Favorite Knots

Over the years I have tried and used a variety of different knots.  After trying to seemingly learn every knot on the planet I decided to adopt a wiser course of action choosing to become proficient with a simple suite of knots that cover all aspects of my terminal setup while I am on out on the water.

Recently, RIO Products began releasing a series of great videos showing a variety of different knots and how to tie them.  I have had the good fortune to be a member of RIO’s Advisory Team and these videos prompted me to gather my favorite knots together in one location, including embedding RIO’s videos as a visual guide.

Remember, the best place to practice your knot tying skills, like fly casting, is off the water.  Be wary of trying a new knot until you are proficient with it and can tie it quickly and correctly every time.  If you aren't a proficient knot tyer you are likely to avoid making changes to your leader, tippet or fly due to a lack of confidence tying a particular knot.  A tactic that could reduce your on the water experience.

Listed below are my favorite knots and the situations I prefer to use them in.  Hopefully you find my knot selection a helpful guide for your particular fly fishing experiences and situations.

Non Slip Loop Knot
This is my go to knot when attaching flies to tippet or to a dropper.  I use this knot in almost all situations, lakes, rivers or the ocean.  This is a strong knot that provides maximum motion to your fly. This motion, I believe, is a key fish trigger.

Improved Clinch Knot
When integrating swivels into my leader the improved clinch is the knot of choice.  I also use this knot to attach a leader or butt section to a welded loop.  Attaching your leader or butt section in this manner helps facilitate simple, without incident, on the water line changes.  Stringing a rod while seated in boat or pontoon body is tricky at best and at worst can be fatal.  Simply real the line and leader connection in so it is between the reel and first stripping guide.  Using a wooden clothes peg, pinch the leader to the stripping guide so it doesn’t slide out the guides.  Cut the leader from the welded loop.  Change your line by switching the reel or spool.  Reattach the leader to the welded loop of the new line using an improved clinch knot.  Make a few false casts to feed the line through the guides and your line swap is complete.

Triple Surgeon Knot
The triple surgeon knot is the only knot I use when attaching tippet sections together or attaching tippet to a leader.  The triple surgeons knot is strong and has a low horizontal profile that passes through the guides easily when I am fighting a fish on a particularly long leader.  The other benefit of the triple surgeon’s knot is its durability when joining stiffer fluorocarbon to softer nylon tippet or leader material.  Once connected the triple surgeons knot has an extremely low failure rate.  If a triple surgeons knot does fail it is typically due to a bad knot or stale nylon tippet.  Fluorocarbon lasts forever.

Blood Knot
When tying larger diameter materials together such as separate butt section to an existing tapered leader the blood knot is my go to knot.  The butt section would be attached to the welded loop of the fly line using an improved clinch knot.  I would then attach a standard tapered leader to the butt section using the blood knot.  This is the process I use when I make long, 25’ or greater leaders, which I do on occasion, when fishing chironomid pupa in deep clear water using the “naked technique”.  Like the triple surgeons knot, a blood knot is strong and offers a low profile which passes easily through the guides.  In practical terms I find the blood knot easier to tie with thick material verses the triple surgeons knot which I find an easier knot to tie with thinner smaller diameter material, 0X or smaller.

Perfection Loop
Once mastered, the perfection loop it is easy to tie, strong and offers a neat slim profile.  I use this knot when setting up a sliding dropper.  Simply tie a perfection loop in one end of a 8-inch section of tippet.  Lay the tippet section under the leader above a stopper on the fly line side.  The stopper can be a triple surgeons knot or small barrel swivel.  Pass the tag end of the dropper through the perfection loop and pull tight to lock the dropper section around the leader.  This dropper method allows the dropper to move around the leader when casting which reduces tangles, allows for easy fly changes and perhaps most importantly each fly in your dropper system works in its own water free from the effects of other flies in the system.

