Check out our guest blog to support our newest book  An Introduction to Fly Fishing for Trout  

When I get interviewed, I always think I sound pithy. In print, not so much.  

mdw

Feature about Amy and MDW

North Heights Students Publish Two iBooks

North Heights Alternative School now has two ebooks available on Apple’s iBooks. Both books were originally published and sold through traditional brick and mortar bookstores like Barnes and Noble. These books are now available for download on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Books must be read on an iOS device.

Voices from the Heights is an anthology of works from at-risk students at innovative, award-winning North Heights Alternative School in Amarillo, Texas. The stories are often gritty & personal but these young writers are courageous, creative & talented.Paintings on the Wall is the follow-up book to the wildly (and surprisingly) popular Voices From the Heights. This is a collection of works, essays, poems and other cool writings from the students and staff of North Heights Alternative School in Amarillo Texas. The book is truthful, blunt and reflects those things that today's teens are talking about and living through.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/paintings-on-the-walls/id443579458?mt=11 and http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/voices-from-the-heights/id450772208?mt=11

Durango Colorado last few days

We love eating at Ken and Sue's on Main -- yeah, that's a philly cheesesteak

MDW adding fuel to the fire

23rd anniversary -- last nine spent at Seasons except for that one when Seasons burned down. Not my fault. 

Black Angus Sirloin, onion strings, smashed potatoes.  

Fave restaurant in SW -- Seasons

Not much snow this Christmas

Amy standing out on the lake, frozen she hopes. 

2011 Was a Very Good Year

2011 was a good year.  Mac and I had our Colorado Flyfishing:Where to Eat, Sleep and Fish book come out from Johnson Books and it has been selling well all year.  I signed two more book deals, this time with new imprint Stonefly Press; one is secret but I'll reveal it down the line (it's big) and the other is the NM counterpart to the eat-sleep-fish book.  We are going over the final details for the University of New Mexico Press coffee table book, 49 Trout Streams of Southern Colorado (photo heavy but fun text too) and this book will be out in Spring 2012.

Mac and I finished a book last year for an unnamed publisher but they're holding the book so we're in deliberations.  After I finish these two Stonefly Press books, I'll have 18 under my belt. Back in 1989 when I first started writing, I wasn't sure I'd ever get one.

At North Heights, we completed the Amarillo tourism app and are waiting to publish it.  We also have a new multimedia studio in my room.

My Dallas Mavericks won their first championship, my Texas Rangers got to the World Series for their second year in a row and my Cowboys disappointed again.  Amy enjoyed a year of writing and modeling for Gap's Athleta line, my little Athleta Girl.  Fished a lot including Valle Vidal, all of southern Colorado.

I also have a book with my agent that I think is killer --- Dealbreaker.  Think of all the things a potential partner might do or be or have that would be dealbreakers.  That's the book.

I have the best friends but I made a lot of friends, both in person and online.    I look forward to this next year.

Amy's Latest Athleta Article

http://www.athleta.net/chi/2011/12/07/heart-health/

Heart Health

December 7, 2011 By Amy Becker Williams 1 Comment

I began thinking about this Chi entry several weeks ago while sitting in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit in Albuquerque after my mother-in-law’s unexpected, emergency triple bypass surgery.

This particular weekend I was supposed to be signing my name in the log at the top of another Colorado 14er with my sister-in-law, Tammy, a celebration of her newfound health.  Over the last year, she’s lost nearly 100 pounds, has completely changed her diet and activity level, and to top it off has started working as a flight attendant at 47 years old!  She’s on cloud nine.

But on this day we’re worried. My mother-in-law isn’t taking the normal path of recovery, she’s on a ventilator, and she looks so vulnerable.

Over the course of my mother-in-law’s 17-day stay in the CCU, I talked with a lot of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, and I read a lot of heart health articles.  I was trying to figure out the best ways to take care of our heart.

One pharmacist told me that people need to be more in charge of their own health, meaning we need to pay attention to our bodies so we’re in tune when something isn’t right.  We are our own best advocates.

