Category Archives: Science
Rod Design: Innovation and “Stuff”
Matt Ridley writes in this morning’s Wall Street Journal about the common thread (or fiber) in the design of modern fly rods: the belief that technology and advances in materials science have taken over from an emphasis on tapers and … more
Spider Silk’s Biothermal Magic
OK, we’re writing about this today just because we love bugs, occasionally fish spider patterns, and think this is very cool. Scientist Xinwei Wang, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State, has discovered with the help of two associates that … more
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Barracudas: They Start Young
The behavior of baby barracudas is largely shrouded in mystery, in part because the fish’s larvae drift in the open ocean (much like they do for bonefish, tarpon, and other species). But researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of … more
Posted in Conservation, Science
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New Sunscreens Could Use Natural UV-Blockers in Coral
“Researchers at King’s College London have discovered how coral produces natural sunscreen compounds to protect itself from damaging UV rays, leading scientists to believe these compounds could form the basis of a new type of sunscreen for humans,” ScienceDaily reported … more
A Rude Ending to a Short Life
Oregon State University researcher George Poinar, Jr. discovers a new (extinct) subfamily, genus and species of mayfly trapped in amber and uses the occasion to explain why mayflies are worth studying: “Understanding the ecology and history of mayflies is important, … more
Posted in Flies, Science
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“All Bugs Are Created Equal”
Connecticut River Watershed Council river steward David Deen talks about the good and bad of riparian insects and the similarities between magic and fly fishing. “If you strip away the flyfishing mystique of fancy equipment, well meant advice and the blizzard … more
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“Naming Nature”
Author and artist James Prosek will join evolutionary biologists and others from Yale and the Smithsonian Institution at Yale’s Whitney Humanities Center on Friday for a symposium titled “Naming Nature: A conversation on the nature, uses and limitations of biological … more
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Ant Stridulation and the Peent of Nighthawks
NPR’s Weekend Edition featured a story about how biologists are beginning to believe that the “soundscape” of nature could be a valuable clue to ecological health. “‘We’re trying to understand how sounds can be used as measures of ecosystem health,’ … more
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The Thermal Optimum
READ ANY fishing article about a given species, and you will almost always find some commentary about the best water temperature to find or catch the fish. Anglers, especially fly fishermen — as well as marine biologists and oceanographers — … more
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Happy Holidays: The Short Days Are Over (Again)
Every year we find ourselves marking the winter solstice and the end of the shortening of days. That might be because years of guiding trained us to love fishing in light. And every fourth week of December there’s the promise … more →