Not sure anyone would want to actually fish them, but would sure like to own some.
From http://drowningworms.com/best-fly-patterns-ever-created/
29
Dec
2013
fly fishing
24
Nov
2013
The correct way to remove a fishing hook from a human, painlessly and safely.
There seems to be a rash of videos about removing hooks from people, all feature the âline-loopâ method. Some even show some brave souls sticking hooks in themselves to demonstrate the method.
Unfortunately all these videos make a mistake that almost certainly means the hook extraction will be painful to a lesser or greater level.
All the videos make a point of placing the loop at the middle of the bend and then pulling straight back in-line with the hook shaft. This is wrong, if pain is to be avoided.
The loop should be in the upper half of the bend, and the pull should be up and away, at about 30 degrees to the shaft.
Because the hook will roll out the same way as it went in, the barb will not catch, and a barb catching is what causes pain.
To see the whole story see this (link corrected), and see:
- a method that uses forceps to achieve pain-free hook removal
- a method for removing a hook in yourself, even if you cannot see it.
23
Aug
2013
Pretend for Real: Small Fish as Big Fish
âThe skills for catching big fish [are] different and certainly more refined than the skills for catching small fish. Big fish require a more stealthy approach, fewer casts, better positioning and equipment to prevent drag, superior fish fighting skills, and really better "everything" in the presentation than do small fish. In short, they require the very best predatory skills from the angler. So the question becomes: How does one learn big fish skills when at least 95 percent of the fish are small ones? âŠâ
An excerpt, from Gary Borgerâs latest book "The Angler as Predator". Read the whole chapter on Hatch magazine site. It is well worth it!
24
May
2013
Tippet Rings: Use Them
I have been a big fan of tippet rings for 5 or more years now for fly fishing. To see all the reasons why you should use tippet rings head over to the excellent Hatch Magazine site and get the full story.
14
May
2013
The ‘UK Gripâ – A Trout Killer Too!
Some people who read my recent article on âgrip and killâ when taking photos of trout have pointed out the style of grip shown above â I call it the âUK gripâ and it can be lethal.
Those who follow UK trout fishing magazines and websites may have noticed the prevalence of photos with the trout being held as seen in the photo above. I did a quick flick through a pile of recent top selling UK magazines and websites and as rough estimate well over 50% of fish are held by the UK grip. I believe trout are held this way to show off the fact that the fish is a ‘full-finnedâ or wild fish, not a stocked fish.
Many (most?) stocked fish have their tails and fines damaged by other fish and the concrete walls of the stock pens. So to show off the fact the fish is ‘full-finned and tailedâ you need a grip that does just that. That grip which I have called the ‘UK gripâ is great for showing fins and tails, but is it good for the trout? No.
The UK grip means that the tail of the fish is not firmly held by fingers encircling the base of the tail â to do so would âhideâ the tail. So the holder must squeeze the fish as shown above. If the fish thrashes about the grip around the heart area has to increase. All bad news for the heart and other organs.
This practice needs to stop, and fishing media can stamp it out almost immediately. Magazines and websites need to stop showing fish held in this way.
07
May
2013
Trout Dying To Get a Good Photo
We all should know the rules for releasing a trout with the best chance of survival, but there is one rule that is almost never included in articles about successful releasing.
So, you have landed the fish as quickly as possible to limit capture stress and you are about to pick up the fish and a get a few ‘grip and grinâ shots before release.
But, grip and grin, can all too often turn into grip and kill, and it is all down to where you grip, and how you grip, the trout that can determine its survival.
Link corrected – Read the full story and see the grip and kill photos.
| The worst example of ‘grip and killâ in these shots – almost certain lethal damage to heart, liver and gills. |
02
May
2013
How to Cast a Heavily Weighted Nymph Rig: Learn the Chuck Nâ Duck
This is dear to my heart and the back of my head. Excellent article on casting heavy nymphs or split-shot weighted line without seeing stars.
This technique is perhaps best used on shortish casts â if you are propelling big lumps of weight over longish distances you may run into trouble â but then why would you be casting long with big weights?
23
Feb
2013
Swinging wets and nymphs in streams and small rivers
This is one of my favourite forms of fly fishing, especially on streams or small rivers. When âtraditionalâ dry fly or nymphing is just not getting the job done, swinging a wet fly often gets results.
In fact, unless there is a rise on, I usually start out wet fly fishing. To me sitting on a bank waiting for a rise to kick in is a waste of very precious fishing time.
19
Jan
2013
Chasing Redfish: – Big place in my Bucket List
One thing I want to do before I depart this mortal coil.
Lowcountry Reds from Neill on Vimeo.
Fishing the Salt Marshes around Charleston, SC on a warm January weekend.
29
Nov
2012
New Fly-Fishing Book: ‘What Trout Want –The Educated Trout and Other Myths’
Quite simply this is the best book I have read on fly-fishing, and I have well over 100 books on fly-fishing in my bookcases. This simplified approach to catching trout, without the baggage of myth, pseudo-science, and self-serving BS is something I have tried to preach in my own books and articles â just wish I could write it half as well.
I donât care where in the world you fly-fish for trout, read it and become a better fly-fisher.
âIn What Trout Want, Bob Wyatt busts one of fly-fishingâs biggest myths -selectivity- and teaches readers how to:
- Simplify fly pattern design
- Reduce the number of patterns needed
- Improve presentation and stealth
- Catch pressured trout
Catching trout simplified
- A brilliantly written and well-crafted exposĂ© fly fishingâs greatest myths-selectivity, matching the hatch, pressured fish, fish feeling pain, precise imitations, drag-free drifts
- Recipes for the authorâs tried-and-true patterns
- Practical, down-to-earth suggestions for catching fishâ
