Mark Dysinger

Fly tyer and fly angler from Portland, CT USA

	Articles by Mark: Smallmouth Jump (December 2005) Bunny Split (June 2005) Old Hickory (February 2005) Tooth & Nail (August 2004) The Overlooked Asset (October 2002)

I suppose that I'm one of the fortunate few who can honestly say that I've been fishing for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the state of Maine afforded me multiple opportunities to pursue many species of fish in fresh and salt water.

I'm told that my first fish was a catfish caught from a small pond in New Hampshire, and that it scared the daylights out of me. Fortunately, the experience didn't scar me enough to keep me from developing a great love for the sport. My fascination grew by leaps and bounds a few years later when I received a flyrod for my birthday.
While most kids were playing kickball, I was busy trying to fool anything that swims into biting a fly. Although I did participate in baseball and basketball in the upcoming years, the die had already been cast. I continued to fish as often as possible, and years later even competed in a few bass tournaments. I still enjoy conventional fishing, but when conditions are right my preferred method of angling is with the flyrod.

Mark Dysinger in action.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my father for instilling the love of this sport in me. He taught me the importance of the environment and how integral each of its components are. He also taught me about the respect that the outdoors deserves. I'm also indebted to my mother and two brothers, who tolerated my passion for fishing and occasionally shared in my escapades. Lastly, I need to thank my wife, Anne. She is very accommodating to my hobby, and has started to become quite a fly tyer and fisher herself.