Big R Fly Shop

For those of you that are addicted to online magazines and articles about fishing in the Pacific Northwest, check out Big R's December issue. You will find these bimonthly periodically brought to you by guys in the know. This edition covers Steelhead and Sturgeon Camp, Idaho Steelhead and a featured story on Detonation Studio's own Ian Majszak.

You also might want to check out their back issues when you are at it. There is a lot of content and eye candy to enjoy. Click the mag to check it out.

Summer Vs. Winter Steelhead

A recent article in The Columbian sheds light on the differences between Winter and Summer Steelhead. It's a good read for those who question the differences. Here in Southwest Washington, we are blessed with both variations.

A Steelhead Biology Lession

Conservation: Consciousness Runs Deep

Soul River challenges traditional media by embracing the unconventional with their production of Conservation - Consciousness Runs Deep. Created and written by creative director Chad Brown, Conservation captures modern urban mythology with the message of consciousness and awareness of responsibility we have as urban dwellers and environmental protectors.

This short film mixes art, mythology, music, and poetry to provide a fresh perspective through the personal lens of environmental justice and the outdoors inspired by the sport fly fishing. In this film, a young man goes through his life in the city and morphs with his consciousness by the guidance of a Naiad. Conservation provides a breath of fresh air from a young, urban, and hip approach and inspires our consciousness to run deep and become ambassadors of the outdoors.

Check out Soul River. 

Sitting on Water: A Season on the Koeye River

My good friend Will Atlas reached out to me recently regarding an amazing project he is working on with the Heilsuk Nation community in Bella Bella, British Columbia. Over the last two years he has been working with a non-profit organization to develop a salmon monitoring program that supports sustainable food fisheries.This last year this has included a traditional fishing weir on the Koeye River where salmon can be tagged and enumerated on their journey upstream to their lake and spawning tributaries.This is providing valuable and reliable estimates of sockeye returning to the Koeye Watershed.

Currently, a fundraiser has been initiated to aid in the efforts of publicizing the Heilsuk Nation's work on film and the important impacts it can have both in the Koeye Watershed, but also applied to other systems in the future. The project fundraiser promoting this study is attempting to raise 5k goal to assist in paying for this 10-15 minute documentary.

Please taken a moment in checking out their good work and research. You can find out more information via Sitting on Water: A Season on the Koeye.

Making it Yours

Hardy St.John

For years I have been looking for that perfect reel that I could both fish and admire. Sure there are a lot of classic reels out there and even new modern reels designed in a classic format that I could have chosen, but the price was almost never right, especially since I have way too many fly rods and combinations that change at different times of year.

One of the reels that I fell in love with and have owned several over the years is a Hardy St.John. This is a 3 7/8 diameter reel, perfect for both single hand work and switch/summer steelhead applications. A simple Click and Pawl reel and for those who like the added weight, the Mark I with the brass reel seat classes it up a bit. The only problem with this model, is finding one without blemishes.

Blemishes on a used reel are fine, but for me I did not earn them, so I always had difficulty fishing someone else's reel. It came to me after seeing a friend polish up a reel, that I not only could do the same, but in a way, make it mine.

So after finding that good deal I went to work on my first reel. I did not intend to over do it, but in the end I finished when it just felt right. A little Polish, cotton splotches, tooth brush, Q-tips and a little imagination ended up removing a lot of lead finish on this reel.

In fact at this point,it has been several reels and I cannot stop looking for more. The things that I found on the reels worked on, especially those that have seen a lot of water time, is that some of the blemishes and corrosion damage seen on the outside cannot be fixed once you get down to the metal. At least not without professional equipment. You may also find imperfections in the metal when you are done. However they do contain character and the reel will not remain perfect after being fished anyway.

For those of you that collect reels for the value, this is probably not for you. But for those who actually want to fish one and not feellike you need to baby it,  this is a great option. 

The Adipose Vol 12, Issue 11

Photo Courtesy of The Adipose

Check out The Wild Steelhead Coalition's Adipose Newsletter. Topics in this edition include what is going on with Dean River Steelhead, Skagit Initiative and the latest on hatchery reform.

The Adipose

Alaska: The Nutrient Cycle

Sad Day for Oregon Fly Fishing

Rich and I back in 2004.

I received sad news the other day when I heard that Creekside Fly Fishing in Salem, Oregon is closing their doors. Rich Younger whom I have known for many years will be closing his doors at the end of the month after operating his shop for sixteen years. Rich will continue to be a mentor fly fishers throughout the Northwest and will continue his guide service, single hand casting lessons and book fly fishing gatherings at private lakes. As one of the premier fly tiers in the Pacific Northwest, I also hope that Rich continues to offer fly tying classes and help those who want to learn how to tie classic Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead flies. 

Creekside currently has some great deals going on right now and his doors will be open through November 30th. Please stop by and thank Rich and Kathy Youngers for everything they have done for our small community of fly fishers. Creekside will be missed.

 Creekside Fly Fishing

Skagit Into the Wild

Vision playing with Skagit Heads in Northern Sweden for Atlantic Salmon.

Reverence "The Wild Steelhead's Last Stand"

Filmmaker Shane Anderson of North Fork Studios is working on a project highlighting the history of wild steelhead in America. His travels take him from Southern California to the Olympic Peninsula, documenting the plight of wild steelhead and the resilience they have overcome despite us. Through his journey, Shane walks us through the path of history that has led us to what we once had and what we now find left.

This project is now becoming closer to reality and Shane is asking those who understand the value of this precious resources help. You can find his project on Kickstart.

Walmart Parking for Fishing Trips

So we all have meeting places where we meet the boys to go fishing. Sometimes it's just more convenient to leave the truck somewhere between homes. The problem is you got to make sure your car is safe and either in a public place where it won't get towed, or stowed away out of sight all together. But just like the Motiv guys learned in Mexico, Walmart is not the safest place to do so.

One also might make sure to park between the lines. The other day one of the boys who will remain nameless, accidentally took up two spots in a Walmart parking lot. Not the best idea to say the least with an interesting customer base. Here is a bit of humor for the day.

You got to love the spelling. 

Apparently when one of the guys got to the car, someone was found letting the air out of one of the tires. Park between the lines guys! At least in the end, it was more humorous than anything else.

Hooke' Leaf River

This brought a smile to my face. Great video work and a beautiful setting. I have always wanted to do a Northeast Atlantic Salmon, Lake and Brook Trout trip. One of these days............

Two Hander Day on the Klickitat

Come join Jack Mitchell, Trey Combs, myself and the boys for an instructional day on the Klickitat this Saturday, September, 7th. This is a free gathering for those who want to learn how to spey cast, cast farther or learn how to fish the fly more effectively. Read more via the Evening Hatch.

Special guests include the Legend Trey Combs, Todd Moen from Catch Magazine, Eric Neufeld from Simms, Echo and Airflo,  Garry Sandstrom from Hardy Reels and Burkheimer rods, Brian Chou FFF casting instructor, Jeff Cottrell Lodge Manager and world angler, with Ben Dow and myself assisting in casting instruction. It should be a lot of fun!

Bucket list opportunity? Atlantic Salmon!

Has anyone else out there wanted to see what fishing for those East Coast Atlantic Salmon would be like? I know I have. Ever wonder if there are any parallels between the techniques we've learned swinging flies for Steelhead and those used for Atlantics? Well, if you have a desire and would like to see what its all about and join one of our own (Brian Chou, in partnership with Thomas & Thomas) for a 5 night, 4 day Spey clinic  from 9/22-9/27, on the Gaspe Peninsula at Camp Brule, located on the Petite Cascapedia, there are currently 2 spots left. Please contact Kevin, the lodge owner, for rates/availability and any questions. He can be reached at Kevin@CampBrule.com .

Here is the current fishing report from the past week up at the Brule. 

Tongass 2013, Capital Style

My daughter Lillian with her first salmon. Photo: Jennifer Palmer

It’s an amazing thing, life, learning, and showing those most important to you the little things that you have experienced in the outdoors. This year I was blessed with an invitation for my family to spend some quality time in Juneau, Alaska. Not exactly a fishing vacation I have been accustomed to, but an adventure none the less, with friends and family.  This trip was also the first time I got to take my daughter Lillian and girlfriend Jennifer to Alaska.

