Carey Pradis

I said it and it was a slip. Maybe it was midnight and it was still warm and elk were bugling in the distance and coyotes were yapping their victory song. Headlights adorned our foreheads. The moon was half full and starlight reflected of off Silver Creek. John and I shared a rod and skated a mouse pattern over the slow moving current, each time trying to cast to a new spot. Most fishermen were asleep or reading in bed. We caught fish too. I meant to say, "prairie caddis," and out came, "Carey Pradis." It's Runny Babbit sort of talk...

I feel pretty lucky to spend an entire day guiding Silver Creek and then take a quick break and then head out mouse fishing for another five or so hours.

John Huber lets a cast run after sunset.

Starlight on Silver Creek.

A nice brown fooled by a one-eyed tailless mouse pattern.

Embracing The Flaws

A terrific photographer & photography teacher who I admire, Chris Orwig, discusses, "embracing the flaws." That concept was likely brought to the surface for him when he was talking with the musician Seal about photography. Seal mentioned to Chris that, "When I shoot digitally I look for the flaws and when I shoot film I embrace the flaws." While I do not shoot film at the moment, the idea of "embracing the flaws" has not left me. Perhaps it's those imperfections that can, in the long run, make an image resonate.

John Huber making a January cast. Silver Creek, Idaho.

A lens I frequently use for fly fishing photography--the Nikon ƒ2.8 14-24--is a flare machine. The two arcs on the left side of the above image appear in many images of mine when shooting into the sun with my 14-24 lens. Why not just embrace the marks the flare makes?

Fly Fishing Photography Inspired By Nature

Along with three other artists, I was featured in a short video created on behalf of The Nature Conservancy that was recently on display at BAM (Boise Art Museum).  Produced by ComDesigns, this video showcases four artists inspired by nature. ComDesigns donated their time to shoot and produce this short piece. As a fly fishing photographer and a fly fishing guide, I am a strong supporter of The Nature Conservancy and in particular the Silver Creek Preserve essentially located in my backyard. Without places like the Silver Creek Preserve the public would loose out on access to one of our country's premier spring creeks. Not only that, but The Nature Conservancy is spearheading a project on Silver Creek, that in my opinion will positively effect the entirety--not just the Nature Conservancy section--of Silver Creek by most importantly reducing water temps and mitigating siltation issues. Check out the Silver Creek Preserve site for more info regarding what is called the Kilpatrick Pond Project. The Silver Creek Preserve is for everyone and is one of my favorite places to photograph, guide, fish, walk, bird, canoe, etc...