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.

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.

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.

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.

"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?

Montana Snow Pack - March 2012

In the Missoula valley, this winter has seemed unseasonably warm. Looking back at the last couple months, I can remember one true and very brief cold snap (in the single digits). For most of the winter, I thought these relatively warm conditions in the valley would translate to less than stellar snowpack in the mountains. But, all the rain we have experienced in the valley have translated to dumps of snow in mountains. These less than scientific observations aside, the snowpack relative to average has been steadily rising since January.

As of March 19, 2012, western Montana's snowpack is healthy. Most of the state's major watersheds have at least 100% snow water equivalent relative to normal snowpack. The upper Clark Fork and Bitterroot have 100% and 105% snowpack relative to normal. Here's to hoping that in the next couple months the high elevations continue to receive and hold snow and we get another healthy runoff with good water conditions into the summer and fall.

Revo Bearing Polarized Sunglasses - A YGF Review

It is often said that a good pair of polarized sunglasses are a fisherman's most important piece of equipment. With good reason, most of us can't smell or hear fish under a couple feet of water. Without a good pair of polarized sunglasses, those feeding trout are hidden from the prospecting fly fisherman.

For the last couple years, I wore a schmedium-sized, substandard quality pair of polarized sunglasses. It showed. On more than one occasion (read an uncountable number of occasions), Bucko would start talking about fish stacked up in a run or riffle. I would stare at the water, through the water, to the water and saw nothing. Meanwhile, Bucko was catching and landing the beasts from what I thought was the mysterious deep.

In the beginning of the year, I received a pair of polarized glass lens sunglasses. It changed my perspective, I could see holding fish everywhere I went. The underwater world opened up to me.

Even more recently, Revo offered me the opportunity to test out a pair of the Revo Bearing Water Lens Polarized Sunglasses. I was more than happy to take the Revo Bearings out on the water.

The Revo Bearings come in three different lens tints: graphite, bronze, and water. I chose to test and review the Water Lenses. The Water Lenses allow 10% of light to transmit through the lenses as compared to the 13% light transmission associated with the graphite and bronze lenses. According to Revo, "the Water Lenses cut back blues, and allows greens and reds to come through in environments with abnormal amounts of blue making it great for ocean and deep water wear."

Here is a brief rundown of the specifications from the REVO website (check here for more detailed specs)

• Serilium Lenses
• Anti-Reflective Coating
• Element Shed
• Revo High Contrast Polarization
• Motion-Fit
• Spring Hinges

Test Conditions - Range of weather and water conditions that the Revo Bearings under which were tested.

In order to fully test the Revo Bearing sunglasses, I begrudgingly fished in a variety of light conditions from early February through mid-March. From cloudy and snowy to sunny with a little bit of partly cloudy weather mixed in, I fished in everything. With a couple warm and rainy days, I even got the chance to fish in some slightly off-color water on the Bitterroot.

To me, there are three things that are most important with regards to a pair of polarized sunglasses for outdoor activities, especially fly fishing: 1) the quality of the optics 2) fit and comfort and 3) durability. Here are my impressions of the Revo Bearing sunglasses after more than a month on the water and around town.

Quality of Optics
The Revo Water Lens is a blue-grey lens with a blue mirror coating. Mirror coating deflects some of the light that hits the lens as a result, some light is not transmitted through the lens. Combining the mirror coating with the 10% light transmission of the blue-grey lenses, the Water Lens should theoretically be excellent bright light condition lenses.

Blue-grey lenses with a blue mirror coating

During this first month and a half with the Bearings, the lenses lived up to the expected bright light condition performance. These glasses really "shined" during blue bird days on the water. That was too be expected. I was very surprised with the glasses performance on partly cloudy and cloudy days. I expected my polarized, copper-tinted glass lens sunglasses to outperform the Water Lenses during these lower light conditions. They didn't. In many cases, I found the Revo Water Lenses to be more effective in comparison to the glass lens polarized sunglasses during these partly cloudy and cloudy conditions.

Fit and Comfort
I have a medium-large to large sized face, depending on the brand. The Revo Bearing frames are considered mid-sized frames. They fit my face extremely well. You know how some t-shirts fit better than others? If the Revo Bearing glasses were a t-shirt, it would be my favorite, best fitting, and most comfortable t-shirt. I experienced no issues with pinching, fatigue, or the dreaded facial imprinting. The spring hinges allow the glasses to hug your face in a gentle, yet firm manner.

The glasses don't feel heavy on the face. In fact, I barely notice that they are on while fishing, driving my the car, walking around town, and applying for real life jobs.


Durability
With the spring hinges, polycarbonate lenses, and nylon frames, the glasses feel sturdy. I have yet to drop them (and I don't plan on doing so in the near or distant future), but I have a great deal of confidence in these glasses ability to hold up to a little abuse. The nylon frames are flexible, but not too flexible. They maintain their designed form, while allowing for a little give here and there.

As an aside, the spring hinges are ingenious. It is the little things that add up to something extraordinary. With the spring hinge, there is an element added durability and flexibility that I have yet to encounter in sunglasses at a variety of price points.

The aforementioned ingenious hinges hinging

Look
I think the glasses are really, really, really, ridiculously good looking. I am not much of a "fashionista" (fashonistas out there, is that the correct usage of the term "fashonista?"), but I like the look of these glasses a great deal. They have replaced my previous everyday sunglasses....as my everyday sunglasses.

really, really, really, ridiculously good looking? yup.

After a month and a half on the water, in the car, at work, at the flyshop, and at school, I have been very impressed and pleased with the Revo Bearing sunglasses. With an excellent set of polarized lens and a flexible and durable frame, I think the $189.00 price tag is very fair. They aren't the cheapest sunglasses by any means, but it matches up well with competing brands by price. I would recommend these glasses to an angler looking for a high quality pair of polarized sunglasses. Imaginary YGF seal of approval has been stamped on these Revos.

Do you want to see the sunglasses on the water? Check out my most recent video, The Leprechaun and the Yeti.

Here are some stills of the sunglasses. Thanks to Anthony from False Casts and Flat Tires for the images of the glasses in action.

From the side.

What I see right before I put them on.

Oh yeah, it comes with a protective case and a cloth. As any real pair of sunglasses should.

See? Uh huh.

DISCLAIMER: The Revo Bearing sunglasses tested in this product review were provided to me at no cost, but hold a retail value of $189.00. I currently hold no association with Revo 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.

Cutting willows on Rock Creek - A Volunteer Opportunity

A view from a rip-rapped bank along Rock Creek

Reader of YGF, Mark Mariano, recently contacted me to spread the word about an opportunity to help out the Trout Unlimited with some willow cutting and replanting efforts on Rock Creek. Mark is an Ecology Restoration major at the University of Montana and he is part of the University group that is assisting Trout Unlimited with the efforts to cut willows down near Rock Creek Lodge (think lower Lower Rock Creek). TU will then take the willow cuttings and replant them into some of the roadside rip-rapped banks that line Rock Creek, with the intention of protecting Rock Creek Road from erosion, enhancing habitat, filtering sediment, and regulating water temperature. Also known as, the things willows do.

The TU/UM event is taking place on March 24, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Rock Creek Lodge. A shuttle from Missoula will be leaving town at 9:15 am. To RSVP for more details: Call Dan at 320-493-1663 or email Dan at daniel.kaus@umontana.edu or Mark at MarianoConst@msn.com.

The Leprechaun and the Yeti

Some fishing partners are tall. Some are short. Anthony of False Casts and Flat Tires is the Leprechaun. I, apparently, am the Yeti. A couple of days of fly fishing on the Bitterroot. We got into some solid rainbows and browns, but nothing too extraordinary. Things are heating up, but we could have said that about the entire winter. Although, it is good to have some dry fly fishing on the horizon.

Some guest appearances from Alec of Fly Fishing Life and Cody of Oakfish in the beginning and end of the video.

Music:
Wu-Tang Clan vs. The Beatles "City High (Instrumental)"

The Leprechaun and the Yeti from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

I went a little crazy on the effects this time. Messed with the saturation and the shadows/highlights. Let me know what you think of the effects.