NOTES ON THE FLY

2004-02-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

Build upon your recent success!

It's funny that fly fishermen often do not recognize the habits or behavior of fish.

Our minds seem to work in such a way that sometimes it limits our ability to catch more than one fish.

We believe, I think, that once we catch a fish in a certain spot, or using a certain technique, that we must then move on to something else.

It could be the feeling that there was only one fish in that area so it's time to move on.

But my experience suggests that the chances are far greater that you'll catch another fish using exactly the same technique and fishing in exactly the same spot that yielded the previous fish than if you move on to something else.

Learn to repeat the technique of previous success exactly.

This rule seems so simple, yet it is so often ignored.

When you hook a trout, remember as many details as possible about the successful cast, the drift, the action you imparted to the fly, where you felt the “take,” etc.

Chances are very good that another fish is holding in the same or a close spot and will strike just like the one you’re now releasing.

Why move to a new spot or try a different fly until the same successful technique fails to be similarly productive?

Isn’t the idea to fool a trout, then another and another?

A second implication here is that the imitation you are fishing appears as it did when you caught the last fish.

Who wants a fly that falls apart after one strike?

Some fly patterns are more delicate and fragile than others, but the quality of the fishing experience is greatly diminished if the angler’s time is spent fishing through fly boxes and fumbling with knots rather than actually doing battle with a lively trout!

Durability, as much as the fly pattern and materials will allow, is a fundamental characteristic of a well-tied fly as we have so often stated, not just a bonus that some flies offer as a result of their tough materials.

Along with durability, consistency of pattern materials, colors and size is also important.

A dozen size 16 Light Cahills should look identical and variations from one fly to the next should be nearly imperceptible.

Sure, we all like variation and tend to shun "sameness;" but in fly fishing, you have to remember that fish tend to follows habits or natural instincts which don't waver and change like the actions and ideas of humans.

Fish don't think and reason. They don't look for variation - they want predictability and sameness.

Let the consistency of Mother Nature give you an advantage in your fishing!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

Make your artificial “look the part!”

We’ve been discussing tips and suggestions that every aspiring fly fisherman would do well to memorize as these principles of successful fly fishing can spell the difference between success and no action whatsoever.

This first tip was to always “fish over fish.” Sounds easy enough, right?

Here’s another hint on successful fly fishing:

Make the fly look and “feel” like the natural.

This advice goes without saying yet many fishermen don’t take the time to learn even the slightest bit of entomology (insect biology).

You aren’t required to know the Latin names and all the body parts of the local “bugs;” however, you should be observant and do a little study of the most common underwater insects of the area you’re fishing.

Learn about insect life cycles and recognize that, like in most pursuits, knowledge is advantageous and preparation is usually time well spent.

Properly tied flies will elicit trout strikes more often and of a more “committed” fashion than those tied poorly.

Be assured that trout notice differences in size, proportion, color and texture.

They don’t cognitively “reason” that a fly is a fake because it’s the wrong shape or color, or because it has this sharp metal hook protruding from its butt.

Fish instinct or natural response to a poor imitation is that the fly is rejected as something too unlike the real thing.

Believe it or not, texture is also important because it can either add to or detract from the imitation’s appearance of being something alive as are most trout targets.

Proper texture can also mean the fish rejects your fly more slowly, giving you an extra second to set the hook.

Impart to the fly its proper behavior.

Just as critical to success as shape, color, and size is the artificial’s behavior.

Delicate mayflies do not charge upstream in heavy current leaving a three foot wake behind!

They do not slap themselves down on the surface causing concentric waves like a chucked rock might. Yet who among us is not guilty of such tactics on occasion, intentional or not?

Most insects either flow with the current, swim short distances with or across current, rise slowly to the surface during a hatch, or crawl on fixed surfaces (like rocks, logs or underwater plants.)

Baitfish typically swim in a short darting fashion, sculpins hang right on the bottom, and swimming leeches undulate and slither.

Fly fishing would be so much easier if all that was needed was the proper imitation.

Study the trout foods found in the water you’re fishing. Observe them firsthand or at least read about the observations of others.

Imparting the proper and natural actions (or lack thereof) to your fly is of prime importance.

Ditto for having the fly at the appropriate depth for the type of pattern fished.

The materials used and the method of constructing the fly will greatly add to or detract from the flies’ apparent behavior on or in the water. The best fly tiers understand how their methods and materials add to the quality of the deception of their fake and truly lifeless creation and it’s apparent behavior.

There are many excellent books and magazine articles about insect behavior that will arm the fly fisherman with the knowledge needed to fish any fly pattern successfully. If all else fails, or if in doubt, follow this rule of thumb: let the fly float or swim naturally with the current. This technique can draw a response from trout at any time because insects and minnows at times float along with the current and are not always in a swimming or crawling motion.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

What is "selectivity" and how important is it in fly fishing?

Sometimes referred to as the fly fisherman's curse, the term "selectivity" refers to the idea that fish become "picky" or very selective about what foods they will go after.

In the case of the fly fisherman, this notion translates into the difficult task of finding exactly the right size, color and pattern of fly to use in a particular situation.

Often, when fly fishing success is slow or non-existent, the reason given is that the fish are too selective and the fly imitation being fished is not close enough a match to the real thing to elicit a response.

Such a condition can torment fly fishers to no end! In fact, some refer to hyper selective trout as the “fly fisherman’s curse.”

It seems that some trout are focused on eating only one particular thing at a time. If your fly and its action don’t mimic that aquatic insect closely enough, you’ll see no action.

Not having the right fly pattern, or the proper size, or the “magic” color is not the only concern, however. Often, selective fish will not take even the closest imitation if the way it drifts or floats is different from the real thing.

At times trout especially will have nothing to do with a fly that is the least bit offensive to its senses.

Hooking and releasing trout like this is difficult and challenging but one of the most satisfying aspects of fly fishing once the puzzle is solved.

Angling for selective trout is no different than pursuing any other trout, except that it sometimes requires more observation, patience, experimentation, and concentration than usual.

All trout, regardless of their degree of selectivity at the moment, are best hunted by those who understand certain principles or rules of fly fishing.

Here are some tips or suggestions that every aspiring fly fisherman would do well to memorize as these principles of successful fly fishing can spell the difference between success and no action whatsoever. Whether you “tie or buy” your flies, keep these gems always in mind as they are all critical to the sport.

Get the fly within the sight and reach of the fish.

If trout are hugging the bottom of a fast moving stream, chances are you will be skunked if you fish a high floating dry fly.

Likewise, casting to center stream when all the trout are hiding out close to the banks will result in few, if any, fish taken.

I know this idea seems very elementary, but you’d be surprised at the number of times you’ll find yourself fishing in the wrong spot or at the wrong depth.

I like to say you have to “fish over fish.”

Closely related to this first rule, but slightly different, is the idea that one can have the best dressed flies in the world, but if they’re not placed within striking distance of the fish, the fisherman will catch just as many trout on the flies in his vest pocket!

I won’t say much about putting the fly before the fish because there are many, many great books, magazines and videos with this subject at the forefront.

It seems almost too elementary to mention - yet you must be fishing over fish to be successful!

How often do we all claim that a particular fly isn’t working or that the fish just aren’t hungry, when in fact our lack of success is the result of working fishless water?

Most lakes, especially, prove to be maybe 90% devoid of fish. Just as in streams, rivers and brooks, trout hang out in similar types of places and if your fly isn’t there, you won’t catch fish.

Fishing over fish does not guarantee success, but if you don’t do it you will most certainly guarantee failure.

(More to follow)

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

Trout fly origins suggest mostly wet fly patterns.

Something that I have always found intriguing is the fact that the very early fly patterns discussed in print (beginning in the 1600's) were dressed mostly as wet flies.

Yet many of them were made to imitate insects that were found to float on the surface or hover slightly over the water, i.e. typical dry flies.

Sub-aquatic entomology was probably not a strong suite of early fly fishers.

I can imagine fly tiers of those early periods having difficulty making truly "dry" flies.

Hooks were very heavy in comparison to today’s standards, leaders of hair and "gut" soaked up water very quickly, and generally the hackles and body materials available were nothing like those at the disposal of fly tiers today.

Genetic hackle and synthetic poly dubbing and wing material make for a much lighter and less water absorbing fly today than would have ever been possible centuries ago.

