In this article, learn how to tie the Exasperator from the tying desk of the Exasperator's creator, Michael Bennett. Step by step directions with photos and tying tips. There is something about the Exasperator. It seems to turn fish when nothing else will. All steelhead fly junkies have their favorite flies and for me, for many years now, the Exasperator has been my go-to big fly.
Pacific Fly Fishers' Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Blog
How to Tie the Exasperator Steelhead Fly
Mid June Update
It’s late spring in Western Washington and June 1st signals the opener for our local rivers. Summer-run steelhead fishing has finally arrived. Although the calendar might say it’s the sixth month and New Years is January 1st, I tend to count my years starting mostly with the steelhead seasons. So June 1st to me is the start of a new year for fishing tallies.
Skykomish Winter Steelhead
Knowing this rain was on the way and with the Christmas season starting to get crazy at the store, I fished the lower Skykomish today since it could be my last chance to get on the water until January. I fished two runs pretty hard but didn’t find a fish willing to eat.
Another Blow Out
And an update on the lower river. Its a much different river than last year, to those that are familiar with the Hoh this is not news to you but for those that don’t know how this little river works. Rapids have disappeared, boat launches have moved back to gravel bars and take outs are no longer in main channels. For those that are looking at taking out at Barlows bring a trailer with a wench and a truck with good tires and 4WD. Here is a pic of my dads truck pulling the boat out at Barlow’s a little over a week ago.
Good Timing on the Grande Ronde
In late November Joe and I made a last minute decision to head to the Snake and Grande Ronde rivers for two days of fishing. We had originally intended to head into BC and fish the mighty Thompson River, but an outstanding Snake River fishing report from Garry Sandstrom, fly fishing manufacturer’s representative and former owner of the Morning Hatch Fly Shop, stirred our interest in heading east instead of north.
Two Days Off
Well a couple of cancellations gave me a few days to fish with Mr. Zander and Mr. Ewing, on the Wenatchee. I’ve been trying like mad to get Ben on a steelhead river for a day. We’ve been Shad fishing, Cutty Fishing, but no Steelhead. So with a day off from the shop he headed over and met my dad and myself in Cashmere.
Klickitat River
Ok so I spent my B-day fishing the Klick for a few days. Hot sunny weather, good camping, fishing not so good for the swingin guy. For the temps the river was in pretty good shape. Not to cloudy but not to clear either. I was kinda hoping it would be dirtier or clearer.
Bulkley River, B.C.
Every year I try to take some kind of big steelhead trip in the fall. Usually that means the rivers of the Skeena system in northern British Columbia. This year I went up there with buddies Christian and Nic and we had planned on fishing for a total of six days straight.
We headed out of town on Monday night with a plan to arrive in the town of Smithers around 11:00 a.m. and be fishing by noon or 1:00. In normal conditions, Smithers is about a 15 hour drive from Mill Creek. Unfortunately, on this trip it would take a lot longer to get up there.
Finally the Local Rivers Are Open
After a 6 month hiatus for most of our local rivers they are all finally open to fishing again. That means no more traveling to the coast or the Columbia River trips to get my fishing fix in. After a brutal winter fishery with the wonderful weather we had this fall, winter and most of spring, this weekend finally showed signs of summer.
That means summer run steelhead are in full swing on a few of our local rivers. The Skykomish opened up on the first of the month and with it being at a fishable level for the majority of anglers in the state, they all showed up en mass. For as crowded the river was there should have been more fish caught. Which tells me that the low water levels we have had for the last month or so has yet to bring in the bulk of the run.
A week on the Ronde
So fall is here and with every fall my mind turns to the Eastern Washington rivers and their summer run steelhead. I fish the Wenatchee, avoid the Methow and the crowds, hit the Snake or the Clearwater, but the one thing that I never miss is the Ronde. Some weeks are busy. Some weeks are slow with people.
Some weeks have been blessed with a bounty of fish and some have been the “should have been here last week” trips. All in all, no matter what week we have, its still a special trip. Fish or no fish, there is no place in middle to late October I would rather be.