Since the advent of fly fishing, fly fishers have had their demons. The summer trico hatch is mine. Through the ages it has frustrated fly fishers sufficiently to earn the moniker “white-winged curse”! A few weeks ago, I ventured to a stretch of the Madison River, to once again take on the curse. I arrived […]
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Tag: fly fishing
Product Review: Simms Intruder Boot
If you like to wet-wade, you should check out the new Simms Intruder Boot (https://www.simmsfishing.com/intruder-boot). It is designed specifically for wet-wading. In years past, I have tried wet-wading sandals, shoes and boots. By far, the Intruder is the best wet-wading footwear I have yet worn! It is built with an integrated neoprene sock. This provides […]
Fly Fishing the Subsurface, Soft Hackles
It has been said by many, that effective subsurface fly patterns have two necessary attributes. They must look a little like many bugs, and they must behave like a living bug. This perfectly describes the attributes of the wet fly patterns generically referred to as “soft hackles”. Despite this, when fishing the subsurface, anglers far […]
Fly Fishing the Subsurface, Tightline Nymphing
Last month, in “Fly Fishing the Subsurface, Suspension Nymphing“, I began a series of blogs reviewing techniques used to fly fish the subsurface for trout. This blog, “Fly Fishing the Subsurface, Tightline Nymphing”, continues the series. I prefer to use the inclusive term, “tightline nymphing”. It lumps Euro, Czech, Polish, Spanish, French, Hewitt, Brooks, and […]
Fly Fishing the Subsurface, Suspension Nymphing
Virtually every fly fisher loves to fish a hatch. It’s hard to beat the pleasure of targeting a rising trout, selecting the right fly, presenting it well, and watching the trout rise and suck in your proffered fly. But most of the time, there is no hatch. Therefore, trout mostly fill their gullets with foods […]
Mental Image of Fly Casting
Learning to cast a fly rod is easy, right? We’ve all read or heard descriptions of the casting motion, “speed-up, stop, and pause”. Or, “ten-to-two, two-to-ten”. But watching beginners trying to apply these scripts, it is clear to me that they don’t lead to a clear mental image of the casting motion. The helpfulness of […]
“Tactical Fly Fishing”- a Book Review
“Tactical Fly Fishing”, by Devin Olsen, is the latest book by a member of the Fly Fishing Team USA. Like previous team members’ books, it details the various methods of Euro Nymphing, or tight-line nymphing. However, this is still a valuable addition to the current fly fishing literature. The real strength of Olsen’s work lies […]
Read Trout Streams Like an Expert, Even if You’re Not
When I take newcomer fly fishers to a stream, one of the first questions asked is where to cast the fly. Teaching newcomers to read trout streams is challenging. More experienced fly fishers are accustomed to breaking down the water into primary lies, feeding lies and holding lies. They look for riffles, runs, pools, tailouts, […]
Global Warming, a Call to Trout Anglers
I was prompted to write this blog after reading an editorial, written by 13 year old Kian Tanner, already an avid trout angler. It was titled “Are There Any Adults in the Room?” (https://www.hatchmag.com/blog/are-there-any-adults-room/7714744). Call it “Climate Change”, or “Global Warming”, I don’t care. But the inconvenient truth is that our planet is warming. Trout […]
“Nymph Fishing for Larger Trout”, a book review
Another of my favorite author’s is Charles E. Brooks. He hales from an earlier era, and wrote several books, two of which I have read. I particularly liked “Nymph Fishing for Larger Trout” (1976). It is illustrated by Dave Whitlock. Although concise, the author summarizes ten nymphing methods employed at that time. In addition, he […]
Fly Fishing, Getting Started, Step ll
For this blog, I’ll assume that you have or will read my January blog, “Fly Fishing, Getting Started“. Hopefully you have had a chance to purchase and try your equipment on a pond as well. The thrust of “Step ll” is to prepare the beginner to take the next step, fly fishing trout streams. To […]
“Trout”, a book review
Ernest Schwiebert is probably my favorite fly fishing author. He began fly fishing at the age of eight. During his lifetime, he fished with most all the famous Catskill fly fishermen. They regarded him as a pre-eminent colleague at an early age. He authored five books on fly fishing, three of which I have read. […]
Fly Fishing, Getting Started
‘Tis the start of a new year! I couldn’t think of a more apropos topic than “getting started” into the sport of fly fishing. I intend the discussion to be helpful both for those interested in starting, and those helping others get started. There are five minimal essentials needed to place an artificial fly on […]
“Moving Water”, a Book Review
In “Moving Water”, Dave Hall, fly fisher, author and artist, combines his talents to reflect upon experiences along his life-long fly fishing journey, shared with friends and family. The verses come in snippets, leaving much unsaid. The accompanying misty, muted paintings portray the peace, tranquility and beauty to be found in nature and friendships. The […]
Fly Line Basics
Many, if not most, fly fishers believe that a good cast is most dependent upon the fly rod and the caster. However, I would posit that the fly line contributes as much to the end result as the rod. In addition, once the cast is completed, the choice of line impacts the presentation and effectiveness […]
