tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88546682024-03-12T17:32:47.528-07:00Native Trout AnglerFly fishing for native species everywhere...Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-2575265829821268062012-02-05T10:02:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:02:35.263-08:00Alaska Species AddedI've finally got around to updating my <a href="http://nativetroutangler.blogspot.com/2005/10/daves-lifetime-species-list.html">Native Species Life List</a> from the Alaska trip last summer. Species added included King, Chum, Coho, Sockeye Salmon (did not get a pink), Arctic Char and Dolly Varden. This is in addition to countless big bows and greyling.<br />
<br />
There are 33 species on the list with some notable absences. Time to get back to it!<br />
<br />
DaveDave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-7670062972111331872011-10-08T23:07:00.000-07:002011-10-08T23:07:25.288-07:00You know it is a good dayWhen you find yourself looking at this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NTcYtydsX-A0vi5cYAGEmdenkuEkwtK6JjrvXxbsMeLm8oqHoRgaTvZmFuFqEY9co8Z3JjFGYgWcSml6lPXw6RAoAQjmQG-6Ly75sG3MJx-c6_kPzdCwdLxGA-ldw1583vQ/s1600/DSC00654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NTcYtydsX-A0vi5cYAGEmdenkuEkwtK6JjrvXxbsMeLm8oqHoRgaTvZmFuFqEY9co8Z3JjFGYgWcSml6lPXw6RAoAQjmQG-6Ly75sG3MJx-c6_kPzdCwdLxGA-ldw1583vQ/s400/DSC00654.JPG" /></a></div>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-82543834068264235542011-08-29T07:31:00.000-07:002011-09-17T22:34:01.239-07:00Thoughts on gear for Alaska<strong>Flies:</strong> Bring size 2 and 6 <a href="http://www.alaskaflyfishinggoods.com/silver-salmon-flies/dolly-llama-black-white/detailed-product-flyer.html">Dolly Llamas</A>. Lots of them. Enough to lose 4 or more each day and not run dry. Black and white and olive and white. The Dollys are the key. Bring the other typical flies and some salmon flies and DEFINITELY some mice patterns. Dollys are heavy so make sure to cast them and bring the appropriate rod - maybe a 7 or 8 with an integrated sink tip. As you float and cast to good looking water you need that fly to drop like a rock.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rods:</strong> 6,7 and maybe 8. Put the mouse on the 6 and the Dolly on the bigger rod. Make sure to cast the big Dolly before you go to be sure your rod can handle it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Lines:</strong> I think each rod should have a Rio versitip on it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Leaders:</strong> 9 foot 12 lb mono and heavier for salmon. Also bring 12lb Maxima to make short straight leaders for the sink tips.<br />
<br />
<strong>Jacket:</strong> The best jacket you can afford. Simms G3 or G4 or the Patagonia SST.<br />
<br />
<strong>Waders:</strong> Same as above.<br />
<br />
<strong>Boots:</strong> DO NOT BRING KORKERS. I've owned two pairs, the originals and the brand new Chrome model with the BOA lace system. Everyone promised me the problem of the soles falling off had been fixed. Well, as I was wading through the muck to one of the best holes of the trip this happened:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUu0gG9FpQKORaAo4-7JVNVGisvhTcBZb_nDGKN_3-e1Ed4s5xOj9XWF-DU5z0lJ9ycC_UKKWLCYh64X4xoaqJRw3UZB1Uj6TArSmM7B8VMBZ-bzKTcGFQXn2mFilFT51LZU/s1600/DSC00561.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUu0gG9FpQKORaAo4-7JVNVGisvhTcBZb_nDGKN_3-e1Ed4s5xOj9XWF-DU5z0lJ9ycC_UKKWLCYh64X4xoaqJRw3UZB1Uj6TArSmM7B8VMBZ-bzKTcGFQXn2mFilFT51LZU/s400/DSC00561.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645400677466766578" /></a><br />
<br />
Twice burned and I'll never go back. Go with Simms.<br />
<br />
<strong>Clothes:</strong> Pack light! Seriously, you don't need a lot out there. Go with two pairs of long underwear pants; one thin and one fleece. Two long sleeve merino wool base layers and three pairs of wool socks. Maybe a couple changes of underwear. A fleece layer under your wading jacket. Neoprene gloves. Wool hat and baseball hat.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-90349363441727376392011-08-11T22:24:00.001-07:002011-09-17T22:34:55.211-07:00ALASKA 2011This is why you go to Alaska and float a remote wilderness river. A beautiful sunset at camp well after midnight. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Czl6oUbI4XoN9Bri7GT2n-xoleqoHdALOY-3-yJzGF37qEwmLYfUbo14uKyDnrB-2OEoGAL_zIOHqZJtZsi2Ma5L2haaaEm5cakd6_dIBhNEFOsIdGvMl0H3eWkVjgQsSKw/s1600/IMGP0676.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640222643014440562 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Czl6oUbI4XoN9Bri7GT2n-xoleqoHdALOY-3-yJzGF37qEwmLYfUbo14uKyDnrB-2OEoGAL_zIOHqZJtZsi2Ma5L2haaaEm5cakd6_dIBhNEFOsIdGvMl0H3eWkVjgQsSKw/s400/IMGP0676.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Ok, maybe it's not the long days and beautiful sunsets. Maybe it's for the 20+ inch rainbows that eat mice. Like this one that Adam caught mid-trip. <br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IlzZuYxgl2Q?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center> <br />
<br />
This whole Alaskan adventure started pretty much the day after my good buddy Adam took a knee. She said yes and he was off to the races planning his own bachelor party. What Adam planned was phenomenal: an 8 day float from source to sea down a remote river in Western Alaska with Mark Rutherford of <a href="http://www.wildriverfish.com/">WildRiverGuides</A>. Mark has been guiding and fishing Alaska's most remote and wildest rivers for decades and I think I speak for our whole group when I say we couldn't recommend him more highly. If you want to do this kind of trip, call Mark and cross your fingers that he can take you. <br />
<br />
After lots of planning and lots of tying (for some of the guys), we finally made our way to Alaska at the end of July and met up with Mark and guide Olly. This is Mark during our orientation showing us where we're going and giving us a great history and education on Alaska and the region we'd be fishing for the next 8 days (on the left is Robo, who has his own way of fishing a mouse...). <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2LlvGtVSREbdeseDNldnnNhx-sSWIfC2r401TIdo56ghgcJd5mV-Ja6t4WLtUepDaEFK27uhLTcx4_Blg5heNLKEP_MPRougN-FGIVhVJFxQ26Vk3RJEytCatUBKxJwMGrg/s1600/IMG_9946.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639840101263431074 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2LlvGtVSREbdeseDNldnnNhx-sSWIfC2r401TIdo56ghgcJd5mV-Ja6t4WLtUepDaEFK27uhLTcx4_Blg5heNLKEP_MPRougN-FGIVhVJFxQ26Vk3RJEytCatUBKxJwMGrg/s400/IMG_9946.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
This is everyone but me organizing and weighing the gear in preparation for the float planes. From left to right: Olly, Mark, Jay, Robo, Seth, Jordan, Adam and Chris. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5azWFC5ZtjLl8zRempKAAD_1eihyP1W2GWSEevJx07rG8kj95PjN7OAH0DPTwlb67cB4JJZoesFf2x19CV0U-Pe_gUCAjPEAvTS_Wb2EFEfz0iNIxBwvVqX5UfOXI-7Bl2io/s1600/_MG_9963.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639840976053112082 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5azWFC5ZtjLl8zRempKAAD_1eihyP1W2GWSEevJx07rG8kj95PjN7OAH0DPTwlb67cB4JJZoesFf2x19CV0U-Pe_gUCAjPEAvTS_Wb2EFEfz0iNIxBwvVqX5UfOXI-7Bl2io/s400/_MG_9963.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Didn't I mention that this was a Bachelor Party? We had a night layover in Anchorage.... <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKjP3cgajyd7ogDsrz7_5Milskb52wlSlbEDO7WEOweGathnjn6lZWlV1ztGfl7jQ9E29sS20siOxHqfivY82x312h6WFWQlmjfbnAG_gRC6EK-f8V87CJa7CSCF5FicvpaQ/s1600/_MG_9953.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639841970915469202 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKjP3cgajyd7ogDsrz7_5Milskb52wlSlbEDO7WEOweGathnjn6lZWlV1ztGfl7jQ9E29sS20siOxHqfivY82x312h6WFWQlmjfbnAG_gRC6EK-f8V87CJa7CSCF5FicvpaQ/s400/_MG_9953.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Finally, ready to board the float planes. Adam contemplates the fish that lay ahead and the Velvet Box behind. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiYnpZXt6EaCwKpkFDybhNQis4zmVY2sVPez_SQHf_6EWOz2gOBBasIiWUq3gWjlN3-_aZCgn-32lN5Y-e_pmVk3E-srlIBt6wUYTxSosTACiJ9cShsVECtxWMNs5oiqYW9M/s1600/_MG_9985.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842828382622338 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiYnpZXt6EaCwKpkFDybhNQis4zmVY2sVPez_SQHf_6EWOz2gOBBasIiWUq3gWjlN3-_aZCgn-32lN5Y-e_pmVk3E-srlIBt6wUYTxSosTACiJ9cShsVECtxWMNs5oiqYW9M/s400/_MG_9985.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Shot from the float plane. Alaskan tundra, north of the tree line. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsADIz3XCnUTpTxz4MRmiKjOX9wRuHNi4q6FRQaD3iGfZ5o99uRbPnW5brkV5e55RXeYatIUwH-HXUz9LqxKLOOcg5IlmLJBWfNUD7yq7h0Q87MUSgs95SWghESHhyituu4s/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639843995912899266 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsADIz3XCnUTpTxz4MRmiKjOX9wRuHNi4q6FRQaD3iGfZ5o99uRbPnW5brkV5e55RXeYatIUwH-HXUz9LqxKLOOcg5IlmLJBWfNUD7yq7h0Q87MUSgs95SWghESHhyituu4s/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
The lake that is our landing zone and the mouth of the river that we will float for the next eight days to the Bearing Sea. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBq-fGJFlH1Wm1RjIhQc8LecRKPRMQdFLrRQqmZzbZw8poyUE1y8lb0Tn6kc0o-n_-QkF0dFd8Prvfi9s-Wgq-rwMSvLbwGBPKNjaiwCAkcO6OgcSvE369grGS0EQhOwEwoDI/s1600/P7200005.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639845853808184322 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBq-fGJFlH1Wm1RjIhQc8LecRKPRMQdFLrRQqmZzbZw8poyUE1y8lb0Tn6kc0o-n_-QkF0dFd8Prvfi9s-Wgq-rwMSvLbwGBPKNjaiwCAkcO6OgcSvE369grGS0EQhOwEwoDI/s400/P7200005.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
When we landed the wind was blowing hard and it was raining sideways. I think a few of us were a little worried about what lay ahead for the next week. Eight days of camping in this weather would be taxing. Fortunately, this was the worst weather of the trip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFFco7vr4P45MmB_ThfOMuHVP4u_qmsv-Axsfyjf0yvSz1jMc4HF93yNndT0sXKCPk545CErjyh-30_DJhBV70MmTWuZWmvdVkwGOiDe7fFIgNoh190tmuJKMeu-6HvI0twQ/s1600/DSC00421.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639846645820058546 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFFco7vr4P45MmB_ThfOMuHVP4u_qmsv-Axsfyjf0yvSz1jMc4HF93yNndT0sXKCPk545CErjyh-30_DJhBV70MmTWuZWmvdVkwGOiDe7fFIgNoh190tmuJKMeu-6HvI0twQ/s400/DSC00421.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
After landing and organizing the rafts and gear, we had a little time before the next plane load came in so Jay and I went to check out the source of the river. We saw a few sockeye reds. Not sure what Jay was doing here, but in retrospect, I think Jay was telling the river that he was about to float down it and catch all if its fish. A plan he executed over the next week. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUvZ18ziQwzUKJL61jwFROFJYoLTWsefKH0Zt1TQyHq23HVlyEYMocZmcUJaJcmfVx7Baw7eYVdobOgUsgB7ysncMP8xF69AGuOxbtdr5VkUPHwHV99fCv7HlPMXGrL4Dmd8/s1600/DSC00427.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640171463265011826 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUvZ18ziQwzUKJL61jwFROFJYoLTWsefKH0Zt1TQyHq23HVlyEYMocZmcUJaJcmfVx7Baw7eYVdobOgUsgB7ysncMP8xF69AGuOxbtdr5VkUPHwHV99fCv7HlPMXGrL4Dmd8/s400/DSC00427.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
After the third plane came in we loaded the final bits of gear and started floating. Within the first hour we came across <i>Ursus arctos horribilis</i>. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_rRardzd5X6J-vSy7WQrDWswSZBaGfYupuHEL-G4L6La_asXMxnmZjQHwQf__yukpH7CdgQvlEgJ0TfVvBeUrAeEyDHoknL3uwvX9_1zVgEdGYz_OHLXzr9yXVXUuHdZcYM/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640175526172673762 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_rRardzd5X6J-vSy7WQrDWswSZBaGfYupuHEL-G4L6La_asXMxnmZjQHwQf__yukpH7CdgQvlEgJ0TfVvBeUrAeEyDHoknL3uwvX9_1zVgEdGYz_OHLXzr9yXVXUuHdZcYM/s400/IMG_2273.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Like the bad weather, the brown bear left and did not return. This is a panoramic of the river and tundra a few miles down from the lake. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq65oQfkWRLatyKYZl4cvZINIfJKI3Gb6sO6G-1jb1UMZe2viNZp6a1hanFuL2dGH6zrSFVsJRBWACaBcVDkBggHbJM_iEHrQGhO8GgMzxXFCi8YThhpkkB4mqip2zVdAnk_Y/s1600/DSC00454.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640180718015230450 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq65oQfkWRLatyKYZl4cvZINIfJKI3Gb6sO6G-1jb1UMZe2viNZp6a1hanFuL2dGH6zrSFVsJRBWACaBcVDkBggHbJM_iEHrQGhO8GgMzxXFCi8YThhpkkB4mqip2zVdAnk_Y/s400/DSC00454.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Me and Jordan in Olly's boat pushing through some skinny water. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugWJ5a4fefHmDddct2NqGBh-Uj7Jm41x_7ay2XRYELYCearMOKn0RKyVCMMBm-GuvTGlVBXa-AMdrzuymEPpTBAlko3GOHZ6U78gCevCO8eyWPcLgWfoirxMF59ULDM2Kb5E/s1600/IMGP0550.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640220582765831106 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugWJ5a4fefHmDddct2NqGBh-Uj7Jm41x_7ay2XRYELYCearMOKn0RKyVCMMBm-GuvTGlVBXa-AMdrzuymEPpTBAlko3GOHZ6U78gCevCO8eyWPcLgWfoirxMF59ULDM2Kb5E/s400/IMGP0550.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Jay at a snack break on a bluff over looking the river. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh85AB3bTHTMNwYA6cN4IG1XsEpIoai3apgUI_KJYNqIHUBx3LQsoWaoUMlOpPbi1aWyv3ZZCdw3hHx4n6n8QaZdM75Z3eHEZCQvP7FSPU2CFrkXzZsoXbTZ4L187AO3g8lQ/s1600/DSC00459.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640182218710859618 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh85AB3bTHTMNwYA6cN4IG1XsEpIoai3apgUI_KJYNqIHUBx3LQsoWaoUMlOpPbi1aWyv3ZZCdw3hHx4n6n8QaZdM75Z3eHEZCQvP7FSPU2CFrkXzZsoXbTZ4L187AO3g8lQ/s400/DSC00459.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Our camp the first night. Tents were set per Mark's "Bearing Sea Gold Standard". As a guide, waking to flooded tents or blown away rain flys in the middle of the night would suck. Mark makes sure it does not happen. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM2RjmwGbO0gaU_0Sunb5zEIQqi-J-81S80SFMNpeDXhYEVPExo30TgGjYdhQJsW5DZNTVDSc9L3n4APQ9OZuKUm7Pl-gai40zPkPf5B_u0y9xlgYEJYHqxXfo6LSHs52B9A/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640189613291537810 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM2RjmwGbO0gaU_0Sunb5zEIQqi-J-81S80SFMNpeDXhYEVPExo30TgGjYdhQJsW5DZNTVDSc9L3n4APQ9OZuKUm7Pl-gai40zPkPf5B_u0y9xlgYEJYHqxXfo6LSHs52B9A/s400/IMG_2287.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Me with a fish on at Camp 1. This would be the first of many (too many?) chum salmon I would catch during the week. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE08ybnGNa7-zLxbNW2xiwAg-7DskJ1QeiNh7nLH9r-I6fUsZxjjPGVpM7CKj6Ojg8RadesSROryNb-9exrABEyIH6kLTCUrvI-nsCKMIAPtmnWU0Mf3eoZUL92HaDy_EXsw/s1600/IMGP0552.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641321912724246498 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE08ybnGNa7-zLxbNW2xiwAg-7DskJ1QeiNh7nLH9r-I6fUsZxjjPGVpM7CKj6Ojg8RadesSROryNb-9exrABEyIH6kLTCUrvI-nsCKMIAPtmnWU0Mf3eoZUL92HaDy_EXsw/s400/IMGP0552.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
The next day, rather than float and fish as we would do every day, Mark wanted to hike about two miles up a different fork to a great hole he knew of. The hike was hot going in our waders and jackets. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8fPOZRSIzLcg4IeIOyAUyQCQc2zGz1geaP6rKybsEkYTHIM5aGouUH6m_SOpWf-pAvuKPEWsHZ4beovRP89tzKmOtOHTKGpZcS6xw7AxC50PiGV3iDxsjrzp3mlCdry4zMc/s1600/DSC00465.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640186946101438242 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8fPOZRSIzLcg4IeIOyAUyQCQc2zGz1geaP6rKybsEkYTHIM5aGouUH6m_SOpWf-pAvuKPEWsHZ4beovRP89tzKmOtOHTKGpZcS6xw7AxC50PiGV3iDxsjrzp3mlCdry4zMc/s400/DSC00465.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
This is the hole. We arrived on the opposite side of the stream on top of the bluff. With the elevated vantage we could see what looked to be huge salmon actively swimming in the 100 yard bend. We worked our way down to the water and spread out. Some guys went for bows in the faster water at the head and tail out. I wanted a big salmon, so I took my 11 foot switch rod to the meat of the bend. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA85QeKgbhvXF-3MzK1rWaUeOAQB9uYYOqVWEQMWz2OyPv_q8_DagGeihYR87WjlbdOSuW_S0OwsLn5b3V78Ksu56Sb0zgtKEE7DthY9bwcseM8C82j4MdrAHnbHnAZhhtX2A/s1600/DSC00472.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641323501094925458 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA85QeKgbhvXF-3MzK1rWaUeOAQB9uYYOqVWEQMWz2OyPv_q8_DagGeihYR87WjlbdOSuW_S0OwsLn5b3V78Ksu56Sb0zgtKEE7DthY9bwcseM8C82j4MdrAHnbHnAZhhtX2A/s400/DSC00472.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
After quite a few takes that did not stick (we fished barbless), I finally got this nice king to the net. This would be my biggest king of the week. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc3-kLZU8cDeY2KHL6mWktWzoOlYQaYf5QDNTDt-frX8luGcElKDDqgSG-rKsBcykZpaurjXbvOJ9pxvrJzVznugyF6OpDyKULYRA-810ZeDX7NAQCjC_Moa-5PzlBCau5j4/s1600/DSC00469.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641324712929198802 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc3-kLZU8cDeY2KHL6mWktWzoOlYQaYf5QDNTDt-frX8luGcElKDDqgSG-rKsBcykZpaurjXbvOJ9pxvrJzVznugyF6OpDyKULYRA-810ZeDX7NAQCjC_Moa-5PzlBCau5j4/s400/DSC00469.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Robo stuck a huge sockeye. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczZx04_nhmzOAkwErQMqGzATEKIWUo_q6QtEdeokxab9ZvFUvCi-zEmmrrgZ9jMnRh-ZcjjIwvtz8qSEq6exij2iD4pLcYNfb78YlVJJ8n_0Q823gb5JNOjyIB-fyGoU4wK8/s1600/DSC08419.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641325762186627954 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczZx04_nhmzOAkwErQMqGzATEKIWUo_q6QtEdeokxab9ZvFUvCi-zEmmrrgZ9jMnRh-ZcjjIwvtz8qSEq6exij2iD4pLcYNfb78YlVJJ8n_0Q823gb5JNOjyIB-fyGoU4wK8/s400/DSC08419.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
After working our way back to camp, we had about a week of floating and fishing ahead of us. I've been to a few fishing destinations where they advertise fishing right at the lodge or camp as much as you want. Its always been BS. Usually they have a program and you fish when they want you to. With Mark, other than the necessary work for camping and dealing with your gear, you can fish if you want to. And we did. We fished from just after waking up to near midnight every day. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KJTqLwXhEjzZnLNEa-cxy1vYTO5WvxUC8BoTGlauL7NlaPlc8woRXlXTfe-K1Dpt9P62sXqradjYMj05GNLWeZHBlhyx1Qb471sTMuYL58LthBAJ43whQ79XO4D0uCz5KW4/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642049982485473842 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KJTqLwXhEjzZnLNEa-cxy1vYTO5WvxUC8BoTGlauL7NlaPlc8woRXlXTfe-K1Dpt9P62sXqradjYMj05GNLWeZHBlhyx1Qb471sTMuYL58LthBAJ43whQ79XO4D0uCz5KW4/s400/IMG_2370.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
On the third day the sun came out and the fish started rising. Some of us tied dries on our lightest rods and for an hour or so we had consistant action from nice size grayling. The colors on the grayling were amazing. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTifu7mkMkyN-5DH4uKlOhkoVkdDkA_UPSzaMyHckIQ7tT5Iay8epu-PTjo1cz4BafTUZB5sQJEP2ztfqlqgoQGb9Tv6Ht_bbx3lSQlxbG0dfASGCQiIyvqFEBChZDLrQdU90/s1600/DSC00586.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644279019251534834 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTifu7mkMkyN-5DH4uKlOhkoVkdDkA_UPSzaMyHckIQ7tT5Iay8epu-PTjo1cz4BafTUZB5sQJEP2ztfqlqgoQGb9Tv6Ht_bbx3lSQlxbG0dfASGCQiIyvqFEBChZDLrQdU90/s400/DSC00586.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
