Practice Your Fly Casting With A Plan
I believe that most fly anglers don’t practice their casting because they don’t really know how.
Most anglers count on fishing time to improve their casting. Fishing and practicing are two very different things and if you are working on your cast while fishing, you’re not doing either one very well. Practicing, without a plan, isn’t that productive either. Simply going out on the lawn and hucking as much line as possible isn’t an effective way to practice. In fact, it can reinforce bad habits.
Of course, if you’re really struggling, the best thing to do is work with a casting instructor. That’s a commitment, so we thought we’d lower the bar and bring the casting instructor to you. I spent an afternoon with champion caster, Tim Rajeff on his casting pond and he shared a simple practice plan that will build skills and reinforce good habits.
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND LEARN TO PRACTICE YOUR FLY CASTING LIKE A PRO.
Read More »Stilt Houses of Texas
By Louis Cahill Stilt houses of Texas is a unique and beautiful documentary work by one of my favorite photographers. If you fly fish, the odds are good that you know the photographs of Tim Romano. Even if you don’t know him by name, his work is unmistakable and hard to miss. For me at least, Tim’s images are as much a part of the fly fishing culture as moving water. This year, his first coffee table book was published and, if you fish the Texas coast, the imagery will be familiar. The Stilt Houses that dot the Texas coast are a collection of ad-hoc structures built by squatters over the years. Now owned and managed by the state of Texas, these structures host a culture as unique as the buildings themselves. A unique and enduring expression of Texas individualism. Over the past few years Tim has assembled a collection of hundreds of images, which capture this amazing piece of Texas history with insight and detail that will have you tasting the salt air. If you love the Texas coast, this boo will be near to your heart. Enjoy this collection of photos By Tim Romano. You can buy your own copy of Stilt Houses of Texas here. Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!
Read More »Get Slinky With Your Indicator
By Johnny Spillane
AS WE GET INTO FALL AND FISH ARE BECOMING MORE SELECTIVE AND EATING SMALLER BUGS LIKE TRICOS, FISHING CAN BECOME MORE CHALLENGING. USING A FRENCH SLINKY INDICATOR OR SLINKY INDICATOR CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO HOOK A FEW MORE FISH WHEN THEY ARE BEING ULTRA SELECTIVE OR ULTRA SPOOKY.
I like to use it when fish are in shallow water or they are suspended close to the surface in deep water but not feeding on the surface. Typically, I like to use some sort of dry dropper rig in this situation, but if the fish are being picky and ignoring the flies, it might be because of the larger dry fly used to support the nymphs. They have been seeing that stuff all summer.
Removing it can be a big help, but then you’re stuck with the problem of detecting the strike. A slinky indicator is perfect for that situation. It’s easy for fishermen to see, detects even the subtlest strikes and is very difficult for the fish to see. There is no splash when it hits the water so you can get it in fairly close to fish without spooking them and if you grease it with mucilin it actually floats really well and will support a moderately sized dropper. There are countless other ways to use this rig but this is where I have found it to be the most effective for me.
MAKING THE SLINKY INDICATOR
In order to build the indicator, you’ll need a few things. An empty Bic pen case or something similar, duct tape, 15lb high visibility monofilament and some boiling water.
Cut a two foot section of the mono and tape one end to the pen case leaving a 6- to 8-inch tag and then tightly wrap the mono around the pen 8-15 times depending on how long you want your slinky indicator to be.
Read More »Make Your Next (Or First) Rod Build Epic!
IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
PRESENTS AREN’T THE ONLY THING WE WILL BE WRAPPING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
There’s no doubt that Swift Fly Fishing and Epic Fly Rods have made fiberglass sexy again. For years, they have been pumping out high performance fast-glass and getting their Studio Built bendy sticks into the hands of anglers around the world. What’s even more awesome, Swift also offers all of their blanks in their well-appointed Ready To Wrap rod building kits. Each Ready To Wrap kit includes EVERYTHING you need, from the blank to the fighting butt, to build a quality fiberglass fly rod that is sure to put a big ‘ol smile on your face! There is no hunting for supplies or guess work involved. Simply open the box and follow Epic’s detailed 42-page Instruction Manual. They make it super easy, and even more enjoyable! This week I will begin my third Epic Ready To Wrap build with the 370 Olive blank. I will be posting updates of the build on our social media accounts throughout the build, and, on December 24th, one of you lucky anglers will win a Ready To Wrap kit of your choice!
How To Win:
Head over to Instagram and check out today’s post on @ginkandgasoline and hit that “Like” button!
Follow @ginkandgasoline and @swiftflyfishing on Instragram!
Tag three of your fishiest friends!
That’s it! On Decemeber 24th, we will draw a winner at random! It’s like getting an extra, badass Christmas present! Be sure to follow along during the build process as I wrap up my new small stream bug slinger!
