A fly fisherman as “first responder” means a better than average chance of survival, especially if he’s armed with a two-hander … Don Elder was practicing his spey casting in Oregon’s Big Sandy and landed a child and two adults – rescued from the frigid water by gripping his Spey line. Makes you wonder why [...]

I’d call it “Michael’s to the Rescue” only I’m not sure it isn’t the Shad being done the favor. Fiddling with substitutes keeps me off the water long enough to allow fish to move upriver unmolested, which hardly seems fair. While researching a “bow serving” replacement, only a few pale shades of pink and orange fishing line [...]

I remember many years ago reading how Salmon meat coloration was a by product of its diet, and I can’t help feel for the Ph.D in the art department tasked with turning discolored and mushy salmon fillets into vibrant orange flesh. Scientists are jubilant over the nearly vegetarian (contains chicken) diet they’re shoveling at pen [...]

I’m impotently holding the handle in one hand, recently unscrewed off the reel as I wasn’t paying attention – some fish is headed south with purpose, and the newly “crankless” reel is spinning merrily while attached to the rod. Being a grizzled Old Timer whose youth was spent with a rotary phone, I stabbed a [...]

I’ll be sure to squat barefooted next to my cup full of fire, tattered loincloth hiding the barest of essentials as I first flame then rend my goat meat – keeping a wary eye for uninvited guests. It’s plain I’ve missed a couple generations of outdoor gear and am completely out of touch with contemporary [...]

Nothing quite like being first in the parking lot – second actually. A tire iron begats a couple drumsticks and plenty of Hare’s Ears… No worries, I tidied up the crime scene … and steel belted radial season is year long.

Dear Nameless Angler, That sickening pop followed by the absent splash probably caused you to curse mightily. I’m hoping you had plenty more tied – but also wanted you to know you’re not guilty of leaving brightly colored non-biodegradable waste on the riverbank for some innocent doe to ingest, cough her life out in a [...]

It’s one of the more painful lessons a fisherman learns in his career; if the Fishing Gods smile  and you’re successful beyond your wildest dreams, never call your pals and insist “let’s go again tomorrow, we’ll get limits in minutes…” … or at least find out what the statute of limitations are beforehand, as it’s [...]

I’m not sure this won’t spawn a revolution in casting instruction – curing timing ills, yips, wild animal incursion, and your golf swing – all with a single inhalation. Billed as an anesthetic delivery system for children and capable of administering nitrous oxide in precise dosages, why not have a  dozen ampoules in your vest for [...]

Fly fishing has countless taboos and minor demons, accidentally trodding upon the grave can be overlooked, but violating the unspeakable sins warrants banishment and shunning … As unkempt appearance and questionable hygiene draws me ever closer to that event horizon, a pocketful of permanent markers shouldn’t damage my stature much – even if the rest [...]