Sir Jackson throws pretty loops

Apparently, its raining.

2007-12-03T20:44:00.001-08:00

Lazy. Worthless. Regret.

2007-12-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

These are all the thoughts that are going through my head right now. I actually feel guilty about not getting out? All the gear was packed up last night, the boat was ready to go, shuttle was taken care of, and spirits were high. My mind was set on floating the D from Warm Springs to Trout Creek in search of my last good chance at the summer steelhead that were hanging around. This was probably going to be my last time at the D for a long time since winter steelhead season is coming up on us not soon enough.

But I kept checking the weather, water levels, which route to take (over or around Mt. Hood?). And so it goes. My (ir)rational thoughts: It wasn;t going to get above freezing on the D, "I've never done this float before..... how long would it take blah blah blah bullshit"?, is it worth the drive through what looked to be bad conditions throughout most of Oregon?....... So I woke up this morning at 4:30 and checked the weather again...... not so good, I was still tired (of course) and I just went back to bed due to what I believed would be a trip that just wasn't worth it.

SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME THE LARGEST TAMPON AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is my problem? This is Oregon. It is winter. GET OVER IT!!!!!! Especially when the winter fish arrive. And the rain really starts.

Get out and fish.

Jackson hates me right now.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

Damn. We love food.

The Rain has Arrived.

2007-11-18T15:45:00.000-08:00

Blown out? This is what every river level looks like around the area. Including the coastals...... might be on the drop and ready to fish come thanksgiving. I want to be full of good beer, and all that tryptofane from the turkey. Icing on the cake would involve some time on the water.

Maiden Voyage

2007-11-07T21:26:00.001-08:00

I am very proud of this little poacher. Very badass boat that can go virtually anywhere. The weekend was spent feeling her out and getting used to the things she likes. She is going to be a workhorse for seasons to come and I will put her to the test. This will make her happy.

I'm Confused.

2007-11-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

"After more than two years of design and development, Ross is pleased to introduce the Flow - a modern rendition of the centerpin reel. The sport of centerpin fishing is loaded with incredible history and tradition, but rather than simply reproducing a reel design that so many have done before us, we have incorporated our thirty plus years of fly reel engineering into what will become the new standard for all centerpin reels."

Lots of respect lost to a reel company thats prices have always treated Jackson and I well. What the hell are they thinking with this move? Is a fly fishing company marketing to Centerpinners???? I thought people got in fist fights over this shit. The last thing we need out here is for those centerpinners to start spreading like a disease and making their way out west. Bastidges.

Ross Reels: Your an idiot.

Buster Wants To Fish!

2007-11-05T22:37:00.000-08:00

So don;t try and stop him.......

Jackson and I are eating this shit up.

Buster Wants To Fish

My New Ride.

2007-10-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

..... has officialy been upgraded. Ok, so maybe it was previously non-existant. Here is my first attempt at putting her together...... not so bad? Jackson seemed to like it, now all he needs to do is learn to row. How else is he going to burn calories now that our lazy asses will be floating all day instead of long hikes and lots of wading?

Can;t wait to be searching out alot of new and untouchable water.

The Black Lips

2007-10-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

My mom always hated my friends..........

Sea Run Cutthroat.

2007-10-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

If that didn't catch your attention...... I sure as hell don't know what will. On good advice from what seems to be a fishy steelhead junkie, I decided to spend some time taking advantage of all the Sea Run Cutts that are in our coastal systems. They now fall No. 2 on my list of favorite fish. Steelhead being No. 1. The most interesting thing about these overaggresive- fish is that they act like street gangs..... One piece of water might yield none..... while another has been claimed by these territorial thugs. Here is my props to a badass fish.

On another note..... it was hard to focus on catching these unpredictable ghosts when fresh steelies were swimming right by on their way upriver.

And it all came together.

2007-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been a part of something special. Don't worry..... I won;t get all mushy and shit, but I am going to pat my own back for a moment. Every minute I spent getting skunked all summer trying to stick a steelie on a swung fly was worth every moment. Truth.

Jackson will be the first to rat me out though...... I won't pretend like I have finally figured it out and it is all smooth sailing from here. The way i see it, I am going to pay for that fish, more skunking in my future. Shit, it wasn't even pretty when I got the take..... I was fumbling with my rod and line like a 16yr old trying to put on a condom at prom night. But this 16yr old got laid.

I can't believe I have finally landed one. 15 minutes of sunlight was left on the D, fish took directly below me. I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life. Hopefully more to come.

Red Gold

2007-09-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

The genious of felt soul media. Everyone needs to watch this.

