Recently while taking a walk down one of the local brookie streams, I came upon a deeper bend pool. Normally, the holes in this stretch of stream are maybe waist deep, tops; however, this one is probably chest to chin deep, and demands respect from the wading angler. I clenched heaping fistfuls of Autumn Asters [...]
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A bend pool resting below an undercut. Foliar fruit flags. Beaver sign everywhere. A whitetail deer crosses the river and beds on the opposite bank. Football. On its way to Mexico, a monarch butterfly lands on a flower. Brook trout are dressed in their best. Entire forests are dressing like brook trout. Woodcock twitter. Rich [...]
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Dear Dave, So there I was, taking a walk down my favorite local stream the day after we carpooled down to this quarter’s MITU state council meeting. Normally, I do pretty well on this particular stretch, which I’ve never fished this late in the season. It was fishless. I didn’t even spook any brookies out [...]
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I’ve been working in the fishing department at a local sporting goods store for the last couple months now. One of the coolest parts of my job is interacting with the customers, especially fellow fly anglers. While some of my co-workers have dubbed me as the “fly fishing expert,” a title that makes me uncomfortable, [...]
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The top hook is a Daiichi 2220; a 4X-long, 1X-heavy, size #2 streamer hook. The bottom is a Mustad Signature Series 4X-long, 2X-heavy, size #2 streamer hook. The Daiichi is obviously longer, and the Mustad, despite being 2X-heavy compared to the Daiichi’s 1X-heavy designation, is made from a thinner wire diameter. The Mustad bends more [...]
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I’ve always been of the opinion that you can judge a fly shop by the quality of its book section. At least, the best shops I’ve ever been to have had great selections of must have books both new and old. Gates Au Sable Lodge in Grayling, Michigan immediately comes to mind as always having [...]
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I got a new fly tying chair for my birthday a few weeks ago. Not just any chair, its a Serta PureSoft Executive Massage chair. Yeah, its pretty sweet.
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Who would have thought I would be so busy after moving to Michigan? Turns out, its kind of tough being a fishing writer/editor when you don’t have a job that offers insane amounts of free time and an internet connection. I tried to keep doing all of the stuff I’ve been doing the last couple [...]
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When I got home from work, he already had his hunting vest on and was ready for his first squirrel hunt. I threw some hunting clothes on, we ate dinner, then hit the road to an old favorite squirrel spot– stopping along the way for some beef jerky and a beverage, of course. The spot [...]
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I know bushwhacking through thorns and pickers in mid-September can suck, but I don’t care. I know that I will hear way more than I see, but I don’t care. I know I don’t have a bird dog, but I don’t care. I know I’m missing out on some of the best trout fishing of [...]
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