Trout fly patterns and the equipment used to deliver them to the fish are what separate fly fishers from other types of anglers.

Often the non-flyfisher looks upon our fraternity (sorry ladies - or sorority, as the case may be) as an elitist pod of snobs who think of themselves as a cut above those who drown worms or heave metal blades in pursuit of a fish.

This misconception may have been born in certain eastern regions of this county and abroad where exclusive fishing clubs and angling societies were all but closed to those without means.

But today, for the most part at least, anyone can purchase the basic fly fishing equipment, head to a favorite public water, and consider himself a fly fisherman (although most of us would be quick to agree that a "fisherman" is one who fishes, not necessarily one who catches fish.)

If you spend much time in a good fly shop or browsing through the pages of one of the many fly fishing catalogs available freely, you will notice that there are not many wet flies listed that can be purchased today.

Why is this so?

My guess is that wet flies are basically imitations of sub-aquatic insects and have been replaced by the more realistic nymph patterns that all of us use.

Oh sure there are still some fly fishermen that use wet fly patterns regularly (and do very well with them, I might add) but in my experience tying and selling flies over the past 35 years or so, I can tell you that the old wet fly patterns are no where near as popular today as they were back in the mid 1900's.

In some ways I hate to see the traditional wet fly patterns fade away - they are so rich in tradition and history . . .

And yet, if there is a substitute that catches fish with much greater frequency, why not use it? That, to me, is the modern day nymph pattern!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-23T07:13:00.000-08:00

Some characteristics of premium trout flies compared to others.

Proper size and proportion of its parts.

Poorly tied flies rarely float or swim properly because their proportion is incorrect.

Typical problems include tails too short, wings too long, hackle too long for the hook size, head too large, body overdressed and crowding of materials at the hook’s eye.

The interesting thing is, a properly proportioned and sized fly is just as easy to tie as the poorly outfitted fly.

Recognizing the difference becomes almost second nature once you observe and understand general insect and baitfish shapes and sizes.

Impressionistic colors and textures of materials.

Nature is awesome!

It’s colors and textures are infinite, especially in bright sunlight.

Today’s tying materials are far superior to those of yesteryear in many respects.

Our choices for hackle, wings, body material, legs and wing cases are so much more vast than they were just a few years ago.

Material and design durability.

Quality trout flies, without exception, are tied as durably as possible given the materials used in the pattern.

Some materials are rather fine and delicate and tend to not withstand repeated abuse well.

In such cases, the tier can make judicious use of cements, waxes and fine wire to reinforce bodies, the thorax, or wing cases of such flies.

The tier also has the choice of using materials in the fly construction which stand up to repeatedly rough treatments so that the fly will continue to serve it’s purpose after many fish or tough snags.

No fly should come apart while casting, which most of us have experienced at one time or another.

Proper construction technique.

There is a logical construction technique to every fly pattern.

When that technique, or even individual steps, are violated, the integrity of the fly is compromised.

Most flies are tied beginning at the rear and moving forward.

I have seen flies (even those for sale) that were obviously tied with their steps out of order which means that thread was showing over the top of a finished step, a dead give-away to poor quality.

Exposed thread breaks or cuts easily and will prove to be the undoing of a fly.

Another problem arises when a hackle is attached improperly.

The way a hackle fans out from the hook shank is largely a function of how it was secured to the hook and what kind of a base it was wrapped over.

Hackle should be neat, compact and tight.

High quality dry flies are generally tied today with genetic, stiff, and long rooster hackle whose stem is pliable and thin.

Imported Indian rooster necks, once about the only choice for dry flies, are today shunned by tier’s seeking the ultimate in domestic engineered hackles.

Proper construction also includes using the right amount of materials.

Mayfly bodies, for example, are generally quite slender and sleek on the natural insect.

Yet some flies that are sold have humongous fat heavily dubbed bodies.

Experienced tier’s are always concerned with conserving fly weight and silhouette in most patterns, especially in dry flies.

Poor quality flies often are overdressed, i.e. they exhibit too much material for the hook size.

Think about these characteristics of premium trout flies the next time you shop for your artificials.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

What do trout "think about" when they're hungry?

I believe very strongly that no one will ever be sure why a particular fish takes a fly until he learns to actually communicate with the trout!

You may surmise that the trout was hungry, protecting its territory from an intruder, or maybe the fish was just curious.

It really doesn’t matter why a fish takes your fly, does it?

You’re on the water to enjoy catching the fish regardless of the trout’s “reason” for putting your fly in its mouth.

My feeling is this . . . trout don’t "think" like humans because they don’t have the capacity to reason; they are wild creatures that respond instinctively to some kind of stimulus.

If they could reason or think like we do, they would never mistake an artificial trout fly for the real thing.

After all, how many natural insects or baitfish drop out of the sky, appear to have a steel eye protruding from their brains, are led around behind a nylon tow rope, and have a large and ominous sharp steel hook anchored to their behind?

Trout don’t "think" like humans and they don’t feed like humans (with the possible exception of gulping and slurping teenage boys ages 13 to 17.)

Trout are opportunists and will generally feed when their instincts tell them that it is safe and sensible (worth the effort) to go after a particular morsel.

Humans aren’t concerned that the hamburger in front of them will recognize that it’s about to be eaten and make a mad dash for cover!

Likewise, there’s no moving current at our table which threatens to carry off our dinner if we don’t grab it right now!

Trout take up feeding positions, generally referred to as feeding “lies,” from which they can inspect and quickly capture moving objects that they instinctively ingest.

To conserve energy and be somewhat protected from danger, a trout will usually lie in wait for it’s food where there is cover, a slower current, and a good vantage point from which to inspect food morsels as they appear.

Typical feeding lies might include the slower water next to a midstream boulder, under a sunken log or undercut bank, deep in a hole where the current overhead is much more swift, or hidden in the shadow of an overhanging tree limb.

Trout often remain near motionless in this lie until they methodically move toward their quarry, inspect the food, then accept it or reject it and retreat back to the lie.

It is upon this inspection that the premium quality flies “earn their keep” so to speak.

Flies that don’t look or behave like the naturals that trout are accustomed to seeing are immediately rejected.

High quality flies that give the impression of living organisms, ones that the trout sees every day, are much more likely to pass the inspection.

Forever, it seems, there has been a debate as to whether a trout takes a fly because it looks right, or, from the opposing school, that the fly is taken because there is nothing wrong with it.

Which do you believe?

Another reason to consider premium flies is the fact that they are tied with durability and ruggedness in mind.

Do you want a fly that’s good for one fish, or would you prefer to be catching other trout rather than changing flies?

Think about the characteristics that quality trout flies exhibit that set them apart from all others. There are some real important differences.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

Early flies from "The Treatise of Fishing with an Angle"

The year was 1496 and the place was England.

The Book of St. Albans contained a section entitled "The Treatise of Fishing with an Angle" which listed a dozen fly patterns.

The fifteenth century flies were no doubt quite different than those tied today.

The author, Dame Berners, listed the materials that went into the fly patterns, but we have no drawings of the actual flies themselves so we can only guess what they may have looked like.

The dozen flies detailed in the "Treatise", sometimes referred to as "The Twelve," were an interesting group.

With names like the Yellow Fly, the Ruddy Fly, Tandy Fly, the Black Leaper, and Drake Fly, this group probably represents some of the basic patterns of the day, for one would assume if there were twelve flies described in text there were surely others that weren’t.

Here is the original description of one of the twelve, the Shell Fly:

"the body of grene wull & lappyd abowte wyth the herle of the pecoks tayle: wynges of the basarde."

Can you guess the translation from Olde English? [The body of green wool and wrapped about with the herl of a peacock’s tail: wings of the buzzard].

The next trout fly milestone of which I am aware surfaced nearly two hundred years later with the publication of Izaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler.

The 1676 edition of this classic (although the first edition was published in 1653) contained a section inked by Charles Cotton which described how to "angle" for trout and grayling in clear water streams.

Sixty-five fly patterns and how to tie them were discussed in some detail and no doubt some of these early fly recipes provide the basis, at least, for what I would consider traditional trout fly patterns.

Cotton is widely acknowledged as the father of modern fly fishing.

My purpose in mentioning these early flies and their origins is simply to give the present day fly angler some appreciation for the age of our sport, the crude but important beginnings that one might wish to study further, and to acknowledge the pioneers of fly fishing that passed on their knowledge and experience to us, most likely realizing little or no financial compensation for their efforts.

