Trail of Highways

May there be peace on earth May we find the miracle of walking a path of compassion and peace .

"🚣‍♂️ Tired of the bass boat crowds? Try fly fishing Sam Rayburn Reservoir—the rebel way to hunt Texas giants. This 114,500-acre beast is loaded with Florida-strain largemouth (10-13+ lb common, lake record ~16.8 lb) hiding in flooded timber, hydrilla mats, and shallow coves that big rigs can't touch. Sneak in with a float tube: slap deer hair poppers on the surface at dawn (BOOM—explosive eats!), strip Clousers through shad schools, or punch weedless frogs into thick green jungle. Spring beds, fall schooling frenzies, year-round stealth strikes—pure adrenaline. Bass don't care if it's feathers or trebles—they smash flies harder. Who's ready to out-fish the tournament crowd? Link in comments/bio to the full guide: saltwateronthefly.com/fly-fishing-ba… #FlyFishing #BassFishing #TexasFishing #LargemouthBass #SamRayburn #WarmwaterFlyFishing #AdventureAwaits #EwingHackle

🌲🍂 Mid-Fall Colorado Adventure: Cottonwood Pass Drive, Taylor Reservoir, and Epic Fly Fishing to Almont! 🎣🏔️ Friends, I just wrapped up one of those perfect shoulder-season trips that remind me why I traded saltwater flats for these Rocky Mountain rivers. As Saltwater on the Fly, I’m always chasing the next adventure, and mid-October in Colorado delivered everything I could ask for on a stunning drive down Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Reservoir, followed by some of the best fly fishing of the year along the Taylor River all the way to the little town of Almont. I kicked things off climbing Cottonwood Pass from the Buena Vista side. This paved road tops out at over 12,126 feet — the second-highest paved pass in the country — and the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. The aspens were at peak explosion, painting entire hillsides in brilliant yellows and golds that popped against the dark green spruce and pine. Higher up, fresh snow dusted the Collegiate Peaks, and that crisp, pine-scented mountain air hit just right — invigorating, cool, and full of that unmistakable fall energy. Every switchback pulled me over for photos because the panoramas kept getting better. Descending the west side into Taylor Park felt like dropping into a living postcard. The valley opened wide, and there was Taylor Reservoir sparkling under a cloudless blue sky, its shores ringed with glowing aspen groves. I stopped at a pullout, killed the engine, and just soaked it in — the reservoir reflecting all that autumn color like a giant mirror, with 14,000-foot peaks standing guard in the distance. It was one of those quiet moments where the world feels perfectly still. a continuation or more to come? Tight lines and happy trails, SaltwaterontheFly.com #ColoradoFall #FlyFishing #CottonwoodPass #TaylorRiver #TaylorReservoir #AspenColors #AlmontCO #RockyMountainFishing #FallFoliage #OutdoorAdventure #ewinghackle

But the real magic happened when I geared up for the Taylor River tailwater just below the dam. This stretch is legendary for a reason, and mid-fall conditions made it even better. The flows were steady and gin-clear, the water cold enough to keep the trout active and hungry. I rigged up with baetis nymphs under an indicator and tossed a few small streamers tight to the banks. The river winds through a dramatic canyon lined with those same golden aspens, leaves fluttering down and landing on the surface like nature’s own dry flies. I hooked into several solid rainbows and chunky browns — one 18-incher put up an absolute battle in the current! There’s nothing like standing knee-deep in that cold water, elk bugling from the hillsides, and the fall colors framing every cast. Pure Colorado bliss. After a few hours of rewarding fishing, I packed up and continued the scenic drive down Taylor Canyon Road toward Almont. The river tumbles through rocky gorges with more incredible foliage and the occasional mule deer sighting. Almont itself is that charming little crossroads where the Taylor meets the East River to form the Gunnison — a handful of rustic cabins, a general store, and a peaceful vibe that makes you want to linger. I grabbed a hot coffee and a bite, reflecting on the day while the late-afternoon light painted the mountains gold. This whole route from Cottonwood Pass through Taylor Park and down the Taylor River to Almont is one of Colorado’s best-kept mid-fall secrets for road-trippers who also love to fish. The combination of high-alpine scenery, vibrant colors, solitude, and quality trout fishing is hard to beat. Fewer crowds, cooperative fish, and scenery that stops you in your tracks — it doesn’t get much better. Have you driven Cottonwood Pass in the fall or fished the Taylor River tailwater? What’s your favorite autumn fishing spot in the Rockies? Drop your stories in the comments — I’d love to hear them and maybe plan the next trip together! Tight lines and happy trails, SaltwaterontheFly.com #ColoradoFall #FlyFishing #CottonwoodPass #TaylorRiver #TaylorReservoir #AspenColors #AlmontCO #RockyMountainFishing #FallFoliage #OutdoorAdventure #ewinghackle

