I'm Still Here...

Long time, no speak! I'm embarrassed to say just how long it's been since my last blog post (so I won't...you can see for yourself:)). Life in Portland has been good, but hectic. Fly-fishing has been off the radar since a handful of Steelhead trips last Fall. The winter was filled with skiing alongside my wife and two daughters. Time to start thinking about fishing! Back in Wyoming, the Absaroka, Teton and Wind River Mountain ranges were blessed with record-breaking snows this year. Snowpack levels in these areas are ranging from 140%-160% of normal...incredible! As always, great news for our fisheries...tough news for anglers trying to plan around a potential record-breaking runoff. Trout fishing around Oregon has been kicking into gear over the past month...specifically March Browns on the Deschutes River. I've received solid reports of Snake River Cutthroat coming to the net frequently on the Snake River. (March/April can be two great sleeper months on the Snake). I'm considering coming back for a guiding stint later in 2014...we'll see. Although my recent involvement in Grand Teton Fly Fishing has been limited , I'm still very passionate about our story and success!

My main inspiration for sitting down to the computer tonight comes from my good friend Ryan Griffin and his recent trip to the Palometa Club. Ryan caught a good case of "Permit-itis" on a recent trip to Honduras. He landed his first and only Permit there, and became ruined for life. He just returned from an epic trip to one of my favorite places...The Palometa Club...located on the edge of Ascension Bay, in Punta Allen, Mexico. It's widely considered the best place in the world to fly fish for these elusive creatures. I had the fortune of going there in April of 2007, early on in the lodges' history. Since then, it's developed into a premier, but laid back spot to hunt for Mr. Palometa. The lodge just reached a milestone this past week...Permit #1000 was landed (and released) by one of their clients. Check out this video to learn more...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall has arrived in the Northwest! It's been significantly colder, and the vast kaleidoscope of foliage has been blown off their branches around Portland. Over the past few weeks, I was able to escape Portland to the East a few times in order to chase the illusive Steelhead. I joined my good buddy John Holland at Jack Mitchell's Steelhead Ranch. Jack started the Evening Hatch fly shop and guide service on the banks of the Yakima River in Washington. He now runs trips on the famed Olympic Peninsula and the Upper Columbia River near the US-Canada border. We spent the day with one of his top guides looking for chrome on the great Klickitat River. In Steelhead terms, it was a very successful outing. A few fish landed, and another half-dozen hooked and then dropped. I'm still learning the ropes on fishing for these beautiful, anadromous fish. Casting and swinging the fly is a big part of it, but it's all about reading the water. I'm still in the habit of looking at the river with "trout eyes". Steelhead tend to hold in much faster water, and in other spots that my trout trained brain is still trying to decipher. Enjoy a few images here from our day at the ranch...including this prime shot of John holding an 11 pound wild buck. It sounds like Winter has arrived in Jackson Hole right on time. Grand Targhee is open to powder skiing, and it looks like more snow is on the way. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Redfish On The Fly

Where did the the Summer go? I'm sorry to all my readers for not keeping up on my blog updates this year more regularly. Life in the Pacific Northwest has been busy, and time is just escaping me! My more limited involvement in our business has simply diverted me to other ventures at the moment. Thanks to all the friends of Grand Teton Fly Fishing for such a successful 2013...we couldn't have done it without you! Despite some wild weather and high water conditions on the Snake, fishing was pretty darn good. I did not get back to Jackson as much as I had hoped, but was very excited to get continuous reports from friends and clients on their fishing. I've been getting out as much as possible with the my "two-hander" (read: Spey Rod), and am finally getting the "swing" of it. (Traditional techniques for Steelhead involve swinging flies in suspicious water, looking for native Chrome).

Wade from Ryan Griffin on Vimeo.

Here's a few photos of some of the better fish I've bumped into in Oregon and Washington. A nice native Steelhead Buck on the swing, as well as a 20+ pound King Salmon on the fly. I also want to give a shout out to my buddy Ryan "Ike" Griffin. Check out this fantastic video here that he produced this year. It just won first place in the Charleston Angler Go Pro Film Fest last week. Nice job Ryan, I love it! I've not had the chance to chase Redfish yet, and now I can't wait.

