Fly Fishing

jeremy

Flies And Fins was born 4 years ago. It started out as a blog here in Maine, where I live. It was basically just a tool for me and my fly fishing buddies to stay in touch and stay connected via fly fishing stories via the web. Initially it was an idea between my friend Nick and I, who I used to fly fish with all the time. But, it really materialized between my friend Greg and I. Now, if you live in Maine you will understand my upcoming point. If you don't, let me just explain a bit. In Maine's freshwater resources, there is a clear distinction between fly fishing for "cold water species (trout/salmon)" and fly fishing for "everything else". I absolutely do not want to get involved with the emotion based politics of the situation, I am simply stating how it is. In Maine, many of our waters are fly fishing only. In addition to that, many of our waters are some of the last true wild and native trout/salmon fisheries in the United States. Many of our trout/salmon fisheries should NATURALLY not have any other species other than salmon/trout. So, here in Maine, it is a very heated and sensitive discussion when it comes to any species other than trout/salmon because of the simple fact that pike, bass, etc... were ILLEGALLY introduced into many of our watersheds. So, the recent carp artilce by shaq and wrh ([url]http://www.fliesandfins.com/article575.html[/url]) article is significant because it is really the first time .. that a "non trout/salmon species" fishtale has been published (other than 2 or 3 rare/special instances). I personally happen to fly fish primarily for trout/salmon and find myself in the very waters of Maine that are fly fishing only and should naturally only have salmon/trout species. So it is very common for me to see fly fisherman throw bass on shore to die if they catch one (I don't personally practice that method) and the Maine Dept. Of Fisheries actually posts signs on our fly fishing only trout/salmon waters that say something like ... "If you catch a pike/pickerel/ etc.. or any invasive species please kill it immediately and call xyz phone number." So, its not that trout/salmon fly fisherman in Maine are "trout snobs" or anti-other-species .. it's not that at all. However, when it comes to non-trout-salmon species in waters that should by NATURE be salmon/trout species only, they are very protective and our states fishery dept is very protective too. It is not so much a matter of disliking other species. It is more a matter of protecting the trout/salmon species that are part the Maine heritage and history ... and there would be no need to "protect" these fisheries if the "other species" had not been illegally introduced by human beings into these precious resources.

Ok ... so for someone like me who hates the politics and all that .. I am getting pretty deep into it now, but it is warranted.

SO, HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE: Things change. Like it or not, things are the way they are and things change. Nick is married now and moved to another state. Sure, I used to fly fish with him all the time ... but things change. Sure, Flies And Fins started out as me and greg and a couple other guys from Maine posting stories and pics and videos of our trips ... but times have changed. Flies and fins has evolved and it is comprised of fly fisherman from all over the globe. And, many fly fisherman in many different states and countries don't have the same problems or issues as Maine ... so to be selective of the content from a "Maine Perspective" really makes no sense. Another point I would like to make is this. In my personal opinion, I don't see the efforts of isolating and seperating types of fly fisherman by species - as being effective. In fact, in my personal opinion it makes things worse. As with an "issue" ... the only way to find a solution is through understanding. My point is this ... if salmon/trout fly fisherman walk around with a chip on their shoulder and are unwilling to even listen to fly fishermen or spin fishermen who enjoy fishing for "other species" ... that will only make matters worse and possibly add fuel to the very fire they are trying to control. If fly fishermen and spin fisherman or bait fishermen or whatever .. who enjoy fishing for all sorts of other species walk around with a chip on their shoulder ... and do "things" in spite of the salmon/trout fly fishing only waters ... NOBODY WINS.

