Protect What You Love - The Big Hole

And I love the Big Hole. It's no secret. If you've been there, fished it, floated it, or walked it's banks, I'm sure you do too. If you haven't had the pleasure, I'm sure you would.

There is a lot to love about the Big Hole. It's undammed. It flows through some of the most beautiful country in southwestern Montana. It holds the last remaining population of native FLUVIAL arctic grayling in the contiguous United States. It has a vast array of prolific insect hatches. It has a healthy populations of rainbow trout, as well as some brook trout and cutthroat. And it has some extraordinary and strikingly beautiful brown trout.

One of the Big Hole's treasures - Fluvial Arctic Grayling - photo courtesy of Evolution Anglers

I have had my best days of fishing on the Big Hole. Alternatively, I have had some of my worst days of fishing on the Big Hole. It is an undammed freestone after all. In an article in the Chronicle Outdoors, Frank Stanchfield of the Troutfitters Fly Shop said,

"The Big Hole is a unique river. It is not dam controlled, it is not temperature controlled and you have got to go out and ask the fish how he wants to eat. I have never been able to tell him, he will tell me. It is a great river, but you have to pay your dues."

Even with seemingly perfect conditions on the Big Hole, one can get shut out. That's why I love it. I have never felt like I quite have it figured out, but it's fish and the environs that the Big Hole flows through bring me back.

From it's headwaters to it's confluence with the Beaverhead to form the Jefferson, the Big Hole snakes through meadows, cuts through two canyons, and winds and braids through the valley around Melrose. 155-miles....all undammed. To me, it is the perfect trout stream.

Side note: This day happened on the Big Hole

  What Can Browns Do For You? from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.
Like many of our great natural resources, the Big Hole is threatened. Drought, overuse, and the associated low water are the bane of a healthy Big Hole's existence. In response to these issues and concern about the sustainability of the river, a group of ranchers, conservationists, guides, business owners, government representatives, and concerned citizens came together to form the Big Hole Watershed Committee (BHWC) in 1995.

The BHWC is a unique and forward thinking group. With the understanding that the Big Hole is a shared resource, the BHWC has one goal: keeping water in the Big Hole. The Committee achieves this through a variety of conservation techniques, including land use planning, watershed restoration, irrigation infrastructure improvements, and drought management plans.

The BHWC has several sources of funding including public donations. In this season of giving, consider protecting our beloved Big Hole River by donating to the BHWC here. Keep yourself updated on new and ongoing BHWC projects and initiatives by liking the BHWC on facebook. Protect what you love.

The Egg Timer Timelapse

The High Tech Panning GoPro Set-up

One element of my most recent video that I enjoyed producing the most was the panning timelapse sequence. That was achieved by attaching the GoPro to the top of an Ikea Ordning egg timer. I discovered this "technique" this summer on the internets and the Youtubes.


Of course, there are several tutorials describing the same basic concept that use different egg timers. However, there is more "mechanical" work required when you use a standard egg timer. What stood out to me was how easy the "construction" was when using the Ikea Ordning timer. The only hitch is that the Ordning timer was not available online and could only be purchased at an Ikea.

Problem - There is no Ikea in Montana

Solution - Move to a place that has an Ikea...like Denver.

Goodbye Montana, Hello Colorado

Sure, this post could be titled "Goodbye 3x, Hello 8x." As some Coloradans seem to bask in the "pleasure" of fishing diminutive tippets to not so diminutive fish. But, I am not here to make gross generalizations. Nor am I here (or anywhere) to fish anything smaller than 6x, 5x if I am grumpy.

The South Platte - photo courtesy of SchnitzerPHOTO

While I have been in Colorado since the beginning of October, I have avoided writing this post for a multitude of reasons, including my lack of writing ability and my internal denial that I ever moved away from land of the Big Sky. But, I can avoid it no longer. After a short 4 year stint in Montana, I have moved down to the a state filled with 14ers. And Colorado is no slouch in the world of physically attractive states.

A South Platte cutbow

Fly fishing for trout in Colorado certainly offers an elevated sense of self...as you are often fishing at 8,000 feet above sea level whilst throwing line. A stark difference from fishing at four to five thousand feet. The lungs feel it. Leisurely walks along the rivers more than a mile high catch the lungs off guard every so often. Fishing for trout in Colorado is truly in the mountains. With such elevation, you find yourself closer to source so to speak. As the snowpack from the headwaters seems to be right at your finger tips as opposed to far off in the distance as the big mountains were in the major river valleys of Montana.

Looking nice, Colorado.

No more turd and worm set-ups off of a 9 foot leader to 3x nylon tippet. It's fluorocarbon and tiny flies. The scale of water management is significant. The state of the front range's water supply is plain to see when you explore the landscape. Dams and their reservoirs litter the both sides of the divide in Colorado. The water management is out there for everyone to see. Some of the rivers take on the shape of water conveyance systems rather than free flowing freestones. Last year's low water is apparent. The reservoirs are down, the rivers are low. Major rivers flowing at 60 cfs or lower. Five to ten-fold smaller than the rivers of Montana.

A new species. Snake River Cutthroat from the Dream Stream.

I miss Montana and will continue to miss that state, it's rivers, it's fish, and my friends for the foreseeable and distant future. That being said, I am eager to learn and see as much as I can in Colorado. I am eager to become a better fisherman. I am eager to fish with new friends. I have already had the pleasure of sharing the water with the likes of Sanders and SchnitzerPHOTO and I look forward to more outings with them and others.