My class and their PSA videos to Stay in School

http://www.kacvtv.org/videocontest.html


Here's the link to the KACV videos for the Stay in School Video contest my advanced media class entered (for recognition and prizes.) Naturally, I'd like my class to show out. We appreciate your vote. Ours are: 

Individual: 

Amber Bray
Cynthia Garcia
Skyla Taylor

Group:

Willis/Traves

Class:  North Heights Mr. Williams

You can vote as many times as you want so feel free to get those fingers busy. Here is the link:Vote in the Video Contest for North Heights

Great article on getting into scouting

Gina's first published article Check out my friend's first article -- she also has an app for iTunes about Scouting coming out any day now. 

while working on the book

Ran across this finishing up the latest book.         I don't know, I just like this pic of La Jara Creek. We didn't catch much in this stretch but we were the only anglers for 25 miles and we had a great campsite so it didn't matter.  Sometimes, it's really not about the fishing. 

16th Book Due Date Closing In

This is what it looks like, that crazy why-did-I-wait-so-late stage a week before a due date.  Notes, Pandora, Cab, cigar, 78 degree weather in my backyard.  Five rivers of forty-nine left to complete.  First coffeetable book, full-color pics and all.  I say it everytime but this one will be the one I'm most proud of.  Til the next one.  Due out this Spring -- 49 Trout Streams of Southern Colorado from University of New Mexico Press.

Writing and Writers

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Mike Bellah's Creative Writing class at Amarillo College.  I carried on and blathered about writing and me and fishing and me some more til they got tired of it and we got to why I really come to Bellah's class (and also allow him to buy me dinner) -- they student's esssays/novels/poems/screenplays/ramblings.  Great stuff.  The writing world's future is in good hands.  Reminds me of why I wanted to be a writer.  And still do.

finishing up another book

mac and I have another book, this one due to the publisher by Sept 30.  49 Trout Streams of Southern Colorado.  The toughest part wasn't collecting information (meaning 'fishing') or taking photographs of all the streams (meaning 'fishing') but deciding which of the hundreds of streams and rivers made the final list.  This book is for University of New Mexico Press, due out in the spring and will have 3-7 color pics for each selected river. 

Nice review in Trout Unlimited Magazine this month

Love to get some love.

Booksigning at Maria's in Durango, July 27th

Amy and I will be signing books at Maria's Bookshop in downtown Durango, July 27th, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.  We'll be signing Top 30 Things to Do in Durango, as well as Flyfishing Southwestern Colorado, So Many Fish and Colorado Flyfishing: Where to Eat, Sleep and Fish.  If you're around, come visit with us.

Another Day in Paradise (Santa Fe NM) La Fonda, Chimayo, Cross

In the last week of our research for our Santa Fe Guidebook --- We visited Chimayo (the Sanctuary, ate at Rancho de Chimayo), Santa Fe Opera, hiked up to the Cross of the Martyrs, took drinks on the Bell Tower of La Fonda to watch the sunset.   We had heard from some that the walk up to the cross was steep -- maybe if you are out of shape but it is a nice leisurely, switchback with stops kind of walk.   I did take home some blessed dirt from the Church.  I enjoyed a Santa Fe Pale Ale at La Fonda.  Doesn't get much better guys. 

Casa Olivia, Kokopelli Real Estate

 I don't often plug a place to stay.  All too often, I stay in tents or in the Aliner or in dives.  I'm ready to plug something.

 Amy and I are staying for a couple of weeks in Santa Fe to research a guidebook on the City Different.  We are writing it for University of New Mexico Press.

I like writing with Amy.  She's a great shutterbug (and she just got a new camera -- a Nikon d3100) and a diligent researcher and is as pretty as the scenery. 

So we're doing this book.  We got invited to stay at Casa Olivia, a Kokopelli Real Estate and Property Management property.  Amy and I have traveled the world and stayed in some pretty impressive places. Enchantment Resort in Sedona. Hotel Aiguablava in Costa Brava, Spain. Various hotspots in British Virgin Islands. And the list goes on.  But it stops here.

 Casa Olivia.  Understated but elegant.  We pulled up in the driveway and thought, surely this isn't it, it's way way too nice for us. Nearly 3000 square feet.
This fabulous East side adobe home was originally built in the 1870's and was completely restored and remodeled in 2007. Located less than one block from historic Canyon Road and short walking distance to the downtown Plaza area. Across the street from the Santa Fe River, this home is ideal for scenic walks and meditation. The spacious vacation rental features four bedrooms and three baths. The main level master and guest bedrooms have separate bathrooms. Sleeps nine with an additional two on the pull-out couch. The kitchen and breakfast table area open into the dining room; a perfect set-up for entertaining and family gatherings. The comfortable living room has a large fireplace and generous seating space. The lower level offers privacy with a separate living area with two bedrooms and bath. The house is approximately 2,800 net square feet, very private and includes a completely enclosed large outdoor area with over-sized outdoor fireplace. Beautiful mature, manicured gardens with patio--ideal for entertaining, perfect setting for weddings! Dogs are allowed.

No cost for internet, I can wash clothes, I have privacy, I can cook breakfast, I have a grill ....
If you were to design the perfect Williams Family Home, this is it.  Walking distance to the Plaza.  Great eats and art and parks all around.  We don't want to leave. 

Kokopelli Real Estate and Property has more than 100 properties.  Sure, it's fun to stay at La Posada or La Fonda or Don Gaspar but here's the thing -- stay in Santa Fe for a few days.  Stay at a condo or house and split the costs with a fellow couple or family and enjoy the washing machine, the kitchen, the grounds, the privacy.   The decor is more real (is that a legit term? you know what I mean) Comfortable elegance. Rugged richness.  Santa Fe splendor.  You get what i mean, right? Spoiled but on my terms.

I am not leaving.  Squatter's rights!!!!

If you want to know more about Kokopelli Real Estate, check this out     Kokopelli Real Estate Rentals

790 Sports Talk Radio interview by Doug Pike

second part of interview with 790 Sports Talk Radio Sat May 28

Fishing the Enchanted Circle

My latest article in the Globe News. Fishing the Enchanted Circle New Mexico

Check out a cool fishing site I've been lurking on for awhile

Wind Knots and Tangled Lines  Great site and they've got a friendly, obviously close, group of anglers that visit and comment.  I like that the blogger (Howard Levett) chooses to fish with vintage tackle, the fiberglass rods like I grew up using.  Next week, Mac and I'll be putting up an opportunity to win a book of ours (Colorado Flyfishing: Where to Eat Sleep and Fish) and my flyfishing app.  More on that later.  Give the blog a view and enjoy.

iPad and iPhone App Freshwater Flyfishing Tips from the Pros

iTunes Link to Freshwater Flyfishing Tips

The app is up and live in the App Store and has sold amazingly well in two days.  Enjoy!!!

Screen Captures from my Freshwater Flyfishing App

Link to the app in the iTunes store

app, book and fun stuff

Two cool things this week:

1) signed a contract with University of New Mexico Press to write 49 Trout Streams Colorado (South), the sister book to 49 Trout Streams New Mexico.  Will be writing / photographing with buddy Chad McPhail, of course.  We'll be traversing southern Colorado this summer getting new info and pics and generally causing havoc for trout. 

2) finished the first version of the app Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From the Pros, an adaptation of my Simon and Schuster book from 1997.  160 tips, 800 photos for now but with the next update, the app will have 250 tips and 1000 photos.  Above is a screen capture from the app. 

West Texas A &M STOP Filmfest

We entered four films in the West Texas A & M University Stop Filmfest.  We won two awards including Best in Category and Best Concept for Film.  Marisa's commercial about bullying (with Sarah O'Donnell in the hallway with the words stuck on her) won Best in Category.  Lyzi Wakefield's Little Red Riding Hood won Best Concept.  There were dozens and dozens of films entered. PDHS had 10 films entered. Lots of great young filmmakers in the Panhandle. Caprock, Randall, Canyon, etc. also participated.   I was proud as hell. 

