"Never throw a long line when a short one will serve your purpose." - Richard Penn Trout take a fly with astonishing speed…and as quickly as they take it they spit it out. To ensure a solid hook set, an angler should be as close as possible to their quarry and make a short cast. The problem, in September the water…
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"THERE IS NO TAKING TROUT IN DRY BREECHES." - Cervantes September is a magical time on the waters around the Wood River Valley. The days are getting shorter, the nights cooler, and the fishing pressure is light. Our local tailwaters have dropped and our freestone rivers are close to base levels making wading a cinch. Still, you can’t take trout…
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"Yellowstone River closed in response to on going fish kill." ~Montana Fish and Wildlife Website The parasite that is killing whitefish and trout in the Yellowstone is present in many rivers in the West and under normal conditions healthy fish are resistant. The extremely low flows on the Yellowstone River and warm temperatures has weakened fish immune systems making them…
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"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." ~ John Wooden It is as true in fly fishing as it is in basketball. A successful fly fishing outing is dependent on preparation. If you are planing on coming to the Sun Valley area, your preparation should include a visit to our store. Access to local knowledge about hatches, water levels, water…
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"About the only certainty, other than uncertainty, in fly fishing is that a fly won't catch a fish if it stays in its box." ~ Arnold Gingrich The Sun Valley Summer Symphony is coming to an end and many schools around the country are beginning again. These things are as certain as "death and taxes." So if you have been…
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A man comes into a shop and asks, 'Can I have a rod and reel for my son?' The owner replies, 'Sorry sir, we don't do trades.'" ~Anonymous We are a month away from opening day. Don't wait until May 28th to dust of the gear only to find it in disrepair. Now is the time to do a thorough…
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"Spring creek trout have a reputation for being moody, which often means they are difficult, but when they are in the mood to feast, almost nothing-- not sloppy wading, not poor casting, not a ridiculous choice of flies--will dissuade them." ~ Ted Leeson Ted is right about spring creek trout. When it is time to feast, when the Tricos and…
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"But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white then melts forever." ~ Robert Burns The run-off started early this year since March came in like a lamb. However, April has come in like a lion, and we we have received some more high…
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"Never make predictions, especially about the future." ~ Casey Stengel The Big Wood Basin snow water equivalent is at 70% of normal as of March 16th. For those already looking ahead to summer, all signs are pointing to an early and moderate run off and a good early fishing season on our local waters. In the meanwhile, the steelhead are…
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“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul… I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball.”—Ishmael from Moby Dick The best cure for the Shoulder Season blues is time spent plying our local waters in…
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