Fly Fishing Magazines We All Enjoy Reading

If one fly fishes they probably read an array of fly fishing magazines and buy fishing equipment and supplies from numerous tackle magazines. Receiving magazines in the mail is like receiving a Christmas gift every month. Some we paid a monthly subscription for and some we receive because we purchase an item or two from their company. In either case it’s a way to add knowledge and enjoyment to a sport we are all continuing to learn and love with each passing season.

I receive a couple of fly fishing online publications as well as numerous free fishing magazines that includes all type fishing as well as fly fishing. I have found ordering just one tiny item from any of these companies will usually get you a free magazine for months, which is fine with me.

I always want to share with my fellow bloggers, so with this post I thought I would give you all some insight into some publications concerning fly fishing. I am sure most of you are familiar with some of these publications, but as I did my research I discovered some that was new to me. Let’s start with one everyone may know about:

 

Fly Fisherman--- This magazine is one of the most well-known fly fishing magazines available.

Fly Rod and Reel--- This print magazine also focuses on the fish themselves, their habitat, and what tackle is best for each situation.

Eastern Fly Fishing---One of my favorites; the magazine is available in print publication as well as digital download.

Northwest Fly Fishing--- Fly fishing in the great states of Northern California, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming as well as British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Alaska.

Southwest Fly Fishing--- For fly fishing anglers living in the Southwest area of the United States.

The Drake Magazine--- Unbelievable amount of information about fly fishing found in this one magazine 

American Angler---This publication is considered the fly fishing authority of fly fishing.

Catch Magazine--- Official journal of fly fishing photography and film

Fly Tyer Magazine---Official magazine for the fly tyer, the beginner and the seasoned tyer

Angling Trade Magazine---An array of fish fishing information

Fly Fusion---North American fly fishing authority

Fly Fishing and Tying Journal---America’s leading publisher of fishing books and magazines, serving anglers since 1967

Hatches--- A publication with a strong devotion to professional writing, beautiful photography and informative articles

Rod Maker Magazine--- Worlds leading publication for custom rod builders

J Stockard Fly Fishing---Dealing specifically with fly tying and supplies, not a monthly publication

Southern Trout---Need I say more, really close to home!!

Hope this list of magazine publications will be helpful for those of you considering subscribing to new issue of fly fishing.

 

 

Fishing Tiny Poppers for Finicky Bluegill

I know all of us who fly fish have our favorite flies and poppers we use on a regular basis. These favorites are the ones we always pluck out of our fly box first because of their success rate. I did a post sometime back on fishing with your top 6 flies and poppers for warm water and cold water species and the tiny popper I am discussing in this post was not one of them.

There are fishing trips where all of your favorites do all the work and we never have to search through our fly boxes for that game-changer pattern. For me, the tiny popper has been that pattern. I have found that bluegill especially the big ones can be very finicky at times, even when they are spawning. In fact, I have moved my boat within casting distance of numerous spawning beds in the spring and dropped a fly in the spawning area and get no reaction at all mainly as a result of a cold front.

 

 Hand-tied feathers and hackle

Excellent on bright days clear water

Cold fronts can be a killer during this time of the year and no matter how aggressive the fish were the day before they can practically turned off the next day. This is when you go small with tiny flies and poppers. It also helps if you have a lot of patience on those days because the longer you let the fly sit without movement the better chance of coercing a super-size bull bluegill to nail your tiny offering. During this particular time, this is when I go to the tiny popper, which 90% of the time produces. As for the other 10% of the time one might want to tie more flies, clean fly lines, and get ready for the next outing.

 Size 14 work best especially on those slow days, as stated patience is the key with these little gems. I didn’t notice when I started working on this post that the world record bluegill was landed in Alabama: Bream aficionados recognize that the world record bluegill was an Alabama behemoth that weighed an astounding 4 pounds, 12 ounces. In Florida, the record remains a respectable 2.95 pounds, and if interested, you can qualify for an FWC “Big Catch” certificate by weighing in bluegill that measures at least 11 inches in length or weighs at least 1.25 pounds. It’s interesting to note that a good spawning shellcracker averages a pound or more. However, if you’re looking for a record, you’ll have to beat out the South Carolina giant that weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The Florida record currently stands at 4.86 pounds, while any shellcracker weighing at least 2.25 pounds or measuring 12 inches warrants that “Big Fish” certificate. Can you guys imagine landing bluegill in the 4 lb. range? Who knows some of us this season may hit that mark. Good Luck!!!