“The selection of a site for a new farm was always based, in part, on the availability of a good supply of clean, cold water. ‘I’ve got a good, bold spring,’ is a sentence we have heard a hundred times, and it is always said with pride and satisfaction.” – Fox Fire, book no. 4.… Continue reading Fixing an old Springhouse. Water problems, water solutions.
Winter Techniques Pt.1 – False Spring Fishing – Upstream Bounce
“Have you ever seen how a sculpin swims? On the very bottom, darting and skirting from hiding place to hiding place… to slow water cover behind rocks and structure, on to the next same type of hiding place. Sculpins forage for food just like Trout, have home ranges and preferred routes of travel and security. Habits and patterns. We want our streamer to swim upstream like the sculpin”
Subaqueous Beginning
Fishing a size 16 sulphur dun dry-fly on the swing was how he taught himself how to fly fish. Like a wet fly on the swing, exactly like that actually – letting the current take control after casting across or quartering downstream. No floatant or desiccant powder, no mends, no real need to even consider… Continue reading Subaqueous Beginning
Self-inflicted Progression
“This is time, familiar and intimate. We are taken by it. The rush of seconds, hours, years that hurls us towards life then drags us to nothingness…. We inhabit time as fish live in water. – Carlo Rovelli, The Order of Time Ivan gets bored… Continue reading Self-inflicted Progression
Tippet Swivels from Tippet Rings & Problem Solving Astream
“Possibly we can only display movement in our flies within certain parameters, set by the moving water, and we must refine our tactics to these parameters until we are able to recognize some form of progress…”
Stocked vs Wild Fish…. more like, Stocked AND Wild Fish.
Some stockies “Each time you take someone new fishing and they catch a fish, you plant the seed of potential conservation.” -Joe Humphreys, Quoted in person late Winter 2021 Much of the modern dogmatism in fly angling has to do with the type of fish we are in pursuit of: wild versus stocked… Continue reading Stocked vs Wild Fish…. more like, Stocked AND Wild Fish.
Spawning Brook Trout & Ed Hewitt’s Better Trout Streams (1931)
“It has been determined from these studies that streams under seven feet in width are more than twice as rich as wider streams over seven feet in width.” – Ed Hewitt, Better Trout Streams I completely agree with Hewitt’s findings regarding the the sub-seven foot rule and corresponding biohealth. It started five years… Continue reading Spawning Brook Trout & Ed Hewitt’s Better Trout Streams (1931)
The Fly Fisher & The Spotted Lantern Fly
The Eastern Fly Fisherman & The Spotted Lantern Fly – What they do, What can we do? “All fisherman, whether they realize it or not – and most do – care very much about the aesthetics of their fishing spots; they are part of the mood and meaning of going fishing. Aesthetic qualities are… Continue reading The Fly Fisher & The Spotted Lantern Fly
Water Haul. Refine.
“The basic fundamentals, refined to perfection, are your most advanced techniques.” – Joe Humphreys. Quoted in person, Lancaster PA. Early Spring, 2022. When Mr. Humphreys spoke these words I was tuned in completely. His voice alone evokes emotion. The year previous I found myself holding back tears as I asked him to sign my copy… Continue reading Water Haul. Refine.
Qui vive
“Nevertheless, even in a crowded warren, visitors in the form of young rabbits seeking desirable dry quarters may be tolerated…. And if powerful enough they may obtain and hold a place” -R.M. Lockley, The Private Life of the Rabbit I sometimes seek out a good humbling experience while most of the time not… Continue reading Qui vive