SPRING STREAM FLY FISHING: FIRST RATE FUN
Interstate Sportsman
Brock Ray & Don Kirk

In recent years, there has been an explosion in fly-fishing interest. Fly fishing is a combination of graceful casting that is deceptively married to deadly effectiveness once the basics of this approach to angling are mastered. For the professional driver, no other form of angling is better suited to their lifestyle than is fly fishing.
Modern fly rods are constructed of lightweight, space-age composites such as graphite and are engineered so even novice anglers can cast 20-yard distances with relative ease. Advances in fly line design permit anglers to cover all waters, ranging from the surface film to 20 feet deep and in all types of water: streams, rivers, lakes or salt water.
The most popular spring season fish found in moving water quarries are trout and smallmouth bass. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are also found in moving water environments through the Northeast, Rocky Mountains states, and much of the Midwest and Southeastern highlands. When pushing your rig over mountain passes, know that those splashing creeks that run parallel to the road hold trout. The lower reaches of waters often hold smallmouth bass. Great roadside smallmouth bass fishing is available in those ambling waters you drive beside in Wisconsin and those rough and tumbles roadside flows throughout Kentucky.
Thousands of great trout and smallmouth bass fishing waters are crossed daily by millions of truckers. Fly fishing tackle needs are simple and compact. A versatile, all-round 4-piece fly rod and reel, fishing vest with a half dozen boxes of flies, and a good set of waders will all fit neatly into a gym bag that can be kept with you on the road. Non-resident fishing licenses for one to three days usually cost under $20 and are available at any Wal-Mart.
Visit www.interstatesportsman.com and register to win! Visit our website and register to win one of the five items listed below. These items have been field-tested by the Interstate Sportsman and will be given away at the end of this month to some lucky driver. Detailed information on a dozen close to the road fly-fishing spots can also be found on our site.

Cabela’s Wind River 865-4 Fly Rod -- This rod is versatile. It features IM6 graphite blanks, aluminum real seat, cocobolo wood insert, and 4-piece breakdown design that is perfect for stowing away when driving.

Cabelas’s Three Forks Reel – The high-density, graphite construction of this reel gives it strength while remaining lightweight. A Rulon disc drag for smooth braking power and the knurled drag knob makes drag adjustment easy. It is pre-spooled with a weight-forward floating fly line, backing and a tapered leader.

Simms Fishing’s Rivershed Stockingfoots – These ultra lightweight Rivershed GORE-TEX waders are perfect for the angling trucker. A 3-layer GORE-TEX shell fabric and 5-layer front leg panel provide comfort and durability.

Simms Fishing’s 3XDRY Big Sky Shirt – It’s a western-style, technical fishing shirt that provides all day sun protection. The fabric features silver-based nanotechnology, the best anti-odor treatment available, that lasts the lifetime of the garment. It repels exterior moisture while wicking away perspiration. 

Native Eye Wear’s Bolt Sunglasses – Finally, sunglases that are stylish, yet rugged enough for fishing action. They feature: a Snap-Back interchangeable Lens System, Rhyno-Tuff Air Frames, Venting, Cushinol, Cam-Action Hinges, Mastoid Temple Grip, and an Anti-Ocular Intrusion System. Native Eye Wear’s polarized lens technology is the world’s best. 

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