Field and Stream - Tactics for Trout RSS

The CatchFeed: 50 Top Photos from Catchbook, Field & Stream's New Social Fishing App

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:43:40 -0400

These 50 photos are our editors' picks for the best shots posted so far by users of our new Catchbook app!

About Catchbook Fishing Reports
Catchbook is a free social fishing app we built for the iPhone to help you share photos of your fish while recording the spots where you caught them. Check out more great fish photos from around the country (and start posting your own catches) by downloading the app from iTunes! Visit fieldandstream.com/catchbook for details on how the app works, and why it'll help you catch more fish.

Catchbook Photo Contest
We're giving away a Columbia PFG Blood and Guts™ Ball Cap, for the best photo posted each week (as chosen by our editors) from now until then end of July. At the end of each month we'll pick our favorite overall shot and run it in the magazine! Each monthly winner will also receive a Columbia Airgill Chill™ Long Sleeve (men) or Ultimate Chill™ Long Sleeve (women). Click here to learn how you can enter this contest. Click here for the official rules.

The Greatest Lesson in Fishing Streamers

Online Editors — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:13:53 -0400

by Kirk Deeter

Most of you who follow FlyTalk might realize by now that Romano and I are both shameless streamer junkies. We'll pound the banks from a boat, trying to turn big fish with blind casts, but we also like to wade and sight-fish streamers in low, clear water. Big flies catch big fish, to be sure. Yet in clear water, you have to make the right presentation for streamers to work well. While I've learned many valuable tips from streamer gurus like Kelly Galloup, who said, "You have to dictate the action, and not wait for something to happen," the greatest streamer lesson I ever learned didn't happen on a trout river, and it didn't even involve a true streamer fly.

I was fishing on Biscayne Bay in Florida with legendary flats guide Bill Curtis about 10 years ago. Bill was on the poling platform and I was standing on the bow, when a big permit that looked like an aluminum trash can lid gliding through skinny water came cruising into view. Without a word spoken by either of us, I locked my eyes on the fish and unfurled what I thought was the perfect cast: A water-loaded beauty that formed a tight loop, rocketed 60 feet through the air, turned the leader over, and plopped just a foot or two ahead of the fish. The crab fly landed exactly on the money, or at least where I wanted it to drop.

The permit didn't spook at first, but as I started making gentle strips, lightly bouncing the fly into the feeding zone, it abruptly finned away.

By the time the fish split, Bill was already climbing off the poling platform, grumbling unmentionables under his breath. Having thought I made the perfect cast, I was crestfallen but willing to rationalize the episode via all I had heard about the notoriously fickle nature of permit. Still, on impulse, I asked aloud, "What in the heck happened? What went wrong?"

Bill looked me straight in the eye and deadpanned, "Fish like that aren't used to bait attacking them."

Then he sat down behind the steering wheel, cranked up the boat motor and didn't say another word. I let it sink in for a moment and then realized that I had been taught the greatest lesson that can ever be learned about catching wily, predatory fish with large flies; by a master in as few words as humanly possible.

Think about it and apply this reasoning to the trout world. Little, finicky trout like to sip helplessly-floating nymphs and dry flies -- they demand to be "spoon fed." But when they get big, they go after other fish. They also get smart, so when something swims toward their mouth, they don't typically eat it.

Learn to drop streamers where trout can see them, and then immediately make those flies look like they're panicked and fleeing. It's a simple concept that's easier said than done. But if you figure that deal out, I guarantee you'll unlock the secret to catching more and bigger trout, in any conditions.

The Best F&S Online Record Fish Stories and Photos

Online Editors — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:57:23 -0400

Catchbook Contest: Photo of the Week!

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:41:44 -0400

Congratulations to Austin Bockwinkel, whose spring Iowa largemouth bass takes top prize in our weekly Catchbook Photo Contest! Austin gets a PFG Blood and Guts™ Ball Cap from Columbia, and also qualifies to win our monthly prize, a Columbia Airgill Chill™ Long Sleeve fishing shirt and his mug in the pages of our magazine. Click here to learn how you can enter this contest by. Click here for the official rules.

Catchbook is a new fishing app for the iPhone that automatically turns photos of fish you've caught into detailed fishing journal entries that show up on your map, then shares those entries exclusively with trusted friends. Our goal is to help you and your buddies learn more about the spots you fish. You can download the app from iTunes here.

