Hamann: Pat, this is my first chance to interview a team mate for the “Behind the Leader Board” series, a unique honor, but don’t think that means I’m going to take it easy on you. As always let’s jump right in. As I laid out in the introduction you were relatively unacquainted with competitive fly fishing just a few years ago. What was your introduction to comp fishing and when did the light bulb turn on that this was indeed a calling for you?

Weiss: Two years ago, I got a call from a friend of mine, Greg Glitzer who had agreed to join a team of guys for the America Cup Fly Fishing Tournament in Colorado. This squad turned out to be part of what is now Team Freestone, a major player in the TroutLegend league standings. Being totally unprepared for what I was into, I got my A** whooped in my first session, but I knew this was something I was going to learn about and do more of. By the end of that comp, I was “hooked”.

Hamann: Was the transition to fips-mouche format fairly easy for you?

Weiss: Not at first, because I tried to do it without the right tools. I tried to make leaders from line that I use on tip-ups for ice fishing, tried to weight flies without Tungsten beads, used sub-par hooks, and only had a 9’ rod. It was a mess. It was very hard to make the financial commitment needed to make a real run at this thing. It’s still hard; at times I feel it’s my biggest limiting factor. Other things must suffer because of it and that’s just not cool, but it’s an addiction that shows no sign of fading. Once I started using the right tools, the transition became smoother. I still have so much that I’m trying to figure out, it’s a work in progress, and always will be. Nobody knows it all, nobody.

Hamann: Tell us about your job. Do you think it gives you an edge in the angling world?

Weiss: I’m a Fisheries Technician with the PA Fish and Boat Commission; I work with sportsmens clubs that raise trout for stocking into public waterways within the state. I get to do some cool things like assist with electro fishing surveys, but I don’t really think it gives me any kind of edge when it comes to competition. Now if I brought a backpack electro fisher to a comp, then we’d be talking some serious advantage!

Hamann: You live only a short drive from the waterway I frequently call “The Trout Laboratory;” a phenomenal creek that has active feeding fish 365 days a year. Tell us how Spring Creek has shaped you as an angler?

Weiss: Well I can tell you that it had a hand in my stellar G.P.A while at Penn State! I did manage to graduate somehow despite Spring Creek. It is a great place to observe ultra-pressured, wild fish and how they react to different conditions and situations. It has also helped me learn how to read water. When I would fish through an area and catch a bunch of fish, then walk through it and spook twice as many as I caught, I knew I had a lot to learn about where, when, and why trout hold in certain places. Despite the pressure, they will often let you get fairly close to them. I would spend a lot of time just watching how they feed, how they react to each other and what they did when they were spooked. I still do.

Hamann: Many competitors work years trying to obtain a spot on Fly Fishing Team USA – meanwhile you hit the squad on your first shot. Tell us about your experience with the team up till now?

Weiss: I’ve worked with members of the team at both regionals this year and it’s been great. Not only from the competition aspect and the sharing of ideas, but the camaraderie. It’s been a lot of fun, I really enjoy it. I can’t wait to work with the rest of the team in the near future.

Hamann: Has competing and communicating with some of the best anglers in the nation evolved your game?

Weiss: Yes, I think it has in terms of the finer points of competing. Things like preparation come naturally to the seasoned anglers on the team, but it’s still new to me. I learn a lot by just watching and asking questions off the water. It also helps when guys like Loren Williams and Josh Graffam offer advice on things like lake flies, or offer you their actual flies! Thanks boys!

Hamann: All right, let’s talk some actual gear and techniques. Many competitors are often taken back by the absolute simplicity of your flies. Tell us about your philosophies of fly design and is there more than meets the eye that just scans over your boxes?

Weiss: To be brutally honest with you it stems from two things, a lack of patience at the vice and a lack of money. I have never had the patience to tie hellishly elaborate flies, so I just quit doing it. I also never had the money to buy the materials even if I wanted to. Because of those factors, I tied with what I had. I “acquire” many of my materials the old-school way, I hunt and I trap. I also blend a lot of my own dubbing and dye a lot of my own feathers and fur; mostly because I find it hard to buy the color shades that I want. Does the exact shade matter? Probably not, but I’m tying these things for me, so I’m going to tie them the way I want them. I have found that color, size, and profile are essential for a productive fly. This was nothing groundbreaking, Central PA legends like George Harvey, Joe Humphries and Mark Belden had been preaching it for decades all I did was buy in to the theory. I always did well with basic, clean patterns, so I never changed. I’m not big into bling.

Hamann: Rods. What length and action do you prefer? Have you found that “one” great nymphing rod yet? If not, what attributes are you still seeking?

Weiss: I like a 10’ 4wt rod for most general applications, I also prefer a faster action than most, I’m currently using a Sage ONE. I really like most things about it, but it’s really a dry-fly rod (and a great one at that!), so the weight balance isn’t always ideal for me when nymphing, but it’s the best I’ve handled to this point. I’d actually like to find another rod that was as forgiving, but with a faster action. To me, a fly rod is a tool and each tool has its application. You can remove a bolt with a pair of pliers, but it works a whole lot better if you have a wrench or a socket of the proper size.

Hamann: Leaders. I know you’ve been jumping around a bit as far as leader design and theory over the last year – what are your findings?

Weiss: I think I’ve gone around in a giant circle and I’m back to where I began. See above “wrench” analogy. It’s my white whale; I’ve gone through hundreds of yards of leader materials in the last year or so. As a matter of fact, I tied 4 new leaders before this interview; we’ll see how worthless they are tomorrow!

