Real Nippers: Worth an Extra $6

A few articles in Casting Across history have drawn ire from the fly fishing internet. There was the series of posts that calculated the “best rated” fly shop in each state. There have been reviews of products from companies that people don’t like. There are opinions, recommendations, and personal convictions that readers don’t agree with.

And then there is the real controversy: nippers.

Yes. Nippers. The simple piece of gear used to cut tippet. People get irate about nippers. Why? I have some nice tippet-cutting tools. I think there are good reasons to own them. I think they’re a great gift for the fly fisher in your life that has everything.

But I don’t think they’re necessary. Once more: $100 nippers aren’t necessary.

What else isn’t necessary is the self-flagellation of using fingernail clippers. I don’t think that you need to swing to the other end of the spectrum to prove a point or to save $6. Here are three reasons why:

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Fly Fishing Books, XII

Why would I read it if…

  • I could watch the movie?
  • The information is 20 years old?
  • I could get the same information from YouTube?
  • There are dozens, if not hundreds, of other books like it?

These questions are legitimate. But if you’ve ever read a good book, you know how the written word has the ability to not only mitigate but transcend all of those concerns.

Today I am sharing four fly fishing books. It would be reasonable to ask one of the above questions of each suggestion. Irrespective of that, I maintain that they are worth picking up and reading.

As I’ve done for all of the entries in my “Fly Fishing Books” series, I’ve spread the selections over three rough categories:

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

Check out one kind of each book, why I suggest it, and a bonus read below. And follow the links in the headings to get a copy for yourself.

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Podcast Ep. 181: Fly Fishing for Bigger Panfish

Anyone can catch a bluegill. But catching big, dinner plate-sized, rod bending bluegill? That takes a lot of luck, or better yet, a good amount of skill.

On today’s episode I walk through three things that will help you find, hook, and catch the biggest sunfish, pumpkinseed, and warmouth in the pond. There are some fly and gear considerations, but a lot of it comes down to locating where bigger fish like to hang out.

Panfish were the first foray into angling for many of us. But that doesn’t mean catching the largest and oldest specimens is any easier that finding big trout.

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

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Bigger Works Better: Costa Reefton PRO

The year was 2000. I stood in the bright sterility of the over-irradiated mall sunglass store, trying on pair after pair of shades. I had just seen Mission Impossible 2. Growing out my hair like Tom Cruise would take time. But purchasing some sleek, streamlined sunglasses like he wore in the action flick was something I could do now.  Those tight, trim (albeit flashy) frames set a precedent for all the eyewear I wore for two decades. I aimed for the smallest coverage I could get away with. They had to be lighter. And they had to look better.

Over twenty years later, I’ve come to realize that the most important thing in a pair of sunglasses is that they work better. For me, that meant getting frames that were bigger.

In the last few years I’ve added a few more pairs to my collection. Larger aviator lenses provide excellent coverage. Wider, thicker arms block out some of that irritating peripheral light. On the water and on the road, they both worked better than my minimalist frames. If I can be so bold, they both look pretty good on me too.

With Costa Del Mar’s new Reefton PRO, I’ve been wearing sunglasses that combine large lenses with maximum coverage from direct light.

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Sitting in a Library Reading a Fishing Book

I wasn’t looking to read a book. My goal was to use books to gather information. But despite my best efforts I was turning page after page, laughing, and getting a lot more than fishing tips.

All thanks to John Gierach.

As a child I was a vociferous reader. Books assigned in school were merely speedbumps on a road paved with stacks of books checked out from the library. If the program hadn’t had a cap, I could have sustained myself on coupons earned from Pizza Hut’s Book It initiative. But as is often the case, childlike ambition was quickly crushed by the burdens of teenage years. And by burdens, I mean angst, girls, and a general 13-17 malaise. Those factors, along with the requisite forced reports which accompanied the few books that  remained, stymied any last literary pursuits.

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Podcast Ep. 180: Fly Fishing Accusations, XVIII

We’ve got four topics to cover this time on the audience Q&A podcast. And the Qs are good! Hopefully the As are as well.

This week I’m talking about the hook barb debate, fly suggestions, John Gierach, and what to do with the silica packets that you get with a new pair of shoes. I’m confident that at least one of those items will pique your interest and potentially get you going down a fly fishing rabbit hole.

As always, thanks for the emails and the comments. I appreciate them; so keep them coming!

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

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Prince Nymphs & Cat Stevens

“What is the little white stuff on it’s back?”

“It is supposed to imitate a wing case or something.”

“It looks like it has a starched collar. Are the fish going to go for that?”

The fly shop owner peered over his newspaper at the two young men picking through the fly bins. The less-than-entomological assessment of his prince nymphs didn’t phase him much. Being the proprietor of a hardware/outdoor/variety store on what had become a sleepy main street, he was hardly bothered to the point of criticizing the casual conversation of  teenagers.

“We’ll take these flies.”

“And… two cigars?”

The fly purchase was necessary. It also greased the skids for the tobacco purchase.  17 is almost 18. But in their minds, ten dollars worth of flies would be enough to assuage any vigilance from the shop keeper. After all, he was smoking a pipe. There was solidarity along with the financial incentive. It worked.

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Letters to the Fly Fishing Editor

Every week I get some interesting emails because of Casting Across. Most of the time, they’re quick observations or pertinent questions from website readers and podcast listeners. I think it is great. And I do my best to respond quickly and thoughtfully.

In fact, I actively encourage feedback. Leading up to podcasts episodes that end in a “0” I solicit questions, comments, and accusations.  (In fact, one such episode is being recorded this week – so email away!)

While accusations might be a bit harsh, I truly am okay with legitimate feedback. I am not above correction. A quote from one of my favorite authors, which is quite appropriate, is: “I always think I’m right, but I know I’m not right all the time.” That just about sums it up.

However, I would say that the vast majority of the critical emails I receive stem from a misunderstanding. Some are from a lack of reading comprehension. Okay, that might be a little condescending.  Some are from my writing being to vague from time to time. That’s better. But these emails look like this:

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Podcast Ep. 179: 3 Fly Fishing Lies

If something is said enough times for enough time, it just becomes assumed. But that shouldn’t be the case.

On today’s podcast episode, I break down my opinion on three fly fishing lies. Notice, I said my opinion. You might think that the angling mistruths I’m addressing are fine and good. I’m willing to admit that each of these sentiments is right for some people. What I am contesting is that they are right for most people.

In the first of what I assume will be a recurring show topic, I talk about rod weights, fly sizes, and politics.

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

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Fishing Rod Care: Ferrule Ends

What is the most essential part of your fishing rod?

That is a bit of a trick question. The answer is really all of it. Hook-keeper aside, there aren’t really nonessential components on a fishing rod. Of course you need a handle. Obviously you can’t fish without a reel seat. Each guide, including the tip top, is pivotal. If you don’t believe me, try laying out a long accurate cast without one of the guides on the top third of your rod. Whether you’re  using a fly, spin, or baitcasting rod, what you see from the bottom to the top matters.

The stereotypical rod accident is the broken tip. Ceiling fans and car doors make 8’6″ rods out of 9″ rods. While I’m not going to voluntarily give up four or five inches of any of my fly rods voluntarily, I have had this happen before. Both times it has been on the water. Both times I kept on fishing. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t a catastrophe.

In my opinion, where you really get in trouble is a lot more innocuous.

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