Pledges can be made by filling out the form in this link.

If you have any questions please give me a call at: 541-419-2105

The result is a drift unobstructed by any drag created by fly line laying on the swirling surface of the water. Another benefit is a direct connection from the tip of the rod to the fly, thus relaying the feel of a strike immediately.

Rick Williams of the Idaho Angler in Boise is a friend of ours and fellow Tenkara enthusiast. Rick explained one particular fish he landed recently, with a bit of a twist involved in landing the hard fighting rainbow. (Remember with only a fixed section of line and no reel, a hooked fish must be kept within reach of the rod and line. Which can be nothing short of challenging on many occasions!)

Rick Explains “I dug my Tenkara Iwama 12′ rod out and ran some small nymphs through one of my favorite runs.  Ended up hooking this rainbow on a #18 Zebra midge on 6X.  Took about 15 minutes to land him, during which I had to toss my rod into the river three times and let him swim off with it to avoid breaking the 6X tippet.   I knew the fish wouldn’t leave the hole, so it ran only 10-15 feet  each time and then stopped, after which I was able to wade out, grab the rod and continue the fight.”

Great fun and thanks for sharing Rick!

Vizslas are the spawn of Satan terrible dogs.
It was the salivating maw of a Vizsla that plucked a handful of egg-laying hens and two gallant roosters from my father’s free-ranging flock, leaving us only a quivering, molting, panic-ridden brood of chickens that refused to leave the coop at all costs. The offending demon responds to “Emerson,” christened so by my sister, who crowned him king of her condo and adopted him for a running companion at a time when she found males of the human variety in short supply.

My first interactions with the beast were outside of his specialization. While Emerson proved a great runner, his talent for carrying chickens by the neck while doing so poisoned my opinion of the breed. A lineage of prematurely butchered roosters later, Emerson inhabits a suburban estate with two adoring owners and four boys whose backyard sandbox shenanigans are guarded by the adoring, skinny, docked-tail-wagging chicken hunter.

What challenged my opinion of Vizslas was watching one hunt Chukar. Its point performance was stunning, fluid, and elegant. After seeing a Vizsla in its element I can begrudgingly acknowledge that Emerson is probably a good dog too, despite his history of feather-filled grins. He serves as playmate for my nephews and hasn’t played assassin in several years. I still disdain his breed, but if pressed, I’ll tell you that Vizslas can be darn good dogs for the right application.

Fly rods are like dogs. They have unique characteristics and qualities that can make or break an experience, depending on application. I’ve seen many customers balk at fly rods in any given price range because of something their buddy said, an industry review, or simple brand presuppositions. While it’s important to listen to input from other anglers, there are often backstories to negative opinions that explain the ruffled feathers resulting from incorrect equipment application.

If you still believe me when I say Vizslas are *necessarily* terrible dogs, you could miss out on a great family companion or hunting dog. The same is true when choosing fly rods; sweeping generalizations are as out of order in our nuanced sport as they are when describing dogs. I’m a dry-or-die, light rod fanatic, so if I tell you that a certain streamer rod you’re interested in doesn’t perform to my standards, take my opinion with a grain of salt and remember that you likely fish in a different style than I do.

Rods (lines and reels, too) are designed with specific applications in mind, often to fit a certain price point, and it is unfair to manufacturer and consumer alike to judge an item’s performance outside its intended application. There are always select rods that impress across the spectrum of fishing styles and environments—they receive hype for good reason. Just remember that there are plenty of unsung heroes in the rod market worthy of your cast, especially if you’re in the process of expanding your rod quiver to include more specialized tools.
Oh, and if you ever need help butchering chickens, give me a shout. I know a dog for that.

Josh Prestin is a freelance writer, editor, and photographer for outdoor industry publications. He’s also a published poet, itinerant academic, and avid adventure traveler. When he’s not stalking trout, you’ll find him dreaming about it behind Idaho fly shop counters. He lives in Boise with his lovely wife, where they dream of one day raising Vizsla-hunting chickens.

Click here to view parts I & II of this III part series.

