Blowing off the stink
Whether you're buzzing with holiday excitement or feeling that slack tide of the soul, here are ten fishy detours to transport you.
CFStaters:
The great liminal period between Thanksgiving and the Winter Solstice is always a little strange for me. Things hang between holiday hustling and a sort of loose-ends-iness, a slack tide of the soul. When I was a kid, after a few hours cooped up in the Michigan winters, my best friend's grandfather would tell the two of us, "Why don't you boys go outside and blow the stink off you?" At which point, we'd venture out into the snow, trudging back in as darkness settled, with whatever passed for cold weather clothing in those days utterly saturated.
That sense of let's just get through it is not always weather dependent. My second or third year in Oregon, it rained for the first 25 days of December, yet it was a year full of fun and excitement, and early winter steelhead fishing.
We're firmly strapped in for winter around here. The weather's been mild and reasonably dry, but a major atmospheric river is inbound. We're locked in on a few decent shows. I've the new Pynchon going. The dining table is now 60% puzzle pieces. We finished an easy one, then bit off more than we could chew with a much more challenging image. I sat dumbfounded for a few days before I could start to chisel out small patterns.
Stink-blowing is happening where we can get it. We went up to the National Forest and cut down a tree, then watched a roller derby bout back in town. I wandered around our funky zombie mall today with my friend and his new baby. We took an unhinged family photo with the Grinch, and laughed at all the amazing stores, trying figure out which de-branded facade would make the best fly shop. We fantasized about casting down the vast, empty promenades.
Right now there's too much holiday kinetic energy for things to get bleak. The other morning, I thought of the crew of guides and staff that made my trip down the Rogue unforgettable, despite remoteness, despite the unexpected, despite everything else. I'm gonna try to keep that energy up until I can get out to blow the stink off, yet again.
I'll try to keep my ears out for new film and video as we get through this winter. Folks who've offered feedback that they like those, thanks for letting me know. This week we've got the means to transport you to tropical mangrove forests teeming with bonefish, big brown town, down in New Zealand, or friendly Chumville on Washington's Skagit.
Making it
The mug wall has always represented more than just the accomplishment of becoming a guide on the river. Like its sister outposts on this distant section of the Rogue, at Marial there’s little contact with the outside world. Nobody’s ever just passing through. Anyone who’s here, you’re part of a bigger story. Making a mug and hanging it on the wall doesn’t just mean making it as a guide.
Ten Foot Leaders ➰
Ten(-ish) fishy links to start your week with trout in the tabs.
Mindset 🧘♂️
🎥 Ohio-born guide Jeff Forsee has built a life for himself in New Zealand, with a partner and a young child, but trying to balance family obligations against some of the world's most massive trout doesn't seem like a cakewalk. The first of two great films from The Flyfish Journal, and this week's fly fishing film of the week. 🏆 (link)
85-year-old David Schogel is a member of Philly volunteer group Senior Environment Corps, monitoring water samples for microplastics along with colleague citizen scientists. “I’m not a wealthy fellow, and I don’t have any money to leave behind to any groups or even my family,” he told WHYY's Sophia Schmidt. “But I can leave a better world and hopefully inspire people to do something in the future.” (link)
Environment ⛰️
Did you start your advent calendar yet? Here at home we have LEGO Star Wars and Wera tools doors to open every morning, part of chasing away those seasonal blues. I heard CFS pal Wolfie's got one of the Postfly calendars, and I'm excited to hear how that goes for him. One slightly slippery celebration of the festive season comes from Dr. Katie O'Reilly who is celebrating the 25 Days of Fishmas on Bluesky with daily stories of different species of fish. So far she's done fish of the Southwest including the Mountain Mullet, Least Killfish, Carolina Madtom, Suwanee Bass, Florida Gar, Redear Sunfish, and the Christmas darter. The party will be moving around the United States over the next several weeks. Meet some new fish for the festive season!