Deschutes, Thankyou for kicking my ass.

2007-09-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

I feel like a lucky bastard.

My old man was in town this past weekend and he wanted to do a steelhead trip on the Deschutes. Ok, so maybe I had a little influence on the matter but he put up no argument. My poor ass can;t afford it. This just happened to be perfect timing. My quest with the Spey rod has been a Beatdown. Having a guide who knew what he was doing was going to clear up alot of things for me and give me my best chance for a fish. Lucky for me I got a guide, Matt McCrary, who is fishy as hell and can cast incredibly with little effort. But more importantly this guy loved what he does and it just showed. Guy picked us up in Maupin @ 4:45 am and we got out of the river at 7:30pm. He had a smile on his face the entire time. This is no Wyoming with easy little cutthroat to make your client feel like they really know what they are doing. This is Steelheading and there sure as hell are NO guarantees. This has to be a tough gig......

My report is one that lacks a fish..... but the amount of knowledge I gained was more important. By the end of the day my fiance was handling the spey rod like she was born with it in her hands. For his first day, the old man was getting the fly out where it needed to be and he was swinging it nice and slow. As for me...... Matt had me more excited about each individual stretch of water than the thought of catching a fish. Sometimes you stick one and sometimes you don't. I have alot of new tricks in the bag now. My knowledge of reading water has improved, I can cast close to a tight bank.... and the wind was an afterthought. I was having a blast the entire day.

Oh Shit. I'm Hooked.

Now, the most important thing I have learned:
This shit is unpredictable. You gotta think out of the box and just get your ass out there and try new things. In the first pool of the moring I was just getting my line out and so I flipped out the leader real close. Steelie took..... I missed. I won't make that mistake again. At the end of the day it was the last run and we had about 15 minutes of light left, and then I hear my dad scream...... "I got one!" 2 seconds later the fish had got off. Oh well..... I better start getting used to this.

Some photos from the day.

Thank God I am a positive person.

2007-09-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

'Cause I would have given up already. I have been trying everything I can. Even decided to roll the dice and head over to Washington cause Jackson and I thought those fish might have wanted our offering. Skunked. But My casting is getting better..... and I think I can swing it a tad slower...... now I am just waiting for it to all come together. Been getting skunked alot lately.

Wolf Parade

2007-09-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Saw a great show from The Thermals last night during the MusicFest NW @ crystal ballroom. One show I regret I wont see is Wolf Parade. They are playing tonight, I just can;t afford to miss the season opener for the Cowboys.

Labor Day

2007-09-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

After a long weekend of many drinks and non-stop fun I had to drop the sis off at the airport and send her on her hungover way back to the heat of Dallas. Since she had a 6 am flight and I had to drop her off by 5 am....... Jackson's mama and I decided to hit the local stream on the way home to swing for some summer steelies........ great morning for it..... with a nice hangover I was working a greasy looking piece of water when I wasn't even ready for it. The tug came so quick and fast I did what any trout fisherman trying to learn how to swing with the long rod would do...... I lifted the rod straight up the minute I felt it. Lost fish. Shit was fun though. All in all it was nice to be the only ones on the water:

Here is the better half double hauling before the sun had hit the water:

Spent the rest of the day being lazy.

The Thermals

2007-09-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

A great portland band. They are playing the crystal ballroom on Saturday as part of the Musicfest NW tour. Go check them out!

Portland. Beer Town USA?........ Revisited.

2007-08-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

Jackson has called me out on this one. When we wrote this the first time soon after moving to Portland we thought we knew what good beer was after trying the obvious beers that were found in stores. I didn't know shit. Jackson's super k-9 senses have sniffed out some incredible breweries and delicious brews since then.....
P.S. Just go to these breweries.

Some of our recommendations:
1)Amnesia Brewery: Copacetic IPA
2)Laurelwood: Amber
3)Alameda Brewhouse: Klickitat Pale Ale
4)Lucky Lab Brewery: Black Lab Stout (Jackson's Favorite)
5)*Hopworks: IPA
(I am not sure what it is called.... the brewery opens this fall in SE Portland.... I have only had their IPA at the organic brewfest, and portland brew festival. Insane.)

Cheers!

How I feel today.

2007-08-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

After Portland's first good day of rain since June, these are my emotions. Now if only we could get a few more days to be exactly like today........ Maybe more fish will be pushed into the system and the bite will turn on. I think I am ready for the fall.

Holy Shit! Its Friday! The Pixies!

2007-08-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Jackson has begged me to put this one up. Here you go......

"Bringing it all back home..."

