This is Part 2 of an occasional series on the links between fly fishing and neuroscience. Read Part 1 here. We can be our own worst enemies. We can regret prior decisions or worry about the future almost without pause. It is all normal and is based on neuroscience. But, none of that seals our
At the Vise: New Stoneflies
It may be overkill, but I’ve been working on new stonefly patterns. Some time ago, I bought assorted patches of muskrat and beaver at Concord Outfitters. I also have some Angora goat dubbing, which is incredibly spiky. It also is very unwieldy until you cut the fibers shorter. Put on a dubbing loop and spun,
Life Lessons from Labrador
It was the fall of 2017, and I was in northern Labrador, waist deep in the McKenzie River. My sloping shoulders portrayed the characteristic posture of a frustrated angler tying on another fly. The river felt cold flowing around my thighs while my flies remained untouched. My angling skills appeared to be no match for
At the Vise: Dave Hughes’ Fur Wet Flies
Dave Hughes ties some very buggy-looking flies. I recently read his Wet Flies book and think it ranks up there as one of the best fly tying books I’ve read. Some of his flies incorporate pine squirrel fur, which is very lush and spiky at the same time. He uses the fur for the tail,