Holy Mackerel: 2nd-Grader Hooks 68 lb. King Fish

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:10:38 -0400

Andrew Quinn, a spirited Michigan second-grader who wrestles in the 77-pound weight class at his school, is no stranger to grappling with heavyweight foes.

But even Andrew almost met his match when he hooked this 5-foot king mackerel during a deep sea fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico in late March. At the end of a 30-minute fight, Andrew had just enough strength left to boat the giant king, which weighed 68 pounds, 3 ounces—a touch lighter than Andrew but 4 ounces heavier than the current Alabama state record.

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos from April 2012

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:25:49 -0400

Each month, Field & Stream editors review the hundreds of photos submitted by readers to our Trophy Room. If your photo is chosen to be printed in the Game Faces section of the magazine, you’ll win a Rapala Fish ‘N Fillet knife!

Submit your photos here!

Here are the other best reader photo collections from this year:

January 2012

February 2012

March 2012

Fishing Tip: Comb Your Flies Before You Cast

Online Editors — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:27:50 -0400

by Kirk Deeter

I carry a lot of "atypical" things in my fishing vest. I mean stuff you don't normally find at a fly shop. For example, I always carry Super Glue and dental floss, in case I have to fix a guide on my rod; Holly Twist yarn to make strike indicators; and nail clippers, in case my fancy nippers fall off the zinger.

But perhaps the most interesting thing I carry is a baby comb. (Okay, I hear the jokes from those of you who know me well enough to have seen what's underneath the hat. What would you need with a comb, Deeter?)

Actually, I have become a stickler for combing out my flies before I fish them. I think if you run a dry fly through the teeth of a comb (work the fly on the comb, rather than raking the fly over with the comb) before you dab floatant on it (or dress it some other way), it's going to look more natural, hold its profile better once it gets wet, and catch more fish. Moreover, if you comb the grit and gunk out of your flies after you are done fishing, they'll last much longer than they will otherwise.

I've also started combing out streamer flies, partly for the same reason of keeping them clean, but also because I think combing through and loosening up the tail feathers helps to make those materials undulate and flutter better in the water. And that attracts bites.

You might want to give it a try. A 39-cent plastic comb doesn't take up much space in your vest or pack, weighs virtually nothing, and can save you money on flies in the long run. If it helps you catch fish as well, what's not to love?

Catchbook Contest: Photo of the Week!

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:21:10 -0400

Congratulations to Connor Brazell, who's early-season pike photo takes top prize in our weekly Catchbook Photo Contest! Connor gets a PFG Blood and Guts™ Ball Cap from Columbia, and also qualifies to win our monthly prize, a Columbia Airgill Chill™ Long Sleeve fishing shirt and his mug in the pages of our magazine. Click here to learn how you can enter this contest by. Click here for the official rules.

How To Catch Big Brown Trout at Night

Online Editors — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:46 -0400

by Joe Cermele

When the sun is shining, that big, mean brown trout you’ve always wanted to hook is likely under a big, mean undercut bank. Good luck yanking it out. Once the sun goes down, however, that fish is going to move. Tagging studies have shown that large browns in rivers will travel up to 4 miles per night with one thing on the brain: food. Here's how to greet them.

1 - Glass Bead
When it’s time to rig up, slide a 6mm red glass bead ahead of the tungsten bullet weight. Tungsten is a hard metal, so when you strip, the bead will click against the weight and amp up the sound element. You can buy packs of beads at Bass Pro Shops ($3 for 25).

2 - Bullet Weight
In the dark, you just want to lay out your fly and start your swing without worrying about mending or sink time. If you slide a 1⁄16-ounce tungsten bullet weight on your tippet and peg it at the nose of your streamer, there’s no question; it’s in the zone on the entire pass.

3 - Super Fly
Though any dark, bushy sculpin streamer is a good choice for a nighttime quest, the new Schultzy’s S3 Sculpin ($3) is packed with different furs and feathers that will increase flutter in the water, beef up the silhouette, and make more noise on the retrieve.

Choose Your Weapon

Stalk softly and carry a stout stick—plus a light source and a proven plug.

1 - Go-To Lure
Like largemouths, giant brown trout eat mice, too, and no other topwater imitator’s gurgle will stand out in moving water as well as the Jitterbug’s ($6). The 21⁄2-incher is perfect for small to medium rivers.

2 - Headlamp
This is an obvious must-have for night fishing, but make sure yours has a red-light setting. Red light is harder for fish to see—but bright enough for you to change rigs. Petzl’s Tactikka ($30) is a tough lamp that features a flip-down red filter.

