[Steve Buckner]

It seems that the lines of fly fishing become more blurred as time goes on. I don't scent my flies but your question on this has larger implications, ie., "What is fly fishing?" While looking through my fly box I find synthetic this and synthetic that, materials etc. that I am working away from. That being said, I prefer my graphite fly rods, something that might make some of the pioneers of this sport turn over in their graves. So I am somewhat of a hypocrite. Some fly fisherman have decided that egg patterns do not qualify as "flies".

There was an article in the latest edition of Northwest Fly Fishing that discussed the use of flourocarbon leader material and what it has done to innocent wildlife. The article also goes on about the use of lead and how we contribute to the deterioration of the very sport we love.

So the only thing that I've decided is that fly fishing is pretty much left to the individual to decide what should or shouldn't be done. It will be interesting to see what others think on this topic.

Skinny

 

[Steve Buckner]

I did have one other thought on this however and it deals with removing all scent from flies, and more specifically as it would apply to fishing for salmon and steelhead. As we're all aware, salmon and steelhead have an intense sense of smell.

I've read articles that mentioned how important it can be to avoid introducing unwanted man made substances when handling your flies, a common one being gasoline. How many times have you filled your truck on the way to the water, got out of the truck and noticed that your hands smelled of gasoline?

It got me thinking about dyes and other synthetics that we tie our flies with and whether or not they may have some effect on discouraging takes from time to time. Has anybody ever tried rinsing or washing your flies in some substance to nuetralize ordors?

Skinny