The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 12.20.2024
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
I admit, I’m a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas carols. I think it’s because of my time working retail during the holidays while in high school and in college, when they were played on repeat from open to close. But, as I sit here in the airport thinking about fly fishing, writing, and Christmas carols (someone just started playing one on the piano), I wonder: what’s the difference between a carol you love and a fishing story you love? Not so much, I suppose. So, ring-a-ling, and hear-them-ring!
Cheers,
Jesse
Writers on the Fly 10th Anniversary Show
In January of 2015, the very first show of Writers on the Fly was held at Emerald Water Anglers in West Seattle. Since then, there have been shows from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA, and stories have filled not only the shows, but the journeys in-between.
Now, ten years later, we’re celebrating Writers on the Fly with a special, anniversary show at the new location of Emerald Water Anglers in West Seattle. Jason (WOTF founder) and I will be there, and we hope you’ll join us!
Clear Intentions
Though I’d been following his work for years already, I first met Texas-raised, British Columbia-based photographer, videographer, director, producer, and designer Chase White in person on the Oregon coast two winters ago. In a sense, we met because of steelhead, and over the course of those days together, and in the years since, I’ve come to further appreciate and admire his dedication to native, anadromous fish, their environs, and also the communities they spawn and foster. Fortunately, I had the chance to collaborate with Chase again for the recent issue of The Flyfish Journal, in which he has a gallery of inspiring images and a short bio, which I wrote. Pick up a copy of the latest issue for the full, in-person effect, and follow him on Instagram for some jaw-dropping imagery.
On The PLAYA
In the south-central Oregon high desert is a venue that will incite anyone’s creativity and multiply their productivity: PLAYA. Located between Summer Lake, a ‘seasonal desert lake’ and stop on the Pacific flyway, and the eastern Cascade Mountains of Fremont National Forest, PLAYA offers cabins of various sizes for anyone interested in taking a break from their day-to-day and focusing on their craft or practice, whatever that may be. There are traditional residencies, self-directed residencies (I highly recommend!), workshops, and other experiences to enjoy. Check out their website for more information. And, while there, head down to Paisley, Oregon one night to the Pioneer Saloon to post up at their 100+ year old bar, which was made in Boston and shipped around the Horn.
One in Winter
The North American winter officially arrives tomorrow and that could mean any number of things, depending on your perspective and opinions, but one thing it means for anglers in the Pacific Northwest is that winter steelhead are soon arriving. Here’s an older video on winter steelheading, one that I return to every so often. I appreciate it for its pace, its moments of quiet and pause, the music, the footage, and also angler and guide Rich Zellman’s thoughts. The film is by Ryan Peterson.
Finding Light
The despair I feel about the world would ruin me if I did not know how to find light. Whatever is happening in the world, whatever is happening in our personal lives, we can find light…
This time of year, we must look for it. I am up for sunrise and outside for sunset. I watch the moon rise and traverse the sky. I light candles early in the evening and sit by the fire to read…
For other kinds of light, we can turn to our friends and family. Nothing feels more like sunlight than walking into a room full of people who are happy to see me…
Finally, we will always have the light of memory. When I recall my grandmother’s face as she read to me from “Black Beauty” or held my hand in church, I can calm down and feel happy…
With the start of winter also comes the longest night of the year, and light is at a premium, for now. These are a few snippets from “Finding Light in Winter” by Mary Pipher. I encourage all to read the entire essay.
Banner photo: Somewhere in the woods of northern Maine, in warmer days.
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© Jesse Lance Robbins, 2024