3 - Spinning Outfit
Fenwick’s new line of Elite-Tech smallmouth rods includes a 6-foot 3-inch model ($130) that’s not too long for a smaller river but effectively works larger lures. Spool up with 10- or 12-pound mono.

4 - Fly Outfit
St. Croix’s 7-weight Bank Robber streamer rod ($430) is designed to swing big fly patterns—and let you put serious heat on trophy trout. Opt for a large-arbor reel to help reduce line stacking.

Plot Your Late-Night Stalk

Fly by Night
Fly casters should find a run with no large rocks, few overhanging limbs, moderate depth, and uniform current that’ll allow them to back cast and swing a streamer with little obstruction. If the run also has a slight depth increase along the bank, even better. Position yourself 6 to 8 feet off the bank and stay put.

A - Cast down and across at a 45-degree angle, gradually increasing distance to cover more water.

B - Don’t strip or twitch. Keep the tip high and line tight, letting the current sweep the fly across the run. This swing will draw a reaction strike from fish cruising through the main current.

C - When the line straightens out along the bank, violently strip the fly upcurrent. Any trout that is already holding along the bank, or moving in to use the softer bank current to make its way upstream, will deliver a crushing blow.

Mouse Trap
After sunset, brown trout will hunt the flats for baitfish that are gathered together.

There is no better place to present a mouse-imitating topwater lure than in skinny water. Spinfishermen should look for shallow spots adjacent to deeper runs or near other midriver structure, such as boulders or downed trees.

1 - Wade to the upstream side of the structure and cast upriver onto the flat. Forage moving from the bank out into the main river often draws more strikes.

2 - Retrieve the lure toward structure as it sweeps in the current, increasing your speed the closer it gets. This simulates a mouse trying to reach higher ground.

From the April 2012 issue of Field & Stream magazine.

How To Catch Big Brown Trout at Night

Online Editors — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:46 -0400

by Joe Cermele

Choose Your Weapon

Stalk softly and carry a stout stick—plus a light source and a proven plug.

Plot Your Late-Night Stalk

A - Cast down and across at a 45-degree angle, gradually increasing distance to cover more water.

B - Don’t strip or twitch. Keep the tip high and line tight, letting the current sweep the fly across the run. This swing will draw a reaction strike from fish cruising through the main current.

Mouse Trap
After sunset, brown trout will hunt the flats for baitfish that are gathered together.

1 - Wade to the upstream side of the structure and cast upriver onto the flat. Forage moving from the bank out into the main river often draws more strikes.

2 - Retrieve the lure toward structure as it sweeps in the current, increasing your speed the closer it gets. This simulates a mouse trying to reach higher ground.

From the April 2012 issue of Field & Stream magazine.

15 Reasons an Early Spring Makes Fishing More Difficult (And How To Catch Fish Anyway)

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:16:26 -0400

Spring has sprung. Actually, it sprang a month ago in much of the country. With the unusual weather pattern setting record-high temperatures on a near-weekly basis, many of you are no doubt scratching your heads and asking, what’s this going to do to the fishing?

The Solitude Factor: An Angler's Reason for Being?

Online Editors — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:34:18 -0400

by Kirk Deeter

There are two types of anglers in my opinion. Type A (and I mean that) is the angler who feels his or her blood pressure rise when they park at the landing or trailhead and see other cars. Footprints on the riverbank are eyesores. The main appeal of fly fishing is communing with nature, and these anglers prefer to do that alone, thank you very much. They'll hike miles beyond the beaten path, often trading chances at large (planted) fish for smaller targets. They'll spend thousands of dollars on exotic adventures — to be dropped by float plane in the middle of nowhere. The reason? Solitude.

Type B is the "social angler" who enjoys the camaraderie with kindred spirits — even with the strangers they happen upon while walking the river. They actually embrace the challenge of trying to trick trout in the runs where others have already fished. And they like to catch big trout, even if that means standing almost shoulder-to-shoulder under the shadow of a hydroelectric dam in a "fish factory."

I guess I'm a little of both. There are times when I need a fix of the Frying Pan, the Bighorn or the A Section of the Green River. I need big fish, and don't mind rubbing shoulders to find them. I'm usually in this mode during the spring.

By summer though, I'm often done with that, and eager to get away from everything. That's when I do my hiking, float tubing and Tenkara fishing on smaller streams.

But if you put me on the spot and said I had to choose one scenario over the other, I'd choose solitude every time.

How about you?

