Getting Green

Howdy folks. I figure we're one good soaking rain away from greening everything up around here. I must say I'm looking forward to a new landscape. The rivers are running clear and low and could use a little boost as well.

Fishing has been good as of late, and I'm betting it's going to get even better. Chris and I were on the lower Kinni the other night for an hour or two and both of us did well, Chris especially. We got into one run where I watched him hook up with fish on every other cast. Fish were keying on a march brown soft hackle, but they were willing to take any smaller beadhead as long as the drift was decent. Fun stuff. I'm starting to see some caddis action later in the evening, and while it isn't enough to get the fish worked up, I suspect that will change soon. Still haven't seen the first Hendrickson, but when I do, or when I get a report of the lovely salmon colored fly coming off, I'll be sure to let you know. It may be my favorite hatch of the year.

On a different note, good buddy John Eret reports steelhead fishing on the Brule was excellent this past Friday. He hooked into several nice fish, but as usual with John, he didn't land any. (He's into long distant releases.) I'm hoping to get up there in two weeks to try my hand at it. Steelheading is a different game altogether, but it's easy to get hooked after you land one of these beatiful fish. I mean, look at John. He hasn't landed a fish in years but still goes back to the river enthusiastically.

Chris leaves today for a music fest outside of Austin, Texas, so we won't be in the studio until the weekend at the soonest, which is fine with me. I've got two essays in progress, but with all my writing, it never goes as smoothly as I want it to. On a good day, I might get half a page written that doesn't suck. One might think the writing would get easier with age, but sadly, that's not the way it works. I've been crafting essays, on and off, for over ten years, and I think by this summer I will have enough for a collection worthy of a book. We'll see.

Chris has been in the studio working on his newest album, and from what I've heard so far it sounds terrific. Hopefully, I can can talk him into doing some more of his new music on the show.

Fish camp is on for May 8th, and Chris and I are excited about this year's event. I'm planning pheasant and wild turkey chili, and we'll have a keg of Rush River beer to wash everything down. Looks like we'll have a great turn-out, so if you're interested in joing us, be sure to let us know. We'll give you directions if you need them.

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to listen to our show and offer feedback. We really appreciate it. And thanks Sue for blogging in. Always good to hear from you. Be well folks. Hope to see you streamside soon.

joe