Other great writers, fly tiers and fly fishermen too numerous to mention, each had their impact upon the course and direction of trout fly history.

Men such as James Chetham, Richard and Charles Bowlker, George Scotcher, William Carroll, Alfred Ronalds, W. C. Stewart, Charles Kingsley, Frederick Halford, Theodore Gordon, and George E.M. Skues provide an interesting study into the evolution of the fly, its design, and use.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Early fly fishing references.

No one really knows the exact origin of fly fishing but we can safely surmise that man has been scheming to fool trout with some type of culinary imitation for centuries.

Unlike so many of our present day recreational pursuits, fly fishing’s origin dates back many many centuries ago.

Of course the Holy Bible mentions angling and fishing, but not specifically fly fishing.

Claudius Aelianus, in De Animalium Natura, described "a Macedonian way of catching fish" from the river Astracus where "fish with spotted skins feed on a fly that hovers over the river."

What was that third century AD Macedonian imitation?

"They fasten red wool round a hook, and fit on to the wool two feathers which grew under a cock’s wattles, and which in color are like wax." (From Mary Orvis Marbury’s 1892 publication Favorite Flies and Their Histories.)

Red wool and two hackles? I suppose it could work; after all, the trout at that time weren’t used to seeing anything but the real thing!

Another significant milestone in trout fly history was recorded a millennium later, just a few years after Columbus and company discovered the New World.

The year was 1496, to be exact, and the place was England.

The Book of St. Albans contained a section entitled "The Treatise of Fishing with an Angle" which listed a dozen fly patterns.

The fifteenth century flies were no doubt quite different than those tied today.

The author, Dame Berners, listed the materials that went into the fly patterns, but we have no drawings of the actual flies themselves so we can only guess what they may have looked like.

We do know that the early flies were tied on very crude hooks without eyes.

Twisted strands of horse mane were lashed to the hook shank (as the "eye") with the fly dressing materials added over the top of this uneven base.

In those early days, and for many years thereafter, no vise was employed; all flies were wrapped in hand.

I have witnessed flies tied without the use of a stationary vise and to me it was quite an amazing feat, but I don’t recommend that approach given the advancements made in the fly tying industry.

Try to tie a size 20 dry fly without a vise . . . it will give you a headache and an appreciation for that little invention!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

How important is it to know aquatic entomology?

I know there are numerous fly fishermen from around the globe that don’t care to know a thing about aquatic insects and their life cycles, physical characteristics, or distribution.

They think it’s nonsense to learn Latin names and proper nomenclature.

They catch fish with the best of them and are often heard to quip, “fish don’t know the names of the bugs they eat, why should I?” “That nonsense has nothing to do with catching fish.”

Of course, such statements are correct . . . and they’re not correct.

Let me explain.

If you are a keen observer, which by the way, most truly skilled fly fishermen are, you will soon learn to imitate aquatic insects in your fly patterns and fishing techniques. No mastery of Latin is necessarily required.

But you have a problem. How do you communicate what you’ve learned if you don’t know what an insect is called?

How do you know which fly patterns to take on a trip if you’ve heard a particular insect is hatching in a certain spot that you want to be prepared for?

How do you know what to look up if you desire to read something about the life cycle of some weird looking creatures that came gushing out the mouth of a gorging trout you just released?

Here’s my take on what is important to know. (You may need or want to know something more or less than I do depending upon your interest in the subject and how selective the fish are in your area.)

If understanding a specific genus and specie is critical to your success, by all means attack the subject and satisfy your own “need to know.”

My experience is that being able to identify and mimic a specific specie is rarely required and a pretty intensive subject to try to master given the number of species that exist in the environment.

Besides, an eastern fly fishing writer is likely to encounter different species than someone fishing in the west – so that detailed a level of understanding my not be generally useful.

I think you ought to know and be able to recognize a stonefly from a caddis fly from a mayfly, etc. You ought to be able to recognize the general shapes and colors and sizes of each of these insects in the waters that you regularly fish.

Once armed with this minimal information, you can dive into any number of fly fishing insect identification aids (books, articles, web sites, photos, etc.) and at least come close to naming the genus you’re looking at.

At this level of basic understanding you will be able to find information on the insect in question that will help you to become a better fisherman.

Learning about an insect will help you to know:

- The distribution and range of the insect
- The complete lifecycle from nymph to adult
- The times of year that it will likely be hatching and active
- The general size, shape and color of the insect at different times of year
- The type of water the insect thrives in
- How it moves about and hides (crawls, swims, burrows, builds a case, etc)
- Preferences of some insects by the fish you are after
- Fly patterns that are specifically tied to mimic that insect
- Other clues about how the insect lives and behaves

Can you see how valuable knowing such information might be to the observant fly fisherman?

It’s awfully hard to find this level of detail if you don’t even know what insect you’re after. Where do you begin if your description of the insect is “the skinny gray bug with short legs?”

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

What’s your favorite fly?

An intriguing question, don’t you think?

Actually, it’s one of the toughest questions asked of any fly fisherman.

It’s surprising this same query comes up so often - over and over and over again.

Of course there are thousands and thousands of fly patterns to choose from as you ponder your all time favorite fly pattern.

I have a catalog of upwards of 25,000 patterns . . . I think. I really don’t know the exact number of listings since I’ve never taken the time to count them all.

These 25,000 patterns do contain many variations of a single original fly pattern. For example, there’s probably 50 variations of Halladay’s original Adams dry fly. There’s the Female Adams, the Spent Wing Adams, the Adams Midge, the Grizzly Adams and so forth.

I’ll tell you my favorite fly in each category: dry fly, wet fly, nymph, and streamer.

Dry Fly: Adams

Wet Fly: Pheasant Tail

Nymph: Gold Ribbed Hares Ear

Streamer: Muddler Minnow

Yea, I know – these are all classic, old time patterns.

No, I am not some throw back to the 1950’s.

I regularly fish the modern day fly patterns that are, in large part, based on (or variations of) the classics - but using new synthetic materials.

If I had to narrow my choice to just one fly from those above, I would choose the Muddler Minnow.

I’ve fished it as a great minnow imitation, a sculpin, a stonefly, a caddis fly, a grasshopper, and who knows what else. It is one of the all time great versatile fly patterns.

OK, let me confuse things a little.

Over the past ten years of my fly fishing, I would have to say that the fly pattern that has consistently produced the most and largest trout for me, by far, is the Black Wooly Bugger. This fly is one fantastic pattern, especially in lakes and reservoirs.

So, why is the Black Wooly Bugger not my favorite pattern? I’m not sure I have a good answer.

Some day I will probably add it to my list.

For right now, I would say that it may not be one of the best all around patterns, but it has been the most consistent fish catcher I have used for the type of fishing I do.

I really enjoy float tube fishing on a large reservoir about an hour from my home. I consistently catch large trout at this spot and there is always the possibility of landing a huge trout in this water.

The same can’t be said for the local rivers and streams. Yes, they are fun to fish and I greatly enjoy the challenge of stream fly fishing.

But in my area, often the streams are crowded, over fished, and subject to high water, discoloration, muddy conditions, etc, that make them very temperamental.

My local rivers don’t give up the huge trout they once did. Yes, there are a few lunkers still to be hooked in these waters, but most of the catchable fish are less than twenty inches.

On the reservoir I mentioned, fish over twenty inches are landed on nearly every trip. And this place has given up trout over 15 pounds so there is always the potential of hooking into something truly huge.

There you have it. What is your favorite fly pattern?

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

What does the future of fly fishing hold for you?

Why is it that one of the great pastimes of many people as they get older is something I'd describe as "the rehearsing of scenes from 'the good old days'"?

I must be honest . . . I've succumbed on occasions myself . . . even though I don't like to be forced into any generation other than the current "hip" generation that is really with it.

If the truth be known, I don't think many of the elderly fly fishing fraternity would actually like to return to former times.

Yes, life was definitely simpler decades ago.

We didn't fear the threat of terrorists, have to deal with spam, or pay several hundred dollars for a monthly prescription.

The cars we drove were less safe and at the same time, the speed limits were higher. Figure that one out.

Homes could easily be purchased for five figures, but the average wages were something less than what many kids fresh out of college turn down today!

