A nice parting shot from Mr. Justice Stevens

On the merits, I generally agree with the majority’s conclusion in McDonald v. Chicago that the Second Amendment applies to the states and not just the federal government; I also agree with the holding in Heller that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to possess and use guns. On the more specific question [...]

Unlicensed fishing costs $1.2 million

Here’s a story for my “law & fishing” file. Bonus points because it happened in North Carolina. The crew of the Citation thought they were sitting pretty, having pulled in the biggest fish in the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, N.C., an 883-pounder. This would have netted (pun intended) them over [...]

North Carolina’s Little River Among America’s Most Endangered

The Little River, in Wake County, NC, ranks No. 4 on American Rivers’ 2010 list of the nation’s most endangered rivers: The Little River, home to an abundance of fish and wildlife, provides drinking water, irrigation, and recreational opportunities to the surrounding communities. A proposed water supply dam would not only cost taxpayers millions, it [...]

Poisson d’Avril

It’s such a beautiful day for fishing. Pity I have to teach.

There once was a man from Lough Corrib

Leaders I can believe in

Acting on a tip from The Fiberglass Manifesto, I recently ordered a few “Furl Girl” leaders from Joni, the Utah FlyGoddess. I haven’t had a chance to test them on the water. But so far, I’m very pleased. The floating versions are nicely limp and supple–perfect for delicately presenting flies to wary fish. The sinking [...]

Fishing or Phishing?

[UPDATE, December 7: I've confirmed that this event is totally legit. Lough Corrib, here I come!] I retrieved today, from my university email’s spam filter, what is either a genuine invitation to an exciting event or a bizarre variation on the familiar email scam. The message appears to be from a lecturer at a university [...]

Fly me to the moon

National Geographic reports on speculation that a population of fish may live in a giant sub-surface sea on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. As coastal North Carolina fly fishing guide Capt. Gordon suggests, this could prove to be an exciting new destination for exotic angling adventure.

Oak Level, Virginia

Fresh Entertainment

A recent issue of Field & Stream offers this charming Reader Tip: For a really convenient waxworm dispenser when I’m ice fishing, I keep them in a Tic Tac container. The case probably holds about 30 waxworms. Plus, it’s easy to open and shake out one worm at a time without having to take off [...]