2015 Calendar of Events is Now Up!

Wow it is 2015 already!  Even at this early stage 2015 is proving to be another busy year for me. That’s just the way I like it.

Just after New Year’s I placed my 2015 Calendar up on my website.  My travels will have me in a variety of locations, some common to each year such as my annual Prowling the Parklands hosted stillwater schools in southwest Manitoba along with some new ventures such as the fly fishing school I will be doing out of Hearne Lake Lodge located in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

I had the pleasure of spending a week up at Hearne Lake Lodge filming an upcoming episode of The New Fly fisher.  Hearne Lake offers spectacular fly fishing for lake trout, trophy northern pike, monster whitefish and some of the largest Arctic grayling I have had the good fortune to chase.

My goal is to communicate with you about each of these schools, seminars and trips along with the educational content I wish to continue providing through my blog.

As January is now upon us the first items on my calendar will soon be upon us.  January begins for me in Boise where I will be presenting at the Boise Valley Fly Fishers 11th Annual Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo.  I will be providing a number of seminars including Strategies and Tactics for West Yellowstone Area Lakes, Top Ten Habits for Stillwater Success and A Fly Fisher’s Guide to Entomology.  I will also be doing a couple of demonstrations on the casting pond focusing on stillwater presentation techniques and Five Things You Shouldn't Do When Fly Fishing Lakes.  The legendary Tom Rosenbauer will also be presenting along with the renowned Hank Patterson so it should be a great weekend.  If you are in the Boise area be sure to drop by.

The following weekend, January 17-18, I will be presenting in my own backyard at the North Lights Fly Tyers Annual Seminar.  Ed Engle and I will be providing a number of seminars and tying demonstrations during this two day event.  My presentation topics include Electronics for the Fly Fishers, Find Them with Forage, Advanced Chironomid Tactics and Tactics for Tough Days.  I will also be providing some on camera tying and leader demonstrations. Tickets are still available through the Northern Lights Fly Tyers.  Their annual seminars are a great way to prepare for the upcoming season and keep the effects of ‘Cabin Fever’ at bay!

January 23-25 marks my return to the Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition in Calgary.  I will be providing my Top Ten Habits for Stillwater Success program along with a stillwater tying demonstration.  I will also be providing a number of comprehensive two hour workshops, Fly Fishing Alberta’s Stillwaters and Conquering Chironomids.  The Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition is a great show and this year’s event also features many other great speakers including Jack Dennis, Hans Van Klinken, Derek Bird, Don Freschi, Jim McLennan, Ross Purnell, Jeff Wagner, Josh Nugent and Kevin Callbeck.  If Calgary is in your travel plans from January 23-25 be sure to drop by.  This year’s show line up looks great.

On Saturday January 31st I will be providing a detailed one day Euro Nymphing Workshop.  Although I am perhaps best known for my love of fly fishing lakes I have also a great affection and interest in Euro Nymphing.  This seminar is a blend of hands on fly tying instruction coupled with practical tips and techniques on the various nymphing styles in use today, French, Spanish, Polish and Czech.  In addition to tying a variety of Euro nymphs I will be walking students through the basics of each method, leaders, rods and presentation techniques.  Students will even have the chance to make their own coiled sighters.  This will be a full event with lots to learn.  The cost for this event is $40/person and includes all tying materials, seminar notes etc.  Space is limited to 30 people so if you are interested in learning the nuances of these deadly methods please contact Bob Vanderwater to register.

Conquering Chironomids Volume II

In July of 2013 Brian Chan and I released Conquering Chironomids, Strike Indicator Techniques, the first volume of a three part instructional DVD series.  Response to this DVD has been overwhelming and humbling for both Brian and I.  Reviews have been positive and Brian and I are pleased to hear that you found the concepts and ideas presented in Volume I helpful.  In just one year our initial run of DVD’s is almost gone.  Not to worry, we will be duplicating another batch of Volume I shortly.