I remember the fly fishing success we enjoyed on some local rivers and streams that are totally different waters today.

One favorite local stream, in particular, gave up huge brown trout even though the water was so little it could be leaped across at most any spot.

Today that tiny stream is a shallow, silted in, much wider and slower flowing shadow of its former self compared to "the good old days."

It flooded on several occasions and was "re-engineered" to hold much larger flows.

As a result, the deep holes, undercut banks, and the meandering and winding nature of the stream are gone. It's nearly a straight shot from head to tail now.

There are still a few small browns and cutthroats that have adapted to the change, but that little stream, I'm afraid, will never be the same again. It will never hold big trout the way it is right now.

What worries me most is the fact that some newer anglers that might fish this little stream (although most pass it by for better waters) have no clue about what it once was.

They won't know, firsthand, what could have been . . . had that little water been managed and protected properly.

What will the future hold for fly fishermen?

I believe the answer depends upon what the future holds for our streams, rivers, and lakes.

You know tackle technology will be a constant good advancing thing.

But I'm afraid the answer is not so simple regarding the future of our waters.

I'm afraid the answer can not be determined by fly fishermen alone. Every stream, and river, and lake, and ocean has diverse interests . . . often at cross purposes with those of fishermen.

The one future think I do know is this:

If fishermen sit back and don't join in an active battle for the future of their sport, especially a battle to protect our waters, they will most likely find themselves dreaming about "the good old days."

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

One of the great advancements in fly fishing . . .

One of the common complaints I hear from new fly fishing folks concerns the difficulty they experience using or handling a modern fly line compared to the ease it is to cast a simple nylon monofilament line.

They also sometimes complain about having to spend $30-$50 or more to purchase the fly line of their choice.

You know what? I'm thankful I have the opportunity to buy such a bargain!

Say what?

New fly fishermen may not realize the extent of the changes that have taken place in fly fishing equipment over the recent decades.

Our sport has been vaulted forward with new fly rod and reel materials and manufacturing techniques from those that were the norm even in the mid-nineteen hundreds just prior to World War II.

One advancement that I believe we really take for granted, and which has changed our sport for the better forever, is the new synthetic fly lines that everyone uses today.

It wasn't that long ago that English fly lines of woven silk ruled the day. Leaders were made of silk worm gut which required "soaking" before they performed as intended.

The problem was, these silk lines easily rotted. They also changed in nature once stored over the winter, often becoming much less "silky" in nature and somewhat unpredictable over their entire length.

In an effort to keep the old lines useable, they had to be "dressed," or prepared each fishing trip out.

The leaders of gut were generally soaked in a softening solution like glycerin to bring out their supple qualities and reduce the "brittleness" of the material.

No, I'm not old enough to have used the silk and gut combination, but there are fly fishermen still around today that had no other choice.

I am old enough to have seen these lines in the gear of some "old timers" and I have spoken with those who knew nothing else!

Modern synthetic lines are a whole new ballgame.

They float or sink extremely well compared to their early forerunners. They are smooth in casting and generally require a minimum amount of cleaning and care.

Synthetic lines are even in their taper, have significant "memory" loss (lose their coils), and resist abrasion and cracking.

Good fly lines, properly cleaned and cared for in the off season (is there such a thing?), will last way beyond one season depending upon their use and treatment.

The designs, tapers, colors, and specific purposes of today's fly lines seem nearly endless. No doubt the early flyfishing greats would be astounded at the choices the modern angler enjoys!

We really don't know how good we have it.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

Why subsurface flies work so well.

As a follow-up to one of my previous articles, I submit the following only as my personal opinion. I know that doesn't account for much as we fly fishermen tend to be quite willing to believe our own opinions are worth more than those of others.

I made the comment that I believed dry fly fishing was not as effective as subsurface fishing about 90% of the time.

To be honest, I have no basis for that number . . . it's just a very rough guess and open for debate to be sure.

Here's my reasoning for this opinion. It's really pretty simple.

Most of the flyfishing I have done suggests to me that fish are fairly selective in their diet. Mother Nature has made them wary creatures and generally they don't just eat anything that comes along.

Of course, there are exceptions and once in awhile you'll find fish readily taking any fly cast their way; but doesn't usually happen.

Flies will almost always need to be imitations of the natural insects or baitfish that are the prey being sought.

Following this line of reasoning, it would then seem to me that floating (dry fly) insects are in the small minority of prey that fish seek. They have to be - as most hatches do not last very long and only happen at certain times of the day and year depending upon the water and environmental conditions.

Subsurface insect activity seems to be a horse of a different color. Yes, some insects morph through different stages of their life cycle, but they're underwater and often accessible to feeding fish every hour and day of the year.

Here's a related thought. Insects in the surface film of the water often appear (to fish) distorted according to studies I've seen which were based upon research into the mechanics of the fish eye. Add to that the often broken water and currents that toss surface insects around and fish may have a more difficult time in selecting what to go after and what to let float by.

But subsurface, the fish gets a clear and undisturbed view of exactly what the prey appears to be and can often inspect what they are about to eat in a more secure situation (i.e. not having to dart to the surface and back again to its holding lie.)

Anyway, my point was, and still is, that if you try to fish dry flies all the time, or a majority of the time, you will probably not be as successful at catching fish as you might become if you learn to be good at subsurface fly fishing.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-12T06:36:00.000-08:00

See your next fly fishing trip as a journey, not a destination!

It’s funny how time and age tend to mellow your fishing and hunting instincts and desires a bit.

Back when I was a teenager and the Beatles were the rage, it was a common occurrence that I would never sleep at night before the next day’s fishing trip.

I got so jazzed up about the excitement of going and all the big fish I would conquer that I had a million details racing through my mind that prevented my slumber.

Generally the actual fish caught were way smaller and far fewer than I had dreamed about; nonetheless, I viewed each trip with a boyish fascination that still lingers today – only it’s not quite the same.

Today when I plan a fishing trip it has more to do with where I will go, whom I will be with, what we’ll do and see along the way, etc. The destination is really not so important as the ride and the company.

When I was young I would pride myself on being first on the water and the last to pack it in well after dark. I would often fly fish through the middle of the day when my companions napped.

I was the epitome of a fly fishin’ fool if there ever was one. Heck with the scenery, the wildlife, and the hike to the river – I just wanted to get there as fast as possible and whip the water into a froth before anyone else.

The passion, excitement and enjoyment of fly fishing have never really died down in my soul. But what has changed is my expression of those feelings away from landing the biggest and most fish to not really caring if I land any fish at all.

I began changing my ideas about what constituted a successful fishing trip when my kids (both sons and daughters) started coming along on the trips rather than my regular fishing buddies.

Often, when the kids came along, I didn’t fish much at all. I would be busy attending to the needs of their comfort, safety, and inevitable boredom when the fish catching was slow.

In fact, fishing trip success was assured if none of the little ones got hurt, sunburned too badly, or got wet much above the waist!

No, the fly fishing wasn’t the same for me once the kids came along – it actually became much better as I watched each of them discover the magic of the mountains, streams, lakes and wildlife that we encountered.

Now my children are mostly grown and carving out their own lives. I’m happy to report that they all like to fish and talk about the day when they will introduce their children to fishing.

I just hope they ask Grandpa to come along . . .

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Izaak Walton had the right idea!

To be honest, I’m really not much of a history buff. I enjoy the traditions of fly fishing immensely but I would just as soon spend an evening reading about the latest fly fishing tactics and ideas as opposed to some ancient volume written in Old English that’s hard to follow.

That being said, I picked up a copy of Walton’s The Compleat Angler that I had been given many years ago and decided to read it beyond the first few pages that I had attempted awhile back.

It’s a wonderful little book that gives some great insight into the man himself and his love for fishing. It’s not the easiest text to read, but as you get into it further and further the style and language begin to make more sense.

The amazing thing about this book, to me at least, is that fact that it was written about 350 years ago. It is one of the very first texts on fishing there is.

You will read in the book that fishing (or angling) references are found in the Old Testament of the Bible so it’s obvious that kindred spirits to modern-day fishermen existed even 5,000 years ago – way before you and I and even Izaak Walton chased fish. Our sport is one of the oldest pastimes there is!

