Memory Weeds

I remember this fish. I spotted it from the road, rooting on the bottom in a small bay. I clambered as quickly and quietly as I could down the rocks and managed to hook it without getting my feet wet. I also remember that the hook pulled and I lost the fish. What had me … Continue reading Memory Weeds →

Re-entry

It has been a bumpy return to the United States after finishing up our Peace Corps service. Here is the short version: The state of our home upon arrival 20 cubic yards of rubbish left by the squatters we had to evict The wildfire that almost burned down our house The new floor I had … Continue reading Re-entry →

She is Born

We bought a boat! She is being built in Florida and will be ready for pick-up just about the time we head back to the U.S. While it is the most exciting thing going on in my fishing world at the moment, I realize that not everyone will be as excited as I am. So … Continue reading She is Born →

Across the Pond

I often read the front page post at sexyloops.com. They are an entertaining crew and are scattered around the world so you never know what interesting fishing you might learn about: Scandinavian salmon, Japanese maruta, or maybe Malaysian giant gourami. Recently, there was a series of posts made by two different contributors that resonated with … Continue reading Across the Pond →

Oregon 2018 Part 3: How to Catch a Sturgeon on the Fly

The demise of our inflatable boat changed my fishing strategy. I had planned on using the boat to fish for carp on a number of backwaters and lakes connected to the Columbia River. Instead, I had to focus on places with shoreline access. Despite this turn of events, the fishing only got better and the fish … Continue reading Oregon 2018 Part 3: How to Catch a Sturgeon on the Fly →

Oregon 2018 Part 2: Listing to Starboard

Ever since we started visiting the Columbia Gorge, Tara has wanted to paddle across the river from Oregon to Washington (visiting different states is a bit of an obsession for people from Hawaii). Last spring we packed up our Sea Eagle inflatable kayak and brought it to our cottage on the Columbia River. I was … Continue reading Oregon 2018 Part 2: Listing to Starboard →

Pilgrimage

I have gone papio fishing a few times this Summer, but mostly I have been fly fishing. It's not that I prefer fly fishing, rather it is that I have an ulterior motive. This July will be our annual pilgrimage to the Columbia Gorge. I am hoping for some excellent carp fishing, but to … Continue reading Pilgrimage →

Heading Down

Springtime found me back on the water with my spinning rod. Inspired by an old article in Sports Illustrated about spin-fishing for bonefish, I have been working on a more consistent method for flats fishing with light tackle here in Hawaii. The basic set-up is secret, having been taught to me by a … Continue reading Heading Down →

Rat Pack

After a long dry spell the papio fishing has finally picked up a little bit. As Spring temperatures start to warm the water, the bonefish are more active too. I don't see big schools of bonefish in Hawaii very often but there is one place I know they can be found. Under the right … Continue reading Rat Pack →

Urban Legend

I grew up next to an old cemetery on a hill. The founder of the city, Eugene Skinner was buried there in 1864. Back then the city of Eugene was also known as "Skinner's Mudhole" due to the seasonal flooding in that part of the Willamette Valley. The cemetery was built on a hill intentionally so … Continue reading Urban Legend →