How-To – The Salted Fly

August 11, 2022

Destination spotlight: Cape Lookout

It feels like it’s been weeks since the last time we didn’t have a daytime high in the 90’s. The arrival of some low 80s weather this weekend definitely feels great, and if you think like me, then you’re also anticipating the first hint of fall! Don’t panic if you haven’t made any grand plans for autumnal angling. Drift boats on the Madison River are probably booked, and capacity has already been reached for lodges on the Yucatan peninsula, but you can still eke out some great last minute fall fishing if you bring your DIY attitude to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. This part of North Carolina, and particularly the area just inside Cape Lookout, experiences a phenomenal run of false albacore each year between September and December that’s very accessible to anglers able to bring the right boat*.

July 19, 2020July 19, 2020

Six hundred yards of backing

Land is out of sight; the cobalt sea is one endless 360-degree horizon. Although the winds are calm, the boat gently rises and falls ten feet with each passing swell from the storm hundreds of miles away. The droning of the engines lulls you to sleep, as another hour passes without a bite. The abrupt click of the rigger clip is the only warning to come out of your trance before all hell breaks loose. A blue marlin has swiped the teaser on the left long rigger. The mate furiously winds the rod to bring the fish closer into the spread. The captain makes a slow turn to port to keep the fish in play. You grab the 14-weight rod with a fly as big as a songbird and as gaudy as a prom dress, step to the transom, and await your duel with a seamonster. Welcome to blue water fly fishing.

February 16, 2020June 17, 2020

Duck hunting from a kayak

Duck season has come and gone. It was mostly a forgettable one. The early cold weather in November and the relatively mild December and January meant that Virginia did not hold many birds this year. The following is one highlight of an otherwise down year.

April 17, 2018April 17, 2018

Spring is for Shad

1200 Brander St, Richmond, VA 23224

Richmond, VA 23219

Spring has finally arrived in Virginia after a winter that just wouldn’t quit. Ospreys are nesting, dogwood trees are blooming, and shad are likely running up a river near you. Shad are members of the herring family and mostly feed on plankton at sea; for this reason they are often thought of as a bait fish. However, when they gather to swim up freshwater rivers and spawn, they present an excellent fly fishing opportunity in some of America’s most populous areas. Continue reading “Spring is for Shad”

February 22, 2018February 23, 2018

Jigging and Popping

***Warning*** – this post contains content associated with conventional fishing tackle, and may not be suitable for all readers.

It’s only my third post and I’ve already deviated away from fly fishing! Purists all over the world are thumbing their noses at me and major sponsors are fleeing. Just kidding.

But let’s be honest, there are fish that simply can’t be pursued with a fly rod. Continue reading “Jigging and Popping”