science

Fly fishing articles tagged with science

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natural history Featured

The Story of the Cutthroat Trout Subspecies

This is the story of how Cutthroat trout spread across western North America and transformed into their distinct variations

exploring

End of the Year Round Up: Best of 2022

We revisit the best of the best from 2022 slate of fly fishing articles.

cutthroat

The Cult of the Rainbow

We simply don't need more rainbow trout, and rest assured, they aren't going anywhere. So don't be swayed by the cult of rainbow trout.

conservation concept

Conservation Concept: Tragedy of the Commons

For every angler, tragedy of the commons is a core concept you should know about

technical trout

Catch More Trout with These Articles

Fly fishing: Let's discuss everything from approaching the water, to rigging, flies, and dealing with picky trout.

steelhead

The Weird Biology of Half-Pounder Steelhead

Fly fishing: Let's take a look at the weird biology of half-pounder Steelhead

terrestrials

Silver Linings Fly Box: Grasshoppers and Drought

Fly fishing: There is one interesting byproduct of the drought that could serve to favor trout anglers when fishing hoppers

cutthroat

Native Trout South of the Border?

Native species of trout can be found in North America as far south as the tip of Baja California. Are these the rarest trout?

conservation concept

Conservation Concept: Shifting Baseline Syndrome

Grandpa might have been right after all: The fishing just ain't what it used to be...

climate change

Western Trout Rivers: An Angler's Prospectus

Fly fishing: Out west, with years of lingering drought, and now reports of declining trout populations in the holy-waters of Montana...

Members only

barometric pressure

Myth-Busting: The Barometric Pressure Debate

Lets look at the Barometric Pressure debate, one of the most enigmatic topics in fly fishing.

essential reads

End of the Year Round Up: Best of 2021

We revisit the best fly fishing articles from 2021. Covering topics from alpine ice-off to fish behavior.

Members only

behavior

The Dynamics of Fish Spooking

Why do fish spook? Why don't fish spook? Let's investigate.

behavior

Sibling Rivalry? Behavioral Differences When Browns and Rainbows Share a Stream

Rainbow Trout vs Brown Trout , the Ultimate Battle

stillwater

Why Don't We See More Chartreuse in Stillwater Trout Flies?

Do you recall any chartreuse flies for trout when shopping at your average fly shop?

Members only

terrestrials

The Colorful World of Grasshoppers

Fly tying: What are the best colors for tying and fishing grasshoppers. Check out our breakdown.

cutthroat

Using Nature's Engineers to Slow Early Runoff

Before civil engineering ever existed, there were animals shaping rivers across N. America. Have we forgotten the benefits they offer?

colorado

Alpine Ice-Off: Raining Dust

We discuss a phenomenon that's causing earlier spring snowmelt

Paid-members only

alpine

Alpine Ice-Off: Timing The Thaw

caddisfly

Net Spinning Samaritans

Recent findings now reinforce what LaFontaine first introduced—caddisflies are more important than we first thought!

Rivers

Key to Restoring the Middle Blue River to Gold Medal Status might be Phosphorus

How will the middle Blue River return it's Gold Medal status? It starts with an experiment to add a usual pollutant back to the stream.

Members only

utah

The Case of the Missing Salmonflies

What happened to the salmonflies in this western stream? Are other streams headed for the same outcome?

trout

No, Trout Aren't Lazy

Fly fishing: They say to look for areas where trout can indulge in their 'lazy' tendencies. One problem — trout aren’t lazy!

Members only

fly tying

Adding Triggers to Fly Patterns: Subliminal Messaging for Trout

Fly tying: We might carry a lot of patterns, but if none match the searching terms outlined by trout, then what good are they?

invasive species

Are We Loving Our Blue Ribbon Fisheries to Death?

New Zealand mudsnails (NZMS), have rapidly expanded across the United States and scientists have long suspected that anglers play a key role in range expansion.