Most of what you read or watch about conservation probably deals with the “how.” How do we remove dams quickly and safely? How should we legislate public land use? How many trout should someone be allowed to keep? Every once in a while, the “why” questions get addressed. Usually, people are invested in conservation because …
There are some tremendous resources on the history of fly fishing out there. There are also lots and lots of subpar books and blog articles out there, many which repeat the same ideas and (sometimes) myths. Usually the latter are accessible and the former are daunting. Ian Whitelaw’s The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies …
If the fly fisher in your life has been actively pursuing the hobby for any length of time, he might be hard to shop for. If he or she doesn’t already have it, they probably have a very specific idea of what it is. Buying off of a list is all fine and good. But …
Why buy a cumbersome fly fishing guidebook when all that information is on the internet? Why purchase something that is just going to be out of date in a few seasons anyway? Today I share why fly fishing guidebooks are not only helpful, but important to anglers. There is indeed a wealth of access and …
If you’ve ever stepped foot in a fly shop or scrolled down through the options of an online retailer, you might think that fly fishing requires stuff. A lot of stuff. And while most equipment out there does have a specific function for someone somewhere, the vast majority of fly fishing can be done with …
It isn’t a theological work or even really a devotional, but Harry Murray’s His Blessings Through Angling is a great example of the intersection of faith and fly fishing. Murray isn’t preachy (although I don’t have a problem with folks who are). Rather, he shares examples of how He has seen providence at work in …
Fly rods are like opinions. Everyone has a bunch and they all serve a purpose. …or something like that. When it comes to picking a fly rod for small stream fishing, you really can’t go wrong. If you a) have it and b) enjoy using it, then you’re all set. There isn’t any need to …
Even though we all try to cram in anything and everything we might need for a day on the water, the truth is that we have to make some choices. Some flies are going to have to stay in the trunk. That extra spool just won’t fit. But there are some pieces of equipment that …
Used bookstores are treasure troves for readers of fly fishing content. I don’t think I’ve ever been in an establishment that deals in previously owned books where there hasn’t been at least a row devoted to fly fishing. It is great for discovering hidden gems or taking a chance on a random title. But if …
If you’ve been fly fishing for over a decade, you’ve probably accumulated more than a couple gadgets and tools. They all work. Some work better than others. A few fit you and your fishing so well that they go with you everywhere you go fishing. Today I share three pieces of gear that I’ve come …
