2012 Lone Star Land Steward

Wexford Ranches was recently honored at a banquet by Texas Parks and Wildlife as a 2012 Lone Star Land Steward for the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Region.  I grew up on the Wexford Ranch and my dad has been the Foreman there for many years.  I have worked on the ranch basically since I was big enough to get on a horse and am now managing a blog for the ranch, Wexford Ranches, which you can read here.  Paddy's even found himself on the ranch payroll every once in a while--I guess we'll never leave.

Guest Post at Sun Valley Magazine

Just another Saturday afternoon.

I had a guest post about the Sturtevants free fly-tying classes at Sun Valley Magazine.  You can check it out here.

My Seventh Anniversary

My first photo on The Sand Hill seven years ago.  This is Stalker Creek, still the place where I want my ashes spread.  My parents sent me a 4mp digital camera when I moved to Idaho to document my experiences.  They knew they'd never see photos otherwise.

Well, yesterday marked seven years in Idaho.  It's amazing that I've now spent a quarter of my life here fishing, working hard, and having adventures with Paddy.  I was just a young pup who needed a break when I moved here to work for The Nature Conservancy for the summer.  I wonder if it was the right decision for me and then I remember  could be sitting in traffic in Houston or Dallas instead of pointing out rising fish to clients.  There may be redfish, Shiner, and brisket in Texas, but there are trout, mountains, and rivers that keep me here in Idaho.

I wonder what my life will be like in another seven years...

The Fishing's Hard to Find, but it's Really Good

Paddy staking a fish--It's just like Silver Creek except the fish are bigger and stinkier.

All of our rivers are closed or blown so we're pretty hard up for fishing in May.  A few years ago, we started driving south to Hagerman for some carp on the Snake and were really surprised at how awesome the fishing is down there.  Last Tuesday was pretty nice, so Paddy and I went down for the day and weren't disappointed. 

I can't believe how much this part of the Snake looks like the Llano River.

Another Llano-esque shot.

We fished Dolman Rapids which is near the Thousand Springs area.  I had never fished there before and couldn't believe how much the river looked like the Llano River, one of my favorite rivers in Texas.  There were HUGE fish everywhere and we both hooked quite a few, but it's so dang hard to hold on to carp with those soft, tiny mouths and I always crush my barbs.  Losing a few keeps me coming back.

It's so weird seeing pelicans in Idaho.

Paddy went to town on some fish below this dam.

I hope to make it down there at least a couple more times before Silver Creek opens on May 26.  I can't believe it's only three weeks until opening day--I may cry a little!