Let me quote a short passage that Walton penned that is just as pertinent today as it was when it was written so long ago:

“Angling is somewhat like poetry, men are to be born so:
I mean, with inclinations to it,
though both may be heightened by discourse and practice:
but he that hopes to be a good angler,
must not only bring an inquiring, searching, observing wit,
but he must bring a large measure of hope and patience,
and a love and propensity to the art itself;
but having once got and practiced it,
then doubt not but angling will prove to be so pleasant,
that it will prove to be, like virtue, a reward to itself.”

Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler, 1653

Don’t you agree?

Remember, if you want to be a good angler (especially a good fly fisher), you must be “inquiring, searching, observing” and you must show a large measure of “hope and patience,” topped off with lots of “practice.” Old Izaak had it down!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-10T06:28:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing equipment for the beginning fly fisher.

Are you like I am?

As soon as I discover a new interest or hobby I develop a great and quick passion for whatever it may be and want to immediately rush out and grab the best of everything related to that interest.

It happened with fishing, then fly fishing, then fly tying.

It happened with hunting, then bow hunting.

It happened with developing web sites (the software I had to have).

I could name a number of other similar interests.

In nearly every such situation, I found out (after I cooled down a little), that what I had purchased was OK, but not exactly what I would have bought had I waited just a little longer while I learned more about the subject.

You may experience the same sort of thing if you are a beginning fly fisherman, fly tyer, rod builder, float tuber, you name it . . .

My advice to you is to hold off from spending a lot of money right off the bat.

If you can, try to borrow some fly fishing equipment from a friend or another member of the local fly fishing club (that you should join.)

In fact, try to borrow different gear from several willing enthusiasts.

It will not only help you to get a feel for different brands and quality of equipment, it will also put you in a much stronger position to go after the tackle that best suits the kind of fly fishing you will be doing a majority of the time.

Borrowed fly rods will help you to assess your preferred rod blank material, the length of rod you are comfortable with, the type of handle you like, the best stiffness for the type of conditions you’ll normally encounter, etc.

Borrowed fly reels will allow you to judge the size, weight, type of drag, and line capacity that will handle your needs.

Borrowing fly lines and waders might be a little more problematic; however, you can still talk to long-time fly fishermen to find out their experience with differing brands and models.

If you ask a number of enthusiasts (like members of a fly fishing club) for their opinions, you should get some excellent feedback.

It may be that you’ll begin hearing brands or models repeated over and over again as the “preferred” equipment of knowledgeable fly fishermen. Pay attention to any such clues.

Reading and viewing literature or internet information on products and equipment will help you to understand the technical details of specific models and brands (like size, weight, length, color, etc.); however, it goes without saying that every manufacturer is going to claim his product to be the best so you need another method to compare the quality of one brand to another.

That’s where it pays to go slow, do a thorough assessment of what’s available in your price range, and above all, get the somewhat unbiased opinions of experienced fly fishers that were once in the same situation (as a beginner) you now find yourself.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Where have all the purists gone?

Years ago there were often references in fly fishing books and magazines to the fly fishing “purists.”

These were fly fishermen that opted to fish dry flies exclusively. Why?

I don’t know for sure – I was never a purist – but my assumption is that they felt that fishing the visible dry fly was the absolute purest or highest form of the fly fishing art.

Anything less was somehow not as sporting, or as fine, or as challenging, or as fair to the fish, or as whatever.

It’s interesting because nowadays you don’t much here that term being used.

My guess is, the purists decided that actually catching fish was more fun and enjoyable than being a purist – a member of that elite fraternity that would not stoop to fishing wet flies, nymphs, streamers, or anything else that didn’t float.

As I said, I was never a purist, but I must admit that there has always been something magical about watching a tiny dry fly bounce along the bubbling current until it was smashed by an eager trout with reckless abandon!

The unfortunate fact (for purists, at least) that most experienced fly fishermen have come to understand is that the majority of trout feeding activity happens below the water’s surface.

How much or in what proportion, you ask?

I don’t really know – no one does. Obviously, the exact proportions depend upon the season of the year, the time of day, the water temperature, and the river or lake being fished.

Overall, my guess would be that top water feeding activity is something less than 10% of the time on most trout waters.

Do the numbers really matter? Of course not.

What matters is that the fly fisherman recognizes that unless a visible hatch is taking place, the best technique to employ just about anywhere, anytime, probably involves fishing the fly below the surface.

That may seem obvious to you, but it is amazing the number of fly fishermen one encounters that begin every outing fishing a dry fly regardless of the fact that nothing seems to be happening on the surface of the water.

Sure, there are always exceptions to the rule; but if you want to have the fish catching odds greatly in your favor, fish sub-surface whenever you don’t see visible feeding signs.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

Never lend your Chapstick.

To this day, I can’t stand the sight of those little plastic Chapstick containers.

You know the little black and white tubes, with a white cap and a little wheel at the bottom that forces the paste out the top so you can grease your lips when they’re dry?

Let me tell you a story about about my LAST experience with Chapstick . . .

Many years ago some friends and I decided to do some fly fishing on Lower Fish Creek in central Utah.

(By the way, isn’t “Fish Creek” a lovely and exciting name for a trout stream? You just know whomever named the place did so for an obvious reason – why else would you name a place “Fish Creek” unless it was thick with ‘em?)

That’s the reason we were headed there on a hot summer Saturday morning.

Now Fish Creek is a tailwater below a high mountain reservoir and it’s a simple place to find, drive right to, and fish.

But like most such easy targets, Fish Creek’s biggest trout and best fly fishing began to appear some three miles downstream from the road where the casual fishermen and kids on innertubes don’t generally go.

You have to hike down in - there are no roads along the creek.

The brush is thick along the upper stretches of the stream and the easiest walking early on as you make your way toward the magic three-mile mark is along a set of railroad tracks.

Now I hate hiking on railroad tracks for two reasons:

First . . . it’s hot!

The summer sun blazes down on the lava-like rock around and between the ties and rails and heats those little suckers nearly to glowing.

Look down a set of tracks on a warm day and you’ll see the heat waves sweltering up and skyward all around the elevated track bed.

To make matters worse, we were all decked out in our chest waders, vests, and other gear that kept the heat trapped next to our bodies.

The second reason why I hate walking on railroad tracks is the span of the ties.

Stepping on each tie is not easy – it forces me into taking little choppy steps that are totally unnatural.

But my gait is too short to skip a tie and hit every other one - to do that I have to trot. And since the ties are slightly elevated above the track bed, you can’t easily walk with your foot half on and half off a tie - it’s really all or nothing!

Getting back to the story . . . two miles of being very hot and uncomfortable passes and our little party decides to stop and take five minutes to rest and cool off a little before tackling the final stretch.

One of the older guys in the group, a fellow whose name I won’t divulge for fear of a horse head in my bed, decides to head off into the willows to answer the call of nature.

He says as he’s leaving, “Steve, can I borrow your Chapstick?” which he saw me using right then to give my lips some relief from the hot dry air.

“Sure” I said and didn’t think anything more of it as I tossed him the tube.

Well, the guy comes out of the bushes 5 minutes later, hands me back the tube, and we’re on our way again, anxious to finally get to our destination.

At this point I wasn’t really thinking about fishing, I just wanted to slip up to my waist in cool mountain water that would help me refresh a little from the torturous hike along the tracks in full wading gear.

I don’t really remember what the fishing was like that trip, to be honest.

We spent the day on Lower Fish Creek and I’m sure we all caught our share of Cutthroats and Browns. We always did on that stretch of water. It was kind to us for many years and always rewarded the extra hike we endured down the tracks.

What I do remember is the drive home that night.

After shedding our waders and vests and climbing back into our Nikes, we packed our gear in the Jeep and headed out as the daylight was all but gone.

The trip home was about an hour and a half long, so I nestled in the car seat as best I could and decided to snooze a little. I was beat from the hike and a full day’s fishing.

It was then I decided to pull out the Chapstick and grease my lips one more time before dozing off.

To this day I don’t know if the Chapstick borrower was watching me and waiting to see when I was going to use it again . . . or not.

But as soon as I was done with a good pasting over every crack in my lips the guy says to me, “Thanks again for the Chapstick.”

I say, “Sure.”

He says, “Ya know, that stuff does wonders for jock strap rash on a hot day.”

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

What’s happening at iFlies.com . . . and will that site be online in the future?

Many of my long time fly fishing friends and clients know that I previously ran a web site devoted to trout flies at www.iFlies.com . The site is not currently active.

