The water in the river is warming up, but there is still no sign of fish in the shallows. Carp aggregate during the winter and, once the water warms sufficiently, probably move as a group towards the shallows in anticipation of spawning. I think it very likely they will appear all at once. Flats that … Continue reading Cold Soup
Author: Adam
Adam has a master’s degree in mathematics, a black belt in aikido, and has worked enough jobs to fill a book—sushi chef, Peace Corps volunteer, and police detective among them. His writing and photos have shown up in The Drake, Tenkara USA, Hawaii Fishing News, and Sporting Classics Magazine. In 2023 he traded a badge in Honolulu for a skiff on the Columbia, where he now spends his days chasing carp with a fly rod and pretending it’s a retirement plan.
Temperature Obsessed
Disclaimer/Nerd-Alert: I am currently obsessed with water temperatures. I can't imagine that anyone else will be even remotely as interested in this as I am. You've been warned. Read on if you dare... In the classic book Carp on the Fly there is a temperature chart that lists some remarks about carp biology corresponding to … Continue reading Temperature Obsessed
How to Winter
Today was one of those deceptively nice days that make you think crazy thoughts like "gee, maybe winter isn't so bad, after all." The fog blew off and the sun came out before lunch so I grabbed a rod and drove to one of my little winter carp lakes. The lake has an outlet to … Continue reading How to Winter
First Fish of 2026
Everyone here seems to agree that this has been a mild winter so far. We had a few sunny days in a row during January with highs around 50 degrees. The river, however, was pretty chilly. Army Corps of Engineers data claimed the water temperatures were in the low forties, but I took the boat … Continue reading First Fish of 2026
Belize Navidad
We spent Christmas on Caye Caulker in Belize, visiting a friend from the Peace Corps. I spent Christmas Eve fishing, and a bit of Christmas morning. While I was ultimately successful in catching a few fish, I will say right at the start that I do not recommend Caye Caulker as a DIY fly fishing … Continue reading Belize Navidad
Catch and A Release
Looking back through my journal notes I think I am forced to admit that the carp fishing season on the Columbia River ended in September. I still saw a few carp in October, and even caught one on November 2, but September was the last time I saw decent numbers of feeding carp in the … Continue reading Catch and A Release
Just Now
My Boat finally arrived in November, just in time for the end of carp season! Shipping her from Florida and dealing with flaky freight companies and truck drivers was a bit stressful, but she made it in one piece. The whole package, boat, motor, gas, trailer, weighs in at less than 800 pounds, so she … Continue reading Just Now
The End of the Season?
Most sources agree that the carp fishing season on the Columbia River wraps up in October. Most of the spots on the main river channel have slowed down, but I have found hungry fish in the small lakes and backwaters. On mild days, with a bit of sun, or after some rain, the carp, especially … Continue reading The End of the Season?
October Caddis
The Columbia remains weedy and the water levels are very low. Carp fishing from the shore is a tall order, and with more saber-rattling at China over trade, I'll be surprised if my boat arrives in time for Christmas. Luckily for me, there are other fishing opportunities around. This week I decided to visit the … Continue reading October Caddis
The Fall Run
The chinook moved up the Columbia this month. For several weeks every river mouth was packed with boats from dawn to dusk. Launch ramps were crowded with trucks and trailers, and the filleted remains of salmon littered the shoreline. Now, the steelhead have started pushing up the tributaries and anglers are fishing shoulder to shoulder … Continue reading The Fall Run
The Fishing Dojo 