It seems blasphemous to use a fly with spinning gear, and maybe even a little hypocritical for the “serious” fly angler to consider. But in the right situation, fly fishing with a spinning rod can be downright effective. My first experience fishing flies with spinning gear was almost 25 years ago, in my late teens, […]
Fly Fishing with a Spinning Rod Read More »
Pennsylvania’s State Parks offer plenty of great fishing opportunities and family fun. Here are 4 of them in northwestern PA that deserve a visit.
4 Northwestern PA State Parks for Fly Fishing, Family, and Fun Read More »
Euro nymphs are deadly patterns that can used with a standard Euronymphing rig or dead-drifted under an indicator. This article discusses various types of Euro nymphs and why they are so effective.
Euro Nymphs: What are They and Why are They So Effective? Read More »
The Hare and Copper Variant is a Euro nymph that catches trout everywhere, which is why it is one of our confidence flies. This article explains how to tie this effective pattern.
How to Tie the Hare and Copper Variant Read More »
The Baetis Emerger Cripple is a deadly pattern for fishing during any Baetis hatch, but especially during those when trout are keying on the emerger stage. Here’s how to tie it and tips for catching more trout with it.
How to Fish and Tie the Baeties Emerger Cripple Read More »
Dry fly fishing in the rain is often productive, but it can be a challenge to keep your flies floating, but this article tells you how.
The Art of Fishing Dry Flies in the Rain Read More »
I discovered this archaic pattern in the book Simple Flies by Morgan Lyle. The story goes that Frank Sawyer, the same guy that developed the venerable Pheasant Tail Nymph, created this fly, too. Mr. Sawyer was the caretaker, or River Keeper as they are known in the United Kingdom, of the River Avon. One of
How to Tie the Killer Bug Read More »
In a recent newsletter, I asked subscribers to submit their fly fishing questions and ideas for stories that they’d like to see on this website. William S. of Flemington, NJ, suggested a blog post about how to photograph fish as well as a few basic handling tips. At first, holding and photographing your catch might
Although synthetic materials have certainly grown in popularity in recent years, some of the best materials for tying flies are and always will be natural feathers and fur. Pheasant tails are a prime example. Not only is this the primary ingredient for its namesake, the Pheasant Tail Nymph, but it’s a major component of countless
How to Clean and Preserve Natural Feathers and Furs for Fly Tying Read More »
Story and Photos by Justin Leidy The Laurel Highlands provide a much-needed reprieve from the urbanization of the greater Pittsburgh area. This region includes the highest point in Pennsylvania as well as ruggedness, isolation and remarkable beauty, including Ohiopyle State Park. Ohiopyle is one of our most-visited state parks, attracting people from all over
Meadow Run: Beauty and Fly Fishing in the Laurel Highlands Read More »