End of Marchish Itch

Finally feel like my head is catching up to me after my travels and I'm starting to get MT fishing on my brain. I love fishing this time of year rather than guiding, even though I could use the dough. The weather is unpredictable and conditions change all the time so unless its a calm day on the spring creeks, there is always a degree of uncertainty. Dirty water on the lower, the Gallatin sounds like its been steady fro talking to everyone at the shop, spawners are stacked up in spots on the MO and the upper Madison, and the EG has been nymphing well. Perfect time of year to go out for a few hours or all day.

I hope to start getting out a couple times a week next week and that should only increase as the days get longer. Got some new gear to play with, got a new boat (the glitterbug) on its way, new flies (and old flies) and the anticipation of what's to come to keep me motivated.

I'm feeling good about the water and snow. My guess is that we'll be on the upper by mid-June, Yellowstone by early July, and the Gallaitn et' al should only be gone for a few weeks in mid-May to mid-June. But who knows for sure? It's all a pipe dream so pass me a 40 and I'm out,

Live the Dream!

We're hiring for full and part time work in the fly shop and now accepting applications! Looking for a couple folks that are experienced fly anglers, familiar with the waters of SW Bozeman. Ideally, we're looking for someone with 2+ years of retail experience in the outdoor or fly-fishing industry.
In addition to typical retail responsibilities such as sales, merchandising, and customer service duties, applicants need to have the ability to confidently work on a variety of IT interfaces including social media, point of sale, web-editing, and various Microsoft programs.

Fins & Feathers is a great atmosphere to work in and we are an ever growing business expecting substantial growth in the next 24 months. Our employees have all been with us for several years now and all of our guides have started off in the shop at one point or another. We enjoy our jobs and hope to find a person or two that would like the opportunity to join our team. Wages are negotiable and depend on the applicants experience as described above.

To apply...email resume and references to info@finsandfeathersonline.com . No phone calls or drop-ins please! We hope to have these positions filled my mid-April, starting immediately.

0327

 Up early this morning to tackle the day by putting the shop back together...exciting stuff. The shop has been so ghetto for so long now that it's hard to believe that it's actually not so ghetto now! We've had a tile shop, hot tub place, realtor, aquarium mfr, drug dealers, and tattoo artist all as neighbors at one point or another. So, it really does feel good to be able to make things look more like a fly shop than just a fly shop in a little junk strip mall with gangster neighbors.

I've been mulling my way through NZ photos and have to say it was disappointing from a commercial appeal photographically. Maybe got a couple that someone might want, but overall it was just as tough photographically speaking as it was fishing-wise. Bad light makes for tough spotting of fish and crappy photos! Chopper fishing could become very addictive for the non-budget minded angler in NZ!

03/26

A new week is here, the shop is looking great, new gear arriving all the time now and things are starting to have that feel to them like the charma is starting to swing back around. We still have lots to do, but I'm starting to feel like I can maybe get back to worrying more about fishing and catching than all the minutia it takes to get to the point of actually fishing. Blog should be getting more interesting and fishy soon.

03/22

The shop should be done tomorrow afternoon and not without a little adventure. We're getting more cork in place of carpet as there was a mix up with the amount of carpet on the roll at the store. Getting excited to get  this part of the project done.

Meanwhile...thoughts of fish in hand are getting to me. Crazy nice weather, except for the wind, is giving everyone a little cabin fever around here. We received our first phone inquiry into where the Salmonflies are at on the Madison. Still a few months away, but that phone call is kind of a right of passage into spring for us at the shop, lets us know that the occasional angler is getting interested. When we get that guy asking about Walleye in the Gallatin...we'll know things are about to get serious! That's the same guy that saw Antelope on the road to Big Sky and wonders where we put all the snow in the summertime and thinks it's pretty cool that all the rivers go around in circles...makes it much easier for us to get out rigs at the end of the day.

03/21On

Sparky feeling it.

Getting ready to get store flooring done tomorrow and the next day! It's pretty much empty right now but our back room is jammed up with everything that we could move into it.

Participated in a "focus group" this evening with a local ad agency that is doing some work for Orvis. It was pretty interesting to hear other people's opinions about the industry and where Orvis' is positioned in today's fly fishing world. They really are a good company but there are a lot of old ideas and perceptions about the company. In addition to the commitment to the world of the fly fisher and the products, they've also made some hug contributions int the realm of conservation and education which often goes overlooked by the fly fishing community. Anyway, it was a good experience for me and we'll see where things head.

