Montana Dreamin

As part of my fall pox recovery, fish gods, have prescribed a trip to Montana. Part of this process is preparation or more precisely anticipation. When today dawned cool and overcast it only deepened the desire to cure the fall pox dilemma and the trip anticipation.

This morning the vise is burning hot with temptation. Hooks-ready, materials-check, time-yep coffee-hot, and beer-cold. Its going to be a tying marathon, so preparation is the key. Well getting to work. Thinking back of falls past, visions of many fine days of various mayflies dancing and fish rising in slack and shallow water fill the head.

Today the pattern tying will concentrate on sparse lightly dressed cripples and parachutes to match the fall hatch. In order to cover the vast options, small-(BWO), med-(PH), and large-(GD) will be the focus.

Dries-check:

It may be hard to believe, but it is a little hard to concentrate on the dry fly action sure to come in Montana. Since fall has seemed to arrive Steal is calling too. What to do, it is a good time to be a fly addict.

Just checking the box and it is a little sad, so my days will be filled with a lot of coffee, numb butt, and preparations. Soon after returning from the September trip to the Big Sky Country life will be consumed by chasing big heads.

Options-got em:

Thanks to the great NW my addictions can be kept in check. Best micro's, trout, stealhead, whatever. Never will leave-ashes to the river when gone.

Gotta go now, fall pox outbreak, need to medicate!

Fly Life

There is always a struggle raging in me. At heart a fly caster, yet fearing the unknown, resisting a total commitment to the fly life. Feeling forced to work, now unemployed the pull is only greater. Now in the Northwest nothing hampers the lust I feel to commit to fishing and guiding as a lifestyle.

Two problems with this complex issue center around security and freedom. How does someone reach security? Does a steady job mean security? Is security really that important? Is security something to attain or just something to decide? Well, that is a lot to absorb, trust me I know.

This is just a glimpse into what my days consist of. One day I am ready commit the the lifestyle. Others I am commit to my professional goals. How is one free? Is it freedom though security or security through freedom? Is freedom chosen or attained? Or both?

Let that sink in a while. Putting thoughts into words only begs more question, but more on that later. Now answers must come, but more on that later, as well!

The Flyfish Journal

Well it could not have come at a better time. It has been about two months since arriving back in Bay Area from guiding in Montana and a slight amount of cabin fever began to set in. Not because weather is cold or there is lack of activities, but because I just got word that the Steal is in fact in the river. On Saturday the crew had a banner day of absolutely horrible fishing. Only 37 were landing between the three who went and numerous other were lost. Stealhead fishing is like that.

So after, living vicariously through the crew from the Bay Area I check the mail today and what did my little eyes see - my brand-spank me-new issue number 1 of The Flyfish Journal. It is truly a work of art. Not only is the cover a high gloss photo, but the issue inside, in no less impressive. The photography is great and I have only been able to leaf through drooling over the the pictures. If you writing is even half as good this new magazine may just be the next best thing. No disrespect to my favorite read: Northwest Fly Fishing, but I am impressed. Take a look it is really cool