The quiver at camp. Most guys had two rods strung up each day. One for throwing the big heavy "Dalais" and one with a mouse or something else. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIySjfvZ4V3U6PnnOzdFuabkAoNJrCH0NetFWYm8dR2IDBHu2bD4I4OpKD2sMC_o6WjBtz1LkEvOIkM8uSB9hpBxCQA-Pdc4doKCqVbWbPyiLKgO2iHdK_TdJdGeU7tVrvkhI/s1600/IMGP0630.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642057738283550514 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIySjfvZ4V3U6PnnOzdFuabkAoNJrCH0NetFWYm8dR2IDBHu2bD4I4OpKD2sMC_o6WjBtz1LkEvOIkM8uSB9hpBxCQA-Pdc4doKCqVbWbPyiLKgO2iHdK_TdJdGeU7tVrvkhI/s400/IMGP0630.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Panoramic of the group fishing a run. With seven of us, we brought a little bit of a crowd. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-bul5pi64gEIk-3eQsQLpgMmAa7ocjHjmHih0IfhVFuxyAfSIs49g0BiiRNkUwFrx07-BB-DcVyKunlvuC8C1ID1D2Y8QVahstn_1g7za2rt6UUHt9lHzIol_rhFzzkSuy4/s1600/DSC00485.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645013436165210370 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-bul5pi64gEIk-3eQsQLpgMmAa7ocjHjmHih0IfhVFuxyAfSIs49g0BiiRNkUwFrx07-BB-DcVyKunlvuC8C1ID1D2Y8QVahstn_1g7za2rt6UUHt9lHzIol_rhFzzkSuy4/s400/DSC00485.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Me rowing and Jordan with a fish on. This is just before Jordan took a little dip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jJNpGFJmnrQYhW4LVuGQ5vB4ogrNzMkgQxhQja64pxErZLmBkCkXSMUVRxJY58-1nYzC1MZOVR-ay79w3ylkAcYRmJOI4SNbRGARfSARPvfB3LopbK-a5fR3jJ_E6bUNBkA/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642053290113957666 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jJNpGFJmnrQYhW4LVuGQ5vB4ogrNzMkgQxhQja64pxErZLmBkCkXSMUVRxJY58-1nYzC1MZOVR-ay79w3ylkAcYRmJOI4SNbRGARfSARPvfB3LopbK-a5fR3jJ_E6bUNBkA/s400/IMG_2393.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
A great run in front of one of the camps. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPzQKWky71mkFsv-O2WDQWxTSPIUcMchUxuJKEqHUMnt9M825qXKRi5W5_iXAfYdVyOp60W0N_C86fwyAaQuJ25SnUShy4cBwH-dDsXbmJE8ATcBRfjJS7eQpycMADXJds8w/s1600/DSC00491.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642054141064384002 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPzQKWky71mkFsv-O2WDQWxTSPIUcMchUxuJKEqHUMnt9M825qXKRi5W5_iXAfYdVyOp60W0N_C86fwyAaQuJ25SnUShy4cBwH-dDsXbmJE8ATcBRfjJS7eQpycMADXJds8w/s400/DSC00491.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Despite not seeing another bear the entire trip, signs of them were everywhere. On every sand beach all the way to the mouth there were bear tracks. Walking through thick streamside willows was a bit unnerving. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEdhpiw0pItBmkknYGzF0-gTI57hsLBkWNStUEP2esoL16A7lCCThLNrLVpmxO8MRxPAKsfVTc2Xm1nlxZLfHisTZRhK2VAvIKtRGwFRmBYL1WMmgs7_7BHYPGnE_CAhhOEQ/s1600/DSC00499.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642060673446291314 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEdhpiw0pItBmkknYGzF0-gTI57hsLBkWNStUEP2esoL16A7lCCThLNrLVpmxO8MRxPAKsfVTc2Xm1nlxZLfHisTZRhK2VAvIKtRGwFRmBYL1WMmgs7_7BHYPGnE_CAhhOEQ/s400/DSC00499.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
About halfway through the trip we got into brighter kings. Man did they taste good. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YUMd1MyA5Sz8flDNMTXFTEYeAc5FJrupc8OCHeToDDVhvl5ETkLgWhJIPA28Y1lfgymbxpHaYfAMy25TdtHhuYfbtFLBUBFmaYDFZ1behJfFy2d6E08K4mNaZK-iGB3Zy1Q/s1600/DSC00577.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644281197111308578 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YUMd1MyA5Sz8flDNMTXFTEYeAc5FJrupc8OCHeToDDVhvl5ETkLgWhJIPA28Y1lfgymbxpHaYfAMy25TdtHhuYfbtFLBUBFmaYDFZ1behJfFy2d6E08K4mNaZK-iGB3Zy1Q/s400/DSC00577.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Chum face. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTO98oyOnfPfXGWywJguyluAt4_rtpLS34V547GsGuHX5ALcynKAqNQv4I6XG2hKnx4tc0sxjwLz8L03CmRySTQq0l0pWQSczdBxyrdDH2wkGNlTDR5hyNzPs-UUaYdhEAso/s1600/DSC00504.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644277068531524466 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTO98oyOnfPfXGWywJguyluAt4_rtpLS34V547GsGuHX5ALcynKAqNQv4I6XG2hKnx4tc0sxjwLz8L03CmRySTQq0l0pWQSczdBxyrdDH2wkGNlTDR5hyNzPs-UUaYdhEAso/s400/DSC00504.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
This grayling ate a mouse. Pretty bold for a fish with a small mouth on the bottom of its head. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowRPLNWrB__eR-tP69_IIC776a4tMef6je_cajmHJsaKVusjK8rVl5benHOux0ULlHzsL-aWQxPnMM6VZD_xMRGcL6PIovL5KrZ1Sk8HPjP6rZxNTEk4t-VrwLcaKwM5dn80/s1600/DSC00513.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644277456470066930 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 374px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowRPLNWrB__eR-tP69_IIC776a4tMef6je_cajmHJsaKVusjK8rVl5benHOux0ULlHzsL-aWQxPnMM6VZD_xMRGcL6PIovL5KrZ1Sk8HPjP6rZxNTEk4t-VrwLcaKwM5dn80/s400/DSC00513.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Quite a few of the guys caught jack kings. Jack kings are smaller male salmon that persist in the gene pool. They get pushed out by the big guys but then when the large males run other fish off the redds, these jacks will rush in and take a shot at the females. Sneaky fu$*#@4rs. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQEluh1QxPoru7Yjn5LSPfPIHhyphenhyphenjjB4a7D1QFXlW8JhrmwjVwvZ8E4K02Ru7wIkdk4K-IwmDieNgcE5_wayUnGKQ1Rs6JqozkUR0M4XV26I_cScHLYilgn2wTSG_9r4fp4ZA/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQEluh1QxPoru7Yjn5LSPfPIHhyphenhyphenjjB4a7D1QFXlW8JhrmwjVwvZ8E4K02Ru7wIkdk4K-IwmDieNgcE5_wayUnGKQ1Rs6JqozkUR0M4XV26I_cScHLYilgn2wTSG_9r4fp4ZA/s400/IMG_2500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645029817145147762" /></a> <br />
<br />
Ground nest on the tundra. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zSh6tL8I1sce6iBve4pKraPnG4x_DmA0dBCspNeWeHtP1bv7L5l_njf5Z_Jlg1ADuDD2SQcb5YR_Y03kfv7QqafKAUIU_Ul8y7vtxX1iyqVd60w0aLrHF92KZn9-24u15YA/s1600/IMG_2401.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644282153979854498 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zSh6tL8I1sce6iBve4pKraPnG4x_DmA0dBCspNeWeHtP1bv7L5l_njf5Z_Jlg1ADuDD2SQcb5YR_Y03kfv7QqafKAUIU_Ul8y7vtxX1iyqVd60w0aLrHF92KZn9-24u15YA/s400/IMG_2401.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
A nice colored up Dolly. Nearly all of the Dollys were silver, having just come in from the sea, but a few that had started to take on their spawning attire were caught. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a55q6qzPzVH2u6LSZlWlUsWJsrFGED0Vdn32e6YhM1uFPZDmp56IwlnxahOIWE9X6yxe5OgwAGvauMFaxPN6aWQDwcj6PGetYPVlikR7Yoo3HKFm9S8giIBiK90dAsmwPdA/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644282855830772114 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a55q6qzPzVH2u6LSZlWlUsWJsrFGED0Vdn32e6YhM1uFPZDmp56IwlnxahOIWE9X6yxe5OgwAGvauMFaxPN6aWQDwcj6PGetYPVlikR7Yoo3HKFm9S8giIBiK90dAsmwPdA/s400/IMG_2437.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Group shot mid-trip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGq3Sc4OcxbIbBoCvorsPXsE3xvWWc3a9bJBtQV3N65_WUKNZCokarVj_iyiQZ_aVtAwxl5V1Ay37QXd2VxXOeEUQ0Bl8dQ_ca2EhXLbYuad0gJrlzn9SXMPa4IXl7T4XXS7I/s1600/P7240079.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645017431110900962 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGq3Sc4OcxbIbBoCvorsPXsE3xvWWc3a9bJBtQV3N65_WUKNZCokarVj_iyiQZ_aVtAwxl5V1Ay37QXd2VxXOeEUQ0Bl8dQ_ca2EhXLbYuad0gJrlzn9SXMPa4IXl7T4XXS7I/s400/P7240079.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
A short video of a rainbow trout parked behind a salmon in shallow water. I stood on the bank while Adam skated flies over him but he wouldn't eat. <br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jfvYIYzUDho?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center> <br />
<br />
Olly turned one of the salmon into great sushi rolls. It was pretty sweet to be in the middle of nowhere in Alaska eating sushi. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1hXuiBOLkUgkPjMTucX8o8i47l7fSnWuhOXp5xPk06TSpHJJnk8jDSuKxy50LkPHnuyTegyY_xVU-GwW_GP_XbCzz0vfooJ-qZD7XJdd8HjYECCWVN7gPfRymNu49FL1G8E/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644283467116315650 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1hXuiBOLkUgkPjMTucX8o8i47l7fSnWuhOXp5xPk06TSpHJJnk8jDSuKxy50LkPHnuyTegyY_xVU-GwW_GP_XbCzz0vfooJ-qZD7XJdd8HjYECCWVN7gPfRymNu49FL1G8E/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
This is why they call some Western Alaskan bows leopards. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7CalGnkNh_A_wwK2jQ42e3AJygiUKs1-eLojmx1KUAj74s9IOxFWof9EN1gxFO8NqlekKGueA3F1eFYalcUkUInRYUGrcWvJ2Ue-t00btMINgBlP6AwGMhbTnp-iYViD5RQ/s1600/DSC00588.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644288291878494818 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7CalGnkNh_A_wwK2jQ42e3AJygiUKs1-eLojmx1KUAj74s9IOxFWof9EN1gxFO8NqlekKGueA3F1eFYalcUkUInRYUGrcWvJ2Ue-t00btMINgBlP6AwGMhbTnp-iYViD5RQ/s400/DSC00588.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Toward the end of the float we camped on a point that had lots of salmon fins showing. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARe81R6qvdxitQuwKIdyzGEnsbFXcIKQmrlXuZwiVPjIDczL1IElk3cpdWufr__lltxDLNchrETbSXb4KYqOiuxQRvXJoreSqrJLn5NuhLhzPpT-W26q_AIz4uMiOKwqR3fQ/s1600/_MG_0069.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644290535605179586 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARe81R6qvdxitQuwKIdyzGEnsbFXcIKQmrlXuZwiVPjIDczL1IElk3cpdWufr__lltxDLNchrETbSXb4KYqOiuxQRvXJoreSqrJLn5NuhLhzPpT-W26q_AIz4uMiOKwqR3fQ/s400/_MG_0069.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
It turned out they were all chum salmon, but I figured out that they would take a surface popper. It was awesome seeing one turn from the pod, wake up on a popper and just hammer it. After I got a few, Adam came over to get in on the action. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejssWYS9XU0u-KBJMHiHO0097oqefkd7bQoNJQvMqc2c3CG0qAbM4f5rHhFDAUco0P6lAxm0y8QN0boa6LSjR4VOVnfsnbMRUJGC2uan_slveQyfL4R1TgqU2IvrBDEpHNBU/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645014914123914754 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejssWYS9XU0u-KBJMHiHO0097oqefkd7bQoNJQvMqc2c3CG0qAbM4f5rHhFDAUco0P6lAxm0y8QN0boa6LSjR4VOVnfsnbMRUJGC2uan_slveQyfL4R1TgqU2IvrBDEpHNBU/s400/IMG_2511.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Mark doing some organizing for the next day at the last camp. Best office in the world. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoqQjtsWNaEBwm-0oo8vDmC6TK0UFxVrb_DXp2JkjDq0jhoWTvD_jH5OzmkAWwrs6FVynHZccWszC6WdiOJWImEwK-2NlPJLPY77qK-77mdSeWOcbkZq34X6FYM7_5FbSBz4/s1600/_MG_0103.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645016092171330114 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoqQjtsWNaEBwm-0oo8vDmC6TK0UFxVrb_DXp2JkjDq0jhoWTvD_jH5OzmkAWwrs6FVynHZccWszC6WdiOJWImEwK-2NlPJLPY77qK-77mdSeWOcbkZq34X6FYM7_5FbSBz4/s400/_MG_0103.JPG" border=0></A> <br />
<br />
Campfire the last night. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQZyPSy8rAQG9BWCfswdQPhcvYgj2SqnvVVCs9F0rnJErzWAUB2NnBJ7DU8zo3ItMNVSWd6beb-ut8Y0nVMHeJ6-KKQj7ccVdZKFdMAZVvgSof4qjGdcgSb85XV8EC9voeII/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQZyPSy8rAQG9BWCfswdQPhcvYgj2SqnvVVCs9F0rnJErzWAUB2NnBJ7DU8zo3ItMNVSWd6beb-ut8Y0nVMHeJ6-KKQj7ccVdZKFdMAZVvgSof4qjGdcgSb85XV8EC9voeII/s400/IMG_2550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645036343737409522" /></a> <br />
<br />
The lower river only a few hundred yards from the Bearing Sea. Two flounder were caught upstream of this location. We also saw a seal above here. Just downstream oft here I caught a nice rainbow and a number of salmon were hooked. I thought it was odd to catch supposedly non-anadramous bows downstream of two starry flounders (which ate streamers). <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCypYXelg0_N3qCYJGoehU-Kum_C_AXew95D9qtbi17KlRj3hR1wwe2Xxc4zgPv2_l_T-ZdN6vcSNwI4nrejbkIbBWYixVR0ilKyVUe5D6Y_5p6OTP7GClzwZEHHn1AIoYrQM/s1600/P7270168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCypYXelg0_N3qCYJGoehU-Kum_C_AXew95D9qtbi17KlRj3hR1wwe2Xxc4zgPv2_l_T-ZdN6vcSNwI4nrejbkIbBWYixVR0ilKyVUe5D6Y_5p6OTP7GClzwZEHHn1AIoYrQM/s400/P7270168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645037672478344930" /></a> <br />
<br />
The ride to the airstrip. This river came to the sea a ways away from anything. Mark had arranged a pickup at lowtide to drive us down the beach to an airstrip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguckZ-SK-zQHJvWJSdU1cpGW7-O1i5qzhdcgF6JcPYLeQyk3U871ZbNm9bRjgnLVhHUG4LBLBE5saxGukwQUwRAXEXFwBwwq_qf1SuRUsJcFeuiwlZ9G3bYCvL7n7yPSXPGjU/s1600/P7270186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguckZ-SK-zQHJvWJSdU1cpGW7-O1i5qzhdcgF6JcPYLeQyk3U871ZbNm9bRjgnLVhHUG4LBLBE5saxGukwQUwRAXEXFwBwwq_qf1SuRUsJcFeuiwlZ9G3bYCvL7n7yPSXPGjU/s400/P7270186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645039022134859362" /></a> <br />
<br />
Finally at the airstrip. After eight days in the wilderness, zero signs of civiliztion, zero bootprints, zero trash, and probably 12 hours of fishing each day, the guys were wiped out. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCIlhx-NCqWVqW9JBjl6VqEXtsQd30orBOF3wJpi_spDe0C893Pef_-68maxfe7X8rRrTwux2PZ6_2kb26DptMIZ2RAthi7iyX0mRBSoMKIKBHib6H2aBR2CmMGhn9DNCfGg/s1600/P7270189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCIlhx-NCqWVqW9JBjl6VqEXtsQd30orBOF3wJpi_spDe0C893Pef_-68maxfe7X8rRrTwux2PZ6_2kb26DptMIZ2RAthi7iyX0mRBSoMKIKBHib6H2aBR2CmMGhn9DNCfGg/s400/P7270189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645041343720706290" /></a> <br />
<br />
Group shot back in civilization. What a trip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYuWqk_gt7lEQBcsvaxnie7rFSNimL0_WSDgtQkJhP2fBD-x6ZTztH9aBe4yYGsyrHMnvyUubWF7mmMxb4FjsSZSBuzRT7-YWLv0qUrtbsr9_n6wc4rx2sOznP-DH2ej2T0Q/s1600/P7270192.JPG"><img id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639837528747929346 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYuWqk_gt7lEQBcsvaxnie7rFSNimL0_WSDgtQkJhP2fBD-x6ZTztH9aBe4yYGsyrHMnvyUubWF7mmMxb4FjsSZSBuzRT7-YWLv0qUrtbsr9_n6wc4rx2sOznP-DH2ej2T0Q/s400/P7270192.JPG" border=0></A>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-9636605870574913972011-07-09T09:03:00.000-07:002012-02-05T10:24:29.020-08:00The to-do list...In no particular order, but I thought it would be good (for me at least) to start keeping track of the things I'd like to do in the future (at least things in the vein of trips/fishing/hiking etc.)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Originally created July 2011</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>Trips that need taking:</b><br />
-Float the Grand Canyon<br />
-South Fork of the Salmon River<br />
-South Fork of the Flathead in the Bob Marshall Wilderness<br />
-<s>Tundra River in Alaska</s><br />
-Kamchatka<br />
-Taimen in Mongolia<br />
-Steelhead in BC<br />
-Thoroughfare in Yellowstone<br />
-Remote atolls in the Seychelles<br />
-Bikini Island<br />
-Iceland for Atlantic Salmon<br />
-Golden Dorado in the Amazon<br />
-Tropic Star Lodge in Panama (this is for you Steve)<br />
-Climb Shasta<br />
-Hike the JMT (including summits of Half Dome and Whitney)<br />
-Tehipite Valley<br />
-World's oldest tree, Methuselah<br />
-Grove of Titans <br />
-Slot canyon in southern Utah<br />
<br />
<b>Fish that still need catching:</b><br />
-Gila Trout<br />
-Eagle Lake rainbow<br />
-Alvord Relic<br />
-Whitehorse Basin Cutthroat<br />
-Oregon desert redbands (the rest of them...)<br />
-Rio Grand Cutthroat<br />
-Mexican Goldens (not an easy thing to do)<br />
-Brookie in it's native waters<br />
-Nelson's trout<br />
-Summer Steelhead in California<br />
-Atlantic Salmon<br />
-<s>Coho</s><br />
-Pink Salmon<br />
-Huge Bull Trout<br />
-Permit<br />
-Pacific Permit<br />
-Milk Fish<br />
-Sail Fish on a flyDave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-3023776754238885352011-05-25T15:51:00.000-07:002011-09-17T22:35:37.914-07:00PoonA quick video of a medium sized tarpon caught today. More pics and full story later.<br />
<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mKfmTjm280?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mKfmTjm280?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-29687317002478650722011-05-10T21:55:00.000-07:002011-05-10T22:13:57.904-07:00A Thoughful Post from Davin over at Sticky Ferrel<a href="http://stickyferrule.blogspot.com/2011/05/i">Davin writes:</a><br /><br />***quote***<br /><br />"I read a quote from Sarah Palin today-<br /><br />"A faceless government is taking away their lifeline, water, all because of a 3-inch fish," Palin said. "Where I come from, a 3-inch fish, we call that bait. There is no need to destroy people's lives over bait."<br /><br /> Thoughts like this are what lead to species extinction. Sarah Palin is talking about the delta smelt. A diminutive fish that seems to have no value except that it exists and is about to be extinct. The issue is: Where do we draw the line? Save only game fish? Save all fish? What about the frogs and birds and the insects? There is a great article written by David Quammen called "Synecdoche and the Trout" which appeared in the book Wild Thoughts from Wild Places. Essentially, Quammen argues that the trout represent the environment. Trout are an indicator species, which we can look to in order to help us understand what state the environment is in. The bull trout is a perfect example; they can only live in the purest and coldest waters. We can look to their numbers to judge the success of a stream restoration project. Similarly, the plight of the delta smelt is an indicator of our overuse of water. The more we drain the delta, the more smelt will die. <br /><br /> We care about the smelt not because we want a smelt dinner or have a new delta smelt pattern we are dying to try out. The line has to be drawn somewhere. The plight of the delta smelt represents our indifference to the destruction of nature. How much damage do we need to do before people can see the connection between leaving their sprinklers on in a rain storm and the extinction of a species hundreds of miles away? The fight for the delta smelt is about water, and LA uses a lot of it. The agriculture industry in southern California uses a lot too. Their is so much water pumped out of the Sacramento delta that it flows backward when the huge pumps are turned on. The fact remains that no one will tell you what to plant in your yard or how often to water your grass. We can only hope the connection between the hose, the delta and the fact that southern California would be nearly a desert without imported water will eventually sink in.<br /><br /> As for Sarah Palin, she gets paid too much to say the stupid, uninformed and ignorant stuff she says, so I doubt anything will change her mind."<br /><br />***end quote***<br /><br />Well written Davin. I totally agree. A few things jump out. One being that I believe what Charles Fishman writes in "The Big Thirst". The point Fishman makes, if I try to boil it down, is that the era of cheap clean water is coming to an end and if we don't change our ways there will be a reckoning. He points out some surprising facts to support his thesis. For example, that for every golf stroke taken in Vegas about 125 gallons of water are used, also that for every indivdual in the US, 250 gallons of water are consumed just to produce the electricity used in a single day. A second thing that jumps out is Palin's pitifully naive and one dimensional thinking. Thank god for Katie Couric shinning a bright lite on that.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-22542261550914386052011-03-28T21:39:00.001-07:002011-03-29T08:48:50.855-07:00If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...save it. I like DNA more than the next guy, but when we still have something that looks like it once did and IT IS THE LAST OF ITS KIND, SAVE IT!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSk25abK8dlMp1xt1trGkgAua_nfkGcZpMPsmQsf8Yf3QfEBdD88ENzj1PDhKZ9GIG-N756OrUVjlPSAenIJjM5apDvXCXi_NiqirE4BClZoMfA165I75gr4vsX1PvjrHqBpz5A/s400/IMGP1620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSk25abK8dlMp1xt1trGkgAua_nfkGcZpMPsmQsf8Yf3QfEBdD88ENzj1PDhKZ9GIG-N756OrUVjlPSAenIJjM5apDvXCXi_NiqirE4BClZoMfA165I75gr4vsX1PvjrHqBpz5A/s400/IMGP1620.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My friend Gary went out in the field and found something cool. He had good evidence it would be there from Robert Behnke and the fish certainly are not "pure", but trout that look like this have not been seen since the Virgin Creek debacle in the early eighties. Now we have them. They won't last long. Let's find a sterile creek somewhere and given them a chance.<br /><br />Here is what you can do. <a href="http://www.nativetroutflyfishing.blogspot.com/">Read this.