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos from March 2012

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:00:43 -0400

Submit your photos here!

Here are the other best reader photo collections from this year:

January 2012

February 2012

Catchbook Fishing Reports: A Social Fishing App from the Editors of Field & Stream

Online Editors — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:37:45 -0400

If you're an angler, you know that keeping a detailed journal of your time on the water is one of the best ways to up your catch rate. That's because, over time, your journal will show you patterns in when and where fish bite, and what lures and baits work best under different conditions. The more detailed your journal is, the more of these patterns you'll see. But keeping a detailed journal requires time and dedication that most anglers can't afford.

Not anymore. Field & Stream's FREE new Catchbook app, just released on the iPhone, is designed to take all the work out of keeping a fishing journal. The app does this by taking photos of fish you've already shot with your phone and automatically converting them into detailed fishing reports that include the weather and water conditions present when those photos were taken. The app pins each report to a map, then lets you share them exclusively with trusted friends and fishing buddies. The more friends you have, the more reports you see on your map, and the easier it becomes to pattern your spots!

Our editorial team has been working for nearly half a year on the project, and it finally launched last week. Now we're looking for feedback from the people we designed it for. You! If there are bugs, we want to know about them. If there's something you think we can improve, we want to know what that is. And if you love something we've done? We want to know that, too.

We'll incorporate your comments into updates to the app, which we're planning to roll out regularly. You can give us your feedback by commenting on this post, or within a new "Catchbook" category in our online Answers section. And, right now, exclusively for readers of this site (and for a limited time only) if you sign up and request user "Field & Stream" as a friend within the app, we'll add 5,000 points to your F&S Online username.

Click here to view the app in the iTunes store, or follow the jump for more details on how Catchbook works. Thanks for checking it out! -- The Editors

POST YOUR PHOTOS
Catchbook lets you turn any fish photo you’ve ever taken with your iPhone into a detailed journal entry that includes the time, date, location, and weather present when you caught each fish. Upload your old fish photos to get started, then make sure to snap away with your camera the next time you’re out on the water. Add records to your journal by choosing the photos you want to upload and telling us the species of fish in each photo. The app does the rest! Add optional information (such as the size and color lure you were using) to create even more detailed records to share with your friends.

POOL YOUR RECORDS
The more friends you invite into Catchbook, the more catches you’ll see on your map. And the more catches you see, the easier it will be for you to pattern your spots. Inviting friends is easy. Invite people you’re already friends with on Facebook, or send your fishing buddies invites by email. You can also find new people to fish with by searching for other Catchbook users who fish in the same places you do.

PATTERN YOUR SPOTS
Every time you (or one of your friends) posts a photo to Catchbook, that photo gets pinned to a spot on your map. Filter your map to show only fish caught at specific times of the year, at different times of the day, under specific weather conditions and water temps, and much, much more! You’ll quickly see patterns in which spots work best under different conditions. Then use the app’s “Best Baits” features to learn which flies, lures, and baits caught the most fish under the conditions and areas you’ve selected.

Map filtering options include:
-- Fish species and fish size
-- Time of year and time of day
-- Moon phase
-- Wind speed and direction
-- Water temperature, water clarity, lake/river level, and tidal stage
-- Barometric pressure and barometric trend
-- Air temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation type

WATCH CATCHES IN REAL TIME
Keep an eye on what people are catching around the country by clicking on the “Catches” tab. You’ll see all the latest fish entered into Catchbook (photos only — no spot burning here).

SEE WHERE YOU RANK!
Find your name in a list of top users by species.

Straight from The Bug Guy: Spring Isn't Only About Caddis

Online Editors — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:50:59 -0400

by Kirk Deeter

Fly Talk's resident insect guru, "The Bug Guy" Robert Younghanz, chimes in with the following things to look for when you fish in the early spring:

"The blue-winged olive is one of the most prolific and biologically diverse mayfly families, known by biologists as 'Baetidae.' Did you know that there are over 130 species of Baetidae in United States and Canada alone? On a given day, there can be myriad different species emerging from the river. With such biodiversity, always make sure you're 'matching the hatch' exactly. The key is being cognizant of size, color and profile.

For the more intrepid fly fisher who cannot wait for the ice to melt away from the edges of the river, stoneflies are the only aquatic order that have substantial winter and early spring fauna. The all black and wingless Capnieda can be a tasty treat for any trout even when the river is close to completely frozen over. In early spring the little brown stonefly, Taeniopterygidae, will often emerge and make its way out of the icy river, even before you can keep the ice out of your guides!

