Tonight, I have to offer my congratulations to two close friends. Each made a milestone in terms of fly fishing, and both deserve some recognition.
Four or five nights ago, I began to teach Ben to tie flies. We started simply, with this blog’s namesake, the rusty spinner. I think my friend will […]

You’ve made the two hour drive to the river, selected one of half a dozen ridiculously expensive rods, strung it up with a similarly expensive line, pulled on your breathable (breathable because they leak) waders, fought to wedge your foot into a pair of shrunken boots, and selected a fly to match the spinners in […]

 
What is it they say? Opinions are like … what is it now?
Don’t worry. Mama taught her son better than to curse in a public forum. We’ll keep it “G” rated (here comes the trite, rhyming innuendo).
Bass-poles. Yup. That’s it. Opinions are like bass-poles. Everybody’s got one. 
Flyfishermen (many of whom have bass-poles, some of whom […]

From the Greek katharos, meaning “to purge” or “cleanse” we derive the modern English catharsis. Colloquially, we use the word to signify a cleansing or purgation of our most worrisome troubles or thoughts. For many Catholics catharsis is found in the confessional. Some say writing is cathartic, while still others flail away at a heavy […]

These are a few of my favorite things.
My wife (that’s right honey, I began the list with you). She’s brilliant, fun to be around, one heck of a mother, and pretty easy on the eyes. Even with two-year old triplets running wild around the house, she’s willing to give me a pass for fishing almost […]

Those of you who know me know that for about eight years I worked regularly in a flyshop, and that I still make appearances there from time to time. My time at the shop taught me some valuable lessons, which have helped me make the most of my time in other flyshops around the country. […]

One of my favorite rivers receives a lot of fishing pressure, but not A LOT of fishing pressure. Most of you understand the distinction. If you don’t then you are either blessed or damned. For your sake, I’ll explain.
The river is fished by many people, but most of the […]

In a previous post, I mentioned that opening day began with a farmer, a shoe and a road sign. I wrote at length about both the shoe and T.J. the farm hand, but I’ve yet to discuss the sign. I don’t know that I need say anything because sometimes a picture really does […]

I have a sister-in-law who is brilliant in a way I only wish I could be. She earned her Phd researching the cells that comprise the human heart, and now works in the pharmaceutical industry as a technical writer of sorts. As I understand it, she’s something of a linguist who translates complicated medical and […]

In my neck of the woods, the first threat of real snowfall usually comes in November. We might see a few flakes in October, but only in an exceptional year does Halloween snow amount to much. By the Thanksgiving holiday, however, any day might bring eight, ten, twelve inches or more. Such is the case […]