Saturday Shoutout / Collin Carlson Speaks Out For Utah
WORDS OF TRUTH SPOKEN FROM THE HEART.
“There’s worse things in life than being honest, and true to what you believe.” That’s what Collin Carlson said to me not too long ago. This week, Collin (the F-ing Man) Carlson lives up to his words. In this heartfelt video he makes a case for anglers’ rights to water that defies argument.
This impassioned plea is not academic. Utah anglers are about to lose the right to fish their water and in the process Utah will set a dangerous precedent for other states. This is a time-sensitive issue. Please watch this video. Please get involved. And show some support for Utah anglers.
Watch the video, Utah Stream Access. You’ll be glad you did. And if you like what Collin has to say, check out his site, Finpusher.
Read More »Dealing With The Loss Of A Dear Cousin And Fishing Buddy
I recently lost a dear, dear, cousin and fishing buddy of mine. Matt Meyer, lived 950 miles away in Minneapolis, KS, so I didn’t get the opportunity to fish with him all that much. But whenever I was lucky to fish side-by-side with Matt, it was pure bliss. Our times together on the water were spent with constant laughter, cold beers, and black bass bending our rods. When the sun set, and the fishing rods were stowed, we’d spend the rest of the evening barbecuing and eating until we were sick to our stomachs. God, he had the worlds greatest laugh. It was one that had the power to instantly wash away all the stresses of life as soon as it hit your ears. I’m really going to miss hearing that laugh. When our two paths crossed, generally only every two to three years, Matt and I always spent as much time as our busy schedules permitted, fishing bass ponds together and expressing our love for one another. I’ve got memories fishing with Matt as far back as Kindergarten. The first memory I can recall, ends with me hooking into a bass that pulled so strong, Matt’s Dad had to grab me by the waist to keep me from getting pulled into the pond. We’ve got a polaroid picture, somewhere in the photo albums, with Matt and I proudly holding up bass from that day.
Read More »What makes a fly reel worth the money?
I RECEIVED THIS EMAIL THE OTHER DAY FROM MY GOOD FRIEND BRIAN BOGGS.
“Louis, I’m looking for the right four-wt reel. I am of a mind to shop the low end for reels since I don’t catch large fish that need to be fought on the reel. Is there any reason to not just buy a cheapie and get on with the fishing? How much difference does the reel make anyway? I think of it as line storage and little else.”
It always makes me a little crazy to hear that ‘line storage’ remark. I don’t know who started it, buy they did a disservice to a great many anglers. Hearing it from Brian made me especially nuts. Brian, you see, is a man with a very specific skill set.
You may not be aware that there is a subculture among us who are devotees of an ancient art form, so ubiquitous that most of us take it completely for granted. These folks, craftsmen and collectors alike, obsess over the minutiae of this endeavor to the point of needing serious therapy. I am not even kidding. Brian Boggs is a chair maker.
Boggs Rocker
Boggs Rocker
I realize that means very little to most folks, but to the initiated its a title like Captain or Reverend. And Brian Boggs is not just any chair maker. Since the death of Sam Maloof, in 2009, many people consider Brian the greatest living chair maker. He makes chairs for which the owner is measured to one sixteenth of an inch before construction. They are so comfortable it makes you want to weep. He also designs exquisite, and outrageously expensive, hand tools for companies like Lie-Nielson. The man is brilliant, uncompromising and wildly obsessive. My answer to his question was simple.
“Yes Brian, a fly reel is line storage. In the same way that a chair is ass storage.”
After convincing Brian he should take his reel purchase more seriously, I decided to share what we discussed here. Fly reels are expensive and the design features that separate great reels from not-so-great reels are not always readily apparent. Especially if you are shopping online, as we do more and more. The reel is, however, a very important part of your set up, even when you think you’re not using it. It’s an important choice that is worth spending some of your time, and money.
Value
Before I get into the features of fly reels and why they matter I’d like to make a point about value. Lots of anglers
Sunday’s Classic / Two Anglers Are Often Better Than One
There’s times when I really enjoy fly fishing in complete solitude, all alone, just me and the river. That said, my best angling skills seem to come out when I’ve got a buddy fly fishing alongside me.
You can’t enjoy camaraderie on the water by yourself. There’s no high-fives, no passing the victory flask around, and worst of all, it’s awfully hard to snap a quality photograph of you and your prized catch. Wait a minute, I take the latter back. It is possible to get a good photo by yourself if you’ve figured out a way to strap a tri-pod to your back and you’re also willing to lug it around all day. That being said, the main reason I think two anglers are often better than one, is because it allows you to work as a team, and that generally makes it much easier to find success on the water.
