I like trout better.
Big trees, cold water, and a ready shade tree with rock to perch under – so I can dangle them big, tired Lumberjack feet in cold water …
I’ll be back to my senses shortly. I’ll remember the sphincter-puckering roar of that 100 car freight that surprised me on the outside turn, [...]

It was the same eerie death rattle I’d heard earlier from Wally, who was keenly aware of the piles of rods, waders, and tackle, being transferred from porch to vehicle, and once freed found two cars in the driveway with doors open – and he’d made a dash for the Old Familiar.
Tail thudding a steady beat, [...]

All I know is I’m missing a double fistful of dry flies …

I made it back from the woods with all my tungsten intact, but the dry fly box had some conspicuous holes in it – with the only clue being directions to a party I’d never heard of … and scrawled in crayon across [...]

Tom Chandler of the Trout Underground has been rather tight lipped of late so I knew something was in the works…
Espionage being crucial to us dirty water anglers – and with an embossed invite to fish the Upper Sacramento as a token gesture his guest, provided I bought all new wading attire and tackle, I [...]

By this evening I’ll be waist deep in icy unclean water. It won’t have been that way before I arrived, but after I dip them big feet into all that fast moving pristine, it’ll make metam-sodium seem tame in the comparison.
The first of my “national average” 6 trips to the unspoilt – which will [...]

We’ve played this game before; I try to wrench you into the 21st Century, and you’re content with the pasttime your poppa taught you.  Still leery of professional fly fishing as a sport, televised or otherwise, and scowling while I insist competition would liven the small screen, and using NASCAR rules would make an interesting twist…
Spying an article on [...]

I figured I was uniquely qualified – knowing the stiff and austere demeanor of the Trout Underground, if either of us was capable of “hanging ten” it would be us native Californian’s, bro…
I routinely hang about 36, but that’s over my belt …
Like the Picante sauce, I’m not so sure dry fly purist’s aren’t always [...]

Pop always told me to “never turn your back on the Ocean.” It’s that mantra that all outdoor’s types learn over time, keep attuned to your surroundings as you never know what lies on the trail ahead.
I was reminded of that yesterday, I’m coasting into the parking area and greeted by the remnants of some audiophile’s  [...]

The shad flies looked vibrant but my “FrankenStone” will be one of many beneficiaries. Blame SMJ’s coffee for clouded judgement, but shaggy and stitched works with both fur and Fritz.

Increase the amount of black vernille to hide or show the fritz underbody as your whim suits you. Brandon insisted on some fritz-based “fly porn” [...]

As the bloggers whose content is most likely to contain a semi-dressed hardbody – veiled in some really thin fishing angle, in a round about kind of way, and then maybe … You should know I lived your fantasy last night, and it didn’t live up to your steamy advert.
The idea has merit; young [...]