Sometime around the Civil War, smelt were introduced into a number of lakes in southern New Hampshire. This small forage fish proliferated in the cold, deep water. Native fish species, at least those higher up on the food chain, took advantage of the new food source. One small fish, a strain of Arctic char, truly …
“After taking a year off, and with COVID still out there, how are the fishing shows going to be this year?” I’ve heard this question plenty of times over the past few months. I’ve asked it myself. But now I can answer with a little bit of authority after spending the day at the initial …
Packs. Whether you carry yours on your sling, chest, or fanny, dozens upon dozens have been engineered for fly fishers. Why? For years, anglers have been trying to find the perfect piece of gear to carry their gear. In a sport that is so smitten with gadgets, gizmos, and Gink, the contemplative angler is confronted …
One could argue that trout fishing has had a significant influence on the course of United States history. President Hoover chose Rapidan Camp, on the banks of the Rapidan River in Virginia, for his presidential retreat. Starting with President Eisenhower, the country’s Commander in Chief rested and conferenced at Camp David. This rustic camp, nestled …
You can’t feel your fingers. Your breath is fogging up your sunglasses. Your waders are just a little bit frozen. Obviously, it is the perfect time to tie on a dry fly… in the size 22-28 range. Even when bigger bugs aren’t fluttering around the stream, smaller insects are probably hatching. In long runs, glassy …
I broke my net. The net broke my fall. The wooden handle took my full weight as I hit the granite boulder. Shiny rocks looked like icy rocks, so I let my guard down. One of those shiny rocks was actually an icy rock. My feet went out from underneath me so fast that I …
Earlier this week I put out a piece called “Fishing the Gray.” In short, it is a quasi-autobiographical encouragement to get out and fly fish in even the ugliest weather. A good number of people read it. Hopefully, if you were one of those people, you appreciated it. Still, I can’t help but think that …
The streambanks, even the stream bottoms, are mostly bare. There might be snow and ice. Days are short but the cold weather lasts for a long time. Overall, things are gray, It isn’t the same as fishing in the spring, summer, or fall. But it is still fishing. Guides and fingers freeze. Fish, and most …
Less than two weeks ago I wrote “The Last Time You’ll Fish.” I’ve included a link to the article below, but here’s the gist of it: There are places that you have gone fishing that you will never fish again. Some of these places aren’t anything special. Others, when framed in this manner, are the …
Did you get cash for Christmas? How about a gift card to Cabela’s or Bass Pro? Or, perhaps you were the lucky recipient of store credit to a local fly shop. Do you feel like you have to spend it ASAP? At least go into it with a little bit of a plan. Even if …
