My Favorite Fly-fishing Reel

I have to say that my favorite fly reel is an antique automatic that was my great-grandfathers. What makes it even more unique is that I still have braided nylon fly line that is still good on it and I have more stashed away.
The reason I love to use it is first that it means a lot to me to have it. Secondly, I like to play the fish while holding the line rather than reeling it in like I was bait or spinner fishing. I know that you can't do that if the fish is too big but as I don't do it with salmon or saltwater fishing I think I'm ok. I also really like to use the bamboo rod that he had as well. They are well balanced together and work great for me. I may not be able to cast as far as I would with newer equipment but as I am on smaller streams and rivers with a lot of cover I don't need to.

For Our Nations Heros

I have started a petition to allow disabled vets to hunt and fish for free. They have sacrificed and paid for it with more than money. Let them enjoy this nation that they worked to defend.

http://www.change.org/petitions/allow-disabled-veterans-to-hunt-and-fish-for-free

Hints from a guide part II

How many flies should you carry?
This is something that people really need to look at before each day fishing. That being said there are some guidelines that can help you stock your fly box for success on every trip. Also I am going to go over some ways to save your flies if they get smashed and the hackle isn't sticking out anymore and how to keep them working until you loose them on the river.
First when it comes to how many flies you should carry on a trip, unless you are a dry fly only type, you should carry 3-4 times as many midges and nymphs as you do dry flies. The reason for this is simple. You tend to loose more nymphs and midges than dry flies because of getting caught up on different subsurface obstacles like weeds, logs, rocks and you could loose it fighting a big fish. With the dry flies you are less likely to loose them that way because you have them on the water rather than under the water.
So when you're out and using your nymphs make sure you have enough of them and various sizes of each.

If you feel like you are unable go match the hatch and your starting to become frustrated you may want to just start pounding the water with wooly buggers. Its not as pretty or as satisfying as matching the hatch but it will save your day and allow you to catch fish and enjoy the day on the water.

If anyone is looking for any other tips or tricks for fly fishing go ahead and leave it in the comments or email me and I'll address it in another posting.