Spring Hatches, Hardy Marquis Salmon Reel, Fly Fishing Expo, Steelhead Schools

Get Ready - Spring Hatches Are Coming!
By Rick Hafele
It has been typical spring weather - wet, sunny, cloudy, warm, cold, and windy. Basically something of everything and then some, and as a result I’ve had several fishing excursions put on hold by high stream-flows and wind. Frustrating, but not surprising this time of year. What the weather does do is give me a little more time to get ready for the day I actually hit the water and find conditions worth fishing. And there is plenty to get ready for. Spring brings on some of my favorite bug activity of the whole year with mayfly, stonefly, and caddis fly hatches all turning on. So, let’s take a look at what hatches one can expect and how one should prepare for them.

Mayflies: Blue-winged Olives and March Browns

To me spring means March, April, and May, and during this three month period there are two mayfly hatches that standout. The first is one you should already be familiar with, if you have been on the water at all the last month or so, is the late winter-early spring hatch of blue-winged olives or Baetis. This is one of the best known and most written about mayfly hatches in the country, and for good reason. The hatch begins as early as the beginning of January and continues well into April on most Western streams. Some of the heaviest hatches occur in February and March, and with little competition from other hatches, trout often really zero in on them.Buy BWO Dry Flies

Your patterns for this hatch should include some nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners. Because this hatch is so widespread and important, tiers have come up with dozens of different patterns for matching each of these stages. Don’t let all these choices confuse you. From my experience simple impressionistic patterns work as well or better than more exact complicated ones. I particularly like sparse, slender patterns for this hatch, so if you tie your own flies don’t put too much material on the hook. I’ve included photos of the patterns I often use, but there are many other good options available. Buy BWO Nymohs

The second spring mayfly hatch is the March brown. March browns, known to those who prefer Latin as Rhithrogena morrisoni, provide both good surface activity and frequent frustration. The frustration comes from the unpredictability of their hatches. For example, on one day I will run into an excellent hatch, but hardly a rising trout in sight, and then the next day - with seemingly similar conditions - there will be just a few duns struggling on the surface, but nearly every one getting slurped up by a fish. Of course when duns are on the surface but no fish rising, fishing nymphs will typically be your best choice. But even I have a hard time fishing nymphs when duns are floating by me, and I have a lot less compassion for trout that refuse to rise when naturals are on the surface.
Buy March Brown Hatch Matching Flies

March browns most often come in a size 14. The nymphs vary in color from dark olive brown to a rusty red. Duns have tan underbodies and mottled brown wings. Make sure you have nymph, emerger, and dun patterns ready to go. Spinner falls of March browns are a rare occurrence in my experience, so spinner patterns are not something I worry about.

Stoneflies: Skwala or Brown Willow Flies
In February and March you are likely to find a few, and possibly many, winter stoneflies still flying about. These are the small, size 14-16, dark brown to black stoneflies that hatch best in the winter. If you find good numbers of them and fish taking them by all means match them - a little dark elk hair caddis usually works. But from March through April the brown willow fly is the important stonefly hatch.

Brown willow flies sometimes get confused with golden stoneflies, but they belong to a completely different family (Perlodidae vs. Perlidae for golden stones). The confusion stems from the light tan to golden yellow colored nymphs that get almost as large as golden stones. Adult brown willow flies are much darker than golden stones, and their common name does a good job of describing them, for they are brown and are often found running around on streamside willow branches. The timing of the hatch even seems to coincide with the very first leaves on willows breaking out of their buds. There are only two North American species, both restricted to the west: Skwala americana and Skwala curvata. These species are so similar in appearance anglers need not worry about distinguishing between them. Buy Stonefly Dry Flies

Nymphs are hungry little predators that reach about one inch long when fully grown. Match them with pale yellowish-tan stonefly nymph patterns tied on size 10 or 8 2XL to 3XL hooks. Dredging these nymphs along the bottom of riffles in March and April can be a good thing to do. If you’re lucky though, you’ll find enough adults running around to get fish interested in dry fly imitations. A dark brown stimulator on a size 10 3XL hook makes an effective pattern. Buy Stonefly Nymphs