On the way to Mount Roberts. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Juneau, the capital of Alaska is found in the Southeast Panhandle of the State, right in the heart of the Tongass National Forrest. Here the Juneau Icefield holds thirty different glaciers, bringing tourists and cruise ships to its shore via the Gastineau Channel. The sheer size of the tourist ships parked in Downtown Juneau is a sight to see. Air taxis in the form of Otter Planes and helicopters are flying people back and forth to tourist destinations, including fly fishing adventures via Bear Creek Outfitters.  The Goldbelt Tram is also location right on the waterfront where tourist can ride to Mount Roberts overlooking the town with lots of hiking opportunities.

Lillian and the Mendenhall Glacier. Photo: Michael Davdchik

With fishing a priority, but not the priority, we were blessed with many options to choose from for the family to experience. Spending time viewing glaciers, watching bears, hiking, photography and shopping for the ladies kept us busy with at least a few hours of fishing tucked into part of the day. The Mendenhall Glacier and Viewing Center provided a great opportunity to be close to sockeye salmon spawning with black bears searching for dinner. Within a few hours we got to see three black bears, one of them chasing fish down a creek that fed Mendenhall Lake. We literally stood there and saw one charge down the creek and pull one from the spawning bed lying in. The glacier itself covered all shades of blue and with the blue bird day we had, we were able to enjoy it in its majestic splendor.

Hmm, dinnertime. Fuzzy Photo: Michael Davidchik

Creeks were full of spawning salmon and I finally got to explain the life-cycle of salmon and steelhead to Lillian and Jennifer. Though we have salmon at home, standing in a tidal flat below a creek, they could see in detail, in the crystal clear water what they were doing.  And with that they were able to witness the importance of a life-cycle that rejuvenates the ecosystem. They got to see how sea gulls, bald eagles, humans, bears and dolly varden rely on this yearly occurrence to live. I only hope that by teaching this to Lillian at a young age, it will help her appreciate and understand why we protect this resource.

Hungry Dogs doing their thing. Photo: Michael Davidchik

But enough with the lessons, the fishing was fun and perfect for newcomers and both Lillian and Jennifer were able to experience fishing in the Tongass. Lillian caught her first Chum and Pink Salmon on the first day, though I found myself casting for her because I was too stubborn to take out a spinning rod. My rational at first was I did not want her to snag salmon while they were on their journey and remarkably that did not bother her because she was having too much fun enjoying the surroundings around her.

A Chum Dog that got in the way.  Photo: Michael Davidchik

It was not until the day before we left we figured something out. While all the fishermen in town were fishing in the Golden North Salmon Derby we were hearing stories of ridiculous catches of Silvers being caught just outside the channel. Being stuck on the road system wasn't so bad and we didn't have too much company.

Jennifer fighting one of many. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Success!. Photo: Michael Davidchik

While running around in the afternoon to a couple different locations to fish, I finally broke out the spinning rod for Lillian. Though she had not hooked anything we finally stopped at a creek we had been leaving alone due to time. As soon as we got there Lillian turned to me before I could get my pack down and asked if she could cast. “Sure,” I replied. Casting a spinner, I thought she was going to catch the trees on the other side of the creek, but it went in and when the spinner started to turn, her rod dropped to the water. “Daddy, I think I got one she screamed.” Yes she did, but this time I saw something that we really had not seen yet on the trip, chrome. Minutes later I watched as she brought the fish to the bank and I tailed it for her.  Our first silver of the trip and finally I started to see things come full circle. My seven year old caught her first salmon on her own and I saw a smile on her face that I will never forget.  

Lillian posing, while fighting a fish. She is a girl after all. Photo: Michael Davidchik

The smile says it all. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Juneau is a great location to experience Alaska without roughing it with the family. Yes, to some that may be weak, but for those who want to choose an experience with those not used to camping in the dirt for long periods of time, or don’t want to pay the high cost of your average Alaskan fishing trip, this may be one for you. Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest, The American Salmon Forest have a lot to offer. Though not highly talked about like Bristol Bay or the Kenai, the Tongass  holds its own in different ways and I won’t mention many of its secrets. 

Douglas Island Pump House Photo: Michael Davidchik

Big thanks to Christine and Mark!

Shocker Butt

This crap is why gear fishermen or at least normal people think fly fisherman are idiots. Great marketing dumb-asses. They should have at least thrown extreme into it to make it look more stupid.

I need to go fishing...................

Searching for Elivis

Elvis Shaking Dem Hips

What do two steelheaders do when they find themselves in Tennessee? They search for Elvis of course. ….. Well not the hip shaking, pelvic gyrating, ladies’ man that made Memphis famous, rather the head shaking, line ripping, non-anadramous red-headed step child to the Northeast Striped bass.

