Fly Fishing Karma
The feeling of losing a big trout can be heart breaking, especially when it’s a fish of a life time, but it happens to all of us, some just more than others. Most of the time fish are lost because of angler error during the fight, but every once in a while, there’s really no clear identifiable explanation, and all we can do to move forward with a positive attitude, is believe some fish just aren’t meant to be caught. Recently, I had a day on the water where the fly fishing was absolutely epic but no matter how hard my client and I tried, we kept unbuttoning our best fish right before I could get a net on them. At the end of the day, when all the cards had been laid out, I had an epiphany. Below is a break down of the day and my new theory on why certain fish are lost and others are landed.
Read More »Is Carrying A Gun On The Water Ever The Right Thing To Do?
I HONESTLY HAD NO IDEA WHAT A HOT BUTTON ISSUE THIS WAS.
Until I posted a link on Facebook the other day to the new Fishpond sling pack and commented that it was designed to carry a pistol. Man, did that post ever light up. The discussion got pretty heated with anglers on both sides of the issue having very strong opinions. It made me think a little harder about my own views and I thought it was worth opening the topic here.
I’m not looking to start a gun control debate. Let’s save that conversation for another forum. I just want to address the idea of carrying a gun while fishing. In the interest of disclosure, I will say that I own a fair number of guns. Handguns, shotguns and rifles. I strongly believe in the right to own them and I believe that the vast majority of gun owners are quite responsible. I also do not carry a weapon, other than to and from shooting it.
The reason I don’t carry a gun is simple. I don’t want to shoot anyone. I don’t want it on my conscience and I don’t want to deal with the ramifications. I generally don’t believe in the unnecessary taking of life. By leaving my guns at home I greatly reduce the chances of having to make hard decisions under pressure. Come in my house uninvited while my wife and I are in bed and we’ll have a very different discussion.
I should also say that these are my personal decisions and I do not judge others who make different choices. I just ask, very politely, that they not shoot me or my loved ones and I try not to give them reason.
These choices are in no way academic or untested. I’ll not go into the stories here but I have found myself looking down the barrel of a gun on almost a half dozen occasions, knowing that the person on the other end had no problem, or every intention of pulling the trigger. So far I have a pretty good track record with crisis management.
I have, on two occasions however, carried a gun when fishing.
Once was for protection from animals. I am an animal attack magnet. I’ve been attacked by just about everything with fur and one day while fishing a favorite stream I was attacked by an
Read More »Sunday Classic / 10 Tips to Keep You Catching Fish During Your Fly Fishing Travels
It’s easy to get out of your game when you’re traveling and fly fishing a new piece of water. It has happened to me plenty of times, where I find myself fly fishing and going against all my fishing catching principles. Stick to what works for you on your home water and keep your confidence, and you’ll be landing beautiful fish in no time. Below are ten principles that I always make sure I live by when I’m fly fishing abroad on unfamiliar waters. 1. Spend your time fishing productive water, don’t waist your time fishing subpar water. 2. Look for the 3 C’s (Cover, Current, Cusine) to locate the hotspots. 3. Always position yourself where you can get your best presentation and drift. 4. Have your fly rig setup correctly for the water you’re fishing (nymph rig set correctly, long enough leader for spooky risers, correct tippet size, ect). 5. Take the time to figure out the food source the fish are keying in on. Take regular bug samplings throughout the day and keep an eye out for aquatic insects on the water. 6. Always fish with confidence and fish hard. Persistence usually pays off. 7. Don’t be afraid to move on if the water your fishing is slow. Even pack up and change watersheds if fishing conditions are bad enough. Its saved me on many fishing trips. 8. Do your research before you leave on your fishing trip. Don’t be afraid to hire a guide the first day so you can get dialed-in and understand how to fish the water correctly. 9. Pack your fly tying materials and vise with you. You never know when you’ll run out of the hot fly pattern or need to tie up a pattern you don’t have in your fly box. 10. … Continue reading
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Deeter on Competitive Fly Fishing
KIRK DEETER IS THE MAN!
I don’t know of anyone who gets more universal respect in the fly fishing world than Kirk Deeter. Not only is Kirk one of the smartest and most knowledgeable folks to ever hold a rod, his head and his heart are in the right place as well. When Kirk Deeter talks, everyone listens. Especially me.
That’s why I’m glad that Kirk has taken on the topic of competitive fly fishing. This piece he has written for Fly Talk is spot on. It’s not a condemnation of competitive fly fishing, nor is it some airy fairy ethical argument based on ascetics. It’s a very honest look at some real problems with the idea of competitive fly fishing for trout.
Kirks ideas are worth your time whether or not you ever intend to compete.
CHECK OUT
“WHY I’M NOT SURE COMPETITIVE (TROUT) FLY FISHING WILL EVER WORK”
Read More »New Technical Outerwear From Simms
A BOLD NEW LOOK BORROWED FROM THE MILITARY.
Simms really stepped up their outerwear line this year. The new G4 pro jacket begs the question, “How much farther can you go?” The features of this jacket are amazing. The fit is outstanding and the design is inspired. I’ve had a couple of Simms jackets and this one is my favorite by far. Simms worked with US military contractors on the design and it’s bad to the bone. The new black model has the look to back it up.
