Most flies are OK. Some work well. Some consistently produce, and they’re my Confidence Flies. My list of such flies does vary over the years; for example, I these days rarely throw a Pheasant’s Tail, Hare’s Ear, Frenchie, or Pat’s Legs. They don’t seem to work as well, and I suspect that is because many
Best Flies and DIY Spots: Easy Links
These flies work, and these rivers produce. Links are below. Note that these are all amply-stocked waters that many already visit and about which much information already has been published. I’ve found that many rivers are sub-par. I track in my fishing journal what fly patterns work on which waters. So, the links below are
At Long Last
With some autumn rain at long last upon us, our rivers became swollen and the banks were scoured once again by rising water. It was a perfect opportunity to sling big, articulated streamers with my seven-weight. At dawn, it was a chilly 29 °F and warranted some nitrile gloves to keep my hands dry. They
Last Chance Dance at Rapid River (Part 1)
A short water release video of a Rapid River brook trout in spawning colors. “You guys should come back the last week in September.” These were the parting words that I had heard three months earlier in mid-June from the manager at Lakewood Camps. As I made my way down to the dock at the
Say Yes to the Dress
It is easier for a man to cast a fly through the eye of a needle than to find a perfectly matched angling partner. I sometimes wonder whether is it harder to find a suitable mate than the ideal fishing friend. So many aspects of a fishing tandem have to fall within fairly narrow boundaries
‘Twas the Night Before Fishing
‘Twas the night before fishing It’s 3 am, and I am wide-awake. My alarm is set for 6 am. Three hours of good sleep-time left, and I am squandering it: tossing and turning, not being able to put three good winks together. It’s not caffeine that’s keeping me awake, nor is it bad pizza. I’m