Finding Your Endurance

August 22, 2019 Jillian Schuller

I've figured out that there's an endurance sport for almost every 'outdoorsy' person, mountain, desert or water, there's certainly one for you. But here's the thing, fly-fishing is most certainly not on that list, or so I thought.

A while back, Jacob and I went out into the high country, possibly a bit earlier than we should have. See, there was plenty of snow this past year and it took the rivers a little while to go down. As much as we both thought we knew what 'high water' meant, alas, we did not. It was much like coming to grips with the fact that east coast mountains are not the same as actual mountains. Swallow pride, move on.

A Little Piece of History

August 15, 2019 Jillian Schuller

A little while back, I received an email about an old Winston rod bag and a hopeful update. I immediately felt a surge of excitement, followed closely by panic. What if the original bag was so old manipulating it would damage it beyond repair? What if I ripped the label, this piece of history? There's no fixing a satin label. I agreed to take on the project, hoping that everything was well preserved and malleable.

Discovering Cutthroat and A Little More

August 14, 2019 Jillian Schuller

If you drive around in the mountains a bit from our house, follow a Forest Service road for a few miles, you end up in a canyon with a perfect little river flowing through it. It's mostly become our 'go-to' escape, given its closeness and exceptional beauty. But, who am I kidding, almost everything here is perfectly splendid.

We decided on a quick trip in the middle of the day right when the temperature had gotten too hot to work anymore, and a little extra elevation was necessary. We hit the river just as the afternoon rainstorm did it is monsoon season after all.

If you've been a follower of this little blog of ours, you've probably noticed that I've misplaced my enthusiasm for it. Maybe it's the adjustment to a new place, lack of motivation, too many rod bags, too little adventure, or perhaps basic laziness. I'm still trying to figure it out.

Summer Sale

July 6, 2019 Jillian Schuller

Well, it seems that summer has finally hit Colorado. The snow is starting to melt, which means high water, which means less fishing and the bugs are out in full force. I’m currently rocking the finest Colorado cologne. Ah, well… such is life.

In honor of this momentous occasion of not having to run the heater at night, Jacob is running a Summer Sale on all of his fiberglass rods still in the shop.

Colorado, Thanks For Having Us

April 23, 2019 Jillian Schuller

I had great plans to capture every moment of our move across the country, from wonderful images of the Mississippi to the fields of Texas to all the wonder of New Mexico. But, what is it they say about the ‘best laid plans?’

I’ve woken up to the warm Colorado sunshine for the past few mornings. I’ve wandered among the cedars and shared a beer with friends not seen in months, but as of yet, no cutthroat. Ah, well, those days will come.

It’s a bizarre thing to see your whole world reduced to a few measly boxes and even more stunning to see your whole business fit in the back of a little Subaru. It’s a reminder that things are just that, things. The important stuff will make it and the rest will move on to someone else. That being said, I wouldn’t trade any of those things for this view I get to see every day.

How To Take A Walk In The Woods

February 14, 2019 Jillian Schuller

Get a good nights sleep. Dream of 18-inch rainbows and uncharted waters, hatches, and sunshine.

Wake up early to a good pot of coffee. Drink it all and pack more for the ride, it's going to be a long one.

Meet up with a fellow angler, meet up with the second down the road.

Drive around for a while, check out a pull-off or two, decide on a spot you noticed a while back.

Gear up. Full regalia. Waders, boots, wading staff, pack, camera, water bottle, snacks, beer, everything.

Don't forget your 8' 6" fly rod, forget the 7', the longer rod will be much better.