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?
Category: carp on the fly
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
Fishing Feng Shui
When setting out to explore new water there is always the critical question of where to start. It's fun to explore, but it's frustrating to walk six miles without seeing a fish. What we want to do is to roll up to a new place, walk to the water's edge and say to ourselves, "now … Continue reading Fishing Feng Shui
The Buddy System
I believe I have mentioned the phenomenon of the buddy system before, but I think it bears repeating. . Very often bonefish travel and feed in pairs. Sometimes they are close together, but I have also seen fish a hundred feet apart that are clearly aware of each other and eventually meet up before leaving … Continue reading The Buddy System
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
The Fishing Dojo 