Brian and Todd’s brianchild is a fantastic visual experience, check it 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]

UPDATE – 2/11/2010 – Committee Hearing(s) Friday!!

WOW, the past few days have been nothing short of a crazy experience.
Here is what we know…

* HB-80 -been assigned from the House “Rules Committee” to the House “Judiciary Committee”. Scheduled hearing is for this Friday, Feb 12th @ 2pm?! (not exactly sure of the time, but this is what we’ve been told)
o http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0080.htm

o please contact the “Judiciary Committee” and ask them to support HB-80

* HB-141 [Rep. McIff] has been assigned from the House “Rules Committee” to the House “Natural Resources” committee. Scheduled hearing is for this Friday, Feb 12th @ 1:30pm!
o http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0141.htm
o please contact the “Natural Resources” and ask them to oppose HB-141

* HB-290 [Rep. Webb] has been….. WITHDRAWN!!
*** please note – Legislative status of HB-290 on the web page is not updated yet****

***IMPORTANT – We need to attend these hearing(s) to show our Support for HB-80 AND opposition for HB-141***

Please contact the committees ASAP!! Time is ticking, we need to act quickly!!

More info at  –> http://utahwaterguardians.org/

It became apparent late Thursday the House Natural Resources Committee was not going to allow HB80 to pass to the House floor.

In a quick turn of events Representative Fowlke called a bill file. She met with Senator Neiderhauser, Sen. Bramble, lobbyist Jeff Hartley and Chris Barkey about moving the bill to the senate.

This bold move will allow HB80 to avoid all House committees, which was stacked against us. Senator Bramble was ready, willing and able to help.

SO… House Bill 80 has a new name, Senate Bill 267. [text will not be available until Monday. SB267 is identical to HB80]

We ask you to now contact your Senators and let them know you support SB267/HB80

**BILL WATCH**

• Rep. Webb -HB290 –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/hbillint/hb0290.htm
• Rep. McIFF – HB141 – [box car/no text] –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0141.htm

other Bills we’re keeping an eye on…

• Rep. Ferry – HB374 [boxcar/no text] –>http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0374.htm
• Rep. Cosgrove – HB450 -[boxcar/no text] –> http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0450.htm

***Article Image – [click] courtesy of Heather Nan Photography [click]

Oh my… I suppose you could say that I got a tad bit busy…OK… very busy. I’ve got a lot coming up. Probably too much on my plate but I’m going to try and get this updated… key word… plate ha ha ha

This winter the thought of Tiger Musky grew stronger every day. Grizz dubbed it “mushy musky brains”. Months down the road we realized this quote was more than spot on. The past spring the crew slipped up to the north scouting, fishing, studying and waiting for the right time to hit it. For two-months we pounded the banks, or as my good fishing buddy says ‘mowed the banks’, tied flies, changed tactics, lines, read books, talked to the old guards, studied videos and learned a ton about leaders, etc, etc. It never ceased to amaze me how picky these fish can be so a full arsenal is a must.

They’d chase our fly all the way to the boat, for 10 casts, then, out of nowhere they attack with authority. The first hit is what drives us. It’s a fantastic feeling to experience, one I will always long for, one everyone should encounter. Now losing a fish to a poor hook set also comes with a feeling, doesn’t matter that your turn on the front of the boat is over but the disappointment with yourself to negotiate within a spit second angle, power and leverage. These critters have exceptionally hard mouths, bony mouths; occasionally he standard strip-set was swiftly out maneuvered. A more direct approach by setting head on, rod aimed straight into their eyeballs, countered their maneuvers quite nicely… a little tip that was pickup by doing some homework. BUT even then it as amazing how long they’d fight before relaxing their powerful jaws and releasing the harmful hook covered with fancy materials back to the angler.

Over time word spread as others were reading the same chapter. The fish were beginning to get hammered. The parking lots were filling up; a few times twenty trailers neatly parked could be counted just in the lower lot alone. We observed dozens of fish with large rapalas, flies, hooks and leaders stuck in their jaws. Two of these fish were seen from a short distance jumping high in the air and shaking their heads trying to dislodge these foreign objects. One in particular leaped a few times and you could clearly hear the rattle of the jerk bait. I know we were just as guilty of being parted off as anyone, it really made us think about our strategy and about our own personal philosophy. For us it’s mainly due to using mono incorrectly, as in too light for the job. It’s was a card toss really; using wire yielded us fewer fish this year than last, also fewer strikes. But all fish were landed if hooked. Mono on the other hand was very successful and our hits tripled, causing our success rate to go up but getting parted off brought the ratio back down… what to do. So we took a stab at trying to break it all down. This is the fun part in fishing, the learning. The issue is using light mono, say 20-25lb, while it preformed OK for smaller fish the larger 30-40+ ers snapped it like a giant breaking a toothpick. Not good. We upped the ante and settled on 40-50lb, so far its work well for us. Don’t get me wrong, guys do well with wire but for us and our style of fishing, as the season grew busier and bustling with people, fishers and wake boarders, wire was getting rejected more often than not. So for now, were going with what we know learned ; )I’m certain there are those that will say the complete opposite and I’d love to fish with them to see their style… as you can never learn enough.

All in all the season was a success. It was a great chapter in our early stages of Musky fishing learning. Good friends, good food, bad weather and odd camping arrangements made for an awesome adventure. I can’t wait till next year!!