About - Fly Fishing Blog
Fly fishing is my biggest hobby. I dedicate more time to fly fishing than anything else. I spend time on the water actually fishing. I also spend a lot of time preparing—researching, tying flies, maintaining gear, packing, traveling, watching fish porn, daydreaming about fishing when I should be paying attention to something (less) important.
I spend comparatively little (read: zero) time documenting my time on the water. I expect that dedicating even a small amount of time to observing and documenting will benefit my fishing.
That is my main goal for this project—to become a better fly fisherman by documenting my time on the water. If I succeed, my readers will share some of that benefit.
The most successful fishermen are always learning. They are highly observant, and they use their observations to inform their tactics. They think outside the box and try new techniques. If they are successful, they ask “Why?” and learn from it. If they are unsuccessful, they ask “Why?”, learn from it, and change their approach.
This project is my approach to that learning process. I intend to apply a “deliberate practice” philosophy to my fly fishing. I will capture, store, and review my observations on the water in a systematic way with the help of modern technology. I will adapt and improve my approach based on my observations.
Don’t get too algorithmic
I am aware that taking an overly “scientific” approach to fly fishing directly conflicts with why many of us love it so much. I don’t want to take the fun out of fishing by turning it into an algorithm. Rather, I want to ensure that I am adequately preparing and learning every time I go out. Many have a mental checklist of the gear they need to pack, the clothing they need to wear, and the approaches they will take based on the conditions. Some might have a physical checklist. Some might have a stream journal in which they record observations during or after their trip. My goal is to enhance that checklist and that journal.
All fly fisherman want to have success. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The primary reason I fly fish is its therapeutic, meditative properties. It is not about numbers. I don’t want to go out there and do the same thing over and over
Free gear approach
I dreamed up this project when I was lamenting all the money I spend on fly fishing gear. I am not “in the industry”, so I pay full price for everything I buy, and I buy lots of stuff. How can I get “in the industry”?? Why not write about my fishing trips?
Pro deals, demo gear, sponsors, tax write-offs, all for simply making content about the thing I already do in my spare time! My goal for this project is now to turn my hobby into a source of income, and get a lot better at it and have lots of fun doing it in the process.