And now you know... Radar O'rilley invented the Magic Chum

Gary Burghoff of MASH fame is also the inventor of the Magic Chum, advanced fish attractor device.  And now you know...  

"An enhanced fish attractor device for use on a surface of a body of water to entice fish with a chum material..."
 

What's your favorite type of fly box?

Here is a poll for you. What's your favorite type of fly box for trout fishing? Not on the list below? Leave it in the comments. #trollpoll

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) March 31, 2021

WSJ Declares "Fly-Fishing Boom is Here!

 

Not since Brad Pitt asked the question, "What are they biting on?" has the fly fishing industry had such lofty news!   The Wall Street Journal has declared a new renaissance for the quiet sport.  It just might be getting a little more crowded on the water.

"Fly-fishing has been growing at an annual rate of nearly 3 percent, says the 2019 Outdoor Foundation report. And since Covid-19, local fishing has picked up. Between January and the end of August this year, for example, Connecticut saw a 6 percent increase in purchases of trout-and-salmon stamps, which tend to be more closely correlated with fly-fishing. New York State saw a 15 percent uptick in fishing licenses over a similar period. A wide variety of fish, including carp, northern pike and Amazonian peacock bass, are now deemed worthy of a fly-fisher’s attention, and additional techniques and tools have been devised to hook, land and safely release them."

They even mention a few well-known fly fishing personalities including April Vokey.  

Simon Perkins Interviewed on fly fishing through the pandemic

President of @TheOrvisCompany on #flyfishingthroughthepandemichttps://t.co/ZwtzftfY7f

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) August 28, 2020

With friends like that....

 

Buddy just Face Timed me from @YellowstoneNPS to ask me what flies work well there. I have a suspicion that he really didn't need to know and was just rubbing in the fact that I'm working and he is fishing. #hoppers. @paislarx1

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) August 27, 2020

Rest In Peace Charlie Garwood

Just learned that Charlie Garwood, one of the original members of the #BlueRidgeFlyFishingAssoc (pictured lower right), lost his battle with a brain tumor yesterday. Rest in Peace, my friend. #LifeisshortFishoften. Glad we could reconnect earlier this year via Zoom. pic.twitter.com/GLMyYuEJ4q

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) August 14, 2020

I plan to do a longer post with a few tall tales involving Charlie.  In the meantime please keep his family in your prayers.   

Street Casting?

When you don't have access to a nice pond try #streetcasting #flyfishing "I can practically hear them composing their caption: Dude fly-fishing in downtown Manhattan!"https://t.co/6Mn5B0ku04

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) August 11, 2020

Thanks to Tennessee....

And a big thank you to the State of Tennessee...https://t.co/xKadTnmcZL

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) June 25, 2020

Getting Small: Fly Fishing North Texas with an Orvis Practicaster

North Texas fly angler Glenn Bautista has come up with a novel way to fish his area ponds. He has outfitted an Orvis Practicaster practice rod (not normally used for fishing) with a reel and line.  This gives me all sorts of ideas.

Why you need a guide: Unicoi Outfitters Edition.

He stuck the landing...

Live from Silver Creek, Idaho

Live from Silver Creek

Join us on Facebook live tomorrow evening at 6PM MST as we talk to professional fly fishing guide, Andrew Thomas as he gets ready for the season opener on the banks of Hemingway's own Silver Creek. https://t.co/M1iaxo8Ypu pic.twitter.com/jkulPSRhdW

— flyfishmagazine (@flyfishmagazine) May 22, 2020

#QuarantinePlaylist The Trouble with Tarpon from Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

Don't forget about the tarpon.

Live the Stream- Joe Humphreys

I've had the pleasure of spending some time with this man.  He has forgotten more about fly fishing than many of us will ever know.   Take some time during the #Quarantine to check this out.  Available on Amazon Prime.

Undercover Fly Shop Visit: Fly South

Recently I had the good fortune to be in Nashville, Tennessee and of course,  I found myself sneaking into an excellent local fly shop.  Fly South is tucked away just off  Broadway near Vanderbilt University.

As an added perk, Fly South just happens to be across the street from the legendary Hattie B's Hot Chicken.

Fly South is the favorite haunt of FlyFishMagazine.com's occasional correspondent and our fishing buddy, Jay Moore.   As soon as we walked through the door we could tell why he liked it.

The requisite long shot down the fly bin.  Huge selection and all species covered

They kept the "meat" in jars

Appealing to the PBR set.  I may or may not have purchased this shirt.

If you tie flies this shop should be on top of your list.  The materials department was massive. 

Mr. Whiting's Mutant Hackle Beast

Dubbing upon Dubbing

Note the tying area in the foreground.  These folks are fly tyers.

I suppose I was so overwhelmed by the flies and materials that I neglected to get shots of the rods, reels, and waders that they also sell.  Suffice it to say that they can fix you up on any of that as well.

I visited close to closing time and the staff was attentive. They asked me several times if they could help me find something and seemed to take my answer of, "No, I just like to look around fly shops." with a puzzled nod and left me alone.  Towards the end of my visit, they seemed to be getting a bit curious about the guy roaming the shop snapping photos, so I purchased a Fly South tee shirt and headed for the door.  On my way out I couldn't help but wonder if they had any job openings at this great example of a full-service fly shop.

Keep an eye out for more Undercover Fly Shop visits in the future.  You never know when FlyfishMagazine.com might show up and wander your local purveyor of fly fishing goodness's aisles.