Our good friend and guide in Holbox, Mexico, Alejandro Vega Cruz, or more affectionately known by everyone as Sandflea is currently undergoing major heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He needs our help. Sandflea has had a bad heart from birth and therefore can not get health insurance. His friends have a Go Fund Me Site and Facebook page which we will link below. Many of you know Sandflea from our trips to Holbox. If anyone can make a donation, he and his family will really appreciate your generosity. Thanks from us too.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveSandflea?fref=ts

http://www.gofundme.com/u3epb6x

Beetle Mania

Now that Memorial Day is behind us, we turn our thoughts to summer fishing and look forward to Sulphurs, Light Cahills, Slate Drakes and, of course, terrestrials. Ah, the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

Here on Fishing Creek summer is arriving early and we have been using beetles for several weeks and, as in other years, our two favorite pattern are Jim's Beetle and our own Super Beetle. Jim's beetle is a design from our long-time fly tier, Jim Smethers, who has tied for us for at least 30 years. His small, legged, foam beetle, with a spot of orange on the back, is always a top summer producer, and our larger Super Beetle is easy to find on the water, floats like a cork, and is especially productive in faster runs and pocket water often bringing up a big fish.

In celebration of summer we're offering a special- 6 Super Beetles & 6 Jim's Real Beetles for $19.95 plus shipping.   Click here to visit our store to purchase.

We also found a video clip we wanted to share with you.  Tom Rosenbauer gives us some tips on streamer retrieves. If you find yourself on the stream after a summer thunder storm with high, off-color water, his suggestions will be worth trying!  Click here to watch the video.

Does Your Fly Line Twist?

Russ Miller of the Far Bank family has a great tip for untwisting fly lines. Not everyone experiences line twist, but if you are with us and have been frustrated with this problem, here's the solution.

Also, Barry has been out of the office quite a bit the last few weeks and when I asked him what he was up to he told me a little bit about his time with Jay Green.  I asked him to type me up a story for a blog and he did.  Enjoy!

Sage's Jay Green

We watched the big rainbow in awe, sitting dormant on the stream bottom, it showed no sign that it was feeding. "That's a big fish" Jay said and I quickly agreed. But, with no signs of movement, it looked like he had lock jaw. I had little hope that we could interest the big fish but hope springs eternal so I said to Jay "Lets give him a try". The water was gin clear and I knew our first cast would have to be perfect, one mistake and it would be over.

Jay quietly slipped into the water and found an angle to make his presentation. On the end of his fourteen foot 4x leader was a bead head pheasant tail nymph. I watched as the fly line moved through an arc as Jay delivered forty feet of line leader and fly. It was a perfect cast and I watched as the small white strike indicator floated toward the fish. I could see the white mouth open and close as the strike indicator paused. I yelled "Strike!" but Jay had already started to lift the rod. Fifteen minutes later a beautiful twenty inch plus rainbow lay in my net, the pheasant tail nymph hooked in the side of the jaw. Together we watched the rainbow swim back to freedom as I congratulated Jay on a job well done. He smiled and said that single fish was worth the trip. 

The trip was a long plane ride from Seattle to our Fishing Creek valley but Jay makes the trip each year and we get to spend a few days together fishing and talking about the fly fishing industry. It's always something that I look forward to, for Jay is at the helm of a company called Far Bank which owns Sage, RIO and Redington, three of the top brands in the fly fishing world. The name Green has long been associated with Sage as Don Green was the founder and today we have Jay, no relation, but both men with a commitment to building and offering the best fly rods out there.

Jay has traveled the world fishing both fresh and salt, and has brought to net just about every species available to a fly fishermen. An extremely focused and well disciplined angler, Jay is the perfect individual to lead Sage into the future. For those of us who love our Sage equipment it's nice to know that Sage is in the safe and capable hands of Jay Green.

For our blog this week I wanted to fill everyone in on what's going on here at the Becks. It seems like our work changes with the seasons. As soon as the weather started to show signs of spring, we were bombarded with phone calls for guiding. I guess you were all as anxious to get outside and on the water as I am to get my gardens started! So here in the office we've been busy scheduling guides and setting up casting lessons with Cathy. Our guides tell us that the Hendrickson hatch this year here at home has been one of the heaviest in years and now anglers are looking forward to the March Browns, which should start anytime. It's been a very good season so far on Fishing Creek. Cathy took me on a tour of our home waters and where the guided fishing takes place and although I'm not an angler (yet!), I can see why everyone wants to come to Fishing Creek. Beyond the great trout, the scenery is just beautiful. We were walking along the stream and it felt like there was no one else around for 100 miles. How peaceful!

