Why Did I Lose That Fish?
By Kyle Wilkinson
Nobody likes to lose a fish.
’Tis the season that I’m spending a lot of time on the water guiding, and so far it’s been a great year. Whether it be the manageable flows through runoff, good customers, happy fish, good daily bug activity, good weather… everything has been shaping up very nicely and I can’t wait for these next few months with (hopefully) more of the same.
That said, one thing that never gets easier to swallow is when a customer loses a fish, particularly a big one you’ve been working hard to hook. I feel very confident in my ability to calmly coach people through fighting a fish, but the ultimate reality of this sport is that some of them are still just going to get away. This past week dealt me some of the tougher fishing conditions of the season and on top of it, we lost a couple of big fish. Not fun.
Just as most fly anglers seem to make many of the same mistakes when learning to cast a fly rod, the same is true when learning to fight fish. We’ve all heard the same old adages, “Don’t horse him in!”, “Let him run!”, “Just take your time!” (I could go one) but what happens when you’re doing those things and the fish still comes off?
HERE ARE THREE OF THE TOP REASONS I SEE MANY FISH LOST THAT COULD HAVE BEEN LANDED.
Don’t Touch The Reel Handle. This is easily the number one reason I see customers lose fish. It is always a goal of mine to get any fish of size on the reel when fighting it. That said, (and perhaps many of you can relate) having your hand on the reel at the time a fish decides to make a run is a recipe for disaster. When fighting a fish you must always anticipate another run is likely to happen, especially with the first attempt to net it. I see many customers get so caught up in the moment with the fact that they’re bringing the fish closer to the net that –even with my verbal reminding – they seem to forget this. My suggestion if you’ve ever found yourself in the above situation is to practice taking 3-5 quick turns of the reel and then take your hand off. If the fish still seems willing to come closer, grab a few more quick turns and then again… hand off. Work on gaining line back in shorter, more controlled bursts and you’ll be in business!
Use Your Rod Angles. Have you ever watched someone
The Andromeda Strain
I loved that movie when I was a kid, didn’t expect to live it.
If you haven’t seen the 1971 classic “The Andromeda Strain,” well, I guess this is a good time to catch up. The movie is about a deadly virus brought back from space. It’s a good bit deadlier than what we have now and ultimately easier to wrap up in just over two hours, and as far as I can tell they have toilet paper.
It’s a sign of the times, I suppose, that something as simple as a virus can be such a controversial thing. It seems that half of the country is convinced that Covid 19 is a giant hoax while the other half thinks it’s the end of the world. Here in Georgia a man was stabbed to death in the grocery store over a pack of toilet paper. I guess that is a step closer to the world ending. Not from Covid 19 but from mass stupidity.
I’m not going to preach to you. I honestly don’t care how you respond to this pandemic (or hoax if you like), just leave me out of it. As for me, social distancing has become a way of life this past year. I’ve been on lockdown like a New Yorker since last spring, with eye surgeries and the ensuing complications. I’m currently scheduled for surgery #7 on April first. Don’t know if it will happen or not at this point. It has been rescheduled several times due to a prolonged bout of Pneumonia, which I have just beaten.
The recent Pneumonia makes me one of those folks who supposedly die from this current bug, so I’m taking it seriously. I’m not interested in the argument over whether it’s a hoax, a conspiracy or a threat to our existence, I’m just tired of being sick. I’m staying away from people. I’m getting some shit done, trying to eat right and get some sleep. Hopefully soon, I’ll be waking my hands frequently in stream water. I still know a few spots that offer social distancing.
One thing I do know is not a hoax.
Read More »New Fly Rods foe Trout, From Sage: Video
Three new trout centered rods from Sage.
Sage is thinking specific on trout fishing. These three new offerings cover the gambit of trout fishing situation. The award winning Trout LL is a classic medium action fly rod with a focus on dry fly fishing, the Payload is a streamer throwing machine and the Trout Spey HD is an ultralight two hander. If you’re a trout fisher, one of these likely sounds good to you. Maybe all three!
GET THE DETAILS ON THE NEW TROUT RODS FROM SAGE IN THIS VIDEO.
Read More »New Leader and Tippet Material From Umpqua: Video
New nylon, fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon ultra material from Umpqua sports hidden tech.
Can fish see your leader? This new leader and tippet material has up to 5 different coatings to make it less visible in the water. Updated materials promise better knot strength and a handy size guide helps you choose the right tippet for your fly.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR ALL OF THE DETAILS.
Read More »2020 Bonefish School Update
By Louis Cahill
The most rewarding part of my job, by a measure, is working with anglers to help them become effective and self-reliant saltwater anglers.
It’s become a kind of calling and every year it gets better. I guess what I mean is, I get better at it. My Bonefish 101 presentation gets better every year and moving the school to Bair’s lodge has been a huge upgrade, but it also feels like I’m getting a little extra help. The fishing on South Andros has been the best I can remember for the last several years. That certainly makes my job better.
The icing on the cake is the amazing group of returning anglers. The trip is so much fun that folks just want to do it year after year. That makes the experience fantastic for everyone but it does leave me with fewer open spots to offer for new anglers. I’m doing my best to expand the program to accommodate everyone who wants to join, but I always seem to have to turn a few folks away.
So, here’s some good news.
Although this eye condition I’ve been fighting will be with me for some time, I’m back on my feet and feeling confident about the future. I had held back on summer dates for the Bonefish School in case I was not up to it. I’m now confident that I am, so it’s full steam ahead for this summer.
