The Waiting Game

The months of  February and March can be daunting.  A glint of sun here, a hint of spring there.  And all in between just plain old cold, cloudy, snowy weather.  I call this time of year "The Waiting Game".

For fly fishermen it's a time best spent tying flies. As a tier I  believer in simplicity. I believe trout are opportunistic by nature and that given the chance will invariably eat a well presented fly.   I tie six to eight patterns each spring in an assortment of hook sizes and colors.  Based on water conditions, I fish them with weight or without weight. Sometimes  I fish them as a single fly, other times  in tandem or even  in a brace.  They are simple patterns to tie that simply work.
-ASM

Paint & Pen in Fly Fishing

Brett Smith is without a doubt my favorite painter and artist of outdoor hunting and fishing.  The realism and care to detail he brings to his paintings  is unequaled in my opinion. A gift from God.  I can only imagine what his flies would have looked like if he had been a fly tier..  Preview his art here, I am sure you will agree;  http://www.brettsmith.com

Bill Tapply is my  favorite all time outdoor writer (both fly fishing stories & mystery novels). Some of you may recall his Dad "Tap" Tapply of "Taps Tips" from the old Outdoor Life Magazines.  Although there are others that I enjoy reading and admire, Bill was able to bring a simple, directness and eloquence to his fly fishing stories that made the pages simply melt away chapter by chapter.  Bill was a a true New Englander,  and I've always connected with his settings and descriptive moments on a local river or pond.
Several years ago I met Bill on two occasions.  We spoke of hatches, trout and the great scenery around us. He was an avid fisherman, a true gentleman and everything I would have expected from his reading.
You can find more on Bill at http://williamgtapply.com
-ASM

First Entry

I began trout fishing at the age of eight. When I turned thirteen I purchased my first fly rod.  Now some forty years later,  I still get as excited about  fishing as I did back then.  I am passionate about fly fishing.  It not only plays a pivotal role in my life, but defines who I am.

I was born and raised in New England and love this part of the country.  I love it's history and change of seasons.  And I love it's lore of fly fishing traditions.

This blog will be my journal as I describe each  fly fishing experience with stated facts and simple reflection.

I hope you enjoy following my reports in the coming months ahead.
-ASM