In January

Last night Deb took Rickie for a walk in between football games as she loves her football and didn't want to miss anything. I mean Deb, not Rickie. Rickie's a dog; that'd be stupid. Anyway, as they were coming back about 5:00 pm I realized that twilight was just descending. A mere three weeks ago we witnessed the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and already the days were becoming longer. The cold weather notwithstanding, I think we're beginning to anticipate spring in these parts.

That's certainly true for our many customers. Our fly tying classes were close to full last fall and the first beginning class is already over-booked. Our knot tying classes are taking enrollment and our on-the -water fishing schools have started to attract attention. We've already got two anglers in our March class, obviously a couple of guys who can take the cold and are rarin' to go. A few years ago when we started FLY FISH U we didn't know if folks would respond but respond they did, and for now all we can tell you is check the schedule, clear your calendar and call right away to get the classes you want because they fill pretty darn quick.

What's New two...

We have a fair number of stoneflies in our local trout streams and while some of them start emerging in January, the activity really picks up in February and March before dwindling in April. These are variously referred to as Winter Stones, Black Winter Stones or Tiny black Winter Stones. Next time you're in the shop take a look at the special nymph dubbings I blended to meet this stonefly activity. They come in dark or light and are blended with real seals fur...very buggy and a terrific addition to your nymph dubbing collection... RT Stonefly Dubbing.

What's New three...

Part of the fun of fishing is the experimentation...new rods, new lines, new flies, new places to fish, new leader designs, etc., etc. This year we're introducing a new hand tied leader body we'll call the Driftless. It comes with a loop at both ends so you can loop it to your line and then loop whatever tippet material you want to it. Imagine switching from dries to nymphs to streamers without tying three or four knots? Imagine a leader with a hi-vis butt to help you detect a pick-up while nymph fishing; no strike indicator required. And the same hi-vis butt section will help you track the drift of your dry fly. And the only knot you need is a double over-hand loop, like tying your shoes. The Driftless Leader Body.

Fly Fish U: fishing classes.

Our continuing ed program for fly anglers or prospective fly anglers has been in full swing for over a year with a full schedule of hands-on classes to get you started or improve your skills. Classes you can expect to see are:

Beginning Knot Tying: learn to rig from the reel all the way out to the fly

Practical Casting I: featuring anchored line casting...roll cast, switch cast, spey

Practical Casting II: featuring aerialized casting...elliptical and pick-up and lay-down

Rigging for Big Gamefish: special knots for pike, musky, barracuda and the like

Leader Construction: part knot tying and a whole bunch of design theory

Advanced Knot Tying: useful alternative knots for rigging

Trout Fishing Schools: four hours on the stream with a guide at your elbow

Fishing Dry Flies: identifying the emergence, choosing an imitation, adjusting leaders

Fishing Streamers: adjusting for depth and drift

Fishing Nymphs: adjusting for imitations, depth and current speed

Fishing Emergers and Soft Hackles: learning to recognize the opportunities

Aquatic Entomology: identifying invertebrates, learning about life history, finding imitations

Bass/Panfish Schools: learning habits and finding the cover

Fly Fish U: fly tying classes.

Beginning Fly Tying: Dry Flies. This three week, six hour class will cover almost all of the necessary techniques while you learn classic dries, hair wings and no hackle styles.

Beginning Fly Tying: Streamers. Besides the basic techniques students will learn to tie streamers, bucktails, buggers and muddlers in this three week, six hour course.

Beginning Fly Tying: Nymphs. In three weeks you'll cover all the immature forms of the major trout food insects plus learn all your basic techniques in this six hour course.

One Nighters: These classes are organized around a single issue and range from tying bass flies to tying winter nymphs to tying all the patterns you need to cover Baetis from the nymph to the spinner.