2007-08-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

After a weekend on a "legendary" trout stream I have come away with this:
-We fought crowds
-Gave those in RVs the finger
-Drank some Mexican beer
-Saw some big fish
-Fished a dry (when we knew it wouldn't produce shit)
-Broke out the heavy artillery streamers
-didn't land a fish till the second day

What bothered me most was seeing the "tourist" dressed up and clinging to the only thing that made them feel remotely comfortable:
The General Store

Frustration put a chip on my shoulder for most of the weekend. I was ready to declare the river OVERRATED. But oh how my better half can shine light on my negativity:
She reminds me constantly what it is all about.... why we love it.... why we lay awake at night thinking about it.
She helped me remember what its all about.

It's Just Fishing.....

Rasta dog gets some lovin:

Ready for a siesta:

Wild and Native.

I respect you.

Gone Fishing

2007-08-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hitting up a central Oregon river this weekend with my human and his woman.

Any time now........

2007-08-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Should be starting sometime soon.

The most comfortable shoe ever made.

2007-08-08T16:59:00.001-07:00

Jackson and I will endorse this shoe forever. The Vans classic slip on. It is the most comfortable shoe ever..... and we know you have always wanted a pair. I mean who needs laces anyways? Plus, I think they would do well on slippery rocks while wading through a heavy current. Think functionability. (Is that even a word?)

I know this trout was looking at my shoes while I was releasing his ass.

Jump on the Bandwagon! Read a Great Blog!

2007-08-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

The genious of felt sould media not only makes gnarly fly fishing films out of 15 minutes....... they also put together a kick ass blog. Check them out: (Click on the wire)

THE WIRE

Pocket water.

2007-07-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

I found myself day dreaming about cold + clear + pocket water today....right in between my work day going to hell. Sometimes I just want to say "F%#* it", grab Jackson, the woman, give my customers the finger, sell everything I own and move to Bariloche, Argentina. But I'm not that dramatic (errrrr I mean I don't have the balls). It is painfully obvious that I HATE the rat race. To bad I don't have much of a choice. I'll just look forard to the weekend........ maybe I'll hit that one pool I love.

A pocket water fish..... from the pool I love.

3 Minutes and 58 Seconds that make you want to say Yeah Yeah Yeah!

2007-07-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

I need to get out!

2007-07-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Jackson and his humans have recently relocated to a better place in the Portland area.......Jackson has his local hang out a block away (Lucky Lab), he can now chase a whole new set of bitches at the nearby park, and he has more space to himself. As for his humans...... they have been super busy, NO time to fish because of all the shit that has been going on in their lives!!!! They need to get out and fish! They are too young to be "busy" and missing out on the great fishing.

They do have a free day today.They are walking out the door on their way to the Oregon Brew Fest. Figures.

Silversun Pickups

2007-07-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Reminds me a little of Smashing Pumpkins. Check em out.

This is Fly 2!

2007-07-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Holy shi-ite! This is fly issue 2 just came to me via email and it is off the hook. And to make things skankier..... it is the "reggae issue". Couldn't have come at a better time for me..... I have been in a reggae mood for weeks (my ipod has been playing nothing but reggae when on the way to the river). So when you go..... go to page 21 launch the audio player, get out the bud, start reading.

Jackson gives it 2 paws up.

This is fly

Play I Some Music!

2007-07-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

The question has come up while drinking beers with friends many times......."If you could see ONE artist/band in concert either in their prime... or before death/split of band, who would it be?"

One simple answer:
BOB MARLEY (Jackson's Favorite)

Some top runners:
-Sublime (Bradley Nowell R.I.P.)
-The Clash
-Ramones
-Bob Dylan (Before he went electric)

Who would you pick?

N. Umpqua

2007-07-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just recently bit the bullett and bought the spey rod. I just couldn;t deny it any longer:
"I live in Oregon..... what the hell am i doing chasing trout? The rivers surrounding portland are loaded with steelies. Sure I'll make that drive over the mountain for my fix on the D...., camp the met, fish the fall, hike the salmon.... but I want to be spending a majority of my time right near home on some great rivers, swinging a fly, getting skunked, and hopefully one day feel that pull."

I am really shitty with the long rod as of now...... but since I will be making MANY casts between fish I am sure there will be improvement. Jackson sure as hell needs to be giving me a little more room while I fish...... I don;t want to drive one deep into the tail, or ear like I have done before.

