Dispatches From Craig: Invasion of the Caddis

by Jess McGlothlin on July 15, 2013

in Dispatches from Craig

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FGP-DFC-15-Jul-2July madness is in full swing on the Missouri, and between working long hours at the shop, a hotbox of an apartment and a lovely, long-term run with cryptosporidia, I’ve rather been feeling like I’m living in a third-world country.

A Russian fly fishing camp above the Arctic Circle had more creature comforts than this.

That was last summer.

The outstanding highlight of the month thus far, however, has been tagging along with Zack WIlliams and Chi Wulff Mark of Swing the Fly magazine as they have been on the Missouri working on a film project. This past week I went out with the guys when the shop schedule allowed, and despite hot, bright days they made the filming work.

Talk about “magic hour” photographer’s light – the rule holds in the videography world too. Each day’s schedule was pretty much 0500-1000h and then 1900 – 2300h.

FGP-DFC-15-Jul-3Sleep is overrated, and once you hit that certain point of exhaustion and just go numb, it kind of works.

Zack was a true professional in front of the camera, as was Mark behind the camera. Zack’s dog, Pate, was a professional in his own class, eyes on the water and jumping up whenever Zack connected with a trout. For my part, I simply enjoyed a bit of “real world” work and the opportunity to get out on the water.

Caddis have been coming off strong in the evenings, as evidenced by the photographs. Nothing like being in the midst of a huge mass of friendly (a.k.a. not biting) bugs. They were on the camera, in my hair, in my eyes.

Everywhere.

But, damn, they make for good pictures and happy fish.

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