December 8, 2011 I got up early as usual, poured a coffee and strolled around camp. As I was doing so I noticed some shrubs shaking out a ways from shore. I watched thinking I’d see a caiman or a snake or something crazy, but it turns out it was a fish. And probably a … Read more
December 7, 2011 We awoke to just another spectacular Amazon sunrise. I was up at 5 and strolled around camp. It appeared the water dropped about six to eight inches while we slept. All the floating cabins were tilted from the loss of water. This should be good news for the fishing I thought. Today … Read more
December 6, 2011 Becky wasn’t crazy about the idea of me jumping in with Dale today as she and I have been having a blast fishing together, but as group host I like to fish with the others if it’s possible. And today actually worked out fine because Becky got to fish with Steve whom … Read more
December 5, 2011 Despite being a hardcore fly fisher, I’m completely aware the world offers a few fish that are unlikely to eat my fly. Giant Amazon catfish are one of these fish. Every trip to the Amazon I spend at least a few hours dunking piranha heads into the deep black water of the … Read more
December 4, 2011 It’s hard to beat waking up in a camp on the banks of the Amazon. Some of the coolest birds make their morning calls. Dolphin chase bait in front of your cabin. And the camp staff has delicious coffee made by 5:30. Life really doesn’t get any better. I got up around … Read more
December 3, 2011 Last night Becky and I rolled into the Tropical Hotel in Manaus, Brazil at about 11:30 PM absolutely exhausted from the long two days of travel from the States. Our overnight at this hotel was the last leg of the journey before heading to the Amazon today. Most of my seven guests … Read more
December 2, 2011 My sister Becky and I survived the overnight flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil with flying colors and find ourselves in a 9 hour layover waiting to fly to Manaus, Brazil tonight. We’re doing our best to kill off the time. I sorted flies, walked every square inch of the airport and now … Read more
The long journey has begun. I’m presently at the San Francisco airport en route to the Amazon. It was a snowy windy night in Victor, Idaho. My flight left Idaho Falls at 6 AM. Needless to say I couldn’t sleep to well worrying about the morning road conditions and the fact that I had to … Read more
It’s a special time of year. I’m not quite tired of the snow. I’m not yet sick of the sun not rising until 8 AM. So far I can even handle darkness at 5 PM. Temps aren’t too cold and because it’s mid November, and I enjoy the fact that trout have normally crowded rivers … Read more
Last week my friend Doug McKnight of Livingston, Montana called to invite me to streamer fish the Yellowstone River with him. Dougy promised me that this is the time when you have a chance at some really big brown trout. He wasn’t kidding! Unfortunately I opted out on Dougy’s offer. I’m more focused on my … Read more