Standing on a Mountain Pass and looking South

High on a mountain pass outside Tucson, the saguaro cacti were thick for miles. How can anyone survive there? I imagined the hundreds of skeletons hidden in the landscape and the thousands of mice living off those bones. It’s crazy!The inhospitable landscape appears lifeless. However, I know better; with some rain, it will come alive. The sight of cactus stretching into Mexico makes many arguments seem trivial and spiteful.

The Sonoran Desert extends further west, the Mojave Desert to the north and west, and the Great Basin to the north, extending into Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado. I’ve visited all of them, but I enjoyed the Mojave the most, with the Joshua trees standing out like giant figures. I missed the tarantula mating season on that visit; I imagined tens of thousands of those arachnids running down the park roads. Creepy, but cool.

In the Sonoran Desert, I went looking for rattlesnakes, but they’re reclusive and only found paloverde trees, creosote trees, and wild blooms in bloom from recent rains. 

The Mojave showed me what flash floods mean when water surged down the arroyo formed by dry creek beds outside the airport in Palm Springs. Amongst the green of the fairways pockmarked in the desert landscape, resorts with happy tourist basking in the desert winter splashing in the pools and hitting some golf balls with abandon. 

Creatures large and mostly small living by the sunbaked locals and tourist. Oblivious to each other, one looking for some warm and recreation, while the other is just trying to survive. Everything is in bloom with a recent rainfall and at the resorts, irrigation heads peek out of the ground wasting that most precious of all, water. Golfers on course, the spa is doing box office business for those seeking health and renewal. A yoga class is in full swing folks getting those kinks out in bodies long since stiff and achey. And I taking it all in sitting neck high in a heated pool.  Nature is awe-inspiring.

Loss of Quality

Recent news stories have been flooding my inbox about the decline of flagship outdoor brands. Orvis is closing a significant number of stores, REI is reducing member benefits, LLBean is changing its marketing strategies, Dick’s is closing stores and going bankrupt, and the latest addition to this mess is Eddie Bauer’s bankruptcy.

The decline of these brands is attributed to increased costs due to tariffs and venture capitalists buying and selling assets to maximize profits. Orvis, a family business, admitted that tariffs have severely impacted them. The sad news has affected Simms, which was bought by an investor group and immediately outsourced the manufacture of its waders from the US, resulting in poor quality. Perhaps the decline in the quality of our favorite products is a sign of the decline in our country’s economic status.

However, one brand stands out: Patagonia. Yvon Chouinard is uncompromising and stands for what we all believe in—preservation of public lands, clean air, and free-flowing wild rivers. Patagonia now reinvests in preservation rather than profit for profit’s sake. It’s time for us to stand up for what truly matters.

Let the wild river flow clean and dam free!

Lines to Leader Attachments

Getting the leader onto the end of your fly line involves some intricate procedures. Various tools, techniques, and tried-and-true methods exist. The oldest method is the nail knot, which effectively captures the fly line with a complex maneuver. The leader is wrapped around the fly line, and a tool or common nail is used to leave an opening to finish the knot. Once cinched and finished, it forms a usable attachment. However, this method has its drawbacks. The leader needs to be removed due to wear and tear, and the end of the fly line is cut, revealing the limitations of this approach.

Another method is to weld a permanent loop onto the fly line using a stout piece of leader material, typically 8-12 inches long. The end of the leader is formed into a perfect loop. Since most premade leaders come with a loop on the butt end, a loop-to-loop connection can be made. Flexible loop connectors, resembling Chinese fingers, are used to place over the line. These devices are fed over the line to capture it, and a small piece of heat shrink is used to keep the connector in place. Caution is advised when using an open flame; a hair dryer is a better alternative. As with all types of connectors, regular visual inspections are necessary, and if in doubt, replacement is recommended. 

A few essential knots every angler should know are the nail knot, double surgeon knot, blood knot, Davy knot, improved clinch, and perfection loop. While you don’t need to master every knot, it’s crucial to learn the ones you use daily. Practice until you can tie them even in the dark and blindfolded. Remember, conditions are never perfect, so take your time and don’t rush. After every fish, always test the knot used to attach your fly.

