In the third part of this critical nymphing concepts series, we consider the advantages and disadvantages of fishing with a suspender.Â
Search Month: January 2024
We watched daylight race the river downstream
The best thing about a float is seeing miles of water as if in one frame. It’s like a filmstrip that you can take out and hold in your mind for a while. If you’ve done this long enough, then every rock around every bend carries a memory. The best island channels hold a group of those stories and offer them up as you float by. It’s a photo album: the river is a flowing film of your best and worst times on the water — moment by moment passing by. And if you’re lucky, you might create a new highlight for the reel . . .
Q&A: Can Trout Hear Your Boot Studs? (with VIDEO)
Trout can’t hear your boot studs — not in a river with any movement to it. So stud-up those wading boots and love your life. Here’s a video to prove it . . .
PODCAST: Critical Nymphing Concepts #2 — More Influence or Less — S10, Ep2
Do we want more influence or less over the flies? Who or what is in charge of the nymphs? Is it you or the river? What looks more natural? Which choice — which method — fools more trout?
Save the Discovery
I’d decided already. I only wanted to know what was possible. Tell me of the fish and no more. I earnestly wanted to track down the rest for myself — whatever the cost — wherever the adventure . . .
1000 Day Gear Review: Grip Studs — Unmatched Traction for Wading Boots
Grip Studs are single point carbide tipped studs with an auger style bit. The result is sticky traction, incredible durability and studs that don’t fall out. Simply put, they’re the best studs I’ve ever used.
Here’s more . . .
VIDEO: Wading Belt Carrying System
How can we keep our stuff with us, make it easily accessible and not be slowed down or fatigued by extra weight? Answer: Carry the heavy things on your hips.
Most anglers focus on whether to choose a chest pack, vest, sling pack, hip pack, lanyard or something else. We think of carrying fly boxes, tippet, leaders and other incidentals. But what about the net? What about water, a wading staff, a camera or anything else with extra weight? Carrying these items should not be a secondary consideration. As the heaviest things among your gear, how you carry them is of primary importance.
The heavy stuff is best carried on your hips, so the most critical part of your carrying system is probably the wading belt. And most wading belts are not up to the task.
PODCAST: Critical Nymphing Concepts #1 — The Three Questions — S10, Ep1
Is the fly low enough for long enough? Is everything in one lane? And do I have to be this far away? These are the key questions. This Season Ten skills series is about the critical concepts of nymphing. Importantly, these concepts apply to all nymphing styles, tight line, indicator or otherwise.
How to stay in the fly fishing game for a lifetime
I know what the game of chasing trout has given me. For over forty years, I’ve had a wonderful purpose, a focus, endless challenges, and a reason to set my feet on wooded, watery paths often enough to call these places home . . .
Fishing is as big as you want it to be. From the beginning, I’ve been in it for the long game. And in the end I plan to wade upstream, toward the light at the end of the tunnel.
Forgiving Flies
This is one of the most amazing times to be on the water. Fishing through a snowstorm rekindles memories, ingrained from the novelty of tracking flies and fly line through the optical mystery of falling snow.
. . . This morning, I’m leaning on my favorite set of forgiving flies — just a handful of patterns I’ve noticed that our notoriously picky trout are more willing to move for and eat. These are patterns that draw attention and perhaps curiosity, but also don’t cause many refusals.
EVENT: Critical Nymphing Concepts — Presentation Hosted by LJRA
I’m happy to be presenting Critical Nymphing Concepts on Thursday, January 11 at 7:00pm. This event is hosted by the Little Juniata River Association and is open to the public. I hope you’ll join me.Â
This presentation covers the same topic as the upcoming Season Ten of the Troutbitten Podcast. Critical Nymphing Concepts is about the “why” and “when” of good nymphing. Beyond the skills necessary for great presentations, how do we know what to change, when and why? These are the critical nymphing concepts.