🪙 Montana’s Best-Kept Secret: The Wild History of Cooke City & Silver Gate 🏔️ Tucked right next to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, these two tiny towns have stories straight out of the Old West. Cooke City kicked off in the 1870s gold rush—prospectors flooding the rugged Beartooth Mountains chasing fortune in one of the harshest, most isolated spots around. Harsh winters, no roads, and big dreams. By the 1880s it was a real (if rough) town, even named after railroad tycoon Jay Cooke (ironically, Yellowstone National Park later blocked the railroad that miners hoped would boom the place). Then came Silver Gate in the 1930s—built specifically as a peaceful gateway for Yellowstone visitors, with classic log cabins and that quiet, step-back-in-time feel. Today, both spots are year-round adventures hubs: epic hiking, world-class fly fishing in the Lamar Valley and beyond, wildlife galore, and the jaw-dropping Beartooth Highway (called “the most beautiful drive in America” by Charles Kuralt). Limited cell service, no crowds, and history you can still feel in the old mining buildings and local museums. Perfect for anyone craving real Montana wild. If you love hidden gems, frontier tales, and unbeatable mountain scenery, this one’s for you. 👉 Read the full story here: getlostinamerica.com/history-cooke-… Yellowstone Backcountry Flies, Ewing Hackle and Great Outdoor Apparel at saltwateronthefly.com #Montana #Yellowstone #CookeCity #SilverGate #BeartoothHighway #MontanaHistory #GetLostInAmerica #flyfishing #ewinghackle

🚂✨ Step back in time with the wild history of Livingston, Montana! Long before the trains arrived, Crow, Shoshone, and other tribes called the Yellowstone River valley home — sacred lands rich with game and natural beauty. In 1806, Captain William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition became the first recorded European to pass through, guided in part by Sacagawea. Then in 1882, the Northern Pacific Railroad turned a dusty tent camp (originally called Clark City) into a booming frontier town. Renamed Livingston after a railroad director, it quickly grew into a vital division point with repair shops, dozens of bars, hotels, and a lively Main Street full of miners, cowboys, and adventurers. Even Calamity Jane wandered its streets! Today, this charming gateway to Yellowstone National Park still pulses with that pioneer spirit — world-class fly fishing on the undammed Yellowstone River, vibrant art galleries, historic brick buildings, and endless outdoor adventures in Paradise Valley. From Native heritage to railroad boom to modern Montana magic, every corner of Livingston tells a story of resilience and untamed beauty. 👉 Read the full frontier journey here: getlostinamerica.com/history-of-liv… Best Outdoor Apparel, Ewing Hackle for Perfectly tied flies and more at Saltwatero thefly.com #LivingstonMT #MontanaHistory #YellowstoneGateway #WildWest #GetLostInAmerica #flyfishing #ewinghackle

Heading up Trail Ridge Road #rmnp

Just laced up my boots and started the hike from Bear Lake to Mills Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park! 🌲🏔️ The trail is already stunning — crisp mountain air, towering pines, and that first glimpse of the snow-dusted peaks ahead. Can't wait to reach Mills Lake and soak in those insane alpine views. Who else loves a perfect spring hike in the Rockies? #RockyMountainNationalPark #BearLakeToMillsLake #ColoradoHiking #MountainAdventures #getlostinamerica #ewinghackle #saltwateronthefly #flyfishing