It can be quite hard to tell just how abundant Skwala adults really are, due to their habit of running along the ground instead of flying in the air. Males have a good reason for staying grounded - their wings are often only half the normal length, making them useless for flight. Females have fully developed wings and can fly, but more often than not prefer to run around on streamside willows or the ground. After mating with the flightless males they will walk out onto the water to lay their eggs. Since you will see few adults in the air even when abundant, it’s easy to overlook them entirely. I suggest that if you see even a few adults out on the streambank, tie on a dry fly imitation and fish it near shore where there is good holding water for trout.

Caddisflies: Saddle-case Caddis & Mother’s Day Caddis
These two caddis both produce excellent spring hatches. The saddle-case caddis (genus Glossosoma) is the lessor known of the two, but I think it is the more important hatch. The main reason it gets less attention is that these guys are small - only a size 18 or 20. What they lack in size, however, they make up for in large hatches that extend over several months. I often see them first in February, but March and April is when their hatches really get heavy. They will routinely be hatching at the same time as blue-winged olive mayflies, so if your mayfly patterns fail to produce, you should definitely try a small pupa or dry fly to match these little caddis.

Pupa tend to be a pale tannish-yellow. They swim up from the bottom of riffles and trout will move up into shallow, fast choppy water to feed on them. A Leisenring lift (up-and-across cast so the fly sinks then raise the rod tip to bring your fly back up towards the surface), is my preferred presentation. Buy Caddis Dry Flies

The other excellent approach is to use a diving adult pattern. Adults are dark gray and the females dive underwater and swim to the stream bottom to lay their eggs. This activity will generally occur in the mid to late afternoon. While it may seem unlikely, a little size 18 dark caddis adult pattern fished a foot or so below the surface can produce very well. Fish them with a standard wetfly swing in the tailouts and current tongues below riffles. Buy Subsurface Caddisflies

The second spring caddis hatch, the Mother’s Day caddis, is well known to most anglers. In fact many anglers plan fishing trips specifically to coincide with this hatch that typically occurs around Mother’s Day. On many streams though this hatch will start in early to mid April and last until after Mother’s Day.

This caddis is a case making caddis of the family Brachycentridae and genus Brachycentrus. Larvae live on the tops of rocks in moderate to fast riffle habitat. The pupa tend to be bright green with a dark band on their abdomen and run about a size 16. Adults are almost black in color and also about a size 16. For fishing you will need both pupa and adult patterns. The pupa swim up to the surface in the riffles where the larvae live, so focus your attention on this habitat. You will likely see trout slashing at the surface as they try to catch the quick swimming pupae. Adult females lay their eggs on the water’s surface rather than diving underwater like the saddle-case caddis. After laying their eggs they die spent on the surface. To cover the adult behavior you may need both a high floating dry fly for emerging adults and a low floating dry fly for spent females.
There you have it. Two mayfly, one stonefly, and two caddisfly hatches. If the spring weather keeps you off the water, take advantage of it by tying or buying patterns of these hatches. If you do you will be well prepared to handle fishing situations for the next three months, and beyond. Happy Casts!



