Fly Fishing Gear of President Eisenhower
Ike undoubtedly owned a good many rods and reels and some have perhaps been lost to history, held in private collections, or may be stored at Abilene. While he enjoyed all manner of fresh water fishing, Ike was particularly fond of fly fishing for trout. Local rumor has that streams around Camp David were stocked with trout whenever Ike was visiting and local anglers, upon hearing that Ike had been at camp, would flock to fish the downstream areas of these creeks and catch the remaining fish.
I’m not sure if he spent much time salt water fishing however there are three different sand spikes and a chum pot in the NPS collection. The fly rod is a Pflueger R3780 in eight foot length and made of fiberglass. The White House tag can be seen on the rod bag. The small bottle is dry fly treatment and labeled Silicote Dry Fly Dressing, copyright 1946. I’d like to believe that this fly rod and some of the other gear might have some neat stories to tell. Ike loved fishing and, with the great responsibilities he carried on his shoulders, one certainly can’t begrudge him his days on the stream.
For Eisenhower, like many of us who love fly fishing, the sport probably served as...
5 Tips For Better Fly Fishing Photographs
Many of us catch and release our fish. Photography is the one way we can return home with those sporting memories. There are so many good quality waterproof digital cameras today and there is no reason you can’t keep one accessible with you while on the stream. A few tips can really help show off that time on the water.
Read Your Manual
Learn your camera and read the manual. Your camera won’t make you a photographer, but has many settings that can help improve your pictures. Learn to move your settings out of the automatic mode and try some of the portrait, landscape or other programs depending on your subject. These settings offer many qualities that improve the lighting and focus of your pictures based on specific conditions.
Check The Lighting
The time and temperature of the light can play a key role in your photography. The early morning and evening light is often regarded as the best time for photography and referred to as the “golden hours.” The sunlight during these times is softer and does not provide the harsh contrast of mid-day shadows. When you are taking a picture of a friend at noon with that ball cap try adding the flash to fill in those shadows.
Have A Subject
We are talking about fly fishing so that includes people, water and fish. If you can get two or more of those subjects in your picture you off to a good start. A picture of a trout in the mud, next to your foot does have all three qualities, but is not going to land your photograph on a trout stamp. When taking a picture of a stream include an angler in action. Also, try moving your subject to one side of the picture or even adjusting your angle of view.
Be Sure To Focus
Nobody should have to question if that was a brown or brook trout in you pictures. Take advantage of the sensors in your camera that allow you to auto focus you shots. Most cameras visualize a...
Dwight Landis Interview - PaFlyFish.com
Dwight is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Trout Streams of Pennsylvania: An Angler's Guide. He currently resides in Bellefonte, in Centre County, near Spring Creek.
Dave interviewed Dwight in March, 2009.
1 - Dave: Please tell me how and when you got started into flyfishing.
Dwight: My parents took us kids pond fishing for bluegills, beginning at a very early age. We fished with with no reels, just black nylon line wrapped around a bamboo pole, a big red & white bobber, hook and worms. I loved it, and still enjoy bluegill fishing today.
When I was about 14, two friends in the same grade in school were getting into flyfishing, and introduced me to it, and showed me the basics. They told me to buy a Fenwick fiberglass rod (this was before graphite rods). The rod cost $26, which I thought was very expensive.
The first fly I tied was a muskrat nymph, at a TU meeting where members helped beginners tie flies. A teacher at our high school started a fly fishing club, which was great. Having friends and mentors is a big plus when learning flyfishing. It’s not so easy to learn on your own.
Dave interviewed Dwight in March, 2009.
1 - Dave: Please tell me how and when you got started into flyfishing.
Dwight: My parents took us kids pond fishing for bluegills, beginning at a very early age. We fished with with no reels, just black nylon line wrapped around a bamboo pole, a big red & white bobber, hook and worms. I loved it, and still enjoy bluegill fishing today.
When I was about 14, two friends in the same grade in school were getting into flyfishing, and introduced me to it, and showed me the basics. They told me to buy a Fenwick fiberglass rod (this was before graphite rods). The rod cost $26, which I thought was very expensive.
The first fly I tied was a muskrat nymph, at a TU meeting where members helped beginners tie flies. A teacher at our high school started a fly fishing club, which was great. Having friends and mentors is a big plus when learning flyfishing. It’s not so easy to learn on your own.
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