Hamann: I’ve watched you follow 5 really good anglers up a river and take 3 or even 4 times as many fish right in their footsteps. What I’ve noticed is you fish at a very steady, I’d almost say slow pace and really cover each spot thoroughly before moving on. Can you tell us about this “pace”?

Weiss: It’s the pace that the old-timers who fish minnows here in PA move at. They can fish behind a bunch of guys on opening day and pull fish from where there was seemingly nothing. They used to do it to me when I was a kid, so I copied them.

Hamann: Tell us about your regional squad Team Freestone? How do you benefit as an angler from being part of a regional Trout Legend team and what do you try to give back?

Weiss: Team Freestone is a blast! We’ve got such a varied group of people that share ideas and like to have fun. Being part of the team has helped me so much in the last year, being able to ask questions about things other guys (and gals) were using helps shorten the learning curve. What more can you say about people who call you up and offer any and all of their gear for your use at the SE regional, or give you their entire lake box, rod, reels and net(this happened twice! Thanks Mark and Andy!). It’s also a great benefit to have like-minded people to practice with throughout the year. I try to reciprocate as best I can. My fly boxes are an open book; I share the leader du jour, etc. Sometimes it probably isn’t an equal trade, but I usually bring High Life to our outings so that equals it out in my book.

Hamann: Do you think Team Freestone has a shot at winning the Trout Legend top team in 2012/13 or do you think Team NC will sweep the title again?

Weiss: Oh, we’ve got a shot, believe that.

Hamann: You just took 1st at the SE Regional in North Carolina and then 2nd at the NE Regional in Pennsylvania – decidedly 2 very different venues. Do you change your tactics when you travel? How do you adapt to varying waterways?

Weiss: I try to stay flexible when going to new places and let the water types and fish tell me what to do. If I find water types similar to what I’m used to around here, Ill approach it in a similar way, but if it isn’t working I’m not afraid to change completely. Practice is very important for me; it helps me gauge the mood of the fish.

Hamann: So, you made Fly Fishing Team USA in your first year of competing. You’re dominating the Trout Legend Premier League in your second! What’s next for Pat Weiss? What are your immediate and long term goals in the competitive fly fishing world? Do you hope to go to the World Championships?

Weiss: I want to see the USA on the podium at the World Championships. I want to compete at the World Championships. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to medal at the World Championships, who doesn’t? I almost don’t like saying that in a public forum like this, because I don’t want to sound arrogant, but you asked and it’s the truth. Go big or go home right?

Hamann: Thank you for taking this interview. I’ve learned a great deal practicing with you over the last year and am honored to call you a team mate. Despite your success and incredible skill set you’re still a down to earth regular guy and I really respect that. In closing, can you tell us how competitive fly fishing has transformed your angling life? What does competitive fly fishing mean to you?

Weiss: Well Dejon, thank you for providing the forum and the arena for so many competition anglers on this continent and abroad. And also thank you for inviting me to join the team formerly known as Trout legend, it happened at just the right time for me, it really was one of my many lucky breaks over the last 2 years.
As for competition angling: it has forced me to re-learn what I thought I already knew how to do. I fish more now than I used to, and I used to fish A LOT. I now hit the water with the intent to either accomplish some goal or try something new. I find that now I can spend 4 hours on 150 yards of crappy water that I used to walk past. This competition thing is a great big learning experience and I like that. Water that I know like the back of my hand seems brand new and I like the process of learning it all over again.

Hamann: Thank you again for taking the time to entertain these questions. As always I like to jump right in. What was the impetus to write this book and what does “Dynamic Nymphing” mean to you? Also, all though you don’t find the word “competition” on the cover all of the material discussed is extremely pertinent to the competitive angler: what do you hope it will bring to that community?

Daniel: Thank you for the interview. My passion behind the book was to write a broad perspective on nymphing. As much as I enjoy fishing the Euro methods, I understand there’s other nymphing tactics that suit unique stream conditions.

In order for success to occur, I believe anglers must implement a wide range of tactics throughout a season. Also, variety is the spice of life and utilizing a range of tactics, keeps my interest peaked everyday on the water.

Also, I think in very simple terms (well, at least that’s what I believe) and I wanted to express my basics views on what many anglers believe to be complicated strategies.

I hope readers understand I’m not advocating a “new” or “revolutionary” tactic. For example, Czech Nymphing is a form of Tight Line Nymphing that has been practiced for eons. However, these “euro” tactics are simply improvements (progress…if you will) to an already solid foundation. For example, improvements in long rod technology, sighters, curly cue (spiral) indicators, tungsten beads and specialty hooks are significant advances in nymphing. All I’m attempting to do is share with readers the small advances in nymphing that will aid their successes along the stream.

Hamann: Many competitors self impose a strict regimen of fishing only by comp standards. After so many years in the game what is your take on this? Do you think it’s essential to fish fips-mouche style 100% of the time?

Daniel: If you’re really set on becoming a good competitive angler, you first have to possess confidence with the enforced rules. For me, that meant spending a good 6-8 months practicing only with the Fips rules. However, at some point during this strick regiment, I felt I needed to position myself outside these rules and look in.

Meaning, I actually began to use manufactured suspenders (aka indicators) and spent time with some great indicator-fishers, which eventually provided me with insights as to how to fish the dry dropper. This thought process only occurred to me when I stepped away from the Fips format, which provided me with a fresh look at tactics.

