Podcast Ep. 97: Angling Observances & Miscellany

Every week I approach podcast recording time with a handful of ideas. Most fill up a 20 minute episode. Some are a little more brief, derivative, or otherwise not enough.

This episode is a compilation of 4 or 5 topics, only strung together by the common thread of fly fishing. There is some theory, some practical advice, and even a commentary on death. (It’s brief, but i got it in there.) It is a quick run through a number of miscellaneous angling observations – enjoy!

Thanks again for listening to the podcast, and for rating/reviewing/recommending.

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

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Long Journeys Through Dark & Deep Places

New journeys always feel longest. Longer on foot, in the sand. Dunes and grey cedar shakes all look the same. Hightide removes all footprints and tire tracks and traces of everything. Night adds to the length and the blending and the feeling of almost being lost. Even on a fifty foot wide beach. Even on an island where there is nowhere to be lost.

First steps into moving water always bring trepidation. How deep? What is next? What is under? Disorientation of simultaneous motion and sensation. Warm waves quickly followed by cool air on wet skin. A rock underfoot. Seaweed against a leg. Something is supposed to be out there. That is okay as a thought. That is the point. But what is right here and close?

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Fall: Fly Fishing and/or Football?

Against all odds, football is back. In many of  the high-profile venues across the nation, Saturdays and Sundays will feature at least 100 people in attendance. More pertinent, hundreds of thousands will be firmly planted upon couch and recliner.

Not every fly fisher is a die hard football fanatic. Not every fly fisher is even a casual observer of sports. But if my personal interactions and social media observations are remotely accurate, a good chunk of anglers enjoy NFL and/or college football.

For a certain number of days in the fall this presents a dilemma. Now, this is a dilemma in the least significant sense of the word. It isn’t life or death. It isn’t a question of morality. It is picking between two good things. It is navigating between two pleasant shores.

It is football or fly fishing.

Still, it is a lower-case-d dilemma. Here are a few thoughts if you find yourself in this place  during autumn:

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Podcast Ep. 96: A Few Trashy Flies

Many a fly shop counter has heard the debates and the arguments.

“Those aren’t flies.”

“If it is within the law, it is a fly.”

“That’s a lure.”

“You’re just jealous you can’t catch as many fish.”

…and so on.

In this episode I take a brief look at the spectrum of fly authenticity. I attempt to get at the root of the quarrel, and try my hand at some conflict resolution.

However, I also share how I fish some of these trashy and cheesy patterns from time to time. Maybe you’ll scoff. Maybe you’ll cheer. Hopefully you’ll be entertained.

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

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Trout & Feather: September

This month on Trout & Feather, I’ve contributed an article titled Learn from Your Ancient Angling Ancestors. It focuses on one of the most valuable tips I can give new and experienced fly fishers.  It has to do with how you approach the river… before you even approach the river.

A thousand years ago,  without even knowing what species of fish was in the river, the angler would be confident in his (or her) ability to catch a few. He was an angler: he would be confident in which spots to target, which approaches to take, and when to call it quits.

Believe it or not, but you have a lot more in common with this adept ancient angler then you might think. Sure, your gear is different and you’re not fishing for sustenance. But otherwise, you’re both fishing and you’re both fishermen. So why the history lesson? For all the energy and effort that we put into catching fish, there are some simple patterns and processes that work.

They’ve stood the test of time…

Also I share two great fly tying videos from Trout & Feather. Both are easy to tie, both will absolutely catch fish, and one is notoriously controversial.

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

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The Mayfly Project’s One Fly Event

As unpredictable and difficult as 2020 has been, some organizations can’t afford to slow down. Conservation goups that support fisheries and wild places have kept at it the whole time. More importantly, fly fishing  programs which support people have increased their efforts to come alongside those who need help the most.

The Mayfly Project, an organization which supports foster children through fly fishing, has not slowed down one bit.

In fact, The Mayfly Project has stepped up to help these children face the added challenges that  have come in 2020. Totally new projects have been kicked off in Arkansas, Idaho, and Oregon. Additional projects are in the wings, and will hopefully start up as areas “open up” from COVID restrictions. A partnership with a fly shop in Minnesota has lead to support  as well as sharing fly fishing with the local community.

Still, many existing projects around the country have not been able to carry out business as usual – mentors spending time with kids on and off the water. The Mayfly Project has sought to keep connected with foster kids. They had masks made and sent to volunteers and adapted their activities to local guidelines. With help from donors, partners, and volunteers, over 300 fly tying kits have been mailed to children.  Videos were produced so kids could follow along and learn to tie.

The continued support of partners in the fly fishing community has been integral for The Mayfly Project. This fall, during the months of September and October, they are continuing to raise awareness and funds through their 4th annual One Fly  Event.

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Podcast Ep. 95: Fishing Away From People

Good weather doesn’t always mean good fishing. But it does mean you’ll have a good day outdoors.

This isn’t a secret. Which means you’re not going to be alone. Spring, Fall, and pleasant Summer days can cause your favorite spots to fill up quickly.

In this episode I talk about four ways I’ve learned to beat the crowds and still get into fish. You don’t have to give up your favorite water, but with a little outside the fly box thinking you can get into some really great good weather fishing… and be all by yourself.

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

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SKY/light – Douglas’ Versatile 3-Weight

Double-hauling a size 18 Parachute Adams  out into the middle of a pond on a windy day is not my normal fly fishing. But some days that is where the fish are, and that is what they’re biting. It was what was in front of me and I had to figure out a way to make it happen.

Which, of course, is what a lot of fly fishing comes down to.

Having a fly rod that can be versatile is helpful. It’s efficient and effective to be able to do most of your trout fishing with one tool. The more and more you fish, you figure out what your regular angling scenarios look like. You find your normal. You get what you need to hit that target and a little bit on either side.

So what if your target is high country lakes filled with finicky surface feeders? What if you need to throw a small flies, but you have to contend with windy conditions? What if you have to make delicate presentations far across the river? That kind of target can’t be hit by just any fly rod.

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Don’t be a Big Fly Hero

Don’t be a hero.

The fish aren’t going to be impressed that you waded into the surf with a 6-weight. No trout is going to eat your articulated streamer with more ferocity because you chucked it using a 3-weight. Plus any fish you’ll be catching with either of these approaches is going to put up a fight on a properly matched rod. You’ll still enjoy it, and they’ll be more apt to play ball.

Again, the fish don’t know or care. If anything, the presentation is going to suffer if your stroke is squirrely. Then they might care, because your fly is causing chaos and/or might not be anywhere near them. A common manifestation of a fly too heavy is a loop that doglegs sharply to the outside and splashes almost perpendicular to the end of your fly line. That might make for an enticing popper presentation, but you don’t have accuracy or any sort of control. Its not how you should be fishing.

There are all sorts of circumstances that might tempt you to throw a big fly with light gear. The deep undercut bank. The popping baitfish. The fast, deep run.  If you know you’re going to encounter those opportunities, plan accordingly. It is easier to accommodate lighter than heavier.  If you’re in a situation where this question is even crossing your mind, you can afford to go up a line size.

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Podcast Ep. 94: Fly Fishing Gear, Spend or No?

Fly fishing is about the experience, not the labels or the quality of your gear.

…but you need gear to fish, right? And if you need gear, it means picking one label over another. And that means money is a factor. So what do you do?

In this episode, I quickly go through a dozen or so pieces of fly fishing gear. I share my opinion on what kinds of gear warrant a little more money and which  don’t. There are countless variables that I don’t explore, and you know your budget and your angling better than I do. Still, you may benefit from hearing why and how your priorities could stand a slight reshuffling.

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

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