I had never casted my fly rod before. I felt like the right thing to do was to wait until I was on a trout stream. All or nothing; all for a $25, boxed rod, reel, and line from a department store. But wouldn’t you know it, I caught a fish on my second cast …
Contrary to popular Hollywood tropes, you can’t go back in time. However, others can learn from your mistakes. And hindsight can also help you make better decisions going forward. All of that is true in the big, important parts of life. It is also true in fly fishing. In this episode I talk about three …
You’re never to young to begin fly fishing. You just need to learn how to cast first. Learning how to feel the line load a rod, as well as what you’re supposed to do with your body in response, is a challenge for most new anglers. If an adult can struggle, a child can struggle …
I’m man enough to admit that I watch The Waltons, from time to time. The wholesome life of the Depression-era mountain family is the TV version of a palate cleanser. People on The Waltons aren’t perfect, but love and community and family almost always win the day. That, and they go fishing a lot. The …
If you can’t explain it, you don’t really get it. What does this have to do with fly fishing? Think of it this way: Can you explain the basic mechanics of a cast? Could you give a quick overview of why the feeding behavior of fish changes with the weather? Why should I buy a …
Sunday is a busy day for me. Consequently, Sunday is a busy day for my family. We still have time for rest and recreation, but bigger plans usually get pushed off to Monday. Of course, Father’s Day falls on a Sunday. Truth be told, I’m not a huge fan of second-tier holidays. I’m not offended …
I had never been fly fishing, but I decided that a fly fishing vest would be a good investment. In junior high, the multi-pocketed khaki vest certainly didn’t have anything to do with style. Tommy Hilfiger t-shirts, baggy jeans, and puffy white Filas were preferable. As is probably the case with everyone, I must have …
I think I’ve figured out the ultimate Father’s Day gift for fly fishing dads. You could really treat the dad in your life this year by combining two of their favorite things: their children and their fishing gear. The Redington i.D. reel came out a few years ago. It is a great cast aluminum reel …
Being the mom of a fly fisher can be a thankless job. Why? Under “normal” circumstances, being a mom is often thankless. So much is done and so much goes unseen. Especially in the pre-teen and teenage years, there can be a lot of heartache and anxiety and frustration. That is best-case scenario. Add to …
When his Little Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters didn’t understand why anyone would want to go into the woods to just walk around, an idea began to form in Alec Griswold’s mind. He had the opportunity to share the outdoors with a young person. More than that, it was a young person who had …
