Kalyn Hoggard | Monday, 13 October 2025
Living in Wisconsin, I have come to embrace the changing of the seasons. “Winter is coming whether you like it or not. Throw the winter emergency kit in your car and be prepared.” The wife and I have been fortunate enough to not have any extremely harsh winters (except that polar vortex our first winter here) since we moved here, but Mother lets us know what she is capable of from time to time. I experience the world in two seasons Lake Run On and Lake Run Off. There is an obvious reason for this. There is a chance on any given day during Lake Run On that you might be out fishing and break the brown trout world record. 30-40 + inch browns and rainbows are my idea of a good time, and I therefore plan for the run, adjust my active fly rod quiver, tie some different flies, clean off all the waders, prep the fly wagon, and generally prepare for war. That time is now. The run has begun, and we are just now getting reasonable enough weather conditions to get out there.
This year has been interesting in many ways, but it has also been interesting when it comes to prepping for season. I haven’t been fishing. Paul will be particularly bothered by this fact, but I really haven’t been fishing much at all this Lake Run Off. I have been casting every day or twice a day (probably 10+ hours a week more than Rickard). So as you can imagine, there are a wide array of fly casting things that I have in the “ready for use” position in my car, in the garage, on the fly desk, on the fly desk in the basement, being delivered on the front porch, setup in the back yard, and so on. Now that I have different pressing matters that need to be prepared for, I am going to have to put some of the casting stuff in less convenient to get to locations. “I really need to practice Sea Trout, but its such a pain to get the rod and tape measure out.”
Most years it isn’t too big of a transition. I usually have a streamer rod or two rigged that stay in or around the car year-round. I typically have a big landing net in the car from the carp chasing. I might have to change out all the dry fly equipment for Spey or indicator stuff, but all the heads, leader material, tippet, and tools for regular use are in the same footlocker or bag all the time. I do have to change out the preparedness kits. The lightweight rain jackets are of little use now. The wet wading leggings and gravel guards will be an appropriate recipe for frost bite soon, but the bag of wool gloves, socks, and hats are an important and necessary addition. At least, two back up pairs of waders. Then you get to hand warmers, ability to make fire, warm clothing layers, and wading jackets.
I fell in the water during a fishing trip in January once. I’m talking ass over tits, face first, mouth full of water type of dump. The ground gave out underneath me, and I took a dive into the river. If I didn’t have my bag of dry and warm clothing, then I wouldn’t have been able to strip down in a parking lot full of people, change out my leggings, gloves, waders, socks, shirts,hat, jacket and attitude and been able to continue the fishing trip in comfort. Now, would I?
There does seem to be a strong vibe for this season. I haven’t been fishing much so I am certainly pumped for the transition. The people that I typically fish with seem ready to rage. The nephew has already struck steel up north, and Jake is up from Arkansas this week to get the party started. Just pointing it out, but the official IGFA tape measure will be moving into its special place along with official paperwork, pens, and folders. Have it and not need it, and all of that I suppose. There is a little electricity this year, and I hope I can maintain the positive vibe through April.
It reminds me of a time when I was getting out of the van to chase steelhead. It was the first good rain early spring, and I’m out on a favorite stretch at sunrise. I pull up in the parking lot, and I notice there is a guy doing something in the trunk of his car, but I don’t pay much attention to it. I get out, and get my bag, rods, and net out of the car, and get everything situated for a hike. I lock the car and start off on my way when to my nearly poop filled pants surprise, I discover the guy in the parking lot has bagpipes, and they are LOOOOUDDD. It really did set the tone for the day though. I had my own walk out music playing behind me, rod in hand, and an adventure in front of me.
I’m hearing the bagpipes, and I’m ready for the change of season.