Gear Outside the Angling Aisle

It is important to remember that companies creating gear and clothing for other outdoor activities have a lot to offer the fly fisher. Your interests, your particular needs, or your budget are all good reasons to shop around.

Your local shop and your favorite fly fishing brands should still get the bulk of your business. They’ll certainly be your primary supplier for angling staples. However, there are plenty of pieces of gear that aren’t explicitly fishing-related. If you stop and look in your gear closet or the back of your trunk, you’ll probably notice that some of the things you rely on haven’t come from fly shops.  Some of those things really improve your experience, and by extension, your fishing.

Here are three reviews of products from “outside the fly fishing industry” that I’ve enjoyed on the water:

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Gear Outside Fly Fishing

For the devoted fly fisher, it is easy to be incredibly focused on and in fly fishing. Attention is given not only to the pursuit, but also the corresponding media and retail. It is easy to forget that fly fishing is a small part of the greater angling industry.  Other segments, such as freshwater lures and offshore  boats, dwarf annual fly rod and travel revenue. Beyond that, angling is just a fraction of the of outdoor industry.

Hiking, camping, paddling, and countless other recreation opportunities exist. And they aren’t in competition with fly fishing. They often complement and augment an experience on the water. Beyond that, companies creating gear and clothing for other outdoor activities have a lot to offer the fly fisher.

This isn’t meant to detract from fly fishing brands or retailers. For something as specialized as reels, tying equipment, or guided expeditions, you should look within fly fishing. Loyalty and support for shops and companies is good. But these days, many fly shops are carrying other outdoor gear. Fly fishing brands are partnering with outdoor brands outside of the fly fishing industry. There is recognition that consumers, across all demographics, appreciate a diverse  experience in and around the water.

Here are three reasons to explore the greater outdoor industry when looking for gear to take fishing with you:

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Podcast Ep. 124: 4 Things for Starting the Season

There are dozens upon dozens of things that would be a good idea to do before you being your fishing season in earnest.

Even if you have been getting out on the water over the winter, now would be an opportune time to take inventory of some of what you have and what you’re doing. On this episode of the podcast, I discuss four things that you might overlook as you prepare for all of the fishing that lies ahead. Two have to do with stuff; two have to do with planning.

You may very well be totally fine to just tie on a fly and get after it. But it might also be good to stop, think, and prep for a few minutes.

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

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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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