Spokane Women on the Fly spokanewomenonthefly@gmail.com www.spokanewomenonthefly.com Facebook Instagram

MONTHLY MEND

What better way than to raise money for the Spokane

River then to watch some Fly Fishing Films, bid on fly

fishing related items and possibly win some great

prizes? The films being show are different than the

ones that we saw in February. Hopefully there will be

more women in some of these films!!! Last year’s

Spokane River benefit was a huge success in raising

$7400 for Redband Trout research on the Spokane

River.

This event is to help raise funds needed to complete

a public boat slide take out at the Island's Trail Head

just below Plante's Ferry Park on the Upper Spokane

River. Most funds have been donated by the state

and other private donations; however, we still need

about $6000 to complete the project. The boat slide

will allow drift boats, rafts, and other non-motorized

boats to be winched up out of the river giving

anglers or recreational floaters to put in at Harvard

Road and take-out at the Island's Trail Head access.

Spokane River Benefit Raffle

Rick Hafele, Aquatic Entomologist, Visits Spokane

I was fortunate to join some other Spokane Fly

Fishers for a Wednesday afternoon workshop

“Hatches & Tactics for Moving Water as well as

listen to a presentation “Nymph Fishing Rivers and

Streams” by Rick Hafele.

Rick Hafele is no stranger to fly fishing. He has

over 50+ years’ experience. He’s lived in several

areas of the US, now residing in Oregon. He has a

master’s degree in Aquatic Entomology with a

minor in fisheries biology. He has co-authored or

UPCOMING SPOKANE WOMEN ON THE FLY EVENTS

March –

Friday 3/13/15 6-9pm Fly Tying Evening

Wednesday 3/25/15 6-9pm Spokane River Benefit

April –

Friday 4/3/15 6-9pm Fly Tying Evening

Monday 4/6/15 5-7pm Gear Set-Up & Casting Practice

Wednesday 4/8/15 Spokane Fly Fishers Extravaganza

Saturday 4/11/15 10am-2pm Beginner Fly Fishing Class

Sunday 4/12/15 All Day Walk & Wade

Wednesday 4/15/15 Yakima Headwaters TU Meeting

The films will be shown at the Bing Crosby Theatre on

Wednesday March 25th, 2015. Doors open at 5pm,

Films start at 7pm. You can purchase tickets at

Silverbow Fly Shop or online

http://www.showclix.com/event/3924009/tag/widget.

.

authored several books including, The Complete

Book of Western Hatches, Tactics for Trout and

Nymph Fishing Rivers and Streams.

Who would have known that a 3hr workshop on the

lifecycle of Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddis could be

so interesting? It was absolutely fantastic!!!!

I’ve based the write-ups in this month’s newsletter

around what I learned listening to Rick and the

books that I own of his.

March 2015

Volume 3, I ssue 1

Please see Details on Upcoming Events on page 6

By Heather Hodson

By Heather Hodson

Heather’s Monthly Tip… Size is the first choice when selecting a nymph to

fish. Bigger is not always better. Next is the

shape of the fly (less is more) slender sparsely

dressed nymphs. Last is color.

Page 2

Monthly Mend

If the water gets deeper or faster, move your indicator up the leader or add a split

shot. If the water gets more shallow or slower, move your indicator closer to the weight or remove a shot. The idea is to

keep your nymphs in the strike zone, on or within 4-6 inches of the bottom, at all times.

Three Rights of Nymph Fishing

This information was compiled from Rick Hafele’s

Presentation as well as Dave Hughes chapter in

Tactics for Trout book.

The Right Fly

Find yourself a core set of six to a dozen

patterns that are varied in terms of size and

color, and that cover the most common

trout food forms

Look at the nymphs that you already have,

which ones are you most confident and

have caught the most fish with?

Be sure you have patterns that cover what

trout make most of their living eating

o BWOs, PMDs, Green Drake, Green Rock

Worms, Black Midge Pupae, Stoneflies

and Aquatic Earthworms.

Have a separate lake nymph box

o Stillwater food forms are different.

o Midge Pupae, Scuds, Leeches, Water

Boatmen, Damselflies, Dragonflies and

Stillwater Mayflies.

The Right Rig

There are three most common rigs to fish nymphs.

