I’ll unleash a storm of precise imitation, a half dozen tell-all manuscripts, and turn both coasts of fly fishermen on their collective ear…
… and I’ve always wanted to do that, just once …
Having fished for American Shad for many years I’d always subscribed to the “attractor” theory; they smack flies out of spite/anger/curiosity but they [...]

The credential is slowly winkling it’s way into our sport, and I have mixed emotions about the legitimacy that implies..
It was the same when I worked for a large brokerage house (now deceased); I asked the traders what it took to be a stock broker and was surprised how little training was required, “Basically, [...]

I like trout better.
Big trees, cold water, and a ready shade tree with rock to perch under - so I can dangle them big, tired Lumberjack feet in cold water …
I’ll be back to my senses shortly. I’ll remember the sphincter-puckering roar of that 100 car freight that surprised me on the outside turn, [...]

It was the same eerie death rattle I’d heard earlier from Wally, who was keenly aware of the piles of rods, waders, and tackle, being transferred from porch to vehicle, and once freed found two cars in the driveway with doors open - and he’d made a dash for the Old Familiar.
Tail thudding a steady beat, [...]

All I know is I’m missing a double fistful of dry flies …

I made it back from the woods with all my tungsten intact, but the dry fly box had some conspicuous holes in it - with the only clue being directions to a party I’d never heard of … and scrawled in crayon across [...]

By this evening I’ll be waist deep in icy unclean water. It won’t have been that way before I arrived, but after I dip them big feet into all that fast moving pristine, it’ll make metam-sodium seem tame in the comparison.
The first of my “national average” 6 trips to the unspoilt - which will [...]

We’ve played this game before; I try to wrench you into the 21st Century, and you’re content with the pasttime your poppa taught you.  Still leery of professional fly fishing as a sport, televised or otherwise, and scowling while I insist competition would liven the small screen, and using NASCAR rules would make an interesting twist…
Spying an article on [...]

Pop always told me to “never turn your back on the Ocean.” It’s that mantra that all outdoor’s types learn over time, keep attuned to your surroundings as you never know what lies on the trail ahead.
I was reminded of that yesterday, I’m coasting into the parking area and greeted by the remnants of some audiophile’s  [...]

Them prospective advertisers can breath easy knowing Singlebarbed has sold his immortal soul (again) and embraced the “Now.” It’s been a steady diet of supermodel’s, tea socials, and autograph hounds - now that we’re gracing the cover of “Foreclosed Real Estate Weekly” - expect us to trade greasy ball caps for Armani, baby.

I’m expecting rarified [...]

It’s due to the unnatural preoccupation with foodstuffs - create a fly and it almost always has a food name. The debris field from the vise suggests I’m up to no good - with an equal mixture of Orange Carrot flies and Pink Grapefruit.
… it’s California, we’re not allowed to subvert our youth with manly [...]