Why Change Your Fly?

Timothy Burke • 4/26/162/16/19

There are often many thoughts that enter our mind standing knee deep in a beautiful cascading run. Tumbling through the fly box to find the perfect colors and size to present can be a bit of a guessing game. At times a certain fly stands out from the rest and ends up attached to your line.

With the right fly secured it’s time to start fishing but you have been swinging all morning and feel the mid morning fatigue. Do you work the run half exhausted just pushing through trying to find that fish or hit a quick refresh? I think being as relaxed and comfortable as possible makes a big difference. Grab a peanut butter and honey sandwich, drink a half cup of warm coffee, take a leak, relax for a moment then confidently work through the run.

Now that you’re comfortable it’s time to get back out there. Stepping into the water you notice everything is changing. It’s late season winter steelhead fishing and the days are growing longer and warmer. The trees are speckled in newly emerging leaves and the sun pops in and out of the clouds warming your skin with its gentle rays.

During this time of the season, I find myself switching between dark and bright flies on these partly cloudy and somewhat sunny days. With more light, I put on a brighter fly and with less light, I go darker. Different fishermen have different theories on fly color depending on water visibility and overhead conditions. I like to fish darker flies on darker days with lower visibility and brighter flies the rest of the time.

On this particular day my, brother and I were both working through a run together and we picked drastically different colored flies. He chose a darker intruder and I put on a brighter pattern with lots of flash. We had about 20 inches of water visibility and broken skies just after lunchtime. We swung through a beautiful bending run together. Midway through the run, my fly was hammered by a magnificent winter fish. The fight was unbelievable with cool aerial displays and big long powerful runs. I spent most of my time fighting the fish in the backing, it was awesome! Seth and I landed the fish just at the head of the next run. I thought for sure we would have to chase it through the rapids but we got off easy. One of my favorite lines from Seth came as we admired the beautiful creation. He said, “thank you so much I really needed that”! It was cool because Seth and I had been fishing for two-day strait and this was the first fish we landed, so I totally understood his excitement. I also know my brother really well and he has a deep deep love and admiration for these fish. They are so amazing and it really is a privilege to have an encounter with one.

Always Believe!

Preparing for the Dean River

Timothy Burke • 9/1/152/16/19

Learning is the beauty of any pursuit in life. As we learn our skills improve, our knowledge deepens, and our opportunities increase.

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Subtly Leads To Success

Timothy Burke • 8/27/1510/13/15

In summer conditions its important to remember that subtly can be very important. When a river is gin clear and had lots of pressure the profile and presentation of your fly can make a big difference.

On Saturday afternoon I fished the Cowlitz River. With lots of jet boats running up and down fishing eggs, shrimp, plugs, spinners, and a variety of different techniques I decided to go with a small wet fly. I knew the fish had seen lots of big presentations and must have been feeling the pressure.

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High Noon Pay Off

Seth Burke • 8/9/158/9/15

I was down in the count, as early in the morning a Steelhead grabbed my fly on the hang-down. The take was like this: pluck, pluck, grab, head shake, head shake, splash, splash, run towards me, slack. Gone. I’m down 0-1.

I shook my head in frustration as a nice steelhead launched itself horizontal with the river. “Thanks buddy,” I muttered and took a few steps up river to start fishing again.

The morning sun was already beating down all in its path. The sand was hot. The rocks were hot. My dog hid in a shady tangle of brush. The water was warming and I was the last spey fisherman within the two miles of river I covered. Am I crazy? Maybe. Am I confident? Yes. (Read my brother Dave’s article “A confident angler catches the fish”.)

So there I stood, the last spey wielding wizard, in direct sun, with a short head spey line and traditional fly. Just the way I like to fish. “This is the last run. It has to happen here,” I said to myself as I stepped into the water. Pleased that I had the run all to myself, I worked it meticulously. Nearing the last and most promising looking section, a spin fisherman steps in below me. Five cast later, he puts a steelhead on the bank. He makes a few more casts, loses his lure and leaves. Two other spin fishermen step in as well, but further down. “No way,” I mumbled. But as I watched, I noticed they were not fishing the water very well. They left and I kept my rhythm, cast, swing, three steps.

Before long, I was almost to the end. I mean, really–the river turns into a giant white water rumble 35 yards below my fly. Next cast, BAM! Fish on, no questions asked. No plucks. Just all fish mouth. A few minutes later, I had a nice hatchery hen to the bank. I look at my watch, 12:00 pm on the dot.

I could have hung my hat hours earlier with the rest of the spey fishermen, but I didn’t. I could have changed my line and fly, but I didn’t.

I was rewarded.

Always Believe.

Believe River Brotherhood Raw Footage

David Burke • 7/30/157/28/15

This is what it might be like to be on one of the Believer River brothers’ fishing trip. This short clip captures a candid conversation between the middle brother, Dave and the youngest brother Seth. Dave just so happened to be having a lights out day while younger brother Seth, who usually out-fishes everyone, was on the camera. If you this doesn’t make your day, or entice you to go one a trip with Believe River I’d be surprised. What you may not know about Believer River is that our passion isn’t just about steelhead, it’s about a true brotherhood of love, respect and fun. See what it’s all about.

What I Came Here For

Timothy Burke • 2/18/152/28/15

This central Oregon fisherman couldn’t contain himself when a big bright hen in the middle teens tore him up. He cried out “This is What I Came Here For” as the fish took off for the ocean. Used to beautiful steelhead from the Columbia River tributaries that average 6-12lbs the Oregonian got a taste of a Peninsula Power House. I think he’ll be back!