Back on track:
So my fiance and I decided to take my poor excuse for skills to the N. Umpqua and go after the summer run. Incredible river. I feel as if Zane Grey himself is looking over my shoulder between each cast. This river is incredible. The sight of it is worth the drive alone. (I might be saying this because I got skunked)

We saw a nice looking summer steelie, swung some traditional flies, drank beer. Both days we were up before the sun, and spent the middle of the day sleeping...... recharged to be back out till dark. We were told to be back in october. N. Umpqua, see ya then.

Jackson's Eye View of the N. Umpqua:

A beer you should try.

2007-07-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

Lagunitas Maximus. All the India Pale Ale you can handle.

Saturday Plans.

2007-06-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Checklist:
1)Fill the cooler with snadwich and beer
2)pack up the 3wt
3)Grab the box of dries..... (leave the streamers and nymphs at home)
4)Feed Jackson so he has plenty of energy to hike
5)Put Beef Jerky in backpack
6)Pack up dog treats for Jackson so he doesn't eat ALL the beef jerky
7)Update ipod create playlist for ride out
8)wear lucky boxers.

What tomorrow should look like:

Its Thursday.

2007-06-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

One more day till friday. Time to have a beer.
Cheers,
Jackson.

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

For all the dads out there.... Have a beer, go fish.
Cheers,
Sir Jackson and Me.

Field Testing.

2007-06-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Ego Booster.

2007-06-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

What you see is what you get. Small, wild, jewel.
If you are getting your ass handed to you by the Metolius.... pull out the map find a blue line near sisters..... pack up the cooler (hopefully with an IPA), get your 3 wt and go after the wreckless natives in that creek nearby.

This was the case when my dad, fiance, and I decided we REALLY needed to feel a tug at the end of our lines. A short, light rod, and bushy dries. Oh yeah.... some stealth required: My old man stalking:

This place is not a secret..... and its not talked about. I mean, who would give a shit about this tiny creek close to the deschutes, fall, metolius, and many central oregon lakes?

Metolius.

2007-06-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Metolius...... cold, clear, technical, beautiful. A stream that bubbles right out of the ground to form a legendary river. Legendary? While I must say the scenery was legendaty..... the fishing was NOT.

I had looked forward to this trip with my family for quite some time. I was not doing my usual routine..... sleeping in the dirt, eating whatever kept me warm at night and drinking enough to ensure a good nights sleep. Instead, thanks to my family, we got a cabin..... RIGHT on the river.

When we first showed up, bugs were everywhere.... pmd's, cadddis, and blue winged olives were all mixed in. I thought for sure the trout fishing would be cake. What I wanted most of all was a bull trout. And I thought I came prepared:

After getting skunked for our entire first morning (me, my fiance, and my dad) we though regrouping and having some beer would get us ready for the afternoon. I was confused..... where the hell were the fish? The bugs wewre out in force, the temperature felt perfect, and the flows seemed great. What I soon realized was that I had not seen a single person catch a fish all day. After asking around it quickly became clear that even the locals know that paying your dues on the metolius is part of the game. I can respect that.

That afternoon I was bouncing a stonefly off the bottom of a deep trough when IT took my fly and decided to peel off down stream.... my rod was pumping and after a few head shakes, in my most classic nature, I lost the bull trout I so badly wanted to catch. Even though I was pissed I did manage to bring a trout to hand before dark. My ONLY Metolius redside:

Not a large amount of fishing took place.... but that was fine with me.... the highlight of my trip was sitting around the campfire with my family drinking and being merry. I plan on returning to the Metolius with different expectations.... a gorgeous river that is technical is my cup of tea.... but I have to be mentally prepared for it next time. We were too early for the green drakes. I'll be back in a few weeks. Sir Jackson loved it as well:

A Fish Is A Fish. Is A Fish. Right?

2007-05-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

A fish.....

is a fish......

IS A FISH.....

is a fish.....

is a fish.....

Is a fish.....

RIGHT?

The two D's.

2007-04-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

"Ok little fishy.... Jackson and I know you got alot going against you. Floods threaten your water, people try to suffocate you with pollution, those bigger fish are ganging up on you and won't let you hang out with them, food can be scarce, and billy bob dunking worms and shit wants to keep you for dinner. Damn Poacher."

"Hang in there and eat up....learn from your mistakes, grow big and strong. Oh yeah.... and don't forget to make plenty of babies for me to obsess over. Don't worry though.... I'll put them back just Like I put you back (not without letting Jackson lick your face).... if I can set the hook."

Is it a coincidence that two big rivers with the hardest fighting trout I have ever hooked into start with the letter D? Even more of a coincidence the locals who haunt those waters refer to both of them as "THE D". THE DELAWARE. THE DESCHUTES.

