Riding in San Martín de los Andes

June 29th, 2025. A cancerous tumor encompassing my appendix had finally gotten large enough to make its presence painfully known. The pain was intense, but the unknown was overwhelming. Jennifer looked at the CT scan images with the ER doctor as she explained the extent of the cancer; I closed my eyes and thought of Patagonia.

Three days later, while mapping out treatment options with my new oncologist, I explained that whatever the plan was, I was going back to Argentina in February. He counted the months out on his fingers and said, "We can do that."

The plan changed several times as the tumor grew, and I weakened. Jennifer advocated for me, convincing the team that we had to move quickly. Finally, surgery removed the offending growth, and after a very short hospital stay, I began the long recovery process, all the while acutely focused on our February 2026 return to Argentina and chasing big Trout.

As you read this, Jennifer and I are on the way to the airport, heading for Buenos Aires via Atlanta. It's a long travel day, ending tomorrow morning local time, but well worth it. After dinner in Buenos Aires with our friend, Jeff Perin of the Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, we'll fly into San Martín on Saturday morning, then take a short drive to the Collon Cura Lodge, where we'll once again cast a line in Patagonia's magical trout streams. I still have cancer in both lungs, but we'll deal with that issue when I get home. For now, I'm heading back to Argentine Patagonia, right where I said I would be.

JTL

Feature Article

Pay Day

Rain finally brought a smile to Josh's face as conditions on our local waters improved and he was able to get back on the Sandy River...



Tyer's Table this Saturday!

February 14th at 10:30

Kumihimo Borden Special

with Garren Wood

Garren’s journey into fly fishing began over 30 years ago at his family’s kitchen table in Northern Idaho, where he watched his father tie flies for upcoming trips. He quickly began tying his own dry flies for local rivers, selling them to teachers and friends to fund his materials. During college in Pocatello, he met Joe Ayre, who introduced him to woven body flies and the Federation of Fly Fishers expo circuit. By the late 90s, Garren was demonstrating at the Southeast Idaho Fly Tying Expo and tying commercially for guides in West Yellowstone.



After moving to Oregon in 2002, Garren expanded his skills under the mentorship of Al Brunell, mastering the art of steelhead flies and assisting with the Northwest Fly Tyers Expo. In 2022, Garren took on a new role in the community by purchasing Ronn Lucas Sr.'s hook-making business. To keep the tradition alive, Garren spent the summer learning the trade from Lucas, who had originally acquired the business from founder Ron Reinhold in 2006, and built a dedicated shop in his backyard. Today, Garren continues to tie and offers custom hooks that honor the legacy of the craftsmen who came before him.

Join us this Saturday, February 14th, at 10:30 for the Tyer's Table.

Fly Tying Class

Trout season is fast approaching, but you still have time to learn to tie your own flies. We've added one more Beginning Fly Tying Class to the winter season. Taught by Jeff Hollaman, this 4-session class will start you on the way to a lifetime of enjoyment and creativity.

The techniques taught, from thread control to handling materials, are the stepping stones to tying any fly you need to add to your fly box. All tools and materials are provided in class, so you don't need anything to get started—just an interest in fly tying.

This four-session class is held here in the shop on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The next class is scheduled for March 28th, April 4th, 11th, and 18th. Space is limited to four students, and the cost is $125 per person.

Fare Winds, and Following Seas

It was very meaningful to have Dave come up to celebrate our 15th Anniversary this past October and watch me tye a Royal Treatment.

Farewell, Dear Friend

David Dean Farley, businessman, mentor, shooting coach, angler, and friend, passed away peacefully last Saturday evening, surrounded by his family at his home in Salem after a relatively short battle with cancer. 

Dave was a regular on my hosted saltwater trips, starting in 2005, signing up for any adventure I planned. Los Roques, Christmas Island, Andros, Abaco, Mexico, it didn't matter, if I was going, so was Dave.

We became close friends over the years, and he convinced me to take up sporting clays for a time, when we weren't fishing, coaching me through the process and encouraging me. He was an incredible shooter and a patient coach.

Dave could be mischievous at times, and while it was never proven, he was the lead suspect in the Great Banana Caper of Tarpon Cay in 2014. It seems that unattended gear bags would be opened on the water to reveal an unlucky banana tucked in with the sunscreen and granola bars. The investigation continued the following year in South Andros, where the lead investigator ended up wearing a full-size banana suit, hoping to flush out the culprit, unsuccessfully, I might add. Now, we'll never know who hid the bananas, but Dave always smiled when I asked if he knew.

Los Roques 2005

Dave can also be credited with being the driving force behind Royal Treatment Fly Fishing. With Dave's persistent encouragement, I wrote a business plan, and he was the first to invest in my new adventure. He proudly watched as our community grew and the business thrived.

Dave was in the shop for the last time in October for our 15th Anniversary celebration, and I got to thank him by telling him, "All this is because of you." He just proudly smiled.

Fare winds and following seas, dear friend. You will be missed.

Hosted Fly Fishing Trips

XFlats 2026

Maybe a tropical distraction is just what the doctor ordered for those winter blues tugging on your heart. It's time to plan a trip somewhere warm! If sunny weather, good food, friendly people, and excellent fishing appeal to you, XFlats offers opportunities unmatched elsewhere in the Yucatán. Want to catch a Permit on a dry fly? You should make plans to join us!

Our dates for 2026 are May 8th through the 16th, and we have assembled an awesome crew of friends who will be joining us, but there is still room for you! If you have ever dreamed about a Grand Slam (Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit in one day), you should clear space on your calendar and pack your bags!

Patagonia 2027

With our departure for Argentina only a few weeks away, Jennifer and I are already making plans to return in February of 2027 to celebrate my 70th trip around the sun. Hard to believe, isn't it? Yet, it's true, and I cannot think of a better place to celebrate.

So, look ahead. Check your calendar. Then, reach out to get on the list of adventurous anglers who are interested in joining us in Argentine Patagonia next year! That list is growing, so don't delay. You are not committed to going, but will have the right of first refusal once the final dates and details are set.

While the dates, itinerary, and prices may change slightly, the 2026 trip details should pique your interest.

My old friend Stefan making the best of a 10 week trip to New Zealand.

(Rock'n his Royal Treatment hat)