Emerald Water Anglers Archives - Page 3 of 18

Travel Journal: Greenland Fly Fishing

August 18, 2017 by adminewa 2 Comments

Fly fishing whether I really want to admit it or not is embedded in my DNA. My doctor actually found it on my DNA ladder when doing a blood test on me a couple years ago, so I may as well embrace it, it isn’t going anywhere. Just so happens while I know the previous statement isn’t necessarily scientifically true, I can feel it within me and I know adventure adjoins fly fishing to make up a significant part of my soul. Watching Marlin Perkins growing up created a yearning to see far off locales and somewhere, somehow in the past 20 years I have been fortunate enough to construct a life style allowing me to combine both.

This last escapade put a check mark on a place I have wanted to see for decades if for no other reason than to see the look on peoples face when you say “Greenland.” Yes, we went to Greenland fly fishing on the southern tip for native Arctic Char and I would GLADLY share the name of the rivers with you if they only had names, they don’t. In fact when you are fishing them, it feels a bit like this is only a stream this year, next year maybe it isn’t here due to lake levels, shifting ice and general change in topography. More than likely they will be there again but when it takes what it takes to get to this place, the utter lack of human presence or evidence of such make you wonder. I believe wondering is healthy for the mind…

About 2 hours into the flight from Reykjavik the first glimpse of the big island comes into view…icebergs litter the coastal water and surrounding smaller islands. Around the entire perimeter Greenland, which I didn’t realize until taking a closer loo, are hundreds, maybe thousands of tiny islands carved by glaciers. They create a wonderful introduction to the “ice cap” we are about to fly over. Until you see this in person, nothing on television, in a movie or described in words will do it justice. Multi thousand foot tall peaks emerge from the sea of ice to show just their tip tops and this view goes on as far as you can see from 25,000 feet. How about that, at least I can say I tried…

Landing in Narsarsuaq the intimidation and wonder factor sets in. First is I can’t believe I am standing on Greenland within sight of some of the worlds largest and oldest glaciers. An unreal sensation, almost giddy for me set my mood for the rest of the week and beyond. Second is now how do we get to the lodge from here as the road ends on a dock in one direction and at the airport runway in the other, almost being able to see both ends standing in one place. Every single person at the airport is either a photographer/videographer, explorer or Inuit. Not coming here to watch television and gain weight…though more on this in a bit!

Sharing a ride to the dock with a few other anglers going to another location in the region we hop on a boat for our 3 hour plus boat ride through the fjords, dodging icebergs and leaving all signs of civilization behind. That itch I have found only one remedy for is being satiated, may the adventure begin!

I look at my watch, the sun feels as though its intensity is not quite what it was and sure enough, it is almost 11pm, sun is still up, hungry, tired, nearly two 32 gig cards filled with icebergs and one small village we turn a corner and voila, there is the lodge. Hunger helps me off the boat hoping like nothing they have something for us and OMG do they! Locally sourced carrots, potatoes and mushrooms foraged from the area, some Char sashimi and reindeer flank steak. Throw in for good measure a closely guarded recipe of sweet mustard sauce, home made full grain breads and jam with a Tuborg (Greenland beer) and it is all I can do not to pass out before my head hits the pillow, punch my card, I am out!

Cabins at the lodge are unreal considering where we are and just “wondering” what it might have taken to bring the materials necessary to this location. Water view from the porch, comfortable down comforters on each bed with down pillows, table with just enough light to make a quick journal entry and most importantly, just upwind of where the AM coffee is freshly brewed. I have to believe the 4 of us, the only 4 in camp beside the staff were put right here in these two cabins for what has to be a coincidental reason…

The sun dipped for about 3 hours or so at best, not quite ever dark but dim. Enough for the local residents to figure out new blood was in camp, on goes the mosquito repellent and off for a visit to the lieu, morning snapshot of the view and in for coffee. In my twisted mind I fall to that old joke about how the Native American kid got his name…first thing his parents saw when they stepped out of the tent after he was born…born here there would be a considerable number of people named OMG, WOW or maybe even HOLY S–T! It is just amazing and this comes from having seen a fair share of views around the world!

