When I was a youngster, the words fly rod and trout went hand-in-hand. It wasn't possible to think about one without conjuring up a picture of the other. In those days, I suppose it is fair to say that bamboo fly rods and trout went together like ham and eggs. If you think I suffer from a mild case of nostalgia, I probably do. On the other hand, I don't think much has changed in this picture except for the fact that bamboo has been replaced by graphite. I happen to believe the vast majority of fly fishers still think about fly rods and trout the way I do, at least when either is first mentioned.

Changes in the Wide World. Of course, a lot has changed since those early days. The trout fisheries are not as healthy now as they were then; the fish not quite so numerous, the waters not so clear or pure. We the people have seen fit to pollute the waters in the name of progress and economic development. By many measures, the progress has been remarkable -- it's the microwave, no longer the wood stove; fast food, no longer home cooked meals; the Metroplex, no longer small town America; TV, no longer the radio; the automobile, no longer the horse. And, to add a bit more fuel for thought, I believe the rhetoric of the few have managed to overwrite the rights of the many in removing God from our schools. I suppose none of these changes are wrong, at least that's what I am told. True or not, I do believe that the values and truths most of us believed in got lost in the shuffle. Sometimes as I sit in traffic, unable to move because of gridlock - that means unable to move anyone, anywhere, at any speed - a fast horse doesn't seem a bad alternative does it?

Do you remember the days of time past? Radio was great! When I listened to a program, such as Let's Pretend or I Love Adventure with Jack, Doc and Reggie, I had to pay close attention and think. The only picture(s) I could see were in my mind, a product of my imagination. The words that emanated from the radio enabled me to create the pictures. As I listened to the spoken words, I interpreted their meaning; I evaluated the context in which they were used -- the tones and inflection of the voice. Yes, I had to think. Now, with the advent of TV, I don't have to think at all. The anchorperson tells me not only what to think, but how and when to think it. The anchorperson even tells me what the words mean, just in case I could conjure up a meaning different from what the network intends. Of course, TV also enabled me to retire my imagination. I no longer need it. I can count on the anchorperson to "imagine" and "frame" the pictures I see.

However, it is also true that progress has done humankind some good. Did you ever notice that most of the classic fly fishing pictures of old usually depict the fly fisher smoking a pipe? I used to smoke a pipe and, for that matter, cigarettes, too. I was lucky, instead of developing lung cancer I had two heart attacks. As a result, I stopped smoking. Between you and me, I still miss both. Today, I note fly fishing pictures do not depict fishermen smoking a pipe. I suppose that's great news, although I confess not understanding why my Grandfather could smoke two packs of Camels a day without apparent effect right up to the day he died at age 86. Oh well ... that was the time before Government intrusion, chemicals, and filters.

Progress has also allowed us to put too many people on earth. That makes sense -- less trout but more people. I guess anyone who lives in and about a Metroplex has learned first hand the meaning of the phrase, "road rage." While psychologists waste time and money trying to explain this "new" phenomenon, road rage is simply the result of too many people in too many vehicles in too little road space. Don't be surprised if you soon see articles and books on "Stream rage," or "River rage," or, better yet, "Lake rage." One and all will be the result of too many fishers trying to catch one of the too few fish from the too crowded waters, especially if the fish happens to be trout. Speaking of too many people, was it crowded on opening day of trout season this year?

The Trout.

In these United States, at least eight species of trout are barely hanging on. Most of these variants are seldom seen any more -- I wish they were. In the East, it is the Sunapee trout of New Hampshire and the Blueback trout of Maine; In the West, it is the Colorado River Cutthroat, the Gila trout, the Rio Santo Domingo trout, the Sedge Creek Cutthroat, the Golden trout, and the Bull trout, a.k.a. the Dolly Varden. Of the eight, the only one I have been fortunate to catch was a little 8-inch Golden taken too many years ago . . . . .

When most of us think of trout, I believe we usually think about our favorite as selected from one of the broad categories such as the brown, rainbow, brook or lake trout. As I am certain you will agree, any and all are beautiful fish any of us are proud to claim. As you are also broadly aware, polluted water and the latest killer, the "Whirling Disease," threaten many of the species.

