I went to where I fished. But I didn’t fish. Recently I spent a long weekend in Virginia. I was in the mountains. I was in the hollows. I was on the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers. However, I didn’t cast a single fly. I hiked, ate, toured, and drove across some of my most …
Let’s not kid ourselves or anyone else. Fly fishing is expensive. It doesn’t have to be… but it often is. You can get by with only the essentials… but most of us want a few more odds and ends to make it easier or more fun. That doesn’t mean that you need top of the …
Picture your flybox. Close your eyes and do it. Is it messy? Is it full? Does the messy fullness bring you joy? Okay: now picture the last flies that you’ve used. Picture the flies that you turn to over and over again. Is there a disparity between the first and second image that came to …
Most anglers turn to tried-and-true options for carrying their essential gear on the water. Vests, chest packs, and slings have been standard fly fishing equipment for generations. But there are other options that folks have used to great success that might fit you or how you fish. For a number of reasons, fly fishing out …
This time I wasn’t simply fishing. I found myself explaining why I was doing what I was doing. Not how to cast. Not why a dry fly. Why. The reason why I was fishing. For someone who writes and talks about that very subject three times a week, and who has been doing so for …
This spring I bought a new pair of running shoes. Unbeknownst to me, they’re considered “maximalist.” Instead of the stripped-down and barely there shoes we’ve grown accustomed to see on the feet of marathoners, this trend overbuilds a number of shoe components. While still lightweight, these shoes provide a ridiculous amount of support and cushion. …
From time to time I like fishing alongside a friend. Being in the woods and on the water is often pursued for the purpose of solitude. But there are plenty of reasons for being within earshot of another human being that you happen to know. Yes, you get camaraderie and all of the good things …
Today, like every day, I opened my email to see a litany of messages from fly fishing companies. Each got a quick glance. One gave me pause. There was a new pair of wading boots that was being touted. New technology. New angling opportunities. New! I bet they work really well. But they sure are …
Smallmouth bass are an excellent species to pursue with a fly rod. In fact, smallmouth techniques have more in common with traditional trout fishing than with popular largemouth bass practices. While trout gear will get the job done in many situations, the angler who chooses to chase smallmouth with regularity will want some species-specific equipment. …
There are many talented fly fishing artists out there. I am always impressed at the diversity represented in the depictions of something as simple as a brook trout flank. Light spots on a dark background. Orange bellies and white tipped fins. Vermiculated backs leading to square tails. But they are presented using different media, different …
