Winter was an utter disaster, the Utah’s stream access fight was a long and brutal one. In the end, the anglers lost and private interests succeed… and I blew my top. I felt to continue to freely fish water other than the middle Provo river, I needed to move.  SO, I packed my stuff, jumped into my car and headed North. I was somehow fortunate enough to land on the banks of the Henry’s Fork river,  where I’ll be working and living at the world renowned Trouthunter lodge for a while. It’s calm and peaceful here, I enjoy not having a traffic light for at least an hours drive in any direction. So far, so good.

The weather has somewhat put a damper on the Salmonfly hatch. It’s either rained or snowed everyday for the past few weeks and the wind has been consistently blowing hard with occasional powerful gusts, casting has been, well, interesting. Now, don’t get me wrong, the big bugs are popping, they’re just having a difficult time drying their wings for first flight. The fishing hasn’t been half bad either,

The snowfall in late May killed the first wave of big bugs. Stopping the hatch smack in the middle of the transformation. These bugs are referred to by the locals as “still-born’s”. The insect inside is still alive,  but trapped in its exoskeleton, at emergence, by a frozen shell.

The long and the short of it….for me, being a amateur photohack smack in the middle of a sloooow emerging salmonfly hatch was a fantastic experience, it was nothing short of awesome.  Catching was the bonus.
A few photos from the past few weeks. Hope you enjoy.

And many more pics here –>http://www.flickr.com/photos/1bg/

For guys like me, fisherman and amateur photographer, it’s a humbling and exciting experience. Being surrounded by all the big name pros is somewhat intimidating, but it’s also a good feeling of accomplishment.

These images are from my travels around the West with friends. It only goes to show, not every day is filled with calm winds, sunshine and hungry fish.

Check them out –> http://www.catchmagazine.net/

The winter was full of laws, rather than fins. Utah lost the battle and is losing thousands of miles of fish-able streams to private interests. A long winded fight full of deceit and lies, and Utah’s fisherman will be awaiting the Utah Supreme Court date patiently.

As balance would have it, losing one opportunity to only gain another. It’s been nice staying busy with fishing related works. I am happy on the progress so far and am optimistic for the future. Hell, if half of the project actually work out, I’ll be a happy man… ah, even if they don’t, I’m still stoked as ever. Maybe its time to steer the ship towards free Rocky Mountain water, clean air, and head to the forest…..things are about to change.

My buddy Clark “Cheech” Pierce set out on this little fun project. I must confess, I had a blast targeting Wipers at Willard Bay. One day particular, we experienced  some of the fastest warm water fishing either of us have ever had. Were not fish counters but when you go into the mid-range of double digits it gets quite hilarious.The rods were maxed and the reels were singing and laughter filled the air.

Cheech has been busy designing flies specific for these trips, and boy did they work! On more than a few occasions we were doubled up. I’d say pound for pound, Wipers will give you a run for your money.

SOUTHWEST MAGAZINE March/April 2010
www.matchthehatch.com/SouthwestFlyFishing/Default.aspx

Fisher ….”CHEECH”…AKA Clark Pierce
www.flyfishfood.blogspot.com/
www.rainysflies.com/clarkpierce.php?pageNum_rsPierceFlies...

Brian and Todd are really pushing the limits with fly fishing photography & cinematography.  My image landed in the “Angler Element” section of the mag.

Grizz is always accompanied with his trusty furry companion, Chili dog.  She has traveled the West and is very well-seasoned, be it by boat or  onfoot.  I’m stoked I had the opportunity to capture our furry crew-mate.

This shot was captured on the first, of our three day float…. half way to camp it started to rain, shortly after, a down pour.  Two days later we encountered gumball sized hail…overall… the fishing was ON the hook! Another fantastic trip.

Thanks Grizz and Chili!

Check out CATCH [HERE] and [HERE]

I was fortunate to get the call to work on this Winter Special for This is Fly.

We all really like the direction Paris and Tim are headed and are always stoked on the opportunity to be aprat of their brainchild.

When asked for a story on trout in the dead of winter we were faced with two choices. Try and drum something up that we already have in the archives or  make something happen. We stayed with the winter theme but avoided the standard winter midge fishing article type of thing.

