Fly Fishing For Trout Is Not A Science Project (or “I may get thrown off this forum for this”)
- This topic has 33 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated May 13, 2009 at 6:04 pm by
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I am a contrarian. And a stubborn one, at that. If I am fishing a heavily fished stretch of water there is no way that I’m going to present the same flies that the trout have seen all of their lives…even if I know that those patterns will work. For many years I tied some pretty trout flies. Even at 12-13 years old I was the designated tier for an immediate and extended family of trout fishers. Matching hatches was what many of them demanded and I dutifully attempted to oblige them. Even used them myself. I looked at fly-tying as an art form…probably believing that if it was pretty enough and an exact replica…it would catch fish.
Caught some, missed some and lost some…but as I grew older I changed my ways. For me, fly fishing is not a science project….nor is fly-tying. Nowadays, I tie out of necessity. And my tying is an ongoing experiment in creativity. Fishing Bennett Spring in Missouri one year I walked by a shallow pool where a good number of trout had been cleaned and witnessed the fish gorging on entrails, which got me to thinkin’. Later, with a tube of caulking, in a very unorthodox method of “matching the hatch” I created some pretty good replicas. Did they catch any fish? Not one, but I had a lot of fun trying. My buddy Jerry still ribs me about it, but recently he too succumbed to creativity. Jerry supplied me with a selection of his “Nub Worms” which were tied with a secret product found in the automotive department of every Wal-Mart in the country. Does his creation catch fish? You betcha!
Does it replicate anything ever seen by a trout? Not unless they are hanging out in Wal-Mart!As beautiful as trout are…they really aren’t very smart…certainly no smarter than other species. The trout eats when he’s hungry and sees something believed to be edible. Other than that, he strikes when he is being protective, when he is in fear of losing his prey to something else, and when his so called territory is invaded. I tend to go with the latter. I’m not into matching into matching the hatch anymore…although I have a great deal of fun watching my fellow anglers attempt it. I go for wet fly attractor patterns fished across and down. As I’ve said before, I prefer fishing for big pretty things with big ugly things. I’m an invader…an exciter…a threat. I don’t have time to wait for the trout to get hungry.
The point is this: For far too long trout fishing has been viewed as an elitist endeavor. An endeavor requiring a hefty bank account and a degree in entomology. One doesn’t need speak Latin as a first language… and a hundred dollar outfit will catch trout as well as a more expensive one. Fly fishing for trout is not a science project and trout don’t speak Latin!
Does anyone else share my twisted philosophy?
Alan Folger
http://www.52trout.blogspot.comAlan –
Some comments. This isn’t the kind of board where people get thrown off for expressing opinions, especially ones which are not especially controversial. However, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using all-caps, especially in titles, as it is considered shouting on the internet. I worked hard to make this place look halfway decent, and therefore, I have fixed your title for you.
If people want to comment on this they are welcome to. However, I very seriously doubt that you’re going to find anyone here who wants to stand up and discourse on Latin, or really, anyone who will care enough to engage with you on these subjects. As this is your second post, I would just point out that not every fly fishing board is the same.
Zach
Alan, your blog has some beautiful illustrations. Did you draw those? Spectacular.
And dont worry about Zach, his panties get in a bundle when people say trout are stupid. But we all know, they are very stupid indeed.
Alan, your blog has some beautiful illustrations. Did you draw those? Spectacular.
And dont worry about Zach, his panties get in a bundle when people say trout are stupid. But we all know, they are very stupid indeed.
My guess is that we will never see him again. It’s a shame, his blog looks very interesting and I was about to “engage” him (actually I agree with a lot he said). The drawings were very good.
I didn’t read much in Alan’s post that seemed consistent with his self definition as a contrarian. Un-matching the hatch, fishing attractors, up-sizing your fly, swinging wets, it’s all been said and done many many times before. Lots of ink has been spilled regarding the intersection of art, science, sport, entertainment nexus of fly fishing.
If Alan needs a cause to fight for / against I think it should be weeding out the snob / elitist that lies within. I hope Alan sticks around, he might learn something. If nothing else, he might become a bit more message board savvy.
😉
I just want to LoL…
Alan, your pics are good, I thought that first time I ran into your website…
On the expensive stuff, don’t insult me by telling me I am a tjop for buying and fishing expensive gear, I like it… I don’t comment on the pens, pencils, paints and canvas you use for you art, don’t comment on what I use for mine…
On the technical stuff, the more technical, the more I enjoy it… and I don’t mind getting skunked just because I couldn’t imitate the natural.
Elitist, nope, those are the guys who live on a golf estate and have drinks at the club everyday… you want to go fishing, any time, any where, learn something from you, I HELL of a hope so….
That is some great art Alan!
Don’t really see a problem with your 1st post and for the life of me I don’t know why anyone would see a problem with it. It’s opinion/observation – it’s done everyday on countless forums and blogs!
All caps. Initial caps. Who cares. Is it “web-speak” for yelling? I don’t know. Is it a “design” foux pas? Never heard heard that. Not sure why an administrator is creative directing his forum members’ posts. (Maybe you should have used a different type face as well? A gothic? Maybe in demi or a book condensed? Maybe a titling font? ) Point is I think Zak’s response seemed awkward and somewhat “angry”. Maybe Zak should have used all-caps. (Poor guy must hate The Drake Board!)
Point is I think Zak’s response seemed awkward and somewhat “angry”. Maybe Zak should have used all-caps.
ZACH runs a tight ship indeed. But this website wouldnt be what it is without a consistent moderator. As much as I love poking fun at Zach and his website, I think it’s the best Fly Fishing Forum, hands down. And I think most who have been here for a long time would agree that the reason they’ve stuck around is because of the great place Zach his built this place into.
(Poor guy must hateThe Drake Board!)
That is funny on so many levels.
Point is I think Zak’s response seemed awkward and somewhat “angry”. Maybe Zak should have used all-caps.
ZACH runs a tight ship indeed. But this website wouldnt be what it is without a consistent moderator. As much as I love poking fun at Zach and his website, I think it’s the best Fly Fishing Forum, hands down. And I think most who have been here for a long time would agree that the reason they’ve stuck around is because of the great place Zach his built this place into.
(Poor guy must hateThe Drake Board!)
That is funny on so many levels.
Zach does run a tight ship. It is a nice forum. Just don’t get his response. A guy was trying to make a light-hearted observation and he gets “called-upon” for his use of type. Zach’s comments really do “sound” like something my mom would have said when I was 9 or 10.
“However, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using all-caps, especially in titles, as it is considered shouting on the internet.
To me, the origanal post by Alan sounded like he might be trying to provoke a response when i first read it?
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