We've written here before about counting salmon with artificial intelligence, but new advancements from the University of Washington may help gauge salmon runs using "eDNA"—short for environmental DNA—microscopic particles of genetic material that enter the air when salmon move through rivers. (link)
Tools 🎣
Let us now praise the humble hot water bottle, which has been a staple of any sub-comfy cold situation ever since my wife took a trip up coastal B.C. and found one tucked in her sleeping bag at night by a street-smart guide. It'll warm up a bag before bedtime, or sit stashed away in a cooler bag (which keep things hot, too) for a quick slip down the front of the waders to help warm up your hands. Find one with a cute little knit sweater to make it even cozier all up in there. Why not try this one, recommended by the one-and-only Casey Johnson? (link)
Technique 🤺
Robbie down at Eugene's Caddis Fly Shop offers a solid report on early winter steelhead action. The gist? Not yet. (Which isn't to say you shouldn't be the first.) (link)
🎥 It's a two-fer from The Flyfish Journal this week, with another great short coming on Washington's Skagit river where guide Jordan Young-Treadway and a pal swing up some chum salmon as they prepare for steelhead season. If this is steelhead training, I can't wait to see what game time looks like. (link)
Conservation 🌲
🎥 Free Fly joins the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust on a mangrove planting trip, demonstrating how the mighty mangrove nurtures saltwater ecosystems and protects fragile island landmasses from hurricane damage. Put me in a little solar-powered shack on a Bahamian island and I'll be the Johnny Appleseed of mangrove propagation, any time. (link)
Take a walk around the world in wonder with this edition of National Geographic's Pictures of the Year. There's a whole world out there, resplendent, humming with glory, that'll blow the stink right off. (link)
A proposal is being put forward to dramatically roll back protections afforded by The Clean Water Act, probably the most important single piece of environmental legislation to anglers. This is a write-your-representative, send some letters moment, among many happening nearly constantly. Trout Unlimited has more, including a simple way to make your voice heard. (link)
Community 🏘️
Camping at Oregon State Parks may be be getting more expensive. Proposed tweaks include fewer freebies for groups like foster kids and veterans, steeper penalties for cancellations, and possible surge pricing and more expensive parking. Public comment period is open, for more vocal exercises. (link)
Save the date for TroutFest 2026
We're six months out from TroutFest, so here's your official save-the-date reminder. I hope you'll put May 28-30th in your calendar, and plan to join us for some fishy fun in Maupin.
We're still in planning mode, but once again we've got a group reservation at Maupin City Park. We'll be welcoming any all CFS-inclined pals to join, fish with us, and take part in all the festivities.
Check out last year's TroutFest updates to get a sense of what we'll be in for. Stay tuned for a more formal announcement and to reserve your place.
More from Current Flow State
Here's more of what's been happening recently:
Understanding all the differences with measurements in fly fishing can feel like it requires a math degree, or some sort alchemy.
Dig in to understand the main measurements, how they work, and where they came from. And then, forget what you learned and just go for what feels right.
Nets are for protection. They protect two things: the fish, and the angler's ego. Read the CFS lowdown about net styles, the perils of netting fish for your friends, and why nets are an essential carry to make sure you've got it bagged up
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
Nick Parish
What do a legendary surfer, Hollywood director Christopher Guest, and zen archers have in common?
Nick Parish
Learning to cast a fly rod like Harry Potter uses his wand.
Nick Parish
Are Grateful Dead collabs the sign that outdoor brands have jumped the shark? A look at Simms latest, and the value of high-quality gear.
That's it for this week! Current Flow State is a weekly newsletter from me, Nick Parish.
Watching anything good? Got a puzzle going? Tell me on Bluesky 🦋, Instagram 📸, YouTube 🎥, or the Fishcord 💬.
If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend. We all need more fishing buddies. 💌
Read our editorial policy or browse the newsletter archives.
CFS members support and sustain the site, and our community. Learn more about membership benefits. If you're getting value from this work, consider becoming a member and giving back.
𓆟 𓆝 𓆟
