AFS Blog

Hi Will,
Just a follow up on our conversation from the Upper River yesterday; Dan Wyrick got into two more adults after I talked to Will and both of those were bigger than the first two he hooked!! Four steelhead in the 22 to 26 inch range. With these river flows at near 3k cfs, as you both know, we found fish in the shade and next to the bank and under cover.
The Stimulator for the third trip in a row has outfished the Norm Woods particularly in the afternoon and on into the evening hours.
On Friday the gold stimulator brought three of the fish to a hookup and the orange one did the trick for one of these nice steelies.
This fly really stands tall in the heavier water and because of its floating ability the fish can really see it in bigger water.
I will be in soon and pick up more of these Stimulator patterns,
Thanks,
Tony

2013 Summer Fly Fishing Classes!

on the Lawn or on the Water!

This class covers the same basics as our Intro class only we will spend additional time with you on the water covering methods you will use day in & day out including:

Proper dry fly presentation, Nymph fishing and Streamer fishing. Classes will be held with a maximum of 4-6 students and all equipment is included.

5-17-13  It's that time of year when about every 3rd call is asking about the Holy Water Salmonfly Hatch. I would have to say it is setting up to be very good this year. With our major lack of precipitation in mind the corps seems to be pulling the flows back already and they are now below 2000 cfs coming out of the dam. This will make much more water available to fish up there for everyone.

On the move

The forecast is calling for unsettled weather for the next week or so so that will hold the hatch back until about the last week of the month which is the traditional start time. There has been good fishing up there lately on the stonefly nymphs as they are moving to the shore to become adults.   The next week or so will be a good time to see them in the grass and trees along the riverbank.

Big Bug time

We are set up here at the shop with lots of reliable patterns for this hatch and invite you to come by and browse our selection!

Gear Swap!!

We will be having our annual Gear Swap & Sale, Saturday and Sunday, March 23rd & 24th at the shop!

This is an excellent opportunity to get into some great used gear at great prices! Event begins at 10 am when we open the doors and as in previous years we will have goodies & coffee on hand.

I've got quite a few rods to put out from Sage, Redington & more as well as reels from top manufacturers. Gear bags, fly lines - spey & single hand, Fly Tying Materials & Tools, accesories etc. We will also be having a huge Fly Sale with many pattens going for $.50! This will be our largest event by far as the equipment is already stacking up! We will also be putting many items on sale storewide.

Lots of good stuff priced to sell!

We want your Used Gear - here's how it works!

We are happy to announce the dates of our 2013 AFS Fly Tying classes. This year we have partnered with Master Tying instructor, Dan Kelllog! We have a couple of  Beginners classes,  and category classes for the more experienced tyer.  Scroll down for details, dates & costs!!

Dan Kellog at his very organized desk!

Saturday, March 16th - Beginning Fly Tying $20

Saturday, March 30th - Caddisflies Bottom to Top $50

Saturday April 13th - Effective Stillwater Flies $50

Saturday April 27th - Mayflies Bottom to Top $50

Saturday, May 11th - Beginning Fly Tying $20

Beginning 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 are provided. More detailed info is available by calling the shop!

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. The "Bottom to Top" series will focus on the general life cycle of the insect from Nymph to adult.   Dan is an excellent, meticulous tyer so expect both challenge and reward!! More detailed info will be available as the classes approach or by calling the shop!

McCloud River, Northern California

And there it is gang, right where we all want to be. Wandering aimlessly up a trout stream, fly rod in hand. Well, now's a good time to put that getaway together. Here's a quick roundup:

Upper Sacramento: At this writing it's about 1750cfs at Delta, which means it's still a bit high but not out of the question. I would give it a another week or two. try to catch it on the high side of prime.. trust me.

Lower McCloud (below McCloud Res): This is a good bet. I am concerned that they will spill some water eventually as the reservoir fills up - but they haven't yet. Ash Camp has the best flows now, but the whole river down through ah-di-na is fishable.

Hat Creek: A little far if you're coming from the Rogue valley, but worth the trek. A very consistent early season fishery. Good bug activity early on. I had good fishing down there this last weekend.

Wild Hat Creek Rainbow

Diamond Lake: From Diamond Lake Resort: As of this morning, May 9th, folks are launching boat from the north boat ramp nearest to the Resort. The lake is 75% ICE FREE! There is still slushy ice at the north and south ends of the lake but the center of the lake is all open water. The continued warm weather will likely have nearly all the ice off the lake by the weekend.
Time to "Stretch Your String!!"

Noth Boat Ramp - May 9

Springtime Salmonflies

Big Bugs Rule!

5500 and climbing

Major releases out of the Rogue - hopefully this will mean we will be into the snowpack a bit and have some more resonable flows for the Salmonfly Hatch! Lost Creek is full though, so thats always good.