My fly fishing life began as the son and grandson of trout fly fishermen on the banks of the Carmel River. Throughout my forty plus years with fly rod in hand, I've always chased trout. From California to Georgia, Texas to Minnesota, and most states in-between, I have been blessed to fish for multiple species of trout in different environments.  Sure I’ve pursued other fresh and saltwater fish but there’s just something about the places trout live.

One of the things I've enjoyed the most is fishing different waters and learning the techniques associated with success around the country and around the world. It's strange how techniques have remained localized, even to this day. I still discover things that amaze me. I am a life-long student of the sport.

Innovation has always been a part of my fly fishing life.  I have adopted some Spey casting techniques into casting single handed rods for years.  Recently I completed a project adapting single handed techniques and presentation methods to the two-handed rod.  Ever thought of fishing a dry and a dropper on a dead drift or multiple nymphs using an indicator with a Spey rod?  How about fishing size 26 flies on 8X?  Trust me, it can be done and very effectively I might add.  This is gaining in popularity on many rivers and for good reason: it is a very efficient and effective way to fish. 

How about the centuries old Japanese arts of Tenkara or Hera fly fishing?  Fly fishing reduced to its simplest form with only a stick, string and fly.  All fly fishing owes something to this simple methodology.  The Japanese however, have continued to advance this art in both form and function.  While opinions vary, some say this was the sport and angling style of the high mountain Samurai during times of peace.  Let’s face it, the exercise of sequential focus on each fundamental of approach, presentation and drift is something all fly anglers can benefit from.  Tenkara is a great way to begin a journey into fly fishing. 

Currently I reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee and spend my days fly fishing on, writing or speaking about, the waters of Appalachia. Speck (Brook Trout) fishing, in tiny mountains trickles, is one of my favorite things to do. Crawling around to make a 15' cast to a small plunge pool is rite cathartic. Sight fishing technical tailwaters with gossamer tippets, tiny flies on long stealthy casts, to giant wild brown trout is a real test of any anglers' skill and one I enjoy very much. In less than two hours, we can be on 4 of the top 100 trout streams in the country.
At Rocking L Fly Fishing, we are happy to share our knowledge and experience so that you may have a more enjoyable day on the water with us and hopefully more enjoyment in your fly fishing future. Come on, let's go fishing!

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