Ok... so, I had to take a stance. Like it or not, Flies And Fins has grown in popularity and is made up of the melting pot of fly fisherman from all over the world. I consulted with my wife and close friends and other fly fisherman who's opinions, I value. I was faced with a dilema, that might not seem like a big deal to others, but it was a big deal to me.... because it would change the entire direction of Flies And Fins and the entire direction of Flies And Fins as it was defined from a "freshwater" perspective. In the past when I got "fishtale" submissions about "other" species, they would not get published. But because of the growth and styles of fly fisherman and the increasing number of "other species" submissions I was getting... I could not ignor it any longer. I had to take a stance.... Do "non trout/salmon" fishtales get published or not and if not, it has to be publicly mentioned.... because its not fair for people to submit fishtales about "Fins that they definately caught on flies" and ignore them. That, is simply not fair.

So, I got many different opinions ... and the one I finally went with was my wife's and my own gut feeling. My wife said, "Jeremy, the name of the site if flies and fings ... so if someone catches a fish on a fly ... it counts. Who cares about what you think ... because many fly fisherman don't want to catch trout/salmon and prefer fly fishing for other species." And then, I really though about the situation and tried to find the truth within myself.... and that's when I said to myself, "Jeremy, what is the TRUTH of the matter? Realize the truth and go from there." So, in my opinion, the truth of the matter is this. Many fly fisherman fly fish for trout/salmon only. Many fly fisherman don't even have trout/salmon fisheries in their states. Many fly fisherman would prefer fishing for pike, bass, walleye, muskee etc... Many fly fisherman don't know about Maine's dilema with invasive species. Many of these fly fishermen are the very fly fishermen who come to fly fish from other states. There is allot of miscommunication and misunderstanding when it comes to "species and methods" ... and if all parties at least aimed to understand each others point of views ... everyone might actually get what they are looking for and devise a way to respect and understand each type of point of view and fishery and work with each other rather than against each other. And finally, if flies and fins can do anything at all ... it might just be able to be the conduit for bridging the gap of misunderstanding. Because, isolating the freshwater portion of flies and fins and restricting it to trout/salmon species only ... is not a TRUE representation of the current landscape of fly fisherman. To do that, would infact be a lie and a misrepresentation of the way things actually are. And, if Flies and Fins is truly of the people and by the people ... than it simply can not descriminate against species of fish. Every fish caught on the fly rod is equally signifigant ... because beauty and signifigance are in the eyes of the beholder."

With that said - Thanks for reading ... and even if you didn't read this ... I feel better because at least I voiced my reasoning and I can stand confindently behind my decision because to me, it is logical and inline with the truth of fly fishing as it relates to the modern world. And, when it comes to fly fishing ... I am not an expert... I am a terrible fly tier ... so, in that sense, I don't really offer much to the legacy of the sport to leave behind. What I am is a story teller and this outlet (flies and fins) is a representation of modern day fly fishing story telling. All digital, web based and interactive.... And, for the most part, I am a self serving fly fisherman... I don't do much in terms of really going out of my way to help protect anything ... other than paying for my license... I don't know that I ever will ..... so, maybe the little thing that I can do ... is use Flies And Fins as a tool to bridge the gap of misunderstanding. Nothing will change in terms of the format of the site and I certainly won't be getting into the politics of everything... because that is not who I am ... however, maybe by including "other species" fish tales ... and maybe even starting to try my luck myself with the flyrod and fishing for "other species" ... the fishtales themselves will help to shed some light and add equal value to all types of fly fishing for all types of species ... because if there is one thing that is true ... its this ... nobody can tell anybody else what species of fish is better for him ... so moving forward ... all freshwater fish will be treated as equals ...

thanks.

jeremy cameron

waterwhippa · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject: New Direction

I am very happy to see that FNF is breaking the mold in regards to warm water species. The truth is that during the doldrums of summer cold water opportunities can be very limited, unless you have a true tailwater fishery at your disposal. With fuel prices at an all time high it only makes sense to seek out local resources that are close to home. Many of these waters are bass, pike or carp fisheries. In my opinion if I am over fish with a fly that is all that really matters to me. Glad to see this site expanding yet again. In this ever changing, fast paced world we live in it only makes sense to include all fish tales that have to do with any fly and any fin.