Ice On My Guides

Winter has undoubtedly arrived in all the lower 48 states. Even in Florida, known for its sunshine and stubbornness, the weather has turned cold. One of my neighbors yelled through his hurricane glass window, exclaiming, “You’re crazy! I’m not going out there!” Walking my dogs during bad weather is a mission statement, and someone has to do it! So, I’ve been elected to brave the cold, dark mornings. I don my down parka, wool hat, and Gore-Tex gloves to face the freezing temperatures of the Florida winter. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

This brings me back to a time in my silviculture class (not civics) when ninety of us brave souls embarked on a snowshoeing adventure onto a small frozen pond. The ice began to tilt due to the unbalanced weight of our group. We were instructed not to go near the inlet or outlet (I bet you didn’t know ponds had such things) and instead, walk to a safe edge up a small hill to observe some trees growing in a bog. The tips of my ears froze that day, and they still ache now. 

Later that year, after the ice began to recede, I caught some beautiful brook trout. I constantly knocked the ice off my guides, knowing that if I waited for a warmer day, the thrill of standing in the cold and casting to areas of open water teeming with hungry trout would be lost.

In the northern country, the term “ice out” is used to describe the sudden urge to go fishing in the cold early spring days. People could be heard having hushed conversations about which pond was shedding its ice, as if it were a state secret. Knowledge was quietly shared in low voices, but soon the secret was out, and next thing you know, city folk showed up and ruined the party.

One part of the ice out is the spring turnover, a term used to describe the winds that cause the pond, which had been heavily stratified over the winter, to break up. This breaks up the layers, allowing oxygen to be spread evenly throughout the water column. This brings much joy to both the trout and the fishermen.

No Quit in This Old Dog

Little is known about truly important matters. Truth often disguises itself as opinion supported by limited facts. Facts are subjective and can vary from person to person. I’ve come to realize that only a few things truly matter. However, it’s important to remember that what may be important to me might not be your cup of tea. As I’ve been writing this blog for over a decade, I do so as an outlet for myself. If you find something valuable, even if it’s just a passing amusement, that’s fine by me. I have a small audience and don’t actively seek to reach a wider audience. At one point, early in its history, I did reach a few countries worldwide My goals were limited and I have exceeded them by a mile.

The year of fallen colleagues concluded in early December with the passing of a friend and fellow arborist. I last saw him at a meeting in Clearwater a couple of years ago. Although he was still energetic, he appeared older and seemed slower. He continued to live his best life, traveling the world, rowing his shell across Seneca Lake, and cultivating a large garden that yielded an abundant harvest. The circumstances surrounding his passing remain unknown to me, but I will miss seeing his posts from exotic locations or his meals made with his homegrown produce.

Recently, I read that our genetics determine our lifespan, implying that whatever we do will not extend it. However, I firmly reject this concept. After all, we are the captains of our own ships, and we chart our own courses. Therefore, never give up! 

About Hooks

Beware of cheap hooks! Not to be a bigot, but cheap imported Chinese hooks are exactly that cheap. I became aware of buying cheap metal products, even if they were drop-forged and zinc-coated. The telltale strip of rust always gave them away. J-hooks to pull limbs together require both strength and weather protection. A failure would be catastrophic. Someone being crushed when they failed is not a good outcome. We always tried to buy zinc-coated drop-forged eyes and lag hooks. Threading rod was always difficult due to the glut of cheap foreign steel on the market.

So, why are hooks different? They aren’t. You need a good, well-made hook to handle a large fish, and the pressure needs to turn the fish and get them to the net. The market is flooded with bad hooks and other flitting materials. We all succumbed to the economy of the fly and occasionally used the wrong hook and size because that’s what we had on hand.

So you want to bring your fly-tying skills to the next level? Buy good material. Just don’t make do. Tying your own flies isn’t about saving money. It’s about making nice-looking fishable flies. Is it cheaper to just buy flies? Probably, but you would end up with a box full of cheap, badly made flies. Someone told me that flies are like bullets; expect to lose them. Fly-tying is an art, not just a task to fill those empty boxes. My mantra is still to tie flies that you use all the time. Stick to four or five flies. You don’t need the life cycle of every aquatic insect. Just a few that represent what’s living in your stream. Fish your home waters and fish it well.

Life and Goals

Life has a way of making goals seem meaningless at times. Why are we still chasing after elusive dreams, trying to conquer impossible challenges, or still aiming to slay mythical creatures? The answer lies in facing our own shortcomings, laziness, complacency, and the inevitable reality of mortality. Life’s end often sneaks up on us, unannounced and unplanned. Our life goals come crashing down, and the expectations of the future fade away. We silently submit and quietly fade into the night.

Before this moment, we still need something to live for, something to desire, and something to hope for. Our sense of adventure still stirs within us, and our tired, abused heart still beats. We can still make a difference and find purpose. Defining that purpose is a personal journey, something that only we can determine. Others cannot define ours, and we cannot define theirs.

