Should I set it? Blog by VVA Guide & Content Writer Andy Jackson Oftentimes I get the question: When should I set the hook? My answer, normally, is whenever you think it’s a fish. It takes a lot of experience and time on the water to be able to detect […]
Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics or OPST is growing fly fishing brand based in the Pacific Northwest. They specialize in developing line systems for anglers based around Skagit Casting, a type of Spey Casting. OPST got it’s start mainly developing skagit type line setups for anadromous fish like salmon and steelhead but, in the recent years, their line systems have…
Ah, winter in the High Country. Frigid temps, short days, frozen rivers and a strong desire to hibernate through it all. Although the diehard angler will still battle the ice and snow in order to land a few trout,* many spend their winter months tying flies, daydreaming about warmer weather or partaking in seasonal activities
“What a beautiful office you work in,” a client remarks to me as we are floating down the Colorado River. Like other fly fishing guides, we have all heard this remark from our clients. And I guess the client is right, fly fishing guides do work in the outdoors in beautiful scenery doing what they love,…
Michael “Sal” Salomone Approaching the river in winter can be an intimidating fly-fishing experience when the water is as clear as glass and slowing from freezing. However, it can be extremely productive if an angler is aware of the conditions and presents flies with focused intention. Vail Valley Anglers’ professional […]
Since the new year is often a time for goal setting and preparing for the upcoming year, here are 9 new years resolutions for anglers in 2019.
In the past year, I relocated from Vail, Colorado up to Portland, Oregon. I’m lucky enough to have access to dozens of quality steelhead and salmon fisheries. After decades of trout fly fishing, the transition to steelhead fly fishing has been quite the learning experience. There is a big learning curve. It seems like you have…
When you think about fly fishing, the actual fishing part is just one component to a much larger entity. Beyond casting to and hooking up with fish, a well-rounded angler usually knows a thing or two about the dynamics of water, effective gear & equipment, weather, fish behaviors, and entomology. And that’s just naming a…
Give the gift of guided fly fishing this winter. It might be the best kept secret but winter time fly fishing in the Vail Valley is really really good. The local water stays fishable throughout the year, providing anglers with fly fishing opportunities all the time. So after a morning […]
One of the most critical aspects of fly fishing and often one of the easiest to overlook is the fly line itself. Anglers regularly look to their fly rod for casting performance. When that falls short, they reach for the rod rack to alleviate their lack of proficiency. In reality […]
In the fly fishing world, typically we classify fish holding rivers/streams in three different categories, tailwaters, freestones, and spring creeks. So how do they differ and why should we care? Well, in fact, each classification is very different and typically supports different biology based on the amount of oxygen, vegetation, entomology […]
With the holiday season quickly approaching, the ever-predictable shopping fever is in full swing. Even though we’ve all had plenty of experience navigating the nuances of buying gifts for our loved ones, things can get a little hectic between November and the New Year. Lists can run long, patience thin […]