Sight fishing for huge browns in New Zealand's gorgeous landscapes and crystal clear waters. Monster takes, BIGGER fish. It's the stuff dreams are made of... at least the dreams of anybody who's even somewhat familiar with the prolific fishery.
But did you know those browns (much like in the United States) don't really belong there? Nope, they were introduced by settlers a little over 150 years ago... Want to learn more? Well, then I'd highly recommend the recent "Anchored with April Vokey" podcasts where she sits down and speaks with Jack Kos, a New Zealand angler who studied the subject for his PhD thesis and gives a relatively deep dive into the brown trout's rich Kiwi history.
Or even better, especially if podcasts aren't your thing... check out this 20 minute video. It was also written by Jack and maintains much of the same story and theme.
Now that's the way to start the work week, am I right?
I found this on a shelf of fishing books I keep in my home office. Regrettably, I don't recall who sent me this book. If I had to guess, I'd say Howard Levett, but honestly I'm quite ashamed to say that I'm drawing a blank. If you thought this was a book review, I'm sorry to let you down. It has sat on that bookshelf for a few years now, untouched. I've never read it, but perhaps now is the time.
I think I'm going through a bit of a midlife crisis as well. I'll find myself the at the age of 42 this June. Not feeling old or run down by any stretch, heck, I still have all my hair and it's not even gray yet. However, the average life expectancy in the United States sits at 78. So simple math (and a barrage of tax-time phone calls from my financial advisor prodding me about saving for retirement) certainly reveals the inconvenient truth.
Honestly, it's not any realization of one's mortality that creates this epiphany. I'm not tempted to go out and buy a sports car, motorcycle, or boat... or whatever those popular stereotypes might be. Unfortunately, I do find my mind wandering quite a bit these days. I'm not as focused as I once was, and it has nothing to do with early onset dementia.
I'm fairly certain that my conscious thoughts are succumbing to a genetically embedded inner voice from the primitive times of man. I've sat under florescent lights, stationed in front of a computer screen in a somewhat sterile office setting for almost 20 of those 42 years. I grew up in an urban (or at least suburban) environment. Asphalt and uniformity is everywhere, Once upon a time it wasn't a big deal, it was my everyday. My normal.
Today, I find my mind wandering constantly. I'm reading books about the 1800s... mountain men... bison... and Teddy Roosevelt. I'm watching Ken Burns documentaries on the American West and National Parks. I want to hike... explore... fish... Challenge myself both physically and mentally in the outdoors, not just for a few hours on the weekend, but all the time.
Call it a bad case of wanderlust if you will, but it's real, it's strong, and it has had a fairly strong grip for the past year or so.
Eventually, I can see my family moving to a mountain town, be it in the Appalachians or Rockies. I think that's the end game once Lilly is off to college. I just need to convince K.C. that snow isn't the worst thing in the world between now and then. While neither of us love Florida, she is quite fond of the Sunshine State's winter weather... oh, and the accessibility to Disney World.
Until then I'll just have to deal. After all, it's probably just a phase. I know I'm not alone. I'll probably snap out of it one of these days. Or not. And if you actually made it this far, thanks for humoring me through this rant. Either way, I'm still reading that book...
I love travel and destination fly fishing. You may recall last year I posted about a guide service in the Pyrenees (Spain). Heck, one of my readers even took them up on a guided outing! Recently, I was contacted by Aitor Serrano, a guide from Slovenia to share some information about his home waters. After seeing what Slovenia has to offer, I couldn't help but allow him to post about his country and services as well. The following is in his words...
Fly Fishing in Slovenia Marble trout, grayling, and emerald waters on the sunny side of the Julian Alps
We at Alps Fly Fish would like to introduce you to the fishing fly fishing destination of Slovenia.
Slovenia is a small European country located between Italy, Croatia, and Austria. It is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and at the foot of the Alps. Slovenia is a country formed from the former Yugoslavia and is currently modernized in its entirety. Our alpine country has the largest population of brown bear in Europe, beautiful national parks such as Triglav, and pretty turquoise-blue rivers such as the Soča River.
Slovenia, together with the Spanish Pyrenees, are considered the two most beautiful and spectacular destinations in Europe to practice fly fishing.
The three great treasures of Slovenia are:
Rivers with Emerald Waters
Slovenia, despite its small size, has many rivers in a very small radius of action: mountain streams with small, wild marble trout, medium rivers with large rainbow and brown trout, chalk streams in the plains with exceptional populations of grayling and where we can find incredible mayfly hatches…
Perhaps the most beautiful river is the Soča, with its famous emerald waters:
Marble Trout
The marble trout (or marble fish) is a kind of brown trout who lives in the basin of Adriatic sea.
It is characterized by its tabby color, aggressiveness, and by being able to reach sizes greater than one meter in length. Sometimes they have side stripes very similar to those of the zebra trout.
The big marmorata trout feed on small fish. The best time to fish them are April and May when they are caught using streamers in the big rivers.
Adriatic Grayling and Hucho
The grayling is a fish that is characterized by its large dorsal fin and small mouth. Dry fly fishing for graying is very fun. It is a fish that serves as food to the Salmon del Danubio or Hucho which is a fish very similar to the Taimen of Mongolia that sometimes exceeds the length of 1.5 meters. The hucho are caught at the end of autumn and winter.
Slovenia, Fishing, and Much More...
In Slovenia, non-fishing companions can also enjoy a multitude of activities such as visits to castles, horseback riding, guided tours through wine cellars, or hiking in National Parks...
Our operations center is located in the Valley of the Soča River, where Ernest Hemingway's novel "A Farewell to Arms" was centered. It was based on Hemingway's experiences as an ambulance driver in the first World War.
Fishing Guides in Slovenia
We hope you enjoyed this article and would like to thank Michael Agneta for giving us the opportunity to tell the readers of the United States more about our fly fishing guide service in the destination of Slovenia.
If you are interested in taking a fishing trip to Slovenia, do not hesitate to write us at info@alpsflyfish.com and/or visit our website alpsflyfish.com.
Got that wanderlust feeling again. Guess that's usually what happens when you get back from one little getaway, you're already looking forward to the next one! Plus, it's pretty much been raining in the greater Jacksonville area non-stop for the last week. The grass sure looks green, but cabin fever is pretty fierce!
Luckily, I do have two "escapes" planned for the summer. They might even involve a little fishing, we'll see...
Middle of June the whole extended family (on my wife's side) is descending on the Outer Banks. There is going to be like two beach houses full of "in-laws" from all up and down the east coast. I've never been there, so I don't know what to expect. But from the number of "OBX" oval stickers stuck to the back window of people's SUVs, I'd guess a pretty tourist-heavy beach area, at least if you venture into whatever towns they have there. No big deal, I'm more or less just along for the ride on this one. I don't even remember the town we're staying at...
It's cool though, I figure I'll bring the fly rod, get up early each day to do some fishing... or at least flailing in the surf on the beach... and then sleep it off in the afternoon. I really don't know what's swimming in the waters there. There are some pretty good anglers in our family, but I don't think any of them fly fish...at least not what I've heard... they're more the go out in the ocean in big boat types. They crush it though. I don't talk about tenkara around them... :)
Guess I have a month to figure it out. Probably can't go wrong with my 6 or 8 weight and some Clouser minnows, they'll catch anything...
The end of July is really what I'm looking forward to. K.C., Lilly, & I am headed to Alaska on a cruise (via Seattle)! To say I'm excited is an understatement, and not only to get out of the hot Florida summer. The itinerary looks pretty solid and I'm sure I'll wear out my camera taking pictures. I really want to go on this train through the Yukon. Like this is a thing... are you kidding me?
Now fishing isn't necessarily on the agenda yet, but the cruise ship does offer some guided fly fishing excursions where you hop on a float plane for the day, fish for salmon and whatnot, and then head back to the ship. I need to look more into that. K.C. booked the vacation, so I'm really not certain of all the details or the specific port of call.
Anyway, until then, daydreaming from my cube at work...
Any cool summer plans this year, fishing or otherwise? Heck, if you have any intel on OBX or AK, I'd take that too. If so, hit me up in the comments, would love to hear what you're up to!
