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Friday, December 23, 2016

Merry Carpmas!!



























It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here.  2016 is just about over.  I'm hoping that my first fish of the new year will be of the saltwater variety (more on that soon).  We'll see if all my practice with the carp will pay off on the flats of the Gulf Coast.  Stay tuned...

Friday, December 2, 2016

Dun Magazine - Winter 2016





The winter issue of DUN Magazine is here!  I just love this magazine.  They always seem to have at least one picture of a carp in each issue.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Shop for amazing Montana fly fishing holiday presents for a great cause

Blackfoot River Outfitter's Memorial Float


A whole lot of awesome for a great cause

Online auction Fri. Dec. 2 thru Mon. Dec. 12


Enjoy once-in-a-lifetime guided fishing trips, a custom teardrop trailer, river floats, awesome gear, and much more in our annual auction to benefit a clean and healthy Clark Fork River.

Bidding begins online at noon on Friday, December 2 and ends Monday, December 12 at 10pm. You don’t want to miss this one!

Check out these amazing opportunities:


  • Guided SUP, river boarding, and raft trips
  • Fully-loaded custom tear drop trailer
  • Exquisite hand-made bamboo fly rod from Sweetgrass Rods
  • Horseback riding and lunch at the iconic E Bar L Ranch
  • Scenic float or fishing trip through restored confluence
  • Round of golf & lunch at Rock Creek Cattle Co.
  • Seeley Lake condo time-share—hunter’s dream!

Much more!

Image, text, and links taken from an email composed by the Clark Fork Coalition.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The mussels are coming! The mussels are coming!

Photo courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks


























According to the Missoulian Newspaper, the Associated Press, and The Daily Interlake, "Preliminary testing has indicated that an aquatic invasive species may have moved into the Missouri River."

The Daily Interlake reports: "Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Greg Lemon said Monday evening that a water sample taken from the York Islands fishing access south of Townshend was found to be “suspect” during initial testing by state scientists. He said additional testing is needed to confirm whether the sample contained larvae from zebra or quagga mussels, two species of invasive mussel known to multiply aggressively and generate costly damage to aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure."

The Daily Interlake also wrote: "The finding comes about two weeks after mussel larvae, known as “veligers,” were confirmed for the first time in Montana waters at Tiber Reservoir. Another sample taken from upstream in Canyon Ferry was inconclusive, but a visual microscopy test indicated the veligers were present in that water body as well."

In the words of Vice President Biden, "This is a big fucking deal!"  And it's a big deal, not only for the waters where the larvae may have been found, but for all the connected waters (ie. the Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Big Hole, Beaverhead and the Lower Missouri.  Not only that, but it will make spreading the larvae around the state of Montana via recreationists, that much easier.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Brook trout clown suit

Brook trout skin

























Here in Montana, we have plenty of those little dink brookies that come to most people's minds when you say "brook trout." They are not native here and they cause some ecological trouble with our native and threatened bull char.  However, in Georgetown Lake, they are somewhat isolated from the rest of the watershed and they are managed for in a positive way because they get huge.  Some of them can get to Labrador, Canada-type sizes.  In the fall, they put on their clown suits and are the most colorful fish you can find.

Big boy guarding his redd in Emily Spring

























As of now, the brookies in the lake are in full to late spawn and are just about impossible to catch. The good pre-spawn fishing is over but you can find some schooled-up roamers moving around that are not on the redds.  Throwing a big streamer at them may piss one off but at this point, it's a lost cause.  However, there is a fun alternative.  The rainbows will also join these moving herds. Throw an unweighted double egg rig right in front of the moving school.  As they all move over it, watch your line tip.  Once it starts following the school, set the hook.  It will be a big G-town rainbow every time!

Take your kids up to see the kokanee and brookie spawners in Emily spring and the hoards of eagles. I'd be surprised if you made it all the way around the lake and did not spot a moose or 2 as well.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Missouri River autumn magic

Missouri River Morning



























We spent the weekend in wonderful Craiglandia, Montana and it was fabulous.  The trout were huge, hungry, and acrobatic.  They even took my mind off my new carp obsession for the first time in months.

The Craig Bridge


























The trees were hanging on to the last of their color, the weather was great, and the fishing was off the charts.

