By Joe Cermele

So a few hours ago I pull into Paris, Tennessee, and am greeted by the sign below. Even though nearby Kentucky Lake is calling my name, I'm here on non-fishing business. Yet it seems that wherever I go, I can find some fishing oddity...or maybe it finds me. Only this time I was exactly one week late for this 7-day event where over 13,000 pounds of fish are cooked, 100,000 people attend, and parades, rodeos, and arts and crafts abound. What have I done to deserve missing such a party? Oh, cruel fate.

By John Merwin

This is in response to a reader question on how to grip a fly rod when casting and fishing. (Thanks, buckhunter.) The best grip in this case is different than the one I described for baitcasting gear a few weeks ago. It is also different from how you might hold a spinning rod.

Most commonly, a fly rod is held with the thumb on top of the grip and the first and second fingers slightly extended underneath as shown in the photo. The opposition of the thumb and index finger helps to provide both a snappy backcast (index finger lifting) and forward cast (thumb pushing). The thumb-on-top position, meanwhile, helps to prevent the casting hand and rod from angling too far backward on a backcast--a common beginner’s fault. If your thumb is on top of the grip during the entire cast, it’s harder (but not impossible) to bend your wrist too far to the rear.

By Joe Cermele

One of the finest fishing commercials I've ever seen. I would use the optional feature on this bass boat not so much as it's shown in the video, but more for those people that are tired of fishing by noon or completely outfish me. Nah, just kidding about that last one...maybe. Enjoy. -- JC

By Joe Cermele

In the comment section of my last post featuring Captain Quint and Heidi Montag, a few of you asked if we could "stop the stupid model stuff" and "get back to fishing." Sure, but it has to wait until tomorrow because I've got a huge favor to ask the loyal Honest Angler readers today. Come to find out my video series, "Hook Shots," is a finalist in the Travel & Adventure category of this year's Webby Awards (kind of the Internet Oscars), along with Vice and National Geographic. And you, my friends, can help it win the People's Voice Award, thus proving that fishing is more entertaining than all other subject matter.