Year of the Spider

http://www.amazon.com/Year-Spider-Philip-Storey-ebook/dp/B00GKX52K4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384602460&sr=1-1&keywords=Year+of+the+spider

At least as of today, this is a free electronic book being offered on Amazon.  This is a British book that highlights the use of flies that would work very well with a fixed-length line system -

Journalist, author and unrepentant trout bum Philip Storey spends the summer on an urban river in the North-East of England fishing with centuries-old spider patterns. These are the flies that have stood the test of time and still work today. Year of the spider contains images and tying instructions for possibly the simplest to make flies you will find, along with a detailed diary recording the conditions (temperature, humidity, wind, air pressure, river height etc) in which they were successful along with lots of fish pictures taken one-handed and at odd angles. This is more than just a fishing guide or a ‘how-to’ manual; Year of the Spider takes the mystery out of fly fishing and selects nine, easy to tie flies that will carry you right through the season catching fish all the way.

Fear of Fly Casting

Very funny vintage column written by Dave Barry, well worth a read if you'd like a chuckle -

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/27/997748/fear-of-fly-casting.html

Beautiful Tenkara Rod Cases

Bamboo tenkara rod cases

Caddis Cases

Tres interesting, the caddis segment starts at 2:33

Stages of a fly fisher

I remember reading a long time ago (I wish I could remember exactly who said it) that a fisherman goes several stages throughout their days on the waters.  It goes something like this –

1. I just want to catch a fish, any fish 
2. I want to catch a lot of fish
3. I want to catch BIG fish
4. I like to catch difficult fish
5. I just like to fish, catching isn’t all that important

Not sure why that came to mind, but it may have answered a question I’ve often mulled over regarding to whom a fixed-length line system has an appeal.  It seems like many first time fly anglers become very enthusiastic, as do many long time fishers.  It seems like folks in the middle can often take or leave it.

When I thought about the evolutionary path described above, maybe that makes sense.  There is probably no better way to catch a first fish than to use a fixed-length line system.  As a matter of fact, the same holds true for with regards to catching lots of fish.

Where things get dicey is for the folks who value large fish above all else.   Fixed-length line systems are designed to fish accurately and precisely, in exchange for that, they give up power.  The system just isn’t designed to stop a large, fresh fish dead in it’s tracks.  If big fish are ones goal, they are better off to stick with a reel.

Where the fixed-length line system again comes into its own is when it comes time to catch difficult/selective fish.  This is where the delicacy, accuracy and precision shine.  And I do think it also appeals to the folks at the end of the spectrum.  It not all about the fancy complicated equipment and library of 20,000 fly patterns.  It’s just about spending so quality time out on the water.

Hoo Rag

One thing we all appreciate when it comes to fishing is simplicity and versatility.  I recently came across a simple idea for a piece of clothing that provides alot of options for keeping comfortable when out on the water.

Not only is it a versatile idea, it comes in some nice fishy colors.  Here's just one

Standing in the River