JUNE 6-13 2020 WILL BE THE SUMMER BONEFISH SCHOOL AT BAIR’S LODGE.
The full week trip cost you $4299. That’s a huge savings over the normal rate of $6395! It’s also the last I can offer that great price. Next years school goes up to $4495. Several anglers have already jumped on this deal so spaces are going quickly. Shoot me an email to hookups@ginkandgasoline.com if you are interested.
THE JANUARY 2021 BONEFISH SCHOOL IS ON THE BOOKS FOR JAN 9-16, 16-23 & 23-30.
Rebookings from this year were strong and several anglers have decided to do multiple weeks, so there are only a handful of spots available. I know that makes it tough and I apologize. This trip is just very popular. If you’re interested, get in touch and let’s get you in before it’s all gone.
Let me add a heart felt thank you to all of you who have made the Bonefish School such a huge success, and to each of you who have supported me and Gink and Gasoline through this extremely challenging year. I don’t know if I could have done it without you. I mean that.
I hope you can join me in the beautiful Bahamas this season!
Email hookups@ginkandgasoline.com for more info.
Read More »Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
Five long years had past since I’d last set foot on a flats boat in the Florida Keys.
My previous trip I had left the keys vowing to not return until I was a more capable saltwater fly fisher. A few things were in my favor this time around. The five years that elapsed, had allowed me to drastically increase my fly casting skills. I wasn’t worried anymore about making quick backhand casts to tarpon trying to slip out the backdoor. Targets at eighty feet no longer seemed an impossible distance to reach, and most importantly, I had permanently imprinted in my brain, “Thou shall never set thy hook like a trout fisherman”. There was no doubt I was going to be much more prepared this trip, but even with all the drastic improvements in my saltwater game, I’d still have to cope with being rusty as hell.
Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
I don’t recall whether it was Louis or I that came up with the saying, “Don’t get mad, get even”. What I do know is I started silently chanting those five words on the bow after both of us blew shots at high happy tarpon that first day of fishing. It had become
The Redesigned Lamson Guru Fly Reel
The New Lamson Guru fly reel is a complete redesign.
The new Guru is more than an update in looks. New design features reduce weight and enhance performance. Ported arbors, new drag and new sizes are on the list of updates, as well as new colors.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE NEW LAMSON GURU FLY REELS.
Read More »Tacky Fly Boxes From Fishpond: Video
Most anglers are familiar with Tacky Fly Boxes.
The brand made big waves when they came on the market a few years ago, and for good reason. These simple fly boxes are hard to beat for performance. Tacky dabbled a bit in partnerships with companies like Orvis before finally becoming one with Fishpond this year. Fishpond, known for style and outstanding design and construction, are dead set to take Tacky Boxes to the next level.
GET ALL THE DETAILS ON NEW TACKY FLY BOXES FROM FISHPOND IN THIS VIDEO.
Read More »Who’s Your Buddy?
What makes a good angler a great angler?
Fly fishing is a life long pursuit. That may be what I love the most about it. No matter how good you become, there is always a next level. Around every bend some new revelation. A lifetime of learning. For me, that’s the secret to happiness. Learn something new every day.
I always consider my fishing a work in progress. I never think of it in terms of what I have achieved, rather what’s next. This is in no way false modesty. Life has taught me that I have plenty to learn, whatever the subject. I clearly remember being, what I call, an adolescent angler. Knowing enough to be dangerous and too little to be content. Desperately seeking the next level. But how do you get there? I did it by getting lost.
I was excited about my new Toyota 4 Runner. It had been a while since I’d had four wheel drive and I knew it was going to open up some new water for me. On a crisp winter morning my wife and I hit the road to do some exploring. We followed one Forest Service road after another farther and farther into the North Georgia mountains, snow covering our tire tracks.
In my enthusiasm, I failed to keep up with a few of our turns and at some point had to stop and give the map a good study. Just as I was thinking it would have been smart to have brought food, a green pickup pulled up along side. A friendly fellow in a ball cap bearing the Fish Hawk logo asked if he could help. Dan Flynn would become one of my best friends and we fished together almost every week for years.
Dan is a fly fishing machine. His knowledge of Georgia and North Carolina trout water is endless. Especially the native brook trout streams. I learned more that first year crawling through mountain laurel with Dan than I’d learned in a lifetime of fishing on my own. It was with Dan I caught my first real trophy trout. Twenty-five inches. A great fish for a small Georgia stream. I remember him saying, “fish of a lifetime.”
I owe Dan a great many debts. Not only for what I learned from him and for his friendship but for so many great friends who would follow. It was through him that I met Kent, who continues to school me on a regular basis. And through Kent I met Joel Dickey and Bruce Chard, the guys that taught me the salt. And through Bruce I have met, well, just about everyone in the business. I wouldn’t be where I am without these guys.
So here’s my point. We spend a lot of time selecting our gear, choosing the water, tying the flies, setting up the boat. There’s endless talk about waders and boots and reels and lines. Don’t forget that the most important piece of the puzzle is the guy standing next to you. Choose your fishing buddies
Read More »Orvis Pro Waders: Video
The new Orvis Pro Wader are both tough and feature rich.
The new Pro Wader from Orvis makes some big claims. Test show it to be the most puncture resistant wader o the market. New materials and cut make it a great choice for the athletic angler. Cool new features, like built in knee pads, make it innovative and practical. If you’re in the market for waders, the new Orvis Pro is worth a look,
GET ALL THE DETAILS ON THE ORVIS PRO WADER IN THIS VIDEO.
Read More »