Also, I enjoy catching fish and that means I’m usually open to most tactics (except for bait fishing) to get the job done. My current passion is throwing large articulated streamers, which is a big no-no in international rules. I think sticking strictly to these rules takes away many of fly fishing’s enjoyable avenues to catch fish.

Hamann: Just skimming through your book it’s obvious you’re not a “one man show”. So much of the book pays homage, in photo and writing, to the many great teachers and friends you’ve met along the way. Tell us a little about some of the most influential voices who brought these techniques to life for you?

Daniel: Yes, I have had so many great mentors over the years. One key to my success was to surround myself with anglers who are better than I was. Humility was one of my best teachers. You can’t be afraid to be outdone by another angler…it’s inevitable so you should embrace it.

First and foremost is Joe Humphreys – the man who took the time to spend a few moments to teach a youngster. I really owe Joe a lot for building a strong foundation and more important for giving me encouragement. It’s amazing what a little encouragement can do!

Second, I want to give credit to many of my teammates who shared their knowledge with me during my 7 year stay with FF Team USA. One thing Joe Humphreys always stressed to me was to “give credit where credit is due.” I’ll be honest when I say that I learned the most from Lance Egan. The guy is one of the most solid (all around) anglers on the globe. However, there are so many guys including Loren Williams, Devin Olson, Josh Stephens, Pete Erickson, and Brett Bishop that also shared some great tips. A man who always fishes alone fishes lonely waters.

I like to surround myself with those who aren’t afraid to disagree with me. Engaging yourself in deep conversation really makes you think why you do what you do. This is the only way you grow as an angler and as a human being.

Hamann: The section on your flies coupled with the photos is almost worth the price of the book alone. I knew you were a nut for weighing flies but the detail you dive into and the care you take in organizing your fly boxes is quite impressive. Tell us a little bit about why this is so important and how this aspect of your game has evolved over the years?

Daniel: Besides lengthening the cast to provide my nymphs additional time to gain the bottom or changing rod tip angles during the stop (i.e. modified tuck casts)… weight adjustment is my third adjustment. I’m not going to go into great detail about my organization system but sum it up in one sentence – my nymphs are organized according to weight, in small increments. This really allows me to micro manage the weight used during the drift.

Hamann: Speaking of great photography. I see much of the photo work attributed to you and your wife. Could you tell us a little about your photo gear? Is this just a perfunctory adjunct to producing a book or more of a hobby?

Daniel: I own a Nikon D90-a good entry level camera that served me well during the last year of the book project. Before that, I utilized the original Nikon D100, which also captured usable images.

I actually love photography but have to admit that I have a lot of work to do before calling myself a photographer. My editor, Jay Nichols passed along some great tips that allowed Amidea and myself to capture usable shots. Also, I have a younger brother who lives in West Yellowstone and has become a good photographer. This has motivated me even more to travel out west and spend time learning from him. Becoming a better photographer has become one of my top goals for 2012.

Hamann: I was a little surprised to find a good portion of the book dedicated to casting technique. Do you think many competitors overlook the importance of effective casting when they get “Close Nymphing Blinders” on?

Daniel: Maybe a few competitive anglers! I wanted to really break down every split second before, during, and after the cast. There are so many subtleties in casting and the presentation so I wanted to break it down to the very core.
photo by Hallie Mansfield

Hamann: Now that it’s obvious this book will be a great success what plans do you have for your next project?

Daniel: I have a few projects that will keep me busy the next five years 

Hamann: Let’s turn our attention to your Team USA credentials for a moment. I believe one of the most impressive accomplishments in American Competitive Fly Fishing to date was your back to back National Championship wins in 2007 and 2009 (no national in 08’). Please, without brevity, can you walk us through this incredible showing?

Daniel: Limited skill and a good bit of luck go a long way. I had a great group of teammates that shared great information with me in 2007 and 2009. What I remember most during those two comps was my ability to stay calm when things went wrong (e.g. getting a rough beat or dropping a fish).

The key to sustained success is not thinking about past accomplishments. The only thing that reminds me of past accomplishments are the few medals in my house. My advice to current competitors is to never get hung on past performances. I see a few of the new guns strutting their stuff after a good finish at a regional qualifier. Their arrogance reeks and these are normally the anglers that rarely continue to improve. Confidence is a necessary tool in any aspect of life but I have no time for arrogance. The presence of arrogance creates an information barricade.

I’m not a competitive person by nature. That is, I never went into a competition saying to myself, “man, do I really want to kick this guy’s butt today.” That would have ruined it for me. Instead, I consider myself pretty laid back in comparison to many in the competitive circuit. All I had working for me during those years was the will to do the best I was capable of doing…nothing more. What I lack in skill…I make up for in work ethic.

Hamann: I’m sure you must cherish your multiple trips as a member with the Fly Fishing Team USA World Squad. Can you highlight some of your fondest memories including your 5th place finish in the 2006 World Championships held in Portugal?

Daniel: My fondest memory was during my last session on the Mondego River. This was the river that proved to be the most difficult for all competitors. It was a large, warm, and slow moving body of water with few holding spots for trout…it reminded me more a warm water fishery.

