February 2015 - Spokane Women on the Fly

February 2015
Volume 2, Issue 1
M ONTHLY M END
Spokane Women on the Fly  [email protected]
www.spokanewomenonthefly.com  Facebook  Instagram
Logo has been Selected
By Heather Hodson
I’m proud to say that the Spokane Women on the
Fly (SWOTF) logo has been selected. The artist
UPCOMING SPOKANE WOMEN ON THE FLY EVENTS
February Tuesday 2/3/15  7pm  Fly Fishing Film Tour
Friday 2/6/15  6-9pm  Fly Tying Evening
Saturday 2/28/15  All Day  Rocky Fork Walk & Wade
behind the logo is Deanna Camp, local artist and
recent member of the group. She has graciously
donated her time and creativity to SWOTF. I think
the logo represents the ladies well, elegant with a
wild side. 
I’ve worked closely with Alex of H&H Outfitters
this month to get a website set-up to make our
products available. Thank you to everyone who
responded on Facebook with ideas about
products you’d like to see. To start, we will have
a women’s tee-shirt, 50/50 unisex tee, hoodie
and trucker hat. In the future, I’d like to have flex
fit hats, long sleeve shirts, vests and other apparel
March –
Friday 3/13/15  6-9pm  Fly Tying Evening
Wednesday 3/25/15  6-9pm  Silverbow Film Festival
Heather’s Monthly Tip…
Winter/Early Spring Hatches usually start around
1:30pm-2:00pm, usually on overcast drizzly
days. Slow runs can be good but look for the
back eddies where the mayflies circle endlessly
waiting for a trout to slurp on them.
so I have more time to work to pay for my fishing
as well.
addiction. =)
H&H will do all the printing and shipping of the
To view or order go to
items ordered. This takes me out of the equation
http://spokanewomenonthefly.bigcartel.com/.
Streamer Fishing for Big Trout by Kelly Galloup
By Heather Hodson
Kelly Galloup recently graced us with his presence
and has written several books on how to streamer
for the January Spokane Fly Fishers (SFF) January
fish. He has over 220 underwater research hours
meeting. I was lucky enough to attend an
on fish habitat and living conditions.
afternoon tying session with him. We learned how
to tie a couple of his famous articulated
I emailed Kelly after the presentation and he has
streamers.
offered any help with the group and is excited to
see more women getting involved in the sport. In
A Michigan native, Kelly Galloup, is known as the
his word “It’s been a guy thing for way to long”.
streamer guru and has recreated the articulated
streamer. He is the owner of the Slide Inn Fly
Let’s make a trip over to the Madison sometime
Shop on the Madison River outside of Ennis MT
and stay at the Slide Inn!!
Please see Details on Upcoming Events on page 5
Page 2
Monthly Mend
Streamer Fishing 101
By Heather Hodson
Many of us, including myself, are intimidated by
5. Retrieval
streamer fishing. You don’t know where to begin. Here
a.
are a few things I learned from Kelly Galloup’s
b. Control the line with your left hand
presentation “Streamer Fishing for Trophy Trout”
c.
Use the rod to move the fly
Fish every 3ft of water
d. Try different methods
Common Streamer Fishing Questions
e.
Jerk Strip Method
1. What size rod do you use to fish with streamers?
a.
i. Aggressive cast, smacking the
6 or 7wt rod will be easier to cast
water hard and close to the
2. Is there a special line to use for streamers?
a.
It’s best to use sink tip when throwing
streamers. This allows the fly to get
down to the 18-36” where the larger
fish are holding.
3. What size leader and tippet should be used?
a.
Butt Section – 12” of 20lb Maxima
bank. No dainty casts….
f.
g. Slow retrieval
6. How to choose a streamer?
a.
c.
Color (find a rotation)
i. White  Black  Tan  Olive 
Shorter the leader the more accurate
you’ll be with placing your cast.
d. The larger and heavier the fly, the
stronger the leader and tippet should be
4. Do you cast upstream or downstream?
a.
Profile
b. Size
b. Tippet to Fly – 18-24” of 12lb Maxima
c.
Fast retrieval
Yellow  Chartreuse  Blue
d. Big Fish Eat Big Flies
e.
SWITCH OFTEN
7. Where do the big fish hold
a.
Cast straight across the stream and
Everywhere you wade
i. Fish the water closest to the
attempt to keep the fly coming back
towards you.
shore before you wade into it!
b. Shallow
b. This is not a steadfast rule, there are
i. 6-18” cobblestone size gravel
times when you must cast directly
upstream and/or directly downstream.
Jerk Strip Retrieval
ii. 18-36” soft substrates
c.
Inside Bends with color change and/or
ledge
1- Start the retrieve with your rod tip pointed at the fly. 2 - Jerk the rod downstream 12 to 20 inches. The rod moves
the fly; not the line hand. 3 - While returning the rod to the starting position, strip in the excess line created by the rod
jerk. 4 - After you return the rod to the starting position, repeat the retrieve.


