Choosing Flies

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

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 monthly Best Reader Photo Galleries from last year:

Step by Step Photo Instructions on How to Tie "The Stimulator" Fly

Online Editors — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:17:00 -0500

by Tim Romano

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.