Swing the Fly Online Journal

Swing The Fly family –

As we near the end of November here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to focus on the obvious transitions.

Sun to rain. Summer steelhead to winter. The death of the salmons. Dry, to wet, or worse.

Do you do this, or that? Was the fish an A-run, b-run, c-run, or d-run? Are you committed to this river, or that one? Are the runs declining for this reason, or that?

Yesterday, sitting amidst a roaring fire, windows sealed, at home for the first Sunday in who-knows-how-long, I found myself pondering the illusion of our segments.

The Swing The Fly Online Journal is our effort to recognize the flow, the continuous stream, to recognize the collective culture of the swung fly enthusiast, the context, the people, the places, and the flavors of this hearty pursuit.

I once saw a journal defined as an “editorialized record of news and events.” It’s likely over-simplified, but that’s ok with me. We need more of that, these days, 

Literary, but not academic. Soaked in historical context, but always with contemporary relevance. Reflective and sanguine.

The divisions are invented—an illusion.

I wanted to release this issue before many of you/us take some special time to concentrate on our gratitude, whatever that means to you. To focus on our abundances-regardless of volume or expense.

When we do, I hope we include those who came before us, the friends and places we cherish now, and gather energy to nourish this strange, beautiful experience (including the fish) for future generations.

We hope you take your time and enjoy the latest issue of the Swing The Fly Online Journal. We’re grateful for you. 

Good luck. We’ll see you out there.

+Daniel Ritz, Editor, Email: danielr@swingthefly.com

Cover Photo: Travis Johnson/ All Waters Angling