2024 had everything. More than I wanted. While my fishing and travels were some of the best in years, both my mom and Granny had health scares that led to two long summer days in the hospital. Luckily they recovered 100%. Furthermore, 2024 will be forever scarred with the loss of my best pal Sammy … Read more
Granny said I was full of it when I called December 9 in Florida my last day of fishing for 2024. She was right. Yesterday Howie and I took our ladies to Bayfield, WI for lunch at Morty’s Pub then we fished the town dock on Lake Superior for a short time. It was chilly … Read more
2024 has been an epic fishing year and it could not have ended any better. I had the bow of the skiff here in Florida on the Indian River Lagoon for the entire day as Frank Catino guided me. The icing on the cake however was that long time Jackson Hole pal Paul Bruun, 80 … Read more
Frank Catino gave me a few options of entertainment today while I’m down here in Florida. We could go bass fishing on some private lakes. We could chase snook, but we are definitely doing that tomorrow with Paul Bruun. Or, we could bag fishing altogether and zip around on Franks airboat. Well, being a man … Read more
This train never stops rolling. Especially during winter when I have an even mix of fly fishing travel and a speaking tour. I got home from Brazil on Monday night and then yesterday flew to Melbourne, Florida. I came to deliver a full day of presentations for the Backcountry Flyfishing Association. It’s a great group … Read more
“Sorry for the delay. I got home from the Amazon sick as a dog. Then had computer problems. Then I went to FL and delivered a weekend of presentations. Of course I stayed for a little fishing. FL blogs coming soon” Man how time flies on these expeditions. Seems like me, Rodrigo, Joe … Read more
Dang it! I’m sick as a dog. If home I’d not venture far from bed. But today I’m in the Amazon and I’d have to be dying before this group could leave me behind. Today was a three hour adventure straight upstream from Xingu River Lodge. To be exact it was a beautiful three hour … Read more
I’ve been fighting something the last few days. It’s been a mild sore throat and now a ton of crap in my lungs. A bit of advice; when you travel somewhere remote be sure to have some drugs for at least the simple things. I have no doubt that had I not had a dose … Read more
Just a reminder of where I am this week. I’m a guest of Rodrigo Salles of Untamed Angling and us along with friends Joe Wolthuis and Ross Purnell are on the Xingu River in the Amazon of Brazil. We are fishing mostly payara, but everything that wants to play is welcome. Its an incredibly wild … Read more
It was gorgeous morning here at Xingu Lodge on the Xingu River deep in the Amazon. I was up before 5 AM enjoying the birds while working on my blog from yesterday. The bird life is incredible in every direction and on the far side of the river you hear the roar of howler monkeys. … Read more
I mentioned that the Xingu River has over 700 species of fish. No doubt, you all are expecting me to rack up thirty plus species and celebrate my 500th on fly this week. But, that’s unlikely to happen. First of all, most of the 700 species are aquarium size fish. In fact, if you have … Read more
It was a great evening reuniting with my friends Joe Wolthuis and Ross Purnell in Manaus, Brazil last night. All three of us were supposed to arrive Thursday night but as you read yesterday, Delta left me hanging in Atlanta for another 20 hours. But I made it here late yesterday afternoon and as soon … Read more