I think I was ranked somewhere like 8th or 9th going into this final session. Up to that point, I felt good with my performance but knew I was about to face my most difficult venue. I had Vladi and Anthony watching, which helped immensely. The river is actually classified as a tail-water but temperatures were pushing 70 degrees. Water generation would occur without warning. A few trout were caught during non-generating but many were caught just as the river was rising and you only had about 25 minutes to produce before the river was blown out. There were very few likely holding spots for trout in this large expanse of water so you had to be at the right place as the water begun to rise.

I fished my beat for over two hours without any signs of a trout, although I did manage to land several course fish. With only 30 minutes left, I was fishing the lower half of my beet (400 yards long) when Vladi began yelling “the water is rising.” As soon as I hear these words, I ran 100 yards up the middle of the river to the one likely holding spot and began to work the water. Within 25 minutes, I landed two trout and then the river was completely blown out. What I remember most during Portugal was the last 10-15 minutes of my last session on the Mondego River. At that point, the river was completely blown but and it was getting to be late evening. The river flowed through a beautiful valley filled with small villages and terraces spread over the landscape. The soft evening light highlighted the entire valley and I just had one of those moments when I thought to myself: “wow…what an experience!” I ended up 5th, which is respectable but what I remember most was the last 10 minutes of that session. In fact, the only photo of Portugal I have is the shot taken from the top of the mountain (from my hotel window) looking down at the spot in the valley I finished my last session.

Hamann: This might seem like a minor question, but I’m curious. Do you end up using your “home flies” at World venues? Or do you find, when the beat bell rings are you are using almost exclusively flies you’ve tied on site?

Daniel: Absolutely! As I’ve gotten a little older and perhaps wiser, I have become a minimalist and have found most trout patterns will work anywhere around the globe. Of course, the team would learn about a particular “local” pattern but most often I use confidence patterns.

Hamann: With the advent of incredible resources like the TroutLegend Forum and your Book it seems there are no “secrets” anymore. No secret flies, no secret leaders, no secret techniques. Do you believe this to be true?

Daniel: I would agree with that statement 97% of the time. However, I’m sure there are a few tightly held secrets out there.

Hamann: I recently saw a statistic that said 175 Individual World showings have originated from European countries and 3 from the Americas. Why has there historically been so much “suckage” on this side of the pond and do you think we’re gaining any ground on our European competitive counterparts?

Daniel: In my opinion, up to 6 years ago…the US has sent few qualified angler over the pond. In my opinion, so many of the top Euro competitors are guys who compete on a weekly basis. Literally, the Euro countries are smaller where competitors can meet and compete against each other on a weekly basis. The key is repetition. You can practice by yourself all you want but only anglers can replicate the pressures of competition in that setting. This is changing with the formation of regional competitive teams. I think you’re going to see a better US showing in the future.

Also, teams like France, Czech Republic, Slovakia and several others have strong youth programs. The US Youth Team is making some noise and there is now a group of kids that can transition into the adult team.

Hamann: You recently had a short stint as Head Coach for the USA Adult Fly Fishing Team, but then resigned. What is your view of where this team has been and where it needs to go?

Daniel: There is no doubt that FF Team USA possesses the best group of competitive anglers. One of the team’s biggest challenges is gaining support from both the public and fly fishing industry. I believe creating a transparent organization is the first step to gain support. That is, when FF Team USA says the board has made a decision…who is the board? If this truly is America’s team then the public needs to know who is making these decisions. Somebody needs to be held accountable.

That is, when Team USA says that three anglers will be hand picked – who is hand picking the team? If I were an angler looking to spend thousands of dollars traveling to make the team…I want to know who is deciding my fate.

Also, the team needs to develop another National Championship committee. This was a huge task Jack Dennis was able to accomplish in 2006 & 2007. Unfortunately, this group dissolved after only two years. Ideally, this group would organize all regional qualifiers along with the nationals rather than the actual competitors, which is the case for some of the 2012 events. Competitors need to focus on competing – not organizing events. This group would also be responsible for uniting hosting clubs/ff groups across the country to bring about greater awareness for FF Team USA. In my opinion, this was one of Jack’s greatest contributions to FF Team USA – he demonstrated that creating such organizations could happen. For example, he formed a group of volunteers from Fresno, Kalamazoo, Bend, Salt Lake, Cody, and Boudler – all within a two year period. Unfortunately, I failed to accomplish such a task during my brief tenure as coach. I hope whoever is in charge takes their job serious enough to think of forming a similar structure. It’s a huge task but it needs to be done.

Hamann: Put simply, what do you think sets a very high level competitor apart from a true champion who finds the podium again and again?

Daniel: Great competitors acknowledge their weaknesses and focus a large part of their training to improve. I always heard guys like Lance, Loren, and Devin talk more about their weaknesses they planned to work on.

Hamann: What are your thoughts on the TroutLegend Fly Fishing League? And do you think you’ll ever enter the competitive circuit again?

Daniel: Frist, I appreciate the fact that the site demands users display their real names and appreciate the site is clean. I see very little bashing on this site. Strong opinions are fine as these qualities bring about richer conversation but pure rudeness only breaks apart human relationships. So thanks to Mr. Hamann for his efforts to unite anglers.

As for competing again…No. One thing I will give myself credit for is the ability to focus. When I competed from 06-09, my entire world revolved around FF Team USA. My focus was so intense that I sometimes neglected other aspects in my life.

When my daughter was born in Feb 2009, I was competing for FF Team USA, Head Coach for the US Youth Team, writing Dynamic Nymphing, travelled and spoke to 20 fly fishing organizations along with my normal 45 hours a week job at TCO and trying to be a husband. I was totally burnt out by the end of 2009 and even back in 2008 I knew I didn’t have the time necessary to stay at the top. So before the 2009 Nationals, I told my wife that I was going to win Nationals and retire on a high note. My plan actually worked.

