Five years ago, I fished my first contemporary fiberglass fly rod. The Redington Butter Stick had just received an update. The new rod featured an adjusted taper and a new, soft white color scheme. I fished the 4-weight, and was pleased with how approachable the casting stroke was after years of faster graphite rods. A …
I’m sure there is a fly shop out there that will sell you anything and everything that you would need to go fly fishing. But I doubt it. Reason being, there is a lot of non-fly fishing stuff that I need to get to the water and stay on the water. If you’re engaged in …
The resurgence of fiberglass fly rods in the last decade has led to a new generation appreciating the benefits of the material. Often, casting is slower, requiring a more deliberate stroke. Delicate presentations can be made on glassy water to selective fish. And, when hooked, decent-sized fish can put a good bend in a fiberglass …
The very first strike indicator I bought and used was a Palsa pinch-on float. The guy behind the counter at the fly shop said they were the best, and I took his advise seriously. For what was probably a decade, anytime a fly presentation required an indicator I squeezed on a Palsa. While they may …
It sounds like a dad joke; I know. But think about it. Fish are used to water. It is us that are the problem. That being said, there are absolutely some things to consider when fly fishing in the rain. Fish, what fish eat, and what fish swim in all change a little bit based …
I have my grandfather’s fly rods. He wasn’t a fly fisherman by any stretch of the imagination. As far as he could recall, he used them a handful of times in Illinois and Wisconsin for bluegill, little pike, and the random brook trout. There are four of them: a beat up dime store bamboo, a …
I know not everyone can move quickly. And I know not everyone wants to run. But if you can? And if you want to? Lace up your shoes, strap on your pack, and get out into the woods fast. In this episode I discuss why I like to engage in light hiking and trail running …
It is a lot of fun to pull up to the river, hop out of your car, and just get to fishing. On the other hand, if you can do that in a particular spot it means that countless others can do the same as well. A little initiative and, if you’re able, a little …
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 …
This past weekend, thermometers around me hit 90 degrees. It was a one-day aberration from an otherwise mild New England Spring. But for that one day it was hot. The weather, always a topic of conversation, was on the forefront of everyone’s mind. “It’s only May!” “Got your air conditioner on yet?” “Time to get …