In the meantime, be sure to check out these Epic Ready To Wrap kits and more over at www.swiftflyfishing.com! Use code “G&G10” for 10% OFF any purchase throughout the duration of this giveaway!
Good Luck!
Read More »G&G 2018 Holiday Gift Guide
By Alice Tesar and Justin Pickett
If you are shopping for a fly fisher this year, G&G is your elf on the shelf.
HERE IS OUR LIST OF HOT HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE FLY ANGLER ON YOUR LIST.
RiverSmith River Quiver
New to the scene, the award winning RiverSmith River Quiver is the piece of equipment that just about every angler would love to see mounted to the top of their adventure vehicle. Built in the USA by a group of passionate fly anglers, the River Quiver delivers the quality and protection you demand. Offered in “2 Banger” and “4 Banger” configurations (or double up for the Octo Banger!), you’ll have room for the rods you actually need, and also for the ones you don’t. Each system carries rods up to ten feet in length, has the space to accommodate most rigs up to an 11wt, and offers security features to keep your precious gear out of the hands of would be tackle terrorists!
https://riversmith.com/catalog/category/view/s/products/id/4/
Simms Midstream Vest/Jacket
I’ve been impressed with the Simms insulated gear as of late. The Fall Run and the Downstream jackets are favorites of mine. This year Simms stepped things up with the Midstream insulated vest and jacket, in both men’s and women’s sizes. These mid layers offer the high performance of Primaloft Gold which keeps you nice a toasty on those frosty mornings. Despite the big performance, the Midstream vest offer the angler all of the warmth and comfort that we demand, without the bulk that you might expect.
https://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/mens/layering
Simms River Camo
Simms teamed up with the gurus over at Veil Camo and entered into the world of camouflage with their new River Camo. Simms didn’t just pick a pattern out of a bunch of swatches because it looked cool though. There’s a ton of science behind this cutting edge camo pattern, which is specifically designed based on how fish are able to perceive shape and color. River Camo’s ability to distort the angler’s silhouette and obscure movement will help you get closer to your next big catch! Simms offers their new camo in their G3 Guide waders and Bulkley jacket, as well as several shirts, mid-layers, hats, and accessories, so you’ll be covered for all of your covert fishing needs!
https://www.simmsfishing.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=river+camo
Simms Riverbank Chukka Boot
The fully waterproof, fleece lined Simms Riverbank Chukka Boot will keep you dry around the yard or on the boat. Slip on style and non-marking soles make it ideal for good boat etiquette.
Patagonia Tuff Puff Hoody
Extremely durable, available in men and women cuts, and made for layering in the coldest months of the year, the Patagonia Tuff Puff Hoody is the perfect gift. Elastic cuffs that are DWR coated, tool attachment points, and 2-low profile pockets the size of fly boxes make any angler will feel at home in this layer.
Patagonia Middle Fork Packable Waders
For the minimalist in your family. High-tech meets low weight, at 26oz these waders pack down to the size of a water bottle. H2No® Performance Standard fabric with a waterproof/breathable barrier and a DWR finish makes icy high alpine lakes bearable for hours longer than your wool socks and hiking boots do.
Read More »Sunday Classic / Friends Don’t Let Friends Fish Muds
“THIS IS THE KIND OF BONEFISHING THAT RUINS YOU. THE KIND OF FISHING THAT IMPAIRS YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.”
The sky is a perfect robin’s egg blue. Reflections of the morning sun dance on the underside on the mangroves giving the bright green leaves an unnatural glow. A breath of breeze cools my face in contrast to the warm sun on my back. Sixty or seventy yards in front of the boat there is a small school of nice size bonefish moving our way along the edge of the mangroves. It is a perfect morning on South Andros.
This flat is called Dodum. Dodum flat is a large white sand flat adjacent to the ocean at the mouth of Dodum Creek. The sand of the flat is as perfect as fresh snow and the water is a uniform depth of one to four feet depending on the tide. With the tide out, it’s a great wade and with it in, you can spend a whole day poling a boat around it. Dodum is big. Picture a Wal-Mart. Now picture the piece of land a Wal-Mart sits on, parking lot and loading docks included. Dodum is five times that size.
The tide is just beginning to fall and Captain Freddy is poling Kent and me along the mangroves at the edge of the flat. We are picking up fish as they come out of the mangroves with the tide. They are nice fish, averaging five or six pounds and there are plenty of them. We’re putting good numbers on the board early.
This is Kent’s first trip to South Andros. It’s my favorite place in the world to fish and he’s listened to me go on about it for countless hours. It’s our third day of fishing and, though the fishing has been good, Kent has yet to have one of those South Andros ‘magic days’. Almost anyone who has fished this place knows what I’m talking about. When the stars line up, things happen on South Andros that make your friends call you a liar.
