Frozen Fingers, Big Streamers, and Why the Process Matters
Published 2 months ago • 2 min read
Fishy Fridays
By Tight Fly Lines
Happy Fishy Friday!
I hope you’ve had a great week. It’s freezing here in Idaho, and I’m gearing up for the river tomorrow. I know it’s going to hurt a bit, but I’m ready for it. Hopefully, the fishing makes up for it!
Last week, the wind made everything a grind—that’s the one thing I’m hoping to avoid this time. But honestly, just being outside is always worth it.
Grant from Firefly Fishing is one of my favorite local creators. He’s great at capturing the highs and lows of fishing through every season. Plus, he’s based in Idaho, so that makes him even cooler.
In his latest video, he braves some tough winter conditions with his trout spey setup and still finds success. It’s the perfect dose of inspiration for those cold winter days on the water. Check it out—you’ll love it!
Winter Streamer Tactics That Deliver
Tyson from LEAVE NO TRVCE is another awesome Idaho content creator I’ve been following. He just posted a great clip from a winter streamer session.
When you watch it, you’ll notice he’s fishing slow-moving riffles where trout hang out in oxygen-rich water while conserving energy. I’ve had similar luck fishing spots like these—throwing a big streamer can really pay off. This video is a must-watch if you want to see winter streamer fishing in action.
Creating for the Love of It
I’ve been listening to The War of Art lately, and it’s made me rethink how I approach creating content. Instead of stressing over performance, I’m focusing on loving the process.
That mindset was seriously tested with the video I linked above. Everything felt like a fight—the audio didn’t fit, the visuals were off, and the story just wouldn’t come together. But I kept going, and after a few hours, something finally clicked.
By the time I finished, it was well past midnight. I sat there replaying the video over and over until I was finally ready to let go of how it might perform. I felt genuinely proud of what I’d created.
Then, when I went to export it on CapCut, I got this message: “Sorry, you can’t export because of the TikTok ban in the U.S.” I just stared at the screen and laughed.
Eventually, I figured out how to use a VPN and got the video posted. It ended up being one of my worst-performing videos. And honestly? It stung—but much less than usual. I’m learning to care less about the numbers and more about loving what I make for what it is, to me and me alone.
Someday, I’ll figure out how to create things I love that also resonate with algorithms and people. But for now, making stuff I care about is enough.
Will I See You at Idaho's Fly Fishing Expo?
Quick reminder—the 2025 Idaho Fly Fishing Expo starts next Friday. If you’re going, let me know—I’d love to connect while we’re there!
P.S. Have a fishy friend? Tell them they should subscribe to Tight Fly Lines. You can forward them this email or send them here. Thanks for the support!