Kalyn Hoggard | Monday, 22 December 2025
My mother informally protests the idea of me writing while I’m home for the holidays, but was totally fine with the four hours of accuracy leader experimentation that went on today. My is it good to be several latitudes south for a little while. I know that I haven’t been home throughout the entirety of the harshness up in Wisconsin, but I was happy to head south for a 75 degree Fahrenheit Christmas.
This year’s visit for the holidays doesn’t bring its usual outdoor enthusiast fervor. To give you an example, in past years the vehicle packing has included but not been limited to: duck decoys, shotguns, compound bows, arrows, camo for every season or situation, rifles, fly rods, waders, backup waders, fly boxes for me and everyone else, and on into the depths of what I good redneck brings with him to the family home in the woods.
This year there are two dogs, dog toys, crates, dog food, and all other dog related necessities, and if you look closely smashed in the corner somewhere between our clothes and ziplock baggies of dog food you might make out a minimalist fly casting and fishing kit to support the sanity of yours truly. How can I help myself? I just had a week of practice with the team, the weather is nice down here, and it has been windy, cold and miserable up north. We are going for two or three practice days if I can fit it between the memory making and family time.
I chose to bring the accuracy setup along. I really want to explore the details of leaders, turnover, hover, winds, straightness, and technique in a super controlled environment. Here, at my parents' place in the Ozarks, we have some great spots for that sort of practice. I won’t bore you all with the details of my experimentation. I will say that I have been emailing “The Boss” back and forth quite a bit on his thoughts about the 5 MED, tapers, leaders, and the like. I will say that it is kind of embarrassing when Bruce ends up being right all of the time, but I choose to embrace it.
FOR THE FUN BITS
I do think the nephew and I will be able to run down to Dry Run Creek for a little bit at some point. He is getting closer and closer to 16 at which point he will no longer be allowed to fish those waters, and I NEED him to take advantage of every minute he gets. As every good fishing uncle would. The official IGFA tape is in the car for a casual afternoon shot at breaking a youth trout record. May the force be with us!
I may get a window of opportunity down at the pipe on the Little Red. I don’t have my waders or bugs, but I have a serious little pocket streamer kit. I figure we will get a shot at a monster or two. Wish me luck. Further than that, nothing big to share this week. They have decided to break out the Scotch, which means I will continue to drink beer and have a good time. If you gather with loved ones for this season, then make it memorable.