Search results

I used J Stockard hooks, in the past. They are quite good value. That said, I feel like high quality hooks are worth spending money on. I have very little time for fishing and even less time for tying flies, so a failed hook isn’t worth the hassle.

My hope for 2024 is to go fishing at least once. 🙃

Danielsson make good reels. They are largely designed for Scandinavian "sea trout" fishing, which is basically the same thing as anything you'll do around Puget Sound.

T&T and Diamondback make some "6wt" euro rods, for steelhead. I believe they have the butt of a 7-8wt, with a very soft tip.

A 10-11ft 4wt will do what you want, at the expense of tight line nymphing with lighter flies. A moderately heavy #14 will probably be the lightest single fly rig that you will be able to cast, with any kind of accuracy. A 3wt gets you into #18. That said, I've taken my 10ft 3wt to the Yak...

I wade, usually clumsily, to within 15ft of fish and catch them with my euro pole. Fly line noise is absolutely not a concern.

If you have never used a textured line before, I think you should try it. They are quite fun. As others have mentioned, the original shark skin lines sucked, but SA learned that lesson many years ago.

Wooly Bugger Hare’s Ear Walt’s Worm Pat’s Stonefly Mop Fly I would have each one in at least 3 different hook sizes. Eg. #10, #6 and #2, for the wooly bugger. For each hook size, I would have at least 3 different weights. Eg. 4.6mm, 3.8mm and 3.3mm, for the wooly bugger. For each combination, I...

I used an Echo Carbon XL 6wt and it worked well. I would probably prefer that, over an Ion XL, for the weight. You could also use an unconventional line, on your 5wt. Something like a Wulff Ambush Short would be good. A guy from OPST used to use a 10ft 3wt, for SRC.

Search Google for the papers below. They should be helpful. Movement Patterns of Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) in South Puget Sound, Washington 2006-2007. Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) Diet In South Puget Sound, Washington 1999 – 2002.

I don’t know anything about videography, but this guy does… https://youtube.com/@cameraconspiracies He mostly just bitches about gear, though. Funny guy. Subbed.

Trout are far less selective than many experts would have you believe. The problem is that many people don’t meet the trout on the trout’s terms; they often fish they way they want and expect the trout to play along. If that is how you approach fishing, you’re going to need the perfect fly or...

Any of the flagship fluorocarbon lines from Rio, SA, Umpqua or Cortland will be fine. I use Rio Fluoroflex Strong, personally.

If a 6wt is wearing you out, I’m not sure a 5wt is going to make much difference. I suggest trying a different line, first. A Wulff Ambush Short or an integrated Skagit line would offer considerable efficiency benefits. There’s no free lunch, though; they do not land gracefully, so be prepared...

It’s not uncommon to find 9ft rods that have butt diameters that are effectively at least one line weight larger/stronger. My old 8wt Redington Predator was an example of this. In my experience, all 10ft+ rods have butt diameters that are 1-2 line weights heavier. If they didn’t, they would be...

I hope to visit Oregon, next summer. I plan to target bulls and will use a 10ft 5wt. The butt section should be roughly equivalent to a 9ft 7wt. I have never caught a bull trout though, so I have no idea what I’m talking about. My input on this matter is probably useless, as usual.

Does anyone use one of those gooseneck magnifying glasses? If so, how has your experience been and what diameter/magnification has worked well?

Recently, I keep hearing people say that black bears are more dangerous than grizzlies. “If a grizzly attacks you, you’re in its way. If a black bear attacks you, you’re in its stomach.” I’ve inferred that black bears are less likely to attack you, but you’re screwed if they do. Is that how it...