Looking Wayward for a Custom Fly Rod

When does a fly rod become yours? Is it once you purchase it? After you’ve caught that first fish? Once the cork is stained, the reel seat is scratched, and you’ve been through a few seasons of angling together?

What if a fly rod could be unequivocally yours, even before you make the very first cast?

Fly fishers generally revel in owning multiple fly rods from various manufactures in a whole array of weights, lengths, and flex profiles. And while the off-the-rack fly rod is a totally adequate and enjoyable angling instrument, there is another option. An option where the fly rod can be yours in a way that transcends ownership.

Out behind his house, Steve Christopherson’s shop is filled with tools and storage bins. There are miscellaneous odds and ends lying about. But everything in his shop goes into creating custom fly rods. The shop is where Wayward Angler rods are built from the components on up. For the past twelve years, Christopherson has been building fly rods for himself and individual clients.

“The best part of it is talking to a customer,” Christopherson says, “because they see everything that goes into it and they get addicted to the process.” The talking seems to be an integral part of the building method. “I get to know how they fish, how they cast. I get to know them.”

The experience is a significant part of what sets a custom fly rod apart from a stock product. Whereas even the smaller companies have a team manufacturing rod after rod to identical specifications, an individual builder is invested in one piece from start to finish.

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Last Cast of the Week, 12/9/2016

Most Fridays on Casting Across are  devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week.

Today, I’m sharing items from Simms, Fly Rod Chronicles, & Angling Trade / TU.

If you’d like to be featured in the Last Cast of the Week, or have seen something that others might be interested in, use my contact form or shoot me an email (matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com). Also, be sure to subscribe to Casting Across to never miss a post.

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Simms – Gift Guide

One of the premier soft goods manufacturers in the industry, Simms has set itself apart in so many facets of clothing, waders, and packs. And while their premium products often carry premium price tags, they have a significant selection of more modestly priced items. Conviniently published in time for the holiday season, they have offered up a “gifts under $50” site. There are some real good things on there (I like the patch fly box, the mesh reel pouch, the dry bag…). It is a simple click and share option for making sure your “wants” are known.

Fly Rod Chronicles – YouTube

Along with the sizzle reel  from the show that the above link will direct you to, Fly Rod Chronicles with Curtis Fleming  has posted three great episodes in the last month.  These free, 20-minute videos on YouTube cover some great fishing content: fishing with Jerry West, hitting the salmon fly hatch, and more. Along with these newer shows, there is an extensive back catalog that will make for some great downtime entertainment or fly tying ambiance.

Angling Trade / TU –  Eastern Fires & Trout

Wildfires are interesting things. This fall has seen plenty across the country, with a number in the southeast. On one hand they are so very natural. On the other, they are destructive and frightening. While we can never lose sight of the effects of these fires on people, fly fishers are understandably concerned about the consequences for trout. This brief article answers some questions, potentially eases some concerns, and also  raises awareness.

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Fly Fishing Books, part 3

On the subject of reading, someone once penned the words, “I can go anywhere /  Friends to know / And ways to grow.”

For the fly fisher,  that is most certainly the case. Whether it be a destination guidebook, an intimate novel, or a technical treatise, books can unlock all sorts of opportunities. Indeed, those lyrics from the theme to “Reading Rainbow” hold a lot of truth for angling.

This is the third installation of my Fly Fishing Books series. I continue to share books that I have found to be valuable, as I believe that educating angler does a lot more than just lead to more fish in the net. A well crafted book, of any genre, will engage the reader on a number of levels. Personal introspection, appreciation of the resource, and an awareness of the community of fly fishing  can all come from sitting down with a good book.

As I’ve outlined in my previous two entries (the first being here, and the second here), I’m attempting to offer up a book from three stylistic categories:

  • Guide (regional, site specific)
  • Technical (methods, locations, fly tying)
  • Literature (novels, biographies, history)

So whatever it is in fly fishing that you are interested in, go ahead and take a look. It is, after all, in a book.

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When in the Week to Go Fly Fishing

When should you go fly fishing? Well, any time you go is better than the time that you don’t go. That being said, some forethought and discernment can go a long way in getting the most bang for your buck.

Have you ever considered the day of the week and how much of a part that plays in your own enjoyment and the fishing opportunities? You ought to. Every day is not equal, and as your schedule and the seasonality of the year changes, what might work one month could very well be a big zero the next.

So here it is: a brief synopsis of the seven days of the week and how fly fishing fits into each of them.

Saturday Let’s start at the end. This is not the day to go fishing if you want solitude. Maybe if it is raining/snowing/hailing/football playoffs. Otherwise, you’re going to have to get pretty far off the trail before you find some fish for yourself. And even if you do happen upon some spot of water where you can’t see anyone, there is a good chance that those fish have been hammered the last few days. Plus, you have yardwork. And there is college football. And “people.”

Sunday The first day of the week. The day of rest. “Saturday II” for the non-religious crowd. And for that reason, you can basically apply all of the Saturday truths to Sunday. Although, early Sunday morning is a surprisingly quiet time. That isn’t necessarily because all the other fly fishers are at church. Even in our present culture, Sunday still has a “day of rest” feel to it. Whether it is because Saturday night was crazy, or that Monday looms large, many folks take it easy. Easy like Sunday morning, even.

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Last Cast of the Week, 12/2/2016

lcw

Most Fridays on Casting Across are  devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week.

