I am not an expert in swinging flies in the most orthodox sense of the concept. In fact, I’ve never made any kind of presentation to steelhead in the Pacific Northwest or Atlantic salmon. However, I have swung wet flies in ways that might not draw the ire of purists. But none of that is …
Author: Matthew
VIDEO: Providence in Fly Fishing
It isn’t a theological work or even really a devotional, but Harry Murray’s His Blessings Through Angling is a great example of the intersection of faith and fly fishing. Murray isn’t preachy (although I don’t have a problem with folks who are). Rather, he shares examples of how He has seen providence at work in …
5 Pieces of Panfish Trivia
My kids get excited about southern panfish. They talk about the brook trout and the largemouth bass, but it is the sunfish, bluegill, and pumpkinseed that they look forward to when we get close to our annual summer trip to Virginia. We have plenty of panfish in New England. They are as willing to eat …
Podcast Ep. 393: 5 Wading Ideas (More or Less)
Perhaps this is a little pedantic, but it is worth saying: You don’t need to wade to fly fish. What do I mean? Well, I think a lot of anglers wade too much. We get in the water where we don’t need to. We move too close to where the fish are. We disturb things …
VIDEO: Choosing a Small Stream Fly Rod
Fly rods are like opinions. Everyone has a bunch and they all serve a purpose. …or something like that. When it comes to picking a fly rod for small stream fishing, you really can’t go wrong. If you a) have it and b) enjoy using it, then you’re all set. There isn’t any need to …
Gaining Intangible Fly Fishing Expertise
No one has ever seen a body builder and thought, “I bet he’d make an excellent angler.” Similarly, there is no inherent association between the physique of marathon runners and fly casting ability. Why is that? Because while there is absolutely nothing wrong with being in shape, athletic prowess and fly fishing success only share …
Podcast Ep. 392: 3 Lies that Get People Into Fly Fishing
Last week I did my darndest to debunk three big lies about fly fishing that keep people away from this wonderful pursuit. Today I’m coming at it from another angle. In this episode, I’m addressing three misconceptions about fly fishing that get people into the sport. Thankfully each of these three items have good news/bad …
VIDEO: Fly Fishing Source Material
Once more, we are turning to a title that finds its origin in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley. While not his seminal fly fishing work, Rising Trout by Charles Fox is a fantastic addition to any angler’s library. This is also an interesting example of where a reprint is of different value than a first edition. The …
The Big Fly Fishing Lie
Recently I released a podcast episode entitled “3 Lies that Keep People from Fly Fishing.” (You can listen to it here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.) The first lie that I addressed was one of the most inaccurate assumptions people hold about fly fishing. It is an unnecessary perspective that unfortunately keeps people from …
Podcast Ep. 391: [Cast1] 3 Lies that Keep People from Fly Fishing
You’ve probably heard them yourself. There are some myths about fly fishing and fly fishing culture that keep people away from either giving it a try or sticking with it after a little bit of frustration. I’m here to tell you that three of the most common reasons people steer away from fly fishing are …