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The Scientific Fly Angler

Naturally Curious

Welcome to The Scientific Fly Angler

Naturally Curious

About The Scientific Fly Angler

Jason G. Freund

Welcome to my COVID project.

This page explores fly fishing and fly tying from an mostly - but not entirely - scientific point of view. Expect a random collection of fly tying, fish and stream ecology for the fly angler, and well, whatever I feel like posting at the time. From time to time, I will branch out from fly fishing into fisheries management and science.

This website and blog is for fun - not profit. I'm coming at you from Wisconsin's Driftless area but am hoping to interact with anglers from around the world. It is not necessarily a blog about Wisconsin but we are shaped by our experiences.

Send me an e-mail if you have question, comments, ideas for posts, etc.

STAY IN THE KNOW

"It Depends" - The Answer to Nearly Every Ecological Question

Jason G. Freund

Feb 20
10 min

"It Depends" - The Answer to Nearly Every Ecological Question

In a post I wander far and wide, the simple answer is beware of those giving simple answers to complex questions.

156 views6 comments

Guest Post: Wood Trout Rods (Perry Palin)

Jason G. Freund

Feb 15
7 min

Guest Post: Wood Trout Rods (Perry Palin)

I try to learn from my mistakes. I’ve had plenty of chances to learn.

282 views4 comments

Tying the Life Cycle: Stonefly

Jason G. Freund

Feb 13
6 min

Tying the Life Cycle: Stonefly

Of the major aquatic insect taxa, stoneflies are the least important here in Wisconsin, however there are times and places where they shine.

537 views1 comment

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Jason G. Freund

Feb 6
4 min

Ridiculous Prices for Fancy Chicken Feathers (Cree)

I would never pay those crazy prices - but so long as others do, the prices will continue to be crazy - capitalism at its finest (and worst)

507 views3 comments

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Jason G. Freund

Jan 30
10 min

Tying the Life Cycle: Caddis

While mayflies get most of the attention from anglers, year in and year out, I catch more fish on caddis dry flies than on mayflies.

963 views0 comments

In Praise of Winter Fishing (sort of)

Jason G. Freund

Jan 23
8 min

In Praise of Winter Fishing (sort of)

I do not love winter fishing - but I am glad it is an option. It is a hit or miss affair that I have not figured out, but I'll keep trying.

182 views2 comments

Fly Fishing the Driftless Intelligently

Jason G. Freund

Jan 18
6 min

Fly Fishing the Driftless Intelligently

Fly fishing in the Driftless Area can be an exciting and challenging experience due to the diverse and rugged terrain.

1,306 views4 comments

Tying the Life Cycle: Mayflies

Jason G. Freund

Jan 16
11 min

Tying the Life Cycle: Mayflies

No insects are more associated with fly fishing than are the mayflies) so we will handle tying their life cycle first in this series.

965 views2 comments

Fly Fishing Fads - in praise of old flies and ways of fishing

Jason G. Freund

Jan 9
5 min

Fly Fishing Fads - in praise of old flies and ways of fishing

This in NOT an anti-technology or anti-progress rant but more of a reminder that the old stuff still works.

206 views5 comments

Climate Change - Comparing the Effects on Brook and Brown Trout

Jason G. Freund

Jan 2
11 min

Climate Change - Comparing the Effects on Brook and Brown Trout

Maitland and Latzka (2022) published an analysis based on data from Wisconsin trout streams collected between 1994 to 2019 - read more here.

377 views4 comments

Tying and Fishing Small Flies

Jason G. Freund

Dec 26, 2022
6 min

Tying and Fishing Small Flies

From a friend, "It would be interesting to get your insights in small patterns where it enters the realm of ridiculous or impossible".

323 views4 comments

TroutRoutes - Is it worth it?

Jason G. Freund

Dec 19, 2022
10 min

TroutRoutes - Is it worth it?

TroutRoutes seems to have a very loyal following; I am a bit more on the fence myself. The mobile app shines but is it worth it for you?

3,249 views4 comments

Fisheries Management Topics: Regulations

Jason G. Freund

Dec 12, 2022
9 min

Fisheries Management Topics: Regulations

Probably one of the most discussed and maybe most poorly understood fisheries management topics is that of regulations.

251 views5 comments

Wisconsin Before the Europeans (and then after...)

Jason G. Freund

Dec 5, 2022
8 min

Wisconsin Before the Europeans (and then after...)

If there is a common view of Wisconsin before European settlement, it is probably that of the massive old growth forests.

722 views1 comment

Fly Tying 101 - How to Get Started in Fly Tying

Jason G. Freund

Nov 28, 2022
9 min

Fly Tying 101 - How to Get Started in Fly Tying

I think the best reason to tie your own flies is that tying flies makes you a better, more observant fly angler.

275 views3 comments

Fly Rods - Law of Diminishing Returns?

Jason G. Freund

Nov 21, 2022
8 min

Fly Rods - Law of Diminishing Returns?

This is my take on the subject of fly rod prices - your opinions may well be different from mine.

1,434 views4 comments

Smallmouth Bass Books

Jason G. Freund

Nov 14, 2022
10 min

Smallmouth Bass Books

I review 3 very good books on Smallmouth Bass by Karczynski and Landwehr, and books by Bob Clouser, and Tim Holschlag.

371 views1 comment

If you can catch fish in Wisconsin...

Jason G. Freund

Nov 7, 2022
6 min

If you can catch fish in Wisconsin...

I heard from several other anglers that if you can catch fish in Wisconsin, you can catch them anywhere - and they were right!

309 views3 comments

Figuring it Out: Planning a Fishing Trip

Jason G. Freund

Oct 31, 2022
8 min

Figuring it Out: Planning a Fishing Trip

This post is the second of what became three posts about figuring it out. Here I tackle how to research a fishing trip.

121 views2 comments

In Praise of Overlooked Places

Jason G. Freund

Oct 24, 2022
6 min

In Praise of Overlooked Places

I don't know that there is any greater point to this post but a bit of an off-season appeal to you - and to me - to think a bit differently.

122 views3 comments

Fishing Rod

Contact

Thanks for your interest in The Scientific Fly Angler. For more information, feel free to get in touch and I will get back to you soon!

Driftless Area, WI

jason.freund4@gmail.com

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