In the last few years, Everglades restoration saw real progress, but not without the sugar industry’s stiff resistance. Captains for Clean Water and other expert organizations have long touted the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir as the “crown jewel” for restoring the Everglades, as it would return the natural southerly flow of Lake Okeechobee water instead of east and west out to the coast. This project, however, threatens the sugar industry’s access to irrigation water, and the industry is putting up a legitimate fight–potentially stalling one of the single most impactful projects for South Florida’s clean water future.
The EAA Reservoir, which broke ground in February 2023, is a 16,000 acre project designed to store and naturally clean the nutrient laden excess water from Lake Okeechobee. Before this project, when Lake O became too full, water was diverted east and west, to the Callosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, fueling harmful algal blooms, ecological disasters, and millions in lost tourism dollars. Once complete, the EAA Reservoir would reduce these harmful discharges by 55%. While there is broad public support for this project and cleaning up Florida’s waterways, the sugar industry continues to put up a fight to preserve its status quo.
“This lawsuit gets to the core of the fight, which is who’s in control of the water in Florida and how is water being prioritized? Are we prioritizing water for the benefit of our residents, economy, and environment? Or, are we continuing to prioritize the irrigation supply for the industrial sugar industry, which is exactly what got us into this water crisis we’re in right now.” —Capt. Daniel Andrews, Executive Director, Captains For Clean Water.
For the last several years, the sugar industry has worked through the US legal system to stymie or flat-out halt tangible everglades restoration efforts. Specifically, the sugar industry is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the EAA Reservoir. Most recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Eleventh Circuit heard oral arguments. Captains for Clean Water was there in Atlanta to cover the hearing–recap here.
Captains for Clean Water continues its education and advocacy efforts to defend the EAA Reservoir and end big sugar’s death grip on achieving generational progress towards a restored Everglades and clean South Florida waterways. Make your voice heard through this Captains for Clean Water action alert and stay tuned for continued updates on this critically important fight for clean water!
Sometimes, the drive to the river is short; other times, there is a long journey ahead. Whether it be a long ride or a long session at the tying bench, a good podcast is a nice way to shake up the mood. Emerging, the official podcast of the Trout Unlimited Costa 5 Rivers program is the best way to do that. Our goal with Emerging and 5 Riversis to create positive change within the fishing community and beyond by amplifying intelligent, diverse, and positive voices. We are excited to share conservation experiences, fishing stories, outdoor adventures, and so much more.
Season four of the podcast focuses on community, inspiration, and the ethics of our natural resources, all through the lens of fly fishing. Throughout this season, we will speak to guests of varying backgrounds, genders, races, and ages to highlight the broadening community of the fly fishing world.
Sometimes, all you see on YouTube or Instagram is the same old cast, catch, and hero shot cycle. Don’t get me wrong — we love all that, but season four of Emerging will be different, with conversations about the science behind Tenkara, the ethics of harvesting fish, Sri Lankan cuisine, and natural disaster relief for North Carolina anglers.
Joe Tardif, the new TU 5 Rivers Podcast host.
Emerging has a history of being passed down from intern to intern within the 5 Rivers community. This history of change is what makes Emerging unique. It has been evolving through schools and hosts for years. Season 1 emerged with Joseph Berney as the host, following Cliff Watson behind the mic on season 2, and Linnea Turner mixing up season 3. Now, in the 4th season, I (Joe Tardif) will carry the flame as the Emerging Host. As an angler, hunter, student, and cook, I strive to broaden my horizons at every turn. I will use the podcast as a way for myself and my listeners to understand new and different perspectives.
My approach with Emerging will be a journey into the heart of what makes fly fishing a transformative experience. As I mentioned, everyone loves fish stories, and there will be plenty to come with this season. Some of the folktales come from Central Park, Alaska, the Florida Keys, and more. Along with harrowing fish stories, each episode will include a message of learning, community, and conservation. These are a must if you ask me. To inspire is the most important thing for the fly-fishing world because to inspire is to grow, and to grow is to conserve.
Want to listen to Emerging? The podcast is available onSpotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean. To learn more about the 5 Rivers program, check out thisarticle by past host and Fly Lords Director of Brand Partnership Joseph Berney. To stay updated with 5 Rivers, follow us on Instagram!
“Was definitely a shocker at the time! Was working my way up a usually productive pool wondering where the fish were! A whole seal in my honey hole was the last thing I expected to see”- Kai
Angler Story of the Week from Kai, be sure to follow Kai’s instagram at @Kaitroutnz!
