“Officially it was almost spring, but someone had forgotten to pass the news on to winter.” ~Robert Harris Winter has been very, very good to the Wood River Valley. The...
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“It has always been my private conviction that any man who puts his intelligence up against a fish and loses had it coming.” - John Steinbeck There is no better...
“Does the fly pattern (color, size, and silhouette) really make much difference? It certainly can, but more often than not I'd argue that confidence in the pattern is the overriding...
“…Ignorance is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment any fly fisher will ever own.” ~David James Duncan While it is a good idea to head to the river equipped with knowledge of the current conditions (the very reason one might read this report), it is also wise to cast preconceptions aside. Fishing with established expectations often leaves an…
“Fishing is a condition of the mind wherein one cannot possibly have a bad time.” ~Zane Grey To the outside observer, the motionless angler standing still as a rock, midriver seemed miserable. They could see the snow covering the mountain down to the bank and the steel gray glare on the water’s surface. They felt a sympathetic chill. What they…
“As the angler looks back, he thinks less of individual captures and days than of scenes in which he fished.” ~ Lord Edward Grey of Fallondon As one year transitions to the next, ‘tis the season for reflection. But don’t spend too much time dwelling in nostalgia, as the river beckons; there are days of solace and individual captures to…
“You can’t be unhappy in the middle of a big, beautiful river.” ~ Jim Harrison While December is a magical and serene time to be in the middle of a river fly fishing, if you are freezing, it is difficult to enjoy the moment. A successful winter fly fishing outing begins with preparation and planning. To begin with, there is…
“Fishing a good spot under the wrong conditions is like lacing up your ice skates in July.” ~ David DiBenedetto Now, lacing up your wading boots in December, that is the right thing to do. The best winter conditions to fish, of course, are during a storm, when the air temperature hovers right at freezing. There is something about a…
“Stay still long enough at the waterside and things start to happen.” ~Luke Jennings The days are short, the leaves are down, and the mountains are dusted with snow; the rivers in the valley have transitioned from fall to winter fisheries. So, when you head to the water this November, pause at the river’s edge and take note of the…
“Beginners often believe the myth of patience. The best anglers I know are somewhat impatient. If they aren’t catching fish, they try something different.” ~John Barsness There is a difference between an angler who simply wishes a fish will take with each cast and one who is constantly tweaking and rethinking each presentation until one does. One approach requires patience…
“Definition of a fly rod—an antenna, which transmits peace, tranquility, excitement, fellowship and most of all, an awareness and appreciation for the outdoors.” ~ Roderick Haig-Brown No matter the make, no matter the length, no matter the style…the fly rod is the thing all anglers have in common. Its singular purpose: to connect anglers with the underwater world of their…
“Maybe your stature as a fly fisherman isn’t determined by how big a trout you can catch, but by how small a trout you can catch without being disappointed.” ~John Gierach The weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures; if you plan to spend the day on the water, dress for the season. The cooler temps will continue to shorten…
