In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly
fishing. We lived at the junction of read more

In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly
fishing. We lived at the junction of great trout rivers in
western Montana, and our father was a Presbyterian minister and a
fly fisherman who tied his own flies and taught others. He told
us about Christ's disciples being fishermen, and we were to
assume, as my brother and I did, that all first-class fishermen
on the Sea of Galilee were fly fishermen and that John, the
favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman.

Fly fishing is a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float
fishing, I can only compare to a stick read more

Fly fishing is a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float
fishing, I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm
at one end and a fool at the other.

You wait a moment to settle your nerves
Then make your cast with a right hand curve
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You wait a moment to settle your nerves
Then make your cast with a right hand curve
The fly settles down and the float looked good
But the trout refused it and there you stood
A dejected fly fisherman.
You looked things over and were not yet beat
Then changed flies again and were ready to repeat
The next try was poor because you rushed the cast
You hold your breath in solemn anticipation
You must be a fly fisherman!
The fly floats gently on its way to the trout
You know it will "take it" without a doubt.
You're all charged up and ready to strike
But the fly floats by because something's not right
You are still a fly fisherman.
You open your fly box and select a new fly
Then lengthen the tippet before the next try
Change your position to help with the cast
And hope you have made the right decision at last
Now you are a doubtful fly fisherman.

At early dawn when the air is crisp
And you're standing knee deep in a beautiful rip
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At early dawn when the air is crisp
And you're standing knee deep in a beautiful rip
You see a trout rise to an unknown fly
Then your heart starts to thump and you wonder why
You're a neophyte fly fisherman.
You can measure the cast and study the lie
Then lengthen the line to make your first try
As you check the rod to get a good presentation
You hold your breath in solemn anticipation
You must be a fly fisherman!
The fly floats gently on its way to the trout
You know it will "take it" without a doubt.
You're all charged up and ready to strike
But the fly floats by because something's not right
You are still a fly fisherman.
You open your fly box and select a new fly
Then lengthen the tippet before the next try
Change your position to help with the cast
And hope you have made the right decision at last
Now you are a doubtful fly fisherman.

I am, Sir, a brother of the angle.

I am, Sir, a brother of the angle.

Never a fishermen need there be
If fishes could hear as well as see.

Never a fishermen need there be
If fishes could hear as well as see.

Oh, the gallant fisher's life,
It is the best of any
'Tis full of pleasure, void of read more

Oh, the gallant fisher's life,
It is the best of any
'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife,
And 'tis beloved of many.

No man is born an Artist nor an Angler.

No man is born an Artist nor an Angler.

He who holds the hook is aware in what waters many fish are
swimming.
[Lat., Qui sustinet hamos,
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He who holds the hook is aware in what waters many fish are
swimming.
[Lat., Qui sustinet hamos,
Novit, quae multo pisce natentur aquae.]