Built tough, Turtlebox created the ultimate outdoor and adventure speaker—fully waterproof, drop-proof, and with incredible volume and clarity. We first heard about Turtlebox back in 2020 when we took a look at the Gen 1 speaker. Since then, we saw the release of the Gen 2 and Turtelbox’s rise into a household name in the fly fishing, water sports, and hunting communities. We’ve been putting the speakers through the wringer—saltwater, rain, snow, and more. With a bombproof design and a community of passionate consumers behind them, Turtlebox was off to the races—so much so that the brand experienced 200% year-over-year growth in 2024. That begs the question, what’s next for a company pushing the bounds of outdoor speaker technology?
The Grande nearly doubles the size of the existing Gen 2 speaker.
Recently, Turtlebox has been teasing its customers with a new, bigger version of its already popular waterproof speaker. The day has come when that speaker is finally here: enter the Grande. The Turtlebox Grande takes inspiration from its standard speaker and upsizes everything. This means a bigger woofer, bigger sound, and, of course, a good time on the water. We’ve seen this speaker pop up since AFFTA in 2024, when we got a first look at it, and have eagerly been waiting for this moment. In this first look, we dive into the new Turtlebox Grande and where we see this new speaker fitting in.
Speakers: 10-inch waterproof subwoofer, two class D amplifiers, and a 1.25-inch titanium tweeter
Max Output: 126 decibels
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.4 (“Party Mode” pairing with up to 100+ devices)
Battery Life: 158 Watt-hours
Weatherproofing: IP67 waterproof rating and ABS crush-proof rating
Price: $699
Turtlebox took everything the original speaker does well and upsized it in the Grande. The result is a 10-inch woofer that produces up to 126 decibels of crisp and clean sound. In addition, the Grande’s release sees the much-anticipated Bluetooth 5.4. This technology allows users to seamlessly connect and enable party mode, connecting 100+ speakers simultaneously (previously, this was two speakers). With a bigger speaker comes increased battery life. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, users can expect 158 watt-hours, nearly double the Gen 2. Lastly, it wouldn’t be a Turtlebox without reliable weatherproofing. The Grande comes with an IP67 submersible shell and an ABS crush-proof exterior for rugged reliability.
First Impressions:
Over the past few years, seeing and playing with the Turtlebox Grande and its prototypes in the wild, we’ve come to a few conclusions. The first thing is size. The Grande is big, essentially double the size of the Gen 2. While you will get better volume and sound out of the Grande, if space is limited, choose carefully. That said, this is the only downside we see. The sound quality and output create an incredible user experience. With the added “Party Mode” pairing, you can create surround sound-like effects with a handful of speakers. In fact, it is so seamless we’ve found ourselves walking between speakers to make sure they were all connected—a good problem to have. The bigger size also comes with a much larger battery. While the Gen 2 has decent battery life, we anticipate no issues with the Grande. Just like its predecessors, the Grande comes ready to battle the elements. We’ve put Turtlebox speakers through the wringer—salt, sand, water, and ice with zero issues to speak of.
So, where does this beast of a speaker fit in? After careful consideration, here is where you’ll be seeing us with the Turtlebox Grande.
On the Boat: Whether a drift boat, flats boat, or offshore boat, good tunes between spots can make a trip. We all know that one guy who has a knack for playing the right song at the right time. On boats with an engine, the added size and volume output have a crisp sound over engine noise.
Camping Trips: Heading into the mountains with some friends to chase fish? We never leave home without a Turtlebox, and the Grande fits that bill. Nothing goes better than good music, laughs with friends, and some storytelling. With that said, the Grande does get loud, so be considerate of others.
Backyard BBQ: If you want to be the king of backyard BBQs, a Grande should be on the top of your list. Its extended battery life and sound output mean you can set the tone for the entire event. Just make sure you have your playlist dialed in beforehand.
Final Thoughts
Turtlebox’s expansion of its product line is a refreshing site to see. The new Grande is certainly a beast of speaker, which is what it was designed to be. Users get impressive sound quality, output, battery life, and the same rugged design Turtlebox is known for. With a price point of $699, it is certainly an investment. However, there are plenty of speakers on the market with similar price points that are not waterproof and dropproof. All in all, the Turtlebox Grande is an exciting addition to the line-up and one we can’t wait to get out in the wild with.