This is the classic Marquis salmon reel in sizes one, two and three, built to the original design. Marquis first appeared in the 1970's and instantly became popular with American anglers. Hardy made its newest Marquis reels and spools interchangeable with all the originals because they know exactly what happens. Over the years, a frame gets dropped, buckled or broken. You still have the spools and the lines that you love but without a new reel frame, they're useless. Not now. You're back in business. The new reels are all manufactured from high-grade aluminum alloy bar-stock with the polished silver rim style that everyone agrees is the Marquis at its best. This isn't quite the original Marquis though. Because Hardy couldn't resist improving things. They slightly redesigned the internal cam to give an increased range to the click-check. And the metal in the new reel is stronger and more resilient. The finish on the new reel is even better than the finish on the original reels. Frame and spools fully interchangeable with the originals All-aluminum frame for strength Polished silver rim for classic look In three sizes to cover every salmon fishing situation Marquis Salmon-1, capacity WF10F + 170 yards #20 Micron, Reel weight 7.75 ounces. Marquis Salmon-2, capacity WF10F + 300 yards #20 Micron, Reel weight 9.62 ounces. Marquis Salmon-3, capacity WF12F + 400 yards #20 Micron, Reel weight 10.37 ounces.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
HREM010	Hardy Marquis, Reel	Salmon-1	$329.00	SALE ENDED
HREM020	Hardy Marquis, Reel	Salmon-2	$359.00	SALE ENDED
HREM030	Hardy Marquis, Reel	Salmon-3	$399.00	SALE ENDED

Please specify which hand you prefer to wind your reel with, so we may set the retrieve direction for you.	-->SALE ENDED
	-->SALE ENDED
Please specify if you wish us to install a fly line on your new reel or extra spool. Then make your selection from the Fly Line Section. We will install the proper size and amount of Micron Backing at no extra charge.	-->SALE ENDED
	-->SALE ENDED

Steelhead Fly Fishing Schools, Classes in April Still Available
Entry Level Spey Casting School	Steelhead Fly fishing 101	Save $25
Spey Casting Finishing Schools	DVD Deal	Where To Stay
By Popular Demand, Entry Level Classes have Been Extended Through April !!!

We know that winter steelhead are often uncooperative and unpredictable. That is why they are such great sport fish. It takes skills to get them, and acquiring the skills takes dedication, and a well laid out plan. Many anglers stop half way to their goal because they weren't even able to lay out a comprehensive plan. Now you don't have to because your plan has been designed by a team of anglers who have landed hundreds of winter steelhead with flies in the most traditional manner. No we're not talking about side-drifting with a slinky on the end of your fly line, nor are we talking about harassing pawners with glo bugs and split-shot. We are talking about swinging flies with a spey rod for bright moving fish in the most respected fashion possible. There is probably no more experienced winter steelhead fly angler than Mark Bachmann. He is joined by the talent of Josh Linn and Hawkeye Hawkins. You have a formidable team to help you get to the finish line. Our plan is as simple as it is effective. First you learn to cast precisely. (You can only catch a fish when your fly is in the water and you can only catch fish that you can reach.) Then you learn how and where to find your prey.. Then you learn to present the fly properly to the prey, covering vast amounts of water in the most efficient manner. The method is academic, show the fly to the largest number of fish in the shortest period of time in the most enticing manner. When you finish our curriculum, you won't have many doubts about how it works.

Fly Fishing: “SPEY” Casting, Entry Level

Spey casting can be learned quite easily with the assistance of a professional instructor. This class starts with the most basic fundamentals so that you will have a foundation on which to build your "Spey Casting Skill Set". Our approach allows you to easily understand the scientific principles of how a rod and line work together to propel your fly to the target. br> Our crash course starts in a nice warm class room with donuts and coffee. Here rod and line theories are discussed in detail so that before you get to the water, you have an understanding of the principals you are going to use. Then you will ride to the river with your instructors. There your instructors will demonstrate the theories you have already explored. Then you will take a rod into your own hands and be able to practice what you have learned. You will be amazed at how easy it is. All the major Spey Casts will be explored. Both floating and sinking tip lines will be learned. Time: 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Lunch is provided). Meet at: The Fly Fishing Shop - Instructors: Josh Linn and Mark Bachmann Spey Casting Classes are offered on Thursdays so that they can be taken consecutive with our One Day Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Schools, which are offered on Fridays. Cost (8 hrs.): $150. You will need the following equipment: Waders, boots, rain coat, hat and polarized glasses. You may bring your own rod and reel if you want to. Properly balanced Spey Outfits will be provided. (6) Students total. First come, first served. Deposits are payments in full. Deposits are non-refundable unless water/weather conditions prohibit class. SEE CLASS POLICY
Item	Description	Price	To Top
SPEY-CL-021711	Spey Casting Class, February 17, 2011	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
SPEY-CL-031711	Spey Casting Class, March 17, 2011	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
SPEY-CL-032411	Spey Casting Class, March 24, 2011	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
SPEY-CL-040711	Spey Casting Class, April 07, 2011	$150	-->SALE ENDED

