Beginner’s Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Blog
SwittersB Weblog was started to share my passion for fly fishing and the associated pursuits of fly tying, travel, camping and photography. I love stillwater fly fishing and the flow of streams and rivers.
The site is for beginners. Perhaps you are new to the sport or you have fished for years, but never considered learning more until now.
My focus is on freshwater, but I have written a few posts re my saltwater experiences. I touch upon different parts of the world to share the enjoyment fly fishing’s hold around the world and to demonstrate many of the innovations we enjoy in the sport, have their origins far from the fabled FF hubs of the U.S. I am by no means well traveled having gone to Alaska, Russia, Canada, Mexico and Kiritimati. I just view fly fishing as a never ending lesson and am thankful it is a hobby not a job.
I hope you will check out many of the posts and the blogroll. I have noted many excellent sites…I find others along the way and note them in a post. There are many amazing writers out there sharing so much wisdom and energy. I am by no means an expert. I try to pass on clarifying info and point the way to the experts or innovators. I learn along the way and hopefully so do you.
If you like the site, please pass it on to friends. Write in the Comment Sections with any questions. Check out the Terminology~Glossary links for definitions too. Thanks!
Also…I have had to use Foxfire for WordPress. I have discovered that my site is often compressed and pictures are cut off because of incompatible Internet synch. Apologize for that if it occurs. Not much I can do…hopefully…if it happens to you…you can still get the idea of the post.
Switters' Tattoo of Stella the Trout
Very nice blog SwittersB, and great photos to go along with your posts! Keep up the great work!
-Critter
Mounds View, MN
Got some great reads here. Good solid information, and good perspectives on a range of topics. I am a student at PSU originally from Canada. I have yet to lay a line in Oregon but hope to in Spring. I have tied for 5 years but have fished much longer with my uncles and brothers, and they taught me that the one you want to listen to is the one with the passion for the sport, not just the knowledge. You have both! Thanks for the link…..worth following.
Very kind of you…thank you for visiting. There are a few fisheries open year round worth a shot if you dress warm (Deschutes R., Crooked River, Middle Fork Willamette). Good luck!!
No typo, I meant “stiries”…a Montana expression for stories that stir you. FYI
You are very talented and you know what to glean from other writers and contributors. A VERY interesting and much appreciated site. Thanks!!
I like the stiries of my home state, and the memories they evoke. Great stuff–very informative!
I have said it before, but this is one terrific site! My friend Dayle put your link on our college site. We talk a lot about it at the school. We are very interested in the tying, and the uniqueness of the flies. It is difficult to tell the scale for size of the flies, but the hook size should be enough I would guess. I fly fish, but no tying experience. We are going to start a group of us guys for winter.
Thanks again. Nice work you do.
Thank you visiting and for the nice compliments. Yes, I try to give fly size and in time (if you tied) you would also tell by the jaws of the vise and the hackle pliars the scale of the fly. I appreciate the comment though because I don’t provide enough detail about hooks. I don’t because world wide there are so many brands…none the less, I should provide hook size. Thanks for the advice and share the site.
Gary
Nice website.
This is an awesome site! I have read the archives and find a lot to glean from them. I do like the stories and the Montana information. I lived in Helena for many years.
I like the arm art and the photos of the lakes and streams.
A lot of talent here. I have been a fly fisherman for a good number of years, and the Montana articles make me want to jump in the old Silvarado and head out!
Thanks!
Joshua..thank you for the nice comments. And, yes Creekwalker does have a way of stimulating the conversations.
Thank you for the terminology section. Most helpful. Always used bait but doing fly fishing this year.
Many fly fishers were avid gear fishermen OR still dabble with the gear. Truth be told most are not purists but range in the 90+% of purism. Enjoy the pursuit and write with any questions. Thank for visiting.
I love this site! When I first began reading it, I was impressed that there was a good, comprehensive site that contained many different aspects of fly fishing. I have come to see that this site is far more than your average fly fishing techno. It is fun, informative, retrospective, and entertaining!
Switters, my kudos for being an advocate for the environment, a crusader for “the moment”, and the champion of the little guy. You honor me by posting my nonsense from time-to-time.
I can’t pass this way without commenting on the picture…..the new you??
Creek,
Thank you for the kind words and support. The picture was a transitory moment in time…the razor has re-emerged and the more clean cut SwittersB is present. But, I did look damn good didn’t I?
Great blog – love the informative content! I’ve added your link to my blogroll. Please check me out at http://stflyfisher.wordpress.com/. If you like what you read, I’d appreciate the honor of an add of my blog to your blogroll. Any feedback would also be more than welcome.
