Orvis’ 50 Years of Graphite

 

Orvis is celebrating a golden anniversary with the Helios™ Limited Edition dry fly rod.

To commemorate the occasion, their rod designers built a rod that will pull at the heartstrings of the technical dry fly angler and showcase the accuracy, precision, and eye-catching look that their graphite rods are known for. They started out with a retro-inspired, unsanded 9’5″ 4-wt. Helios D blank, dressed it up with gold accents, black anodized reel seat hardware, and a hand-selected burl maple insert, and presented the whole package in a signature 50th Anniversary rod tube and sock. The length, line weight, and crisp D-series feel make this rod perfect for presenting tiny dries with laser precision, with that extra length you always want for mends and reach casts.

The Helios™ Limited Edition Fly Rod takes everything Orvis has learned in 50 years of graphite rod building and puts it in your hand. Limited run of 500 rods, so get one while you can.

Another Option to Tying Balanced Flies

By Jeremy Davies

Most fly anglers are aware of balanced leeches and their effectiveness; however, many anglers have trouble balancing them and want another option. Tying a streamer as a straight jig, such as the Jailbreak Jig, has become much more popular over the last few years, as it doesn’t require the fly tier to balance the fly. I have spent a fair amount of time fishing these jig streamers on medium to large rivers in late spring/early summer when the water is a bit murky or stained. I have always had the best success fishing these streamers under an indicator within a couple of feet of the bank. The bright orange Antron stripe and orange bead seem to attract very large trout. I caught a 23-inch brown on this pattern just after runoff, about 8 inches off the bank on a larger river in the Rockies. I also recommend tying this streamer pattern in chartreuse, pink, and yellow.

The Jailbreak Jig

Hook: Ahrex 540 size 8-12 60-degree jig hook
Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 or 6/0 black
Bead: Orange slotted bead
Body: Black Hareline Dubbing or black chenille
Sides: Fire Orange Antron yarn
Hackle: Black or grizzly saddle hackle
Rib: Gold or copper fine wire
Tail: Black and Fire Orange marabou with Krystal Flash

On the Bighorn: A Season of Growth and Connection

By Amber Payliss

Excerpt from Fly Fusion, Volume 22, Issue 2

Fly fishing is all about timing. Aligning with the rhythms of the river, the seasons, and the subtle cues of the fish we pursue. Every fall, as the leaves turn gold and the air carries a crisp edge, a group of women gather on Montana’s Bighorn River for the Redington Rally Women’s Escape. Hosted at Kingfisher Lodge in Fort Smith, this trip offers more than fishing; it’s a space where friendships are forged, skills are honed, and memories are caught in every cast.

The Bighorn River, a tailwater fishery known for its abundant hatches and thriving brown and rainbow trout, offers anglers an ideal mix of technical challenge and rewarding opportunity. A cool, clear river which weaves through willow thickets and stands of cottonwood trees provides an immersive experience that blends scenery with sport. © Photo Amber Payliss

Articulated Flies | Frank Brassard

The SID (yes, it’s named after that sloth in the animated film Ice Age) and the Unholy Diver are meant to dive upon each strip.  They are of course both articulated, so there is some great tail movement and the fly sway to one side or the other after each strip.  The difference between both flies start at the base.  The Unholy Diver is tied onto the multiple shank configuration displayed earlier, while the SID is on a double hook setup.  The next, and most important difference is the use of materials and how this difference highlight how new synthetics have moved this style of fishing forward. The SID is tied using rabbit strips and arctic fox.  The Unholy diver is tied using waterproof craft fur.  Both flies do have a base of chenille, used to prop up the other materials and help provide the illusion of bulk.

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Winners Announced for the 2025 Stimmies Fly Fishing Film Awards

The results are in! The 2025 Stimmies has wrapped up its biggest and most exciting season yet, with the highest voter participation in Stimmies history and overwhelming feedback that this year’s films were the best in competition to date. Presented by Scientific Anglers, Fly Fusion Magazine, and IF4™, the Stimmies celebrates excellence in fly-fishing filmmaking from around the globe, welcoming entries from both emerging and professional filmmakers.

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One Man’s Way to Catch Cranky Trout – Bonus Flies

In my 1952 second edition of Ray Bergman’s beefy classic volume,Trout,” there are dressings for and paintings of 476 wet flies. Clearly, you can drown yourself in wet-fly patterns — just as you can with dry-fly, emerger, nymph, and streamer patterns. So, I’ll offer a very manageable selection of a few wets that will carry you a long way. ~ Skip Morris

Here are 6 bonus patterns from One Man’s Way to Catch Cranky Trout by Skip Morris. The full article can be found in the Spring 2025 Issue, now out.

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Tying Tip: Rainbow Simi Seal Minnow

From beads and hooks to hackle and dubbing, many new materials have provided the inspiration to create new patterns that have proven effective on the water. Here is the recipe for one of my favourite new flies:

Rainbow Simi Seal Minnow

Hook: streamer hook 3x long, sizes 6 to 12. Lead over first third of hook shank

Head: rainbow brass or tungsten bead

Thread: black, olive or tan Uni-Thread 6/0

Body: dark shade Hareline Rainbow Dubbing

Tail: Claret Marabou with Krystal Flash, grey and blue

~ Jeremy Davies, Fly Tying Contributor, Fly Fusion

Casting Tip: Breaking Down the Roll Cast

The roll cast is an indispensable skill for any fly angler. It enhances your ability to cast in tight spaces, manage line effectively, and present your fly naturally to fish. As you transition from novice to intermediate, refining this technique will not only improve your casting but also elevate your overall fishing experience. Remember, every time you step onto the water, there’s an opportunity to grow as an angler. So, gear up, grab your rod, and head out to embrace the beauty while mastering the roll cast. Here’s some quick tips to mastering the roll cast.

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Lefty Day

Lefty Day is an international celebration recognizing one of fly fishing’s most influential figures.. We’re excited to share the word that our friends at Fish Tales Fly Shop will be hosting this event on May 17.  This day is special for Dave and Nancy as they remember back to the start of their guiding days and the impact Lefty had on them….

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