MO Brown


























A couple of nice browns were hooked in between the onslaught of huge rainbows. We fished double sowbug short leash in shallow water and could not stop catching fish.  Then, I noticed some orange swimming around in the back part of a seam.  I threw a streamer at it and this happened:

Two rare occurrences, a picture of me on the blog and a huge kokanee salmon in the Wolf Creek area. 


























So, I guess some kokanee occasionally make it over the dam and into the river.  This was the biggest kokanee I've ever caught.  We saved it from a lonely death.  He's going into the smoker!

Kokanee kype.  Look at those teeth!!



























Nose to nose.


























Fall is flying by.  Don't let it slip through your hands.  You've got months of football and cabin fever ahead.  See you in the field!












Governor Bullock and Butte come together to protect public lands

Montana Governor Steve Bullock speaks to a crowd about his efforts and promise to protect public lands and access.


























The transfer of Federal land to the states and the protection of Montana's great Stream Access law have taken center stage in this election cycle.  Governer Bullock came to Highline park in Butte last Friday for a short rally.  Folks from the George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Highline Hunters and Anglers, other groups, and concerned citizens enjoyed a nice day in Butte and a visit from our most public lands freindly gubernatorial candidate.








Thursday, October 20, 2016

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Clark Fork Coalition Fall volunteer opportunities






Fall field season is here...

Help us squeeze in the last few projects of the season! We need volunteers to assist with cleanups, fall plantings, and getting kids excited about the river. So bundle up and come enjoy the changing colors and crisp air while working to protect Missoula's favorite river!

1) Reserve St River Cleanup:
Friday, October 14th:1-3pm and/or 3-5pm

Help remove tons of trash from the floodplain near the Reserve St bridge during this unique river cleanup. This is CFC's 4th year of partnering with the Water Quality District and the Poverello Center to remove abandoned encampments from along the river. We need lots of hands for this event... last year, volunteers cleaned up over 3 tons of trash! Contact Katie to learn more or to sign up!

2) Dry Cottonwood Creek Restoration Workday: 
Saturday, October 15th: 7am-3pm

We're looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help put the finishing touches on a large-scale restoration project on the Clark Fork Coalition's ranch property near Deer Lodge. Volunteers will be planting willows and other native riparian vegetation. Transportation from Missoula provided!

3) Volunteer Educators:
2016/2017 School Year
It's back to school time! Throughout the school year, we'll be looking for help with teaching watershed science to kiddos in Missoula and beyond. Contact Katie to learn more about how you can help!
To get involved, contact Katie at katie@clarkfork.org or (406) 542-0539 ext. 212. If you haven't done so already, please fill out a volunteer application
(Pictures and info were copied from an email)

Help WestSlope TU and Montana FWP catch fish for science!

THE MEETING PLACE HAS CHANGED TO THE MISSOULA PUBLIC LIBRARY @ 10am!









































WestSlope Chapter of Trout Unlimited's Website
Join Trout Unlimited

Monday, September 26, 2016

"Tenkarpa"



TENKARPA! from scumliner media on Vimeo.


This is, quite possibly, the best fishing video ever made!  Of course, it comes from the homies at Scumliner Media.  How the hell did they make Elliot Smith work in a ridiculous video like this? Genius, that's how. Best parts at 0:23, 4:23, and 5:20.

Grayling skin

Scales of a Montana arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus)

Friday, September 23, 2016

Monday, September 12, 2016

Words to sooth my hurt butt

It was a tough weekend for this carp newb.  The smell of skunk overpowered the beautiful aroma of carp slime for the first time in my carp career.  This video from a couple years back says it all.  




Long Shot from The Fly Collective on Vimeo.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

100 carp-a-clooping




Here's a video I took of a bunch of clooping carp in a foam eddy on the Upper Missouri River near Toston.  It's not the best clooping video but it was sure fun to see in real life.  I stuck a big one right after I shot it on a Morrish Hopper.  I'm in love with carp!

Monday, August 29, 2016

Montana Tech's Restoration Seminar presents Josh Vincent of WET





































These seminars are open to the public and everyone is invited!

Browns and Brews Festival in Craig this weekend!