Yes, Tennessee is well known for Bill Dance and BASS Pro Tournaments, Tailwater Browns and Rainbow Trout and numerous warmwater species, but Striper fishing has always intrigued me. Though not native to the area, this non-native species has been introduced and flourishes in many of the rivers and reservoirs of the South. The Tennessee state record is sixty five pound six ounces and forty to sixty pound fish are caught in the Cumberland River every year.

Striper Photo: Brian Chou

Stripping and swinging flies for stripers is not an easy game and though similar to their Northeast cousins, it is not the same, or at least that is what I have been told. Striper fishing has always been on my list regardless of location. Fishing for them as a child, I never caught one of size or on the fly and finding myself in Tennessee I finally got my chance.

This year the rivers and reservoirs were filled, dams were pushing water higher than normal and decreasing our odds for fishable water.  Weird, kind of used to them odds. But despite the conditions, Brian and I were able to find some fishable water with some assistance from our friend Mike Anderson.  I have heard striper guys are a lot like steelheaders in the Northwest and after all, I had to give it a try.

Mike Anderson Photo: Brian Chou

Brian had fished for stripers in the Northeast, but fishing for them in Tennessee was a little different. From what I gathered it falls somewhere in the middle of streamers fishing for trout combed with tactics gathered from Northeast striper fishing. Oh that and our flies where larger and had the colors of shad and rainbow trout that were stocked in these river systems.  The local live bait fishermen also used trout for stripers, ugh. Over the years it appears that they have learned to love the stocking truck.

Check! Photo: Mike Anderson

The patterns used were basically clousers hybrids, but with the size of saltwater flies I had only fished in Baja. They were tied on 4/0 hooks with mega large dumbbell eyes. The retrieve was purposeful and erratic with pauses between every other strip.  These flies were matched with 9-10 weight fly rods and 350-500 grain shooting heads with 20-30 pound leaders.

Fishing was tough but despite Elivis’s perfect conditions to hide, we found a few. I wish I could compare them to their anadramous relatives, but found the fights to be full of heavy head shakes, strong steady runs and at times, backing. Though 9-10 weights were heavy, on the larger fish, the backbone helped to gain leverage, especially if one sounded under the boat. Though they never jumped, the smaller ones would thrash a lot at the surface.

Yes, the Fish Was on the Other Side of the Boat Photo: Brian Chou

This is easily a fishery I wish I could find the opportunity to fish more. Tennessee really does have a vast variety of fishing opportunities as well for numerous species to catch on the fly.  The cultural heritage and Country Music History makes of the Tennessee a well chosen location to vacation with family and friends and one I will return to in the future.  Searching for Elvis was just the icing on the cake for a great family vacation.

Elvis Photo: Brian Chou

On another note, not that far away.

Dry Fly Bob

Back in 2005, for the first time, I walked into a run on the Grand Ronde River with this spey rod that I had been tinkering with for a few years. Back in the good old days of the RioWindcutter matched with my first spey rod (which I could barely cast at the time) and a box full of crappy wets, leeches and nymphs.

As I walked down into the run I looked down stream to see a line of guys and gals swinging flies through a picture perfect run. As I get to the water an older gentleman, about my father's age approaches me and with a raspy voice and cigarette in hand and says, "You know you don't need sink tips and those big ugly flies to catch steelhead. All you need is a floating line and a skater." That would be my first interaction with Bob Evans, a guy I learned to appreciate over the years who earned the nickname Dry Fly Bob.

Over the years I would camp along the river and spend many days fishing the Ronde, Snake and Clearwater, but one thing that I could always depend on was a report from Bob when I got to the area. Though it took a few years to earn respect from Bob, it did not take long to get to know him. One year while camped upstream from him and spending several cold days alone on the river, I got to spend several mornings standing next to him in the early morning before the sane man got up to fish the river. Standing on the banks, headlamps on in the wind, Bob and I got to chat about life, fishing, baseball and family. This became a tradition over the years.