Tight lines…
Bob
Last Sunday on the Yellowstone near Reedpoint was thinking about ya and hoping we could host you for some fishing on the Yellowstone, Bighorn and Stillwater. Day was cold and rainy and we were teaching one of the boys how to fly cast and fish. It was slow but fun! The browns are staging in the lower Stillwater and hope to get some good action now that the water temps are going down. Say hello to MJ and the boys!
T-bone
So darn good to hear from you!!! Take a good pic and send this way with details. Love to all. Too soon for early darkness let alone snow.
This is by far the best site for our beloved passion of fly fishing.Pat Your self on the back. It;s well deserved………… A fly fishing enthusiast!
Hi,
I enjoyed your site. I am also a fly fisherman. Love it! Just got back from fishing Montana. The Clark Fork, Madison, Gallatin, Missouri headwaters, Yellowstone, Big Horn. What a blast! My blog is more of a writing nature (my novel) but I write about the outdoors and fishing for a couple of other websites. Keep going! It’s very interesting. Thanks,
Jerry Watson
Thank you Jerry for dropping by…Lucky fellow to have hit all those prime spots….thank you for the kind words!
Thanks for adding me to your blog-roll. I like what you’re doing around here. thanks again, Mike
I am interested in the photo of the guys cliff jumping. I’d like to use it in an art design. Do you know who it belongs to?
Hello Jonna,
You know, I usually attribute such photos’s but didn’t there. I searched through 39 pages of Google images with no success…I have searched web but that is a bit daunting. I cannot attribute it to original source and it seems only linked to me at swittersb. I, of course, have no problem with its use. Sorry I cannot be of more assistance.
Gary
Also, I checked Flickr Cliff Jumping. Did not find it, but there were some sequential, non backlit images that are interesting.
Hi Gary
Luv your website, great stuff. I have noticed that you have posted a couple of articles from mine and have give due credit “Thank you very much”. For your interest we have just posted a story on The Erne its Legions and it Fly fishing 1851 I think you will find it interesting. The flies featured in this very old and scarce classic were tied by Bob Frandsen I hope you enjoy the read.
Cheers from Down Under
Mick Hall
Hello Mick,
In turn, thank you for the kind comments. I will certainly give it a read…
Gary
I have to say I am impressed! Makes me homesick! I am from Montana.
Well I must say I am impresed! The site made me lonesome for my home. Montan and I have a love affair going on. I remember tying flys using the hackle off the barred rock roosters in the barn. Rock creek always had plenty of trout that i could catch on Cattis Fly. My favorite trout strem in all of creation is the Botterroot REiver , North Fork, Lost Horse Creek. I have caught some beautiful trout there. I must say, I am really happy to have taken you up on your invite to visit your site. I really don’t think the girl will catch fish, only fishermen.
it’s tough, but I manage.
Hey great site, need more visitors? Lets link trade. Visit http://reelretrieval.com look around then give me a shout back if you want to link trade.
Brian…you’re a slut! That form of overstimulation can lead to all manner of social degeneracy and thought disorders! How do you live with yourself? SB
Hey Gazza,
Your site came up in my Google alerts and had no Idea you had written such a fantastic review on My Blog http://pikeflyfishingarticles.blogspot.com.(So Thank you)
I have just spent the last hour having a look around yours mate and have to say I am very impressed with yours too. I will put it in My blog roll now as it looks like I will be popping in whenever you have a new blog entry.
Thanks again good sir
Hope you have a fantastic weekend with family or friends
& tite linz
Simon
Great site. I love checking it out on a regular basis as part of my fly fish weblog tour. Thanks for posting my MOAL tutorial. Happy fishing and keep the passion.
John
You should come back to FlyBC.ca and start posting again. We always appreciate your irreverent humour.
I’ve started my own blog and came across your site when I was setting up on MBL. Great stuff. Love the recent fly photos.
Aaron (aka skunkaroo)
Aaron,
thank you for the kind words…I will check out your blog…good luck with it too!! Gary (SwitterB)
Good looking site, I like you’re style!
Will be back for sure!
LOVE your site! Humorous, educational, and a great resource. Love your ink!
tight Linz
Sabrina
Hello Sabrina! Thanks for visiting…
Gary
I drop in to browse around, probably once a week. I like the fly patterns because I am just getting into fly tying and fly fishing after a very long absence. It seems like I am learning everything all over again. It is wonderful just getting out to a lake to float around.
Great site.
Min
Mission, BC Canada.
I enjoy your site very much! You are fortunate to have some talented writers / fishermen blogging for you. Come check out my site when you have time I can always use honest opinions.