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
Umpqua Power Taper Leaders
Umpqua Power Taper leaders are quickly becoming my favorite leader to fish. Whether you are fishing skinny water in Puget Sound or hopper fishing a big River, a little extra help goes along way. We as anglers tend to think of fly line tapers for assistance when casting large or heavy flies. This is true, there are tapers for every fishing situation out there, but the leader is often overlooked.
Tying the Pass Lake Minnow
Pacific Fly Fishers' Pass Lake Minnow has been a popular and productive fly for imitating Fathead Minnows in Washington's Pass Lake. In this article, learn how to tie the Pass Lake Minnow. Includes the photos, instruction and necessary materials.
Invention of the RIO Coastal QuickShooter
RIO's new Coastal Quickshooter fly line has been an instant hit with Puget Sound cutthroat anglers. Read about the ideas and process of developing the line from Pacific Fly Fishers' Capt. Ben Zander, who created the idea and helped RIO to make the line to his specifications. The RIO Coastal Quickshooter is an intermediate sinking line with a clear head and chartreuse running line. It shoots like a laser beam into stiff beach winds and keeps the fly in the fish's zone.
6mm Fly Tying Foam
In recent years, the use of thicker forms of foam have become much more prevalent in the world of fly tying. Saltwater poppers like the Tequilla Popper, the popular Morrish Mouse (pictured), numerous bass poppers, and even steelhead skaters are utilizing thicker foam to keep flies riding high and creating more surface disturbance.
Double Pupil Lead Eyes
From Hareline, these Double Pupil Eyes are a great substitute for tying Christmas Island Special bonefish flies. They look fantastic and the fluorescent colors (Fl. Pink, Fl. Orange, and Chartreuse) are super bright. Offered in either lead or brass for the perfect sink rate.
Float Tube vs. Pontoon Boat
Few things can impact the success and enjoyment of fly fishing more than having a way to get out on the water. Whether you are fishing rivers or lakes, having a way to float the river or get out on that lake will usually make your day more productive and fun. Often, anglers start with a float tube or pontoon boat since they are both fairly inexpensive and don’t require a lot of storage space like a drift boat does.
New Dubbings
We've added some new kinds of dubbing here at Pacific Fly Fishers. And we also have a number of others on clearance sale for $0.99. Check them out. We have new dubbings for dry flies, nymphs, steelhead, and even a dubbing that makes very cool small baitfish streamers. Here is a list of the new dubbings:
Lenice Lake - Hold the Wind, Please.
When I arrived at Lenice and opened the door of my truck, it was immediately pulled from my hand, blew open and shook the truck as it reached the maximum limit of the hinges. “Whoa, it’s a bit windier than I thought it was”, I said to myself.
In the parking lot, a customer and friend of PFF watched me roll in and came over to say hello. He regrettably informed me that the lake was fishing pretty slow and that it had been windy all morning and he was heading home. I could certainly see the wind hadn’t let up as I began packing my boat with the eight million fishing goodies I like to have with me in a day of fishing.
Video: Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
I recently had the opportunity to help with the filming of a short video on fly fishing for smallmouth bass on Banks Lake. The video is part of a series of videos the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is producing to promote the amazing variety of fisheries found in Washington.
Bruce Bolding (WDFW Warmwater Fish Program Manager, Olympia, WA) and Danny Garrett (Biologist and video producer extraordinaire, Mill Creek, WA) were the representatives of WDFW and the ones producing the video. David Williams, author of the soon to be released book, Fly Fishing for Western Smallmouth, and I were the anglers in the video.