Freshly rested my mind slants ever so slightly towards fishing, it is what actually brought me to this incredible location. That long slender and what strong also fragile piece of graphite has once again put me in a place I am humbled to be. As hard as I try, staring at the fjord in front of the lodge, I am hoping what I see is being seen by my wife and daughter simultaneously. Nothing resembling WiFi here so it would have to be through a deeper connection, a stronger one founded on relationships as solid and soulful as possible. Before I begin to get homesick I grab rod and reel, pull out the waders and boots and assemble slowly, with deliberation what will be my secondary tool for the next week while here in Greenland fly fishing.

Bobo, our camp host and a person with more colorful stories from the region and the world says over coffee, “Let’s take it easy today, get your feet wet but not push it too hard today.” This guy is speaking my language, I just want to take it all in, not rush past anything if possible. We enjoy a very hearty breakfast of eggs, reindeer sausage and more scrumptious home made bread, look over a map of this part of Greenland and retrace our path to get here, we are really out here! As I look over a map of the region and greater Greenland, I wonder how in the world Arni made the decision to put the lodge HERE…

When I began talking about this trip, my good friend Johann who worked for Angling Club Lax-a at the time told me the fishing here would be ridiculous, almost boring if that is possible. With these comments still resting in the back of my mind, we pack our gear, get on the boat and head out to the first location to present our first flies to fish in Greenland.

After being dropped off, we hiked a scenic route to the stream and as it turns out, the sales pitch was pure, as truthful as any I have ever paid attention to. This small unnamed stream connecting a lake to the sea was so full of native Arctic Char, the bottom was black in places. This was literally like shooting fish in a barrel and we all took our shots! Quickly realizing catching wasn’t going to be an issue, I relocated to higher ground and began trying to spot larger fish to help the others target them among the masses.

The following few days we spend chasing cod in the fjords around the lodge, driving the small boat right up to the base of where the main glacier touches the sea and visiting the a small village about 45 minutes by boat from the lodge. On our way to the village, we are enjoying our ride when Bobo slows the boat a bit and THUD, we hit an iceberg!

We all freak out for a moment, wondering if the boat is going to make like the Titanic when Bobo grabs an ice pick, a glove and begins striking away at the smaller pieces of the berg surrounding the boat. We realize he is grabbing ice for the cooler and to enhance our evening libations back at the lodge after our day of fishing. OK then, iceberg “cubes” in the Gin and Tonic…it is about all I and the rest of our team can think about all day.

As Marilyn is landing a fish, she yells over to John, “Looking forward to those chunks of ice in my glass here soon!” John hooks up mid sentence with a smile and nod. We are having a fine last day in Greenland!

Back at the lodge, as we enjoy maybe the finest tenderloin of freshly grilled reindeer I have ever tasted period, Andreas and Bear start a big bonfire in the pit over looking the small bay. It is a placid evening, mosquitoes seems to be allowing us a small respite from their frequent facial visits. Sipping a little Icelandic brown water with Greenland ice, watching the sun slowing crest the horizon I still can’t believe I am sitting in Greenland…literally can’t wait to return!

Small stream joining one of the lakes to the sea allowing the Char access to their spawning grounds.

Chrome bright and native, this Arctic Char was quite willing to take a fly.

Wild flower in full bloom for a short period of time colorfully speckled around the hillsides surrounding the small streams.

From a high vantage point, spotting the larger Char in the gin clear water.

Greenland fly fishing and coming tight in the cold saltwater near the face of the main ice cap glacier.

Would we return to Greenland — Possibly

Lodging – fantastic
Remoteness – fantastic
Food – OFF THE CHART
Fishing – too easy and this is the issue, know this sounds impossible but it was so easy (50+ fish a day per person) it would be boring for a full week…otherwise, LOVE this place!

