Pete between the oars

I recently got in touch with my old boss from my guiding days, Pete.  He and my favorite local outdoor news writer Brett Prettyman took a marathon day trip to the Green River on Tuesday 4/13 and floated the B Section.  Sounds like amidst the snow and sun breaks they had a great time fishing.  Read more about it here.

They floated with one of the Green River originals, Emmett Heath who has recently returned to work for Western Rivers Flyfisher in Salt Lake City.  My favorite Emmett story, which I understand is supported by video evidence, is also from the B section of the river.  The story goes that he was taking a crew from Fly Fisherman magazine down the river for a video they were shooting.  They filmed him as he made his way through the most technical rapid on the fishing sections of the river, Red Creek Rapid.  Usually in low water guides choose to have clients walk around the rapid as there is a fairly high chance of a mishap in the rocky rapid.  On this occasion, however, he had the woman who hosted the show float through with him.  Apparently just as they entered the chute where you “drop” into the rapid, his oarlock malfunctioned and pulled out leaving him with only one working oar.  Somehow he had the cool to get through the rest of the rapid and get them both safely through.  It would be cool to see the video of that.  I wonder if it is out on YouTube somewhere.  I would have had to change my shorts after that for sure!

Fish Pimp fly fishing products. Keep your pimp hand strong.

Last month, at the International Sportsman’s Expo in Salt Lake I met Quentin, the guy behind Fish Pimp.  He has a really nice product line including a cool line cleaning system that  hooks onto your rod, a two part powder based fly drying and floatant system, Fly Sauce, and a cool take on cork indicators.  He was kind enough to give me some free products to match any that I purchased from dealers at the show.  I bought some Fly Sauce and the medium strike indicators and he gave me the smaller indicators and dry fly spray.

On my recent trip to the Green River I was able to use the stuff for the first time.  Overall I was pleased with the products.  I have been nymphing for a long time and have tried all kinds of methods/products for strike indicators.  I tend to like the foam cork ones as they float high, are responsive, and are easy to add to or take off of your line.  The Fish Pimp indicators really fit the bill well.  Instead of a toothpick to hold them in place, they use tightly fitted lengths of tiny surgical tubing.  I found that they were effective indicators and we definitely caught our share of fish even with many subtle strikes.  The larger indicators stayed in place well and were easy to adjust up or down the leader.  I had one issue with the smaller sized indicators when I applied one to the lower end of my leader to help me fish a tiny … Continue Reading

Brett Prettyman has just posted part two of the video of his recent trip to the Green River in eastern Utah.  Another great video.  I made a trip to the Green during the week and had a great time.  I will be posting that report later.  For now enjoy the video below.

Fly tying demo area

I took my kids to the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo over the weekend and we had a great time.  I had a good time wandering and watching the guys doing fly tying demos and checking out a few of the booths.  The kids really enjoyed catching bugs from the Stonefly Society entomology trays.  They had some massive stoneflies that came from a local creek.  It is cool to see them as they aren’t common around these parts.  We also had fun at the kids fly tying desk.  The kids both tied some mean looking wooly buggers and as a result were entered into a kids only drawing for a Cabela’s fly fishing outfit.  Unfortunately, we didn’t win that one, but I did manage to pick up a killer wet/dry bag for my waders in the silent ticket auction, so I was happy about that.  The best part of it all was connecting with old friends from my days hanging out in the fly shop, some of whom I haven’t seen for probably 25 years.  It was a great time.  Looking forward to next year already.

The Green River in Utah

I have an opportunity next week to go float the Green River with some friends and I couldn’t be more stoked.  These recent posts about the Green have had me thinking and then out of the blue some old friends emailed to invite me to fish with them.  I have started tying bugs including some foamergers and compar-a-mergers and am hoping to get a few chubby muffins in the box.  I should be set to go there. Should be a great trip!

Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo

If you need something to do this weekend and you are in Salt Lake City, be sure to stop by the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo (March 27) at the Karen Gail Miller Conference Center at Salt Lake Community College in Sandy.

There will be plenty of demonstrations and exhibits to see.  You can pick up tips from local fly tiers and fly fishermen.  Be sure to check it out.  For more information, click here.

Brown trout. Credit: USFWS

I did a more exploring of local urban creeks last weekend and I can only report that I am more amazed than ever.  My latest expedition found several wild browns that were absolute bruisers in the 16-17 inch range.  I’m not even sure if these fish have ever seen a fly, but I can assure you they will soon.  Now I just need to figure out how to get a good drift through the shopping cart they were hiding in.  Seriously though, I am really amazed at how resilient these browns are living in all the trash and pollution they must endure.  There was a nice mayfly hatch coming off too.  I didn’t ever get to catch one for a closer look, but they were about a size 14-16 and a dusky gray as far as  I could tell.  I can’t wait to wet my line in pursuit of these beauties. Hopefully more to come on this saga.

I didn’t realize that the previous story I linked to Fishing: Flying on the Green, also had a companion video, which I have posted below (thanks for the tip Brett).  This is a perfect example of why I love the Green.  Around the 8:00 minute mark prepare to have your mind blown with an underwater shot of the river showing the great numbers of trout for which the Green River is famous and they aren’t tiny.  Unbelievable.  I need to get there soon!

(Click on the resolution setting in the player to watch in HD)

• Green River fishing story and video
• Fishing: Flying on the Green (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Green River brown trout munching a streamer (Francisco Kjolseth / The Salt Lake Tribune )

Brett Prettyman does it again.  This time he gives a great write up of a recent trip to the Green River in Eastern Utah. The Green is a special river and is packed with healthy trout that are usually pretty willing to oblige an angler. I spent 3 seasons guiding on the Green and had an absolute ball while doing.  There are fewer trout fishing destinations more spectacular with the deep red rock gorge.  If you haven’t been before or recently, make plans to get there.  I recommend Spinner Fall guides for your trip.

UPDATED: Oops! I forgot to link to the story.
Fishing: Flying on the Green (via Salt Lake Tribune)

I made it to the International Sportsman’s Expo in Sandy, Utah last night with my two youngest kids.  We had a pretty fun time especially thanks to a mix up at the box office where, to make things right, they let me in free (thanks again whoever you are).  If you like avoiding crowds, then I think Thursday night is the time to go.  It was very low key and we got a parking space right near the front door.

Several of the booths had some free schwag they were giving away, our haul included a spinner bait, goby plastics, hooks, several stickers, some bendy things, a rubber bracelet, and some nice mule deer antler head dresses.  Additionally I got some free stuff from Fish Pimp, because I bought a couple of their items from a fly shop that had a booth there.  It was a pretty good deal.

There were tons of junk merchants and never-ending booths from outfitters and guides trying to get you to sign up for a killer trip. I wish this blog brought in the kind of dough that would allow me to partake, but so far, I can’t even by a gumball with my click earnings.  Maybe one day in the future.  Until then I can only dream about the fun I would have on those once-in-a-lifetime trips.

The booth highlights for me were:

• No Pebble Mine/Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska – They are a group dedicated to protecting the legendary Bristol Bay fishery from the creation of the world’s largest open pit mine.  Met a twitter buddy @kyleindenver who was manning the booth.  I wish them luck in their efforts.  If you would like to find out more check them out at:
  • http://www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org/
  • http://twitter.com/nopebblemine
• Spinner Fall/Jack Dennis – Met Dudley, a guide from Spinner Fall

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