Last week I wrote an incredibly unhelpful (but pointedly accurate) post about preparing for another fly fishing season. For whatever reason, when I write something that isn’t advertised as humor but is certainly meant for such purposes I feel the smallest bit of guilt for any potential sense of disappointment that a reader might have. …
Winter provides fly fishers with plenty of opportunities. For some, it is one more season to chase anything that swims. For others, it is a brief and anxious respite. Regardless of your intensity, winter is a great time to take stock of your gear and get it all ready to roll for the coming spring. …
I love a good sales pitch. In fact, one of the things I enjoy the most at fly fishing shows is hearing people hawk their products. But after riding the circuit for a while, I start to say “no thanks” when people ask if they can show me how their gizmo will surely help me …
This was the worst fly rod ever. Or maybe not. I don’t know. You might like it. But I didn’t. To be honest, there was a time when I liked it. That is why I bought it. I could cast it a mile. In the fly shop parking lot. In my back yard. Even a …
You’ll find them affixed to the front of fishing vests, clipped to the brim of ball caps, and stuck to the underside of vehicle visors. They come in shearling fleece and high-density foam. Their purpose is to hold, to dry, to accumulate. A fly patch can tell a story. Fly boxes say a lot about …
You can catch fish with virtually any and all gear. That being said, there are certain kinds of gear that are especially suited for specific scenarios. Small stream trout fishing is no exception. Beyond what kind of gear you bring, how you carry it is particularly important. In this episode I discuss some of the …
Sadly, fly line is the piece of gear that lives in the shadow of the stars of the show: rods and reels. But for most fly fishers, line is much more important than a reel. For all anglers, fly line is much more important than we give it credit for. In this episode I talk …
Does your car help or hurt you in your fly fishing endeavors? The truth is that there are a few things you can do in, and to, your car to make it the perfect fly fishing vehicle. Just yesterday I put my 2001 Subaru Forester out to pasture. I didn’t shed any tears, but I …
Want some great last-minute fly fishing gifts? Want them in your hands in less than three days? Want to make all of this happen without leaving the comfort of wherever you currently are? *** Obligatory Disclaimer: You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to buy gifts. It adds stress to an already stressful time and, …
If you fly fish, and you’ve ever come anywhere near the internet, you’ve seen gear giveaways. But there are two kinds of people in this world: Those who assume all giveaways are scams and rackets. Those who try to win any and every free thing that could possibly be given away. I’m here to tell …
