The art of fly tying is just that; Art. Each crafted fly, in it’s true essence, is an impressionistic sculpture where form and function are joined in a spiritual union. While the average fly tier may be unaware of Louis Sullivan’s axiom “form follows function” and Frank Lloyd Wright’s belief that “form and function are…
I love rowing a drift boat. Time on the oars puts me in a meditative state and I become one with the current. Let’s face it, when you’re fishing you concentrate on where you are casting. In a day of throwing streamers or dries, a full day can pass and you rarely lifted your eyes…
At some point in a career of swinging flies, you’re going to catch a fish on the dangle – and that unanticipated thump on the end of the line will nearly yank the rod from your hands. With any luck, the drag won’t stick and a fear induced, Bassmaster Classic hook set won’t disengage the…
I’ve been swinging flies for trout and steelhead for over 20-years – classic, winged-wet flies that have been catching trout for over a century in Europe and the United States. During my career as a wet fly fisherman I have discovered some truths about swinging a fly down and across stream: The more line you…
The 2015 spring steelhead season is fast approaching and booking for beginner classes is now open. When choosing a date for your class, keep in mind that run timing varies from year to year and weather plays an important role in steelhead migration. The peak of the migration generally occurs around the last week of…
This may sound strange but when I’m fishing with a guide, I’m much more interested in the education they can provide than actually catching fish. I rate the value of the day not on the number of fish I caught, or the size, but the amount of information that was shared and the quality of…
When I began steelhead fishing back in the early 90’s, the primary fly fishing method in Great Lakes tributaries was mostly chuck-and-dunk. A fly was tied about eight-inches behind enough weight to sink it to the bottom of the river and the fly was “ticked” along the gravel in current seams. Egg patterns, spring wigglers…
I have decided that the winter of 2013 has determined my maximum tolerance for snow, ice and arctic temperatures. Normally my fall and winter days are consumed by chasing waterfowl and upland birds (for gourmet meals and fly tying materials) but this past season, drought, followed by early freeze and a ridiculous amount of snow…
I ran across the display above while talking about smallmouth fishing with my old friend Bob Nicholson. Bob and I have spent many years fishing for trout on the Muskegon River in Michigan. In the summer when trout fishing slows down, the Muskegon becomes a really great smallmouth fishery. Enquiring about the chart, of course,…
Since I retired I have spent up to a month each year fishing on the Muskegon River in Michigan. While many fishermen think that fishing every day is absolute ecstasy, fishing day after day can start to become work after a while and It is like running guide trips without getting paid. Early June on…