1st Annual Washington Carp Jamboree

June 19, 2017 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Yep, you read it correct, we are excited to announce the newest Carp on the Fly tournament to come to Washington. Carp are a phenomenal species to target on with the fly rod and Washington has a ton of great habitat in which to pursue them. There are 2 primary species of carp in Washington, the Common Carp and the Mirror Carp. Neither of which require a WA fishing license to pursue for traveling anglers this is low hanging fruit!

Here are some specs on the tournament:

August 12th, 2017 at Banks Lake in eastern WA

Maximum number of anglers will be 40

Fly fish only, single barbless hooks

Tournament fishing begins at day break

All catch records need to be into Bill Marts by 4pm Saturday to qualify for tournament

Awards ceremony will be at 5pm followed by dinner

$60 registration fee per angler which includes:

     Map of lake to help new anglers with locations around the lake to fish
     Free clinic with Bill Marts and others on Friday evening @ 7:30PM
     Dinner and beverages on Saturday evening after fishing
     Awards for top 5 anglers

Tournament winner is by sheer number of fish on the honor system. Tie will be broken by largest carp landed, photo proof with tape measure in photo

Questions please contact:

Dave McCoy – 206-601-0132 – dave@emeraldwateranglers.com
Store – 206-708-7250 – shop@emeraldwateranglers.com

Travel Journal: Sudan & Oman – GT’s and Triggers

May 26, 2017 by adminewa 1 Comment

For over 20 years, as a company we have always sought the road less traveled when it comes to our sport. Whether this is local fly fishing on the small streams or a different take on how to approach old favorites like the Yakima and our steelhead rivers, it is important to us to create memories with our trips from local to far flung locales like this one.

We have been working with and become friends with the guys at Tourette Fishing out of South Africa for about 10 years now and over the past few have been paying close attention to the trips they have been guiding on the other side of the globe. A few years ago, one in particular caught our attention, fly fishing for Giant Trevally and Triggerfish in the Red Sea off the coast of Sudan…yep, Sudan!

A little over a year ago Dave McCoy, owner of Emerald Water Anglers assembled a group of young sticks to make the jaunt and as it turned out, was a good thing this group was hungry because it warranted fearless fly fishing and skills with the 12wt most other trips simply do not ask of its participants. In a nutshell, we like these types of trips and of all we have done globally which are considerable this was the most demanding and hence rewarding…period!

So we depart Seattle, 14 hours direct on Emirates to Dubai for a few days to acclimate to the new 10 hour time difference and spend a couple days fishing in Dubai and taking a short overnight trip to Oman to pursue Queenfish, GT’s, Dorado and anything else an fly angler might find in the cobalt waters of the Persian Gulf region. It is a striking backdrop to spend a day fly fishing against and the fishing is terrific as our group lands the aforementioned species as well as Kingfish and Barracuda.

A warm up session in Oman is in order so we schedule an overnight trip up to tease up a bunch of different species and get our 12 weight arms ready for what is come. Tons of border crossings and a late arrival leave us pretty well whipped for the next day before we even start. The instructions from the captains are to drink as much water as you can through the day to stay hydrated. Collectively we drink well over 40 bottles of water and between 6 of us only take one leak through the entire day, it is that hot and hucking big rods and big flies only exacerbates the situation.

After a half day chasing Queenies in the bay below this epic Dubai skyline, it is time to take in a few more of the city sights such as ripping some turns on the indoor ski hill at the mall and visiting the tallest building in the world. Our guides and captains were Nick and Damon from Ocean Active Fly in Dubai and are as professional as you will find, know their water and also where to locate a non virgin drink in a dry country! Dubai and the rest of the Arab states are dry so you must seek out your favorite apre fishing beverage of which we landed ourselves at the incomparable Bar at Pierchic under the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel…we will take it as a final send off into the unknown of Sudan where we head early tomorrow AM.

After a short flight from Dubai to Port of Sudan, we board our bus for the 3 hour drive to the port where we board the Scuba Libre, a modest 60ft catamaran which we will call home for the next week as we cruise the northern coast of Sudan along the Nubian Desert in search of Giant Trevally, Triggers, Bumpies and if lucky maybe an Indo Permit or Napolean Wrasse. Either way, this is going to be an adventure beyond any we have a previously experienced with a fly rod.

