Boys and Girls, Fly Fishing is not a Sport; it's a Ballet

As a former high school star baseball player in Flint, Michigan in the last century, I learned the importance of shifting one's weight back to front to generate rhythm and power in my swing in the batter's box.

The balls of my feet proved invaluable.  Later, I learned from a girl friend who was accomplished in ballet that her grace and body control was not just beautiful but, indeed, (by biased observation) was better than the rhythm of Boston's famed Ted Williams.

Accomplished athletes and ballerinas have in common a cliche' of "playing within yourself."  Restated: don't get distracted by the prize, enjoy the subtle focus on the process.

At this writing, I just returned from six days of fly fishing and camping alone at the beautiful Martha's Vineyard --it was a Zen experience -- not a cloud in the sky, and each night a full-moon light streaked my camp-site like a prism created by nature's tall trees.  I was even graced one special night by large tracks of a single deer who had been silently standing outside my meager tent while I securely slept.

Night fishing:  it's like talking to God.

No past, no future, just me, alone, enjoying the moon over high tide.  My fly flew forward and back, forward and back, lengthening in distance from the power of my 12 wt. rod and a special fly designed by Lefty Krech and Bob Clouser (half and half) and made by Bob's people or perhaps Bob himself.  It doesn't get any better than this, and it didn't -- no fish.

Life is about living, not getting.  In fact, giving may be better than getting -- you decide.

Camp at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground for a delightful Massachusetts Island vacation!

Camp at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground for a delightful Massachusetts Island vacation!

Sharp Hooks catch Fish

Store boughtn hooks are not always as sharp as they should be.

A small hand vise and file is a good tool to take on the pond.

A few strokes towards the point -- top & each side (like a spear).

Fundamentals of Lightning Protection - National Lightning Safety Institute

Fundamentals of Lightning Protection - National Lightning Safety Institute

Hypothermia - Simple Survival

Hypothermia - Simple Survival

If you need to cast far--use a football jig

These jigs don't get hung up and cast well.  Add a white pork grind to a blue or green jig.

Jigging is similar to using a small worm. Jiggle is forward inc by inc, wait between motion.

I have a friend in the UP of Michigan who is excellent fishing worms--very patient,  a lot of slack in the line.  When we met on a pond in Texas, I was better with jigs; he was better with worms.  We learned from each other--subtleties of  technique.

Fishing can Take A Teenager's Mind Off His/Her Troubles

I don't know anyone who can catch a fish while thinking about his/her troubles or that special someone.  Oh sure, you can put a worm on a hook, attach a bobber and just sit there day dreaming.  A lot of folks do that

 Some are lucky...the fish hooks himself, if you call that fishing.  I call that catching a fish while you were somewhere else.  You might just as well had been standing in line at a fish market...day dreaming.

Naw, fishing requires you concentrating on your bait under water--being awake.  Jiggle it just a little, wait.  Maybe pull it just an inch or two without cranking the reel then  quickly move  that rod back for a little slack.  That's when they're going to get bit by the fish bug.  You can't be thinking about Goldie-locks or Mohawk in the front row of that English class while fishing.  If you do...bam! he/she got away.

The fish was there and you weren't.  I know, so what.  I''m just saying, dude.

It would have been nice if you went back to school and told dream lover that you caught a big one last night.  He, she just might want to go with you next time.  I'm just saying.

Knot Tying Basics

Tighten knots by wetting and tightening the tag end just before you tighten the line end.  Knots break because they slip.

Mending a Broken Line

I've had a few people I respect really like the way I mend a broken line in the field; so I'll share it with you.   I use two knots: figure 8 loop and Bristol knot (Both are illustrated elsewhere).

The advantage of this combination is that it slips through the rod guides easily on a bait-casting rod, and secondly, it is strong.

First, make a figure 8 loop in the line closest to the reel.  You could use a surgeon's loop or bimini twist, but it will be bulkier, more difficult to cast in a bait-casting reel.   You can tie this in low light, and it is faster.

Second, make the  Bristol Knot (No-Name Knot) from the line portion  in the water.

The No-Name-Knot is done by making four or five turns around the outside of the figure eight loop, and then passing the end back through the gap in the loop those wraps. 

 Tighten the end by pulling on the end that is now extending through the loop.

Note:  the advantage of this knot as tied is that it will pass through the guides easily upon casting because the rough edges are facing the reel.

It's Easier to Come Out of the Dark Than Go Into the Dark

A couple of days ago I visited a pond I hadn't been to in awhile.  It was daylight.  The park ranger did a good job of preserving nature and making it a little easier to land a fish from the bank since the last time I visited. 

