The Choice Trout

This trout came to hand as the result of a lot of choices.

I chose to do some work to find this fish. There are plenty of times when I just want to catch something. Bass, sunfish, and even trout will fit the bill. And they can be found with relative ease in water bodies all around me. While I’m not above stocked trout by any stretch of the imagination, the decision to find this fish was about one thing: wild.

I chose to research to find this fish. Guidebooks are helpful. The fly shop is a phenomenal resource. Because the authors of the former and the proprietors of the latter are anglers, they’re not going to divulge all their secrets. And while the state knows a lot, they only broadcast that which has a direct tie to tax dollars. Where are fish stocked? Where are fisheries protected? Getting into the nitty-gritty of the conservation data is where the truly interesting information pops up.

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3 More Flies

When it comes to fly fishing, I’m a disciple of the school that teaches that fly selection is less important than presentation. There is always a place for matching the hatch. More often than not? Size, silhouette, and drift win the day.

Because of this, I’ve honed in my fishing and my fly box. It is more about how than what. If I’m fishing a mountain stream or if I’m prospecting new water, I fish a Humpy, a Parachute Adams, and a Woolly Bugger over half the time. They’re my confidence flies, but they’re also flexible and adaptable for different waters and insects.

But what about the rest of the time? I haven’t performed any sort of actual data analysis. I do know that there are three other patterns that I will quickly tie on. And as you’ve probably noticed, my first list leaves off a significant type of fly. Of course, if there is hatch or some other seasonal opportunity I’ll carry what needs to be carried.  But more often than not I’ll stick to what I know and what has brought me success.

Check out why I picked those flies, and what you’ll find on the other side of my box, below:

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Podcast Ep. 123: When to Kill a Fish

Most people in the world think that fishing results in harvesting. And, across a wide spectrum of concerns, non-catch-and-release anglers are the allies of fly fishers. We’re largely fighting for the same things.

Definitely keep advocating for our fish, our waters, and our environmental concerns. But also keep in mind that we’re part of a culture that is bigger than us. There is a lot we have to offer, but there is a lot that we can learn. Sometimes, that means killing a fish. After that? Then comes filleting it, rolling it in breadcrumbs, and frying it to a golden brown.

Want to hear more about where I’m coming from?

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

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Trout & Feather: March

Do you enjoy the game “Would You Rather”? A hypothetical scenario is given, and you must choose between two, often quite different options. Here’s a good fly fishing would you rather:

Would you rather only have weighted streamers or weightless streamers in your fly box?

Maybe you answered right away. But maybe you see why this is a bit of a tricky question. There are great reasons to fish both light and heavy streamers. Each has a very long pro list, and only a few cons. However, the game forces you to pick just one.

My pick?

If I have to?

Find out this month in my contribution to Trout & Feather.

But before you do that, be sure to check out the two videos I’ve included in today’s post. First, there is a great breakdown of the major styles of vises. Second, a quick look at a common strike indicator.

Watch the videos, and find a link to the article, below:

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The Fly Fishing Show 2021: In Your Home

Have you heard of Zoom Fatigue? It is a COVID-era phenomenon that explains how people are getting quickly burned out by meetings that occur in little boxes on their computer screen. Having participated in countless Zoom meetings, seminars, and even an 8 hour a day/4 day long class  – I get it.

But I’ve also quickly hopped onto calls where I’m truly looking forward to having a conversation. I’ve logged on well before Trout Unlimited meetings have started. My fly tying YouTube consumption certainly hasn’t waned in the slightest. For me, and for a lot of other people out there, the fatigue is more about the content than the medium.

Quality fly fishing content snaps me out of screen-based malaise.

This week The Fly Fishing Show announced a slate of virtual classes. Fourteen different live sessions will be available, starting on March 19th and running through April 30th. There are courses aimed at beginners and experts, with topics spanning the spectrum of fly fishing. Fly selection, angling photography, casting, and nymphing tactics are just a few of the classes that are available (check out the full lineup below).

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Podcast Ep. 122: Streamers Don’t Need Weight

Don’t burn me at the angling stake for the title of this episode!

(If anything, you’ll find that I’m guilty of being slightly misleading.)

In a day and age where big, heavy, articulated streamers get a lot of publicity, it is important to remember that there are similar flies that accomplish  slightly different tasks. There are a number of fish and fishing situations that benefit from or necessitate using weightless streamers.

Today I walk through four main reasons why you should have some bead-less and cone-less baitfish imitations in your fly box.

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

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Catastrophic Creek Circumstances: Curse? Coincidence?

I don’t think that the stretch of stream was cursed, per se.

If I had to address the phenomenon that I experienced while fishing along this particular section I might use the term coincidental. But I’d say it with a wince and sideways glance. So, not a curse: just a really unfortunate set of circumstances that just so happened to have some cartographic similarities.

What happened? Nothing too dangerous. I did lock my keys in the car, lose the felt off my waders, tear a gash in the side of a book, get stalked by two mountain creatures, and endure a handful of other less-than-desirable moments. It is hardly the Bermuda Triangle. But it is suspicious.

Why did I keep going back? That is a good question. But there is a simple answer:

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VIDEO: Redington Landing Pad

There are a lot of ways to store waders and boots in the back of your car. Some prioritize accessibility, while others cater to ventilation.

There are many approaches to getting in to and out of your waders and boots. All of the good ones protect your gear, but most leave you with a wet mat in the back of your car.

The Landing Pad from Redington is an inexpensive storage and changing solution that doesn’t force anglers to compromise. Not only does it provide  nearly 8 square feet of surface area for your to stand on while pulling your waders on or hopping back into your shoes, but it serves as a waterproof barrier between your gear and everything else in your car.

Sometimes a simple piece of gear will make your trips to the water easier. I’m confident this one fits the bill. Check out my short video review, along with a couple of pictures, of the Landing Pad below:

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Podcast Ep. 121: 5 or 6? The Weight Debate

A fly fishing debate as old as the rivers themselves: Which weight should you fish if you want the quintessential trout fly rod?

First of all, there is no right answer. That doesn’t stop me from trying to answer, though.

I go through a handful of categories and considerations that lead me to answer this question. I suggest that you listen, think through each of the situations/scenarios I discuss, and then come to your own conclusion.

And, of course, there is nothing keeping you from buying (at least) one of each…

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

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Getting the Value Out of Your New Fly Rod

So, you’ve just purchased a brand new fly rod. Congratulations!

You’re probably holding the tube right now. It feels good, doesn’t it? But go ahead, open it up. Take the butt section out of the sock. Remove the plastic from the cork. Okay, now you can’t return it. Maybe that is for the best. Because right about now the reality that you’ve paid five hundred dollars for a graphite fishing pole is setting in.

Oh I’m not judging you. In fact, I’m a little jealous. But this isn’t about feelings or emotions or anything qualitative like that. We’re going to engage in a little cost analysis. Nothing complicated, mind you. No spreadsheets or graphs. No fancy words like amortization or… well, I don’t know a whole lot of fancy money-words.

The purpose of this conversation is to establish when your fly rod has paid for itself. That might sound awfully un-fly fishy. Not romantic at all. Still, if you need to justify this (or the next) purchase you need to be an informed consumer. You need to realize what that money is actually going towards. Ready? Get out your graph paper and slide rule. The following guide will explain how to know that every penny of that $500 was well spent:

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