It's Freakin Cold, Put on a Coat

It's the end of December, another year gone and a new one on the way. It's about time. As I sit here in front of the fire with a glass of red and think back to all that's happened in '09 it makes my head spin. Between economic turmoil, major political upheaval (well, depending on who you ask), explosive job, relationship, and housing issues, global conflicts, and crazy antics and escapades of all sorts it's a wonder some of us are still sane. I suppose that's pretty subjective as well since there are plenty of folks out there that might think I'm nuts. Maybe I am. Or maybe you are. Because the way I see it, among the toughest decisions I really have to make on any given day are which little buggy looking things to tie on to the end of my line and how I'm going to present them. When it comes down to it, everything really is that simple. If my choices are how they like it that day, I'm rewarded with some sort of success. If not, I learn something new and file that knowledge away for the future.

A very good friend of mine and long time fishing companion sometimes lets a slow day get to him. I've seen rods flying through the air, smashed reels, and miles of broken off tippet stuffed into vest pockets when it gets to "that point." It's honestly a bit entertaining to watch and I think we can all admit that we've been, if not right there, at least somewhere close when times have gotten tough. No, this isn't the mortgage market, but a busted reel is a busted reel and you're going to pay for a new one. Your rod might be reparable but it's going to cost a few bucks. Eventually you figure it out. My buddy did for the most part. What was once a tough day is now a study in the inner workings of water and bugs and fish. I'd say it's better that way.

It's winter now in Wyoming and its damn cold out there. Almost all the water is frozen over. Times are tough for us bug-slinging kind but not completely hopeless. It's going to be slow and hard most days but if you can draw up what you know and really put it to the test, you'll find the reward. Sure, you might have to work harder than before and put up with frozen guides, numb fingers, and a serious lack of companionship. But every day gets a little longer. Your skin gets a little tougher. Every gleaming fish gets prettier under the storm clouds. And before you know it the first little skwalas are showing up among the midges. So go get your coat and get ready to take a beating. And remember, if you freak out, some of us just might be chuckling behind that snow bank.

Cast and Blast

It's a good thing I brought a rod along today as there was absolutely nothing to shoot. It's probably a good thing the game warden didn't swing by either because he would probably have been a bit confused. It's definitely a great thing I had the world's best photographer along with me for the great shots and company. It's not a good thing that I'm running out of the unstoppable bug because I'm going to have to figure out how to tie more and what exactly they're tied out of, and that's not going to be easy. It's tough to argue with using the exact same bug all the time and always having it work. Always. Also, some bug porn from a recent October Caddis hatch (in November) that the fish seemed completely indifferent to. They were more into the midges. Go figure.

Transcendentalism and such

I ran across an email a minute ago that I sent a while back to a friend when she commented on fishing being "sexy." At the time, for whatever reason, I didn't post it but apparently had the foresight to save it for future use, and now, since I don't have any recent pics to put up (still sans camera) I'll post it instead. The fishing of late has been pretty good although somewhat limited to midday with a lot of the fish being very sluggish. When it does turn on, however, it's on. I've been out with Tina and Mark a few times recently and we've done very well with a bunch of large browns and bows. Also, apparently whitefish can grow to an astounding size as I recently discovered. Anyhow, here's my rant on fly fishing being "sexy."

