All my fun came early this summer.

Went to Abaco Island, in the Bahamas, in May on a trip I gave myself for the big 50th birthday. This was for bonefish on the fly. Went with a good fishing buddy from here in Tacoma and my brother, who lives in Beaufort, N.C. It was a fabulous trip. The first bonefishing for each of us. We each caught on to the bonefishing thing. And my brother had a shot at a big permit. As well, my brother caught a 45 lb. barracuda on an 8 wt. flyrod. I thought that fly fishing for bonefish was just about the perfect form of fishing. It combines hunting and fishing; the fish are plentiful; they will bite if you do things correctly; you pay for your mistakes, but when you get one on, it truly is spectacular. I'd read and read and read about it, tied my own flies, and anticipated the trip for 8 months, but to have that bonefish melt the line and backing off your reel at about 25 mph has to be experienced to really be appreciated. And the food and the Kalik beer and the food and the Kalik beer. And the Kalik beer. Great place, great people, great guides, great food. And did I mention the Kalik beer and tropical sunsets? I'll be back!

Also lucked in to a trip to Sitka, from which I just returned. Just about the best saltwater fishing for salmon that I could imagine. Halibut was a bit tough and we had to scratch for them, but the salmon were large, plentiful and extremely willing.

Still looking forward to: A trip or two to Rocky Ford on the full moon; a trip to Waitsburg, WA to fish the Touchet and Tucanon rivers and flyfishing for silvers and steel on the Kalama in September.