Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Small Streams, Small Stream Rods

The Intimacy of Small Streams

A small mountain stream can offer quiet solitude.

I have always been a seeker of big fish and big water. The macho, physical exertion of wading large rivers and casting long lines has been a challenge that I have gladly accepted. However, I have recently been rediscovering the quiet solitude of fishing small hidden streams. There is tranquility to be found under the canopies of ancient forest. There is primevalness; a window into a world that existed before modern man. It awaits the fisher who is willing to hike and boulder hop the water courses of deep forested

canyons. Here can be found escape from sirens and barking dogs and traffic noise... where the loudest noise is wind in the tops of the trees. If you hike far enough you will escape the beer cans and bait containers and all signs that other humans have

ever existed. When fishing mountain streams the quality of the experience is rarely remembered with pictures of giant fish that you have subdued. Most mountain trout are small. In the Oregon Cascades most small mountain streams have good populations of Rainbows or Cutthroat or both. On small streams the macho muscle of the long cast is replaced with the control of casting short lines when surrounded

with tight cover. Often small streams are canopied or are tunnels through wild vegetation. Casting and presenting your fly can be as challenging as long casting on larger water. Often rods with specialized actions make fishing small streams easier. Check out the article by John Jones below. MB

Small Stream Rods, Reels, Lines...A Review.
By J. Morgan Jones
Small stream trout fishing...? Small streams are waters that do not intimidate. They are usually easy to wade and easy to read. And, more often than not, trout that live in the shade and will come to a dry fly most of the day. For many of us, small streams are the very essence of fly fishing.

However, small streams can offer their own special challenges. Operating a fly rod when surrounded by obstacles that closely inhibit ones' back-cast can make for creative presentations. The proper rod, line and leader combination will go a long way in helping to unlock a small stream's secrets.

Short flexible rods enable the angler to maneuver in tight quarters.... 6 to 7 1\2 foot rods are generally accepted as the most comfortable lengts. Most of these rods are built with the overall weight in mind (lighter is better). Cork grips are generally cigar shaped or super-fine shaped and slightly smaller than normal. A smaller grip will cause the fisher to handle the rod more gently than with the longer, larger diameter, “big water” styles. The end result is that most fly fishers will make more delicate casts and presentations with a smaller lightweight rods.

As a general rule small stream rods need to be able to form a good tight loops and make a delicate presentation with as little as five feet of fly line and moderately short, finely tapered leader beyond the rod tip. You will also want your rod to be able to cast well up to forty feet and have the backbone to handle the occasional larger fish. While long distance is unnecessary, many well made small stream rods will easily cast 60-70 feet.

The smaller rod can magnify any flaws in your casting stroke. You may need to make adjustments. Generaly shorter lighter rods take less physical exertion and are easier to control than longer, heavier ones. the result is that using a smaller rod can help make you a better caster.

Double taper lines are known for their ease of mending and delicate presentations and, as a result are often appropriate for small stream fishing. However, there are several weight forward lines that are specifically designed for small stream fishing. Scientific Anglers XPS, Sage Quiet Taper and Cortland's Clear Creek Series are three that come to mind. Most importantly, a high floating, supple line that also mends well and casts smoothly is what you need. Some small rods can be extremely sensitive to specific line designs. If you are having trouble deciding what is best for your particular favorite stick, come to the shop and see me personally so we can try out a number of our "extensive collection" of demo lines in the back yard.

Reels for small waters do not require a sophisticated drag system. A quiet adjustable clicker is all that is needed. Backing capacity is a minimal requirement. Weight is the prime ingredient. We have many beautifully machined reels that match up with small stream rods. Two of my favorites are the Abel T/R Series and the new Ross Evolution.

What are my favorite small stream rods? Winston LT Series are hard to beat. If you don't believe me just check out my new Harding triple rod/reel case. It contains an 589-5 LT, a 489-5 LT and a 379-5 LT.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have largely ignored small stream fishing, though we are starting to see a shift in attitude as more anglers are finding small stream fishing to be appealing. At The Fly Fishing Shop we carry a wide variety of tackle specifically designed for the hiking angler who enjoys fishing small streams. Why shouldn't we? Within a ten mile radius of our store there are over 90 miles of small trout streams. Within a fifty mile radius of our store there is over 400 miles of this same kind of sparkling water.

