A Yuba Rocket....or "1/2pounder"?
Does the hackneyed "back-in-the-day" refer to pre-2000 or post 2000?
Today I read a blog post by fellow angling friend/guide; Jon Baiocchi. It was a thoroughly informative post on new-age and old-day fly rods relative to their dynamics, preferred selection and methods used.
In the intro Jon recollects his early days of fly fishing with his dad and the gear they used. It reminded me of an article I'd written for the Spring 2012 issue of the now-defunct Sierra Fisherman magazine. Some of you "old-timers" will relate. Here is the article; sprinkled with attempts at humor...sans images:
A Time Perspective on Fly Fishing
For those of us who have been fly fishing for a few decades,
there is a point in time when we realize we are of the “older generation”. Our
fly angling psyche has changed; influenced by the introduction of modern
methods, concepts and gear. With the mid-90’s advent of the Internet, the
learning curve for those of us very experienced or novice is now quicker and
steeper. We grizzled fly anglers accept this …maybe reluctantly…and recognize that
our passion has been and will continue to be a dynamic sport; although some
things may remain constant in our minds.
During the ‘70’s there were few concerted attempts to tweak
or enhance what was learned when we initially entered the sport; the exception
being some classic, fly fishing books. The ‘80’s provided an up-tempo in the print
media, and the increased use of the Internet during the late-90’s and into the
first decade of the 21
st century provided us with limitless, easily
accessed information and purchase opportunities. As a consequence, there has
been a decline in fly fishing specialty-shops. There are now only a few small,
“brick and mortar” fly shops, those survivors able to compete with the on-line
and huge mega-sports stores.
Below, hoping to provide a brief historical perspective on
the evolving changes that have occurred during the last few decades, are some general
comments of our mutually-shared sport.
“New school” participants….and this
is a relative moniker…may
appreciate what we “old-schoolers” or “booth-strappers” have witnessed over the
years.
My first
waders had attached boots and were both bulky and clumsy. “Stocking-foot” waders made
an appearance during the mid-‘70’s. They were either seamless, solid rubber or
seamed, water-proofed nylon; weighing mere ounces. With the former we
experienced sweaty walks and wades, most especially during the heat of the
summer…they did not breathe! I had a rubber pair with many repairs; I looked like a walking, worn-out and heavily patched
inner-tube. The seams separated on the
nylon ones after only 4-5 outings. There were few
wading shoes available. They had felt-soles and were made of
leather which became very rigid when dry; making it difficult to put-on for
your next outing. Now we can select boots made by numerous manufacturers; they
are synthetic, light-weight and durable to withstand boulder-scrabbling in
freestone rivers. Modern-day brogues have various types of tightening features
utilizing wheels, wires, zippers and speed-lacing gadgets.
Common use of bamboo
fly
rods was a bit ahead of my time. I’ve experienced the progression of
fiberglass and the present-day graphite or graphite/boron composites. My first
fly rod was a 6-weight, “glass” 8-footer. Then I was gifted the first
production graphite rod, which hardly bent being as stiff as a broomstick. You
will notice I’ve intentionally avoided discussing two-handed rods.
Fortunately the rod designers became more sophisticated. We
then could select a “taper” that fit our casting style and preferred type of
fishing. Simply, the “action” indicated where the rod bent, as in fast (…at the
tip), medium (…at the middle, the term used was “parabolic”) , and slow ( …at
the butt). Currently, I see no need to decipher all the marketing and
engineering jargon such as “torsional stability”, “damping” with “nano-sized
silica”, all encased in an “advanced modulus positioning system” Geez, I merely want to fish and not launch a
fly to the moon. Our prime concern, simply, is how the rod flexes, loads or
bends to accurately and efficiently cast the line and fly.
It seems like fishing
vests
are no longer de-rigueur. At times I feel like a Neanderthal when I put on my
“guiding” vest…it easily weighs 20+ pounds! The trend is obviously towards
being a minimalist. We now can use devices such as slings, chest-packs, waist-pouches
and lanyards. They are ergonomically
designed and may include water devices, D-rings, clips, Velcro fasteners,
loops, straps, and in-built nooks and crannies.
Long-time fly anglers remember most
fly reels
being from three producers. For trout angling we either had a proletariat’s
Pheluger 1494 Medalist or Scientific Angler System One. Having the money we
could splurge for an English-made Hardy Princess or Perfect.
Currently there must be close to 100 reel makers at all
price-points. Some salt-water reels cost as much as my first VW “Bug”.
Flies,
hooks and
fly tying have evolved. In the past there were few
synthetics; mostly natural feathers, hairs, furs and wool yarns. The current
plethora of non-natural ingredients used at our vises and in patterns
commercially produced are endless. There was one major hook producer, providing
a limited style of hooks. We now have the privilege of selecting from several
firms with an endless array of hook designs; weights, bends, points, thickness
and gaps…for both freshwater, saltwater flats, estuaries and deep sea.
Depending on a fly tier’s temperament, fly designs can be simple and quick to
tricky and time-consuming.
I recall two basic
fly
line shapes: a double-taper or a
weight-forward. They were full-length at 90’ or 30’ shooting-heads. The line
floated or sunk, the latter having 3-4 sink rates. Now there is a bewildering amount of
different fly lines that are available in a
kaleidoscope of colors…some of them blinding. They are designed for very
specific angling situations, whether used in fresh or salt environments.
Advertising, packaging and catalogue descriptions can be so esoteric that one
almost needs computer analytics before making a choice.
A last category of fly angling needs is an all inclusive
group that is marketed as
accessories.
It sort of sounds like high-end jewelry, but; I call them extraneous
paraphernalia or “danglies”. My first “nippers” were essentially finger-nail
clippers, which hung on my vest by a string (…flashing brightly in announcing
my presence to every trout in the immediate area) or placed-in an
often-forgotten-pocket. Attachment devices have evolved into an array of
retractable “zingers”; some of which are inconspicuously built into our outer-wear
and gear packs. Some of us carried heavy needle-nose pliers or surgical
hemostats for de-barbing hooks. We now have many choices which incorporate
multi-function features: hook-eye
clearing , cramping-on weight, and scissors for cutting hackle, hair or leader
materials.
The list of
gadgets
continues and entails paste and powdered floatants, indicators, weights,
hook-hones, thermometers, knot-tying aids, nets, tippet dispensers and fly
boxes. The common denominator is that now there are many options; most of which
were unavailable decades back.
My intent here is to not create “revisionist” history. This
very loose chronology of fly angling developments are my recollections only, I’m
sure I’ve missed some. If so, please drop me a note to refresh my memory.………..Frank R. Pisciotta
A Yuba "Drip & Grip" Spotted RainBow
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