Swing a Nymph

o Tie the Nymph to the Leader and fish

the nymph down and around on the

swing

Indicator and Shot Rig

o Tie a nymph (or two) to the end of

your tippet.

o Lead should be above the fly 6-12”.

o Indicator should be 2x the depth of

water on the leader.

o Choose your indicator based on the

minimum flotation needed to support

the weight.

Dry-Dropper Rig

o Use the dry fly as the indicator.

The Right Method

Swing Method

o Step in, cast, mend and tend the drift,

and let it hang for a moment at the

end

o Take a step downstream, cast and

fish the swing again.

Indicator and Shot Method

o Make your first cast short and almost

straight upstream.

o Lift your rod as the indicator drifts

freely towards you.

o Mend often to keep your line straight

to the indicator.

o When the line passes you, feed line

and slowly lower your rod, to keep it

drifting downstream as far as you

can.

o Make the second and subsequent

casts a foot or so outboard into the

current from the first, at the same

distance upstream.

Dry-Dropper Method

o Fish a larger dry fly as your indicator

with a smaller nymph 18-24” behind

the dry.

o Make sure to have a drag-free drift

when fishing this method.

o You may get lucky and have the fish

take the dry fly as well.

Please see News on page 5

By Heather Hodson

Page 3 Monthly Mend

The most productive way to fish for trout is sub-

surface. 80-90% of a trout’s diet is happening below.

What’s needed to Nymph?

Leader (most common 9ft)

Tippet (mono and fluoro)

Strike Indicator

Weight (split shot)

Flies

Steps to

1. Attach the leader to the floating fly line

a. Loop-to-Loop Connection is fast

2. Attach the weight above a double surgery

(tippet) knot about 1ft above where the first fly

will be tied

a. If you’re using a new leader then cut

1.5ft off the leader and tie back on with

a double surgeon (tippet) knot

3. Tie the fly (clinch knot) to the end of your leader

4. Attach the strike indicator according to the

depth of water that you are fishing

5. If you are fishing a double nymph rig then tie a

piece of tippet about 12-18” to the end of the

fist flies hook (clinch knot)

a. Fluorocarbon tippet is a great option

for your bottom rig. The fish are less

likely to see it and it sinks fast.

6. Tie the second fly to the end of the tippet with

a clinch knot.

Note: The leader size or lb test is dependent on what

type of fish you are fishing for. Trout is 4-8lb test and

Salmon/Steelhead is 12-15lb test. Tippet size is base

on water conditions and fly sizes you are fishing.

Nymph Fishing No-No’s

By Heather Hodson

Rick Hafele had some creative ways to explain Five

Things to Avoid when Nymph Fishing.

1. Rootitis

a. If you find yourself parked in one spot

fishing nymphs for twenty minutes

without getting a strike, you suffer from

rootitis.

b. Move on after 8-10 good casts.

2. Gigantism

a. Smaller and smaller is the rule, not the

exception.

b. Compare one of your nymph patterns to

the most abundant naturals to ensure

you are fishing the correct size nymph.

3. Showitis aka “Long-Castitis”

a. Shorter casts make it easier to see a

strike to your indicator.

b. Cast 15 feet or less, ideally less than 10

feet.

4. Lack-A-Sinkus

a. If your nymph isn’t hanging up on the

bottom or bumping it at least once

every five or six casts, you are not

fishing deep enough and need to add

more weight to your leader.

5. Change Patterns

a. If you haven’t had any success after an

hour, it’s time to change flies.

b. Put your rod down and spend 20-30

minutes picking up rocks in a riffle and

see what nymphs are crawling around.

By Heather Hodson

How to Set-Up a Nymph Rig

Page 4

Monthly Mend

March Browns Rhithrogena Morrisoni - As water temps start to consistently reach 42 degrees

you’ll start to see an increase in bug activity. March Brown hatches usually start in February through early

April. Fishing with nymph’s mid-morning can be very productive before the dun hatches in the early

afternoon and spinner falls late in the evening. This hatch can be short-lived; sometimes lasting 45

minutes and others last up to a few hours.

How to identify a March Brown? If the fly has wings that post straight up like a sailboat, it’s likely a

mayfly. Also, pay attention to how the trout are feeding (rising). If the take is more of an easy slurp versus

an aggressive rise, the trout are probably feeding on Mayflies.

