Jason Shemchuk, Author at WADEOUTTHERE

Sight Fishing – Part 2. Observation

Is there a fish in this water? Will I catch one? It’s these questions that bring hope and wonder to the process of fishing. Sight fishing changes things. We see a fish, cast to it, and because we have eliminated the one giant variable that we are constantly dealing with when fishing, we expect to catch the fish we see. Or at least our frustrations peak when we don't. It's called sight fishing for a reason, but the observation has just begun once we find the fish we’ll cast to, and there’s wonder in hope in that as well.

On May 31, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Podcast

Veterans, Healing and Community with Will Cannon from The Iron Freedom Foundation. Podcast Ep 93 – Part 1 of 2

Will picked up a fly rod when he was eight years old and fished his home waters in Texas until he turned 17 and joined the Army as a scout. After leaving the profession of arms, he found himself struggling with PTSD and battling cancer. At his lowest point he returned to fly fishing and found relief. Determined to share the powerful healing he experienced through fly fishing with other struggling veterans, Will started the non-profit organization, The Iron Freedom Foundation (IFF).

On May 25, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Lessons Learned (Stories)

Fish All Day – One Fish Is All It Takes

The river rolled over boulders and cut through the sounds of the afternoon so all I heard was its powerful consistency roaring in my head. Listening to the song I took one more cast and one more look at the water I had fished downstream that continued on through the canyon, then I walked up the embankment to my truck and drove along the river towards my house or back towards the water churning in my head. As I drove I caught glimpses of the river and of the day’s fishing trying to think of a lesson I could take away. I had fished hard with no fish to show for it. There was still time left. Should I fish all day?

On May 23, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Photo from Trevor Smith.

Podcast

Dry Fly Fishing and Versatility with the Mono Rig with Trevor Smith – Podcast – Ep 92

Dry fly fishing in Pennsylvania with the Mono Rig was one of the most lasting memories of my fly fishing journey. Casting blue winged olives in the silent, snowy, solitude of a beautiful river I’d never stepped foot in before was remarkable. I had never fished dries in the snow, let alone on the Mono Rig. Both proved to be deeply rewarding.

On May 19, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Fly fishing gear

Tactics and Techniques

How to Avoid Forgetting Your Fly Fishing Gear.

It’s not likely any of us will escape our fly fishing journey without arriving at the river having forgotten something. It’s more likely that, if you are reading this, you already know the pain. If not, remember there are those who have and those who will. Sometimes it's no big deal. Forgot our water bottle? Fish thirsty. A box of dry flies? Fish nymphs. Raincoat? Fish wet. But some items cannot be fished through. Some things are deal breakers. I’ll admit it’s been more than once I have reached a trout stream without a critical piece of gear. It was after one of these exceptionally deflating days that I finally decided enough was enough. I committed to solving the problem in the only way I knew how. Applying mental checklists in the way I did during my time flying fighters for the Air Force.

On May 16, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Photo from Mike Ward.

Podcast

WOT 83: Permit on the Fly with Mike Ward.

Beyond. How do we end up beyond that place in our fly fishing journey where most would consider reasonable. Fly fishing takes all of us on different adventures and after different fish, but sometimes we hang up on something like Mike Ward did with Permit. Sometimes, something keeps our attention and we keep digging.

On March 16, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

Photo from Cameron Cushman

Podcast

WOT 82: Chasing Native Trout and Veteran Fly Fishing with Cameron Cushman

Cameron is a veteran who is making a difference in the lives of other veterans in a profoundly meaningful way. His films tell the stories of how our soldiers are being healed through fly fishing. They are beautiful pieces of videography and storytelling but they also represent what is possible for people that are running out of hope. Families that need help. His work with the Iron Freedom Foundation is saving lives. I believe it.

On March 9, 2022 • By Jason Shemchuk

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