Bob though stubborn, and opinionated was actually opened minded despite what came out of his mouth to those dragging flies or fishing bobbers. He made it a point to let me know that it didn't really matter how one fished. Bob's style or search for what he perceived from swinging flies was something personal. Something that I see more and more myself these days with less time on the water then past. The search for perfection in that moment or what it meant to him far surpassed catching  fish, rather achieving the gratification of challenging oneself in the moment, understanding the process, and in the end, understanding oneself.

Recently,  I heard the sad news of Bob's passing. Bob passed away while chasing a riser somewhere on his beloved Henry's Fork in Idaho.  I did not know him well, but fishing the Grande Ronde will never be the same without him. I learned a lot from Bob, about steelhead, myself and of course dry fly takes. Though this seems like dribble in my mind trying to put together what Bob meant to me, I know he will be missed by all that had the pleasure to know him.

Hardy Bought Out

Chrome St John,  My Favorite Hardy Being Put to Work. Photo: Brian Chou

Well like all big companies, there is always the chance of being purchased during periods of economics. Hardy recently got purchased by a US company. Read more care of The Guardian.

Swing the Fly

Swing the Fly, check it out.

Ugh, No Shows Again This Year

I hate to be a pessimist, but it does not look very good this year. It might be time to become a carp fishermen, chase salmon in the Sound, actually fish for trout again or try Tenkara. Forget what I said about Tenkara.

Enough is Enough

Enough is Enough is a story about the fabled McCloud River in Northern California. This movie follows the stories of three anglers and the river they love. Follow CalTrout Conservation Director Curtis Knight, CalTrout Ambassador Craig Ballenger and McCloud River fishing guide Ron Heart on a soulful and heart felt journey into on of America's premier rivers. 

Produced by California Trout.

Soul River's Conservation Trailer

I am really looking forward to seeing this one when its done. Check out Soul River.

The Tongass and Living in the Pacific Northwest

Dusk in Wrangell, Ak. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Living in the Pacific Northwest, I have been blessed to be able to live near the temperate rainforest of the Pacific Cascades. From the coastal lowlands of Central California to the mighty Olympic Peninsula, I have been able to travel, hike, fish and enjoy the splendor of the outdoors. Through all those trips, the one question that had always stuck in my mind was, “What was it like before mankind started to change the landscape and encroach on its every corner.”

Sawmill Creek Photo: Michael Davidchik

Over the course of the last century, man has altered these ecosystems to the point where each hold on by a thread, and species are trending toward extinction. Rivers and creeks have been dammed, natural stream flow has been altered, riparian habitats have been destroyed, trees have been removed, altering the natural environment that has managed to exist for centuries before man moved in. Though State Forests and National Parks have been established, the effects of man, even in those designated locations can be seen.

Skunk Cabbage in bloom in the Spring. Photo: Michael Davidchik

School of Pink Salmon Miles from Downtown Sitka, AK. Photo: Michael Davidchik

The separation of what was, and what we have now became obvious a decade ago when I flew over the lush green mountains and islands of the Tongass National Forest while on my way to Sitka, Alaska. Since then, I have been able to enjoy the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the country, our nation’s Salmon Forest. Seeing a pristine intact ecosystem, and being able to catch wild native salmon and steelhead brings more insight to what we fight to maintain every day back home.

Southeast Alaska Steelhead Photo: Michael Davidchik

As a fly fisherman or even a tourist, it is an amazing experience, to be able to walk up a remote river or creek, and stumble upon a pool of salmon, then look upstream and watch a black bear eating today’s catch, then have a bald eagle swoop down and take his choice from the pool minutes later. These experiences are what you take home, and with that seeing what we have lost when we step off that plane.

Commercial Salmon Boat near Mount Edgecombe. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Totem Park, Sitka, Ak. Photo: Michael Davidchik

Fighting to help pressure this natural intact resource is an easy answer. Vital to not only the local and recreational fishing industry, tourism and outdoor industry, the Tongass needs to be preserved as a National Treasure. The preservation and cultural history of the native people of Southeast Alaska, the historical heritage of each community and the future of this National Treasure lay in our hands.  The Tongass National Forest needs to be preserved not only for our selfish interests, but also to remind us of what we work so hard to fight for back home. Today Trout Unlimited’s Tongass 77 initiative is working on preserving the nation’s largest national forest, our salmon forest at a watershed level.  By looking back on history, it is clear, this self-sustaining resource is far too valuable to loose and today's fight will ensure that generations in the future will be able to enjoy the Tongass National Forest.

