Trout Magazine

  • Conservation

    2018 Was a Wet Blanket

    The fly shop conversation at my last visit was about how few times any of us were able to go trout fishing during 2018 because of all the rain—with stream flows too heavy to allow safe fishing. One friend said that he had not bought a license to fish in some nearby states this year…

  • Getting started fly fishing

    Editor's note: This is the first in an ongoing series meant to give those who are interested in learning to fly fish the perspective and advice needed to get started. More installments will follow. If you have specific questions about fly fishing, feel free to add a comment below, and we'll do our best to…

  • He’s just an old dog

    “He’s just an old dog.” Parker lit up, at least as much as a 17-year old pit-lab mix can. Larry, the neighborhood poet, and resident feral cat-feeder, was on his way to the back-alley to spread his cat food, and Parker stayed glued to the bag at Larry’s side. “We are all old dogs,” I…

  • Conservation

    Just enough

    By Chris Wood Fred’s note was unexpected. He was one of the first TU volunteers I met 17 years ago when he was 78 years young. At the time, I wondered who is this cool cat with the white pony-tail and turquoise rings? His note read, “a few months ago our son, Jon, and his…

  • Voices from the river

    Voices from the River: Now I begin

    The California coastal stream where the author tried to begin again. By Sam DavidsonThe photos didn’t do justice to the fish. I had been waiting patiently for word from the Steelhead Whisperer, who had spent most of the day on his favorite winter water on the central California coast. But for hours all I heard…

  • Fishing Fly tying

    Fly tying: Folding hackle

    Tying collars for streamers and salmon or steelhead flies can be a bit tricky, largely becuase saddle hackle is sometimes hard to work with. Video of Folding HackleAbove, Tim Flagler from Tightline Media demonstrates a great way to fold hackle back so when you go to tie in the collar, it's perfect every time. —…