Jackson and I have fished both of these Holy places. On opposite ends of the United States.... these rivers have many things in common. Any given trout can peel line off your reel. The fish grow very strong surviving in a huge river carved by a heavy current. Great dry fly action, and picky fish.

Even though they are not native.... the Delaware River Brown Trout will get the best of you if you are not on your "A" game. If you finally fool the fish (15 flies later, and 3 tippet changes after) Don't size a fish up.. until you land it. We know that 15'' brown felt like 20'' when it took line off your reel. These fish don;t nail flies.... they are picture perfect browns who SIP flies.

The Deschutes: The redside. Fighting Redside sounds better. I hope you can land the damn thing after you hook it...... but these fish know how to spit hooks while they are suspended 4 ft out of the water. Oh shit! I almost forgot..... the steelies. Yeah, they are there too...... this river will test your witts, and reward you beautifully. If you're lucky.

Jackson wants me to let you in on one little secret. I wont say too much...... my boy was working on the Delaware a summer ago and night fishing for large browns....... in between loud surface smacks in the darkness of the night (in between browns) he was catching these on the surface (with a 5 wt):

So..... put it on your list. 2 places to fly fish before you die.

Menomena.

2007-04-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Portlanders. Show your indie roots. Menomena. Trash. Beat. Menomena. Cough,cough, coughing.

Honey Holes, Reports, Pics, and Inspiration

2007-04-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hotdamn! The shacknasties are just about over. This side of the world is beginning to shake off the frost and thaw out. Everyone is dusting off the cobwebs and I am beginning to read more and more positive fishing posts. I have busted out the map book and begun searching out new water I want to explore. Forget the crowds.... I am leaning towards the days filled with a hard hike, rewarded by wreckless fish and solitude. Ok, so I will probably fish the salmonfly hatch on the D. But not before I start searching out some honey holes on lesser known water. I hope fellow bloggers, fishing boards, and friends continue their reports and postings. Cheers.

Portland, Oregon

2007-03-30T21:45:00.001-07:00

Shelter from the storm.

2007-03-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

Spring time in Portland=Rain. Now that things are warming up on the east side of the cascades... I have put the steelie pursuit on the backburner. In reality... I have just been jones'n to sleep in a tent again. My last to weekends have proven to be a success. Some nice weather, redsides, campfires, and good company has refueled my spirit. I guess I am not a true steelheader. I never considered myself one anyways. That does not mean I have given up.... but at this point there is no use in banging my head against a wall.

Jackson and I met up with some fellow Drakians this weekend on the D..... The fishing hasn't quite turned on yet..... but it was nice to see some sporadic hatches, and surface feeding action. What was even better, was sitting around a warm fire drinking, and shooting the shit with no worries about what I have to do at work on Monday.

Fall River

2007-03-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week carefully watching the weather around Oregon. My intention was to camp with Jackson and get away for the weekend. Oh yeah..... and to fish. The truck was packed Friday night.... and by 6 am the next morning it was pointed towards Bend. The weather was predicted to be..... PERFECT. It was.

I chose to fish the fall river for one reason: I saw a picture of it in a book.... and it just looked like a river I would fall in love with. The Fall has the most amazing clarity I have ever seen in a river which scared me at first....

Order of the Day:
1) Pound the fallen trees with streamers
2) Long tippets and tiny flies

Fish On!!!!!

When camping, make sure you bring good companions:
1)Dog
2)Tasty Beer

Jackson

Scott Lays is down?

Ok... Back to the fishing:
On the second day I found a meadow portion of the Fall loaded with willing fish. They had no problems with my BWO comparadun, this water was really clear as well, but a long tippet helped my shitty presentations to the fish. I was even able to set the hook and land fish. I usually can do everything right up until the setting the hook part. But it all came together for me this weekend. Things are looking up.

The weekend went by too fast and I am now thinking ahead to my next trip. I did find an interesting portion of the river that has peaked my curiosity. A local was telling me Browns stack up below these falls during a certain time of year. It has already been marked on my calendar.

Indie....... Fly Shop

2007-03-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Saw this posted on the Drake today and it was very cool. I would like to have a beer with this guy.

Spring: First Push.

2007-03-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

I got out today, in a much needed sort of way. Since I moved to Oregon I have tried to focus on learning how to catch steelies and leave the trout behind for a while. The steelies have been kicking my ass.....

After getting the skunk on a coastal stream Saturday, I called a friend to see what he was doing..... before I could ask him how he was...I was already agreeing to fish with him on sunday for redsides on the Deschutes. I can't complain.

The weather decided to cooperate and I felt the suns warmth on my face for the first time in months. The fishing was starting to feel a little more forgiving and we had plenty of opportunities. Redsides were caught, and beer got drank.

Here's my boy Wingnut in on a fish:

Damn sun felt mighty good. I was hot...... not cold. Hell yes! Even my BOY Jackson was going NUTS!!!!! Straight up true english Lab style:

Is this a day to go down in the record books???? Nope. But.....the beginning of spring gets rid of my shack nasties!!! The dries were even in effect today... some fish were rising and the BWO's, and the caddis were coming off in strong numbers!!! Attention anglers:
Make sure your boxes are filled, gear is in shape, and calendars are open because the season will be coming into shape before you know it..... shake off the frost, get prepared, and don't let the season pass you by. (I am usually not this positive... especially after trying to learn how to catch steelies, but after a warm sunny day like today..... and the future promise of consistent trout fishing, how could I resist?)

All positive bullshit aside:
The end of my day is described as seen:

Prehistoric.

2007-02-22T21:34:00.000-08:00

That was the first thought that came to my mind when I saw this fish. My lady was swinging a streamer through a deep pool in NC and ended up whacking the biggest fish on that trip. She was the only girl fishing w/ a group of 7 guys. Nuff said. This fish has shoulders.....

Punk in Drublic

2007-02-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

Get drunk and cuss at people. In my more destructive stages of my youth..... this was my anthem. NOFX. Fuck the straight edges. There was nothing that spoke to me better than white trash, three heebs, and a bean. Even though I have come full circle in my musical taste, and I no longer hate the hippies..... I am gonna have to break out the old album to bring a little juju my way this upcoming weekend. The upcoming weekend is looking like one of my worst opportunities to catch a fish yet. Many rivers are blown out.... and I don't quite have the Jedi knowledge of Oregon that I was convinced I had in VA. I'm starting all over again. In order to bring myself good luck:
1)Stock up on PBR
2)Wear "the" boxers
3)Put NOFX in the player and crank it loud till Sat.
4)Bust out Jackson's old collar that smells like shit
5)Don't check any more fishing reports.

Looking Up.

2007-02-18T13:57:00.000-08:00

The lady was in town for the weekend, the fishing didn't pan out cause the river was the color of overstirred chocolate. But I didn't mind at all. We will be spending an extended weekend at the Metolius come spring and the timing will coincide with the Green drake hatch. We hope. After dropping her off at the airport... I decided to keep my mind busy by tying up some patterns for our trip to the Met. I have never fished the Met..... I am looking forward to it, and I read these are finicky fish.

I'll be kickin like a true yupee during this certain weekend cause the family will be there and my old man likes to be pampered on fishing trips. I can't complain.... moms cookin, an actuall bed in a cabin, great beer, and jackson will be getting extra attention. Life is good..... when the river is just out your front door.

Anadromous, according to Wikipedia

2007-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here is what wikipedia had to say: (I think they left out the part about driving some people crazy)
Many types of fish undertake migrations on a regular basis, on time scales ranging from daily to annual, and with distances ranging from a few meters to thousands of kilometers. The purpose usually relates to either feeding or breeding; in some cases the reason for migration is still unknown.

Migratory fish are classified according to the following scheme:

diadromous fish travel between salt and fresh water (Greek: 'Dia' is between)
anadromous fish live in the sea mostly, breed in fresh water (Greek: 'Ana' is up)
catadromous fish live in fresh water, breed in the sea (Greek: 'Cata' is down)
amphidromous fish move between fresh and salt water during some part of life cycle, but not for breeding (Greek: 'Amphi' is both)
potamodromous fish migrate within fresh water only (Greek: 'Potamos' is river)
oceanodromous fish migrate within salt water only (Greek: 'Oceanos' is ocean)
The best-known anadromous fish are salmon, which hatch in small freshwater streams, go down to the sea and live there for several years, then return to the same streams where they were hatched, spawn, and die shortly thereafter. Salmon are capable of going hundreds of kilometers upriver, and humans must install fish ladders in dams to enable the salmon to get past. Other examples of anadromous fish are sea trout, three-spined stickleback, and shad.

Can't Sleep

2007-02-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

I can't sleep.... my lady is coming in town and I am taking a needed day off work on Friday. Over the phone she has expressed more than once how bad she wants to get out and fish. The weather is cooperating.... rain should have these steelies turned back on and she has an ability to impress me with her skills every time.

Jackson will be so stoked..... belly rubs and extra treats are in the forecast for him. He is so tired of watching me get my ass kicked by these anadromous fish that he knows its gonna take a miracle or just a good luck charm. Well, that time has come. Even if things don't come together for me..... this is a time where I really mean... "it was just good to get out".