Did you ever wonder just how wide the wide world of trout really is? Quite candidly, I had not, until I became immersed in writing this book. Then one day I stumbled across and extract of "Trout: An Illustrated History" by James Prosek as published in Sports Afield in April 1996. It is a guide to 40 species of these beautiful fish. I was amazed! After looking at the beauty Jame's artwork, let me simply say that the differing varying coloration is absolutely amazing. If you truly love trout, this is a book you will want to add to your collection. (Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.)

As James suggests, these are the fish of our dreams, the true trout and char that almost any fly fisher thinks about. Tell you what: if you doubt my words, go down to the nearest fly shop and pick up a slender bamboo rod -- if it doesn't make you think about trout, I will be happy to buy you fries and a Small Mac. (Adding a small Coke is up to you.)

What a range of fish these 40 species represent. A little 10-inch Golden is something to behold, as illustrated by this picture. If this isn't a beautiful fish, I will eat my wooly bugger. Or how about the brook trout, another truly beautiful fish. I'm told that in the later 19th Century, "squaretails" of eight pounds or more were common. Now, a 3-pound brookie would be trophy, and well worth an offering of special thanks to the Ancient Fish Gods.

Most of us are familiar with the classic rainbow, a still abundant member of the family. But how about the sea-run version of the rainbow, better known as the steelhead. The name, "steelhead," is totally appropriate; if you haven't experienced the thrill of trying to turn one of these "horses" during a long run in rough water, you haven't lived! The only name I can think of that might be more appropriate for this fish is "bull-headed." The steelhead is one tough big fish.

Don't forget for a moment the eastern seaboard: it is the original home of the brown trout, another beauty. What I had never realized is the brown trout and the Atlantic salmon are very close relatives. What I did know is simply this: taken together these two are the favorite fish of more folks than I could ever count. Since they don't return to fresh water until minimally their third year, Atlantic salmon tend to be big fish, running between 10 to 40 pounds. I'm reminded that one of my fly fishing heroes, Lee Wulff, considered the Atlantic salmon in fresh water, the finest of the very fine fighting salmonid family. No doubt the fly fishers of the Northwest would take exception, arguing the steelhead beats the Atlantic salmon any day.

Whatever the truth, salmon can get pretty big, whether landlocked or running free in the salt. Whether it is an Atlantic, king, sockeye, coho, humpback, or chum, caught fresh and bright, any and all of these salmon will give you cause to yell with excitement at the moment of hook-up. The issue becomes, can you bring it to bay?

To this group of fish, I add the Arctic Grayling. No it isn't a trout, but is a fine fish that fishes like a trout, fights like a trout and eats like a trout. In it's own way the grayling is as beautiful the golden trout, or the brookie, both favorites of mine. Besides, I don't know of another fish with a dorsal fin or sail quite like the grayling. I've caught many and each one was a lovely fish. Catch a big grayling - say about 20 inches in length - and you've caught a fish that's been around for a long time. The growth rate for fish in cold waters is much slower than for the fish down south. Keep in mind the grayling is also a fish that might allow you put your name on an IGFA record. If you are headed to the North Country for a little fly fishing, check it out. The grayling is a pretty fish, and offers a fishing experience you won't forget.

As I said at the beginning, the wide world of trout is very wide. It ranges from delightful little fish to some very big sluggers that will test the metal of any avid fly fisher. Did you ever wonder which of these magnificent fish takes the cake as the largest? The answer may or may not surprise you, but I think number two will ... Number one is the king salmon with weights that can exceed 100 pounds. The lake trout takes the honor for number two. This fish also reaches 100 pounds. Thankfully, the lakers I've caught in the far North were just a bit smaller. Each was a tasty beautiful fish that fought hard all the way to the net.

The lines.

Given the forgoing discussion, I feel certain you will agree that no single line weight can satisfy the fly fisher's needs in pursuing the wide spectrum of trout. The range in the size of the fish, the diversity of the waters as well as other environmental factors is far too broad. Just for fun let's set up a hypothetical: suppose the choice was limited to a single line weight. What would it be?

