On Dec. 17, 2020, Canadian Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, of Nova Scotia, made the single largest decision on the fate of wild salmon in the history of Canada.
Episode 39 – Rick Kustich
This week I’m talking with Rick Kustich. We discussed Montana fishing trips with his brother, Great Lakes fly fishing, his many books, Muskie fishing, the fun of shorter rods, the creative process, and bears and BC.
2021 State of the Skagit
For anglers, the first crucial step is a commitment to restraint. When wild steelhead numbers are low, we must act with an eye towards the future. The fish we protect today are the ones that will build the runs we get to fish tomorrow.
Down and Dirty
“I call this scenario the “Down and Dirty.” If you can wade the river safely without going for a swim, you can still hook steelhead on the swung fly. The first thing you will need to do is change your gear. You’re going to need to fish the fly as slow as you can and closer to the bottom. The water is cold and dirty, hanging that fly in front of their face is crucial. Teasing the fish with a slower swing in these conditions is the best way to get that tug.” -Jeff Hubbard
Episode 38 – Brian Silvey
I got a chance to talk with Brian Silvey for this week’s show and we had a great talk. We discussed his early start to fly tying, guiding, designing rods and developing lines, fly preferences, boats, and some fun steelhead stories.
The Last Salmon
I sometimes feel as if Angler #1 (Dry Fly Guy) is perched on my left shoulder and Angler #2 (Bottom Ranger) sits on my right shoulder. Angler #1 whispers quietly in my left ear, “Dry or die!” Angler #2 mumbles simultaneously into my right ear, “Go deep or go home!”
Episode 37 – John Shewey
This week I’m joined by John Shewey, Editor in Chief of American Fly Fishing. We had a great discussion about just about everything, including his first fly, chukar hunting, the importance of public lands, diversifying your work, the morality of fishing, the mysteries of hummingbirds, and how to kill a book.
Non-Typical Lies
This article originally appeared in the 2019.1 issue of Swing the Fly magazine and is free to view. Enjoy, and if you’re not already a member, consider joining to get access to all the member content and the Anthology book. As Spey fishers, we dream of the perfect pool. At the head of the pool, where […]
OPINION: Can Washington’s steelheaders rise to the challenge of our steelhead crisis?
So if this is the darkest moment yet for Washington steelhead, and for those who cherish them whether for sport, sustenance, connections to our natural and cultural heritage, or all of the above, where do we go from here?
The Green Machine and the Rio Grande
Last January, Michael and I finally stood on the banks of the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego. Like always, we booked on a relatively short notice, but we made it. We even man-aged to fill our fly boxes with all kinds of differnt flies, from Wooly Buggers to tube flies, rubber leg nymphs and Sunray shadows. That took us a few long nights but we were safe for flies. That’s what we thought. There was one fly that we didn’t have in our box. To be honest, we didn’t even think about it. A fly which usually is fished for Atlantic salmon in Canada and has her roots on the Miramichi.
Episode 36 – Steven Bird
It’s a new year and The River Rambler is back at it. I’m joined by Steven Bird this time around and we got to talking about The Soft Tackle Journal, DIY leaders, fishing with his Grandfather, the issue with hero shots, and being the “Bad-Boy” of fishing in the third grade.
10 Do’s and Don’ts for Beginner Spey Casters
I’ve had the privilege of teaching several hundred new Spey casters over the last decade, and during that time I’ve had the opportunity to observe ways in which the new caster can start off on the wrong or right foot.