We gassed the sleds and blazed off on the road less traveled. It was a terrific few weeks of fishing with friends in the backcountry.  A big thanks to Grizz who wrote the article and Cor snapped some incredible images. The red machine will forever be remembered on that trip, its always something… and no good trip ever runs smooth.  This was the first project for our new underground company launching this fall.  More details on specifics shortly.

Check out the  full-article at [THIS IS FLY]…… don’t forget to click the music playlist while browsing the rag.

Check out Corey’s creative work [HERE] and [HERE]

More images from this  project [HERE]

UTAH WATER GUARDIANS

ATTN: ACTION ALERT!!!!

Contact your representatives and senators NOW! Ask them as their constituents, to please support HB-80.

Rep. Fowlke has gone through the proper processes to ensure a compromised bill for all interested parties.  Over the last 6 months she has had  open public process at the capitol, met with the public, water users, private landowners, members of TU, the DWR, Utah Anglers Coalition, Attorney General’s Office, the Farm Bureau, etc, in order to come up with a fair and compromised bill.  We fully support Representative Fowlke, HB-80 and the process. We hope that you will be encouraged to contact your representatives now.

The grassroots movement will be a key part in getting HB-80 passed.

KEY POINTS

• Reflects a full and fair public process
• HB80 is the best faith effort for a common ground compromise
• Deserves a fair honest debate on the floor of the house.
• Answers the questions that the Conatser decision left open  - it narrows the scope of the easement and provides the certainty all parties need to move forward;
• Adopts the most widely accepted legal standard to define stream bed – Ordinary High Water Mark
• Contains a number of voluntary concessions by anglers, including one that will significantly limit the number of recreational users using public water of private beds (the access stamp).
• Supported by the DWR (Division of  Wildlife Resources
• Places accountability on water users to know the law and it gives a defined boundary for all to know as to allow clear enforcement.
• Strengthens trespass law and increases liability protection for landowners.

Please take 5 minutes of your time and look up your representative’s contact info.  Send them an email or give them a call.  Be professional and polite in your correspondence and let them know that their constituents feel that HB-80 is important.  Here’s a few links to help you find your reps and senators as well as links to HB-80.

How to find your Representatives –> http://utahwaterguardians.org/?page_id=19

Representative Finder –> http://www.le.state.ut.us/maps/amap.html

For more up to date information please visit the Utah Water Guardians website -> http://utahwaterguardians.org/

Nick and I hit a small local stream. We took some time to slow down a bit after the last few months of a ‘go, go, go’ mentality. We both looked forward to casting tiny rods to hungry fish.

We found some adult Green drakes, what a coincidence since the maiden voyage of this rod started with the same insect. This little rod seemed to be equipped with some good karma. We swapped turns after each landed fish as we made our way up steam.


Surprisingly there were a lot snakes out. One in particular was caught up in Nick’s fly-line. Nick was casting near a log jam when upon shooting the line forward a snake fell from the line onto hit boots. It somehow slithered on the line at that exact second. It scared the hell of us both, it was pretty funny. There were many snakes out that day, pone spot had over a half dozen.

The weather man was somehow right today as we did encounter a few brief rain drops. The sun would come out right after and this same scenario repeated itself during the day. The bugs sure liked it the weather, they stayed out right through the afternoon.

It was a great day of tossing dry flies, talking story and catching snakes.

I’ve always enjoyed searching for Cutthroat Trout. Even when I was a small water rat these guys were my favorite. I suppose its the eagerness of the fish to take your fly at that age where the entertainment factor is a top priority. As I grew older I feel in love with the colors, the shape and the curious face they possessed… much different that the other trout. Then it happened, one day I realized the places they live are sensitive, precious and remote. It finally dawned on me, over the years my search brought me deeper and deeper into the backcountry. Then one day we found it. Here hidden amongst the bustling ATV trails sits that tiny slice of heaven I’ve always been searching for. On the beaten path BUT tucked out of the lime light sits a sanctuary.

Each Year I try to visit these old friends. It’s also a place where the one we call “Yoda” loves so dearly. Each year we return to our master baring photographs of his old friends so he might gaze upon them as he once did. You see Yoda isn’t as agile as he used to be and his memory, although still sharp as a tack, still faded in some small way.

This image is how I view these Colorado Cutthroat Trout. I know I might have post processed them a bit more than I should have [rookie here] I so think of them as powerful, mysterious, calm and curious.