Gil Fly Fishing

Euro Nymphing the Oneida Narrows

Gil — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:45:27 +0000

Here is a great demonstration of the effectiveness of Euro Nymphing. This is my friend Brad Hansen, and as you will see he had a great day fishing the Narrows. Check out the updated Euro Nymphing page to see a basic leader setup for this style of nymphing.

Catching Up- Lee’s Ferry, AZ

Gil — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:29:35 +0000

This past month I have had the chance to fish a handful of my favorite rivers; the Provo, the Logan, the Spanish Fork, and the Colorado below Glen Canyon Dam. This winter has been rather warmer than usual which has resulted in pretty good fishing in most areas. Not surprisingly the Colorado fished very well the day after Christmas, but this is usually the case since it is located in the desert and has steady water temps year round. It is always a treat to wind your way from the mountain tops near Jacob's Lake to the desert floor of Marble Canyon. Here the magnificent Colorado roars its way between Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The scenery of the river and the canyon walls is worth the drive alone. The scenery is not all this stretch of river has to offer. There is a good population of rainbow trout for miles below the dam, and although I only fish this river once a year it is always an adventure.

Fishing reports, guides, and even scientific literature all state that the majority of a trout's diets on this stretch of river is dominated by scuds, midges, and aquatic worms. With this in mind we usually start by fishing fly patterns that mimic these food sources. This year however, I decided to key in on the reactionary, opportunistic behavior of trout by drifting attractive flashy nymphs by them. These nymphs were large in size and mostly resembled mayflies in their appearance. This goes against what we are always told about the food sources of this particular river, but surprisingly these flies out produced our other more suggestive patterns (scuds worms, and midges) three to one. I'm going to keep this in mind when I fish other food specific rivers in the future.

The Giver of my Time

Gil — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:48:34 +0000

I'm such a sucker for turkey and gravy, so yes I'm excited it's Thanksgiving once again. It always returns sometime between really good fall trout fishing, and solitary majestic winter fishing. This year, for the first time, we are spending Thanksgiving with family in Mesa, AZ. Its great, the sun is warm, the company is great, and the food will be amazing (always is). And although yesterday afternoon I found myself fishless, stripping leaches and streamers through the pools of a thirsty Lower Salt River, I couldn't help but reflect on how fortunate I am! I don't know how often I tell acquaintances that I fish a minimum of once a week, and usually more (often much more) than that. Their jaws drop, and their eyes bulge every time. "I'm lucky to make it out once a month!" is a common reply. That's why I can't help but be thankful for my wife who allows me so much time on the water. Even if fishing with me isn't on her list of favorite things to do, at least she understands and supports my addiction. So this Thanksgiving I'm especially grateful for my sweet wife for, among MANY other things, the time I'm allowed to fish. Thanks babe! You truly are the best!

Ensinada Mexico where she out fished everyone on the boat. At this point in our marriage this yellow tail was the largest fish either of us had ever caught. Thank goodness for a trip to Alaska that helped me get back on top!

A few years ago, upon meeting Jon Voight he looked us over and said "How did YOU end up with her?" I agree, and I'm still not sure how I got so lucky!

Proof of really meeting Jon Voight. See, I wasn't lying about that so you can believe my fish stories too… well most of them anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bear River Smallmouth Bass

Gil — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:34:51 +0000

Typically I reserve the month of November for trout fishing due to cooler water temps, and the aggressive pre-winter feeding trout display. However, this year I have found myself catching other species such as these smallmouth bass. Below one of our local impoundments I found a few willing fish that had an appetite for one of Gallop's black S. Dungeons. The only effective technique was a deep slow retrieve with this large articulated streamer. It proved to be a fun deviation from my usual late season routine.

Tiger Muskies- Fall Frenzy!

Gil — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:44:53 +0000

It has been very fun this fall fishing for tiger muskie. We have seen fewer fish than in the spring, but more fish have been willing to eat the fly. I'm sure they can feel winter creeping up which means its time to pack on the calories! I can't get enough of watching a fish the size of a small gator chase and smash a seven inch wigling combination of flash, feathers, and fur! Addicting! As the open water draws to an end I'm forced to accept the fact that its going to be a long winter. Dreams of the MANY spectacular follows and the few, but engraving takes on the fly will carry me through till spring. It has been a fun year chasing these spectacular slabs of muscle and aggression, and I already can't wait for June when things pick back up!

Have I mentioned yet that I LOVE my new camera?!

Time for the Bow and Arrow Cast!

Gil — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:48:10 +0000

The Bow and Arrow Cast has to be one of my favorite techniques in all of fly fishing. Every time I fish, it doesn't matter where, the opportunity to use this cast presents itself. I think these are the situations that most fisherman pass up in fear of loosing their flies, but you can guarantee if it is tough to cast there is probably a fish hiding there. This video doesn't show much technique, but Jason Borger teaches the Bow and Arrow Cast in an article here. Check it out to add one more deadly casting weapon to your arsenal!

Images and Pocket Guides in Rainy’s Catalog

Gil — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:06:23 +0000

Rainy's 2012 catalog is hot off the press with various entomology pictures of mine mixed throughout it's pages. Even more exciting is that since Rainy's is the distributor of my Streamside Pocket Guides, they too are in the catalog which will be distributed to fly shops around the world! Exciting stuff!

Egan’s Frenchie Fly Pattern

Gil — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:07:15 +0000

If I had to fish the rest of my life with only a few fly patterns, this would definately be one of them. I catch more fish each year on this fly then on any other fly I fish. Devin Olsen of Fly Fishing Team USA introduced it to me, and due to the ease of tying and the effectivness on the stream, this is hands down one of the best flies around. Below is an instructional video on tying the Frenchie, or if you prefer to buy your flies they are available at www.flytying123.com.

Congrats Fly Fishing Team USA!

Gil — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:17:20 +0000

This year's fly fishing world championship wrapped up in Italy today. Team USA finished 5th overall, which is their best team placing ever. Individual Team USA finishes include 6th Lance Egan, 11th Devin Olsen, and 12th Norman Maktima. Nice work guys, way to represent our country!

You can see the rest of the results as they are posted at:

http://www.sfwc.it/eng/risultati.html

Gas Station Mayfly Hatch

Gil — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:24:42 +0000

As I traveled to the Provo this week I stopped to gas up in Brigham City around 10:00 pm and the pumps were covered in mayflies. I'm sure I looked rediculous walking around the pumps snapping pics, but I'm a big enough entomology nut that I enjoyed it.

The Provo fished very well this week and I had two of my best days of the year. I fished the middle three days and the fish were very hungry and willing. The high water this spring was great for the fish as they are all strong and in great shape. Can't wait to get back out there!