Testing...is anyone there?

Testing...testing...I'm almost back.

Whew! Late 2017 and all of 2018 was just exhausting. Totally and utterly exhaustive. So much so that I opt out on rehashing it all.

Here's where we are at now:

2019 came barreling through and yes it is already 8 days through the new year. I'm hoping that time slows this year rather than continuing to accelerate. So far, my approach this winter is to think a lot about fishing while spending my off days on the mountains rather than in my office or the fly shop. It's been working for me so far.

I'm looking forward to heading back to Louisiana in a few weeks to fish with Rich and the little Googan. Missouri River spring guide dates are starting to fill. Heading to El Pescador with the family for spring break in March. Im expecting decent water conditions here in Montana and another busy year on teh water to go along with the water. Planning on fishing in Kamchakta in August with my dad. No fall fishing plans yet.

The flyfish truck launch in 2018 was an amazing experience. I have no idea how many people we helped learn to cast last year but the number was closer to several hundred than just a few hundred. We have a ton of stuff in the works for 2019 with the truck. The shop staff have all settled into their roles and have been doing an amazing job the last couple of months of taking care of everything so that I can chill and get the minutia done in a painless method.

Ok, ok, a few things do come to mind in 2018. Most painful guide trip of my 19 year career involved a father and son from somewhere other than here. Multiple phone calls and emails with heavy emphasis on when is the magical 2 days of fishing in the summer-time....they didn't pick them. TERRIBLE anglers...so bad that they made me question every happy moment that I have ever had with a fly rod in my hand. Uggh.

Yeah, I flipped a raft too. I may have lost a few grand worth of rods and reels too.

Yes, the water was great throughout the year and fishing was more good than bad; but hardly ever really great.

I have embraced fishing for Carp on my days off when it's warm in July-September.

The Helios 3 is a badass fly rod, as is still the Sage X, Scott Radian, and I'm a fan of the Sage Igniter as well. Ross and Abel have both made ginormous strides in the reel world, but Hatch continues to lead the pack. SA lines have come a long, long way and the new lines from Orvis that are due out this spring are Hamazing as well.

I'm not committing, but I think I'm almost ready to write and share my thoughts on my life in the water very soon. Oh yeah, we are going to start carrying Simms too.

Oblivion, here I come.