• The "All-Around" Line Weight. If I were to be limited to a single line weight for the wide worlds of trout, the 5-weight would be my choice. Others might argue for the 4- or 6-weight, and depending on their perspective, they wouldn't be wrong. Whenever you choose the middle ground, one or both extremes tend to be minimized. For example: if I were chasing Atlantic salmon or steelhead, I assure you I would not choose the 5-weight. I think it is too light. However, If worse came to worse and a fish to eat meant the difference between life and death, I would use a five without hesitation and have better than even chance of bringing it to the net. Of course a long fight with a big fish using a light rig is certain to exhaust friend fish to the point that recovery is statistically improbable if not impossible. Catching heavy fish on very light rigs is not sporting if "catch & release" is to be the name of the game. In truth, "catch and release" becomes only a trite, but polite, phrase. The fish released is most apt to die!

  Having set aside the heavyweight extreme, there is a very good reason to choose the five as the best all-round trout weight. It is the lightest weight offering a wide array of lines whether floater, sink-tip or sinker. Weighing in between 134 and 146 grains according to the AFTMA standards, the five is available in both weight-forward and double-taper configurations. Form and function covers the warm waters of the tropics to the cool to frigid waters of the north. Fives are also fabricated for both salt and fresh water. There is a five for distance casting, a five for general fishing, and a five enabling delicate presentations. The five also offers a broad array of sinking lines ranging from the intermediate to the quick-sink.

  In all fairness, everything offered by the five is also offered by the six and, to some extent, by the four-weight. However, either the four or the six begins to approach the extremes. For my money, the 5-weight does it better.

• The Lightweights. A lot of bird "do-do" has fallen on fly fishing with the advent of the so-called 1-weight. Some of the ads would lead a numb-numb to believe it is "one weight" suitable for anything from a minnow to "Jaws, The Great White." What a story that would make. However, that remains either a dream or a nightmare depending on your frame of reference. In my more sober moments, I remain convinced that the 1-, 2- and 3-weights are designed for delicate presentations in tough waters where any ripple on the surface is apt to alarm friend fish.

  No doubt about it, fishing the light line weights is a lot of fun. Best fished where accuracy is the mandate, not distance, these lines offer the fly fisher a decided advantage in fooling the Ancient Fish Gods in crystal-clear still or slow moving waters holding skittish fish. That's important: anytime you can hang a trout ordinarily protected by the ancients is a time to savor and a story to tell at fireside. In my view, the lightweights find their best attributes when fishing the floaters, either weight-forward or double taper variety. To be sure, they are a couple of special sinkers available that should not be overlooked for use in those very tough situations where everything else fails.

• The Heavyweights. It seems obvious that when you consider steelhead, Atlantic salmon, lake trout and the remainder of the ocean-going salmonid family, the fish gain stature in weight, endurance, and strength. In other words, these are big strong fish! Having fished for and caught more than a few steelhead, I find it difficult to consider chasing this fish with anything less than a 7- 8- or 9-weight line. Personally, I favor the 8-weight. Importantly, these weights offer a full array of the line types available. Simply said, your wish has already been anticipated by the manufacturers. Whatever you want is on the shelf. The line of your dreams is a reality -- I have trouble imagining any manufacturer could or can fabricate even more alternatives.

  Allow me to offer one other thought you may find of interest. Not so long ago in the heat of a very hot Texas summer, I was chasing largemouth at a nearby lake. According to my fish-finder, the fish were there, but at a depth ranging between 18 and 21 feet. That's deep, too deep for a 7-weight without a quick-descent line. If you plan to go after big lake trout or king salmon that happen to be deep, consider going with a 9- or 10-weight to maintain favorable odds.

I know! Most folks want to talk about the rod first, the reel second, and somewhere near the end of the discussion, the line. The line, the most important part of the system, is almost an afterthought. Of course, the average fly shop wants nothing more than to sell fly rods - expensive fly rods - and expensive fly reels with a "perfect" drag. It stands to reason there is a lot more money in fly rods than in fly lines. There is also a lot more money in selling what's in the inventory as opposed to something that must be ordered. So much for honesty in sales!

Given the fact that I have suggested the 5-weight line is perfect for all-around line for trout fishing, let me share a secret. Almost any graphite rod will cast up one weight and down two weights. For example, I frequently cast a 3-weight line from any one of my 5-weight rods without any difficulty at all. True, I must alter my timing and rhythm, but that's easy as long as I watch my backcast. Ever wonder why your favorite "fly shop" never mentioned this?

