Andrew Evans

We asked our HOF crew to pick a rod they are most intrigued by this year and here’s the breakdown. Just a few ideas to think about whether you’re heading to the salt, gearing up for summer and fall steelhead, or simply going the route of the single-hander for trout and those warmwater species.

House of Fly's 2026 Deadman's Bonefish Camp was a great success, with plenty of bonefish brought to hand. Long Island, Bahamas, is known for large bonefish and it didn't disappoint--lots of three to five-pound bones were landed and all the guests got shots at barracuda, permit and triggerfish, too. Evenings were spent eating authentic Bahamian meals, prepped by a local family. All in all, a rousing success.

Tying with CDC isn't easy, but the right tools can help you build consistently beautiful and durable patterns.

For steelhead anglers who prefer the swung fly, Idaho’s Clearwater River stands out as one of the premier fisheries in the Lower 48. It’s a big, broad river with a reliable return of large fish and offers miles of prime water that’s tailor-made for spey casting.

It is not always the best technique, but it’s not in my nature to put down the spey rod for long. Beyond effectiveness, it is an enjoyable style of fishing. It’s deliberate. It’s laid back. It’s showing a fly to the fish and giving them ample opportunity to eat it. If they like it, they will respond and when they eat, it’s a jolt on a tight line.

To the uninitiated, fly fishing is not commonly associated with competition, or for the targeting carp for that matter. However, there is such a competition for this quarry in the flats of Eastern Washington. Every Summer, a clandestine group of anglers diverge onto an unnamed lake for a two-day tournament: The Schmoots Clooper.

As you can see there are many patterns in the Galloup fleet of flies both in dries and nymphs that are proven and have been in use for years. Not only this but we are just scratching the surface, Kelly has other patterns not included in this list that can be found in his forementioned books and videos.

To the uninitiated, fly fishing is not commonly associated with competition, or for the targeting carp for that matter. However, there is such a competition for this quarry in the flats of Eastern Washington. Every Summer, a clandestine group of anglers diverge onto an unnamed lake for a two-day tournament: The Schmoots Clooper.