Articles

As the dust settles

Post-election, Congress wants to give away American lands
Photo: Chris Bamber

In the wake of the November elections, the eyes of the nation are on the incoming administration. How will it take shape? Which campaign promises will become reality and which will not? With many questions unanswered even during the campaign, anglers specifically are wondering whether the new administration will adopt policies that reflect or threaten our sporting heritage. But while focus is turned to the President-elect, members of Congress beholden to special interests are wasting no time in promoting legislation that would exploit and seize U.S. public lands and waters.

Drought

What is bounty without shortage?
Photo: Matthew Reilly

The southwestern corner of Virginia has been experiencing a drought that's run on since early September. And once the smallmouth fishing slowed in October and trout fishing would have theoretically taken over, streamflows bottomed out. So, for lack of ideal opportunity, I’ve yielded to my duties to academics, to my freshmen residents, and to writing, disheartened by the environmental condition, and chivalrous towards the fish in their stressed state.

Eternal summer

Defining that persuasion that drives us to the creek
Photo: Johnny Carroll Sain

“I got to thinkin’ how there was the moon an’ the stars an’ the hills an' there was me lookin’ at em, an’ we wasn't separate no more. We was one thing. An' that thing was holy."

How to cast 20 feet

Doing it well isn't as easy as you think
Photo: John Juracek

At the most recent Federation of Fly Fishermen conclave held in West Yellowstone, among other activities there was a lot of fly casting taking place. Never one to ignore such a thing, I took in the proceedings with great interest. The wide variety of casting skills I saw on display reminded me—as always—that one of the most difficult things to do in all of fly fishing is to cast twenty feet.

The current in the current

Shocking fish for population stats
Shocked fish are netted and brought to the boat by the dozens. While stunned and immobile for a few minutes, the fish are measured and tagged then released back into the river (photo: Kris Millgate).

I prefer to fish via drift boat, but on this late fall day, I’m fishing from a jet boat. Well, sort of. We’re cheating the system in the name of science and the fishing has never been better.

​My waded and booted body is braced against a rail system decorating the front of the boat. The top rail hits me well above the waist. This is a good thing. A higher rail holds me in better. There’s electricity in the water and the last thing I want to do is go overboard.

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