Ed Shenk, 1927-2020

It was absolutely a leading question, because I wanted one. He had made dozens over the years. I had plenty of chances to buy them in the past. I had never pulled the trigger, but now I was ready. So I asked if he had any of the little fiberglass rods available.

“Oh no,” he said. “Just the one. It’s the original that I landed Old George with.”

Ed Shenk passed away on April 10, 2020. He was 93 years old. Shenk lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and he fished the LeTort Spring Run.

Ed liked to fly fish the LeTort with streamers and tiny flies – using a very short rod. Partially from reading his book as a young man, I learned to fly fish the LeTort with steamers and tiny flies – using a short rod. Nothing as short as the 5’6″ fiberglass model he was referring to when I asked him if he had any left.

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This is My Favorite Spot

This is my favorite spot. It is my go-to, my sure-fire. I don’t believe in luck, but a man who does would call it his lucky spot. The fish I catch there with consistency reinforce this designation. I do pretty well. But having a favorite spot is more than catching big/lots of fish. When you find it, you know it. I’ve known it in other places at other times.

There was the spot where the spring creek widened below a bridge. Here, a small island and some rocks created multiple channels. A number of fish could take cover in parallel. The structure broke up my approach. It was always good for a trout, and in a stream that didn’t give up fish easily – maybe two.

There was the spot with the big plunge pool. Even on a busy stream it was somewhat secluded. Scampering up to a position where one could cast to and/or land a fish wasn’t for everyone. The pool held a number of fish. Catching one always put the rest down. I’d hope for a brookie, or one of the wild browns.

There was the spot with the steep drop-off. Post-spawn, big bass would hide up in the weeds and wait for cruising baitfish. Being shorebound, I’d cast over the fish and hope my movement didn’t put them down. From my vantage point,  the largemouth would move away from me and all I’d see of the take was the gills flaring.

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Podcast Ep. 74: CoronaCast, Week 4

Depending on how you look at things, a lot is happening… or not a lot is happening.

Still, I have a few things to share. I got an interesting email from a handful of entities within the fly fishing industry that I wanted to talk about. Also, I have a tip on how to pack your gear in light of quarantine once this is all over.

I’ve had some great feedback over the past few weeks, and I’d encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or comments.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Wading Means Moving: Redington Benchmark Boots

Wading is simple… in theory. You stay upright and you stay dry. Don’t go too deep and don’t go in fast water. In warm weather you wear sandals or lightweight shoes. The rest of the year you wear waders and boots.

As with everything else in fly fishing, wading footwear has been designed, redesigned, and re-redesigned to accommodate the demands of anglers. Sandals are  precision molded to keep debris away from tender soles. Wading boots have been constructed to provide sturdy support for the most extreme, demanding conditions.

But what about most fly fishing situations? And what about most fly fishers?

Less is more when you need to move. While they have a place, over-engineered boots have become the standard. The only problem is that they don’t fit the needs of the active angler. Four hours here or there on local water doesn’t require something built for week long Alaskan expeditions. Furthermore, big and clunky is not ideal for hitting the trail and hopping on rocks.

On the other end of the spectrum, ultralight wading footwear is meant to be used by itself. Wet wading is fantastic. But sometimes the water is cold.  Sometimes a little more ankle support or toe protection would be helpful. Sometimes getting wet isn’t ideal, or even just not preferred.

There is an option that splits the difference and really is the best of both worlds: a lightweight wading boot. One example of this solution is the most comfortable wading boot I’ve ever worn.

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Trout on a Razor’s Edge

Especially on the East Coast, things are so incredibly close. The places where you are miles from something are few and far between. With such a significant percentage of the country’s populating living a few hours from the major National Parks and Forests, there is a good chance that you’ll be sharing the backcountry most days you’re out and about. There is no (legal/ethical/non-sociopathic) way to guarantee you’ll be alone. Pursuing the “no-lines” might be one of them. It won’t necessarily result in trophy fish, but the fish will invariably be trophies to you. And ultimately, you’ll be walking in your own line.

That was how I ended the article “Fly Fishing the Blue Lines? Try ‘No Lining'” (link below), It explains how there is more water out there than even the maps let on. In the world of small stream trout fishing, more water means more fish. Everything I wrote still holds true. There are ways you can find more and different fish if you just put in the road and trail miles. There is something incredibly rewarding about the whole experience.

But there is also an ethical question that is worth exploring: If you find a small, remote, somehow-untouched-by-man population of native trout… should you catch them?