Striped Marlin On The Fly

Striped Marlin caught by Mark Bachmann 07/03/03, Loreto, Mexico.

This is a common Pacific Ocean billfish found in near-shore areas of Southern California, all of Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. It likes the open ocean, but feeds most often in the top 50-60 feet. This puts it within reach of fly fishermen.

Average adults adults can grow to be more than 13 feet long and 350 pounds. The world record weight is 573 pounds. Striped marlin under 150 pound are becoming commonly caught by fly anglers seeking bluewater experience. These fish are landed on #12 to #14 weight rods.

Striped marlin feed on tunas, jacks, sardines, anchovies and squids. Striped Marlin have been caught on flies that look like all of these types of organisms. They use their "sword-like" bill to slash and stun their prey before eating it. The normal approach when catching Striped Marlin with flies is to "tease" them up with conventional gear and hookless lures, then then cast flies to them. Many have also been caught with presentations to fish that were basking on the surface.

Striped Marlin become sexually mature at 4 1/2 to 5 feet long. The females produce between 11 million and 29 million eggs during the spawning season of July and August, in the waters off Mexico. Many are caught in the Sea of Cortez this time of year from ports such as Cabo San Lucas, La Pas and Loreto.

Striped Marlin caught by Mark Bachmann 07/04/03, Loreto, Mexico. Guide: Eulagio Davis Sanchez.

If you want the most up to date information, check out the fly fishing report from our friends at the Baja Big Fish Company. MB

CND Spey Rods Outstanding quality at fair prices = exceptional value!	Custom Series
	Expert Series
Summertime...

	You awaken at 4:20am and the sky is already turning light . Somehow the rapids sound different this morning than they did last night at the end of your weekly pilgrimage from a cubicle in corporate purgatory. The shadow of your CND spey rod leans against the tent as your killer fly's silhouette dances in the morning breeze against the rising dawn's orange glow.
"Sounds like a carcoming... damn gotta get moving. When will they make waders a guy can sleep in?"

CND understands summer run fishing. That's why we offer these outstanding summer run rods:
13 foot for 7wt (7/8) Custom Spey CNF-1307SP Custom $365 13 foot for 8wt (8/9) Custom Spey CNF-1308SP Custom $395 14 foot for 9wt (9/10) Custom Spey CNF-1409SP Custom $455	13 foot for 6wt (6/7) Expert Spey CNF-1306 $265 13 foot for 8wt (8/9) Expert Spey CNF-1308 $265 14 foot for 9wt (9/10) Expert Spey CNF-1409 $345

These rods are lightweight, powerful and are beautifully made. Summer-run preseason is NOW... this is the best time to get your summer run arsenal ready for the arrival of chrome bright summer sea-liced missles from the sea.

CND Custom Series Spey Rod Prices and Specifications

		Describe the ideal spey rod... lightweight, exceptional power with a traditional feel to lay out sweet casts all day long, finished with distinguished aesthetics fit for a king and then make it affordable. Too much to ask? Not at all - you're describing the CND CUSTOM Spey Series. CUSTOM Spey models cover the full spectrum from a 7/8wt 13ft summer run to a 10/11wt 15ft model for for big rivers and big fish. With a deep emerald finish and premium trim these are simply beautiful rods.
Model	Length	Line	Sections	Price	To Top
CNF-1307SP	13'	7/8	3	$365
CNF-1308SP	13'	8/9	3	$395
CNF-1409SP	14'	9/10	3	$455
CNF-1510SP	15"	10/11	3	$515

CND Expert Series Spey Rod Prices and Specifications

		When you're looking for easy casting traditional spey action, high performance graphite and quality components you usually end up making compromises or paying astronomical prices. Not so with CND EXPERT Spey series rods - they offer uncompromising materials and workmanship, quality hardware in an amazing price range. EXPERT models are available in four models from an ultra-light duty 6/7wt to the big river 15' 10/11. Life's too short for compromises.
Model	Length	Line	Sections	Price	To Top
CNF-1306	13'	6/7	3	$265
CNF-1308	13'	8/9	3	$295
CNF-1409	14'	9/10	3	$345
CNF-1510	15'	10/11	3	$395

	"Where the forgotten art of customer service has been found". The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR
1(800) 266-3971