Articles

Don't blame your fly rod for your lousy casting

It's not the stick in your hands, it's you

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, Jun 3rd, 2015

A skilled caster can make it happen with any rod (photo: Chad Shmukler).

We write a lot about fly rods. We write about which ones we like, ones we sort of like and sometimes about ones we don't like at all. We discuss their action, recovery speed, accuracy and so on, all in an effort to help anglers determine which rod is right for them. The driving force behind this practice is the idea that certain rods are better suited to certain casting styles and skill levels and are thus better suited to certain anglers than others.

Go fishing for science

Trout Unlimited wants you to help fish by catching more of them

by Chris Hunt - Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

All in the name of science: a brightly colored brook trout comes to the net after taking a stonefly nymph (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Trout Unlimited launched its TroutBlitz 2015 effort over the Memorial Day weekend, in hopes of encouraging America’s anglers to go fishing in the name of science.

ECHO intros new 'BOOST' fly rod series

ECHO's newest rod series offers ultra-fast action at an ultra-affordable price

by Chad Shmukler - Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

The ECHO BOOST saltwater series.

Last week, ECHO more formally announced a rod series it initially revealed almost a year ago, its new BOOST series. The BOOST is a mid-low price range rod that can easily be described as ultra-fast, which ECHO owner and rod designer Tim Rajeff says he crafted for anglers with more compact casting strokes that are looking to deliver longer casts with higher line speeds and tighter loops.

Fly fishing industry leaders pen letter to Congress calling for restoration of Clean Water Act protections

The sport's biggest brands throw their support behind headwater protections

by Chris Hunt - Friday, May 22nd, 2015

Photo: Chris Hunt

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are nearing the release of a final rule that would restore protections under the Clean Water Act for small headwater streams in the United States. Dubbed Waters of the United States, the new rule would protect small headwater streams from unpermitted development, just as was intended when the Clean Water Act was approved 40 years ago.

A fifth lake run

Fishermen want fireworks, even if they’re drawn from imagination rather than reality

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

The Wood Range overlooks the crystal clear, grayling-charged waters of Kulik creek (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Few things in the world of fishing are what they seem, whether it is fly shop chatter about last night’s hatch, a guide’s description of the rivers he or she works, or a brochure about the bonefish trip you’re thinking about taking. This is with good reason. Fishermen, despite a lifetime of learning that should teach them to do otherwise, carry the weight of unreasonably lofty expectations.