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VIDEO: Dozens of Fly Tying Experts, One Book

A good fly tying demonstration doesn’t just give you the how. It also throws the what and why in to really help you understand what you’re doing. The best ones? They add high-quality photographs, throw in some anecdotes, and reference the top voices in fishing today. Sound like a high standard? Well, Tim Cammisa of …

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Feature-Rich Fly Line from Sunray

Virtually all fly fishing situations can be approached with basic gear. A medium fast, 8’6″, 5-weight loaded with weight forward line will give you what you need to catch trout. But modifying one of those components to better match your skill or your circumstances can make a real difference. For example, a higher quality line …

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Kids Agree: All Fish Are Awesome

My four boys love the outdoors. My four boys also love reading. Needless to say, there was a lot of interest when I opened up All Fish Are Awesome earlier this week. Noel Vick’s book follows the simple formula that makes children’s books readable and re-readable (and if your child chooses, the latter can be …

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Back to Costa’s Grand Catalina (For the First Time)

Nostalgia and aesthetics aren’t the only reason you should buy fly fishing gear. But those two aspects do count for something. And in the history-rich, artistically inclined world of fly fishing nostalgia and aesthetics  are often embraced willingly. Bamboo rods and waxed cotton packs are still   made and used because they work. They are examples …

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Life and Death in the Middle: A Review

I have a soft spot for books filled with two- and three-page stories. Perhaps it is because I grew up reading outdoor magazines. It could be that I prefer to write in a short format. Or, it may very well be the case that I have succumbed to the short attention span beguiling so many …

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Reelly: Believe the Fly Fishing Unbelievable

“What is the most unbelievable thing that has happened on the river?” After guiding for decades, Ryan Johnston has probably heard that query more than a few times. The result is Reelly. In asking a question like that, some people are  looking to be amazed. Some are probably looking for dirt.  Johnston’s book is not …

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Cracked: Opening a Book Tearing Down Dams

Virtually anyone who looks at the big picture of our nation’s waterways will see that the infatuation with dams of all shapes and sizes was significantly  inflated. Whether it be giant structures that cut salmon off from hundreds of miles of spawning habitat or a small concrete abutment that  led to flooding, the overuse of …

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Reel Change: A Picture of Authentic Conservation

Authentic conservation means getting together and getting dirty. And authentic conservation doesn’t always entail leveling a giant dam or pouring millions into a famed trout river. Sometimes authentic conservation comes down to a handful of  devoted anglers putting time, energy, and effort into their local water. That is the story of Reel Change, the latest …

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Slap Happy: Lid Rig Mag Band

In fly fishing, flannel, fanny packs, and clunky footwear are all in. So it shouldn’t be  a surprise that another early 90’s fad is perfectly suited to angling. Last year, Lid Rig came out with the Mag Band. Essentially, it is a silicone-coated slap bracelet with a magnetic surface. Yes: those slap bracelets. But this …

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Costa’s Sunglasses King

After quite a bit of build up, and a remarkable amount of hype at some industry events, Costa del Mar revealed their King Tide sunglasses earlier this year. These frames were touted to be the culmination of Costa’s 40 year history. The press releases, early look features, and social media posts from ICAST all seemed …

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