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Using different fly floatants
Not all fly floatants are created equally. What's more, not all fly floatants are appropriate for universal use on the water. For instance, CDC flies will do better if the angler applies a silicon-based floatant rather than a gel floatant. Bigger flies might require a liquid floatant that can get down into the hairs used…
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The black ant
Terrestrial season is upon us. Ants and beetles are likely already crossing the downed logs over your favorite trout stream, and I'm betting grasshoppers won't be far behind. And trout love terrestrial bugs—they're big mouthfuls of protein. Perhaps the simplest terrestrial bug to tie is the good old black ant. https://youtu.be/8FjKdCz_-wU Above, Matt Callies of…
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Random Moments
Some fly-fishing scenes are universally appealing. Trout moving on a dry fly. The rise. Even the refusal. Cheers to the folks at Carpe Diem, the Swedish YouTubers who occasionally present some really great fly-fishing videography like the short film below. https://youtu.be/JPFYTe4G7sk Chasing trout isn't always about catching trout—most of us get that. But it generally…
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How to fish a dry fly downstream
The "upstream and dry" approach is a commonly accepted method—and on some European waters, it's required—for fly fishing. Here in the U.S., we're blessed with a lot of trout water, and, thankfully, a lot of public lands on which we can fish at our leisure rather than being forced to pay rod fee, walk a…
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Isonychia Nymph
Classic flies tied by eastern fly fishers years ago are enjoying a renaissance of sorts. Tiers like Tim Flagler are helping make that happen. Below, Tim ties the classic Isonychia Nymph, a simple pattern that Tim says he's fishing a lot with lately, and with great success. https://youtu.be/GEw6LsZbEGg The pattern is an excellent dead-drifter in…
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An accidental trophy
Every now and then, I like to explore and find new water, even in parts of the world I'm very familiar with. Earlier this week, I spent some time in the fringe country of Yellowstone National Park, along the Idaho-Montana border. It's ranch and cabin country here—there's a lot of private land that borders public…
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How to Read a River
Reading the water is an acquired skill. It's an ability that's honed over time, and one that takes into account not only a river's physical characteristics, but how certain stretches might fish at certain times of the year ... or even certain times of the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcBIq5gWfjE Above, RIO's Simon Gawesworth helps shorten the learning…
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