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The Steelhead With A Thousand Faces
Maybe if I take five more steps, throw one more mend, skate one more fly, a hero will appear, armored in chrome, and dance to the music of my singing reel.
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The Birth of A Fishing Town
Calf deep now in the cold river, Trent’s completed his prelude of silky false casts and is ready to start the show in earnest.
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In The End, Style Might Be All We Have
Over the course of 6 trips, in and out, and nearly 40 miles, I question whether or not it’s worth it.
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Banded
Folding neatly the greenhead splashed soundly onto the water. The old lady made quick work of the retrieve.
“Dada, um… Dada is it raining again today?” asked the five-year-old who’d come to wake me. “I don’t know man. You tell me.” Little feet jumped to the floor and trotted to the window. I knew from the pause what his answer would be. “Yeah… still raining,” he said finally, sounding too solemn for, Read More
My lungs were about to explode, which masked the burning in my quads. The terrain was unforgiving. So were the birds. We had been in birds all day, but it was the end of the season and they were onto us. Only minutes prior I had managed to scratch down my first chukar of the, Read More
It was like we’d been bewitched by Sirens. If we ended up on the rocks, so be it. Leaving those risers with out consummation was not an option.
“Did you use my gun?” “No grandpa…unfortunately not.” “Oh…still sounds like one heck of a story.” I wanted the conversation to be different. For the last few years I attempted to shoot an elk with a 300 Winchester Magnum, given to me by my grandfather. I wanted to call him and tell him the story, Read More
This is the heart of fantasy season; the time of year when I stay up late, alone in my dusky office, and once the house is still, spread before me a lurid collection of sportrotica. I like it graphic.
“She’ s been sprayed”, were the first words out of my wife’s mouth when she walked in the door. A couple friends were over and I was about to throw burgers on the grill. A quick double check confirmed the reality. The dog had been blasted at point blank range. The acrid smell, Read More
Spring in the Northern Rockies brings dynamic, often challenging, conditions to the river. One can, and should, expect a two-day float in April or May to serve up a buffet of Mother Nature’s finest – not all of it necessarily palatable. A little forethought and planning, though, along with the essential provisions listed below,, Read More
My wife and I had the opportunity to go on a real vacation for the first time, and without the kids nonetheless. Remembering the value of getting a break when I was little my parents wanted to give us the same gift. Thanks are in order to my grandparents for setting the stage! With the, Read More
“Fish on?” asked Steven from the oars. “Snagged,” I answered from the stern. “Looked fishy,” said Steven, looking dubious. “I thought so too,” I replied, annoyed and disappointed. “Dude, your snag is headed for river left,” said Steven. That should have been our first clue. In the bow, Brendon reeled in and reached for, Read More
The text messages started at 6:59 am: “I might have to bail. I will find out just before 8. See you at store.” “I have been cramping in my calf all night. Damn sore.” “Did the river blow out due to rain last night?” The writing appeared to be on the wall. Throwing out, Read More