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  1. Mike Cline

    Why in the world does WA still have paper-only fishing licenses?

    In Montana, we definitely have digital licenses to include YNP permits (Yellowstone is essentially Montana regardless of state borders). But it can have its drawbacks. A curling buddy of mine is a die hard hunter and several years ago when he was still a Montana Highway Patrolman, he got cited...
  2. Mike Cline

    Firehole Direct to Consumer is back``

    https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/3911/149894803055707696
  3. Mike Cline

    What's in your vise?

    It is a “it depends” answer. I fish almost exclusively with unweighted flies (as these are) on long sink tips and short (3’-4’) OX tippet in moving water. With a slow retrieve or steady swing in current, these flies generally track straight, albeit deep on the stout tippet. However, the heads...
  4. Mike Cline

    What's in your vise?

    It might be but I got it off an EBAY seller that appears to offer more colors that you find on the FTD site.
  5. Mike Cline

    What's in your vise?

    A month or so ago I stumbled on a flash material marketed as "Crystal Hair". It was unbranded and looked like it was suitable for some saltwater flats flies I was working on. It is super translucent, compresses nicely, takes markers and UV resin very well. Comes in a nice variety of colors. I...
  6. Mike Cline

    Annual fly box purge

    I love to tie flies and like most of the posts here, I tie way more than I’ll ever use on the water. About 5-6 years back I began a concerted effort to tie and donate flies in fly boxes to my local TU chapter and any FFI shows I attend. Any group that does routine raffles to generate funds...
  7. Mike Cline

    Tarpon Northern Yucatan

    Checkout: https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/collections/fly-fishing-mexico
  8. Mike Cline

    This ought to slow things up on busy days

    I did a quick perusal of the 2025 MT FWP regs and there’s only three rivers that have float outfitting or non-resident float fishing restrictions—Beaverhead, Big Hole and Bitterroot. The surveys are really a reaction by the state to placate the outfitting community who doesn’t want to see any...
  9. Mike Cline

    This ought to slow things up on busy days

    Montana House preliminarily approves ‘River census’ study bill https://www.kbzk.com/news/montana-politics/montana-house-preliminarily-approves-river-census-study-bill
  10. Mike Cline

    Two early 2025 events to consider:

    I’ll be there as well - table 55 for the afternoon session on Friday. Please stop by if you are there.
  11. Mike Cline

    What's in your vise?

    The Elk Hair Caddis and X Caddis patterns are usually some of the first to tie on when I hit the water in the Spring. This season I will be doing the same but with Parachute versions. The following flies are tied as parachutes but mimic both the EHC style (ribbed body) and X-Caddis style...
  12. Mike Cline

    What's in your vise?

    Every late Spring or early Summer on a local river, I encounter the occasional Yellow Sally or Little Yellow Stonefly. There aren't many of them, they aren't prolific, but their bright yellow-green coloration as they flutter above the river is unmistakable. So, this winter, I thought I'd try...
  13. Mike Cline

    Alternative Parachute Technique - SBS

    I am probably not as sophisticated about hackle selection as is @Silvercreek. I have a lot of saddle fragments, a lot of Collins neck/saddle combos and a lot of unbranded hackle. Whatever I use, the flies seem to work fine. Over the years I’ve probably accumulated three to four times the amount...
  14. Mike Cline

    Alternative Parachute Technique - SBS

    @Silvercreek Actually I tie both ways, and agree with the Borger treatment. If I was writing the SBS today, it would incorporate a lot of experience I’ve been through with parachutes over the last couple of years. Always learning.
  15. Mike Cline

    Alternative Parachute Technique - SBS

    I think the operative technique here is to NOT trap hackle fibers when the feather is attached to the post. When the hackle stem is first wrapped it should be clear of hackle fibers. Whether that’s done by stripping one side of the hackle or not. If the hackle fibers are trapped by the first...
  16. Mike Cline

    NFR 2025 Gardening Growing Thread

    The way things are going here in Bozeman, am considering planting some frozen pea for Spring.
  17. Mike Cline

    East Idaho Fly Tying Expo - February 14-15, Idaho Falls

    The show will be held at the Mountain America Center and there’s free admission. I’ll be tying (table 12) Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. If you are visiting the show, stop by and say hi. I’ll be demonstrating the Shrimpadillo/Spoon fly patterns of Sightcastfishing.com on Friday and...
  18. Mike Cline

    Alternative Parachute Technique - SBS

    Over the last few months, I've been tying 100s of parachute patterns in preparation for a couple of upcoming fly-tying shows. Needless to say, practice has a way of improving things. Here's a couple additional tips for my alternative parachute technique. Post material: In addition to the post...
  19. Mike Cline

    NFR 2025 Gardening Growing Thread

    A bit early here. By mid-April things will loosen up. Onion sets ordered and will arrive in April. 2025 seed selection arrived and ready for the spring/summer season. Got to be patient.
  20. Mike Cline

    Seeking Hawaii advice

    We spent a week on the Big Island of Hawaii — Kona Coast — in a B&B several years back. Having been to Oahu many times we found the Big Island to be a much better choice for an authentic Hawaii trip. The weather on the Kona coast is fantastic and you have a much bigger place to explore from...
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