Month: March 2023
Dances with Snakes
Waist-deep in a long pool, I danced to and fro dodging a water snake intent on climbing my waders. My daughter laughed at my Fred Astaire imitation in murky water. Though I recognized the snake as nonvenomous, I still had no desire to have a creature slithering southbound in my waders to parts unknown. More …...
A Great Day After All
“One great thing about fly fishing is that after a while nothing exists of the world but thoughts of fly fishing.” Norman Maclean Suppose you’re somewhat of a fly fishing ‘Newbie,’ excited about this new sport but inexperienced, and you find yourself standing among three seasoned fly fishermen. Intimidating? Definitely. But you...
Females on the Fly: Pamela Dunlap
Lead Photo – Pamela Dunlap, Second Creek, Monroe County, WV (photo courtesy Trevor Coffman) For many of us, we would like to consider fly fishing as a way of life—that one activity that defines who we are, and what we aspire to spend much of our time doing. It seems that no matter how busy …...
My West Virginia Trespassing Trophy
The creek was low. The casting was difficult. Thunder was rolling over the ridge. And I had no idea I was trespassing. That was the scenario when I hooked, landed and released the largest wild trout I’d ever caught in almost 50 years of wading Appalachian streams. Catching that big rainbow delivered an adrenalin high …...
The Flint River Sage
An Interview with Kent Edmonds Kent Edmonds is a fly fishing guide in La Grange, Georgia. Kent guides anglers for shoal bass, striped bass, panfish, shad, carp and even gar. He is also a fly tyer and has several popular fly designs, most notably the “Stealth Bomber”. I sat down with Kent to discuss his …...
The Firsts of Spring
Alex was waiting for me at the pull off when I arrived. I quickly grabbed my rod and a small box of essential gear stashed in my car and we made our way down a wooded hill to the cart path. Through trial and error, he’s figured out that Mondays are groundskeeping day on this …...
Why I Like to Fly Fish
It is getting up early in the morning and living off a Stanley thermos full of Folgers classic roast. Stepping into the cold river and watching the world wake up before your very eyes. The birds start to chirp, the orange sun peaks over the horizon, and the beast I have come to conquer starts …...
Ladyfish and spoon flies.
As I looked across the sparkling water, the sun transformed my eyes into slivers. The beach was surprisingly empty as the wind gave a gentle reprieve to my burning skin. After several days of fishing the marshes of southern Alabama, I was beginning to lose hope and motivation. I shifted in the sand as I …...
Carp in the Swamp
I stop at the crosswalk and survey my surroundings. It’s 6:30pm in Georgetown, an upscale neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Restaurant goers lounge around linen-covered tables in the evening heat, and groups of shoppers clutching designer handbags pass among boutiques. I receive a fair share of curious glances, but I understand. Far...
A GIFT OF BAMBOO
The rich hues of its dark-flamed, six-sided surface were warm and deep, its workmanship superb. “MIKE, DID YOU ORDER a bamboo fly rod?” Mary Jane’s unexpected question was steeped in curiosity as she strolled into the room carrying a long triangular box. “Uh, what?” I responded, completely confused as she handed me the newly...
