It’s funny how sometimes things come full circle. When I was a child I was fascinated by the river and by moving water. I was fortunate to live very close to the river and all I wanted to do was be there. Whether I was fishing, snorkeling, catching critters, or just floating it seemed that I was drawn to the water, and on most days that is where you would find me. The problem for me was that every type of river craft that I used at the time was inflatable which inevitably meant that I would pop it and fun time would be over. One day I saw two guys paddle by in kayaks and that was it. I actually knew at that very moment that I would become a kayaker, and for the simple and obvious reason that it looked like the most fun way to get around the river. It wasn’t long after that and I was in a kayak, and after my very first time down the river despite the fact that I was terrible at it, I boldly decided that I want to become better in a kayak than anyone else in the world. At that time I didn’t even know what that meant, but that was just a minor detail. Kayaking did not come easily to me, but fortunately I learned at a young age that if I wanted to be better at something than other people I had to outwork them. I had to put in more hours a day on the water, and more day in the year. (One year I actually paddled 340 days) Later I learned “smarter” tactics for training, but the concept of outworking everyone else never changed. After reaching my goal and winning the World Championships I can honestly say that the fire that I had inside me started to die, and it took about 4 years before it finally burnt out. It wasn’t that I lost my desire to compete, but rather my desire for the process of preparing to compete and that is the part that should be the most fun. I am not sure why that happend, but it did. People around me thought that it was a much bigger deal than I did, and still do, but I still maintain the idea that the river was my first love and it was the river that brought me to a kayak, not the other way around. Don’t get me wrong, the time that I have spent in a kayak travelling all around the world means more to me than I can attempt to describe. My point is simple that my relationship with the river is still the same as it was when I was a child, and on a personal level that is all that matters to me. I still stare with a level of fascination at the moving water, I still love to scrambling around the rocks fishing the river bank, and I still enjoy using what I believe to be the very most fun tool on the river, a kayak.

These days I am back where I started. I am on the river in a kayak again, fishing. Whether I am using a kayak to cross the river to access water that hardly ever gets fished, or floating down the river fishing as I go, it is awesome to simply be enjoying the river in the same manner as when I was a child. My friends at Jackson Kayak make what I believe to be the very best white water kayaks in the world. They also happen to make what I believe to be the very finest fishing kayak available. If either of these things interest you, take a minute to check out Jackson Kayak. http://jacksonkayak.com/ I use their Coosa, as it is perfect for fishing moving water. If you fish big bodies of water such as the ocean or large lakes you may want a kayak that tracks a little better, has more speed, and has a lower profile for windy conditions. Jackson Kayak has the boat for that too, and it is called the Cuda. Maybe you have a son, a daughter, a spouse, or a friend that you want to be able to take out in your kayak fishing with you. Jackson Kayak has that option as well and it is called the Big Tuna.

As for the fishing lately, I have been catching lots of pint sized trout, but for whatever reason the big boys have been eluding me. Still lots of fun, but right now I would welcome a woopn from a big rainbow. The Truckee River is at a great flow for wading, and during the heat of the day it feel pretty darn good to be standing in the cool water.
Jay

The last week has been kind of crazy around here, and for the next week it is more of the same. Paolo and I were in Salt Lake last week for the Summer Outdoor Retail Show. Now back in Reno, I really just had time to fish one time, as tomorrow I am heading up to Oregon for 5 days for a wedding and to see family. After that the Fly Fish Show is in New Orleans. The plan it to try to make it to the river when I can, but I am definitely in the middle of a couple of weeks of hectic travel.

Last night I caught the most perfect rainbow that I have ever caught. He was beautiful and he was flawless. Not even the smallest scratch on his body, or the slightest nick on a fin. Perfect. He wasn’t all for show either, as his short fat build, and his head straight down stream tactic was able to put me in my backing. I also caught a really pretty brown, but unfortunately my photo work was substandard at best on that one.

Jay

Paolo and I were in Salt Lake City last week for the Outdoor Retail Show. This is a great time to reconnect with old friends, and it is always fun to see everyone. Big thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth; dealers, distributers, reps, friends, and everyone else…

Jay

It is hot, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a hot day then on the river. I don’t care if you are fishing, swimming, rafting, kayaking, or just keeping it real in an inner tube. The point is that the river is the place to be.

Paolo and I caught a bunch of fish last week, but somehow we both managed to figure out how to lose the biggest ones. Regardless the fishing is good and the wading feels great.
Jay

I caught this fish last week on a dry fly. After spotting him I fished 4 different patterns for him before he took one. He was just over 25 inches, and the best trout that I have ever caught on a dry fly.

Later that same day I was joined by this beaver. We were just hanging out enjoying the river together. He left without saying goodbye.

Jay