</a><br /><br />And then write a letter. Such a letter should include the information below, but if you feel like it, offer some other support (like time or money...):<br /><br /><br />1. Conducting a transplant of the most "Alvord-like" fish to a stream with suitable habitat. Such a stream should have good riparian habitat and water quality so that a self sustaining population can be created.<br /><br /><br />2. The stream currently holding these fish should to made catch and release only and no bait to help protect the remain "Alvord-type" fish found there.<br /><br /><br />3. The restoration of these fish should not hinge on waiting for genetic testing as such testing is timely and this population is too fragile to await such delays. Also this testing is going to be difficult to conduct as the Alvord cutthroat is lacking in quality genetic samples to compare with.<br /><br /><br />Please submit letters of support for an Alvord phenotype rescue and restoration project to: Shannon Hurn, ODFW District Office, 237 Highway 20 South/PO Box 8, Hines, OR 97738 or via email to shannon.m.hurn@state.or.usDave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-64390332682522888772010-10-26T13:59:00.001-07:002010-10-26T14:22:41.138-07:00Jacqueline QuinnOur second daughter. Born 10/21. 7lbs, 21 inches. Perfect.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUJAyzm7eUmAhtaOQbl8YHA4nJx49Hfy68Rk_VqzXPqZ1HBBdANeLjg81VNmSeowfNn2YVuGXz-Iy8kEfnxT-e_JsYut2jiNxCQ2y1BHF6-V-eL_SKijEWyYbE2otYL-dMh8/s1600/_MG_7902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUJAyzm7eUmAhtaOQbl8YHA4nJx49Hfy68Rk_VqzXPqZ1HBBdANeLjg81VNmSeowfNn2YVuGXz-Iy8kEfnxT-e_JsYut2jiNxCQ2y1BHF6-V-eL_SKijEWyYbE2otYL-dMh8/s400/_MG_7902.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532464834448792818" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-57239099002337169282010-09-15T21:56:00.000-07:002010-09-16T16:28:48.204-07:00#12?I recently was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Ned. A great guy and one of the most knowledgeable people on geography, creeks, streams, native trout and their conservation that I have had the pleasure of sharing a long drive and fishing trip with. Getting to the story of the 12th though, many folks that have looked at the illustrations in Behnke's book showing the distribution of redband trout of the Northern Great Basin have realized that the orange shaded range of the Upper Klamath Lake Basin redband trout extends south from Oregon into a remote section of Northern California. Putting two and two together, those familiar with the California Heritage Trout Challenge also realize that this fish <a href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Fishing/Recognition/HTC/HTC_Trout.asp">IS NOT </a>included in the list of qualifying fish for the Heritage Trout Challenge. In fact, I had even discussed the idea with Dave Lentz at DFG some five years ago. Ned, however, coming to the same conclusion, advanced the quest through research and was able to identify published confirmations of the Upper Klamath Lakes Basin Redbands occurring in California. Hearing this, I quickly volunteered to go with him to check it out and the DFG asked if we could collect fin samples.<br /><br />North of Shasta.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3d4U5gcCLoawdjIc8xL823HCg5CEfLjYmiS65EHtXTmaVwC020pE3IfywgAqna8sYpJgQ1y8EjLkSXrdcTs0RMGqxCBRZYTMfuujIW4pHfELt_es_sndUF5na_uSnDer9pU/s1600/IMGP0030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3d4U5gcCLoawdjIc8xL823HCg5CEfLjYmiS65EHtXTmaVwC020pE3IfywgAqna8sYpJgQ1y8EjLkSXrdcTs0RMGqxCBRZYTMfuujIW4pHfELt_es_sndUF5na_uSnDer9pU/s400/IMGP0030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517376410850230546" /></a><br /><br />Ned fishing a section of the creek.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7VNwIkRnj7ljHDC5mCey7afyk7g0T4_d34KGk2syaIFgzd6crIay2FT34ws1so1wdBtZXVT7UDIAY64q6fgXW02_nSg6hDAA5kWQXmGPZBWCdP7F1kRPFU85qxPx41ShTcU/s1600/IMGP0031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7VNwIkRnj7ljHDC5mCey7afyk7g0T4_d34KGk2syaIFgzd6crIay2FT34ws1so1wdBtZXVT7UDIAY64q6fgXW02_nSg6hDAA5kWQXmGPZBWCdP7F1kRPFU85qxPx41ShTcU/s400/IMGP0031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517376854236286514" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately we discovered that these waters that were confirmed to have redbands in the 70's are now inhabited by brown trout. This was disappointing to say the least (and made for challenging fishing). As most fly fisherman are aware, brown trout in meadow steams are spooky and typically tough to catch. Furthermore, streams that harbor browns have considerably less fish density than comparable streams with bows, redbands or cutthroat. Suffice to say, the catching was tough. Finally, though, Ned hooked a brown and then several more followed. We sampled a few miles of the upper sections of the creek and caught 8 or so browns. As our optimism for finding redbands waned, we came to this spot with one of the best holes we'd seen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NR1Mh3oVAie73EZT5Utb4CQKq1RNew7PxuBn80F7qNncQuU8PKr_XTMlupjmAtZP4ag7UxHFaXDaWGAT50xGmaz8eGDms7NnzTXwdunX40RPwYj2iNQseSW2pCQpjKRuXMA/s1600/IMGP0039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NR1Mh3oVAie73EZT5Utb4CQKq1RNew7PxuBn80F7qNncQuU8PKr_XTMlupjmAtZP4ag7UxHFaXDaWGAT50xGmaz8eGDms7NnzTXwdunX40RPwYj2iNQseSW2pCQpjKRuXMA/s400/IMGP0039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517378783550121186" /></a><br /><br />And here it was that I hooked this specimen on a small streamer right under the falls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDupuoOZZEXcGRwP12oCJQ1vcy4vnZH9XWOfOEjquJokjDivdNnq7fHaZGVgvcXheZEoMS4ddkZ9PG1iYljnawnV8uqC6XsYirddqgnDPIRDnuNMrZm9nRvxxO7QA77GYXSWY/s1600/IMGP0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDupuoOZZEXcGRwP12oCJQ1vcy4vnZH9XWOfOEjquJokjDivdNnq7fHaZGVgvcXheZEoMS4ddkZ9PG1iYljnawnV8uqC6XsYirddqgnDPIRDnuNMrZm9nRvxxO7QA77GYXSWY/s400/IMGP0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517379674548030226" /></a><br /><br />Is this a redband? A planter bow? If a redband, what kind? It is tough to say. We took a fin clip and sent it to DFG but, unfortunately, this was the only fish we caught that was not a brown, which puts the ratio of browns at 10:1. For now, I'll leave the comparison and identification to the reader. <br /><br />The fish below is an archetype Upper Klamath Redband from the <a href="http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ODFW/NativeFish/KlamathRedband.htm">Oregon State Native Fish Investigations Project.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1dIgQ-Z_mku2IK-YGCH2yrPIX0-H2W9oavC-xcQfuJA6umnIKxEzrqCTCPPaxucyzUgxFDi-VQ2ZaPNX6nBQxIHSoKLhLsKe_lAEyUgknTuIIl8unMc3NeVcprzWUMAB0Zk/s1600/RT07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1dIgQ-Z_mku2IK-YGCH2yrPIX0-H2W9oavC-xcQfuJA6umnIKxEzrqCTCPPaxucyzUgxFDi-VQ2ZaPNX6nBQxIHSoKLhLsKe_lAEyUgknTuIIl8unMc3NeVcprzWUMAB0Zk/s400/RT07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517382306528262770" /></a><br /><br />My fish looks right to me, but only genetic analysis can say for sure. The problem is that typically a genetic sampling requires clips from 40 fish and we could only provide one. Hopefully DFG and the lab at UC Davis can confirm with just one sample. In the mean time, I would say that the idea of a 12th native trout swimming in California waters is alive and well. Ned and I were blocked from the upper most headwaters of this particular creek by a locked gate on a forest service road. Further study revealed an alternate route to the uppermost stretches and springs. Perhaps the browns aren't there yet, or perhaps there is a barrier. Only further exploration and testing can say for sure.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-7135892152528442812010-06-25T21:15:00.000-07:002010-06-25T21:50:56.929-07:00Update and a quick trip to the StanislausFishing trips have been few and far between for me this past year or so. With a two year old daughter, a pregnant wife (due 10/10/10 - wouldn't that be cool?), a demanding job and a new house, time has been somewhat of a scarce commodity for me of late. Two weeks ago life served up a new obstacle: two torn tendons, a talar dome injury and what my doctor referred to as "the worst cartilage she'd ever seen". Long story short: I'm in a cast for a while. This injury was a result of training for the SF Half Marathon. I'd been running quite a bit (in the wee hours before everyone else wakes up) and really enjoying it, but I think I might have pushed up the mileage a little too fast. After a 10 miler two weeks ago I found myself barely able to walk. It took a week to get in to see the doctor and in the intervening time I went fishing, bad ankle and all!<br /><br />The trip was with my brother in law and it was a late afternoon strike on the Stanislaus. We hiked into a canyon spot that I had been to a few years back and to a particular pool where I once saw the largest trout of my life chase a 12 incher that my buddy Mike had hooked. This fish was big and moved like a blacktip shark on the hunt. It was really a sight to see and something none of us who saw it will likely forget. It reminded me of the stories you hear of big bull trout coming up and whacking cutthroats in Montana. Only this one was either a big bow or brown. Unfortunately we couldn't raise that fish again two years ago and we couldn't raise it a week ago either.<br /><br />Even though we couldn't raise Big Mo, we did manage to catch over two dozen trout. Roger actually caught a trout on each of hist first two casts while I was still rigging up. When I saw that I knew the fish would be eating well that day.<br /><br />Nearly all the fish I caught were swinging a soft hackle. A technique I've been trying to use more and more. I also got a few to come up for caddis dries. It was nice to not have to bother rigging up a two-fly indicator set up.<br /><br />The hike into the canyon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ffehf6KzzX2wl4jxGlSzwOZDUETt_N2wkf8bVzp1zSBWTK8u9L9dbO0dFn428UHehhecV9pWL-NF8KkyAfiIiFN7CT5dxE-_BcMNmS8a6n06vDTWYukHDKH4kG_NC3JFAqw/s1600/IMGP0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ffehf6KzzX2wl4jxGlSzwOZDUETt_N2wkf8bVzp1zSBWTK8u9L9dbO0dFn428UHehhecV9pWL-NF8KkyAfiIiFN7CT5dxE-_BcMNmS8a6n06vDTWYukHDKH4kG_NC3JFAqw/s400/IMGP0001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486936735290163650" /></a><br /><br />The only fish pic I took. Most were in the 12-16 inch range.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwgBzjF8Oan34HAWH2Ylzg1iDLuDbgK0pJ2ka-_edMh8ZTWuvsQcsMqhVQZWO6OjjTbIEQGMZaXX5SyhEITPRLCOTF4zQzu0vSPbF06LdzDd2WkinyUJmVbgOaHoEtJqfkew/s1600/IMGP0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwgBzjF8Oan34HAWH2Ylzg1iDLuDbgK0pJ2ka-_edMh8ZTWuvsQcsMqhVQZWO6OjjTbIEQGMZaXX5SyhEITPRLCOTF4zQzu0vSPbF06LdzDd2WkinyUJmVbgOaHoEtJqfkew/s400/IMGP0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486937292246067426" /></a><br /><br />Big Mo lives down there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWqSE-7Q4w90gcSqedfu7QkXpoldPUoFPmW5oTnK-d3N3tYAEz2SICPs_VDqSu0DN3uG7Z46VJQPnHdBarUrPCyXs97G0UaPn7P6E43fxD47b43FhakiWHTr1WKbp4JbEKwI/s1600/IMGP0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWqSE-7Q4w90gcSqedfu7QkXpoldPUoFPmW5oTnK-d3N3tYAEz2SICPs_VDqSu0DN3uG7Z46VJQPnHdBarUrPCyXs97G0UaPn7P6E43fxD47b43FhakiWHTr1WKbp4JbEKwI/s400/IMGP0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486938135898309058" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-86854289484027380282010-05-03T22:01:00.000-07:002010-05-03T22:20:58.460-07:00Final Call for Paiute...?I'm not sure of the actual status of certification of the EIR/EIS and the official go-ahead for the project, but it seems that they are taking public comments on the Final document. So, if you care about the Paiute and ever want to fish for it on its home field, send a letter supporting the project. Details below from Gary Marston:<br /><br />There is an open public comment period to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed restoration of Paiute cutthroat into Silver King Creek below Llewellyn Falls until May 10th 2010. <br /><br />For more information: <a href="http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7952.htm">http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7952.htm</a><br /><br />To see the EIS: <a href="http://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_species/fish/species/pct.html">EIS</a> <br /><br />You can address your comments to:<br /><br />Robert D. Williams, State Supervisor, by <br />U.S. mail at Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, <br />Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502; by telephone at (775) 861-6300 or by fax at <br />(775) 861-6301.<br /><br />My Letter:<i><br /><br />Robert D. Williams<br />State Supervisor<br />Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office<br />1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234<br />Reno, NV 89502<br /><br />RE: Paiute Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project, Alpine County, California<br /><br />Mr. Williams,<br /><br />I am writing to express my support for the proposed implementation of the first and second recovery actions in the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Revised Recovery Plan. I have been fortunate enough to fish and camp along Silver King Creek three times (prior to its closure) and also fortunate enough to have caught three Paiute Cutthroat Trout that had come down Llewellyn Falls. Catching these fish was, in fact, the reason for my visit to the area. On these trips, each of which occurred over a weekend in late summer, I did not see another person on any part of Silver King Creek.<br /><br />I am also aware of numerous other fisherman that have hiked into Llewellyn falls just for the rare opportunity to attempt to catch a Paiute Cutthroat Trout. As you may also be aware, there is a growing contingency of fisherman that share a desire to catch native trout in their native drainage as evidenced by the rapidly growing participation in programs like the California Heritage Trout Challenge and the Wyoming CuttSlam.<br /><br />Implementing the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project will create a unique opportunity for fisherman to enjoy catching this rare and remarkable fish. It will also result in increased public enjoyment of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness area as well as increased tourism to Alpine County. Most importantly, however, implementing this recovery plan will protect this unique and endangered fish for future generations.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Dave B</i>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-60942683045485640892010-05-03T21:54:00.000-07:002010-05-03T22:00:32.296-07:00Lower Sac BowThis is why they refer to L. Sac bows as "footballs".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlkrGhSVIEinYSWSitutFSZljelT-ii-Rf54gzzUaX9XSYYFl7V6Y8XsxUkpku8ThUt5HDRgbJa3pAWYXCOr-VbhtJyoB-D6SN2E7YLBdQ13dHuAgcnVqIIb9DSLeSAGP-ro/s1600/IMGP0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlkrGhSVIEinYSWSitutFSZljelT-ii-Rf54gzzUaX9XSYYFl7V6Y8XsxUkpku8ThUt5HDRgbJa3pAWYXCOr-VbhtJyoB-D6SN2E7YLBdQ13dHuAgcnVqIIb9DSLeSAGP-ro/s400/IMGP0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467275108031971410" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-89652288444594697932010-02-10T21:56:00.000-08:002010-02-10T22:13:00.217-08:00Book Review: "An Entirely Synthetic Fish" by Anders Halverson<a href="http://andershalverson.com/home"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMI0Tj7UU2kHKntB2PJXMmjgJrugWf8CohIRe9__vQG6V8hyphenhyphen0LgAZLfMJ8RrqVY8a8xqlJ1SvGueHXIx4uG6lyhBtLvPLhoJ53NtwD0VZlOMULLUMo2zgzGL-p7AasNRLpsw/s320/book.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436861206876997874" /></a><br />I think most fly fisherman would generally agree that the reason the remaining naturally reproducing native trout species have been relegated in their native ranges to only the most remote headwaters and out of the way streams is due to stocking practices and, to a lesser degree, habitat degradation (I also think that most fisheries biologists would agree with them). However, aside from the obvious reason that they were trying providing more catchable fish for the angling public, I’m not sure most fly fisherman have really thought too deeply about how it came to be that the very administrators and scientists entrusted by the public to watch over our resources, had, for more than a century, determined that breeding and planting hatchery raised rainbow trout as far and wide as possible was in the public’s best interest. In his new book, An Entirely Synthetic Fish, Anders Halverson not only explores the history of hatchery rainbow trout, but he also provides enlightening insight and analysis into the thoughts and motivations of the key players in their ascension to become the world’s most ubiquitous and synthetic fish. <br /><br />In a time of heightened interest in biodiversity and concomitant movement toward the preservation and restoration of native species, those of us that are keenly interested in native trout will do well to read this book. If, for no other reason, than to gain a sense of humility, and, perhaps, some restraint, as we cavalierly charge forth in the support of reestablishing native trout in their native ranges. Having read this book, one can’t help but to examine their positions critically and to ask themselves: is it possible that future generations will look back and wonder how it is that we didn’t realize the unintended damage being levied as a derivative of our actions...despite our good intentions?<br /><br />Learn more about the book and where you can get a copy here: <a href="http://andershalverson.com/home">An Entirely Synthetic Fish</a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-2903218961763286022010-02-06T23:30:00.000-08:002010-02-07T14:41:57.415-08:00On Lightweight Backpacking and Fly FishingI hesitate to describe this as a post about "ultralight" backpacking and fly fishing as some of the true ultralight backpacking guys really take it to the next level--and make a lot of sacrifices to get there. Those guys will look at my kit and load weights and chuckle. Nevertheless, I believe that there are a lot of folks that backpack <i>primarily</i> to fly fish <i>and</i> that are also interested in lightening their packs so in this post I am going to outline some thoughts on combining the two activities and also outline what gear I carry and why.<br /><br />To start, my outlook on lightweight backpacking is based on the following ideas: <ul><br /><li>Most importantly, and aside from being fun of its own accord and being a great way to see the last untouched places, backpacking is <b>the only way to get to the really good fishing</b>.<br /><br /><li>Deep trips into the backcountry are often required to catch native trout in their native ranges.<br /><br /><li>The lighter the backpack the better. While backpacking you should be able to comfortably fly fish with your pack on. This allows you to test the water to see if it is worth stopping and dropping the pack to fish hard. You also need to be able to fish while hiking in order to surgically strike the fishiest looking water without delaying the overall hike too much. For me, the cutoff to comfortably fish with a pack on is about 25 pounds.<br /><br /><li>Lastly, there are certain comforts that are worth a few extra ounces here and there.</li></ul><br />So, what's in the pack and how much does it weigh?<br /><br /><br /><b>CAMPING & BACKPACKING GEAR</b><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXtZeRVrSbD4YzPYVQyn9pqWhi8jA0tkHCwsvST8FRrY2dgryhRqDCiuWT1ZzPi6G1WtCX-OYE4tph4htY9M-qf12UB4tfABqxB9rIHsZpTLAcR7UlnlOydlDud4HXJnB4jQ/s1600-h/z65.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434987983580664818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXtZeRVrSbD4YzPYVQyn9pqWhi8jA0tkHCwsvST8FRrY2dgryhRqDCiuWT1ZzPi6G1WtCX-OYE4tph4htY9M-qf12UB4tfABqxB9rIHsZpTLAcR7UlnlOydlDud4HXJnB4jQ/s200/z65.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gregory Z65 Backpack, size medium - 62.0oz/3.88lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Lightweight yet big enough for extended trips.