Fall is optimum time for micro action and FFJ's smolt army continues to send in their staggering piscine victories for this episode's prize a pair of Smith Optics Shelters shades.  Let's face it, anyone can harass a spawning pink salmon into snapping at an orange length of yarn, it takes a sportsman to stalk, hook up, and land a shad smaller than a lighter. Thanks Brandon722 mystical shad hunter from Highlands Ranch, CO with this macker from Union Resevoir.

Angling four Western states in ten days makes you realize the immense size of opportunity, the personal room for improvement and chance for favorable circumstance.

Photo: Yellowstone National Park

Mr. Mushroom: He knows nature.

You can fish early (I did), but it just takes more effort on both sides, and your partner can sometimes be less than enthusiastic. By 2 p.m., the storms roll off the Mountains and your back in town for liquid refreshment, hoping for bugs around dark.

One day, we cranked through seven-dozen flies, and there was whiskey involved. Another problem with working through a shop is that you have to play by the rules, something I’m not fond of.

Even Clint Eastwood got a touch of the gold fever. He filmed scenes for his 1985 western classic Pale Rider on the opposite side of the peaks.

Neoprene redfish beer koozie.