On a map, it doesn’t look all that far. A quick jaunt up the freeway. A race across a sea of potato fields and a good section of the Idaho National Laboratory, where plans are in place to build a dozen modular nuclear reactors to help power some 36 western communities starting in less than a decade. Finally, there’s the run up the river valley to where the desert meets the Lemhi Range
Two years ago, I took possession of a weathered 15-year- old wooden fishing dory from my friend Andy Toohey. “Took possession,” because I didn’t buy it, and he didn’t want it. He let me have that boat, but only after I had promised that I would fully restore it, and I wouldn’t bring it back, whether I lived up to promise number one or not.
reflections on what conservation and motherhood mean
It was the stuff of angling dreams yet, until a few short days prior, I wouldn’t have even confidently been able to identify a native interior redband in an underwater lineup. As I reached the highest point on the stream that I was comfortable climbing, my sandaled feet bloodied and blistered, I pondered what a shame that was.
It’s the best time of year for dry-fly fishers. It’s “terrestrial season.” Hoppers, beetles and ants are the flavor of the day, and high-floating foam imitations are among the best flies out there to chase top-water trout that are looking for big meals during this rare time of plenty. Video of Chernobyl Ant Here, Tim…
We’ve all dreamed of being the first angler to set foot in some remote paradise. The first to cast to catch fish that have never seen a fly. That fantasy is buried in the depths of all our souls, and, sadly, for most of us, it won’t become a reality. But we can live vicariously…
So, here’s the deal. If you don’t want to do this, your fly fishing soul is dead. Granted, simple finances and the challenges that come with travel to remote places where golden dorado congregate in cold, clear rainforest waters might make this a dream adventure that never comes true. But if a part of you…
Damn it’s cold outside, right? When these deep freeze “bomb cyclones” dip into the normally temperate climes of the American South and leave us all chilled to the bone, I tend to start surfing the travel sites for great deals to points south. Way south. Tropical south. And that, of course, makes me think of…
Thank you to Donegal PA TU Veterans Service Partnership and to Bill Nolan for your efforts to tie some flies for the national TU Veterans Service Parternship program. We are very grateful for your generous gift. Please be assured that we’ll put them to good use for our veteran couples trip to Slough Creek and…
I have worn Carhartt work jackets since I was in college. They are tough, durable, and unlike the rest of us, they look better as they age. The Carhartt Rain Defender was my first foray into the company’s rain gear, and I was pleased. I took it carp fishing one cloudy day, and appreciated the…
This showed up in my feed this week, and I just had to share it. It’s a couple of years old, but I’m of the mind that Hank Patterson is actually pretty ageless. And kudos to Orvis for bringing Hank on board to promote some new fly fishing techniques. I mean, where else would hear…
Here’s a pretty common challenge: you’re on a great stretch of trout water at last light, and fish are rising to small mayflies or tiny micro-caddis flies. You have the right fly, but in the low light, there’s virtually no chance you’re going to be able to see it. How many times have you been…
About us Founded in 1985, we are the largest exclusively fly fishing retailer in the Southeast. Our 4000 square foot store in Asheville NC offers the best selection of premium fly fishing equipment and customer service. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to help anglers of all levels on their next fly fishing adventure.…
With as much as a good pair of Gore-tex waders costs these days, it pays to do your best to take care of them. But even in the best conditions, waders will eventually fail—water is pretty determined to find its way into even the smallest of holes. Above, Cameron McDonald from Simms walks you through…
The guys at Trouts Fly Shop in Denver hit the Colorado River recently, and they did some serious damage to the river’s lively browns and rainbows using baetis imitations. Baetis, often imitated in the dun form by the venerable Blue-winged Olive, are great springtime flies, and among the first mayflies to emerge and hatch when…
I love to swing soft-hackle flies. It’s one of the best fishing methods I know for trout in steadily moving water with a generally constant depth. Below, RIO Products Brand Manager Simon Gawesworth shows you what kind of water you’ll be looking for when you’re out to swing soft-hackles, and he’ll give you some gear…
The bucktail wing is one of the elementary ingredients in a number of popular flies, from Clousers to Coachmen … even some caddis patterns call for bucktail. But, man, can it be hard to work with or what? I’ve always struggled with bucktail—I either lash it too tightly to the hook shank, which makes it…
Winter midge fishing is at its peak here in the West, and I’m always amazed at how big trout will take the tiniest bugs this time of year. In that spirit, Tim Flagler offers up his Corded Midge Larva, a diminutive midge tied on a tiny size 24 hook (which generally disqualifies me as someone…
Tools & Resources to Help You Raise More Money Online & Engage New Communities The all-new TU Fundraising Platform is designed to provide your chapter or council with fast, easy and incredibly effective digital tools which marry great fundraising resources with exciting social and crowdfunding opportunities. Your chapter can use this tool to setup any…
One of the earliest stonefly hatches is likely about to start on some fabled trout streams in the West. The skwala stoneflies — a dark, greenish-gray bug — should be about ready to pop in rivers like the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot and others in western Montana, and other rivers throughout the region can claim hatches…
