July 2019

“You can’t play a Bach solo partita on the fly rod…but a split bamboo fly rod, used well, is also a small embodiment of human grace.” – George Black August means the Sun Valley Summer Symphony season begins. So when you are done listening to the rush of water against your legs, the song of the Red-winged Blackbird, the collective…

“…neither time nor repetition has destroyed the illusion that the rise of a trout to a dry fly is properly regarded in the light of a miracle.” ― Harold F. Blaisdell It is the thing that brings anglers back to the river time and time again…the take, the moment the trout commits to the fly. The point of contact stirs…

“The cast is so soft and slow that it can be followed like an ash settling from a fireplace chimney. One of life’s quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful, even if it is only a floating ash.” ― Norman Maclean The only thing better than making the…

"It is motion that gives the fish his first warning of danger.” ― Lee Wulff While wading the Creek, move like a heron. When casting, let your fly and line alight the water as soft as a cottonwood seed. And on the Wood, don’t rush to the river’s edge without watching the margins. Don’t stand in the very water that…

Trout are among those creatures who are one hell of a lot prettier than they need to be. They can get you to wondering about the hidden workings of reality.” ― John Gierach Last week, Joe Humphreys reminded us to “look up” and take in the natural beauty of the place we live in. Remember also to “look down” and…