032012

Ok, so I have a little better attitude today and I was reminded once again that I have it pretty damn good. Funny how a little reality check on what is really important in life puts it all into perspective. Seems like I have  a lot going on and I guess I stress out about trivial things too much when at the end of the day all is really really good.

Starting to muddle my way through the NZ pictures now and I have a long way to go. Although these have nothing to do with fishing, this place has always drawn my attention and these boulders are something I always wanted to photograph. They're called the Moreki Boulders and are about 2/3 the way down the east coast of the NZ's South Island. They are definitely out of place along the beach and I'm not sure of much about them other than the fact that they are very cool looking.

This was the first day that I fished in NZ this year, ended up on the Taieri River which is a tanin colored stream with good fish numbers. They're hard to spot but they were eating dries well this day and it turned out to probably be the easiest day I had the whole trip in terms of ROI per cast and fish that I saw! It also involved about an extra 100 miles of driving as I went left where I should've gone right and ended up in BFE here a nice lady at a convenience store confirmed the fact that I was in fact lost. Finally found the river and fish rising to whatever it was they were eating, but they liked my Klinkhammers. Got a few 2-3 pounders and one that was a shade over 5. None of those pics turned out worth a crap so you'll just have to take my word on it...

Home

Came back to Bozeman and a blown tranny n the suburban, 6+" of snow, a kid with bad grades, and a pile of menutia! I need a vacation...thinking Belize in early June.

On the way home

Making our way back to Montana in the morning after a great family vacation in Mehico. Seems like I\'ve been gone for a long time now so am looking forward to getting back into the groove and getting on the water soon. The guys at the shop have been doing a great job of keeping the empire afloat! No place like home, like this baby sea turtle was thinking.

another lazy day

Still hanging out with the family here in Ixtapa, few more days left. It\'s been relaxing as hell and pretty uneventful too. Both of which are nice change from the last few weeks. I did have some moments today where thoughts of blown opportunities in NZ found there way back to the front of my brain.
Had a fun day today taking my oldest some and dad out for a little inshore/offshore trolling today for whatever ate our junk. We got a few of some small tuna in a couple of hours and called it good before we all started puking. Alex got a couple I got one, my dad had a dolphin eat most of his. Saw a bunch of sea turtles, dolphins, jellyfish, and more.

puking in mexico

Arrived in Ixtapa yesterday with the family to some pretty stunning weather and warm water. Vacation from the vacation as I like to describe it. Had the pleasure of dealing with a night of Momtezuma\'s revenge last night so spent today feeling like my insides have been rearranged. On the mend now though.

03/10

Made it to Big D yesterday and we're all getting ready fot the spring break trip to Mexico. Apparently, the state department is advising against traveling to 14 Mexican states now...good news is that I have no idea if where we are going happens to be one of those 14 states!
Am hoping to fish a couple days this trip out of Zhituaneaou near Ixtapa. Tried it last year with an ex-pat living there for Jacks but they were'nt on the feed. Apparently he got into a bunch of Roosterfish a couple of days agoa which is unusual for this time of year im the year. So, knowing my luck as of late....I have very low expectations. Also going to take my 13 year old out for a pukefest trolling adventure for whatever happens to want to eat our junk one day.
This trip is more about family time, so my plans have to be made in backrooms when it comes to talking fishing. I've learned to pick my battles at this stage even though for me to fish is to work....my wife sometimes thinks that I fish more than I work.

March 9

Made it home yesterday afternoon and am recovering from the long travels. There's no place like home...especially when that happens to be Bozeman, Mt.!
The shop is looking great as the guys have been painting and doing some reaaranging while I'm away. We have new flooring on its way soon and some new fixtures shoudl be finished by mid-April!
I'm off to Ixtapa, Mexico tomorrow for spring break with the family...might do some fishing there too if the stars align properly.

and then there is today

Another long day in the adventure that just won\'t end! Had a great flight from Auckland to Lax with almost 8 hours of solid sleep in an aisle bulkhead seat near the back of the bus. Anxiously awaiting getting home to family. Being away so long really puts some of this life thing into perspective.
Got to La, go try bags and made my way to United for a 445 departure to Denver and into Bozeman around 1100 tonight....oh wait....United dropped that flight from Denver to Bozeman and forgot to tell me...stood in line for an hour, talked to some f*%£knuckle on the phone and generally had a wonderful arrive back to the states. So, I have a lovely hotel stay ahead tonight and get back to Bozeman tomorerow instead of today which is yesterday where I come from and tomorrow is today so I guess I still get home today if yesterday was today and I was still in NZ! No fish today, but I will be staying at a Hilton garden inn dining at teds Montana grill.

