Yesterday, despite a winter storm warning, I took two hardy souls fishing on the Snake. Josh and Hanse were determined to fish; blizzard be damned! These guys worked the water hard with their double nymph rigs and were each rewarded with a few fish; and of course there was the colossal cutthroat that got away! (it’s not a fishing trip without one!) Here are a few pictures from our outing.
After enduring a few months of Wyoming winter, one can’t
help but feel the need to get out of town; if only for a change of
scenery and chance to fish some different water (that is NOT
lined with several feet of snow). So, after dropping Jamie off at
the airport to catch a flight to Vegas, Sage and I continued on
with a car full of supplies and fishing gear. My friend Matt was
nice enough to blow off some work and join us for a few days of
fishing and relaxation. Fishing was good, company was great and
I feel recharged since returning home. Enjoy a few highlights
from the past week…. thanks to Matt (and a few trout) for
demonstrating how things are done!
Like many fly fishers out there, I am a huge John Gierach fan. It began when I picked up his book, “Sex, Death and Fly Fishing” in college. Reading it confirmed my suspicions that some people do indeed reject convention and spend the majority of their waking hours pursuing trout. Since then, I’ve read all Gierach’s books, some more than once, and look forward to his Sporting Life columns in Fly Rod and Reel magazine.
While perusing the Trout Underground site (a great blog) the other day, I came across a link to an interview with John Gierach. Gierach doesn’t seem to do many interviews, so when I stumble across one, I read it. It’s nice to learn a little more about the man who pens such great fishing tales.
Check it out if you’re a fan: Interview
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)!
Stripped down to bare wood, scratches filled and
sanded
In my homemade painting booth after first coat of
primer
painting complete, cured for 30 days and
sanded/buffed
reassembled and back in action
back with the family
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…