It didn’t take me long to realized that I was in essence “bottling” the experiences of my days on the water. Planted in front of my computer at home, I could immerse myself  in those images and feel as if my feet were back in the river. Only now the tempo could slow, my eyes could wander and explore intricate details without the urgency to quickly release the fish. I began to see particular things in those images of trout that I had not even noticed at the time I took the shots. The closer I analyzed the images on screen, the more incredible aspects I began to discover. With each batch of images I studied, more and more things became apparent for me to look for and reveal while taking future images. It became an addictive cycle of catching fish, shooting images, then studying and refining the results. Soon I had doubled my time on the water and tripled the enjoyment. Holding the camera became just as much fun as holding the fly rod, and clicking the mouse during the editing stage became equally as fulfilling. The experience of catching a fish was multiplied by 3, and the act of taking an image morphed into two separate events; the actual shooting in the field and the inspection, selection, and editing process of post. Over time techniques I’d learned from post-processing allowed me to dig back over years and thousands of images to “mine” gold from shots I’d previously overlooked. All new features and subjects I’d not seen or known how to reveal were now available with the creative control I’d discovered.  I felt like a junkie who had just discovered a way to triple his high, and it never got old.

To this day I can still gaze into these images for hours as my eyes explore the unique subtleties and terrain of each shot. Now when I hold a camera in one hand and a fish in another, I look for reflections on the fish, texture of the water, details in the fins or settings to emphasize the light. Thousands of hours clicking the mouse have taught me foresight to shoot images with settings I know will provide wide creative latitude in post editing. For me something so simple as fish photography has turned into more than a pleasure, it’s another trip to paradise. It’s time travel.

It didn’t take long for me to want better images of  those sacred fish. By 2003 the digital point & shoot cameras that I could afford were getting very good. I found myself pushing the cameras closer and closer to the fish in a search to see more. The local fisheries in my area were consistently loaning me gorgeous trout to photograph, and I began paying closer attention to the buttons I was using and order in which I pushed them. Manual settings and less traditional angles and perspectives became a playground. I didn’t have much time to fish, so my days wearing waders were precious, and the stunning fish that made their way into my net became individual icons representing my developing passion for trout fishing.

As most fishermen with fanatical passion for fishing do, I’d struggle to contain my rush to get to the river. Loading the truck with gear and equipment became frantic. Tossing a careless mash of food and beverage into the cooler, only concerned if it’s enough nourishment to stay alive. Jamming gears and changing lanes from freeways to byways. Swerving into small town mini marts for fuel, I’d find myself briskly walking then bouncing into a trot headed for the beer cooler and ice machine. Topped off and not a care in the world, elbows are up and eyes perked approaching the river. I had noted this visible characteristic, observing the demeanor and body language of people heading in to the river versus those headed out on their way home. Soft necks, weary eyes, and sagging shoulders on the folks headed home each dusk. Then one July evening while heading home after an especially productive day of fishing and photography, I found myself jamming to get home as well. I was hammered and weary from chasing after fish sun up to sun down. My eyes were burning from scanning the glassy water for subtle rises forms and tracking sparse dry flies in the dry desert air. I’d had the pleasure that day of peering through my camera, adjusting and tweaking hundreds of shots of many stunning trout. I could not wait to get home, to trade the cork grip for the computer mouse, to explore and re-live what I had experienced that day. I could not wait to discover new layers of photographic art on my computer’s screen.
Part III here.

part III

Catching any fish is an honor for those anglers who admire and respect their quarry. A fleeting encounter surrounded by so much adrenaline and excitement it can hardly be described. The whole thing is over and done before you even know it. You’ve spent so much time in anticipation of these few moments, and you’ll spend endless time re-living it over the course of thousands of casts and decades to come. The more you prod those memories, the feeling of briefly gripping that fish will seem all the more enticing. You’ll want it again, and find yourself willing to invest all the more time and money to see another fish like it at your feet. Words will become scarce to describe to others who don’t understand your quest. That picture in your mind that’s “worth a thousand words”, may actually be ten thousand twisted words you’ll likely never be able to find, but we all continue to try.