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbx0vyNR2KpfGexfhNcX9M_26KMSBG340kVveOWpVa_zScSMd7CFonUf5kYSmja9Kq6ODVX-hT2tG_TefmtNRUzkckSjvt6092e0-TKTkEpnm0VbMvf86wtPUczyWveiHC0s/s1600-h/bag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434988814443348514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbx0vyNR2KpfGexfhNcX9M_26KMSBG340kVveOWpVa_zScSMd7CFonUf5kYSmja9Kq6ODVX-hT2tG_TefmtNRUzkckSjvt6092e0-TKTkEpnm0VbMvf86wtPUczyWveiHC0s/s200/bag.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Montbell U.L. SS #2 Sleeping Bag - 31.0oz/1.94lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Warm, stretchy and really really light.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViMuC4kDYaVwwdD8giKAUzaHNbIPlMKGCK5o8ONu9d2JBgvW1mV7WKVeq842_pMGj9ERYgnAsh3n0sY6UwQI8O3T1kpePIsfckDL7dyo1NqOw3dljrb-KV_pPotkRMNSupTA/s1600-h/pad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434989243917263538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViMuC4kDYaVwwdD8giKAUzaHNbIPlMKGCK5o8ONu9d2JBgvW1mV7WKVeq842_pMGj9ERYgnAsh3n0sY6UwQI8O3T1kpePIsfckDL7dyo1NqOw3dljrb-KV_pPotkRMNSupTA/s200/pad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thermarest Neo Air Medium Pad - 13.0oz/0.81lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Light and comfy.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g52C8fdFPwjdBhrsM4r_cZT_tgkgEoLWmmx6-c_CpdLAyeu4Nc7sWEKgTL9_8-rceX8pusU0DU7PAj7ClE23q5BjmFqDq5DA8uUHZASxpzrTEvYNrhtZ7olsH6Ky45fOehs/s1600-h/tent.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434990091344720626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g52C8fdFPwjdBhrsM4r_cZT_tgkgEoLWmmx6-c_CpdLAyeu4Nc7sWEKgTL9_8-rceX8pusU0DU7PAj7ClE23q5BjmFqDq5DA8uUHZASxpzrTEvYNrhtZ7olsH6Ky45fOehs/s200/tent.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />MSR Hubba Hubba Tent - 67.0oz/4.19lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">I've had mine since '05. Light, roomy and simple to pitch.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSNmWw0ZMQJ2Yzi4b_cHuCzg8SN4QpQ5S1VIO8f0j605XpkwkFm3yvLPIcRDmtmnsHe6gmCo4sPaIvq0y3n5bOzsQHUw2ohXHSCOyxHqtykxiAA_NuMfA7ScunqWTR4v720w/s1600-h/stove.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434991242428233762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSNmWw0ZMQJ2Yzi4b_cHuCzg8SN4QpQ5S1VIO8f0j605XpkwkFm3yvLPIcRDmtmnsHe6gmCo4sPaIvq0y3n5bOzsQHUw2ohXHSCOyxHqtykxiAA_NuMfA7ScunqWTR4v720w/s200/stove.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />MSR Pocket Rocket Stove - 3.8oz/0.24lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Tiny, light and bullet proof.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGFaAeTAY4B9gvtQxTty_C7n3BUdUsXgDo0PtJmcxuIlc5v9x7dVyLekaKqHOjqLXHdALHqXSJMhe43kuvoKW9OUj1skE_2Z85-X_0QFP6qr0rWMwxJI3Xz8C0DGXyix5qZo/s1600-h/fuel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994096714072162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGFaAeTAY4B9gvtQxTty_C7n3BUdUsXgDo0PtJmcxuIlc5v9x7dVyLekaKqHOjqLXHdALHqXSJMhe43kuvoKW9OUj1skE_2Z85-X_0QFP6qr0rWMwxJI3Xz8C0DGXyix5qZo/s200/fuel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />MSR IsoPro Fuel - 8.0oz/0.50lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Works with the stove and lantern.</span><br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN5mpPZxNKk_Yq9Q2gxjCmUYdscj9pB_jUrP8nGRvpBDDWDRjVtRglEFaKxEPYmKlJ50V1PSCxLCAzWeEtxRc0Y7h4DPwEL7KLQHLhQbOgVatrkawY6-26-bETzd39_G1qaE/s1600-h/xzoom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994766249192498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN5mpPZxNKk_Yq9Q2gxjCmUYdscj9pB_jUrP8nGRvpBDDWDRjVtRglEFaKxEPYmKlJ50V1PSCxLCAzWeEtxRc0Y7h4DPwEL7KLQHLhQbOgVatrkawY6-26-bETzd39_G1qaE/s200/xzoom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mammut X Zoom Headlamp - 6.0oz/0.38lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Lights up the darkness. You could land a jumbo jet with this headlamp.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGylAWypUonxc10jBtCKtD-yFdhYLFIZmyLGS6sGMynxahOS-b34F_Rk03rd_uIO6IMNPeg86CEnh5ZAoWa8ATc3XGmqt3M11zY6KxZmFHte5Nz-xUwNwmYzBsIZkPS-Hlu0M/s1600-h/filter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434996015603717602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGylAWypUonxc10jBtCKtD-yFdhYLFIZmyLGS6sGMynxahOS-b34F_Rk03rd_uIO6IMNPeg86CEnh5ZAoWa8ATc3XGmqt3M11zY6KxZmFHte5Nz-xUwNwmYzBsIZkPS-Hlu0M/s200/filter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />MSR WaterWorks Ceramic Water Filter - 14.6oz/0.91lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Good flow and attaches directly to waterbottles. Very easy to field clean.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7eb4cNpoPAzO-45uRzQxEX_zx1Ng0a5XR4zsop3mzOCfHPSldFJ6Q7eQspgR7Vcj7sSC0GfrbpBEfI57utspwOupQfY1Vnfk8y3IcDVRE6EnVdo623iTMafwMJQkh_EvX9A/s1600-h/pot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434997340816108482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7eb4cNpoPAzO-45uRzQxEX_zx1Ng0a5XR4zsop3mzOCfHPSldFJ6Q7eQspgR7Vcj7sSC0GfrbpBEfI57utspwOupQfY1Vnfk8y3IcDVRE6EnVdo623iTMafwMJQkh_EvX9A/s200/pot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Evernew Titanium Cook Pot - 4.8oz/0.30lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Holds a full load of mac-n-cheese.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aOJDVILdG3Rnwl_PKLR9EBUZ3bX2OQ2bOAFI2sxiEXkxz4qBWHxzxkTPvG6YMiayARGVOAQd91pWQhmY24JapnhhnVwyk72J493rQpyKbQpxQv4yZipcGf8WWNj0p7MF04I/s1600-h/lantern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434998538685067330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aOJDVILdG3Rnwl_PKLR9EBUZ3bX2OQ2bOAFI2sxiEXkxz4qBWHxzxkTPvG6YMiayARGVOAQd91pWQhmY24JapnhhnVwyk72J493rQpyKbQpxQv4yZipcGf8WWNj0p7MF04I/s200/lantern.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Primus Lantern (before the easylight) - 5.0oz/0.31lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">In the backcountry a lantern makes a campsite feel like home.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPPYCUe3WbtqfUmzDV_Am7e4OERI0581ArcACwp26MPFqyuSR_yZjq44DvAee0JNyCeWj1pkP8lGOPxqpNXSofIyb66rPeRQtWMElKiWQczLWA5KI1RwL3vjPer-TF4balIc/s1600-h/cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333669143851458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPPYCUe3WbtqfUmzDV_Am7e4OERI0581ArcACwp26MPFqyuSR_yZjq44DvAee0JNyCeWj1pkP8lGOPxqpNXSofIyb66rPeRQtWMElKiWQczLWA5KI1RwL3vjPer-TF4balIc/s200/cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gregory Seam Sealed Rain Cover - 3.0oz/0.19lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Wet gear and clothes can ruin a trip.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0ThAzfBCddsOXFLMWxMN2rl2CdQ0hNA7Zv35CZbhcwypzE6eVtRZwkT1iT9YAcPVXWmXIizoDjMnNER0oGRF-y2opEpyoBlW6mfiIdK9WHgfGiryBp5WLKR9o401L7gJgCE/s1600-h/knife.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435334712729219298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0ThAzfBCddsOXFLMWxMN2rl2CdQ0hNA7Zv35CZbhcwypzE6eVtRZwkT1iT9YAcPVXWmXIizoDjMnNER0oGRF-y2opEpyoBlW6mfiIdK9WHgfGiryBp5WLKR9o401L7gJgCE/s200/knife.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Spyderco Ladybug III Knife - 0.5oz/0.03lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Light and sharper than Occam's.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC80HFIYjs-J85qkPTREKqVFmvFk9zJ9bq_HPMqu67Zc85FW7Q44R4-OWYZuE_u4xXVS3NzmJyifLA4jC1IeJz_52iYF5ur_LOS_wnqbs55gHHLIYQZbTex0HPL9UriuYwBiY/s1600-h/cantene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435337175364900786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC80HFIYjs-J85qkPTREKqVFmvFk9zJ9bq_HPMqu67Zc85FW7Q44R4-OWYZuE_u4xXVS3NzmJyifLA4jC1IeJz_52iYF5ur_LOS_wnqbs55gHHLIYQZbTex0HPL9UriuYwBiY/s200/cantene.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nalgene Wide-Mouth Cantene Water Bottle - 2.0oz/0.13lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Between this and the hardshell I have enough water for a night.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzwTxutKxBCeV7McOerm-dKL-RMfK7E5YTeb5XCm8b-hqg6QWydM-2wk9oAfDMTRZsXyl_WiCiADO3wsNKZGrzU20wQtFFhVNJRkuGiCwDdtFCZZM1sWSLoaCUldFK7c9kzA/s1600-h/nalgene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435338374952523922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzwTxutKxBCeV7McOerm-dKL-RMfK7E5YTeb5XCm8b-hqg6QWydM-2wk9oAfDMTRZsXyl_WiCiADO3wsNKZGrzU20wQtFFhVNJRkuGiCwDdtFCZZM1sWSLoaCUldFK7c9kzA/s200/nalgene.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nalgene Bottle - 6.2oz/0.39lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">For water on the trail.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjClOB7aSl8axEN2R4ypTq-OURCd7Q9ds6Vm4HHXBta9xK7auto2-x8JZ071zMTbIjJirioXwkr1xgs1E0cQJeybfm2j13tGT6BIPyt5rCkBoGr_dzIOPhqp4vWkKVoodtfZc/s1600-h/mug.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435339077333844546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjClOB7aSl8axEN2R4ypTq-OURCd7Q9ds6Vm4HHXBta9xK7auto2-x8JZ071zMTbIjJirioXwkr1xgs1E0cQJeybfm2j13tGT6BIPyt5rCkBoGr_dzIOPhqp4vWkKVoodtfZc/s200/mug.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Rei Insulated Mug - 5.0oz/0.31lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Warm coffee in the morning makes me human again.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDy91oRzWwjvEkPS2fXs8nbZSgFt74yePljave0rTD63WMdWxO5SpeWvlmwE7VjahK9lfbaU8u77H72Ww_cYIH2AF5gRMTjz4YqDMDwmumCVXXDClONbjRtsHiMXm1O9zAyg/s1600-h/firstaid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435340640298542130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDy91oRzWwjvEkPS2fXs8nbZSgFt74yePljave0rTD63WMdWxO5SpeWvlmwE7VjahK9lfbaU8u77H72Ww_cYIH2AF5gRMTjz4YqDMDwmumCVXXDClONbjRtsHiMXm1O9zAyg/s200/firstaid.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />First Aid Kit - 1.0oz/0.06lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Custom kit for wounds and blisters.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtMcOrysf61MClhLbaOpgYyOof79zs2SrISpufZRKRysmli48FVV1Bu_v2hc-Lh9A9M6WoY2tSSzzigZST37TBHZLdtxk3TYxJCa-ZbWdTbDW_roqyxhlcYwFgMKxgkKOx6k/s1600-h/bic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435347003381029090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 30px; WIDTH: 23px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtMcOrysf61MClhLbaOpgYyOof79zs2SrISpufZRKRysmli48FVV1Bu_v2hc-Lh9A9M6WoY2tSSzzigZST37TBHZLdtxk3TYxJCa-ZbWdTbDW_roqyxhlcYwFgMKxgkKOx6k/s200/bic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mini Bic Lighter - 0.6oz/0.04lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Small, simple and reliable.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDyANqfgsgZ08LUDU4-8Zk-1SdzqKZsCOzkd-QFFVUFZLmDJjTXGjUDSqSQSCQYIAp8cbHrMxHqBTdiPN7R_-K-j7It6EZ5rQNSXrAz_2oEjPKubOGGbhsKA0v0AmrRVMf6c/s1600-h/matches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435349558330923378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDyANqfgsgZ08LUDU4-8Zk-1SdzqKZsCOzkd-QFFVUFZLmDJjTXGjUDSqSQSCQYIAp8cbHrMxHqBTdiPN7R_-K-j7It6EZ5rQNSXrAz_2oEjPKubOGGbhsKA0v0AmrRVMf6c/s200/matches.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Coghlan's Plastic Matchbox w/ Safety Matches - 1.0oz/0.06lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Always have a backup in the backcountry.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbNojS3ojgd3CkgjOF-fB8dtnEUXI4q_9Rtssns9gn29eQc7MW2R8_BQp7JxnVUGJ-eUQ8zcjzNGK79_nT1X2DirwFaIC2g5bgdHKnt6QsqzFjR0W1BDTmg7Hy4Aob45v334/s1600-h/fork.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435350770989384194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbNojS3ojgd3CkgjOF-fB8dtnEUXI4q_9Rtssns9gn29eQc7MW2R8_BQp7JxnVUGJ-eUQ8zcjzNGK79_nT1X2DirwFaIC2g5bgdHKnt6QsqzFjR0W1BDTmg7Hy4Aob45v334/s200/fork.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />GSI Outdoors Lexan Fork (Sawed-off) - 0.6oz/0.04lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">I've had this fork forever: tough, lite and costs $0.79!</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0GDscDM8Kq26rz-AbwYC8hDyAiURgxKAY37cwD-BgYChBIJg4xyb6mX8-D60mi4Vew-GEEKp9DmqvPiBlinHNUq956WXpoZ-snJdo37vuXKIGP8GmjqbZ8P6flI51ljNbwY/s1600-h/optio.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435351984985496002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0GDscDM8Kq26rz-AbwYC8hDyAiURgxKAY37cwD-BgYChBIJg4xyb6mX8-D60mi4Vew-GEEKp9DmqvPiBlinHNUq956WXpoZ-snJdo37vuXKIGP8GmjqbZ8P6flI51ljNbwY/s200/optio.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Optio WP Camera - 5.6oz/0.35lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Fishing cameras get wet.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbKIQPU6l1MIHXtfe15baU22xcvrJDKEy__zSP2PLLtZ6CcS_6-tVbIWEVVgVW0sqxVhRljX7_1Um8iXIg6waVZ3fDPSskXO9iKgul8K004SVAF9aJXmUy_KBJQG7NBG4FSA/s1600-h/thermacell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435353486908043234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbKIQPU6l1MIHXtfe15baU22xcvrJDKEy__zSP2PLLtZ6CcS_6-tVbIWEVVgVW0sqxVhRljX7_1Um8iXIg6waVZ3fDPSskXO9iKgul8K004SVAF9aJXmUy_KBJQG7NBG4FSA/s200/thermacell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thermacell Mosquito Repellent - 7.6oz/0.38lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">This thing works and can be the difference between a good night and bad.</span><BR><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>FISHING GEAR</b><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_AjrbAeS1kpLb9tcFCw6-akFu3ySbVcDHhbbrUwsCGPeOiF5TqOHBIvoNo13k-lj2EZetM6WGa95VfBsHzjUg323LE6sdptQirwxOm7kAMpoizZ1DR-3ufTMTuHTjivbWAE/s1600-h/zxl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435358633066601474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_AjrbAeS1kpLb9tcFCw6-akFu3ySbVcDHhbbrUwsCGPeOiF5TqOHBIvoNo13k-lj2EZetM6WGa95VfBsHzjUg323LE6sdptQirwxOm7kAMpoizZ1DR-3ufTMTuHTjivbWAE/s200/zxl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sage ZXL 7'6" 3 wt (in sock) - 2.6oz/0.16lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">The rod I bring varies depending on the destination, but generally a short 3 works well in the highcountry.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHH6FsFaYPzJnyWIXmpQrPvOeSzSvsCTiPzvlcx-y5noH_19LZJ4Gm8ATerONzISIcMp9a-bJ89Xv6ErjL7X5qhlaf4WQ8fAD5jNhNJWRkqq-qRJ5Eo2ZRcn44L9Qr7Uofzo/s1600-h/ll.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435362187216562754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHH6FsFaYPzJnyWIXmpQrPvOeSzSvsCTiPzvlcx-y5noH_19LZJ4Gm8ATerONzISIcMp9a-bJ89Xv6ErjL7X5qhlaf4WQ8fAD5jNhNJWRkqq-qRJ5Eo2ZRcn44L9Qr7Uofzo/s200/ll.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sage LL 3 Wt (in sock) - 2.5oz/0.16lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Breaking a rod shouldn't ruin a trip.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGUpoH5f4wDacvUiegB6zIVG2Ua-TL-OJ7PVA_wWpURxn747zF7TPyMoggBwc6ffkdaqUOSoc5jaY5eKwE_vRw8JSKVUtqi8r1Mdhs-odzIXHw9XEz_GUhYaG-ytHVZQIN9M/s1600-h/tube.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435363294537117826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGUpoH5f4wDacvUiegB6zIVG2Ua-TL-OJ7PVA_wWpURxn747zF7TPyMoggBwc6ffkdaqUOSoc5jaY5eKwE_vRw8JSKVUtqi8r1Mdhs-odzIXHw9XEz_GUhYaG-ytHVZQIN9M/s200/tube.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />2" Polycarbonite Tube w/ Caps for 2 rods - 7.0oz/0.44lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Light and tough rod tube for two rods.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_J7sTFm1A2PEBefWZrq7BIU9qhn9grgEqV35a48pVPwDKdI-SjUyT_uMShbBfFLc8rVKtTaye-zp_khWZ-AC7ibVHGABFQUUMdq5rYCXIUpMx-e0kErJnJdMKaZ9qgCopS4/s1600-h/ross.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435364448052893298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_J7sTFm1A2PEBefWZrq7BIU9qhn9grgEqV35a48pVPwDKdI-SjUyT_uMShbBfFLc8rVKtTaye-zp_khWZ-AC7ibVHGABFQUUMdq5rYCXIUpMx-e0kErJnJdMKaZ9qgCopS4/s200/ross.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ross Evolution Reel w/ 3 wt line - 6.0oz/0.38lbs<br><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGe49FiijlfmVGCC78EOgxwNVSUNJMmeX1U-df5Ks36fwQFDk05zvxGPWyEFXfTFqZuGNq_mWSylzmLqHQTOtkKZ3VCuOntFjH9pZoXDbjft7kSFJzvAeSIt-Swelt_Jlzac/s1600-h/flybox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435365405345879634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGe49FiijlfmVGCC78EOgxwNVSUNJMmeX1U-df5Ks36fwQFDk05zvxGPWyEFXfTFqZuGNq_mWSylzmLqHQTOtkKZ3VCuOntFjH9pZoXDbjft7kSFJzvAeSIt-Swelt_Jlzac/s200/flybox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Fly Boxes X 3 - 10.8oz/0.375lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">I bring 3; nymphs, dries, streamers. The cost of not having a fly you want is huge.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyJI-a1Sg_aVs9RV6Du55aU0mAVKyvxhutE2b6s-dTVCYinGGAGfKGFawSJVsIMwgJ3svwIe5NWpDrBatVJjibITX5K0kJhUE92tbfpMkPggzpydUmodiwt7YyXtO3XVk8s/s1600-h/hemos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435366526330052018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoyJI-a1Sg_aVs9RV6Du55aU0mAVKyvxhutE2b6s-dTVCYinGGAGfKGFawSJVsIMwgJ3svwIe5NWpDrBatVJjibITX5K0kJhUE92tbfpMkPggzpydUmodiwt7YyXtO3XVk8s/s200/hemos.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tippet/Leaders/Hemos/Clippers - 5.9oz/0.37lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">All the gear I need.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpV4GpXt-rpiJ0A5GsmQxjs9CoUGu_PdbzStG48E3eNhZcZSYsOoFkxovCv2qNdyS3ONs7RDZc7iRnAsBrZqD7doc4-UvDQ6DJGMhQfgsPN_RxH5K7NyPZUdvU_m2DRNdnIA/s1600-h/watershoes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435367363643275570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpV4GpXt-rpiJ0A5GsmQxjs9CoUGu_PdbzStG48E3eNhZcZSYsOoFkxovCv2qNdyS3ONs7RDZc7iRnAsBrZqD7doc4-UvDQ6DJGMhQfgsPN_RxH5K7NyPZUdvU_m2DRNdnIA/s200/watershoes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Columbia Aquatooth Water Shoes - 19.0oz/1.19lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Quick dry shoes for wading.</span><BR><br /><br /><br /><b>CLOTHING - CARRIED</b><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_c8qwyU7jlrjmRvQYZ5APTgqYfemzzNYobYj4wxecEmtGRi0HQvUYMaLm1_32-ludGx8x2X6lm15CuAYNy328PXT9J93KdwHiXBGi1CL6oIcOn-FTlbYxZC9vSRdxVD4iHY/s1600-h/shirt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435369416553799330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_c8qwyU7jlrjmRvQYZ5APTgqYfemzzNYobYj4wxecEmtGRi0HQvUYMaLm1_32-ludGx8x2X6lm15CuAYNy328PXT9J93KdwHiXBGi1CL6oIcOn-FTlbYxZC9vSRdxVD4iHY/s200/shirt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />REI SPF Long Sleeve Shirt, Granite Colored - 9.8oz/0.61lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Great stealthy fishing shirt with enough pockets for everything.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUBwYD8jggMSrxwgj2s0793WehFQ_tD7np_MjrtyZWY2Q8YjphQ1J0XH0jqll5fGGaxkQsVos48Xdn5T99yMD4qo0feqJw3cZT-PtC24kkANY0mSG_ucNv6xine-oyfGO-VI/s1600-h/socks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435370222677356178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUBwYD8jggMSrxwgj2s0793WehFQ_tD7np_MjrtyZWY2Q8YjphQ1J0XH0jqll5fGGaxkQsVos48Xdn5T99yMD4qo0feqJw3cZT-PtC24kkANY0mSG_ucNv6xine-oyfGO-VI/s200/socks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Smartwool light hiker socks - 3.2oz/0.20lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Years of hiking in smartwool and never had a blister.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6y4k_jpSVf6_wSDkdunuJ2pZHpBhjK985F4m7bcl2jYQcUIw8w38_ZRIM2cGOviqsfGeYF016DV3ituI0-ZrInsmMB2cXzjkakzN3rO52Yfpaqp06FZoC4LiKR0eVH66Sbo/s1600-h/jacket.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435371881178375378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6y4k_jpSVf6_wSDkdunuJ2pZHpBhjK985F4m7bcl2jYQcUIw8w38_ZRIM2cGOviqsfGeYF016DV3ituI0-ZrInsmMB2cXzjkakzN3rO52Yfpaqp06FZoC4LiKR0eVH66Sbo/s200/jacket.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Marmot Aegis Rain Jacket - 14.0oz/0.88lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Let's just say the Outside mag gear of the year was well deserved.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZP1pGzU0swLS_9o4LJOhpsRliVOyJNPwu-2Hij-j-X0_Yr_MtT_j_NgBGv1SK_Sh6tiMhSNpe0ET9PMUj6qmiYNV2MbzkSObzl-2ioTsbO-aUSc8-74cskGACCqrg1ZTSOs/s1600-h/capilene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435373616625736914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZP1pGzU0swLS_9o4LJOhpsRliVOyJNPwu-2Hij-j-X0_Yr_MtT_j_NgBGv1SK_Sh6tiMhSNpe0ET9PMUj6qmiYNV2MbzkSObzl-2ioTsbO-aUSc8-74cskGACCqrg1ZTSOs/s200/capilene.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Patagonia Capilene 3 Shirt - 7.8oz/0.49lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Solid mid-weight shirt.