Blogroll: The Green Eyed Monster

I'm relatively new to this blogging thing. I've only been at it for a little over a year, and I've scribbled fewer than 150 posts. I do enjoy it though. Blogging gives me the opportunity to do the one thing I genuinely miss about working in a flyshop - talking about fishing - without actually having to work in a flyshop. I wonder if that's how it is for other bloggers.

The thing is though - blogging cannot take the place of conversation. Talking fishing is as much about listening as it is about speaking, and that's why I follow so many other blogs. I'm frequently surprised by the diversity of thought and opinion in fly fishing's corner of the blogosphere, and I'm always amazed at the breadth and depth of talent demonstrated by my fellow bug chuckers. Here are a few of my favorites ...

I don't know the Flyosopher personally, but I do know him as a writer. In simplest terms, he's good. With choice diction and clever turns of phrase, he takes the most mundane aspects of our sport, and turns them into gold. He maintains and infrequently updates a bug chucking blog that is about so much more than fly fishing. Each post is worth the wait. He's a better writer than I am, and I'd be lying if I said I was just a little bit jealous.

Pat Cohen has maintained the Warm Water Journal for a relatively short while, and he's only been tying for one and a half years. The blog is simple and straight forward, but the flies he sometimes features are wonderfully complex. His bass bugs look better than anything tied in my vise in the 25 odd years I've masqueraded as a fly tyer. Pat's work keeps me humble.

Simon Graham maintains Pike Fly Fishing Articles. He calls Finland home, and spends his season chasing esox across much of western Europe. His flies are beautifully proportioned with careful and stunning blends of color. He's incredibly talented. I have to admit that I am envious of both the flies he ties, and the beautiful fish he catches.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention, The Anglers Net. The Net is maintained by Geoff Shaake and Robin Hill, both of whom were fishing guides in the great state of Alaska. Now Geoff and Robin putt around my neck of the woods. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting either of them, but the issues they address in their blog are sometimes near and dear to my heart.

Then - of course - we have Buster Wants to Fish, Moldy Chum, and The Fiberglass Manifesto. Together, these are generally regarded as the creme de la creme of fly fishing blogs. I must admit they're very nicely done. Each has a wide readership, and together they probably pick up more followers in a month than I have since my blog's inception. Their schwartz is bigger than mine.