6 Good Reads

We're going to start the week with a six-pack of essays that begin with an essay from Darren Bush where he talks about canoe paddles but all I heard it in my mind as fly rods, Monte Burke with a good one from out west, five different experiences with blue lines, on granddad's fish stories, the next chapter for Kirk Deeter, and some thoughts on "Trout Bumitis".    

CANOELOVER - AN ESSAY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO

GARDEN & GUN - MONTE BURKE ON BECOMING A TROUT ANGLER

PATAGONIA - FIVE ANGLERS ON BLUE LINES

VINTAGE TROUTS - ON THE LOST ART OF TELLING FISH STORIES

FLYLAB - ON THE END OF ANGLING TRADE AND WHAT'S NEXT

HOOKSWAIN - ON TROUT BUMITIS

Let's all have a great week and make sure you take some time for yourself on the water or at the vise.

PATAGONIA - Tying the Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle Dry Fly

One of my favorite books from last year was Pheasant Tail Simplicity and the trio of Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, and Mauro Mazzo teamed up again for this Patagonia paperback which is full of stories, techniques, and fly tying recipes with step-by-step instructions.

In this film, Yvon ties a variation of a soft hackle that floats higher to imitate a mayfly dun or spinner.
 

Order your copy of Pheasant Tail Simplicity on the Patagonia website or pick one up at your local book store or fly shop.  

Want to jump ahead and watch other Pheasant Tail Simplicity videos?  You can find them on the Patagonia YouTube channel.  

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE FLY - DAVE MAGAZINE

Dave Grossman of Southern Culture on the Fly would have been 48 years old this weekend if not for his unexpected and tragic passing this past spring.  I still can't believe he's gone but he sure did leave us with a lot of stories and good times to remember him by.  Dave Magazine is a collection of selected stories, essays, photographs, and remembrances of a man we miss deeply.  

Crack open a cold PBR, even if you're reading this over breakfast, and enjoy the read...

BORN TO BE FREE

It's Time to Watch This One Again

I have a short list of films that I can watch over and over again and gain something a little more each time.  A River Runs Through It is one of those films and the passing of Tom Skerritt is a good excuse to settle in to enjoy it all over again.  The last few minutes always gets me.  

THOMAS & THOMAS - Q&A with the Rod Designers on the Lotic II

There has been, and you'll continue to read, quite a bit of content on T.F.M. highlighting the Lotic II series of fiberglass fly rods from Thomas & Thomas Fly Fishing.  I have the 4-weight and 6-weight on demo and am just back from a few days in Montana where I fished both of these fly rods for the majority of the trip.  These are both wonderful in their own way and it's exciting to see new models added to this generation of their latest fiberglass offering.  

There is a short article on the Thomas & Thomas website with the Lotic II designers which answers the questions of what, why, and more.  It's worth a read this weekend.  

Here is some additional reading from past T.F.M. posts along with the latest Q&A...

Q&A WITH T&T'S ROD DESIGNERS
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS - GLASS MAGNIFICENCE
FIRST LOOK: THOMAS & THOMAS LOTIC II SERIES

Which Lotic II fly rod has your eye?  Email and let me know if you have any questions.   

100 Years of Joan Wulff: The Woman Who Changed Fly Fishing

We are a few days late to the party but this short film on Joan Wulff is wonderful.  It is a fitting celebration of her 100th birthday and highlights her influence on fly fishing over the many years.  



Read the full story on Joan Wulff in the latest issue of Fly Fisherman that is on news stands now.  

MB CUSTOM RODS - Build Your Soulmate (For FREE!)

Are you an experienced hobby fly rod builder?  Or maybe you've always wanted to try your hand at it?  MB Custom Rods is giving four builders, with or without experience but willing to share your work on Instagram, the opportunity to receive a Soulmate Rods kit and chronicle how it goes on social media.  There's an easy online application to complete to put your name in the mix.   

Sounds like fun, right? Four builders. Eight weeks to complete the build. Posts and reels on Instagram.

 

 Learn more and apply on the MB Custom Rods website.  I'm looking forward to seeing this all come together and be sure to follow along on the MB Custom Rods Instagram page, too.