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXifjA2516faYnttQOTNhU9vZ65hNugtBaS21zlTtuan_sfaako3nC7igmn3EZqNfg88jnbXzfFOqaTu8QrX1CzEEdQHVAC5nVrZDVAWMSRx_ExcFEBbNeDFpGJJ_ivfGXTI/s1600-h/bottoms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435377399857102434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXifjA2516faYnttQOTNhU9vZ65hNugtBaS21zlTtuan_sfaako3nC7igmn3EZqNfg88jnbXzfFOqaTu8QrX1CzEEdQHVAC5nVrZDVAWMSRx_ExcFEBbNeDFpGJJ_ivfGXTI/s200/bottoms.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Patagonia Capilene 3 Bottoms - 3.9oz/0.24lbs<BR><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_SPc3DxMzR49fV0W9ld5ZDg4hyphenhyphen5OXu2ajpdx4DhDWxOYd0snsOoBveokeVMizee7K3t3V-3NEVI4C8Nst6O5ws2Ua3m5Ouoh-yWmUqByuvGelgoPryFK1TTjGxxe4zAodNs/s1600-h/undies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435378808959655042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_SPc3DxMzR49fV0W9ld5ZDg4hyphenhyphen5OXu2ajpdx4DhDWxOYd0snsOoBveokeVMizee7K3t3V-3NEVI4C8Nst6O5ws2Ua3m5Ouoh-yWmUqByuvGelgoPryFK1TTjGxxe4zAodNs/s200/undies.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Backup Underwear - 2.6oz/0.16lbs<BR><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbrI6pzgpW25OgXJ0yuh8IX4qTE75pBN8HV7FZmmqa57z6kSuS5zFgATmzBVU6kvqo4PEmodzomd4IOqKQ7rZ8kLWnnKBAAFTZf7W-aE36EHx3LzzafdfXoCTIZ3IjAMJx_I/s1600-h/beanie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435380380425454402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbrI6pzgpW25OgXJ0yuh8IX4qTE75pBN8HV7FZmmqa57z6kSuS5zFgATmzBVU6kvqo4PEmodzomd4IOqKQ7rZ8kLWnnKBAAFTZf7W-aE36EHx3LzzafdfXoCTIZ3IjAMJx_I/s200/beanie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mountain Hardware Fleece Beanie - 0.9oz/0.06lbs<BR><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG9a4VaVgRTA1re_9t9hqNbGqbCS479OIWWqtt3mX4bojSzbijA9S1yB4VQvwpFqvUXczJavoROsBJ_we_M81z5AVhlWOPeJSpZniR9Ma_mKZQRUUh-sR-BhG5LHnHwtOkzQ/s1600-h/shantlegs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435381576393494306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG9a4VaVgRTA1re_9t9hqNbGqbCS479OIWWqtt3mX4bojSzbijA9S1yB4VQvwpFqvUXczJavoROsBJ_we_M81z5AVhlWOPeJSpZniR9Ma_mKZQRUUh-sR-BhG5LHnHwtOkzQ/s200/shantlegs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Columbia Titanium Shant Legs - 4.0oz/0.25lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Zip on legs for my hiking shorts (btw shants=shorts+pants).</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYWlUruVNj_sadb9gyIzzBCcsFKJyB1xUt-WZq5XXiHgMSPo5zAlC5pEvHIpeH8DEAMT4Zvh56MMPHo28yW-IZj78kVKwYT9FCBbumW37I3oVpjV7BufYIa1dBtrc10zP7JU/s1600-h/gloves.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435382326434527234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYWlUruVNj_sadb9gyIzzBCcsFKJyB1xUt-WZq5XXiHgMSPo5zAlC5pEvHIpeH8DEAMT4Zvh56MMPHo28yW-IZj78kVKwYT9FCBbumW37I3oVpjV7BufYIa1dBtrc10zP7JU/s200/gloves.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Fingerless Wool Gloves - 2.0oz/0.13lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Great warm gloves for cold nights and for fishing.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i_PPZhEnnZGAY1h72tPDCY3TYjAiGr1mv1oRPX5lFji6lVTshyrTFVJYuDmANqvFvfxJIyOlMuM3l-L_RSXfoaRq3jOL_0hJRfb7lsbq5c6wBpWr-p4CmpN6Und1kgJ1eac/s1600-h/toob.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435383377284986146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i_PPZhEnnZGAY1h72tPDCY3TYjAiGr1mv1oRPX5lFji6lVTshyrTFVJYuDmANqvFvfxJIyOlMuM3l-L_RSXfoaRq3jOL_0hJRfb7lsbq5c6wBpWr-p4CmpN6Und1kgJ1eac/s200/toob.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Toiletries - 5.7oz/0.4lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">TOOB toothbrush,sunblock,chapstick,DEET,wet wipes.</span><BR><br /><br /><br /><b>CLOTHING - WORN</b><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HOgXWRZ2eAQxUrTpn6b5PsuotoqcSHR9WEMhhrG5pCPdMtfHnncNjGBQ8KMcvQQuMaTdjPYG61XIooZJ8XJnBwk8X9KheBHw6IDl-atwACXqVvgROGd1El2cPHSrsfy785Y/s1600-h/shorts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435385099848081826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HOgXWRZ2eAQxUrTpn6b5PsuotoqcSHR9WEMhhrG5pCPdMtfHnncNjGBQ8KMcvQQuMaTdjPYG61XIooZJ8XJnBwk8X9KheBHw6IDl-atwACXqVvgROGd1El2cPHSrsfy785Y/s200/shorts.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Columbia Titanium Shant Shorts - 8.0oz/0.50lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Not as comfortable as the non-convert shorts but functional.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zoXdjsUyUczb02KpVhpD74FLy0EEHuqEgJUeBggp7XebsLEJIvJUect-TsuQ7jfa0SJ27NfB5RQEkspAZELITZPl_0_9j9McSajM3J4r-fYJ_CpvL8mTZrK_PFYFWwz8FhA/s1600-h/ruckus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435385830502649634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zoXdjsUyUczb02KpVhpD74FLy0EEHuqEgJUeBggp7XebsLEJIvJUect-TsuQ7jfa0SJ27NfB5RQEkspAZELITZPl_0_9j9McSajM3J4r-fYJ_CpvL8mTZrK_PFYFWwz8FhA/s200/ruckus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />TNF Ruckus Vaporwik Shirt - 7.1oz/0.44lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Quick drying but needs to be aired out each night....</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_WOE8KXoprT3Cf-cAn9W3wLxYS5aAQMpw2eQy0rlCO_ZmCi0qjQgvRhfOOf1ejFcceD1hSDDBNBnh3nvR4kkiXyd1blXgRLfJZoijoRqwZ4S0MCfsnh30iLRvvfT2Hr135s/s1600-h/z580.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435386978545893906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 20px 10px 20px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 30px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_WOE8KXoprT3Cf-cAn9W3wLxYS5aAQMpw2eQy0rlCO_ZmCi0qjQgvRhfOOf1ejFcceD1hSDDBNBnh3nvR4kkiXyd1blXgRLfJZoijoRqwZ4S0MCfsnh30iLRvvfT2Hr135s/s200/z580.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Costa Del Mar z580 Polarized Glasses - 4.1oz/0.26lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Heavy but no lens I've tried holds a candle to the z580.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedrmV36rLvcO8aZNRrrmMLUOY-ztkFxD8RnN2xFrFiUAVBwt4LIlPAATJuoP-Tqf6uT7MtNpjHkEu6Z988qdk1sNrF8TDfPHWPrBZeS849-mxjXDaqzdmBee9Hcp9Lk2hyphenhyphenac/s1600-h/vasque.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435388342292196402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedrmV36rLvcO8aZNRrrmMLUOY-ztkFxD8RnN2xFrFiUAVBwt4LIlPAATJuoP-Tqf6uT7MtNpjHkEu6Z988qdk1sNrF8TDfPHWPrBZeS849-mxjXDaqzdmBee9Hcp9Lk2hyphenhyphenac/s200/vasque.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Vasque Boots - 64.0oz/4.0lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Heavy but damn solid boots. For a guy that has broken his ankle twice, I could not do 20, or even 10, mile days without them. </span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_s7Zbdqs9a9tsB4CZj73Qv8fOHziamlPbpzapEE0gT4TqWaxgfOzh2ZYTfPYS-Lu1oiOvFgsHwFucASexjItbMvR7wvyNEvAVEh6eszJ1W3WtcRSb1X9nGLfD-5xtLJw5As/s1600-h/hikingundies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435390246149828610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_s7Zbdqs9a9tsB4CZj73Qv8fOHziamlPbpzapEE0gT4TqWaxgfOzh2ZYTfPYS-Lu1oiOvFgsHwFucASexjItbMvR7wvyNEvAVEh6eszJ1W3WtcRSb1X9nGLfD-5xtLJw5As/s200/hikingundies.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hiking Underwear - 2.6oz/0.16lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Avoid chaffing. </span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUBwYD8jggMSrxwgj2s0793WehFQ_tD7np_MjrtyZWY2Q8YjphQ1J0XH0jqll5fGGaxkQsVos48Xdn5T99yMD4qo0feqJw3cZT-PtC24kkANY0mSG_ucNv6xine-oyfGO-VI/s1600-h/socks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435370222677356178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUBwYD8jggMSrxwgj2s0793WehFQ_tD7np_MjrtyZWY2Q8YjphQ1J0XH0jqll5fGGaxkQsVos48Xdn5T99yMD4qo0feqJw3cZT-PtC24kkANY0mSG_ucNv6xine-oyfGO-VI/s200/socks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Smartwool light hiker socks - 3.2oz/0.20lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Years of hiking in smartwool and never had a blister.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyitDT5yex7Oa9ADE2K80fZhTFSNu71-FdUyw33rBg2dxC71HqGmybLwr3O7-7Pv2RxokAHi-vtvFCTt27lpov4CEtLxurvzoCqerTc5qvsXhy0Kabcw246nDIJDX6cUxPJU/s1600-h/hat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435392481264373730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyitDT5yex7Oa9ADE2K80fZhTFSNu71-FdUyw33rBg2dxC71HqGmybLwr3O7-7Pv2RxokAHi-vtvFCTt27lpov4CEtLxurvzoCqerTc5qvsXhy0Kabcw246nDIJDX6cUxPJU/s200/hat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Baseball Hat - 2.5oz/0.16lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Always be hiding.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC5sW_jpy7yJAnAR7OKp_KLwRrKQ1oNotOmfygfaw45nVKC19Jqj9IGs2WjpUq5cOHQQgjb6z9VvvZFyjuqMVGJfpA3s1aSq9Q5za9buiWxLIUsN_w6cBfYKjLy0t_LQHm3k/s1600-h/suunto.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435394166552328914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC5sW_jpy7yJAnAR7OKp_KLwRrKQ1oNotOmfygfaw45nVKC19Jqj9IGs2WjpUq5cOHQQgjb6z9VvvZFyjuqMVGJfpA3s1aSq9Q5za9buiWxLIUsN_w6cBfYKjLy0t_LQHm3k/s200/suunto.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Suunto Altimeter Watch - 2.0oz/0.13lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">Altitude is crucial to navigation.</span><BR><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinveEBu_ztzc3ySaIRb9PvLBUn4nSINMvP2XiyfdgSo-z-ZRT61swd8hkqz5TwcQLlvGoAR9Fe8GNJst5jtwOyBNvLRv-7HPgPfqZoLsmfxhwYfRET6GKpO97mNf_n0Scm2Y/s1600-h/poles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435394725255689442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 60px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinveEBu_ztzc3ySaIRb9PvLBUn4nSINMvP2XiyfdgSo-z-ZRT61swd8hkqz5TwcQLlvGoAR9Fe8GNJst5jtwOyBNvLRv-7HPgPfqZoLsmfxhwYfRET6GKpO97mNf_n0Scm2Y/s200/poles.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Komperdell Titanal Predator Trekking Poles - 20.0oz/1.25lbs<br /><span style="font-size:75%;">For years I was too cool for hiking poles. That was stupid.</span><BR><br /><br /><br /><br />This list boils down to 22.31 pounds in the pack and 7.14 pounds worn, not including food and water. I usually go with dehydrated meals which comes out to less than a pound per day and water is about 2 pounds per 32 ounces (a full water bottle's worth). Generally, I will also bring a bear cannister along which is another couple pounds and sometimes different rods and gear are required. I usually go solo as well, but if I am backpacking with a friend, a lot of the above can be shared to reduce the weight loads. Waders are sometimes nice to have as well and I've yet to find a good lightweight pair for backpacking.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-36717890546905378232009-12-22T10:57:00.000-08:002010-02-05T09:52:40.975-08:00SnookI have not been able to fish too much this year it seems but I am certainly getting my fill right now out here in Southwest Florida. Every year we spend the holidays with my wife's parents on Marco Island, and, well, with the flats boat docked 20 feet from the back door, we tend to get some time on the water. We also make a few trips down to the Everglades to fish with <a href="http://www.snookin.com/">Kevin Mihailoff</A>. After 5 years of fishing with Kevin, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the best guide in the area. He always finds the fish and Monday was no exception with 30 snook to the boat - including this nice fish that my brother-in-law caught that measured 31 inches.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32vaV_I_PycmGN7gV2g4wTlsMycv2C-nF3JFbuNVYpLqKbfLaOw-HQkiW_VLSYdyJQYg0eo8_leUYtbwiaxugxObhr_XeAF-CgTkDSj-S9Htw5GLWILw1u0ZIeQmhXRhPYHY/s1600-h/VID00207.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32vaV_I_PycmGN7gV2g4wTlsMycv2C-nF3JFbuNVYpLqKbfLaOw-HQkiW_VLSYdyJQYg0eo8_leUYtbwiaxugxObhr_XeAF-CgTkDSj-S9Htw5GLWILw1u0ZIeQmhXRhPYHY/s400/VID00207.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418140372897288770" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-34668664044646965192009-10-13T20:31:00.000-07:002009-10-13T22:12:03.406-07:00A Place That Should Never Be Called By Its Right NameA beautiful high altitude volcanic cirque set alone high in the wilderness. Crystal clear aquamarine water teaming with golden trout and big lahontans. Sound too good to be true? It isn't.<br /><br />The scenery:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_MkQASRZ3cLFcKbCLNJcdnL20nDOrPJHgVKJyqPpFhJMsLK9Kx1SAZGU2FheV8ZyQHT-IM2ZLWWl6LX3AkRJxEKqzEbQRl5m6Pk6hVxwYJxLyfYnwIVhclG_OliYUKUxxuQ/s1600-h/IMGP0714.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_MkQASRZ3cLFcKbCLNJcdnL20nDOrPJHgVKJyqPpFhJMsLK9Kx1SAZGU2FheV8ZyQHT-IM2ZLWWl6LX3AkRJxEKqzEbQRl5m6Pk6hVxwYJxLyfYnwIVhclG_OliYUKUxxuQ/s400/IMGP0714.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392295247081041202" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvqQq5gfqLntU2sWtnHKhARVYM2DiPeVD4JPgWFONn8P3Pr872LTwHqNFQwOErewXhP-Zr6X7q_dsSWvBBgMoAOztUB1FzMC0iSIX2QEhYsI9MreyHPD09Xagt04iO6Mncl8/s1600-h/IMGP0698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvqQq5gfqLntU2sWtnHKhARVYM2DiPeVD4JPgWFONn8P3Pr872LTwHqNFQwOErewXhP-Zr6X7q_dsSWvBBgMoAOztUB1FzMC0iSIX2QEhYsI9MreyHPD09Xagt04iO6Mncl8/s400/IMGP0698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392299001019002786" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76e_o5mB2KnMFgsiu7hJxaLsHtX8iZBdPxWvzBA5mMgBXKFYIuTmqoyVNEVfLsP-5HgdA_bX3aryn8SQ_UV_td8FQ0MvO3bq-qcjvRwXw0j9R-SL4ZCWrOHFu4wGgus3Oq6Y/s1600-h/IMGP0701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76e_o5mB2KnMFgsiu7hJxaLsHtX8iZBdPxWvzBA5mMgBXKFYIuTmqoyVNEVfLsP-5HgdA_bX3aryn8SQ_UV_td8FQ0MvO3bq-qcjvRwXw0j9R-SL4ZCWrOHFu4wGgus3Oq6Y/s400/IMGP0701.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392300006966160754" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWgwjCRQkiGhUOws-DPyMVKtO7-W2Rxp3nJIIDLtqdUQS9IcbDUyLWLOmyjsm5ma59y7ZdKTPLT6l-Jdzi-y07Q3gkVLMARyasUXp7wS1QI2v6wCRq1Wd_87CNIMQ6m4EOCI/s1600-h/IMGP0686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWgwjCRQkiGhUOws-DPyMVKtO7-W2Rxp3nJIIDLtqdUQS9IcbDUyLWLOmyjsm5ma59y7ZdKTPLT6l-Jdzi-y07Q3gkVLMARyasUXp7wS1QI2v6wCRq1Wd_87CNIMQ6m4EOCI/s400/IMGP0686.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392302524206897698" /></a><br /><br />The fish:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IbMaI39fFbOf5dZPTsJFrNIK_FhSFy7iPBOpeh26LhvgwtbAaOBWN5IxPuUy8iNXZ5C93JfBHZX9KCKiVoPSCUKKa1SRpuukc_Q-HTbcuQc5HLbJr8HyIWAfQrNaOZyannk/s1600-h/IMGP0671.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IbMaI39fFbOf5dZPTsJFrNIK_FhSFy7iPBOpeh26LhvgwtbAaOBWN5IxPuUy8iNXZ5C93JfBHZX9KCKiVoPSCUKKa1SRpuukc_Q-HTbcuQc5HLbJr8HyIWAfQrNaOZyannk/s400/IMGP0671.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392303099402388370" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1WeGLMwwATBD9bueQEcgMNmcu8z9f-y0NS-1pUIetTLpeHBj_UplosWe6c2a_D_MvgMe-kLXtfrC-3EbtHirEe6sKPMRTMdS4amHJNrF_5teN2BH3seclwXjT93SobpQ8g/s1600-h/IMGP0674.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx1WeGLMwwATBD9bueQEcgMNmcu8z9f-y0NS-1pUIetTLpeHBj_UplosWe6c2a_D_MvgMe-kLXtfrC-3EbtHirEe6sKPMRTMdS4amHJNrF_5teN2BH3seclwXjT93SobpQ8g/s400/IMGP0674.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392303455436867554" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC18-L4i3a8WErZtytJKajEOv9sdYETMCiyie5xQqvdnuzMtbYYUFZKZNpWfBh6V46Q6vJrd9E5Z9LUc1FGjlMaG9dRP_i-B_BY9DAidYHTR0gS0BLvD1B8PPV2Sxa7jQGo8/s1600-h/IMGP0678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC18-L4i3a8WErZtytJKajEOv9sdYETMCiyie5xQqvdnuzMtbYYUFZKZNpWfBh6V46Q6vJrd9E5Z9LUc1FGjlMaG9dRP_i-B_BY9DAidYHTR0gS0BLvD1B8PPV2Sxa7jQGo8/s400/IMGP0678.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392303842976107986" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPwgYX2GUpnP7vpjj-vEgyqh5S6RQRUgQKwBG6hAE3Ld9dduSg6FC0LLQjtx5jH7tNgYbETATB3Bj8mdTOuBbf9ILWkMHGvnyYYXVNIjCSF4OqgqmTgUo_P-_VscoH5OtzXo/s1600-h/IMGP0660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPwgYX2GUpnP7vpjj-vEgyqh5S6RQRUgQKwBG6hAE3Ld9dduSg6FC0LLQjtx5jH7tNgYbETATB3Bj8mdTOuBbf9ILWkMHGvnyYYXVNIjCSF4OqgqmTgUo_P-_VscoH5OtzXo/s400/IMGP0660.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392304888184156866" /></a><br /><br />The fish populations are interesting. There are larger lahontans and all size classes of golden. I know the lake has been planted with both over the years, but the working hypothesis presented by my fishing partner for the trip, Eric (HTC #14), is that the goldens are managing to spawn and the lahontans just seem to be getting older and fewer. After fishing the lake, I agree with Eric. The amazing thing about this lake, though, is that there is only about 10 feet of outlet stream that must only flow in the spring and early summer. I guess that is all the fish need.<br /><br />Unfortunately this place is not quite the secret I wish it was. I know a lot of folks know of it and a few have even named it. I am sure it can be located by those curious enough to search it out. The gear guys are on to it as well. Also unfortunately, many people that get up there neglect the rules altogether both in regard to bag limit and camping regulations. We saw another party kill some decent fish and then cook them. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I wish the big lahontans were left alone at a minimum--I mean why not keep a few pan size goldens and leave the big fish so that this world class fishery continues to cough up the occasional 24 incher?Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-40242340459991203342009-08-27T08:33:00.000-07:002009-08-27T09:02:42.806-07:00New Native Trout ForumFor the past three or four years a small group of like-minded anglers have been chasing down native trout in their native drainages. This has included myself and:<br /><br /><a href="http://nativetroutflyfishing.blogspot.com/">Gary - Fly Fishing for Native Trout</A><br /><a href="http://shocchris.blogspot.com/">Chris - The Search for Native Salmonids</A><br /><a href="http://scarles.org/blog/cutthroat-stalker/">Scott - Cutthroat Stalker</A><br /><br />Thanks to the Internet and blogs we've been able to connect and form a loose network to share information, ideas and reports (most reports appear on the individual blogs). Now, thanks to the initiative of another native trout minded angler, Anders Halverson of Boulder, Colorado, <a href="http://www.anglerslifelist.com">a new central hub</a> has been created and everyone is participating. I am optimistic that this will become the one-stop web destination for anyone looking for information and community regarding native trout fishing and conservation. I also know that Anders will continue to expand and improve the site, but already there is great information on native trout and some very active message boards, so those interested in fly fishing for native trout should definitely go take a look:<br /><br /><a href="http://anglerslifelist.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 73px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wPUF-_x5scpeV8fHGpDp-oZbc01YLdJhqu4yb6CVFC1eTKx8fL9gXb7_5FdjORJblnz2o9DjsqzWAqKL5zB5MTj5uh8mk7GKr6IrXqhIxzoHrgfhA_bUP6S-j45eIU3GReI/s400/bannerfish20_edited.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374674494904215410" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-41922762679231164952009-07-22T22:23:00.000-07:002009-08-05T19:30:03.447-07:00Greenbacks and Mountain TopsColorado's state fish, the Greenback Cutthroat Trout, has been notoriously absent from my <A href="http://dragfree.blogspot.com/2005/10/daves-lifetime-species-list.html">species list</A> for some time. I decided that this summer was the time to remedy this. Having done a number of solo native trout quests in my time (paiute, apache X 2, goldens, lk goldens, etc. etc.), I thought it would be more fun to spend the weekend with a friend so I called my ultra-reliable fishing buddy Steve. Per usual, he was down. A plan was hatched. Because I was dragging Steve out from Miami, I figured I needed to add a little flare to the trip beyond just catching the rare Greenbacks. This came in the form of backpacking and mountain climbing. The plan was:<br /><UL><LI>Meet in Denver on Thursday and then drive to Estes Park and spend the night</LI><br /><LI>Hit the trail early Friday and hike up the Roaring River to Lawn Lake while fishing along the way</LI><br /><LI>Camp at Lawn Lake Friday night and fish the lake in the evening</LI><br /><LI>Crack it early Saturday and climb the 13,425 foot trail-less Mummy Mountain</LI><br /><LI>After the summit, fish Big Crystal lake for large cruising Greenbacks</LI><br /><LI>Fish the inlet stream between Crystal Lakes and Lawn Lake on the way back to camp</LI><br /><LI>Bust out early Sunday for the car, have a nice lunch in Estes Park, and then make for Steve's 5PM flight in Denver</LI></UL>The trip went off without a hitch.