Anyway, we've also had some changes in the office. As I mentioned a few months ago, Nancy has mostly retired so we're all working together to keep things going smoothly. She has done such a great job that it's pretty big shoes to fill but we're doing the best we can. She's taking this time to enjoy her grandsons and I know they are keeping her very busy!

Eddie, who if you don't know him, is our techi guy. He's only in the office one day a week but we call on him more often than that. Right now he's updating laptops for Cathy & Barry's travel needs and making sure our computers here in the office are as fast as they can be. We just recently got higher speed internet out here (yes we really are out in the middle of nowhere), which means we can do more uploading and streaming. He's pretty impressed with the service we get "all the way out here".

I'm also working on updating the web site for 2016. It seems so far away but in reality we're almost half way through 2015. We have a few confirmed trips already scheduled for next year including Chile for January 9-16, New Zealand February 2-16, Argentina Feb 28-March 20, Alaska August 6-13 and Mongolia September 26- October 3. These will be live on our site soon but in the meantime if anything sounds interesting to you, don't hesitate to give us a call and I'll be glad to give you more information. From our photography end, Barry and I have been busy working on submissions for late summer magazines. We just landed the covers of American Angler and Montana Outdoors for May/June. We've also been back and forth with Field & Stream for some upcoming issues that we're excited about. Make sure you grab a copy of these magazines when you're out shopping!

Cathy & Barry are at Rockwell Springs Trout Club in Sandusky, Ohio, this week conducting fly fishing schools and clinics. They've been doing RSTC clincs for 20 or so years and have made many friends and always look forward to returning each year.

As I look at their upcoming schedule, there is still one room open at Holbox, Mexico, in July that we're hoping to fill and a couple rooms open on the Bighorn in August. If you're still looking to schedule a summer fishing trip, give us a call.

We hope you are having a great Spring and from all of us here at Beck Photography, Happy Casting!

Need a last minute idea? How about a day of guided fishing for you and her? Get her out of the house, away from the job (or kids), and spend an enjoyable day on the stream with one of our guides. We still have a few days available in May and June for prime time fishing. We'll email you a certificate which you can print and slip into a card. Presto! Your shopping is done.  

$395 for 2 anglers. Lunch is included and any needed tackle.

Beginner or novice?No problem. Make it more special with a night at our local B&B. Lots of options. Check our web site for complete details and then give us a call or email. We've got you covered and you'll be a big star!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 570-925-2392

Also, we came across a great article on catch-and-release techniques from Patagonia Clothing Company we wanted to share with you. It's interesting and we hope you'll take time to read it. There is new information on fish survival and recovery all the time and we think you might learn some new tips. I know we did.

http://www.thecleanestline.com/2015/03/the-release-fundamentals-of-fish-and-path-to-responsible-angling.html

And lastly this week, we have a few openings on upcoming trips. It's not too late to plan a get-away this summer or fall:

Holbox, Mexico (tarpon) - 1 room, July 6-13
Africa, Photo Safari - 1 spot/shared tent, 7/23-8/4 or 8/4-16
Bighorn River (trout) - 2 rooms, second week, 8/29-9/5
Spain - (trout) - 1 room, 10/13-20
Tres Valles (trout) - 1 room, 11/27-12/7

You might wonder why we are writing this week about WD-40 and maybe you're received the emails going around touting all the uses for the product - you can use it to kill insects, unkink gold chains, it removes crayon from walls, waterproofs shoes, and on and on. Seems like there's no end to it's usefulness, and our tip isn't as exciting as using it on trees to keep beavers from chewing on them, but it does save zippers on waist packs, raincoats, and gear bags used around saltwater.

We recently got home from Mexico and a day was spent washing clothing, shoes, tackle and gear from the trip. We've written before about how important it is to properly clean fly reels and to store them with the drags loosened, and how Barry uses Pledge wipes on our rods and reels. Well, I found the coolest way to treat zippers on raincoats, bags, and packs — a WD-40 Pen. This pen has a felt tip, just like a marker, through which the WD-40 is released. You can run it along the zipper lubricating it as you go. I use the spray directed to the zipper head itself and the pen for the teeth of the zippers. It prevents saltwater corrosion that can show up months later even after the most thorough cleaning. It even works on zippers that are starting to stick or hang-up. Try it yourself, we think you'll find many uses for the WD-40 pen and the spray can!

And lastly, our friends and Sage distributors in Iceland, Oli & Maria Vigfusson sent us photos from a recent bonefish trip. They are loving the Method and Motive rods. What's not to love? And the bones aren't bad either! We're glad you had a great trip. 

