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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

Climate Change - Comparing the Effects on Brook and Brown Trout

Jason G. Freund

Jan 2, 202311 min read

Climate Change - Comparing the Effects on Brook and Brown Trout

Maitland and Latzka (2022) published an analysis based on data from Wisconsin trout streams collected between 1994 to 2019 - read more here.

711 views4 comments

Tying and Fishing Small Flies

Jason G. Freund

Dec 26, 20226 min read

Tying and Fishing Small Flies

From a friend, "It would be interesting to get your insights in small patterns where it enters the realm of ridiculous or impossible".

683 views4 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?

9,852 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.

362 views5 comments

Wisconsin Before the Europeans (and then after...)

Jason G. Freund

Dec 5, 20228 min read

Wisconsin Before the Europeans (and then after...)

If there is a common view of Wisconsin before European settlement, it is probably that of the massive old growth forests.

2,058 views2 comments

Fly Tying 101 - How to Get Started in Fly Tying

Jason G. Freund

Nov 28, 20229 min read

Fly Tying 101 - How to Get Started in Fly Tying

I think the best reason to tie your own flies is that tying flies makes you a better, more observant fly angler.

4,130 views5 comments

Fly Rods - Law of Diminishing Returns?

Jason G. Freund

Nov 21, 20228 min read

Fly Rods - Law of Diminishing Returns?

This is my take on the subject of fly rod prices - your opinions may well be different from mine.

4,776 views4 comments

Smallmouth Bass Books

Jason G. Freund

Nov 14, 202210 min read

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Books

I review 3 very good books on Smallmouth Bass by Karczynski and Landwehr, and books by Bob Clouser, and Tim Holschlag.

797 views1 comment

If you can catch fish in Wisconsin...

Jason G. Freund

Nov 7, 20226 min read

If you can catch fish in Wisconsin...

I heard from several other anglers that if you can catch fish in Wisconsin, you can catch them anywhere - and they were right!

362 views3 comments

Figuring it Out: Planning a Fishing Trip

Jason G. Freund

Oct 31, 20228 min read

Figuring it Out: Planning a Fishing Trip

This post is the second of what became three posts about figuring it out. Here I tackle how to research a fishing trip.

498 views7 comments

In Praise of Overlooked Places

Jason G. Freund

Oct 24, 20226 min read

In Praise of...

In Praise of Overlooked Places

I don't know that there is any greater point to this post but a bit of an off-season appeal to you - and to me - to think a bit differently.

131 views3 comments

Book Review - Storied Waters

Jason G. Freund

Oct 17, 20224 min read

Book Review - Storied Waters

In 2017, the author loaded up his car (I bet it was a Subaru), began his journey in New Hampshire, traveled as far West as the Driftless.

88 views0 comments

Stream Crowding - a (semi) scientific analysis

Jason G. Freund

Oct 10, 20227 min read

Responsible Recreation

Stream Crowding - a (semi) scientific analysis

Crowding is relative. My idea of stream crowding changes depending upon the situation (day of the week, location, etc.).

299 views6 comments

Figuring it Out: Familiar Trout Streams

Jason G. Freund

Oct 3, 20227 min read

Figuring it Out: Familiar Trout Streams

I will share my approach to familiar waters - specifically Driftless trout streams - based on my experiences in this post.

224 views2 comments

Strike Indicators, sure it is marginally fly fishing, but here's what works...

Jason G. Freund

Sep 26, 20228 min read

Strike Indicators, sure it is marginally fly fishing, but here's what works...

I don't love fishing nymphs - nobody does - but it's a necessary evil so you might was well get (somewhat) proficient at it.

3,472 views2 comments

Book Review: The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies

Jason G. Freund

Sep 23, 20227 min read

Book Review: The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies

Picking 50 flies to represent the history of fly fishing is certainly a daunting task. The author does an admirable job.

790 views0 comments

Nobody got into fly fishing to fish nymphs

Jason G. Freund

Sep 19, 20225 min read

Unpopular Opinions

Nobody got into fly fishing to fish nymphs

To paraphrase the great Hank Patterson, any idiot can nymph.

902 views4 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.

112 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?

202 views1 comment

In Praise of Public Stream Access

Jason G. Freund

Aug 29, 20228 min read

In Praise of...

In Praise of Public Stream Access

We are blessed in Wisconsin to have an abundance of water and to have the access to waters we have. Not everywhere is so fortunate.

621 views3 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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