How am I feeling about the move to Colorado? Truth be told, I could just link you to a piece that Sanders wrote a couple weeks back. Without express written consent by the NFL, he peered into my brain and figured out what I was thinking as I explored the new-to-me waters of Colorado. I am trying to find the familiar. Colorado is familiar, to a degree. Let's be friends, Colorado.

Also, CARP.

Costa Sunglasses: Geofish Vol. 1 - Mexico Review

I will be the first to admit it. After the first two F3T installments of GEOFISH, I didn't get "it." The journey MOTIV Fishing was taking didn't seem to pay off. The physical, mechanical and social troubles seemed to overwhelm the reward of landlocked tarpon and some seemingly underwhelming fishing.

GEOFISH Trailer from MOTIV FISHING on Vimeo.

I was wrong. I failed to see the big picture. After watching the full-length GEOFISH Vol. 1 - Mexico, I get it. I understand and embrace the journey that the MOTIV crew took. A journey that had plenty of interruptions and obstacles. But, one that paid off with some amazing fishing including some monster snook, bass, and billfish. The greatest honor I can bestow on location and fishing-driven fish porn is "Man, I want to go there and catch that." I definitely felt that way about the Mexican bass and snook sequences. I want to go to there.

All in all, it is a well-executed, compelling story of friends who like to fish and who will do a great deal to get into great fishing. To say I am looking forward to the next installment would be a great understatement. In case you were wondering, GEOFISH gets the imaginary YGF seal of approval and it is a worthy gift-to-self or gift-to-others for the upcoming holiday season.

Don't Ask Me Where I've Been

You know that saying that doesn't exist "One man's scraps is another man's scraps." This is a video of one man's scraps. Scraps of nice rainbows, browns, and cutthroat. It is a video of fly fishing action from February through November. From Montana to Colorado. Enjoy in HD on vimeo.

Don't Ask Me Where I've Been from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

The Greenbacks present Low & Clear

Break open your day planner that you keep in your Trapper Keeper. What are you doing on Thursday, November 29th? If you are Denver, I would strongly consider joining the Greenbacks for a night of visual revelry at The Oriental. Come watch the Colorado premiere of Low & Clear by Finback Films. Be entertained by an exlusive Hank Patterson short. Have the chance at winning some gear from Redington, Nomad nets, fishpond, Umpqua, and Filson.

Personally, I have been waiting to see Low & Clear since the 2011 F3T. I have only heard great things about it including Tim Romano's very high praise.

  LOW & CLEAR Official Trailer from Finback Films on Vimeo.
Doors open at 6pm. Tickets are $16.50 and can be purchased online. All the proceeds will go towards the conservation of native fish and their habitat. Do it.

Jungle Fish - A YGF Review

Jungle Fish from Costa Films takes place in the depths of Guyana’s rain forest. It stars Oliver White, Nathan Webber, and friend of YGF Matt Breuer as they attempt to prove that arapaima (the largest freshwater fish in the world) can be caught with a fly rod with the hopes that angling success will lead to a hopefully profitable sport fishing/eco-tourism industry in poverty stricken Guyana.



The 29 minute long film is engaging, entertaining and eventually very rewarding. It is more nature documentary than fish porn and it is a very refreshing change from the norm. No pulsing, high energy soundtrack. Instead, sounds of the rain forest, casting of the fly rods, rowing of boats, arapaima breaching the surface to breath, and ultimately explosive thrashing of extremely large fish. The full-on rain forest experience with a medley of species of fish (arawana, peacock bass, and piranha), river otter, and caiman.

The anglers stay at Rewa Lodge, an eco-tourism lodge in Guyana’s rainforest that employs an entire village. Arapaima, which are endangered, hadn’t previously been caught on the fly. The three anglers go through their fair share of failure prior to catching a beast or four. But, the payoff is huge. Arapaima are powerful, unique, air-breathing, brightly colored, 300 hundred plus pound monsters. The sequence of the first arapaima being landed on a doubled over 12 weight is worth the price of admission alone. Matt Breuer proudly boasted to me in person that he was the first to land one. All in all, the film is well-worth a half hour of your time and is a bargain at $14.95.

Costa Film’s Jungle Fish is available here and comes with the imaginary YGF seal of approval. It’s like being on Oprah’s Book Club...except more distinguished.

What Can Browns Do For You?

For those of you that aren't fans of YGF on facebook, the following may be news to you: (1) I caught a nice brown trout on the Big Hole and (2) I have left Montana and moved down to Colorado. The week before I left for Colorado I visited my favorite river in Montana for a farewell tour. The Big Hole treated me well. The streamer fishing was "lights out"(as some cool people say) and the big browns had their feed bags on (as other cool people say). I was lucky enough to catch a beautiful specimen of a brown trout which measured 24" in length and looked to be untouched.

Check out the video in HD. Enjoy.

Smoke blankets Missoula

For the better part of two months, Missoula has had a blanket of smoke from several fires west of the valley including Idaho's Mustang, Powell SBW, McGuire, and the Sheep wildlife complexes. Sometimes the blanket of smoke is more of a sheet. Other times, it is a down comforter. With the recent presence of the Sawtooth fire located down the Bitterroot valley, the end of last week was a smokey one in the Missoula valley.

I flew out of Missoula for the weekend and have been able to escape the smoke...albeit temporarily. I took some pictures with the GoPro on the flight out.

The Missoula valley - filled with smoke

Cruising altitude. Never made a transition between smoke and clouds. Almost positive this is a blanket of smoke.

Somewhere over Wyoming. Smoke still fills the valleys.

