Shivering Observations

I arrive to the spot where I've parked many times before.  The dock had been removed with the arrival of cold weather and rested on the deserted marina shoreline.  A dozen redhead ducks began to paddle away while honkers called out from the far shore.  Pheasants and squirrels searched through the grasses on the north side while bald eagles observed from the many tall cottonwoods that envelope the winter fishing hole.  This is the spot.

The 25 degree temps and northeast wind had deterred all but the bird watchers who occasionally cruised the area for a view of the winter eagles.  Lucy and I had the fishing to ourselves. The cold weather brings grumbles from those still in town.  "This is January weather," they say. "It's too cold to be fishing," they gripe.  Not everyone complains about the cold temps.  Ice fishers ready their augers and ice rods for an equal chance at putting some meaty fish in the freezer.  I welcome the cold temps with open arms because,  in Pierre, it means the beginning of winter fly fishing.

Rainbow trout are released in the marina each spring.  For a few weeks, hatchery trout are taken by fishing enthusiast, fish, bird and mink.  The few that survive their short time in Oahe marina join the Missouri River ecosystem, and begin to grow.  Each winter, they find their way back to the marina, and stay until temps increase again in the spring.  Ice will often prevent any fishing during the late winter months, so early on is my chance to get a shot at these rainbows who have gotten fat off of Missouri River smelt, shad, crayfish, and aquatic insects.  They are big!

Spring ice out is when most fly anglers will seek out these nomadic bows.  Catch rates will be higher, and temps more tolerable.  Winter is for the extreme.  For those who are content with the possibility of not catching a fish.  Or...for the dedicated anglers who are able to brave the conditions long enough to land a monster bow.  As I stood in the frigid water a bald eagle glided slowly overhead.  It's difficult to stay focused when so much is going on around you.  I lackadaisically presented my kreelex to the depths as a vehicle approached.  They parked on the opposite shoreline and began to ready their equipment... they were fly anglers.  They had a pop-up camper, so I assumed they were visitors who were obviously aware of the opportunity that existed here.  The two began to cast, large nymphs if I had to guess.  It wasn't long after they arrived that I hooked into a nice rainbow.  The fight was intense and powerful.  Her first run took every bit of stripped line before she crashed to the surface in an attempt to throw the embedded kreelex.  Shaped like an american football and all the colors of a wild rainbow.  The aggressive take, fight, and release all made managing the cold a treat.

Not long after the two visitors arrived (20 minutes or so) they decided to depart.  They had taken a break a bit before, so the cold was apparently taking its toll.  A bit later a pickup had arrived.  A man wandered down to waters edge with a spinning reel, made a half dozen casts or so, and called it a day.  I had been fishing for about 2 hours, landed one and lost two others (which sometimes happens).  This prompted me to consider the necessary adjustments for winter fishing in the marina.

Yes, proper gear is essential.  The most significant upgrade a winter fishing enthusiast can make, in my opinion, is to switch to a neoprene style glove.  My love for Glacier Gloves is no secret.  They make a difference for me and allow me to spend much more time on the water than I would be able to otherwise.   Outside of the other obvious essentials, the biggest need for winter fishing enthusiasts pursuing rainbows in the marina is to dedicate the time.  There have been days when I will catch a fish on the first cast.  There have also been days when I've spent an hour on the water before feeling the tug of a hungry rainbow.  Either way, I dedicate at least an hour each time I make the trip, and am prepared for the winter conditions that exist.  Do that, and you too may catch fish like this on you next outing.  They're in there!  

Fly Fishing in South Dakota: Where to begin

Oahe Smallie

When I look at the fly fishing game today, it's no wonder it took me so long to finally invest my time and energy into learning the sport.  Rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet, tools, flies, snobbery...the list goes on and on.  The thing that I was most afraid of as a child was not being accepted in the "fly fishing community".  My perception was this elite group of people who knew they were better than you and weren't afraid to admit it.  The reality:  couldn't be more opposite.  Are there pompous assholes out on the water?  Yup.  But they are few and far between.  Most fly fisherman that I rub elbows with are down-to-earth, conservation minded nature lovers who just want to get better at catching fish. At the end of the day, fly fishing required confidence.  You must understand that all situations are different, and there is always someone better out on the water.  If you are willing and able to learn from every situation, and open minded to other fishing techniques/ideals, you will have an easier time putting yourself out on the water for others to witness.  Trust me, you'll love it when people start asking you for advice.  First, you need to start fishing.

After I finally got over my ego, I had no idea what gear to use or how to use it. 

Gear you'll need to get started: Your first and last stop to acquire the goods should be Dakota Angler & Outfitter in Rapid City.  They will have everything you need, and will even point you in the direction of some hungry trout.  The first time I fished within Rapid City city limits, Dave Gamitt drew me a map and put me on a lot of browns.  Don't worry, they won't scoff at you for being new to the sport.  They will welcome you with open arms!  Here is the gear you should ask for.  If you don't want to do it in person, order it online.

