Category: fly fishing tactics

Homecoming

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →