Links for switch and spey rod casting techniques

Want to learn some techniques for casting Spey and Switch rods?  Learn about the correct selection of equipment with video demonstrations using two handed rods and various lines. Check out the following links:

www.silverbowflyshop.com/blog/spey-switch-rods/

www.Redsflyfishing.com/

In Memory of the Ole Man of the River… Don Campbell

This poem by an unknown author was posted in the "Ole Man of the River" lodge by Don Campbell prior to his passing in 2005.  Known as "The Ole Man of the River", Don's legacy as an icon for the love of fly fishing is a standard by which all that knew him would wish to achieve.

God, grant that I may live to fish

Until my dying day.

And when it comes to my last cast

I then most humbly pray;

When in the Lord’s safe landing net

I’m peacefully asleep

That in his mercy I be judged

As big enough to keep.

In Memory of the Ole Man of the River… Don Campbell

Not just a plain ole knot...

Check out this website. It has step by step illustrations on how to tie well over a hundred knots. This reference for understanding how to easily tie Knots, particularly fishing knots, is the best instructional knot tying illustration I have run across.

http://www.animatedknots.com

AUTUMN'S MAGIC . . . .

Fly fishing in autumn may possibly be the most enjoyable season of the year to connect with nature's majestic presentation of beauty. Breathing the crisp autumn air somehow magically heightens an awareness of colors used to decorate the environment and hints a soft reminder of winter's chill lingering in the breeze.

The presence of autumn somehow seems to pump the adrenaline a little faster as line is stripped and that anticipated perfect cast is made. When the BWO is sipped or the streamer is slammed and that colorful Brown is on, every purpose for being there comes together. The excitement, satisfaction, and autumn's magic have combined for another memorable moment.

When that warm fall day beckons, gather your gear and experience the magic for yourself. Mother nature promises that you won't regret it...

Catch and Release… Let them swim again.

Excuses, Excuses. Sorry 'bout that ! !

The blog is hurting for some attention. No new posts. No promised pictures. Sorry about that as I have no good excuse for now anyway. I started the site last March I believe, when the steelhead season was just starting. Unfortunately I ignored it as I have other obligations and commitments like finishing about a dozen other projects I have started. It seems that instead of posting about fishing, I have been spending far too much time doing it. Hopefully, soon I will dedicate time to freshen up the site. Starting with the pictures I promised and the introduction of the Woolydouger fly.

If any viewers have any ideas for me to get this site going again (other than stop fishing so much) please offer a comment. So… for now it’s tight lines!

Mouse'n During the Day Time... ever try it ?

"Mouse'n" is usually a night time venture. BIG browns and bows make mice their bed time snack! I ran across this video and found it to be interesting. Mouse'n during the daytime might make for debatable conversation. I have never considered it. I'll try it someday and report the success (or failure)!

How 'bout we call it "Old School Nymphing"

I have often heard the terms "Czech" nymphing, "French" nymphing, "Micro" nymphing, etc. and wondered what was the big secret of each nymphing technique and what have I missed in my many years of fly fishing. Upon investigation I learned at various times when I fished nymphs, I was applying most of those techniques.

When fishing a long leader with a light tippet because the water was extremely clear and shallow and often one could see the fish and an indicator wasn't necessary, it was actually "French" nymphing! New news to me...even kind of sounds erotic!

If I was in a position where I could easily have been seen by a fish when fishing close to a shallow run or small holding area, it may have been necessary to stalk upstream quietly, try to blend into the surroundings i.e.; behind a bush, rock or other natural blind, and fish the nymph with a short drift without mending. And it was not necessary to use an indicator and it probably would also spook the fish. This method I thought was simply "smart" nymphing, if the intent was to catch the fish...dah! Now I know it was "Czech" nymphing.

Using a very small nymph and light tippet like a #20 on a 7x fluorocarbon tippet because the flies hatching or about to hatch are very small like a Trico or something similar and using an extremely small weight to present the nymph at the correct depth and presentation is now called "Micro" nymphing! When a fly fishing person learns the technique of invading a trout's natural instincts, why is a name tagged to their discovery as an announcement of accomplishment? Maybe it is simply a "merit badge"!

What is this business of finding all sorts of "revelation" terminology for just plain common sense techniques that "old school" fly fishing persons have used for years. If we used a dry fly for an indicator when using a nymph it is known as fishing a "dropper" rig. And if the dry fly was a Madame X or grasshopper we called it a "hopper dropper"! If we fished without an indicator and it was necessary to keep a tight line to feel the hit we called it "high sticking"! And, what smart fly fishing person would use a #12 or #14 nymph when a #22 fly was beginning to hatch? Who would think of tying a #20 nymph on a 4x leader resulting in the knot larger than the nymph? Instead of Mico-nymphing how 'bout tagging it a less fancy name and call it "Logical-nymphing"?

I guess I'm a little too "old school" to understand why the various techniques we have all used for years are now given some fancy name indicating an impression that it is a newly discovered secret or methodology. How 'bout we just call it "Old School Nymphing"?