I’ll go ahead and give you my answer. It is yes. Go for it.

…most of the time.

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Podcast Ep. 73: Fly Fishing Inside

How are you redeeming your time?

Obviously, in a crisis there is great suffering and hardship. But there are always blessings in disguise and silver linings on clouds. Often times those things only come in hindsight. However, when you have a lot of time on your hands there are definitely some opportunities at hand. Even if you’re stuck at home you can cast. You can read. You can tie. And you can get better at all of those things – in spite of the uncertainty in the world.

So, how will you redeem your time?

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Online Iron Fly: Pig Farm Ink X Vedavoo

We could all use a little fun and community these days. While most fly fishers are fortunately still able to spend time on the river or behind their vise, the Coronavirus pandemic has led to a lot of uncertainty and isolation. And although everyone is absolutely concerned about those who are battling the virus, the social and economic impacts of the fallout are no less real.

Pig Farm Ink, known for fun and unorthodox Iron Fly tying events, has been building community for years. Vedavoo, maker of American-built bags and packs, has been organizing artist-driven fundraising since it’s founding. They have come together to create the Online Iron Fly, a four-week competition meant to bring people together.

Iron Fly events are usually held in local restaurants and breweries, and they follow the same model as Iron Chef. Tyers of all skill levels have to create a fly using mystery ingredients. Talent is relative and fun is paramount. The Online Iron Fly will be a little different, but will retain the soul of the events. Tyers will submit their flies via Instagram. Judges will come from across fly fishing, and prize-awarding sponsors will all be companies within fly fishing that have been impacted by COVID-19.

Each week anyone and everyone has an opportunity to be a part of the Online Iron Fly. All you need to do is follow a few guidelines (below) and make sure your fly gets submitted on time.

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Closing Down on Opening Day

The first year I lived by the lake I decided I’d go fishing on opening day. I knew it would be crowded, but I thought it would be fun. On my morning jogs that spring I had witnessed the number of trout cruising in the shallows. On warmer days I could see dimples on the water. This signified that at least some of these stocked trout had the wherewithal to rise to bugs.

While virtually every river around town was open to year-round angling, the pond fell under opening day regulations. A Saturday in April. Not one day sooner. And, as I came to discover, not one day later – that is if you didn’t want to fish over  trout that had been through 48 hours of pure piscatorial pandemonium.

Opening day was nuts.

Far be it from me to criticize anyone who wants to fish shoulder-to-shoulder over 12″ pellet-fed fish. Seriously. If that makes someone happy: fine. If that is nostalgic, a source of food, a way to introduce a kid to fishing, or just a way to spend a spring morning: fine. I’m not dogmatic. The who, what, when, where, and why are none of my concern. It was the how that turned my head.

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Podcast Ep. 72: Why You Should Fish the Upper Delaware

A remarkable and diverse trout fishery is within a half day’s drive of most of the US population.

And, you can thank these rivers for those famous bagels and pizzas in New York City.

The Upper Delaware River system consists of multiple waterways featuring a diverse group of fishing opportunities. The trout that inhabit the rivers are strong, big, and plentiful. On any given day in the season, you should be able to fish dries, nymphs, or streamers.

Whether you haven’t tapped into this resource, or it is a favorite trip, listen to some thoughts on approaching and enjoying the Upper Delaware.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Fly Fishers: Watch Bill Dance (Seriously)

When was the last time you learned something from watching a fly fishing film? I’m not talking about what you gleaned from sweeping shots of dramatic scenery or triumphant hugs after trophy catches. I mean tips n’ tricks: do this to catch that. Fly fishing films are often entertaining, notoriously artsy, but lacking in their ability to convey practical know-know. That is all well and good, because they’re not necessarily meant to teach. They’re meant for a good time (and a little bit of product placement). That just means you’ve got to look elsewhere for a little bit of learning.

My suggestion? Forget the fly fishing genre all together and watch some bass fishin’. (Not fishing – fishin’.) And if you’re going to go that route, go big. Go to the top. Go watch you some Bill Dance. Bill Dance has been fishing on television since 1968. Along with the likes of Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, and Hank Parker, he has been educating and entertaining millions of anglers for over half a century.

He drives a big, glittery bass boat. He casts treble-hooked crankbaits on heavy line with high-tech baitcasting reels. He fishes in jeans. He catches fish after fish after fish. And there are a lot of things that fly fishers can learn from him and his peers.

Here are four reasons why you,  the fly fisher, should watch bass fishing shows:

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