First night on the boat is the typical familiarization process of getting to know the guides, guides seeing how inept everyone is going to be and setting up lines, rods, leaders and flies for what they know is an epic battle soon to come.

We have good light the first couple days allowing some to rack up some species counts while others get their first taste of what GT’s bring in this neighborhood which amounts to the local thug. These fish rule their water and everyone knows it including the humans. By end of day two, each has had their proverbial and literal asses handed to them shredding fly lines, breaking a rod or two and blowing up a couple of drags on reels.

It should be known, most reels are intended to “slow” fish down, help to tire them to a point of being landed. Here, that is not a luxury afforded the fly angler. Fishing on small flats or at the edge of the reef means that fish, that mere 60-80 pound freight train must stop NOW or all is likely lost. So we are asking our reels to stop these fish almost on a dime, most drags are not intended to do this and it shows as several companies reels fail and fail quick and in spectacular fashion. When you loop 150 pound test to your fly line to 75 pound gel spun and point at these beasts with a drag cranked to the stopping point, something is going to give and it is a toss up as to where the failure will occur. Despite efforts by the talented guides to circumvent the inevitable we still pace through fly lines each day, shredding them on the coral walls below.

The end of every day is riddled with stories unlike any of us well traveled anglers have lived before. Challenges met with failure left and right and coming from every possible direction. Weather was one major factor which took this from an advanced angler trip to what was termed Heavy Metal or full contact sport of fly fishing. Low light forced us into fishing situations where we are chest deep on the edge knowing full well a hook up means a swim if any hope at all is going to bring the fish to hand.

As the week progresses, weather has followed us from wetter and windier parts of the world. The Nubian receives about 2 inches of rain annually and we brought it! With it came thunder, lightning and our first full on dust storm. We watched as it formed on land, miles from us, the dust elevating and swirling and moving across the water in our direction like a swarm. Not knowing what to expect we just sit tight on a small reef in the middle of the Red Sea as it engulfs us. At one point all land was invisible, no way for our boat to find us so we had to just sit it out. Slowing the world began to show itself again and we eventually are retrieved only to have another dust storm brew and over take us yet again.

Eventually it happens for most of us on the trip, shaking hands with both Triggers and GT’s and for those with the first time experience of pursuing these giants they are truly changed individuals. Focused on GT and GT only for some time to come for all future exotic travel. Tahiti, Fiji, Christmas Island, Seychelles and India immediately spring to mind each evening as we talk ourselves off the cliff of addiction to these fish.

Legs beat up and still in slow bleeds from the week we reluctantly come back from our last day on the water with mixed emotions. Having been taken to school on so man occasions some are ready to whimper home and lick wounds, well, all of us are actually but we are also enlightened and ready to put ourselves in harms/GT’s way yet again and soon.

Dinner becomes a release event where we make every effort to dry the boat, awarding GT Angler of the week to one of our team. As stories are told yet again with new twists and exuberance Stu, one of our South African guides shaves the outline of a GT into the winners chest hair as a parting gift and memory.

Equipment of all forms exhausted, bodies, cameras and fishing equipment are ready for a vacation. More images below and hopefully you find yourself on our next adventure with us, thanks for reading.

Tom Paulson gets exploded upon…

Exhausted team watches a few last casts at sunset…

Some local Nubian residents…

Chad Briggs with a beautiful Bluefin Trevally…

Fly Fishing Day Trips in Cuba

March 30, 2017 by adminewa Leave a Comment

After the recent loosening of travel for Americans to Cuba we have been flooded with emails and phone calls from anglers getting there while its hot and still open, hoping to add on a day of fly fishing here or there while otherwise enjoying the culture of this great country. We asked out good friend Jon Covich to write a short synopsis of what is available at this time, here is what he came up with. Any questions please be in touch…

I am getting almost daily e-mails from people who have travel plans to Cuba. A very common theme from them is that they would like to find a way to do a day or two of fishing while they are there. The truth is, either finding daily opportunities, or chances at Do It Yourself fishing in Cuba is slim. Part of this is due to the fact that the fishing outfitters have set packages that are usually comprised of 5 or 6 days of fishing. Then, when it comes to DIY, there are many roadblocks. The first is that much of the fishing in Cuba is in designated marine areas where you need permission to fish. Secondly, many of the coastal areas are actually difficult to access. Road blocks are often set up, with guards requiring you to show paperwork allowing you to enter.

All that said, there are a few opportunities. Because of the nature of the trips beings so short, neither myself or FlyWater can manage these bookings. But because the requests are there, we thought it made sense to tell you what is available, and what is not.

1. GARDENS OF THE KING: This resort area is about 5 hours by bus from Havana. For many people touring with their own car, however, it is a short diversion when they are visiting towns such as Trinidad or Santa Clara. Much of the outfitter’s season is devoted to groups with week-long fishing packages. However, when they have skiffs available, they will arrange them for you. This is a dependable outfitter, with a professional staff.

2. ZAPATA AT PLAYA LARGA: The Zapata area is the most accessible fishing area from Havana. There is an outfitter that books this area. We do not work with them for a variety of reasons. But, when they have space, they will book daily trips for both the saltwater flats, and for the Rio Hatiguanico. The drive to the river is about 1.5 miles from Havana, and to Playa Larga about 2 hours. The access to the flats requires nearly another hour by car.

http://www.takemeawaycuba.com/Fish-Zapata.html

3. CAYO COCO & CAYO GUILLERMO: Many tourists vacation in the resorts on Cayo Coco. In the Gardens of the King archipelago, all the usual species of flats fish exist here. There are reports from tourists online (mostly Europeans), that they have done some DIY fishing here. However, there is also a pool of guides that works the area. We have never used them, but know people that have. Reports are that the fishing can be good, but that the equipment is poor, and the guides often undependable.

EWA Spey Clave – Saturday February 11th

February 10, 2017 by Caldwell Rohrbach Leave a Comment

spey-rods-and-line-op

EWA Spey Clave

Saturday February 11th, 2017

10am – 3pm

Ben Howard Boat Launch on the Skykomish River (see map below)*

Come try out all of the latest and greatest spey gear, attend seminars from PNW spey experts, and score some free two-handed casting instruction!

Demo the latest and greatest in Spey rods and lines:

Sage

Winston

Scott

G. Loomis

Echo

Redington

Rio

Airflo

OPST

Listen in on great presentations with PNW Spey experts:

“Getting the Most Out of Your Spey Game” w/George Cook

@ 12pm

“Less Effort, More Efficiency From Your Spey Cast – an advanced look at why some casts are a thing of beauty and others flat out suck” w/Tom Larimer

@ 1:30pm

FREE Spey casting instruction all day with EWA guides and industry reps!

*Please Note!! The Skykomish River is closed to fishing during this event per WDFW regulations. As such, this event is for the purpose of demo-casting rods only and no flies/hooks will be used.

Cuba Libre – Hosted Travel Video – 2016

February 8, 2017 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Is the winter weather bringing you down? Dreaming of those warm weather destinations? Let’s see if this might help.

Call the store today to find out more about some of our current travel destinations.

Upcoming Events – January

January 2, 2017 by Caldwell Rohrbach Leave a Comment

Special Events

January 14-15, 2017 – Spey Casting w/ Dec Hogan $250 per angler/per day
Spend a day with the legendary spey caster, rod designer, conservationist and world renowned steelhead whisperer. Dec will talk all things spey from dropping that loop to which head and tip for what type of water and finally how to successfully play and land these majestic fish when solo with a two hander. This class will be conducted on the water on one of our local steelhead rivers, most likely the Skykomish, river conditions depending. Space is limited so sign up now! To sign up email shop@emeraldwateranglers.com or call 206-708-7250.