Areas colored yellow indicate proposed reseeded upland area. Areas in green for wetland area, and red shows proposed sections to dredge channel.

Some temperature and fish data from TNC’s 2012 Kilpatric Pond Science Report:

• Increasing summer temperature is a major threat to Silver Creek’s future;
• Kilpatrick Pond is one of the main contributors to rising water temperature in the Silver Creek watershed; and
• Insect, fish, and bird populations are negatively impacted by the pond and its associated sediment and temperature issues.

Temperature 

Elevated temperatures have been documented throughout Kilpatrick pond with the 2004 thermal image and water temperature monitoring since 2004 (see savesilvercreek.com for data).

In 2012 TNC did an extensive study of water temperatures in Kilpatrick pond.  Data gathered on August 7, 2012 showed the following:

● Rate of temperature increase above the pond is less than one degree Fahrenheit per mile

● Rate of temperature increase below the dam is 2^o  F per mile

● Rate of temperature increase through the pond is 24^o F per mile

Fish

Effects of water temperature on rainbow trout:

• 66 degrees Fahrenheit is reported to be a physiological threshold for rainbow trout.  Above this temperature, growth rates decline precipitously.
• When given a choice, rainbow trout prefer water 57-59^o F.   Rainbow trout achieve their maximum growth rate at 59^o F.  Their growth rate starts an exponential decline with warming temperatures.
• At 62^o F their growth rate is significantly lower than at 59^o F, and at 66^o F there is a precipitous decline in growth.  At 72^o F their growth rate turns negative (they are respiring faster than they can take in food) and they begin to lose weight. 78^o F is lethal (Hokanson, K.E., C.F. Kleiner, and T.W. Thorsund. 1977). Effects of constant temperatures and diel temperature fluctuations on specific growth and mortality rates and yield of juvenile rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.  J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 34:639-648, Loinaz 2012).

Temperature measurement  in 2012:

• In the S-Turns in 2012, a single day (July 5) had a maximum temperature > 66^o Fahrenheit
• Above the dam, 34 days or 46% of the days had a maximum temperature of over 66 degrees
• Below the dam, at the USGS gage downstream, temperatures exceeded the threshold 66% of the days last summer (June-August).

Temperatures responses in Silver Creek trout

Brown trout tolerate and thrive in warmer water than rainbow trout.  Their ideal temperature is around 68 degrees, with a threshold into the high 70s (Sigler, Fishes of the Great Basin, 1987).

A shift downstream of the Kilpatrick pond to an almost exclusively brown trout fishery can be attributed to degraded habitat and warmer water temperatures.  As ESF noted in their 2010 report, “ The shift from rainbow to brown trout dominance is a function of habitat degradation (primarily temperature because browns have a higher tolerance) as well as piscivory (brown trout >13” feed primarily on smaller fish / rainbow trout feed on insects and to a lesser extent on small fish)  (ESF 11)”.

Follow this link to see more project info.

Winter fishing conditions can be brutal, and easily make fishing unbearable. But the fishing can be outstanding, not to mention the luxury of often having entire stretches of river all to yourself. Partly because many people don’t realize just how comfortable they could be in the proper gear.

There are two key components to staying comfortable. Warm, and dry. Waterproof shell materials have for years made it possible to stay dry, and enough layers can keep anyone warm, but the problem with too many layers is the bulk, weight, and motion restrictions. But there is also a third component that really helps facilitate the smile factor, and that is comfort. Warm and dry are great, but not if you are chaffed, bunched, wadded, and bundled like the Michelin Man.

Enter the “Puff Zone”. Of course the standard goose down fits into this category of lightweight and high performance jacket as well, but many synthetic materials available now are great as well.  The first synthetic “puffy” garment I ever owned became an instant favorite simply because these types of layers are so soft and light. I remember the days of multiple layers of bulky, heavy fleece tucked into my waders… there was barely enough room to cram a fly box in there on a cold day! Now under most conditions I’m warm and happy with a simple long sleeve thermal top, and a hooded puffy jacket. If there is any chance of rain or snow, I throw my favorite shell over the top and I’m set for pretty much the nastiest weather. (With surplus room inside my waders for camera, fly boxes, & even a can of sudds despite the fact my equator is expanding with each year!)