yesterday

Spent the day tidying up and getting ready for the long trip home. This morning was the first one for the trip that was warm enough to not wear and fleece or jacket. Walked around Christchurch, had lunch with a friend, and am now settling in for the unwind.
I had some serious laughs and found that the statement "I don\'t know" is a great way to end all discussion about grey areas! I learned that Jessica Alba must be really hot. I learned to not expect privacy when you have to crap near the woods. I learned that hemostats aren\'t the best choice when it comes to surgical pin removal.
Besides that, I learned that there is a lot more to a fishing adventure than just catching fish, but a few fish here and there sure does help at times. I saw some spark in Sparky, enjoyed the dark side of a slightly more balanced version of Rainman, was reminded of how solid the MOB really is, heard some terrible bedtime stories from a silly bone doctor celebrating the joys of being newly single, and watched the skipper puke in high seas but pull it out in the end. And finally, I got to we what Abbot and Costella would have been like if they were fishing guides
I also was reminded of all the great things about home that I take for granted. Things like scrambled eggs, real coffee, gas prices, free Internet, good water pressure, and last but not least...my family! There\'s no place like home.
A serious fishing trip her will test anyone\'s mental stability at times. The fish are big and hard to catch...most days. No matter good an angler you are, this place will test your skills like no other. There are very few gimmes when it comes down to it, so all you can do is enjoy the ride. I always crack up when spmeone says spmething like "why would I go all the way to nz to catch trout?" that same guy is the same one that is on the verge of goingpstal a week into the trip pnce they realize that if this is trout fishin, then they have no idea how to do it! Being bludgeoned into humility can be a painful process and I have a feeling that there is plenty more whippings coming my way!
The average size of fish on this trip was around 5 pounds but we all suffered through several skunks and days with squandered opportunities. One guy got one a little over pounds and all but one got fish up to 6.5pounds. There should have been more and could have been less but in the end it was what it was and it was enugh to have the wheels spinning about next years trip already. I\'m thinking of doing a combination salt and fesh trip...we\'ll start in Twizel for trout and end in the Cook Islands for GT and Bones. Will book a schooner for the oversea part and will have Steve drive the ship while Ian navigates...I\'ll be responsible for charting the course! Just don\'t fly into Queesntown as I have no idea if I could find Twizel from there.

See you next Tuesday kind of trout

Another beautiful day here in Hanmer...ok maybe it\\\'s the first truly nice day in 3 weeks. Day started good as gold with breakfast at new spot, which had free wifi too. I told my tale of yesterday\\\'s adventure to the lady making coffees and she seemed to be embarrassed by the poor behavior of her fellow hammer items and the DOC dude with locking the gate yesterday. kiwis are such good folks in general and she definitely got my head turned on right with how nice these folks can be. She started fidgeting as I went into more and more detail and explained how the doc dude locked me in after assuring me that he\\\'d leave the gate open if my combo didn\\\'t work. Turns out the doc dude is the ladies husband! She called him and then came back over to the table and apologized at lengthe! Small world?

With most of the rivers starting to clear and only having one day to go, I decided to go for broke and continue the month long celebration of my birthday. Took a quick chopper ride up the hope to where the guys went the other day. I got one small one, cast to a dozen or so and saw another dozen fish. A great way to end the trip!

Some of you may find this hard to believe but....the pilot and I had some communication issues regarding the meeting place. I thought I was meeting home where he met the guys the other day and he thought I was meeting him at the airfield in Hanmer. Some more nice kiwis let me use their phone to get that sorted. He was supposed to pick me up at 6 and instructed me to make my way to a hut if the wind picked up and they weren\\\'t able to get me tonight. At 615, I started the trek but they made it in around 630.

I fly home tomorrow night, so doing laundry in the am and making my way back to Chch early afternoon.

