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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

Fisheries Management Topics: All About Fish Tagging

Jason G. Freund

Sep 8, 20249 min read

Fisheries Management Topics: All About Fish Tagging

There are many different methods for tagging fishes that differ in the information they provide, the cost and effort required, how...

383 views0 comments

If I were the trout czar...

Jason G. Freund

May 5, 20249 min read

Fisheries Management

If I were the trout czar...

This is the kind of thing I think about during the mindless times when I am avoiding work or just day dreaming.

327 views3 comments

PFOS / PFAS - Should I Be Concerned?

Jason G. Freund

Jul 16, 202310 min read

PFOS / PFAS - Should I Be Concerned?

You have heard of PFAS, but like me, I assume you know relatively little about that. I did some research to learn more so you can too.

294 views0 comments

The Science Behind Felt Sole Bans

Jason G. Freund

Jul 9, 202310 min read

The Science Behind Felt Sole Bans

I wade into - pun intended - the debate about felt vs. rubber soled wading boots and why felt bans are happening and are likely to increase.

2,187 views0 comments

Fly Fishing is a Blood Sport

Jason G. Freund

Apr 30, 20235 min read

Catch and Release

Fly Fishing is a Blood Sport

Many fly anglers have - or think they have - removed themselves from the blood part of the sport but fly fishing is a blood sport.

606 views1 comment

What Controls Maximum Trout Size?

Jason G. Freund

Apr 10, 202310 min read

What Controls Maximum Trout Size?

If there is a common complaint about trout fishing in the Driftless Area, it is that the fish do not grow very large. Can we change that?

1,346 views7 comments

TroutRoutes - Is it worth it?

Jason G. Freund

Dec 19, 202210 min read

TroutRoutes - Is it worth it?

TroutRoutes seems to have a very loyal following; I am a bit more on the fence myself. The mobile app shines but is it worth it for you?

10,416 views4 comments

Fisheries Management Topics: Regulations

Jason G. Freund

Dec 12, 20229 min read

Fisheries Management Topics: Regulations

Probably one of the most discussed and maybe most poorly understood fisheries management topics is that of regulations.

375 views5 comments

Drought - and a bit about Fisheries Management

Jason G. Freund

Sep 12, 20227 min read

Drought - and a bit about Fisheries Management

While floods get most of the attention, I would suggest that the effects of drought are probably greater and longer lived.

119 views5 comments

Fish Counting and Journal Keeping

Jason G. Freund

Sep 5, 20226 min read

Responsible Recreation

Fish Counting and Journal Keeping

If fishing becomes just about a number, where's the joy in that?

211 views1 comment

Making the PERFECT Wading Boot...

Jason G. Freund

Jul 11, 20228 min read

Fly Fishing Gear

Making the PERFECT Wading Boot...

Wading boots are a compromise. Weight, durability, soles, tightening system, etc. are all specific to the application.

2,534 views0 comments

Exploiting the Resource and the Tragedy of the Commons

Jason G. Freund

Apr 25, 20227 min read

Human Dimensions of Fisheries

Exploiting the Resource and the Tragedy of the Commons

We all exploit natural resources to some extent. The debate is always over how much exploitation we are willing to allow ourselves and other

303 views4 comments

Stages of Fly Fishing (or any outdoor pursuit)

Jason G. Freund

Dec 13, 20218 min read

Human Dimensions of Fisheries

Stages of Fly Fishing (or any outdoor pursuit)

Fish the way you are having fun and makes you happy. Isn't that what it is all about?

235 views3 comments

A Place for Stocked Fish

Jason G. Freund

Jul 5, 20219 min read

A Place for Stocked Fish

I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of stocked fish. As I have heard it put best, if stocking were the answer, don't...

154 views2 comments

Fisheries Management Topics: Human Dimensions of Fisheries

Jason G. Freund

Jun 22, 20218 min read

Fisheries Management Topics: Human Dimensions of Fisheries

On its face, it would seem that what anglers catch determines their satisfaction but it is not that simple.

74 views0 comments

What to do when it is too warm

Jason G. Freund

Jun 15, 20217 min read

What to do when it is too warm

An interesting bit of perspective - it is dry and 2021 is an outlier but compared to the decades from 1960 to about 2000, it is not unusual.

147 views1 comment

Fishing Regulations - are they too complex?

Jason G. Freund

May 25, 20217 min read

Angling Research

Fishing Regulations - are they too complex?

I think we can do away with the idea that trout regulations are any more complex than warm-water regulations and that people are not fishing

347 views0 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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