Embrace the daylight and savor each breath of life. Do what we must, even if we think we can’t. Work towards having adventure, fun, fitness, and joy. Put down that guilty pleasure and that favorite easy chair. Rise from the couch and take a walk, swim, or pick up a fishing rod and practice your casting. Even better, get to the river now. What’s on the tube will be there later; it’s not like it’s going anywhere. Missing a rerun is not worth missing your life. Find some music in your community and immerse yourself in the sound and the company you’ll find.

Health is the new wealth! Without it, all the money you have is worthless. Spend it on fun trips, concerts, and spending time with your grandchildren. Your life will thank you. Waiting for a better time doesn’t work. That stroke or heart attack is just waiting for you because you didn’t take any steps to prevent it. Sadly, you did everything in your power to encourage it. Live life with consequences if you don’t. I was told a long time ago that no one lies on their deathbed wishing they spent more time at work. Learn to separate work from real life. Work will always be there. Bosses who don’t understand this need to be fired.

Kayak or Canoe: Which is Better for Fishing?

 When wading isn’t an option, both kayaks and canoes can be effective fishing platforms. They work well in situations where deep water is expected, such as pond fishing. However, the effectiveness depends on your skill with either boat. Wind and wind-driven waves can cause problems, and not every day is calm.

I once watched a video of fishing in loughs in Ireland. Small skiffs were rowed, and the fishermen used the wind and a drogue to slow the drift. This allowed them to catch fish easily.

My experience with both watercraft has been mixed. On calm evenings, a hatch required no effort to stay in the zone. However, on windy days, trolling wet flies and paddling into the wind was necessary. Adding another paddler in a tandem boat allowed them to position each other into casting positions until the wind picked up and started pushing waves over the bow.

The kayak yielded similar results, except when the wind picked up. Handling a fly rod and paddle simultaneously became difficult.

Additional equipment needed for a canoe or kayak includes a drogue or sea anchor to hold the vessel in a steady drift. I’ve tried a small anchor, but the bow kept spinning every time the wind direction changed. It’s best to know the water you’re fishing in and the patterns of fish and insect hatches. Most fish are closer to the shore (like in a river) early in the morning because the sun warms the water and stimulates the hatch. All the ponds I’ve fished were filled with small brush and leaning trees that had fallen into the water. As always, wear a PFD for safety.

I didn’t want to overlook inflatables, float tubes, and single-person rafts equipped with oars. I’ve had my issues with float tubes and have sworn them off. The rafts look interesting, and I know some people swear by them. You could outfit your canoe with a set of oars in a solo canoe or use a kayak paddle. I think fixed oars work best. I once watched a guy with a canoe equipped with a small trolling motor slowly troll a fly across a pond I was fishing on and pull in a six-pound brookie. From across the pond, it looked huge. He released it back into the water. It was a welcome sight, just a reminder that most of us don’t view fishing like a trip to a free fish market.

Ghost

Have you ever felt a sense of being watched, even in an empty house or while wading through a river? You glance over your shoulder, expecting someone or something to be there, only to find nothing. Was it a shadow or a peculiar-shaped cloud diffusing the sunlight as it passed overhead?

Even stranger, waking up from a nap and having a vivid memory of a dream flood your senses. It could be someone from the past, not necessarily someone you were close to, but they were there. In crystal clarity, it was a minor event that, in passing, flooded back to what could have been a lie-changing moment. An event so insignificant that it seems odd that a different decision would have altered your life. It might have been a brief conversation that ended in being interrupted and quickly forgotten. Parting words were “we’ll talk later,” but later never came.

I’ve stood in a river, feeling the cold water embrace my wader-clad legs, and in an instant, I was in a daydream, wandering in my mind to someone or something that happened decades ago. I understand that our minds and subconscious work in mysterious ways. Tugging and pulling at our memories brings them into what we perceive as reality, thus creating the stuff of dreams.

It’s difficult to say that we make all sorts of minor choices throughout our lives. Some are good, some are bad, and some are inconsequential. Given a chance, we wish we could relive and change the bad ones and lean harder into the good ones. However, good or bad are subjective, and interpretation varies from person to person. Over time, bad decisions can become good ones, and vice versa.

Paddling my canoe across a quiet Adirondack pond in the quiet dusk, with only loons as company, I sense past companions with me. I can hear their breathing and the sound of their paddling behind me. With only the sound of our paddles, the glide of the canoe, and the water dripping from the edges on every stroke, I must admit that I might be daydreaming. But what a wonderful daydream it is! I can sense companions long dead, and their presence haunts me. I am haunted by ghosts.

