Flies & Lies - The Durango Herald

Air travel can be tricky with fly-fishing gear

Traveling on commercial airlines is no fun. It’s a hassle. The planes are crowded, have no leg room and the seats are uncomfortable. The aircraft are old, not on time, your luggage gets lost...

DATE: May 1, 2014 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Bird dogs, flies and a few safety tips

For anyone who has spent any time following a good bird dog and handler, the phrase “Let ’em hunt” is very familiar. The dog is trained for one thing and one thing only: finding ...

DATE: Apr 3, 2014 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Fly-fisherman’s dream: Luxury fishing trip to Chile

My wife and I recently spent a week on and fly-fished from what can only be described as the ultimate mother ship. To set the stage, one needs to have an understanding of what co...

DATE: Mar 5, 2014 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Beat the crowds to fly-fish on San Juan River

When I was contemplating writing this month’s column, I thought it would be nice if I went where the fish would take dry flies, the weather would be nice and I wouldn’t be fishing with hundr...

DATE: Feb 5, 2014 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Flashlight beam can help you improve casting

I believe the movement patterns of a golf swing and fly-fishing cast are very similar. Because the goal is to get the ball or fly to a place you want it to be, how your cast or s...

DATE: Jan 2, 2014 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

2013 was a very good year for fly-fishing

The other day I was standing in the stream when, under normal weather conditions, I would have been home napping in front of the fireplace. There was no reason for the day to be ...

DATE: Dec 5, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Another notch reveals nice land, people in N.D.

My favorite holiday, Halloween, has come and gone. My second-favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is coming up. I am thankful for all the things folks give thanks for as they sit around the Thank...

DATE: Oct 31, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Time right for kokanee, brown trout at Vallecito

In my 20 years of living in Durango, I believe the word I hear mispronounced all kinds of different ways is Vallecito. It’s a beautiful-sounding Spanish word when pronounced corr...

DATE: Oct 3, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

For fun smallmouth bass fishing, try these Southwest Colo. lakes

Four years ago, I wrote a column about fly-fishing for smallmouth bass on the John Day River in Oregon. I mention this because some of you may actually be able to remember someth...

DATE: Sep 5, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Drought affects decisions about where to fish

If you’re a farmer, rancher or fly-fisherman, your theme song most likely is “Rain, Rain, Come Again and Again and Again.” The only way you’re not aware there is a drought in Sou...

DATE: Aug 1, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Fly-fishing for carp – my new addiction

I have heard it said, “Carp is a poor man’s bonefish.” I want you to know that becoming addicted to fly-fishing for carp can turn a wealthy man into a poor man. Recently, I start...

DATE: Jul 4, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

The Bahamas: Mean flies, sharks, lots of bonefish

When hard-core fly-fishers head to the Bahamas, a great place for them to stay is the Andros South Lodge on Andros island. The lodge is designed for those who want a great saltwater experien...

DATE: Jun 6, 2013 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies