Montana has a way of keeping me on water, and away from writing my blog. Sorry about that Dave. Not really
. I am not sure I have officially mentioned it, but I've been in the Northwest working on a fly-fishing television show for Comcast Sportsnet Northwest. It's a different take on our wonderful sport. A point of view I think a lot of Sweetgrass fans will relate to: everything surrounding water and within it, is sacred. Doesn't matter the size and numbers of fish...
In this project and new life journey, I am continually fishing -- like always. And Sweetgrass has sponsored the show, so I get to fish their wonderful rods all the time. I guess, like I normally do, anyway. At any rate, recently I meandered back to Montana to work as a guide at Rock Creek Cattle Company outside of Deer Lodge. Still on the "right side of the Divide," and within reach of many Northwestern waters. The TV and guiding projects have kept me busy, but I hope you enjoy the brief update below on a wonderful day exploring some favorite water.
Montana's welcoming aqueous carpet -- before run-off hit.
I decided to use Glenn's prototype 8'6", 3 pc., 6/7 wt., quadrate rod, with some moderately weighted stonefly nymphs. I like the reach the longer rod gives, and the ability to toss some weight helps to get my flies down, where fish feed. And the wind blows often. I slowly worked downstream from where a nearby spring tributary entered the main channel. I found a sunken boulder, drifted the tandem stoneflies below it, and hooked up.
A hearty trout flexes the Sweetgrass quad deeply as Ariell waits to identify the specimen.
As it got a bit closer, I could see this Westslope cutthroat took my Marathoner fly pattern! The dearth of spots surrounding the belly of Westslopes is the best phenotypic identification that it is in fact a Westslope.
A healthy salmonid specimen with a beautiful bamboo specimen.
It took a bit of exploration, but Ariell and I managed to find some productive water and new species!
This Brownie also took my Marathoner pattern. I was rather high up on this drainage and surprised to find a Brown. Kinda cool however.
A little while later, I fooled this Rainbow with a softhackle stonefly nymph I made up after a few glasses of wine. It worked: the fly and the wine!
I didn't expect to catch such a variety of fish species (I also caught a Whitefish, but didn't photograph it {not that I don't appreciate Whities...}). I got to thinking, maybe I just completed a Grand Slam: A Cuttie, Brownie, Rainbowie and Whitie. Not sure if that counts. The only other specimen I could have caught was a Bully.
It doesn't matter.
Ariell and I had a great day exploring the river, casting Sweetgrass cane and enjoying the surrounding beauty. More to come.
In Wild Waters,
Zac Sexton
The Meandering Boo Boy
. I am not sure I have officially mentioned it, but I've been in the Northwest working on a fly-fishing television show for Comcast Sportsnet Northwest. It's a different take on our wonderful sport. A point of view I think a lot of Sweetgrass fans will relate to: everything surrounding water and within it, is sacred. Doesn't matter the size and numbers of fish...In this project and new life journey, I am continually fishing -- like always. And Sweetgrass has sponsored the show, so I get to fish their wonderful rods all the time. I guess, like I normally do, anyway. At any rate, recently I meandered back to Montana to work as a guide at Rock Creek Cattle Company outside of Deer Lodge. Still on the "right side of the Divide," and within reach of many Northwestern waters. The TV and guiding projects have kept me busy, but I hope you enjoy the brief update below on a wonderful day exploring some favorite water.
Montana's welcoming aqueous carpet -- before run-off hit.
I decided to use Glenn's prototype 8'6", 3 pc., 6/7 wt., quadrate rod, with some moderately weighted stonefly nymphs. I like the reach the longer rod gives, and the ability to toss some weight helps to get my flies down, where fish feed. And the wind blows often. I slowly worked downstream from where a nearby spring tributary entered the main channel. I found a sunken boulder, drifted the tandem stoneflies below it, and hooked up.
A hearty trout flexes the Sweetgrass quad deeply as Ariell waits to identify the specimen.
As it got a bit closer, I could see this Westslope cutthroat took my Marathoner fly pattern! The dearth of spots surrounding the belly of Westslopes is the best phenotypic identification that it is in fact a Westslope.
A healthy salmonid specimen with a beautiful bamboo specimen.
It took a bit of exploration, but Ariell and I managed to find some productive water and new species!
This Brownie also took my Marathoner pattern. I was rather high up on this drainage and surprised to find a Brown. Kinda cool however.
A little while later, I fooled this Rainbow with a softhackle stonefly nymph I made up after a few glasses of wine. It worked: the fly and the wine!
I didn't expect to catch such a variety of fish species (I also caught a Whitefish, but didn't photograph it {not that I don't appreciate Whities...}). I got to thinking, maybe I just completed a Grand Slam: A Cuttie, Brownie, Rainbowie and Whitie. Not sure if that counts. The only other specimen I could have caught was a Bully.
It doesn't matter.
Ariell and I had a great day exploring the river, casting Sweetgrass cane and enjoying the surrounding beauty. More to come.
In Wild Waters,
Zac Sexton
The Meandering Boo Boy
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