He turned, lifted his head slightly and said, “I only fly-fish.” We were standing twenty feet apart on the rocky shore of an estuary in Nova Scotia casting 8 wts for stripers. I felt an uncomfortable pressure to agree. Which I did, however it was a lie. I felt conflicted. I fly fish as a …...

A lot of experts know considerably more about trout fishing than I do. That admission comes as a result of humility learned on the trout stream. Furthermore, at my age, I find I am learning new things more slowly than the things I know are continuing to leak from my memory. So, I thought I …...

Magazines, articles and blogs are great, but there is something timeless about a good book. Fly fishing book covers are often eye-catching, and make great coffee table decorations. Too often these books never have the chance to be read, and to advance the skills and minds of fly anglers. I’ve curated a list of eight …...

Understanding predatory fish in rivers is difficult for any angler. Often, they are few and far between as they need larger ranges while seeking eating opportunities. Knowing their forage base is likely the most important factor when beginning to hunt these fish. Next is understanding the periods of time during the day when these fish...

On many fisheries around the world anglers can go about their day on the water making routine casts in areas likely to hold fish and come away with a reasonable number of bites and fish to the net 80-90 percent of the time. However, certain pieces of water require more attention to detail on the …...

There were many long nights, unable to move. I willed myself to dream of being able to walk and wade a trout stream. Sinking deep inside myself to filter out the beeps, gurgles, groans and muffled conversations of the ward. My intent was to channel all I had left cerebrally, into the ability to just …...

The spool is emptying in head shaking lurches. I glance out over the white cap, foaming fast water cascading through the causeway and see Ernie’s impressive white church on the bank above the river. Not a denomination but rather an ownership, though Ernie can sermonize on politics and his beloved Philadephia Eagles! This striper is...

The fly fishing community mourns the sudden passing of legendary angler Cathy Beck on a recent trip to Argentina in February, 2024. Along with her husband, Barry, they traveled the world hosting fly fishing get-aways while chasing angling adventures together for over three decades. Barry’s photographs have adorned the pages of numerous...

The bug, a size 2 fly rod mouse imitation, hit the water with a gentle splat. Immediately, the water bulged nearby, a large bulge, a harbinger of good things to come. After a long moment, the bug just disappeared. It could have been a bluegill strike. I set the hook with authority. The fish, surprised, …...

He was a tall guy with a handsome face, a full head of brown hair and sky-blue eyes. In the early years of adulthood, he played sports. Too light of frame to be a football player, he naturally took to basketball in high school and junior college, and later played baseball in the city league …...