The Expert Says

I’m working on getting better at casting, but my skills could use some serious polishing. Others have pointed out my grip on the handle, line control, tailing loops, and my struggles with pausing or keeping a pause. I’ve heard it all, and I’ve taken the criticism to heart, though I’ve also been careful not to take it too personally. I even considered secretly recording their casting, but I’ve already got enough footage of my own. The truth is, it’s all about me, and that’s a common perception we all have.

Perceptions can be a real mistake when we judge others. Small things can snowball into big problems. For instance, I might not like someone’s tattoos, hair length, or even if they’re balding or wearing a toupee. You get the idea. Our perceptions are influenced by our own insecurities, biases, and competitive nature.

Now, let’s talk about my favorite movie, “A River Runs Through It.” It’s not just about fly fishing; it’s about brothers and families navigating ordinary lives during extraordinary times. I have two scenes that stand out to me. The first is when Norman writes an essay for the good reverend, who keeps asking him to rewrite it. In the end, Norman gives it a thumbs up but no praise. Well, that wasn’t necessary; it was just an assignment, not a cure for the common cold.

The second scene is the fly casting lesson, a classic 10-to-2 fly casting tutorial. The reverend even had them practice with a metronome to get the rhythm down and pause at each beat. It’s like this: tick, pause, tock, pause. I noticed they were using vintage bamboo rods, which are great for the slow stroke. Bamboo loads the line differently than modern graphite rods, so the slow, deliberate loading and unloading is key. They also use a false cast to build power and stretch the line. And did I mention that 10-2 is an arc, not a straight line? All you digital folks need to get a real watch and check out the dial. 

Let’s talk about that arc. The line should be straight, not curved. Sometimes, finding the perfect cast isn’t the most important thing. The main goal is to get the fly into the fish’s feeding area. But, keeping your line straight and pointing at the target works too. The pause might not be necessary. I always felt the tug at the end of the back cast. Then, smoothly move forward and skip the false cast. Pick up the fly, back cast, tug, and lay it down. If you miss, play the fly resist and recast it as it lies.

Also, don’t worry too much about distance. This is fishing, not a race. I know people who can cast the whole line, take a bunch of false casts, and double haul. Honestly, that much line has too much stretch to set the hook. Most fish see the line going far out and wonder what it was. Most are within a reasonable distance if you don’t scare them by charging into the water waving your arms like crazy. 

Twilight

There’s a magical time of day when most people are comfortable sitting at the dinner table, watching the evening news. Some call this special time the golden hour, as the sun sets and casts a magical light. During the golden hour, trout lose their fear of predators from above and feast on the abundance of the evening hatch.

As darkness envelops the world, the golden hour comes to an end. I stumble back to my car, recalling what I would have missed if I hadn’t made the trek to the river. I used to fish in a trout pond up north. The golden hour brought the water to life. Hex nymphs would swim to the surface, transforming into duns. They resembled small sailboats on the calm, still surface, their wings set, hoping to fly, reproduce, and die. Most were intercepted in the splashy rises of resident rainbows and brookies. It was just a meal, but the circle of life was fulfilled.

Here’s to those magical summer golden hours and the pleasure they bring. Go to the river, pond, or beach and enjoy them. The news will still be there, just as bad as yesterday. But the fish will be happy to have you there.

Tight lines,

Identification

Have you ever been asked, “What do you do?” The usual response is to revert to your occupation, the one that encroaches upon your precious fishing time. Upon retirement, you become what you used to do for a living, not who you truly are. In reality, most people spend their time dwelling on the past rather than embracing the present, and forget about the future!

Your identity shouldn’t be defined by your work experience. Even if you still need an income stream, escaping the work world can be a gateway to discovering your true passions. Work is merely a part of life, not the entirety of it. Consider this: do you genuinely want to be known as a wage slave to a corporation or become that free thinker who can develop agency beyond work?

First and foremost, if you’re reading this, you’re a fly fisher and a conservationist. As a TU member, there are numerous opportunities to enhance your skills, contribute to stream rehabilitation efforts, educate others, mentor, and advocate for conservation. Hiding in the corners of meetings and criticizing group leaders is counterproductive. Instead, stay home, watch YouTube videos, and dream of the fantastic trips you’ll never take. Remember, TU is not a fishing club; it’s a conservation organization.

So, let’s start the new year on the right foot. Forget the typical answer to “What do you do?” and become an advocate for wild rivers, wild fish, and public lands.

Happy New Year to all!