North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine February 2015 | Page 16

Oroville. It can be a huge producer at times.
Its fishery extends from 400 ft. below Enloe
dam to the mouth. It is a small intimate
stream which is best fished with dead drift
tactics. Look for deep slots and be sure to
fish all around the rocks. Switch rods and
single handers lined with indicators type
lines are the go to weapons. Under the
new Air-Lock Indicators, shop favorites
include: The Agent Orange, Vogt’s Rusty
Bucket, Bead Head Lifters, and the Double
Agent. When lunchtime calls, head to the
Past Time Pub for the best beer in town
with a menu that is second to none. Some
consider their service to be the best in the
three counties.

The often over looked main stem of the
Columbia can be an intimidating yet beautiful
piece of fly water. Due to its sheer size and
rate of flow many anglers never consider
it as steelhead water. This could not be
further from the truth. The stretch directly
below Wells Dam is a high producer. Due
to its tail water status, fishing here is more
predictable since the fish are on the move.
Anglers can make multiple casts without
having to step downstream. Those who can
swing long rods and long lines like the Airflo
Delta Spey have a definite advantage with a
longer more sweeping presentation—the
reduced line stripping helps with fatigue.
Intruder patterns are a good choice, but
classic soft-hackles and hairwing patterns
in larger sizes often make welcome
offerings and are good for those who like
to embrace the heritage of our sport. Shop