January 20, 2017 – 2nd Annual EWA 5 Minute or Less Film Fest – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Here we go again, our crazy evening of fly fishing shorts is on again. Pretty sure we can get the winner this year again shown at the F3T here at our West Seattle showing in early Feb. RSVP via email: shop@emeraldwateranglers.com or phone: 206-708-7250

February 1 & 2, 2017 – F3T in West Seattle (Feb. 2) at the Admiral and downtown at SIFF (Feb.1)
The crew will be here sporting the latest in fly fishing film eye candy from around the world. More details to come soon but keep an eye on these dates.

February 3, 2017 – Women’s Meet and Greet @ EWA Store 7 – 9PM – FREE
Come meet our newest staff member and Women’s Program Director, Karlie Roland. Sit down, enjoy some wine or beer and finger foods, chat fly fishing and private shop. Karlie will lay out her plans for the program moving forward and also listen to ideas from you on. Schools, outings, celebrity clinics and hosted travel are all on the radar…what else?

February 11, 2017 – EWA Spey Clave – Ben Howard Boat Launch on the Skykomish River – 10AM – 3PM – FREE
Our area needed it so he we go. We are bringing our favorite two handed rod companies together to provide an on water demo and instruction session for those new to the spey game and those looking to try a number of rods side by side so they can make an informed purchase.

June 3, 2017 – 3rd Annual EWA Fly Fest and Guide Cook Off – 10AM – 4PM @ Me Kwa Mooks Park – West Seattle – FREE
The event we look forward to every year. Come join us for a fun day in the sun. Manufacturers reps are on hand to show off all the latest rod models from Winston, Sage, Scott, Echo, GLoomis and others, clinics by our talented EWA staff on the Sound, small mountain streams and steelhead. A host of IFFF certified instructors will be on hand as well. This will be our 10th Annual Guide Staff Cook Off where our guide team competes for the greatest shore lunch. 30 minutes and $40 to feed 3 people and you get to help choose the winner!

Upcoming Schools and Clinics

Tying Tuesdays!

We are launching a new fly tying series, “Tying Tuesdays”. As the name suggests, these will take place on select Tuesday nights and will focus on specialty fly tying topics. These classes are designed to introduce specific styles of tying to students with some tying experience – by no means do you have to be an expert to attend! Materials included. Max 6 students. To sign up email shop@emeraldwateranglers.com or call 206-708-7250. $40

Women’s Bug’s and Brew’s Fly Tying @ Elliott Bay Brewing (West Seattle) – 7 – 9PM – $40
Come join Karlie Roland for a sit down, fly tying instruction and socializing event just for you fly angling women out there.
January 19, 2017
February 23, 2017
March 9, 2017

Women’s Intro to Fly Casting – Karlie will be holding free fly casting classes starting December 10th and then every first Saturday of the month thereafter. During this intro class you will learn the basics of casting and proper technique to maintain a clean, accurate cast. Great for the beginners and novices looking for a refresher. You can sign up by e-mailing karlie@emeraldwateranglers.com, or calling the shop at 206-708-7250. MAX 6 people.

January 7th – 10am-12pm @ Lincoln Park in West Seattle

February 4th – 10am -12pm @ Lincoln Park in West Seattle
March 4th – 10am -12pm @ Lincoln Park in West Seattle
April 1st – 10am -12pm @ Lincoln Park in West Seattle

Intro to Fly Casting – This one hour group fly casting class is designed for first time or novice fly anglers. No experience, no problem! Our FFF certified casting instructors will have you competently casting a fly rod in no time at all! All equipment can be provided for class. To sign up email shop@emeraldwateranglers.com or call 206-708-7250. FREE

January 7th and 21st – 9am @ Lincoln Park in West Seattle

Intro to Fly Fishing Schools – 1 Day Classroom/On Water – All Equipment Provided – $195
These are the most comprehensive and intimate “how to” fly fishing school you will find in the region. We cap these schools at 3 per schools so we can have as much time as possible with you during the class. We teach from our own manual which we provide a digital copy of and cover casting, line management, essential knots, how to select flies based on entomology and answer all questions you might have throughout. Here are the current dates:
January 21, 2017
February 18, 2017
March 11, 2017
April 8, 2017

Upcoming Events – November

November 2, 2016 by adminewa Leave a Comment

We are crazy excited to announce we have finally hired our Women’s Program Coordinator which means our women’s events will be coming back beginning in December so stay tuned.