Somewhat clearer skies. The smoke is behind us at this point.

Old Habits Die Hard

There is a sect of fly fishers who love them some trucker hats. Emblazoned with fly fishing company's and fly shop's logos, you'll see mesh backed trucker hats on a seemingly growing population of fisher people. I am not a fan. In a moment of weakness, I tried to fit in a few years back and wore a navy and white trucker hat. I didn't like it. I hate the harshly curved bill, breathability, and lack of Phillies logo offered by the trucker hat. Sure, it works for other people. I am not one to judge other people's fly fishing fashion choices.

But, I have a fitted baseball hat problem. I can't get away from them. I love baseball. I love the Philadelphia Phillies. I love fitted Phillies hats. Most of all, I love lamp. For whatever life occasion presents itself, I wear fitted Philadelphia Phillies hats. While I was back home for a friend's wedding, I came across these pictures from my "uwe-ff." Old habits die hard.

  

Then

Now

 

Rio Gold Fly Line - A YGF Review

Fly lines are vital piece of equipment. They are, after all, the weight that casts our flies to the fish that may or may not want to eat our “organized” piles of feathers and fur. I have fished with the Rio Gold fly line for the past 3.5 years. For those keen followers of YGF, you might have already thought to yourself, “Hey, wait a second BWO, you have been seriously fly fishing for 3.5 years.” So, I have. I will readily admit that the first two years, I couldn’t tell the difference between good and bad fly line. I am still somewhat of a beginner. But, now...now I can tell the difference.

"Gold and Gold, Gold and Gold" - A silverless Yukon Cornelius

The Rio Gold fly line is a great general purpose fly line. In early spring, Rio provided me with a WF5F (weight forward - 5 weight - floating) line. I have fished it all season. This year, I used the line on a variety of rods (most of which are not my own) including the Redington Pursuit (9ft 5 wt), Sage One (9ft 5wt), Orvis Helios (9ft 5wt), and Hardy Sintrix Zenith (9ft 5wt). All of these rods are fast action fly rods. I have been able to comfortably throw and present small dries to rising trout, then turn around and throw big foam, streamers, or double nymph rigs. August in Montana is really the time when the RIO Gold demonstrates it’s versatility. Fishing tiny trico spinners in the morning, hopper-dropper rigs in the middle of the day, and streamers in the evening, the Rio Gold comfortably handles a variety of fishing situations. Pairing the Rio Gold with Rio's new Powerflex tapered leaders, I was comfortably and accurately fishing a variety of flies in a variety of situations.

Rio's new Powerflex Leaders

Features


The Rio Gold WF5F line is 90 feet in length with a head measuring 47 feet. Simple math tells you that the running line is 43 feet in length. The front taper is 5’6” long, which is considered to be a mid-length front taper. The Rio Gold comes in two color combinations: Moss/Gold and Melon/Gray Dun. I chose the Moss/Gold color combination. With this color combination, the head is Moss green and the running line is Gold. Similarly with the Melon/Gray Dun combination, the head is Melon and the running line is Gray dun.

The Rio Gold Lines line

Rio Gold Taper

The iteration of the Rio Gold fly line that I tested had the following features: XS Technology, Agent X Technology, SFT Technology, Dual Tone, Front-End Welded Loop, and Back-End Welded Loop. The newer version of the Rio Gold fly line has Rio’s new MaxCast and MaxFloat tip technologies. Rio offers the Gold fly line in six sizes (from WF3F up to WF8F).

The front-end and back-end welded loops make changing leaders and/or reels/spools a breeze. For trout fishing, the welded loops have performed well and held up to the rigors of Montana’s waters.

Performance   

As I stated above, the Rio Gold is a great general purpose fly line. It more than handles small to large dry flies, double nymph rigs, and streamers. It performs well with casts from 15 feet to 70 feet. Who knows beyond 70 feet? Can you remember the last time you presented a fly to a trout more than 70 feet away? I can’t. It holds a stable loop if you can throw a nice loop.

But, as with all great general purpose products, it is great at doing everything well...not great. Diehard nymph, dry fly, and streamer fisherman that will spend the whole day fishing one discipline should look towards other, more specialized fly lines. But, for those of us that fish to the ever changing conditions a typical day on the water presents, the Rio Gold is an excellent choice.

I am an avid streamer fisherman. There have been times when throwing some larger streamers, I have experienced the dreaded big fly snap back that can send your streamer off target. That should be expected. It does not have the aggressive front taper of the Rio Coldwater Clouser, Rio Indicator, or Rio Grand lines.

This line is billed to have a taper that allows a rod to load at close range. Found this too be true, especially with moderate to large dry flies, nymph rigs and streamers, however, with a fast action rod, sometimes the rod wouldn’t load completely when casting shorter distances between 15 and 20 feet.

Durability

One can expect 200 to 300 hours of actual use with a modern fly line. If I do some quick, back of the envelope calculations, I fish, at minimum, one time a week (no matter the time of year). That’s at least 52 days on the water a year. During the summer, spring and fall, I will often fish 2 to 4 times a week (two full days and one or two partial days).  Each season is 13 weeks. Assuming that I fish once a week during the winter (13 water days) and between 2 and 3 days a week (78 to 117 days) during the remaining seasons, I probably fish between 91 and 130 days a year (SIDE NOTE to parents and loved ones: I’m sorry, and also, I’m not...but, I also am...in addition i wish that was figure was more like 200 to 300 times a year...so......). Assuming an average of a 6 hour outing (accounting for partial days and shorter winter days) with about 3 hours of actual use of the fly line, I spend approximately 273 to 390 hours of my year actually using fly line. So, a fly line should last me a little less than a year.

