Wildlife art is something most anglers and hunters appreciate. While the Venn diagram plotting the wader or camo crowd with the art gallery types might only share a slight sliver, there is still a sliver. And although Bass Pro bucks or Guy Harvey sailfish might not be critically acclaimed, they are perfectly at home in …
Author: Matthew
Podcast Ep. 248: What’s in a Gear Review?
Most of us rely upon others’ reviews of products and services as we attempt to make decisions regarding our hard earned money. More importantly: as we attempt to do our best to catch more fish. What makes a good review? What kinds of things should you look for as you shop, discern, and discriminate? To …
Never Enough Small Trout
Orange fins. Blue halos around red dots. Dark parr marks that span the vertical transition of vermiculated olive back to dusty golden sides. That milky white belly. I can not get enough. And I hope I never will. As an eastern angler, and a passionate devotee of all things small stream, I think about juvenile …
Qualifly Reels: Big Game Impact
For just over 10 years, Qualifly Reels have been winning over fly fishers looking for exceptionally engineered and unique reels. Their fully machined reels are all feature rich and are backed by the customer service of the designer himself. New for 2023 is the Impact, a big game reel that comes in sizes 6/8, 9/10, …
Podcast Ep. 247: 3 Ways to Fish Out of a Rut
It could be the season of life, the weather, or even just the recent (lack of) success on the water. But whatever it is, you’ve found yourself in a fishing rut. What can you do to get back to where you should be? Well, you could power through and just make it happen by doing …
Excel at Keeping Fly Fishing Records
I like the orderliness and comprehensiveness of spreadsheets. I use them for work. I use them for home. I use them for fly fishing. Yes. I use spreadsheets for fly fishing. How? I keep track of some pieces of data that I think will be beneficial. Things that aren’t apparent on the surface or necessarily …
3 Trout Box Staples for Panfish
Serious panfish anglers know that you do need particular gear to chase the biggest bluegill and sunfish. There are tried and true panfish flies that will consistently produce. But say you’re just taking your trout rod on a walk at the local pond? Or what if your life rhythm has made regular excursions untenable? Panfish …
Podcast Ep. 246: Trout & Hot Temps
I’m not a biologist. But I do have enough common sense to analyze data, listen to experts, and pay attention to the world around me. Consequently, I’m aware that it isn’t wise to fish for trout as the thermometer goes up. It is more nuanced than “don’t fish when it is hot” though. Air temperature …
Vacation: Check.
I am a few nights away from wrapping up the *checks notes* longest vacation I’ve taken since 2009. It came at a great time. Life is in a good, but busy, season. I didn’t feel like I was dragging myself to the day of departure. Even as I was loading the car I was reminding …
Ed, a Flea, & Me – part 4
“One more cast.” Of all the softly spoken magic spells in fly fishing, this one might be the most frequent incantation. Part desperation, part closure; the idea of a final presentation has a certain hopeful romance to it. The fish can’t tell that you’re about to call it a day. But the thought behind the …