News & Views
The McMullen Maxim
Over the past four decades, brothers Joe and Dave McMullen have dedicated themselves to help private landowners on limestone spring creeks create and maintain world-class fly-fishing properties. Through years of experimentation, they have developed a time-tested, seven-step process.
- EVALUATE - Over the course of the first year, scores of measurements are taken to determine stream flows, temperatures, riparian structure, siltation, insect life, trout sizes and age classes, fishability, etc.
- PLAN - A long-term conservation program is devised to enhance the unique features of each property for perpetual stream health and optimal fly-fishing experiences.
- IMPROVE - Work begins to implement the plan. This can take from three to five years.
- REST - Substantial rest periods for each property is the number one ingredient for ongoing fishing success.
- CATCH-RELEASE FLY-FISHING ONLY - Use of single, barbless flies coupled with safely releasing the fish enable the trout population to grow strong and healthy.
- ROD LIMITS - By strictly limiting the number of anglers on any given property, our members are ensured the sense of solitude they seek in fly-fishing.
- ETERNAL VIGILANCE - It involves everything from cooperation with up- and down-stream neighbors, to repairing the effects of Mother Nature’s wrath to teaching the next generation how to be faithful stewards of the resources with which we have been trusted. The work is never done.