Partner in Crime.

2007-02-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

REASONS TO GET A DOG:
-They will NEVER turn their back on you..... loyalty thru and thru.
-You don't have to drink alone anymore.....
-If someone is in your spot on the river.... let ol' Jackson come thru and make sure they leave.
-They make a great audience when your playing a fish.
-Provide warmth on cold nights in the tent.
-You don't have to mark your territory anymore.... Jackson will lift a leg and do it for you.
-Vacuum.... they'll eat anything you don't want.
-Alarm clock..... if you drank too much the night before and you wanna wake up early and hit the river.... (this works especially well in a small tent)
-Pillow
-They think you are honestly a good person.
-Hiking that extra mile does not bother them.
-Another reason to get out.
-Your best friend.
-

First Person.

2007-02-07T23:38:00.000-08:00

I actually found myself rooting for this guy towards the end.

Fog.

2007-02-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know what draws me to it..... but hearing rises and not being able to see the fish through a thick fog sends shivers down my spine.

The Cribs.

2007-02-06T21:45:00.000-08:00

I saw this band open for Deathcab and Franz Ferdinand. They stole the show with drunk antics and pure stage destruction.

Portland. Beertown USA?

2007-02-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

Since my recent move to PDX I have decide to learn me up on a few things. Portland has challenged me in many ways. I can now say that I welcome the rain.... it completes a necessary cycle. But I must note 2 important things I have decided to focus on:
1.Anadromous fish.
2.Oregon Brews.

The fishing has toyed w/ my emotions and the learning curve has tested my wits. Its like learning how to fish all over again. I love it.

The beer.... it has been nicer to me. I still enjoy the PBR and keep it in my fridge religiously... but the oregon brews are the best I have had. This city seems to be rooted in DIY and local pride. Every purchase I make at the beer store has me searching for something new... but it must be made in Oregon. My only requirement.
Props:
-Bridgeport IPA
-Amnesia ESB
-McMenamins Terminator
-Deschutes Brewery Mirrorpond
-Full Sail Wassail
-Rogue Dead Guy Ale & Hazelnut Brown Nectar

So many more......

She throws a pretty loop. A tight one.

2007-02-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

It should come as no surprise that my greatest memory in life involves fly fishing. Don't be fooled by my rhetoric because this is not a story about fishing, but rather a reflection back to when the earth stopped spinnning for a few hours allowing me to enjoy a life defining moment with a beautiful girl.

Pre-Jackson era, spring break 2005: My friends could not understand why I decided to go on an extended road trip w/ my girlfriend to fish. They would rather go to the MTV infested cancun in search of superficial pleasure. Not me, it was my girl's idea to check out some rivers in Southern VA, TN, and SC. Not gonna argue. We covered it all.... tailwaters, medium sized freestones, and mountain streams with wild jewels. Brookies, rainbows, and browns.

It is still etched in my mind. Burnt inside my head..... the picture weighs heavy and unforgettable. On one of our stops... we chose the Chatooga river in SC. For EARLY spring... (very early) the weather decided to cooperate and the waters were warmed by a long forgotten sun. As we were gearing up, the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds occasionally illuminating her face. When it finally found a break.... it seemed as if the earth paused in its rotation to give life to the river. We were basking in the sun with no worries about results.

This is not a story of an epic hatch, and numbers of quality fish. Most anglers would store a day like this in the back of their minds leaving space for an episode straight out of fy rod and reel. Their deserving memories might include a tough old gnarly lunker hanging tight to an undercut bank, protected by tiny micro currents, that refused half a box of emergers until it sipped a size 18 spinner on 15 ft 6x.

Our success was not a riddle.... a simple hare's ear under an indicator started off our morning. I was not my usual selfish self. We took turns in a run 5 minutes from where we parked. It was impossible to leave this spot. The smiles on our face were glued and our laughter was unstoppable. Fish after fish, we were amazed at how much will power made up for their lack of size. 3 wt action at its best. The laughter between us stopped occasionally to land fish and spot others. If there was a heaven on earth.... this would be it.

The highlight of the day came when a fish began to rise methodically on the other bank of the river.... I could not make this cast and I doubted our chances because I was worried about putting other fish down by going after this one. She challenged my doubts by taking the 3wt and placing an impossible presentation off the edge of a far rock. Whack! Fish on!

A storm began to roll in and we knew it was time to hit the road and head out. The earth stepped back into rythm and the sun was gone. Our smiles were overrun with conversation and joy. I have never been so happy in my life. This was a message from an angel in disguise. She teaches me something new every day.... enjoy the memories and share them with the ones you love. I will always remember this day.

