You Write The Caption—5

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Greg Thomas

Anaconda Settling Ponds. Such a nice ring to it, right? As beautiful as the Hoh, Deschutes, Stinking, and Popo Agie. River names. Lake names. Got to love them.

This shot was taken at the Settling Ponds in near Anaconda, Montana one summer day when we thought the Callibaetis might come off but all we got was wind. Big-time wind. It puts a guy in a bad mood to be blown off the water after driving two hours to get there. So when some other angler got lippy and I noticed he’d stolen my wading boots . . . Ok, have fun with this one. Now write that caption.

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The Best Northwest Winter Steelhead Flies

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Greg Thomas

If you fish steelhead you work hard for this moment. Treasure it.

I thought about putting this post together on my own, telling you which are my favorite Northwest winter steelhead flies, but it’s already been done, and
done well at that, by the Fly Shop in Welches, Oregon. Most of the patterns they discuss here
are my go-to’s also.
A few that they left out, that definitely appear in my boxes, are the black, orange and pink Pick-Yer-Pocket and the old Egg-Sucking Leech tied with a black rabbit strip and lead eyes. An acquaintance of mine called it the Dredger. I just call it Mr. Dangerous because if this thing hits you in the back of the head on a forward cast your’e going to feel it. Enjoy Continue reading →

Posted in Flies, Northwest, Steelhead | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Fred Thomas Illustration on Gierach’s Book Cover

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Greg Thomas

John Gierach is somewhat of a hero to me. I started reading him with his first book of essays, Trout Bum, and that kind of led me on a path to fly fishing as a way of life. I’m not close to Gierach but I do feel honored to get the first peak at his essays, when I edit them for inclusion in Fly Rod & Reel. I have met John a few times and he’s as sharp and witty as you’d expect; while eating lunch together one time in Missoula a woman chimed, “Are you two related? Father and son?
I said, “No, not at all.” Gierach said, “In spirit only.” And I was impressed.

Anyway, you can’t go wrong reading Gierach. He gets it. He’s been there. He doesn’t have a lot to prove to himself. He likes the outdoors, loves to fish, inspects the path of his life through fishing and then Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mountain Biking and Fly Fishing—The best of both worlds

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Greg Thomas

Minus the parts showing these guys carrying their bikes through deadfall and pushing them up steep grades, this video shows my two loves—mountain biking and fishing. That all of the footage occurs in the high mountains, Utah’s Uinta’s to be exact, makes it that much better. Thought all of you would enjoy a four minute diversion and an opportunity to consider where you could do the same thing. I have three killer mountain bike/fly fishing options within an hour drive of me, but they’re a little fragile to mention here. Got any favorites you want to share? I’d love to hear from you and get some more rides scheduled into my spring, summer and fall fishing schedule. GT

Posted in Culture | Tagged | 2 Comments

Welcome to 2015—Another Search for Skagit Steelhead

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Greg Thomas

Ok, technically, I fished western Washington’s Skagit River system on December 29, not on the first day of 2015, but it felt more like an introduction to the new year than a wrap up of the past. That’s because there is a lot to look forward to on the Skagit system over the next few years with a moratorium on hatchery steelhead being implemented and an opportunity for some of the biggest steelhead in the world to prove that they—given access to decent habitat—can adequately populate their native turf without being supplemented by hatchery dogs. If this works it’s going to be a template across the Northwest. If it doesn’t you are going to hear the hatchery patrons in full chorus.

I wasn’t really thinking about that on Monday, however. I was more Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Spey, Washington | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fly Rod & Reel Winter Issue

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Greg Thomas

In December I finished up the Fly Rod & Reel’s winter issue and it should be hitting newsstands right now. You can find it at many locales including Barnes and Noble and local fly shops. I think this one is well worth reading as we, once again, have several great pieces from the best writers in fly fishing, including John Gierach, Ted Leeson, Zach Matthews, Dave Karczynski, Dave Hughes and Chris Santella.

In the winter issue, look for pieces on the Northwest’s wild steelhead, including an entry on British Columbia’s overlooked Kitimat River. In addition, you’ll find pieces on Kelly Galloup’s Continue reading →

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You Write The Caption-4

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Greg Thomas

A few years ago I spent a week on Alaska’s Kanektok River southwest of Bethel, fishing for kings with two handed rods. The kings were sparse to say the least, but we managed one brute, lost another, and still had a great time. The best part of the trip was learning how to Skagit cast with guru Dec Hogan. The other highlight was taking a side trip to the Arolik River with Frazier Heston (yes, Baby Moses) to fish mouse patterns for Continue reading →

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Bear-Proof Containers Not Yet(i) Required on Montana’s Smith River

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Greg Thomas

As many of  you know, floating Montana’s Smith River is one of fly-fishing’s greatest adventures. To do so, you need to draw a limited-entry permit and you need to plan for a four or five day float, depending on how much wade fishing you plan to do along the way. I’ve floated the river a couple times and its brown trout are a blast when river conditions are good and there are bugs in the air and on the water. But the best part of the trip is floating for 60 some miles below towering limestone cliffs and camping at various points along the way. But there is a little trouble on the river these days—there are more people than ever floating it and the bears know that well. I’ve seen bears during each of the trips I’ve Continue reading →

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You Write The Caption 3

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Greg Thomas

I took this shot on Montana’s Ruby River, just downstream from Ruby Reservoir. Lots of good fish in this stretch, mostly browns ranging between 14 and 17 inches with a few toads thrown in on the side. What do you think happened here? My guess? He just ended a call with his lawyer who told him, “The judge says she gets the house, the money, and the dog.” Have fun with it. GT

Posted in Culture, Photography | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Outside Magazine’s Yeti Cooler Test

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Greg Thomas

I was fishing some eastern Washington trout lakes with George Cook last April when he asked, “Greg, have you seen that insane Outside video where they beat the hell out of a Yeti cooler?”

“Nope,” I replied. But I have now. And this is worth watching. In fact, this is good to see, especially if you’re thinking about a Yeti or any other high-end cooler, and you’re wondering if the money you’re paying for that beast is worth it. Enjoy.

Gear Guy: Yeti Cooler from Outside Magazine on Vimeo.

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