By Joe Doggett
Page 2

I alternated between the fly rod and a Zebco 33 spincast rig for four or five years before embracing the joys of serious levelwind bait casting. For many of today's anglers, the metamorphosis is reversed. Years of "plugging" are exchanged, or at least augmented, by the fresh approach of fly casting. Whatever. The tight loop works as well coming from either direction.

The bottom line is that a fly rod is a highly efficient tool under the right circumstances. It can deliver a realistic surface or sub-surface offering with a soft presentation, obtaining a level of finesse that "chunk and wind" casting cannot match. As another advantage, the fly caster can "pick up" and shoot a fresh line without having to retrieve all the way to the rod; this quick-fire capability saves time along defined edges of fish-holding cover. You work the retrieve thorough the narrow kill zone, then pick up for another presentation-fast and efficient, especially when surface weeds or similar obstacles might block a conventional cast. This ability to abruptly lift the line also is an advantage following an obviously off-target shot, or when a sighted fish changes directions.

Under various circumstances in fresh and saltwater, the fly rod is not just an acceptable way to cover the situation-it is the best way. Utilizing a long rod expands the potential of the versatile angler. Some rabid devotees become so obsessed that they use nothing but fly rods. That's never been me. I have never believed in carrying a fly rod where it doesn't want to go. Probing near the bottom in a deep hole or channel comes to mind. So does blind casting across a monotone expanse of bay. These situations require too much heave-ho work. No-the fly rod needs defined targets. But, whenever fish are cruising shallow, or feeding near the surface, or holding around visible cover, the long rod can be a great call.

In this, Texans are fortunate to have legitimate fly-fishing opportunities in saltwater as well as inland. Miles of clear, shallow bay flats and back "lakes" are within reach of double hauls all along the middle and lower coast. Under "ice cream" conditions, sight casting to cruising or tailing redfish (even large speckled trout) is the order of the day. This year-round saltwater fishery has proven to be a big shot in the casting arm for the fly-fishing momentum in Texas. Freshwater bass or saltwater reds-the same 8-weight outfit can cover the water.

Today's X-generation graphite rods are far superior to the old glass Wonder Rod, but the 8-weight remains the go-to stick, the most versatile for all-around fresh/salt duty. I have several dozen fly rods, from meaty 12's to dainty 3's but, if pared to a single choice, I would not hesitate to grab an 8. There's not much this side of the heavyweight marine species that old "ocho" cannot handle; it has the power to cast larger 4- and 5-inch streamers and the finesse to present smaller bugs and flies.

Fly water is found in the most pleasing places, and travel is one of the great rewards of the sport. You may learn here, on bass and bream, maybe reds and specks, but the exotic places beckon. So many wonderful experiences wait within reach of a double haul or an upstream mend. You cannot do it all, although some of us continue to try. During the past 25 years I have fly fished from Alaska to Argentina, Russia to the Rockies, Christmas Bay to Christmas Island.

I am a global nomad. I am in position to pursue this quest, and intend to continue as long as I am able. I spend thousands of dollars and weeks of vacation each year in search of excellent fly fishing. Yet, despite this far-flung passion, new experiences with the long rod can be found almost literally under foot. All you have to do is look with open eyes. Recently, I enjoyed several intense sessions with a 6-weight while stalking carp in the bayous of Houston. I mean, right in the city, walking the man-made "flats" of the concrete channels and sight casing with small popping bugs to 5- and 6-pound fish cruising with their backs out of the water. Make the right presentation, and now and then one would eat. Scoff if you will, but the drill combined the high qualities of bonefish and trout within sight and sound of the 610 Loop rush-hour traffic.

Near or far, the fly rod can take you to special places, and pure fishing is a sport you can follow into old age. Some years ago, deep in Costa Rica, I watched the great fly fisherman Lee Wulff play a sailfish on a 9-weight rod and clicker reel. He was 85. That's what I want-to play the game with style and staying power.

The long-ago Wonder Rod was a special gift, a springboard into the world of fly fishing. It suffered wind knots and tailing loops on fledgling forays to the Hermann Park duck pond, but survived to point the way to grand horizons. The rod broke in 1975 on, of all things, a 1-pound white bass below the Lake Livingston Dam. The line was stripping smoothly against the struggling fish when the tip section snapped. One moment, the rod was filled with life and flex, then the lights went out; the magic was gone.

The first fly rod just wore out; but not before it gave me everything it had.