"There are as many reasons why and ways to fish as there are people who do it."- Russell Chatham Why? A season can be a reason: Cottonwoods bejeweled in gold; Mountains tipped with snow; Windshields frosted with morning dew. And the colors...Blue Winged Olive, Mahogany, Red Quill, Golden Brown...are reason enough. While I love all the seasons in which trout…
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"What brings us back to fishing is its glorious uncertainty"- Arnold Gingrich In fly fishing, the anticipation adds to the drama. Will the hatch be early or late? Will it happen at all? Each cast, each presentation becomes a question. Do I have the right fly? The right drift? Will the fish rise again? Did I put him down? I…
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"Don't count the hours by the number of trout caught....Catch that day and hold on to it." -Jack Denton Scott The next few weeks are some of the best of the season. When I imagine fishing nirvana the leaves are golden, the water is clear, and the sky is azure. I imagine the fall. In that day dream it matters not if…
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"Our tradition is that of the first man who sneaked away to the creek when the tribe did not really need fish." - Roderick L. Haig-Brown A river Never Sleeps Now is a great time to sneak away. In Fall the waters are in perfect shape and most of the other anglers have returned to work or school. Your favorite…
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“You can observe a lot just by watching.” Yogi Berra The next time you go the stream take pause and just watch. Don't cast. Don't fish blind; only fools rush in. September is a visual feast for the angler. The clarity of the air, the angle of the light, the colors of the flora all contribute to the mood. Narrow…
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“To go fishing is the chance to wash one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not…
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“Really, the only thing a psychiatrist can do that a good (fishing) guide can't is write prescriptions.” ― John Gierach This is the time of year most anglers salivate like Pavlov's dog. The days are shorter and the morning temperatures are cooler. The mountains have seen their first dusting of snow and there is a hint of yellow in the…
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“Perhaps fishing is, for me, only an excuse to be near rivers.” – Roderick Haig-Brown With the Wood blown out since the first of the month, I could have easily put away my rod and stayed home. Instead, I went exploring and fished creeks that I had previously overlooked right here in the Wood River Valley and beyond: the East…
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"Well, if it rains, I don't care/ Don't make no difference to me..." -The Doobie Brothers Fisherman are a patient lot. The rivers we fish have taught us this trait. One moment the Creek is too low and the water temps too high. So we wait. The next moment, rain has swollen the Wood and turned it brown. We keep…
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"The two best times to fish is when it's rainin' and when it ain't." ~ Patrick F. McManus After a hot July, August has been the answer to our prayers. The cooler air temperatures and rain has revitalized our rivers. Weather forecasts predict this weather pattern to continue for the next few days, so be sure and go prepared for…
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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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