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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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