As a husband and father of three children, the planning of any family fishing trip needs to start with some simple questions, and hopefully some good answers. Questions like; Where are we going? When are we going? How long are we going to stay? But if you want to have a truly successful trip, maintain peace and harmony with your family, and survive with your mind “intact”, there is one more question that you should ask yourself. What will there be for the wife and kids to do?

Spring has reached the heartland at last. Dandelions are sprouting, robins dot the lawns, and morel hunters are gawking at every patch of trees, no matter how small. That's right, even before the elusive fungi are anywhere near appearing, morel mushroom hunters are rubbernecking the roadsides, slowing down traffic, and generally raising eyebrows as they diligently scope out any likely looking wooded area for potential hotspots for morel growth.

Other than false expectations about the expense, the single biggest barrier to enjoying fly fishing is learning to cast a fly.

I bought my first fly rod and reel in 1985.  The guy who sold it to me assured me that fly casting was easy.  We stood in the middle of Cy’s sporting goods store while Cy proceeded to instruct me in the classic “10 o’clock, 2 o’clock” arm positions.  “Keep your elbow next to your body, and be sure to keep your wrist straight,” he said.  “That’s all there is to it!” 

Cy lied.