The 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour is just around the corner! Before the films hit the screen, take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of each film in this year’s F3T Behind the Lens series. Plus, don’t forget to check out the 2025 tour dates HERE for the full schedule and to grab your tickets!
In this Behind the Lens article, we catch up with Helmut Zaderer in his newest film, Bumpyland. We discuss the intricacies of fishing for Bumphead Parrotfish and Zaderer’s world travels in this exclusive interview. You won’t want to miss this one! Check out the full interview below!
Flylords: It sounds like the Seychelles are a frequent destination for you. How many times have you been? When did you take your first trip there?
Exploring the Seychelles with a mothership is as remote as it gets.
Helmut: “The Seychelles definitely hold a special place in my heart. I took my first trip there more than ten years ago. Since then, I have been regularly fishing and exploring the Seychelles. If I add everything up, I have fished for 25 weeks across the various outer islands of the Seychelles.”
Flylords: What is “Bumpyland,” and why did you choose that to be the name of the film?
Helmut: “We thought the name Bumpyland was fitting for the film. It’s all about fishing for bumphead parrotfish. After all. where are there more bumpies on the flats than on Providence? Nowhere else in the world. There is a flat in Providence called Bumpyland, so the name came fairly naturally. We just wanted to make a film about bumpies because there was hardly anything on video, and these fish deserve a little love.”
Flylords: Tell me a little about the Bumphead Parrot Fish. Why did this become a target species for you?
Large schools of bumpies are a common sight in the Seychelles.
Helmut: “This fish is simply fascinating. It is extremely beautiful and ugly at the same time. It also seems prehistoric somehow. Just watching these schools on the flats is a wonderful thing. The way they move over the turtle grass and feed is fascinating. I had hooked 2 bumpies on Providence years ago but never landed one. At that time, there weren’t many bumpies on the flats. In 2024, the year we shot the film, a US group was in Providence for 2 weeks before us and saw absolutely no bumpies. When we arrived, it was full. The biggest schools we saw were more than 100 fish. So it all started happily.”
Flylords: What was preparing for this trip like? Did the knowledge that you’ll have cameras following you around on this mission make you nervous?
Gear prep is crucial for trips like this.
Helmut: “I have so much experience in saltwater that I more or less have a tackle list ready for every destination. Despite this, I always spend a lot of time packing. Too much, actually. For bump fishing, I tied orange and white Flexo crabs with strong hooks. I fished with a 10-weight floating line on 10-weight rods. The fight takes place via my Mako reel anyway. You can’t stop bumpies when they go off. You can only make it not too easy for them and hope that they don’t pull off too much line and reach deep water. Because then the fight is usually over. Like a triggerfish, bumpies look for a cave, a hole, simply a place where they can find shelter. As for filming, I don’t mind cameras at all. In fact, I’m used to it. I have my friend Vaidas with me on almost all of my trips as a filmmaker. We’re a close-knit team.”
Flylords: It wasn’t long before we saw some bumpy action in the film. How long did it take before you guys were able to find some schools of the target fish?
Helmut: “There is hardly any other destination with bumpers on flats, and your only chance of targeting and catching them is on a flat. I only know Providence myself. We fished for two weeks in a row in 2024. There were lots of bumpies to be found every day. We hooked a lot of them, and everyone in our group landed their bumpies. So it was easy to get enough material for the film. As I said, we were lucky with everything in the 2 weeks. Lots of fish and almost always good weather and good visibility made things fairly easy for us.”
Flylords: What makes these fish so difficult to catch as opposed to some of the other species that inhabit those flats?
Shallow water bumpies are critical to successfully landing a fish.
Helmut: “Bumpies aren’t particularly hard to fool. That said, the big difference is simply the size and power of these fish. If you find schools on the flats in wadable water depth, you have a very good chance of getting one to eat. It is important that there is enough distance to the deep water and that you can stop the fish on the flat. Then the chances of landing it are good.”
Flylords: How was working with the guides on the trip? You all seemed to have a lot of chemistry.
Good guides make all the difference.
Helmut: “We have known all the guides for many years. I have known Cameron, the manager, since I first fished in the Seychelles ten years ago. All the guides are super professional and are happy for every fish you catch. I think sharing these emotional moments is wonderful and is part of fishing. I like to think this came across in the film.”
Flylords: Was there a moment after you lost that first fish that you were afraid that may have been your only chance? How was your mental state after that first loss…?
Helmut: “Haha… it was actually the other way around. The first cast was successful. But I generally never put pressure on myself when fishing. The important thing is good weather and good conditions, then success usually comes by itself. What is even more important is spending such holidays with my friends and being privileged to fish in such places. I am grateful for that.”
