Natural Fly Fishing Etiquette

As spring turns in to summer, the inevitable articles on etiquette and sharing the resource begin to appear. Calls for civility and attempts to engender kindness are much needed in our sport. I believe that we all desire a more pleasant communal experience on the water.

One of the most discouraging moments on the stream, and one of the ways that our good natures are tested, is an encroaching angler. Whether “your spot” is on an urban stream that you’ve naively assumed you could have a little bit of space in, or someone happens to buddy up in the middle of nowhere, having another fly fisher get too close for comfort is… uncomfortable.

So much of the experience is about getting out and into nature. Having other people all up in our fishness is not only frustrating, it is disheartening. Leaving the hustle and bustle for the calm serenity of the great outdoors only to find yourself waving to some human is the last think any of us wants.

Thankfully nature has given us some insights into dealing with this problem. For your consideration are the examples laid by five great North American species. They’ve carved out a niche in their respective ecosystems by outsmarting predators, prey, and peers. Learn from them:

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On the Driving Away

Taking a trip to go fly fishing is a special experience. Whether it is a monthly occurrence or something that happens only once a year, taking an excursion of at least a few nights to fish is distinctly enjoyable. There is a lot that goes into that distinctive experience. Being away from home, work, and the normal routine can be refreshing; regardless of if the accommodations and conditions are posh or something decidedly rustic. And then, of course, there is the fishing.

For the vast majority of people on fly fishing trips, the fishing is the focal point. Pursuing brook trout in the woods of Maine, tarpon off the Gulf Coast, and taimen in Mongolia are very diverse angling opportunities. But for most, they all require getting away. That is a given. There are some other givens that are common to all fishing trips.

One of those is leaving. Inherent to the retreat is the return. And a likely accompaniment to that return are some regrets. Things that, as you drive or fly away, you dwell on and wonder if you should have done differently.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re looking a gift horse (trout?) in the mouth, but that introspection and reflection leads to some obvious thoughts. Here are some that are common to the fly fisher returning from their retreat:

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Last Cast of the Week, 5/27/2016

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 DamNation, Trout in the Classroom, and Chris Williams.

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).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar.

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Rise & Shine: Coffee for Fly Fishing

Walking in the shadows of the great volcanic peaks surrounding the ancient city of Antigua, Guatemala, I stopped to pick a ripe coffee berry. That berry was one of a cluster on a coffee tree, which was one of many on the grounds of a great plantation. Some of the varieties of beans and the subsequent roasts originating from that very estate have won awards the world over.

Later that day, in a centuries-old villa on the property I sipped a blend that had notes reminiscent of hickory smoke, cocoa nibs, and a touch of black currant. The whole scene was about as perfect as a coffee connoisseur could ask for. A delightful cup in a spectacular setting.

***

Stepping over glistening puddles of runoff oil under the neon lights of a gas station in rural New Hampshire, I stopped to avoid getting run over by a dually Ford pickup. Inside I was overwhelmed by the smell of hot dog at 6:00am, which intensified as I realized that the wiener carousel was located next to the coffee urns. There were two options: regular and decaf.

Later that morning, driving down the misty 2-lane highway behind an oil truck, I sipped a drink that had notes reminiscent of coffee… maybe? I was going fishing, and this was the first hot beverage and the first caffeine of the day. A delightful cup in a spectacular setting.

***

I’m convinced that the best cup of coffee you can have is the cup of coffee you have when it is the only cup of coffee you can have. I’m hardly an authority, but I’ve been lucky enough to drink some really top-shelf stuff in some amazing places around the world. A lot of it, incidentally, in situations associated with fly fishing.

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Last Cast of the Week, 5/20/2016

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 Cheeky Fishing,  Unaccomplished Angler, and Paflyfish.

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).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar.

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More than a T-Shirt

I’m moving. That means getting rid of stuff. It is a very liberating process. Have we touched that fondue pot any time in the last ten years? No. Is the decorative pewter rabbit dish really “our style?” Nope. Do we need all those fly rods?

Yes. Yes, we do.

There are a handful of things that are basically off limits when it comes to the purge. Fishing gear easily makes it into that category. I have been quite good, though. I gave away a knife and a chest pack. And a box of assorted conventional tackle. Those are three fishing things that I was willing to part with. I’m impressed with myself.

But then there are some things that I’d consider to be on the periphery of fishing gear. I have every Trout Unlimited calendar from at least the last decade. There are a number of kitschy mugs with fish or flies on them. And then there are the shirts.

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Flies, Flies, Everywhere

If I were a man of lower morals, and it was possible to take out an insurance policy on fly boxes, I might be the victim of an unfortunate and devastating fire.

Nothing that would damage my home, mind you. It would probably happen in a trash can out in my driveway. The only casualties suffered would be a dozen or so plastic cases and hundreds of flies.  By the time fire and rescue would show up, all that would be left might be some hinges. Interspersed in the carnage would be the larger hooks with synthetic yarn melted on in a black mess.

I’d shake my head and lament the loss. “So many nymphs… they never had the chance to grow up.” But right beneath the mournful veneer I would be rejoicing.

Why would I wish such a horrible fate upon my flies and fly boxes, you ask? Things have gotten out of control. There are flies of unknown origin and dubious quality interspersed between by go-to patterns. I have imitations for bugs that don’t live anywhere near me, and boxes that don’t really fit anywhere. Can you see why I’ve been pushed to the edge?

If you follow these simple guidelines you’ll probably avoid the desperate measures that I’ve hypothetically sunk to.

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Last Cast of the Week, 5/13/2016

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 Sight Line Provisions, DoubleHauled, and Gink & Gasoline.

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).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar. read more

Under the Tuscan Trout, part 4

The famous "Ponte Vecchio hole" in downtown Florence.
The famous “Ponte Vecchio hole” in downtown Florence.

I woke up that morning in the apartment that my wife and I rented in downtown Florence. The noises of the nuns bustling about in the courtyard below were the first reminders that I wasn’t home. After getting everything prepped – train tickets, extra pants and socks, a wad of Euros to pay and tip my guide – I headed across the city to the rail station.

It was a surreal scene to be in an ancient city before it wakes up. I was excited to go fishing, but there was a part of me that also would have liked to stay and explore. My wife had a day of gelato, art, relaxation, and more gelato planned out. There was a twinge of regret that we’d be apart, too.

But like with any day fishing, all of the sleepiness and discomfort is quickly shaken when the reality of a day fishing sinks in. At the train station, sipping my coffee, it hit me that I was about to drive into the mountains of Italy to catch trout.

This was perfect.

Fast forward six hours, and I was watching my guide cast to rising fish.

This wasn’t perfect.

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