The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 05.23.2025
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
By the time I get on the water here in Oregon this weekend, it’ll be three weeks since I’ve done so. Not long, by most standards, but when it comes to fishing condtions, it may feel like a completely new season. Once, during my guiding days, I skipped town for four days and when I finally got back in the river, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or what was going on. I’m glad that I wasn’t the paying client that day!
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: Ever get the feeling that you’re being watched while fishing? Or maybe that you shouldn’t go any further?
Heritage Waters
While in Maine last week, I had the great pleasure to visit and fish four distinct Heritage Waters. These particular ponds are special to me not only for their populations of wild native brook trout and natural beauty but also because they are places that I have visited times (in some cases, many times) before. I have relationships with each of them and the older I get, the more special they are.
Names won’t be named here but, if you bought me a beer, I’d tell you…
On-Water Podcast
Southern-Oregon based paddle and oar manufacturer Sawyer recently launched a podcast series called On-Water. The first three episodes are live and are focused on boat builders, including drift boat makers Willie Boats and Clackacraft. While you’re listening, give their retail website Sawyer Station a browse, which is filled with all kinds of river gear you may or may not need, but will likely want.
Rewilding with Rolf
I’ve kept an eye on the work of Rolf Nylinder ever since he released the New Zealand-based fly fishing film Only The River Knows in 2012. It’s still among my most favorite fly fishing flicks. Since then, Rolf has shared a steady stream of unique fly fishing and outdoor videos, most recently one entitled The Call of the Re-Wild. It’s a personal reflection about nature in Sweden that leads to a pledge to explore rewilding efforts there. Check it out and if you like the format, keep browsing Rolf’s video library for more like it.
Join The Steamboaters!
Formed in the mid-1960’s, The Steamboaters is a nonprofit conservation organization focused on the wild fish populations, especially steelhead, of the North Umpqua River. While the history and legacy of steelheading and conservation on the North Umpqua is vast, the future is bright and anyone is welcome to join in the cause. Next month, The Steamboaters will hold their annual summer BBQ. It’s a great chance to connect with other members who are passionate about the river and its fish, and get reacquainted with the river itself. For more on ‘The North’, check out this nice piece of history writing from the nearby Steamboat Inn.
In Disguise
As far as I can see, mistakes are only horses in disguise.
Ain’t no need to ride ‘em over ‘cause we could not ride ‘em different if we tried.
~ From Guy Clark’s “Ramblin’ Jack and Mahan”
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© Jesse Lance Robbins, 2025
