I've never really given lakes a chance. Before moving to New Mexico I called Washington State home. Fishing the Washington trout lakes is wildly popular with local anglers, but I had steelhead tunnel vision and never took advantage of the state's array of diverse fishing opportunities. Growing up on the East Coast, fly fishing trout lakes isn't too popular given a lack there of. Side note, my first trout was caught on power bait in Lake Fairfax but I digress. Recently I've fa

It's no secret I'm a big fan of European nymphing techniques. As the water warms here in the Rockies I hope to diversify the blog and my writings with dry fly, dry dropper, and small stream tactics as well. Over the last couple months I've had the pleasure of fishing the Echo Shadow X. Without a doubt the 10.5ft 3wt has become my new favorite "all around" fishing rod. Check out the video below to see why! #Echo #ESN #EuroNymphing #EchoShadowX #FlyFishing #trout #FlyFishNewMex

5.5 Tips for Nymphing in European .5) The Rod (Echo Shadow X in action on the Rio Grande, 2018 National Fly Fishing Champion Norman Maktima) While you can throw weighed streamers with a 4wt, it probably isn't the best tool for the job. You certainly can euro nymph with the rods already in your quiver, and you definitely should if you're thinking about testing the waters before you dive in. Just like making the jump from your first "do it all " rod to a proper meat chucking st

Spring is here! Kind of. Over the next few weeks in the Rockies, water temperatures, clarity, and weather will fluctuate wildly. This is especially true in a heavy snow pack year like the one we're currently in. Water conditions have quite an impact on trout and fishing for them. Keeping a few things in mind can help maximize your success on the water. 1) Water Temperature Snow melt will not only stain the water, but cool it down drastically. Keeping this in mind try to targe

Over the past few months, the Fishpond Thunderhead Hip Pack and I have come to know each other very well. In short, it's the best hip pack I've ever owned. Through the seasons I've played a few games of pack roulette, owning 2 vests, 3 chest packs, and now 4 hip packs. I've never been a sling guy but many of my buddies love them. The Thunderhead hip pack is pretty bare bones in terms of pockets and storage, but I love it because it's completely submersible. There are plenty o

Winter, probably the least fished time of the year. Freezing temperatures, iced guides and tough fishing, combine to create the unholy trinity of why many of us would rather ski, tie flies, or binge watch romantic comedies during the colder months. Ice Ice baby Winter fishing can be a lot like seeing your extended family during the holidays. Uncomfortable and awkward but if you can embrace the suck, you can grab yourself a slice of grandmas awesome apple pie (with ice cream)

Before I start a guide trip, or fish personally, reflecting on the four variables of water, weather, pressure, and trout behavior have big impacts on where the day begins. Thats a half truth, fishing for myself usually entails waking up late and "just doing it", making adjustments as they come. The millennial mentality pairs nicely with a leisurely me day, but it's a quick way to ruin a guide trip . As a full time guide , making the right choice on where to fish is a huge par

Recently I gave a presentation to the Long Beach Casting Club on fishing our local waters in Northern New Mexico and using variables to plan for a days fishing. The following blog installments will break down the information into greater detail. Thank you to all the members that attended. #flyfishing #guiding #trout #howto #slideshow #presentation