More Advetures of a Lost Soul

Awoke to the sound of rain potter patting on the rooftop this morning. Just another lovely day for fishing here in New Zealand. Great to have some down time, but it was a little quiet without the guys. Decided to get a late start after a big breakfast of eggs, toast, and sausages washed down with some coffee and cranberry. 
Perfect weather for some b&w photos and I had just the place in mind. We went into the upper waiau river the other day and the landscape was just amazing and huge. I thought the drama of the landscape and clouds would make for some interesting photos and maybe the river would be clear too. I got the combo from the DOC folks online and registered my car for the day. I decided to go in at the next gate as the drive in the other day was long and dicey at times.
As luck would have it, there was a DOC truck just ahead of me and the guy opened the gate for me on the way in and agreed with my assessment of the weeather as clearing. The drive in was awesome, I ended up getting up to snow level as I meandered through the pass and down towards the river.it was about an hours drive with a very steep up and down on bothe sides of the pass. I expected the river to be dirty or slightly off color at least, but it gin clear! The skies were opening up and blue skies suddenly were everywhere, I decided to go for a little walk up the river to see if I could find my one dumb fish for the day.
Short walk ended up being a death march as this was the best spotting weather I've had in three weeks here in NZ. I saw three fish, each of which was huge. Only problem is that they were stuck to the bottom and not moving, so despite my begging and pleading...no fish for me and I ended up having a 2 hr walk back to the car, nothing out of the ordinary for a day with Toby in New Zealand...here's where it gets interesting and more aptly follows the clusterfuck of a trip this has been.
After a slow, 45 minute drive back out and over the pass I got to the gate only to find that the combination to the lock that I wrote down was wrong. This was at 530 or so and about 70 miles from the nearest house. So, I grabbed some stuff and my one granola bar plus bottle of water and headed to the main road with hopes that someone would be driving by. There was a dick driving by that basically told me it was my problem and that he'd pick me up on his way back into hammer if he saw me on the road after dark. My only choice was to start walking and I hoped to make it to a backcountry hut by dark so that I'd at least have shelter for the night. 2 hours later a couple cars come hauling up the road and stop to see what I'm doing. They were young guys dressed in camp to do some goose shooting after dark in the high country. Luckily, they had the old and new gate combo and gave me a ride back to the car and gate. It all worked out in the end plus I got to spend some quality alone time with myself debating the seriousness of my situation. Everyday is an adventure.

eating naan with big momma

Everyone headed home today and I have to say that it\'s a little quiet around the top 10 holiday park here in hammer springs. I went back to the indian restaurant we ate at the other night and they made me get takeout so I wouldn\'t take up one of their tables by,half....maybe they caught on to the unauthorized wine corkage by the guys the other night. So I sat in the shared kitchen facility at the campground eating my naan and stuff while watching Big Momma with a German couple that seemed to be in the middle of some sort of marital strife.
It rained all night last night and most of today which has made the rivers turn back from clear to poopie brown. I think I\'ll check the flows in the morning and see what the day brings. Hopefully I can still get a day or two of fishing in on my own, but if not...think I\'ll be alright and go for a walk in the woods with the camera. The rivers do drop And clean remarkably fast here so I could be alright for some fishing even tomorrow, but today they looked ruined for awhile!

another update

So the trip had some periods which could be best described as a clusterfuck. Everything that went wrong pretty much did go from the weather to the guides babbling confused banter back and forth as well as getting lost repeatedly. I was pretty much lost the whole time....thank god for gps. Clouds and rain made for tough conditions to spot fish and many of the fish were picky as shit or spookier than hell. But, everyone got some fish and made the best of it considering everything. I definitely blew some good chances at some seriously nice fish.
In the end it was a couple weeks of backcountry ensue NZ fishing with some great dudes and guides.

some updates

Nearing the end of trip now and wishing it would keep going. The fishing has been tough, but everyone has had some good days to go along with the rough ones...sounds like fishing in general to me.
Yesterday or two days ago now was brutal as we did a chopper trip into some amazing water but found very few fish and the ones we did find were as spooky as all the rest.
The theories we come up with as anglers are ridiculous at time. The pressure is dropping, they saw the leader, too many other anglers and blah blah. Truth is that we\'ll never know and the fish don\'t care anyway. Fish do fish things cuz they\'re fish. Although I sometimes think they can be logical or even rational, they are just a stupid cold blooded animal way down the evolutionary ladder. Why then do they so often when the battle here in NZ? Bugger them all, I\'m throwing worms at them tomorrow.