Haunting History of St. Elmo & Iron City: Colorado's Forgotten Mining Towns Description: Journey to the heart of the Sawatch Range and uncover the boom-to-bust story of St. Elmo and Iron City, Colorado! From 1880: Forest City becomes St. Elmo, peaking at ~2,000 souls with gold/silver mines, saloons, and every amenity. Fires in the 1890s, silver crash, and the final train in 1922 sealed its fate. Nearby Iron City’s smelter supported the district but floods ended it in two years—surviving relics include a unique Queen Anne cabin and ore-grave cemetery. Today, St. Elmo thrives as a top-preserved ghost town: 40 historic buildings, museum, general store, and summer visitors. National Register gem! Full article & more Colorado adventures: getlostinamerica.com/history-st-elm… Like if you love ghost towns, subscribe for more hidden history, and comment: Which abandoned place should we explore next? 👻🏞️ #StElmo #GhostTown #ColoradoHistory #MiningBoom #IronCity #GetLostInAmerica #abandonedplaces Fly fishing is good in the area. Hook some Ewing Hackle, Flies for near by lakes and streams, Outdoor Performance Apparel at saltwateronthefly.com

t's your resident Big Fly, Big Fish addict here. You know the struggle: you spend hours tying what you THINK is a sexy baitfish... then it hits the water and instantly turns into a drowned rat that even the smallest trout laughs at. 😭 My old fibers? Waterlogged disasters. They clump like bad hair on a humid day, sink like bricks, and make my casts look like I'm throwing a mop. But then I discovered Semperfly Predator Fibers—and y'all... it's like someone handed me cheat codes for fly tying. These bad boys are 20-inch strands of pure synthetic sorcery. They shed water like a duck ghosted by rain, stay fluffy, move like a real baitfish having a seizure (in the best way), and create that perfect profile that makes big predators go full murder mode. Perfect for monster streamers, parachute posts, or even dubbing if you want your fly to look like it ate too many tacos. Tied one once. Fished it once. Now if I leave home without 'em, my fly box gives me the silent treatment. [Cut to on-water action shot or stock footage of big fish eating] Grab a few hanks, throw in some premium Ewing Hackle, and deck yourself out in the best fishing apparel at SaltwaterontheFly.com. —don't make your flies look embarrassed anymore. If these fibers don't make your next streamer look like it belongs in a Hollywood blockbuster, I'll eat my hackle pliers. (Spoiler: they won't disappoint.) Smash that like if your bench is currently a fiber crime scene, subscribe for more big-fly nonsense, and drop your worst tying fail in the comments. Let's laugh at ourselves together. Tight lines! 🎣💥"

🎣 Fly Fishing for Bass in the Florida Everglades: Swamp Chaos & Savage Eats! Forget manicured trout streams—this is raw, humid, gator-patrolled wilderness. Florida largemouth smash poppers like freight trains; peacocks hunt streamers with fury. 30–50 fish days? Absolutely possible. In this guide: Best rods (8wt rules), lines, leaders, and must-have flies (weed guards mandatory!) Top spots: Holiday Park, Alligator Alley canals, Tamiami Trail, Everglades backcountry Tactics: long casts into pockets, fast strips, sight fishing glowing peacocks Real talk: beating heat, bugs, lightning, and alligator stares If you're ready for an adventure that leaves you sweaty, sunburned, and totally alive, dive in. Full article + more tips: saltwateronthefly.com/fly-fishing-fo… Hit LIKE if you've battled bass in the swamp, SUBSCRIBE for more fly fishing guides, and comment your dream Everglades target—largemouth or peacock? 🐟🐊 #FlyFishing #BassFishing #Everglades #PeacockBass #FlyFishingAdventure #SaltwaterOnTheFly #EwingHackle #Florida