If you are a fair weather fly fisher and wouldn’t even consider wetting a line until the end of April, you’ll also be missing out on the emergence of a couple of additional mid to large stoneflies. Hesperoperla, the larger gold/brown stone as well as Skwala the medium brown stone both emerge before most anglers dream of putting a boot in the foot numbing waters of spring.

In early spring rivers will often be the most clear and at their lowest flows of the season. Although trout may be hungry after a cold hard winter, they can also be extremely 'spooky.' Low flows and gin-clear water instinctively make a trout weary of predators. Remember: If you can see them, then they can see you. A stealthy approach to the river is always a good idea and even more so, in the spring."

If you're looking for more buggy advice, be sure to check out Robert's instructional DVDs which can be bought here.

X-Ray Fish Photos: 41 Incredible Shots From the Smithsonian Institute

Sarah Smith — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:44:31 -0400

X-ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), is an exhibit traveling to museums across the country through 2015. Visit www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/ichthyo/index.htm for the tour itinerary.

SHARK!: A Preview of an Artistic Tribute To The Ancient Apex Predators of the Deep

Sarah Smith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:07:05 -0400

Millennia before humans first appeared on this planet, sharks were cutting their way through Earth's seas. They come in all shapes and sizes and are found in every ocean in the world as well as in many rivers and lakes.

A major multimedia art exhibition, SHARK!, organized by the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art and curated by acclaimed wildlife artist, author and environmentalist Richard Ellis, brings together art and science in documenting the fascination people have with these apex predators of the sea. In addition to drawings and paintings, the exhibition contains photos, sculptures, and video as well as a section devoted to the sensational impact of the 1975 film Jaws.

Ellis was good enough to give us these photos of pieces from the exhibition as a sneak peak. SHARK! opens on May 13.

For more information on the exhibit, click here.

The 45 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of February 2012

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:46:15 -0500

Submit your photos here!

Here is the gallery of the best reader photos from January 2012.

How to Catch a Wall-Hanger: 7 Tips for Locating, Fighting, and Landing Giant Bass, Walleye and More Big Fish This Season!

Online Editors — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:13:27 -0500

Make this the year to catch a fish so huge you’ll want to admire it for the rest of your life. We found the best lures and baits, the hot lakes and rivers, and the trophy hunter’s top strategies. After this, all you’ll need is a hammer and nail.

Find A Spill or a Fish Kill? Get This Card And Know Who To Call

Sarah Smith — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:55:51 -0500

by Tim Romano

A number of months ago Hal Herring reported on the "Toxic Petroleum Sludge" that was infiltrating the waters of our beloved carp fishery here on the South Platte River in Denver. Local angler and fly fisherman Trevor Taner was fishing for carp in the river on November 27 when he noticed, "weird milky chocolaty sludge", and after fishing for a while noticed his "fly and fingers smelled like gasoline". He also mentioned that he could "see micro-currents and upwells in the water column that you usually can't see."

After talking to Tanner he told me that he spent a very long time trying to figure out who to call about the situation. After multiple phone calls to friends and anglers he finally reached what he thought were the proper authorities. This unfortunately took many hours and didn't really provide the response he had hoped for. They basically told him he was crazy and there wasn't a spill.

Long story short, Trevor was right. There was a pretty serious petroleum "spill" and it was most certainly in the river. Leeching into a tributary of the Platte through layers of soil and sand. It was most likely coming from a local refinery on the east banks of the river. The EPA finally got involved and to my knowledge the cleanup continues.

All of this would have been made much, much easier for Trevor if he knew who to call. Now -- thanks to him I do, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Since the event Trevor was given an award by his local Trout Unlimited chapter and they also did a pressing of some "Spill or Kill Cards" in his honor. Spill for well, a spill of any kind. Kill, for a -- fish kill. You know, lots-o-dead bloated little fishies floating belly up in the water. Duh.

The business sized card fits in a wallet and has the National Spill Response Center's phone number (800-424-8802) as well as the twitter hashtag of other local TU members that can keep them up to speed on what's going on. The National Spill Response Center's duty is the "sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills". Supposedly it is the fastest way to get something done if you have an experience like what Trevor went through and have the gumption to do something about it.

So do you and your watershed, lake or coastline a favor and pop that number above into your phone's contact list. Label it something that you'll remember and hopefully never have to use. Someday you might be very happy you did.