Friends and family enjoying Southeast Alaska.  Photo: Mike Davidchik Sr. 

This is my submission to the Trout Unlimited 2013 Blogger Tour sponsored by, Tenkara USA, Fishpond and RIO, and hosted by the Outdoor Blogger Network.

Summer is Here Though I Kinda Miss the Rain

Putting an Echo 3 6100 to the test. Photo: Brian Chou

So with the turning of the season and lack of Springtime weather that I am used to,  I found myself doing something that I missed, carp fishing. Every year I tell myself that I have to take advantage of this fishery but that addiction of swinging a fly to a steelhead always seems to get the top nod. Who can blame me or anyone who swings flies, that whole tug is the drug thing seems to fill that void or challenge lost in my ADD world. That challenge of spey casting, the flies, the process of reading water, adapting and changing with day to day river and weather conditions just adds to the process. Over the years fishing for trout and other species just never made as much sense to me. I still like doing it, but it never really filled the void. Maybe if I had the Henry's Fork or Madison in my backyard, I would change, but I don't so I can live with what I got.

The thing is that one opportunity I do have near home, or close enough to lots of  opportunities is Carp and guys like John Montana (alias) gets carp fishing like I would like to think I get steelheading. I have always admired the skill and presentation that carp fisherman have to catch these golden demons. I could not help the other day of thinking about a post John had on his blog last fall, Rain. John kinda makes fun of the whole steelheading thing though he has done a lot of it over the years. Missing a fish didn't bother him at all, but seeing one up close brought him back to why he does it when carp are no longer feeding on the flats.

So this time of year, before the carp are on the spawn I always get that itch to chase what some call trash fish, and unlike last year, this year I finally tailed one. In the process I started to really remember the good old days with good buddies, learning how to sense the take of these fish and how to make the perfect presentation. I missed a lot of fish that day, but by the end of the afternoon, it started to click again and I now find myself thinking about chasing them again.

Like John, I doubt I will do much carp fishing, like he does not do a lot of steelheading. It just isn't what fuels the fire for John, like swinging flies does for me, but I appreciate and understand why someone does. I love the fact that fishing for any species brings out different challenges and can lead to addictive behavior. 

I also found this consolation prize, a nice Pumpkinseed. I now got the urge to find some Bluegill. You got to love the fight in these little guys. I just wish there were anadramous. 

Soul River challenges traditional media by embracing the unconventional to produce Soul River Chronicles, Volume Two: Conservation. Created and written by creative director Chad Brown, Conservation captures modern urban mythology with the message of consciousness and awareness of responsibility we have as urban dwellers and environmental protectors.

Conservation provides audiences with a unique film experience intended to educate and entertain by depicting the urban lifestyle experience juxtaposed with the serenity of nature.  The short story film follows a young man’s journey into conscious responsibility of understanding how his urban life ultimately impacts the outdoor environment. Inspired from the sport of fly fishing and guided by the rivers, Conservation obtains a conceptually artistic, communicative device in an unconventional manner by integrating a mix of nature, art, design and music that will speak to the human soul and invigorate spirits. “I choose to cast my line away from the norm into new minds to inspire what nature has to offer,” states Brown. Conservation is intended to speak to a young, urban, diverse demographic by providing a fresh, new voice inspiring the global message that we are protectors and ambassadors to our environment.

TALENT
Brian Chou
Kourtney Newell
DJ Ben Copeland
Erica Riseberg

PRODUCTION
Northwest Exposure

LOCATION

TBD – PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON!

SPONSORS

Oakley. Inc, The Freshwater Trust,  Simms, Korkers, Sierra Club, hatch Outdoors,  Springbox, Aiflo Fly Lines, Voices of Erica, Primal Screen Printing and Groundwork Porrland.

This will be awesome!

Spring Cleaning #2

It is amazing over the years how many flies get trashed and though I repair, cut and replace them as time goes by, there always seems to be a pile of them I got to deal with. So finally I tackled that stack of flies. Trying to salvage hooks, cones, dumbells, etc, I managed to save not only a few flies, but lots of hooks, and even some tying materials. It's such a pain in the ass, but worth it if you like to recycle everything like me.

Wire-cutters, box-cutter, a few razor blades and sore fingers later, I got a supply of tying materials. I also believe in the mojo associated with using materials and hooks that have been fished over the years.