“There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.” - Roderick Haig-Brown A winter angler must accept that which cannot be controlled: the foulness of the weather, the frigidity of the water, the intensity of the hatch. But the angler can…
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“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 There is something ineffable about a rainbow trout in winter. Perhaps it is the explosion of colors against a canvas of silver and white. No matter, each…
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“With a fly rod, anglers are not casting to a fish; rather to a circle of dreams: ripples that spread into every aspect of their lives.” ― Fennel Hudson So, when you give the gift of fly fishing to your loved ones this year, you are not merely providing a moment of escapism; you are delivering fodder for dreams and…
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“The more you look, the more you see.” ― Robert M. Pirsig A glance only sees the grey, cold reflection of sky and mountains. A close inspection reveals contours of river bottom and subtle changes in flow. But, through the eyes of a seasoned angler, the interplay of light and shadows reveals life both above and below. The more you…
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"It is not just the quality of the fabric that makes ‘Calder Shirts’ so extraordinary, nor just the exquisite craftsmanship and impeccable design, but it oh so much the quality of the man behind the gorgeous creations," states Brad Greely of MR. Calder’s focus is woven sport shirts in beautiful soft shades and incredibly soft fabrics, 90 percent of which…
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“The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” ― Brother David Steindl-Rast It is time to count our blessings: Rivers that teem with wild trout, mountains that hold the promise of water for another season, a community that sustains and protects wild fisheries as well as public access.…
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“If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live.” ― Lin Yutang And if you can spend that afternoon on a river in pursuit of the elusive, you have mastered how to live in Sun Valley. The Big Wood With the latest cold front, the transition to a winter fishery…
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“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” ― John Ruskin Yet, an angler cannot create a masterpiece on love and skill alone. Water, trout, and bugs are needed, along with cool air, yellow leaves, and stunning vistas. With all the elements assembled, expect a magnum opus. The Big Wood The cold snap we are currently experiencing has forced…
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“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.” ― Henry David Thoreau On the silvery surface, you see tiny wings and rhythmic noses. But the low autumnal sun makes tracking your fly impossible. You trust the cast is true and set on instinct. Sometimes it is not about what you see, but what you believe. The…
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“If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.” ― Thomas Watson, Sr. Founder of IBM If you want to double your failure rate, get yourself to the river. What separates the exceptional from the average is one’s ability to find opportunity for either success or failure, and then learn from it. The Big Wood October is…
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