In late June we began production of Volume II of this educational series building on what we presented in volume I.  Volume II explores a variety of different presentation techniques including, deep water indicator techniques, floating lines and long leaders, better known in some circles as the naked technique, slow sinking lines and ‘dangling’ using fast sinking lines.

We still have some filming to complete in early August. If all goes according to plan, and so far everything is on track, Volume II will be available later on this fall.  We will also be exploring the option of making Volumes I and II available through digital download.

Initial filming in Manitoba was great!

Projects such as our Conquering Chironomids DVD series would not be possible without our primary sponsors. Brian and I use the products from the sponsors listed below whenever we are on the water.  We are grateful for their support and encourage you to support them whenever you can.  Simply click on the logos below to be taken their specific websites.

Special thanks to Loon Outdoors , Scotty Products and Moby Nets for their product support as well.

Lake Aeration Survey Extended Until November 30, 2013

As most of you who follow my exploits through my blog, Facebook page or Twitter know I believe the Parklands region of SW Manitoba offers some of North America’s finest stillwater trout fishing.  I have been visiting this region for close to 10 years. This is a region best known for its large rainbow, brown and tiger trout.   One of the primary reasons for the quality stillwater fly fishing the Parklands region offers is consistent stillwater environment, due in part to the aeration program currently in place.

One of the reasons I visit the Parklands.

During my spring visit this past season I learned that the Rossburn and District Community Development Corporation commissioned AAE Tech Services Inc. to conduct a survey to investigate the economics of lake aeration.  The survey information will be used to help management make the most informative decision with regards to aerating Tokaryk Lake, Patterson Lake, Arrow Lake and Rossman Lakes within the RM of Rossburn.

The lake aeration program benefits both rainbows and browns

In my opinion, the lake aeration program is critical to the economic health of this region.  Visiting anglers, such as me, patronize local businesses during our stay bringing valuable dollars into the region.  Without the region's outstanding stillwater fly fishing we would most likely visit lakes elsewhere.  I, along with of my spring and fall students who joined me earlier this year for my hosted stillwater seminars all completed this survey.  Upon returning home passed along the survey links and information along to everyone I could think off. 

Quality stillwater trout fishing attracts anglers.

Over this past weekend I learned that the Rossburn Lake Aeration Survey has been extended until November 30th 2013.   If you have visited the Parklands region and you weren’t aware of the survey or perhaps haven’t had the chance to complete it there is still time. It is imperative that as many anglers as possible complete this survey to ensure the aeration program continues. The survey can be found online.


All participants completing the survey will be entered into a random draw for one of three prize packages donated by various sponsors.  The draw will take place November 30th 2013.

Prize 1) Two Night Two Guest Stay Michitoba Enterprises
Prize 2) One Night Stay for Two Guests - Comfy Country B&B - Email
Prize 3) Various Fishing Tackle from The Fishin Hole 

If you can, please take the time to complete this important survey.

Conquering Chironomids Volume I

Brian Chan and I are pleased to announce the release of our latest instructional fly fishing DVD “Conquering Chironomids Volume 1”.  Brian and I are fortunate to be recognized as leading educators in the field of fly fishing in stillwaters.  Our latest effort takes advantage of a combined 60 years of experience in fishing lakes and in particular our fascination with mastering chironomid emergences. 

Chironomids or midges are undoubtedly the most prolific and prolonged insect emergence found in productive stillwaters.  Trout, char and other game fish take advantage of this abundant easily captured food source.  Emergences can last from a few months during the spring and early summer period to year- long hatches.  Understanding and mastering this important food source will not only increase the numbers of fish you catch but provide the satisfaction of understanding why you are being so successful.

