By Kirk Deeter

Times change, and with them so do trends, attitudes, and even cultural stereotypes.

But the principles of fishing are as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.  Steady like magnetic north.  Sure, we find new tricks and techniques, and we use new materials.  But, by and large, what was good advice in Field & Stream 50 or more years ago is still good advice.

Which cannot be said for all magazine advice.  To wit, I bring you these excerpts sent to us from the Fly Talk Cutlural Institute in Grawn, Michigan, from Housekeeping Monthly from May 13, 1955.  The story is called "The Good Wife's Guide," and I swear I am not making this stuff up (I'm not that brave)...

By Kirk Deeter

I have a guide buddy (who will remain anonymous) who once summed up the fishing and trespassing debate this way:

"Only the outlaws catch the big fish."

Which in some states like Colorado is probably true.  I know the biggest fish there live in waters behind fences.  (Call it high fence fishing if you want).  I know I've had a lot of fun fishing behind some of those fences.  And I know that I have felt the sudden urge to jump some of those fences now and again.  Whether I did or not...

By Kirk Deeter

From the "Even a Blind Hog Finds an Acorn Once in a While" Files:

I had a successful afternoon on the river yesterday, and it only happened after I found the right fly pattern.  Honestly, I went from zero to hero in about 20 minutes after making a bug switch.  And it wasn't really my first choice... I saw the fly on my hat brim... was too lazy to dig around the box... figured what the heck... and it worked.

I'll set up the situation, and you see if you can figure out what fly pattern it was that turned out to be the haymaker...

By Kirk Deeter

We often review "stuff" like rods, reels, and lines... but rarely do we think about something good to carry your "stuff" around in.  Here's a great product from fishpond--the Dakota Carry On rod case.  It holds a few rods (out of their tubes) easily, and also has compartments for holding things like lines, reels, fly boxes, and so forth.