Winter Wonders and Reflections February /2023

ON THE PATH

"Groundhogs be damned...
              ... its still winter here."

I keep looking out my front door as I go to take my dog for a walk twice a day and I can't help but sigh with more than a little frustration at the snow that still remains on my front lawn.  I have lived in Colorado long enough now that I should be used to our winters. But each year I have to remind myself that no matter what the ground hog says, Winter is going to last until mid to late March at the earliest. I need to remind myself that the long winters feed the high mountains with snow and that means water for our streams. It is not like there isn't plenty to do during the winter. If I could just settle in and go outside only when I needed to remember what cold feels like then I would. Sure I am tempted to be "that guy" who braves the winter and builds a snow shelter to sleep out in. But I really don't have resolve for cold fingers, face and toes.  Luckily I can always retreat to my warm house or can turn a space heater on in my tenkara meditation hut and rough it there with a cup of tea and a good book or magazine.  My fly tying table is there too, as well as all my books and camping gear to  keep me busy thinking about the spring to come.

If you too are hunkering in for the cold months I hope that you will enjoy the collection of features I have assembled for you.

A fun video in WATCH THIS! that may make you reconsider the idea of getting out in winter weather for the love of fishing. In the READ THIS! feature, I hope you will participate in a group discussion in the comment section after reading about the different impact we all have on the environment in our small decisions. Winter is a good time to learn a few things about a simple fly in TIE THIS! with our guest tier Adam Rieger. Be sure to also check out the other features and know that I am always looking for interesting things to post for future publication.
PLEASE... share those ideas, stories, and videos that you see with me.

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THIS MONTH'S FEATURES

Explore this months features by clicking on the photo.

WATCH THIS!

Watch Chris Kayler and company take a quick trip up a popular canyon here near Denver for some winter fishing. It is some fun older footage that makes me want to bundle up and take a bike trip.

Click image to see video

READ THIS!

Let's talk about the environment. Taking a few minutes each day to look at our own environmental impact is only the first step. This link takes you to a list of environmental facts. Give the list a read and then comment your thoughts and ideas in the comment section.

PATH NOTES

The tenkara community at large is one of the best communities you could ask for. I have a few words about my 10 years in tenkara and some of my observations about the tenkara community as well as what we can also do to keep it growing strong.

Click on image to view article

Click image to learn about Martin

FEATURED ANGLER

You may know him as "Sageheart Tenkara". Martin Montejanois the Sierra Nevada loving, talented fly tier, and our featured angler profile this month. If you don't now him here is your chance to learn a little more about him.

TENKARA SHOP NEWS

There are some changes continuing to happen in my wood shop. From setting up a new wood shop in my garage to changes in my etsy shop and some of my designs. I also have some new products coming for the shop too!

Click image to learn this one

TIE THIS!

Adam Rieger drops in to share his version of W.C. Stewart's spider.
While not a flashy fly its simplicity is not to be underestimated on the stream. Adam shares some of the history of Stewart's theory of fly classification and preferred presentation as well.