Welcome to The Scientific Fly Angler

Crowding is relative. My idea of stream crowding changes depending upon the situation (day of the week, location, etc.).

I will share my approach to familiar waters - specifically Driftless trout streams - based on my experiences in this post.

I don't love fishing nymphs - nobody does - but it's a necessary evil so you might was well get (somewhat) proficient at it.

Picking 50 flies to represent the history of fly fishing is certainly a daunting task. The author does an admirable job.

To paraphrase the great Hank Patterson, any idiot can nymph.

While floods get most of the attention, I would suggest that the effects of drought are probably greater and longer lived.

If fishing becomes just about a number, where's the joy in that?

We are blessed in Wisconsin to have an abundance of water and to have the access to waters we have. Not everywhere is so fortunate.

You do not have to be a great distance caster to be an effective angler but you do need to be able to make short, accurate casts.

Why not Wisconsin? You are hard-pressed to find a state with the diversity of opportunities and access that Wisconsin offers the fly angler.

If I had to pick a month of days to fish for pure enjoyment and often a great challenge; it would be from mid-August through mid-September.

Not your usual blog post. I have a number of poll questions for you - about you - this week.

It has been two years, more or less. For a bit of a confession - two years in, I am still figuring this thing out...

Stream power is a function of the properties of water, discharge, and slope and determines what a stream can move.

Not every day is a "throw a fly box in a shirt pocket, grab a hemostats, and go" kind of day but it can be a great way to challenge yourself

I am NOT a car or truck guy. There are great stories with remembrances of great vehicles, this will not be one of them.

Wading boots are a compromise. Weight, durability, soles, tightening system, etc. are all specific to the application.

I have nothing for today but a few photos and some links. Go enjoy the day with family and friends - or go do some fishing.

What about the economics of fancy chicken feathers? First, whatever you buy today, it is likely to be the best hackle you've ever bought.

As someone in academia, I take for granted the ability to find up-to-date, peer reviewed literature - this post is about how to access it.