Vacation
August is the month for taking a vacation and we here at the Fly Shop are no different. During the week of August 16 - 20 the Shop will be experiencing reduced hours while we head to Montana to fish, breathe in some cool mountain air, relax and hopefully visit some friends.The Shop will be left in the capable hands of my henchmen, Scott, Ron and Gabe and the hours will be posted long before our departure.
August is also the month that hatches start to get a little heavier and a little more predictable. The weather typically stabalizes and while warm is a little drier. Trout fishing is better in August. If you don't believe me, go try it. Fish an emerger or soft hackle. Knock yourself out on Tricos or Plauditus or midges. Trail a small dropper behind a beetle or hopper and see what lies in wait. Switch leaders: try a Czech system with three flies and try to tell me that it doesn't work. Or take a day off work and wade fish the Rum, the Snake or even the Mississippi for samllmouth. You might even catch a pike. Stop whining.
A SPECIAL OFFER...
I've been looking for a good fishing shirt ever since I ended our experiments with Columbia and Aqua Stealth. It always seemed like there was something wrong: durability, scratchy mesh fabric, oversized pockets and a "cool" fabric that wasn't really cool. At the trade show last September we think we found a superior product from a company named Rail Riders. These are extremely comfortable shirts made of lightweight fast drying synthetic fabrics with right sized pockets, strategic vents made with smooth and comfortable mesh, and they come with UPF 30+ sun protection and a built in insect repellant that'll last through 70 washings.
Here's an update for you. So far this season I've sustained three mosquito bites while wearing my Rail Riders shirt. I spray a little deet on my cap and put a little Ultrathon on the backs of my hands and that's it. I've been biten once on the lip and twice on the palms of my hands, but otherwise I haven't really been bothered by them this season.
Now, until they run out, we have a gift for you when you purchase one of these shirts. When you buy either a Madison River Shirt or an Equator-HT Shirt you will receive an Insect Shield bandana free. Wear it around your neck on a windy day. Or, tuck it under your cap to keep the sun off your neck. Or, tie it around your forehead to keep the sweat out of your eyes. No matter how you wear it your Insect Shield bandana will be fighting off mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and no-see-ums, just like your new shirt. Plus, it's UPF 30+ sun protection will help keep you safe from the rays of old Sol.
Fly Fish U
This is a big year for Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop because we're in the process of revamping our course offerings in an effort to make your experience on the water more meaningful. Our fly tying and rigging curricula are pretty much the same although a couple of classes have been added on the rigging side. Even the casting schools are intact but we've added a couple of classes to get you started a little faster. Here are some of our new offerings, with more to follow.
PRACTICAL CASTING I
Dedicated exclusively to achored line casting (roll cast, switch cast and single spey) and the quickest way to get you on the water. These classes will be held Saturday afternoons.
PRACTICAL CASTING II
This class will help you make the switch from anchored to aerialized casting (eliptical and pick-up and lay-down) and puts another arrow in your fly fishing quiver. These will also be held Sat. afternoons.
KNOT TYING
This is the class you need before taking one of our fishing schools. It will teach you to rig your outfit from the reel arbor to the fly and is invaluable.
LEADER CONSTRUCTION
This class covers the evolving theory behind leader design whether an 11' Harvey leader or an 8' bass or pike leader. Students will build two leaders in class.
MAP STUDIES
Our objective is to teach you to read a contour map, negotiate your your way from one fishing spot to another and find your way back to the car after dark.
TROUT FISHING SCHOOLS
This is an intensive, four hour, on the water school with a mentor at your elbow teaching you how to fish for trout. Prerequisites are KNOT TYING and PRACTICAL CASTING or Beginnning Casting. Held March through June and September.
For anglers with experience who recognize a need to increase their on-the-water skills we offer the following classes:
FISHING DRY FLIES
Learn how to determine which stage (emerger, dun, spinner) trout prefer based on the rise form, how to adjust your leader for maximum drift, how to position yourself for the most effective cast and how to mend efficiently.
FISHING NYMPHS
Learn several methods of rigging for nymph fishing, how to recognize and fish various types of water, how to fish at different depths and how to cast weighted nymphs, shot and indicators more efficiently.
FISHING SOFT HACKLES AND EMERGERS
Learn how to fish a wet fly three different ways and how to most effectively fish an emerger.
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