reviews

Advanced Tactics for Emergers and Dries

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Advanced Tactics for Emergers and Dries , featuring Rick Hafele and John Smeraglio. Published by Laughing River Productions. Two DVD set, 107 minutes total. $29.95 retail. Available online (google title), from the publisher, and in many fly shops.

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dvanced Tactics for Emergers and Dries is the latest in a series of instructional videos from Laughing River Productions. As in other issues in the series, this two-disk set features angler/entomologist Rick Hafele and guide/fly-shop-owner John Smeraglio.

Content

As you might expect from two anglers with strong entomology backgrounds, the tactics begin with an understanding of insect behavior as well as trout behavior. The goal is to help anglers choose:

1. The right fly
2. The right presentation
3. And the right equipment (rod, reel, line, leader)

You might be relieved to know, however, that John and Rick DO NOT give you the gory details of 73 different species of aquatic insects, complete with Latin lesson. Instead, the DVDs divide the insect world into mayflies, stoneflies, midges, caddis, and terrestrials. They also have a section on attractor patterns.

John and Rick describe the major features of each insect family, as it relates to fly fishing with emerger and dry fly patterns. Fly pattern selection is discussed, as well as the proper presentation. The Dynamic Duo is big on stream sampling and shows you how to find out what's going on in the water and how that relates to your emerger and dry fly tactics.

Throughout the video, the tone is light and often humorous; John and Rick are good buddies and kid around. However, if you pay attention you will be more than entertained: you will pick up some pretty good tips. Here are a few samples:

1. If you treat your diving caddis pattern with desiccant, it will look more natural when fishing just below the surface film. (Most anglers think desiccant only for dry flies; wrong.)
2. A drag-free presentation is not always the best approach.
3. A reach cast is a good idea when you're presenting a fly straight upstream because you get a better hooking angle.

And so on.

This video was shot on the Owyhee (are you Idaho Westflyers paying attention?), Yamsi Ranch in southern Oregon, and the Deschutes River.

For a sample of the content, see the publisher's website.

The Bottom Line

Advanced Tactics for Emergers and Dries is another excellent release is the Laughing Rivers series. It is entertaining and with lots of good tips, but doesn't overwhelm viewers with technical arcana. It's a good follow-up to the previous DVDs Nymph Fishing Basics and Advanced Nymph Fishing.

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 11/14/2011.

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