Cold Weather Gear for Steelhead Fishing The recent drop in temperatures has us fishing everyday in very cold temperatures. That’s the life of a fly fishing guide. We fish in all kinds of weather. Yesterday when we got in the boat it was 17 degrees, clear, and no wind. Cold indeed. Last year […]
Entries by Chuck Hawkins
King Salmon on Streamers
King Salmon, Caught on Streamers For years most people believed that salmon could not be caught after they entered the rivers on anything but dead drift methods. When dead drifting using indicator rigs or chucking and ducking sometimes you get bit another times you are lining or flossing the fish. While fun to fight such […]
Hurricane Dorian Has Delivered a Devastating Blow to Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands in the Bahamas These two islands have been virtually destroyed by the hurricane with large loss of property and life. Below are a couple of links where you can donate to help rescue and rebuild these two beautiful places. Please lend a […]
River Temperature
River Temperature and Trout, They Can Be In Danger Hopefully most anglers realize that when water temperatures get too warm in our trout streams it is best to leave the fish alone. The reason is that warmer water holds less oxygen and therefore stresses trout. When you add in being hooked and fought by an […]
Hexagenia Limbata
The Hex Hatch The most highly anticipated may fly hatch in Michigan is the hex hatch. These big mayflies bring the largest fish in the river up to the surface to feed. Hexagenia Limbata is a floating filet mignon to a trout. Therefore the Hex Hatch, whether duns or spinners probably produces more large trout […]
Reach Cast
The Reach Cast We are going into prime dry fly season right now. The third most important thing in your arsenal behind being able to cast accurately and picking the correct fly is the ability to execute an accurate reach cast. A reach cast is an in the air mend and, once perfected, will give […]
Tying Knots in Low Light
Tying knots in low light Like many of you as I’ve aged, knots are more difficult to tie as the sun goes down. These old eyes aren’t what the used to be. Through the years, out of necessity, I’ve discovered a few tricks to make tying knots in low light easier. I’ll share some of […]
Early Season Trout Fishing
Early Season Trout Fishing When winter breaks and water temperatures start to warm it’s time to consider early season trout fishing. Many anglers would ask, why? They are steelhead in our rivers that will probably bite better than resident brown and brook trout. The reason is that if you are a big trout hunter early […]
Drakes, Iysonychia, and Hex Patterns
New Drakes, Iysonychia, and Hex Patterns I am excited to announce a new partnership with Montana Fly Company and myself. I have recently released several new dry fly patterns from my arsenal. They are now available through Montana Fly Company this year. It’s been a while since I have put anything new out there. The […]
3 Fly Lines for Spring Fishing
3 Lines for Spring Fishing One of the most important parts of your fly fishing gear is the fly line. Having the correct fly line for spring fishing conditions is not only important to catching fish, but can relieve some of the hassle. We are blessed and cursed to have fly line manufactures developing so […]