Stories

Kansas June 2016 My dad always predicted that Kansas would be one of the more challenging states to find a place to fish during the quest. It was the go-to state when people would ask me about odd places for fly fishing. They would joke, “what in the world are you going to catch in Kansas?” Agreeing with them, I had no idea where I was going to fish or what I would target there. Google doesn’t have a lot to offer when you search “fly fishing Kansas.” I figured that I could...

South Dakota June 2016 The third state in my 2016 summer fishing road trip was South Dakota. After dropping down from North Dakota and seeing the Bad Lands, we headed to Custer where we would stay with the McKinney family. I connected with Brad and Connie McKinney through another friend who I met during my fishing trip to New York. I reached out to Brad via email and briefly shared with him about my project, and he kindly welcomed my family into their home. Though we met as total...

Hawaii June 2017 People often ask me about the state that was most difficult for the project, thinking I would mention a place they do not associate with fly fishing, such as North Dakota or Kansas. Many are surprised when I say Hawaii, assuming there are endless fishing opportunities in its Pacific waters. Indeed, there are, from blue water species to reef dwellers, and even rainbow trout in certain high mountain streams. Yet, our target species proved a formidable challenger, and I...

Maine May 2015 If nothing else, Catch50 has taught me that the people this sport introduces you to are its greatest treasure. That is probably evident if you have ever spoken with me about my experiences or read any other stories from my journey. It is a theme for most of my hobbies. I have fished with folks of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, bonded together by a common passion for fish, conservation, and all of creation. However, few stand out like “Grandma June.”...

Oklahoma July 2016 In South Georgia, cypress trees are synonymous with wood duck holes, gator swamps, and panfish. The long strands of Spanish moss that hang from their branches hold memories of early mornings pushing through lily pads before throwing out decoys for duck hunting and long, hot afternoons in aluminum John boats, getting hammered by mosquitos. Their nobs litter shallow wetlands of the backwoods, releasing tannic acid into dark waters. It can be an eerie sight. If you were...

Missouri July 2016 Dad and I made our sixth stop in a 10-state fishapalooza in Branson, Missouri. We got in around dinner time on July 3rd and found our place for the night, the Mayfly cabin behind River Run Outfitters’ fly shop. It was a perfect two room cabin with a queen-sized bed and a little living room. The cabin and shop are just off the White River below Table Rock Dam and Lake outside of Branson. Given the upcoming holiday, there were fireworks all over town and people...

California June 2016 While fishing California, my family was invited to stay at a friend’s home in Truckee, California. I instantly fell in love with the mountain village, tucked into a valley in the Sierras. I had the opportunity to share my day on the water with Dad. We woke up early on a crisp, bright day. 45-degree days in June are foreign to my South Georgia upbringing. Mom drove us west to the Tahoe National Forrest where we met up with our guide, Jay Clark, at the head of a...

Illinois July 2015 My trip through Illinois with my dad was really much more of a “fish and run” scenario. Following a fun few days on the Menominee River in Wisconsin and Michigan, we ventured down to Iowa to fish the Driftless Area. We had a full day’s drive and an afternoon to kill. What better way to fill it than with more fish? At some point while sitting in construction traffic in southern Wisconsin (I’m told there are two seasons—winter and construction), we looked at...

North Dakota July 2016 North Dakota turned out to be the state I was most uncertain about—not because I did not think it would be a fun or exciting place, but because I had no idea where I was going to go fish. It is certainly not the most promoted state in “Fly-Fishermen” or “The Drake.” I did some research and found that walleye and pike fishing were popular, but I couldn’t find a way to target the walleye in shallow water and my time of arrival in the summer was not...

Alabama April 2016 Many people first learn to cast a fly rod on a bass or bluegill pond. They provide great opportunities to practice casting, learn fishing techniques, and be successful. I still remember my first day casting to bluegills with bright yellow poppers on a pond in south Georgia and the thrill of my first bass on the fly. When people think about fly fishing, they often overlook many of the species that are a blast to pursue on the fly, one of which is the largemouth...

Arizona July 2016 Sedona, Arizona, sits about an hour and a half outside of Phoenix. The drive from the city to this popular vacation spot full of mystics and pink Jeeps took dad and me through arid, brown desert and awe-striking, massive red rocks, for which the area is known. Sedona is a great area for rock climbing, hiking, and adventuring, along with just enjoying the beauty of the landscape. The red rock forms enormous canyons with massive rock faces and towers up around...

Minnesota June 2016 Fly fishing is one of the outdoor adventures that I enjoy most with my brother. It provides excellent opportunities for us to explore and experience nature. It also allows us to compete, which I’m told is a popular method of interaction amongst siblings. To his credit, he typically out-fishes me; however, regardless of who has more success, we both always have a blast on the water, sharing time together doing something we love. Fishing Minnesota provided us with...