By Joe Cermele

In the Northeast where I live, the carp are fired up right now. Some are still spawning, and the ones that aren't are really hungry. I've been crushing them lately on the fly, but since I found some good bodies of water close to home that are loaded with carp, I've faced a moral dilemma: Do I, or do I not, cast bread flies at them? Whenever I roll up to one of my spots and see kids tossing bread to the ducks, it's both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it gets the carp moving and feeding. On the other, you can cast nymphs, berries, and streamers at carp keyed in on bread until you're blue in the face and they'll rarely strike. I keep telling myself they're just carp and I should hook them up by any means and have fun. But thus far I have not resorted to a bread fly. In the back of my mind, it makes it too easy, and it's the spot-and-stalk I love. What do you think? Though I can't understand the guy in this video, it's a nice Wonder Bread pattern for sure.

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By Kirk Deeter

I've been fortunate enough to have fished with many professional athletes in recent years. You'd be surprised by how many actually gravitate to fly fishing as a release from the rigors of playing sports under bright lights for a living.

I'll be honest though—some are way better than others when they put on waders, and I think that has to do with the dynamics of their professions. Golfers, for example, are usually really good fly anglers. After all, one could argue that fly fishing and golf are kindred pastimes, both born in Scotland centuries ago. It's all about planning the next move, and adapting to the current situation. The way the wheels spin in golfers' and anglers' minds are very similar, so it's not surprising to know that Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara, Nick Price, and Davis Love III (among many others) are all avid anglers. [ Read Full Post ]

By Kirk Deeter

When it comes to attaching my fly line to a leader, I like the streamlined profile of the nail knot. I've been a nail knot guy for years. I think it helps the line and leader run through the guides with less resistance. This is particularly important during the end stages of landing fish, when you crank some leader past the tip.

I also trust the strength of nail knots more than I do loops. Over the years, I've had 10 loops break to every one nail knot that's failed. So now, when I buy a packet of pre-looped leaders (or a loop end fly line), I often cut off the loops and use a nail knot tool to tie the leader on. [ Read Full Post ]

By Joe Cermele

So this video of a bald eagle grabbing a fish being reeled in by a fly angler has been floating around the Interwebs for about a week now. It would appear that the huge bird spools the reel in about 5 seconds. But I'm calling it a fake. I think the footage is real, but I believe the screaming drag sound was piped in back at the editing room. Notice that you never see the bent rod nor the reel that is supposedly getting smoked. As for the dude's reaction, sorry, but it sounds very poorly acted. If this happened to me, there would have been some cuss words to bleep out. I think they pitched something in the water knowing the bird would grab it and staged the whole thing. Then again, it's just my opinion. What do you think?

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By Tim Romano

This video isn't about fly fishing, but it should resonate with anyone who fishes or hunts for food. Kimi Werner, a free-diving spearfisher, talks about why spearfishing is her favorite way to collect food, what she feels is her place in the food chain and what hunting means to her. [ Read Full Post ]

By Kirk Deeter

Not long ago I shared with you the story of Joey Maxim and how fly fishing has aided in his recovery from a terrible automobile accident. Getting to know this young man and his father Joe had a profound impact on how I view the sport I have enjoyed for most of my life. But there's more to the story... [ Read Full Post ]