So I started by completing my PROFILE. Heck, I was all ready for a nice sideways photo of my casting technique. I always liked that profile. As it turns out, this PROFILE is just a lot of nonsense information about me that no one is interested in anyway. So what you see is what you get—basic information coming from a confirmed liar.

Before I go any further, let me get one thing off my chest--this thing called POSTING. Up until yesterday the only writing on posts I’ve been interested in is the “No Trespassing” sign I may encounter along the river. Now I learn that I have to POST something on my Facebook. Sounds suspiciously like that wanted poster that used to bear a remarkable resemblance to my twin brother.

So anyway, after I POST things, I find out I have to FRIEND people. I have to tell you—that makes me very suspicious. The only “friends” I’ve known are those rascals that buddy up to me just so they can find out where my favorite fishing spots are. Some friends. By contrast, my wife has more than 500 FRIENDS on her Facebook. Can you imagine what would happen to my stretch of river if I suddenly had 500 friends hounding me. So here’s my advice: If you want to be my FRIEND, just don’t expect me to take you fishing. It ain’t going to happen.

As I understand this Facebook enterprise, once I get you as a FRIEND, I have to POKE you. Now that’s something I’m familiar with. You know those “friends” I referred to that just want to find out where I fish? I’ve had to poke more than a few of them when they showed up tromping through my favorite holes. Just don’t try to go poking me…you may find yourself dangling from my POST.

So now my next lesson is about how to do this UNFRIENDING thing. That something I think I already know more about than most people. For now, you can follow me on Facebook, but if you follow me on the river, you might just get poked.

Although trout may be caught throughout the year, few months offer as much action for anglers as those preceding the harsh blast of winter. During this time of year all species of trout start to act more aggressive. The brown trout begin staging to spawn, and the rainbow and cutthroat trout begin fattening up in order to survive the winter season. While fishing this special time of the year, I have discovered 5 flies that always seem to produce. These flies include the Foam Beetle, the Royal Wulff, the Elk Hair Caddis, the Bead Head Pheasant Tail, and the Hare’s Ear Nymph.

The Foam Beetle has probably been the most productive dry fly I’ve used during the fall season. During this time of year, fish are less picky. They tend to look for more general fly patterns that imitate a wide variety of insects. The foam beetle fits the bill perfectly. With its visibly segmented body, and iridescent peacock underbelly, the foam beetle can imitate a wide variety of insects. It can be a beetle, a carpenter ant, or even a cricket if tied on a larger hook. The fact that its body is largely made up of foam also gives you the option of using it as a strike indicator for your favorite nymph patterns.

Royal Wulff

The Royal Wulff is probably THE most well known dry fly on the market today. It has been around for decades and is always a great producer during the fall. It, like the beetle, imitates a wide variety of insects. No matter where you fish, the Royal Wulff will likely be a welcome addition to your fly box. Frequently you may see many different insects hatching off all at once. This is where the Royal Wulff really comes in handy. Instead of trying to find which specific insect the trout are feeding on, tie on the Royal Wulff and cover all your bases.

One of the most abundant hatches throughout the fly fishing season is the caddis fly. From the tiny Micro caddis hatches of the early summer to the giant October Caddis, the elk hair caddis has you covered. The elk hair wing offers superb floatability without sacrificing life-like action. The elk hair actually enhances the action fish desire. When fishing the Elk Hair Caddis, cast up stream as usual but instead of recasting immediately after the fly drifts back to you, let the fly drift past you and down stream. As it flows past, lift your rod and shake it erratically. This causes the caddis to jump and bounce across the surface just like the natural caddis does as it lays eggs. And then brace yourself for some furious strikes!

BH Pheasant Tail / BH Hare’s Ear

Although dry fly fishing is fun, sometimes the fish just don’t cooperate. That is when nymph patterns can really turn dead days into producers. I’ve found that these two nymphs will imitate just about every insect found in the river. The Pheasant Tail in its smaller sizes is a terrific mayfly/midge imitation, while in its larger sizes (#10 and #8) it can imitate a stonefly. The Hare’s Ear Nymph fulfills a similar role but the fatter, lighter colored body gives it the added adaptation of imitating a caddis larva as well as a scud.

BH Crystal Bugger

Ok, so I lied. I’ve actually chosen 6 favorite patterns instead of 5. No fly box can be complete without a few streamer patterns, especially the Bead Head Crystal Bugger. This is by far the most common streamer pattern. In still water situations it is a great imitation of Dragon/Damsel fly nymphs. In rivers it is equally effective. Darker colors such as black and olive allow it to imitate leaches, hellgrammites, and even small baitfish. Just before and after spawning, brown trout instinctively guard their redds and chase any small intruder out of their territory. During the fall, take advantage of the Crystal Bugger to elicit some fierce strikes from the territorial brown trout.

If you haven’t used them yet, give these flies a try this fall. I’m sure you’ll be impressed!

Tight lines!

Cody Kempton

The Nekid Fisherman

As you might guess I didn’t drive 9 hours to catch small fish so I decided to put up the 22’s and 24’s and throw something that might make a fish or two move. Since my confidence was waning I cut back my leader and tied on a big rabbit strip streamer that weighed close to five pounds. I realize that most situations call for a larger rod when hucking giant streamers, but I really didn’t think this was going to work anyway. This is the part of the story that really made me a Winston fan. The rod loaded smoothly and delivered the streamer thirty feet or so to the other side of a deep run. The little B2T had some power hiding in the bottom end. I was impressed. The streamer dropped below the fast current and as it drifted slowly into the deep it just stopped. I set the hook hard and for a couple seconds nothing happened. I figured I was snagged, but just as I prepared to drop my rod tip, I felt my rod shake. The fish rolled on the surface and I caught a fleeting glance. Nice fish. He took me across the river and bent my little rod to the cork. I gained line and he took it right back I applied pressure from different angles to try and disorient him. It took some time, but I finally coaxed the big rainbow into shallow water. I am not sure what the fish weighed but it taped out at just over 25 inches. Needless to say I am a fan of the Winston B2T. It is one of the finest fly rods I have ever fished and it does everything well. I liked fishing the rod so well I have decided to buy a nine foot five weight also, maybe a Winston six weight B2X. I’m also thinking about the Winston MX two-hander. Needless to say I’m sold.

Clarence Beavers