Slide Show: Days of Trout and Mushrooms

 

Return to the Karst Stream

I just made this short video about a small karst stream in Serbia that I have fished since childhood. I was lucky to have excellent weather there this past week, along with equally good fishing for small wild brown trout on both dry flies and nymphs.

There were excellent caddis hatches (mostly Hydropsyche), some Sericostoma, and a healthy presence of various mayflies, especially during the evening spinner falls of E. danica, Ecdyonurus/Rhitrogena, and some Baetis. A few Isoperla stoneflies were also noted.

It is still a rather wild place, with a fragmented stream structure and remarkable biodiversity of aquatic insects. One pool may come alive with a caddis hatch, while the next may fish better with an E. danica spinner. Many stretches are overgrown with deadfalls, and the canyon section is truly epic.

The video mostly shows the gentler upstream reaches, which do not descend too steeply.

Deer Hair Ants

Cheers to the New Season

Leaving for Serbia in a couple of days to fish karst streams for wild browns. When I come back, stripers will be waiting on the flats. Cheers to the spring and new fishing adventures!

Hendrickson Emerger/Cripple

Boston XCD Skiing 2026

This winter has been off the charts - great snow in Boston! I skied a lot, mostly ungroomed, wild spots, close to home. And it is not over yet, even though with the high temps predicted for the next week, the end is in sight...     

Woodcock and Doormouse Wet

Inspired by classic Invicta... European doormouse fur for the body, woodcock wings and hackle.

Blue Charm

Variant with added long black spey hackle.

Cheers to 20!

Two decades ago, while living in the Twin Cities, MN, I started this blog with optimism, questionable opinions, and far more free time. Since then: many posts, many photos, and only a few regrets. Thanks to everyone who read along, checked in, or stumbled here by accident. Still typing. Still curious. Cheers to 20!

Heggeli Hairwing Spey Variant

Green hook version, grey fox wing.

Green Willie Gunn Hairwing

South Platte Spider

Beauly Snow Fly

Lavender Spey