Articles in the Category Commentary

Fly Fishing Elitists – Enough Already (VIDEO)

Fly fishing has suffered from its own elitism for too long. The I’m better than you because I have a fly rod in my hand . . . attitude . . . has sadly carried over and infested every part of the sport (at times).

But all of this is changing swiftly. And we can be part of moving away from the elitism and instead passing along the good things about what makes all of us anglers.

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Saltbitten: Thoughts and Lessons from the Summer Surf

I’ve lost good friends in the last year whom I know had plans that remain eternally unfilled. I used to think time was the enemy. I was wrong. The end is the enemy. And time is all I have to work with.

. . . I love the details of saltwater fishing. I love the sunrise and the sunset. I love the never-ending wash of good waves. I love having my bare feet in the ocean for hours at a time with nothing in front of me but the endless ocean until it meets the soft line of the horizon. I love the walk back, watching beachgoers enjoy their own moments, seeing their friendships and laughter. I love being by myself, and I love sharing the sand with my boys . . .

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Stop Stocking Over Wild Trout

Stop stocking over wild trout. This simple statement has been our conversation message from the beginning. Take a stand for what you love, for the woods and the water, for wild places and wild experiences.

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RIVERSIDE (Video): We Don’t Want Easy Fishing

No forgiveness. No freebies. Just wild trout that require your best effort and then some. From our best trout rivers, we’re dealt a fair game. We know what trout want. They look for something safe to eat. Something familiar. Something easy with a positive calorie reward for their effort. Something natural, with maybe just a little spark.

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Front-Ended: Can We Stop Doing this to Each Other?

Front-Ended: Can We Stop Doing this to Each Other?

Feb 23, 2018 |

There are two types of people who will front-end you on the river: the rookie who honestly and innocently doesn’t understand on-stream protocol and the guy who knows exactly what he’s doing but doesn’t care, so he front-ends you anyway.

Pity the first type and forgive them. The second type are despicable bastards, and no amount of reasoning, arguing, cursing or pleading is going to change their behavior. If you encounter the second guy, just walk away. If he’s bold enough to cut you off intentionally, then he’s bold enough to stand his ground no matter what reasonable sense you try to make . . .

Angler Types in Profile: The Rookie

Angler Types in Profile: The Rookie

Feb 13, 2018 | ,

I’m consistently surprised by the lack of river sense that’s missing in so many anglers. I mean that literally and not condescendingly. Just as a city kid marvels at the sight of deep darkness on a moonless night, fifty miles deep into a state forest, the country boy doesn’t give it a second thought. It’s experience. And that’s all it is.

People who are new to fishing just don’t know much about rivers. And I never really get used to that. Because so much of what a river does, and what fish do in response, is organic to me. I grew up fishing and playing in small streams. As a kid, I was drawn to every runoff ditch within walking or biking distance. I couldn’t stay away. And like anything else, you grow into your surroundings. I don’t think that can be changed, whether we’d like it to be or not.

Anyway, those without that same history with rivers see the water differently, and sometimes I have trouble remembering it.

On a cool April morning, Sam and I hit the water with all his new gear . . .

What to Trust

What to Trust

Dec 27, 2017 | , , ,

Of the good fishermen I know, one thing I see in all of them is how easily they can reach conclusions about fish habits. They have a knack for knowing what to trust and when to trust it.

The damned thing about a river is that it changes every day, and the habits of trout follow. If you’re observant enough to see the dynamics of a river, you can predict how the fish will respond, just by correlating their behavior patterns with the changes in water level, clarity, food availability, etc. Often, though, that’s a big leap to take. And it requires trusting in your observations enough to act decisively on them . . .

Voices from the River: Troutbitten

Voices from the River: Troutbitten

Nov 3, 2017 |

  I'm honored that Troutbitten is being featured by Trout Unlimited today. I did a short Q&A interview with Rob Shane and Mark Taylor of Trout Unlimited, as part of their "Voices from the River" series. We talked a little about history, conservation and...

Trophy Hunting: Meet Jercules

Trophy Hunting: Meet Jercules

Jan 27, 2016 | , | 16 Comments

. . .I’ve gone through a couple phases of trophy hunting, but I’m always careful to return to my roots before the obsession overtakes me. I don’t want to lose my enjoyment for the simple things on the water: the friendships, the forests, the mountains, the mysteries and the way thick, cool moss on limestone feels like a sofa cushion for a mid-stream lunch. Those are the good things that are available every time I put on my waders, even though the big fish usually aren’t.

While going in and out of these phases of trophy hunting for wild browns, I’ve learned that I was looking for big trout in the wrong places. I had to seek out new rivers. And sometimes, I simply had to find new places on my old rivers. Point is, I learned that trophy hunters need a target. It’s not enough to go to the same places and fish the same ways as you always have. You have to learn where the big fish are, go there, and put on your patience pants — because Whiskeys don’t come easily . . .

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What to Trust

What to Trust

Jan 21, 2016 | , , | 3 Comments

The tall man crossed the old railroad bridge above me. He paused at the midpoint, lingered and watched me cast for a moment, then he bellowed downstream to me with a voice full of triumph. “I caught a bunch! They’re taking Zebra Midges just under the surface.” “Not...

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Last Call For Comment On DHALO Regs Change

Last Call For Comment On DHALO Regs Change

Mar 15, 2015 | | 4 Comments

The sixty-day period allotted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for comments on the proposed changes to specially regulated waters designated Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) is coming to an end. I'm not going to go into a diatribe here listing...

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