The Nature of Fly Fishing

Decoding Biology for Angling Success

By: Paul Gaskell

Narrated by: Michael McCarron

This book will not be for everyone.

It explores some of the deep reasons fish (and the things they eat) act the way they do. That might seem to risk spoiling the magic of fly fishing—until you realize how much it still leaves in the realms of intuition, mystery, and natural beauty of the world outdoors.

When we go fly fishing, the aim is to hot-wire the biology of a visual predator using thread, fur, and feather. Done properly, it can create the exact same reaction in a trout as real live prey. Everything about this challenge relies on entering into a biological system and manipulating it....

Why isn't it more surprising that fly fishers don't talk, write, or make videos about things behavioral ecologists, freshwater biologists, and pure ecologists have known for decades?

As a professional biologist and professional fly fishing guide, it's probably time I shared what I know about fishing and mother nature—so you can benefit from being a fly fishing naturalist, too.

©2022 Paul Gaskell (P)2023 Paul Gaskell