Choosing the Correct Fly
It was nearing dark on Hat Creek when it began. The small mayflies seemed to appear magically on…
Mike Mercer, a lifelong fly fisher and innovative fly tyer, is a key figure at The Fly Shop in Redding. Renowned for his signature fly patterns, he was inducted into the Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International Hall of Fame in 2024. His passion for fly fishing and conservation continues to inspire anglers worldwide.
8 posts
Extend That Drift
The fish was driving me nuts. Tucked into the slower flows against the far grassy bank, it was…
Understanding Holding Water
I watched from a high vantage point above one of my favorite streams as an angler worked his…
Less Weight
It was a warm spring afternoon, and the river ran deep and clear before me, a shelving riffle…
Mark Your Fish
The sun was gone, but it was summer, and there would be ample light to fish for another…
Nylon Monofilament, or Fluorocarbon?
I recently fished a favorite run on the Trinity River near Junction City, a deep, heavy piece of…
Traditional Indicators or Dry/Droppers?
It was a cool, rainy morning on the Trinity River— perfect steelhead weather—and I watched as Kianna made…
At the Vise: Tips for Creative Tying
When I began tying flies in my early teens in the 1970s, it was an art form of…