To say the incredibly straight-lined Mad River looked mad today would be an understatement. Mike Schmidt and I left Baldwin, Michigan at 7 PM last night and drove 7 hours to his home in Dublin, Ohio. We did this for two reasons; one because I was speaking to Central Ohio Fly Fishers in Columbus tonight and the … Read more
March 11, 2013 After the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo ended yesterday, friend Mike Schmidt, owner of Anglers Choice Flies, and I drove four hours north to Baldwin, Michigan located on the banks of the Pere Marquette River. We’re steelhead fishing tomorrow! However, what started as an enjoyable drive ended difficult. As we traveled north it … Read more
March 9 & 10, 2013 The Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Michigan was fantastic. It was incredibly special to be working along side with Bob Clouser, Ed Engle and A.K. Best. These three guys have been mentors to me for more than 25 years. And a special thanks to Dan Finstad and the rest of … Read more
A solid week at home got me some rest. I was exhausted from two months of constant travel. Not only rest, but the homestretch included some great back county skiing, college basketball and spring training baseball. The only thing it didn’t include was fishing, but I’ll get a day of steelheading on the Pere Marquette … Read more
36 hours ago I was leaving camp in the Amazon. It was a long trip home. Most of the flight I spent editing photos. Photography conditions were tough but here’s a few that stood out. Mike Dawes with a beast! Yellow-spotted river turtles Arowana Heading out The toothy picúa Piranha head for dinner Caiman Coz … Read more
February 15, 2013 The sun was gone and I was feeling like crap again to start the day. This trip has been a physical challenge. Nonetheless, fishing has been excellent and everyone is having a great time. And it should be noted that everyone has caught a peacock of 10lbs or better. Today I fished … Read more
February 14, 2013 I got some serious sleep last night. There was no messing around. And the end result of course is that I feel better than yesterday, in fact I feel like I’m alive again. I fished with longtime friend and absolute incredible angler, Mike Dawes. Dawes has put several big fish in the … Read more
February 13, 2013 Things started as another sunshiny day but I’m on the dreaded deathbed again. I didn’t seem possible that I could feel worse than two days ago but whatever sickness I have is like a plague. Nonetheless I managed to board the boat with Milkfish and Antonio. I spent much of the morning … Read more
February 12, 2013 Somehow I slept poorly again last night yet when I rolled out of bed at 5:30 the first thing I noticed was that the rain stopped and immediately felt better than yesterday. I popped our cabin door and to my delight saw patches of blue sky. Today would be a better day. … Read more
February 11, 2013 There’s only one thing worse than being sick on an exotic fishing trip – being sick on an exotic fishing trip without proper medicine in pouring rain. I’m sick as a dog. My throat is toast. My voice is gone. My sinus is clogged and I ache all over. I’m absolutely miserable. … Read more
February 10, 2013 Peacock Bass of the Amazon are one the toughest freshwater fish on the planet. They hit a fly as hard as any fish you can imagine then for at least 15 seconds the tug can be terrifying. Seriously, a 5lber like this will rip line from you so fast it will make your … Read more
February 9, 2013 You could say things never go quite as planned when in South America. After a fun afternoon and evening around the Tropical Hotel in Manaus, Brazil, at 11 PM last night I was awoken to a call that my hosted Amazon River trip was no longer flying to the Jufari River at 8:30 … Read more