Reader mailbag: Fishing legend set to kick off Idaho fly fishing expo
Local fishing enthusiasts will have an opportunity to hear from a world-renowned outdoorsman when Boise resident Winston Moore kicks off the upcoming Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo.
Moore, 95, is a fishing pioneer, having helped blaze the trail for catching permit, sailfish and even marlin with a fly rod.
The event, titled “An Evening with Winston Moore,” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the McCleary Auditorium at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Admission is free.
“Winston the greatest storyteller I’ve met,” said event organizer Gary Green of Boise Valley Fly Fishers. “We hope this event takes people back in time and illustrates what a great resource existed here before major population expansions. Most of us never had a chance to experience that, and our hope is Winston’s talk will inspire people to be better stewards of our environment so wildlife and fisheries can return to more abundance in the future.”
The Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo is set for Jan. 10 and 11 at Expo Idaho in Garden City.
I’m fortunate to know Winston as a friend — he and I meet several times each year to swap fishing stories. One excerpt from our most recent visit is a great appetizer for his upcoming event:
For decades, Winston chased sailfish and marlin using a fly-fishing method he painstakingly developed. The gist of it was this: The boat would attract billfish in by trolling large, hookless “teaser” lures. If a fish chased the teasers, the captain would slowly lure the fish within casting distance of the boat. Then, in a crucial, choreographed moment, the captain would yank the teaser out of the water while Winston launched a large streamer to take its place. If the fish ate, a long, exhilarating battle usually ensued.
During his decorated career, Moore landed 138 sailfish and six marlin. One marlin was particularly large, weighing nearly 500 pounds. Winston usually released billfish, but he decided to keep this one as a trophy. There was only one problem: his boat lacked sufficient equipment to pull the monster aboard.
The captain radioed for help while Winston kept his prized catch boat-side. But the moment a second boat arrived, the marlin awoke, taking off on a massive run that eventually ended in a successful escape.
“I guess he knew what we had in mind,” Winston recalls with a chuckle. “Once he took off, I never could get him back to the boat. That was probably the largest fish I ever caught on a fly rod.”
Thoughts on sustainable fishing
I have heard from a couple anglers concerned that my writing about certain fisheries might cause harm as more folks venture out to fish them.
While I believe public fisheries can be enjoyed by all anglers, I understand the concern and fully support responsible, sustainable fishing habits. I’ve always encouraged catch-and-release on wild trout and large bass, in particular. Certain trophy waters — the Owyhee River and the South Fork Boise River, for example — should be treated with extra care. It’s difficult to build a special fishery, and the only way to keep it special is to take good care of it.
For those who enjoy a fish fry, panfish, stocked trout and Kokanee salmon are much more sustainable choices than harvesting a rare, 20-inch bass or trout.
Lastly, I encourage anglers to research rules and species behavior. For instance, brown trout spawn this time of year, so wading in brown trout habitat like the Owyhee can damage nests unless anglers use extreme caution. The more we know, the better we’ll be able to limit angler impact on the environment.
Join me for ice fishing 101!
My next fishing class, Ice Fishing 101, is now taking registrations. This class introduces anglers to the awesome sport of ice fishing, including species, locations, gear, tackle and ice safety. Ice Fishing 101 is being offered Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 6-9 p.m. at the JUMP Inspire Studio in Downtown Boise. The class also includes a group ice fishing trip (location TBA) on Saturday, Feb. 1. To register, visit www.tightlines208.com. I’ll see you there!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures, tips and tricks with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com or visit www.tightlines208.com.