Happy New Year from Snowy Sun Valley!

A Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I’ve been very, very good this year, and I have something special to ask you for. I want a fishing partner. You might ask, “Morgan, didn’t I already give you a fishing partner?” Well, Santa, I guess technically I have a fishing partner, but I need another one.

My kick-ass man-friend has been my fishing partner for over five years; but since we both guide, we rarely get to fish together more than once a week. During the summer we’re just strangers in passing. I need a real, honest-to-god, full-time fishing partner.

I tried asking our mutual friends to go fishing with me, but it was just too weird. I once asked one of my man’s friends to go fishing and fortunately he quickly replied that he had to work. It’s not weird when we’re fishing as a group, but something just isn’t right fishing with each other. I think there was a Seinfield episode about that. You would think that there’s someone in my town who needs a fishing partner, but I haven’t found them yet. I guess meeting new people requires socializing, but I’d much rather fish by myself than have to talk to strangers.

My new partner can be young or old, male or female, but having a woman to share layers and layers of fishing clothes with would be awfully convenient. Someone strong and dumb enough to wade with me during run-off would be cool, too. Personal hygiene is key since there will be close quarters in the car and in a tent.

On the river, I want a partner who knows what they’re doing. Someone to compete with and heckle each other endlessly would be super rad. I think that’s probably one of my favorite things about fishing (when I’m not being paid). Call me a dork, but I’d like to be able to discuss the fine qualities of Frogs Fanny or compact Skagit heads while I’m fishing. Chit chatting on the river is absolutely mandatory. Oh, it’d be amazing if my new partner attracted more mosquitoes than I do, but I really don’t think that’s possible.

I often feel the need to run over to Yellowstone or somewhere to pop a steelie. So…I guess a fishing partner who still charges their gas to their parents would be the shiz-nit. Hopefully we could put beer on the card, too. On said road trips, my new partner should have the same enthusiasm I do for side trips for Blizzards, Bar-B-Que, and fly shops. I think I stopped at 13 fly shops one winter between Ketchum and Livingston—a few were even closed. It also takes a special person (or a Southerner) to appreciate the countless playlists of alternating Jerry Jeff Walker and Cypress Hill.

Please, please, please, Santa, I really want a full-time fishing partner. I ate all my veggies and released all my fish. If that doesn’t work out though, I’d like a new iPod.

Love, Morgan

A South Texas Christmas Eve

10:00 AM

Pop “wraps” Mom’s Christmas presents and delivers paper bags at the ranch

12:00 PM

Mom prints coupons for free Whataburgers and Pop makes stranger take iPhoto of us with our coupons while at Whataburger

Caleb is embarrassed

1:00 PM

Put on White Christmas or horrible Lifetime Christmas movie for napping

Pop or Andrea-Icebox blanket

Mom-Red quilt

Morgan-Pink quilt

Caleb-I’m not sure what blanket has been officially titled his

3:00 PM

Used to be time to bathe, but Morgan and Andrea have revolted

They sing Christmas songs and then fight in the bathroom

4:00 PM

Family photo in front of the Christmas tree, handguns optional

5:00 PM

Church at St. Dennis, leading Sheriff to ranch hands optional

Sing in Spanish

Chit Chat after church

7:00 PM

Stop at Moo-Moos for Dr. Peppers

7:15 PM

Go-Go yells at us because we’re late—we tell her that we like to go to church at

the ranch

7:30 PM

Gorging on tamales, cheese dip, various pickled items like herring, shrimp, and pickles

8:00 PM

Family photo—assigned seating

8:30 PM

Gift opening

New tradition—Caleb gets everyone drunk

10:00 PM

Drive home with the windows down

11:00 PM

Santa comes early (only after 2004 snow)

Fire is lit even though it’s 85 degrees outside and we burn all trash whether appropriate or not

2:30 AM

Morgan’s the last one to bed

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Oregon, Part Two

Steelhead still life

The second half of my trip to Oregon was pretty crazy. I floated the Kickitat River in Washington with Marcy Stone from the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches. The river was absolutely gorgeous, there were salmon all over the river, and I got some awesome casting lessons. It was by far the best part of the trip. After my float, I drove to Portland to stay at some awesome clients' house. Unfortunately, they were out of town, but I'll definitely be back to Oregon to fish with them. The next morning I was so exhausted, I couldn't manage to get up to fish so I explored a little in Portland, including a trip to Powell's, of course. I headed out the next morning and hit the John Day and the Owyhee on my way back home over the next couple of days. Nothing exciting, but I got to see some more amazing country. I really look forward to going back.


Swinging on the Klickitat.


Some moldy chum action.


Quiet day on the Owyhee.

About a Year Late, but...

Heading West.

I've finally had a moment to put up some pics from my trip to Oregon. I went for nine days and it was absolutely amazing. I hooked a fish my first hour of fishing, but that was it for steelhead.

I started on the Deschutes and stopped in Maupin at the Deschutes Angler. John and Amy Hazel, as well as Bruce Berry, the Oregon rep for Montana Fly and Beulah Fly Rods, were absolutely wonderful to me and gave me more detailed information than I would have ever expected. Bruce said I should burn that map that John made for me, but I kinda wanted him to autograph it! I fished up and down the Deschutes for three days. There were a few people out, but it was easy to get in wherever I wanted. The weather was pretty pleasant--about 50 with some rain, but the water temperature was about a million degrees warmer than at home.

First afternoon on the Deschutes.

The road goes down river right and the railroad on river left. Supposedly, two competing railraods built on opposite sides of the river and the one who lost had theirs turned into the BLM road. I'm not used to Double Speys, so I had to work pretty hard on my casting, but that was really a good thing. I had never fished without a sink tip either--it's a whole new game with a floating line.

Dinner for one.

A beautiful Deschutes run. Lots of deer, but no tugs.

The river was so beautiful and there were so many colors--it was a nice change from Hailey, which is already pretty wintery. At the run above, I saw about ten whitetails swim across the river--I've never seen that in my life. I would have bet money I was going to catch a fish here, but I only lost a fly on a rock. I guess that's steelheading.

Can't beat a first cast trout.

One afternoon, I was swinging through a run and there were trout going crazy everywhere. I finally had to stop and pull out a trout rod and caught a fish on my first cast. I had to beat the trout and whiteys off my standard ParaWullf with Zebra Midge dropper. It's amazing how a few trout can lift your spirits on a slow day.

Part Two is coming soon...

A Little Thanksgiving Reading...

I've been back from my steelhead trip to Oregon for a week now, but I haven't even unpacked the car! I've been SO busy with work, work, and work (there are actually three types of employment at the moment) I don't think I've even downloaded pics yet.

Anyhoo, check out an awesome story by Peyton Baker on Blood Knot. It's a familiar story for a lot of ladies...

I hope to be back to normal after the holiday week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oregon Trail

I'm heading to Oregon for 9 days of steelheading on Monday morning. I'm just rocking it by myself--camping in the car and keeping warm with a bottle of scotch. Last night I was reading about flies and I got so excited I was a little nauseous! I have no idea what I'm doing--I just had images of me walking in to the first shop in starched Orvis clothes, asking, "Excuse me, but is there anyone who can teach me how to Shadow Cast?" I guess it's not that bad--I have a pretty bomber Snap-T and an acceptable Double Spey, but the learning curve is pretty steep. My goal is to catch one fish--anything else will be icing on the cake. This will be a great learning experience and a grand adventure. I can't wait to see what I find...

If you haven't yet, check out the new issue of Blood Knot!