The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 09.26.2025
Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope
My Fishy Friends,
I suppose the season has changed: the calendar, the Internet, the sunrise and the sunset all tell me so. I’ve been waiting for fall fishing for some time but, if we say that fall didn’t officially begin until this past Monday, then it’s true that I haven’t gone fishing yet this fall; only nearly-fall. This is OK though — occasionally we must bide our time until the right time falls into our laps.
Cheers,
Jesse
Banner photo: It’s called Paradise, and a river runs through it.
(More) Kennebec River Dam Removals!
On Tuesday of this past week, all my inboxes exploded with the news that The Nature Conservancy and Kennebec River (Maine) dam owners Brookfield Renewable had reached an agreement that will lead to the removal of the lower four dams on the river, opening up a clear path for Atlantic salmon, among other native anadromous species, to reach pristine upwater spawning habitats, including those on the Sandy River. This agreement comes a quarter-century after the Edwards Dam was removed from the lower Kennebec River -— a project that, in many ways, jumpstarted the dam removal revolution in the States. Major, major kudos to all involved! Here’s Trout Unlimited’s take on the agreement.
A Cautionary Tale
I saw this story posted on NRS’ social media this week along with the quote, “On the drive home, I seriously considered selling my raft.” After reading it, I can see why. This one takes ‘misadventure’ a couple degrees further than I, and likely anyone, would want, and yet proves that the good guys do, eventually, prevail.
Troutwriters Available
Readers of this newsletter may recall that Writers on the Fly went on tour last year, and held a 10th anniversary show at Emerald Water Anglers in Seattle this past spring. Thanks to all who came out to a show! Turns out, a few of the “Troutwriter” t-shirts are still available: check out WOTF Founder Jason Rolfe’s Instagram post for more info and to get your hands on one before they’re likely gone for good.
In Love With a River Guide
Speaking of river-running ‘fun,’ here’s a fun one: “I’m in Love With a River Guide,” by Laurie Lewis, as sung along the banks of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho. This comes from Hood River, Oregon-based Northwest Rafting Company, a fine outfit offering multi-day river trips, and safety and rowing instruction. I can personally speak to the quality of their latter trips, and highly recommend this crew!
Conspiracy of Life
In all men in some degree the wilderness wish exists, however hidden in the haste and habit of the world we made, or censored by the conspiracy of life. For me, this wish is symbolized and fulfilled by log cabins I have known, built or lived in. I am thinking especially of certain remote cabins sequestered on the banks of rivers or the shores of little known lakes. And there is one cabin in particular…
~ Edmund Ware Smith
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