Though Kent and I fish together all the time and have made some truly epic trips together, it just hasn’t worked out for us to make this trip. I’ve lost count of the days I’ve spent on Andros, but for me this trip is special. This time I get to show my best fishing buddy my favorite water in the world. Any fish I catch is a surplus to my excitement. Watching Kent, a look of child-like wonder on his face, soak in the beauty of this place and feel the power of these fish, that’s what I’m here for.
“You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille,” Freddy bursts into song as
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / The Art Fly Tying
Hugo Harlin is a 24 year old Swedish fly tyer, and a straight up artist.
It was just four years ago that Hugo saw an article in a magazine on tying a marabou streamer. He dug his fathers old tying kit out of the attic and began what would be a life long passion. Now, when he isn’t studying physics and engineering, he spend his time crafting some of the most beautiful flies you are likely to see. Some of them get fished, and some are purely works of art.
Take a few moments to check out Hugo’s creations, or maybe order one of your own.
THE ART OF FLY TYING
Read More »The Orvis Pro Vest: Video
The fishing vest is not dead!
A lot of anglers, including competition anglers, are fishing in vests rather than packs these days. Today’s fishing vests look and perform very differently from the old school vests we saw on the water for decades. New vests are high tech and feature-rich.
That’s certainly a fair description of the new Pro Vest from Orvis. The Pro Vest has some classic features you’ll recognize and some new features you’ll enjoy.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE NEW ORVIS PRO VEST.
Read More »Starting Fly Tying Season Off Right
By Bob Reece
While some people tie flies year round, the majority of fly tying in the Northern hemisphere takes place during the winter months. As the chill builds in the air, we move into this time of year filled with hours spent behind the vise and a building anticipation of next season’s adventures. The following are four tips to consider as you move forward into another spell of spinning up bugs.
Dedicated Work Area
If at all possible, set aside a dedicated work area for your tying. Having a platform where your supplies can be stored, organized and left out saves immense amounts of time. Without this, tying time is lost to transporting, setting up and putting away tying tools and materials. With a dedicated work space, creation can begin as soon as you sit down. If needed, patterns can be left partially completed in the vise until your return.
Deep Clean and Donate
As years pass, the drawers, cabinets and other storage compartments for your fly tying materials can turn into matted dungeons of unused creative goods. Prior to getting behind the vise this year, pull all of your materials out of their storage areas. Inventory, sort and organize the supplies that you’ll be using this year. The inventory will help with the next tip below. Sorting and organizing will help you increase your efficiency, resulting in more bugs tied. Set aside those materials that you know you’ll never use and donate them to a good cause!Organizations like Project Healing Waters, community fly tying classes and fly fishing clubs at your local schools will be happy to put those supplies to use.
Material Orders
A new year of tying often brings with it the need or “need” for new tying materials and
Read More »The Magic of Soft Hackles
SOFT HACKLES ARE THE SHARKS OF THE FLY BOX.
Like the shark, the soft hackle is one of the oldest of its ilk, and like those ancient predators, it has evolved very little from its inception. Like the shark, it is a deadly design that could not be improved upon. Take, for example, the Kebari flies used by tenkara anglers for hundreds of years. Basically Soft Hackles with a reverse hackle. So effective, that traditional tenkara anglers only fish one pattern. Many modern fly anglers overlook traditional Soft Hackle patterns that are as effective today as ever.
There are two primary reasons for the effectiveness of the soft hackle. For starters, it’s the ultimate impressionistic pattern. It looks like almost everything on the aquatic menu. A fish who is looking for something specific is very likely to see it in a soft hackle. The second reason is, there’s just no wrong way to fish one. If you struggle with getting a drag free drift, a soft hackle is a very forgiving pattern. As long as it is in the water, it will produce fish.
FISHING SOFT HACKLES
As I said, there is no wrong way to fish these flies, but there are some proven tactics you can employ. For starters, dead drifting the fly as a nymph is never a bad plan. The Soft Hackle is as effective in this role as any pattern. That said, the dead drift does not take advantage of some of the pattern’s unique properties.
Perhaps the most common and most productive presentation for a Soft Hackle is the swing. The hackle has a tendency to trap an air bubble making the fly a natural emerger pattern. There are tying techniques, which I will go into, that enhance this effect. When fished deep and swung to the surface, the glowing air bubble inside the hackle is more than any trout can resist. One of my favorite ways to rig this pattern is to drop it about sixteen inches behind a Wooly Bugger with some weight in front of the Bugger. Drift the team deep through a run then lift them to the surface or quarter them down and across and let then swing and hold on.
When fishing from a boat, it’s very effective to cast a Soft Hackle straight across the current and retrieve it slowly, about four inches at strip. A hand-twist retrieve works well. This is also effective when teamed with a Bugger. Even more fun,
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