This app crap sucks

I'm working with Sutro Media to develop some apps and their site has been in "update" mode for a couple of days so I can't work on those apps. I'm also now an Apple App Developer for IOS and am trying to go through AppMakr.  This getting a key chain and portal stuff and certificates --- well, there's a reason I'm an English teacher and not a code monkey.  And this is supposed to be streamlined and easy for the dummies like me.  Jeez.

The Perfect Fly Box

Latest article: The Perfect Fly Box

By Mark D. Williams / For the Amarillo Globe-News

I fish more than most. It's a curse wading streams in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. But hey, someone's got to do it. If you were to peek inside my fly boxes, you'd be shocked at how messy they are. I know where things are, and one reason is that over the years I've simplified my inventory. I've learned what works on these rocky rivers and what doesn't.
Like most of you, I grew up fishing regional patterns like the Bloody Butcher, House and Lot, Royal Coachman, and Renegade. Materials got better over the years, and patterns evolved. I like dry fly-fishing but tend to begin with a prospecting rig, usually a dropper rig that consists of a sizeable floater, usually a big Stimulator.
Attractor flies work great on the bouncy swift waters so typical of southwestern streams.
The trout don't have a long season, and they don't have long to make a decision about your fur-feather offering either.
You want something that will float, will hold up to repeated use and mostly, will catch trout.
So here's what my fly box for summer fishing in the Rockies looks like:
n Stimulators: This is my prospecting fly, my go-to fly, the fly I use more than any other in Southwestern waters. I like a few in each color: orange, yellow, green, royal and, surprisingly, black, all in size 12.
These will work early in the season to imitate stoneflies (golden, Salmon), as attractor flies and especially as the top fly in your dropper rig. Consider having a few in sizes 8,10, 14 and 16, too.
n Royal Wulff: You ain't a fly fisher if you don't have this pattern in your box. This pattern imitates most anything and is a super attractor fly, and the trout love it. Sizes 10-18.
n Ausable Wulff: Yes, this is a foreign pattern to the Southwest. That's one reason I like it so much. Created in the Northeast for their bubbly streams and timely mayfly hatches, this up-wing pattern floats well, is visible and imitates any number of Rocky Mountain mayfly hatches. It's especially good on long flats or runs. My favorite Mayfly pattern. Sizes 14-18.
n Goddard Caddis: I prefer this pattern to the ubiquitous Elk Hair Caddis because it works more consistently for me and the size 16 Stimulators work pretty much as an Elk Hair Caddis anyway. Sizes 12-16.
nDoc's Cork: Indestructible Stonefly pattern that works to imitate caddis as well. Rapidly becoming my top fly in my dropper rigs, especially on streams that have super stonefly action. Doc's Cork is also a fine attractor fly.
It's sturdy as all get out so you don't need but two or three in your box. Size 10.
n Green Trude or Red Quill Gordon: Your wildcard fly. Both are seldom-used, but the Green Trude is a nice change-up when nothing is working; the Red Quill is ideal for when those big, skinny mayflies dance over the water. Size: 12.
n Beadhead Crystal Woolly Bugger in black: One size fits all. Sometimes, when all else fails, and trout are just not hitting your other offerings, toss out this fly and strip-retrieve. You'll hammer 'em.
n Doc's Hopper T: Any hopper pattern will do, but this is my favorite. Come August and September, especially on meadow streams, you don't want to be without hoppers in your box. This one floats well, is easy to see and holds up to trout teeth. Sizes 6-8.
n Hare's Ear Beadhead: The most generic of all nymphs. The worker bee pattern. Get in sizes 12-18.
n Copper John Beadhead: Ten years ago, no one in the West used this killer fly. I catch more trout on a red Copper John Beadhead than all the other flies combined. Sizes 14-18.
n Pheasant Tail Beadhead: You could sub in a Prince Nymph beadhead or a Caddis pupa of some sort, but I have an affinity for this pattern.

Nice searcher or mayfly hatch fly. Sizes 14-18.