I Am Not Alone

by on May 5, 2015 at 18:01
Posted In: Fly Fishing

For a second I thought I was alone. I thought I was the only one fly rod in hand who thought it was ok. Dare I lift this fish above the water? Can I shoot a grip and grin? Does doing so make me an evil angler? And I say no- you are not an evil angler for shooting a grip and grin. And thankfully I am not alone.

There’s a sentiment floating around fly fishing lately and it’s all below the surface. A sentiment that while I personally feel is good natured- can easily lead new comers into the sport astray. One that could even alienate many an angler. And this is it: “Thou shall/should not lift a fish above the surface out of the water for thine evil grip and grin desires.”

I first saw this unwritten rule in photos online thru all the social media outlets. It started out as really cool pictures- fish half in and half out of the water held and hovering in/on the surface. Then behind the images an idea formed that joined itself with our mantra of “do no harm” to our piscatory targets/our fishy friends. (Another sentiment I whole heartedly support. Support outside of having to hook set a fish lip and bring the booger to hand for release. Actions which can be perceived as violent to some.) The idea was endorsed with a hashtag that seemed to cement it in stone… #keepthemwet. Don’t lift the fish out of water; its home. Doing so is malice and not the actions of an enlightened angler.

Look, it’s not an issue of right or wrong and I truely believe to be angler preference. But at the end of the day I do not believe it to be sin to lift a trout out of water. Take your grip and grin. Make a memory and save it in a Kodak moment. This is a staple in the guiding industry needed to bring in new blood to a once perceived old fogey sport. Now, there are things to note about fish photography and Gink and Gasoline blog outlines them well in the article, “8 Tips on Photographing Fish Without Harming Them.” 

But it’s ok to grip and grin provide you are caring for the fish well. Wet your hands and be a brief as possible. Don’t squeeze the stuffing out of them or break a jaw (in the case of bass). Leave them as close to as well as you found them minus the lip hole from a well done set hook.

It’s easy in this sport to always look for a higher morale high ground, or way to be more pure that the purist. It’s the culture of this sport. But let’s be clear on why we do what we do. Don’t lift fish out of water? Good for you. Shoot grip and grins? Good for you too.

Thanks.

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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My No. 1 Angling Fear as Spring Approaches

by on March 17, 2015 at 20:56
Posted In: Fly Fishing

With the warmer weather the spring also brings with it what I like to refer to as (and fear most) the Koo Koo bird. I’ll describe them here in a minute. But first let me preface my description with an olive branch of sorts. 

To anyone approaching the river banks where I am, I welcome you. Not like the river is mine and that I own it. But in a, “I’ve found something good here. Step on in and getcha some of this good too.”

Now, so I may explain myself and the need for an olive branch… here is a Koo Koo bird (aka Tuber, aka Toober, aka The Party Crowd) as I personally find them. Koo Koo birds are often identified by inflatable floatation devices, coolers, boom boxes and other miscellaneous resources for entertainment.  While they come in many shapes, sizes, assortments, and recreational preferences- you can alway identify the Koo Koo bird by the noise it makes. 

“Hey y’all! Watch this!!” [Splash!]

“Koooooooo kooooooooo!!!!”  [Splash!]

“Hahahahahaha. Do it again (Koo Koo birds name)!”  [Splash!]

Even still, while the Koo Koo bird has numerous calls- even more unmistakable is the audible level it can attain and sustain. None are louder than they. And that itself is enough to set anglers (shhhh, you’re scaring the fish) at odds with the bird already. What makes them even more unbearable is the refuse they leave in their wake. 

To all my Koo Koo birds out there… No one wants your trash on the river or hear you 5 miles down it!

See, I appolgize in advance that proudly bearing the title Fly Fisher or Angler sounds like a self imposed moral superiority to others. I’m working on changing that perception by being humble. Sorry guys/gals… and I mean that. As an angler though, I know water quality plays high into the pursuit of my passions. So I care about it.

This is where Koo Koo bird waste and noise management (or lack there of) conflicts with my soul. Now, I know not all river-tubing, boom box-toting, cooler-carrying, party animals on the river leave waste. But for the sake of the river and all who love it (in any capacity)- lets police each other up, share and share alike a resource we all love and need. The river is too beautiful a thing to waste. 

Lose a flip flop on the water? Make every attempt to retrieve it. See your buddy leave a beer can behind? Kick’em in the pants to pick it up (be he/she angler or tuber). 

Our common ground is that we all love the river and look to it for so much joy. If we can respect each other there first- maybe passing/floating by a little less loud wouldn’t hurt. Maybe, I won’t cast a weighted fly towards your face. Heck, maybe we can both stop and share a beer together (and both make sure said cans make it to the trash). How cool would that be? High five and float on. Or here let me help you take that group pic so everyone is in it. 

Just some thoughts as the spring arrives. 

See you on the high ground,

AirborneAngler

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Bassy Come Back

by on March 13, 2015 at 21:57
Posted In: Fly Fishing

If you know the song… you’re welcome for getting it stuck in your head. This slo-mo was captured with my iPhone 6 on my first white bass outting this year. It’s just interesting to see all the minor movement that normally go unseen in the blink of an eye.

You can blame it all on me,

AirborneAngler

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Trout Season 2014-15

by on March 10, 2015 at 20:17
Posted In: Fly Fishing

So Texas Trout season is winding down. Troutfest came and went- and of course I was in the field that weekend. So, as the White Bass run is nigh upon us I was looking over the target board. While its not as picture laden as the Project Whiskey Bravo board, it still was fun to make. What’s important to me is that while there are pics from a guide trip with my mom, it also has some pics of my solo trips sans guide. (I was hoping I didn’t go to guide school for nothing!)

While Texas Trout can be caught year round, the holdovers work hard to survive and potentially (hopefully and has happened before) spawn. So the kinder anglers lay off the pressure a bit as the warmer weather comes around. Plus, there’s all the low hanging fruit of the white bass coming up. And after that the bucket mouth bite is on. Chasing guadies in the fall and back to trout in the winter. 

Man, it’s hard living the good life. 

See you on the high ground,

AirborneAngler

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3 Things I forgot on my first fish of 2015

by on March 4, 2015 at 20:46
Posted In: Fly Fishing

Things you remember and things you forget when you haven’t gone fishing in over two months can hurt. With nothing but fishing and adrenalin poisoning on the brain, I stepped off minus a few key items. Luckily, I got over today. I made a connection, set a hook, and walked away with a smile after a quick grip and grin. So here it goes…


Things you forget:


1) It was overcast today and I don’t often wear my shades in winter. Yup, I forgot my sun glasses and it hurt. The water I should’ve been able to see thru was a glairy void of unknown. I was casting blind. 

2) I forgot my net. Normally I leave things packed in my vehicle ready to go at a moments notice. With all the travel and rearranging I still need to find that thing. However, fortune dictated that still get my only catch, a nice little Guadalupe Bass to hand.

3) I forgot how much you can still always work on your cast. Nothing too rusty today- but with the conditions, and angles and flows… an extra foot or 3 would’ve been nice. 

But the one thing I never forget…


I never forget how much I love the sport. I remember to be grateful for every day, hour, minute I spend on the water. And I appreciate every little fish for their size, worth and beauty. 

Of course I appreciate the bigger ones a whole lot more too. But that’s fishing and I’m happy for every find. 

See you on the high ground,

AirborneAngler 

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