Shaq · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

Hey Jeremy, Great post and I can only draw from the experiences of one person, and that's me of course. I grew up in Northern MAssachussetts. and as you "Down-Eastenahs" know, we don't have too many wild trout fisheries in the Merrimack Valley part of the "Flat-lands" My parents have a cottage on a warm-water lake in Central NH and I learned to fish, swim, canoe and love the outdoors there. WHen I got my driver's License, I traveled around my little corner of the world with a pack of culprits and a pack of tru-turns and hit the industrial park ponds for bass and fished the Merrimack right in the city for smallmouth and whatever would hit. At night, we'd swipe beer from our folks and light a fire and carp fish. My room-mate from college introduced me to trout and we spent alot of time using small spinning gear until we learned about flyfishing. We learned about the great lakes fishery around that time as well. After college, I worked in a flyshop outside of Boston and learned all sorts of things about flies and fins (PUn intended) and what everybody was doing with the fly-rod. It was like watching good guitarists and seeing what they do with their instrament. Salt-water, Warm-water, cold-water, in the 90's flyfishing was exploding. In 1998, I guided flyfishing in ALaska and a part from all the flyfishing that usually goes along with ALaska, we pike fished. Talk about seeing something. Every see a 20 lb pike engulf a 6 inch rabbit strip streamer? Now I live in a part of NY that has it all. 2 1/2 hours to steelhead and salmon. the same to tailwaters. I have several put and take trout streams within 1/2 hour and The New England Coast is just a short drive away. Now, that was the story, here's the point. Over my lifetime so far, I have learned to appreciate all fish and fishing. I just love it. I love when a trout rises, or your indicator dissapears. I love when a steelhead tries to rip the spey rod from my hands. I love when a smallmouth bass grabs my popper then jumps 2 feet in the air and spits the hook. I love it when a carp grabs your fly after following it 10 feet, starts to veer off then turns and sucks it in. I love it when I am standing inside a striper blitz on the beach, I even love it when a bluegill takes a little rubber legged spider. It's just so cool isn't it? I mean the whole thing. The gearing up the night before, the car-side setup. the stripping off line the first time of the day. that first hook-set. It's awesome. I could go on and on but Jeremy would have to get more bandwidth. So I have something to look forward to all months of the year. WInter steelhead, spring trout, summer warmwater, and fall salmon and back to steelhead. FLiesandfins.com is a great forum. A truely unique experience that allows us to take all our friends on our fishing trips with us. I am glad all of you enjoyed wrh's experience and I am glad we got to share it with you. I would hate not to be able to flyfish anytime anywhere, As our group used to say Semper Fly!!!! Jeremey...keep up the great work let the state agencies write the policies, we'll follow the rules, buy our licenses, and fish for everything that swims. I learn alot form you guys, hopefully you do the same from us in NY and abroad., Doesn't Marcel's posts just make you want to hop over to Germany and fish for Roach all day long?

They're out there boys and girls, go gettem.

jeremy · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject: i agree

shaq .... thanks ... great response ... as the saying goes "perception is everything" ... after posting this topic -- i called whippa and i was like .. "ya know what dude, this will actually add a whole new dynamic....and will be a blast ... i can't imagine all the crazy species we could fish for in the great lakes ... walleye, pike, muskie etc... and ya know what ... why not .... everything is and can be an awesome experience ... it is what you make of it and how you view it ...and at the end of ones life ... thats all ya got ... memories and experiences ... so ... the more the better.

ps ... speaking of pike ... i got a submission from "clouser minnow" -- i think he is from calagary canada area but not sure ... don't know him ...either way ... wait till ya see the pic of the pike he got on the fly ... gonna post his fishtale tomorrow. ..... ps .. i think he is the same guy that was fly fishing with the huge mouse patterns at night for big brown trout... that was a cool fishtale too.

