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Ray Bergman Quotes

In every species of fish I've angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn't, much of the thrill of angling

In every species of fish I've angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn't, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.

Ray Bergman
Memories, Fishing, Would Be
Ray Bergman (1938). “Trout: Fly Plates in Full Color Painted by Edgar Burke; Photographs of Fly Tying by Charles S. Krug; Also Many Diagrams in Line by Ivin Sickles”

Fish slowly and thoroughly. Haste never pays dividends. Don't whip the stream to a froth. Make fewer cast, make them to places which count an fish each cast out instead of lifting it prematurely

Ray Bergman
Sea, Fishing, Rivers

My wife wonders why all women do not seek anglers for husbands. She has come in contact with many in her life with me and she claims that they all have a sweetness in their nature which others lack.

Ray Bergman
Husband, Lakes, Sea

Use the longest leader you can handle. Usually you can handle one much longer than you imagine. Remember that the purpose of the leader is to conceal artificiality. If you believe a leader is at all necessary then you must admit that the longer the leader the better chances you have for success

Ray Bergman
Believe, Sea, Fishing
Ray Bergman (2000). “Trout”, p.360, Derrydale Press

Make all approaches to the stream with care and caution. Remember that once you are seen you are a great disadvantage if not completely defeated

Ray Bergman
Fishing, Rivers, Lakes
Ray Bergman (2000). “Trout”, p.359, Derrydale Press

And yet there are many times when it does not make any difference what pattern one uses. One thing is certain. The more bedraggled the fly gets the better the trout like it. I think there is a reason for this. I think the bedraggled half worn out wet fly more closely imitates a nymph than a new one does. Most commercial flies are tied too bushy and full. A little trimming of wings and thinning out of hackles will often work wonders.

Ray Bergman
Thinking, Lakes, Sea

Fish slowly and thoroughly. Haste never paid dividends. Never wory about the fellow ahead of you. If you start racing to get ahaead of him, he'll probably try to beat you, and from then on it will be nothing but a foot-race instead of a contemplative and inspiring recreation.

Ray Bergman
Lakes, Race, Sea

As far as I can ascertain the reasons for missing a rising fish come from faulty reactions. When we miss a fish we are either too fast or too slow

Ray Bergman
Fishing, Rivers, Lakes
Ray Bergman (2000). “Trout”, p.355, Derrydale Press

The matter of flies, lines and other equipment of the right sort is not absolutely necessary in the rising of fish but they are very important in that they make it easier to do the things which bring success and in some cases are essential to success.

Ray Bergman
Lakes, Sea, Fishing
Ray Bergman (1938). “Trout: Fly Plates in Full Color Painted by Edgar Burke; Photographs of Fly Tying by Charles S. Krug; Also Many Diagrams in Line by Ivin Sickles”

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