Cold Weather

The temperatures around Jackson the past few days have been very crisp. With lows in the 20's (and tonight's forecast calling for a low of 14 degrees), it sure feels like winter is coming fast. Skies have been bright and sunny, but just cold. Most of the golden Aspen and Cottonwood foliage has now fallen to the ground and winter feels like it is now just around the corner. The fishing around here has been stellar. Both the South Fork and Snake (as well as some of the unnamed Fall favorites in Yellowstone), have been fishing great. This is by far my favorite time of year around here to be on the water. Water levels are low, there are few anglers around and fish are eager to feed and put on their "winter wool". Most of my information on local stream conditions this fall have been coming secondhand. With a 22 day excursion to New Zealand about to commence, I've been busy around the house with my "honey-do" list...very little time to fish. This will be the first October in more than ten years that I have not been in Montana chasing the streamer and Baetis bite. It sounds like the Missouri has been on fire...no surprises there! The trip to New Zealand has been in the works for a couple of years; Scott Smith and I each celebrated a landmark birthday this past summer, and needed an excuse to head there. With plane tickets in hand since last January, we've been slowly planning and researching our destination which we now will be able to scratch off our bucket list. (Urban dictionary definition: A list of things to do before you die. Comes from the term "kicked the bucket"). I've been fortunate enough to be able to live in such a great area and work on my bucket list for some time here. I've been working on this list for some time now chasing trout all over the West, as well as the elusive "Palometa" on the Caribbean flats. Checking off New Zealand will be a long-awaited dream. Planning this adventure (as always), has been an incredible amount of fun. Reading books, studying maps and organizing the gear has been mouth-watering. The real excitement has been talking to our buddies that have been there; listening to the stories and advice from people like Tom Montgomery, Jack Dennis, Josh Graffam, Jeff Currier, Josh Gallivan, John Gendall, John Holland, Brian Hodges and Peter Chung has been a blast. Thanks for the help guys! Enjoy this great photo that angler Dan Beistel just passed along to me. A 20" Snake River Cutty from earlier in the season. Boots Allen snapped this shot just after I netted the fish for Dan. I'll never forget that fish Dan!