Tales from a Trout Wrangler

Inaugural Edition

Here is the first edition of Tales from a Trout Wrangler. The plan is try and get an edition out a couple of times a month with newsworthy updates as needed.

This edition is kind of a test run so I’m pulling articles that I have already written and a couple of articles I found interesting on the web.

Dispatches

• One of the privileges my life has afforded me is the opportunity to be a fishing guide and instructor. I've been doing it for the better part of 20 years. For the most part its been a part-time hustle but its also been an important part of my life every year. Those 20-plus years spent on the water with guests has proven to be one of the best learning experiences when it comes to my own fly-fishing. Read about it here.

• I’ve kept my eye out for a good way to keep my phone from winding up in the water. The Koala 2.0 phone harness from Hangtime Gear looks like a winner. Read about it here.

• Most of my fly-fishing is in daylight. But experience has taught me that when you need a light you don’t want to fool around. When I came across the BioLite HeadLamp 200 I was intrigued enough to buy one and give it a try. I’m happy I did. Read about it here.

MoJo

• In “The Week That Is,” journalist and Mountain Journal founder Todd Wilkinson joins MoJo’s national Washington DC correspondent Tom Sadler have discussions of topical events relating to the nation’s capital city and/or the public land West. In this article Todd and Tom have a lively conversation about efforts to be kinder to fish when we pull them from the water and mug for the camera. Read it here.

MFCN

• 2021 was not a good year for wild steelhead or for steelhead anglers. Across most of their native range, in places like the North Umpqua, Skeena, Thompson and other fabled watersheds in Oregon and Washington, the numbers of returning wild steelhead are the worst in recorded history. Something needs to change. The Wild Steelhead Coalition’s has launched a new multi-media campaign called “Wild Steelhead Now or Never” to educate steelheaders about the plight of wild steelhead and empower all steelheaders to become wild steelhead champions. Read about it here.

Fishing Report

• If you fish in or around Shenandoah Valley you should always check the weekly fishing report from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. You can subscribe here. The latest report is on their YouTube Channel every Monday.