The second annual Browns and Brews Festival is this Saturday, September 3, 2016 in Craig, Montana. The party starts at 4 pm at Izaak's.  There is a live auction at 6 pm and music by Rocket to Uranus throughout the night. See you there!


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Save a trout [ride a carp]




































Many of Montana's trout are having a crappy year. Most of our drainages had below average snowpack last winter, we lost said snowpack early, and we've had another dry, hot summer. These conditions have led to low flows, high water temperatures, restrictions, river closures, and most recently, a gnarly disease outbreak and fishkill in the Yellowstone River. There isn't much else I can say besides, this sucks!

However, you don't need to quit fishing. In fact, you can fish harder and become a better fisherperson while you are at it. God bless the carp.  Southwest Montana is a carp fisher's paradise. We have great flyfishing for carp in both still and moving water.


























Last week we loaded up the boat with camping gear and headed out on Clark Canyon Reservoir to claim Armstead Island for ourselves.

























The reservoir is low and the Beaverhead is nasty again but the carp fishing was great.  Water clarity has been getting worse over the past few weeks but it is certainly clear enough to sight fish all day.

McTage's Trouser Worm




























Fly fishing for carp has also led me to tie a bunch of new fly patterns.  Carp eat a lot of the same things as trout but sometimes you need specially designed flies to match the carp's feeding behaviors.

Montana's Hybrid




































I've been having so much fun exploring this great fish and the flies and techniques to catch them.  I'm sure that the stressed trout in my area are rejoicing at my absence.


Fiesta Mexicana


























Carp + Dillon's taco bus = paradise!

Saturday, August 6, 2016

The cure for the summertime blues

College brahs on the Clark Fork in Missoula.  I wonder where those beer cans will end up?

An asshole flotilla overtaking an anchored drift boat on the Missouri River


























Are you experiencing the summertime blues?  Are you sick of the idiot, drunken, litter and flip-flops everywhere "splash and giggle" crowd?  Do you hate waking up at the ass-crack of dawn on your only days off?  Are you sick of drought, low flows, stressed trout, and Hoot Owl restrictions?  I know I am.  Well, I have the cure for you!


Beautiful scales of the common carp 


























CARP!!  You've been hearing about fly fishing for carp and saying to yourself, "that sounds fun." Well...


  • Fish in the heat of the day with no tubers.  
  • Experience super techy fly fishing that requires some supreme boat and casting skills.
  • Get blown away by the carp's strength and fighting power.  They'll snap your 6wt in half!
  • Keep a few and help control an exotic, invasive species. 

I cannot stress how much fun catching carp on a fly rod is!  There are carp all over Montana and the American West.  Hotspots include the lakes/reservoirs in the Helena area, the upper Missouri River, and Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon.

You can help out your local ecosystem by keeping a few.  The myth that they are a trash fish is a result of Eastcoasters' experience with observing them in super polluted waters.  They are very edible and were one of the first stocked species in America for just that purpose.

Are you a Dry Fly Only asshole purist?  Well, carp eat dries on the upper MO.

Did I mention they get huge?  Here's a modest sized carp and a dog's butt.


























I should have brought a bigger cooler!




































These guys are headed for the kettle and some Hungarian Carp Soup!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

"Dead Flies Don't Swim"




Dead Flies Don't Swim from scumliner media on Vimeo.



I've been all over the place fishing and working like a maniac all summer.  I hit the Baetis and early caddis on the Mo, the salmon flies on the Big hole, the traveling sedge on G-town, PMDs on the Saint Regis, got into a million grayling in a local mountain lake, and even caught some redbands in Washington State.  I just spent the last week in Craig fishing the trico and evening caddis hard.  Ten hour + days all by myself!  I needed that.

Anyway, check out this great video about fishing the tricos on the MO from Sumliner Media.  If you think you're a good dry fly fisher, you'll get put back in your place by hitting the tricos on the MO.  If you want to cheat and catch a million fish all day with a lot less skill, tie on a zebra midge or sunken trico nymph and rack up some serious numbers.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Fish pics

Brown trout skin

























Here's a short photo collection of some of my favorite shots from the last couple of months.

Juvenile arctic grayling
























Bowl full of browns
























Cutthroat hiding with grayling in foreground
























Gigantic hatchery rainbow
























Raceway cutts