I just don’t have the time needed to compete at a high level. This was evident during my 2009 and 2010 performance in the Worlds. I was wasting my time and taking a spot from someone who could better perform the job.

Also, I realized there are more important things in life than a fly fishing competition….money in the bank, funding a few ROTH IRA’s, and spending time with my family.

Hamann: I hope I’m not spilling the beans here, but I’ve heard rumor you’ve signed on to Coach the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team this year? Team NC dominated the TroutLegend League last year taking home the much sought after Top Team of North America Trophy – what do you hope to bring to this all ready stellar squad?

Daniel: I thought I was done (at least for a while) coaching competitive fly fishing when I resigned from FF Team USA. However, I got a call from Paul Bourcq one day after my resignation to discuss the opportunity to work with the NC FF Team. I ran a clinic last fall for this group and was impressed with the organization. In fact, while driving home I called Amidea to tell her how impressed I was with NC FF Team and the excitement I felt from all team members. I love people who have a “synergy” mindset and knew this was the most organized competitive team/organization in North America followed in second by the US Youth Team.

Long story short, it didn’t take me long to decide I wanted to be part of this organization. Everyone wants to be part of something that is bigger than they are and the NC FF Team is exactly that. They have an active board, a non profit status, funding, great community support, and an excited group of anglers. Tough to say no to that.

Hamann: People are starting to see the competitive scene “Blow up” in the last year. As of this writing there are all ready 30 competitions on the schedule for the current 2012/2013 cycle and an estimated 70-100 comps may clear before the cycle’s end. Reports tell us World leaders like the Czechs and Brits engage in competitions nearly every weekend of their open season. Still, recent stats show us our National Fly Fishing team members engage in only a handful of competitions each year at best. Do you believe a competitor can excel at the World or National level without the rigor of regular competition?

Daniel: If you read Michale Phelps book “No Limits,” Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers,” or any number of self help books, you will see that there’s a parallel between time spent working on the skill and the level of success. The Czechs do compete on a weekly basis and you can see how honed they are while competing.

I think the US has more than enough skill to strike a medal this year but I know the current team would have a better chance if they fished on a monthly basis. The physical distance that separates current team members and the lack of funding is hurting this team.
All I’m saying is if you put the top five FF Team USA anglers into a similar Czech system (competing every week) – they would rock it every year. Fly Fishing Team USA really has all the talent needed to strike gold – if the talent is developed.

Hamann: When one drives up to the TCO Fly Shop in State College PA they will see a huge billboard poster of you guiding your wife. Would you be so kind as to introduce your family to us? How has your wife guided you over the years?

Daniel: My incredible wife of 10 years; Amidea has been with me since 1996 and has never looked back. She was the one who encouraged me to travel to the first US qualifier in Bend, OR. Amidea is also the one who supported my decision to spend weeks away from home and spend some of our discretionary income to travel with FF Team USA. She actually loves to fish and it was tough for both of us when I traveled to Europe and she couldn’t go. There was a 4 year period when we didn’t take a single fishing trip together due to all my vacation time being put towards Team USA. As an old saying goes, “Behind every good angler is a great women” and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.

We also have a three year old daughter and a one year old son. Amidea and I don’t really care if they ever take up fly fishing but we want to immerse them in the outdoors…something so many kids today never take part in. It’s amazing to see the difference in both their attitudes when they spend an hour outside playing as compared to watching TV inside.

Hamann: What are your dogs names?

Daniel: Helios and Madison.

Hamann: I hear you just moved to a place right on the banks of the famed Big Fishing Creek in Centre County Pennsylvania? How has this creek shaped you as an angler?

Daniel: We bought an old foreclosed farm house. Most people told us we were nuts due to the amount of work needed. But time goes fast. We bought the house in July and now plan to move in sometime in March. Amidea and I have spent every spare moment working and planning its resurrection. The long time frame allowed us to pay in cash for all the improvements rather than taking a loan. I hate to be in debt to anyone.

Fishing Creek is where we felt the most at home. When we first got married, we rented the second floor of an old farm house across from the Federal Fish Hatchery in Lamar. At that time, I spent nearly 100 days a year on BFC. All I will say is that BFC taught me patience.

We loved the area and enjoyed taking walks along the stream everyday and we told each other that we would eventually find a house in the Valley. We bought a house in Lock Haven and made it our home for almost 8 years but we always kept an eye open for the right place. After four years and several real estate agents…we found our home.

Hamann: Thank you again for taking this interview. Would you leave us with some thoughts on what competitive fly fishing has brought to your life and how you hope it will evolve in this country?

Daniel: Competitive fly fishing has taught me that you learn more from your losses than you do your victories. While I really despise losing, I also know that learning from my past mistakes will increase the chance of success down the road. Doing this interview actually forced me to look at my journal, where I noticed 4 times the wording for my less desirable outcomes than for any top finish. For me, a loss created a greater sense of humility -something all of us could use a little more of these days.

Overall, I think competitive fly fishing will continue to push boundaries and hopefully lead to improved tactics. I say “improved” because I don’t like to call these Euro tactics “new” because the origins of Czech Nymphing date back to England when Skues decided to look at subsurface presentations. Skues was a true revolutionary – going against traditional thoughts. Instead, these Euro tactics are improvements to an already developed system. This is why I call it progress, rather than revolutionary.