Also enjoy a great photo I just came across recently from legendary Jackson guide Boots Allen. He's hoisting a beautiful Snake River Cutty released into cool Fall waters in the canyon.

Beautiful Oregon

So, what's happening around Western Wyoming lately? Thanks to the internet and social media (as well as the old fashioned telephone), I've been able to stay exceptionally informed on local fishing conditions, even though I'm now in the Pacific Northwest. The short answer around Jackson is this: fishing has been red hot, especially with dry flies. Despite some thunderstorm activity and a last runoff push recently on some rivers, the dry fly action on the Green and South Fork has been top notch. Snake River tributaries have also been red hot. The mainstem of the Snake through Jackson sounds like it is just starting to fish well also. The flows being released from Jackson Lake Dam right now are higher than we'd like to see (almost 5,000 cfs), so make sure to concentrate on the numerous sidechannels that this river offers. Summer Steelhead fishing around Oregon is ramping up, and the Trout fishing continues to satisfy the anglers around here too. I'm still getting used the fact that I get to fish for Rainbow Trout that are all native. We spent this past holiday weekend in the Opal Creek Wilderness area, in the Central Oregon Cascades. It was an incredibly beautiful area, known for it's old growth stands and remoteness. It's also the Santiam River headwaters, and home to some very pretty native Rainbow Trout. Curious? Check out this link on Opal Creek. More soon!

Grip and Grin

For anyone who hasn't seen this photo going around recently, here it is, in all its glory. New Zealand? Argentina? Somewhere in the Cowboy State?? No. A magnificent Brown Trout, caught on a fly, somewhere in the great state of Colorado. For anyone who says Colorado fly-fishing isn't what it used to be, click on this Orvis Link to learn more about this fish. I also just ran across another great article from Hatch Magazine that goes hand in hand with this fish photo: 10 tips to successfully releasing fish. Check it out!

Hello Again!

Sorry it's been so long since my last blog post! Moving into a new Portland home and managing a remodel puts everything fishing on the backburner. It's time for the big dries around Oregon right now. Although I've not been out on the Deschutes yet, the reports are very, very good. I'm planning on a weekend to the dry side soon to see if I can find some Redsides on dry flies. The Deschutes is relatively close to Portland, but sits on the dry side of the Cascades. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were fishing in Wyoming...dry hills and sagebrush surrounding spectacular water. The river is full of native Rainbow Trout...aka Redsides.I made a last minute trip back to Wyoming about a week ago to check in on Grand Teton Fly Fishing, visit some friends, and of course, go fishing. Our fly shop at 225 West Broadway is proudly up and running. Make sure to say hello if you are in town! We've got a great fly selection and plenty of accessories with our new logo on them. Our preseason bookings are up significantly compared to the past few years at this point, so don't delay...give us a call to inquire about a fishing trip this summer. Although the Snake is still in runoff mode, the Green and South Fork are fishing well. The Green is still actually hanging in there at under 600 cfs...a great June level. The South Fork is under 11,000 cfs at Irwin, and the reports are good. Stay tuned for lower river Salmonflies...should be soon! Many thanks to my old fishing buddies Scott Smith and Stan Czarnaik for a great day on the water. We found some clear water to float and the streamer bite was on!

All Smiles

It sounds like Winter has returned to Wyoming this week, with more people now chasing springtime powder skiing than rising trout. Most of my buddies have been reporting excellent spring fishing conditions this year on the Snake, South Fork and Henry's Fork. We've been doing more skiing lately than anything else around the Pacific Northwest. I've have not been out for any Steelhead angling in recent weeks, but did sneak out for a morning of Salmon fishing last Saturday on the Willamette River. It's the beginning of "Springer" season here...a strong annual run of Spring Chinook Salmon are heading up the Columbia River and it's tributaries right now and it's getting better by the day. Thanks again to my buddy Michigan Mike for showing me the ropes last weekend! I attended the annual Native Fish Society fundraising auction in Portland last night. It was a blast! This non-profit is doing incredible work in the Pacific Northwest ensuring that Wild Steelhead and Salmon will have a better chance of survival in our future. I was able to meet many local legends around my new fly fishing community here. Check out their website. I'm not always fond of posting too many "grip and grin" pictures, but I couldn't resist these two shots that I came across recently. First, here's a mammoth 14 pound Argentine Brown Trout that my co-worker Trey Scharpe had the pleasure of guiding this happy angler to over the winter. And lastly, but not least, is my good buddy Dave Decker hoisting a 20 pound Belizean Permit that he bumped into while fishing at the Belcampo Lodge, in Punta Gorda, Belize. Nice job Dave!