Flylords: What is the actual process of casting and hooking up on a bumpy? (paint a picture of the emotions and physical sensations experienced)
Helmut: If you have a school of bumpies in front of you, then you hope that you can get close enough to them without attracting attention. Often, you can sense that they have already noticed you. Because they always keep so far away that even with a good cast it is hard to make it close enough. Then, when the moment comes, consider casting into the school. That can often result in the surface of the water exploding and all fish running away. Sometimes, they stay calm, though. That’s why I fish with a long 11-foot leader. It gives you a better chance of not blowing up the school. Then, you let the fly sink briefly and strip very slowly. The bite often feels like a snag for a short time, but only briefly, and then the train takes off. If the fish are very shy, it’s better not to cast into the school but try to cast in front of the lead fish.
Flylords: Once you finally landed that big fish, what was going through your mind? Were you worried about losing it, with it being such a violent fish even in the net?
Helmut: “Personally, I always get excited when I catch a nice fish. Especially when I see lots of coral and dangers in the area. The guides often help and walk along the fly line and hold the line up so that it doesn’t get tangled in corals. It’s not easy for a big bumpy to fit in a net. That particular fish jumped out not once but twice. That’s when the nerves really started to set in.”
Flylords: Looking back —was the hype worth it?
Helmut: “Yes, definitely. These two weeks were perfect in every way. We had lots of fun with good friends and a paradise-like environment. The fishing was simply a bonus. The stars really aligned for us in terms of conditions, and everything just came together. The end result was another one of our films that made it into the cinemas.”
Flylords: Who are some of the people who made this film possible? Any “Thank-yous” or dedications you want to make?
Helmut: “We always get support from our cross-media partners, and for that, I would like to thank Cortland and CTS Custom Rods made by Vstick and Ahrex. I also have to give special thanks to my friend Vaidas Uselis. He is simply a brilliant filmmaker and is always there when there is action. Thanks also to my good wife who allows me to spend a lot of time on the water.”
Flylords: What’s next?
“Since filming Bumpyland, I’ve actually been fairly busy. I just finished up a trip to Magbay, Mexico, exploring the incredible marlin fishery there. This coming February, I’m actually off to fish in Cosmoledo. I can’t wait to go there again. As far as films, you’ll just have to wait to see what’s next.”
A new report reveals a sobering reality for freshwater ecosystems: nearly one-quarter of the world’s freshwater species are now at risk of extinction. Released in Nature, the study highlights how habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation are devastating rivers, lakes, and wetlands—ecosystems that support a staggering diversity of life. From fish and amphibians to mollusks and aquatic plants, the loss of these species could destabilize ecosystems that millions rely on for water, food, and livelihoods.
Freshwater species are declining at a rate faster than their terrestrial and marine counterparts, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts. Among the hardest-hit regions are South and Southeast Asia, home to vital rivers like the Mekong and Ganges, where human pressures are accelerating biodiversity loss. The report calls for immediate global action to address the root causes, including implementing sustainable water management practices and reducing pollution.
For anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, the health of freshwater ecosystems directly impacts the fish populations and habitats we hold dear. Protecting these waters isn’t just about preserving biodiversity—it’s about ensuring future generations can experience the magic of thriving and intact fisheries.
Read more about the report here, and dive into the original study in Nature here.
“Our dogs have decided that fishing is also their hobby. It’s so cool to share that with them but it creates quite a bit of chaos on the water! It’s all worth it to see them living their best lives.” – @thefishingmutts
Reel of the week from @thefishingmutts, be sure to follow them on Instagram here!
Sinking fly lines are a complex subsect of the fly fishing world. The different grain weights and sink rates are much more complex than traditional floating lines. If you’re trying to figure out what line you need, check out our recent overview of the different lines available. Once you’ve figured out what line suits you best, it’s time to hit the water. While it may seem straightforward, there is a lot more to fishing these lines than it first appears. To shorten the learning curve and get your flies down where they need to be, we created this guide to fishing sinking fly lines. We cover the tactics, scenarios, and retrieves necessary to keep your fly in the strike zone.
Stillwater:
Stillwater fisheries are exactly what their name implies: bodies of stagnant water—lakes, ponds, and reservoirs—where fish are cruising around rather than holding in current. If you’re targeting fish in stillwater, there is no need to overcomplicate fishing a sinking line. Without any real current to meddle with your fly and the fly line’s descent through the water column, you can simply count down your fly to the desired depth. If your line is rated for 6 inches per second (IPS), then every second equates to roughly six inches of sink.