The idea of competitive fly fishing is to make the most out of your time on a given piece of water. That is, catch the most fish in the least amount of time. This teaches efficiency. Lets face it, life is crazy in this day and age. People are busier than ever before and have less time on the water. Most anglers have a limited amount of time to fish. So why not look to competitive fly fishing to learn a few lessons in time management?

The recreational angler can quickly apply any of the skills and lessons learned from competitive fly fishing. I really believe the development of tungsten flies, colored mono, jig hooks and the development of long rods has increased the success rate of most anglers. Fly fishing has been around for a long time and so much has been written on the subject. There’s really nothing radical or different these days. Instead, there are what I call “small steps forward”- small but measurable improvements and competitors are always looking for that microscopic detail. I think any angler would like to know how to catch one or two more fish every time out.

As the “B.C. Championship” closed a precursor to the venerable America Cup in September staged a 1 day Loch Competition on Lake Nottingham at Avon, Colorado. Team Caddis’ captain Dzifa Glymin edged out newly acquired Fly Fishing Team USA member’s Josh Graffam and Rob Kolanda by 1000 fish pts.

(Photo from www.theamericacup.com of Dzifa Glymin)

Later in the month a well attended 24 angler Bronze level mini named the “Southern Summer Series” took place on the Lower Nantahala near Wesser, North Carolina. This was the same venue used in Mays Team USA National Championship. Team NC member Tim Fisk proved he learned well from his mediocre 48th showing at Nationals and sped to Gold at the Summer Series. Fellow Team NC team mate and Fly Fishing Team USA member Chris Lee continued his leader board ascent taking 2nd, followed by Team Stonefly’s general Chris Smith. Lee’ capped an impressive 9th event in this cycle with his Summer Series showing.
(Photo courtesy of Hallie Mansfield at http://www.halliemansfield.com/)

Just this past weekend Team Mayfly swept their hosting of the Spring Creek Mini near State College, Pennsylvania. This was the same exact footprint for the Team USA NE Regional in March and competitors as well as fans were excited to see the river under prime conditions compared to the “chocolate” 200 year flood waters they experienced earlier in the year. Mayfly captain Dejon Hamann took 1st place, followed by fellow team mates Pat Weiss in 2nd, and Kalvin Kaloz in 3rd.

2011 OUTLOOK:
With all currently listed summer competitions complete a race toward TroutLegend Top Angler and Team will accelerate quickly in September with two Gold level competitions and three Bronze:

(BRONZE) NALS Crane Lake – September 10. Bend, Oregon US. For more info: HERE
(GOLD) The America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament – September 15-18. Vail, Colorado US. For more info: HERE
(GOLD) 9th Canadian National Championship – October 17-22. Montebello, PQ, CA. For more info: HERE
(BRONZE) Team DeadDrift Gold Cup – November 12-13. Dahlonega, GA, US. For more info: HERE
(BRONZE) Callaway Gardens Loch Tourny – December 3. Pine Mountain, GA, US. For more info: HERE

As of this update, July 13th 2011, Fly Fishing Team USA member’ Devin Olsen and Lance Egan retain a strangle hold on the Individual Leader board with more combined points then any other team collective. All though it is a technical probability it looks unlikely that they will be caught unless another angler in the top 15 finishes no less than 1st at one of the major and minor events listed above. Only time will tell.

Meanwhile TroutLegend Team Leader Board frontrunners Team NC hold a stable position with nearly twice the points of neck and neck 3rd place Team Mayfly and 4th place Team Stonefly, while Team Comorant strides the difference in 2nd place. With so many competitors and a handful of good competitions still in play it will come down to what team can push their star players to podium positions by years end.

Interview with Devin Olsen by Dejon Hamann

Hamann: Devin, I know it’s cliché’ but let’s start with your age. What did it take to get on Fly Fishing Team USA before the age of 21?

Olsen: To become a team member it takes a lot of experience with the sport of fly fishing itself. It requires a level of talent and skill surrounding the techniques of the sport of fly fishing and also an understanding of the fish you are pursuing. Most importantly, it requires a drive and desire to dedicate your self to getting better at fly fishing and a commitment to spend every bit of available time on the water or at the tying vise. Luckily, my father introduced me to fishing as a young child and by about the 6th grade I was becoming fairly proficient with a fly rod. Throughout my life I’ve always had a competitive nature and desire to be the best at what I pursue so it was perfectly natural for me to combine that competitive nature with the sport I love so much. In 2005 I started working with Ryan Barnes and Lance Egan in the new Cabelas fly shop and the rest is basically history. From them, I learned more about what the team was and how they were personally fishing and I decided I wanted to become a member. So I put my indicators and split shot away and started focusing on getting better at legal competition techniques and things just came together for me from that point.

Hamann: Most people don’t understand the physical requirements of competitive fly fishing. Do you prepare for competition in this respect? Do you believe your age may be a great asset? Looking ahead, do you think the sport may eventually be dominated by the 20 something demographic?