Volume 1 is focused on fishing with strike indicators, one of the most effective ways to fish chironomid larva and pupa.This DVD is broken down into 12 chapters that cover a wide range of topics including the chironomid life cycle, equipment selection including rods, lines and reels, leaders and their construction, how to use a throat pump, selecting the right strike indicator, casting tips, depth sounders and anchoring,  presentation tactics,  recognizing takes and selecting the right fly.   The special features section of the DVD offers a selection of our favorite larva and pupa patterns with tying recipes. Many of the patterns we feature are currently available through our on line Stillwater Fly Fishing store.  In addition the special features section includes animated graphics detailing our favorite knots including two versions of the non-slip loop knot.

At over 70 minutes in length, Brian and I have packed in a ton of information that will hopefully shorten your learning curve as you conquer chironomids. Once hooked on chironomid fishing it will become an obsession!

Conquering Chironomids Volume 1 is currently available through Brian and Phil's online Stillwater Fly Fishing Store for a price of $19.95.  Dealer inquiries are also welcome.

Please check out the DVD preview on You Tube.

For additional information please contact Phil or Brian via email.

Phil Goes Video!

As you can probably tell by my last post regarding mine and Brian's Chan's new partnership with Montana Fly Company the past few months have been busy to say the least.

In addition to closing our relationship with the Stillwater Solutions program I have been kept in motion by speaking engagements, seminars and schools.  My recent travels have taken me to Bend Oregon, Lynnwood Washington, Pleasanton California, Abottsford B.C. and most recently Phoenix, Arizona for a week long trip with my family. 

In between dates on my busy schedule I have also begun work on the first of a series of instructional fly tying videos on my You Tube channel.  My goal with these videos is to provide a selection of my favorite patterns that feature specific tying techniques along with a little chatter on how I like to fish them.  I have long been a fan of You Tube for my own education and tying.

Many of the patterns I will be featuring will come from what I already have listed in the Fly Tying section of my website.  Many of these patterns can also be purchased through mine and Brian's Stillwater Fly Fishing Store.

So far you can see tying videos for my Bullet Proof Prince, Holo Worm and Strip Tease Damsel.  If you notice down the right margin of my blog page links to these patterns along with Facebook, Twitter and You Tube channel can also be found.

Although the videos will have a definite stillwater slant, I plan on featuring other patterns. Including salt water and rivers and stream patterns.

If you have seen or heard of a pattern of mine that you would like me to feature please send me an email and I will make every effort to add it to my list and then up onto my You Tube Channel.

I hope you enjoy what you see and find the videos helpful to your tying and pattern designs.  I look forward to your feedback and comments.

Phil Rowley and Brian Chan Partner With Montana Fly Company

March 6, 2013:  For Immediate Release

Brian Chan and Phil Rowley are pleased to announce their new partnership with Montana Fly Company (MFC) who will be producing their proprietary fly patterns in the future. This is a great move for the stillwater specialists who are combining their expertise with Adam Trina and the MFC Team. In addition, Phil and Brian will also be working with Montana Fly Company to not only promote Montana’s existing line of fly tying materials, tools and accessories but working in partnership to design additional products as well.

Montana Fly Company has a long standing tradition of quality. Not only unique to their diverse selection of flies but also tying tools, accessories and other fly fishing products.  Brian and Phil are proud to be associated with a company renowned for its reputation and commitment to quality. 
Montana Fly Company will be the exclusive source of Brian and Phil’s stillwater fly designs, tied to their specific quality standards.  Flies you would find within Brian and Phil’s fly boxes. Brian and Phil’s quality patterns will be available through all Montana Fly Company dealers in Canada and the United States in 2013, in addition to Phil and Brian’s on-line Stillwater Fly Fishing Store.

After more than 10 years working with Superfly International, Brian and Phil felt it was time for a change. Their Stillwater Solutions™ program of tying materials, flies, kits and companion recipe book will continue to be offered by Superfly International. Although they will no longer be developing new product for Superfly, Brian and Phil will remain affiliated with Superfly through their Pro Staff Program.

For additional information please visit Brian's website or Phil's website. You can also visit Phil and Brian's online stillwater store,

For additional information on Montana Fly Company please visit their website.

For additional information on Superfly International please visit their website.