2 fly guides and 1 beagle.

The plan was to go out for a lil trip on leisurely Sunday afternoon venture last weekend. Simple plan to just go check out some undisturbed water on a small creek and find what might be in the water and rising. Well that turned into a overnight campout, & catching up with friends from the Western Rivers Fly shop who were wanting to go to another spot and see if there was some healthily brown trout that were lurking around and looking up to big bugs and not just tiny mayflies. Well seeing how they are the fly guides, and this was their day off, I was not going to miss out. You ever heard the phrase in a fly shop… “ Hey Guide, Where would you go fishing if it was your day off” well here I was, in that real life scenario. I was bound to pick up a nugget or 2 of useable information that could allow me to nab some fish. Or was I? My buddy Gimley also was sporting a nice new Tundra so now we would be rollin’ in style as we headed out of the city to get to the peaceful lazy river. Asher had his little buddy Gizmo the wonder beagle in tow too and the 4 of us were off with plenty of whisky to light a prairie fire and enjoy some late April out o’door chilaxation. Upon arrival to the river valley when set up camp and were on our way to see what was in the river before sundown. The darkness was nearly on and in fact I was the only one still fishing in the water with the the low light when I get a hit from a nice browner who decided to snack on a black cricket I had tied on. I whooped in excitement and showed the gents what willing fish I had found from the photo I had shot. Fast fwd: thought the beer swillin’ and whiskey bender to the next morning. I awoke to one of those nights that seemed to last only 1 second long. You know when you head hits the pillow and the next thing you know, there is  birds chirping and you see sun light on the ridge top. That said after a refresh of the red Gatorade we were waderring up and picking flies and taking a look at what section of water we going to start our day on. The 3 anglers and 1 beagler we were in the river and the tips or tricks learned I would have to say was these: Eagle rare whiskey goes down super smooth as you are kicked back around a campfire. A poison tung or smallish yellow stone under a dry fly will insure you get a lot more action with selective trout. Last but not least, beaver ponds make great holding cells for the biggest trouts in the whole damn river. There you go, don say I never told you nothing of value. N-joy the pics. Cheers.

 

   

  

   

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

Montana Wild - 2013 Shoot Out Submission - YouTube

Montana Wild - 2013 Shoot Out Submission - YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SeNfxuCq-wSimms FishingTravis and Zach Boughton of Montana Wild travel to Twin Bridges, MT with ... Dan "Rooster" Leavens Check out 2013 winner.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SeNfxuCq-w

This is salmon :: Loop Tackle Design :: Cross S1 from Loop Tackle on Vimeo.

This is salmon :: Loop Tackle Design :: Cross S1 from Loop Tackle on Vimeo.
A short film from salmon fishing from various places in the world: Kola Peninsula, Scotland and Canada.
For more: www.looptackle.com

Friday Films: WhereWise MenFish...

Friday Films: WhereWise MenFish...
In, Argentina! Big Sea Run Trout on the Rio Grande.
WhereWiseMenFish in Argentina-Sea Trout on the Rio Grande from Justin Maxwell Stuart on Vimeo.
A week at Kau Tapen lodge on the Rio Grande in pursuit of huge Argentinean Sea Trout.
from Justin Maxwell Stuart3 hours agoall audiences

 

You should have been here yesterday.

My fishing buddy John M. Sparger of guidegreenriver.com gave this report ... Yesterday.

Wednesday 04/17/13 Filed in: Dry Fly | A Section | Fun Fishing | Spinnerfall | Spring

So you know the saying in fishing, “you should have been here yesterday”? Well, Monday afternoon was “yesterday”. Every year, there is “that day”, the day where the Baetis truly get moving, the wind is still, and every fish in the river seemingly is looking to feed on a BWO dry fly. I had some friends from Salt Lake City come out to fish and have some fun, arrive Monday morning in the grip of an epic mid-spring snow storm. We hung out at the house, watching the snow fall through the window. We then sat there contemplating the simple fact that living in Dutch John makes us into some serious fair weather fishermen.

Fortunately for us though, we also were looking at snow accumulating in our uncovered drift boats. We then decided that the best course of action would be to drive our boats down to little hole, rinse the snow out of our boats with buckets full of river water, and cover them so that they would be ready for us to do our upcoming guide days.

After dragging ass around the house until about 1:30 in the afternoon, we pulled up to the river and got to work. I rinsed my boat out, and got it launched. We then rowed across the river, and started walking up stream. We hadn’t even walked up 200 yards, where we ran into Brad Lovejoy, and Eli Koles (guides for Western Rivers flyfishers) who were working a pod of fish. We watched Brad hook into a nice little brownie on the Baetis. Eli posted a nice little vid of their fishing this afternoon.

Green River BWOs from BLOODKNOTS on Vimeo.


After visiting with the boys for a minute, we continued upstream, we didn’t even make it 50 yards before we found a huge pod of fish up. So Brock Henderson (my roommate, and guide for Old Moe guide service) and I jumped in, and started throwing. We had a 20 minute period there where one of us was hooked up at all times. The fish were just feeding stupidly. It didn’t matter what Baetis pattern we threw, they would take even with a little drag, and the rises were excited, and angry. The fish were healthy, and fiesty, and it was a lot of fun.

