Catching sunfish and fishing for sunfish are two entirely different things. Most anglers catch sunfish. Often the bycatch when fishing for larger species like bass, these round relatives of the more popular sportfish strike voraciously at flies that don’t even come close to fitting in their mouths. But perhaps in a similar manner that the …
“Things that go bump in the night” is hardly a frightening phrase in the context of fly fishing. The bump is precisely what you’re looking for. A fish eating your fly, responding out of the darkness, is the whole point. It isn’t as though fishing at night is the same as, say, ophiology at night. …
Three years ago I was at work, sitting at my desk, when I realized something was off. I had gone for a run that morning, but it wasn’t a route that was particularly long or rugged. Nevertheless, my ankles, knees, and hips felt like they’d been through a rough game of football. By no means …
I stood there, tenkara rod in hand, and stared at the grass carp. In all seriousness, it had to have been nearly four feet long. It’s back and tail were out of the water, and what was exposed of this creature was bigger than most trout I catch. I could see its mouth opening and …
This morning I had about two hours before an appointment. Since said appointment is a fly fishing appointment, it seemed fitting that I “pre game” with some time on the water. Driving from my home into the mountains, I passed dozens of great streams. I could have fished for early season bass. There were trout …
Earlier I wrote a post on fly fishing midges. I mentioned some preliminary matters, general fly selection, and some important distinctive techniques. Today, as a follow up, I’d like to provide some greater detail regarding the gear and accessories that can really be helpful on the water when you’re fishing the smallest of flies. Books …
When I close my eyes and think of fly fishing, one of the most immediate images that comes to mind is a long, glassy pool. Across the surface there are intermittent dimples – sure indications of feeding fish. These riseforms come quickly, and sometimes in successive clusters. Some are larger, but most are smallish. The …
I just want to say this up front: I don’t know if coelacanth is singular, plural, or both. For the sake of this post I’m going to assume that the obscurity of this fish is going to hide my ignorance. Imagine catching a brook trout in an urban waterway in New York City. That would …
Never forget that fish can live virtually anywhere. Specifically, within a lake or river environment, you can find a fish in almost any place. There are some stereotypical spots that most fly fishers concentrate on: the big plunge pools, undercut banks, deep riffles. Those are all incredibly productive areas that deserve your attention. However, in …
Fly fishers the world over celebrate the arrival of spring. Even those who grind through the winter months look forward to the warmer weather, increase in insect activity, and expanded opportunities to catch fish. If you haven’t noticed, everyone else also wants to get outside with the onset of spring. Even non-fly fishers. Even the …