Today, I’m sharing items from Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Expo, DoubleHauled, & Cheeky Fishing.

If you’d like to be featured in the Last Cast of the Week, or have seen something that others might be interested in, use my contact form or shoot me an email (matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com). Also, be sure to subscribe to Casting Across to never miss a post.

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Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Expo

December means that winter is right around the corner. And with winter, comes the slate of fly fishing expo shows around the country. If you live in the south or mid  atlantic, the WNC Fly Fishing Expo in Asheville, NC, is the first big event on the calendar. December 2nd & 3rd, there is a full slate of vendors, classes, and exhibitions. If you’re nearby, stop in to do some shopping and some mingling. Plus, learn more about a region that is exploding in the fly fishing world.

DoubleHauled – Saturday Night’s Alright for Biting

If the crowds keep you away from the fall runs of big fish maybe getting at it after everyone else has headed in for the night is the answer. Assuming your state is okay with it, night fishing can be incredibly rewarding. Gabriel from DoubleHauled retells some stories and shares some lessons from a few nights chasing big fish by headlamp.  Consider the challenge that this kind of fly fishing entails, but also think about the opportunities.

Cheeky Fishing – Limitless Launch

The bright and powerfull reels that Cheeky make have made waves in the fly fishing world.  Their newest series, the Limitless, promises to continue that trend. 5 sizes will cover you in situations where you’re chasing trout to big game. Durable construction, a solid drag, and striking aesthetics will put these reels in magazines, awards considerations, and a lot of anglers’ Christmas lists. They come out on December 12th, so look for them soon!

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Fly Fishing, Science, & a Trout Named Steve

I totally understand that fish are just fish.

By that, I mean that I am not the kind of person that ascribes some sort of metaphysical depth to the experience of a bluegill. Fish are great, fish are worth protecting and pursuing – but fish, at the end of the day, are just fish.

But, you have to wonder sometimes.

For example: When two fish are hanging out, all chum-like (salmon pun!), and one gets caught – what do you think the other one is thinking? Again, “thinking” is all relative. Regardless of the cognitive capabilities of a trout, fish A seeing fish B going berserk surely elicits some sort of response.

If you’ve fished enough, you’ve probably seen the three common responses.

  • “Oh crap, what’s happening to Steve!?! I’m out of here!”
  • “Bugs… water… bugs… bye, Steve… bugs…”
  • “Steve! That looks awesome… I’ll do it too! Yee-haw!!!”

Let’s tackle them briefly, one at a time:

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Better Fly Fishing Gifts

Christmas. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Gift giving is big business, but more importantly it is serious business. Like, certain relationships put a make-it-or-break-it proviso status on gifts. Who am I to say if that is wrong or right? What I do think is wrong is giving gifts with the laconic sentimentality of clicking a “buy now” button off a list.

We can do better. Fly fishers are a sentimental lot. Standing in a wild place chasing wild creatures allows for all sorts of introspection and whatnot. Add to that the whimsy associated with bamboo, Norman McLean, and early mornings? You’ve got a recipe for some grade-A thoughtfulness. That experience on its own, with all the accoutrements that make it special, is worth giving.

But what else can you do to really take fly fishing gift giving to the next level? If you already plan on going fishing with people on your list, how can you go the extra mile? What will push your gift over and above a new pair of wading socks or a Costco bag of beef jerky?

Here are a few ideas that could really be fun. Fun to give and fun to receive. And they can definitely be given in tandem with that fishing trip, so you can still buy the five pounds of jerky and share it on the river.

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In Thanksgiving of Fly Fishing

I am thankful for fly fishing.

I am thankful for being able to go off the marked trail and into wild places. These are places that I would enjoy to see on their own, but would struggle to justify visiting otherwise. Quiet meadows and intense valleys; places that only see the occasional footprints from anglers or intrepid hikers.

I am thankful for early morning drives. Even before I’m in close proximity to the stream, I’m content with what I’m doing. There are breakfasts on the run, misty sunrises, and empty highways. And that first cup of coffee doesn’t have to be good – it just has to be hot.

I am thankful for gear. Although accumulation and striving for things is not important, there is real joy in this aspect of fly fishing. The feel of a brand new cork grip or one that has been used for generations. The sound of a reel as I’m slowly reeling it in or the sound it makes as a fish tears line into the backing. Vests and packs with a place for every necessary little thing… and everything that is in those places.

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Mapping out Fly Fishing: 3 Keys

Reading maps is a lost art. What began with plugging an address into MapQuest a decade ago evolved into simple smartphone GPS navigation that we are used to today. A DeLorme Atlas would be about as foreign to your average elementary school student as a book written in cuneiform. Many millennials wouldn’t fare much better.

I could go on about the potential deficiencies of not knowing how to read a map: math application, special awareness, and just general problem solving. But more pertinent to you and me is the fact that being proficient in reading maps can open up a world of fly fishing possibilities.

You’ve probably heard it a million times before, but if you just stick to the popular and well-marked streams you are missing out on some amazing fishing and some real adventure. Short of just taking off into the wild, you’re going to need to utilize a map in some capacity to find water – and more importantly, water with fish in it.

While a primer in cartography might be needed (“obviously this blue part here is the land…”), that is not something I feel compelled to lay out today. And though nothing will ever take the place of being able to read a topographic map and make an educated decision, there are some great tools that can be an entry point in exposing an angler to using maps.

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