Huge Great White shark just cruising casually around the marina

Wild Horses & Gilded Age Ruins: Exploring Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia's Hidden Gem!) Step onto Cumberland Island National Seashore—a car-free barrier island where feral horses roam free on endless white-sand beaches, ancient live oaks heavy with Spanish moss create magical tunnels, and the haunting Dungeness ruins whisper tales of Gilded Age luxury. Ferry from St. Marys, GA, for day trips or primitive camping in this untouched wilderness. Hike 50+ miles of trails, spot wildlife, and disconnect in pure nature. Adventure awaits! Full guide: getlostinamerica.com/cumberland-isl… #CumberlandIsland #WildHorses #NationalSeashore #GeorgiaTravel #ExploreAmerica Snag some Outdoor Performance Apparel, Fly Fishing the Southeast, SaltwaterontheFly.com

"Unlock endless Lefty's Deceiver and streamer magic with Ewing Hackle Deceiver patches—premium, long, webby feathers perfect for killer tails, flowing collars & bold accents. Bright Purple screams in low light Grizzly = classic barred baitfish Honey glows like shrimp in sun Red = bloody trigger Silver Doctor Blue shines electric Orange burns hot in murk Olive = natural green crab/bait Yellow Chartreuse explodes in dirty water Grab these colors & tie flies fish can’t ignore! 🎣✨ saltwateronthefly.com/product-catego… : #flytying #LeftyDeceiver #SaltwaterFlyFishing #ewinghackle #streamers

"Steelhead swing game strong 💪 These spey flies are money right now: Pretty in Pink, Mae West, Gary Cooper, Autumn Day, Night Walker, Steel Thunder & the timeless Skunk. Match the water, swing tight, hold on! 🎣 saltwateronthefly.com/product-catego… What’s your current favorite? 👇 #Steelhead #SpeyFlies #FlyFishing #SwingTheFly #PrettyInPink #SkunkFly #SteelheadFishing #EwingHackle

Out here living my best "apex predator" fantasy in the Shark Graphic Hoodie because apparently dressing like a shark keeps the real ones away (or attracts them—jury's still out). 📷📷 This thing is straight cheating: 85/15 poly-spandex 4-way stretch so I can paddle/surf/cast without ripping seams like the Hulk, built-in gaiter for when the sun tries to murder my face (UPF50+ laughs), thumbholes locked so sleeves don’t flop like a sad seal, quick-dry wicks sweat/salt faster than I can spill my beer. Fierce shark pic by Christian Vizl cruising turquoise Mexican depths—looks dope, supports shark conservation, and makes me feel 10% more dangerous at the beach. Don’t get eaten by the sun (or boredom). Cop yours before they swim away: saltwateronthefly.com/product/shark-… Who else needs this level of ocean chaos in hoodie form? Drop a 📷 if you're team shark! #SharkHoodie #ApexPredatorVibes #SunCantTouchThis #FlyFishingFashion #BeachNinja #SaltwaterOnTheFly #SendItOrGetBit

Think fly fishing is just for trout and saltwater? Think again. Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee's 36,000-acre Tennessee River beast, is secretly one of the best places in the country to chase trophy largemouth bass on the fly. Florida-strain giants (think 8–10+ lb bruisers) explode on poppers at dawn, crush articulated streamers in current seams, and turn your 8-weight into a pretzel amid hydrilla edges and shad frenzies. Spring pre-spawn topwater chaos. Fall surface mayhem. Early mornings that leave your heart racing. This isn't pond bass—it's big-water, big-fish fly rod warfare. Read the full guide: seasons, killer flies (poppers, Clousers, Game Changers), gear tips, and why gear anglers are missing out → saltwateronthefly.com/fly-fishing-fo… Who's ready to trade spinning rods for fly rods and hunt Tennessee trophies? Drop a 🎣 if you've battled a bucketmouth on the long rod! #FlyFishing #BassFishing #LargemouthBass #ChickamaugaLake #TennesseeFishing #FlyRodLife #SaltwaterOnTheFly #Ewinghackle

