Some of my best lessons have not been inside classrooms. My teachers were not human. Sure, humans were involved but only as vessels to transport the knowledge. My best teacher is The Outdoors. I owe a lot of what I have learned about the world and myself to fly fishing. I have been taught patience, …...

Flats fishing can be one of the most rewarding forms of fly fishing. Or it can be completely frustrating. Read below to learn about behaviors to use when you wish to scare off every fish on any flat, and of course the antidote for such foolish behavior. Let’s start with stalking mistakes. Clothing If you …...

I was fishing a small wild-trout stream that trickled in places and occasionally pooled where the creek turned a corner. I noticed an angler crossing the stream below me and what stood out more than anything was his net. Attached to his back, the net itself looked two feet wide and the handle extended another …...

Good fathers understand their sons. And Burl Lear clearly understood little Carl. CARL LEAR LOVED his father’s fly rod. At eight years old, he couldn’t remember a time when that rod had not been a part of his life, as it would continue to be until the day he died. It was a deep golden …...

An Interview with Capt. John Irwin Intro Captain John Irwin has been guiding in Charleston since 2002, where he specializes in both fly fishing and light tackle charters. He is a renowned guide and advocate for the stewardship of the outdoors, especially in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. He has been featured on shows like …...

For centuries Native Americans called the river “Thronateeska” meaning “flint picking up place.” During its discovery by Desoto in the 1500’s it was referred to as the Rio Perdernales, meaning “flint” in Spanish and its name was eventually translated into the “Flint River.” I renamed it “Awesome.” The river begins...

Photography is not a matter of chance, but is a matter of being prepared. Some of the most iconic and inspiring photography was possible because someone was prepared for the moment in time when the opportunity arose. Being Prepared Cell phones are now able to capture photos that were previously missed opportunities. That being said,...

The Air Canada commuter banked into the sun and slid out of the sky to touch down at Massett Field in the south of the Queen Charlotte Islands. They off-loaded our bags and pole cases right out of the plane, and we piled into the rented beater we had reserved – a twelve-year-old GMC Suburban. …...

In my early days of fly tying, a person needed to be both hunter and gatherer. Now, I will admit to being old enough, as one blues tune says, “to remember when the Dead Sea got sick.” The problem in those days was that quality materials were hard to come by and a meager budget …...