Hood is key. I think we have all heard how much body heat is lost from the head. I’ve come to find that a hood on this type of jacket is essential. No beanie needed, pop it up and back of my neck and ears are happy.

Pack your bag. Whether wearing it or packing it, I love how light and packable puffy garments are. Most compress to the size of a grapefruit, and weigh next to nothing. Beats the heck out of cramming layers fleece or cotton into dry bags or luggage, especially on overnight river trips or destination travel via plane.

Fly rods come in as many size, weight, and performance combinations as imaginable. Of the most popular trout rods, most are described by their size (7-9Ft) line weight (3-6Wt) and action (slow-fast). Anglers match rods to their preferred fly fishing method, the size of the water they are fishing, and the size of expected catch. A general rule is that smaller, slower rods are best suited for dry fly presentations. Faster, higher weight rods are paired to the heavier tackle of large wet flies, indicators and multi-fly nymph rigs.  Of  course variations in size of fish, body of water, line type, and individual casting style & preferences blur the boundaries of all these potential combinations.

A few days ago, I pulled my fast action 6 Wt rod from it’s case intending to fish a large streamer for big brown trout. As the tip section slid from the case, the last 2 inches or so fell to the ground.  Fortunately I had another rod with me, although it was a much slower action rod and  a line class smaller 5Wt at that. I was set on streamer fishing, and opted to fish the big heavy fly on the slower rod despite the obvious mis-match. This scenario had happened to me once before, and I remembered back to using a slower, ‘softer’ rod to fish big streamers. I remembered that with conscious adjustments to my casting, the combination was actually very fun. The beauty of advanced high quality rods today is that they are so capable. Granted they are all designed for various levels of specific use, many can perform far beyond their stated descriptions.

The water I was fishing this day was much bigger however, wide & open enough to where each cast was as long as I could make it. As I began extending the fly’s reach by several strips of line each consecutive cast, I reminded myself to slow everything down, follow proper form, and let the rod do the work. I smiled. This was fun! While carrying the fly line beyond the belly, I slowed the stroke and the rod bent deep into the cork handle. The casts had so much more ‘life’ and ‘feel’ to them. It energized my love and study casting and the mechanics involved. It made a few hours of  ’fishing’ into ‘casting’ and super entertaining in itself.

Maybe it’s odd things like this that make fly fishing so addictive to so many people. We’ve all hear the cliche, “Fishing is not all about the catching” but on any give day on the water it seems I always look back on some aspect of the day that’s in addition to whatever the catch may or may not have been. The next time a person asks me what I like best about fly fishing, I might have to reply “Ask me after my next trip and I’ll know then.”

"Evening Soft" Limited Edition Giclee Print

The greatest of scenic fly fishing paintings are breathtaking. Some however seem to stand alone in a distinctive light. Elements of the composition all fit into place so well, that they actually compell you to question if you have not actually stood there at some point in your own life. Certain paintings seem to quietly lean forward and whisper in your ear. Certain paintings come from the brush of Bob White.

"One Last Look-Rainbow Trout"

As described from BobWhite Studio,
“Bob White is an artist and author whose work expresses a misspent youth. Instead of doing his homework, his nose was constantly in the outdoor books and sporting magazines of the day. Consequently, he has wandered between Alaska and Patagonia for over two decades as an itinerant fishing guide, looking for gainful employment. He now paints and writes for a living; which is to say, he’s still searching.”

"Close to Home" A collaboration of Bob White and author John Gierach

It’s difficult to make your way through the contents of the “All About Bob” page without saying “Wow” over and over again. Time spent browsing all the works featured on his website will inspire many of us to not only appreciate the great craft, but pause in our own lives, and take a closer look at the painted world around us.