I am going back to the darkside.......

[fishweewee]

I love flyrodding.

I suck at it, but one of the nicest things about flyrodding is that you can PACK LIGHTLY!

One rod, one reel, maybe a spare spool to swap out lines (floating vs. intermediate), flies, leader, waders/belt/pliers, a vest, and a flashlight, and that's pretty much it!

There is a zen to casting the long wand, I find it very relaxing.

Lately though, given the choice between flycasting and plugging, I would have to put a gun to my head to take the flyrod out.

[BasicPatrick]

Flap et al,

I have never understood why some of us that put in above average amounts of time fishing seem forget about the fly rods from time to time. I have adopted the routine that the fly rod is just another weapon in the buggy. Ther are times when it is the right weapon for the circumstances and other times when it makes smaller fish a challenge. Why decide to do one or the other. Why not just keep a variety of tackle in the buggy and mix it up a bit.

An example is a creek on Cape cod that is just a romantic place that I love to fish. Most oftern the fish there are small and the fly rod makes the experience so much more satisfying. This time of year I take the 1204 Arra and some eels in that spot.

My point is that it is all good and that is what makes a "fisherman" in my book. Variety in both location and technique keeps me into positive fishing and a high catch rate.

[Flaptail]

I will stop by Paul. Anytime after 7pm? I think the upcoming funny fish season is what really got me thinking. A flyrod is the only way to catch false Albacore. I will still surfcast but the flyrods will be with me ( at least two) Just another weapon that I should have been packing when out fishing. There are nights on the beach when the fish are eating tiny bait and a 7 inch needle isn't going to interest them. So if faced with a choice of not catching or catching then the flyrod should be in your arsenal. And as ben put it there is a Zen thing about it. I love casting them as much as catching fish on them and when the wind blows break out the spinning rods.

I used to organize a winter flyrod seminar series for the Osterville Anglers club. We did 7 or 8 each winter. People like Page Rogers, Dr. Dave Ross, Harry Koons, Art Crago, Al Brewster, Peter Alves, Dave Peros, Capt. Ron Murphy, Gene Bourque and many others spoke and presented, free of charge. They were always fun and informative but I always told everyone, when I was asked how to take a really big bass, to put down the flyrod, pick up a ten foot conventional loaded with 50 pound braid and toss a 18 inch live eel into the surf or from the boat! You have to know your limitations. My biggest bass on the fly was 32 pounds, I had fish I know would have gone forty but it was never to be for some reason. I am going to renew that quest for one thing. Art Crago has two fish already near that size this year alone from his Jones Bros along the Elizabeths on the fly. That piqued my interest again.

[ProfessorM]

Yes anytime after 7PM except Fri. Paul

[Flaptail]

Thanks Paul and Patrick, you nailed it buddy!

[Karl F]

Flap, swing by the store sometime, check out the funny fish pictures from Monomy, caught on fly-rod... they are in there every fall for a spell.