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Mom, the Rosary, fly fishing and conservation
Even though they never fished, I always think of Mom and Dad when I hear the line, “In our family there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.” Norman Maclean wrote that on the opening page of what’s arguably the most influential novella in the history of fly fishing. Describing his father and…
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The True Cast – What do you have against bobber fishing?
The other day, whilst scanning through social media (which can be a very unhealthy or extremely informative deal, depending on how you look at it) I noticed a post that asked, “What do so many fly anglers have against the bobber?” That’s a very fair question, and it isn’t easy to answer, but I’ll do…
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TROUT Tip – hopper dropper alternative
It’s terrestrial time, so leading your rig with a hopper (aka grasshopper) is a great idea. It not only is a big, tasty meal for a trout, but it serves as a great lead fly for a second fly. It is common to fish a hopper/dropper setup with a nymph, but have you ever tried…
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Photo of the week – idyllic scenery
Man, trout fishing sure takes you to beautiful spots. It’s been said a million times, fly fishing takes you to breathtaking locations, and that couldn’t be truer than in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Spend a few minutes picturing yourself here, listening to the rush of the waterfall, the cool mist on your…
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This Land is Your Land: Amanda Monthei
Long before she moved west to join a wildfire fighting crew, Amanda Monthei grew up fishing, hiking, hunting and camping in Northern Michigan’s Pigeon River Country, a vast network of state public lands surrounding her rural hometown.
Our public lands are the foundation of healthy watersheds and strong communities. From remote trout streams to working forests and rangelands, these places provide clean water, vital trout habitat and public access for all Americans. But pressures like efforts to sell off and privatize public land threaten what makes them so valuable. This blog series…
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5 Rivers Q&A – Costa Rica
Just last month, three standout alumni from the TU Costa 5 Rivers program—Joseph Berney, Matteo Moretti and Heather Harkavy—found themselves together on a fishing trip in Costa Rica. What started as a shared love of fly fishing turned into an unexpected reunion of 5 Rivers leaders who are now shaping the industry in their own…
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Masking decline: Why Snake River wild salmon and steelhead can’t wait
Across the Snake River Basin, wild Chinook salmon and steelhead are in serious trouble. For decades, we've seen steady erosion in population abundance, genetic diversity and productivity. And yet—some still point to hatchery returns, favorable ocean years or isolated stream projects as signs of progress. Here’s the truth: we’re masking a long-term collapse with short-term…