“Don't fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” – Bruce Lee In fishing, as in life, failures make for epic stories. And reasons to return for another glorious attempt. The only crime is not to fish. Big Wood There is not a lot of snow on the valley…
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“January is the month for dreaming.” – Jean Hersey …And fishing. Sure, anglers are dreamers, but we are also doers. Whether you are anticipating adventures yet to come this spring, summer, or fall, or planning time on the water tomorrow, we are here to help make your dreams come true. Big Wood The Wood saw a good deal of pressure…
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“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.” – Benjamin Franklin A resolution, the noun, is often an empty platitude. To resolve, the verb, takes action. This year, be courageous and resolve yourself to be a better angler with each cast mending the failures from the previous attempt. Big Wood…
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“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” – Hal Borland At year’s end, the fishing season goes on…and the truly wise remember to renew their license. Big Wood The river will see an increase in pressure during the holidays, so look for access points…
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“For some things there are no wrong seasons. Which is what I dream of for me.” – Mary Oliver Don’t put away the rod, reel, and waders and dream of warmer days to come. After all, there is no wrong season to fish. Big Wood Parking access along the Wood is still good, as the valley floor has yet to…
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“How many activities can you count in your life that you engage in simply because they delight you and grip your soul? Find them out, cultivate them, for they are your passport to freedom and to love.” – Anthony de Mello Certainly fly fishing is one such soul-gripping activity. We are grateful to all who help us cultivate our passion…
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“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emmerson Fly fishing is not only about catching fish; it’s about trying new waters, exploring different techniques, discovering new flies, learning from mistakes, and connecting with nature, friends, and family. It is a constant experiment,…
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“Hibernation is a covert preparation for a more overt action.” – Ralph Ellison Some fair-weather anglers prefer to spend the cooler months in a dormant state, remaining inactive, indoors, and away from water. But others scoff at hibernation and simply don more layers, top the flask, fill the thermos, and head to the river. There will be time for covert…
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“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” – Ernest Hemingway Bad anglers blame their fly. Good anglers, on the other hand, know the value of the right fly at the right time. But great anglers adapt their approach and embrace the variables of each moment,…
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Photo: Chris Blesius “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.” – Samuel Butler While wild flowers and leaves fade from view, the fruits of wet seasons past, ripe and true. With the swish of a fly cast above the stream, and a trout holding fast in the golden gleam, autumn's…
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“You just had to be still and have faith, that was the main thing.” – Jim Dodge, Fup Being still and having faith is not just about waiting for a fish to take. But that is a good place to start. Silver Creek On warmer days, the mornings can still be good with a smattering of Tricos and decent numbers…
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“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.” – Henry David Thoreau Take inventory of those things that steal your attention. Eliminate them. Your time, immediately and in the long run, is better spent beside a river. Silver Creek There…
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