The madness continued for 4 hours, and we had a great time doing it. Every person we talked to commented on how amazing it was out there.

So after it all, I guess the point of this whole post is this. The Baetis are here, the fishing is getting steadily better, and you should all make your plans for getting out here and making your Green River fantasies a reality.

Friday Film: Fly Fishing on the Green River in Utah U.S.A.

Mac and Mike on the Green River from Mike Morgan on Vimeo.
Fly fishing on the Green River in Utah U.S.A.

Whiskey Wednesday: Russell’s Reserve 10 yr Small Batch Bourbon

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Small Batch Bourbon

Proof: 90
Age: 10-year-old
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Master Distiller: James C. “Jimmy” Russell
Season: Fall

Tasting Notes

In my personal mission to taste each and every bourbon on the market today, I must admit that some bourbons are much (much!) harder to drink than others. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old is a Wild Turkey product from the legendary 3rd Generation Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, and Wild Turkey is not my friend. Naturally, I leered at the bottle with apprehension.
The bottle, however, is beautiful – classy and unassuming, and the bourbon itself almost glows a rich amber color. But, of course, looks can be deceiving.
I pour a little in a snifter and ponder what I will do with the rest of the bottle if this stuff turns out wicked. Even though Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Small Batch Bourbon is only $30 a bottle, it would still be $30 wasted. “Maybe I can make bourbon balls with it”, I thought.
My nose is met with the aroma of cinnamon toast and vanilla…this whiskey smells so luscious it could almost be turned into a scented candle. A few whiffs and my mouth is watering. A few swirls and then I sip.
Relief washes over me….followed by waves of pleasure. “Wow”, “Oh man!”, “whew!” are my first descriptors. At first taste, there’s a little spice kick – but not enough to turn you off – followed by savory vanilla and caramel, molasses and a little oak. As it finishes on my palate, I am met with the taste of dried fruits – maybe rasin? – and some wood residuals. The texture of the bourbon is very light, requiring me to take several sips before I am able to pin down the full panorama of flavors.
Drinking Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old is pure pleasure. Its smooth as hell and almost elusive in its texture. This was better than a good buy – at $30 a bottle its priced just right. At 90 proof, its perfect for a neat pour. And with its sweet and spicy flavor profile, its a great bourbon to enjoy during the fall.
Would I buy this again? Hell yes.
Cheers!
Review by Demitrius www.bourbonoftheday.com

Bulls on the Fly from Mountain Made Media on Vimeo.
this is our first fly fishing short...and we feel like its a special one.

We follow central Oregon fly fishing guru, Beau Price, as he chases one of the coolest fish there are to hook with a fly. There is nothing quite like spending time on the beautiful lakes we have in central Oregon...catching bulls on the fly, is just a bonus.
_________________________
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Stompa by Serena Ryder
No copyright infringement intended, all acknowledgements to Imagine Dragons and Serena Ryder.

Review: Simms RiverTek BOA

So I had to put this out there, a review of new gear I've been using for the last month or so.  I am excited to share how impressed I was with this wading boot.

If you are like me, you can relate because I utterly destroyed all my old wading boots. As of the new year I was in dire need of a replacement before the  high time of the fishing season. I was originally looking at getting the Simms Guide boot because of how durable and rugged it looked. After I researched a few options I stopped in at the fly shop (and I'm sure glad I did). The guys there were a lot of help. Once I felt how heavy the Guide boot was compared to the RiverTek, I knew it was a boot I could wear for days. It was so light! I was  not concerned about the BOA lace system because it works and I had used it before on other brands boots; which is why I knew they would be the right choise. After it was explained the lifetime warranty, I decided to give them a try. After a month now on the water here is my initial assessment:

• The light-weight boots were comfortable all week during 9 hour days on my feet

• The synthetic materials help them dry fast.

• The neoprene liners inside make them ideal to also wear as a summer boot summer with a light wading sock.

• The BOA laces make them easy to take off and adjust quickly.

• Lastly, the Rubber Vibram soles are awesome. I was climbing over slick rocks and walking on logs all day. They hold tight. They are easy to clean so you don't transport invasive species like Didymo. They are compatible with the carbide StreamTread studs and cleats. As long as the majority of your fishing isn't done out of a boat. I would recommend using them, they worked great! Its a small investment that can save you a dangerous slip that could end up spilling your gear into the drink or worse.

So far I love these boots. If you're looking for a new pair check out your local shop and try these on before you make up your mind. You might be just as surprised as I was.

