Flies – Fly Fishing Authority

Ripping Streamers Part III: Sinking Lines

Justin Flies, Gear, Technique, Trout November 14, 2016

What’s up, anglers?

I’m writing you after several recent and AWESOME days on the stream here in Colorado. The weather has been incredible, and the trout are HUNGRY. I can’t remember ever catching fish all day on a double dry fly rig in November. It’s been insane, and I’m loving it!

But dry fly action isn’t what’s on my mind right now… It’s streamer fishing.

The seasons are changing. The time changed last weekend and winter is upon us. Fishing sub surface will be the ticket to landing tailwater trout for most of us until spring. read more

Ripping Streamers Part II: Getting Started

Justin Flies, Technique, Trout November 1, 2016

In the first part of the “Ripping Streamers” series, I dropped some knowledge on why you should give streamer fishing a try. And I know you’re getting excited to add this technique to your arsenal of tricks.

Let’s get down to business of the “how” part of streamer fishing. I’ll start with what makes a streamer a “streamer”, then get into what they mimic in nature. Finally I’ll cover general guidelines to get you started.

So what makes a streamer a streamer? A streamer is any kind of fly that is weighted, either with a bead head, cone head, or weight tied in the body, that sinks below the surface, and which is retrieved with a twitch to represent a small bait fish or leech that is swimming in the water. The key here is that it sinks, and often has feathers or some kind of fur or sparkles which when floating through the current moves and makes the pattern look more realistic. read more

Ten Must Have Dry Flies

Justin Flies, Gear, Nature July 1, 2016July 1, 2016

As I drive through Boulder, I slow down as I approach the bridge over Boulder Creek. We’re finally tapering off from peak runoff. I last fished Boulder Creek two weeks ago, and the flow was about 650 CFS, which by my standards is pretty raging. The fishing is tough at the higher flows, but I still did manage to net a few.

And I’m not bummed about the runoff. Not in the least.

Why? Because it’s almost dry fly season!

There’s an age old debate in the fly fishing community about what style is most productive. Should I nymph? Should I dry fly? Maybe a dry-dropper setup? A slut rig? read more