Grand Teton Fly Fishing

Last week, my good friend Scott Smith and I finally closed our deal with Jack Dennis...100%! Through literally years of hard work on both sides, we have reached the finish line. For those readers who don't know, we had been slowly maneuvering with legendary angler Jack Dennis over the past few years to purchase and take over his beloved Jack Dennis Fishing Trips. Jack started his guide service over 40 years ago, and it matured into a very well known outfitting business with a first-rate reputation. We now own some of the most coveted outfitting permits in the area, which allow us unparalleled access to the great rivers in and around Jackson Hole. We are very fortunate to be able to carry the torch for Jack down the rivers in Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Green River and in Yellowstone. We have officially launched Grand Teton Fly Fishing, and can't wait to see you on the river under our new name! Despite the fact that I'm now in Oregon nearly full-time, I'm eagerly continuing to be a part of this fun business, while chasing new pursuits here. Thanks to all of our friends, colleagues and clients alike for all of the support! Like our page on Facebook (by clicking on the badge on right side of the journal here), and stay in touch!

Images From The Salt

It's usually about this time of year that anglers living around the 45th parallel either start seriously thinking about Spring Trout fishing, or better yet a Saltwater flats getaway. There's nothing better than escaping a cold, wet winter to a barefoot paradise comprised of sightfishing. It's been a number of years since I've had the chance to get down to the flats to chase things like Bonefish, Permit or Tarpon. I know my buddies back in Jackson are just starting to get on the Snake, and from the reports I've received, it's fishing nicely. Winter Steelhead is in "full swing" right now in my neck of the woods on most area rivers. My good buddy Brian Hodges, owner of Doublehaul Travel, just recently returned from the infamous Bair's Lodge on the island of Andros, in the Bahamas. He passed along a suite of photos to me today that made me incredibly jealous! He hosted a trip down there with some local (Portland) boys from Nike, including my friend Bill Farnum. Bill's passion for Fly-Fishing and fundraising led him to start Casting 4 A Cure, a non-profit charged with finding a cure for Rett Syndrome. Make sure to check out this link to learn more! I've been doing more skiing than fishing lately, exploring the runs and backcountry around Mt. Hood. I did get the chance to fish a few weeks ago, though, on the river "X" with my buddy Michigan Mike. He grabbed me blindfolded at 5 am to do a 6 mile float of this under the radar Steelhead mecca. We sighted a few fish, but didn't get any to grab the fly. I learned a ton though, thanks Mike! (Here's a shot of Mike waiting for the grab...) More soon!

Conservation

I had the chance to catch the 2013 Fly Fishing Film Tour here in Portland last weekend. It really exceeded my expectations in terms of quality of films and just the overall message that the films projected. There were certainly plenty of scenes of exceptional fish being held by accomplished anglers, and exciting stories of adventure travel and exploration in search of elusive fish. It was even more exciting for me to see some faces of people I know personally in the industry, such as Mike Dawes, Paul Puckett, Matt Hansen and Adam Trina. The most satisfying part of the festival was that all of the films had some underlying message being conveyed about conservation. It's very easy to get wrapped up in our busy lives and then head out for a day on our favorite rivers without thinking about the bigger picture. Many of these rivers and watersheds that we love so much are in peril, and we should not take them for granted. I've always tried to stay involved with Trout Unlimited, and have been active around our new home in Oregon with the Native Fish Society. In addition to annual dues, I try to do as much volunteering each year as I can. I truly wish I had more money to contribute and more time to spend on the ground with these guys, but I just don't...having two young kids will do that. When I can, I like to use this journal to spread the word though. As you know from previous blog posts, I've discussed some concerns with the ludicrous plan to pump Green River water some 500 miles to the Front Range of Colorado. Fortunately, for now, it looks like this idea is quickly losing steam. This does not mean, though, that the Colorado system does not need our help. My good buddy Tom Sadler (who is the "Key Grip" at the Middle River Group , as well as an ace Tenkara Angler , passed along a link introducing me to Protect the Flows. Protect the Flows is a coalition of over 700 businesses that depend on a healthy Colorado River system. These businesses are from communities up and down the Colorado River and its tributaries. Even if you are not a business owner along the Colorado or its tributaries, please click on this link to learn much more about the state of this watershed. Check these guys out, it's important stuff!

