BEYOND THE FALLS

I like to fish places I have never fish before. I've always been that way, and hopefully will remain so. That mindset has also been the driving force for me on the water when arriving on local waters as well. Like many others, I search out destinations, which tend to be identified with landmarks on or near the intended fishing location.

THE GIRL IN THE STRING BIKINI

It was an idyllic summer day; an early June day wrapped in a robin egg blue sky and washed by a sweet smelling southern breeze with a hint of sweet fern and moist earth. It was a day to be on a trout stream, waist deep in cold flowing water, sparking water, dappled water flowing through a green tunnel of trees.

S.E. KANSAS FISH IN

This year we have rented the 2 cabins available from KDWP, but both are full already. There is also a group that is going to be rough camping in the area as well. Currently they are planning on camping in Unit 24. Rough camping means that you won't have any potable water on site, electricity, or toilets on site, either.

The dates are June 3-5 (Friday through Sunday), but some may decide to arrive early or stay later. The closest town is West Mineral, KS.

THE MAGIC WAND

Most of us, at some time in our life, have thought about how great it would be if we had a magic wand. A magic wand would allow you to do all kinds of wonderful things; you could make things appear and disappear, do all kinds of impressive tricks, in short a magic wand could make all your dreams come true.

KANAB, UT

Actually I really enjoy traveling. I suppose a lot of folks do or there wouldn’t be nearly as many tourists and/or so called 'snow birds' in the South during the frozen solid months of the north. By the way I said so-called 'snow birds' because none of them are in the South looking for snow. They/we should have been called Sun Birds don't you think?

PREPARING TO TIE THE FLY

I'm not sure when my fascination with fishing flies started, but it followed my love of fly fishing. My next door neighbor, Harold Craft, introduced me to this wonderful world when I was just 10 years old. He was the oldest, smartest, and coolest man I knew. I was as eager to learn as he was to teach.

TOMORROW'S TROUT

Tomorrow's Fish is a short, 202 page, self-published volume of fly fishing stories with accompanying fly patterns. The stories, 24 in all, are 2 or 3 pages long, followed by a fly pattern that was mentioned in the story. The stories are personal memories of the author and insightful observations on fly fishing in theory and practice.

ICE-OUT WARM WATER FLY FISHING

I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet a few fly anglers from Canada and western U.S. states who have moved to central Iowa. They have been very experienced at fly-fishing cold streams and rivers for trout. Warm water fly-fishing is a new frontier for them.

WHAT'S IN A TRIP?

It’s finally here, even if it’s not exactly "here" yet. I’m talking about spring, which leads into summer. It has been a rather lengthy winter for much of the Country. If you’re like me, cabin fever set in about November and is just now starting to subside a little after a short fishing trip or two.

EVOLUTION OF A FLY FISHERMAN

I was seven or eight years old the first time I saw a picture of a fly rod. It was in a magazine and while I can’t be certain it was probably “Fur, Fish & Game”, a magazine my family or I have subscribed to for over 60 years. I remember being quite taken with those pictures of gentlemen wearing chest waders, a fishing vest and a narrow brimmed hat full of flies

JAX TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN SMELT

FULL MOON! OH NO! This is the lament of many fly fishers who feel that the moon light spoils their fishing.

Well this Fly can and has on numerous occasions proved to be a good fish fetcher for me.

My reasoning is that if the moon turns the night to day. Then fish as though it is daylight.

Give it a try and the beauty of this fly is that it is just as effective in real daylight.