Olsen: Fly fishing may not be the most physical sport around but there are definitely benefits to being fit. When it comes to competition, any edge you can get makes a vital difference. If you can add a few seconds of fishing time by sprinting up and down your beat or by having stamina throughout your session than you are bettering your chances of success. Competitions are exhausting affairs with early morning rises, late night tying sessions, long bus rides, and 6 hours a day of adrenaline pumping fishing sessions. Anybody who thinks that it doesn’t take stamina and mental toughness to stay sharp and motivated through the entire process is kidding themselves. I believe in trying to stay physically fit to begin with so I don’t really change my normal cardio and strength training regimen for competition. When it comes time for competition, I definitely believe the hard hours at the gym beforehand benefit my time on the water. I don’t really think my youth helps me all that much as far as my fishing goes. What has helped me was starting to fish and study fishing at a young age because it has given me a lot of experience that I wouldn’t have otherwise to this point. I also don’t really think that the sport will become dominated by younger guys like myself in the coming years. Most kids these days are focusing on video games, other sports, or the opposite sex in their grade school years so the ones that do become serious about fly fishing often don’t do so until college. At that point it takes most of them a few years to gain enough experience to become successful on the competition stage.

Hamann: I know it’s a big subject, but let’s talk about how you prepare for competition by breaking it down a little. First, do you differentiate between “Everyday Practice” and “Competition Specific Practice”?

Olsen: I do change my practice prior to competitions. Most of my practice until about a month before a competition is just fishing with a specific focus for the day. I usually try and think of something I want to work on and then just implement as I fish that day. I try and spend equitable time on still and moving water when lakes aren’t frozen. If I know in advance where I’ll be fishing in a future competition then I’ll try to start fishing waters that are somewhat similar. Once a competition is about a month away, that’s when I try and pour the heat on. I try and get as much information on the waters I’ll be fishing as I can and then I try to replicate those conditions as much as possible by matching water types and fishing conditions accordingly. This isn’t easy though as no two waters are exactly alike. The major difference though is that I start fishing mock 3 hour sessions where I try to mentally recreate an actual competition session and fishing beat. If can get a fishing partner to help, we’ll set up beats and make a mini competition between ourselves.

Hamann: Now you’re at the venue. What is your practice schedule or approach towards training within the days you have on site?

Olsen: When I’m at the venue I try to take things as easily as possible. In general, my goal is to get confident about the waters I’ll be fishing without expending too much energy that I’ll need later. I survey the competition water and try and find water that is similar for my practice. Then I simply fish and try to develop a sense of the flies and techniques that I believe will work. Once I’m feeling confident that I’ve got flies and a general plan than I try to spend the rest of the time scouting beats, if I know them in time, and forming a detailed game plan for each session. I usually try to write down time allotments for sections of water within a beat so that I can stay calm and confident in what I’m doing throughout the session.

Hamann: What does “attention to detail” mean to you?

Olsen: Paying attention to details for me is one of the most important aspects of competition. Many of the conversations you’ll hear among competition fisherman center on having confidence in what you’re doing. For me, the best way to have that confidence is to make sure that every detail surrounding my fishing approach is covered. I constantly scrutinize every piece of gear in my arsenal and every technique that I’m using. The practice time immediately before a competition is not the time to be trying a bunch new things so I try to tinker with all of the details beforehand. When it comes down to it, one fish can make the difference between success and disappointment so if I can better my chances of hooking and landing that fish through what I’m using and exactly how I’m using it I’m going try and analyze every part of the process to make sure that happens.

Hamann: How do you decide what flies to use in competition?

Olsen: I decide what flies to use just like any other fisherman would decide what flies to use. I survey the water, take some bug samples, and use my basic knowledge of entomology to match any hatches there are. As much as anything though, I try and fish as many flies as possible during practice so that I can experiment and see what works. I also rely a lot on the findings of my teammates to find any other flies that might be important.

Hamann: Do you find that being a guide or working in a fly shop helps your competition game?

Olsen: Any time that you can spend theorizing about techniques or watching others fish is time well spent pertaining to competition. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been lucky to work with Ryan and Lance in a situation where we can bounce a lot of ideas around that we might not have thought of ourselves. Those ideas can always lead to epiphanies and breakthroughs on the water. As far as guiding goes, it’s basically a teaching job spent on the water. Often the best way to help your self understand something is to teach it to someone else. Being able to put fish in the net for a client with little skill or in tough conditions only helps you understand things further when it’s time to put fish in your own net.

Hamann: What were some of the keys to placing 5th in the 2007 Oceania Games in Tasmania?

Olsen: I think I went about Tasmania just like I would any other competition. The main factor contributing to my success and the team’s bronze medal was the way we worked together as a team. It was awesome to have Scott, Riley, Kurt, and Loren there and we really did our best to solve every situation. We spent a lot of time strategizing and sharing patterns. Most of us got very sick during practice with the stomach flu and if we hadn’t been able to rely on each other for help we certainly wouldn’t have had the success that we did.

Hamann: You’ve competed against some of the best nations in the world. What have you learned from watching teams like the French or Poland?

Olsen: Most of what I’ve learned from them has come from footage I’ve religiously dissected from the 2004 championships in Slovakia. I’ve tried to break that footage down just like a coach scouting an upcoming opposing team and I’ve learned a lot about the techniques and little details that set them apart. I’ve also gleaned a few bits of information from books they’ve written, internet sites that relate to them, and secondhand knowledge from other team members who competed against them.

Hamann: I know it’s cheesy, but if you had to go to the finals with only 6 patterns what would you carry?