I left, came back just before dusk.  The reason being: it's easier to come out of the dark than go into the dark, and the dark is when fish feel just a little more secure.  I made a cast here and there, but not into those cattails I was sure wise Mr. Big-Bass was lurking --waiting for dark.

It took awhile, but slowly but surely the picnic family went home and those making failed casts gave up, packed their gear and waved as they went to the parking lot.  

I waited for about twenty minutes in the dark, then approached the cattails, still about 60 feet away on a small peninsula.  One cast, it went about a foot into the cattails.  I left it there for a moment then barely moved my 4" black and maroon worm--it didn't move.  ( Small bass hit right away like an inpatient teenager.)  No, I had a cattail or Mr. BigBass.

I decided to set the hook and chance  driving it into a cattail, even though that would be a  good-bye to me my worm.  No, it was a Bingo!  I had him, but he was still inside the edge of the tall cover.  I kept pressure but didn't try to yank him out.  Why?  I only have a six pound test line.  I saw him splashing and getting closer to an opening.  I applied pressure and cranked just enough to get him to clear the cattails.   

Well, I landed him.  21" large mouth bass.   

It was easy leaving in the dark.

Add Metric To Your Fishing

I have some hooks that I prefer, and sometimes I can't find them due to company changes in their style "updates."

Take the old hook and measure the gap in millimeters.  Go to your favorite retail fishing department and measure gaps in said millimeters.   That will be the most accurate way of doing it.  Hey, everything is coming from metric machines these days.  I even discovered that even my shoes are metric at REI.

Recently, I found that it is better to put on those wool socks I wear then measure both feet.  Guess what?  I bought that suckers that way and it accounts for why those summer socks are causing my fit to change.

When you get older the simple things in life get more important, like shoes that fit.

Well, I got off the topic a little, but the point is metric is more accurate because the increments are smaller than our standard measure in inches and such.

Knot Worked Hook Size Failed: notice hook size in pic

A couple of years ago I caught a 12 lb Large Mouth Bass in the Tomball, TX Public Pond; and I have caught some very large ones before and since.   Two days ago, a lost a sizable bass.

My standard line to hook Knot is what I call The 3+3.  The family calls it The Oz Special.

I know the Palmer Knot is the choice of many good fishers--kids, men and women.   I used it in an oxbow lake in Itta Bena, Mississippi, only to lose a spinner bait now and then.  The knot came loose--it is strong, but slips.

The old Hang-Man's Knot is a better choice, but I don't like the bulkiness of that knot.   Fish probably don't care; it's just me.  I can't see myself (I am thinking like a fish, now) biting a worm with monofiliment coming out of his mouth.  Rabid worm is my thought.

The 3+3  (Oz Special) is a version of The Jansick Special, rated the same as the Palmer in strength.   Here is what you do:  pass the line thought the eye of the hook (or swivel) 3 times, forming three loops/coils about the circumference of a tennis ball.   Second, pass the remainder of your line 3 times around the coils.  Thus, The 3+3 Knot !  Okay, if like the name call it The Oz Special.  After all, all the knot names are versions.

Tighten the knot.  You are going to have to moisten the line.  Okay, go ahead and spit a couple of times.  It will make you think you just cleaned your mouth.   You are going to get your teeth involved; so get use to spitting.

Grab the end of the line with your teeth.   One hand on hook, the other on line.  Work it slowly until you have taken out the slack and formed the coils around the eye of the hook/swivel.  Finish by pulling a little harder on the tag end of the excess line, then snip it off with nail clippers, knife, knot tool--you name it.  Don't bite it off, unless you are ready to go to a Halloween party.

Kids Can Get Hooked on Fishing, Mom, Dad

I remember when my Dad (a hunter) bought me a fishing rod:  I was in college.  I guess he decided at a late age that you can fish longer in life than you can hunt, play baseball and work.  Who knows.  I do know that the rod was and still is 8' long #6wt. flyrod purchased at his favorite store back then--Sears & Roebucks.   He asked a total stranger (customer) which rod should I buy my son.  I was standing there a little surprised.  I thought we were looking for a rachet wrench.

The gentleman was an older gentleman like my Dad.  He looked at me, we walked over to the rack and he pulled off the rack the said  rod.  It was called Black Beauty by Pflueger--two piece rod, $25.00.--  I still have it, and I use it, among others.

You can tie on a small popper (floats) on a leader for a #6 line and catch 60 crappies in a row at Lake Grenada, MS.  I lived in Mississip for awhile years later, and I did it.  

Can you imagine a little girl or guy doing that?  Hog heaven.