Of course, I am doing my best to help you learn to fly fish efficiently and effectively; they, on the other hand, have another interest -- making money. All too many fly shops make money by selling you things you might not or do not need. It's your choice. If you have lots of money, buy one of everything! Admittedly, having a bunch of expensive fly rods and reels qualifies you to compete in the "he who has the most toys" contest. (I just hope you have more than one fly line.)

• The 5-Weight Rod. Having set forth the premise that the 5-weight line is my choice as the "all-around" line for trout, it follows that my rod selection would be a 5-weight. But what action would I select? Probably one that is moderately fast. Just remember what I said a long time ago in our complete discussion of fly rods -- the action that's good for me may not necessarily right for you. Length is another variable to consider. My favorite five is a 2-piece that is 8_ feet in length. With it, and using a tip casting technique, I can even throw a 2-weight line when the need arises. That need is when the fish are skittish, the water gin clear and nary a ripple spoils the mirror of the surface. Catching fish under these conditions mandates the gentlest of presentations. Being able to cast a light line offers me a degree of versatility others sometimes envy. Try it, you might like it! You must learn, however, to cast with the tip of your rod.
• The Light Trout Rods. The four is a great weight if you are selecting a rod for a specific purpose, such as a spring creek in the West, but if you are going after smaller trout in tighter waters, go for a rod even a lighter rod, either a 2- or 3-weight. I assure you that fishing one of these lightweights is a delight, especially with a slender floating line. Should you decide to go this route, consider a shorter rod of 7_ to 8 feet. In some situations an even shorter rod - 6 to 6_ feet - will bring even greater happiness.

  Since am able to cast a 2- or 3-weight line using a 5-weight rod, you might wonder why I would want one of these little jewels? The answer is simple: A little 3-weight rod will cast a 3-weight line effortlessly; the five requires a bit more effort. On the other hand, I often find it very difficult to carry one of everything. In truth, my biggest fly fishing problem is organizing my equipment for service afield. So far, I've learned that what I carry usually turns out not to be what I need and, what I left behind, is! About all I've been able to do thus far is reduce the load from over one hundred pounds to about fifty.

• The Heavy Trout Rods. Obviously, a 7- or 8-weight line suggests a 7- or 8-weight rod. And I hasten to add that it is my opinion that fish such as the steelhead and salmon require nothing less. In fact, the waters, the weather, the fish size or a combination thereof, might even dictate a 9- or 10-weight. Don't ever forget that on the broad open waters of the Northeast or Northwest, Mr. Wind awaits the opportunity to ruin your day. Any fly fisher worth his salt has long since learned the meaning of the clich�, "if something can go wrong, it will!" To counter the wind, I suggest an 8_ or 9 footer with a fast action -- something like a G. Loomis Mega Taper. One of Doug's rules of fly fishing holds that the fly fisher can better contest the wind with a heavier line perfectly matched to the rod. (For wind fighting, my favorite rig is a 10-weight Mega Taper matched to a weight-forward 9-weight intermediate.)

Fishing for little trout in wild close water certainly doesn't require a $400.00 plus reel. In my view, any reel will suffice. My 2-weight still wears a Pflueger Medalist and most likely always will. Little trout simply cannot run far enough or fast enough to exhaust the reel. However, I hasten to add that all my fly reels - even the little ones - carry as much backing as I can load. If it doesn't ever do anything else, the backing is a great cushion for the line.

To me, the reel takes on importance when I fish the 5-weight on larger waters that hopefully hold larger fish. The reason, however, might surprise you. Since trout can be very finicky, I usually carry four or five lines with me. While I may not be the best at matching the hatch, I certainly can match the line to the warrants of the water conditions. To me, the idea of having to strip a line from the reel and load its replacement at streamside is ludicrous. To preclude this hassle with the 5-weights, my extra lines (including a 2- or 3-weight) are all pre-loaded to cassettes or spools, complete with leader, and backing. However, the inexpensive, lightweight and easy to carry, cassettes allow me to swap lines in less than a minute with nothing left to do other than to attach the tippet and fly. Like most quality reels these days, the cassette reels by STH have a very good drag.

