Discover Walla Walla

The memory of it eludes me... that first time there was a fish on my line. I'm sure time and distance play a big part in it's being lost. What has remained over the years are indelible memories that make up the tapestry of my love and passion for fishing... my father bringing home a burlap sack full of fish from deep see fishing, fishing from the pier in Oceanside, CA with dad, catching my first Sea Trout, going to Lake Isabella with my grandfather introducing me to crappie and blue gill in Lake Isabella, beating Sam in a Crappie Derby, trying fly fishing with a bobber the first time at Edison Electric Sub-Station #4 with the High Sierra looming over me, winning a Fenwick Fly Rod in billiard game and trying to throw line with it...

What is it about fishing and catching a fish that delights so many of us? It seems that every time I turn around there is a public interest add in a magazine with a child or adult exhorting a parent or loved one to take them fishing. Often I see kids heading to a local park with rod, tackle box, and worm can in hand.  It never grows old taking someone out for the first time and watching their reaction as they catch their first fish. Is it the anticipation of catching the "The Big One"?  Is it the thrill of having something wild at the other end of one's line? Is the companionship experienced with others? Is the setting, being outdoors and connected to nature? I'm guessing it's a little of each of these with each of us having our unique and personal reason... the fact of the matter is, there are a lot of us that enjoy catching a fish.

Ten years ago this summer I rolled into Walla Walla. If there is one thing I've learned about Walla Walla during my time here - it is a hidden treasure when it comes to fishing. Fishing has a rich and storied tradition among many of those who have lived here over the years. My passion for fly fishing, throwing dries, and pursuing trout has probably kept me from experiencing the complete variety of opportunities offered to anglers here in the valley. And... that's o.k.! There's something here for everyone, steelheaders, fly fishers, folks who love bass fishing, river and stream fishing, lake fishing, you name it! However, because of my bias, thoughts shared here will focus primarily on the experience of throwing a fly and the nuances of such here in the Walla Walla Watershed. That being clarified, this is a great place to live or visit if one loves to fish. 

Just a few weeks back I was stopped at the intersection of 9^th and Poplar waiting for the light to turn green. Taking their time to cross the street were two kids. The reason for their leisure in crossing was their cargo. Besides rods and tackle boxes one had a stringer with two fat trout that looked about a third the size of the kid holding it. The other held a stringer with a fish as big if not bigger. There they were, heading toward downtown with their catch of the day, proud as could be, traveling at a pace that others couldn't help but see that here were two fine fishermen. I'm assuming the fish were caught out of the Jefferson Park Pond just down 9^th Street a few blocks. If not, they know of a spot nearby they're not telling anybody about. I doubt they were the first fish caught by either. You can bet though that I was witnessing a memory maker that won't be easily lost.