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Fishing Fitness Footnotes:
Date: 5/21/2018
Current weight: 213.5 lbs
Current waist size: 38
Today: DDP Yoga, Walk after dinner (weather pending)
Yesterday: DDP Yoga, Bicycle in light rain, a lot of great suggestions from friends
I was fortunate to visit Europe in the summer of 2017 for the very first time. One of my favorite stops was Spain, and while I was wandering the streets of Barcelona and later the mountains of Montserrat, as an angler, I couldn't help but wonder what the fishing opporutnities were like. Earlier this month, Ricardo and Adrián from Pyrenees Fly Fishing reached out to me about posting some information about fly fishing in Spain. Answering my question from last summer, I'm more than happy to present what they provided below: Spain, A Fly Fishing Pardise
Fly fishing trips to Spain are becoming popular. The beauty of the Spanish Pyrenees together with its climate, gastronomy, culture, and excellent fishing make this a dream destination for both angler and non-anglers alike.
We are many fishermen who would like to be able to spend our vacations with our family, friends, and of course with the enjoyment of fly fishing. If that is your wish, Spain is the perfect destination!
We have all heard of Spain as a destination of sun, beach, gastronomy, culture, with excellent communications, medical services, and security... but have you heard of its rivers, trout, and mountains?
Northern Spain, Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a mountain range of more than 400 km in length and with peaks of more than 3000 meters that divides Spain from France. On the sunny side of the Pyrenees (Spanish side), there are many possibilities for fly fishing: brave high mountain streams, almost virgin lakes near the top of the mountains, valley rivers with large trout and barbel.
Zebra Trout, Brook Trout, Barbel and Much More!
One of the most coveted fish by foreign fishermen who visit its waters are the mysterious Zebra trout, a variety of brown trout that lives in the rivers of the Mediterranean basin and that are characterized by their two black stripes and great aggressiveness.
Equally, the fisherman will be able to enjoy the fishing of brook trout in little known mountain lakes and in some headwaters of certain streams, fishing for big rainbow trout in some low channels, and of the spectacular fishing of the barbel Graellsii with a dry fly closer to the great lakes of the valley bottom.
Equipment and Flies for Fishing The friendly climate of Spain and the warmth of its waters are a decisive factor that condition salmonids to surface feeding. For all these reasons, dry fly fishing is the most effective technique. We also recommend using 9-foot, 5-weight rods for fishing with floating lines and long tippets.
How to Organize a Trip in the Company of Non-Anglers?
Pyrenees Fly Fishing is a company located in the Pyrenees, near the city of Zaragoza and offers guided fishing trips from two operation centers with multiple activities for non-angling companions.
The angler can enjoy fishing days in the hands of local guides who will take you to exclusive places of great beauty and exceptional fishing thanks to their permits to circulate through restricted access trails. The companions can enjoy days designed to measure by team guides in which they can enjoy cultural visits, hiking, wine tourism, and National Parks.
For more information, you can write to Ricardo Madeira at pyreneesflyfishing@gmail.com
Ugh, my little winter vacation is over. It was nice while it lasted, but it's time to get back after it today.
At the end of the summer, my thoughts wandered west to Yosemite. While few places can even attempt to be as picturesque, recently I've been thinking quite a bit about Maine, let's take a few moments to visit, if only from afar...
I don't recall ever being in Maine, although it could be possible as I visited New Hampshire once as a kid. I tend to block out that trip as I was scarred by my first Moxie exposure.
Jokes aside, I'd really like to get back to that area of the country again as an adult to soak in the whole experience. Not just for the fly fishing (& tenkara opportunities), but the local flavor, the beautiful nature and wildlife, and all of the maritime history that makes that part of New England unique.
Anybody have any suggestions regarding vacationing and/or fly fishing in Maine? I'd love to learn more about your experience in the comments below. I think this could be an ideal Summer or Fall family getaway, quite a bit different than Florida at the very least.
With the summer in the rear view and my work schedule getting far more intense, getaways will be in short supply. As a person who suffers from a serious case of wanderlust, I can't help but put some thought toward the next escape, preferably to a place "out West" that I haven't sampled before. It pains me that I haven't experienced more of what America has to offer outside of the Eastern seaboard.
This is the time of year when my mind starts to venture to other places...and right now it's in Yosemite...
Anybody have any experience either vacationing and/or fishing Yosemite National Park? I'd love to learn more about your experience. Should this be a family trip, or better as a "bro-based" fishing getaway? The pictures above are great, but this is somewhere I definitely want to make a point to see with my own eyes, maybe even in 2016.
