Spruce Moth Fly Patterns

MAngler Spruce Moth | Tie your own!

 DIY MAngler Spruce Moth 

As the spruce moths are starting to make a comeback, we’re all scrambling to get our hands on some. Ron Beck has a unique way of tying them, and we have a video to get you through each step. These moths are rippin’ lips on the Blackfoot and the Clark Fork, as well as Rock Creek. If you’re in need of supplies to tie them yourself, or you have any come on in and we’ll help you out! 

Rock Creek Salmonflies

When Are We Fishing In Missoula?

Soon my fishy friends. Soon.

Just watch Snowbowl. When the snow is all gone we are in the clear. And it’s gonna happen fast.

Soon we will be fishing Salmonflies on The Creek. Fish will be gorging themselves. They are hungry from surviving high water for a month, and when they can see the bugs again they are going to eat.

The other rivers will fish too. The Blackfoot, The Bitterroot, and The Clark Fork. They will all be in shape soon. I will go out on a limb, Hold my finger in the air, and Pull a card out of a deck  and say… Fishing in Missoula will be a legitimate option in one week. Hold me to it. Or don’t. I am a fishing guide, I don’t know anything.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish.

Womens Fly Fishing

The Lady MAnglers

Over the past few years here at the fly shop we have seen a huge increase in the number of female anglers coming in. These ladies are serious and have some awesome talent.

Womens Fly Fishing

From stalking big fish with tiny flies to throwing big ugly streamers for aggressive browns, these gals are getting it done. These ladies may have gotten into fly fishing through fathers, boy friends, or husbands but they are leaving them in the dust to get out on their own.

Women's Fly Fishing

We have loved seeing the shift in the the sport of fly fishing. No longer is fly fishing “The Quiet Sport”. Young folks and women have changed the face of the fly fishing industry.

Womens Fly Fishing

The energy and enthusiam is bringing new faces into the shop a lot of them being younger ladies who are kicking some serious trout tail. Not only are the women coming into the sport learning faster than ever, they are doing things in a new ways that are changing the game.

Womens Fly Fishing

We are so excited to see the grip and grins from the Lady Mangler’s, they are catching bigger fish than most of the guys.

So if you are a lady who wants to get into fly fishing stop by the Missoulian Angler Fly Shop.  Chances are one of these ladies will be in here picking up some bugs and showing us the latest monster they put in the net!

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

The Tying Bench

We are starting a new regular post here on The MAngler. Our in house tying genius Ron Beck will be writing tying posts on a regular basis. I know Ron will tell me he is not a genius once he reads this, but it’s the truth. Ron is not only a mastermind at the vice, but he has a head absolutely stuffed full of Montana Fishing knowledge. He is the type of guy that when he talks fishing, you should at least be listening if not taking notes. I can tell you that there have been more than a few days when I am at the shop if the morning with no idea where I should fish that day and Ron sends me to a blue line on a map and I have a day for the books. 

So enjoy the new posts and let us know if there is anything you want Ron to write about. You can even get a few secrets out of him if you bring him a case of Budweiser. 

I am an old dog, not real good with new tricks. I still use the whip finisher and hair stacker that

came with my first fly tying kit almost 40 years ago. I tie on a vise that is older than some of the

employees here at the shop. I usually don’t get too fired up about new fly tying tools. When the

Rite Bobbin arrived in the shop it caught my attention.

I picked up a Rite’s Mag Bobbin to use in a class last winter and immediately fell in love with

it. The obvious difference from standard bobbins is the tension control. The brass tension wheel

is indexed much like the drag on a fly reel. This allows you to apply little or no tension for tying

#22 trikes with 12/0 Benecchi or cranking it tight to set lead eyes on big steamers. I liked the heft

of the bobbin and how the single arm design fit in my hand. I also found the Rite easier to thread

than standard bobbins.

Rite Bobbin

This year, Rite added a half hitch bobbin with a tapered barrel. It looks much like the regular

bobbin, but the tapered end allows you to half hitch or whip finish without picking up another

tool. With a little practice, both knots became second nature to me. The new model also sports

rubber O-rings to hold the thread in place when not in use.

Half Hitch Rite Bobbin

Rite is a Montana company that offers bobbins with long or short tubes. Ceramic models are also

available. It takes a little longer to change spools with the Rite bobbin and they are a bit pricey

($22 to $32), but the extra time and price are well worth it. A bobbin is in your hand more than

any other tying tool, yet the general design has changed very little. The changes Rite has made to

this basic tool are very practical and make tying easier. Stop by and test-drive one at the shop.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish