As the summer season prepares to bid us adieu and in our case it seems quite hastily, I reflect upon all the memorable days on the water, good and bad. Thankfully there are rarely bad ones and even the few of those are really only bad in my mind, clients were very happy even when the fish didn’t get the email/fax/me screaming at them.

On some of those days, and for you other guides (especially winter steelhead guides) or even anglers who have promised the world to someone, or expected it and it just never materialized, there is always a point in the day where instruction gets old, the 6 pack of Guiness/PBR/Olympia/Fat Tire is gone, all safe conversational topics have been covered

Fish are rising but person can’t set the hook or get a fly to them or fish have vacated the river, one of the two anyway and the silence could easily be break your hand if you punched it, yeah, that thick and the “Why do fish jump?” quip was pulled from the bag long ago. No need to remind them, again!

Well good news, this situation should be forever wiped clean of our indsutry and potentially others as well. Awkward silence no more! Allow me to introduce the following:

10 years ago or more, myself and another shop employee were working at the Telluride Angler during off season, a deathly position there, that time of year as water is in perfect shape and all tourists are gone. So not only do you not get to talk about fishing with anyone, you don’t get to fish either. Thumbing through a catalog, Dan found these and we ordered one or two for the shop as jokes. It was AWESOME! At first we stuck it on the manequin out front of the shop on main street and since it has a remote control, we could let it go from clear inside the shop and watch everyones reactions. We sold over 700 of those in just under 2 months!!

I kept one with me on the Gunnison for awhile for just those moments, you know, these guys had booked the Salmonfly Hatch a year in advance are currently in the process of missing it by 3 days. Pissed they are but tension was well relieved when I started complaing that I didn’t feel well…and had to let it all go.

Here is the greatest thing about this…wait, there is way more than just one great thing, according to the packaging there are now 15 different emanations documented here. So the 16th best thing to keep it real is just turn it on around people with cell phones beacuse they randomly set it off without warning!

My daughter LOVES it, wanted to take it to school for show and tell. I was about half way to school with her when mom threatened a number of things, we were both disappointed!

Take this for what it is, potty humor, if you really dig it though, there is a great book my daughter found, she is almost 5 by the way, here are the links to both:

The Fart Machine

Farts: A Spotters Guide

I understand this isn’t for everyone, good guides will know who they can use it on and who they can’t. For those who know me, this post will come as no surprise and for those who don’t, I would be able to tell if it wasn’t appropriate, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t still do it just once though!!

Happy fall fishing everyone.

Written by: Dave McCoy

There seems to be a theme here, many fly anglers have their hands in the wine making business as we will continue to show over the coming months.

This month, Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards located in the infamous Dundee region of Oregon gets the nod. Don Lange, owner and winemaker, swung for steel with my dad on the Deschutes awhile back and happens to also produce one of my favorite wines with bottles adorned with tradtional Atlantic Salmon flies.

Next time at the grocery store, swing by and pick up the Pinot Noir or the Pinot Gris Reserve and look a bit more closely at who you are following down through Wagenblast as it may just be Don!

Written by: Dave McCoy

A new photo contest from our good friend Greg Thomas at Anglers Tonic hopes to exploit the bond between man and canine in their mutual enjoyment of fly fishing. Not just any photo contest either, here is some insight into what you might get a shot at:

“I just launched my Fishing Dog Photo Contest, which should be a lot of fun. Who knows what images I might see. Grand prize is a Loop OPTI spey rod and matching Speedrunner reel. Worth what? About $1,200 retail. I threw this rod the other day and it launches. Other prizes are coming from Hatch, Yellowdog, Bug Slinger, Smith, fishpond, RO drift boats, and Deneki. If you’d like to be included in this contest with prize donation just let me know.”

Having grown up with a black lab as my dad’s co-pilot in the boat, I have plenty of experience with dogs, that like water, being in or near it when a fish is on or being landed, holy crap! We used to have to chain our labs head to the bottom of the boat, literally 2 inches from the bottom. We only found this out after simply putting his leash around the seat, he nearly hung himself going after a winter steelhead we had to chase down a run on an Oregon coastal stream.

