We’re going back a few years for this one! “The Little Things” is the first in a series of articles — and presentations — on seemingly insignificant things that can have a huge impact on your fly fishing success. This piece first appeared in the July/August 2015 issue of American Angler. Noteworthy: not everything in this article is in my original “Little Things” presentation. To read it, there’s a link to a pdf below. Enjoy!
No line application in fly fishing is more misunderstood than the floating line for striped bass. Well, maybe not. Maybe it’s the intermediate line. Tell you what — read this, then go forth with your floating line and be fruitful and multiply your striped bass catch. “Mainly Misunderstood: Five Myths and Realities About Using Floating Lines for Striped Bass” includes words of wisdom from striper grandmaster Ken Abrames. It first appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of American Angler.
Mainly Misunderstood-Five Myths and Realities About Using Floating Lines for Striped Bass
All good things to those who invest in the floating line. (Okay, we can add in the flatwing and the greased line swing.)
I usually write from my own experience, but for “Streamer Kings” I interviewed George Daniel, Chad Johnson, and Tommy Lynch. Their comments and insights compose the bulk of the article. Whether you’re new to streamers for trout or an old Mickey Finn hand like me, I’ll bet you learn something useful. On newsstands now.
“Upstream, Downstream, Small Stream” first appeared in the March/April 2013 issue of American Angler. The article’s subhead sums it up nicely: “What’s the best tactical approach on a high-gradient mountain stream? Let the brookies be your guide.” I wrote this piece after I became fascinated with how receptive — or unreceptive — wild brook trout were to my offerings, depending on how I was fishing. Many thanks to American Angler for allowing me to share it on currentseams. I’m trying something different this time: Instead of the article text and photos, it’s a pdf link.
Is there a best way to catch fish like this? Yes. No. Maybe. Read the article and you’ll see what I mean.
Many thanks to the HFFA for hosting me tonight — and for understanding that a fed presenter is a happy presenter. Yummy burger, yummy beer, good company. On top of that, I was gifted some flies and a lovely La Aroma De Cuba El Jefe Corona Gorda. Thanks for your generosity. Thus endeth the 2016-2017 speaking season.
Speaking of flies, my apologies to the contest winners for the delay in getting your swag out to you. I have one more dozen to tie, then off they go. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
The writing machine is humming along. Look for more stuff soon from yours truly in Field & Stream (summer smallies) and American Angler (streamers for trout). I’ll try to get some article reposts up on this site, too.
Looks like some swollen rivers this weekend. After last year’s drought disaster, I’ll take the surplus.
The Hous at 100cfs. You won’t be seeing any of those rocks this weekend.
Why are floating lines so underused for striped bass fly fishing? Are intermediate lines truly versatile? These questions and more are answered in “Mainly Misunderstood,” and you can read all about it in the current (May/June 2017) issue of American Angler. If you’re looking to open the door to a whole new world of presentation options, the floating line is the antidote to the mind-numbing metronome of cast-and-strip.
If you want to catch keeper bass like this with flatwings fished on a greased line swing, you’re gonna need a floating line.
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I love fishing floating lines in surf around structure.
“Building a Better Trout Stream,” written by yours truly, is a neat little conservation piece. It’s about Hatchery Creek, a man-made — yet sustainable — trout stream built in south central Kentucky. Cool stuff, and you can read all about it in the current issue of American Angler.
You can create a perfect little trout stream out of dry land. Find out how on page 8.
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Yes, Virginia, there are more projects in the article pipeline. Details on those as they near printing stage in 2017.
I also have a busy appearance schedule this winter, including The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA. Updates to come in January 2017.
Submitted for your reading pleasure: “The Little Things V2.0” and “I’m Not Dead Yet — The last hurrah for wild Connecticut River strain Atlantic Salmon” in the current issue of American Angler.
“The Little things V2.0” serves as a springboard for a new presentation coming this fall (I will kick it off in Coventry, RI at the TU225 meeting in late September.
Many thanks to the Connecticut DEEP for sharing their time and knowledge for the salmon article, and a shout out to currentseams.com follower RM Lytle for the same (and a very spiffy photo of his prized catch).
The little things is like compounding interest. It all adds up. Then one day you’re rich.
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Look for it at your favorite fly shop or newsstand.
It seems like I am always writing. Some of it ends up here. Some of it never goes anywhere (sloth, concept that never gelled, editor indifference). And some of it makes its way into glorious print. Here’s what’s coming soon to a news stand or mailbox near you.
A feature article on wet flies in Field & Stream. Sometime this summer.
The Little Things V2.0. This summer in American Angler. More seemingly insignificant things you can do to help you catch more fish.
An shorter conservation piece on the failed Atlantic Salmon restoration project (Connecticut River strain-specific). American Angler, this summer (I think).
A primer on Block Island stripers on the fly from the shore. This fall in the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide.
Thanks for your continued readership and support. Speaking of support, I see we are tantalizingly close to 400 followers. Once we crack — and hold — that barrier, we’ll do a fly giveaway.
Working the night shift with a Rock Island flatwing.
Check out the current (Nov/Dec) issue of American Angler for my latest article, “Wet Fly 101.” Wet flies have been fooling trout for centuries, and the fish aren’t getting any smarter. This piece serves as a broad introduction to wet flies. It covers basics like fly types; building a traditional three-fly team; what kind of water to target; and presentation. For those looking to take the ancient and traditional path to subsurface success, it’s a fine place to start.
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