Over the past year I have had a number of inquiring souls asking me if I would consider selling the site to them. The short answer is “no,” at least for the time being.

I have been very busy with a number of other projects, including the Flyfishing Index (FFI) and the Flyfishing-Auction (FFA).

At the same time, family and outside concerns have kept me extremely busy and I just haven’t had the time to take care of iFlies like I want to.

I will not be involved in a half-hearted effort.

As most of you know, and can easily tell, both the FFI and FFA web sites are brand new. In their early stages they need a lot of TLC and constant pampering until they become more established.

Launching a niche site and attracting devoted members is a very time intensive undertaking. Being the webmaster of such a site is not easy by any stretch of the imagination – at least not if the site is going to be of any real value! It demands a lot of work and absolutely no pay-off in the beginning.

I felt it was better to get these two sites up and running and add content as we go along rather than waiting to launch when the site was “done.”

Well friends, I will admit right now that FFI will never be “done” as that’s not the nature of the portal site that I envision FFI will become.

I am committed to giving the fly fishing community the very best I have to offer.

I am very appreciative of anyone that registers at the site and sticks with me in these early days while the site evolves into something we can all enjoy and be proud of.

My plans for FFI and FFA are ambitious and include my desire that many of the online fly fishing community become active participants.

IFlies is a valuable internet property. As fly fishing grows in popularity, it will become even more so.

My desire is that I will be able to establish Flyfishing Index as the main portal to other niche sites related to flyfishing like iFlies and Flyfishing-Auction. Of course, a lot is dependent upon the reception that the Flyfishing Index receives.

If there is interest, it will happen; if not, so be it!

For now, I'm just concentrating on getting the Flyfishing Index off the ground and into the search engines so that fly fishermen everywhere can find us . . . and that, my friends, is no small task!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing is no different; don’t believe everything you hear!

Today’s planned contribution is being saved for tomorrow so I can tell you about an experience I had last night and hopefully pass on a word of caution to anyone willing to listen – especially those new in the sport.

I was in a retail fishing store last evening looking for some fly tying wax and a bottle of head cement.

This place (the name doesn’t matter) isn’t a full-fledged fly shop, but supposedly the guys who run the fly fishing section of the store know what they are doing.

The fly fishing clerks are friendly and always happy to chat with customers about anything related to fly fishing.

Once in a conversation, though, it’s pretty easy to tell which sales people are fly fishing wannabees and which understand what they’re talking about.

Having owned a fly shop back in the 1980’s, and having managed the fishing tackle section of a large sporting goods chain prior to that, I’m somewhat familiar with the kind of turnover that retail stores experience with their sales people.

Most shop owners can’t afford the high price of experience in their sales staff so the typical clerk is a young school kid who loves sports and maybe fishing that can be paid near minimum wage.

Anyway, while I was browsing through the fly tying materials last evening I overhead one of the clerks explaining the finer points of local aquatic entomology to an obviously inexperienced fly fishing customer.

The clerk was explaining the details of a “stonefly hatch” at one of our local high mountain lakes that he had fished with great success last fall before the lake froze over.

The clerk was urging the customer to be prepared to imitate that hatch which would “pick up again early in the spring right at ice out.”

When the customer inquired about the best pattern to imitate the hatch, the clerk suggested a slender olive fuzzy-looking pattern, probably something like a mohair leech (although I couldn’t actually tell exactly which fly he was recommending.)

OK, I know we all have to start from the beginning.

I’m not knocking the fact that the salesman was young, probably new, and had no clue what he was talking about – and I’m certainly not being critical of the inquisitive customer that was sucked into this scenario.

My complaint is with the salesman’s approach.

I believe he has a duty to be forthright, honest, and not expound upon subjects that he has no command of.

If he doesn’t know something about a subject, he ought to go find someone that does and let him assist the customer!

What good does it do to pile horse manure on a trusting but unknowledgeable and inexperienced customer? I think it does way more harm than good.

The lesson to be learned here is simple: if you’re new to the sport of fly fishing and don’t know much about the subject yet, don’t believe everything that comes out of the mouth of a person who is supposed to be speaking from a point of authority (by virtue of the fact that the clerk worked in a fly fishing department one would normally expect that he would have an understanding of the subject matter.)

[ Note for those of you that are new: In my neck of the woods, stoneflies don’t inhabit high mountain lakes, they don’t hatch in the fall and pick up again at “ice out,” and they are not imitated with leech-looking olive colored flies. ]

For those of us who call ourselves fly fishermen, it’s not enough to just dismiss this incident and say, “Let the buyer beware!”

All of us have a duty to new members of the sport to be forthright, up-front, and honest when it comes to helping the less experienced segment of our fraternity.

If we don't know what we're talking about, we ought not to pretend!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing is your gateway to so many other exciting interests.

You know, I’ve personally never lacked for something interesting to keep me busy.

How many times a day have you heard one of your kids, a friend, or even a co-worker exclaim, “I’m bored.”

I have never been bored. Really!

I have always had multiple interests to keep me from being bored. In fact, I have just the opposite problem: I have too many interests and not enough time to pursue each of them.

A couple of nights ago on the news there was a discussion about the largely overweight population of young school-age kids in America.

One of the contributing reasons given for the problem was the fact that school kids nowadays don’t do the same things we older folks did when we were that age.

It’s true! I remember every day after school, and daily during the summer break, heading to the park or playground or ball field to join my friends in a spirited game of baseball, basketball, or football.

We’d run around like crazy fools for a couple of hours until it began to grow dark or until it was time to be home for dinner. It was only after eating that I usually settled down a little to do homework, or see a friend, or enjoy an interest.

I rarely watched television and of course there were no computers to grab my attention like there is today.

I wasn’t concerned about my health way back then; but I now realize what a blessing it was in my life to be very active and always “sweaty” for at least two hours every day.

Flip forward to 2004 and kids’ lives are totally different.

Many young people come right home from school and head to the computer, TV, or Play Station for a couple of hours (or longer) of entertainment. Fingers and thumbs get a workout, but that’s about it.

OK, back to fly fishing. One of the great side benefits of being a fly fisher is that the sport naturally opens the door to so many other interests or hobbies.

Here is my list of fun interests, maybe they should be called “side roads,” that becoming a fly fisher opens the door to:

- Photography . . . it’s a natural extension to fly fishing because you’re outdoors, usually in magnificent surroundings with wildlife, flowers, sunsets and fish to photograph.

I also discovered the world of macrophotography as I began taking pictures of insects (as in trout food) and the flies that I was tying.

- Entomology . . . studying aquatic and land insects is a surprisingly interesting hobby. Of course my interest in entomology stemmed from the fact that, as a fly fisherman, I wanted to know everything there was to know about the way certain insects looked, behaved, and changed during their complete life cycle.

- Hiking/Backpacking . . . the obvious interest for anyone that feels a desire to set out on foot to discover new fly fishing vistas or top secret hot spots from a prized tip.

- Writing . . . for me this was a natural although I realize many folks want nothing to do with the subject. I have always enjoyed writing about fly fishing and have authored some national magazine articles on the subject.

- Web design . . . it was fly fishing that originally brought me to the Internet back in the mid 1990’s. I was captivated by the fact that “the little guy” could have a presence worldwide regardless of where he lived or how wealthy he was.

I am still amazed! In this case, my hobby, fly fishing, led to a number of web sites and some side-line type small businesses.

- Fly tying . . . there are many who take an interest in fly tying once they are hooked on fly fishing.

There’s just something about fooling a wary fish with an imitation you created that is really exciting (at least to me.)

This interest led to a life-long addiction to flies and fishing. In fact, I worked my way through college and graduate school tying and selling flies and working in fly shops.

I’m still a fanatic!

- There are other hobbies that I’ve tried because of my interest in fly fishing.

I’ve enjoyed interests in antique fly fishing tackle, rod building, aquariums (cold water), resource conservation, and even log home construction which I directly attribute to my love for fly fishing. But you can’t pursue them all!

If you want to find some passion in your life . . .

If you’re bored with doing the same things you’ve always done . . .

If you think it’s about time to get off your duff and get active . . .

Then why not? . . . GIVE FLY FISHING A TRY!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

“What’s the point, anyway?”

If you enjoy “catch and release” fly fishing, you’ve no doubt been asked this question many times. I have.

