THE WEBSITE FOR HEAVEN ON EARTH HAS BEEN UPDATED

If you are a follower of Upland Equations, you may already heard about my new book, Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun & Faith, which was officially released on April 1, 2012.  In the archives you will find several posts with links to the numerous reviews the book has already received.

To date, I have been very blessed to receive so many positive reviews of my book by other authors online, in print, and on amazon.com where the book is now available.  This is very gratifying for me as I was not quite sure how a book about fly fishing that mentions God or things of the spirit would be received in today's politically correct climate. For those of you who have not heard about the book, here is a brief summary:

The Lord has a special place in his heart for fishermen. For lawyers, not so much. When a guy who deals daily with the collision of these conflicting worlds has the temerity to author a book, you wonder whether anything coherent can result. This singular miracle, however, is now in print. In Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun & Faith, Andrew Marshall Wayment, a diehard fisherman and attorney, negotiated his personal contradiction with such style and grace as to transport you to a place of joy and peace. This book is a collection of stories from the author’s life with the pastime of fly fishing as the primary subject matter. However, in a nation where it is quickly becoming taboo to even mention God or things of a spiritual nature, the author bucks this trend and uses fish and fishing as a vehicle to share deeper spiritual principles. Hopefully, in reading this book of fishing stories you, too, will find a little Heaven on Earth.

Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun & Faith by Andrew M. Wayment

To help promote the book, I created a website to share more about it and also set up a Pay Pal function where you can actually purchase signed copies.  Earlier this week, I updated the website with thirteen of the reviews that have come in so far.  For those who are interested in learning more about the book and reading these reviews, here is a link to the website: http://www.heavenonearthbook.com/.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by!  Keep Fishin' with Faith!

Andy
        

CHASING WILD TROUT: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FLY FISHING SMALL STREAMS BY BEN SMITH

"Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.”

― Woody Guthrie

In my book, Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun & Faith, in the chapter, "Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work," I wrote about my struggles to learn how to fly fish. It took three years of trial and error before I finally began to understand the workings of this great sport. Let’s face it: Learning to fly fish can be difficult. Beginners need all the help they can get.



I was recently asked by Ben Smith of Arizona Wanderings to review his new e-book, Chasing Wild Trout: A Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing Small Streams. To borrow a name first coined by Chris Hunt of Eat More Brook Trout, Ben is a "Creek Freak" who loves to fish small streams and rivers for trout and now Ben has written a book to help beginners share in his passion. 

Chasing Wild Trout, an e-Book by Ben Smith



I'm typically not much of a fan of How-To books. With that said, I read Ben’s book twice and can honestly say that it is a great book. Chasing Wild Trout is well written and, in my experience, the information is solid and simple. When I say "simple," I don’t mean that in a negative way. Albert Einstein said: "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." In this vein, Ben takes something that can be very complex, learning to fly fish, and simplifies it so that newcomers can easily understand. Nice job Einstein!



“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”


― Albert Einstein

Admittedly, being a lover of the written word on the page, I have not read many e-Books.  So, before I actually reviewed the book, I expected to see a boring PDF- type format, but was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. The lay-out of the 38 page book is visually appealing and the book contains numerous, beautiful professional photographs and illustrations, which were on point and helpful. I was able to review the book on both my iPad and iPhone just fine.



I must admit that I was also impressed with the selection of Ben’s flies featured in Chasing Wild Trout, which he suggested to the reader. I have used with great success most of the flies he suggests.  Some flies mentioned I have not yet tried, but will for certain.  In particular, the Simi Seal Bugger and the Mini-Hoppers that Ben ties look like killer flies that will get the job done. Ben humbly neglected to mention in the book that all of his great flies are available at his WEBSITE.

 

Simi Seal Buggers tied by Ben Smith and available through his website



My only constructive criticism is that, while he mentioned the Simi Seal Bugger and streamer fishing, Ben did not explain the set up and mechanics of streamer fishing in a small creek. In my experience, streamer fishing is different than dry fly or nymph fishing and requires a different set up and technique. But this is only a minor oversight. Besides, most anglers don't use streamers on small streams anyway. For me, small streams are all about surface feeders. If I want to catch fish on streamers, I will fish big water like the Madison, the South Fork, or the Snake River.

Overall, the book is excellent and I have no problem recommending it. Heck, I wish I would have had this book when I first started fly fishing! Seventeen years later, I am still learning about fly fishing and loving it. Probably the best compliment that I can give the book is that it made me want to go fishing.

Ben’s book is available at http://www.arizonawanderings.com/.  Check it out!

Thanks for stopping by! 





Ben Smith: Creek Freak.  This beautiful photo is featured in the book and is indicative of the great photography in Chasing Wild Trout.  



HISTORIAN'S CORNER: MARK TWAIN, THE "PUNK SHOT"

I've shared the following quote from H. L. Betten's Upland Game Shooting (1946) on the blog before, but not as part of the Historian's Corner. It definitely bears repeating!

