Some people are all about the fish. They possess a singular focus for a full net. Most fly fishers won’t argue about having a sore arm from fighting fish, but they also appreciate the bigger picture. For you and I to enjoy angling as we know it, we stand in a long line of people …
The last cast. Anglers of all stripes are familiar with the phenomenon. It is the last attempt at a fish. It comes after “I should get going soon” and “just a few more.” It is the nail in the coffin before the streamside post mortem. It is the last cast. But anglers are also well …
Patience is a virtue. And while we should strive to be virtuous for many more important reasons, it pays off when trying to catch trout, too. Today I work through three ways in which fishing smarter will almost always trump fishing harder. And, to be fair, there is nothing wrong with fishing intensely while fishing …
Some things never change. Trout eat royal coachman dries. Anglers will wiggle a new fly rod. A fish rising to a dry fly is thrilling. And solid fly fishing instruction is timeless. Joe Humphreys’ On the Trout Stream with Joe Humphreys is a great example. Written in 1989, it addresses nymphing and fishing dries with …
This week I’ll be spending a few days in southern Vermont. This region isn’t as well known as the more northernly section; the part with all the cheese, skiing, and Bernie Sanders. But there are plenty of reasons to poke around Manchester, Vermont. Along with fly fishing itself, there are two significant fly fishing “attractions.” …
Flannels, pumpkin spice, and… slowly swung streamers? Just like the changing colors of the leaves, there are some inevitable alterations we make every fall in our fly fishing. Dropping temperatures and shorter days cause cold-blooded creatures to act differently. If we want to see them in our nets, we need to respond accordingly. Today I …
Our watches tell us the day and our phones keep all of our monthly obligations in order for us. So who needs a printed calendar for their wall any more? Fly fishers. That’s who. For decades, Trout Unlimited has published a calendar for their members and as part of their fall fundraising efforts. I still …
In one way or another, I’ve been teaching fly casting for over 20 years. I’ve taught it on river with clients I’ve guided. I’ve taught it with classes of 20 students. I’ve taught it with friends and family. I’ve taught my own boys. I’ve personally taken classes, read books on the subject, and watched plenty …
You might not fancy yourself a teacher. But if you’re going to be a “fly fishing guy” there is a good chance you’re going to need to pass along some essential knowledge to a friend, coworker, or brother-in-law. And casting is about as capital-E essential as there is in fly fishing. Today I walk you …
There are few books out there that appeal to anglers of any age, at any skill level. But I’m confident that The Fly Fishing Book by Steven Weinberg happens to be one such book. Between the endearing artwork and the humorous take on the pursuit we all love, this is a title that experts and …