It should also be mentioned that I have terrible fly line management. Always stepping on it. Tangling it. So, the lifetime of the average line is mostly likely reduced when I use it. Also, I am poor. I try to get as much use out of my fly lines as possible. In the past, towards the end of the season (after 80 plus days on the water) the welded loop has started to fall apart at times. Additionally, the head of the line starts to sink at the end of the season. But, that is after more than 300 hours of use. During the first 300 hours (or so) of use, the line performs admirably.

Color Options

As I mentioned above, the Rio Gold comes in two color combinations: Moss/Gold and Melon/Gray Dun. I chose the Moss/Gold color combination. In the Melon/Gray Dun combination, the head is Melon and the running line is Gray dun.- casting competition lines - orange and white. wish is was white and orange. According to credible sources - white fly line would be the most stealthy of floating lines. There is a reason, a trout’s belly tends to be white or light. I wish that option was available.

The Take-away

Over the past 4 years, I have owned three five weight Rio Gold lines. I have beat them to death and they perform...very well. For someone who fishes as often as I do, this should serve as an indication of my satisfaction and the durability of the Rio Gold line.

DISCLAIMER: The Rio Gold WF5F Line tested in this product review were provided to me at no cost, but hold a retail value of $74.95. I currently hold no association with Rio whatsoever. As with this review and all future reviews, I will do my best to offer up my honest and unbiased opinion, good or bad.

Pikeminnows - A streamer fisherman's whitefish

I'll say it. I don't like catching whitefish. I don't know many people who do. That's one of the reasons I don't like nymphing. Combined with the fact that it is an easy way to lose four dollars to the dark abyss on any cast, nymphing is not a personal favorite. Sure, it is necessary at times. But, summer is not one of them.

During spring, summer, and fall, I bask in the glory of good streamer and dry fly action. Nary a whitefish to be had. All trout, all the time.

But, this spring and summer's streamer fishing has been peppered with the presence of the Northern Pikeminnow. A fish that, like the whitefish, is native to the waters around Missoula. A fish that, like the whitefish, is not particularly pretty.

One of many.

According to the Montana FWP Field Guide,

The predaceous Northern Pikeminnow is native to Montana west of the Continental Divide. It is somewhat pike-like in appearance with its large mouth and elongated body. Northern Pikeminnow prefer lakes and slow-moving waters. They are considered to be highly undesirable in some situations because they feed on young sport fish. They are effective predators despite their lack of teeth. Northern Pikeminnow are among the largest native North American minnows.

Behind every piece of large woody debris, in every back eddy, along each undercut bank and in each backwater in the Bitterroot, I have caught a pikeminnow. All on streamers. Many of them smaller than the streamers themselves. Other friends have caught larger ones in the Clark Fork and the Blackfoot. The first couple are cool. A nice change of pace and always a surprise. But, lately, they have been wearing on me. They are every where trout should be and they will seemingly eat anything that swims. They are the streamer fisherman's whitefish.

Why are they showing their ugly mugs this year? Is it a result of the removal of Milltown Dam and the subsequent decrease in the population of pike in our local rivers and backwaters? Maybe. I don't know.

Paradise Circus

Nothing like summer in Montana. It's a paradise of sorts. But, with summer comes crowds. The Bitterroot can become a circus. Access points flooded with cars, trucks, and trailers. But, weekdays, mornings, evenings, and cloudy days are the ticket. Less splash and giggle, more room to fish.

Check out the video in HD.

Changes

Changes - a dangerous and potentially terrifying title for a post after an unexpected month long hiatus from the YGF blog. But, they are afoot. Not major changes to the blog...other than the fact I am back.

Changes - Banana Box to Big Red Bin

These changes are related to my FFESS...or fly fishing equipment storage system. For the past year or so, I have willingly stuffed my waders, boots, rods, reels, tippet, nippers, and related fishing accessories into a Del Monte banana box I got from Costco for "free." The gear overflowed. But, I took great pride in the banana box's ability to store very little, but carry a great deal. The banana box was perfect. It had character and was easily replaceable, but also surprisingly durable. It made for a great storage system going to and from the water, but it was a bit of an eyesore at home. So, the girlfriend replaced my banana box with a big, red tupperware box. It holds everything in a neat, clean package. There is ample room for all of my gear. My gear doesn't overflow or fall out of the big red bin. Most importantly, it is no longer an eyesore at home.

I miss my Del Monte banana box.

Saturday Spotlight with Fish Porn

Last week, I took a break from not fishing to sit down with Caleb of Fish Porn for 20 minutes and talk shop. And by shop, I mean GoPros, editing software, egg timer GoPro mounts, sticking it in people's face for two or three seconds, and song choices. I am honored to be the first interview for Fish Porn's Saturday Spotlight. Have a watch and please excuse my long winded answers and "good dude"-ing.


Saturday Spotlight - Yukon Goes Fishing from FP Media on Vimeo.

Goodnight Mouse/Hello Brown Trout

I have been stuck behind a computer for long, torturous periods of time as of late. While much of this time is of my own doing, I needed to get out on the water. So, I annoyed Stan from False Casts and Flat Tires into heading out on a night time mission to mouse up some brown trout. Last year, one of my goals was to catch a fish on a mouse...and catch a fish at night. I failed miserably on both accounts. Mostly due to a severe lack of commitment. The nighttimes is muchos scary, guys. Mucho muchos scary. With the darkness, the lack of light, a collection of odd, unusual and threatening sounds, and bats, I didn't last long whilst trying to catch nighttime trout on the fly.