<br /><br /><br /><B>Greenbacks and Mountain Tops</B><br /><br />On the way to the trail head coming down the road to Horseshoe Park we got our first view of the area we would be hiking. Lawn Lake and the Roaring River are <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_Lake_Dam">noteworthy</A> as an earthen damn that was built in 1903 to increase the size of the lake failed July 15, 1982 at 6:00 in the morning. A huge amount of water was release and rushed down the Roaring River canyon spilling massive amounts of debris and water into Horseshoe Park and down into Estes Park. Three campers were lost in the flood. Twenty seven years later the alluvial fan created as the debris spilled out of the canyon is still clearly visible. The peaks in the background, from left to right, are Chiquita at 13,069 feet, Ypsilon at 13,514 feet and Fairchild at 13,502 feet. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3P6x-_egIgZa2tAF1B1NqPG8B01kOgeuSdMJtGughNhJVdrjBX6TwUSOUsG7-PhSBkgVkR7iHvEE4BO51E-pFXLvulu9kBGvJ1l9E3Vmdgu2NKvXpLKarc6OEN7LUVCSqro/s1600-h/IMG_0897.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361878253131422226 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3P6x-_egIgZa2tAF1B1NqPG8B01kOgeuSdMJtGughNhJVdrjBX6TwUSOUsG7-PhSBkgVkR7iHvEE4BO51E-pFXLvulu9kBGvJ1l9E3Vmdgu2NKvXpLKarc6OEN7LUVCSqro/s400/IMG_0897.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The Lawn Lake trail starts at 8,500 feet and works its way up to 11,000 at the lake over 6.3 trail miles. Most <A href="http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?id=4348363">folks</A> that fish the river for Greenbacks don't venture too far past the first point the trail hits the river. For a small river this area gets hammered. Especially on the weekends. We saw at least a dozen rods on both our way up and down that were fishing the lower section. It is too bad they didn't walk a bit more, because once you gain some altitude, the river and the fishing experience take on a whole new character. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYWwb0oYYXvASHcAp5S_xVlnjPI0zJcyJUDznxh6uAG9bnBudn9KZyWTRgiNrdwe4QAfhAoXWVNtZNF1W6TJk049CgLOlXdDvycPiOjs_67XOICjN7lXiiJsDoa8sxwuBo-Q/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361886446715626210 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYWwb0oYYXvASHcAp5S_xVlnjPI0zJcyJUDznxh6uAG9bnBudn9KZyWTRgiNrdwe4QAfhAoXWVNtZNF1W6TJk049CgLOlXdDvycPiOjs_67XOICjN7lXiiJsDoa8sxwuBo-Q/s400/IMG_0914.JPG" border=0></A><br /><br />This is the view of Mummy Mountain from 10,000 feet elevation on the trail. We fished a bit below the high-grade river section you see in the foreground but spent most of our time above it. Once above this section the fishing improves dramatically. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2L56AjKW_OepCR73ql8VbNa1NINle7O0lvhZr23uRGq442t_37YHI7cdifKHX6-UG5wQyXQ7GMGRr35YvG7kRiiJ1YdEY3qVPJnyruOG_o1HDcZNiqGvezAik6DXxxxI5xI/s1600-h/IMGP0283.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361880184666931714 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2L56AjKW_OepCR73ql8VbNa1NINle7O0lvhZr23uRGq442t_37YHI7cdifKHX6-UG5wQyXQ7GMGRr35YvG7kRiiJ1YdEY3qVPJnyruOG_o1HDcZNiqGvezAik6DXxxxI5xI/s400/IMGP0283.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The higher we went the more the Greenbacks seemed to be wearing their spawning colors. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpIAcfYVKn9mqP3FZHbxx47nheedcg1404I5CI8pAxWSPdRnAUiyWnNuvN6SWW7YWqYYzznrSywt3kqMZ6y261S22mXAn8y6GF15UTisPAoleyeC0DPJEY5NNhWYroKz85Nk/s1600-h/IMGP0297.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361885589086793698 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpIAcfYVKn9mqP3FZHbxx47nheedcg1404I5CI8pAxWSPdRnAUiyWnNuvN6SWW7YWqYYzznrSywt3kqMZ6y261S22mXAn8y6GF15UTisPAoleyeC0DPJEY5NNhWYroKz85Nk/s400/IMGP0297.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Greenbacks are amazingly beautiful fish. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbWdpm0CLUGQuLh78aVIwo2Jva5ezw_WcEbcC8JacSs6zOdh5WbBkQPQ3xVNXLIL5CeBlwE_CPRKXHYq4jRoDmwjYmhu3ugDFxG4_d1uHkWUSWAHfq23-0Nd71d89To9jNNs/s1600-h/IMG_0919.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361887082872111650 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbWdpm0CLUGQuLh78aVIwo2Jva5ezw_WcEbcC8JacSs6zOdh5WbBkQPQ3xVNXLIL5CeBlwE_CPRKXHYq4jRoDmwjYmhu3ugDFxG4_d1uHkWUSWAHfq23-0Nd71d89To9jNNs/s400/IMG_0919.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Stealth paid dividends. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDmhfBxXMv_8LUdvd-vuDgoPJ-DB8sb-SgUgB7d9gyqtQi9J2OZcAbU1nkS0OoIQbq-WhU0fQEKMZFDNLJ9XnksbUBdH6z0WT7Lekxjhl1kY17qjhUs9RsAmoD55PuYDujfc/s1600-h/IMG_0911.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361890470649315682 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDmhfBxXMv_8LUdvd-vuDgoPJ-DB8sb-SgUgB7d9gyqtQi9J2OZcAbU1nkS0OoIQbq-WhU0fQEKMZFDNLJ9XnksbUBdH6z0WT7Lekxjhl1kY17qjhUs9RsAmoD55PuYDujfc/s400/IMG_0911.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx1SL65-xelLE5Hz-T9dNssEH2eeL1j9ECaVJ3zKAX78TuUqxZ1tyjVeyqOLow6CwuiQMGjivBGwJsNO0lqSBdLUjZHDm6omKOFx82yeo7veHGn-d48PC9JZIIcDA4eGn25E/s1600-h/IMG_0922.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361897944073887970 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx1SL65-xelLE5Hz-T9dNssEH2eeL1j9ECaVJ3zKAX78TuUqxZ1tyjVeyqOLow6CwuiQMGjivBGwJsNO0lqSBdLUjZHDm6omKOFx82yeo7veHGn-d48PC9JZIIcDA4eGn25E/s400/IMG_0922.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />For the fish too...<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuly2nMOOcwgP9W2a0p5-bBNXiIG2ceONBGKHYdTM9O-Z7g87-7HOJDqK6TRSYy8qFdyViNc7VsNQ87OP6na3IPPx04bseFzE1H6k1YV3hyphenhyphenAbG9uaqqc8GKPpPyMP0AXk6ko/s1600-h/IMG_0920.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361887708354201714 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuly2nMOOcwgP9W2a0p5-bBNXiIG2ceONBGKHYdTM9O-Z7g87-7HOJDqK6TRSYy8qFdyViNc7VsNQ87OP6na3IPPx04bseFzE1H6k1YV3hyphenhyphenAbG9uaqqc8GKPpPyMP0AXk6ko/s400/IMG_0920.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixm7sxo6WZLyfn6thQ7U4jZTX4WwXawa_jlGe1RP968omz2Q5KtX-xsRVwZCFjFlIfGY5KjbVuXT0b1NUanHXzPinT6zymtk9d2ra4QoKNXYUpdsndztmRFLukSteHhIxWcE/s1600-h/IMG_0909.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361890863013445762 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixm7sxo6WZLyfn6thQ7U4jZTX4WwXawa_jlGe1RP968omz2Q5KtX-xsRVwZCFjFlIfGY5KjbVuXT0b1NUanHXzPinT6zymtk9d2ra4QoKNXYUpdsndztmRFLukSteHhIxWcE/s400/IMG_0909.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The upper section ends, as to be expected, at Lawn Lake. You can see the outlet of the lake and the site of the damn failure in the photo below. The 12,398 foot "Saddle" is directly in the background and Hagues Peak, 13,560 feet, is to the right. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaAhrWQHAtI_z8OdyhLO3fuNFddHd-0HZK5V6VTA9Iwy9rEHUZm8MAk9FQHO3s4dDLy1Q3owCl0mlteIVAoUvFXHY2r1XqcUhonV7cQSEIKU4RonoE5B3FJLn8eUOW47kWNY/s1600-h/IMGP0306.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361900836971380258 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaAhrWQHAtI_z8OdyhLO3fuNFddHd-0HZK5V6VTA9Iwy9rEHUZm8MAk9FQHO3s4dDLy1Q3owCl0mlteIVAoUvFXHY2r1XqcUhonV7cQSEIKU4RonoE5B3FJLn8eUOW47kWNY/s400/IMGP0306.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Steve pulled this nice fish out of the outlet channel at the base of the lake. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANBjcFhTGpqSq68Wdgt1Hn7MM3ki3rS2ZmBq60fFsQEHcDJfqbmulm5uHCM-YYLXYVRSkMb3JyIuxdecRSTbgXHnvB2prmOMwiG2TQZSDKrYW-SyfKzzhxlAN1UaZ3SkIbpQ/s1600-h/IMGP0311.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361901434187366034 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANBjcFhTGpqSq68Wdgt1Hn7MM3ki3rS2ZmBq60fFsQEHcDJfqbmulm5uHCM-YYLXYVRSkMb3JyIuxdecRSTbgXHnvB2prmOMwiG2TQZSDKrYW-SyfKzzhxlAN1UaZ3SkIbpQ/s400/IMGP0311.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />To celebrate the end of the first day we opened up the Hudson Single Malt.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPQelBbIihlN51j1DWnFmSGhsH8Y4x1LGaqbre0OZDjYmB5JRKRFug6777tG_NVRL7hZ1QNFHeZzFpPYkL316aT_eqoziF-y22UI81KcO5Q0dji46iNhtfEswjU-yclEz6Fk/s1600-h/IMGP0308.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361903463050579794 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPQelBbIihlN51j1DWnFmSGhsH8Y4x1LGaqbre0OZDjYmB5JRKRFug6777tG_NVRL7hZ1QNFHeZzFpPYkL316aT_eqoziF-y22UI81KcO5Q0dji46iNhtfEswjU-yclEz6Fk/s400/IMGP0308.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Perhaps owing to the altitude or the long hike up (or maybe the Hudson), the next morning our planned "alpine start" slipped a little bit and we did not set out on the trail until around 10AM. This is a view of the summit of Mummy Mountain, our target for the morning. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxIV1FVdGgHg4eSqNSZJFKmmgxAL10lmNHfmaBAMYam24PLPGVjFNzchBkMV0CjA6JoxYhu3ce_Rvh2R9Wiltpw1iPs-cR6gMmyBN6xvUyNWuM2EtNTq9YJU5LBCZLObTpQ/s1600-h/IMGP0389.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361905885819460706 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxIV1FVdGgHg4eSqNSZJFKmmgxAL10lmNHfmaBAMYam24PLPGVjFNzchBkMV0CjA6JoxYhu3ce_Rvh2R9Wiltpw1iPs-cR6gMmyBN6xvUyNWuM2EtNTq9YJU5LBCZLObTpQ/s400/IMGP0389.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />On the way up toward Mummy you pass near Crystal Lake and the small stream that connects it and Lawn Lake. We made sure to make a point to return to this spot later to fish where the creek drops off into Lawn Lake. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnnnmGF3rB91sVnrozO_zTBSArX2IU8koh71KlET_TISfQvyujg30xvaMkb1qJqn7TrCz75l-zV9iifVXvPllJ2NXF6NxCTnorhd_CyFWiArL1hZg2LbgC-ygyh6D4SwLMdY/s1600-h/IMGP0318.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361907006366838098 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnnnmGF3rB91sVnrozO_zTBSArX2IU8koh71KlET_TISfQvyujg30xvaMkb1qJqn7TrCz75l-zV9iifVXvPllJ2NXF6NxCTnorhd_CyFWiArL1hZg2LbgC-ygyh6D4SwLMdY/s400/IMGP0318.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />To climb Mummy Mountain you follow an established trail toward the saddle then head into off-trail around 12,000 feet for the scramble up to summit at 13,500 feet. This is our first good look at Big and Little Crystal lakes. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMltdFDmELgAhC7pNkZ-U0aLNfpgrOtu740oV6JWKZYDFfOGXgWMBTqnDhg95diqTkie_-T159wCp0rjg2jvGlAi96K_1o0pa1zkj9em8gZyI9ShdlQR6fkgESEAIOBGDYei8/s1600-h/IMG_0946.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075247872837250 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMltdFDmELgAhC7pNkZ-U0aLNfpgrOtu740oV6JWKZYDFfOGXgWMBTqnDhg95diqTkie_-T159wCp0rjg2jvGlAi96K_1o0pa1zkj9em8gZyI9ShdlQR6fkgESEAIOBGDYei8/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />This is me partway up Mummy. You can see two things here; that the wildflowers were out in force, and that the hike up Mummy was pretty steep. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_CRvVCoxo0QBspwJmeoay-xrvuWeHfzTngFr1wNpQ9urGQZBwCAwbaO8zkp5Gf6hAmT3go0DmFd6qE1fL8FsDyY61yVwfw1hswp_Ft867wSkBvMT31T25Z41IPiLa9AB2Dg/s1600-h/IMG_0948.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362075878821784674 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_CRvVCoxo0QBspwJmeoay-xrvuWeHfzTngFr1wNpQ9urGQZBwCAwbaO8zkp5Gf6hAmT3go0DmFd6qE1fL8FsDyY61yVwfw1hswp_Ft867wSkBvMT31T25Z41IPiLa9AB2Dg/s400/IMG_0948.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Getting closer to the summit. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxfMtXIS3HolScGbuvmb6BRUiCIZ2o5QpLLhCpFhrBH8S7ljhzwITrR-xFahauJjx6N3QUyh4MRQcAtW5Gefk4sSFARPxUfzi25rpTQTf30KSkiM_uMPp4YmQruBL9FJs8yE/s1600-h/IMG_0945.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362077010550542370 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxfMtXIS3HolScGbuvmb6BRUiCIZ2o5QpLLhCpFhrBH8S7ljhzwITrR-xFahauJjx6N3QUyh4MRQcAtW5Gefk4sSFARPxUfzi25rpTQTf30KSkiM_uMPp4YmQruBL9FJs8yE/s400/IMG_0945.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The final 500 foot or so push to the summit got a little "boney". Photo below of Steve holding up a rock. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBuANdEpAnnfmORjR7emXJWLK71R1qWVNd1qO9_2dFgO6cHe5WTfWs1C2xmLyqCYl453bDv1srC0013SkJvH8OCQ2mg62EooGCUUS84m2gc-wrQHFkJhsDBW30vhv8aZj0A/s1600-h/IMGP0336.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362086866879619762 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBuANdEpAnnfmORjR7emXJWLK71R1qWVNd1qO9_2dFgO6cHe5WTfWs1C2xmLyqCYl453bDv1srC0013SkJvH8OCQ2mg62EooGCUUS84m2gc-wrQHFkJhsDBW30vhv8aZj0A/s400/IMGP0336.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Finally, a view of the summit and a sense that you really could die up there if you fell. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv6lRfapZt92jix7qfgcjLkfsrovtHtQT9aSuUtEmAHH-HWZGMl56x7I4Zi8GgWHoJgKm-2tuEqhJoU6nQ-RFOTnRhwkxnTr8qjylHDEu0_TARanJTNbXvSXF3cvscV_dNKs/s1600-h/IMG_0953.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362087669394114658 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv6lRfapZt92jix7qfgcjLkfsrovtHtQT9aSuUtEmAHH-HWZGMl56x7I4Zi8GgWHoJgKm-2tuEqhJoU6nQ-RFOTnRhwkxnTr8qjylHDEu0_TARanJTNbXvSXF3cvscV_dNKs/s400/IMG_0953.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />We could see our camp at Lawn Lake nearly 2000 feet below. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXDZFhyphenhyphenYfz55HbW9iv1fnalwXQkyUQLBrRT8UDKCckqViy0bU6HeQN3e0v2KQzxWMUUJzVXIhi8DXtoN8Llv5FpYCgxmSsV-BZcNYJkY1yIUqORZlECRp_96hOGSjyN_aeA4/s1600-h/IMGP0340.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362088374241863986 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXDZFhyphenhyphenYfz55HbW9iv1fnalwXQkyUQLBrRT8UDKCckqViy0bU6HeQN3e0v2KQzxWMUUJzVXIhi8DXtoN8Llv5FpYCgxmSsV-BZcNYJkY1yIUqORZlECRp_96hOGSjyN_aeA4/s400/IMGP0340.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />At the summit! (In Steve's left hand is the peak register) <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk7vGoKXMU0deZuacxdldntOpviUD5Pq6y6XA52ubMPbTTGIJXpjiRcAWvSY1A531_elkbwhR10GrCWYvcyT5zX4_o-Xp5lrrAkONk-eC6dn0LVMQhZteLAumejAOva-mdqY/s1600-h/IMG_0962.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362089118451381634 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk7vGoKXMU0deZuacxdldntOpviUD5Pq6y6XA52ubMPbTTGIJXpjiRcAWvSY1A531_elkbwhR10GrCWYvcyT5zX4_o-Xp5lrrAkONk-eC6dn0LVMQhZteLAumejAOva-mdqY/s400/IMG_0962.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The views of Crystal Lakes, the Roaring River and Lawn Lake. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRjSsDxwt7AQSRKCbE9O6F1BHK2Np9sitvEEHog5FH1YkN99y4ckOLiGBZojXtPbCedEEu-QUnGoVzSAhRD10EvAmcmbrOBKvKFfrR9o1kkHpdAZ3qHLTdpof08yfz_5dZNk/s1600-h/IMG_0964.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362089762711761234 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRjSsDxwt7AQSRKCbE9O6F1BHK2Np9sitvEEHog5FH1YkN99y4ckOLiGBZojXtPbCedEEu-QUnGoVzSAhRD10EvAmcmbrOBKvKFfrR9o1kkHpdAZ3qHLTdpof08yfz_5dZNk/s400/IMG_0964.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtATJVJ6z0fB7zsupAhqneWClffQnJSwdq_mX9h0rbOiwjIvWGemO9qurr1q43KmIGVIVsJHM-nD1iXqt2LIWiPSsM3yNFyBnF5V9jGsGRvCtDmiDddhZyJl7duSmItTjxEZ0/s1600-h/IMG_0965.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362089752636922850 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtATJVJ6z0fB7zsupAhqneWClffQnJSwdq_mX9h0rbOiwjIvWGemO9qurr1q43KmIGVIVsJHM-nD1iXqt2LIWiPSsM3yNFyBnF5V9jGsGRvCtDmiDddhZyJl7duSmItTjxEZ0/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NnM0F3A2ZHYJHSsHz-O0sVkj1c1UMoBQ5rUlhcxvxz4LtNxsmjEhJUApCa3ThTGE7l6GNw3UsLiHW5i9e69_vEXNy9M0t2gfwS849lUs-vBu8yA5DSnNxXkZ8VCpmZEEboc/s1600-h/IMG_0963.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362089742204837714 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NnM0F3A2ZHYJHSsHz-O0sVkj1c1UMoBQ5rUlhcxvxz4LtNxsmjEhJUApCa3ThTGE7l6GNw3UsLiHW5i9e69_vEXNy9M0t2gfwS849lUs-vBu8yA5DSnNxXkZ8VCpmZEEboc/s400/IMG_0963.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The climb up Mummy took about 3 hours. The trip back down to where we had stashed our fly rods at the turnoff to Crystal Lakes took just over an hour. For those unfamiliar with Big Crystal Lake, it is purportedly home to some of the largest Greenback Cutthroat trout anywhere in the world. At 12,000 feet, the lake has no real consistent insect hatches and a very short summer feeding season. Consequently, the fish cruise near the drop-off around the perimeter of the lake opportunistically eating anything they can. Or so we've been told (including on our hike in during a brief conversation with a guide from <A href="http://www.wildbasinoutfitters.com/">Wild Basin outfitters</A> that was guiding a husband and wife team on the Roaring River). <br /><br />It turned out that we would not catch a single fish in Big Crystal lake. <br /><br />I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Here is what happened.<br /><br />I can say with absolute certainty that there are large Greenback Cutthroat trout in Big Crystal lake. Little Crystal, by the way, is fishless as best we could tell. Probably because there is no good outlet stream for spawning and the two lakes are not really connected in any way. The trail to Big Crystal lake approaches the lake at the outlet stream. Before we could even see the water, we could hear big fish splashing. When we finally did see the outlet stream, what we saw there amazed us. Probably 90 percent of the fish in the lake were in the 250 yards of prime outlet stream in 6 to 24 inches of water. There were hundreds of fish (if not into the thousands) and they were all getting busy. Chasing each other, biting, flapping their tails out of the water, digging into the dirt and "shivering". The big fish were making wakes as they cruised. Some large fish were swimming in water that was so shallow their backs were exposed. The site of all of these rare fish stacked in such perfect, seemingly manicured, spawning habitat was incredible. And some of the fish were truly huge, easily over two feet in length. In order to best share this experience, below I am going to post most of the pictures Steve and I took as well as a short video that Steve took. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zwIobpeNHCnv_FSLwmT99tBWer6Co36jsTeevUdf_rQcCepufDYn05iK1t4AscMHXiktZ2-7KcfGV1tsCWcFIapWLizgHLp0kI9DQVI_KlLME-OJZu_xAQkpi8fTAP2Szxg/s1600-h/IMGP0378.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102227294165602 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zwIobpeNHCnv_FSLwmT99tBWer6Co36jsTeevUdf_rQcCepufDYn05iK1t4AscMHXiktZ2-7KcfGV1tsCWcFIapWLizgHLp0kI9DQVI_KlLME-OJZu_xAQkpi8fTAP2Szxg/s400/IMGP0378.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt_tZjA3Vf2yUDeBGUBRrNyUROYAhNaa6ERNaO8YBqR58NgFTjzK3_PKvNsuOtaYqnkJ4TqltmqWSdpbS5GzGokJ8vYIwbAVq2qL0nThcCnuJn1_SVyX7sug7KbGMAOG-vK8/s1600-h/IMGP0371.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102220596046098 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt_tZjA3Vf2yUDeBGUBRrNyUROYAhNaa6ERNaO8YBqR58NgFTjzK3_PKvNsuOtaYqnkJ4TqltmqWSdpbS5GzGokJ8vYIwbAVq2qL0nThcCnuJn1_SVyX7sug7KbGMAOG-vK8/s400/IMGP0371.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMyE-k6CXYG-rX8lSyOutYviz3ql-c7Au2sInjF6f8z755BtzcKiujbzoLSsnJtJmN8bfsUiYY79D86wWYzFH4u8lAKvuqi3Tpl41AFSFaMQEJjHDZWaCjSDFxZHqY5MOH6M/s1600-h/IMGP0370.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102215864841618 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMyE-k6CXYG-rX8lSyOutYviz3ql-c7Au2sInjF6f8z755BtzcKiujbzoLSsnJtJmN8bfsUiYY79D86wWYzFH4u8lAKvuqi3Tpl41AFSFaMQEJjHDZWaCjSDFxZHqY5MOH6M/s400/IMGP0370.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRK-k7WlfZSveAMLwgDZRNr75P6WwpHDhRxipmZYAWlMc1JXvaeps87whaFXuxbh7A7fT36sS-NTQcS_NNhq50-PNDjdi0QDNAnAZOjmCJ90tJ4qZg16ufk2EMDdHs5Ccf_k/s1600-h/IMGP0369.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102213144930658 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRK-k7WlfZSveAMLwgDZRNr75P6WwpHDhRxipmZYAWlMc1JXvaeps87whaFXuxbh7A7fT36sS-NTQcS_NNhq50-PNDjdi0QDNAnAZOjmCJ90tJ4qZg16ufk2EMDdHs5Ccf_k/s400/IMGP0369.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EQ9lo5Cm-XDepi9eVzyg-dGCnKn9MqNbj5iNX5zeJoeTprVUFmSWufkm8drGegDFENTy2KLMZQal-Zsja6UYABOOnXDy4ZCT-ol0MQ5-fxZf-TP67tqcFAMEen1umRswuQw/s1600-h/IMGP0366.