Read more: http://www.flyfisherman.com/featured/fly-fishing-technique-jerk-strip/#ixzz3PqLTKfor
Review Kelly Galloup’s YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0fT4fR8jsQ for more information
on leaders and streamer fishing
Please see News on page 3
Page 3
Monthly Mend
Where can I fish in February?
By Heather Hodson
February can be a very productive time to fish if
you are out on the right day. Here are a few
fishing options. Check out Silverbow’s Fishing
Report for the updated information.
http://www.silverbowflyshop.com/fishingreports
1. Spokane River
 This is your last full month (closes
3/15/15) to fish the Spokane River until it
opens back up the first of June.
 Both the upper (near Silverbow) and the
lower (below the Falls down to the Riffle
Club Road) are fishable now.
 Check out
http://www.silverbowflyshop.com/blog/win
ter-fly-fishing-part-one-spokane-river
2. Rocky Ford Spring Creek (near Ephrata WA)
 A fly fishing only stream that is spring fed.
 Travel time is 2.5hrs, it never freezes and
the fish are very big!!

The main food source for the trout is scuds,
midge larvae / pupa, bwo's, & some caddis.

SWOTF will be fishing here on 2/28/15.

Check out
http://www.silverbowflyshop.com/blog/roc
ky-ford-creek-flies-and-techniques
3. North Fork of the CDA River (Kingston ID)

Search for the slowest currents possible.