In January, Andrew Grillos, signature fly tier at Idlewylde saw that my 2012 dreams and goals list still included catching a trout on a mouse. AG, is apparently the giving sort, sent me two of his BOB Gnarly patterns. Then, earlier this week, he emailed me to tell me that this week would be a good week to go mousing. That email got me out on the water by midnight and into fish by 1 in the morning last night...or this morning.

Admittedly, my first trout on a mouse was hooked as I crossed the stream with my fly trailing me downstream. More of an exercise in "skilled" wading than skilled presentation. It's not the biggest of fish by any stretch of the imagination. But, a first is a first.

First at night, First on Mouse (Photo: Stan Spoharski)

As we progressed upstream, Stan and I started to put pieces of the proverbial presentation puzzle together. Working upstream and casting downstream, shaking the rod tip and stripping in sporadically, We had our fair share of boils and splashy misses. As my BOB Gnarly quartered and twitched it's way downstream, my fly disappeared into the jaws of impressively proportioned 17" brown trout. It had the shoulders, head, and pseudo kype of a fish a half a foot longer. Monkey off back. Props go to AG. I feel like he Jedi guided me from a distance.

The girthiest 17" of brown trout I have ever encountered. (Photo: Stan Spoharski)

The lovely brown trout hump/check it out (Photo: Stan Spoharski)

Yukon Goes Headhunting

Two days of fly fishing on the Missouri River with Headhunters Fly Shop's John "Scumliner" Arnold and Jared "Gandolf" Edens. Mother's Day Caddis, March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, and Midges were hatching...sporadically. While we had high sun on both days, we were still able to find some rising fish. On the Missouri, a few rising fish is actually a good deal of rising fish. I had my fair share of shots at some nice risers and dropped some ugly casts on them. But, we were still able to catch some nice fish on dries. Short leash nymphing was the primary producer and the "standard" Missouri River 16 to 19" rainbows showed up in force with a couple 20s and a 21 or two finding their way into Scumliner's skinny black net.

Yukon Goes Headhunting from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

It should be noted that the Missouri River fish fight....hard. A twelve inch football of a rainbow took me to my backing in a couple seconds.

You may note that I did my first bit of acting in a YGF short in this one. Acting like I was waking up to an alarm clock was hard. The guys at Headhunters set me up in the Craig House for the weekend. The Craig House would easily fit six people. It was spacious, comfortable, three bedroom, two bathroom house next to the Rainbow and Brown cabins. As you can see from the video, it is a quick minute walk from Headhunters, which is a minute from the river. It was complete with a full kitchen and flat screen TVs with satellite. More than enough for this angler and some of his friends and it is a steal for groups of 4 to 6 people. The beds were extremely comfortable and I was out before my head hit the pillow.

Side Note: I think it should be obvious to everyone, Jared Edens is Gandolf, based solely on his stick skills and also his mean beard.

All this happened and so did some carp fishing.

Music: Santogold "Starstruck"

The "I Can't Be Bothered" Finger

Earlier this month, I posted a picture of the groove/open wound that occurs with the regular use of 20 lb Maxima. Fish Jerks responded with a little line burn. Ooh, congratulations Fish Jerks, you got line burn...probably from a 2 inch trout. I re-respond with a picture of The "I can't be bothered with netting this 18 to 20 inch brown because it's just a decent fish on this glorious day of fishing...so I am going to try to hand line him in...oh, wait a second, 2x cuts through flesh pretty well when the "decent" fish isn't ready to be landed" Finger. It may not be as bloody as a line-burned finger, but I contend it is definitely not the same. How's that for a divisive statement....

For extra burn, add Cholula or Tapatio.

holding on to what's GOLDEN

As some of you may know, last weekend, I caught my first carp on a fly rod. I was floating the Missouri River with guide Jared Edens and owner John "Scumliner" Arnold of Headhunters Fly Shop looking for some it's trouts rising for the buffet of bugs (Mother's Day Caddis, March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, and some weird Trico-ey mayfly) that were hatching. Around 3, the high sun started to take it's toll and the bugs weren't coming off well. In the start of the float, John had mentioned that we would potentially have a shot at carp during the float. He asked if I would be interested. Being a sugar lips virgin, I said "Yes." Fast forward to 3 o'clock in the afternoon, John double checked with me and asked, "Are you serious about this carp?" I replied, "Yes."

So, we took an hour break from catching gaggles of trout on the Missouri to stalk some backwater carp. The carp has it's fair share of haters, but, they are worthy fish on the fly. Sore forearms, folded six weights, purring reels, and gold. During my five plus minute fight with my carp, Jared made it a double. A carp double. No footage to verify that. Just yelling. It happened. Trust me, I am a fly fishing blogger. After our carp break, we resumed hunting rising fish on the Missouri. The dry fly eating trout of the Missouri will grace the next YGF video. For now, enjoy fly fishing for Missouri River carp in HD.

Music: Jurassic 5 "What's Golden?"

Watering Water - Angler Harassment on Mitchell Slough

The issue of public access to Mitchell Slough is a controversial one. The Mitchell Slough was ruled to be a natural stream in 2008. As such, public access is allowed on the slough under the Montana stream access law. While access is limited, there are a few public accesses to the slough. In April, I went to the slough to fish with a friend. It was my first time on the slough. It was a different experience. Barbed wire draped across the stream every eighth of a mile. Security cameras lined the banks.

