Ah, the holiday season is upon us, ushering in a flurry of hustle and bustle with a big helping of food, friends and family.

Ah, family time at the holidays.

Long time readers might remember that She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO) and I (particularly I) have long been the black sheep of the family. We’ve managed to earn the honor with both sides of the family, though particularly hers.

[For those of you who who are fellow black sheep in at least one family out there, we salute you. Take courage and stand tall this holiday season. Many of you are black sheep because you’ve chosen to stand on your own two feet and break free from family convention. You’re not alone.]

Like many, if not most of you, one of us has a family member who’s a genuine prick; he’s a guy who’s never been happy in his work or life for that matter. He’s a constant needler, incessantly conjuring comparisons of meaningless life milestones-achievements-follies that befall all of us.

He’s had a particular obsession in years past with fly fishing. He can’t see the point of “wasting all that time, money, effort, fill-in-the-blank-here to stand in a cold river and fish”. He finds the respectful release of a caught trout an ultimate idiocy.

In years past, I’ve simply told him that we fly fish (and release trout) for a host of reasons that would make no sense to him, though one reason is that trout are pretty.

Last night I was rereading a chapter in Gierach’s Trout Bum and ran across this fitting paragraph:

In another sense, trout are so incongruously pretty as to seem otherworldly: that metallic brightness, the pinks and oranges and yellows – and the spots. One of the finest things about catching a trout is being able to turn it sideways and just look at it. How can so much color and vibrancy be generated by clear water, gray rocks, and brown bugs? Trout are among those creatures who are one hell of a lot prettier than they need to be. They can get you to wondering about the the hidden workings of reality.

‘Nuff said.

Tags: Why I Fish

No sacrilege intended, but I’d hazard a guess that I’m not the only fly fisher breathing a sigh of relief today.

The mania that can be the holiday season is at last behind us and we’re staring right down the barrel of a brand spanking new 2011, even if winter has seemingly settled in to stay over the past few weeks.

Much of the blue-line water around the country is locked down tight for the season.  Visions of spring mayfly hatches (though really only 12-16 weeks away) are near impossible to conjure up given the snow and cold yet to come.

Aw hell, those spring mayfly days will be here before you know it, particularly given how much there is to do before high season is back again.

Better get those damned BWO nymphs tied up; in fact, the whole nymph box is looking a little skinny right now.  Need to broaden the array of mayflies and tie new bass bugs, crabs, clousers and shrimp.  Hoppers, beetles and other critters too.  And leaders to tie up and a 5 weight to wrap.

Damn, should have gotten started back in November.

Bet the hoar frost is thick on the trees near Biscuit Basin this time of year; even in late October things looked pretty damned frosty.

Thinking about the Firehole – better tie up some of those white miller caddis too……

Tags: Fish Stories

Tags: Events

May you spend your next Christmas on the Firehole.

Tags: Chi Wulff

Tags: Events

There are two reasons to celebrate today.

First – it’s Father’s Day –  we salute Fathers far and wide today and hope that all fathers have at least a shot at going fishing today.

Second – it’s Naked Hiking Day.  Seems every year on the first day of summer it’s Naked Hiking Day.  Unfortunately the overwhelming majority of pictures available to illustrate Naked Hiking Day are of over-weight, pasty white, 40+ year old men. 

Last year when I tried to hike naked in Yellowstone, reports of a grouchy albino grizzly moving very slowly along several trails surfaced the next day, and I forgot to apply sunscreen everywhere. 

Trust me – sunscreen is an essential for naked hiking day.  And I have it on the best authority that it’s also fine to wear a hat as you venture out in the buff  as well.

Tags: Events

The entire team at Chi Wulff salutes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation, and suggest that you take a minute or two out of your day today to honor them in some way. 

There are a lot of families out there who undoubtedly feel the crushing pain of a lost son, daughter, father or mother today.  Our hearts are with them.

We’d also encourage you to consider donating time or money to the several great organizations serving veterans by taking them to the healing waters of the great rivers and introducing them to fly fishing.  Most of these organizations are doing a great and much needed work and would hugely benefit from your support.

Tags: Events