Walleye bends the Echo 8 wt (Glory-a)

Rod and Reel:  I started with a hand-me-down fly rod and reel that I still use today.  My second rod was a gift from my wife (who doesn't fly fish) and I still use it today as well.  One of my favorite rods and most used rods in the black hills is a little box store rod that you can get for $40, along with a $30 reel.  Last year I finally had the chance to purchase my first brand new fly rod and real combo.  Since I enjoy throwing large streamers and sinking lines, I opted for a larger rod.  A fast action Echo Ion 8 wt was just want I needed matched with a Lamson Guru reel.  I spent about $450 on the whole outfit.  I guess what I'm saying is that you should purchase a rod and reel that work well for your particular fishing situation.  You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get it.  Here are a few combos I would recommend for getting started.  If you love it and want to do more, then talk to the fly shop about your options.

#1 - Redington Crosswater/Path/Topo:  Redington combos will give you the versatility to fish trout in Rapid Creek and Carp in your local honey hole.  Get the 8 wt faster action rod to chuck and duck with 12" hang-time musky flies.

• Dakota Angler makes it even easier by putting a complete Redington combo together including the Crosswater, Redington waders and wading boots for $350.  A great deal! 

#2 - Cabelas Prestige or Three Forks Combos:  I have prestige combo and it's caught more fish for me int he hills that I could ever imagine.  Great rod and reel for the price.

#3 - Echo Solo and Ion combo.  Ask the fly shop about this combo.  It's under $200 and will give you a great starter set.

Fly Line:  A good fly line will make a big difference in your fishing experience.  I began with an old fly line and struggled to cast and catch fish.  Once I cleaned it and eventually got a new line, casting became much easier.  Don't fall for gimmicks, species specific line options.  It's my belief that they do that to sell more lines with very little variation.  To begin, get a WF (weight forward) floating line that matches the weight of your rod.  You may need to get a heavier line for faster action rods.  Some lines, like the Rio Grand, are designed for fast action rods and come a bit heavier than normal floating lines.  Stick with Rio, Scientific Anglers, or Cortland lines to reduce headaches when starting out.  Casting doesn't have to be perfect to catch fish, but it will make for a much easier time learning with quality line.

Leaders and tippets:  As a beginner, don't get caught up in leaders and tippets.  For trout get some Rio or Scientific Anglers tapered leaders in sizes 4x, 5x, and 6x.  The larger the number with tippet and leaders (like with hooks, the smaller the line diameter.  For all other fish, I tie on 20 lb mono to my fly line and attach a 8-12 ft piece of fluorocarbon by blood knot.  Simple, easy, and very effective.

Knots to know:  The only knots I use to attache my fly to tippet/line are the improved clinch knot (I tie mine with 4 twists) and non-slip loop knot.  I use blood or double surgeons knots to attach two lines and a simple double overhand loop knot to connect my homemade leaders to my fly line.  The perfection loop knot is fun to tie, but not as strong.  

Waders and Wading boots:  This is a tough one, because I will rarely use waders if it's not really cold outside.  I would recommend getting a bargain set of waders online or ask the fly shop if they have any used items for sale.  I started with an $89 set of waders that I still use today.  To me, they aren't that important.  Others will say otherwise.  It's up for you to decide.  Boots are a different story.  A good boot can make a big difference in your wading experience.  You won't find a great boot for under $100 (unless it is on sale), so don't be afraid to go with Simms, Redington, Korkers, or Chota on your first set and make sure they're not felt bottomed.  That is not allowed in SD.

Flies:  The flies you'll be using will depend greatly on the species you are pursuing.  So many people automatically connect fly fishing to trout and vise versa.  I'm trying to break that automatic connection.  Below are my top ten flies and the species they'll catch. You can catch all of these fish with the WF floating line that comes on the starting combo.

• Clouser Minnow/Kreelex:  Pretty much anything that swims will eat this fly.  Always have some sparsely tied in your box.  My favorite colors are chartreuse/white, and blue/white/red. For the kreelex, chartreuse/silver, gold/silver  
• San Juan Worm:  Pink and Red, Orange and red, or solid red.  Invert the hook with dumbbell eyes for carp and cats (red).  
• Hot Spot Pheasant Tail:  A bright orange hot spot in place of the peacock herl of a PT has worked wonders for me.  Pink also works well.  
• Hare's Ear:  Amazing all year round.  
• Wooly Bugger:  Touted as the most versatile fly ever tied.  It's also one of the easiest to tie if you're into that.  Will catch anything that swims.  
• Murdich Minnow:  This is in my box because of where I live.  If you don't have easy access to bass and northerns it might not be in yours.  If you hope to pursue bass and northerns, it needs to be.
• Adams:  I'm not a big dry fly fisherman, but an adams imitates a number of South Dakota's adult mayflies very well. 
• Soft Hackels:  A versatile fly that works well all year round for various species.  
• Elk Hair Caddis:  There are few things as fun as skating a caddis across Spearfish Creek.  The takes are frequent and exciting.  A great fly from late spring to fall.  
• Midges (all stages of life cycle):  I'm cheating a bit here by calling this one pattern, but they are vital for catching trout throughout the year.  Midges are actively hatching throughout the year, so they are always an option for hungry trout.  Larva, pupae, stuck in the shuck and dry patters should all hold a place in your box.  My favorites include zebra midge, skinny nelson, palomino midges, smoke jumpers and griffiths gnats.  

