Throughout the ages fly anglers have endeavored to understand the feeding behavior of the trout. The early anglers noticed that trout would rise up and take flies off the surface. Soon it was discovered that the trout would take damp flies off the surface and wet flies beneath the surface.

It took centuries before the idea of the surface film were even verbalized even with the advances in tackle and pattern designs as the anglers were fixed on trout and grayling taking flies off the surface of the water and beneath the surface of the water and the idea of the surface film and the film zone received little attention. Now, this was due to the fact that the anglers were catching trout using the methods of the time and were satisfied with their results.

I went out for the third time in early March after the ice was off. I had been out twice before, throwing a lot of different flies with very little success. On the first two trips the fish and my flies did not find the same place, or more likely the person on the rod end of the line did not do what needed to be done to find fish. But on this day the fish told me where they were. I had two rods with me; both graphite in a 4weight and a 5 weight. Both had bead head flies on them. A Hares Ear type and an Only. After several casts I had not caught any fish.

The fish were in an obvious taunting mood as I watched the rhythmic flashing increase just about a rods length to my front. I had been dredging the pool from stone to surface film with nothing but a single take and head-shake to my name since dawn. Generally, I tend to decipher a hatch, whether subsurface or while looking at rising fish before too long.

Was remembering several camping and fishing trips that we took several years ago with our two boys, ages 9 and 12, and one in particular came to mind. We were camped in our small pop up camper on a small piece of land that was rented as a campground by a local farmer, which also had access to the Shenandoah River in Virginia. The fresh water supply came from a small pipe and pump handle arrangement just outside a fenced in pasture where several cows resided. The farmer told us not to touch the fence as it was electrified to keep the cows from breaking through to the campground and also to keep them out of the river.

I always enjoy scanning the threads that are posted on the FAOL bulletin board. It provides me with a sense of what is on the minds of our readers. There are several reoccurring themes; mostly ones that really do not have an answer that will satisfy everyone. One of those recent themes involves fly rods; are more expensive rods worth the cost? These discussions take me back nearly 50 years to when I first started conducting fly fishing clinics with the late JC.

A little break here; ten books are not enough to discuss to Atlantic Salmon Flies, but I have acquired and read through these within a year. I consider that's quite a lot for one subject. Of course I invested my time to read and tie and then money to purchase materials.

So I became comfortable working on tying the Atlantic Salmon Flies. I've learned and am still learning from each traditional pattern. But as I gained my skills and comforts, my initial desire came back: "would be fun if I design/express something because there are so many beautiful materials". I started to draw my idea: style, materials, color, and combination effects

I want to try to help some of you with a potential problem; how much to pay for your first fly rod. Most who buy a first fly rod look at the price. Some look for the cheapest one they can get out of the store with. Others take the advice of a clerk and spend a few bucks more than they had expected to. And then there those who buy the 'best' rod in the store.