FF article on front page of WSJ

I have not read this yet, but thought it interesting that it made the front page of today's WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123742286341478873.html

I'd have to say it's not exactly the usual fly fishing article;).

Here is a nice link with some video on that same article: http://www.roughfisher.com/ It's a nice blog so things change on the site often. You might have to scroll down if you don't hit the link sooner than later.

I have a new title: BROWNLINER for sure!

Rick

My kind of guys!

Does this mean that I can come out of the shadows and raise my face to the sun? It's nice to know that I now have a name. Should we form Brownliners Unlimited to make sure that these urban fisheries are never cleaned up? I remember walking into a fly shop years ago and hearing 3 guys talk about "worm fisherman" like they were child molesters. I didn't try fly fishing for a long time after that. Who needs that kind of attitude? I use a fly rod for one reason and one reason only - I think it is fun. I love every fish that tickles my line regardless of its race, creed, religion, or neighborhood.

By the way, they call that a Channel Cat, but it sure looks like a Flathead (Shovelhead) to me. What say you guys?

Even though I fully accept the title of browliner, a point to be made is that carp don't prefer terrible conditions, they just are able to tolerate them where other species are not. Because they can live in poluted waters does not mean that they prefer them. A carp is a survivor and a strong species. Some might like to equate them with cockroaches, but they say the roach will be here long after man has left the planet.

Last fall I was steelhead fishing, notice that I didn't say catching even though fish were present. I notice a nice pod of carp is those same waters and proceeded to chase the carp instead. They saved the day for me and allowed the fun factor to multiply. Carp can tolerate huge temperture variations. Their survival window is much larger than many species, but they still have a prefered temp range and water quality target. They remind me a lot of coyote. They have been poisened, trapped, water all drained out and refilled the lakes and yet they come back and thrive.

Yes, I have caught carp in true brownliners water but have also chased them in trout water. If you have never had a 10 lb carp on a 5 wt, be careful because you might never look at an 8" brook trout the same. By the way, I fish brookies often because they are available and stupid and easily caught where I fish them. Carp are truly a challenge to catch and powerful and have earned my respect over and over.

Rick