My feelings about the subject are often hard to explain to someone with the mindset of: “Why in the heck do you spend a lot of time, energy, and money to catch a fish if you’re intent on setting it free as soon as you can?”

To me, that kind of question suggests the person asking it has never gone for a walk just to go, has never read a book just because they wanted to, and almost assuredly has never been hunting without a gun or bow.

Make no mistake; there is a raging and sometimes heated discussion about releasing fish back into the wilds after they’ve been caught. I don’t want to discuss the issues and all pros and cons and threads of that debate right now.

I just want everyone to understand that fly fishing has something very positive to offer all its adherents, regardless of which camp they sit in on the “catch and release” issue.

I release most of the fish I catch because I want to.

I don’t consider myself a “do-gooder” or “holier than thou” self-righteous arrogant SOB.

There are occasional times when I keep some of the fish I catch.

I have learned a way to fillet and barbecue fish on the gas grill that produces a summer evening meal fit to die for.

The important point of this article (which I’ve been dancing around so much – sorry for that) is this: for me at least, the joy of fly fishing is in the journey.

Catching fish is the visible target of the pursuit and usually the goal at the end of the preparation.

But I don’t fly fish with the idea that if I don’t catch something my time has been in vain.

I like fly fishing because I like the side interests it offers . . .

I like the details of the preparation . . .

I like the people that I am with when I go . . .

I like the new and unique challenges that arise on every trip as I try to figure out how to fool a fish with my fly . . .

I like the physical activity and movement and rhythm of the casting motion . . .

I like the long cold winter nights spent at the fly tying vise . . .

I like the anticipation of hungry, big, eager fish inhabiting waters I’ve never explored before . . .

I like the satisfaction of letting a beautiful wild fish slip through my fingers back into the current . . .

I like the creativity that fly fishing and fly tying afford to express my own beliefs about where the fish hide, how to coax them out, and how to entice them to strike . . .

And I like the magnificent settings that surround me when I am afield doing what I love – fly fishing!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-02-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing by any other name . . .

OK, let me get this off my chest right now. I know some of you English majors out there are worried about me and my apparent inconsistencies in knowing what to call my favorite pastime.

Is it “fly fishing” (?) or

Is it “fly-fishing” (?) or

Is it “flyfishing?”

Some will say “who gives a !*@#”?

Well, what we call the sport really is important, and I realize that it would be best to be consistent in what we call this thing we do.

The trouble is, I’ve seen all these variations used by knowledgeable people and there seems to be no hard and fast rules about the subject.

On the Internet, however, consistency seems to be at issue and potentially very important as folks type in key words and addresses and other things in their web browsers.

My preferred format for this sport, or hobby, or art-form (as you will) is simply “fly fishing.” That's the way most search engine queries are posted.

My word processor, on the other hand, tries to change “fly fishing” to “fly-fishing” automatically even, as if it were doing the idiot at the keyboard a real favor! This is also the preferred spelling of my Random House/Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 2nd Edition.

I have a dictionary at the office that lists the proper format of the word as “flyfishing.” Ironically, I have consulted another dictionary that only lists the term “fly fishing.” Three dictionaries, three different forms.

Who do you want to believe? Does it matter?

I don’t know. If you have a definitive answer, I’m open to suggestion.

But for now, I simply want everyone to understand that there are several forms of the word in daily use, they all seem to be acceptable to those in the business, and I apologize if I am not consistent with one version.

When you manage a web site, you need to be aware of key words and search terms. Potentially, to a computer at least, “fly fishing” and “flyfishing” and “fly-fishing” are all different things even though we mere mortals understand what we’re talking about regardless of the exact form.

I know this is a boring topic, but I had to get it off my chest. I'll get back to more substance on fly fishing (or fly-fishing) (or flyfishing) in my next post.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

Myth #10 . . . Flyfishing is a mystery - I don’t know where to go to learn how to fly fish.

I’m glad you asked.

There are all kinds of books, videos, magazines and courses devoted solely to the art, sport, and hobby of fly fishing.

I’m guessing that there has been more written on fly fishing than any other single fishing method.

But knowing where to find the best information, knowing what to believe and what to ignore, can sometimes be a mystery.

Information overload is more prevalent today than ever before and you can't always trust or believe what you read.

May I recommend that you begin your search at an Internet web site called the Flyfishing Index. You will find it here:

http://www.flyfishingindex.com

The Flyfishing Index is devoted to providing all the help and resources you need to become a good, or better fly fisherman.

Included at the site are tips, strategies, "how to" articles, open discussion forums, fly fishing gear auctions, and a very comprehensive directory of valuable fly fishing links to related web sites on the Internet.

Why not go there right now and register for the free newsletter, the Flyfishing Fanatic? There is no cost or obligation.

Fly fishermen of all levels, included total novices, are welcome!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Myth #9 . . . Fly fishing is too limiting - I want to be able to employ other methods and tackle as well.

I’m always amazed at this argument - and you may be likewise. Yet, I really have heard this one over and over again.

It suggests that flyfishing is incompatible with any other method of fishing.

Or that you’ll be laughed out of the flyfishing community if you own a spinning or a baitcasting rod.

I think I know how this myth began.

You see, most of the flyfishermen that I know absolutely love this sport so much they have no desire to fish any other way.

I’ve seen the same thing with bow hunters who are so passionate about archery that they prefer not to hunt with a rifle any longer.

What’s wrong with that?

Who cares if you own a fly rod and a spinning rod?

This may well be the reason that fly fishermen are sometimes seen as snobs. There is a myth that they will not tolerate any other fishing method.

While a few flyfishermen may exhibit this elitist attitude: “my way is the only way” - my own feelings have always been more moderate.

Yes, I am passionate about flyfishing.

Yes, I prefer to fish with a fly when I can.

But I don’t look down on other methods as somehow inferior or other anglers as too dumb to be able to master flyfishing.

To each his own!

I say, “Whatever blows wind up your pant leg!”

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

Myth #8 . . . Flyfishermen usually catch little fish, not the lunkers I am after.

I can easily imagine how this myth got started and has been perpetuated year after year.

“You can’t catch big fish on little flies” is the standard response.

Well, my feeling is this: “Big fish are not easily enticed with little flies.”

Trophy fish, the real “lunkers” are wary and careful.

They will generally not be coaxed out of their deep and dark hiding places in broad daylight, especially for tiny mayflies and caddis nymphs that most fly fishermen try to imitate when they fish.

The really large fish that I have taken over my lifetime have usually been caught when it’s nearly dark (very late evening or very early morning) and I’ve been fishing a very large fly pattern like a big wooly bugger or large streamer.

These oversized flies are the big meal that big fish are looking for.

In addition, I will tell you that my biggest fish each year are caught early and late in the season (not during the hottest, longest days of the year in June, July, and August.)

So, what is the definition of a big fish?

No doubt that depends upon whom you talk to. And where the fishing is taking place.

A big trout, for example, for an alpine lake above timberline might be 15" long.

However, in my mind, lowland trout have to be over 20" long to be interesting and over 24" long to be a trophy.

Of course that are places where the fly fisherman can catch very large fish on tiny flies, but the angler's skill is quite critical in such situations.

Tiny flies require tiny, light leader and fine wire hooks which quite frequently fail when attached to mad, thrashing, heavy bundles of pure energy! Makes sense, doesn't it?

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

Myth #7 . . . Flyfishing doesn’t work when the fish aren’t actively feeding or the insects aren’t hatching.

This myth most likely got started by someone who may have observed fast and furious fishing while the aquatic insect hatch was “on” but then noticed an immediate cease to all fish catching success once the hatch ended.

The problem was, of course, that the flyfisherman didn’t adapt his methods and strategies to the conditions astream.

The experienced flyfishermen observe what’s happening in nature and adjust their strategies to fit.

When the visible hatching activity subsides, generally different flies, retrieves, depths, and even locations are employed to counteract changing stream and insect conditions.

Many fishermen, including fly fishermen, don’t observe the signs.

Rather than "matching the hatch" with a rather exact insect imitation, the good fly fishermen know that when visible action ceases it is often time to employ "attractor" type fly patterns.

These are flies designed to entice a fish to strike; not because there is a hatch in progress, but rather because the pattern is attractive for some reason to the fish.

It may be that the fly imitates a non-hatch related food source like a grass hopper or moth; or it could be that the attractor gets a look from a fish because it is floating through the fish's territory (like a minnow.)

