"The images I record are my desire to communicate the beauty of nature and the magic of fly fishing. My efforts to produce words that express the magic are a frustrating distraction that finds me daydreaming about the perfect cover shot, and big surface strikes on Dahlbergs."
.......................................Peter Andrews

Try to describe that special thing about fishing with the fly, and out come all the old cliches. When all is said and done, and most of it has been many times, the experiences stored in the memory are difficult to translate into words. Perhaps photographic images most accurately recreate the sense of being there. Generally it is the pictures which best illustrate the story.
Sure, it is great to read about exotic fly-fishing adventures and all the gossip on the latest graphite, fluorocarbon, large arbor, three sixty rotating, digital, windmaster, blah blah. We communicate verbally, so it makes sense to convey technical information and accurate descriptions through the written word. But these days we expect even this type of information to be enhanced with visuals.
The ability to capture the essence of being there is very rare among those writing to meet deadlines. Photographs describe and communicate, just like words, except the language is universal. The experience is captured and is instantly recognisable.

Selected images of bass and cod waters in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
1. Working the Dahlberg.
2. Warm golden tones of fish, fly and light.
3. 'Green fish' like pink flies, even at night.
4. Morning light.
5. Impoundment skeletons.

 

 

Catch and release has increased the popularity of fishing photography. Instead of a dead fish, the picture becomes a non-perishable trophy and proof of the event. While most fishing photos are only snapshots, to those involved they are a vivid reminder that can recreate past celebrations and be shared with friends. Although such shots may
mean a great deal to the participants, they often lack composition or technical quality and so fail to communicate with a larger audience.
Just as it does in fly fishing, sophisticated equipment makes photography easier, though it is definitely not essential-great fish and great images are often captured with simple old tackle and the most basic cameras.
Apply to photography a little of the craft we devote to our flies and fishing and we may find our pictures are more than just snap-shots. Just some thought to composition, even a little thing like getting closer, and a quick look around the edge of the viewfinder before gently squeezing the shutter, can make a big difference.
Fly fishing and photography complement each other. A camera of some description is standard equipment in the kit of most fly fishers. Taking pictures can be a pleasant diversion when the fishing is slow, although this seldom results in good photos.
Here lies the contradiction and the reason why most great fishing moments are never recorded on film-the two main traps for fly fishing photographers are too much fishing, and too much fishing. Swapping a fly-rod for a camera during a hot bite can be almost impossible, but it's also the best chance for the ultimate action shots of wild strikes and mates hooked up. Always a balancing act, it would be silly to miss out on catching a great fish for the sake of a snap-shot. Photos don't fight near as well as fish. Doing both is a compromise that requires a handy, prepared camera and the ability to compose and shoot quickly without stressing fish, or spoiling the experience for the angler.

6. Ripples in the mist.
7. Drizzly day bass on black surface fly.
8. Drifting and dreaming.
9. Stormy blue light and a big bass on a blue Dragonberg.

Another dilemma arises from the fact that prime fishing time (after dark excepted) is without doubt also the best period for photography. Morning and afternoon light has an angular quality that can produce striking images. Dusk and dawn, even just before dawn, can offer atmospheric effects, such as mists that give a mystical quality to fishing scenes. These moments also pose technical challenges related to low levels of light. Understanding and applying fundamentals relating to film speed and exposure can give access to sharp pictures in conditions that would seem unsuitable for photography.

10. Feel your casting arm twitching.
11. Rob Lockwood and beloved 'green fish'.
12. Ross displays another midday Dahlberg diner.
13. Coastal bass water.

Fly fishing is not something learned in five minutes. An afternoon maybe, years more likely. Photography is the same: the most sophisticated auto-everything camera will not produce good results in the hands of a user who fails to grasp its operation. At least carefully read the instruction book. Better yet, gain an understanding of the basic principles of focus and exposure, and how controls like aperture, shutter speed and film speed combine to create sharp, well exposed images.
There is often plenty of casting practice between bites, so don't expect a cover shot on every roll of film. Flies are our ammunition, vital but totally expendable, so is film, so use plenty when something looks good.
Leaving the fish alone and playing lens-man can have its rewards, not the least of which is being able to share a passion with the readers of Flylife.