One-Day Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Schools
This is Steelhead Fly Fishing 101.
Take a pontoon boat ride down a Local River with:
Mark Bachmann and Josh Linn.
These classes are scheduled on Fridays so that they can be taken consecutively with our
Spey Casting Schools.

During a school, you have the benefits of watching an experienced guide show you how to fish the water that he has fished dozens of times.

Winter Steelhead fly fishing is very practical if you know how. Being able to find fish and being able to present the fly properly are key factors. Save yourself five years of experimenting on your own.
We will show you how.
This school will cover a lot of water and fishing knowledge in one day. Length of the class is 8-hours on the water. All schools conducted on the Sandy River. Big, safe, roomy pontoon boats will enable us to cover six miles of river during the class. Two students per boat/instructor format.

Learn how to locate steelhead water and how to approach it. Emphasis will be on giving you a foundation of skills to build on, with a high priority given to hooking fish during the class. We want to give you maximum advantage by having as many fish hooked during this class as possible. Nothing teaches you more about fishing than being where fish are being hooked and landed. Emphasis will be on spey rod use and sinking-tip line fishing. Students should at least have moderate casting skills. This is a fishing class.

Nothing teaches you about steelhead like catching them.

If you need basic knowledge or a brush-up on Spey Casting skills, we suggest signing up for the January 9 Spey Casting School and be ready to use these skills to catch winter steelhead.

What you need to bring:
Bring your own waders and rain gear. Bring your own rod/reel set up if you want to.
A variety of premium quality 2-hand rod/reel set-ups will be available for you to use at no extra charge. Flies are supplied.
A hot lunch will be served on the river.
There will be a very short rest period after lunch.
Meet at The Fly Fishing Shop at 6:30am for half-hour orientation.  Coffee and donuts will be served.

Watch an expert guide as he fishes and discloses the secrets and proven methods that put fish on the beach. Get a lot of hands-on help so that you too can be productive.
Arrive back at The Fly Fishing Shop at 6:00pm.
What our customers say.
A report on a Steelhead School.
First come, first served.
Deposits are payments in full.
Deposits are non-refundable unless water/weather conditions prohibit class. SEE CLASS POLICY

Catch winter steelhead with your Spey Rod...

	*	Search	Catalog	Trips & Schools	Bargains	SALE ENDED
	Our Waters		Order Info	Steelheadquarters	Events	SALE ENDED

Spey Casting Finishing Schools
Improve your Spey Casting techniques and learn how to deal with the tough spots.
This class is for the angler that wants to take his/her casting to the next level! These are "Finishing Schools" for intermediate and accomplished Spey casters. Spend a day with expert casters Josh Linn and Travis Johnson and focus on expanding the fundamentals and mechanics of Spey rod casting. The steps in this class will be toward any subject you feel that you need more information or practice in order to bring your casting up a notch or two. Whether you need help casting a Skagit or Scandi line farther, controlling a sink tip, or learning how to handle a mid or long belly line, let us save you the energy, time, and frustration. These classes are offered during the summer and fall seasons, and each is a full 8 hour day of learning. The first part of the day will include a classroom style tutorial and PowerPoint presentation, after which the real nitty gritty begins—on the water! While on the river, the class will have a regimented style at first and, towards the end, provide an in-depth question and answer segment, along with hands-on problem solving situations for real life applications. With this open style forum, an angler can really bring to the table what they want out of the class, receiving the one-on-one attention that makes this class worth the $175.00 cost (per student). Lunch and beverages will be provided. Bring your favorite setup and we will also have a lot of rods for you to try. Spey Casting Finishing School limited to six students per class. Private lessons are also available. $50 per hour, 4 hour ($200) minimum. Please call for an appointment.
Item	Description	Price	To Top
SPEY-CL-062411	Spey Casting Finishing School, June 24,2011	$175	-->SALE ENDED
SPEY-CL-072211	Spey Casting Finishing School, July 22,2011	$175	-->SALE ENDED
SPEY-CL-082611	Spey Casting Finishing School, August 26,2011	$175	-->SALE ENDED

