It’s been 7 years since I started RiverKeeper Flies and a lot has changed technology-wise in that time. I decided it was time for a new look for RiverKeeper Flies. In addition, this update with my new Kadence WordPress theme is designed to smoothly adjust its layout based on your screen size and resolution. This improvement is especially important for mobile devices where I receive 43 percent of my visitors. Here is what you will see when you click the HOME button.
(And before I get too far, don’t miss my latest YouTube fly tying video. I added a link at the bottom of this post.)
But don’t worry about the fresh look because all the content you’ve seen is still there. The major change is a static front page, which means it will remain constant.
Much of the information you are used to accessing from the top menu is now shown on the Home page. Click on a button and you’ll be taken to the same content you’re used to.
Let me take you on a quick tour.
Top Menu
I’ve streamlined the menu items
- Home – return to this page from anywhere on my website.
- Blogs – takes you to the Blog page.
- Fly Pattern – takes you to the top Fly Pattern page where you’ll find links to Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, Midges, Terrestrials, Euro Nymphs, Lake Flies, Steelhead Flies, Streamers, and Searun Cutthroat Flies. In addition, there are links to a few “fly boxes” – Crooked River Flies, East Lake Flies, Basic Dry Flies, and Basic Nymphs.
- About Me – if you are interested in my story, you’ll find it here.
- Contact – an easy method of contacting me if it isn’t associated with a Post.
- Search – this is the most underutilized function of the website. Click this “magnifying glass” icon and a box appears for you to enter any word. Click enter and you will find associated content from Posts and Pages. I encourage you to try it.
And just above this section are quick links to my Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube Channel, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.
Favorite Images
If you’ve been a regular here, you know I like to share images from our fly fishing adventures and flies I create at the vise. I enjoy going back to read some of my own posts as well as seeing the images again. This is a way for me to share them. I’ll update this gallery on occasion. Just click on the arrows that appear when your cursor is over any image or on the round buttons on the bottom of the images.
Latest Posts
This section will list the three most recent posts. Just click the “Click for more posts” button and it will take you to another page where all my posts are listed. You’ll see 10 posts per page, starting with the newest posts. There are 73 pages, which means I’ve written over 700 posts in the last 7 years. Looking for something in particular? Remember the Search icon? Another way to find content is by using the Archives tab on the right sidebar in every Post and Page.
Popular Posts
This section is a quick link to the most popular post viewers read. I plan to update this section periodically as these change as well as highlighting seasonal content.
Fly Patterns
This section is where you’ll find links to over 200 fly pattern sheets sorted by Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, Midges, Terrestrials, Euro Nymphs, Lake Flies, Steelhead Flies, Streamers, and Searun Cutthroat Flies. In addition, there are links to a few “fly boxes” – Crooked River Flies, East Lake Flies, Basic Dry Flies, and Basic Nymphs.
Favorite Flies
The patterns listed will be links to fly pattern sheets for the flies I use. Some are seasonal favorites.
Recent Throw Back Thursday Flies
This is another gallery to highlight images I enjoy and hope do so as well.
Resources
- Fly Tying Hook Conversion Table – I’ve revised the page to view on desktop and laptop computers more easily. The wider page allowed me to add comparable Montana Fly Company (MFC) hooks.
- Bead Conversion Table – this chart will match bead size to the hook you intend to use.
Custom Flies
An easy method of finding the right page for more information about ordering flies.
Other Resources
- Links to Free Old Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Books – this link is one of my most popular. It currently lists 56 download books from the years 1740 through 1922. These are free to download and create your own digital library in PDF, Kindle, or other formats.
- Favorite Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Books – a list of a few of my favorite books.
- Fishing Knots – a link to information on the knots I use in my fly fishing. I’ll be updating this page in the near future, so be sure to check it out in a couple of weeks.
- Atlas of Oregon Lakes – a valuable interactive resource and includes an option to print a PDF map for your favorite lake with depths and boat ramps. If you plan to fish a new lake for the first time, I’d click the link!
- Fly Fishing Road Trips – a page listing links to blog posts for the locations we have fished on our trips in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Other Links
- Presentations – links to the page listing my current offering of presentations available by RiverKeeper Flies for your fly club.
- Products – a list of a few “things we use” in our fishing, photography and van.
Fly Shop Gallery
A gallery of some of my favorite fly shops. Just click on the arrows that appear when your cursor is over any image or on the round buttons on the bottom of the images.
About Me
If you are interested in my story, you’ll find more information here.
Lastly, have you noticed this Print Friendly button?
It’s moved from the top to the bottom of every Post and Page. Just click on the button and you’ll be able to create a page without ads or sidebar information. It’s especially useful when creating a fly pattern sheet. While you aren’t able to adjust all the content, there are options to adjust font and image size to fit a printed page. In addition, pay attention to the “trash” button where you may remove sections you don’t want in the final document. It’s easy to print, create a PDF file, or email a friend.
There you have it. I’ve spent countless hours learning and updating my RiverKeeper Flies website. My wife would remind me that done is good. So as they say, “pardon the dust” as I continue to tweak the website.
As promised, here is a link to my RiverKeeper Flies YouTube channel with my newest instructional video. I don’t add content on any schedule. My priorities are fishing, producing weekly posts here, tying flies for customers (and me), then fly tying videos. Once spring arrives, I’ll be doing more fishing!
Enjoy…go fish, stay safe!
Very nice, John. Thanks for your hard work to make your site even better.
I like the changes! Also, I love reading your weekly blog, and have used some of your patterns. Also appreciate you’re efforts with regard to teaching tying to the COF group. I wasn’t going to do the recent class, as the flies weren’t by type, until I saw you were subbing. Thank you!
Hi John,
I love the new site. Based on the content, it’s obvious to put a lot into it and the fly fishing fraternity as a whole. Thanks for your hard work. Take care & …
Tight Lines – Al Beatty
Looks great John.
John, Well Done ! As a weekly reader, I also use many of your posts for reference and recommend your site to many who wish to improve their fly fishing knowledge. Thanks for sharing, all that you give to others, and helping me be a better fly fisher. And of course sharing a few meals and a few laughs along the way.
Eric