O Dark Thirty

Getting up at " O Dark Thirty" pays dividends in the heat of summer. While the water flows are real nice, the water temperatures, late morning are starting to get very warm for our finned friends.

You will always hear me sing the praise of early morning fishing, as summer trout are always found 

cruising the shallows or grassy banks. This mornings paddle on the ditch did not disappoint, the fish were right where one would expect them.

Tying has Begun

Making a mess of the fly tying bench again, as I mess around with the bonefish and permit flies for 

Belize this fall. As the schedule get very busy this August with a trip to Alaska for business, a couple of birthday celebrations and anniversary to celebrate, it is time to get 3-4 dozen out of the way quickly.

Will start out with the quick and easy ties first , will have most of the bonefish flies knocked out this 

weekend, then on to the more time consuming crab patterns.

Fresh one coming out of the vise. More to come.

Tying has Begun

Making a mess of the fly tying bench again, as I mess around with the bonefish and permit flies for 

Belize this fall. As the schedule get very busy this August with a trip to Alaska for business, a couple of birthday celebrations and anniversary to celebrate, it is time to get 3-4 dozen out of the way quickly.

Will start out with the quick and easy ties first , will have most of the bonefish flies knocked out this 

weekend, then on to the more time consuming crab patterns.

Fresh one coming out of the vise. More to come.

Love my Wife

There are rewards to being a reel junky, and liking nice reels. There are also rewards to having a great

wife who understands the passion and joy that a great reel brings to die hard goof ball like me.

After eyeing several of the special edition reel have put out lately, and trying to obtain one of these

back in February when they announced the release of the limited run and stopped cold in my shoes, that all avenues lead to dead-ends when looking to purchase one.

Just so happens there are rewards to taking a weekend away from the ditch and spend with your wife in town. BAM. She treats you to an early amazing birthday present.

I finally got what I wanted, hard to believe, I am spoiled....

Watch for some fantastic photos of fall brown trout and bonefish with this new toy.

I am Grateful "Dead"

Tragedy Stuck Today

Several key things happened today to throw Floatfisher in to a micro rage today. Earlier this week my beloved I-Mac started to have issues shutting down automatically. Now nothing, dead, turns on momentarily and shuts down immediately. Relief was at hand with the hard drive back-up , only to find out there had been a loose connection, and it had not been backing up for some time.

Can you say rage. Nearly 6000 master photo's in limbo, until we can see what can be salvaged. 

Tragedy and pissed....

Prepping for Next Show

Received two large shipping crates like this filled with photo prints that i will be showing in September and October at the Fritz Restaurant in Salida, CO. I am always honored to show and sell my work in the great town of Salida. Look forward to the show. More to come....... 

Bighorn CDC X- Caddis by Tim Flagler

 Another nice easy tie from the video archives of Tim Flagler and Tighline Productions.

X-Caddis With a flair.

No Rules on this Trip

Had the opportunity to invite my good friend Dr. Jeff up to the river dinner and beers on the river

and fishing on Saturday floating a section he had not previously done. Normally our good friends jeff and Gerry spend a good deal of time fishing and floating together, but one had to have shoulder surgery due to many years of skiing and fishing. 

Know this that Dr Gerry is laid up and unable to row, I thought it would be nice to invite Jeff down for some special time on the river. As you can see by the graph below, the  river is in prime shape, and leveled off at 700 CFS. Perfect for the 70 miles of floatable river.

IPA's, Gin and tonics, bacon wrapped filets on the grill would start the weekend off and prime

the fisherman for an early day on the river. Alarms would be set for 5:15 departure to be on the river at sun-up. 

A single dry fly would would prove deadly , mended and floated along the 

long grassy banks early in the morning as the trout could not resist the slowly

drifted fly. Most everything we threw, Amy's Ant, PMX, Caddis, most flavors to the chubby

but the pink/ peach color in size 12, proved to be the most effective.

Many fish were brought to the boat, but Dr. Jeff was most happy has he did not have

to play by all the rules that he normally has too when fishing / rowing with his best bud Dr Gerry.

Normally they get to only fish 1 hour stints, then switching to make it fair. There was not of that silliness this weekend. I had fun showing Jeff some new water, rapids and ribbing him a little for missed fish.  What a great weekend to share time with a good friend on the river.

Looking for Water

Roaming the hills, looking for the nice next riffle and pool holding the next large trout. The solitude of the trout stream always beings peace to your soul. Fish On...

Name of the Game

Sometimes you have to sacrifice your weekends by setting the alarm clock 

to be on the river at 5:30 AM , at first light. Although my wife may not be the biggest fan.

The fishing is extremely rewarding for the well placed fly.

Often times there is victory on the first few casts. Frowns and grimaces from getting

up early, are replaced with filled nets, bent rods, and 30 fish to the boat by 9 am. Day done.

Leave time for a lunch date or cocktails on the patio and an afternoon float and more of the same.

Early and late is the name of the game when it comes to the heat of the summer.

Did I mention fishing single dry flies, yes, the payoff, screw those droppers. 

Turnin' Back the Clock

My how time flies, Floatfisher turns back the clock to trip # 4 down the Smith River in July.

Always impressive when you can get these big boys to eat dries. 

Working For Wild Trout by Marc Crapo

Marc Crapo has put together a nice short on the great work the Henry's Fork Foundation
does to protect and enhance the this great fishery.

Night Lights - Cross Currents Flyshop

When the streets of Craig, MT roll up at night, the only night lights on main street come from the 

hustle and bustle of the flyshops , restaurants and bar in town. I caught this beautiful little photo right before a beautiful May rain shower was to hit the town. Of, course we were headed to take shelter at Joe's,  everyone knows that is the "safe house" in the neighborhood. 

Sunday Drive

" Sunday Drive "

enjoying the solitude of a western river 

4th of July - Rio Grande Style

Not one wanting to pass up great hatches, we figured we should not let a good thing pass, and make another trip to the Rio Grande for the long weekend, as the previous weekend proved terrific, the water should only clear and drop more, at least that was our thought process.

Our mindset was right, the water would drop all last week to perfect levels, bug activity would stay the same or increase, as you can see with the crazy blizzard hatches of caddis, PMD, yellow sallies, grey drakes and several other bugs. We found the fish feeding squarely on caddis, flies of choice for the days were Blooms Caddis and the Purple Delectable Caddis,  you could throw in a small yellow PMX for fun if wanted.

 The fish on the Rio are hearty, stuffed fat and full of bugs and extremely beautiful. Every size range 

present indicating a very healthy river.

 Several toasts were had along with cigars to enjoy the river and fantastic fishing. 

July and South Fork are hand and hand with afternoon rain showers, but it usually brings on some fantastic hatches following. It did not let us down.