The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 06.19.2026
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
‘Tis the season for wishing you were fishing in a half-dozen places at once, and for trying to squeeze more weekend trips in than there are weekends. Feeling ‘too busy’ beats the alternative, I keep reminding myself, but that’s not to say it’s entirely healthy in extended doses. As a great friend said once, “I enjoy doing things. And, I keep in mind that doing nothing counts as something.”
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: The dam that was just above here is now gone.
Spring Fishing ‘Report’
This year’s spring trout fishing season in Oregon started in late-March. Since then, I’ve been fishing with friends on my local rivers as often as schedules allowed, conditions notwithstanding. Fishing has varied from very slow to very good, and averaged somewhere between.
Here then, in no particular order, is a summary-of-sorts of what transpired while on the water, oars and rods in hand this spring – what I can remember, at least.
Riverhorse’s Water Lines
Where do I start in introducing Riverhorse Nakadate’s book? I could start by saying that his writing so damn good, and captures the feeling of nature and being in nature, in addition to his thought-provoking descriptions of it. I might also say that he is as charismatic a reader and performer as they come — just listen to him read at a recent Writers on the Fly event. And I could refer to his work and artistry as a conservationist, especially his inspiring films like “A Northern Light,” about the Boundary Waters. That he’s an exceptionally-talented fly fisher, guitarist, surfer, and canoeist, in addition to his writing, adds to his wisdom and mystique. But most of all, I want to say that Riverhorse is a great person, filled with love for people and the planet. And we can draft off his love through his writing. His new, first book is now available.
Riverhorse will be reading from and discussing the book in a handful of events around the country starting soon — see this link for all the dates. For those in the PDX-area, I’ll be there with Riverhorse on Tuesday, 6/23 at Patagonia Portland as host and moderator. Please join us!
Fish Camp
Modern Huntsman, the journal bridging artists, hunters, anglers, and naturalists, announced an upcoming, in-person gathering in Montana that I wish I could attend. It’s called Fish Camp, and it’s instructed by renowned author, poet, professor and fishing guide Chris Dombrowski along with enduring and influential photographer Andy Anderson. To top it off, it’s all going down on the Missouri River, just outside of Craig, MT. If you make it, let me know!
hitoláayca
In the film hitoláayca (Going Upriver), we watch and learn as teenager and enrolled Nez Perce citizen Devin Reuben ascends the river guiding 'ladder,' all the while descending the beautiful and famous rivers of Idaho. There's so much in this film for thought, but what's clear is Reuben's love for and comfort on the water, and that he wants to share those feelings with others. I also love that, toward the end of the video, they compare clips of him rowing a rapid — his facial expressions alone exhibit his progress as a rower. As to the prospect of Devin being the first certified Nimiipuu whitewater guide of his generation: "I can see myself being myself."
BIG Flies
Some years ago, living in southern Maine, I started seeing one particular vanity license plate parked along rivers and water access points: FSH-BIG. Eventually, I saw it parked at All Points Fly Shop — it turned out he was shop staff — and there I met Joe Webster. I’ve got to know Joe well since then and even had a chance to write a profile about him, in which we talked about what turned into a staggering 1,100-plus consecutive days on the water. Joe recently launched his own custom flies marketplace, aptly titled FISH BIG FLIES. Check out his new website and all his patterns; you too can fish big!
Winchester Dam Updates
Much has been reported on the North Umpqua River’s privately-owned Winchester Dam in the last several years — the (most recent) illegal and botched repairs, its shortcomings in passing anadromous fish, its failing condition, and reluctance of owners to consider removal, among other topics. Via WaterWatch of Oregon, here’s a great update on current happenings with various, related court cases. And, if you want to go even deeper, check out this article in the latest edition of The Osprey. In short: the dam (still) needs to go, and some progress is being made to this end.
Above: North Umpqua River welcome sign and Winchester Dam.
The Man & The Manifesto
I’ve written about, and shared writing and thoughts from, Headhunters Fly Shop co-owner and guide Mark Raisler before, but it’s worth doing again. Here’s a link to a recent essay and short film about Mark’s recent statement of ‘Boat and Guide Parameters’ and his related transition to dry fly fishing only. Written by Miles Nolte, the essay covers many angles of the ‘why’ and what it all looks like in practice. Noting that it wouldn’t be possible without the companionship and support of his long-time clients, Mark adds:
“The longer we fish together, the fewer fish we catch.”
Regional River Forecasts
We all rely on various forms of forecasts when planning our fishing or floating or outdoor-ing. Those who spend time on rivers will likely have made their way to one, or some of NOAA’s River Forecast Centers’ websites and resources for flow predictions or other information. Recently, The River Radius podcast released several episodes, each featuring an RFC staffer from different offices. I listened to the Columbia River Basin-focused episode and found it a great intro to the Centers’ work, summary of current conditions, and an outlook for the summer and fall. Check out your local forecast-podcast online, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
What is Greased Line Fishing?
…it is a method which enables the angler to attack a particular fish, as does the chalk stream dry-fly fisherman; to observe the entire process of rising and hooking; to fish with light tackle; to learn, consciously or unconsciously, the art of watermanship—the mere watching of a floating line inevitably compels the least-observant fisherman to study the behavior of the currents—and finally it is applicable to almost any condition of water and weather.
~ From Jock Scott’s Greased Line Fishing for Salmon [and Steelhead]
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