Articles

8 bonefish tips for new (or rusty) flats anglers

Avoiding common mistakes that can cost you shots

by Chris Hunt - Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

Releasing a Long Island bonefish that ate a pink puff fly (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Three of us fanned out across an idyllic leeward bonefish flat situated on the southern end of Long Island, one of the many “family islands” of the Bahamas. For each of us, it had been some time since we’d stalked and cast to wily bones, and it felt good to shake the rust off.

A rod tip

If you're looking for a fishing tip, this one is worth your time

by Todd Tanner - Tuesday, May 4th, 2021

Photo: Todd Tanner

I was talking to my friend Chris while I drove to the river this past Saturday. It’s a short drive, so it was a short cell phone conversation, crammed full of the unending travails of writing — it’s an affliction we both share — and fly fishing.

We stayed on the phone as I parked and pulled on my waders, and Chris asked me a question which I’ve heard any number of times over the years.

Different strokes for different anglers

How do you find the right balance in your angling?

by Todd Tanner - Tuesday, Apr 27th, 2021

Photo: Jozef Nevedel

I just read a thought-provoking social media post on all the benefits of “Euro-nymphing.” For those of you who haven’t heard about the technique, it’s a style of tight-line nymph fishing that utilizes long, color-coded leaders and weighted flies, and that’s extremely popular with tournament anglers in Europe and elsewhere.

The seven deadly sins of fly fishing

Plus a few extra for good measure

by Todd Tanner - Thursday, Apr 22nd, 2021

Avoid the seven deadly sins of fly fishing, and you'll have more chances to put fish like this one in the net (photo: Chad Shmukler).

Let’s say you hope to become a better fly fisher. You want to improve your skills, and catch more trout, and have more fun.

And let’s say you have a chance to ask some of the world’s most acclaimed fly fishers one question. Just one. What would it be? Would you ask them where you should fish, or what fly to use, or which rod to buy? Would you ask about knots, or fly lines, or techniques, or how to improve your casting? Or would Winston Churchill’s admonition that “only wise men learn from their mistakes” echo through your subconscious as you tried to frame your question?

Teaching kids to fly fish

Often, the key to teaching kids to fly fish can be getting out of the way

by Spencer Durrant - Wednesday, Apr 21st, 2021

Photo: Spencer Durrant

I met Laurie, a single mom, and her daughter Ava on a blustery Sunday morning at the mouth of Provo Canyon. They’d booked a half-day of guided fly fishing, and neither of them wanted to reschedule even with the snow forecast for mid-morning.

I don’t mind fishing – or guiding – in inclement weather, but I like giving my clients a choice. They’re paying a fair amount of money for an experience, and it’s my job to make it a good one. Once we’d all said our hellos, we loaded into vehicles and set off for the river.