Pro Shop | Eric Leininger | Fly Fish Portland
Pro Shop | Eric Leininger | Fly Fish Portland
My guiding career started in 2010 with Goodnews River Lodge in Alaska. I was there for 9 summers and worked to really my guiding skills. I still keep in touch with several of the friends I made and fish with them whenever possible.
After my 5th Alaska summer, Jack Hagan, a fly shop owner here in Oregon asked if I would like to join his team- Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters. I’ve worked with them the last 8 years and have been able to exxpand my business through them. I owe the Hagan family a huge debt of gratitude for the help and suppport they have given me. For about 10 years I was exclusively a swung-fly-only steelhead guide. As time passed, I realized this was not a great long-term business model, so added a warm water program. My good buddy, Pete Gadd, helped get me started chasing carp.
I focused on the main stem of the Columbia River. The first season there was great, but we had high water the next year. With all the rivers blown, I switched my focus to lakes and tiger musky-came into play. I did a crash course foocusing on tigers that paved the way for the techhniques I use today.
Smallmouth bass filled the rest of my open times. There is a great window for them after winter steelhead and before carp fishing heats up. That syncs perfectly with pre-spawn and post-spawn smallies. Big flies and big fish- it’s a hell of a great time!
So, with my company Fly Fish Portland, my season shapes up like this:
• December to April- Winter Steelhead
• May to June- Smallmouth & Tiger Musky
• July to August- Carp
• September to October- Summer Steelhead
This puts clients in prime time for the various species and the weather should be on our side.
For me, SA products make a huge impact. The Skagit Short allows even the most novice Spey caster to be in the game after a short demo. When throwing frogs for smallmouth, the Bass Taper is the go to line. The Tropical Titan with 15’ Intermediate tip is the one when fishing big Changers.
The Bass Taper is also a great carp line. It is good for both short shots and distance. Absolute Fluoro is a must for carp. I terminate at the 16 lb and they never see it coming.
I don’t do much outside of fishing. I love to tie and whip up a few flies every day. On days off I usually scout new water or test new bugs. There’s always something to do to tighten up your game. I expect a lot out of my clients and I hope they expect a lot out of me, too. I’m always trying to get better.