Getting Brighter

It's practically February, and you can finally notice that the days are starting to feel just a little longer. It's not quite so dark at five o'clock anymore, which is great. We've been getting quite a bit of moisture lately here in the Pacific Northwest, which translates into heaps of snow to ride on in the Cascades, and plenty of new water for fresh Steelhead to think about spawning in. It also means more snowfall for the inter-mountain west. Check out this map here, with Snowpack Data For Wyoming to see how things are shaping up for water. Western Wyoming is looking pretty good from here.

I came across a great article here (thanks to Rhett Bain!), which brought welcome news to some nervous residents around Wyoming. There has been talk in recent years of trying to pump some 80 million gallons of water per year from Wyoming's Flaming Gorge Reservoir all the way to the Front Range of Colorado, 500 miles away. Needless to say, this idea is preposterous. Fortunately, it looks like lawmakers in Colorado are realizing that conservation efforts may be a better way to deal with dwindling water supplies for Coloradans. Check this article out from the Summit County Citizens Voice to learn more. I've been doing more skiing lately than fishing, so I'm not able to supply any first-hand Steelhead photos. Instead, check out this beauty that my good buddy John Holland netted last week on a secret Washington State stream. John asked me to join him on this trip, and I had to unfortunately decline. Days went by after the trip, and I got no report from him. I finally sent him a text to ask how the trip went...all I got was this photo. Nice one Holland!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my angling compatriots out there! What do you have on the angling horizon for 2013? A Tarpon Trip? A Wyoming Getaway? Maybe a jaunt to the South Island of New Zealand? Whatever it is, here's to planning new fishing adventures! Sorry it's been so long since my last update...life just happens quickly with a couple of young kids running around. We've had a beautiful early winter here in Oregon, and it sounds like a cold and snowy (read: typical) early Winter in Wyoming. The snowpack back in Western Wyoming is well above average right now...good news for skiers and anglers alike. Since my last post, I was able to make a number of trips out to the Klickitat River (pictured here) just East of Portland in search of Wild Chrome (Steelhead). Got a handful of grabs, but didn't land one. I'm learning a ton though...throwing a two-handed rod takes practice and patience, so I've been really enjoying learning the lay of the Steelhead land.

I've also been trying to stay involved a bit with one of our local non-profits...Oregon's Native Fish Society, check them out! I also want to give a shout out to my buddy Chuck Ledgerwood, of Butte, Montana. Check out Prize Catch, Inc. for some really cool stuff. Just came across this video below, as well...Brown Trout fever on Alberta's Bow river...great footage!

JUST BROWNS 2 from chroniclesofcod on Vimeo.

The Missouri

November's here...the unofficial start to winter around Western Wyoming. Even though the calendar still says Fall, it's cold and snowy around the Cowboy State these days. Here in Oregon, it's been a mix of sunny days and wet days. The local Steelhead anglers are welcoming any rains to push more wild Steelhead into area rivers. Since I last updated this report, we've elected a new president, and I took an amazing trip back to the Missouri River in Central Montana. I usually prefer to not mix politics with fly-fishing, but I will say as an angler, I'm pleased with the outcome of this election. It's clear to everyone that our environment is in trouble, and I believe that another four years of policies from our incumbent president will only help the situation that our cold water fisheries are facing around this nation. Enough said. On to Montana...

