Daniel Ritz

“Sentiment without action is the death of the soul.”

Edward Abbey – A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Notes from a Secret Journal

My choice to return to the river that day, I didn’t realize until later, was an act of acceptance and an acknowledgement of the realities of the paradox itself. We are each responsible for our actions, and therefore we’re all on the hook – to the fish, and to each other. 

A long time ago, someone told me every piece of river should be treated like it’s someone’s favorite place in the entire world, because it probably is. 

“In 2021, being a dedicated wild steelhead angler means fishing through a paradox. While the enthusiasm for chasing these beautiful, powerful fish is at an all-time high, there have never been fewer wild steelhead returning to their home waters.”