Articles

Fly pattern should always be the last thing you change

When the results don't come, it's probably not your fly choice that's to blame

by George C Costa - Thursday, Jan 26th, 2017

Photo: Uncredited

Fly selection has always been one of the most frustrating aspects of fly fishing for beginning and casual anglers. We all know the old mantra of “match the hatch” but sometimes that approach doesn’t meet muster. So when do you switch it up? At what point do you throw in the towel on the pattern you’ve got on and try something new?

The doldrums (the skunk)

Prime time for musky ain't all that prime

by Matthew Reilly - Tuesday, Jan 24th, 2017

Photo: Matthew Reilly

There’s a curious contradiction in the sport of musky fishing. As I’ve come to understand the pattern here in my native central Virginia, you’re most likely to boat one of these southern coldwater gangsters in the spring and fall months when water temperatures are ideal. The spring’s reproductive mood sparks an especially aggressive attitude, inspiring more fish to chase flies. With the bite of winter, however, comes the rivers’ highest average flows and thus the opportunity for boating truly large musky is bolstered.

Within moments of taking office, Trump pledges to roll back measures of paramount importance to anglers

Sportsmen's groups respond sharply to Trump's targeting of Clean Water Rule

by Chad Shmukler - Sunday, Jan 22nd, 2017

Photo: Gage Skidmore

Within minutes of Donald Trump being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, Trump and his team unveiled the President's new stance on energy issues, which made one of its cornerstones the elimination of the Waters of the U.S. Rule which is, to anglers, likely the single most important piece of legislation in existence. For Trump's detractors, the declaration was little more than a confirmation of fears that they have held throughout the campaign and run up to the election.

120 Days, Convergence lead 2017 Fly Fishing Film Tour lineup

Another fine lineup of films charges this year's F3T

by Chad Shmukler - Friday, Jan 20th, 2017

Photo: Brett Martina

If I'm being honest, the degree to which I tend to complement all things Felt Soul Media is becoming a little bit embarrassing. But the Colorado-based duo of Ben Knight and Travis Rummel have managed to do it again with a somewhat unexpected short film, titled 120 Days: Tarpon Season. Along with the latest from Conservation Hawks, Convergence, which we wrote about the other day, the two films serve to highlight another strong selection of films that F3T is showcasing on this year's tour.

Review: Simms DOWNstream Jacket

Getting down to business with Simms new winter workhorse

by Kris Millgate - Tuesday, Jan 17th, 2017

The men's DOWNstream jacket.

I’m following tracks along the Snake River. Too small for coyote. Too clawed for rabbit. Otter maybe. Looking for fish just like I am. I’m on snowshoes so I stay farther from the icy edge than the critter, but we’re heading the same way. Upstream. I lean into the biting northern wind and pursue. Winter plowed into eastern Idaho a few days ago. When snow isn’t falling, the temperature is. Twenty below zero one day. I lasted 20 minutes on snowshoes that day. It’s 16 now. I’ll last an hour if the new coat I’m wearing is warm enough.