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Fly Anglers and their Dogs

August 22, 2010 by Dave McCoy

Marty Sheppard with his old pal Wrangle on the John Day.

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.”

RA Beattie with Hucho on the Hoh River.


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.

Dylan Rose of Skate the Fly and Fisher after licking the dolly!

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!

Pat Jenkins of Recycled Waders and Macey with some winter chrome on the Skagit.


Check out Anglers Tonic for more details.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Anglers Tonic, dogs, Dylan Rose, Emerald Water Anglers, Greg Thomas, Hoh River, John Day River, Marty Sheppard, pals, Pat Jenkins, RA Beattie, recycled waders, Seattle, Skate the Fly, Washington

1st Annual Bug Launcher – successful!

August 3, 2010 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.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Bug Launcher Casting Competition, Caddis Fly Angling Shop, Emerald Water Anglers, Emeraldwateranglers, fly casting, Mike McCoy, Native Fish Society, North Umpqua River, Oregon, recycled waders, targets, Temple Fork Outfitters

A river in Alaska that is not a salmon trip!

August 1, 2010 by Pat Jenkins


Landed in Fairbanks on the 16th of July, drank beer and packed gear into dry bags, rod tubes, action packers, etc. Busted out of dodge the 17th NE of Fairbanks towards Circle, AK to put the FV Pike into the Yukon River and head downstream towards the Porcupine River. 3 guys, 1 Labrador and gear stuffed into an 18ft John boat (see picture). Got blown off the river after 2 hours of wind & chop, set up camp and waited til morning.

Made it to the Pork and began fishing as far as 50 river miles up the Pork for 2 nights – pike were not where we expected but present in large pods.

Drank through 1.5 cases of beer (all the cooler could hold with food & ice) Motored back down to Fort Yukon where we paid $6/gal gasoline and $3/20oz Gatorade (liquor store was closed until 5pm) – headed to the Christian River without beer or ice! Came out after fishing the Christian River and set up camp on the Yukon (see sunset picture). Next day headed downstream towards some other Clearwater sloughs/creeks. All the pike were concentrated at the mouth or within the first ¼ mile of the mouth. Fished the tribs for 4 more nights. Using mostly Puglisi style flies, some poppers/sliders/gurglers; bonfires nightly; lived on 2 boxes of wine & 2 fifths of JD + s’mores. Saw great horned owls, gray owls, eagles, loons, wolf tracks, 1 lousy moose, 0 caribou, 1 black bear, lots of griz tracks, 1 fox, kingfishers, sandhill cranes, etc, etc, etc.

Caught sheefish – only carnivorous species of whitefish – at creek mouths too. Had to use 300gr sink tip with Puglisi or large clouser. Supposedly they are the tarpon of the north, but other than their looks the come right to the top and roll over is nothing like I imagine a tarpon of the south to be!

Came away with no cuts from pike teeth, no giardia from drinking filtered creek/slough water, 1 broken 6wt on a small 20” pike, and a few good fish pictures.

Cheers

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Alaska, Emerald Water Anglers, pike, recycled waders, sheefish

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