There is an interesting dichotomy among many fly fishers. When it comes to equipment like fly rods there is an inordinate amount of attention given to having the precise piece of gear required for a particular application. That approach often entails acquiring a few pieces of gear required for a handful of particular situations. At …
This year, a reel that received a lot of attention upon release was the Redington Ace. Online and walk-in fly shops had a hard time supplying anglers with the 5/6 model. What made this reel so hot? And how has it held up six months into actual fishing? The short of it is that Redington …
Regardless of budget, most fly fishers do their due diligence when shopping for waders. After all, no one wants to be wet. The right pair of waders at the right price will give you peace of mind as you spend seasons on the water. For some that price reaches well over $500. However, there is …
Virtually all fly fishing situations can be approached with basic gear. A medium fast, 8’6″, 5-weight loaded with weight forward line will give you what you need to catch trout. But modifying one of those components to better match your skill or your circumstances can make a real difference. For example, a higher quality line …
Recently I commented that the fly fishing industry is squarely within the “build a better mousetrap” stage of technological advancements. There are very few new things that are entering the long rod, thick line, tiny fly space. That is all fine and good. But it does breed some skepticism from consumers who are being presented …
There is something pleasant about creating new media highlighting old media. And that is precisely what I am doing with my latest project on Casting Across: fly fishing book reviews on YouTube. With five videos up at the time of writing and a few more in the can, this series seeks to show off some …
The Fly Fishing Show is often the best place to go hands-on with gear that has just been or is about to be released. In fly fishing, on the pinnacle of that gear pile sits the fly rod. There are a lot of fly rods at the Show. From under $100 to over $1,000, there …
My four boys love the outdoors. My four boys also love reading. Needless to say, there was a lot of interest when I opened up All Fish Are Awesome earlier this week. Noel Vick’s book follows the simple formula that makes children’s books readable and re-readable (and if your child chooses, the latter can be …
Nearly every fly tyer wants to get better. With focused repetition, patterns become more consistent and come together more quickly. It isn’t in the cards for everyone who sits behind a vise to produce professional-looking bugs. It isn’t necessary, either. Practice makes productive flies that fill boxes and catch fish. Along with guidance, know-how, and …
Nostalgia and aesthetics aren’t the only reason you should buy fly fishing gear. But those two aspects do count for something. And in the history-rich, artistically inclined world of fly fishing nostalgia and aesthetics are often embraced willingly. Bamboo rods and waxed cotton packs are still made and used because they work. They are examples …
