Looks like it might be a long winter. Keep your dome warm in the morning with a Brighton Anglers watch cap. Get one while they last. Only $6 with flat rate priority shipping costing $4. Click Here To Shop
Captains Hat
New Era a 100 year old, family owned hat company that sure knows how to do things right. Check out the new CaptainWinkler designed #luckyhat
Winters almost over!
Well as you probably know we're a bunch of snowboard bums who don't do much winter fishing. Now that the temps are getting warmer and the powder days are gone you might find us grabbing a different pair of boots... A couple nice browns that didn't like the looks of the Drop Jaw Flies streamer Captain was throwing at them.
The Fly Shop Alternative
In this day and age many local shops are out of business or have limited hours closing at 6pm on weekdays making it hard for the traditional 9 am to 5 pm working anglers to reach. Not to mention high priced fly shop materials are hard for the die hard angler with the part time job to purchase while maximizing their water time.
Hobby enthusiasts and mothers have been using the solution to these issues for decades. Fabric, hobby and crafting stores are an angler’s best friend when you are have a tight budget or cant get to a shop before it closes. From purchasing ceramic beads, to foam for hoppers they have some of the basics a fly tier needs to create some great looking flies while not breaking the bank. So next time you are looking for that variety bag of beads or pack of foam it will cost you both time and money for limited material when trying to make it to the fly shop or you can visit your local Michael’s and both of those issues will be solved.
Words by thedyeronsnow
Mayflies in March
6 Reasons Why New York’s Salmon River in Oct is like a 30” February Powder Day
Since there hasn't been much snow this past month its got us thinking about fishing. The Dyer has been reflecting on a recent trip to New York and how it compares to a powder day snowboarding.
- There are no friends on a Powder or River Day
- You fall behind you get left behind
- All human decency and societal norms are thrown to the side
- Cutting the lift line, slowly forcing someone out of a hole and general politeness seems not to be an option
- Claiming how you got their soooo early to get the best hole or first chair is more important than the size of fish you caught or epic powder run. You know the type of person I am talking about.
- Everyone comes out of the woodwork
- Haven’t seen “Bill” since your last day of junior high? Come to that first 30” powder day or the first weekend of the salmon run and chances are you will see him there!
- Every form of equipment is used no matter how old or nonfunctional it is
- Powder hounds and fish bums live on budgets. Some of these budgets ran out in the mid 90’s
- Getting a guide might help with the experience. Finding that secret pow stash or fishing hole is just a short $400 away…. Not including tip.
New T's are in!
Our most popular photo on Instagram
Why I don't keep fish
Last week we were fishing and Bryan hooked in to this 21" lunker of a Brown. What a amazing fish. We all were stoked for Bry. We took a few pics and then let the fish get back to its business. Then two days later I was fishing the exact same hole fishing a similar fly and technique as Bryan. I hooked into a fish and after getting it in the net we were looking the fish over and noticed it had the exact same scares as the fish Bryan had caught. I always look at fish with scares and feel bad. This time I was kind of stoked because we knew this guy. This is a great example of why I don't keep fish. I like to let them go to get bigger and give other anglers the opportunity to catch the same fish.
Small Stream Fishin'
17 Year Cicada
Owyhee River Fish & Camp Trip
Each year we try to at least make one trip to Southern Oregon to hit up the Owyhee river. There's a 11 mile stretch of hungry Brown Trout infested water. The Browns in this section are the most picky fish I have ever fished for. But they are all large and they like to eat. So once you figure it out you're in for a good time. We really enjoy fishing this river because you sight fish. We wait and watch for fish and cast dry flies to them. It's challenging because these fish know whats up. So you tippet down and change flies often to find the one that a particular fish will eat. The challenge is worth it when you pull in a 18" brown caught with a size 22 midge using 6X tippet. This area does get a fair amount of pressure from fisherman so when fishing expect to see plenty of other fisherman. Be respectable and wait your turn. The fish aren't going anywhere and they seem to come back very quick. We don't cover a lot of water we change-up more and keep catching fish out of the same holes. Here's a few pics from our adventure. Fish On!
Deschutes River Fishing Report
Mouse, JP and I hit up the Deschutes River last week while at MT Hood for a work conference. We were hoping the big bugs were out and the fish were keying in on them. When we showed up to Maupin we couldn't be more pleased to hear from the guys at the Deschutes Anglers Fly Shop that the bugs are everywhere and the fish are looking up. We talked a little shop and picked up a few flies in exchange for some local knowledge then went on our way down stream. The day started off well seeing fish jumping during the time we were setting up our gear. We were excited and scurried down the path to the river to give it a go. With in a few minuets JP had a strike and a miss. Then a few minutes later I hooked in to my first bow of the day. I fished that same run for about an hour and picked up a handful of fish. It was so much fun. Even a 14" fish is a fight and will give you a run for your money. I then headed up-stream to catch up with JP and Mouse to hear they both had similar success. At that point I was stoked and knew the day was going to be epic. We fished until the sun went down. We caught a fair amount of fish and missed a handful too. In all it was well worth the trip and each one of us couldn't have asked a better adventure. Enjoy the pics.
Help to Keep Public Waters Accessible- Support USAC
These guys have been fighting to keep our Utah waters open for everyone. Please take the time to learn more about their cause and show them your support at http://utahstreamaccess.org [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BDOhAyE6s]
Hidden Gem!
I was on my way to Southern Utah to meet up with some friends and family for a weekend of camping, fishing, dirtbiking and all other sorts of good times that can be had in the outdoors. I decided to take the long way there and I rolled up on this stream. I couldn't resist from throwing a fly at it. My first cast was no more then 50 feet from the car I had already hooked a fish. After releasing that fish I walked up stream 10 feet and took another few casts and again fish on. I pulled in the second fish fish of the day and with amazement of the size and beauty I quickly released the fish and then ran back to the car grabbed my GoPro. I set it up on a timed delay at the next hole and again another fish. I caught a few more fish and then decided I better get on my way. I couldn't be happier about exploring and being willing to take the long route. It payed off huge catching some rad fish and getting to learn about a stream I have never seen.
Northern Pike Addiction
This spring a handful of the Brighton Anglers had the chance to catch another species of fish on a fly rod. Northern Pike! Kind of crazy we live so close to Pike water and how easy it is to fish for them. We all took plenty of time to learn about their habits and when the beast time to fish for them is. We all studied a bit about when they spawn, what water temps are best for fishing, how to fish for them, what flies to use and what depths to fish at. In a whole it has been an exciting and addictive new way to fish. By far we are not experts but all of us our having fun and are hooked on trying to land a monster. Here's a few pics of our first couple of trips out.