	Trout	Walleye	Bass (smallmouth, largemouth, white)	Northern Pike	Catfish	Carp	Crappie	Perch
Clouser	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
San Juan Worm	X		X		X	X
Pheasant Tail	X		X			X	X
Hare’s Ear	X					X
Wooly Bugger	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Murdich Minnow	X	X	X	X
Adams	X					X	X
Soft Hackels (of any kind)	X		X			X	X	X
Articulated Streamers	X	X	X	X
Midge life cycle	X						X

Where to go:  Any body of water that holds fish.  You'll learn the catching part as you go.  If you come to Pierre, let me know.  

This is a lot of information, but don't let it deter you from getting started.  Once you get the basics, and are able to get out on the water, things will begin to fall into place.  Hire one of the guys over at Dakota Angler to expedite the learning process.  You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so get out there and make some casts!  

Mom! I caught an Eagle!

Here is a cool video of a fisherman with a close encounter with a bald eagle.  I've had terns make an attempt at times, and northers under the surface, but never anything like this!  Enjoy...

It's time for a Trout Stamp

Minnesota Trout and Salmon Stamp - 1982

In 1977, Wisconsin offered outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to financially support the development and restoration of sustainable trout habitat through the purchase of a trout stamp.  In 1982, Minnesota followed suit with a similar program that is still in operation today.  In fact, 24 out of the 50 states have an available stamp for residents and nonresidents to purchase (in many states it's mandatory) that will support trout stocking and habitat efforts.  Those states and the costs of their respective stamps are listed below.  The resident price is first followed by the nonresident price for each.

Alaska (King Salmon Stamp) - $10

Arkansas - $5/$12

Colorado (Habitat Stamp) - $10

Delaware - $4.20/$6.20

Georgia - $5/$20

Illinois - $6.50

Indiana - $11

Iowa - $12.50/$15

Kansas - $12.50

Kentucky - $10

Maryland - $5/$10

Minnesota - $10

Missouri - $7

Montana (conservation license) - $10

Nevada - $10

New Jersey - $10.50/$20

North Carolina - $13

Pennsylvania - $9.70

Rhode Island - $5.50

Tennessee - $18

Texas (Freshwater Stamp) - $5

Virginia (also lifetime stamp option based on age) - $23

West Virginia - $10/$16

Wisconsin - $10

First of all, congrats to all of these states for taking measures to ensure funding exists for essential habitat projects.  I've had many conversations about stream restoration, habitat development and conservation education projects, and the number one reason for few of them making progress is lack of funding.  Many of the states above are solely using their funds for sustaining a fishable population of trout in an area where they would otherwise not exist.  That's not necessary in South Dakota.

I'm not going to be a homer and pretend our trout fishery is the best in the country, because it's not.  Do we have a sustainable trout population?  Yes we do.  Do we have opportunities to catch trophy trout?  Oh ya!  Do we stock specific waterways to ensure catch rates continue to be high?  We do that too.  We have a little bit of everything in South Dakota, but why not make everything better?  We have boots on the ground and great people passionate about making a difference.  If we only had the money (and a prioritized list of projects that would strengthen our fisheries system and create an overall better ecosystem for fish and fishing enthusiast).  Let's start with a trout stamp.

Through July of this year, GFP had reported selling 115,375 resident and nonresident fishing licenses.  That doesn't even include the 43,176 adult and senior combination licenses sold.  So I'll punch 160,000 into the calculator to make it easy.  In order for this to gain any traction, a mandatory stamp must be offered to license holders who indicate an intention to pursue trout during the license validation period.  For them, a $5 stamp (or $10) will be required to fish.  Without researching the proper data, I'll guess 25% will pursue, or plan to pursue, trout with their license.  That would be 40,000 outdoor enthusiasts chipping in an extra $5 ($200,000 for you playing at home) each year for habitat conservation, restoration and stocking programs.  It's not a lot, but it's a start.  And these are funds that would not have made an impact otherwise.  So, SDGFP, South Dakota Legislative officials, fishing enthusiasts;  what say you?  Can we get this done for South Dakota?  I believe we can.