In addition the new Kinetic Jacket is a well thought out update of one of my favorite Simms insulating pieces. A great combination of PrimaLoft and Polartec Wind Pro fleece that’s both warm and durable. These two pieces together will keep you warm and dry no matter how bad the weather gets.
Check out this video and Rich Hohne will walk you through all the features of the new Simms outer ware.
Read More »Sunday Classic / Better Bonefish Retrieve
So you’ve found yourself a bonefish and you’ve made that big cast into the wind, now what?
The propped retrieve is key to success. There are several things keep in mind. The speed and length of the strip, keeping slack out of the system. And what if the fish follows but doesn’t eat? Bruce Chard is back to help you get it all right and hook that fish!
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Midcurrent Talks To Keaton
I ALWAYS ENJOY MARSHAL CUTCHIN’S INTERVIEWS.
They’re personal and pertinent, warm and wise. You just feel like you’re there in the room. Marshal’s recent interview with actor Michael Keaton is no different.
They discuss fly fishing, acting, bird hunting, mortality and the joy of bing lost in ones own focus, both on the river and in work. The interview is available in both audio and text.
Michael Keaton stars in the new film “Birdman” directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, a work that required “unbelievable patience.” ”Birdman” arrives in theaters on October 17, 2014.
INTERVIEW: MICHAEL KEATON ON ACTING AND FLY FISHING
Read More »Airflo Gets Good and Salty
AIRFLO HAS BEEN KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE PARK LATELY.
Their Super Dri line, which came out earlier this year is one of the best trout lines I’ve ever cast. You can read more about that line HERE. Now Airflo is stepping up their saltwater game by adding Bruce Chard to their list of expert line designers.
It’s easy to see how this is a game changer. Airflo is an industry leader in materials and technologies and I don’t know,two,guys who know more about fly casting than Tim Rajeff and Bruce Chard.
The new Airflow, Bruce Chard line will feature the Airflo Ridge Technology and well as a low stretch core and the new Airflo Zone Technology. I’ve cast the prototype and let me tell you, it’s dynamite.
Check out this video where Bruce and Tim walk you through the features of the new line.
Read More »8 of the Spookiest Waters to Fish
WARNING!
Your home water could be on this list and you may not even know that it is haunted. This is a fly fisher’s Halloween brought to you by Gink and Gasoline! Enjoy reading about the top 13 spookiest places to fish … Look out behind you!
#1) The Red River, TN
You can fish for striped bass, largemouth, catfish, and more all throughout the year on Tennessee’s Red River. Not only is it a great warmwater river to fish, but it also comes with a dark past. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most well known supernatural stories in American history. President Andrew Jackson even acknowledged the tales of the witch spirit who terrorized Betsy Bell while he was in office! You can reach the famous Bell Witch Cave by the Red River, which runs by the Bell family property. A witch has terrorized this cave for centuries, and there have been a few eerie sightings of the Bell Witch on the Red River as well.
#2) The Potomac River, MD
The Potomac River is home to largemouth bass, striped bass, witches, and smallmouth bass. In Mallow’s Bay, which is apart of the Potomac River, you will find the biggest ship graveyard in the entire western hemisphere. Mallow’s Bay contains over 230 ships that were sunk in its waters. Not only does the Potomac River hold ghostly ship graveyard, but it also runs through the Black Hills – the famous location of the Blair Witch Project!
#3) Rock Creek, PA
Rock Creek, also known as the Monocacy River, is a well-known trout fishing destination on the East coast. Rock Creek is in south-central Pennsylvania and runs across the state borer into Maryland. You know what it also runs through? Rock Creek runs through Gettysburg, the site of the bloodiest battle in the history of the United States. Over 45,000 soldiers lost their lives by Rock Creek, and locals still report sightings of Confederate soldiers firing muskets across the once bloody waters.
Baby Tarpon Slam Fest
By Bruce Chard
IT’S FALL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS AND THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO THE BOAT RAMP.
Its 83 degrees and still pitch dark outside. The AC in the truck is trying to cut through the high humidity. You can see limp flags, but doubt lingers that the water is actually glass calm until you reach that first bridge where you can inspect the true water conditions. AHHHH YES! Glass.
This not only confirms the guarantee of at least an enjoyable morning on the water, but also creates an instant increase in moisture build up on the outside of your lips, as you nervously lick them over and over. With every lick the RPMs on the truck engine increase as we envision how good the baby tarpon fishing should be.
These calm, hot and humid weather conditions combined with an increase in floating sea grass build up are common in the fall and play an important role in reducing oxygen content in the shallow water by early in the morning. This forces shrimp to leave the protection of the sea grass below and drives them up to the surface in search of more oxygen. As the shrimp try to reach the surface and break through the sea grass the baby tarpon and snappers are there to greet them.
Any shrimp that make it to the surface then get plucked up by any number of different sea birds hovering above. This creates an incredible feeding frenzy that can all be seen on the surface of the water from a long way away. Baby tarpon rely on these shrimp hatches as a main food source. Staging up in these areas during the fall months allows them to take advantage of shrimp hatches whenever the conditions are right.
I hear many of my anglers commen
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