ICONS: R.B. Meiser Fly Rods (Bob Meiser, Steve Godshall, Nick Moses)
The next day, Nick was like Zen and the Art of the Swing, just zoning, his karma dialed into the cosmos, the steelhead were entering his reality, and he f***ing got it.
Better Late Than Never: Opportunities Appear For North Umpqua, Winchester Dam
Every angler and advocate for the health and wellbeing of the North Umpqua and its iconic steelhead will have an opportunity to lend their voice in support of an abundant, uninterrupted future for these fish.
It’s All Trout Spey
In contrast, rivers like the Sol Duc, the Queets, and other coastal rivers tend to be smaller, steeper, receive more rainfall, and have less volcanic geology, all of which tends to make them inherently less productive for growing large trout.
Icons: Kerry Burkheimer
In this installment, we visit with Kerry Burkheimer in his shop on main Street in Washougal, WA, where he shares the meaning of “hand rolled soul,” explains how he became one of the most innovative spey rod designers in the world and why his mom slept in the trunk on fishing trips.
Managing Shangri-La
John McMillan told Swing The Fly: “Do you think I want to write the obituary for the place I live in and love? It’s the last thing I want to do.” On Feb. 10, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recognized a petition to list the OP Steelhead Distinct Population Segment as a threatened or endangered species.
Icons: Clark Lucas
With a famously eclectic vocabulary, a contagious full-belly laugh and a cache of body language to match his love of high volume jazz, Clark Lucas is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic characters in the spey fishing and fly tying universe.
Point Of Engagement: Part 4
“Sentiment without action is the death of the soul.”
Edward Abbey – A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Notes from a Secret Journal
Point of Engagement: Part 3
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.
Point of Engagement: Part 2
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.
The Point of Engagement: Part I
“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.”