Tag Archives: winter fly-fishing

Over the Brow of Winter’s Hill

Posted on January 9, 2019 by rivertoprambles

Tim and I got out on New Year’s Day, resuming our tradition of hitting the brow of winter right between the eyes. Eighteen Mile Creek was new to both of us. We’d known about it, and were thankful that our … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Eighteen Mile Creek, Genesee River, John Bartles, music, nature, Oak Orchard, poetry, skunk cabbage, steelhead, Thoreau, traditions, trout, winter fly-fishing, writing | 20 Comments

Self-Portrait in Leaky Waders

Posted on December 11, 2016 by rivertoprambles

I should have known better– given the first sign of wetness on the legs after fishing in Virginia, I should have read the writing on the porous wall. The end had come for my one-year-old Field & Stream waders. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "River's Edge", bear, Beautiful Like a Mayfly, environment, Field & Stream, landlocked salmon, nature, photography, roadkill, self-portrait, travel, waders, winter fly-fishing, writing | 31 Comments

Old Woodenhead

Posted on December 18, 2014 by rivertoprambles

[Old Woodenhead is a likeness of the author, given to him several years ago as a Christmas present from his wife. It was carved by the Coudersport (PA) folk artist, David Castano. O.W. has appeared previously on this blog at … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Allegheny River, celebration, Christmas, Doors, Dylan, family, folk art, my friend the sun, NYS fracking decision, Old Woodenhead, rainbow trout, Sun, winter fly-fishing, Winter Solstice, worship | 17 Comments

Spring Creek, the Turning

Posted on March 16, 2014 by rivertoprambles

Saturday looked like the best of the weekend for a final shot at fishing Spring Creek this season. I’d had good luck here on two previous outings this winter, so I approached the water calmly, ready to accept whatever my … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged change of seasons, midges, one that got away, Spring Creek, tandem flies, Vernal Equinox, wild brown trout, winter fly-fishing | 16 Comments

Midge Madness (Spring Creek)

Posted on March 10, 2014 by rivertoprambles

Along with NPR’s early morning broadcast of an ancient hymn, I heard the first sweet phrases of a migrant robin near the yard. I stepped to the porch in my bare feet for a clearer sound of both music sources, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Black Midge, dry fly, Griffith's Gnat, limestone fisheries, midges, scuds, Spring Creek, stream life, wild brown trout, winter fly-fishing | 14 Comments

Spring Creek Turn-Around

Posted on February 21, 2014 by rivertoprambles

The weather seemed a pleasant interlude between the waves of blizzard and polar temperatures. Stepping into Spring Creek (near the Caledonia fish hatchery in upstate New York) I didn’t think I’d need the gloves I’d left in the car, but after … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Caledonia fish hatchery, fishing Spring Brook, limestone fisheries, Spring Creek, wild brown trout, winter fly-fishing | 14 Comments

The Postcard

Posted on January 18, 2014 by rivertoprambles

The other day I got a postcard from the Slate Run Sportsmen (SRS) headquarters in Pennsylvania. The photo on its front was taken when I fished the whole length of Slate Run in 2011/2012. A year later I was asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bildungsraum, earth music, family tree, freedom, German ancestry, getting out, Moon & Jupiter, postcard, Slate Run, Slate Run Sportsmen, spirit of the wild, winter fly-fishing | 12 Comments

Knuckleheads for Steelhead

Posted on January 4, 2014 by rivertoprambles

Fly-fishing on New Year’s Day is something of a minor tradition here in upstate New York. A friend, Tim Didas, and I were about to give it another go despite the wind and snow and 16 degrees of Fahrenheit temperature. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cayuga Lake fishing, fishing traditions, New Year traditions, Oak Orchard Creek, steelhead fishing, steelhead streamers, winter fly-fishing | 10 Comments

The Angler, Cast in Wood

Posted on December 22, 2013 by rivertoprambles

“Walt Franklin on the Stream” is a wood carving that Leighanne gave me as a Christmas present several years ago. This example of “Pennsylvania folk art” was produced by David Castano, a full-time wood carver from Coudersport, PA. Castano’s approach … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged D. Castano, fishing/work, fly rods, Kettle Creek Tackle Shop, PA folk art, Polar Express, winter fly-fishing, Winter Solstice, wood carvings | 20 Comments

He’s Out There Fishin’!

Posted on December 5, 2013 by rivertoprambles

Two hunters passed me on their ATV while following the forest trail, preparing for the opener of deer season. Their words echoed in my head. I was standing at the river in the darkened noon hour. A first snow flurry … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Eastern philosophy, meditation, rainbow trout, Transcendental Meditation, winter fly-fishing, word power, yoga | 14 Comments