So you’ve made plans to go fly fishing. Not just a few hours at the local pond; not just the better part of a day at the river. You’re going on a fly fishing trip. How do you prepare? Do you buy any and every fly that might be hatching? Do you do your best …
I only come across a few things in fly fishing that captivate me right off the bat. In my opinion, the short films that Frequent Flyers Fishing have been putting out in such a short period of time fall squarely into that category. These guys tell simple, straightforward, and meaningful stories. Most importantly, their work …
While I am surprised from time to time with something novel in fly fishing, I think it is safe to say that the industry is squarely in the business of building better mouse traps. Tweaks and variations on themes are fine. If anything, any gear that makes for a noticeable improvement of on-steam quality of …
At a recent presentation I gave on backcountry fly fishing, I was discussing the benefits of maps. I talked about tracing the topography to determine gradient. I shared how certain features indicated where the smallest of tributaries or springs might be located. I spoke on how the usefulness of maps was in that they were …
Most trout anglers have been enlightened by the joy that comes from tangling with a big smallmouth on a fly rod. Aside from the aggressive, powerful fight, the entire process is refreshingly different than the usual 5X tippet and tiny nymph scenario. Tossing a popper while wet wading in sandals is more casual Friday than …
The first outdoors show I attended was outside Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia. As a teenager who had only been an avid angler for a few years, only exposed to the handful of brands carried by my local tackle shop, it was eye-opening. And I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been going to fishing, hunting, …
I love fly fishing in the winter. I love not fly fishing in the winter. Sound a bit confusing or contradictory? Well, it isn’t. You see, both the river and the hearth have their advantages and disadvantages in the coldest months. It is usually a fish plus discomfort versus a no fish plus comfort equation. …
Driving home from his meeting, he noticed a car parked next to the river. The pull off was next to a trail, which wound through the woods and down into the river valley. Where it intersected the water, it presented the traveler with two choices: upstream to the dam or downstream to the wide, glassy …
As is holiday tradition, I’m keeping things brief this New Year’s Day. Using the magic of social media algorithms, I was provided with these nine images from this past year. Although I shared three big lessons I learned in 2024 earlier this week, I figured I could offer up nine pieces of encouragement as well. …
I’m so very thankful to be putting this brief holiday post together from my new office in my New Hampshire home. We’re going to have a white Christmas this year, and I am enjoying the last flakes falling on a Christmas Eve morning snow. And although I still have some preparations for this evening’s service …
