What you see is an authentic photo of the bulk of my fly fishing gear. There was no planning, no staging, and no product placement. The Doritos in the foreground, left by some children, prove the first two of those points. (I can’t say I’m opposed to being on Doritos’ pro staff.) I don’t have …
On it’s own, fly line doesn’t have a lot going for it. You can’t play with it like you can a rod or reel. It weighs in at only a few ounces. Of all the purchases you can make, it probably is one of the least glamorous. But it might be the most important. Good …
What have you been up to? In this episode, I talk about what I’ve been doing in and around fly fishing this winter. Perhaps you’ll get some brand new ideas; perhaps you’ll see how I do the same thing that you do, albeit slightly differently. There is so much potential in the wintertime. Even though …
I had plans. They had to change. Guess what? It happens. Weather, vehicles, and life in general will put a kink in your perfectly prepared fly fishing checklist. Thankfully, I’ve got a three point (and alliterated!) checklist that you can employ to turn ruined plans into a great day on the water. Today I share …
Packs. Whether you carry yours on your sling, chest, or fanny, dozens upon dozens have been engineered for fly fishers. Why? For years, anglers have been trying to find the perfect piece of gear to carry their gear. In a sport that is so smitten with gadgets, gizmos, and Gink, the contemplative angler is confronted …
I broke my net. The net broke my fall. The wooden handle took my full weight as I hit the granite boulder. Shiny rocks looked like icy rocks, so I let my guard down. One of those shiny rocks was actually an icy rock. My feet went out from underneath me so fast that I …
Today I talk about two topics related to fly procurement: If you buy them, where should you buy them from? Is tying flies economical? There are as many opinions on both of these questions as there are fly patterns. I don’t pretend to be the expert. But I do have a few simple data points …
Did you get cash for Christmas? How about a gift card to Cabela’s or Bass Pro? Or, perhaps you were the lucky recipient of store credit to a local fly shop. Do you feel like you have to spend it ASAP? At least go into it with a little bit of a plan. Even if …
The first time I stepped into a large tailwater I realized I was woefully unprepared. I had the right rod. All the flies would have worked. I could even see fish rising. The problem? I couldn’t stand in the water for more than a few minutes. The river was much more frigid than anticipated. It …
Outside of a rod, reel, and line, the most important (and expensive) gear for the fly fisher is waders and boots. Along with keeping you dry, waders and boots ensure that you stay comfortable and safe. For those good reasons, these items also end up costing more than everything aside from rods and reels. In …