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102204778124738 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EQ9lo5Cm-XDepi9eVzyg-dGCnKn9MqNbj5iNX5zeJoeTprVUFmSWufkm8drGegDFENTy2KLMZQal-Zsja6UYABOOnXDy4ZCT-ol0MQ5-fxZf-TP67tqcFAMEen1umRswuQw/s400/IMGP0366.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYieeg1O6bRkMjkqcisqlkmiiP8SivJongy2rW8uA1xzhTjhXm86_nzIeCG3sIRjD-B2hDI7p_5u_NVw9W-Tq6WvlwSFCbIWoBbtxdTXGvPaAyYFcJ8BR6BnhtzbMhijKndU/s1600-h/IMG_0985.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102821999105778 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYieeg1O6bRkMjkqcisqlkmiiP8SivJongy2rW8uA1xzhTjhXm86_nzIeCG3sIRjD-B2hDI7p_5u_NVw9W-Tq6WvlwSFCbIWoBbtxdTXGvPaAyYFcJ8BR6BnhtzbMhijKndU/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGd5PlSALmlDYE1iksCloko3J0K_nQigoSZp0D1VYf7iEek4dIuwh2riEaSn5OH0QpHXgW_1wfbveM7JknclXW_ef6tBScUVkA0wu94EkYFk_T8vyVZetAGaXvpl1RMHN_IU/s1600-h/IMG_0983.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362102818278783154 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGd5PlSALmlDYE1iksCloko3J0K_nQigoSZp0D1VYf7iEek4dIuwh2riEaSn5OH0QpHXgW_1wfbveM7JknclXW_ef6tBScUVkA0wu94EkYFk_T8vyVZetAGaXvpl1RMHN_IU/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Steve's video. <br /><center><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-dadad08477e14244 height=266 width=320 contentId="dadad08477e14244"></OBJECT></center><br /><br />A wider perspective to give you an idea of what the overall spawning habitat looked like. Honestly, it was like a Koi pond. But instead of Koi it was loaded with ornery Greenbacks. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_tRsVYtYnCwFXZwGJnuwAN0IRvP7AYQ8HijgusvIjkCjGL-MYY_eXhstpTxOWBJc3PzuuOOLns_MOlCOwmUt8MgxGhFsQbEK6bP8Wk6tYjP3Wn86kvNMKuz8PYq3TCP6pKU/s1600-h/IMGP0372.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362104114920549506 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_tRsVYtYnCwFXZwGJnuwAN0IRvP7AYQ8HijgusvIjkCjGL-MYY_eXhstpTxOWBJc3PzuuOOLns_MOlCOwmUt8MgxGhFsQbEK6bP8Wk6tYjP3Wn86kvNMKuz8PYq3TCP6pKU/s400/IMGP0372.JPG" border=0></A><br /><br />After watching the fish do their thing for quite some time, we made our way out to the lake to see if we couldn't catch any. We didn't see a single fish rise in the larger lake and I only saw one cruiser and got a short strike on a streamer. We did see fish migrating in and out of the outlet stream. They just were not interested in eating.<br /><br />A great picture of Steve fishing Crystal Lake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pAvarHzsIozziQCEOzRrU_air1kzxWWhNEmg3B9whwagQgmhIJzI46W2EiHB968J_0gXJndgnccDVEYxlw7kOpoYXnp3-k0rS6q_DYG3K0PKWd4FCmeZGCGNEHo3ZODzLlw/s1600-h/IMGP0374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pAvarHzsIozziQCEOzRrU_air1kzxWWhNEmg3B9whwagQgmhIJzI46W2EiHB968J_0gXJndgnccDVEYxlw7kOpoYXnp3-k0rS6q_DYG3K0PKWd4FCmeZGCGNEHo3ZODzLlw/s400/IMGP0374.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362107639767325170" /></a><br />Steve took this picture looking back toward me (Mummy in the background).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0uFfpOohxERN7jbH2rSN0WeYMggtVzE5tRbRlp_b0wFaH-V6Mpdo8RGz_ooU75HfnfBUfUU2vTmbql4EUr7QHiGbC719SCy4iXj39M1L28bD1GsQT2uDo6twTNMBYxeQy30/s1600-h/IMG_0987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0uFfpOohxERN7jbH2rSN0WeYMggtVzE5tRbRlp_b0wFaH-V6Mpdo8RGz_ooU75HfnfBUfUU2vTmbql4EUr7QHiGbC719SCy4iXj39M1L28bD1GsQT2uDo6twTNMBYxeQy30/s400/IMG_0987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362108080851639874" /></a><br /><br />After spending a few hours at Crystal Lake taking it all in, we made our way back down to the spot at Lawn Lake we had noted earlier in the morning. We also fished the small inlet stream above Lawn. The inlet stream was good. The dropoff into the lake was great.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOHWRubXIzNA0g1iAMjQrl06OnJPaZhR8qWhC2FWCWWfg0SJrE3ITyhfRPY0VjodLSc208mMzjZMd8QAxItD6SJ5oqfJxmbbvUZYzgXY6pU-TSUQr5gu7-FWJXMOpxgRH5GU/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOHWRubXIzNA0g1iAMjQrl06OnJPaZhR8qWhC2FWCWWfg0SJrE3ITyhfRPY0VjodLSc208mMzjZMd8QAxItD6SJ5oqfJxmbbvUZYzgXY6pU-TSUQr5gu7-FWJXMOpxgRH5GU/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362109477148291986" /></a><br /><br />That night we did pretty well fishing till dark. Then we finished off the Hudson and hit the sack. The next morning we packed up and covered the 6.3 miles back down to the car in about two hours and made it back to DIA in time for Steve's flight back. <br /><br />Great trip. Great fishing.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-80355863918037847302009-04-23T19:30:00.000-07:002009-04-29T22:01:56.599-07:00SAVE THE PAIUTE<B>UPDATE: Caltrout made it easy to contribute--<a href="http://ga3.org/campaign/pauite/wdne8ib42j6i6iwx?">CLICK HERE</A></B><br /><br />I've had the pleasure of hiking into Silver King Creek at Llewelyn Falls on two occasions. The first was a solo trip that I wrote about <a href="http://dragfree.blogspot.com/2005/08/rarest-trout-in-world-and-golden-trout.html">here</a>. The second occasion was a <a href="http://dragfree.blogspot.com/2005/08/silver-king-ii.html">trip with Bernie Weston and DFG's Dave Lentz</a>. On those trips I caught three native Paiute Trout that had come down over the falls from the pure population above. <br /><br />I went back a second time because the three of us thought it would be the last chance to catch a Paiute in its native range for some time. The day after our trip Silver King was to be closed for rotenone treatment to remove the non-native rainbows to make way for the native fish. Unfortunatley, on the evening of the day before the restoration was to start, after the DFG had mobilized at the trailhead and organized supplies and volunteers, a last minute lawsuit and court order sidetracked the restoration efforts. <br /><br />As part of the restoration plan and ongoing management effort, the regulations were changed effective the day the treatment was to take place. The fishing closure point on the creek was moved from the falls a ways downstream to Tamarack Creek. This new closure point has remained in effect since that day in August 2005 and has effectively wiped out any possibility of catching a Paiute in their native range. I do know of one person that went into Silver King below the new closure point and caught a Piaute at the conflunce of a tributary creek that holds Paiutes in its headwaters. To me this was remarkable. I've also spoken with a few folks that have caught Paiutes in legal waters outside of their native range. To do this requires some tough off-trail hiking, good navigation skills, and a lot of determination.<br /><br />This is a Paiute that was caught just below the falls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDpHi-gQFhj9LY7IFKQgA1ct12jjdJFvGNt_GDz6T67xBcnAIl03L60aBe6KGKYQ8dXv7hf2OklGuZD0HzMuMJ1beJxQ1T39DaAyaaRVjoTELAXFU6dpBBNFdFjijD1HI9U/s1600-h/IMGP0963.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDpHi-gQFhj9LY7IFKQgA1ct12jjdJFvGNt_GDz6T67xBcnAIl03L60aBe6KGKYQ8dXv7hf2OklGuZD0HzMuMJ1beJxQ1T39DaAyaaRVjoTELAXFU6dpBBNFdFjijD1HI9U/s400/IMGP0963.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328085079770573634" /></a><br /><br />Four years later Dave the DFG is continuing in their efforts to restore the Paiute. They are obviously committed to doing everything they can to protect diversity and are in it for the long haul. My hat goes off to them and I stand committed to do whatever I can to help support the goal of restoring native species to their native ranges. Silver King is a beautiful creek in a spectacular high alpine setting and its beauty will only be enhanced if this rare trout is able to once again fin in the waters that drove its diversification.<br /><br /><B><I>Below is a letter from Dave Lentz of the DFG:</B><br /><br />I would like to request that Sac-Sierra TU write a letter of support for the Paiute cutthroat restoration project on Silver King Creek. This would entail endorsing the alternative number 2, eradicating non-native trout below Llewellyn Falls using rotenone, from the draft EIS/EIR that is in comment period now.<br /><br />Here are links to information about the restoration project. First, DFG's website which has the NEPA/CEQA documents(600+pgs, about 9MB). Comment letters can be snail mailed to DFG in Rancho Cordova or emailed, as well. Comment Deadline is May 4.--<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_Paiute/WT_PaiuteCutRestor.asp">http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_Paiute/WT_PaiuteCutRestor.asp</a><br /><br />Also, a link to Ted Williams, Conservation writer for Fly Rod and Reel Magazine that has a lot of background on the Paiute cutthroat project and other western native trout restoration issues:<br /><br />www.flyrodreel.com/node/11698<br /><br />Letters from individuals (in addition to a chapter letter) that support restoring the Paiute cutthroat would be greatly appreciated--this may turn out to be "numbers game", supporters v. opponents, in certain of the approval arenas that the project must pass. There are several permitting steps that are vulnerable to opposition. Supporters should favor Alternative 2 in the EIS/EIR and support returning the Paiute to its native home. So, this would be asking a favor of you individually, as well to write.<br /><br />Letters to: Stafford Lehr, Calif. DFG, 1701 Nimbus Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670<br /><br />or email letters: SilverKingPublicComment@dfg.ca.gov<br /><br />let me know if you need more info. Have a great board meeting and keep up the good work!!<br /><br />thanks, Dave Lentz<br /><br /><br />David Lentz<br />Threatened Trout Coordinator<br /><br />California Department of Fish and Game<br />Fisheries Branch<br />830 S Street<br />Sacramento, CA 95811</I>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-38958302360864044552009-04-19T20:10:00.000-07:002009-04-19T21:59:21.616-07:00Upper & Lower SacA couple weeks back I spent the weekend up around Redding and fished the Upper Sac one day and then did an overnight float trip on the Lower Sac the next two. The reports said the Upper Sac was fishing tough with high water and that the Lower Sac was on fire. The reports were pretty accurate. <br /><br />I fished the Upper around Delta at a few spots I like and have caught big fish at in the past. The lower part of the Upper Sac is a great stretch of the river with bigger water and bigger fish. It seems that there are a few larger and wild fish down low that can be difficult to catch and a lot more "cookie cutters" up top. At least that has been my experience. I managed to dredge this nice fish up not too far from Delta.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcilYH22eAjNRs_LKXhOjjgYyOTOLs3HhCTGpFRziqpdPWRIWukEd_3EEKQoCLIv6mdg3sc0TORpkPZu4bkQENe2vmnacM55oNFBLoGv2FMIiDDmqU2_y__j3MkKtqb6ynSZ0/s1600-h/IMGP0204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcilYH22eAjNRs_LKXhOjjgYyOTOLs3HhCTGpFRziqpdPWRIWukEd_3EEKQoCLIv6mdg3sc0TORpkPZu4bkQENe2vmnacM55oNFBLoGv2FMIiDDmqU2_y__j3MkKtqb6ynSZ0/s400/IMGP0204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326627477258918498" /></a><br /><br />Before starting the drift on the Lower Sac we fished near the Sundial Bridge. This picture is a must have for norcal anglers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1c2uBYpeBqig1RnyJcGAXniqZHEVK08igyOiFd7gp0zmCpQvg4XismvJOJT3e-gIMcAQFgrt1poiBs5ppndrcGOuuQXsEMN6xi_CCAH3JRX8xWLLCYZVXbFzf1yprEuc1zg/s1600-h/IMGP0211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1c2uBYpeBqig1RnyJcGAXniqZHEVK08igyOiFd7gp0zmCpQvg4XismvJOJT3e-gIMcAQFgrt1poiBs5ppndrcGOuuQXsEMN6xi_CCAH3JRX8xWLLCYZVXbFzf1yprEuc1zg/s400/IMGP0211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326627211555787282" /></a><br /><br />We drifted from Bonnyview down to Jelly's Ferry and camped about half way in between. The boat was a two-man pontoon that was pretty easy to fish from. About half the fish caught came from drifting and half from wading. I'll take wade-caught fish over fish from a boat any day. There are truckloads of fish in the Lower Sac and if you drift enough water with a good drift you will catch them. On the other hand, when you are wading you can find a spot where there are likely fish and then use knowledge and experience to figure out what is going on. We had one such experience on this trip where it took about an hour to figure it out, but then once we did we yarded 'em.<br /><br />Below are some representative Lower Sac rainbows.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYKL2tfE-uwNUG5Dk8PUp12EfTzDMD-OTinLzzqBy0nFTn2akIVQuDeoFuqao4sHGtYXROPntO7pACicQ5vL1xzTBFMS9oiT9rl0q1FydfUNz1tXSL-E-LuOPyLGtiXo2LPU/s1600-h/IMGP0214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYKL2tfE-uwNUG5Dk8PUp12EfTzDMD-OTinLzzqBy0nFTn2akIVQuDeoFuqao4sHGtYXROPntO7pACicQ5vL1xzTBFMS9oiT9rl0q1FydfUNz1tXSL-E-LuOPyLGtiXo2LPU/s400/IMGP0214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626981282657090" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwx-ZH0gWQLrVFE4IYdV1aexdLTQnBjKcMe7R2cGmF0Xc-MVANwXvzfJteMffofGzKVpaFVCBqieSbIQ34WbPXE6JHeGo7VOytAWgzz-qTiOho-wjT7wMAviFEqZVwN9nwdo/s1600-h/IMGP0218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwx-ZH0gWQLrVFE4IYdV1aexdLTQnBjKcMe7R2cGmF0Xc-MVANwXvzfJteMffofGzKVpaFVCBqieSbIQ34WbPXE6JHeGo7VOytAWgzz-qTiOho-wjT7wMAviFEqZVwN9nwdo/s400/IMGP0218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626790820637954" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KcYNzAxjf2gel2Avq-IMPeP8faBbwKR3yhZgvxsKwAgRrmnsBB6OPGq6yKGJgFO3WzRvEf2VPy7eig3BNkkII_IPAfOio96uFamwviUumfZ3dC_1O0FW74QLgRanAw4TrcQ/s1600-h/IMGP0219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KcYNzAxjf2gel2Avq-IMPeP8faBbwKR3yhZgvxsKwAgRrmnsBB6OPGq6yKGJgFO3WzRvEf2VPy7eig3BNkkII_IPAfOio96uFamwviUumfZ3dC_1O0FW74QLgRanAw4TrcQ/s400/IMGP0219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626678845023698" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-30753174403239869162009-01-02T20:44:00.000-08:002009-04-20T22:54:26.984-07:00Fly Fishing the EvergladesThis was my third holiday season in a row spent in Marco Island, Florida with my wife's family. Marco is a great place to spend a few weeks in winter with warm water and fishing right out the back door. During the days we fished with <a href="http://www.snookin.com/index.htm"> Kevin Mihailoff </a> out of Chokoloskee. After three years fishing with Kevin in the winter in the Everglades, I'm pretty convinced that he is the best fly fishing guide in the area. He works hard. Poles his butt off, and always, always, puts us on fish. We may not catch them all, but Kevin always gets us double-digit sight-fishing shots at good snook, tarpon and redfish. <br /><br />That's right: sight-fishing. I think most fly fisherman aren't aware of the quality fishing to be had in the Everglades. In the vast network of bays, creeks, and mud flats there always seems to be a spot where we can find, spot, and cast to large fish.<br /><br />The first day we headed south down Gopher Creek to a spot that Kevin thought would hold some fish at a point where two creeks come together. Suffice to say, the snook were stacked.<br /><br />This is the spot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL-5u49TEOKtLVFzl-3SoutrCv94A96vMNzLVC5k74o8MyBgNfsH2LuqPskNLQD5JwikX2TPJrxfT9avbJMAtzVt3hSfs7bDyhQRL1xfd8OZKOM94i-UmIOLBGbWtiAPLhks/s1600-h/IMGP0136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL-5u49TEOKtLVFzl-3SoutrCv94A96vMNzLVC5k74o8MyBgNfsH2LuqPskNLQD5JwikX2TPJrxfT9avbJMAtzVt3hSfs7bDyhQRL1xfd8OZKOM94i-UmIOLBGbWtiAPLhks/s400/IMGP0136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286924264118916114" /></a><br /><br />The backside of the point (where the fish were) was being guarded by this gator.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF64z5OU9YT1tIJ8VU0xwrHcK0xKulF21NNCf2HVPtOgZeZ10DFrnJ2qRXYUqUP6s0Y11Bs_FDNAR9cBQSfxsGNq1tmfWXqzvcMyLmGpH18iTSmgJZTxt7cM19JLZWNDbnSs/s1600-h/IMGP0137.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF64z5OU9YT1tIJ8VU0xwrHcK0xKulF21NNCf2HVPtOgZeZ10DFrnJ2qRXYUqUP6s0Y11Bs_FDNAR9cBQSfxsGNq1tmfWXqzvcMyLmGpH18iTSmgJZTxt7cM19JLZWNDbnSs/s400/IMGP0137.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286924410827991074" /></a><br /><br />Behind the gator, the fish were, indeed, stacked. The foam and swirls in this picture are from snook eating. If you have never heard a snook eat, you need to. Words that were used to describe snook eats during our trip included; roast, crush, chomp, smash, smack, pop, destroy, and crunch. All of these descriptions are pretty accurate. Snook eats are, to say the least, not subtle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l6h2trfXgH2D6yqvdEAkycloWbQ9yPCFkWHBuaG2XkHUJ2xiCKfOAPfUVog_jVEhvdUBGKc_tUwTBASZHmCoBaOUrZ35Nu5F5zyBbuFJgZ9fPuqwKUyxOSSsQjeG-5L2Jsk/s1600-h/IMGP0139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l6h2trfXgH2D6yqvdEAkycloWbQ9yPCFkWHBuaG2XkHUJ2xiCKfOAPfUVog_jVEhvdUBGKc_tUwTBASZHmCoBaOUrZ35Nu5F5zyBbuFJgZ9fPuqwKUyxOSSsQjeG-5L2Jsk/s400/IMGP0139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286924641423101970" /></a><br /><br />On another day I fished with my good friend from Business School and partner on last year's Christmas Island trip, Steve. I am slowly working on converting Steve from an off-shore sailfish kind of guy to a fly angler. With trips like the <a href="http://dragfree.blogspot.com/2005/08/wyoming-cutt-slam_113004141982996993.html"> Cuttslam </a>, <a href="http://dragfree.blogspot.com/2008/02/christmas-island.html"> Christmas Island </a>, and this run to the Everglades, I should be successful. Here is Steve fast to a snook.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZJMw848UpdDWu5w2W_RS1E4lrZRbwO7dCUD4qWSEBbdRV4rBajrtIVxGC10WCG5Z4iWvG5XzogYVoDH5SGfHss8NizDpl3xgpoVexQvgU-T51eJhNniuSW3CO-Nc06V6xKk/s1600-h/IMGP0173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZJMw848UpdDWu5w2W_RS1E4lrZRbwO7dCUD4qWSEBbdRV4rBajrtIVxGC10WCG5Z4iWvG5XzogYVoDH5SGfHss8NizDpl3xgpoVexQvgU-T51eJhNniuSW3CO-Nc06V6xKk/s400/IMGP0173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286925321041624738" /></a><br /><br />Me with a snook on from the same spot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsexs64RTVxORT2AYb_DCmdalmNoPEQVb3o-ajAc3gSVYvqBfYJMhQ9VOezm7J8zYAVGm2M3Mwnhxmb-22HAcIVdZEDbrWb5lamSfh6jf69keq03caIw-hvzgal0CU72LYxM/s1600-h/IMGP0174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsexs64RTVxORT2AYb_DCmdalmNoPEQVb3o-ajAc3gSVYvqBfYJMhQ9VOezm7J8zYAVGm2M3Mwnhxmb-22HAcIVdZEDbrWb5lamSfh6jf69keq03caIw-hvzgal0CU72LYxM/s400/IMGP0174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286925609768457778" /></a><br /><br />A decent snook.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV8_QGQFX5ZlLutT5t4I1qhMs8q8gYy3HIggzqZimIA5Fc7XpGz4SwBVaZZbJg2PxNTpYC_G_dZvSj8MuOHLho7VlDccamQ28Jc2tIk4XWRZvxliGk5NpEALluYIWoSgKGJU/s1600-h/IMGP0177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV8_QGQFX5ZlLutT5t4I1qhMs8q8gYy3HIggzqZimIA5Fc7XpGz4SwBVaZZbJg2PxNTpYC_G_dZvSj8MuOHLho7VlDccamQ28Jc2tIk4XWRZvxliGk5NpEALluYIWoSgKGJU/s400/IMGP0177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286926024164037090" /></a><br /><br />One afternoon Kevin took my father-in-law and I looking for tarpon. We found a dozen or so laid-up in a small bay. I got a nice one to eat (guide estimated at 140 pounds+) but after eating the fly it swam right at the boat a jumped in a raging, thrashing fit and threw the hook. Roger, though, being a much more seasoned tarpon angler, was able to get one to eat and stay buttoned. This is the first jump (CLICK THE PICTURE TO VIEW IT IN A LARGER FORMAT).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W9pHf65ivBBE4vw8YvNloJaSOhGsHwZQPoBVRMyoQuePnMqtyVm3GDwy79rPwmVasB0TG5-fYowSEdHFPKyA1j-TLf9ExcL1_hEoJl68VP8A-GcCMM_UaxXhYwjMm7w99vc/s1600-h/Tarpon+Jump.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W9pHf65ivBBE4vw8YvNloJaSOhGsHwZQPoBVRMyoQuePnMqtyVm3GDwy79rPwmVasB0TG5-fYowSEdHFPKyA1j-TLf9ExcL1_hEoJl68VP8A-GcCMM_UaxXhYwjMm7w99vc/s400/Tarpon+Jump.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286926429689082338" /></a><br /><br />Just after the second jump...