winter fish.

Out of these requirements came the Silvey’s Tandem Tube Fly Series.
In addition to the tube at the head of the fly like traditional tube flies, Brian added a small tube to the trailing end of the rabbit strip allowing the fly to be rigged with the hook riding at the end of the fly.  This second tube rigging system solved the problem of fishing a long fly with a short tube and not sacrificing the movement in the water that makes this fly fish so effectively.  The second tube is a very simple solution to an angling problem that has stumped many tube fly tiers up to this point. 

Silvey’s Tandem Tube series is designed to be fished on a tight line swing.  The fly has a cone head that allows it to get down whether fished on a dry line or sink tip, and are designed to cast easily for the average angler.
Black & Blue
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

An exceptional fly for glacial river, dark days and dark water.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1010 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Black & Blue 1 $5.45 -->SALE ENDED
Egg Sucker
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

A flowing wiggly version of an old favorite.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1011 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Egg Sucker 1 $5.45

-->SALE ENDED
Fleshy Red
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

This fly is a very good choice when fishing in bright sunlight, or near the salt.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1012 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Fleshy Red 1 $5.45

-->SALE ENDED
Orange & Pink
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

A very good early season pattern.  Also good in cold water.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1013 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Orange & Pink 1 $5.45

-->SALE ENDED
Purple
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

A good bet on interior rivers, such as the Deschutes and Clearwater, or for summer steelhead anywhere.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1014 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Purple 1 $5.45

-->SALE ENDED
Red & Orange
Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly

The most popular color combination for winter fishing during bright sunny days.
 

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG1015 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly, Red & Orange 1 $5.45

-->SALE ENDED
Silvey's Tandem Tube Flies,
Complete Set
Two each of all six colors:
(2) Black & Blue, (2) Egg Sucker,
(2) Fleshy Red, (2) Orange & Pink,
(2) Purple, (2) Red & Orange

Item Description Size Price To Top
SIG-SET Complete set of 12, Silvey's Tandem Tube Flies 1 $46.95

-->SALE ENDED
Lucky Joe...
This winter steelhead ate a black & blue
 Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly during low clear water.		 Reaching for the tape measure...
This steelhead is firmly pinned in the corner of the mouth because the hook trails the Silvey's Tandem Tube Fly.
Pictures From Customers Like You
The Internet forms a global cortex that allows instant communication between anglers in many locations. It's fun for us to follow the success of our many customers through the pictures they send us. Here are a few to share with you:
Steelhead...
DeathStar winter fish from Northern California - Windy Barbin 
Check out The DeathStar Cronicles
Tarpon...
"As you see, gear I bought from you was hard at work last Friday in Miami!"
 Mika Juhani, Finland
G. Loomis CrossCurrent Rods and Nautilus Reels
Monster Brown Trout...
A big thank you for all of the help in getting the correct gear for my tierra del fuego trip.
David H. Walker, Aiken, SC, USA
C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rod CF 7127-4 
10th Annual !!!
10th Annual Sandy River Spey Clave
Women's Day Is Only The Beginning!

The Fly Fishing Shop HOME. The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR

1(800) 266-3971

To Top

www.flyfishUSA.com

Fish long & prosper,
Mark & Patty