Don’t forget to take into account the weight of the fly you are fishing. A heavy, weighted fly will add to the overall sink rate. While each fly will behave a bit differently based on the materials it’s tied with, profile, etc, you can still do some quick math in your head to determine which depth you’re fishing at. For example, if given 10 seconds, a 4 IPS line will descend 40 inches, or about 3 ½ feet below the surface. I personally like to commit to fishing my fly at one depth for a dozen or so casts and then switch up my countdown in order to fish the fly higher or lower in the water column. When my streamer gets smoked— that’s the sweet spot. A Clouser will, of course, sink faster than a bulky deceiver, so be sure to consider your fly choice as well.
A great way to get a precise understanding of how your sinking line behaves is to simply watch it—especially if the water clarity is decent. Get up on some structure, whether shore fishing or up on the bow of your vessel, for a better-viewing vantage, and carefully examine how and when your fly line descends into the depths. Seeing is believing, right?
Remember that casting an aggressive sinking line is a lot more work than a slower-rate sinking line or sink tip, so take some time to consider what will get you down into the zone without having to exert yourself more than necessary. A 2-3 IPS line will get down deep if you allow it to, especially if it’s a full sinking line without a floating running line section. If you’re targeting fish below the 8-ish foot mark, a full sinking line gives you the best connection to your fly. While a sink tip may be able to get you into the zone, if your running line is on the surface, your fly will only stay that deep in the water column for a few strips before arking upwards back to you. A full sinking line with a few different rates of sink through the shooting head/running line almost eliminates the hinge effect of the line, resulting in better strike detection and line sensitivity/feel in general. In short, if you’re going deep in stillwater, opt for a full sink so you can maintain a nice connection to your fly and keep it down in the zone longer.
Stream Fishing and High Current Scenarios:
Introducing even a mild current into the equation is where things certainly get a bit more technical regarding sinking line tactics. Moving water, whether it be a river/stream flow or tidal current, will affect your fly line’s ability to descend unhampered. The greater the stream CFS, tidal current, or wave wash, the more sinking power you’ll require to get your fly down into the column. If you’re a floating line aficionado on the stream trying to wrap your head around sinking line rates, think more split shot and heavier flies when nymphing a fast, deep pool.
Kelly Galloup, the innovator of modern streamer fishing, hooked up to a nice streamer fish.
As soon as your line is straightened out and taken by the current, your fly will respond accordingly, so there are a few methods you can employ to get deep and stay deep. We already discussed how upstream mends, when utilizing a sinking tip, can give your fly more time to drop, so be sure to play around with that technique.
Trout streamer fishing requires throwing large flies and quickly getting them down to the strike zone. You are looking for a predatory response, so stick with quick, repeated casts. The “zone” you strip your flies through may be as short as 3-4 feet wide. In these scenarios, anglers can get away with a sinking line with a heavier density. The heavier IPS ratings will get your fly where it’s needed for these quick retrieves.
While striper fishing the tidal rips from a boat in moderate current scenarios here on my home water on Cape Cod, I often shake out an additional 5-10 feet of running line to allow the more aggressive sink rate section of my full sink to really get down there. The current is moving swiftly but not so fast that the line I shake out immediately gets swept away, so I’ve found this is a solid way to drop my squid and bunker patterns closer to the bottom where the fish are often holding.
Once again, keeping an eye on your fly line’s scope and behavior is arguably the best way to envision how your fly is behaving down there, so pay attention and gather all the data you can through simple observation.
Fishing the Surf and Wave Action
Fishing the surf can be some of the most rewarding DIY fishing. Big striped bass or snook cruising along sand bars and shoals offer excellent chances at true giants for those stuck to land. While water depths can vary, most beachside eats take place in relatively shallow water. Rather than a full sinking line, intermediate lines are the go-to choice for surf anglers.
The biggest factor beach anglers face is wave action. When battling rough surf, floating lines will get tossed around, resulting in slack lines and a poor connection to your fly. Intermediate lines sink just below the waves, enabling you to maintain a tight line and consistent retrieve. In addition, this slow sink rate, when paired with a properly weighted fly, will keep your pattern down where the fish are. With the fly protected from waves and in the strike zone, anglers can fish how they want.
