Field and Stream - Tactics for Bass RSS

On the Spot: "The Bug Guy" Robert Younghanz

Sarah Smith — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:48:16 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

Since we first introduced you to Robert "The Bug Guy" Younghanz last April, he's been a busy man--hatching a cool new DVD set, spreading his wings on the speaking circuit, taking flight with new articles and tips (Okay, I'll leave the hokey insect references out now).

I have always thought that fly fishing could be broken into basic areas of understanding--how to cast, how to read the water (to know where to cast), and how to present your flies (so they act right after you put them in the spot). Of course, none of that stuff matters unless you know what fly to put on in the first place! Yet despite that, I would also say that the entomology (understanding bugs) part of fly fishing is the average angler's weakest suit.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From January 2012

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:06:52 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of January.

On the Spot: Guide, Author Pat Dorsey

Sarah Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:20:44 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

John Merwin's blog post the other day referenced a book by Pat Dorsey (Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies). So I thought I'd follow up with an "On The Spot" interview I did with Pat at the recent International Sportsmen's Expo in Denver.

Pat and I are old friends. In fact, back when we were in our early thirties, I was co-authoring a book on fishing guides, and Pat was one of our first "volunteer" subjects. He showed me Cheesman Canyon, the Williams Fork, and Dream Stream section of the South Platte in South Park. And he did it for gas money, despite the fact that we didn't have a publisher committed or anything (it was an excuse to go fishing). The book turned out to be Castwork, which boosted my outdoor writing career. It's out of print now, but you can read excepts at MidCurrent.

Rio Grande Road Trip: The Outtakes II

Sarah Smith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:45:48 -0500

by Tim Romano

Last fall I had the pleasure of following the entire length of the Rio Grande River, from headwaters in Colorado to the terminus in Texas at the Gulf of Mexico; fishing, rowing, and following two guys on motorcycles the entire way. I was on a Field & Stream assignment with Digital Director, Nate Mathews, and his father, Bruce Matthews, who is the executive director for the North Country Trail. I was following in the chase vehicle with my camera equipment, boats, fishing and camping gear.

The story was published in this month's (February 2012) issue of the magazine. In the mag there were 25 images published. I took over 8,000 images over two weeks. I thought heck--let's show em some more… Here's the second half of the trip. The first batch of outtakes can be found here.

Enjoy.

The "Rudest" Trout Rivers in America

Sarah Smith — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:33:57 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

The other day I watched a television news report on "rudest cities" in America. According to Travel + Leisure, New York City supplanted Los Angeles for the top spot on the list. Miami was second. For the record, I love New York, and not just because my bosses work there. I'm energized when I visit New York. I even respect the Yankees. Granted, I live where I do (Pine, Colorado) for a reason, but the Big Apple has always been a great place to visit.

I find it hard to set a "rude standard" based on people. I mean, in a city of 18 million, sure you might bump into a jerk now and then, but one bad egg in a place like Bozeman or Little Rock could skew the data too, couldn't it?

Fly Fishing Film Tour Tickets Caption Contest Winner Announced!

Sarah Smith — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:18:12 -0500

by Tim Romano

This weeks caption contest proved to be a very popular one with 264 captions being written. This in turn made it difficult to pick a winner for the tickets to the Fly Fishing Film Festival, Fly Fishing Film tour (in the city closest to him or her), a gift certificate for ANY Scientific Anglers fly line he or she wants, two F3T and Upslope Brewery Pint Glasses, two Film Tour hats and a Scientific Anglers Waterproof System X fly box.

Is Tenkara Fly Fishing a Fad?

Sarah Smith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:25:32 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

Lefty Kreh, who may just be the most recognized authority on fly fishing ever, told Tenkara USA founder Daniel Galhardo that, “Tenkara is a fad and it won’t last long." Talk about candor. What's more interesting is that Daniel posted a recap of the conversation on his blog.

Another twist to all of this is that there have been rumors and rumblings for some time that Temple Fork Outfitters (and Lefty is the leading spokesperson for TFO) has been planning to manufacture and market its own line of tenkara rods in the not too distant future.

Rio Grande Road Trip: The Outtakes

Sarah Smith — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:34:31 -0500

by Tim Romano

Fly Fishing Muskie: What's Old and What's New?

