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The Scientific Fly Angler

Naturally Curious

Welcome to The Scientific Fly Angler

Naturally Curious

About The Scientific Fly Angler

Jason G. Freund

Welcome to my COVID project.

This page explores fly fishing and fly tying from an mostly - but not entirely - scientific point of view. Expect a random collection of fly tying, fish and stream ecology for the fly angler, and well, whatever I feel like posting at the time. From time to time, I will branch out from fly fishing into fisheries management and science.

This website and blog is for fun - not profit. I'm coming at you from Wisconsin's Driftless area but am hoping to interact with anglers from around the world. It is not necessarily a blog about Wisconsin but we are shaped by our experiences.

Send me an e-mail if you have question, comments, ideas for posts, etc.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Buying Fly Tying Materials Online: What I Wish It Were Like!

Jason G. Freund

Jan 266 min read

Buying Fly Tying Materials Online: What I Wish It Were Like!

Buying materials online has never been easier or better than it is today - however, it could still be easier and better.

222 views3 comments

Fly Tying 101: All About Dubbing Materials and Techniques

Jason G. Freund

Jan 1210 min read

Fly Tying 101: All About Dubbing Materials and Techniques

Dubbing can be rather confusing - my goal is to avoid some of that confusion and provide methods to create flies w/ better dubbed bodies.

408 views0 comments

Seasons of the Driftless (with Fly, Food, and Drink Pairings)

Jason G. Freund

Dec 15, 202410 min read

Seasons of the Driftless (with Fly, Food, and Drink Pairings)

I present my idea of what the fishing seasons are in the Driftless Area and seasonal fly, food, and drink choices.

359 views3 comments

Fly Tying 101 - A Beginners Guide to Essential Techniques

Jason G. Freund

Nov 3, 20248 min read

Fly Tying 101 - A Beginners Guide to Essential Techniques

There are three things you'll do on nearly every fly - attach the thread, add materials to the hook, and finish the fly with a knot.

677 views1 comment

History of Fly Tying in Wisconsin

Jason G. Freund

Oct 6, 20247 min read

History of Fly Tying in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a rich fly tying history and was once home to the Fly Tackle Capital of the World". Read more about Carrie Frost and others.

333 views1 comment

Project Terrestrial: A Terrestrial Fly Box (Part VII)

Jason G. Freund

Aug 4, 202410 min read

Project Terrestrial: A Terrestrial Fly Box (Part VII)

This is the culmination of Project Terrestrial - these are the flies I tie, buy, and fish in the Driftless Area.

331 views1 comment

Project Terrestrial: Sunken Terrestrials (Part VI)

Jason G. Freund

Jul 21, 20245 min read

Project Terrestrial: Sunken Terrestrials (Part VI)

This is a minor tactic - at least for me - but it might be worth a try when all else fails.

350 views5 comments

More Fun with AI: Fly Fishing the Badger State edition

Jason G. Freund

Jul 7, 202410 min read

Artificial Intelligence

More Fun with AI: Fly Fishing the Badger State edition

I play around with AI - lots of fly fishing images - some are quite "unique" - like the pink squirrel flies.

248 views1 comment

Book Review - Smalmouth Bass Flies: Top to Bottom (Jake Villwock)

Jason G. Freund

Jun 23, 20244 min read

Book Review - Smalmouth Bass Flies: Top to Bottom (Jake Villwock)

Jake Villwock's Smallmouth Bass Flies: Top to Bottom is an excellent reference and a great companion to other SMB books.

284 views1 comment

The Hornberg Special (Fly Pattern)

Jason G. Freund

Apr 21, 20242 min read

The Hornberg Special (Fly Pattern)

It is a classic "do everything" fly - much like the Pass Lake or "Pass Lake Special" - it is fished wet or dry.

384 views4 comments

Cicada Hatch 2024: A Guide to Biology, Finding Them, and Fly Patterns for Catching Fish

Jason G. Freund

Feb 25, 20248 min read

Cicada Hatch 2024: A Guide to Biology, Finding Them, and Fly Patterns for Catching Fish

Cicadas are big, clumsy bugs that are really poor flyers and run into things quite regularly - this includes the water's surface.

4,442 views0 comments

Intro to Fly Tying - The Woolly Bugger

Jason G. Freund

Jan 28, 202410 min read

Intro to Fly Tying - The Woolly Bugger

There is no better fly to begin your fly tying journey than the venerable Woolly Bugger - there is a reason it is most people's first fly.

6,316 views0 comments

Imitating Forage Fishes for Big Predators

Jason G. Freund

Sep 10, 20239 min read

Musky fly fishing

Imitating Forage Fishes for Big Predators

This posts begins with fish body shapes, moves into data about what large predators eat, and then moves into how to tie baitfish imitations.

633 views0 comments

Project Muddler Minnow: Getting it Down

Jason G. Freund

Jun 25, 20235 min read

Project Muddler Minnow: Getting it Down

This post provides information about fishing muddlers and other buoyant flies by adding weight and fishing sinking lines and leaders.

1,044 views0 comments

Forage Fishes of Cold and Cool-water Streams

Jason G. Freund

May 21, 202311 min read

Forage Fishes of Cold and Cool-water Streams

This post is full of information for those wanting to know more about fishes likely to be encountered in trout streams.

1,584 views1 comment

Project Muddler Minnow: Playing with Materials

Jason G. Freund

Apr 23, 202311 min read

Fly Tying Materials

Project Muddler Minnow: Playing with Materials

The beauty of the Muddler is that it is a highly adaptable palate which you can shape to your wants and needs. I explore some options here.

1,413 views0 comments

Project Muddler: Woodchuck Muddler

Jason G. Freund

Apr 5, 20234 min read

Project Muddler: Woodchuck Muddler

There are TONS of variations on Don Gapen's original Muddler Minnow - the Woodchuck Muddler, as best as I know - is a Wolf River original.

266 views1 comment

Project Muddler Minnow: The Original and a Bunch of Variations

Jason G. Freund

Apr 2, 20236 min read

Project Muddler Minnow: The Original and a Bunch of Variations

Don Gapen's Muddler Minnow is a classic that has evolved and been reshaped into the fly we typically see today.

2,133 views0 comments

Project Terrestrial - The Classics (Part IV)

Jason G. Freund

Mar 19, 20238 min read

Terrestrial prey

Project Terrestrial - The Classics (Part IV)

The classics work. I like foam flies - but there is a time and a place for non-foam terrestrials. Here are a number of classics to consider.

666 views0 comments

Tying the Life Cycle: Midges

Jason G. Freund

Feb 27, 20237 min read

Aquatic macroinvertebrates

Tying the Life Cycle: Midges

Chironomids (midges) don't get enough respect - true flies are diverse and important for the fly angler - not just those fishing lakes.

2,266 views4 comments

Fishing Rod

Contact

Thanks for your interest in The Scientific Fly Angler. For more information, feel free to get in touch and I will get back to you soon!

Driftless Area, WI

jason.freund4@gmail.com

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