Vol. 13 No. 19

BLEACHING ANIMAL FUR

There aren’t many of us old tiers around anymore. I’m not talking about our age, but rather those of us who tie and fish with the old patterns. Synthetic tying materials are becoming more and more common each day. The suppliers of natural materials are slowly reducing their inventories because of less demand and less availability.

STILLWATER TACKLE SYSTEMS

I believe the angler should organize a tackle system that will be used in stillwater angling. First I start with a 5 gallon plastic bucket which I set up with my insect collecting equipment. Then I take a second bucket and store my stillwater flies, lines, reels and extra spools, leaders, tippets and mini vest.

FLOATING OPTIONS FOR FISHING STILLWATERS

When choosing a floating craft to fish on stillwaters there are a variety of things to be considered. One of the things that I have found to be of paramount importance is portability. Access too many stillwaters, particularly small ponds and mountain lakes, cannot be accomplished by motorized vehicles so if the angler wishes to use some type of water craft it may be necessary to carry or drag it to the water.

DINOSAURS

This one is for the old folks. You know who you are. If you’re younger than 50 hit the “back button” and read something else. You won’t understand this one and that will make you either unhappy or mad. Don’t want that.

A TIP FROM MY WIFE

Rick (and his wife) provide us with a quick tip for gluing on eyes.

FLY FISHING THE MONTANA SPRING CREEKS

As the year 2009 was drawing to a close a new book was coming off the press. It is entitled Fly Fishing the Montana Springs Creeks, and the author is John Mingo. 

COMMON SENSE TROUTING

The death of winter provides a useful vantage point from which to ponder how to improve my days on the stream. Improve here does not mean catching more fish, rather catching better fish. The fly fishing magazines and catalogs have lots of advice, but multiple decades of my attention have found most of these suggestions to be a little thing on the ground, as well as on the stream. Time for common sense.

TINSEL FLY

I tie flies for fishing not for showing in display cases. I tie fast and some would say sloppy but I've never found fish to be overly concerned about how neat a fly is. I find tying flies I don't mind hanging in a tree or getting stuck on a stump to be more rewarding than worrying over a lost fly.

WE NEED NEW BLOOD

Having fly fished for (how long is it now?) over 50 years, the kindness and cruelty of the sport comes back in spurts. The exquisite vistas and the zero fish days vie for recollection. A knowing wife who understands the uncertainty of fishing never doubts that those empty-handed days were really spent on the water. 

Central Washington FISH-IN !!!

By popular request, there will be another Central Washington Fish-In! This one is set for May 13-14-15-16th, 2010 and will be held in Ephrata Washington, the same as the last few years. EVERYONE is welcome, if you read FAOL, you're invited!