It was hot. The line burned through my fingers as the thing I had hooked down in the turbid water heaved and surged. I started taking steps back up to the water’s edge to help clear line faster as my eyes darted down to my line, searching for heart-breaking tangles that … Continue reading
Josh Rinehart joins us today with his side of the gar saga – as the fishing buddy along with me for these memorable trips, I asked him to lend his perspective to the best day we had – easily over 40 gar between us, plus his two surprises. Thanks Josh! … Continue reading
It was hot. The weight of the sunlight was almost a palpable thing, given mass by the humidity of the air. My buff drank sweat directly from my pores, almost able to keep up with its wicking duties. I was consciously breathing through my mouth instead of my nose so … Continue reading
It was midafternoon. The Texas heat bore down on my shoulders as I stood silently by the riverside, listening to the background drone of katydids and cicadas. My fishing partner readied tippet and selected his fly down the bank a ways. I could smell the heat, and the river; a … Continue reading
One of my favorite parts of fly fishing or fishing in general is that it’s something anyone can do. As a certified casting instructor, I run into many people who balance precipitously on the fence, not knowing whether to try fly fishing or if they’ll just be made to look … Continue reading
My eyes strained behind my polarized lenses, trying to identify exactly which one of the cruising shadows was the one I was looking for. I could’ve sworn I had seen… there! A shadow that was slightly darker and more cigar-shaped than the others rose to the surface and sipped a … Continue reading
Sunrise over the croplands. Day Two. The sun is high, the birds gently sing, and the cicadas buzz. It was pretty much Day One. It was glorious. And I was back for more. I seeee you… I started moving along the rivercourse, searching for signs of active carp. In places … Continue reading
Ah. The walk upstream. Treading softly past old bridge pilings and debris from flood years well within recent memory. Locals can remember a time when the roaring torrent crested just below the bridge I am now standing 40 feet underneath.These are reminders of the raw power that hides in the … Continue reading
As I stood at the back of my vehicle rigging up my 6 weight, I had time to reflect on how lucky I was to get to go fishing that day. The sun was hot on my back, and I slid my buff up into position. It was near noon; carp … Continue reading
Ah, the summers of youth. Long hot days, freedom to roam after my chores were through, and miles of river to explore. It might come as little surprise that as much of my time as possible was spent with a line in the water – back then it was spinning … Continue reading