Three Apps Every Fly Fisherman Should Own...

I decided to get a few apps for the iPod Touch/iPad 2 this week and shit, they're awesome. The three apps are good for your Apple devices such as the iPad and iPad 2, iPod Touch, and iPhones. I know one of the three is downloadable for Android phones as well as anything Apple, that one being the Orvis Fly Fishing App. Awesome application, here's what the site says about it since I can't explain it any better, 


"Introducing the Orvis Fly Fishing App, a complete guide with casting lessons, video and animated knot instructions, a guide to the top trout flies, and updated fishing condition reports for more than 200 of the best fishing locations in North America. With more than an hour of instructional video and dozens of pictures and animations, it is by far the most useful and information-packed fishing application available. And it is now optimized for iPad." 


Oh yea, and by the way, it comes with a $10 gift card to Orvis when you register the app...BOOM. The app comes in at $9.99 but if you plan on using the gift card, Orvis is practically paying you. 

The next app is from Fly Fisherman magazine, one of the many mags I get in the mail and quite possibly my favorite. Its called Fly Bench. There are three different levels of the app for sale; FlyBench Lite, FlyBench, and FlyBench Full. As with most "Lite" apps, FlyBench Lite is FREE and is simply a preview (see description below). FlyBench, is $4.99 and has some added features from the "Lite" version and is pretty legit for most fly fisherman (see description below). But is your looking for the best and want something that will really give you your moneys worth, FlyBench Full is the app for you. Its a bit pricy coming in at $24.99 but thats about how much your going to pay for a book with most likely less patterns than what comes with this. Oh yea, and books don't come with videos (see description below).


FlyBench Lite-


"FlyBench Lite comes to you from Fly Fisherman the leading magazine of fly fishing and is based on the Fly Fisherman Foundation 40 Flies. Learn to tie flies with step by step photo instructions and videos. Zoom and pan high resolution fly photos. Fly tying videos by master fly tier Charlie Craven are extremely clear and detailed. Simple yet detailed instructions get you tying your favorite patterns like the pros. Each fly comes with its own recipe and a notes section so that you can record your own modifications, preferances or experiences. New flies will be added on a regular basis to expand your collection. Add this exciting new tool to your fly tying bench today! Comes with 40 fly pictures, descriptions and recipes. One step by step and video instruction included. Purchase additional fly step by step and video instructions with in app purchase for .99"


FlyBench-


"FlyBench comes to you from Fly Fisherman the leading magazine of fly fishing and is based on the Fly Fisherman Foundation 40 Flies. Learn to tie flies with step by step photo instructions and videos. Zoom and pan high resolution fly photos. Fly tying videos by master fly tier Charlie Craven are extremely clear and detailed. Simple yet detailed instructions get you tying your favorite patterns like the pros. Each fly comes with its own recipe and a notes section so that you can record your own modifications, preferances or experiences. New flies will be added on a regular basis to expand your collection. Add this exciting new tool to your fly tying bench today! This version comes with 40 fly descriptions, 10 step by step and video instructions. Purchase additional step by step instructions and videos with in-app purchases for 99 cents each."


FlyBench Full-


"FlyBench Full comes to you from Fly Fisherman the leading magazine of fly fishing and is based on the Fly Fisherman Foundation 40 Flies. Learn to tie flies with step by step photo instructions and videos. Zoom and pan high resolution fly photos. Fly tying videos by master fly tier Charlie Craven are extremely clear and detailed. Simple yet detailed instructions get you tying your favorite patterns like the pros. Each fly comes with its own recipe and a notes section so that you can record your own modifications, preferances or experiences. New flies will be added on a regular basis to expand your collection. Add this exciting new tool to your fly tying bench today!"

Last but not least, there is Freshwater Fly Fishing Tips from the Pros. This one comes in at $2.99 and is a steal for that price. Check out the description on this one:


"This app is loaded with more than a hundred-sixty tips and hundreds of photos from flyfishing experts ranging from guides to shop owners to certified casting instructors to television fishing personalities. The app features more than 100 tips gathered from experts like casting legend Mel Krieger, Harry Murray, Skip Morris, Brian Chan, Gary Borger, Jason Borger, Craig Martin, Jim Teeny, Marty Sherman,Terry Gunn, Wendy Hanvold-Gunn, Dave Hughes, Steve Probasco, April Vokey, Hexagraph Fly Rod Owner Harry Briscoe, author Todd Hosman, Jay Cassell, Jim Butler (longtime editor of Fly Rod and Reel), Gary Soucie (former editor of American Angler), Ralph and Lisa Cutter, authors of Sierra Trout Guide, Van Beacham, Taylor Streit, Pat Dorsey and dozens of other flyfishing experts. Many more will be added in later updates. The tips are conversational, short, to-the-point, and effective. Adapted from his popular book Freshwater Flyfishing Tips from the Pros (Simon & Schuster) Williams has added dozens of new pros, numerous new tips, video, links, updated information and tons of other relevant angling information. The app will be regularly updated with new tips, photos, videos and experts. Williams is the author of fifteen books."

The Orvis app and Freshwater Tips app are my favorites so far. I have a few others such as The Hatch 2 but this one is missing a good amount of stuff that pertains to fishing in MD. When I get out to Montana and other states to fish, I will absolutely be using this bad ass app. The other I have used quite a bit is FishBook (which does have a "Lite" version). This app allows you to take pictures with your device and use it as a fishing journal to link what fly you used to catch what fish and where (using the GPS).


Hope you enjoyed this little nibble of knowledge and don't forget; the more you learn, the more you know.


Tight Lines...Morgan