Silicone. Foam. Compartment. Each style of fly box has its devotees. Honestly, I think each and every one has pros and cons. The fly fisher with a diverse set of angling interests probably can find use for every one of them. But don’t stop with these three. Mix in an incredibly viable, time-tested mode for …
There are some things that are better done before you leave to go fishing. Whether you’ve got a handful of random trips to local streams in your immediate future, or you’re going on that big-ticket trip, your home is the ideal place to prepare for the water. It might seem romantic to simply throw your …
Do you have a crusty, old, fly rod sitting up in the attic? Or how about in Grandma’s attic? Assuming that you have a decent relationship with said grandma, maybe you should take it out for a spin this season. There is a lot of fun and functional angling value in acquiring and using antique …
Your stuff shouldn’t own you. But if you own stuff, at least take care of it. Fly fishing gear is meant to be outside, get wet, and pushed to the limits that wild animals and wild places require. That doesn’t mean that it will be happy if it has to endure a difficult life in …
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 …
Streamer fishing. The ways in which people think about it are much more diverse in the 21st century, but at the core it is still all about imitating a baitfish to trigger a predatory response. Whether you want to throw a six-inch, weighted, articulated fly with a PG-13 name or a size 10 gray ghost, …
Dry fly season is right around the corner. You probably have all you need to take advantage of this magical time of the angling year. But a $5 purchase could really help your cast and presentation. What might that be? Well, in this episode I walk through a few pieces of gear and techniques that …
Outside of terminal tackle, sunglasses are one of the most important pieces of gear in fly fishing. You see the fish, see structure, and see the bottom. You get eye protection from the sun and from flies. I personally advocate for spending as much as you responsible can for a good pair of polarized lenses. …
“I use the reels about every day. If I’m not happy with them? Well, I’m certainly not going to sell them to someone else.” Joseph Banik, the angler/engineer behind Qualifly Reels, cites that level of functionality and accessibility as his highest priority when designing a reel for his 5-year old brand. His fly fishing sensibilities …
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 …