My other favorite is when the dog things larger fish are out to get them and the growling and play fighting begins, try stopping a nearly 100 pound male black lab, from attacking your fish as you beach it, keeping the line taught on a spey rod and you can’t even get to your fish.

At any rate, some of my fondest memories of fishing growing up involved in one way or another a dog. Dog Bless ‘em!

Check out Anglers Tonic for more details.

Written by: Dave McCoy

For many here in the PNW, I think this movie will be of considerable interest. Spey angling steelheaders, and others too, adore the craftsmanship and “sounds” that come from our Hardy reels, particularly with fish on! Anglers with an affinity for bamboo, this will also be insightful and for everyone who relishes what fly fishing is today. Many thanks to Hardy for the innovations in rod and reel making, fly tying and culture that has put the excitement of the sport in most of us.

A documentary by Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier, “the movie explores the history of Fly Fishing through the Hardy Brothers company and other fantastic British fishing tackle craftsmen.” It has just finished most or all of its screenings in England and won the Best of the Fest Award for this years films and has received some high accolades from industry professionals in Europe.

To see a clip or buy your copy, see the link below. I am looking forward to watching the entire film and likely partaking in a beverage or two from the region as well. Nicely done fine sirs.

Click here –> A Truffle Pig Film

Written by: Dave McCoy

A couple weeks ago, my dad, Mike McCoy hosted a small, by invitation only, fly casting games/competition down at his house on the North Umpqua River.

About 20 people showed up which was perfect as this was a “test run” if you will for next year. This year there were 12 stations each with 3 different targets and all with their own challenges. Some stations were on dry land, others on water, some had long targets nearing 80 feet while others were short but studded with over hanging branches and grass or requiring curve casts to get around other obstacles. The longer targets were riddled with backcast obstacles such as steep hills with tall grass and berry bushes or for later competitors, there is always that lovely afternoon crosswind.

Now I consider myself a pretty good angler and caster but this course was tough. The winning score was a 98, meaning their fly touched the ground that many times on what would be a 36 par course if you hit every target on the first presentation. I didn’t win but did get my best score of 104 on my first time through. I think my cockiness helped that along because on later efforts, over-thought and impatience got the better of me! If you know me, this should surprise you.

Each participant was asked to donate to the whatever amount they were comfortable with, all donations were handed over to the Native Fish Society for their conservation efforts. Recycled Waders, Native Fish Society, Temple Fork Outfitters and the Caddis Fly Angling Shop in Eugene all donated raffle prizes so everyone went home with something. Dad gladly provided a BBQ lunch and beverages for everyone as well.

So for next year there will likely be some changes and the word will get out much sooner so reservations will likely be necessary. Here is what we are looking at changing/adding to the scenario:

Teams of 3 will be assembled and assigned “Tee Times” about 20 minutes apart with a shotgun start, teams starting at various different stations at same time.

Several Spey/Two Handed stations will be added.

5 presentations max at each station, if missed on 5th, score is 6 for that target.

Winner will have donation from event to conservation organization of their choice given in their name.

On Water targets, where applicable, if yarn goes in grass and can be dropped into target, credit for one stroke given and on last station, if you can raise a fish to your yarn in 5 casts, “hole in one” for the last target.

This an industry professional event and a great time to just hang out with each other and also give a ration of s–t to those who invariably will stumble along the way. Great opportunity to also raise some money for a good cause, have fun, leave the fish alone for a few moments and enjoy each others company.

Look forward to seeing some of you there next year. Please contact me or my dad with any questions.

Written by: Dave McCoy

Holy cow, this has been in the works for along time and I am mixed with emotions from scared to excited and frightened to elated, sort of the same I know but that is it, they are all running through me.

This is intended to be informal dialogue amongst good friends whom are making their living in this industry we love so much. Our special guest in this episode is Greg Thomas, author, dad and photographer who also happens to be a great guy and friend.

Along the way, beer, other people and sensative issues come up so I will reitterate what Dylan, my co-host said, DO NOT WATCH if you are taking or plan to take fly fishing too seriously, don’t enjoy drunk fly fishing guides and some slight profanity or spoofs on those who DO take fishing too seriously.