Two Day Spey School - Save $25

Acquiring skills helps achieve success. This school is for beginning and intermediate fly fishers, who want to acquire new winter steelhead fly fishing skills in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Spend the night between the two days in our community. We know the best places to stay, and we know the best places to eat. We will be glad to help make the arrangements. We will be glad to show you around our home turf on the way to and from schools. It could turn you on to your next fly fishing playground. Save $25 by taking a Spey Casting Class followed immediately by a Winter Steelhead School. Get twice as much for your money and save money while you are doing it. It will be a lot of fun. Community Links
Item	Description	Price	To Top
WST-CLASS-02171811	Spey Casting Class, February 17 - PLUS - Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing School February 18, 2011 - TWO DAYS.	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
WST-CLASS-03171811	Spey Casting Class, March 17 - PLUS - Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing School March 18, 2011 - TWO DAYS.	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
WST-CLASS-03242511	Spey Casting Class, March 24 - PLUS - Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing School March 25, 2011 - TWO DAYS.	Class Full Sorry	-->SALE ENDED
WST-CLASS-04070811	Spey Casting Class, April 07 - PLUS - Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing School April 08, 2011 - TWO DAYS.	$375	-->SALE ENDED

	Rio's Modern Spey Casting, (3)-DVD Set, 4-hours Cast of Characters: Simon Gawesworth, George Cook, Mike McCune, Scott O'Donnell, Dana Sturn, Ed Ward. The most comprehensive film on spey casting ever made. This triple disc DVD from Rio stars the notable team of experts listed above. Not only learn from these masters the classic Single Spey, Double Spey, Switch cast and Roll cast, but also the modern spey casts such as the Snake roll, Circle Spey, Snap-T, Snap-Z, Wambat cast, Underhand cast, Spiral Spey, Spiral Double Spey, Jelly
Roll, Perry Poke and Skagit casting. This film also teaches the viewer the most common faults to recognize and avoid and has superb bio-kinetic footage so you and study the hand, arm and body movement of each cast. There is also great information on casting sinking lines, saltwater spey casting and trout fishing spey casts with single hand rods.br> Save $10 on these instructional DVDs when purchased with a Spey Casting Class or a Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Class. Click this button when signing up for either class.
Item	Description	Price	To Top
260695	Rio's Modern Spey Casting, 3-DVD set. Save $10 on these instructional DVDs when purchased with a Spey Casting Class or a Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Class	Reg. $49.95 With A Class $39.95	-->SALE ENDED

Where Anglers Stay in Welches, Oregon
	For your convenience, The Fly Fishing Shop in Welches, Oregon can now integrate your lodging with your fly fishing school or guided trip fee when booking with us. The Cabins Creekside at Welches is the best place for fly fishers to stay within our community, and is a hard bargain to pass up. We have always wished there was a place for our customers to stay, where the special needs of traveling anglers could be met. Well it has happened! Long term friends, Bob and Margaret Thurman built their cabins with
special amenities like a secure room for storing gear and drying waders. These cabins offer much privacy and a beautiful tiny mountain stream coursing through their midst. And don't forget, we can make all of your arrangements for lodging when you book one of our guided trips or schools. Come to Welches. We're going to show you a good time!