Where the Yellowstone Goes

Last night in Salt Lake City the screening of a great film was at Brewvies Cinema Pub. Did you know the Yellowstone River is the longest un-dammed river in the contiguous United States? "Where the Yellowstone Goes" A awesome time and wonderful watch on how one of the largest, longest and wildest rivers in the U.S. is dealing with the massive human presence that surrounds it.
Where the Yellowstone Goes - Official Trailer from Hunter Weeks on Vimeo.
Presented by Trout Headwaters and from the producers of Ride the Divide - A feature film about a 30-day drift boat journey down the longest "undammed" river in the lower 48. Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River, illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure. A HUNTER WEEKS FILM.
On iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/where-the-yellowstone-goes/id568038692
http://www.wheretheyellowstonegoes.com
http://www.facebook.com/riverfilm
http://www.twitter.com/riverfilm

Music by Glowing House (World is Well Aware) and Steve Bayley


Review by Ed Felker

"Where the Yellowstone Goes"

Robert Hawkins, a fourth-generation Montanan and lifelong fly fisherman, had always wanted to float the entire length of the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States: the Yellowstone.

Filmmaker Hunter Weeks, in Montana having just wrapped up his latest directorial release, Ride the Divide, was contemplating his next project. When the two met on a backcountry excursion, they struck up a friendship. Upon hearing of Hawkins' desire to float the Yellowstone, Weeks said, "You know, that would make a really great film." And a plan was born.
The film, Where the Yellowstone Goes, documents a 550-mile journey from Gardiner, Montana, just outside Yellowstone National Park (boats are prohibited inside the park) to the confluence of the Missouri River at Fort Buford, North Dakota. The trip would require intensive planning, two boats plus a road crew, and 30 days on the water.

Hawkins took the drift boat he built himself. Shannon Ongaro manned a 14-foot raft carrying supplies and passengers as needed. Weeks filmed from the boats and his father-in-law, John Hall, rounded out the team as camp cook. The road crew, led by Mike Dion, scouted locations and stories and documented the trip from the road. Joining Dion in the second unit was producer Sarah Hall and film student Justin Haight.
Before the crew set off on their Yellowstone adventure, they spoke with Michael Leach of Yellowstone Country Guardians. His passion for the outdoors and for the Yellowstone River shines through in his enthusiastic sendoff. "It's absolutely critical to have journeys like the one you are about to embark upon, and for people to get out there and touch it and feel it and experience it," Leach said. "You're only going to fight to save what you love."
The film was always going to be a portrait of Yellowstone, and a beautiful portrait it is. The scenery alone, particularly in the first third of the journey is breathtaking. Drifting downstream, fly fishing along the way in one of the most beautiful places in the country makes for compelling viewing. And woven through the indelible images in the film -- from joyous to funny to heartbreaking -- is a pitch perfect original musical score by composer Steve Bayley, and fantastic additional music from some of the filmmakers' favorite singer/songwriters.
But the film grew to be about much more than the river. And as the filmmakers talked to residents, ranchers and sportsmen along the way, it became clear that even a wide, powerful river that meanders through some of the most rugged and remote terrain in the United States can be a far more fragile thing than one might expect. Despite having somehow avoided falling victim to one of the more than 60,000 dams on American rivers, the Yellowstone is subject to numerous other threats.
Two months before the float, 63,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the Yellowstone from a pipe beneath the river, which burst due to record high water flows. The film shows some of the lingering damage and spotlights some of the residents and business owners impacted by the spill and the cleanup (limited as it has been).

Elsewhere along the river, ranchers and other residents have installed 'rip rap' along the shoreline. Rip rap, large, angular rock that helps stem erosion of the banks, apart from being generally unsightly, can cause problems downstream. Interviews with workers from Trout Headwaters taking inventory of rip rap along the river, and with frustrated ranchers desperate to stop the erosion of their property, reveal some of the challenges of striking a balance on the Yellowstone -- the health of the river and its immediate surroundings on one hand, and the interests of those whose livelihood depends on that river on the other.
Furthermore, much of the banks of the Yellowstone along some stretches have been leased for natural gas drilling. And as enterprises along the river change the landscape, fewer and fewer of the natural cottonwood, alder and willow trees along the river remain. This vegetation is crucial to the natural health of the river and its banks, and does not grow back easily once it is gone.
Where the Yellowstone Goes does an admirable job of pointing to these threats and to the importance of a responsible stewardship of the river without being heavy handed. But the message is there, and the more you watch the film, the more attached you get to the river and the colorful characters and places encountered along the way, the more personal your involvement becomes. You care more about the oil because you met the sheep farmer whose farm was covered in it. You wish for the success of the fishery because you watched the retired schoolteacher whose husband died a few years ago catch her first trout since the last one she caught with her husband. These personal stories breathe life into the film and into the river itself.

The film introduces, among others, a saddle-maker, a shepherd, a pilot and the 'cake ladies' (who almost stole the show). And all have fascinating accounts of the history and importance of the river to their lives. The film becomes, as the river has become, not just the water and its banks. Not just the cottonwoods and rip rap, or the towns along its shores. But where the Yellowstone goes, it turns out, is to and through the lives -- past, present and future -- of those who live and work here.
Where the Yellowstone Goes, as it is shown to audiences across the country, will no doubt add to the ranks of those who fall in love with the Yellowstone River and the people, mindset and lifestyle surrounding it. And once they love it, there's hope they will fight to save it.

To see a schedule of screenings of Where the Yellowstone Goes, get information about hosting a screening at a theater near you, or to purchase the DVD or soundtrack, visit www.wheretheyellowstonegoes.com.