We are stoked to announce the dates of our 2012 AFS Fly Tying classes. This year we have partnered with Master Tying instructor, Dan Kelllog! We have a couple of  Beginners classes, a childrens class and category classes for the more experienced tyer.  Scroll down for details, dates & costs!!

Dan Kellog at his very organized desk!

 Saturday, January 28th  - Beginning Fly Tying  $20

Saturday, February 11th - Dry Flies $50

Saturday, February 25th - Childrens Beginning $20

Saturday, March 17th - Nymphs $50

Saturday, March 24th - Beginning $20

Saturday April 14th - Intermediate Fly Tying $30

Saturday April 28th - Stillwater flies $50

Saturday, May 12th - Dan’s choice $50

Beginning & childrens classes - Classes will take place at The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am - 2 pm. This will be an introduction to the craft of fly tying. You can expect to learn to tie a a nymph, dry and streamer fly. All materials and equipment will be provided. More detailed info is availible by calling the shop!

Intermediate Fly Tying - This will be a continuation of the beginners class - this class will be a bit longer and more intensive. You will be expected have taken Dan’s beginning class and/or have a command of the basic techniques. The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am -4:00pm.

Category classes - Classes will take place at The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am -4:30pm. Students will need to bring their own vises and tools as well as basic materials (threads, some hooks, hair/fur/feathers). You will cover as many as a half dozen patterns thoroughly. Dry flies may include duns, cripples, spinners, adults etc. Dan is an excellent, meticulous tyer so expect both challenge and reward!! More detailed info will be availible as the classes approach or by calling the shop!

1-21-12 Well, we got what we asked for with this storm. Lots of high water all around the region. Lots of happy, splashing fish on the move now - we’ll see what the deal is once flows settle down, not sure when that will be though as there is more wet stuff in the forseeable forecast.  Time to tie some flies!!

Click here to visit this usgs site where you can scroll over these plot points and get flows.

Reservoirs are filling fast now...

Please join The Ashland Fly Shop at Tou Velle Park on the Rogue River the 3rd Sunday of every month from 10 to 1 ish for a gathering of spey casting enthusiasts & local instructors! Were putting this together to help people with an interest in Spey Casting to get a first hand look at the techniques as well as those who’ve already taken the plunge an avenue to get tips & feedback on casting issues.. and for fun!  Call the shop for more info! 541 488 6454

AFS Employee Jake Crawford and the Sage VXP 6129

We’ve met in October & November and had a strong turnout each time. We hope this will turn into a cool regular event where people can come and get some insight into this increasingly popular technique.

Good form Brauner!

We will have lots of different Rods and Lines on hand from different manufacturers for you to demo. Sage, Winston, Airflo, Rio etc..

Bob Furry gives us the goods

Greg picks up some tips from Local guide Tony Brauner

 Please give us a call at the shop for more info!! We hope to see you!! 541 488 6454 

You can bet anytime we get a big high pressure system bearing down on our region the Steelhead fishing is going to suffer somewhat. Clear, bright days and cold water have the fish hunkered down a bit. Nymph fishing techniques are really working well now as the fish don’t seem to want to chase anything further than their nose. A story emerging this year is the size of the fish… lots of very large, wild fish being caught.

 That being what it is I snuck out with the good Doctor Pena for some killer trout fishing Southern Oregon style. No shortage of fishing options right now…

Nice Fish Eric!

Temper that smile big daddy!

Next day at the Holy Water on the Rogue lucked into a fantastic Mayfly hatch. Big fishing sipping dries… Holy water is a great bet through the winter. Good hatches of BWO’s & midges.

# 14 Parachute Adams... what else?

Thanks for looking!!  541 488 6454

10-18-11  Fishing has picked up and we are seeing some great results as fresh fish continue their migration up the Rogue. As per usual, nymph fishing under an indicator out of a driftboat is putting impressive numbers up on the Rogue. Swinging flies is still producing well in likely spots but as the water temps in the river cool and more fish move into the deeper slots nymph fishing becomes very effective. Weather is stable and very comfortable and looks to be that way for a while. Must be October in the Rogue Valley - Wish you were here!

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Sweet

Steel Head

You will not out fish this dude

10-5-11  I was fortunate enough to be on the river Monday when the entire river system changed for the better. First of all, at the put-in, we confirmed that an irrigation main burst somewhere in the Butte Creek water shed turning the Rogue into a muddy mess. As the day dawned it was obvious the clarity was absolutely perfect for swinging big, black flies on sink tips. My favorite! It was overcast and drizzy/rainy all day but a very comfortable temperature. We found fish in several runs. They seem to be holding in slower water now that the temps are down a bit in the river. The spots where the fly could just creep across is where they liked it best.  The river cleared throughout the day and is in great shape now.

Wild & Happy

This fish, while not that big, was absolutely all over the place. Creamed the fly as it hit the water in a far seam and was out of the water 3 times before I had it on the reel. Can hardly believe it stayed hooked.

Desert Island rod... no doubt

Ran into customer and all around great dude Dr. Bryan Sohl on the river  late the day before as the storm was blowing in. He and his band of misfits landed a 29.5 inch fish just on the other side of the river from me - the nerve! It’s great running into friends on the river.

There must be a cigar in this picture somewhere

Large Steelhead being brought to net

9-29-11 Things are going to change a bit for the better in the next week as far as our local fishing is concerned. The first of our rains are scheduled to arrive Sunday and continue intermittently through the week. It’s a welcome change as we have had lingering warm, dry weather and everything, including the fishing, feels a little stale as of late.  I would be surprised if this will effect river levels much as the ground will be able to absorb a lot of water before letting it go into the streams. What it will do is get a lot of fish that have been hunkered down waiting for a change like this on the move again. And thats a good thing. Please call the shop for up to minute conditions - 541 488 6454.

Richard and Sue Phillips catch fish of the year (so far)

From the weather service:

… Significant weather changes expected this weekend through
early next week…

Warm and dry Summer-like weather will come to an end this weekend
as the leading edge of a large and deepening trough of low
pressure reaches the area. Temperatures will drop to near normal
values this weekend with periods of cloudiness and some showers on
the west side… primarily on Saturday. High Mountain areas above
6500 feet elevation such as Mount Shasta will experience moderate
to strong and gusty southwest winds Friday and Saturday.

Late Sunday through Wednesday a series of wet and potent weather
systems will move across the entire forecast area bringing gusty
south winds… significant precipitation… and much cooler
temperatures. During this time period 2 to 5 inches of rain is
likely to fall in coastal areas… 1 to 3 inches across the
interior west side and mountains from the Cascades westward… and
a half inch to an inch and a half across the east side.

10-10-11  Ok… here we go. Flows are dropping into shape and in about a week or two they will be at their low point for the rest of the year until we start to get our rains. Even now the river is at a good flow for Fly Fishing. The Rogue from the old Gold Ray Dam site upstream to the Hatchery is Flies only for September-October. Pressure is light. The last 6 people through my door have either caught a Steelhead in the last couple days or know someone that has.

Rogue Dropping into Shape

 Lots of people swinging the Rogue these days as Two Handed rods continues to gain popularity. Stuart Warren of Beulah Fly rods has been remarkably successful skating dries. Otherwise Scandi heads and light versi tips as well as Skagit and larger sink tips are getting it done.

The Prize

 Nymphs also are going work very well. A 2 fly rig fished under an indicator is a top producer on the Rogue. The best water for this technique will still be a little tough to find - best from a drift boat - but it is availible out there.  Please call the shop with any questions you might have. We love Steelhead! 541 488 6454

Nymph Caught Steel

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• Extremely cool graphite and rust colored waterproof backpack
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