greg · Newbie Joined: May 18, 2003 Posts: 38

Since it's conception, based on fun and a true love for the sport, I have risen every morning for 4 years, turned on my computer to see what was added while I slept. I have never been disapointed, more often than not something new and informing has been up on the sight. I have had more fun with fly fishing and learned more, fished for more species in the last 4 years than the previous 50 years. I have traveled more, seen and fished places I had never thought of fishing before. I have met some great people through this site and loved every minute of it. When this site started one could not fish for Atlantic Salmon in Maine and this Fall Atlantic Salmon fishing returns to Maine.!! A great testimonial to the abillity of the fly fishing community to effect, positively it's sport. Change comes in a lot of different forms and it's value to the sport is not always recognized. This site's strength is it's contributors and it's abillity is based on it's contributors therefore bias is not a possibillity anymore than change can be stopped. I have know doubt that the site will continue to make changes as our sport and contributor base expand and make for a more wholistic experience based on it's contributors, the person in someplace I have never heard of tying on a fly I am unfamilliar with to catch a fish I didn't know existed and submitting a story and pictures for the first time.
Thanks to All

Greg

MarshallD · Newbie Joined: Feb 06, 2004 Posts: 92

The art of angling with a fly...fooling a fish, whatever the species may be has inspired me to learn to be a better fly fisherman and through fliesandfins, I have learned from my fellow sportsmen/women thrills are possible anywhere and with any species. The premise that ..."Every fish caught on the fly rod is equally signifigant ..." is in my mind the essence of the art of angling and the adventure we all seek and is the center of our passion.

Fly fishing for Bluegills although not as dramatic as fly fishing for Albies, has a place in our shared adventures and we can always learn something here.

After all, we all struggle with wind knots, getting the right drift, chosing the right pattern. We fish where we can and for what's there. Smile

jeremy · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: thanks marsh

thanks marshall .. that is cool ... coming from you. fyi, marshall is a veteraned maine fly fishing guide... been around for a long time and very involved and much more knowledgable than me when it comes to the "rules and regulations" in maine.. marshall is also very involved with TU and puts in his time helping children in maine how to tie flies and is involved with such great things like the Maine TU trout camp for kids ... marshall offers his services and teaching abilities for free ... many times to the youth of maine.... marshall is also the head guide for maines premier fly fishing shop "fly fishing only" owned by mike holt .... [url]www.flyfishingonly.com[/url] ... and it would take me a day to list all of the things that mike is credited for when it comes to being involved with fly fishing and fish management and trout/salmon conservation efforts in maine.... mike, like marshall, is part of of the crowd here in maine .. that is comprised of long time mainers who are very respected for their dedication to preserving and protecting our maine resources and educating the youth to do the same ... i seriously can not find the words to show my admiration for mikes, marshalls and many of the guys on mikes forum [url]http://flyfishingonly.net/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2[/url] ... because the enjoyment i recieve fly fishing here in maine ... is directly related to their many efforts to preserve and protect and maintain our waters through all of the dealings with the politics and gov't agencies and all of their efforts with promoting the education of the maine fisheries and ensuring our youth carries the tourch....

PS - TO BRING THIS BACK TO CONTEXT .. MIKE AND MARSHALL DO TONS OF SMALL MOUTH BASS FLY FISHING TRIPS .. IN ADDITION TO (TROUT/SALMON) ... PUT IT THIS WAY .. I KNOW FOR CERTAIN .. IF YOU ARE COMING TO MAINE DURING THE WARMER SUMMER MONTHS AND YOU WANT TO CATCH SMALLIES IN SOME OF OUR PREMIER RIVER ... IT IS SAFE TO SAY MARSHALL AND MIKE COULD HAVE YOU CASTING OVER FISH ALL DAY LONG AND LITERALLY CATCHING DOUBLE DIGITS OF FISH WITHOUT A PROBLEM .. AND THE RIVERS THAT THEY WOULD FISH ARE BEAUTIFUL MAINE RIVERS ... MANY FLY FISHERMEN HERE IN MAINE LOVE TO FLY FISH FOR THE SMALL MOUTH AND MANY VISITORS TO OUR STATE COME JUST FOR THAT FLY FISHING EXPERIENCE ... SO IF YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF BEING ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE ... GIVE MIKE AND MARSHALL A SHOUT ... THEY WILL HELP YOU OUT .. AND, OF COURSE, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SALMON/TROUT .. THEY ARE A PHENOMENAL RESOURCE FOR THAT ..

