Tuesday, February 18, 2014

So much more to it friends.

For those who follow this blog know very well it's based pretty much on the simple side of fly fishing and life. I'm not a complicated person and I try to keep my ramblings the same. I have posted some photos here which show how I feel about life and angling.
While the focus of fishing is the fish we pursue, there is so much more to it. I believe one could fish and not catch anything and walk away fulfilled. I know I have.

A big river, take a tiny section toss a fly and be surprised. Or sit down and have a soda and just look.


A small fly shop. One could spend hours here, not shopping but talking. Amazing stories have been passed here.


Simple flies waiting to perhaps tell a story of success.


Camp life. A simple meal of "Rice-a-Roni", with time to talk of the days happenings.


New friends are made. They don't care if you fish bamboo, glass or graphite. Just come back again, and leave the wild apples alone.


One peak after another, each with a stream running down. Is there time to fish them.


Brook trout paradise. A scene like this will clear ones head of winters grip.


Maine has many treasures. This is one of the simplest as well as one of the finest. Giffords, Farmington, Maine.



50 comments:

  1. Yup, don't necessarily have to catch fish.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alan
    This post shows why we as fly fisherman love this sport so, especially the beauty that surrounds us every time we venture out on the water. What a great way to start the day!! Thanks for sharing

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  3. Well Done!! Simply put and I echo the post above "Sentiments Shared".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      Our passion gos far beyond a fish in the net.

      Delete
  4. Nice post. It's always a pleasure to see the simpler side of fly fishing from your perspective.

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    Replies
    1. Jay,
      Thanks.
      Jay there's nothing better than being out and enjoying what comes our way.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for the thoughts. Makes me wonder what I am doing inside on the computer. Would love to see those rivers in person. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matt Berry,
      Thanks.
      Come east my friend and I'll show you them.

      Delete
  6. i smiled all the way through this post. thank you.

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    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      I felt you would enjoy the photos.

      Delete
  7. Nice post and pics Alan, I love the look of the fly shop, it looks so inviting.

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    Replies
    1. brian,
      Thanks.
      A small hometown shop, but with all that's needed.

      Delete
  8. Beautiful pics...and I couldn't have said it any better myself , there is so much more to this thing we all love than the fishing.
    That attitude shows through in every post you write and that's exactly what keeps me coming back for more.

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    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Friend, I appreciate your kind comments.

      Delete
  9. I love everything the outdoors has to offer even during winters such as these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter Carlson,
      Thanks.
      This will be a winter that will not be forgotten.

      Delete
  10. Brk Trt, I love this side of fly fishing & you say it with one word. " Simple "
    You keep us going thru what seems to be a very long & snowy winter by sharing your wonderful blog entries accompanied by xome great & inviting photos.

    Thanks for sharing.............Phil

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    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      We are all a little sore and tired from this winter. I'm glad this post broke up some of the "same old" of the last months.

      Delete
  11. Lester Kish,
    Thanks.
    That Autumn foliage is very refreshing. Especially with the north pole outside.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Especially like that photo of the horned lark. It seems rare to see a decent photo of the bird.

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    Replies
    1. rivertoprambles,
      Thanks.
      Walt thanks for the bird ID.

      Delete
  13. Posts like this remind me to enjoy my time on the water or in the woods...Great post! However, it also reminds me that I haven't been fishing since last fall.......I'm getting a little tired of cleaning snow off my car to go to work.....I NEED TO STAND IN THE CURRENT AND CAST MY FLY. I NEED FEEL THE TUG ON MY LINE AND BRING A BEAUTIFUL BROOKIE TO HAND......come on April!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      We all feel the same about this winter. And come April when that brookie takes the fly all will be forgotten.
      Hang in there buddy.

      Delete
  14. As usual, beautiful photographs Alan. And I have to say you are right on about what fishing means.

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    Replies
    1. Howard,
      Thanks.
      Most fly anglers are of the same school.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Michael Curry,
      Thanks.
      For all of us as I can tell.

      Delete
  16. As always, a beautiful post that cleanses the soul's palate. The simple pleasures are the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      That's for sure Jim.

      Delete
  17. Alan
    If my wife and I had to choose another area to live it would be the northeast-----thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      It's truly a wonderful area of the US. Although this winter has been one that might change someone's mind.

      Delete
  18. Alan..

    great pics as usual...well done....and for myself, I agree...sometimes its not what we catch that matters...

    its what we "take-in" when we are out-and-about......and leave only footprints..(although I've covered mine from time-2-time....lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. flyfisher1000,
      Thanks.
      Very good points. And when we go forth and fish with these in mind it's always successful.

      Delete
  19. oh......that decal you have on your tying bench....Rangeley fly shop.......NICE !!!

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  20. Alan...

    in all the small streams that you have fished...(.rangely area) or just in Maine to be exact.......have you ever caught Gobies in "brackish" type water when fishing for brookies.?...

    ive heard-tell...that some people believe that they can clean a pond right out......but then again...others are telling me that they are a good food source and the brookies love them....

    could you comment on this.....or anyone else that reads your blog ...
    thanks...

    Dave

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. flyfisher1000,
      Thanks.
      I have never caught any such fish. And this is the first I've heard of these. I'm going to research it further and see what's up.

      Delete
  21. You have so many comments that often I don't bother to comment for fear of being redundant. I do enjoy your photos and comments regularly despite not commenting.

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    Replies
    1. ssj,
      Thanks.
      Your comment at any time is always appreciated. I hope you'll continue friend.

      Delete
  22. http://www.gallery.nanfa.org/d/23723-3/Neogobius+melanostomus++Round+Goby.jpg

    these ive found in a Machias River pond

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    Replies
    1. flyfisher1000,
      Thanks.
      I've never seen anything like it.

      Delete
  23. some call them .."mud-puppies ...and they are really hard to catch.....lol

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  24. Simple and stress free for me.. The fish are a much appreciated bonus..

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    Replies
    1. Richter Ross,
      Thanks.
      The same feeling as most here.

      Delete
  25. You and I should really get together in 2014 for a small stream session. This place rocks, as you know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Todd,
      Thanks.
      Perhaps this fall. And it's one special place.

      Delete