In the Pacific NW, most of the Western U.S., unless you are blessed with year around open waters (fishing season open) or you are a heroic Winter Steelhead fly fisher) you wait for the season to open in the Spring. Depending upon altitude, some waters open in April and some a bit later in May.
All this waiting is usually coupled with planning, studying up, tying flies, tinkering with the gear, and more planning. It is the anticipation, the what if’s and the recollections of having done it before and what it brings to the psyche when it all goes even partially right.
It is the fresh air, the traveling and anticipation, the rush to get on the water, the possible sunshine! and warmth!, using the flies you tied and the success of those creations, “the moment” and the aftermath of feeling connected, at one, at peace…if even for a little bit. It is how one’s life should be, even off the water.


Gorgeous post, fish too and such a wonderful you thanks so very much Gary I am very busy as I am now living but I love all of you here at my home so I must try to do it all 🙂 good thing these days I am so happy and require very little sleep! Your posts are as beautiful as always. Kitchen stove let go and I went to norther NH and took my first photo this year of a fly fisherman in his canoe on a quiet lake made me want to get new line for mine and start tying again looked so peaceful 🙂 Thanks for your kind words HUGS
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awesome pictures , great post!
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Thank you Phil for the kind comment. Much appreciated.
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I am curious if you are interested in doing promo for promo.I would follow, like and share your post if you would do the same for me.This ranks your website higher on google search.I’m trying to get lots of views to help my snowboarding , I want ot advertise for companies by getting traffic to my blog in return the companies would help me.If you wonder how you can do the same let me know and i’ll help.Thanks for your time.-Phil
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I love this. My husband fishes (bass), and he would live in his boat on the water if he could. I never understood the desire to get up at zero dark thirty and spend hours in the cold trying to catch a fish. But you just explained it to me very eloquently. I’m glad I swung by to see what you’re all about.
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Thank you for coming by…much appreciated. I get up less earlier each year… 🙂 especially if it is cold.
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Nice, that of course means that our season down here in the Southern Hemisphere is drawing to a close, or at least the rivers, but there will still be winter lake fishing, Generally chilly and with snow capped mountains as a backdrop. perhaps a little ice around the edges in the early morning but it makes a change. You enjoy your spring and summer fishing and I shall sort out the boat, tie some bigger flies and plan for the stillwaters for a few months. Lovely pictures by the way.. Have fun out there.
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thank you Tim…I do hope you had a good season.
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After a long Winter of dredging for the odd steelhead it’s good to see the hatches that accompany Spring. Hope your flies ride high.
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Thanks and same to you also!
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Looks like we have twin interests. Photography and fishing. I must admit, my west coast friend, I do harbor a multitude of jealousies regarding your water. For more east coast photo stuff you can check out dirtshopstudio.wordpress.com. Have a wonderful season of troubleshooting fish. Love to link up somehow. Stephanie
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Very nice work on your photography blog! Great eye for that old, rustic, long forgotten place. Thanks commenting and water envy hits most of us at some point.
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I am struggling for the first fish of the year! We live on the Little Big Horn and while I do not fly fish – there is just nothing like fishing all day! Dove season gives way to pheasant and then Turkey and finally TROUT!
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Yes, indeed. I hope your Spring runoff doesn’t hold you back for long. Have fun!
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