I’m getting ready to head over to the Green River in Dutch John Utah with a few friends for a  winter trip.  My friend is from Montana and asked about the fishing style, flies, etc. this time of year.  This time of year (January) the river can be empty and is one of my favorite times to throw streamers. I absolutely love the serenity and ability to plop in big meaty flies and watch eats. Yes, there are other opportunities but the whipping streamers is just plain fun in the cold.

Fly fishing in the creeks and rivers of the Eastern United States, particularly those areas known as "blue lines" on topographic maps, offers a blend of natural serenity and angling excitement. I’d like to chat about the nuances of blue line fly fishing, providing a comprehensive overview for anglers of all skill levels who are eager to venture into these lesser-known fishing havens. The silence, exploration, excitement, and solitude are regularly unmatched by blue line creeks. 

If you are a blue liner and love fishing small waters for natives, etc. then you know how a few little things can make your day.  Before I get going if you haven’t read So You Want to Go Blue Lining, then I suggest you check that out too. 

You see, the thing I love about this style of fishing is that you can go to remote and peaceful places, and doing it light and fast makes it even better. Basic flies, basic gear, and boom you are off to an awesome day of fly fishing. 

However, there are a few things over the years that I’ve found to be awesome for making the day just that much better. Of course, I love my one weight, my small pack, and all that other junk but three things make a difference for me in this style. Good tools, low light sunglasses, and light approach shoes. It’s amazing how much of a difference these 3 things bring to my experience.

Fly fishing, a skillful blend of patience and technique, often presents a myriad of challenges, with one of the most critical being the depth at which your fly is presented. One of the most common mistakes made by anglers, beginners and seasoned pros alike, is not getting their fly deep enough. This error can drastically reduce the effectiveness of a day on the water, often leaving anglers puzzled and frustrated. Sadly, it is repeated that you need to have your flies to the correct depth but for some reason, it is rarely considered by most anglers.  Instead, they focus on the particular fly, size of the tippet, perfect drift, etc. These are all great but when you talk to most guides or successful anglers the first thing they adjust or suggest to adjust is weight. They want to achieve depth and know that has the largest effect on success. I have a guide friend Chris, who constantly says, “Let me add some more weight.”  Another friend Todd, fishes golden stones everywhere we go and the only thing he seems to ever change is weight. Another friend of mine constantly changes his euro rig and all he ever talks about is bead size. All of these guys are fantastic anglers and I feel their obsession with weight and depth every time I go out with them. It is like they are manic and can’t think of any other way to succeed. I want to cover why depth matters and highlight a few areas for you.  

A particularly intriguing aspect of trout is the distinct changes that occur in trout during the spawning season, especially in terms of differentiating between males and females. This period, often in late fall or early winter, marks a significant transformation in these fish, particularly noticeable in species like the Rainbow and Brown trout. However, there are key differences in determining the sex of a trout beyond the spawn season to look for.  Let’s take a look at spawning trout as they are typically more easily identifiable then dive into observation beyond those times of year.

Mending a line in fly fishing is a crucial technique used to manage the fly line after casting and landing on the water. Notice that I said after casting and landing on the water.  The reason is that if you are casting and mending in the air it is called an aerial mend. Instead of diving into that subject and providing an advanced casting lesson on aerial mends let's focus on true mends that are on the water.
The purpose of mending is to improve your drift.  There are several ways to improve drift. One is to eliminate or reduce drag, which occurs when the line and the fly move at different speeds due to varying currents. Another is to do the same but adjust your indicator position to lessen drag. The third is to adjust the line on or in the water to set up for a dragless presentation.

Among the plethora of reel manufacturers, Cheeky Fly Fishing has established itself as a standout choice for me in recent years, blending depth of line, price and reliability. This article explores how Cheeky reels incorporate essential aspects that every angler values, making them the one of the more superior manufacturers and a top tier choice in the fly fishing world.

For years I worked as the Director of Dealer Sales and Service for Black Diamond Equipment one of the most trusted brands for climbing and ski manufacturing.  During my tenure, I was fortunate to be privy to tons of manufacturing. In fact, the majority of manufacturing was done in Salt Lake City, Utah under the same roof as sales, marketing, design, and everything else. Because I had daily access to manufacturing and often spent time on the other end of a rope or in the backcountry skiing with manufacturers, designers, and quality assurance specialists, I picked up a few things along the way.  One was the actual importance of Anodization beyond aesthetics.  Learning why, of course, sent me down the road of how and how to do it well. 

Fly fishing enthusiasts looking to get into quality reels then you may want to think about Cheeky Fly Reels.  Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, Cheeky Fly Reels has a wide variety of reels to offer that can fit your needs. I’m going to dive into three models of the Cheeky Fly Reels, particularly the PreLoad 2.0, Launch 350, and Spray 400 models, to help provide a bit of background on what they have available.