My Church...

There's not a more spiritual place on earth that a flowing river....

The massive scale of our earth and the intricate detail of each pebble, bug, stick and fish just amaze me.

Happy Easter!

Eating Streamers Like A Boss...

One of the most restraint filled things in fly fishing is when a dark shape materializes out of a rock garden and begins following your streamer..

Is to not yoink it away out of it's mouth prematurely.  Big guys like this tend to hover, inspect and think it through before committing.  

Others eat it with rocket ship speed. 

None the less, its a pretty special situation when you're casting from the bow of a raft and from 10 feet away, you see a monster cutty hunt down the sparkle minnow like a boss.

Vedavoo and Recycled Waders Give Back...

One of the most impressive companies that I got a chance to meet last summer at IFTD in Reno was Vedavoo.

New, innovative and hungry....I love seeing companies like this kick ass.  And Scott and his team are doing just that.

Vedavoo makes some of the most unique packs for many different fly fishing applications.

 Now they've teamed up with equally impressive Recycled Waders for a benefit project that is raising funds for different conservation organizations like Project Healing Waters and The Wild Steelhead Coalition,

Added to that, each bag they're auctioning off is adorned with the killer art of Jeff Currier

Take a peek at the items soon headed to auction and the groups it's going to benefit by visiting the Vedavoo site HERE.

When Sticks Attack....

You know all those video's you've seen when a hook is embedded in someone's face?

Kind of makes you queasy?

Imagine that with a 2 inch piece of wood in your buddies face, and it wont let go.

Thankfully after a bit of teeth gritting we extracted the shank and with a bit of pressure, the blood that was pouring out of the open wound shut off and we were back to fishing.

He was lucky as the attacking stick didn't go horizontally through the cheek, but up and thus not in.

We shook our head at his misfortunate fall and ultimately the luck he had that it didnt inflict more damage.

Be safe out there, and when sticks attack....be ready.

Solitude On A Metro Steelhead River...

Just so you know, it doesn't exist.

I suppose I had my own mismanaged expectations on fishing a Oregon metro river on a Saturday on the nicest day of the year so far, but holy hell was it busy.  I cant fault folks for coming out and enjoying the resource.  Matter of fact, most were very nice and willing to share a run or two.  We had 4 guys ourselves and you're nuts if you think you're going to get a run to yourselves on a day like we had.

Did I mention 12 boats went through this run while we were fishing it?

To the jughead out there I had an altercation with, you're a swell feller.  Effectively cutting off 3 other guys in behind you working their way down the run by jumping into the gut of the run was a classy move.

Then your smoothness was showcased even more when I politely asked you to join us by following us down the run...in you know...classic stream etiquette, you erupted like a nutbag telling us that

"hey, this is the #$%% River man, get used to it"

Ahh, the joy and reverence of fishing on a Saturday around a couple million people. Give or take a few.

Sage Quest Soft Shell Hoody Review...

Im going to get this out of the way quickly in this review.

This jacket gets a grade A stamp of approval from this humble blogger.

Want a few reasons to like it, how about 9 of them.  9 out of the probably 50 reasons why.

1.  Keeps your core warm--The insulation around the body fits you like a vest and keeps you rolling through the cold day.  At the same time it doesn't bulk up around the arms and keeps good freedom of movement.

2.  Outside of the River Approval--Even wore this piece to the office, and got compliments on it.  Duel threat baby!

3.  Pockets upon Pockets--6 with lots of room, including a pocket on your left bicep that I am not quite sure what it's for, but it's there.

4.  Wind Cutter--There's nothing worse than a top layer that doesnt stop the wind.  No worries here

5.  Rain blocker--We spent a day on the river this February that started with a light drizzle.  By the end of the day, it was a constant driving rain.  While not my normal rain jacket, this jacket kept me almost 100% dry (almost) but the amount of water it took and the amount that got through kept the day very comfortable

6.  Solid Hood--Syncs up well with the dome and the brim on the hat helps to push the rain away.

7.  Quick Drying--I fall in a lot.  A lot.  My arm usually gets drenched.  Give the sleeves a bit and they dry out quickly.  That's big in my clumsy book

8.  The Double Bubba Fits--For you Double Bubba's out there, you know...XXL, dont worry, lots of arm length and torso length to fit you as it did for me

9.  It's Fishy--Sage embeds fish karma in all it's garments.  You already knew that, didnt you?

Truthfully, this piece is my go to jacket from the river to town.  In the market for a jacket?  Check this one out.

Get more info about the Sage Quest Soft Shell Hoody by clicking HERE

IF4 in Coeur D'Alene with NW Outfitters...

2013 International Fly Fishing Film Festival Trailer from IF4 on Vimeo.

Lots and lots of boooooom with this one ladies and gents.

Northwest Outfitters in Coeur D'Alene is hosting this year's edition of the IF4 Film Festival on April 6th at the Kroc Center in CDA.

Some amazing work is in this year's crop of films, highlighted in my opinion by this film by Ian of Detonation Studios

"The Last Salmon Forest" (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4 2013 from IF4 on Vimeo.

Tickets $12 smackers in advance at the shop, $15 at the door.

Give Pat and Mike a call and reserve your tickets and join us for a great night and amazing fly fishing cinematography.