There are no lack of beer reviews on the Web, with many based on a trout fishing theme, but rarely do I find one that matches many of my picks. I run toward IPA’s and Pilsners when I’m not staying hydrated with Rainier, High Life and PBR. I used to only pack these lightweights to the water, and typically stuck with those when I got of the stream, but Continue reading
Fly Fishing Beers
Greg Thomas Speaking at Denver ISE Show
Wanted to let all of you know that I’ll be presenting at the International Sportsman’s Exhibition show in Denver beginning tomorrow. I’ll speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. My topic this time is catching mega-fish on a fly and my subject matter swings from Quebec’s Atlantic salmon to Alaska’s giant king salmon, to coastal British Columbia’s steelhead, to the Yukon Territory’s massive pike and lake trout. This will be a big-time visual feast as I’ll plow Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Industry, Spey, Travel
Leave a comment
Throwing Flies for Skagit River Steelhead
Spent the holidays in western Washington, mostly hanging with family. But I did sneak out for a day on the Skagit River, hoping to tempt a hatchery steelhead or an early returning native.
I didn’t go it alone and, instead, talked a friend of mine, Dave McCoy, who runs Emerald Water Anglers, into joining me. That he and one of his guides, Reid Curry, pulled oars all day, provided the Vitamin R, and didn’t laugh too loudly at some of my failed casts, was Continue reading
The Failed Montana Deer Hunt 2013
Well, not completely failed. I had a great time with friends and family. But, let’s put it this way. I got greedy, passed up on two mega-bucks, thought I would see them again, and never did. And I never saw anything nearly as big or bigger, which is why I passed on those two bucks in the first place. The good thing is this: my girls and I won’t starve this winter. As you can see from the previous post, we just put up a lot of salmon and I have many fillets for the grill, too.
I thought all of you might enjoy this sequence that my dad, Fred Thomas, shot. I’d spotted this buck in the tall grass and decided to get a closer look at it. I didn’t expect this buck Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Hunting
Tagged Montana deer hunting, Rocky Mountain Front, Whitetail deer hunting Montana
Leave a comment
How to Can and Smoke Alaska Salmon, Family-Style
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 Continue reading
Hard Core For Alaska King Salmon
I’ve been discussing the merits or lack thereof in writing about how difficult steelheading can be. The question is whether I’m painting an accurate picture of steelheading or not, as steelheading can be pretty relaxing during the summer months, especially during years of good returns. And I usually write about toughing it out for a fish or two, all with numb Continue reading
Posted in Alaska, Northwest, Spey, Travel
Tagged Alaska Fly Fishing, Nelson Lagoon Adventures, Sapsuck River, Steelhead River
Leave a comment
Winter Dreaming . . . for bones and permit
Been organizing the last couple days, first the winter steelhead bag and now the bonefish and permit duffel. While I was organizing flies the sun peaked out and I took a few shots of my loot. Just looking at flies makes me want to throw, but it’s snowing and 22 right now, so I guess I’ll just keep dreaming. The thing is, the only schedule I have this winter is to be in Denver in mid-January to speak at the International Sportsman’s shows (more on that in a later post/posts).
I can get out a few times for bones or permit if I chose. And I think I’m choosing to do so. I’m not saying I could go anywhere, but I can get an invite to most lodges. And I love doing the DIY thing more than anything else. So my question to you is this: where would you go for permit or bones or both? I like big fish. I’m a quality Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Flies, Saltwater, Travel
Tagged Bahamas bonefish, bonefish flies, fly fishing for bonefish, fly fishing for permit, permit flies
1 Comment
Bonefish Observed in Crazy Spawning Behavior
Ran across this e-mail today and thought all of you would enjoy reading it, especially you who have thrown for the bone in the Bahamas and elsewhere. Pretty cool information and it’s kind of crazy to try to picture thousands of bonefish spawning in the same place at the same time. Hopefully these fish were successful and there will be plenty of bones in future years. Bonefish, ah. Time to start planning a February trip. Curious if any of you are headed into the salt this winter and, if so, where and why. I’m leaning toward a return trip to Bimini. Love that place.
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Bonefish, also called gray ghosts, are among the most Continue reading
NEW FLY ROD & REEL Ships
Shipped Fly Rod & Reel’s winter issue to the printer. Always a big relief, meaning we got ‘er done and now can concentrate on the Spring issue. I like the feeling of a clean deck and all the possibilities. So, Spring. Wondering what all of you like most about the late-winter/spring season. Trout? Getaways to the saltwater for permit, bones and tarpon? Striped bass migration or late winter steelhead? Or is it a time to concentrate on tying flies? Get that arsenal built up for summer? You know, tie enough for your clients and still have plenty left for the off-day fish-fests? I’d love some feedback on what you would run if you could pick a focus for the issue and run five feature articles. Also what you think would make great reads for our standard columns—Practical & Useful; Angle on Art; Traveling Angler; Books; New Media; Guide Flies; and Personal History.
I have my ideas already, but I thought it would be fun to put you in the editor’s seat and see what you could come up with. Give me an idea or a few and we can discuss the merits. Also, what would you run for a cover shot? Saltwater? Trout? Steel? Scenic? Stripers?Flies? Profile? Have fun with it.
Posted in Books, Culture, Industry
Tagged Fly Rod & Reel Spring issue, how to be an editor, writing and editing
9 Comments
Buy and Read Pulp Fly Volume Three
Some of these authors you may have heard of, some not. But these are the contributors to Michael Gracie’s newest Pulp Fly offering, words on fly fishing from people who actually think beyond the catch—Erin Block; Alex Landeen; Pete McDonald; Miles Nolte; Tom Reed; Tom Sadler; Bruce Smithhammer; April Vokey; Bob White; Steve Zakur; Jay Zimmerman. If you want to read some fine writing download a copy today. Following is Gracie’s post on his Web site, www.michaelgracie.com, which covers fly fishing, technology and, often, booze.
From www.michaelgracie.com: If fish didn’t have gills, they would probably inherit the Earth. Not to say they are meek. If you ever hook a marlin on a fly rod you get to watch your Continue reading