There are places that respectable anglers don’t venture near. These forbidden locations are just on the edge of everyday life. The normal places that one might pass on the way to go fly fishing. What keeps grown men and women away is fear. The kind of fear that stems from the oh-so-familiar knowledge that what …
Back in the spring I was paddling the shallows, casting into likely spots to see what kind of fish I could get into. This pond – a slow part of a river, actually – holds largemouth, smallmouth, chain pickerel, yellow perch, stocked trout and salmon, and a handful of other species. I had already landed …
Have you ever answered a question that wasn’t asked? I have. And you get to hear and watch the answer. All the while getting the treat of rapid motion, awkward camera angles, my not looking at the right part of the cell phone, glowing hands from being too close to the lens, and other enjoyable byproducts …
It is Labor Day. Everyone celebrates this delightful, national holiday; few understand its significance. Aside from commonly being confused with Memorial Day, there is a lot of history wrapped up in the unofficial start of fall. Moreover, it is significant to fly fishing. For example, did you know: On Labor Day, there is always a …
I’m closing on a house today. If my math is accurate, I’m committing to spend… a lot of money. So when life hands you lemons (through your own volition, mind you), laugh to get through the stress. It is a good thing that fly fishing is so easy to laugh at/with. I’ve written it before, …
The 2017 IFTD show is upon us! It is Christmas in Florida in July… which is only slightly hotter than the normal Christmas in Florida. Instead of sugarplums and reindeer prancing about, it will be bearded men in casting shirts carrying PBRs in coozies. I’ll not be attending the premier fly fishing industry event of …
A San Juan Worm on the San Juan River. An Ausable Wulff on the Ausable (not the Au Sable… but that might work, too). An RS-2 on the South Platte. A Letort Hopper on the Letort… during hopper season. It all seems too neat and tidy, too conventional and stereotypical. At this point, haven’t these …
Father’s Day is less than a week away. If you’re like most people, you’re looking to show your thankfulness and love to dear old dad through lavishing him with gifts. If he is a fly fisherman, or if you’re looking to get him into fly fishing, gift-giving is as easy as pie. And if you’re …
I’m traveling this month. The plan is to head up and down the east coast, go across the Midwest, and… who knows where else. Between school letting out, water clearing up out west, and better weather in general, June is a prime time for fishing and fishing-related travel Since I’m currently on the road, the …
Ah, nature. Mountains, trees, rivers, and, of course, fish. Have you ever noticed that sometimes there are other animals that vie for your attention while you are out fly fishing? It is true. Surprisingly, it isn’t just a majestic eagle soaring overhead or a regal-looking buck silhouetted against an azure sky. Nor is it always …