Click here or the image above and enjoy!

Written by: Dave McCoy

As a fly fishing guide, and one taking this profession seriously, I love nothing more than clients new to the sport. Whether it be those preparing to dive in head first and buy their first rod and reel blind to what they are getting into or those who have already had a few thrills and are now marching their way through the progression we all have taken, or will inevitably.

For me, I don’t really care if I catch a fish or “the” fish in a particular place anymore. It is all about the process of actually getting a or “the” fish to take a fly in a certain situation.

This past week I had the incredible privilege to fish with a great guy and also a guide on a small spring like creek and was myself reminded of what clients hopefully feel on our trips, complete elation on every level this sport has to offer.

This brief but idyllic jaunt included a long hike in, off trail for a portion of the time to a creek tough to find on most maps, for native species of trout with no signs of other anglers. Challenging but rewarding conditions and size of trout, who cares as that is why God has handed mankind the ingenuity to make such wonderful little sticks as 000wts or in this case a Winston WT and LTX 2wt. Personally, my perfect recipe for a day on the water.

That said, this was just a small portion of it. While some of the water was simply irresistable to gaze upon, I found myself unable to pass up fishing the more difficult water. Over hangning grass and branches a mere foot from the waters surface, prime seam several feet back from the tips of the afore mentioned vegetation. And with virtually no backcast space to even attempt the feat I sauntered to the plate anyway.

First couple casts catch the trees and grass behind and a slight upward finish to my forward stroke leave my fly hanging desirably an inch or so above the water where certain inhalation awaits. Some gentle coaching from Steve and finesse of the rod tip frees it to drift back. So close yet so far away. Next cast is in and the fish takes with wreckless abandon, my 40 year old reflexes so off my fly ends up 15 feet in a tree behind me! Deep breath, tie another one on, watch Steve immitate me perfectly, then dig in again.

I just don’t give up that easy and I never have. I am stubborn as hell and now have to prove a point to no one other than myself that I can do this!

All of this could have been circumvented by simply stepping up to the head of these miniscule runs, why? Why do it and take all of the fun and challenge out of it?

This is why nearly every president in our country has embraced this sport. Complete and utter loss of all other worldly issues, including time, when the mind is fully engaged.

Much of this water is exactly what we would walk most clients right past as the skill set to get a fly even close isn’t in their posession, yet. And while we did manage a few fish, more was gained from Steve and I by simply being able to get a fly into these tight quarters and watch it drift seemingly unattached to either of us whether a fish hit or not.

Every now and again we need a day like this to remind us of a few things. One, how our clients feel when on a trip and we are aching to take the rod from their hand and make the “easy” presentation for them so they can get the fish.

What we have to remember is even though most new anglers feel as though the fish is the prize, it is our job is to help them realize that the real reward is in having done everything just right to trick them into choosing your fly. When done well the fish isn’t that hard to achieve, it is everything leading up to it.

Good fishing everyone.

Written by: Dave McCoy

Well, going in, I knew this wouldn’t be the easiest of fisheries to tackle. Open exposure to the Pacific Ocean, head winds of considerable strength and spooky fish, all of them for the most part.

I just spent nearly 2 weeks in the greater Los Angeles area presenting our wonderful state of Washington and the multitude of fly fishing opportunities to the areas fly fishing clubs. I had a great time meeting everyone from local fly shop owners to well traveled anglers and gaining some insight into the differences of the many clubs in the region.

My favorite part of the trip however was fishing some of the local beaches for everything from halibut and corbina to golden barred surf perch and Leopard Shark. Without question, this region, like many others in this great country we live in are WAY over looked by most fly anglers.

Reasons for this oversight are pretty obvious, extremely tough line managment conditions, non mainstream species and the usual suspect, access.

I completely respect those who have no interest in fishing the beaches but knowing that these beaches are one of southern California’s biggest attractions, why not add fly fishing to an inevitable visit to them.