Everyone knows Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) as the renowned author of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

One might suspect that, with Mark Twain being from the south where bobwhite quail were abundant in his days, he would most likely be a proficient quail hunter and maybe even a crack shot. Let's just say there's some evidence to the contrary.

To set the stage for this quote, it should be noted that Betten had an Uncle named Billy Dormer from Virginia City, Nevada, a mining town in the 1800's. Like Betten, Billy Dormer was also a bird hunter and even planted California quail successfully in the Carson Sink area of Nevada. In this quote, Betten relates the following story of his uncle hunting with Mark Twain:

"That reminds me of the palmy days of Virginia City, Nevada. Uncle Billy Dormer imported some valley quail from California and released them on Carson Sink where they did famously."

Some years later when Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) returned to Virginia City after becoming world famous as a literary giant, his old boss, Sam Goodman, proprietor of the Territorial Express, arranged a quail hunt for the former reporter.

"The sad fact was that Mark Twain was punk shot and simply couldn't hit the quail.

"'Billy,' he declared, 'These little blue bats outa hell, or wherever they came from, are the fastest blankety-blank things on wings. Damn it, I missed again--there goes another.'

"At that very instant an old sage cock blustered off the ground and made a beeline for shelter following the little blue California quail. The big bird overtook the small comet and passed it easily before reaching the far bank of the Carson River.

"'Now there's just another case of betting on the wrong nag,' Mark drawled. 'A good, big horse can always beat a good little horse.'"

Now that is classic! When I read this, I must admit I got a real kick out it. I hope you did too. I enjoyed it both for the little-known historical information on Mark Twain, but also for the praise to sage grouse, one of my favorite game birds.

Mark Twain. If you were a lousy shot like Twain, you just might be wearing that scowl too. I've sure had my days!

BOB WHITE'S REVIEW OF HEAVEN ON EARTH

"One Last Look" by Bob White. If this painting does not make you want to go fishing, you need to check your head!

As a fly fisherman and bird hunter, I have been a fan of Bob White's artwork for over a decade now. As some of you may be aware, Bob paints the artwork for John Gierach's column in Fly Rod & Reel Magazine. Bob has also provided artwork for the books of many awesome outdoor writers including, but not limited to, John Gierach, William G. Tapply and Ted Nelson Lundrigan. Needless to say, Bob is at the top of his game.

From his gorgeous artwork, it is readily apparent that Bob has been there and done that. This is why I, and many other sportsmen, relate so well to his work. If you are not familiar with Bob's work, I encourage to go to his studio's website and check it out HERE.

Bob White, Artist and Sportsman Extraordinaire.

I was ecstatic when Bob agreed to provide the artwork for my recent article, "Discovering Tinkhamtown," in the Winter 2011 issue of The Upland Almanac. It was truly an honor to work with him. Through this process, I got to know Bob a little better. Although we have never met in person, I can say without reservation that Bob is a great guy and I hope to meet him some day . . . in, say maybe, Alaska or the Andes on a monster trout stream. Not surprisingly, Bob has spent a lot of time fishing these areas.

When I asked Bob if he wanted to review a copy of my just-released (i.e. April 1, 2012) book, Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun & Faith, Bob readily accepted. With some of the spiritual themes therein, I was not sure exactly how he would receive it. To my great relief and excitement, Bob read my book, liked it, and wrote a great review for his newsletter. Here is the LINK to Bob's review. I cannot say enough thanks to Bob and others for their awesome reviews and support of my book.

For any who are interested in getting a signed copy or in just learning more about my book, here is a link to the book's WEBSITE.

Thanks for stopping by!

TWENTY THINGS EVERY BEGINNING FLY FISHER SHOULD KNOW

1. Never fart in your waders. The absolute first rule of fly fishing is to never ever fart in your waders. There is only one way for it to go out and that is up! This is akin to peeing into the wind. Now that I’ve got your attention, I’ll move on to the more serious side of this subject.

2. Learning to fly fish is difficult, but it is fun. It is important to note from the outset that fly fishing can be difficult to learn. It takes patience, repetition, failure and success before you finally get the hang of it. However, it is so worth it. Don’t give up! Keep trying and you will be rewarded for all of your hard work. When you catch your first fish on a fly, I promise you will be wearing a ten-foot grin.

3. Wait for your back cast to lengthen out, before attempting your forward cast. When learning to cast, it is essential that you feel the tug of your back cast before you flick the rod for your forward cast. If you don’t learn this early on, then you will continue to pile the line in a tangled, bird’s nest mess.

4. It’s all in the drag free drift, sometimes. Typically, when presenting your dry fly or nymph, you want to present the fly so that it moves precisely with the current without being pulled unnaturally by the wind or your line, etc. Presenting the fly without drag is called a “dead drift.” Usually, if your fly is dragging, then the fish will reject it. However, there are times, when you drag your fly against the current and the fish will go nuts. Keep an open mind and do what works, but a drag free drift is essential to learn for starters.

