Fly Fishing Through the Corona Crisis: Rock Creek, Montana

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Greg Thomas

We’ve been told to stay at home, but we can access public lands. A mixed message for sure. All I know is that I can avoid all human contact if I just steer my truck to the river and hike into a remote portion of a river.

And that’s what I did yesterday on upper Rock Creek, which is located about 60 miles from Missoula, Montana. I was hoping to hit the creek earlier in March, knowing that this has been a mild winter and early spring and that the creek’s rainbows may have already moved toward the spawn. Wanted to catch that prime window when the cutthroats, browns and ‘bows are all in the main portion of the river and looking up for dry flies.  Didn’t happen.  I was Continue reading →

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Best Danner Hiking Boots for the Trail and the Street

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Greg Thomas

I don’t like unboxing videos. And I don’t like reviews of products that simply announce their availability. That’s the easy way out. And I’ve done it when there’s no choice but to include products in a themed list of say, gear for summer camping, or something like that.

Instead, I like to use a product and work it hard, Continue reading →

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Fishing Closed in Washington . . . AT Feels Your Pain

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Greg Thomas

This is exactly what we at Angler’s Tonic have feared, and we hope that the idea doesn’t spread to some of our favorite waters in other states, as getting out of the house to throw a line on nearly deserted streams and beaches is what we would call one of the best ways to retain sanity at that time.

We are not experts in health and virus’ however, so we have to respect the required actions and hope that you do, too. Here’s the note from Washington Department of Fish and Game.

WDFW closes recreational fishing statewide

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced its decision to temporarily close recreational fishing and shellfishing statewide in the wake Continue reading →

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Doing Moab, Utah, During Corona Madness

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Greg Thomas

I broke the law (well, not technically) before we all knew we’d be breaking the law if we left the safety of our homes and trekked to other locales for the spring break. Seeing as I only get a spring break every two years with my daughters, I took the plunge and headed south to Utah, and on down to Moab.

I’d booked a hotel and packed camping gear, so that in either case we could hole up and limit our interactions with other people as much as possible. This trip would be about Continue reading →

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How to Can and Smoke Alaska Salmon, Family-Style

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Greg Thomas

As you probably know, I’m a proponent of wild salmon, and that includes eating wild salmon to save wild salmon, the theory being, if there isn’t economic value to the fish, our elected leaders won’t do a damn thing to protect them. And, if wild fish become unimportant, toxic farmed salmon will rule.

Enough on that. To support my stand I’ll offer these images from a fun evening spent preparing and then packing salmon to be canned in glass containers. I think we must have processed over 150 pounds of Alaska sockeye and coho salmon, with all of the immediate family taking part. Want to talk about a fun, rewarding and memorable evening, full of laughs and jokes and a common purpose. I’m telling you, whether your packing salmon or cutting up an elk, or grinding buffalo for Continue reading →

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About Salt

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Greg Thomas

Honestly, some days I don’t care if I catch another trout in what’s left of my lifetime. I’d rather row, let someone else do the dirty work.

I say that, however, knowing how my eyes and brain process a rising trout; I go into predatory mode, like I’m hunting deer and elk, ready to stalk a fish as if my life depended on catching and eating it. So I haven’t written off Continue reading →

Posted in Saltwater | 1 Comment

Restoring Rio Grande Cutthroats

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Greg Thomas

Photo courtesy Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited is taking a unique approach to generating an economy in a small New Mexico town called Questa. This town was driven by mining activity beginning in the 1800s and continuing through 2014, until a local Molybdenum shut down, leaving more than 300 people without work.

Fortunately, Questa Continue reading →

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New Dog, New Day on Western Montana’s Rock Creek

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Greg Thomas

Weatherwoman said sixty-something today in western Montana, which is absurdly warm for this time of the year. So, I threw responsibility down the tube, called a friend and said, “Rock Creek today.”

Neither one of us was totally irresponsible—we both had to be back in Missoula before 3 p.m. to pick up our daughters from school. But we deemed a trip to the Creek as worthwhile, even if we couldn’t fish as long as we Continue reading →

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North America’s Most Interesting Hatches

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Greg Thomas

I take a lot of pride in putting together what I hope all you would consider to be a great magazine. If you haven’t looked at American Angler in the past year or two, take a glance. I’ve changed it from a strictly how-to magazine (with content that you could easily find on the internet and in how-to books) to more of a cultural and travel book that calls to those who like the lodge experience and to those who are adventuresome and game for DIY.

In the current issue (March/April) which is on newsstands now, there’s a must read section on hatches that I spent a lot of time putting together. What I envisioned was a list of hatches that people may not have heard of, Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, British Columbia, CANADA, Culture, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Travel, Uncategorized, Wyoming | Tagged | Leave a comment

Coronavirus and Fly Fishing Travel . . . book Alaska and Canada now!

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Greg Thomas

AT Note: Jim Klug is a longstanding personal friend of mine and Angler’s Tonic fully supports his company, Yellowdog Fly Fishing Adventures. I was tempted to pen my own article on this Covid-19 issue, but Klug sums up the issues here and his piece should provide answers to questions many of you may have, no matter where your travels might take you. To some people, including those with autoimmune deficiencies and other health issues, simply getting on a plane and passing through airports isn’t a real rosy picture right now. But, for most of us, the gains to be had on a fly fishing adventure probably outweigh the risks, especially if you prepare well and take care of yourself on your travels. And because of the risks, domestic and Canadian travel Continue reading →

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