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqSOmbh87IsbwlPfRfttVlzYGgAHrZSs7VFNorVVv9Gh2_VJzmiF6SYeZPFTjXZRG8Mc3OR5F-97jyzMc0NiEDX0tUt2wM1gJVgfFbC8OVgzr18rTx6YzdbGMkIgsGBslNwg/s1600-h/IMGP0180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqSOmbh87IsbwlPfRfttVlzYGgAHrZSs7VFNorVVv9Gh2_VJzmiF6SYeZPFTjXZRG8Mc3OR5F-97jyzMc0NiEDX0tUt2wM1gJVgfFbC8OVgzr18rTx6YzdbGMkIgsGBslNwg/s400/IMGP0180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286926640954248610" /></a><br /><br />Guide Kevin getting ready to get soaked. This tarpon was medium sized for the Everglades.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5i4XIyFfDMzMbs90EOp-cf3lmCZMEtpYfEGkqNS8rCj28OaUwwkV1lSBHWBogoQmWSmVSQzX9cVDNKkYZkDKFN1g4jtu_ezBBK5qfQ_ixQgmOv2OVbGhKJtXrv21BKBwMI0/s1600-h/IMGP0194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5i4XIyFfDMzMbs90EOp-cf3lmCZMEtpYfEGkqNS8rCj28OaUwwkV1lSBHWBogoQmWSmVSQzX9cVDNKkYZkDKFN1g4jtu_ezBBK5qfQ_ixQgmOv2OVbGhKJtXrv21BKBwMI0/s400/IMGP0194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286926889556421490" /></a><br /><br />On my last day fishing, in addition to catching a number of snook, we spotted this redfish in about 10 inches of water and I was able to get him to eat (there was a drop of water on the camera lens). Redfish always surprise me by how hard they can pull for their size.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2xpaRK9ZKtKW-KNUqNERLLLJnosw4aR20J6l9noGzXmjtRJ5407Krzl-6ChZ5wVHGvUrpZZEV-99C7w5hVW_xzlBTKAtr1wfYZlze_3Eulkv3fOt2b_E485s6QyuwakWDB4/s1600-h/IMGP0197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2xpaRK9ZKtKW-KNUqNERLLLJnosw4aR20J6l9noGzXmjtRJ5407Krzl-6ChZ5wVHGvUrpZZEV-99C7w5hVW_xzlBTKAtr1wfYZlze_3Eulkv3fOt2b_E485s6QyuwakWDB4/s400/IMGP0197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286927308862452914" /></a><br /><br />There are lots of gators in the Everglades.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd77Tcf4zMu1Eci2siWinw-bby3hn1ihG9HamAoTDwH5iR2O9XdWFB3PWjYiX64NiJUwRjR3AtJPMFMVB0JaZh6ElFt9EChyphenhyphenXMRtRLPu3xP-yFlWTG4Fjh38mGGU5kRaX7oeM/s1600-h/IMGP0199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd77Tcf4zMu1Eci2siWinw-bby3hn1ihG9HamAoTDwH5iR2O9XdWFB3PWjYiX64NiJUwRjR3AtJPMFMVB0JaZh6ElFt9EChyphenhyphenXMRtRLPu3xP-yFlWTG4Fjh38mGGU5kRaX7oeM/s400/IMGP0199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286928271137265042" /></a>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-47697893457341480222008-11-05T20:45:00.000-08:002008-11-05T21:26:51.834-08:00KAMCHATKA PROJECT<A href="http://www.kamchatkaproject.org/index.html">This</a> is one of the coolest anadramous fish research projects I have heard about in a while. A group of seasoned expedition kayakers are going to run three un-navigated Kamchatka streams to survey salmon populations for the <a href="www.wildsalmoncenter.org/">Wild Salmon Center</a>. <br /><br />A good friend of mine, <a href="http://www.kamchatkaproject.org/team.html">Shane Robinson</a>, will be one of the team. What I can't wait for from this team is the sweet photos, videos and reports that will surely follow the expedition. Shane regularly writes about their first descents and kayaking expeditions at <a href="http://www.therangelife.com/">The Range Life.</a><br /><br />I've been following these guys adventures for some time with an eye toward the great fishing they must float over. Unfortunately, though, I don't think they typically bring fly rods with them or would even have the energy to fish anyways after the kind of days they put in. Maybe we can outfit them with some equipment and show them how to catch some salmon dinner out there in Kamchatka?<br /><br />There is not a ton of money out there to support research expeditions like this and these guys need support from the fishing community. You can read about and support the expedition at: <a href="http://www.kamchatkaproject.org/expedition.html">http://www.kamchatkaproject.org/expedition.html</a>. <br />They are also keeping a blog about the trip here: <a href="http://kamchatkaproject.blogspot.com">http://kamchatkaproject.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br />Please support them if you can.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-62324883461745124012008-09-18T21:28:00.000-07:002008-09-28T19:26:29.795-07:00Upper Sac Family WeekedI spent the weekend of September 13th and 14th on the lower portion of the Upper Sacramento River at the <a href="">House on the River</a>. The House on the River is a vacation rental in the small community of Delta that used to operate as a fly fishing lodge. The house was great, well equipped with hot tub, an HD projection system with all the channels, a serious AC system and good access to the river and with plenty of room for the three families that went. The three husbands would go fishing each morning and evening and spend the day and night with the family. The House is also set up great for cooking with a full kitchen, coal grills, gas grills, smokers...If there is a way for meat to be cooked it can be accomplished there. Just, please, leave the fish in the river!<br /><br />The House on the River:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG75w5S7gkOMlOsVhXuCoW9i3Hphx6jLkrWYJlo5Bd33nJZ1V1YBIHGyMQf0XkOIIFXYJRz9cWioTAz48JxH72Uz5u80sFtskRTbvE63G6iAvQF1BxQuZEmr58ZH2bO-kaFU/s1600-h/IMGP0076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG75w5S7gkOMlOsVhXuCoW9i3Hphx6jLkrWYJlo5Bd33nJZ1V1YBIHGyMQf0XkOIIFXYJRz9cWioTAz48JxH72Uz5u80sFtskRTbvE63G6iAvQF1BxQuZEmr58ZH2bO-kaFU/s400/IMGP0076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251245730226306914" /></a><br /><br />Happy families at the beach.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFoQyoBelP7NqCxPbZgdyJr-9aOoTkX2QAkWevDyAmolI6R0FBze16WB87pvR79u6thWpOk7g0mx60Dz0_K389X4ECBOI8la3wCce6-UP5-qRxC2fZxpwKic4JVXaxi4xs_g/s1600-h/IMGP0046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFoQyoBelP7NqCxPbZgdyJr-9aOoTkX2QAkWevDyAmolI6R0FBze16WB87pvR79u6thWpOk7g0mx60Dz0_K389X4ECBOI8la3wCce6-UP5-qRxC2fZxpwKic4JVXaxi4xs_g/s400/IMGP0046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251252155779794818" /></a><br /><br />My new daughter enjoyed herself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L8pjc97W4KIAvRt7D4SEv6bonYkDAFBWc6Up2Uz5qGWVvcvKDTaTBZAOsvhiIQvq4x0fPesgHQ3KnaSBvX5ThlH80x3iDg4pLTLA_M1cE3oy06YjTnQ8P7gxCOmDFJcGuaQ/s1600-h/IMGP0061-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L8pjc97W4KIAvRt7D4SEv6bonYkDAFBWc6Up2Uz5qGWVvcvKDTaTBZAOsvhiIQvq4x0fPesgHQ3KnaSBvX5ThlH80x3iDg4pLTLA_M1cE3oy06YjTnQ8P7gxCOmDFJcGuaQ/s400/IMGP0061-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251252652246743522" /></a><br /><br />Family friend and kids. Also happy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zn3arjOXvY4IYrjGiUplIdplTEIPSfnpPYGA3emMt8FxZXAapIl7WfJ8oDNYENNM3uTYJzCSrbfXHmDxjCPVdU_CHgX7IECMRQ-vXWwcm1MW4KAkfORAPVyW8uR3-jgHiC0/s1600-h/IMGP0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zn3arjOXvY4IYrjGiUplIdplTEIPSfnpPYGA3emMt8FxZXAapIl7WfJ8oDNYENNM3uTYJzCSrbfXHmDxjCPVdU_CHgX7IECMRQ-vXWwcm1MW4KAkfORAPVyW8uR3-jgHiC0/s400/IMGP0054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251253026633093442" /></a><br /><br />Suffice to say, the family vacation aspect of the trip was fantastic. So how about the fishing?<br /><br />As most know access to the Upper Sacramento is pretty good and where there is not vehicle access one can always follow the railroad tracks, although be careful as these tracks are highly used with trains going up and down day and night. The old feel for vibrations on the track trick is not very reliable and sometimes when the trains are at speed you have very little warning. There is always room to get out of the way but being so close to a huge locomotive shakes the soul and is tough on the ears. Nevertheless, following the tracks is key to getting to the lesser fished honey holes.<br /><br />I learned something new this trip that I had not realized on prior trips to the Upper Sac: There are big wild fish there, although they are few and not easily caught!<br /><br />We started off fishing near the most obvious access from the house which is also a heavily used beach and swimming hole. Don't let the good looks of the hole fool you, if there are any fish there they get hammered. This is the hole at the beach.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk1Ihqf4rF_-SoJ8ZukjvQdRv2Uh1E0mRJAnZA_JsyIzAnHa6lIqkVIUak_Go4ln6t793Ia9TX60SoNwD63lxKb95EXk9FirXIhiaaM-YGo4ZsKV5R0Md2K-_XFFxqQQE-vY/s1600-h/IMGP0038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk1Ihqf4rF_-SoJ8ZukjvQdRv2Uh1E0mRJAnZA_JsyIzAnHa6lIqkVIUak_Go4ln6t793Ia9TX60SoNwD63lxKb95EXk9FirXIhiaaM-YGo4ZsKV5R0Md2K-_XFFxqQQE-vY/s400/IMGP0038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251245384831593970" /></a><br /><br />Although with some walking and aggressive wading the fishing picks up considerably. My trusted source of great fly fishing information, Leo at <a href="http://www.fishfirst.com/">Fish First</a>, convinced me that the Upper Sac was indeed a tail water masked as a freestone as Tom Chandler on the <a href="www.troutunderground.com">Trout Underground</a> once reported. Taking that to heart, I primarily fished size 20 and smaller midge patterns. They produced well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTO8fpJYHVymjYkHEkz5bjnAZdVYyNGim5S265SSOozJaZbNziUcJpI9AcWVZjFl0c3OJBiH2zO3MFoK6DxtyWfjcqxVQ7eYP_V8e9BxwNyh9WlZyicM3qrECGd3QmCAdQFA/s1600-h/IMGP0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTO8fpJYHVymjYkHEkz5bjnAZdVYyNGim5S265SSOozJaZbNziUcJpI9AcWVZjFl0c3OJBiH2zO3MFoK6DxtyWfjcqxVQ7eYP_V8e9BxwNyh9WlZyicM3qrECGd3QmCAdQFA/s400/IMGP0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251254607872998194" /></a><br /><br />This guy had a bit of a belly on him.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYpDusjiEwNufC0wRwcQ3AC9Yj0qXJ0Vck-4OA6pygW47Ir96xQr48wtf9gWeigIpZ917Qi10SEVPVfyrHdS1ziMwv5BoDeLqYDt-C0DG6t_69T-bKKD-FLTqHHN1F_eFVEc/s1600-h/IMGP0033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYpDusjiEwNufC0wRwcQ3AC9Yj0qXJ0Vck-4OA6pygW47Ir96xQr48wtf9gWeigIpZ917Qi10SEVPVfyrHdS1ziMwv5BoDeLqYDt-C0DG6t_69T-bKKD-FLTqHHN1F_eFVEc/s400/IMGP0033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251255026505134754" /></a><br /><br />This is not a great picture, being blurred by the water, but I think my hand gives some perspective to the size of the fish.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz48i_zhoh_tSA8LM8AnEjzKBBxXUzxgm5CYxnNWByDnrFJcIlL98-Wv3Z2G7kYS4vveWcJlafGL5cNBjzGEqnsXHlmNha1F4hJF-yO1dmFIJygnK19jqmW19VIxOIeLsg2aU/s1600-h/IMGP0071-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz48i_zhoh_tSA8LM8AnEjzKBBxXUzxgm5CYxnNWByDnrFJcIlL98-Wv3Z2G7kYS4vveWcJlafGL5cNBjzGEqnsXHlmNha1F4hJF-yO1dmFIJygnK19jqmW19VIxOIeLsg2aU/s400/IMGP0071-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251255972928104930" /></a><br /><br />Fish on the rocks (from where I was standing it was either this or get swept away).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ2ERIEZ1hS7Ac0tuIGz41I-PUwGLOOynmyBPS6q23QNeYJ1pyA7funPWRherRGMZuhywhIECG94-5ZdHbHbErnkuv2M-nQyweyWApuJRwu78FxIPVYRxEiy9JQUOllg2G_A/s1600-h/IMGP0073-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ2ERIEZ1hS7Ac0tuIGz41I-PUwGLOOynmyBPS6q23QNeYJ1pyA7funPWRherRGMZuhywhIECG94-5ZdHbHbErnkuv2M-nQyweyWApuJRwu78FxIPVYRxEiy9JQUOllg2G_A/s400/IMGP0073-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251256738033726322" /></a><br /><br />One cool thing that Craig the proprietor of House on the River does is let people who catch fish over 20 inches sign the wall. The wall gives a great sense of the history of the place, both who had been there, what they caught and on what flies. Most people got their big fish on big streamers and crawfish patterns (I swam a goblin through a dark, deep hole and it just got hammered, unfortunately I did not hook up).<br /><br />The wall of fame.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsyiZGNFNZyra4bzMsdoGvpSKSjRG4ZyXB8XVWo7FkB_qPQqyFsZvCDUZyuKfVb7v-QM9FGHjF_oo9eUh9hIGnl4nyF0eKrMViy3HyQE34hacoQRF7i7ApTo53WZ9m9JgLvM/s1600-h/IMGP0080-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsyiZGNFNZyra4bzMsdoGvpSKSjRG4ZyXB8XVWo7FkB_qPQqyFsZvCDUZyuKfVb7v-QM9FGHjF_oo9eUh9hIGnl4nyF0eKrMViy3HyQE34hacoQRF7i7ApTo53WZ9m9JgLvM/s400/IMGP0080-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251258280185402450" /></a><br /><br />This is the wall a bit closer in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMbVurwpAdCdzDPCX7MsQWTM7-dq2PZ3kEEEIMaLyQ8K3zUVVKcDezoBwyd0dSvi1ty7NTLMB_pEg5J7IG_RB7XQAa9H8AIlpleKMhwyoiAwEgSt5xPTfvJ6NUMnZFHlGcX0/s1600-h/IMGP0079-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMbVurwpAdCdzDPCX7MsQWTM7-dq2PZ3kEEEIMaLyQ8K3zUVVKcDezoBwyd0dSvi1ty7NTLMB_pEg5J7IG_RB7XQAa9H8AIlpleKMhwyoiAwEgSt5xPTfvJ6NUMnZFHlGcX0/s400/IMGP0079-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251258955449235490" /></a><br /><br />For those of you that are also fisherman, fathers and husbands, the House on the River might be great way to succeed at all three.Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854668.post-7730503915988107622008-09-01T19:51:00.000-07:002008-09-01T22:29:37.921-07:00Northeast California/Southeast OregonI managed to free up a few days and decided to make a long drive north to chase down a few new native trout. I headed up past Alturas California and then up 395 a ways right to the border of Oregon and into the epicenter of redband trout diversity. According to Behnke there are seven distinct populations of redband in the neighborhood (not to mention some cutthroats, bulltrout and <a href="http://nativetroutflyfishing.blogspot.com/2008/08/eastern-oregon-trip-part-ii-in-search.html">maybe some remnants of the extinct alvord</a>). I had my sights set on two redbands and one elusive char.<br /><br />First up was the Warner Lakes Basin redband trout. This trout is found in a few creeks and streams in Oregon and just two in California. I wanted to get mine in California. The creek I fished was pretty skinny at it's headwaters and when I pulled up to where the dirt road crosses I was surprised to find a substantial herd of cattle on the creek. The creek was pretty well trampled here and very dirty from all the cattle walking through it. I managed to find some clear water upstream but it was darned skinny water. I dapped a fly over a grassy edge and picked up a trout.<br /><br />After the first trout I decided to head downstream a bit and see if I could find some water that might hold bigger fish. I found what I was looking for.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nuVBvOZqXKCkkl6wywgm5kI8K3Wua2K7D4PsLv-trgK47MvtEGeWbEIj3WwsuHsM5H8lHrtEAu2kjRcjfYYGVcMbD0wbfS6DllEqSobKAROAnmNpCbm3dfH3BM16boPxRS0/s1600-h/IMGP0003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241252244380742210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nuVBvOZqXKCkkl6wywgm5kI8K3Wua2K7D4PsLv-trgK47MvtEGeWbEIj3WwsuHsM5H8lHrtEAu2kjRcjfYYGVcMbD0wbfS6DllEqSobKAROAnmNpCbm3dfH3BM16boPxRS0/s320/IMGP0003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The water downstream was great. I might have been in Oregon at this point but I didn't care. The creek was great, the water was ice cold and each pool held a dozen or so hungry trout. The water temp was shockingly cold for a high desert stream. But what was even cooler than the water temp was how great the creek laid out for fly fishing. Incredibly spooky trout that could be cast to from a distance that rewarded a soft landing and well placed fly. I hooked a cast around the bush on the left in the shot below that drew a nice redband.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA9NjIGOwGw6la-TJCol95qDDO1-0gWWTff9QIZ_st3dCcJIP0x3-UVkObBc-i6IJn3fKpse3ZM5ujWN6Mm5CqHy8afL5kRRlI6gzQ616ry9eS0tQGDLvwBs8h0MGxi5JcEY/s1600-h/IMGP0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA9NjIGOwGw6la-TJCol95qDDO1-0gWWTff9QIZ_st3dCcJIP0x3-UVkObBc-i6IJn3fKpse3ZM5ujWN6Mm5CqHy8afL5kRRlI6gzQ616ry9eS0tQGDLvwBs8h0MGxi5JcEY/s320/IMGP0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241272085060475490" /></a><br /><br />As I moved upstream the creek got better and better with pool after pool full of wild native redbands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsJF959QOUthkFiGYYvjP61eV82fkh3RFLlBoY1G5AQooZChjSpoAQUocOVJk0fwnKNsWS_ZxirdEYZEvN8VWRQbAMV_nsVcFr7DIP38RWPLsdKIhlD5WQA6Zer1FqW84fys/s1600-h/IMGP0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsJF959QOUthkFiGYYvjP61eV82fkh3RFLlBoY1G5AQooZChjSpoAQUocOVJk0fwnKNsWS_ZxirdEYZEvN8VWRQbAMV_nsVcFr7DIP38RWPLsdKIhlD5WQA6Zer1FqW84fys/s320/IMGP0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241273472813534914" /></a><br /><br />Me creekside in Northeast California. Or was it Oregon?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbreAJlUC_SaP1MhdjyvsC1PccH7MhxsDTFYZBHLWgUdqqcCuSIXTF4SF4ASEPZWZthpWaI0DK-OaXuHey2t1Kj7ts9LHEg-zr4DVRStWv9BRIIBIC6eHIvhrug71_lY09qE/s1600-h/IMGP0010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241255753211419602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbreAJlUC_SaP1MhdjyvsC1PccH7MhxsDTFYZBHLWgUdqqcCuSIXTF4SF4ASEPZWZthpWaI0DK-OaXuHey2t1Kj7ts9LHEg-zr4DVRStWv9BRIIBIC6eHIvhrug71_lY09qE/s320/IMGP0010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next up I wanted to catch an Upper Klamath Lake Basin redband. I dropped down into Lakeview and got an Oregon fishing license because for the next fish I was certain my fly would be landing in Oregon waters. From Lakeview I made my way north east into the Fremont National Forest.<br /><br />Me at the trailhead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbhliBlChBBPzcSP0vUcOxfOkf5JS-5a4zL7yGoVFroywA8bRDINiw8VL9wClf_jrG9HTz5_F9E5rAx_yhlAZQBnohDpqJYduwZw7bFr6pcYHV6XJGTlppdzwl2p3wf4fy0w/s1600-h/redacted.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbhliBlChBBPzcSP0vUcOxfOkf5JS-5a4zL7yGoVFroywA8bRDINiw8VL9wClf_jrG9HTz5_F9E5rAx_yhlAZQBnohDpqJYduwZw7bFr6pcYHV6XJGTlppdzwl2p3wf4fy0w/s320/redacted.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241279639848957250" /></a><br /><br />This creek is home to pure populations of both Klamath Basin Bull Trout and Redband Trout and if you enjoy crawling through the most choked thicket of alders, willows and who knows what else to emerge into ankle deep water flowing through a tunnel of vegetation where not only is standing out of the question but you can forget about wiggling that 7'10" one wieght than this creek is for you. Sometimes it can be harder to get a fly on the water at 3 feet than at 30 and let's not even talk about a good "drift".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslyS0TnWtX20KC3zhhlKRR9Ln7Bnoj93yT2iRC2GeLU3QEfflxC78pU9LQVxAfLSeuWsnjbmfv0kWskAunr2ahumiW-kAs8GsPuEUZpZ3c8JATjAmrs9GYu7UtLTVntLodEU/s1600-h/IMGP0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslyS0TnWtX20KC3zhhlKRR9Ln7Bnoj93yT2iRC2GeLU3QEfflxC78pU9LQVxAfLSeuWsnjbmfv0kWskAunr2ahumiW-kAs8GsPuEUZpZ3c8JATjAmrs9GYu7UtLTVntLodEU/s320/IMGP0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241286036419626482" /></a><br /><br />But when you do manage to get a fly on the water the reward is pretty sweet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaaAKx33w6X0yXj6p-KV7-9YNu30d-OHpz6_08MLAvHFmq-C1F9rhyphenhyphennOT3pKexfP5ZQz1SjF_OZ32L51rf6BKXTyBa0DPijfotCwOHkqZxyb2WXQToQF8bWJ8FV4ixHbJNPk/s1600-h/IMGP0015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaaAKx33w6X0yXj6p-KV7-9YNu30d-OHpz6_08MLAvHFmq-C1F9rhyphenhyphennOT3pKexfP5ZQz1SjF_OZ32L51rf6BKXTyBa0DPijfotCwOHkqZxyb2WXQToQF8bWJ8FV4ixHbJNPk/s320/IMGP0015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241286988163853858" /></a><br /><br />I hiked about two miles up the creek hoping that it would open up a bit. Unfortunately it did not. The hike was nice and the canyon boxed up a bit but the creek was largely inpenetrable so I decided to hit another nearby stream that I thought might be a bit more "fun" to fish and that I knew to hold pure redbands. This last creek was spring creek clear, about 20 feet wide and had great trout holding structure and was a great way to finish off the trip.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uaNV5aeovNDESc6PqrG4rC7Au7-lU_hRBOPXsIHrzcGuHCH63twD3d9YwAM2GFSuzZhuIbqJQywtC454jlQ27H7PPDQn4raS84ywBOIUjsnq4qwyS6WP8qhm34-nEc3sk5E/s1600-h/IMGP0021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uaNV5aeovNDESc6PqrG4rC7Au7-lU_hRBOPXsIHrzcGuHCH63twD3d9YwAM2GFSuzZhuIbqJQywtC454jlQ27H7PPDQn4raS84ywBOIUjsnq4qwyS6WP8qhm34-nEc3sk5E/s320/IMGP0021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241289507210536466" /></a><br /><br /><em></em>Dave Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484844729406726201noreply@blogger.com5