Do you keep a fly fishing log/journal?

[rasputinj]

iPhone app fly log or something like that works well.

[orff8800]

thanks everyone for the input! i already try to take photos and videos as much as i can, and will probably do some simple journal to highlight specific memories of the fish and the trip.

[Noiso]

My intentions are to keep one here. I try to sit down at the computer after a trip and type out any details, lessons learned, funny instances, etc. I am glad you brought it up to remind me! Trout season starts here in CA later this month (*shivering with excitement*) and I have plans to explore some new places in my area that may be overlooked, hard to get to and (hopefully) seldom fished. Notes are going to be crucial.

Also to be frugal I would just buy a lined notebook. If I want it to look fancy, I will do the fancying. I have a notebook for my other passion/obsession, mycology. I intend to decorate it with spore prints of mushrooms that I want to find more of - that way I will be spreading good spores wherever I take the notebook. Nothing against buying a fancy leather bound journal though. A nice one will last longer so your great grandkids can read up on the adventures of great grand dad, the fly fishing wild man!

[Eddie O'Neill]

I have kept a log for a few years now. A simple spreadsheet where I record everything from tactics to what I had for lunch It is easy sorted by section so I can at a quick glance check what worked for me the last time at a certain location depending on weather conditions.

[vitesse304]

Originally Posted by Hardyreels

I guess we are all different, I would have a problem with sharing all of my information with a huge readership. If you never mention where you were fishing and make sure the pictures don't give away a good spot I guess it would be OK. The story of my life has been trying to find the place where everyone else was not at. Because of this habit I have found some really good places and simply don't tell.

Blogs are fun, I have one here on the forum but the only time it mentions where and when is when the where and when are no secret. Last year we had about 5 million sockeye enter the Kenai River system. Thinking this was something that everyone didn't know would have been silly. However, if you find a good honey hole with no one there I would be cautious about blogging about it, I'd write a memo to self and let it go at that.

Old School,

Ard

I totally get the keep it a secret thing...unfortunately I haven't found any secret honey holes yet!!!

My only access to privacy is a private stretch of the Blue River below Green Mountain. Buying a home with private fishing rights has it's benefits!

[stenacron]

I've been logging all of my trips since 1988. Over time I think it does help you narrow down your approach to different waters/conditions, but mainly it's just fun to go back and read through the notes and relive all those memories.

I've tweaked the layout about a dozen times over the years... here is one that I made specifically for fly-fishing when I was living in eastern PA.

[vitesse304]

Originally Posted by stenacron

I've been logging all of my trips since 1988. Over time I think it does help you narrow down your approach to different waters/conditions, but mainly it's just fun to go back and read through the notes and relive all those memories.

I've tweaked the layout about a dozen times over the years... here is one that I made specifically for fly-fishing when I was living in eastern PA.

WOW.

Now if you can make an app for iPhones and Droids, you could make some coin...

[stenacron]

Originally Posted by vitesse304

WOW.

Now if you can make an app for iPhones and Droids, you could make some coin...

Thanks.

I'm afraid creating App's is miles beyond my skill set though. Maybe I'll inspire someone else to make one and they can repay me in "flies" from their fortune.

[gt05254]

I have a blog, which is a ton of fun, and there I document some of my fishing and other things. But I can't/don't/won't take my computer on trips, so I also have a fishing journal and a photo album that I can take with me on long trips, or have at home to record a day's fishing. Wonderful fun to re-read or share with friends.
Gary

[pa dave]

I've thought about it and dismissed the idea. While it would be useful, I have a tendency towards the compulsive and it would quickly dominate my fishing. Back when I was running, I logged every run, tracked every time and distance I ever ran, for years. The log became bigger than the run sometimes. I couldn't just throw on the shoes and run for the joy of it anymore.

I wish I could, though. It would no doubt provide insight to better fishing.