Short casts: Western drought; fishing new water; the fishing selfie, and more

Photo courtesy of Brodie Buchanan, Hatch Magazine.

While the East Coast has been in the grips of a brutal winter, many here in the West are wondering when winter's actually going to start. From Montana to Colorado, snowfall accumlation is down quite a bit, and winter temperatures are up, spurring some interest in winter fly fishing that just normally isn't there. 

I just spent the better part of a week along Colorado's Front Range, and full-on panic was pushed back when the region got a modest bit of snow and a quick cold snap that made things feel "normal," even just for a while. At home in eastern Idaho, it's sunny and above freezing, and has been for almost a week. After last year's brutal winter that didn't seem to stop until May, I know a lot of my fishing brethren are enjoying the mild winter and plying local waters in the process. I'll take a mild winter, but I'd like to see more snow—the white stuff on the mountains amounts to fly-fishing potential. So, it's OK if Mother Nature takes a bit of a breather, but maybe she could deliver some high-country snow to the Rockies to ensure enough water is around come summer?

Here's what else is happening in the fishing world: 

• Todd Tanner writes about fishing the river less travled in Hatch Magazine. 
• Marshall Cutchin writes in the Mountain Journal about foregoing the "selife" on the water with that trophy fish, and instead, reflecting on what makes good fishing happen.
• A pair of theives made off with $14,000 in specialized fly fishing gear from the venerable Fly Shop in Redding, Calif. 
• This might surprise you, and it might make you do a bit of research, too: According to an article in Business Day promoting the qualities of fly fishing, the craft is now the second-most popular outdoor activity in the United States. I'm not buying it, but it's nice to see the sport growing. 

And, finally, your moment of fly-fishing Zen, thanks to the folks at The Mountain Journal: 

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