Olsen: I can’t break it down to six patterns but I can probably go 6 for rivers and 6 for lakes. Obviously this would defer by season and venue.
For the rivers I’d choose a Frenchie Nymph (a variation on a pheasant tail),a Krystal Flash Hare’s Ear, my Biot-backed stonefly nymph, a basic Czech/Polish Nymph, a Stimulator, and a Parachute Adams. For the lakes I’d have a Black Wooly Bugger/leech, a Chromie Chironomid, my Blue Wonder (soft hackle nymph), a Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, Damsel Nymph, and a Pregnant Scud.

Hamann: What drives you? I mean, at the root, why do you want to get on Fly Fish Team USA and compete on the International stage?

Olsen: I think every person wants to find something that they excel at because that’s a natural human desire. For me fly fishing is one of those things. Every time I go to a competition I come back wanting more. I love the adrenaline rush each session brings, the comradery of the other competitors, and the feeling of accomplishment when I achieve success. My dream is to stand on the podium at the World Championships for a personal and a team medal. Keeping that vision in mind keeps me driven to fish hard every time I’m on the water.

Olsen’s Track Record:
International Experience
• World Fly Fishing Championships 2010 Poland June 2010, Placed highest among team USA competitors
• World Fly Fishing Championships 2009 Scotland June 2009, Placed 1st and 4th in the two sessions fished
• Oceania Fly Fishing Championship, 5th Place Tasmania, February, 2007 (Team Bronze Medal)
• America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament 1st Place September 2010 (Individual Gold Medal) (Team Gold Medal)
• America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament 2nd Place September 2008 (Individual Silver Medal) (Team Gold Medal)
National Experience
• Fly Fishing Team USA National Championships, PA 2009 (Individual 5th place) (Team Bronze Medal)
• Santa Fe Team USA Regional Trial, November 2010 1st Place
• Durango Regional Trial, May 2010 3rd Place
• Bozeman Regional Trial, September 2009 1st Place
• Pagosa Lakes Competition, May, 2008 5th Place
• Salt Lake Competition, July, 2008 1st Place
• Cody Regional Trial, April, 2007 2nd Place

Thank you to everyone that took a part in this competition and a special congratulations to our new Top Ranked Anglers!

http://troutlegend.com/leaders-board-2010-2011/

Detailed results of this competition and all future “TroutLegend Sanctioned” competitions will be available for download as a free member of the TroutLegend Forum: HERE

We are very proud to announce the introduction of two new teams into the TroutLegend Competitive Fly Fishing Cooperative:  “Team America Cup” based near Denver, Colorado led by David Pehle and “Team TroutLegend Utah” based near Salt Lake City, Utah led by Jeremy Allan.  The addition of these 2 Rocky Mountain loci will greatly enhance the Coop’s mission to support and grow the culture of Fips-Mouche style competitive fly fishing in North America.

Both of these teams are looking for talented new Members.  Whether you’re a new and ambitious beginner in the comp’ circuit or a “tried and true” veteran being a part of a team is the best way to enhance your skill set and give back to the sport.  Contact information and team updates for both of these squads can be found here in the forum under their respective team boards.

The competition will be held on sections of the following rivers during the listed times and dates. Check in with TCO fly shop in State College late next week for exact locations and directions to the streamside competition http://www.tcoflyfishing.com

Rivers:
Penns Creek
The Little Juniata River
Spring Creek
Big Fishing Creek

Times/Dates:
9am-12pm, 2pm-5pm – - Sat 10/24 & Sun 10/25
9am-12pm – - Mon 10/26

Or if you’re of the mind, organizers may still need volunteers:
Volunteer Signup

You’re dedicated TroutLegend Reporter will be on the scene! Check back for quick updates as the competition rages on and hopefully many lush pictorial essays before and after the actual event.

Remember top 15 point totals will make Team USA. Point totals have been tallied from National Championship to National Championship. Next year’s point tally will include this year’s National so the only carry over is the National Championship points. The World Team competing in Poland will be determined by 3 top point getters and 2009 US National Champion. Pete Erickson and Mike Sexton have already been determined to be on the 2010 World Championship Team. These 6 individuals will make up the 5 starters and alternate for Team USA in Poland.

This year’s National Champion will receive 15,000 points and a spot going to the 2010 World Fly Fishing Championships in Poland! Good luck to everyone!

Regards,
Anthony Naranja
Fly Fishing Team USA – Captain

Fly Fishing Team USA Point Totals
(Heading into 2009 National Championship)

1. George Daniel 12,000
2. Josh Stephens 10,483
3. Devin Olsen 9,244
4. Lance Egan 9,109
5. Pete Erickson 8,744
6. Anthony Naranja 7,950
7. Mike Sexton 7,483
8. Loren Williams 5,084
9. Bret Bishop 4,880
10. Norman Maktima 4,557
11. Scott Robertson 3,551
12. Eddie Pinkston 3,500
13. Randy Hanner 3,300
14. Jim Hickey 2,700
15. Kurt Finlayson 1,910
16. Rob Kolanda 1,604
17. Brian Kimmel 1,438
18. Brian Capsay 1,250
19. Riley Cotter 1,200
20. Matt Powell 1,125
21. Jake Ricks 925
22. Dejon Hamann 913
23. Trevor Wine 900
24. Alec Gerbec 800
25. Chris Lee 800
26. John Roberts 701
27. Barney Naylor 700
28. Sandy Wright 693
29. Charles Kempe 600
30. David Woody 533
31. Merry Waugh 530
32. Spencer Higa 480
33. Leonard Sauers 467
34. Paul Colcord 400
35. Tom Smith 343
36. Wes Congdon 300
37. Tony Felicilda 300
38. Zach Herbel 300