Other Details to Consider:
Fly Movement:
Whether you’re targeting fish 5 or 15 feet under the surface, it’s also important to think about how your fly will behave based on different sinking line setups. The main factor here is the retrieve path between sink tips and poly leaders vs. full sinking lines and intermediate lines. A fly line with a sinking head or tip section only (sink tips and polyleaders) will tend to draw the fly off the bottom and upwards towards the floating running line sooner, so be sure to keep this in mind when trying to imitate the prey item you’re casting. Crawdads, various shrimp species, and crabs, for example, typically flee from predators downwards into the bottom structure or substrate rather than upwards or outwards, as a fleeing baitfish might do. If you’re attempting to imitate a prey item that burrows or evades predation by shooting down, you’ll want a full sinking line to best replicate this behavior. Simply put, a full sinking setup will allow you to better dredge your fly and stay deeper longer if the anticipated strike zone is on the bottom. Furthermore, the faster the sink rate, the faster you’ll be able to strip your fly without it coming off the bottom, so if fast retrieves are pivotal for producing bites in your fishery, keep this detail in mind as well.
Fishing from Shore vs. a Boat:
A factor that’s easily overlooked is where you’re casting from. You may find value in a sink tip rather than a full sinking setup if you’re wade fishing and making long casts to reach the deep water over a shelf. By employing a floating running line, your fly will theoretically come off of the bottom and avoid unwanted snags if you’re fishing it back to you over shallow structures or weeds. Alternatively, if you’re already out in the deep water on a vessel or shore fishing off a ledge with no skinny water to worry about hanging up on, you’re free to forget this detail.
Final Thoughts
We’ve waded through quite a bit of info here, so let’s end on a few key takeaways.
An assortment of sinking lines is great for different scenarios.
It’s worth experimenting with a few different sink rates/styles: Remember that sometimes the difference between producing bites can be as little as a few extra feet of depth, so it’s worth testing out some different line options. A 6 IPS full sink vs. a 4 IPS sink tip could very well be the difference that punches your fly through the swift tidal current or stream flow and suddenly puts you in the strike zone, so recognize that trying different sink rates and style lines could potentially blow your fishery wide open!
Practice makes perfect: If you’re new to casting sinking lines, there will be a learning curve, so be patient with yourself. These lines can be awkward, strenuous, and sometimes even sketchy to cast, so give yourself some grace while learning the casting dynamics of a new fly line. This is also yet another reason to explore your options and experiment with some different sinking lines – you may find one that nicely clicks with your muscle memory for whatever reason.
Spare spools allow you to quickly change between lines.
Extra spools are your friend: Let’s be real here – putting together a whole other fly fishing setup isn’t cheap, so consider the benefit of buying an extra spool or two for your existing reel in order to quickly and easily swap out lines. An extra spool also, of course, packs lighter and more compact than an additional reel if pack space or weight is crucial to your style of fishing.
Don’t overthink it: While we only scratched the surface of tactics and techniques, and there are countless factors and nitty-gritty details to consider when fishing a sinking line setup, sometimes it can be helpful to take a step back from the science of it all and just fish. There’s a time to be technically minded, and there’s a time to just let it rip and be mindful of your results, so don’t forget to see the value in some good ol’ fashioned trial and error.
In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Hopper Juan Ramirez ties a baetis nymph that should find its way into every angler’s winter fly box, the Bearded Jedi.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
Two food items on nearly every trout’s winter diet are midge and baetis nymphs. Entering into a lethargic state similar to most people during these cold months, trout will continue to eat smaller insects to conserve energy until water temperatures warm with spring. This presents a unique opportunity for anglers to learn new techniques and how important fly selection can be for finicky fish. There are many patterns that are staples for the winter fly box, but the Bearded Jedi is a buggy baetis nymph that every tyer should be taking advantage of this season.
Tying this fly is similar to other baetis or stoneflies, just scaled down. When working with smaller hooks, using a small diameter thread is key to not overbuilding the body and crowding the hook eye. The rib used to build part of the body is a versatile synthetic material that can be applied to countless other patterns and will hold its strength exceptionally well. Add variation to the Bearded Jedi for your specific water and to see exactly what color or combination produces the most consistently.
For finicky fish during the winter, it is common practice for success to drop down in both fly and tippet sizes. This requires weight to be involved if fishing a nymph rig, whether that comes from a bead, wire, or split shot. As always with winter fishing, dress warm and wade carefully, nothing is worth a spill into freezing water. Fish the Bearded Jedi this season with confidence and bring more picky trout to the net than ever before.