Whatever the strategy, the fly fisherman has a lot of choices to employ when there is no visible insect activity on the water.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

Myth #6 . . . Fly fisherman are snobs and they’re not going to help me or let me join them.

It’s funny that the only people you ever hear this myth from are non-fly fisherman. Why is that?

In fact, throughout my fly fishing years (now over 40 plus) I have found fly fishermen, even complete strangers, to be among the most friendly and helpful folks I have encountered on streams and lakes.

They seem to be more approachable and more willing to divulge what’s working and what’s not than any other type of fisherman I know.

In addition, I have found fly fishermen as a group to be more conservation-minded, more courteous to let one “fish through” a stretch of water, and more helpful in a pinch than other groups I’ve met.

Sure, every bushel has a wormy apple or two, but person-for-person I’d rather be in the company of a fly fisherman any day!

If you don't believe me, try this: the next time you're streamside and encounter a fly fisherman, approach him or her and ask if (s)he would mind you watching him for a few minutes.

Stand back out of the way, be observant, and notice how the fly fisherman approaches the water, makes a cast, mends the line, and anything else that might be of interest.

Later, when you can tell the fisherman is getting ready to move on, approach again and ask a question, any question, maybe something like "why do you always cast upstream?" or "how do you keep your line from creating drag on the fly?"

You want to ask a question that shows you've been observing what's been happening, and you have a sincere desire to know more.

I can almost guarantee you'll receive attention to your question and probably more of an answer than you ever expected.

Fly fishermen are fanatical, many of them at least, and they love to talk about their sport. If you are respectful of their fishing time, and show a real interest in learning more, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at just how helpful you'll find these folks!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

Myth #5 . . . Fly fishing is only effective on trout.

Go to any newsstand or bookstore and thumb through any issue of any fly fishing magazine these days and you’ll be amazed at the variety of fish species and water types that are being fished with a fly.

It’s just unreal . . . and I believe fly fishing's influence will keep growing!

Who knows, maybe some day a courageous angler will land a great white shark with a fly rod. Wouldn't that just frost your navel?

Sure the classical image of fly fishing will always be split bamboo fly rods, single action reels, and freshwater trout . . . but there aren’t too many places and fish species that can’t be conquered with a fly rod and some imagination.

Trout, salmon, steelhead, grayling, char, whitefish, bass, crappies, catfish, pike, bluegill, and a host of saltwater fish (like tarpon, bonefish, redfish, snapper, bluefish, barracuda, sharks, and many others) can all be taken on a fly!

Tackle and techniques just have to be adjusted to the fish species and environment to be successful.

I'll bet, no matter where you call home, there's some serious fly fishing happening near you!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

Myth #4 . . . Fly fishing takes coordination and agility and I’m not particularly skilled in that way.

Riding a bike takes some coordination and agility yet there are not many folks around that can’t learn and master this skill.

Fly fishing is similar: once you get the basic casting stroke memorized so that it comes without thinking, you’ll be able to pay attention to the other subtle activities needed to hook and land a fish.

In fly fishing, timing is much more valuable than strength . . .

Observation is much more important than intuition . . .

Patience is more worthwhile than energy . . .

For these reasons, even the elderly enjoy fly fishing since they control the tempo, the surroundings, and the conditions under which they’ll go astream!

Many ladies and teenagers are quite proficient fly fishers. They may not possess the strength or force of a man, but those are sometimes disadvantages in fly fishing, especially in casting.

You will learn that good fly casters let the rod do all the work; hence, to try to force or pressure a fly line into a wind or great distance usually backfires.

If you think you don't have the coordination to be a fly fisher, think again. If you really are uncoordinated but have patience and persistence, you will learn to manage a fly rod with the best of them.

Good instruction, plenty of practice on the lawn, and a persistence to keep at it until you get the hang of it are all that's necessary!

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

Myth #3 . . . Fly fishing is only good in small streams and nice weather.

What a myth this notion is!

Yes, classical dry fly fishing may be most effective on smaller waters and calm days, but fly fishermen are a smart bunch and have learned to adapt their gear and methods to fit nearly all fishing situations and environments.

From deep lakes to freezing temperatures, there is no water that can’t be fished with a fly.

The secret lies in learning where the fish are at various times throughout the year, what will entice them to go after a fly, and which strategies and methods you’ll need to employ to present your fly in a way that will trigger a strike from the fish.

There are lots of ways of gaining the information you’ll need to be a successful fisherman: trial and error, coaching from a successful fly fisherman, learning from the experience of others through books, video tapes, magazine articles, etc., and by hiring someone (like a professional guide) who has the answers you need if you are willing to pay the piper.

Free registration and a great gift are waiting for you at the
Flyfishing Index!

Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

Myth #2 . . . Fly fishing is expensive.

Watch your costs in the beginning and you will be able to upgrade your tackle as time goes on and you get a feel for the things you really need.

Sure, you could drop $1,000 or more easily on just a rod, reel, line, waders, and few flies. But such an outlay to begin with makes no sense.

Instead, opt for used equipment or solid sale merchandize to get your start then change out your tackle items one at a time after you get a feel for what you really need, like, and can afford.

Travel doesn’t need to be an issue either, depending upon where you live.

There are choice fly fishing spots in every state.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the Rocky Mountain West as I do, you’ll have trouble deciding upon which stream, river, or lake to explore next.

I can be knee deep in dozens of streams and lakes within a half hour of home, so the expense of a day’s fishing trip can be limited to a little gas if you take along food and drink from the kitchen.

Learn to tie flies and you’ll have an endless assortment of “bait” at below-wholesale prices.

Professionally guided trips are fairly expensive (maybe $200-350/day), a lot of fun, and have their place, but you certainly don’t need to go this route to hook a lot of fish and have a blast!

Here’s a special tip: find a knowledgeable fly fisherman in your community (or talk to the Pro at the local fly shop or sporting goods store) and ask about joining the local fly fishing club.

There are a bunch around in every state.

Club members often go fly fishing together and have club-hosted outings.

Become a member by paying your annual dues (a minimal amount - $25/year in my club) and you’ll be invited to attend club and members outings.

Share in the gas and groceries and your fishing trips become an even better bargain.

Plus, you’ll undoubtedly learn a lot from the veteran fly fishers on the trip and most likely you’ll be taken to a great fly fishing spot that you may not have known about.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

Myth #1 . . . Fly fishing is difficult to learn and master.

This is the excuse that is most often given as the reason for not giving fly fishing a try. Is it valid?

It doesn't have to be!

Sure, you can force just about any activity there is into a real jumble of complexity if you want to. But with fly fishing there is no inherent need to get fancy.

At the outset, forget the intricate casting details and the Latin bug nomenclature and find a fly fishing friend that will give you the basic fly fishing education you need about what is and what isn't important for a beginner to know.

Or, you can head to your local fly shop and show your interest in learning about fly fishing and you'll quickly be surrounded by zealous and helpful store personnel and probably customers too.

These folks have a passion for their sport and are eager to proselyte its benefits. Chances are you too will be hooked in no time.

You don't have to master the art of fly fishing to realize the immense enjoyment of the sport.

Standing knee deep in a cool and crystal clear stream, framed in majestic mountain peaks and the bright blue sky, on a scorching summer's day testing your skills of fish deception is therapy for even the most extremely stressed soul!

You learned to read when you were five, didn't you? Learning to catch a fish on a fly is no different.

A little practice and some coaching from a friend or one of the many great guidebooks or web sites available will have you making consistent short casts of line in no time.

Remember to wade slowly and quietly – that will put you in the right spot so you don’t have to contend with long casts, tricky currents and annoying brush along the banks that always tangle backcasts.

Tight lines,
Steve
www.flyfishingindex.com

2004-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing is taking the angling world by storm!

Once considered a hobby of elitists and the rich, fly fishing is now a mainstream hobby across the United States and many other parts of the globe.

Old and young alike are rapidly discovering that fishing with a long wispy rod, a simple single action reel, and a thick buoyant line is nowhere near as difficult or expensive as they thought.

Here are ten myths that have kept many from considering the fly fishing hobby.

Don’t let them become the lock on the gate that keeps you from entering the thrilling sport of fishing with a fly!

[ Be sure to come back often and learn about the greatest sport that you will ever participate in!]

Tight lines,
Steve
FlyfishingIndex.com