Streamers on a sink-tip or double nymph
rigs with split shot and an indicator are your
best bet.
News
Silverbow Women’s Beginner Fly Fishing Classes The classes have been scheduled for 2015. These classes are great for someone who has never picked up a fly
rod but also beneficial for those that have experience and want a refresher. The class discusses gear, knots,
where to fish, what to look for, entamology and we finish the 4hr class with an hour of casting practice. At only
$30, the class fills up fast. Call Silverbow 509-924-9998, and get yourself enrolled soon. The women’s classes
will be held on 4/11/15, 5/30/15, 7/12/15 and 9/19/15. The April Class is now SOLD OUT.
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers 2015 Rendevous and Brewfest – 3/6/15 and 3/7/15
Join some of the Spokane Women on the Fly ladies for the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers 2015 Rendezvouse
and Brewfest the first weekend in March. I've been invited to be 1 of 4 guest women speakers for "Women in
Hunting and Fishing" seminar. The Rendezvous will include a wide range of seminars on backcountry skills,
stories and habitat conservation. Come here me speak on Saturday as well as listen to all the additional
seminars. Even if you don't attend the Saturday seminars come and enjoy over a dozen breweries on Friday 3/6
at the Red Lion Hotel in the Skyline Ballroom, with a 360° views of downtown, from 5-9pm. Only $10 in advance
and $15 at the door. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php/rendezvous-general
What Additional Outings and Events Would you Like to See?
Do you have a favorite lake to fish? Want to go camping? Fish the river? Please utilize the closed Facebook
Group to ask the other ladies if they’d like to join. You can also email when you’re going to go out and I can
post it for you. If you have interest in help leading an outing, please let me know!!!
Page 4
Monthly Mend
What’s Hatching...
West Fly Fishing - http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/entomology/bwo.html
Fly Fisherman – What Trout Eat - http://www.flyfisherman.com/how-to/beginners/what-trout-eat/
Blue Wing Olives (BWO, baetis)
These tiny mayflies are rarely absent from the river and can
begin as early as February and continue through April or May, then start up again in September and last until
really cold weather sets in, usually around the end of October or early November.
How to identify a BWO? If the fly has wings that post straight up like a sailboat, it’s likely a mayfly. Also, pay
attention to how the trout are feeding (rising). If the take is more of an easy slurp versus an aggressive rise, the
trout are probably feeding on Mayflies.
Lifecycle of a BWO – BWOs go through 4 stages, Nymph, Emerger, Dun and Spinner. Mayflies have a shortlived lifecycle usually lasting from two-hours to three days.
Presentation - While slow runs can be good places to fish, some of the best fishing is in back eddies, where
little duns seem to circle endlessly--or until a trout sucks them down. Nymphs – Just below Riffles.
Emergers/Duns – Flats, Runs and Back eddies. Spinner – Slowish Riffles.
BWO Nymph – Nymphs live in almost all types of running water, but slow to moderate runs hold the largest
populations. Sunrise and sunset are the prime times for this activity
BWO Nymph Patters – Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, A.P. Nymph
Size/Colors –
#16-22  Dark Brown, Olive-Brown, Olive
BWO Emerger – The insects will swim up through the water column as they begin to separate from their
nymphal shuck, finally crawling free as they break the water’s surface. Emerger patterns are especially useful
during the hatch. When fishing a massive hatch, you might try a dun or cripple pattern that is slightly darker than
the natural. The trout don't seem to care, and it's easier to pick out your fly from the hundreds of naturals. Trout
feeding under the surface are less spooky than those feeding on top and usually far outnumber the fish that you
actually see rising. Plus, a fish that is feeding on the surface will often still take a properly presented emerger
fished just below the surface.
BWO Emerger Patterns –
Size/Colors –
Rising Nymph
#16-22  Brown, Brown-Olive, Gray
BWO Dun/Adult – The Dun rides the water surface in the upright position while their wings dry before taking
flight.
BWO Dun Patterns –
Size/Colors -
Parachute Baetis, Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, No Hackle, Thorax Dun
#16-22  Wings Smokey, Abdomen Olive to Olive-Brown
BWO Spinner – Spinner falls are important, so you should always carry a few patterns during the blue-winged
olive season. Some spinners actually swim or crawl below the water to lay their eggs, so sub-surface spinner
patterns and tactics should be part of your arsenal.
BWO Dun Patterns –
Size/Colors -
BWO Spinner
#16-22  Wings Clear, Abdomen Olive-Brown, Reddish Brown
Monthly Mend
Upcoming Event Details
February –
Tuesday 2/3/15  7pm  Fly Fishing Film Tour  Bing Crosby Theater
Winter can be a little slow for fishing so let’s get inspired to be back on the water by the many short films
at the Fly Fishing Film Tour.
Meet at Fire Artisan Pizza, 816 West Sprague Avenue 99201, at 5:00pm. We’ll eat, drink and walk over to
the Bing. I’ve made reservations for 30 people. Let me know if you’ll make dinner so I have a head count
If you can’t make dinner, meet us at the Bing for the films.
Tickets can be purchased at the local fly shops, Silverbow, NW Outfitters, Swedes and Castaway for $13.00
(cash and check only). $15.00 online.
Friday 2/6/15  6-9pm  Fly Tying Evening  Heather’s House
It’s getting closer to stone fly season so we’ll be tying Stone Fly Nymphs (Pat’s Rubber Legs) this month.
Again space is limited to the first 10 women to RSVP. I have 5 vices and tying tools that can be used. All
the materials for the flies will be available for $10.00, if you’d like to bring your own supplies I would be
happy to provide a list of materials we’ll be using. Bring your vice, tying tools, snack to share and
beverage of choice. If you have not done so already, please let me know if you’ll be attending so I can get
you on the list.
Wednesday 2/11/15  6-9pm  Spokane Fly Fishers Meeting  St Francis School
Be a guest to the monthly SFF Meeting. Rick Hafele presentation is titled “Nymph Fishing Rivers and
Streams”. This presentation is for anglers who want to learn more about the world trout live in, what they
eat, how they behave, and how to catch them. He will explain what goes on below the surface of a stream
and how to catch trout with nymphs. It covers equipment, insect behavior, patterns, and tactics.
Everything you should know, even if you don’t want to know it!
Saturday 2/28/15  All Day  Rocky Fork Walk & Wade
We’ll meet at the Petro, 10506 West Aero Road 99224, off of I-90 exit 272 at 5am. Bring a selection of
small dry flies, spring creek nymphs and streamers. You’re not allowed to be in the water so waders are
optional. No lead is allowed, only tin weight. 3-4x 9ft leaders, 5-6wt rods. Plan on being out all day,
bring a lunch and we’ll be home in the evening.
March Tuesday 3/3/15  6-8:30pm  Trout Unlimited Meeting  Longhorn BBQ (Valley Location)
Social Hour 6-7pm, Meeting Starts at 7pm
Friday 3/6/15  5-9pm  Brewfest sponsored by the Backcountry Hunter & Anglers
Join several breweries in the Skyline Ballroom at the Red Lion Hotel downtown Spokane. Tickets $10 in
advance, $15 at the door. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php/rendezvous-general
Saturday 3/7/15  6-9pm  Backcountry Hunter & Anglers 2015 Rendezvous
The premiere North American gathering of backcountry sportsmen and women as we come together for
good conversation, informative seminars, and great giveaways. Heather Hodson has been asked to be a
guest speaker for the popular “Women in Hunting & Fishing” seminar and SWOTF will have a vendor table.
https://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php/rendezvous-general
Friday 3/13/15  6-9pm  Fly Tying Evening  Heather’s House
It’s the monthly tying event, what would you like to tie in March?
Page 5
Spokane Women on the Fly Brag Page
Cold Temperatures Don’t Stop the Ladies from Getting some River Therapy
Julie Hooked into a Grand Ronde Steelhead
One of Julie’s Many Steelhead
Ashley braving the cold.
Kelly swinging for Steelhead
January Wooly Bugger Fly Tying Event
Learning how to tie Articulated Streamers with
Kelly Galloup