Louis and I have had pretty consistent success fishing together over the years. Even during really tough fishing conditions we generally find a way to put enough fish in the net during the day to call it a win. The biggest reason for this is because we’re always working together to decipher the fish code. Fly Fishing as a team, we figure out what the fish are feeding on, where they’re primarily located, and what are the hot fly patterns. We make a point to never tie on and fish the same patterns first thing in the morning, and quite often, we don’t even start out fishing in the same water column. This allows us to quickly eliminate what’s not working and adjust our fishing tactics to what fish want.
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Fly Fish Food, Don’t Muck Up My Trout Water
This week’s Saturday Shoutout, Fly Fish Food sheds light on five rules they live by at the fly tying vise and our GA Trout Unlimited Council calls for everyone to VOTE NO against Senate Bill 299, which has the potential if passed, to have longterm negative effects on all of our watersheds in the state of Georgia.
Read More »Fly Fishing: The River Knows by Christopher Puddy
Today, we’re pleased and honored to bring you an inspirational work of fly fishing alliterative verse by Christopher Puddy. Christopher’s an amazing poetry writer, author, professor and loyal Gink & Gasoline fan. Puddy’s work, “The River Knows” is his take on man’s connection with nature. He uses imagery of outdoor landscapes, flowing water and fly fishing to show how these environments and activities help man connect with his primal self.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Alliterative verse, it’s a form of verse that uses alliteration as the principle structuring device to unify lines of poetry, as opposed to other devices such as rhyme and syllables.
THE RIVER KNOWS
Though these ligaments lament the rueful rigors of this trying trek
And my muscles moan as I creepingly crest
The humbling hills which ruggedly ring
The bouldered basin of that verdant valley
Where I with rustic rod and lethal lures will daily do
Bitter battle with the spiteful spirit of this roaring river,
I now know that these piercing pains
Are but the promising prelude to a rapturous revelation
Whose most treasured truths are fatefully found
Within the mystical might of the wondrous waters in which I wistfully wade.
A Closer Look, Blood Red
THIS AMAZING NORTH CAROLINA RAINBOW TROUT WAS CAUGHT BY MY OLDEST AND DEAREST FRIEND, JOHN GIRARDEAU.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a fish with color like this. What a remarkable creature. John hails from Denver CO, but I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in NC after landing this beauty.
Read More »The 2014 Gink and Gasoline Fly Fishing Photography Contest Is On!
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!
Time for you to hit us with your best shot…of 2013.
The annual Gink and Gasoline fly fishing photography contest is on. Send us your best fly fishing photos shot in 2013 and win one of these fabulous prizes. (I just love saying fabulous prizes!)
PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT INCORRECT SUBMISSIONS.
•All submissions must be in by midnight EST on Feb 8th 2014.
1st Place An Echo3 590-4. 9ft four-piece fly rod for a five weight line. Value $350
Echo
2nd place A Fishpond Westwater Boat Bag. Value $220
Fishpond
3rd Place A RIO Perception fly line. Value $90
RIO
Last year’s contest was amazing and we can’t wait to see what you and that camera of yours have been up to all year. We have a panel of rock star judges lined up, so get those entries in.
This year’s esteemed judges include:
Brian O’Keefe
Brian needs no introduction. Co-founder of Catch Magazine and one of the true heavyweights of the fly fishing industry. Whether he’s wielding a fly rod or a camera, Brian is pure perfection.
http://www.brianokeefephotos.com
Andrew Bennett
Founder of Deneki Outdoors and godfather of the fly fishing blogosphere, Andrew is a true pioneer in fly fishing media. In addition to being a Skagit Master and king of the bonefish, he knows a thing or two about great photography.
http://www.deneki.com
Whitney Ott
Whitney is one of the brightest rising stars of editorial lifestyle. One of the most talented and prolific photographers I know, this girl makes it look easy. Her clients include Garden and Gun, Entertainment Weekly and The Bitter Southerner. And her Instagram feed is not to be missed!
http://www.whitneyott.com
HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET IN ON THE ACTION.
Read More »Sunday Classic / Better Posture For Line Speed
REMEMBER WHEN YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU TO STAND UP STRAIGHT?
Yeah, forget all that. Posture matters but so few people think about the basics, like how they stand when they cast. The basics are exactly what makeup great casting technique so today Bruce is going to explain how your stance can put power into your cast. It’s a simple tip that will really help you punch that line into the wind so watch and practice.
Saturday Shoutout / Low Country Lournal
REDFISH! REDFISH! REDFISH!
I just got home from a week of muddy water, high winds and spartina grass on some of the souths best low country. Even though all I can boast about is one good day of fishing, four days of driving and three soggy frozen boat rides, I’m still pumped up on all thing redfish. I’m just not ready for it to be over, so this Saturday’s shoutout continues the redfish fever!
If it’s cold and blowing or there are no redfish where you are, slip on you’re sandals, open a beer and take a ride with Doug Roland and the boys from Lowcountry Journal. Life is good in the lowcountry.
These boys know redfish. Check out Lowcountry Journal
Read More »