Swing the Fly - Going to Print

Marty lands one. photo by Mia

Swing the Fly Going to Print - Only 1 week left to take advantage of the Pre-Sale Pricing!

Our big pre-sale will expire November 1. We need you to subscribe now so we can handle the lofty costs of printing the 1st issue. In doing so, you get the absolute best pricing on the magazine and it is guaranteed for the life of your subscription! 
One more time HERE is where to subscribe.

Here's a few common questions with Zach's answers about the magazine. 

What is happening to the E-Mag?

At this time, we are sorry but we will no longer able to offer the E-Magazine for free. It will absolutely continue to be available but will cost $4.99 per issue. A short preview of each issue and our sponsors will be available before you must pay to view the full issue. Of course, we would prefer you subscribe to the very green, 100% recycled print magazine instead!


If you have trouble subscribing through the software, don't worry. 

To be perfectly honest, the subscription software isn't the most user friendly as we have found out the last couple weeks but it is what we have at the moment. I can tell you it is 100% safe and powered by Stripe which is used by many major companies. If you have a problem, email me (you can respond to this email here!) and I will absolutely take care of it!


If you don't recieve a confirmation email of your subscription, did it go through? 

Please email me here using the email you used to subscribe and your full name and I will verify it for you.

Just how sweet is Swing the Fly in Print going to be?!
Really Sweet! I am so excited to share all this great content in print with all of you!

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If anyone has any questions or trouble subscribing please reply here or email me at editor@swingthefly.com

I will personally get back to each and everyone of you as soon as possible.

One more time HERE is where to subscribe.

One More Pull

A beauty James Reid landed on his Winter Run Bamboo, Doublehand 

The morning sun rises,

reflecting orange and pink skies.

One more session; before we have to leave.

Scurry to put on waders; 

forget the morning coffee buzz, just gotta get in the water. 

One last cast, 

one more pull, one more landed; 

it's never enough.

Erin Block: The View From Coal Creek:Reflections on Fly Rods, Canyons, and Bamboo

The View From Coal Creek

You might know Erin Block if you've read her blog Mysteries Internal.  Over the last year I've gotten to know her through ciber space encounters on Facebook, browsing Mid Current post and reading her blog. Erin's writing is eloquent and personnel, she writes from the heart and soul,  someday I hope our paths cross on some rippling river in the mountains.

Erin just published her first book,  The View from Coal Creek: Reflections on Fly Rods, Canyons, and Bamboo. 

Erin's inspiration for the book came from wanting to find out for herself why people fish bamboo, and why when they do, it verges on a religious experience. "And also, to discover why, in a society that measures worth from profit and efficiency, do people still build bamboo rods. Bamboo rod makers appeared to take the long way around -- putting more miles on the odometer, so to speak...But as I came to find out, they also happen to have very rich eyes, and very full hearts. And as George Black writes.."Once they've put down roots, they tend to become trees."

Erin fishing a bamboo rod.
photo by Jay Zimmerman

Erin, have you fished a bamboo rod and how does it compare to graphite. 

I have fished a bamboo rod – actually, much of the book centers around me making my own all throughout last winter. So I spent the summer fishing it exhaustively. Small streams and high lakes….I love it. And not just because I made it from the culm up myself. There is certainly a slower action to it, but the major thing I learned through it all is that the stereotypical “willowy” bamboo rods are poorly made ones. Either, because of the quality of the cane itself, the taper, or the accuracy of the planing and craftsmanship. And for certain situations bamboo is a bit impractical – 10 wt saltwater rods or such. 

However, on small streams, I think the precision and responsiveness of a well made bamboo rod can’t be beat. I wasn't expecting such a stark contrast from graphite – I starting fishing on a Scott G2, which is a medium action and very responsive. However, I’d take my bamboo over it for small stream fishing, anytime. I’ve fished it for bass, too. It’s a hoot. I just like the feel of it…it makes you slow down and think about what you’re doing. Which apparently, I need!

Do you have a favorite bamboo rod designer. 

I made my rod with Frank Drummond of Brush Creek Cane in Estes Park, CO. He’s a master. Absolutely amazing. Very handsome rods and his work can’t be beat on quality.
Not to mention his ethic on the process, on the craft, on fishing, on the art of it all. I learned so much.

purchase the book here.

Bamboo Fever

Headwaters of the Metolius River

On our way back to Condon this weekend, we took a very long detour. Stopped at a kennel to look at a German Shorthair, and then headed to the Metolius for a little fishing, and to check out the Bamboo Flyfishing Fair. I've attempted to fish the Metolius once. It was a few years back, on a cold, snow, February day, and had no luck. This was a second attempt, with a 3 year old, pulling at my pant leg, and asking for a piggy back ride. Needless to say, no fish where brought to hand, but Tegan and I played with Goldenstones (tickle bugs) and danced in the water.

The Bamboo Fair is quint with a number of fly tyers, bamboo rod makers, antique collectors, and presentations on single hand casting. While Tegan played on the playground, I had the opportunity to try a handful of single hand rods. The feeling of holding a bamboo rod is elegant. Luckily I didn't spend Tegan's college fund.

Jason Borger gave a fantastic presentation on the fundamentals of the casting stoke, mending techniques, and a lot more. If you ever get the chance to listen to Jason, he has a fantastic teaching style with a great sense of humor.

Metolius River Flyfishing and Bamboo Rod Fair

The 12th Annual Metolius River Flyfishing and Bamboo Rod Fair in Camp Sherman, Oregon, July 16-17.

This is a great opportunity to cast a variety of bamboo rods, as there will be several bamboo rod makers, also several factory reps, six collectors, a dozen tyers. Also, Jason Borger, John Judy, and Gary Lewis will all be presenting and demonstrating.

It’s a last-minute thing, admittedly, but if there are any interested readers who might be in the greater Bend/Sisters, Oregon area at that time this sounds like a great event.