Fly fishing is addictive. Once you start, you'll never stop.
Whether you are going to the local water hole or to Alaska, you
should use a fly fishing journal to keep track of your sessions.
Fly Fishing Journals
Fly fishing is more than just fishing, it’s a peaceful, surreal
activity. For many, there is almost a meditative quality to
casting. For avid fly fisherman, fly fishing trips to locations
such as the Battenkill River in Vermont, Green River in Utah and
Letort in Pennsylvania are a must. Of course, the possibility of
trips to Argentina, Alaska and other exotic locations can make
ones eyes glassy. For many, however, past fly fishing
experiences fade from the memory with time. If you had keep a
fly fishing journal, this doesn’t have to be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout
time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her
diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her
family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your fly fishing
sessions will hopefully be more lighthearted, keeping a journal
will let you remember them as the years pass.
A good fly fishing journal combines a number of characteristics.
First, it should be compact. Second, it should have a
water-resistant pages and a case to protect it from the
elements. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write
your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to
remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:
1. Who you went fishing with,
2. The weather conditions,
3. The fishing conditions,
4. The flies you used, what worked and what didn’t,
5. What you caught, and
6. Lodging and places to eat,
As time passes, your fly fishing journal can be used as:
1. A guide for you or friends that return the same location,
2. Information on gear and flies to take,
3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and
4. Something to pass on to your children and grandchildren.
Keeping a fly fishing journal only requires a few minutes of
writing. You can fill it out on the ride home or during a break.
As time passes, your journal will become a collection of
incredibly valuable fly fishing information. Imagine the look on
a friend’s face after they mention going on a trip and you whip
out your journal for the spot!
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