In this episode Fly Fusion Magazine editor, Derek Bird, along with associate editor, Jim McLennan, explore sections of British Columbia’s Cariboo River in their Water Master rafts. Though the river is a high volume stream, there are sections where rock outcrops provide a break in the flow, creating a trout sanctuary. Because of the fast flowing nature of the river, the wild rainbows are strong and readily take nymphs and dries. Subscribe to Fly Fusion Magazine and follow us on Instagram!
Articles
Swisher’s New Trout Patterns

The Swisher name is no stranger to new and innovate trout patterns. In the 80s Doug Swisher cowrote the best-selling fly-fishing book of all time, Selective Trout. Now he and his wife, Sharon, have a new book that’s definitely worth checking out. Flies for Selective Trout: Complete Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Tie the Newest Swisher Flies is filled with new recipes and tying instructions for flies that will provide anglers with a few more options when the trout get tight-lipped. The book has 33 patterns in all, ranging from dry flies to nymphs to streamers. Click here to check out the book.
Fly Fusion Series: Escape To Solitude
Of all of the many special moments we encountered, while filming season 2 of the Fly Fusion Series, this quote from Northern Lights Lodge owner, Skeed Borkowski, was the moment that had the most significant impact on us and we have been eager to share it with you.
“One of the most beautiful things about our area is that we don’t have cell coverage… I pray that in 100 years there will still be a place like this where you can escape. Someplace where midway through your back cast, or double hall, your phone doesn’t ring.” ~ Skeed Borkowski, Northern Lights Lodge
Fly Fusion Series: Every River Has a Story
As the Quesnel River runs through the Cariboo region of British Columbia, it’s comparable to Jekyll and Hyde. The river that leaves the lake is slow and meandering – it’s a forgiving stream. If a fly angler misplaces a fly while casting from the drift boat, there’s time to pick up and hit the water again. After a few miles, the river transforms into a powerful and erosive agent moving quickly through the sparsely inhabited region. In this episode Fly Fusion Magazine Editor, Derek Bird along with Associate Editor Jim McLennan, have to adjust their angling tactics in order to successfully fool the strong resident rainbows. Subscribe to Fly Fusion Magazine and follow us on Instagram!
Photo of the Day: Fly Fusion Series
Fly Fusion field editor, April Vokey, and editor, Derek Bird, take a break from the rigours of the fishing day on British Columbia’s Blackwater River to chat about dry flies, aggressive trout, and the rugged backcountry.

Gear Review: Redington Hydrogen Trout Spey
There’s a lot that the Fly Fusion staff likes about this new rod from Redington. At the top of the list is the fact that the company consistently finds areas of need and provides a solution at a reasonable cost to the consumer. The Hydrogen Trout Spey is designed to cover a lot of water with minimal angler effort. Each model features a medium- fast action, and the Zirconia stripping guides reduce guide and line-freeze in cold conditions. The down-locking, skeleton reel seat offers superior in-hand balance to create the lightest rod in its class. If you enjoy spending the day on the water, but feel the strain of overhand casting all day, or if you just want to cover more trout water with greater efficiency, make sure you check out the new offering from Redington.

Fly Fusion Series: Balance
The Blackwater River in British Columbia’s Cariboo region features a unique strain of rainbow famous for their aggressive feeding behavior. In this episode Fly Fusion Magazine editor, Derek Bird along with field editor April Vokey, travel deep into the Cariboo backcountry in hopes they’ll be successful in presenting dries to eager trout. Subscribe to Fly Fusion Magazine and follow us on Instagram!
Jim McLennan Tests Out a New Stillwater Boat
Fly Fusion Series: Connections
In this episode Fly Fusion Magazine Editor, Derek Bird along with Associate Editor Jim McLennan fish the creek and river mouths that run into one of North America’s largest fjord lakes. The sockeye cycle draws them there, but they’re not fishing for the salmon that have traveled over 500 miles to spawn in the glacial streams feeding the lake. They’re there to take advantage of the wild rainbow trout that rely on the spawning salmon as a food source. Subscribe to Fly Fusion Magazine and follow us on Instagram!
The New Nimbus from Winston

The R.L. Winston Rod Co. has two new fly rods they’re releasing summer 2017: the Nimbus and the Kairos. Last week they invited Fly Fusion editor, Derek Bird, to their factory in Twin Bridges, Montana for a sneak peek.
After testing out the Nimbus he said, “I walked through the factory and watched how Winston makes their rods. There’s a lot of care that goes into each rod right from cutting and wrapping the graphite all the way through to the hand-written rod inscription. It’s an impressive process. After visiting the factory, they put me on a small spring creek with the new Nimbus. The entire time I was casting I felt in touch with the rod; it has an extremely smooth casting feel. The Nimbus is a sensitive rod with tons of power.”
According to Winston, the Nimbus is “a completely new design inspired by our premium Boron rods. Using the same multi modulus graphite as our Boron rods along with versatile mid-tip flex tapers, the Nimbus provides all the core attributes and qualities one has come to expect from a Winston. Incredibly smooth casting, the Nimbus’ progressive action delivers unmatched all-graphite performance, with both the power and finesse to fish even the most challenging situations. Offered in a full range of freshwater, saltwater, and spey models, Nimbus rods are finished in a beautiful Big Sky Blue color and sport premium componentry and our renowned handwritten rod inscription. Proudly designed and produced in Twin Bridges, Montana, the Nimbus is simply the best all-graphite fly rod on the market.”