2 Rooms Open in Holbox, Mexico

We only have two rooms left at Isla Holbox, Mexico. Enjoy early morning boat rides for baby tarpon and snook, and big migratory tarpon if wind permits. Fish until early afternoon and then chill out on the breezy verandah, enjoy the beach, take a siesta, swim with the whale sharks, or just relax in the shade. We've got a great schedule, it's a fun island with lots to do, and the perfect get-away for non fishing partners. Get the details and come along with us. Easy in/out. July 6-13. Click here for more information

Over Lining Rods

There is a lot of talk these days about whether or not to over line your fly rod. Field & Stream's Fly Talk this month features an article by Kirk Deeter with interesting comments. We often over line our fast Sage rods in windy situations when using big, heavy flies, and particularly with lines like the RIO Outbound Short, but I can't ever remember over lining lighter trout rods. Seems like Everything in moderation is the general consensus. It's an interesting read. Enjoy.

We heard from Cathy and they've had a great couple of days fishing for baby tarpon from Campeche. Early days, leave the dock at dawn and fish until 1-2:00. Chill for the afternoon and into town for dinner. Campeche is a wonderful colonial town with lots going on downtown in the evenings and many choices for good restaurants. Great weather and baby tarpon galore, there will be more trips to Campeche on their schedule! 8 & 9 weight rods, 7-25 pound tarpon. Lots of fun. They are at Grand Slam in the Yucatan now and we'll have a report for you next week.

She also sent some photos which I'd love to share with you.  What a beautiful place!  

I don't know about spring where you are, but here in northeast Pennsylvania it's been slow in coming. And even though nice weather is sure to come, we're expecting the early season to include a lot of high water, cold temperatures, and late hatches. That could all change, of course, but it's looking that way at the moment. We're still getting snow run-off from the mountain and our nights are very cold. With these conditions, it might be wise to make sure the sink-tip lines are in the gear bag and ready to go in case you run into high, cold, water this spring.  

A sink-tip will get the fly down deeper and faster than adding split shot to the leader of a floating line. When the water is deep and the current is moving along at a good pace, the leader and fly will often be swept through before it can get deep enough to reach the fish. If the fish are sitting on the bottom, as they often are in these conditions, you've got to get the fly down to where they are. It won't work if your flies are continually going over their heads. By using a sink-tip the fly line sinks and the leader is pulled down with it. For instance, a RIO 15' Type 3 WF6 Sink Tip has a sink rate of 3" per second. By using a weighted fly like a Super Bugger, the cast will sink quickly and the fly will get in front of the fish. The fish won't want to move quickly in cold water temperatures, so a slow, deliberate retrieve will often produce results. At the end of the retrieves, try wiggling the fly up to the surface before lifting the cast from the water to recast. You might be surprised to find that a fish has followed the fly in and as the fly is wiggling toward the surface, he will often take it here at the last second. If the water is off-color, you may otherwise pull the fly away from the fish that you can't see.

Casting sink tip lines is not difficult if you remember a couple things. Unlike a floating line which is on the surface, a sinking line is — well, sinking. This makes it difficult to recast unless you've stripped in most of the line. A trick that will make it a little easier is to roll cast the sink tip back up to the surface before recasting. Don't give it time to sink again, as soon as it turns over on the roll, pick it up to recast. (Shoot a little line to add to the amount of line you're recasting during the roll if you can.) You will also find that as the amount of sink-tip increases that you are casting, you'll want to slow down the speed of the casting stroke so allow the rod to load. A fairly fast action rod will help with this. You want to be able to feel the rod load but at the same time you want a rod with enough power to keep the line moving without collapsing. A very fast action rod might be good in a strong wind when you're chucking heavy flies, but in general spring conditions, a rod that allows you to feel the cast is best. Since you're not looking for delicate presentations, a shorter leader, maybe 5 or 6 feet, is often all you need. If you find that the leader is landing in a pile upon delivery, keep the rod tip up a couple inches higher on the last cast. This will give the leader time to unroll before landing on the water.

When the fish are sitting on the bottom, you have to go to the bottom to get them. Using a sink-tip line will help make the job easier.

Until next time.  -Cathy

We also wanted to share with you that we are putting our Super Bugger Selection on sale for the start of fishing season.  For the next month we dropped the price to $24.95 plus shipping so you can replenish your streamer supply.  Click here to go to our store site to order. 

The Bighorn River has over 6,000 trout per mile, one of the most fertile, most productive, trout rivers in the country. In August the water levels are typically low and some of the best dry fishing of the year can be had here. It's a river of options — look for "heads" and fish dry flies, rack up numbers and fish nymphs, fish hoppers, throw streamers in the lower river, or mix it up. The days are long, the nights are cool, it's a very pleasant time to be on the river.  

Come with us in August and enjoy summer on the Bighorn at Kingfisher Lodge. There's nothing like it and you'll be so glad you did. August 22 - 29 or August 29 - Sept. 5. Complete details and prices are included in the itinerary. Call us or Denise at Frontiers (800-245-1950) if you have any questions. See you there!

View the trip details on our website