Snake river nymphing

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Just got in from an outing on the Snake. The day won’t go down
in the record books, but it was nice to get out and wet a line. I
expected conditions to be fairly lousy, but I didn’t expect ice to
be floating in the main channel…. although it makes sense. After
walking a good mile up river with Sage, I post-holed my way to
the bank and rigged up my rod. I opted for the usual, a double
nymph setup with a twist of weight. The floating ice made it
challenging to get a good drift in the fast, deep current. Every
once in a while though things would work out and I’d feel a bump
on the end of my line. After about an hour, I reeled up; content
with the 2 cooperative fish that found their way to my hand.

Snow at last

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Well, it happened. After what seemed like months of waiting,
we got our first proper snowstorm here in Jackson Hole. I’d bet
there’s about a 14 inches here at the house, and it looks like the
mountains got several feet. Needless to say there were quite a
few folks “sick” yesterday; both school kids and adults took
advantage of some great skiing. Here’s a shot from this morning
of Sage assessing things in the backyard.

some snow in the hood

Got out for some music….

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No snow and not much in the way of fishing (or skiing).
That’s how it’s been around here lately. And while it hasn’t
been dreadful, a little new snow would certainly boost morale,
both for folks around town and the trout that depend on a
robust snowpack for survival. Not time to worry yet though,
we still have a lot of winter left.

I’m been keeping myself busy around here tinkering with
various art projects and playing some music, both on the guitar
and a newly acquired ukulele. Speaking of music, I saw a great
band last night- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at a local
watering hole. The music itself was fantastic; alt country fueled
by whiskey and struggle. Unfortunately the venue was less
than adequate for such a great band. Somewhere along the
way, live music has taken a back seat to superficial chit chat
and constant cellphone checks. I watched the show intently, as
did a quarter of the other folks in the bar, but it was clear that
$20 ticket or not, most folks were there to socialize and show
off their first ever attempt at facial hair. (Yes, I realize I
sound like a curmudgeon) Regardless, it was great to see some
rock n’ roll in a mountain town that’s become increasingly more
interested in techno music and energy-drink fueled dance
parties. If you like rock n’ roll and alternative country music,
do yourself a favor and checkout Jason Isbell.

Couldn’t resist the vinyl…..came with a free digital album
download as well.

vinyl

Huh…

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After all the early season hoop-la regarding the return of “La
Nina”, those of us in the rocky mountain west are left scratching
our heads. Snow around these parts is lacking. I haven’t even
gotten out my winter boots yet, let alone the skis. I’m beginning
to think I’m trapped in a “Groundhog Day” situation as each day
is the same- sunny skies with temperatures in the 30s….Heck
there are still Grizzly bears reportedly roaming up in the park.
Strange. Here’s my cartoon from this weeks paper. I think it
sums things up.

la nina

Winter fishing in Jackson

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There are those that seek trout in fair weather, opting for
shorts, shirtsleeves and sandals. Then there is another breed
of angler. One who foregoes the ski lifts, preferring to tramp
through ice- crusted river bottom, donning Gore-Tex and a stiff
6 weight; risking hypothermia, wind-burned cheeks and
clumps of snow on their felt boots that resemble high heals.
These anglers are a hardy bunch; more concerned with getting
out, rather than how many fish they catch. Catch fish they do
though. Mainly on nymphs, however the occasional midge
hatch keeps things on the surface interesting.

I can’t claim that winter fishing around here in western
Wyoming is great; a fish here and there (whitefish or
cutthroat) will do, but casting a fly rod all while watching a
moose feed on willow buds across the river channel sure beats
sitting inside. These winter days, fish or no fish, leave the
astute winter angler wondering why no one else is out.

Here’s a shot of Sage supervising the winter fly fishing
along the Snake. Not bad for being 13.

sage on snake

Rebirth of a Stratocaster

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Since fishing season is finished around here, I decided to
tackle a project I’ve been thinking about for a while. Quick
background- I was in a band in college and always wanted a
Fender Strat. Unfortunately, they were out of my price range
and I settled with some garden-variety overseas knock-off.
Somewhere along the way, I ended up buying a Mexican made
Fender “squire series” strat off a guy for $75 (he needed cash
quick for a habit). Despite being cheap, the thing played nice
and served me well picking songs in Vermont bars. I’ve held
onto this guitar and played it from time to time; always
admiring it’s tone and playability.

A few years ago I bought myself a proper strat; one that
got rave reviews and looked gorgeous with its maple fret
board and white finish. Unfortunately, no matter how much I
played it and tried to convince myself of its greatness, I
never bonded with it. Recently I admitted to myself what I
knew all these years. The old black strat, deep down was
really nice. It just needed a little attention. So I sold the
white strat and prepared to overhaul my old companion. Off
with the thick, ugly polyurethane finish, replaced with Surf
green Nitrocellulose lacquer (like the old originals).

I had no idea the process I was in for when I started
stripping the black poly off, but am glad I did it. Below are
photos that show the transformation. Sure, I could’ve done a
few things differently, but overall the thing turned out great
and my old strat is exactly how I always wanted it. It’s
lightweight, comfortable and rings like a bell (or growls when
the bridge pup is run through a cranked tube amp)!

Naked strat body

Stripped down to bare wood, scratches filled and
sanded

ready for paint

In my homemade painting booth after first coat of
primer

sanded and polished

painting complete, cured for 30 days and
sanded/buffed

reassembled

reassembled and back in action

at home

back with the family

Winding down

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November means coming to terms with the fact that fishing
season is all but over. Sure, there are a few options that on the
right day, will still provide good fishing, but overall, days are
short, the water is cold and the fish are starting to hunker down
for the winter. Snow is starting to show up on the weekly
weather reports and it won’t be long until the ground is covered
and the temperature struggles to get above freezing. I plan on
doing a bit more fishing in the next week or so- mainly on bigger
waters, seeking out large brown trout. My friend Matt and I have
had some good luck lately with fall-run browns and hopefully we
can get a few more to bite before winter sets in. Below are a
few shots of fish from last week…

fall colors

battling the elements

Fall Browns

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With the guiding season coming to an end, I’ve been
spending some time of my own on the water lately. There are
lots of options this time of year; fish tiny flies to picky trout on
small streams, float big water and tempt fish in riffles, swing
streamers for aggressive browns…. I settled on heading out of
town and doing some down and dirty nymphing. It’s fun to see
what a dead-drifted nymph can do…

fall fish

the reward

Flat Creek- it’s great!

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If you haven’t made it out to fish Flat creek this year, you
better get to it. Right now it’s offering up some of the best (and
challenging) fishing of the year. Anglers are minimal and fish are
hungry. Expect to see good blue wing olive hatches every
afternoon as well as the occasional mahogany dun. I’ve caught
several nice (best cutthroat of the season) fish the past few days.
It’s great to stalk and cast to 20+ inch fish! Below is a photo of
one of the big cutthroat that reside in flat creek.

flat creek cut

October

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Things around here in Jackson have slowed dramatically
over the past week. It’s as though someone threw a switch.
Streets are quieter, rivers less crowded and trees have gone
from green to mustard yellow. With only a handful of guided
trips on the calendar this month, I am now focusing attention
on my own fishing. Gone are the sandals and hoppers, replaced
with waders, tiny mayflies and streamers.

Watching the snow fall outside this morning, it’s only
fitting to talk about transitions. October brings change to the
Northern Rockies. While snows and shrinking daylight warn of
the encroaching winter, they also mark some of the best
fishing around, ushering in thick blue wing olive hatches and
large fall- run brown trout. No fisherman around here would
think of going out this time of year without a handful of tiny
olive mayfly and emerger patterns (packed snugly inside his
gor-tex jacket of course). At the same time, there are some
truly large brown trout who need attention too. Fortunately, in
addition to the tiny dries, there’s another large box of flies,
designed to be swung, in hopes of enticing one of these trophy
trout,
whose colors coincidently match the cottonwoods and aspens
that line the riverbanks.

October fishing around Jackson…better get out before
winter’s here.

lewis brown