I don't believe that anyone can look at fishing in and of itself as sexy in any way unless they get off on people tormenting small creatures for fun. If so, I would worry about this person. I do believe, however, that there is a beauty that comes with the transition from hobby to art form. When this happens, there is a total connection of mind, body, and soul and the activity itself becomes secondary
to the true nature of the thing. (Mikhail Czeksimihyli or however he spells it would have a field day with this, for all you rec theory people). It is no longer simply an activity for the sake of fun but a deeply meaningful transcendence of state of mind. The true artist creates a thing of beauty that stems from his or her soul. There is no longer a person, a rod, a fly, some water, a fish, and whatever other untold fortune worth of gear is involved. They are all connected as a whole where each piece is at the same time deeply meaningful in itself and meaningless without the others. When this happens, it is as though the universe itself is made up wholly of the moment and there is nothing else. The whole purpose of being at this point is fulfilled. There is no meaning of life except for this moment of complete connection of mind, body, and soul. Wise men, philosophers, and holy men have spent untold lifetimes searching for "enlightenment" in terms of being at one with the universe, God, or whatever you want to call it. It is simply a state of mind achieved through the complete dedication of one's self to that moment, regardless of the activity itself. Most people never experience such a thing because their lives are perhaps too complicated and their minds are too busy to bring the pieces together. So how the hell is this sexy? People witnessing such a thing will sometimes be able to see the deeper meaning behind the act and if so have a natural sense of awe and attraction to the person, perhaps out of some desire to experience such a thing, perhaps out of respect or appreciation of what is occurring. Perhaps an experience such as this allows a person's true nature to show forth in its most unclouded, undistracted form. And if that form is something pleasing to the witnessing person, I guess they might look at it as "sexy." Of course if you're a guy and there's a hottie in a bikini just slayin' it, you won't get any argument from me and this may all be completely irrelevant.

Till next time, get out there and get after it.

What a season

Well, here we are at the end of September with nothing posted since July. In a world of broken cameras and limited internet access, what else is there to do except go fish and worry about it later? After a few months of cloak and dagger secrecy, I've finally gotten a pile of pictures that aren't supposed to exist together from the varied excursions. In the past three months I've covered a few thousand miles of road and fished in some pretty cool places in the Wyoming/Idaho/Montana area. Of course some curious minds have wanted to know where and how and if it was good, let's just say I don't remember, with some kind of fly, and it's always good. With a nice little trip back east coming up here (with some fishing mixed in of course) and the first snow of the season touching down today, I'll bid summer farewell with the slideshow on the right there. It's been awesome, thanks all of you who made it so (fish included) and I hope to see you all out there again.

Floatin

The fishing on the rivers is finally coming into shape with lots of drakes and stones of various sizes hatching daily. The fish are looking up and taking the dries. PMX's, Chernobyls, and drake cripples seem to be the ticket for the mornings with good streamer action through the afternoons.

Pinedale once more

Ok, it's been a while. After relocating back to Pinedale there has been no time wasted in getting after it. Most of the rivers are blown for the time being and the lakes are where it's at. And the lakes have been good. It started with Eric B. landing a monster (12lb. or so) bow shortly after the move and has continued with consistent large browns and even a trip over to Idaho to get Andrew D. on some carp. He giggled like a schoolgirl the entire time. Looks like the lakes are going to be where it's at for a while longer with a heavy snow year prolonging the runoff and a running vendetta with the grayling at Meadow.

Goldfish Flats

Spent the last two days over in Idaho with some pretty questionable characters prospecting for gold. Sanchez, Mike Whitcomb, and Larry D. came over with me on Monday to check out the goldfish flats and test out some new patterns. While the weather was pretty bad we did manage to spot a good number of fish and bring some in. I'll be fishing with Mike in the carp classic in a few weeks so a bit of practice and no small amount of hilarity was a good thing. Today I met up with Andy Ward and Maximus LaPrade and went back under more favorable conditions. Although it took a while to find some active fish it turned into the best day I've had out there. By the afternoon large pods were cruising and taking flies with more regularity than I've ever seen before. By six or so, with sore arms and a darkening sky we decided to head around a point for one last look and what we found was unbelievable. Glassy calm water with a massive pod of fish vigorously tailing in less than two feet of water. This wasn't your typical vague dark shape cruising lazily through the murk. These piggies were hungry and readily took flies. All three of us were able to cast to tailers and landed several fish in a matter of minutes before the wind picked up again and the pod moved out. Anyone who doesn't respect these things or thinks it can't possibly be fun fishing to them needs to go try it. They're abundant, strong as hell and challenging as all get out. Oh yeah, they're also a lot bigger than any trout you're ever going to catch. Just make sure you've got plenty of backing and a spare rod.