As we progressed upstream, a particularly impressive security camera was set up just upstream of some barbed wire. The moment we came into range of the security camera, sprinklers turned on. These sprinklers were set up about a foot to two feet away from the bank of the slough. The sprinklers pointed towards the slough and only rotated 180 degrees. They were set up to spray the slough and it's occupants. There was no gap in the sprinklers. It seemed quite apparent that the sprinklers were set up to deter fisherman from fishing the Mitchell Slough. We couldn't avoid being sprayed if we wanted to stay within the high water mark. The sprinklers lined the banks for the next 1/4 mile.

I cannot stress this enough. The sprinklers watered water.

After we moved upstream and beyond the quarter mile long sprinkler system, it turned off. We fished upstream and when we were done, we started to walk back downstream towards the property. As we approached the property, the sprinklers turned on again.

After consulting several sources, it was their opinion that the use of the sprinklers constituted angler harassment. I called the FWP to report the potential harassment. The state office referred me to the Region's Game Warden Lou Royce. I contacted Mr. Royce. I have not received any information from Mr. Royce since my contact with him last week. Updates to follow.

Sugar Lips: 1st Carp on the Fly

This weekend, a float on the Missouri with Headhunters looking for rising trout was interrupted by a backwater filled with schools of cruising carp. Scumliner did a little recon and our short leash nymph rigs were quickly switched out for unweighted leech patterns. Five casts in...I saw a cruiser. I cast to him. He turned on it. Strip set. Now, two days later. My forearm is still sore. I like carp.

Like me, they look better in person.

Unlike my continued unsuccessful quest for pike, I can now cross off carp from my list. I thought it would different.

Maxima Finger

When tying knots, sometimes 20 lb. test gets the better of you. When it does, utilize the cut as a painful stripping guide when ripping streamers.

20 lb. test finger (photo by Laura Verhaeghe)

You're welcome.

Spring Runoff - It's here. It's early. It's biggish.

Spring runoff is upon us in western Montana and it is early. Early by a couple weeks (more like a month) at the least. It was a weird winter and spring. In the valley, it was pretty mild, but we maintained a pretty healthy (read average) snowpack with a good deal of low elevation snow. For much of the spring, the area rivers were running two to three times the mean historic spring flows. With the recent string of high 70 degree days, runoff was initiated.

We are experiencing record breaking flows for this time of the year on all four of Missoula's famous local waters. Certainly not the record setting flows of last year. But considering that it is April 27th and the Clark Fork above Missoula is already pumping at 17,200 cfs, we are experiencing record flows for late April. In fact, the historic maximum discharge for the Clark Fork above Missoula on April 27th was 13,500 cfs (set in 1934).

Similar stories can be told about the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers, as well as Rock Creek.

The Bitterroot at Missoula is flowing at 15,500 cfs, breaking the previous April 27th record (2003) of 5,960 cfs.

The Blackfoot at Bonner is flowing at 11,500 cfs, surpassing the previous April 27th record (1974) of 7,690 cfs.

Rock Creek near Clinton is flowing at 3,380 cfs, breaking the previous April 27th record (1974) of 1,540 cfs.

I'm blaming this on La Nina.

Although, this could be the first year that I truly hit the Salmonfly hatch. Everyone else probably has the same idea. Side Note: Golden Stones could be quite good this year as well.

Greenfish CPR Mount - A YGF Review

The Greenfish CPR Mount was designed for use on a boat or kayak. The mount itself is comprised of a camera/video camera connection, a removable flex arm, a no-slip foam grip, an expansion locking system, and an additional mount connection. The expansion locking system was designed for locking the mount into most tubestyle rod holders and the additional mount connection is intended for easy use with a Scotty flush mount. I don't own a boat or kayak. Greenfish put together a nice video giving an overview of how the CPR Mount was designed to be used.







I don't own a boat or a kayak. Why do I want to use the CPR mount for my GoPro "video-ing?" There is no short answer. But, I saw the potential for adding a new element to shooting with the GoPro. The mount is sturdy, well constructed, and has several unique alignments that can produce improved and interesting angles for the handheld/wading GoPro user.

I have used the CPR Mount in the following ways. (Please excuse the faces - the same issue that plagues my hero shots apparently plagues my professional hand modeling - mean mugging and gaping moufs (that's mouths with an f))

As a pseudo steadycam.

The CPR Mount has some weight to it. It isn't overly heavy, but with enough weight towards to the bottom end of the mount, it serves as a reasonable steadycam for handheld cameras like the GoPro. Footage taken while walking behind a subject are noticeably steadier when the GoPro is attached to the top of the mount.

Panning shots - they are smoother

"Zooms" in and out. Push up style. Don't mind the stare down.

Did I mention smoother panning shots? Oh, I did. Well, it is worth mentioning.

A great deal of what the CPR Mount adds to the use of my GoPro is stability. The panning shots are smoother than handheld shots. Unlike the PVC pipe that I had previously been utilizing, there is no bend or give in the frame of the CPR Mount. That allows for steady pans and less shaky footage. The two hand "zoom"/push up alignment allows for arms length zooms to be made, adding another dynamic layer to the sometimes predictable set of GoPro shots.

High angles, you will be mine

Fully extended with the removable flex arm, the CPR Mount extends about 4 feet. Add some long arms, I can now get some high angle shots that were once just a bit of a pipe dream. Casting and catching shots will never be the same for YGF as long as I aim it right.