The Missouri River below Holter Dam in Central Montana is one of my absolute favorite fisheries anywhere. Clear, cold flows out of Holter Dam meander gently over lush weedbeds full of insect life, and healthy Brown and Rainbow Trout. This river really fishes well all year, but come Autumn, it can really turn on. More often than not, the streamer bite in late-October can be stellar. Throw in a daily hatch of Blue-Winged Olives and Midges, and it can be amazing. Over all the years I've been coming up to the Missouri, we've seen it all. Warm temps (with tough streamer fishing and no hatches), to frigid air and blowing snow (pushing us off the water nearly hypothermic). Out of a four or five day trip, we usually hope for one or two bang-up days, and then maybe a day or two of tougher fishing. This was the first time I had ever spent 4 days in a row on the river with absolutely amazing conditions. We had overcast, calm skies, with cold temps each day, that really held up the quality of the fishing. Although we only saw one fish at 20", and a handful in the 18" range, the number of fish right now in the Missouri in the 15"-17" class is staggering.

If you've not been up there, check it out. For the best guides and bug selection, don't miss Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig. For lodging, the best gig in the area are the cabins and motel in Wolf Creek run by Montana River Outfitters. These guys will take care of you. Enjoy a few photos from the trip.

The week we were there happened to coincide with our annual guides weekend away in Wyoming. A group of the Jack Dennis/Grand Teton Fly Fishing guides spent the weekend together on a little known tailwater, and from the looks of it, did pretty well. See the video below...

Early Snow

The first significant winter storm has struck Western Wyoming (and much of the northern Rockies) over the past few days. Cold temps and significant snows down to the valley floor have kicked off the winter season. Fishing should really be turning on now on local Brown Trout streams. It's time for big buggers, Midges and BWO's. I'm off to the Missouri River tomorrow for my annual Fall pilgrimage. As many of you know, it's one of my favorite rivers...anywhere. There's nowhere I'd rather spend a day fly-fishing in the Fall. The fishing up there has apparently been red hot, and now should be prime with this latest storm. Check this photo out (courtesy of Headhunters Fly Shop, in Craig, Montana). Putting on today in a fresh blanket of snow. I imagine the Olive hatch was superb (along with the streamer bite). For those of you that have not seen the series of videos on YouTube, starring Hank Patterson...Fishing Guide...check this out! Hilarious!

Fall Fishing

It's already the middle of October, hard to believe. This is by far my favorite time of year. The Fall foliage is just amazing, both here in Oregon and back in Wyoming. The Elk are bugling, and the Browns are biting. Here in Oregon, many of the local Steelhead streams are in prime shape and only getting better with some recent moisture arriving, allowing new fish to return.

Rachael and I just returned from a little road trip around Oregon, exploring some of the finest that this state has to offer. With amazing dry, Fall weather last week sticking around, we grabbed the kids and camping gear, threw it in the truck and headed out to learn our way around. We did a great circle, heading over to Bend, down to Crater Lake, over to the Umpqua and McKenzie Rivers, and back to Portland over six days. The foliage was a feast for the eyes and the hiking and fishing was second to none. (Enjoy a few photos here). Sounds like the Fall fishing bite is really on back in Yellowstone country.

If you have not been up to Yellowstone or over into Idaho yet, you better get after it! The Madison, Lewis drainage, South Fork and Henry's Fork should all be quite good right now. Check out Scott Smith's video below for a taste of what Lewis Lake has to offer in the Fall...pretty sweet. I also want to give a shout out to my good buddy Andy Parker (who sent me this great photo taken from the back seat of my driftboat of me putting his wife Carolyn onto some fish back in September). Andy owns Spotted Tail Outdoors , a very unique reservation and management system for fishing guides. Check it out!

Stay tuned for more info on Grand Teton Fly Fishing...we hope to have a new website up by the end of the year, as we transition from Jack Dennis Fishing Trips into our new venture. For now, I've got my sites on a trip back to the Missouri River next week, and then a few days back on the Steelhead swing in November. More soon!