"Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released the U.S. Winter Outlook... with La Niña potentially emerging for the second year in a row as the biggest wildcard in how this year’s winter will shape up.” -- NOAA Website This is the time of year we pensively wait for significant snow to fill the mountains. The forecast is promising. La Niña…
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"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson Among those things that have contributed to your advancement include fly fishing, a tradition that brings you closer to family,…
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"The river this November afternoon Rests in an equipoise of sun and cloud A glooming light, a gleaming darkness shroud Its passage. All seems tranquil, all in tune." – Cecil Day-Lewis Autumnal light can play tricks with an angler’s vision. When the sun is out, it is bright and low on the horizon, making it difficult to see a…
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"Overwhelmingly, the reason why so many experienced and well-equipped fisherman catch so few trout is that most of the time they aren't fishing over fish." – Sparse Grey Hackle The most effective anglers change tactics as the seasons change. They change fly patterns in order to match the fall fare; they change their approach to the water to adjust for…
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Photo Credit: Arian Stevens "In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October." —Alexander Smith We have come full circle and paused on the tipping point of another winter. But October is more than a season we pass through on our way to another. October is the azure sky reflected…
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“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." – Henry David Thoreau With winter came unimaginable amounts of snow to the mountains; with spring, record breaking flows to the rivers. And summer...it seemed way too short. Now fall has come and we can…
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“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple." – J.K. Rowling Signs that autumn has overtaken the valley abound. Red Quills, the last big mayfly of the season, can be found up and down the Big Wood and Upper Big Lost. Baetis and Mahogany Duns alight the water…
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“Ours is the grandest sport. It is an intriguing battle of wits between an angler and a trout; and in addition to appreciating the tradition and grace of the game, we play it in the magnificent out-of-doors." – Ernest G. Schwiebert Jr. What makes our sport truly grand is the community of anglers from around the world who desire to…
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“...for me, fly fishing is a great puzzle-solving challenge." – Jennifer Smith The best anglers are always changing their tactics as conditions change from season to season, or even from moment to moment. This is perhaps the greatest draw of fly fishing and why so many become obsessed with the sport. Each day on the water provides a new challenge,…
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“Most anglers spend their lives making rules for trout, and trout spend their lives breaking them!" – George Ashton Fly fishers are slaves to rules... Rods needs to be 9 feet, lines a 5 weight. Fish only feed early or late. I can only fish dries during a hatch. You can only catch fish on nymphs when there is no…
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“Be humble after but not during the action.” – Ernest Hemingway The greatest lesson the river and its inhabitants teach is humility. The Big Wood March is special on the Wood, especially on cloudy days; the midge fishing can be spectacular. Regardless of the weather conditions, it is best to be on the water from about midday till 4 PM.…
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Photo Credit: Ed Northen “If you dig a hole and it's in the wrong place, digging it deeper isn't going to help.” – Seymour Chwast Successful winter angling is more than just being in the right place. You also need to be there at the right time, with the right fly, and make the right presentation. The Big Wood The…
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