Podcast Ep. 109 – Streamer Techniques and the Bighorn River with Camille Egdorf

In this episode we Wadeoutthere with Camille Egdorf from Bozeman, Montana. 

Podcast episode appears at the end of this short article.

Camille grew up learning to row a drift boat and fly fish on the Bighorn River as a child.  By the time she was a teenager she was guiding in Alaska.  Camille has been working in the fly fishing world her entire life, chasing fly fishing adventures for herself and others around the world. 

We discuss:

• The Bighorn River
• Streamer tactics
• Confidence
• Fly fishing life as a new mom

Reflections

We look forward to those fly fishing trips.  Maybe it’s a once a year thing.  Maybe we manage two or three.  Fly fishing can be so much to so many people but it’s really what we make of it in our own lives with the time we have.  Fly fishing is a hobby.  A pastime.  A passion.  The lines blur easily. When we don’t get to the river as often as we like, those trips are always special, but the experiences are also valuable.  

It’s easy to think you aren’t improving, but odds are you are.  If you go, you get better.  Things may come slower, but often progress is hard to see.  You may not be guiding in the near future, but like Camllle mentions in our conversation, that’s not really the goal, is it?  

You don’t have to be an expert, or a “pro”.  Embracing this realization can help build confidence.  You don’t have to catch the most fish or the biggest fish.  You don’t have to make all the right decisions on the water.  You don’t need even need the tightest loops. You just have to know that you’re moving in the right direction.

Sometimes confidence can come from a few less flies lost in the brush or a little less time spent tying on flies.  And yes, maybe a few more trout in the net as well.   

The little things add up.  “…you don’t really forget them.”  

Camille is giving folks more than just the rhythms of casting or the process of tying a knot when she takes them fishing.  She’s helping build the confidence that comes from knowing next time, I’m a little better off than when I started.

Key Takeaways

• The Bighorn is a fairly forgiving river when it comes to learning to row and technical level.
• There is not a ton of structure on the Bighorn.
• Six or five weight rod works good on the Bighorn.
• As a technique, fish streamers from the bank downstream at a forty five degree angle and work downstream with the current.
• You can use the rod tip or your hand to give streamers action
• Maintaining contact throughout the streamers drift ensure you have a chance to set the hook.
• Sculpzilla is a good streamer on the Bighorn.  It has a conehead and rabbit fur that gets lots of action.
• Fish streamers to structure, pockets, and riffles.  Let the streamer swing through and give it action with rod movement and strips.
• Keeping the fly in the water as much as possible equals more hook ups.

Learn More

To learn more about Camille’s fly fishing journey watch:

 YETI Presents: Odd Man Out

You can also follow Camille or reach out to her on Instagram at:

@camillegdorg

If you want more information on some of the topics we discussed try reading these blog posts from Wadeoutthere:

Fish the Riffles
How to Get the Most From Your Time on the Water
Fish the Whole Drift

For more fly fishing stories, lessons learned, and artwork check out my blog and online gallery at Wadeoutthere.com

If you enjoy the Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast, and want to help it grow, please leave a rating and review.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed talking with Camille. Wadeoutthere friends.

VR,

Jason Shemchuk
WADEOUTTTHERE
Jason@wadeoutthere.com