Fishing Streamers
As leaves begin to turn from green to crimson and gold, trout anglers begin to think of fishing streamers. While streamers can, and probably should, be fished throughout the year, few question their especial efficacy in the fall. This is particularly true in streams inhabited with fall spawners, that is, brown and brook trout. Exhausted […]
“Fly-Fishing Heresies”, a book review
I recently found another book written by one of my favorite fly- fishing authors, Leonard M. Wright, Jr. Its title is “Fly-Fishing Heresies“. Wright is the heretic in this work, tackling or challenging some of the many fly-fishing dogmas. Referencing a previous work, he begins by refuting the dogma that a dry fly must […]
Native Trout Restoration
I am a life member of Trout Unlimited, and believe in the balance of nature that biodiversity provides. But native trout restoration is an issue that gives me angst. It’s hard to witness the destruction of a healthy fishery with rotenone, in the hopes of restoring a native fishery. I do ponder whether it is […]
Book Review: “The Fly”
Anyone interested in the history of fly fishing should give “The Fly”, by Dr. Andrew Herd, a read. He covers 2,000 years of fly fishing history. His writing style is engaging, with wit and bits of humor. Unlike most such books, he includes non-fishing information. This helps one appreciate fly fishing’s place during different time-periods […]
Fly Fishing Southeast Idaho
This summer, fishing buddy Reid and I planned a camping trip to include south central and southeast Idaho. But temperatures in the mid-nineties and forest fires in the central portion of the state led to a change of plans. We confined our trip to fly fishing southeast Idaho. The major fishery there is the Henry’s Fork […]
Trico Spinner Falls- Breaking the Code
Summer is finally here! With it comes the eagerly anticipated summer hatches. On many streams, the early morning trico hatches and spinner falls offer the best chance to fish to rising trout. Background The trico hatch is a sight to behold. Clouds of insects fill the air. The trico hatch shown below was filmed by fishing buddy […]
Orvis Ultra Light Wading Boots
This year, Yellowstone National Park has banned the use of felt soled wading boots. I understand this change. Many fishermen move from one watershed to another during a day of fishing in the park, not allowing time for the drying of felts. As I planned to fish the park this summer, I reluctantly purchased a […]
Ten Trout Flies Never To Be Without
Like many fly fishers, perhaps most, in my early learning phase, I felt overwhelmed with all the fly patterns available. It seemed like each pattern had its place in a well-rounded armamentarium. As a result, I carried box upon box of flies, limited only by the number of pockets on my vest. But over time, […]
Reaching the Next Level of Fly Fishing for Trout
Fly fishing is becoming ever more popular. Most people try it once or twice, while a few make it an annual event for a week or two. Fewer still make it an avocation. But it is these few who can struggle for years at a beginner’s level, hoping to reach a higher level. This article […]
Coachman Fly- Attractor Fly with a Royal History
I have always been fascinated by attractor, or “fancy flies”, as the Brits refer to them. A handful have stood the test of time, but when were they first tied and fished? What were they designed for? Who created them? How have they evolved? And why do fish take them? In this blog, I explore the […]
Fly Fishing Tough Conditions- Catching Trout Despite Th...
Before I retired, I tried to fish two or three times a month. Working Monday through Friday and sharing a weekend on-call schedule, I couldn’t afford to wait for an ideal set of fishing conditions. When I had a week-end day free, I either went fishing and dealt with the conditions at hand, or I […]
Quigley Cripple- Shuck or No Shuck
Flytier Bob Quigley has created a number of original flies. His best known, the Quigley Cripple, has long been a go-to fly for me. Many times in the midst of a hatch, trailing it behind a dun pattern has turned refusals into strikes, and saved the day. However, when I examine it, except for the […]
Book Review: Nymph Masters
Trout spend the majority of their time feeding subsurface, specifically on nymphs. Thus serious trout fishermen strive to become better at nymph fishing. I previously regarded Charles Brooks’ “Nymph Fishing for Larger Trout” as the best summary available on the topic. But after reading Jason Randall’s most recent book, “Nymph Masters, Fly-Fishing Secrets From Expert […]
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation of Fly Fishers
This New Year is different for me; I am a new grandparent! This constellation of events has caused me to reflect on passing the torch to the next generation of fly fishers. At some point in our fly fishing journey, most of us have the opportunity to share our love of this wonderful sport with the […]
Imitationist vs. Impressionist- Design of Trout Flies
Does it really matter whether we fish for trout with artificial flies that are exact imitations or merely impressions of the natural fly? I confess at the outset that I am a died-in-the-wool impressionist when it comes to the design of trout flies. Part of the reason is that I am a lazy fly-tier. If […]