Elden Berrett was born and raised in eastern Idaho and started fly fishing when he was 14. Not long after he started fly tying, and has since had several of his patterns produced commercially with his golden stone pattern being his most well-known fly. Elden has been a guide for 32 years and guides on the South Fork of the Snake, the Henry’s Fork, the Main Snake River, and the Teton River. A new Signature Tier for 2022, he added some of his top foam patterns to our collection, including his Golden Ant and Red Ant. Enjoy learning more about him and his patterns in this Q&A with Elden Berrett!
Photo: Joe Klementovich
Q: You first went fly fishing at age 14. What was it about fly fishing that drew you in?
I started fly fishing when I was 14. That’s when I bought my first fly rod. It was a 81/2 ft. fiberglass Fenwick with a Southbend Finalist reel. I still have the reel.
Q: Soon after you began fly fishing you tied your first fly. What about fly tying appealed to you?
I was always fascinated with how fish fed on flies . At that time, I believed fly fishing was the best way to catch them. I was always searching for that one magical fly that would catch fish. I had a lot to learn. The was a local gentleman that had a reputation for tying great flies. I asked him if he would teach me how to tie. He said he didn’t do that but made an exception for me. He taught me how to tie a willow fly. It had a body made of chenille with porcupine hair for the legs. A very basic pattern that I caught fish with. I’ll never forget that experience.
Q: One of your new patterns with us, Elden’s Red Ant, won the Jackson Hole One Fly competition. What makes this fly so effective?
I developed the Red (Chernobyl) ant after receiving several requests for a red bodied stone fly pattern. It’s tied the same way as the original “Berrett’s Golden Stone” with a red body instead of ginger. It works for a salmon fly or a golden stone. It is also a good attractor pattern.
Q: Do you have any tips for fishing Elden’s Red Ant?
During the salmon fly hatch, I like to make a cast and as soon as it hits the water move the fly imitating a natural struggling on the surface. This often triggers a strike. Dead drifting It also works. I will often use it for an indicator, dropping a nymph under it. I’ve had great success throughout the summer with this pattern even when there is nothing hatching. It was the winning fly in “The Jackson Hole One Fly” in 2008. It also caught the biggest fish, a 25 1/2 inch brown.
Q: Another new pattern is Elden’s Pteranycis Orange. What inspired you to tie this one?
My Pteronarcys pattern has evolved much from my original version. The original had elk hair for the wings. That was replaced with Alaska brown bear hair, not easily found I might add. I now use EP fibers. I’ve tried several different materials for the body and have settled on zelon. It’s very buoyant and easy and fast to tie with.
Q: You’ve been a guide for 32 years. Do you have any advice that any angler, beginner or expert, could benefit from?
I’m often asked for advice from anything from tying flies to how to become a guide. My best advice is to spend as much time on the water as you can. There is nothing better than experience. Something that helped me was learning as much as I could about the lifecycle of the insects. When you observe feeding fish, watch to see at what stage the fly is in when the fish are eating them. Stop and watch for awhile. I’ve learned more by doing this than anything.
My advice for becoming a guide is to work at one of the fly shops. That’s an easy way to get started. Many guides have started out this way. And as for how be a good guide, one needs to be patient. Always remember, the person you are helping is the one paying you. Trust me. If you lose your patience, things go to hell in a hurry.
The best advice I was ever given about guiding was to approach each day with three things in mind. Number 1 above all else is safely. If someone gets hurt your day can be ruined. Number 2 is have fun. After all, isn’t that why you are out there? Number 3 is learning.
You have to teach them why you are fishing the way you are and why you are using that particular fly. Show them how to present it. Some of the best days on the water I’ve had guiding was when the fishing was slow. I try to teach them what works for me when the fish are biting. After all, one cannot control the weather or make the fish bite. I’ve heard many times from other guides that they didn’t do well because the client couldn’t cast. I simply tell them you should have taught them how then. It’s a no brainer if someone can’t cast they will most likely have a hard time catching a fish.
Photo: Joe Klementovich.
Q: What tips would you give to anglers who have just started their fly fishing journey?
The best advice I can offer to anyone is to have fun. That’s what it’s all about.
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