Cons:
The CPR Mount was designed to be used with tubestyle rod holders and/or flush mounts. Beyond the no-slip foam grip, the grip on the mount weren't designed for hand held use. Although, one can comfortably use the mount while holding it around the expansion locking system or additional mount connection.

All photos courtesy of Zach from False Casts and Flat Tires.

Look for a some nice shots using the CPR Mount in the upcoming YGF video (video coming out next Monday or Tuesday).

My CPR Mount is making the rounds. Ryan Thompson of Swift Current Productions and Glacier Anglers used it in portions ofhis video "Lights Out" for the Simms Ice Out Shoot Out. Connor Scott of Glacier Anglers will be taking it on his trip to the Smith River and promised to share his thoughts on the CPR Mount when he returns next week.

The Greenfish CPR Mount retails for $95.99. With the purchase of a CPR Mount, Greenfish gives $4.00 to the charity of your choice (choose between Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Fish America, Pier Institute, and Recycled Fish). I received the Greenfish CPR Mount from the friendly and knowledgeable guys at Headhunters Fly Shop. In addition to the Greenfish CPR Mount, Headhunters carries GoPro cameras and the associated GoPro accessories and mounts in their fly shop (off to the right hand side when you enter the shop) and in their online store. They also are a great source of information when it comes to putting together your next GoPro video. Seriously, email John (scumliner). He'll answer your questions.

Winner of the Fly Vines Giveaway

Thanks to everyone for participating in the Fly Vines giveaway. The Random Number Generator has spoken. By my count, there were 39 official entries to the FLY VINES giveaway. In an interesting twist, the RNG chose 1. That's right, the number 1. El Rakeman, come on down.

Internet Proof. The number 1 was chosen by the RNG. It never happens, despite the probabilities.

Shoot me an email at yukongoesfishing (at) gmail (dot) com with your address. I would love to include some YGF stickers in your Fly Vines package. But, I haven't forked out the big money required to make a couple stickers. (Read: I am a cheapskate who would rather spend his money on fishing instead of stickers. So much for self promotion.)

Again, El Rakeman....you won.

The After Work Special

With spring....springing and the sun setting around 8 pm, the after work special is again a viable option. Getting into to work by 6 am and setting off alarms, so you can get out on the water by 3 pm. You know, "The After Work Special." This edit features four separate after work specials on the Bitterroot. Some trout were caught. Some were lost. Enjoy the video in HD.




The After Work Special from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.
Music:
Jay Dee/J Dilla - "Track 12," "Track 21," "Track 05," "Track 10," and "Track 17"

Also, a big congrats to Mike of Of Dry Flies & Fat Tires fame for taking the 2nd annual YGF Bracket Challenge. Internet pride goes to the Michigan man.

If you haven't entered the Fly Vines giveaway, do so here.

Fly Vines Giveaway

Last month, I went steelheading with LG (of 406 Productions, 406 Outfitters, Getting Guided, and Fly Vines) and Matt Breuer (of Ponoi River Company). LG is a man of many hats. All of them ugly. One of those hats is Fly Vines.

Fly Vines takes used fly-lines and recycles them to make sunglass-retainers, bracelets, and lanyards. I have been wearing my sunglass retainers and lanyard for more than a month now and I am a big fan. Gone are the neoprene and cloth retainers. Gone are the ropes of thread from around my neck. The retainers can accommodate thicker frames which other retainers struggle with handling. The lanyard, a simple and light-weight design, carries the basics (tippet, nippers, and forceps) on the water. With previous lanyards, I had too much hanging off my neck. Too many points for my fly line to get tangled around. Too many things going unused. I like the simplicity of the lanyard.

(Left to Right) Fly Vines sunglass retainers, lanyard, and bracelet

At a recent showing in Missoula, I won a full set (lanyard, sunglass retainers, and bracelet) of Fly Vines. Since I already have my fair share of the recycled fly line products, I figured I would share the love with the internets. So, here are the goods. The winner of this giveaway will receive the Fly Vines lanyard, sunglass retainers, and bracelet. Each person has the chance for three entries into the giveaway.

You get one entry for each of the following completed actions.

Entry #1) Leave a comment in the comments section.
Entry #2) Like Yukon Goes Fishing on Facebook and leave a separate comment reading "I like YGF on FB"
Entry #3) Like Fly Vines on Facebook and leave a separate comment reading "I like Fly Vines on FB"

The act of like-ing or following does not enter you into the contest. The entry is official when the comment describing the action took is submitted. If you already like YGF on Facebook, you aren't entered until you leave the comment "I like YGF on FB." Same goes for Fly Vines. Count 'em - that is three separate comments, resulting in three separate entries into the Fly Vines giveaway.

The contest/giveaway will close at 12:00 AM (Midnight) Mountain Time on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012. The winner will be chosen via the dastardly RNG and will be announced on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 around 12:00 PM (Noon) Mountain Time.

Ponoi River Company - Job Posting

Fresh Atlantic Salmon from the Ponoi

Friend of YGF, Matt Breuer of the Ponoi River Company is looking to fill a hostess/assistant manager for the Ryabaga camp for this upcoming season. He wanted to let the small section of the internets that follows YGF know about a very unique and interesting opportunity to work in the Kola Peninsula this year. Spread the word.

