Right after Makani's visit we flew off on a two week vacation to Japan. Everyone I know who really loves to travel internationally has a special place in their heart for the first foreign country they ever visited. For Tara that was a volunteer trip to Tanzania, for my older brother it was a study … Continue reading Homecoming
Category: Fish Species
Getting Started in Fly Fishing
Someone stopped on the dock yesterday to ask about my skiff and what type of fishing I did. We did not have long to chat because he was waiting for another boat to pull in and pick him up, but he did mention that he was interested in getting into fishing, and fly fishing in … Continue reading Getting Started in Fly Fishing
Whirlwind
Like his name implies, my friend Makani is a bit of a whirlwind of a human being. His enthusiasm and energy seem almost boundless at times, so I wasn't surprised that he agreed to come visit for two days on his way from Hawaii to Alaska. I watched his plane land from the cell phone … Continue reading Whirlwind
The Pace of Things
I'm not sure what to say. I started this blog mainly as a fishing journal that could incorporate photographs. Indeed, I often look back at old posts to remember when something happened, so it has served that purpose, but I also know that a few other people read my blog from time to time to … Continue reading The Pace of Things
Realization
In the Pacific Northwest, this land of deep-V aluminum boats, my skiff draws attention. She's a fine little boat and gets quite a few complements, but only a handful of people have recognized her for what she is. One of those people was Trevor, who was doing some tree-work on our property last fall. He … Continue reading Realization
Cold Soup
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
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
The Fishing Dojo 