Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Steelhead and Salmon

Local Steelhead and Salmon Water temperatures are lower than normal in many rivers west of the Cascades mountains this spring. Anglers will be glad to note that there are some advantages to to this situation. Yes, there
		are fewer fish, but there are also a heck of a lot fewer fisherman, which means that there is a lot more room to
	operate. Chinooks seem to out number steelhead on both the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers. The key to catching spring Chinooks is to get on the water early or be on the water late. These fish bite flies pretty well if you are on the water while the are moving through riffles

that put them in a position where you can reach them with fly tackle. After the sun hits the water they tend to keg up
in holes where only the the "bobber and bait" guys can reach them. Pink or chartreuse String Leeches have
been the two best patterns. Probing the riffles any time of day can produce summer steelhead. They are there; but you will have to cover a lot of water to find them. As fare as steelhead flies are concerned, the Red Rocket would be my first pick. As this is written, mid-day temperatures in out local rivers is still under 48-degrees.

Why We Use Eight-weight Rods For Shad By: Hank Hosfield
	I enjoyed your shad report. I've been fly fishing for shad on the Columbia for several years and have made similar discoveries and enjoyed similar success. Unlike you, however, I fish from the bank where I can find good current seems that aren't too deep. There are a number of spots where the fish will eventually come through where I can get a fly in front of them. I do best by hanging a fly down in the current on a heavy sink tip. I also prefer to use an 8 weight rod. It's not too big for the fish or the conditions--which often include strong wind and heavy current.
Even more importantly, I find it's beneficial to have a bigger rod when you hook into a blackmouth shad (pictured ). Alex and I went fly fishing for shad below Bonneville on Friday. We got into a bunch of fish--mostly 2-3 pounds. On my last cast of the day I hooked and lost a shad halfway in, and then a Chinook picked up my fly and ran me over 100 yards into my backing. It was hauling ass. I eventually landed that fish after scrambling and fighting my way 150 yards downstream past numerous anglers and other assorted perils. It's pictured below. This is the third straight year I've hooked a spring Chinook while shad fishing. This is the first one I've landed. Too bad I couldn't keep it--it was a hatchery fish close to 20 lbs. As you can see from this photo of Alex Barkume holding my catch, this fish is chrome bright, so fresh from the ocean it still has sea lice. (Editors note: The Columbia River has since reopened for Chinook Salmon).

PATAGONIA RIVER MASTER WADING GEAR

The Patagonia Company recently sent us some of their newest products to test in fishing conditions. We are more that happy to test their products at any time (at least if it involves a fishing trip). They were kind enough to supply yours truly with a pair of their latest boots and waders.

The boots are named the “River Walker” wading boots. While they work quite well, they didn’t actually enable me to walk on the river. They appear to be made in the newer “lightweight” style of wading boot. The toe box (I hope that is what it’s called) it quite roomy for a wading boot. While many boots for water use are made in a wide format, Patagonia seems to have added a bit more room in theirs. So far, the boots are quite comfortable for all day use in freestone type rivers. Good ankle support, excellent scuff pads (especially on the toe) and plenty of stiffness in the sole make for a good useful boot in all conditions. I was not impressed by the lacing system, but you shouldn’t need to fuss with the laces more than once a day, making it more of a minor aggravation than a real flaw.

A wading boot needs to fit well, but equally important is the amount of traction it affords. The test boots utilized a studded felt bottom. For reasons unknown to me, most studded boots sold in the United States are sold in the Pacific Northwest. While I am not widely traveled outside of the Northwest, I have always felt that the more traction you have available, the safer that you are, regardless of the circumstances. Bear in mind that this is my opinion only. At first inspection, the Patagonia boot seem the have studs that do not quite protrude past the felt sole, making them of dubious use. According the their local product representative, the felt compresses in use and in turn allows the studs to contact the rivers floor when wading. This in turn allows the wearer to walk more comfortably on varied surfaces both in and out of the water (those of you who wear studded boots while walking the paved sections along the river know what this is like). Knowing full well what that explanation sounds like, the end result it that it seems to work. These boots are pretty good along the river bank, and I was unable to fault them in the water, regardless of the bottom conditions I experienced. As I am used to another brand of boot (whose studs are quite predominant), I was prepared to not like these boots, to the point of bringing my other ones along, just in case. The Patagonia boot performed quite well all day both in comfort and traction abilities. I do not think most fisher folks are going to be disappointed with this boot.

Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes

Patagonia's new 21st century wading shoe combines the day-one comfort of an athletic shoe with the hard-wearing durability of traditional leather. It's both sturdier than its predecessor and 3-oz. lighter. The sole holds fin straps for float-tubers and kickboaters. Riverwalkers share a common upper. The new wider last accommodates neoprene stocking waders. Available in resoleable felt with tungsten-carbide studs.

Color: Jute/Graphite

Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	7	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	8	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	9	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	10	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	11	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	12	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	13	$160	-->SALE ENDED
79230	Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Shoes, Studded Soles	14	$160	-->SALE ENDED

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

More Jon Covich Photos Don't forget Winston Day with Jon Covich, June 25 at The Fly Fishing Shop
Fly fishing is a sport that involves more than challenge of hard pulling fish. Fly fishing can take you to a lot of different environments. The world's best places are where wild game fish live.
			of whispers and gurgles and roars of clear water... where it meets with clean air.
These are places filled with natural sounds...			(Click each photo to enlarge).