Michael Benedik
Signature Tyer
I’ve been hooked on fishing since my first bluegill at a young age. I was so eager to get on the water that my mom was known to take me to a local pond (that I would later realize was fishless) just to get me to stop asking her if I could go fishing. But all those fishless trips didn’t dampen my spirit. When I was really little I even asked for a fish tank for Christmas, as I thought I could just go fishing in my room.
A lot has changed since then - I am now fortunate enough to take my own kids fishing and they have a fish tank of their own (which I somehow end up cleaning every time). Even though a lot has changed, I am still passionate about fishing and even more passionate about teaching my kids and other beginners.
I’m also passionate about tying flies. There is nothing better than coming up with an idea for a new pattern, testing it on the water, and then making adjustments until the cycle of the pattern is complete. I guess it’s really the cycle of fly fishing and fly tying that has kept my passion high.
There is always a new place to fish, a new material or pattern to try, a different species to target on the water or imitate at the vise, and new methods to experiment with. To me, it’s a never ending adventure and that’s what makes it so exciting and rewarding.
I’ve been hooked on fishing since my first bluegill at a young age. I was so eager to get on the water that my mom was known to take me to a local pond (that I would later realize was fishless) just to get me to stop asking her if I could go fishing. But all those fishless trips didn’t dampen my spirit. When I was really little I even asked for a fish tank for Christmas, as I thought I could just go fishing in my room.
A lot has changed since then - I am now fortunate enough to take my own kids fishing and they have a fish tank of their own (which I somehow end up cleaning every time). Even though a lot has changed, I am still passionate about fishing and even more passionate about teaching my kids and other beginners.
I’m also passionate about tying flies. There is nothing better than coming up with an idea for a new pattern, testing it on the water, and then making adjustments until the cycle of the pattern is complete. I guess it’s really the cycle of fly fishing and fly tying that has kept my passion high.
There is always a new place to fish, a new material or pattern to try, a different species to target on the water or imitate at the vise, and new methods to experiment with. To me, it’s a never ending adventure and that’s what makes it so exciting and rewarding.