Here is the official job posting:

Internship / Seasonal Job Posting

Job Title: Ryabaga Camp Assistant Manageress/Hostess

Location: Kola Peninsula, Murmansk Region, Russian Federation

Salary Range: $1200 - $1800 per month, depending on qualifications

Gratuities: $350 - $500 per week average

Duration: June to mid - October

Job Summary:

For 22 years, Ponoi River Company and Ryabaga Camp have successfully operated the finest fly fishing camp in the world in terms of service, hospitality, and quality of fishing - attracting 80% of clients to return. The invaluable and interactive role of Camp Assistant Manageress/Hostess is crucial to the success of a quality experience for clients at Ryabaga Camp. Client service and satisfaction are of critical importance to ensure repeat business.

Serving as Camp Assistant Manageress /Hostess, your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Participating in hosting efforts to achieve maximum client satisfaction.

• Analyzing staff activities and client feedback to provide input for strategic planning and camp management.

• Functioning as a liaison between management, staff, camp, and clients.

• Directly supervising staff including those involved in the operation of kitchen and camp infrastructure.

• Prioritizing the client by extending all amenities to make each client’s trip as valuable as possible.

• Delegating and monitoring workflow and directing the staff involved.

• Maintaining the highest level of customer service and resolving conflict as required.

• Engaging in communications with Murmansk, Helsinki, UK, and US offices when necessary and as required.

Analytical / Interpersonal Skills Needed:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to interact with staff, clients, and suppliers in an effective, professional, and pleasant manner.

• Ability to prioritize and manage simultaneously.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree; ideally in the area(s) of Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Education, Recreation Management, Hotel Management, or Service Industry.

• Strong knowledge of hotel, bar, and kitchen operations.

• Knowledge of international travel and fly fishing.

• Proficiency and experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, data entry, etc.

• First Aid and CPR certifications.

Valid US Passport with at least 4 clean pages, and a validity of at least six months past October 2012.

Drug screening.

HIV screening and medical testing (required by Russian Federation in order to be granted a work visa).

How to Apply: Please submit a current resume, cover letter, and list of references to:

Matthew Breuer

Ryabaga Camp Operations Manager

+1 (252) 414 - 0047

matt@ponoiriver.com

www.ponoiriver.com

"You can't fish this. This is my property, I am fishing it today."

I ran across a recent post from Joe at Big Sky Anglers about a some interactions he has had with a "prick" of a land owner who built a vacation home on the upper Madison River. Joe describes a specific encounter:

The home owner who erected the sign above is a newcomer to the river, one of those guys who has arrived to the valley in the last 10 years. He reigns from Colorado, where the laws are different from that of Montana. The slick in front of his house was renamed Prick Slick, because of how this guy treats anglers who walk the bank (below the high water mark).  In fact, I was there the night this name was conjured up and it was  a result of how this guy treated us as we snuck by the pool full of rising trout that he was fishing to.  No, we didn’t spook the fish or fish to them, in fact, we gave the guy a wide berth and didn’t fish 100 yards above or below him – even though he called us various names and threaten us, all because we were on “his land”.

The Big Hole River at Brown's Bridge during some of the high flows of 2012. photo courtesy of Stonefly Inn

Joe goes on to explain how it is good river etiquette "to give an angler ample room as to not spook the area he/she is fishing...sometimes called 'high banking'. Walking 20-30 feet off the bank, keeping a low profile, just get around another angler is good etiquette. Some folks call this trespassing; others call it an unwritten rule of the river."

This post struck a chord with me and reminded me of an encounter I had with a "land owner" on the Big Hole about a mile upstream of Browne's Bridge this past summer. I have been fly fishing four trout for more than 3 years now. Certainly not a long time, but, between field work and angling time, I have spent my fair share of time on the water. My fly fishing mentors schooled me in the ways of the river. I subscribe to the same school of good river etiquette as Joe. How to respect the land, the fish, and our fellow fisherman. In Montana, we are lucky enough to have a recreation-friendly stream access law. An access law that allows the public to use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high-water mark. But, some land owners (in-state and out-of-state) don't seem to have a clear grasp of the stream access law or practices in good river etiquette.

It was late August or early September 2012. I was fishing the east side of the Big Hole upstream of Browne's Bridge. Bucko was working the river from the west bank. With an extremely high runoff earlier that spring (...and summer), the high water mark was well above the high bank. As I progressed upstream, tossing streamers to some unwilling browns on a blue bird day, I noticed a fisherman working some rising fish from the inside bend. Not wanting to "high bank" him, I followed an established path (that was still below the high water mark) a good 30 to 40 feet away from the bank to move upstream.

As I walked the foot path, I heard a shout. "Hey, this is my property," the man yelled. I walked over to the bank to talk to him. From the opposite side of the river, he shouted "You can't fish this section today. This is my property, I am fishing it today." He continued to pontificate about his version of the Montana stream access law, telling me that I was breaking it. I was comfortable in my assessment of the high water mark. He told me that my only option was to walk downstream and stop fishing "his" section. I tried to explain my actions and let him know that I was within my rights to access this section of the river. But, reasoning with this California vacation home owner was a lost cause.

Good river etiquette was thrown out of the window. Words weren't going to communicate my point. I let my actions speak and showed him the alternative to me walking an established legal path along the opposite bank. Even with the "gentleman" across the bank, I crossed the Big Hole 5 feet below the water he was fishing. The fish stopped feeding. I walked up his side of the bank. I crowded him so as to "stay within the high water mark." After walking about a quarter mile upstream, I looked back. He was talking with his friend and pointing in my general direction. Was he going to call FWP? If only I was that lucky. The fishing was no good that day. I was game for a chaperoned discussion with a FWP officer and that "good sir."

Here is a google map depiction of the Big Hole incident.


View The Big Hole Incident in a larger map

Let me know what you think. Was I in the right? the wrong? or the grayest of areas?