You need water to go fly fishing. Obvious, right? While this is appropriate for fish to habituate to your particular river, pond, or coast, it also has a very real application for you. Sling packs have bottle holsters and drift boats have footprints for coolers because anglers need to stay hydrated. For every hundred articles …
We’ve all had this experience: You’re fishing in a stream that is loaded with trout. You’ve caught fish there. Others are catching fish there. But today, you’re not getting any action. There are some very specific reasons why this might be the case. I’ve found that the issues aren’t so much about my casting, my …
What would drive a man to stare heavenward in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? It isn’t a bird. It isn’t a plane. It is a mistake. But let me back up for a minute. Sight casting for large fish on the flats does something to a guy. Not only are you fishing to the …
We have all heard it before. Fly fishing is too expensive. Well, let me tell you something: Maybe it is. But there are plenty of other popular activities that cost as much, if not more, money. How do I know? I’ve been looking to upgrade my duck hunting gear. By that I mean I’ve been …
If there is no shame in using strike indicators, mop flies, and GPS-enabled cell phones in the pursuit of fish, there is absolutely no shame in using a small device to help you tie your fly on. Furthermore, when has a fly fisher ever been in a place where they can look down on using …
The river was around 40 yards wide. The fog was so thick that halfway across it was impossible to make out the opposite bank. Which means, halfway across, it was impossible to see either bank. The cold water from the bottom of the deep reservoir usually elicited a mist over the water on warm summer …
Nippers draw more ire than any other piece of fly fishing gear. The reason? Anglers are very opinionated regarding how much one should spend on this relatively simple piece of equipment. The nipper is a simple instrument. It cuts leader material and should include a small needle for clearing out hook eyes. You can procure …
This time I wasn’t simply fishing. I found myself explaining why I was doing what I was doing. Not how to cast. Not why a dry fly. Why. The reason why I was fishing. For someone who writes and talks about that very subject three times a week, and who has been doing so for …
This spring I bought a new pair of running shoes. Unbeknownst to me, they’re considered “maximalist.” Instead of the stripped-down and barely there shoes we’ve grown accustomed to see on the feet of marathoners, this trend overbuilds a number of shoe components. While still lightweight, these shoes provide a ridiculous amount of support and cushion. …
The trope is that all anglers lie about catching fish. That isn’t fair. Moreover, it isn’t even close to accurate. Anglers lie about not catching fish. We all know the real reason why you’re not catching fish: you couldn’t do it. They’re simple organisms that simply pursue basic biological impulses. How are you supposed to …