ps .. marshall also has is own website ---

[url]www.flyanglersguide.com[/url] -- check it out .

PS - marshall, i know i saw you on the river fly fishing for trout/salmon the other day .. and you were showing me your digital pics of some of the nice rainbows you got ... but i also remember you showing me some huge small mouth bass that some folks had been catching? how has the fishing for the smallies been, in case any reader might be interested? .. thx

jeremy · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:48 am Post subject: greg

greg - couldn't have said it better myself ... as with all things, the internet has its advanatages and its disadvantages .. on of the biggest advantages for me, that you mentioned .. is its awesome power to connect people in a contextual manner ... and to truly shift peoples perceptions of thinking about things along the lines of "my state" .. "your state" .. "where i'm from and where you're from" ... basically, it doesn't take long to realize that the world is infact very small, and the boundaries that we have set up for organizational purposes in the real world (state lines etc...) .. don't really apply in the virtual world ... now i love this because ... it is humbling to everyone involved... and at the same time opens our eyes to how much is out there and points out directly to any one individual that what they know is really only a tiny super small piece of what is available to possibly know ... that for me, is exciting .. because as some of the wisest people in history have stated .."the more you learn, the less you know." and the internet is a catalyst that certainly supports that philosophy.... and if you don't believe me ... do a google search on "fly fishing" ... you will see that there are roughly 33,600,000 pieces of information concerning that topic ... that IS humbling and points out to all of us ... that .. although we may be knowledgable in our neck of the woods and understand things from our little micro-cosm perspective ... when we look at the BIGGER PICTURE .. it is humbling to realize that what we personally know is really only a small fraction of what is possible to know or experience ... with that said ... the power of the internet is obvious, but if that power is not harnessed and used to further peoples understanding (about any topic .. not just fly fishing) .. than the power is essentially meaningless ... and .. not powerful at all. thanks greg .. i too have learned so much and learned that there is so much more to learn ... and to learn it all .. is not really possible .. and that realization for me .. is cool.

BANDYCATCHER · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:24 pm Post subject:

wrh · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

jeremy,

I have missed this discussion being away all weekend at a music festival. I had no idea that FNF was mostly a trout/salmon site. I started out as a trout/salmon person having chased trout in Ak, MT, BC, Nova Scotia, New Zealand and other states in the US. Now with a family and not as free to travel as I once did. Out of necesity, I only have limited trout opportunites in the middle of the summer, I have fished for many other species. So I have found a whole new world. I absolutely love smallmouth fishing and now carp. I had never really targeted them, but they are a blast. I don't think I would have said that 20 years ago, but they are an very untapped fishing resource. People have just continued to find new species to fish for depending on what swims in thier waters and then after they hear about rooster fish or bluefin people check it out. I am very glad that you made the call that you did because it will add a whole new dimension to FNF and wake us up to the fishing options that are around us that we never have seriously considered before. Keep up the good thinking and the contniued growth of FNF will be guarenteed.

jinxed247 · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

Thanks Jeremy. ALthough I usually only fly fish for trout/salmon/steelhead it's nice to hear that if I ended up with some epic battle with another species that I would be able to tell and post my stories with others via this site. Thanks for creating such a great site so that all of us fly fishing blood brothers could share in each others comraderie. Keep up the great job.
John