Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope

My Fishy Friends,

We had our first taste of the heart-of-summer heat last week so took to the mountains to try and beat it. We were successful in our mission but also found that, at elevation, the mosquitos were fat and happy. So, the mid-hike dip we imagined was called off. I also forgot to bring a rod, which is something to be discussed later, and another reason to go back again. Stay tuned on all that.

Cheers,
Jesse

A Season

In eastern Canada, the summer Atlantic salmon season is now underway and, despite some challenging conditions, fish are being caught. After experiencing this fishery first-hand, it’s hard not to follow along as the migrations begin and make their way up the coast. Here’s a story I wrote a while back about hooking my first ‘proper’ salmon while staying at Country Haven Lodge on the Miramichi. For more up-to-date information, also check out the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s Rivernotes, a weekly sharing of river-specific conditions, reports, and conservation updates. In addition, take a look at the website and blog of Brad Burns, author, angler, and conservationist. Brad spends much of the summer season on the Miramichi and, when he’s there, shares daily updates. He’s also an unofficial ambassador to the river and its culture, and is a true gentleman.

A Day

Yesterday, June 27th, was National Women’s Fly Fishing Day, nationally-recognized to celebrating and encouraging the presence of female fly fishing anglers. Based in West Seattle, the Emerald Water Anglers crew created the day during the pandemic and Dave McCoy, the shop’s owner, posted a little of the backstory on his Instagram. In celebration, the American Fly Fishing Museum posted a nice essay and slideshow about Maine’s legendary Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby. For more on famous, female Maine anglers, check out the book on Carrie Stevens, inventor of the Gray Ghost fly pattern, among many others.

A Debate

The response to most fly fishing questions, if answered honestly, is It depends. This is one of the reasons that I love the sport (activity? pastime?) so much - a lot of it is just made up and in the eye of the beholder. And what better fodder for a good debate. Here’s one that I’ve enjoyed for a while: imitation vs. presentation. Obviously, the correct answer is, Yes, but I find this collection of responses entertaining. I especially like Montana guide Brant Oswald’s. I fished with Brant once and the fact that he didn’t bring any rods above a three-weight should tell you something about his approach to the discussion.

An Artist

As mentioned before, I developed an interest in state signs and taking pictures of them at an early age. I guess it’s no surprise that I’ve also been interested in license plates for a while too. Growing up in Maine certainly helped, as it seems there are as many vanity plates (PG-13 warning on that link) as standard-issue ones there. Shifting this interest to fly fishing, I recall years ago seeing this Trout Unlimited ad of vanity plates. Now, artist Cody Richardson has combined it all! His pieces feature license plates from around the country - by state and by region - formed into trout, steelhead, tarpon, redfish, mayflies, and more. Super cool, if you ask me. He even makes ornaments, of which we have one!

A Tune

It’s tough to say when and where my fondness for Texas culture originated. As a boy, driving home from fishing trips with my father on dirt logging roads, I got my first taste of Texas country music. After college, I got to spent time on a legit Texas ranch, and later went to the Austin City Limits festival. And recently, my old friend Chet - who has old Texas roots of his own - and I went down to see some music, eat some food, and go fishing (is there any better combination?). Returning to Austin before our flight, we headed to the Texas Chili Parlor (some great history in that link), as immortalized in Guy Clark’s song Dublin Blues. When seated, I asked our host if they did indeed serve Mad Dog Margaritas. “What the fuck do you think?!” he responded. Here’s a great version of Clark’s song.

An Event

For all my folks in Maine and New England, this weekend there’s a block party at All Points Fly Shop’s new location in Scarborough, right on the way to and/or from the water. Shop crew and my good friends Josh and Joe will be there to regale you and show off their new space. Here are the full details, which include pizza, a chance to win some gear, and also a fly drop from Mr. Fish-Every-Day himself, Joe Webster.

A Thought

It was the most formative time of my life. When a fifteen-year-old has to trap a wild goshawk, stay up all night with her until the bird finally develops enough trust to fall asleep on his fist, and then train the proud bird using only positive reinforcement, well, the Zen master would have to ask, “Just who is getting trained here?”

~ Yvon Chouinard, Let My People Go Surfing

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The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 06.28.2024