I suppose some might consider it  “the fun’s back in fly tying” – but while I’m here sucking a forefinger, I don’t see it that way… The Skalka and Knapek competition barbless hooks arrived yesterday, and with less than 24 hours before my march northward, I had to bang out as many flies as possible to [...]

Once again I’m the center of attention as co-workers dance about me in utter horror. We’re leaving this morning for the Annual “Guys from work go fishing and talk smack about everyone else,” trip – and I’m being admonished to bring quarters for the shower… “Shower? %$#@ That.” While the other fellows roll their eyes [...]

I’ve always assumed it’s professional disdain – why the Fish and Game is reluctant to use anglers for eradication or thinning fish populations. The only venture I know of; “Fistful of Pikeminnow”, and “For A Few Pikeminnow More”, suggest that the bounty program on Columbia River Pikeminnow netted 158,000 fish for 2008, with anglers pocketing [...]

We always had some form of sporting literature lying around, old Field & Stream magazines or Outdoor Life that eventually would migrate enmasse to the John, where they joined “the sporting ladies” of National Geographic on their final tour before discard. Whether it was upland game or bird hunting, there was always some story featuring [...]

It was a crash course in paraffin, beeswax, petroleum distillates, herbal additives, and tropical fruit – none of which I’d anticipated with such a mundane bit of research. I’ve gone through three sports, two industries, and a half dozen hobbies – hoping to find something special, and found that the ignoble Beeswax remains right up [...]

Steeped in controversy yet the theory is simple; if garlic and lemon makes it palatable then it escapes the invasive label. If it’s too small to barbeque it’s destined to be fought tooth and nail. The exception being Rock Snot, which despite urging from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, we avoid salad like the plague [...]

I’d like to think that the only options were Good, Bad, & Ugly – but past experience suggests there’s the occasional Divine, and a lot of Ridiculous. I’m headed up North again next week – this time to assault some overly content Rainbow and Brown trout that assume the National Park designation means safety… I’m [...]

Raised in a bubble with the press of humanity alert to your every move, tight security and handlers catering to your every need, with researchers and reporters combing through your trash -you’re certain to have reproductive problems. Androgyny is the least of your worries, what with caretakers ensuring you’re fed and clothed, associations groomed to [...]

I had another chat with Kevin Compton the distributor for the Dohiku and Grip hook lines and was reminded to check up on our my favorite subject, competitive fly fishing. My contention has always been that all real evolution in tackle is occurring due to the competitive angler – and us hobbyists are pretty content with [...]

It’s one of those odd-duck materials that fills a need – only the need is ill defined. It’s a warning klaxon to us life long accumulators – we’ve learned the hard way, define the need before reaching for the 6.5 lb bulk spool… I’ve been struggling with a lucid description for days; it’s akin to [...]