Archive for January, 2009

That which will never be spoken in polite company »

For fly fishermen it’s the number we’ve always feared. We think about it with every trip but it’s strictly a “don’t ask, don’t tell” topic in the parking area.
Spouse and family members have brought it up multiple times, we shrug and pretend we didn’t hear, often followed by some weak retort on what they’ve [...]

Is the garage the only possible venue for wildlife art? »

Dead fish are despised universally as mantle art, with the proud owner brought to his senses only by the threat of divorce. Is there a secret society that ensures our shrines of testosterone are fit only for the garage?

Nothing makes the fur fly like using the wife’s coffee grinder »

I’m rarely satisfied with fly shop packaged dubbing, small little chunks of fur or a single shade of color just doesn’t fit with my impressionist bent. I’d rather make my own – but I’m careful to use my own coffee grinder as explaining a “Furrpachino” to the wife means a painful and demeaning doghouse experience.

Mix Blue and Brown and it still winds up Muddy »

The Brownline is no place to invoke the wild and scenic river act. Now that the Little Stinking has been nominated I’ll have to move or be labelled as the “Brownline Sellout.”

Hardy and Grey’s reintroduces the glass – carbon composite »

Hardy and Grey’s with expansion plans? If they can weather the economics it’s likely they can fill the gaps of smaller shops that might vanish due to poor markets and undercapitalization. Introduction of fiberglass carbon composites puts them in the same arena as Sage – both own a fearsome brand recognition.

It whispers to me, telling me to do bad things »

The voices make me do bad things – ignoring decorum and proper fish sense – I had to the mylar rack and finger stuff that Elvis and the Bee Gee’s used to wear.

Things that make you go, huh? »

The Moffitt fly fishing system is a new adaptation of an old theme, disconnecting the fly from the hook – which aids in releasing trout and other gamefish. Flies and indicators are joined to the leader with loop connections and employ a soft flexible core. Releasing fish is easier as the strike draws the hook into the outside of the jaw, away from sensitive anatomy inside the fishes mouth.

The white dinner jacket is optional »

Waders have always served well in the water and can be bestial on long treks from the parking lot. Rather than take a chance on the viability of the Big Three automakers, perhaps you can convince the spouse to kill two birds with a single stone…

Three onboard electric motors coupled with zero emissions and biodegradable [...]

Tweed might itch, so we’ll let you wear Polyester »

Professional has its moments, but if “Unwashed Bob,” who catches more fish than any human alive, is unbooked, wouldn’t he be equivalent to a smiling courteous staff?
“Professional” is as common as fish on ads for fly fishing outfitters, lodges, casting schools, waders, and accessories. Vendor coffers spew oodles of dollars to show beaming clients, [...]

Scheherazade is easy. The little black dress is hard. »

Coco Chanel is credited with the “little black dress” a fashion staple for women. Was she influenced by the Black Doctor, one of two favorite flies for Atlantic Salmon?

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