Field & Stream Picks the Best New Fishing Gear of 2012

Online Editors — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:48:27 -0500

What's new in tackle this year? Plenty--and we fished with it all. Field & Stream testers hit the water with more than 100 pieces of the latest gear, from humble hooks to the top-of-the-line high-definition sonar units. We winnowed the list down to 16 standout products that clearly are the Best of the Best.

The 50 Best Shots From The 2011 Field & Stream Fall Trail Cam Contest

Online Editors — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:03:25 -0500

Here are the editors' picks for the 50 best entries in our 2011 Fall Trail Cam Photo Contest. Congrats to KSwhitetails who took first place with his "Bobcat catches a turkey in flight" shot and will receive the grand prize: a pair of Steiner 10x42 Predator Xtreme binoculars.

Congratulations to all this year's winners and thanks to everyone for the hundreds of great submissions.

You can check out the top photos from each round of the contest here:
ROUND I
ROUND II
ROUND III
ROUND IV

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.

I know lots of folks who can cast like a champ, and can't tell a baetis from a mosquito. I have a basic idea what's on the menu most of the time, but I realize I have tons to learn on bugs, especially after fishing with this guy. (Robert, the master entomologist, is also a master angler. Not a coincidence.)

If you have bug questions, go ahead and ask them in the comment thread, and we'll pick a few, twist Robert's arm, and get him to answer them. Failing that, you might want to pick up Robert's instructional DVD. For $30 (two discs) you can go from rank novice to enlightened when it comes to understanding bugs and fly fishing.

As a teaser, I put Robert "On the Spot" with five brief questions:

FlyTalk: You get one dry fly, and one dry fly only to fish anywhere in the country (for trout). What is it?

Robert: A Parachute Adams, in either a size 16 or 18. And that's a pretty easy choice, because it covers all the orders.

FlyTalk: Okay, you get one nymph fly. Which one?

Robert: A size 18 or 20 Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph. That's another solid, all-rounder.

FlyTalk: What's the one pattern that you, as an entomologist who studies and understands bugs, have absolutely no idea how or why it works, but it does?

Robert: Pat's Rubber Legs. Or maybe a hot pink San Juan Worm.

FlyTalk: What's the one fly pattern you wish you had created yourself?

Robert: The Beadhead Prince nymph.

FlyTalk: How do you not drive yourself insane trying to match the hatch? Cant' too much knowledge be a bad thing?

Robert: I carry thousands of different flies when I fish, but I'd say 90 percent of my fishing is done with 10-15 different fly patterns. The key is tuning into what the prevalent order of the day is. Is it a mayfly day? A caddis day? If you take the time to be a good observer before you wet a line, understanding what flies to use is not that complicated.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From January 2012

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

Submit your photos here!

Here are the monthly Best Reader Photo Galleries from last year:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

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.

Pat is one of the best guides in the world. He makes his living whacking out trips on the highly technical rivers in and around Colorado's Front Range. I don't know anybody who has tailwater fishing more dialed than Pat does. You can fish any of Pat's rivers, and recognize legions of "Dorsey Disciples," just by watching how they fish (the brown Holly Twist yarn strike indicator is a dead giveaway). He's an author of high esteem (if Merwin reads you, you're doing something right). He's one of the best fly pattern developers in the country (if you don't carry things like Pat's Rubber Legs and the Mercury RS2 in your box, you should). Most of all, he's a heck of a good friend and a great guy.

Some of his "on the spot" answers might surprise you:

FlyTalk: What's the one species of fish that you have never caught, that tops your bucket list?

Dorsey: Tarpon. I'm long overdue to catch a tarpon. And I can only imagine what that feels like.

FlyTalk: What's the most common mistake you see anglers make?

Dorsey: Lack of observation and looking around you would be one of them. But I'd say that the number one mistake is lack of preparation. There are a lot of things you can do to make your fishing go well, before you ever get to the river.

FlyTalk: What's the one piece of gear you carry that some of us would be surprised to discover.

Dorsey: A hook hone. I try to keep my flies as sharp as a (SOB). I don't think a lot of anglers pay attention to that detail, but it matters when it comes to hooking and landing fish.

FlyTalk: What's your goal for 2012?

Dorsey: To become a better angler, and a better steward for the environment. Ultimately, to be a better guide.

FlyTalk: Of all the flies you've created, what's your favorite, and what fly do you wish you created?

Dorsey: The favorite fly I've made would have to be the Paper Tiger. And the fly I didn't invent but wish I had is the Copper John. Who doesn't wish they made the Copper John?