A year and a half ago I came face to face with the possibility of living very, very close to wild trout. While out on a run, getting a little lost, a glimpse of a fish in a stream captivated me. I knew the water was cool and clean. The species of the fish was …
Dear Steve & Dave, I hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying your first days of the new year. Congratulations on some of the milestones that you hit with 2 Guys and a River last year! Publishing The Fly Fisher’s Book of Lists was quite the accomplishment. Your podcasts continue to be accessible, …
There is an intimacy in the Appalachian Mountains. While few segments of the topography are severe like much of the Rockies out west are, there is a tangible closeness in the hollows and valleys of the eastern mountain range. Perhaps it can be attributed to the contrast that Appalachia provides. With only a short drive …
This is about as late in the day as I’ve ever posted on the site. But it’s happening because the family and I have been in the woods of New Hampshire since this morning. It’s a remarkably mild fall, and we were able to enjoy a beautiful White Mountain autumn without jackets or mittens. Similarly, …
Manchester, Vermont isn’t a premier fly fishing destination. That isn’t to say that is a bad place to go if you want to catch trout. In fact, it is home to a solid, historic brown trout fishery in the Battenkill. The smaller streams in the mountains teem with native brookies, and bass or musky can …
Ah, technology. Today I went fishing and live streamed it across the universe. Using Instagram, I recorded myself on my cell phone and allowed the public to join me on my adventure. As you may be aware, I hadn’t caught a fish in the month of September. Trying times, these. I saw an opportunity in …
Today is September 15, 2017. You know what that means? This is the longest I have gone in any month this year without catching a fish. 15 whole days. And, I haven’t even tried. I have not gone fishing once in the month of September. January? I caught fish. February? Fish. Even those two cold …
Believe it or not, I do other outdoor stuff outside of fly fishing. I run, I (enjoy it when someone else tends to the) garden, I hike. I’m even comfortable enough to spend a whole day doing one of those things, even if it means that I am “giving up” a day fishing. That doesn’t …
Buying and renovating a new home is an equation that doesn’t equal “fly fishing.” That’s okay. There’s a time for everything. “A time to tear down and a time to build up.” The whole thing is overwhelming. As I’m writing this, I’m seeing some trim that needs to be replaced. And a baseboard heater. And …
The orange fins. The blue halos around red dots. The dark parr marks that span the transition from the olive back to the golden sides. The unbelievably milky white belly. Sometimes I feel I relate to juvenile brook trout like a proud parent. I know everyone thinks that their kid is the cutest, but I …
