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April Vokey

April Vokey
April Vokey is a fly fishing writer, fly-tyer, and speaker. After guiding in British Columbia for ten years, she now splits her year between camp in northern BC and Australia. She is an FFF certified casting instructor, forager, bowhunter, and mother.

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Fly

On-the-Water Fishing Gear Modifications
Figuring out how to strategically target fish: the ideal presentation for the current, the best cast to get around structure, and which fly, lure, or bait is most likely to get eaten captivates fishermen. But one of the less discussed aspects of fishing often happens away from the tying bench and tackle shop. Creative anglers do more than just change spots or try different lures. They make subtle but important modifications and adjustments.
I...

Fly

Fly Fishing 101: Accessorizing
This is the fifth installment of our Fly Fishing 101 series. If you missed them, you can read Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four by following these links. 
One of the many advantages of fly fishing is its potential for minimalism. While some fisheries require more gear than others, most anglers can get by with limited accessories and gadgets. The content of this next installment of Fly Fishing 101 may seem obvious to many anglers, but...

Fly

Chironomids: Springtime Stillwater Trout Candy
When I was little, my dad and I used to go on an annual fishing trip in British Columbia’s interior. In the excitement leading up to the trip, I polished my Wedding Ring and Willow Leaf spinners before organising them into their designated Plano compartments. As a treat, Mom let me stay up late and armed me with a flashlight to raid the backyard for nightcrawlers.
Once on the lake, Dad and I motored around in search of gullible trout and, every...

Fly

Fly Fishing 101: Pick-Up Lines
In the first three installments of Fly Fishing 101, I covered the importance of developing a relationship with your fly shop, choosing your first fly rod and buying a reel. In this segment, we’re going to cover some things you should know about picking out fly line.
I remember the day I set out to buy my first fly line. The experience almost made me give up fly fishing before even starting.
I’d been passed down an old 8-weight Shakespeare fly rod...

Fly

Fly Fishing 101: Choosing a Reel
In the first two installments of Fly Fishing 101, I covered the importance of developing a relationship with your fly shop and choosing your first fly rod. In this segment, we’re going to cover some things you should know about purchasing a fly reel.
I’ll admit it: I’m guilty of skipping right past fly reels when teaching fly fishing workshops. I usually mutter something about over-priced line holders before jumping straight into fly lines, but...

Fly

Fly Fishing 101: Choosing Your First Rod
This is the latest installment in April Vokey’s Fly Fishing 101 series. If you missed it, check out her previous article, Your Fly Shop and You.
Choosing your first fly fishing rod can be intimidating. Fly rods aren’t cheap, so pressure to make the right purchase often deters new anglers. Rod manufacturers add new models to their lineup faster than Victoria Secret comes out with bra styles, causing potential customers to question what was wrong...

Fly

Fly Fishing 101: Your Fly Shop and You
I get a lot of messages from people who want to get into fly fishing but don’t know where to start. Most ask for book and fly rod recommendations, but fail to mention where they live or, more importantly, what they’d like to fish for. My response is always the same: start at the fish, then work back to the fly, leader, rod and reel.
But the checklist extends beyond tackle—it’s impossible, after all, to start with the fish if you don’t know the...

Fly

So, You Want to be a Fishing Guide? Part Four: Guiding Isn’t Fishing
This is the fourth installment in a five-part series outlining the experiences of working fishing guides and what it takes to survive a dream job. Here’s where you can find part one, two and three.
Some of the best “fishing bums” I know are the worst guides. They’re superstars with a rod in their own hands, but guides don’t hold rods—they hold tillers, push poles, oar grips or nets. The measure of a good guide isn’t if she  can catch fish, it’s...

Freshwater

So, You Want to be a Fishing Guide? Part Three: Qualities of a Good Guide
This is the third installment in a five-part series outlining the experiences of working fishing guides and what it takes to survive a dream job. Here’s where you can find part one and two.
Guiding takes more than passion and skill for fishing. A talented angler understands fish. A talented guide understands fish and people. The latter tends to be more complicated than the former. Most clients expect to catch fish, or at least have...

Bass

Why You Should Fly Fish For Bass
I’m always disappointed when a fly fisher turns their nose up at bass fishing. Usually the disdain is accompanied by some poetic sermon about watching trout sip dries, followed by an admission that they’ve never actually tried it. Thankfully, fly fishing for bass is not a new concept and more anglers around the world are embracing these incredible fish. 
The bass family is widespread and includes many familiar species like smallmouth, largemouth...