Admittedly the surf perch above doesn’t exactly put up a whale of a fight but fishing a crab pattern on the sandy bottom also has the ability to locate hard fighting corbina and halibut up to 26 inches or larger. Should you find yourself in the Malibu or Santa Barbara area though, definitely come prepared for something you will need long pliers to release, Leopard Shark. These monsters can get clear up to 4 feet long or larger and are regularly within casting distance from many of these SoCal beaches. While I didn’t find one myself, check out a new friends website as he landed a nice one just before my presentation at his club.

http://www.grahamowengallery.com/fishing/leopards-surf.html

I would travel here just to do this, it is that much fun but I also am darn happy I don’t have to guide it as this is tough work! Next time in the area, bring a rod and don’t just settle for the same old trout trip, get out and explore!

Written by: Dave McCoy

So the title doesn’t quite explain the whole idea of this post. Yes, I have been busted in Mexico for not being very American, or being VERY American, depending on how you see it. Anyhow, no jail time this trip.

Family and very good friends of ours spent a week down in the Running Down the Man neighborhood and it was a bust. As the picture above shows, surf conditions were just that, surfing caliber as opposed to sight casting to Rooster and other species from the beach. Bummer?? Well, not completely because as many know when the time on the water is cut short, drinking is a wonderful alternative, especially in warm environs. Not to mention watching your 4 year old daughter experience new fish, sea creatures and culture, far from a bust.

However, there is one other lesson to be learned from a such a trip, or maybe even a couple. First, don’t wait to make reservations with a guide until a few days before, it just doesn’t work out and in the end you wind up packing pounds of gear through various airports, inviting additional security searches only to watch it sit in the very bag it traveled in.

Second is to ask for straws with contrasting color when deciding to drink more than 3 and less than 20 double margaritas from friendly bartenders who enjoy to a degree your broken Spanglish.

While in this picture the straw is quite evident, after several and while making efforts to draw the attention of the waiter for the next round, it becomes quite well disguised and does in fact hurt, a lot, when it travels up your nose or in your eye. The latter is ever more fun after you have switched between drinking from the well salted rim and the straw, leaving salty remnants on the end. So, quick recap…

1. Reserve a guide well in advance of your trip…or expect not to have one.

2. Don’t pee in public where Federal Police from MX can see you, this was lesson learned from 20 years ago while crossing the border on foot.

3. Red, blue, green, pink straws when drinking margaritas.

3a. Just ask for no straw and indulge from the rim.

4. Always travel with your daughter because at this age, even she laughs at you for learning the afore mentioned lessons the hard way.

Written by: Dave McCoy

Well over a decade ago, I moved to Telluride, Colorado in my former career (if you can call it that) as a ski race coach. Summer jobs around the western US were easy to come by as a fly fishing guide so I was excited to move to this quaint little town and add yet another few rivers to my book of knowledge.

One of the first rivers I would begin to guide was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and who would be my first guide trainer, none other than Frank Smethurst himself. Fresh after a season of flipping a raft with clients in a rapid called Cable and losing the keys to their private jet, for the mile or so leading up to Cable, Frank was in my ear, “Do you see this life jacket I am wearing, it is the most buoyant one you can buy. Know why I wear this one, it is because I was wearing one like yours when I flipped and didn’t come up for nearly a minute!! You MIGHT want to consider changing yours, or not flipping.”

For a week Tee Clarkson and I got this from everyone on our rowing and fishing but no one was more tedious about it than Frank. “You aren’t actually going to fish that are you?” tone soft but condescending.

At any rate, I have known Frank for 16 years or so and when we got the chance to fish together this past week on the O.P., I was happy to see nothing had changed, fish honestly do fear him, everywhere, as he is simply the most passionate angler I have ever known and has game to boot.

While our time on the water was shortened prematurely by rain, it was a wonderful flashback in time to the good old days of Telluride and the people who helped shape who I am as a guide today. To watch Frank catch his first winter steelhead and be a part of that experience was just another page in our history together and one we won’t forget anytime soon.

Thanks Frank for coming out and as always, great to see, drink and fish with you old friend.

Written by: Dave McCoy