"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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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato The Sun Valley Symphony Season has arrived and fly fishing is a great way to spend the day prior to enjoying the music. After all, there is a musical quality to fly fishing and rivers if one cares to…
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"Angling is, or should be, essentially a philosophic and reflective engagement, rewarding the practitioner not only with trouts, but with a gentler and more matured comprehension of life itself." Ben Hur Lampman We fly fish not just for trout, but for the lessons we learn in pursuit of trout. We learn about loss and rejection; we learn about joy and…
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"Most anglers soon discover simple fly fishing helps preserve our capacity to wonder." - Yvon Chouinard The next time you go fly fishing, try and simplify your overall approach. Take just a few flies and a spool of tippet. Leave the reel and line behind and grab a Tenkara rod. Make fewer casts. Position yourself closer to the fish so…
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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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