Dysfunction

Yet again the E.A. manage to undo their own good work...

Bored housewives

I read with interest Matt Labash's article on Oprah and flyfishing. Here in the UK, 'followers' of Oprah are perhaps a little less extreme in their behaviour so I'm less alarmed by her recent appearance on the Merced River - I dare say I'd feel different if I were a U.S. resident. If as Matt suggests there was a sudden influx of bored housewives to our sport here in the UK, it would probably be a good thing (In the UK women make up only a tiny proportion of anglers.). However, a sudden increase in numbers on properly crowded waters may be a bad thing and while it's not gonna happen here in Blighty, I have to wish you all luck in the Land of the Free... it might actually happen?

Popper dropper

Just wondering if this might be effective for the Autumn fry feeding trout on our Midlands reservoirs, especially for the big browns... Have a read of this article over at Louisiana Sportsman »

Helping Veterans

"Every Thursday, a different group of veterans wander down to the banks of the Green River. Some are hindered by prosthetic limbs, some struggle to see, a few have limited hearing. Yet others are plagued with bodies altered by intense stress...

When they climb from a fishing boat two days later, their eyes seem to crinkle a little more often in laughter. Even though they started the excursion as strangers, they now hug one another as friends."

Vernal Express

Though a number of group activities may have a similar capacity certainly this is the therapeutic power of fishing. Of course there are loads of articles like this but all the same I thought this was worth the post.

Go take a look »

Wet Olives

For a touch of tradition the Waterhen Bloa and a spot of dubbing...

Mounted

Sad end to fantastic saga

Ivan Keeney spent an hour battling a 29.74-pound, 47-inch-long pike, keeping up with it in his canoe so he didn't run out of line. He caught it on fly which is quite something. Now he'll be getting the fish mounted... Read the story...

Back in time?

Not by visiting as the article header suggests, but just by reading this piece, I was taken back in time. The images and details of the article reminded me of all the places in Ireland I've visited over the years, where everything from the best Guinness to postal and pension services, ham sarnies, toothpaste, and the essential flies for the day are all on offer in no particular order of importance. And at the right time you might even be greated by some top local live music.

From Wicklow to Kilkee, Cork to Killybegs establishments like that are, or at least were, common.

Fantastic!