The Great Gulf Wilderness is a deep glacial valley surrounded by Mt Washington, and the Northern Presidentials – Mt Adams, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Madison. It’s drained by a high gradient stream called the West Branch of the Peabody River which runs for about 5 miles before it flows into …
Read More »Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Small Streams by John Gierach
If you’re a fly fisherman, John Gierach’s name will be a familiar one. The author of many fly fishing books including: All Fishermen are Liars Trout Bum No Shortage of Good Days Even Brook Trout Get the Blues Gierach’s amusing and witty narratives are full of hard-won fishing knowledge that is …
Read More »Review of Tenkara Bum’s Tenkara Rod Cases
One of the favorite websites is run by Chris Stewart, aka the Tenkara Bum. Chris’s website is a huge compendium of fly fishing knowledge and I always come away with a couple of new things to try when I tie flies or I’m out fishing. I almost always carry a …
Read More »2018 Tenkara Fly Fishing Diary
The trout fishing season is almost over in New Hampshire and this year been a watershed in my development as a fly fisherman. Despite the insufferable summer heat, the fishing was unexpectedly great, and I spent many a late afternoon or early evening by a riverside or stream with a …
Read More »Orvis Ultralight Wading Boots Review
Orvis’ Ultralight Wading Boots are rubber-soled wading boots that I wear with stocking foot waders when I fly fish rivers with a rod and reel. On wider streams and rivers, a rod and reel, waders, and wading boots give you the extra mobility, reach, and precision to place a fly …
Read More »DragonTail Hydra zx390 Tenkara Zoom Rod Review
The DragonTail Hydra zx390 is an adjustable-length zoom Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod which can be fished at two different lengths: 13 ft and 11.5 ft. Zoom rods have become popular because they give you two rods for the price of one: a longer rod for landing bigger fish and a …
Read More »The Orvis Guide to Small Stream Fly Fishing – Book Review
Small stream fly fishing is not a glamorous sport and it’s difficult to brag about the bite-size 6″ trout that you catch at the company picnic. But the satisfaction that comes from fishing an undiscovered virgin trout stream that’s never been fished before is hard to describe. The Orvis Guide to …
Read More »Tenkara Fly Fishing Gear List
Tenkara fly fishing is a minimalist style of fly fishing used for stream fishing. With an emphasis on simple lightweight gear, this form of fishing is perfect for backpackers who want a richer wilderness experience in the backcountry. There’s nothing like hiking into an isolated pool drop on a remote …
Read More »Redington Palix River Wading Pants Review
When I fly fish larger rivers with a rod and reel or a Tenkara rod, I often need to wade from the shore to get closer to the best trout habitat. But I’ve found that traditional bib waders are overkill for my needs and often too warm to wear. I …
Read More »Bikepacking and Bikefishing the Swift Diamond River
My buddy Ken and I took a three day bikepacking and bikefishing trip into a conservation area called the Second College Grant in Northern New Hampshire, about 65 miles north of the White Mountain National Forest. It has two excellent trout rivers in it full of native brook trout, the …
Read More »Tenkara EZ Keeper Line Management Hack Using Paper Clips and Electrical Tape
I like to keep the line rigged on my Tenkara Rod when I go fly fishing, so I wrap it around a pair of EZ Keepers that are attached to the outermost segment of the telescoping rod shaft. I wind the line in a figure eight pattern between the two …
Read More »Stewart’s Killer Bug Trout Fly
Chris Stewart’s Killer Bug is an effective nymph pattern that’s easy to tie and I’ve had good luck with it on Tenkara Rods and a traditional fly rod on New England streams and rivers. Many fisherman cite the Killer Bug as their most successful fly, so it’s a good addition for …
Read More »Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Rod and Package Review
If you’re interested in trying Tenkara Fly Fishing and have never fished before, I recommend that you get a Tenkara Package like the Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Kit (rod, line, flies, and accessories) which includes all of the basic components you need to get started and is backed up with some …
Read More »Buff Fishing, Sun Protection and Water Gloves Review
“Do you wear sun protection?” That was the first question my doctor asked me when I told her I’d taken up fly fishing. Indeed I do. I wear a floppy hat, fishing gloves, a neck buff, long shirt, and long pants when I fish because I don’t want to experience the …
Read More »