The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 10.17.2025
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
Morning frost the last two mornings, mid-afternoon sun completes the burn-off, and playoff baseball on TV the last two evenings. At least two of these events will affect a trout’s behavior, when it comes to seasonal feeding. This weekend, we will see if they are on the same timeline.
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: A main Maine fishing mark.
Japan to Jamaica (for Tarpon)
As a big fan of reggae and dub music, and tarpon fly fishing, plus having visited Japan a couple times, this new short film from YETI “Japan to Jamaica,” checked a bunch of boxes for me. It tells the story of “one-of-a-kind reggae researcher” and fly angler Naoki Ienega, and his journey to open Dub Store Records in Tokyo. I found it to be a feel-good story celebrating the melding of cultures and interests, while maintaining respect and kindness throughout. And, certainly head-bob worthy!
Lopez Counts
I was in the Burnside Powell’s a few months ago when I decided that it was finally time (I know, I’m always late to the party!) to add a Barry Lopez title to our library. Ignorantly and naively thinking that a shorter book equates to a shorter read, I selected Winter Count, a 112-page collection of ten short works. It took me months to finish, partly because I tried to read it while in bed before sleeping (I wish I had this ability) and partly because the writing is so efficient, dense, and descriptive. Take, for example, this opener:
He followed the bellboy off the elevator, through a foyer with forlorn leather couches, noting how low the ceiling was, with its white plaster flowers in bas-relief—and that there were no windows.
I cannot begin to guess how many times I read that sentence. I finally finished the book, during the daytime, while taking some time off along the upper McKenzie River. This latter detail holds some significance as it was Lopez’ home river. Perhaps all his books are best read while in earshot of it? Related, here’s a great piece from Barry about the McKenzie’s salmon.
PDX’s LA
I was introduced to Portland, Oregon’s Literary Arts just a year ago, but ended up attending an event of theirs shortly thereafter, which cemented the organization’s mission and impact. They exist to engage readers, support writers, and inspire the next generation with great literature, and do so through unique and inspiring programs, classes, and events. I came across their list of writing classes for the fall and winter months, and it is robust! Check it out here.
Dirtbags, Submit!
The annual call for submissions from Dirtbag Diaries — the long-running podcast of outdoor adventure and misadventure — came last week. Click here to read the details and submit your own tale. While you’re at it, I suggest giving a listen to an episode or two; of particular note are their also-annual “Tales of Terror,” the next installment of which will be released soon!
Water
…There are not enough mouths to utter
all your fleeting names, O water.
I would have to name you in every tongue,
pronouncing all the vowels at once
while also keeping silent—for the sake of the lake
that still goes unnamed
and doesn’t exist on this earth, just as the star
reflected in it is not in the sky…
~From Wisława Szymborska’s “Water”
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