Obviously, at the upper end of the wide world of trout, the reel you select to handle your 8- to 10-weight lines assumes great importance. The run of a king or a large steelhead can leave you breathless wishing you could run on water to keep up. Not only is your backing important, the drag takes on great importance. A smooth constant drag can be difference between victory and defeat. To refresh your memory on fly reel variables, please refer to the earlier chapter, "The Fly Reel -- Fact and Fantasy."

The Flies.

This is a subject to warm up the old heart, increase the pulse rate and, if the discussion lasts for more than a few minutes, raise the voice decibels engaged in argument. I must say that I am tickled that the masters have long since set forth their favorites, relieving me of having to much more than wiggle in and out. I have elected not to cover the flies of the Atlantic salmon or the five others from the Pacific. I prefer to leave that to others. So, with that background, here they are -- The Top 10 flies as selected by your Hit Parade, as Lucky Strike would say --

• The Wooly Bugger. It seems to me this fly is on everyone's hit parade list. It catches fish when other flies fail. It qualifies as a streamer in its several variations. My favorite patterns are black and olive and in sizes 8 and 10.
• The Muddler Minnow. Whether commercially tied or tied by you or the fly tier next door, this fly fairly represents the aquatic sculpin, favorite for trout. The neat thing about the muddler is it can be rigged to fish almost the entire water column.
• The Adams (dry). Of the thousands of dry fly patterns, the Adams seems to consistently place high on every man's list of reliable favorites. Now tied in any one of several versions, any and all succeed.
• Royal Wulff (dry). When nothing seems to be going on in your little corner of the water, the Royal Wulff is worth a try. A gift to fly fishers from Lee Wulff, this classic attractor has worked for years and will, no doubt, continue to be a favorite in the years to come. Try the smaller sizes 14 -18.
• The Elk Hair Caddis (dry). It imitates a caddis fly in an array of variations. Drift it, drag it, skitter it or, for that matter, sink it. This is a fly that works when the time is right.
• The Gold-ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph (nymph). Available with and without bead-head, this fly offers amazing versatility because it can pass for so many small aquatic insects. Said another way; it is truly a "buggy" fly. Hare's Ear Soft Hackle (wet). Fished properly, it looks like an emerging mayfly or, possibly, a caddis fly. But whatever it looks like, fish like the way it looks!
• The Prince (nymph). Everybody seems to like this fly. Most seem to use it in size 12 or 14, but some masters quickly add it works well in size 18. Most suggest fishing the Prince on a dead drift or down-and-across.
• The Pheasant Tail (nymph). Besides imitating as mayfly nymph, it can also pass for a stonefly nymph in large sizes. It is now commonly tied in both weighted and unweighted variations. It is a great fly for dead-drift nymphing.
• The Ant and/or the Black Gnat (dry and wet). All of the flies listed above are great -- but so is either of this deadly two-some. In the heat of summer, when trout can be very finicky, one of these flies can turn the trick in a heartbeat. I suppose it is because the insects they imitate as classified as terrestrials, not water dwellers. I suggest carrying both wet and dry variations in size 14 to 20. I don't think you will ever be sorry.

Who can fault the fly fisher who sits by the fire on a cold winter's night and day dreams about fly fishing his favorite trout? It makes no little difference whether the trout was caught last year, twenty years ago, or even the one that got away? For that matter, it might even be a trout to be caught in a fishing adventure yet to come. Whatever the case, watch for a nod of his head, the twitch of his hand or a little smile that forms in the corner of his mouth. These are dead giveaways to the truth: There sits a fly fisher in trout heaven.

To be sure, it is a wide world of trout ranging from dainty skittish fish of small waters to the giants of the fast broad rivers of the Northeast and Northwest. Trout! The very word sends excitement through the veins of the average fly fisher. Catch one, and unless it is a rare breed, try eating it. Catch & release isn't everything. To me a home-smoked trout is a gourmet meal. Light the fire, sit back, enjoy, and give thanks; it is in these moments that any of us should realize life is good!

The discussion continues with Part 5, "Assembling the System - Perch 'n Panfish." Until next time, God Bless you and yours ....