Sarah Smith — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:26:29 -0500

by John Merwin

One of the hot “new” things in flyfishing is chasing muskies with a fly rod. I highlight the word “new” because, as I’ll show you shortly, there’s nothing really new about it. First, though, as to the musky in the photo. Back in June of 1998, I fished some Wisconsin musky rivers with Scott Bestul (our Whitetails columnist and Whitetails 365 blogger) and guide Ron Gehrke. That state has some 711 musky lakes, most of which are pounded hard by musky fanatics fishing from larger boats.

On The Spot: April Vokey

Sarah Smith — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:03:23 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

A couple weeks ago, I had the distinct honor of introducing April Vokey of FlyGal Ventures at the International Sportsmen's Expo in Denver. April hails from British Columbia, and is garnering quite a bit of attention lately (via the Internet and otherwise) for her steelhead fishing prowess. But to those of you who assume she's just a pretty face in big fish photos, be warned--April has serious game.

She fishes the Skeena system (and travels far afield), tackling some of the most honest and technical fly water in the world. Having seen her cast, I'd advise you not to bet your truck against her in a one-on-one target match. She's incredibly bright, charismatic and on the leading edge of fly fishing technique and instruction. In other words, April is exactly what this sport needs now.

Domestic Pet Hair Fly Winner Announced

Online Editors — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:40:44 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

After careful thought, I have decided to award the prize (The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing) to Kyle Deneen.

He wrote: My cat Schizmak, (I just wanted to put his name in there because its cool) is a long haired Russian Blue, when the winters are around I take his under coat and use it for some of the best dubbing I have ever used. A cats undercoat will make the best "hairs ear nymph" but I guess we should now call it the "cat hairs nymph." Also my buddies and I from Fat Guy Fly Fishing found out that my back hair makes great dubbing after my wife shaves my back.

Videos: Fly Fishing Film Tour 2012

Sarah Smith — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:49:27 -0500

by Tim Romano

The Fly Fishing Film Tour kicks off it's almost 100 city jaunt January 26th in Ventura, California and will criss cross the US for the next few months. A couple of days ago the dudes over at the tour called me and asked if I thought any of our readers would be interested in some free tickets to a show, and a pile of other gear to give away. I said of course, and will be bringing you a special Fly Fishing Film Tour edition of our typical Fly Talk caption contests in the next few days. Until then, sit back and enjoy a few trailers of what you can expect this year if you make it out for a showing.

Denver 'Surface Film' Photo Show Returns, Raises Money For Native Fish

Sarah Smith — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:44:48 -0500

by Tim Romano

Last year I helped select and curate a photo show here in Denver that we called Surface Film (thank you, Mr. Cermele, for the name) in conjunction with the Greenbacks. The Greenbacks are a group that some of us conservation-minded folk here in Colorado helped found within Trout Unlimited.

The idea for the show was that we round up the best photographers in the fishing industry -- browbeat them into letting us use some of their images. We would then tastefully frame the images, ply the patrons with free beer, get some live music going and pretty much have a party. Oh, and hopefully raise some money for conservation in the process by doing so.

Well, it seemed to work pretty darn well. We raised a pile of money for native fish here in Colorado and had a hell of a time doing it. So much so, that we decided to do it again.

Can You Feel a Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Rods? (Tell the Truth)

Sarah Smith — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:30:55 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

I believe that most anglers cannot feel a casting difference between a $150 rod and a $750 rod. So the other day I challenged that theory. I had been "blind testing" (graphics covered) some budget rods, and when that was over, I added a high-end rod to the mix and had some buddies cast them all again. The "premier" stick came in second place. (I'm not going to say who won, and who didn't, because it was a very unscientific test that only partly bolstered my hunch.)

Still, I think the company that has the guts to do a blinded side-by-side "cast off" with their cheap rod versus an expensive rod (or rods) and wins with a statistically significant number of casters will have the mother of all ad campaigns. But it won't be easy to pull off. A lot of those high-end rods have a distinctive look--be that their paint, their ferrules, the wraps, etc.--that's hard to disguise. But is that what most anglers are paying a few hundred extra for?

Underwater World Of the Trout: Part Two

Sarah Smith — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:11:09 -0500

by Tim Romano

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From 2011

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:15:14 -0500

The 60 best photos submitted by readers in 2011.

