There’s an old fly-tying adage instructing anglers to create at least three of a kind before moving on to the next pattern — one for the rocks, one for the trees and one for the fish.
On any given Thursday night at Lakestream Fly Shop in Whitefish, that piscatorial proverb could just as easily serve as a toast for the devoted clutch of fly fishers who gather to tie flies, tell lies, swap patterns, and sip beer.
Lakestream has long been a regular gathering place for anglers at its weekly fly-tying night, which flourishes in the winter and shoulder season, when fly fishers are more apt to gather indoors.
Having recently relocated to new digs on Spokane Avenue, Lakestream owner and longtime fishing guide Justin Lawrence has been in the midst of transformative changes at the shop, which was previously located on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish.
But some things never change, and Thursday nights remain reserved for fly tying.
“It gives people a winter outlet,” Lawrence said. “These guys are absolute artists, but they’re also willing to teach anyone how to tie. Anyone and everyone is welcome. We’re not exclusive.”
That is the essence of fly-tying night, which goes on regardless of season, though attendance spikes when there is snow, ice or spring runoff.
The angler’s interest in tying flies often begins as purely utilitarian, as a means of catching fish and replacing whatever is missing from the fly box. But anyone who spends a significant amount of time tying flies soon learns to appreciate the artistic beauty of these bundles of feathers and thread, as well as the people who sit stooped over the vise fastidiously tying them.
Then there’s the moment when a hand-tied fly fools a fish into rising, and the circle is complete.
Dax Kara remembers his first time.
He landed the fish on “the ugliest white buck-tail monstrosity that I have ever tied.” But it worked.
“I think that was probably my favorite day fishing,” said Kara, who works at Lakestream and regularly holds court at fly-tying night. “That was when I really decided that I was going to start tying my own flies.”
Years ago, Larry LaRocque, the “old guy” of the shop, taught a 10-year-old Jonson England to tie flies at an Arts in April program at Muldown Elementary School.
Today, England is 21 and works at Lakestream, where he frequently instructs beginner tiers how to construct their own productive flies.
Another circle completed.
“Teaching the next generation is key, not only to the health of our business but to the health of our river systems and fisheries,” Lawrence said.
On a recent March evening at Lakestream, about a half-dozen enthusiasts unpacked their portable vises, chicken feathers, hooks, beads, flash blends, wire, bucktails, and head cement. They went to work faithfully, energized by table talk and freshly poured ale. The room was filled with a friendly din.
Swing by Lakestream at 6 p.m. on Thursdays to tie flies, tell fish tales, have a beer, share a laugh, and share your patterns. All abilities are welcome.
For more information, visit www.lakestream.com or call 406-862-1298.