“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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"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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“Stream tactics can be learned from experience, but stream etymology can be learned only by serious study.” - Ernest Schwiebert We are currently experiencing some fantastic bug activity on our local fisheries. Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddis of all sizes and colors are filling the air and hoppers are already clattering out of your way as you walk to the river.…
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"Exultant and feeling completely alone, I started to sing loud snatches of songs, unthinking and a bit wild as I fished through the pool. I knew that I did not want a fish to disturb my fishing." Mel Krieger from The Essence of Fly Casting We have waited several months for the waters to clear, recede and the fish to…
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One of the great challenges of winter fly fishing is dealing with glare. The low angle of the winter sun makes seeing your flies on the water difficult. One solution is to use flies that provide contrast to the low light conditions. It is a great idea to have a selection of High Vis parachute patterns to help when visibility…
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With multiple hunting opportunities, the prospect of a great ski season on the horizon, and miles of open water free from fishing pressure, November is a great time to be in the Wood River Valley. If fishing is your activity of choice, keep checking the weather forecast and dress for the occasion as the forecast for the next two weeks…
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September is a special time on our local fisheries. The morning air is crisp and anglers will want to don a light jacket to stave off the chill. By midday and into the afternoon, anglers will wish to shed their jacket and may consider wet wading one last time to stay comfortable during the warmest part of the day. A…
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