Who else is itching for fall Yellowstone Park? 🍂🦌 Crisp air, zero crowds, golden aspens exploding, elk bugling like rockstars past Mammoth, grizzlies stuffing their faces in meadows. Dawn on the Madison—nymphs & streamers duping fat browns while a moose mom & calf splash yards away. Bison jams, coyotes cruising, red fox on the hunt, Gibbon Falls thundering through color chaos. Rut drama + wildlife gold at dawn/dusk (bear spray mandatory, stay 100yds back!). Pure magic in two days. Plan your escape: GetLostInAmerica.com Stock Yellowstone flies + Ewing Hackle: SaltwaterOnTheFly.com 🔥 #FallInYellowstone #YellowstoneNP #ElkRut #WildlifePhotography #MadisonRiverFishing #GetLostInAmerica #SaltwaterOnTheFly

Steelhead fly fishing on California's Smith River is the ultimate wild playground: undammed emerald jewel slicing through redwood cathedrals and boulder gorges. After storms, chrome 10–20+ lb bruisers (record 27 lb!) charge in—pure rocket fuel. Swing Green Butt Skunks, intruders, leeches on 12.5–13.5ft Spey (Skagit + sink tips) through broad runs and tailouts. Quick-clearing water, barbless C&R, silent forest vibes... raw, untamed addiction. Peak Jan–Feb—get lost in the chase! Full guide: GetLostInAmerica.com Gear up with top apparel + Ewing Hackle for slayer flies: SaltwaterOnTheFly.com 🔥 ; #SmithRiverSteelhead #CaliforniaSteelhead #SpeySwing #WinterSteelhead #RedwoodFishing #SwingTheFly #GetLostInAmerica #SaltwaterOnTheFly #SteelheadAddiction

Afternoon tying bench therapy: glass of red breathing, Ewing Deceiver Patch + Chickabou marabou stacked for the most alive bass bugs on earth. Scott Biron series ready to wing some absolute bucketmouth assassins, Semperfli 6/0 waxed thread locked, Monster Bush Fur dubbing about to drop fat, sexy bodies. My Bass Hoodie is the ultimate co-pilot: 4-way stretch survives 4-hour marathons, thumbholes clamped, gaiter on standby for river sun (UPF50), quick-dry nukes the inevitable wine spill. Easy-care = river-ready tomorrow. Streamer box filling up with straight bucketmouth crack. Cheers to big bass and bigger eats! 🥂🎣 Stop tying average—level up with Ewing Hackle + the Bass Hoodie: SaltwaterOnTheFly.com Who else ties better with a glass of red? Drop a 🍷 if bass bugs own your winter! #BassFlyTying #EwingHackle #BassHoodie #StreamerJunkie #BigBassSeason #TieHard #SaltwaterOnTheFly #BucketmouthSzn

Who’s daydreaming about Colorado high-country summer while winter freezes us out? 🌸🏔️ Hidden gem alert: Williams Pass loop (9.5 miles, 1,400ft gain) near Hancock—CDT alternate exploding with columbines, paintbrush, wildflower meadows like a rainbow carpet. Panoramic alpine views, beaver ponds mirroring sky, knee-deep stream crossings, and eerie 1880s Alpine Tunnel ruins (terrace walls, turntable ghosts). Solitude, elk herds, meditative zen above treeline. Peak bloom late July–Aug—start dawn to beat hail! Full escape guide: GetLostInAmerica.com Gear up (UPF hoodies, anyone?) + Ewing Hackle for nearby lake trout: SaltwaterOnTheFly.com 🔥 Tag your hike buddy—who’s adding this to the 2026 list? Drop a 🌺 if Colorado wildflowers own your soul! #WilliamsPass #ColoradoWildflowers #AlpineHiking #CDT #ColumbineSeason #GetLostInAmerica #SaltwaterOnTheFly