November 3rd – Writers on the Fly, “The Cascadia Tour” – 7pm to REAL Late @EWA – FREE 75 attendees maximum
Maybe our favorite event is back but in full throttle mode! We will be hosting 1 of 5 stops on the week long PNW tour with different readers in each location. Because of the popularity of this event over the past couple years and so we can get the writers some $$ for their appearance, we are charging for this event. Tickets will go on sale here shortly and will be expected to sell out. If you want on the list for this, please RSVP via email to Jason@emeraldwateranglers.com. Sponsored in part by Patagonia and Patagonia Books.

November 17th – Cuba, Now Open to the U.S. – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Come listen to long time fly fishing industry personality and photographer Jon Covich discuss the various regions Cuba has to offer and what to expect at each one. This will hands down be the best opportunity to Q&A one of the most knowledgeable people on this topic if you were considering a trip here.

December 7th – WDFW Salmon Management, North of Falcon – Ryan Lothrop – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Come join us for the inside perspective on how WDFW obtains their science and how they use it to make management decisions. Ryan Lothrop, Puget Sound Recreational Salmon Fishery Manager will talk about this and the issue surrounding our favorite fishery as well as answer questions. Please RSVP to this event via email or phone.

January 14-15, 2017 – Spey Casting w/ Dec Hogan $250 per angler/per day
Spend a day with the legendary spey caster, rod designer, conservationist and world renowned steelhead whisperer. Dec will talk all things spey from dropping that loop to which head and tip for what type of water and finally how to successfully play and land these majestic fish when solo with a two hander. He might even go spend some time doing casting instruction with us too. Space is limited so sign up now!

February 1 & 2, 2017 (yet to be confirmed) – F3T in West Seattle at the Admiral and downtown at SIFF
The crew will be here sporting the latest in fly fishing film eye candy from around the world. More details to come soon but keep an eye on these dates.

Winston Boron III Plus Fly Rod Review

September 17, 2016 by adminewa Leave a Comment

This is a Winston Biii Plus fly rod review and is intended to be informative and as objective as possible for the sake of being helpful to those researching the high end, faster action rod market.

Most of the casting/fishing with these rods has been done with a variety of Airflo lines such as the following as well as a smattering of other manufacturers lines:

Winston Boron III Plus 9′ 6wt – Exceed, Elite and Cold Saltwater
Winston Boron III Plus 9′ 8wt – Bruce Chard, Bonefish
Winston Boron III Plus 9′ 10wt – Bruce Chard, Permit
Winston Boron III Plus 9′ 12wt – Bruce Chard, Tarpon

I have spent a lot of time, in many different locations and fishing scenarios from here in Seattle to all corners of the earth in cold, lukewarm and tropical water. During these times, every chance I have to take a swing with a different rod I do so. As a guide, casting instructor and store owner I feel strongly that is behooves me to know each rod on the market whether we carry it or not. I own the B3+ rod in the 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weights so I can attest to most of the line up…these rods are absolute money from top of the line to the bottom.

Think about all the different situations you find yourself in while fishing. From a super short dollop cast to permit that quickly appear out of nowhere to a long light presentation cast across a windless lake to sipping trout. Then there is the bread and butter, those casts whether on a trout stream or anywhere else where you are casting and using the rod/line in THE ZONE, that sweet spot most rods are built for, 30-50 feet.
The industry is readjusting after a period of building rods way too fast for most anglers to be able to handle. Forcing those who fell victim to the marketing machine to literally throw their rod…not cast it. It wasn’t an obvious change but now we are seeing all or most of the manufacturers step back to a place where “FAST” or “TIP FLEX” is something the average angler can still feel when making casts in the zone. All in all this a great thing and it has pitted most of the major rod builders more against each other as now there are a number of great rods in this same class. That being said, the B3+ marries the most important qualities together perfectly.

