Brian and Todd’s brianchild is a fantastic visual experience, check it out –> http://www.catchmagazine.net/

If your not already, please check out what Trout Unlimited is doing for us. These guys and gals are working hard to protect the environments of our cherished fish, please donate now!

• http://www.tu.org/

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.

Chris giving thanks

Its been a long grueling 45 days fighting for river rights at Capitol hill. In the end, the anglers will mostly likely lose, the Bill will not be vetoed by the Gov and Utah will be locking up rivers.  So much was going on during this time it was a task trying to keep up, all while trying to complete a work week and attending to my personal responsibilities so fishing was a not an option. Chris skipped on the work load and took on the issue head on, setting everything else aside.

My buddy Chris spent every day at the Capitol. Sacrificing money, time, fishing and day to day normal living is not easy task, it requires total commitment. Midway through the session we promised each other, the second this is all over we would go fishing, no matter what…well, that day finally came.

It couldn’t come soon enough. I really need to get back on the water, I know Chris did too. This legislature session was filled with corruption, lies, deceit and a blatant disregard for the Constitution.  I need to get back to what make sense to me… fishing.

I woke up to a phone call at 6am, it was Chris… it went something like this…

Chris – “you ready? I’ll be there in 40″.

Groggy with sleep in my eye I replied “Chris its barley 6am and its still snowing, I went to sleep at 3am, lets give a few hours.”

Chris – “you mean 4am”

Me – “huh? no, 3am”

Chris – “you did remember its daylight saving”

Me -”SHIT!”

Chris “laughing”

Me – “see you soon”

Normally I have a few bags ready to go depending on the day. BUT, since I had not been fishing lately, I wasn’t prepared. I grabbed a pack and started shoving in things I think I “might” need still while half asleep, on two hours rest. I had one goal, to not forget anything, so the words “might not need” were not apart of this packing equation. It barley zipped closed and my initial thoughts as, this is heavy, I definitely got it all.

The drive over the pass was a winter one, the clouds were racing across the sky pushing out the storm that laid down a fresh blanket of snow. Color broke through the dark gray clouds as we rounded the bend. A glace over at the windsock on the point, it was as stiff as a 2×4. Casting is going to be creative today.

The river never looked so beautiful. The smell, the sight, it all filled filled my senses. I instantly felt my body and mind recharging and once again, the world was filling with hope.

Karma must have been watching, the day was nothing short of fantastic. Big browns crushed our 4″ offerings. A few big fish were lost after a crazy thrashing battle, and a few made it to hand. Chris landed some brutes which was a great reward for all the hard work he has put into saving these precious rivers. Although, we might not be able to come back here for a while, the memory’s will last.

It was a great day back on the water. For the first time in a long time, everything was OK with the world.

Thanks for everything, Chris!!!!

More images here –> http://www.flickr.com/photos/1bg/

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]

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/