To the one I love.

Bob, I'm listening.

2007-02-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

I won't let up. Cast, mend, swing, strip, strip, step. Cast, mend, swing, strip, strip, step. My ego has been chewed up and spit out, hopelessly denied just like every cold swing that I have carefully placed in my last 4 outings. I have almost forgot what it felt like. My time will come...... and it will make all this pain feel better. I never thought I would be saying this..... we need rain.
One.

Heavy Artillery

2007-01-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

When it is time to throw the heavy shit.... don't overlook the simplicity of the double bunny. This shit is deadly. But don't abuse it. Ok.... go ahead and throw your dry all day... but once you have had your fill then it is time to scour the depths with the double bunny. This shit swims......and looks very meaty...... expect some short takes... and aggresive fish.

At Least the Cold War Produced One Good Thing.

2007-01-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

This band is kick ass. You can't deny thier sound..... and it is contagious. Check them out.......

Voluntary Beatdown

2007-01-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

Are you trying to understand how crazy steelheaders are? If you want to know a little more about their psyche check out the bacon at: The Voluntary Beatdown

Music.

2007-01-30T20:19:00.000-08:00

Help a Brother Out

2007-01-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

Its simple. Help a brother out. Too much negativity surrounds the angling world these days. Everyone is out to prove something...... Who is the biggest dirtbag angler, troutbum, purist, hardcore, mother out there. WHO GIVES A FUCK! I am not preaching that evryone goes out and openly shares all the important information at the first opportunity possible. All I am saying is..... don't be in superdefensivegiantdickmode. You might actually make a great angling friend even though they fish egg patterns, use whorvis, have better equipment than you, nymph w/ indicators, blah blah blah etc. Would I rather have the river to myself? YES! But the increase in number of anglers might have one advantage: The increase in anglers should increase environmental awareness, and we can become a LOUDER VOICE.

Winter.

2007-01-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Steelheading has become a thorn in my side. I caught one... and now I am hooked. A friend of mine claims, "the tug is the drug".... he is right. Oregon has not been so nice in givng up her fresh chrome to me. Maybe the springtime will bring relief in my direction with its first set of strong hatches and hungry trout. The success rate won't be the same. Hmmmmm... spring hatches? Winter is cruel.

R.I.P.

2007-01-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

Dear College,
R.I.P. I didn't think I would miss you this much. I wish I still had the freedom to drink, fish, get away, and not care whenever i wanted to.
Other things R.I.P:
Jimi Hendrix, Environment, Lefty Kreh (Is he dead yet?!), Beast, Sticky.... I'll never see you again! J.E.B. Stuart for saving my city from being sacked, Bradley Nowell, Bob Marley, Classic Rock, Garage Hopping, The Wood, Mossy Creek, The bat I hooked on the farmington, Summer 2003, hatchery steelie I caught on the D, My Old Bronco (Christine), $30 dollar tent that left me sleeping in a puddle on the Davidson, Grandpa, America's team (the cowboys in the 90's), plagiarism, East Coast.

Road Trips

2007-01-26T23:49:00.000-08:00

We all plan them far in advance...daydreaming is our only escape leading up to our trip. Once it is time to hit the road.... "Fuck!" hope I didn't forget anything.......... Trucks, vans, campers, family wagon's, child seats...... (what is that gawd awful smell?) whatever you travel in........ road warriors alike, its all about the road. Great tunes along the way help get your mind into the right mode.... (maybe even a cold beer in your lap). This is a shout out to all the fishing rides out there with special stories or names. Love and Hate...... Nothing better than having beer at the end of the day on the tailgate.

Stayin Stoned.

2007-01-26T23:14:00.001-08:00

Quality? Quantity?

2007-01-26T22:27:00.000-08:00

Arguments. Can't stand them. Love them. Who cares..... can't complain when things come together.......

I love natives.... especially reckless brookies. I just moved from VA to Portland and I left a great native brookie fishery. Throwing a bushy dry on a 2wt into a pool no bigger than your bathtub might not be for everyone. Good. This is the type of fishing that doesn't take much concentration, or effort, the hardest part is the hike. The reward...... a jewel of a fish. Take it or leave it.... talk shit. These brookies are tough, resistant, survivors.

Man's best friend.

2007-01-26T22:07:00.000-08:00

I love to fish. But what really puts a smile on my face... is experiencing a great day on the river with my four legged friend. If only I could be as good of a person as he thinks I am. Man's best friend..... won't ever complain.