The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

Fly Fishing Instruction

Let’s ditch the “hero” shot for the “here” shot.

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I’m adding my voice to the increasing loud chorus of fly anglers who are tired of seeing “hero shots” of fish, especially trout. During this summer (or likely future) of high heat and water temps, the price of that ego stroke may very well be a dead fish. Ain’t nobody got time for that shit these days.

Todd and I wrote about this for MoJo awhile back > Fishing’s ‘Hero Pose’: How Do The Fish Feel?

Louis Cahill of Gink and Gasoline fame, wrote with a little more directness in Nobody Wants To See Your Rotting Corpse. Here is a taste that made my grumpy old man heart smile…

You want to prove you’re a better angler than everyone else? Just talk louder. That’s what every other beer swilling asshole at the local bar does! Just go down to the fly shop and blubber for an hour or two about how you only catch grass carp on 7X with dry flies and how everything else is bullshit. The end result will be the same. Everyone will know you’re an asshole and you don’t have to kill a fish and take out a Facebook ad to prove it!

Here’s a suggestion from TU’s Josh Duplechian Take photos of the scenery, not the fish while on the boat. This is why this is such a great suggestion.

Think about those fish photos you have. If you are like me you may have a hard time remembering where you caught it. Sure you may remember the river but what about the place where the fish ate the fly? For me that landscape shot, like the one below gets me thinking “yeah I remember that brookie eating right there…” Yup I’m reliving the moment all over again. The fish picture just won’t do that for me. Let’s ditch the hero shot for the scenery shot.

ah, memories…

Respect the resource and lead by example. Keep the fish in the water and enjoy the moment for what it is. Now you’re a hero.

HATCH | A rod tip

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Todd Tanner shares arguably the most important fishing tip out there.

It is a provocative article that starts with a discussion about whether you should string your rod and tie on a fly before heading to the water or do all that after getting to the water. There is a chilling account that posits a solid reason for being in the “before” camp.

In true click bait fashion, I’m not going to spoil a good story or reveal the tip. You are going to have to read the article to learn what it is. I promise it is worth it.

FWIW, I agree with Todd…

Source: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/rod-tip/7715262

Mojo | The Week That Is: What Toll On Wildness When Humans Want It All?

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Each week, I have the pleasure of joining Mountain Journal founder Todd Wilkinson in our “The Week That Is,” column where we discuss topical events relating to the nation’s capital city and the public land West.

This week’s conversation looks at the impacts outdoor recreation on the character of the backcountry. We need to ask ourselves some important questions.

Read it here > What Toll On Wildness When Humans Want It All?

Mojo | The Week That Is: Fishing’s ‘Hero Pose’: How Do The Fish Feel?

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Each week, I have the pleasure of joining Mountain Journal founder Todd Wilkinson in our “The Week That Is,” column where we discuss topical events relating to the nation’s capital city and the public land West.

This week’s conversation looks at fish photos, the why, how and whether there might be a better way to capture the moment.

Read it here > Fishing’s ‘Hero Pose’: How Do The Fish Feel?