It’s the first cold morning of the season. The pines that line the long, dirt road sulk beneath a heavy blanket of October snow. We park at the rim of the canyon and rig up.

With summer in full swing and and temperatures rising everywhere across the states an excellent pattern to use during runoff is the 20”er. The 20”er is a stonefly imitation and though it works great year round at your favorite tailwater, it is runoff season where all fish are keying in...

What’s unique about the CDC feather is its ability to trap air bubbles making the fly look like an insect rising to the surface to hatch. 

Of all the patterns we use, Purple Reign is not only one of the simplest to tie but also one of the most effective.

“Bye Murph! We love you girl!”

Those were the last words I heard from some of the most important people in my life as I walked out of the fly shop where I worked in Colorado.