Skunk in the Snow

This past Sunday, I had decided to try my hand at catching some of the steelhead that are planted annually in the Boise River. What I woke up to was anything but ideal weather, and it snowed on me all day! As a result of the weather (and of course a serious preparation blunder on my part), no fish were hooked.

Nevertheless I went and stood in the water for a few hours - I was even able to capture a few fleeting moments of solitude on an otherwise very crowded stretch of river, and it was quite pretty amid an early winter snowfall!

Since there are no fish to discuss, I thought I'd take this opportunity to discuss a few things that are on my mind about fishing in general.

First, there is no substitute for good equipment, and for dressing in layers for the conditions

Secondly, and I really don't want to harp on this, but it's time to discuss etiquette. There is a code amongst most fly-fisherman I know about etiquette on the river. This is centered typically around the goal of silence and solitude. I can suppose that this is, at least in part, due to a heightened sense of patience a fly angler has simply by the nature of the activity; watching, waiting, and observing for feeding behavior and insect activity. Unfortunately, this is not a value that is shared by bait fisherman, and if you are a member of the latter group, please read this with an open mind.

Naturally, the Boise river gets pretty crowded when steelhead are present, and everyone is entitled to engage it whatever type of fishing they would like. What happened to me on Sunday was, however, regrettable. I was standing in the middle of the river working a small, slow moving pocket of when I heard commotion in the brush behind me that would usually indicate a bear rummaging through a campsite garbage container. Unfortunately however it was three gentlemen looking for a place to fish from the bank. They settled on a location within casting range of me (had I turned around), and proceeded to discuss where they would all cast their bobber-laden rigs surely tipped with earthworms and power bait (all of which were locations that would have snagged my drift if I continued to fish in my spot). So, I slowly and quietly began moving upriver to get away from a potential snag but unfortunately could not have moved far enough to avoid the next punishing hour of very loud, obnoxious cursing and bar speak generally reserved for a low-rent tavern in a red light district. To get out of earshot of their incredibly underwhelming conversation would have put me somewhere in New Mexico.

The point is this: There is plenty of river in this world, and particularly in the great state of Idaho. There is simply no point in getting so close to someone else on the River, especially when it is evident that this person is trying to be alone. And if you simply “must” get so close to someone, please do your best do so in a manner that is not so entirely off-putting. If you would like to discuss the finer points of life like how hot Jenny McCarthy is – please do so at your local tavern. In other words, BE QUIET!! (And for God’s sakes pick up your friggin’ garbage!!!).

Have a nice day…………

'Tis the Season..........almost

Well it is beginning to feel like the holiday season, although this post is about a birthday gift......


About a month ago I was wanting to build another fly rod because, as with all things, rod building improvement is only made through experience. Since I really do not "need" another fly rod, and could not justify the expense based on a "want", I put the word out via Facebook to see if anyone wanted one. My Sister-in-law Jennie requested that I build one for my Brother as a birthday gift from her, and so began another rod building project.


The rod turned out better than I could have ever imagined - it was a deep blue glossy rod with matching thread - I was wanting to build a rod where the guide wraps blended seamlessly within the color of the rod, and I accomplished that with this rod.


It was also my first experience building a 4 piece travel rod, but it will most definitely not be my last - I like the fact that each section of the rod can be tackled independent of the others, and it seems to lend itself to a more careful attention to detail in terms of both overall fit and finish of the rod, and also in terms of accurately finding the spine for casting accuracy.


Unfortunately, and with a deep regret, I must confess that I never photographed this rod. I wish I had that decision back. However I can assure you that the rod casts nicer than any of my own. I took it outside in the grassy common area adjacent to my house and put it through some demanding paces. The rod possessed balance and casting ability unparalleled to any rod I have had the pleasure of casting. I was able to cast with pinpoint accuracy at a very close range, and yet almost effortlessly shoot 65 feet of line out with little strain. Not bad for a 5 weight.....


Now I anxiously await the feedback as the gift should be received this Friday.


So, what better companion gift could I give to my brother to accompany his Wife's than some flies?? I put some thought into patterns that I've found success with over the years, and decided on 10 patterns that I though would be useful to someone just beginning to acquaint himself with fly fishing: This is a gift that cost $6 for a small fly box - I already had the materials, and the rest was simply time. Here is the result............

2010 has been a remarkable year: Bridgette and I bought a new home, had another amazing son (Connor), and became landlords. I also had time to do some fishing! A few of the places I visited this year with a fly rod include: Duck lake, Hum lake, Lake Fork Creek, Silver Creek, Boise River (in town), South fork of the Boise, South fork of the Snake, and my first trip to the Owhyee river in Oregon.


While I almost entirely fish alone, this year I had the pleasure of some company on several occasions. What follows is a brief pictorial rundown of the 2010 year of fly fishing. Enjoy!

Here goes nothin'.....

Well I’ve finally decided to join the digital age and maintain a blog (despite telling myself several times that I never would). After watching the job Bridgette has done capturing the fun times we have had with our two sons Drake and Connor, I have realized that blog’s are more than just an outlet for random fodder on a public domain – they are yet another way that we as a technological generation are able to capture memories through a different medium than scrapbooking or photo albums, and to share those memories with whomever we choose no matter what distance may separate us.

To that end (and is a DISCLAIMER), I must mention that the purpose of this site is just that: to capture memories that might otherwise be lost. This is a blog about fly fishing – and I am most certainly an amateur angler. I make no claim of using this site to pass along information worthy of a local fishing report – but rather to simply showcase some of the breathtaking places that my hobby takes me, to share some fly patterns that I’ve found success with, and to discuss the act of standing quietly in water with a fly rod in hand – and finally, to display how this activity shapes an opinion about life in general.

Please note that I have not (and will never) used the word “sport” in this introduction. That is because fly fishing is not a sport – it is much more than that. The term sport implies competition, and there is simply nothing competitive about fly fishing – in fact, fly fishing is competitions antithesis. Bass fishing has become a competitive sport in the modern day and this is, at least in my view, shameful. If fishing is a sport to you, this reading will likely not appeal to you.

Simply put – this is a blog for people who enjoy and appreciate being outside. It’s a blog that espouses catch-and-release ethics when dealing with wild trout. It’s a blog for people who believe in tying their own flies even when it means sacrificing some quality. And finally, it’s a blog for people who understand that the simple act of casting a fly line, independent of whether or not the fish are eating, can be the most remarkably therapeutic thing on earth.

See you soon………..