The brookies come first. Proud, native and prized east of the Mississippi, brook trout teem in many Rocky Mountain watersheds to the point of infestation. What they lack in status, stature or exclusivity though, they make up for in volume and accessibility. You don’t have to blister your feet or wrack your brain to, Read More

The more I learn about hunting and fishing, the more I recognize how much I don’t know. Adding a kid to the mix has really driven that humbling realization home for me. Not only do I have the perpetual need to refine my approach in the field, but now I also need to develop, Read More

Lucas Carroll is passionate about family, fishing and photography, in ways that can be matched by few. He was willing to answer a few questions with us and share some of his photos, along with the story behind the image and tips for how he got the shot. The passion that comes through in, Read More

1 fruit pouch, 1 yogurt stick, 1 1/2 litres of water and 1/2 of a peanut butter and jelly. It seemed like more than enough for a couple hours of fishing before lunch. 7.5 hours later my daughter and I finally started heading back to camp. The euphoria of lots of fish, big fish and, Read More

In the three years since I became a father, I’ve had to redefine some terms.  “Sleeping in” does not mean what it used to for example, nor “big night out” for that matter. “Free time”… I seem to recall using that phrase as a younger man, but the concept is fuzzy now.  Most of, Read More

“Matt!” called Steven in his best stage whisper. Grizz I wondered? No, he probably just needs the net. “Matt!” came his voice again, more urgent this time, but still softened to accomodate the sleeping toddler. He’d wake her for a bear I figured, and besides, he’s got the bear spray. “Busy here.” I whisper-yelled back with, Read More

It’s my run now and I’m no longer chasing trout. We’re all after that which had possessed the little girl. In this new paradigm I see each fish. I know without knowing where to cast, and unencumbered by thought put the fly there. Our fishing is like breathing, and the inhales and exhales carry, Read More

We nearly passed it by. Fast water, little structure, it just didn’t quite seem worth it. But time was on our side and Matt decided to wade into position for a quick cast. Before I knew what happened he was tied fast into a good fish…and losing ground. I tossed the Echo Gecko aside., Read More

Two feet tall, pigtailed, and wearing a furrow of concentration, Ayden is here not just as a hall pass for her father. She’s here for the action.

Legend has it that in some bodies of water, in a certain mountain range, in one western state – all of which will remain nameless – the brook trout are so good at reproduction, and so bad at decision making that a fisherman once pulled dinner from the water, for his entire expedition, using, Read More