It was a fairly hot day in late October and casting into a river of floating leaves on a windy day wasn't the best of options. Nevertheless it beat the heck out of sitting at the tying bench and just dreaming of hooking up with one of the five pounders that had been stocked by the Fish and Game folks a few weeks previously. Slowly navigating my way through a mass of river side thorn brush and between various discarded glass bottles and other trash took a high level of concentration just too finally reach riverside. Now what kind of fur, feathers and lord knows what else would be the ticket for this ride?

Fly fishing for trout is considered by many people to be the pinnacle of the sport, especially dry fly fishing for visually feeding fish. Fish feeding in this manner can be challenging and especially under certain situations that are often encountered later in the season. Read the following scenario to understand the problem which makes this situation one of the biggest challenges that most anglers will encounter while fly fishing for trout.

The weather is still warm which is weird for first of November in Iowa. No matter the temperature the water calls. I had received a call that a field had been harvested and the road into it had been fixed. The ruts were gone and I could drive in closer to the pond now. That means it is about a 400 yard hike to the pond instead of half a mile.

Retrieving my line as dusk fell heavy on the water; I hooked the diminutive size #18 bead-head on the keeper and drew the rod snug. My eyes rose above the high water mark on the far bank, greeting me with a dark grey overcast sky and the darting of bats in the heavy summer air. As my mind slowly caught up to my eyes and the rest of the world I was struck by the realization. My mind had not registered a conscious thought of anything save for the feeding trout in the pool before me for nearly three hours. Not in a compulsive nature however, where the act of fishing consumes a person with a drive to beat the fish.

The Salmon Flyer - In the Online and Digital Era:

All through the course of pursuing Atlantic Salmon Flies, I've been greatly benefited by online sources. I can find images of one particular pattern, an exotic feather, where to buy them, and online transactions. There are even tying instruction videos. If you would join a forum site, you can join the discussion, share thoughts, and exchange opinions. I've been sending in my completed flies to my mentor for evaluation along with letter. But also I communicate with him emails with pictures attached.

Classic Salmon Fly Patterns: Over 1700 Patterns From The Golden Age Of Tying by Mike Radencich (2012)

Further Pursuits:

By the spring of 2014, I completed several assignments with my mentor and dressed many patterns on my own. The more I dressed, the more I learned. Also as I completed one pattern, my interests grew to the next pattern. And so it continues.

I didn't consider getting this book till I become familiar to and comfortable with the entire subject. This is where enthusiasm and dedication to Atlantic Salmon Flies lead. This book is where I finally reached and sought for as I get more enthusiastic and more dedicated to the subject. Then I go more from & with this book!!

Many times over the years I have written about fly fishing history and some of my ramblings have appeared here on the pages of Fly Angler's On Line. I have always been driven to explore both the current world of fly fishing for trout and the rich history which has spawned this delightful pastime.

In my library I have four thousand volumes with most devoted to subjects that are related to fly fishing and the various related activities of the sport. I also have over two thousand five hundred magazines that are related to the various activities of fly fishing along with over two hundred notebooks with contain clippings from newspaper and magazines and detailed notes on fly fishing.

CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM FLYANGLERS ONLINE

As we approach the culmination of the year it is our special wish from all of us at Fly Anglers Online that you may enjoy family and friends this Christmas season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very joyous and healthy New Year from our house to yours.

The Ladyfisher, The Chronicler, Ron T, CharlaineC