Field & Stream's Best Photo Galleries and Blogs of 2011

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:53:52 -0500

The 25 best online stories from F&S in 2011.

Put Down The Rubber Duckie if You Want To Fish Well

Sarah Smith — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:21:06 -0500

by John Merwin

“You’ve gotta put down the duckie if you want to play the saxophone.” That’s a line from an old Sesame Street song that’s rolling around in my head this morning. Maybe by using it in a blog post, I’ll get rid of it. It also has a lot to say about fishing.

Concentration and focus are essential to successful fishing (with one exception. See below). The more of those things you bring to the game, the more you’ll catch. If you’re thinking or worrying about family issues or job problems, the fishing is not going to go well. So put down the duckie, and you’ll fish better.

On the Spot: Landon Mayer

Sarah Smith — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:53:03 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

Whenever I bump into a fly fishing mover and shaker, whether that's on the river, on a boat somewhere, or roaming the aisles of a trade show or consumer expo, I'm going the put them "On the Spot" with five quick questions. First up is Landon Mayer, guide and author of Colorado's Best Fly Fishing, among other books and articles.

Before we dive into the Q&A, a few words on Landon's latest release: As a resident of Colorado myself, I have found the state's vast and complex array of trout fishing opportunities to be remarkably rewarding, yet tricky to fully grasp.

In Colorado's Best Fly Fishing: Flies, Access and Guide's Advice for the State's Premier Rivers (Headwaters Guides), Landon does just what you'd expect a guide with his distinguished resume would do--he not only gives the where and how, he eloquently ups the readers game in the process.

Domestic Pet Hair Fly Contest

Sarah Smith — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:28:44 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

This is Domino. Domino is my son's newest pet. I did not particularly want to get a pet rabbit, but I made a bet and lost. Most of the time, Domino does not like me. But the other day she let me hold her on my lap, and I soon realized my jeans were covered with fine white and black bunny hairs. Now some might wheeze, sneeze, and/or run for the lint brush. But for me, a lightbulb went off.

When I mix just enough black and white fur together, I get a really neat, peppery looking dubbing that I think looks killer on dry flies and nymphs. I have yet to actually fish the prototypes. For the record, Domino seems to be down with the plan, because she gets her back scratched more often these days.

Favorite "Non-Fish Fishing" Photos

Sarah Smith — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:46:14 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

I've always said that the best aspects of fly fishing are the 360-degree views around you and the people you share them with, rather than the fish themselves. I certainly respect and admire a strong focus on the mission at hand. But in my book, if you aren't looking around, you're not really getting the most of your fishing.

As such, I've been taking a lot of photographs (Romano is coaching me) in recent years. Curiously, most of my favorite fishing images don't have any fish in them at all. I call them non-fish fishing photos. Clouds that look like iron and light hitting the canyon wall just so--those things.

Welcome to the Little River Princess

Sarah Smith — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:21:53 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

It is with great happiness that Uncle Deeter announces the arrival of Mabel Romano, who entered the world at a healthy 8 pounds 2 ounces a few days ago. She, along with her mom, Ellie, and dad, Tim Romano (my Fly Talk partner) are all doing just fine.

Apparently, we have another Fly Talker (well, for the time being, a Fly Goo-Goo/Coo-er) in the fold. And I can tell you that Tim has transformed flawlessly into a proud father. For the foreseeable future, Fly Talk posts might be a little heavy on the Deeter side. I hope you understand.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From December 2011

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:44:10 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of December.

The Latest Pending Records from the IGFA

Sarah Smith — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:47:09 -0500

Check out new potential record catches submitted to the IGFA the past few months and over the past two years.

Tis The Season for Sporting Expo's

Sarah Smith — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:18:17 -0500

by Kirk Deeter

When I can't actually be out on the river fishing, the next best thing is to be with thousands of like-minded outdoorsy people talking about fishing. And that's exactly what I'll be up to in the next few days, when the International Sportsmen's Exposition rolls into Denver January 5-8 at the Colorado Convention Center.

I'll actually be hosting the Fly Fishing Theater, introducing the likes of Pat Dorsey, Kelly Galloup, Landon Mayer, and April Vokey. I'm going to be giving a couple talks myself, focused on "Stillwater Fishing for Trophy Trout" at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, and 1:30 p.m. on Friday.