Lifecycle of a March Brown – March Browns go through 4 stages, Nymph, Emerger, Dun and Spinner.

Mayflies have a short-lived lifecycle usually lasting from two-hours to three days.

Presentation – Fish your nymphs where the current changes speed, just below the riffles. Your flies will be

most effective at a perfect dead drift. Cast them slightly upstream and mend a little slack into you

presentation. Emergers - Try tying a March Brown Soft Hackle with a nymph 12-18’ below. Swing the soft

hackle emerger in the riffles and back eddies. The dry fly should be fished at a dead drift near the riffles

and slower water. Fish the spinner stage in the slower riffles and back eddies.

March Brown Nymph (clinger group of Mayflies) – March brown nymphs live in riffles and fast, rocky runs.

As the nymphs near maturity, they migrate to slower (but not slow) water, usually within a hundred yards

above or below a riffle.

March Brown Nymph Patters – March Brown Nymph, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, A.P. Black Nymph

Size/Colors – #10-16, Dark Brown, Black

March Brown Emerger – March Browns tend to emerge mid day. Duns emerge on stream bottoms, mid

water or in the surface film.

MARCH BROWN Emerger Patterns – Soft Hackle, Quigley Cripple

Size/Colors – #10-16 Brown, Dark Brown, Gray and Black

MARCH BROWN Dun/Adult – The Dun rides the water surface with little to no movement in the upright

position while their wings dry before taking flight.

MARCH BROWN Dun Patterns – Comparadun, Sparkle Dun, Parachute Hares Ear

Size/Colors - #12-18 Brown, Dark Brown, Brown Wing

March Brown Spinner – In the West, there is limited significant spinner falls or spinner fishing

opportunities.

West Fly Fishing - http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/entomology/mayfly/march-brown.shtml

Fly Fish USA - http://www.flyfishusa.com/flies/march-brown-w.html

What’s Hatching...

Page 5 Monthly Mend

Where can I fish in March?

This winter the rivers are a good option earlier

than prior years. Here are a few fishing options in

March. Check out Silverbow’s Fishing Report for

the updated information.

http://www.silverbowflyshop.com/fishingreports

1. Area Lakes

It’s that time when the lakes in our area are

starting to open up.

Amber Lake

CoffeePot Lake

Fourth of July Lake

Hog Canyon Lake

Check out the WDFD file for fishing rules

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01590/w

dfw01590.pdf

2. Clark Fork (near St Regis)

Travel time is 2.5hrs.

The Clark Fork can be a great spring fishery.

Being the largest river in Montana by

volume, it can be a little intimidating to

walk and wade.

Head hunting can be a great option.

Bring an assortment of dry flies and

nymphs.

3. North Fork of the CDA River (Kingston ID)

Search for the slowest currents possible.

Streamers on a sink-tip or double nymph

rigs with split shot and an indicator are your

best bet.

By Heather Hodson

Spokane River Benefit Raffle -

Let’s all come together and raise some money for the Spokane River. Silverbow is hosting a Spokane River

Benefit at the Bing Theatre on Wednesday 3/25, doors open at 5pm. You can purchase tickets at Silverbow or

online.

Silverbow Women’s Beginner Fly Fishing Classes -

The April Class is SOLD OUT, May if filling up quickly. I’m going to try to add a couple more classes due to the

increase in demand. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entomology and we finish

the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice. At only $30, the class fills up fast. Call Silverbow 509-924-

9998, and get yourself enrolled soon. The scheduled classes are on 4/11/15, 5/30/15, 7/12/15 and 9/19/15.

Yakima Headwaters Trout Unlimited Meeting April 15th, 2015 in Roslyn Washington

A new Trout Unlimited chapter has been started in Central Washington. Derek Young, 2011 Orvis-Endorsed

Guide of the Year, has started the Yakima Headwaters Trout Unlimited Chapter. I was sought out by Derek and

asked to be a guest speaker at the April Meeting. I’ll be talking about Spokane Women on the Fly, Who and

What We Are, Conservation Work in the Future and How to get more women involved in the sport of Fly Fishing.

If you’re bored or want to take a road trip to the Roslyn area, stop by for the meeting.