5. Start Small. One of the very best places to begin your fly-fishing journey is on a small, mountain freestone stream full of brook trout, cutthroat or rainbows. Fish in small streams are much less picky and much more forgiving than their big river relatives. Also, small streams require much shorter casts and the water is easier to read in order to locate where the fish are holding. Let the small stream be your classroom and you will be hooked for life.

6. Keep searching for new waters. You will enjoy fly fishing more if you continue to search out new waters to fish. Fishing the same waters continually can get a little boring. So searching out new waters and new experiences will keep the excitement alive and hone your skills with new challenges.

7. Don’t be a trout snob. Other species of fish such as bass, crappie, blue gill, other sun fish, and carp, etc. can be just as fun and rewarding to catch on the long rod as trout.

Remember, any fish you can catch on a fly rod is a worthy quarry. Open your mind and broaden your fly-fishing horizons.

8. Day-in Day-out, you will catch more fish on nymphs. Most of the time you are on the water, there will not be heavy hatches so sometimes the major-if not only- show in town is nymph fishing. Nymph fishing is the ticket to catching more fish on a regular basis.

9. Streamers catch bigger fish. Here’s a little tip: Big fish eat mostly smaller fish. If your goal is to catch the biggest fish you can, then use a streamer, which is typically a fly that represents a minnow. If you like the movie jaws, then you will love streamer fishing. Some of the strikes from big bruisers are downright terrifying. Enjoy!

10. Dry-fly fishing during a hatch is the very height of fly fishing. It does not get any better than fly fishing during a bona fide blanket hatch whether it be mayflies, stone flies, or caddis flies. While other styles of fly fishing are great, there is nothing more aesthetically pleasing than watching a fish slurp in a well presented imitation of the bugs that are hatching.

11. Fly fishing takes you to some of the most beautiful places on earth so enjoy the journey. One of the best things about fly fishing is the gorgeous places it takes you. You will find beauty in a small farm pond, a rocky, cascading stream, a mangrove swamp, or a glassy high-mountain lake. Soon the journeys to new waters will be as exciting as catching the fish themselves.

12. Fly fishing and conservation go hand in hand. The more you spend time on the water, the more you will come to love the precious environments in which fish thrive. You will soon see how fragile our natural resources are and will want to protect them. It is only a matter of time before you will want to support groups like Trout Unlimited, The Henry's Fork Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the various land trusts because fishermen cannot do it alone.

13. Read fly fishing literature. When you can’t be on the water or when it is the dead of winter, reading great literature about fly fishing is almost as good as the act itself. Get to know great writers like Norman Maclean, Corey Ford, Robert Traver, John Gierach, Jerry Dennis, Burton Spiller, William G. Tapply, etc. You won’t regret it.

14. Take up fly tying. Fly tying is intricately connected with fly fishing and should be learned by all who take up the long rod. Fly fishing alone is great, but when you catch a fish on a fly that you tied or, even better, that you invented yourself, there is a whole new level of satisfaction.

15. Keep a journal and take pictures. As the seasons pass by, your memory becomes less and less reliable. Take pictures and keep a journal to record your adventures so that you can relive these experiences whenever you want. If you don’t, then soon you will try to recall special experiences and they will be irretrievably gone. However, a recorded fishing experience or a picture of a banner day on the stream will become a treasure that will get you through the winters of your life.

16. Take a kid fishing. If you ever become bored with fly fishing, take a child with you. When you see the excitement in their eyes from seeing the beauty and wonder of nature, this will invigorate your own sense of awe of nature and this great sport. Fishing with your own children will forge a bond that will last through the ages.

17. If you want to catch big fish, fish big waters. This is an eternally-wise maxim that all fishermen must learn. While you may catch a few big fish in small creeks, your odds are much greater in a big river or lake.

18. Fly fishing and bird hunting are two sides of the same coin. For me and many others who have taken up this great sport, bird hunting is the flip side of fly fishing. The two really go had in hand and play off of each other so well. After missing a few grouse, you can salve your battered ego, by catching a few trout in a little trickle creek near your favorite covert. Also, there is no better fishing companion than an old, gray-faced bird dog. You will treasure a bird dog’s companionship both in the field and on the stream.

19. Cast your troubles on the waters. If something in life is stressing you out or you just need a break, there is nothing better than a day on the river. The sound of the rushing water and the sight of leaping trout have a way of easing your cares and sorrows. Your problems may still be there when you finish fishing, but they will seem less daunting. And you may even find the answer to your problems while on the water as you commune with Nature and its Creator.

20. Catching fish is only a small part of fly fishing. Henry David Thoreau is reputed to have said, “Many go fishing all of their lives without realizing that it is not the fish they are after.” Soon you will come to understand that, while fish are the vehicle, so to speak, that brings us to the waters, the actual catching of fish is really only a small part of what this activity is all about. There is truly a peace that you will find on the water that you will rarely find elsewhere. Learn that early and you will enjoy fly fishing even when the fish are tight-lipped.