Hey Reader,
Wow, it’s hot here in Boise this week. How’s the weather for you? How’s the fishing been lately?
I had to skip my usual Friday fishing adventure last week, and I’m traveling this week too. There’s a chance I might get a little fishing in this weekend, but I might be too busy. We’ll see.
Anyway, let’s get into this week’s latest issue.
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🎯 One Tip to Build Your Confidence
Happy Little Loops
When I first heard someone say casting a fly rod is like flicking paint off a brush, I thought, “What? No way.” Then I raised my arm and made a couple of pretend casts, following the techniques I’ve learned over the years, and realized… “Oh. That’s exactly what it feels like.”
Good fly casting isn’t about brute force. It’s about smooth acceleration and a clean, deliberate stop. Start slow, build speed, then stop the rod high on the forward cast. Let the rod do the work. That firm stop sends your line out in a tight, efficient loop.
Think of the last motion as the quick flick you’d use to fling paint from a brush. Not too hard, just enough to place your “happy little fly” right where you want it. 😂
🪰 One Fly to Try This Weekend
Cray Cray (Size 10)
One day I was fishing the Boise River in town and saw a big crayfish crawling toward me. I was surprised at first. I thought they mostly lived in warmer water, but they can be found in all kinds of places, even the cold water of the Boise.
Bass, carp, and trout will often go for a big meal like a crayfish, even if it takes extra effort.
If you look at a crayfish fly, you’ll notice it’s tied “backwards.” That’s so when you strip in the line, it moves through the water tail-first, just like a real crayfish trying to get away.
Fish it near the bottom. Let it drift naturally, give it small twitches, or strip it in to make it look like it’s swimming off. A good crayfish imitation with the right profile and movement can be hard for a hungry fish to pass up.
🎥 One Inspiring Post
I’ve followed FLY ALL SZN for a while and always enjoy his chill vibe, thoughtful storytelling, and of course, the epic fishing. In this video, he and a friend hike into a small mountain creek and pull out giant bull trout you wouldn’t believe could live there. It’s a reminder that even the smallest water can hold big surprises, and sometimes the adventure is just as good as the catch.
🎥 Watch the video
Tight lines,
Derrick Hicks
Founder, Confident Angler
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