Spokane Fly Fishers Extravaganza – Spokane Women on the Fly Table

We’ve been asked to be a part of the Spokane Fly Fishers annual Extravaganza. Representatives from

Washington and Idaho Fish and Game, the Forest Service, Outfitters, Shops, Demonstration Fly Tiers and the

Federation of Fly Fishers will also be there. Mark your calendars for Wednesday 4/8/15.

News

Page 6

Monthly Mend

Upcoming Event Details

March – Tuesday 3/3/15 6-8:30pm Trout Unlimited Meeting Longhorn BBQ (Valley Location) Social Hour 6-7pm, Meeting Starts at 7pm, Reardon High FFA students will speak about the Bristol Bay/Pebble Mine controversay

Friday 3/6/15 5-9pm Brewfest sponsored by the Backcountry Hunter & Anglers Join several breweries in the Skyline Ballroom at the Red Lion Hotel downtown Spokane. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php/rendezvous-general

Saturday 3/7/15 6-9pm Backcountry Hunter & Anglers 2015 Rendezvous The premiere North American gathering of backcountry sportsmen and women as we come together for good conversation, informative seminars, and great giveaways. Heather Hodson has been asked to be a guest speaker for the popular “Women in Hunting & Fishing” seminar and SWOTF will have a vendor table. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php/rendezvous-general

Friday 3/13/15 6-9pm Fly Tying Evening Heather’s House Lakes are starting to slowly open up for the fishing season so what better way to celebrate than to tie Zebra Midges. This fly can very productive both in lakes and rivers. The fly is small and we can have fun with tying different color combos. We’re limited to 10 due to space and to ensure that everyone gets some personal time. This event is already full, please let me know if want to be be notified of cancelations. All levels welcome. $10 for materials to tie as many as you can. A materials list will also be sent.

Wednesday 3/25/15 6-9pm International Fly Fishing Film Festival Bing Theatre Silverbow Fly Shop and the Spokane Falls Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding their 2

nd Annual Spokane River

benefit IF4 fund raiser.

April – Friday 4/3/15 6-9pm – Fly Tying Evening Heather’s House It’s the monthly tying event, we’ll be tying Hare’s Ears. Get ready for some dubbing practice! =)

Monday 4/6/15 5-6:30pm Gear Set-Up and Casting Practice Audubon Park How do you become a better fly caster? You practice! This will be the 1

st of two casting outings for the spring.

Whether you have years of experience or have never picked up a fly rod, join us. Bring your gear if you have it and if not I'll have extra rods to practice with.

Tuesday 4/7/15 6-8:30pm Trout Unlimited Meeting Longhorn BBQ (Valley Location) Social Hour 6-7pm, Meeting Starts at 7pm, Avista Spokane River Redband Presentation

Wednesday 4/8/15 6-9 Spokane Fly Fishers Extravaganza St. Francis School Spokane Fly Fishers holds their annual Extravaganza during the April meeting every year. Representatives from Washington and Idaho Fish and Game, The Forest Service, Outfitters, Shops, Demonstration Fly Tiers and the Federation of Fly Fishers will all be there. Come represent Spokane Women on the Fly, meet others in the Fly Fishing community and learn more about the opportunites in our area.

Saturday 4/11/15 10am-2pm – Beginner Women’s Fly Fishing Class Silverbow Fly Shop 1st of Four Women’s classes offered this year at Silverbow Fly Shop. The class discusses gear, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice. SOLD OUT

Sunday 4/12/15 8am-6pm Fishing Outing We’ll see what is fishing best during this time. Could be a Lake or River.

Wednesday 4/15/15 7pm – 8:30pm Yakima River Headwaters TU Meeting The Brick Saloon, Roslyn WA Heather Hodson has been invited as the guest speaker to present on Spokane Women on the Fly.

Spokane Women on the Fly Brag Page Cold Temperatures Don’t Stop the Ladies from Getting some River Therapy

Heather’s First Steelhead on the Spey Rod

Rocky Ford Creek February Outing

Peg’s First Rocky Ford Rainbow

Lori getting the Fundamentals of Casting Down

February Stone Fly Nymph Fly Tying Event

Katie and Rebecca Sporting their SWOTF Trucker Hats