I want to see a rod without being over lined be able to make a precise cast at 15-20 feet and still be able to feel the tip load and unload without having to over exert the stroke. The B3+ excels at this at all the line weights…check!
The bread and butter casts are those all important ones, the ones where your fish of a lifetime come from when you least expect it. Anglers should feel as though they are not having to think about these casts, 25-45 feet should be as easy as walking. Obviously anglers have varying casting strokes and enjoy a different feel to their rod. I look for a rod that can accommodate a variety of different lines. Not just for various applications such as bass versus spring creeks but also to manipulate the rod to fit what the angler is looking to feel from it. Classic taper to aggressive shooting head lines, these rods handle them quite well making this a versatile stick. Check!

Now to the fun aspects of choosing a rod. Can these sticks carry a lot of line, long leader and a fly well, delivering tight loops into wind then immediately hook up and be tested into the deep backbone? Yes and yes. I am not saying these rods do this and others don’t. What I am saying is as a complete package of a rod that can perform all these tasks well, I have found few that match them side by side in each category. Think of this like a competition where you would have to perform short accurate casts as well as distance, these rods kick rump.

Add a double haul to these rods with any line and they come alive. Being able to feel the line speed accelerate allows the angler to back off the power infusion and allow the rod to do the work for you. At a distance of 30-40 feet, across the board these rods will pick line up off the water well enough to be in the right position for most anglers to easily end up in their normal casting stroke even with heavier flies.

I always tell people it is akin to corporation. You as the angler are the board of directors, your rod is your CEO and the line is your company. As a board, you do your due diligence to hire a CEO you think is good for your company, give them specific goals or directions you want the company to move in and then step back and allow them to do so. I watch too many anglers micromanage their CEO and end up with a poorly run company.

At the end of the day, you can change the outcome of your cast with the line you match on your rod but by doing so for a particular fishing situation does that negatively effect how it performs in other situations when needed with that same line. If so, find yourself a place where you can legitimately cast side by side as many of the rods you are thinking of and see which one you come away with.

Upcoming Events – September

September 6, 2016 by adminewa Leave a Comment

September 8th – Getting into Spey Casting – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Reid Curry will address the myriad of lines, head, knots, rods, spey vs switch and so on making this facet of the sport so confusing for the entry level two handed angler. It isn’t that complicated and Reid will pave the way for those looking to step in the door of the spey world.

September 22nd – Fall Fishing in Washington and Beyond – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Reid Curry, Dave McCoy and other EWA staff will discuss the road map of fall and early winter fishing in our great state as well as the region and even internationally if we want to go that far! Should be a very informative event, look forward to seeing everyone there.

September 27th – Fall Sea Run Fishing – 7pm @EWA – FREE
Long time guide and EWA staffer Alex Collier will breeze through the saltwater game around here by talking flies, lines, rods/reels, leaders and poly leaders and how they can all play a part in your success on the Sound this fall and moving into winter.

October 13th – SAGE Happy Hour – 7pm to ??? @EWA – FREE
Sage Fly Rods will be here with Russell Miller and others to talk about their new sticks and otherwise pump everyone up for fishing this fall and winter. Come in and chat about everything from light creek rods to spey to tropical saltwater and everything in between. Beverages on hand as well.

November 3rd – Writers on the Fly, “The Tour” – 7pm to REAL Late @EWA – FREE 75 attendees maximum
Maybe our favorite event is back but in full throttle mode! We will be hosting 1 of 5 stops on the week long PNW tour with different readers in each location. Because of the popularity of this event over the past couple years and so we can get the writers some $$ for their appearance, we are charging for this event. Tickets will go on sale here shortly and will be expected to sell out. If you want on the list for this, please RSVP via email to Jason@emeraldwateranglers.com. Sponsored in part by Patagonia and Patagonia Books.

Seattle Fly Shop - Guide Service - Global Travel Outfitter