Fly fishing, cooking, gardening, ranching, foraging, and hunting

Hi there! Welcome to my blog where I share my relatively (10+ years now) new-found adventures in fly fishing, cooking, gardening, ranching, foraging, and hunting in the Idaho mountains. I’m a passionate foodie who loves to explore nature and enjoy its bounty.

I moved to Idaho from the SF Bay Area about a decade ago and fell in love with the small-town, high-mountain lifestyle. I have a very small (0.29 acre) in-town "farm" where I raise chickens and rabbits. I also grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits in my garden. I love to cook with fresh ingredients from my adventures and supplement from my farm, as well as experiment with different cuisines.

But that’s not all. I also like to venture into the wild and discover new flavors and textures. I hunt deer, elk, and turkey for meat and leather. I forage for mushrooms, berries, and wild plants that add variety and nutrition to my dishes. I learn something new every time I go out into the forest.

My passion though now is fly fishing. And no-cost fly tying - a bit more difficult than you might expect.

I started this blog to document my journey and share my recipes, tips, and stories with you, along with so-far-only-one encounter with a bear! I hope you find them useful and inspiring. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or a curious urbanite, you’ll find something here that will spark your interest.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure!


How to Live on $4000 Per Year in the Idaho Mountains

Living in the Idaho mountains can be a dream come true for many people who love nature and simplicity. But how can you afford it on a tight budget? In this post, I’ll share with you how I manage to live on a little bit less than $4k per year in my cozy (ridiculously large 4 BR) home surrounded by millions of acres of public forest and wildlife.

First of all, let’s talk about housing. I bought my house in Idaho for $172k a few years ago with cash that I got from selling my KB Home shithole in the Bay Area. I tore out all of the drywall in my Idaho fixer-upper, replaced all of the plumbing, and tore out the 100 amp electrical and rewired the entire house to 200 amp. It’s a modest but comfortable place with four bedrooms, a single bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. It has a wood stove for heating. The property taxes are low in Idaho compared to other states.

Next, let’s talk about food. I grow most of my own food in my garden and my deep winter greenhouse. I have vegetables, herbs, fruits, and nuts that provide me with fresh and organic produce all year round. I also raise chickens for eggs and meat. I supplement my diet with hunting deer, elk, and turkey for meat and leather, and foraging mushrooms, berries, and wild plants that add variety and nutrition to my dishes. I spend about $15 per month on groceries for staples like flour, sugar, salt, oil, etc.

Finally, let’s talk about utilities. My utility bills are very low thanks to my wood stove. I pay $47 per month for water from the city, which takes it from our lake. I also pay about $40 per month for internet service. I don’t have cable TV or phone service because I don’t want them.

So there you have it: how I live on $4k per year in the Idaho mountains. It may not be for everyone, but it works for me. If you’re interested in learning more about this lifestyle or have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me through this blog.


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I love ice fishing for yellow perch in Idaho. It’s a fun and challenging winter activity that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Yellow perch are one of the most delicious fish to catch through the ice, and Idaho has some of the best perch fisheries in the world.

One of my favorite places to catch jumbo perch is Lake Cascade, where two-pounders are common and even larger fish are possible. Yellow perch were first stocked in Lake Cascade 20 years ago, and since then, the lake has produced trophy fish that attract anglers from all over. I like to find schools of perch near weed beds, drop-offs, or rocky points, using sonar or tip-ups to locate them. The best baits are small jigs tipped with maggots, wax worms, or minnows.

Another great place to ice fish for perch is Cocolalla Lake, which offers some of the best lowland-lake trout fishing in the region as well. I can catch brook trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout along with perch at this lake. Perch tend to hang out near the bottom of the lake, so I use a heavy jig or spoon to get down there quickly. I also try using live bait such as worms or nightcrawlers.

Once I catch my limit of perch, I enjoy a delicious meal by smoking them. Smoking is a simple and inexpensive way to preserve and enhance the flavor of my fish. I can use any kind of smoker, but I prefer a charcoal or electric smoker because it’s easier to control than a wood-fired one. I need some wood chips or chunks for smoke flavor, such as alder, apple, or hickory. I also need some salt, sugar, and spices for brining my fish.

To brine my fish, I dissolve 1/4 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of sugar in 4 cups of water in a large bowl or container. I add some spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or paprika if I like. I cut my perch into fillets or chunks and submerge them in the brine for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

To smoke my fish, I preheat my smoker to 200°F and add some wood chips or chunks to the firebox. I drain my fish from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels. I place them on a rack or tray with some space between them. I smoke my fish for about 2 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. I can check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fish.

I enjoy my smoked perch with some bread, cheese, crackers, or salad. I can also store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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Fly fishing in Idaho is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and catch some big rainbow trout. As the winter snow melts and the lakes thaw, the fish become more active and hungry. Here are some tips to help you catch big rainbow trout in thawing lakes in Idaho.

I hope these tips help you catch some big rainbow trout in thawing lakes in Idaho. Good luck and happy fishing!