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Riverboxes | Fly Fishing Tips

As Dave Hughes said in Handbook of Hatches,  “Everything you need to know about an insect in order to match it, and to fish its imitation with the proper presentation, you can learn by holding the insect in your hand and observing it closely”

Look for hatching insects in the air, on riparian vegetation (e.g. stoneflies), or on the water surface.  Try to identify them or at least determine their approximate size and color when selecting flies.

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Pinched by CA Fish & Game

I was fishing in a catch and release river with a good friend, a true sportsman, and fly fisherman last year when a CA Fish & Game warden appeared and asked to inspect my friend’s hook.  In California, only barbless hooks are allowed in catch and release areas.  But I was not worried, as I had seen him pinch the barb on his hook when he tied on the fly.  But then the warden pulled out a cotton swab.  Really?  We need a cotton swab to see whether a barb has been pinched?  Really? 

Of course, it was perfectly clear by looking at my friend’s hook, the barb was pinched.  But a small berm of metal, which is perfectly normal when pinching barbs, apparently picked up a small strand of cotton and a citation was issued.  Now, this might seem like a small part of what CA Fish & Game does, but at the same time, it sure has the appearance that our wardens have become pick-pockets for the State and the Department.  That small strand of cotton remaining on my friend's hook carried a $500 fine.

So what is CA Fish & Game’s definition of a barbless hook?   And where is that regulation clearly defined?   Is it sound policy to check compliance with a cotton swab?   Or is it that fly fishermen create a much easier revenue source for the Department than, say, abalone poachers?

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Yellow Humpy

The Yellow Humpy is one of the all time go-to favorites for Western US rivers.  The Humpy is also tied in off shades of yellow, tan, red, lime, and even black.  It is a buoyant attractor pattern that will float well in almost all water conditions.  Although it isn’t used to imitate any particular fly, it definitely  catches fish.  Use it as a starter when there is no apparent hatch occurring.  In larger sizes the Humpy can be used to tow a dropper and in smaller sizes, along the edge of streams in faster current you will see trout coming up to this fly.   I’m sure I have caught more trout on the Yellow Humpy than any other fly.

Get a Riverbox for your favorite river and you will catch fish!

Yellow Stimulator

Designed to imitate a Stone Fly, Salmon Fly, Hopper, or in smaller sizes the Caddis Fly,  you always want to start with the Yellow Stimulator when the big bugs are hatching.   Stimulators are also tied in Black, Green, Orange, and in variants, like the Royal.  It’s ability as an attractor pattern is always worth several casts.  Due to the immense amount of hackle, this fly floats extremely well and is a killer pattern when you skitter it across the surface during a big bug hatch.  It also has enough weight to hold a fairly heavy dropper.    Some will trim the hackle off the bottom of this fly so it will ride lower in the water like a natural would.  This small change can have an amazing effect of the number of strikes you will get. 

Get a Riverbox for your favorite river and you will catch fish!

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Riverboxes | Fly Fishing Tips

Last year on the Truckee, I raced to a spot where I have landed many fish. The ‘hot’ spot was across the river some 15 yds. from my side of the bank. The conditions required that I wade out about half way to reach my first casting zone. So, like some Cape Buffalo, I splashed into the water with a vigorous stride to make my mark. But as I entered the river, a large boulder to my left cast a sub marine shadow which suddenly exploded with 5-6 trout, the largest over 20”, totally spooked, and scattering for their lives!! I might as well have thrown a 55 gallon drum in the river before I began fishing. BTW, not a single take on the other side of the river….my favorite ‘hot’ spot.

HAVE A PLAN. Read the water in the stream or river you are about to fish. Take notice of cover or sheltered areas where fish might lie. Determine your approach before making the first cast.

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Fly Formally Known As Prince

Riverboxes has just added a highly effective nymph to most Western US Riverboxes. Kevin Hurley, one of Colorado’s premier river guides, says that for many US Western rivers, the Fly Formally Known As Prince is a “must” pattern. Use a size 16 as your bottom nymph in a double dropper set up, or in a size 12 or 14 under a stimulator. Get a Riverbox for your favorite river and you will catch fish!

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