“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master” Ernest Hemingway

Photo by: David Cannon

Who's Ready For Fall Fishing?

Photo by: David Cannon

She's A Keeper

How do you know that your wife really understands what you enjoy?  She gets you a grooms cake like this one at your wedding.  Yep, that's a cake.  

"It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope"

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope."  Dr. Seuss

Crab Pattern Sunrise in the Low Country

Waiting on the tide to flood in the Low Country 

Tie One On This Weekend!

Tie one on this weekend! www.waltersflyrods.com

“I had seen a little and knew a lot. Now I’ve seen a little more and know a lot less.” - Micah MacAllen

Walters Fly Rods in Action - Gary Long On The White River, Arkansas

Gary Long checking in again from the White River in Arkansas with this excellent Brown Trout caught using his Walters Fly Rods setup.  Thanks Gary for the excellent photo!

We love seeing our products in action.  Submit your photos using your Walters Fly Rods products to info@waltersflyrods.com

The Chattahoochee Fly Rod and BT12 Fly Reel

The Chattahoochee Fly Rod and BT12 Reel.  Photo By: David Cannon

Walters Fly Rods are now available at Cohutta Fishing Company

Walters Fly Rods are now available for purchase at Cohutta Fishing Company in Cartersville, GA

Catch and Release

Matt Wilson releases a nice rainbow.  Photo by Ken Hardwick 

Walters Fly Rods are now available at Rivers and Glen Trading Co.

Walters Fly Rods are now available at Rivers and Glen Trading Co. in Augusta, GA

Lunch Served On A High Tide

What A Skunk Teaches Us

By: Matt Walters

Yep, I admit it, I got skunked while fishing for a couple hours the other day on the water.  This is an occurrence that has not happened in a while.  My saving grace was that I hooked a fish, but was not able to bring it to net, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

My immediate thought was what in the heck am I doing wrong?  Second thought was, what will I tell my buddy upstream and thirdly what great explanation/excuse can I use to make myself look better. 

Let's face it, we've all had bad days on the water, some worse than others, but when it comes down to it, how bad can a day on the water be?  Sure, you have a streak of good fishing days, weeks, or even years going and suddenly the bottom literally drops out from underneath you.  Whether it is Mother Nature's fault or there was too much fishing pressure or possibly the fish just weren't biting, you name it as there are a ton of great excuses out there, but the fact remains.

In that moment as I made my last cast that day I accepted defeat and went on my way.  Yes, it's frustrating and yes it makes you question your tactics and skills, but it isn't all that bad.  

I told my Dad later that same day that I hadn't caught a fish in a rather depressive tone and he said sincerely with a smile on his face, "well it's better than a swift kick to the ass."  I laughed for a little bit and realized, he's right.  Here you are on a beautiful stretch of water with excellent scenery doing what you love and something as small as not catching a fish can ruin it for you.  

This got me to thinking, is it only about the fish or is about the experience while out there?  I had to back up and think about my Dad's comments.  I think we as anglers get caught up in numbers and catching (for good reason, it's fun) that we forget to stop and smell the roses along the journey and actually realize our surroundings, the landscape, the birds, and other species we encounter while fishing.  I'm not saying that catching fish does not bring the ultimate joy, but we should allow ourselves moments during the day to just sit on the bank and breathe it all in.

The next day I headed out again with a refreshed attitude of enjoying the entire experience and ended up landing a few decent fish (nothing spectacular), but "it was better than a swift kick to the ass."

Happy 4th of July from Walters Fly Rods

Hope everyone has a great Independence Day

Walters Fly Rods in Action - John Duisberg with a Davidson Rainbow

John Duisberg with a nice Davidson River Rainbow Trout.  Photo by: Ken Hardwick

Pack The Rods, Reels, And Cooler. It's Time For the Weekend!

Photo by: Ken Hardwick

Matt Wilson enjoys a cold one in his Walters Fly Rods Koozie back at the truck along the Davidson River, NC.  

Mr. Goldeneye

I recently took a trip to the beach near Charleston, SC and pulled out the kayak to hit the creek on a low tide.  I unfortunately spooked a lot of fish that I couldn't see while paddling until it was too late and they were under the boat.  I docked the kayak and headed to a wading spot where I was able to capitalize using a copper flash clouser pattern.  The tide was high, the grass was flooded, and the fish were biting.  The saltwater demo is performing perfectly.      

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

The 10 Cent Leader Caddy Using Pipe Insulation

by Matt Walters

10 Cent Leader Caddy Using Pipe Insulation

I saw this great idea on the internet the other day while looking for solutions to the tangled mess of used and new leaders in my pack.  This isn't rocket science and some of you may already be using this idea for your leaders.  This cheap solution to my messy pack works incredibly well for the cost.  The 6 foot section of pipe insulation allows you to make many of these leader caddies and stay prepared on the water with multiple pre-rigged leaders ready for your use.  Go out and give it a try.     

Steps to make your own Leader Caddy:

1. Purchase a 6 foot section of 1.25 inch thick pipe insulation with the connecting adhesive already installed.  I purchased mine from a hardware store for only $1.50, so the 4 inch section in the picture costs roughly 10 cents. 
2. Using an X-ACTO knife cut a section of pipe insulation roughly 4 inches in length from the entire piece.  You can make the leader caddy as big or as small as you require for your pack. 
3. Using the X-ACTO knife again, Cut slits into the outside diameter of the pipe insulation where the leaders can drop down below the surface so they stay in place.  Be sure to cut shallow and not all the way through to the center of the pipe insulation otherwise the leaders will slide through.
4. Next, if your pipe insulation comes with adhesive, remove the protective layers and seal the two sides of the pipe insulation together. Otherwise you will need to apply an epoxy to seal and connect the seam of the pipe insulation.