There's a quote that suggests something to the effect of "your own advice is the hardest pill to swallow," a quote which I've realized holds some significant merit. Very recently, I published an article entitled Brookies for Beginners, in which I suggested that beginner fly fishermen, those that are faced with the frustrations and defeats presented by the challenges confronting the novice angler, head for the less demanding and often rewarding waters of mountain brook trout streams. So one might expect, during the early parts of a season in which my time to hit the water has been limited and what time I have had has brought frustrations of its own due to my repeated choice to snobbishly seek wild trout on technical waters, that I might have heeded the advice I felt comfortable to give to others.

Right?

Instead, given the opportunity for an afternoon on the water, I chose to visit for the first time one of my home state's most notoriously difficult and demanding waters. Falling Springs Branch Creek is one of the most storied streams on the east coast. Less than 10 feet across in spots, Falling Springs is a tiny, weed choked, classic limestone spring creek like its nearby neighbors Letort Spring Creek and Big Spring Creek. Polluted with food for fish, abundant cover and clean, cold water, Falling Springs grows large, spectacular, wild trout. These fish are educated and reside in a stream where aquatic vegetation strives to destroy every drift you attempt and where glass still waters render water droplets that sprinkle to the surface from your false cast a potential trout spooker. This is not easy fishing.

In truth, the video that follows isn't about how fly lines are made, it's about how Airflo fly lines are made. If you don't think there's a distinction there, think again. As you'll learn in the video, produced by Todd Moen of Catch Magazine and Todd Moen Creative, Airflo makes fly lines differently than any other company. Starting with the material all their fly lines are coated with, polyurethane (all other fly line manufacturers use PVC), Airflo has an entirely unique process that allows their lines to stand out from the competition.

I've been a big supporter of Airflo fly lines for some time. As I've noted in line reviews such as that of Airflo's Ridge Bonefish / Redfish line, Airflo lines always seem to exceed my performance expectations.

So, if you've ever wondered what goes into creating what Airflo calls the most important and technical member of your troop of fly fishing gear, be sure to check out the video below, entitled "The Airflo Story". It's a well made look at the process from design to shipment and, more importantly, at the folks behind all of it. There are some casting shots that will make you want to get out on the river, pond or field and practice. Don't feel bad though, as Tim Rajeff notes in the video, these people fly fish for a living. Chances are, you don't.