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Zion National Park vintage poster
A recent article in the Deseret News brought together two of my favorite things: vintage graphic art and Zion National Park. I really love seeing these old photos, especially of the one where the little kid is hanging on to the rope for dear life. I think the poster to the left is super cool and I always try, but never really succeed at making cool vintage designs. Hard to be the actual images. Thanks Deseret News for sharing.
Big Weber River brown trout
Wildlife biologists in Utah have been busy in recent weeks conducting gill net and electroshock studies on local fisheries. Generally the reports have been quite positive. Here are links to some of the results:
Let’s get out and get some!
The Green River in Utah
The Green River Outfitter and Guides Association is seeking help with a survey from anglers who have fished the Green at any time in the last few years. The survey is a fast one but can provide them with information that they will use to hopefully improve the angling experience for all those who enjoy the river. Take a moment and fill out the survey. Thanks.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (via utahbirds.org)
I consider myself a pretty perceptive guy. I am usually the first person to see a deer in the hills or a trout swimming but I will admit I think have been a little slow on the pick up in this case. There are a bunch of doves that frequent my feeders and are pretty much there all day, even when I am out there. I had always assumed that they were all mourning doves, but recently I had noticed that some of them have a black half circle on the back of their necks. It finally occurred to me that I should look and see what was up with that. Turns out I have new birds in my yard (for who knows how long). They are Eurasian Collared-Doves. Turns out they haven’t been in our country for very long. They were introduced in the Bahamas in the mid-1970′s and have spread across the entire country. Interestingly, they really only live in populated areas and don’t live out in the wild areas inhabited by mourning doves. I have never been a very big fan of introduced species (although I seem to make convenient allowances for certain non-native trout).
Eurasian Collared-Dove (via The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Eurasian Collared-Dove (via utahbirds.org)
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!
Beautiful spring time rainbow trout
Some great links for your reading pleasure.
Anglers’ delight: Hungry fish seeking spring meal (Via Deseret News) – Be sure to get out before the great spring fishing is gone:
Green River electroshocking report and a big brown trout (Via Salt Lake Tribune Outdoor Blog) – What is happening to the big fish on the Green River? That river used to be full of them. I thought the fish on my last trip were generally smaller.
Utah DWR presents Fishing the Weber River:
I imagine I sound like a Brett Prettyman fanboy on this blog (I promise I am not stalking him), but I have to say he seems to hit the nail on the head every time and in the case of the link I am sharing here, he has written a masterpiece. This opinion piece which will be appearing in the Salt Lake Tribune says everything I wish I could say about the disaster that is HB141. This should be the rallying cry that the rest of the state, even those without interests in fishing, should use to express outrage at our pathetic legislative process and so called leadership from Governor Herbert. Please comment on your thoughts on his article. It’s not too late to get angry.
Prettyman: Legislative foolishness could cost us big bucks (via Salt Lake Tribune)
Me and a brown trout
I recently had a chance to float the Green River in Eastern Utah with a couple of old friends Andrew and Kevin. We had a great time. We floated the A section from the dam down to Little Hole in a drift boat we rented from the local lodge. The weather was incredibly snowy, but we carried on undaunted. The day started a little late as we were recovering from our late-night drive to the lodge which included plenty of snow, an encounter with pajama clad vixens in the Mountain View, Wyoming Maverick gas station, and a VERY near miss with a bounding deer (actually she brushed up against the car, but there was no real contact).
Kevin and a brown trout
After hearty breakfast at the lodge, we headed off to the river. We started the day with some deep nymphing, but found that to be a little slow, mostly I think this was due to not finding the right depth and feeding lanes. Within an hour of getting on the water however, we found ourselves in the midst of the biggest midge hatch I have ever seen. They were on the water in droves and everywhere you looked there dozens of fish up and feeding actively on the surface. We pulled over to make some rigging adjustments and I got out to wade fish. I had two beautiful browns in a matter of moments interestingly enough they were both caught on my olive compar-a-merger pattern which let me know that the BWO were also getting … Continue Reading
Lake Powell Largemouth Bass (utah.gov)
From the last few reports out of Lake Powell by Wayne Gustaveson, it sounds like this year is going to be a stellar fishing year. The stripers are up in both numbers and size and the largemouth bass are readying to spawn. Both the largemouth and smallmouth bass are producing well and they are catching very nice fish. If you have means to get to Lake Powell in the next 4-5 weeks don’t hesitate to go. The fishing sounds unbelievable!
Lake Powell report: 2010 looks remarkable (via SL Tribune, Fishing Utah Blog)
Mountain goat (Utah DWR)
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting a Rocky Mountain Goat watching party at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County. I have been a couple time before to this event and it is really great. The goats are very close, usually just right across the street and up on the hillside. It is a great way for kids to see this amazing mountain climbers without too much hiking. Details in the link below.
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