The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 09.18.2026
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
Fall came overnight here in the Pacific Northwest, and that particular night was about two days after the photo above was taken. It’s been welcome though — especially the rains. So far, my fall fishing has been excellent, and I suspect that I’ll confirm that fact again this weekend. Based on the folks who’ll be in the boat with me, it wouldn’t matter if every fish in the river was on vacation.
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: Floating into the beyond. Deschutes River, Oregon.
The Ego-Angler On My Side of the River
Before me lay a gorgeous steelhead run, and each part of it – the head, the riffle, the bucket, and lastly, the tailout – looked to be the best part. Depending on where my eyes focused, that was where I wanted to be fishing, and the shallow, soft inside told me that I could easily wade, and fish, the entirety of it.
And so I did…
Readings & Photoshow in PDX
To my PDX peeps: on Tuesday, Sept. 22, I’ll be in town to read a few passages from my book and share accompanying photos. The event is in partnership with, and in support of the river and water conservation nonprofit WaterWatch of Oregon, and I’ll be having a discussion with their former executive director, and close friend John DeVoe. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. at Steeplejack Brewing Co. on NE Broadway! Great food and drinks will be available, along with books — all proceeds of the latter will be donated to WaterWatch. RSVP here!
Speak Up for Roadless Areas
On August 18, 2026, the Department of Agriculture announced a proposed rule that would eliminate widely-supported protections on more than 45 million acres of roadless public land throughout the country — referred to as Roadless Areas. A couple quick stats: Roadless areas of the national forests contain less than two percent of the American land mass, but provide habitat for 25 percent of its threatened and endangered species and supply drinking water to more than 60 million Americans. Now’s the time to speak up for Roadless Areas! Learn more about these areas and what’s at stake, and then make your comment at this webpage, from Trout Unlimited. The public comment period on the proposal to rescind the roadless rule is open now through September 21.
Singer-Songwriter, Poet, and Trout Fisherman
It’s fitting that I was introduced to Iowa singer-songwriter, poet, and trout fisherman Greg Brown from a fishing buddy. Brown has a handful of songs that reference trout fishing or fly fishing, and this video of a duet, acoustic performance in 1991 has two such songs. But those are just the start of his incredible catalog, and the video has a few other favorites. Give it a listen, give it a watch, and then enjoy digging deeper into his music.
From “If I Had Known”:
A little creek you could spit across
Jimmy and me each took one more toss
Our spinners bright in the evening air
People always said, ‘There ain't no fish in there’
Well grownups they ain't always right
Jimmy and me walked home slow that night
Right down Main Street in our P.F. Flyers
With two five pound bass making grown men liars
Recent Reads
Two recent reads, which I recommend adding to your own lists: Why Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller, and Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild by Heather Hansman.
In the former, which I found in the High Desert Museum’s gift store, is an unexpected journey of a particular man’s fascination with fish' and the ordering or cataloging of them, and the Miller’s following of his trail. Along the way, and in the end, we find something entirely different though, with much greater implications for our own lives.
In the latter, written by my former Freeflow Institute instructor, is an analysis of three specific women and their contributions to the outdoors, through recreation, conservation, philosophy, feminism, and the intersections thereof. Hansman also charts and explores her own course while reliving her subjects’ lives and approaches.
I would’ve mentioned these books separately, but most curiously, I found an eery connection between the two in that they share a same (albeit minor) character! Let me know if you also find the link!
Oxbow All Species
Next weekend, the Oxbow Brewing All Species fly fishing tournament and celebration kicks off across the state of Maine. This is a damn good time and the celebration itself, based in Oxford, ME, is filled with great beer, food, music, fly fishing exhibitors, and friendly, fishy folk — not to mention the actual fishing, which is all in support of American Saltwater Guides Association. If you’re in Vacationland next weekend, it’s worth a stop!
Pass Creek Revisited
The Steamboaters is an Oregon-based nonprofit working to preserve, promote, and restore the natural production of wild fish populations, especially steelhead, the habitat which sustains them, and the unique aesthetic values of the North Umpqua River for present and future generations. Inspired by countless angler-conservationists of the past, the current membership sustains their legacy through advocacy and restoration efforts in the North Umpqua Basin. Check out their new, short film “Pass Creek Revisited” for more about the organization, the river, and work being done. The film is named after the 1968 film entitled “Pass Creek” that documented the impact of clearcut logging on North Umpqua tributaries. The original film was ultimately impactful towards changing logging practices across the Pacific Northwest.
Leon Leonwood’s Re-Opening
Like many Mainers, I served some time within the walls of its most famous retailer and employer, L.L.Bean at its flagship location in Freeport. The flagship store — featuring a giant Bean Boot — is open 24/7/365, and it’s a must-stop for anyone passing through for the first time. For the past year-plus, the store has been under major renovations, but the grand re-opening is just a week away. If you’re in the area, I’m sure it’ll be worth a look, to see the improvements and catch the festivities. Learn about the re-opening at this link, and if you’re interested to learn about the retailer’s founder, Leon Leonwood Bean, check out this book written by his grandson!
The Sustainable Angler Podcast
Last month, I joined Rick Crawford of Emerger Strategies for a conversation about storytelling and personal connection as catalysts for conservation, sustainability in the fly fishing community, and we shared some fishing stories as well, of course. Based in the Lowcountry, Emerger Strategies provides sustainability consulting and action plans for outdoor and fly fishing brands. Rick also hosts The Sustainable Angler podcast, and you can listen to our conversation on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
From Your Soul
It’s better to learn bluegrass and folk and hillbilly music that way than to try to learn from some academic point of view. It’s better to learn it on the back porch and to let it get under your skin, because then it’s not some equation, it’s a feeling. It comes from your soul.
~ Billy Strings, in his interview with The New York Times
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