As this was my first time to join my father and his friends on their annual fly fishing trip, I fully intended to sit back, observe, and do what I could to “learn the ropes” of their routines and traditions.

Flying into Bozeman, Montana, we got a breathtaking preview of Paradise Valley from above. We excitedly packed all of our Filson luggage into the rental suburban, and began to go through the checklist of pre-fishing necessities. We had to pick up our boat, get fishing licenses, and consult with some local guides on which of the flies the fish found irresistible. But there were some parts of the preparation that we couldn’t do until the rest of the guys got there. I quickly learned that every part of this trip was a tradition to them, even the buying of supplies.

When the rest of the crew arrived, we promptly stocked up on snacks, chewing tobacco, banquet beer, and some rye whiskey for when the day was done.  They pretty much had our evenings planned out for us, with visits to their favorite restaurants, watering holes, and even paying house visits to locals they had befriended over the last 30 years. It was plain to see how much they all loved this trip, and how quickly they left their troubles behind.

We had a full 3 days of fishing the Yellowstone River, trying different areas each day. The conditions were near perfect, and the river was for the most part devoid of other boats. My brother and I floated mainly with the guide, which worked in our favor, as he usually put us on the best drift lines, and we landed the most fish overall. But I made a point to rotate boats, and ride with my Dad and his friends as well, so that I could document.

For them, fishing was just one small part of this trip. They are all excellent fishermen, but didn’t take it too seriously, and had more fun just being around each other than any fishing success could provide. They laughed constantly, told stories, and toasted to Zimmy, their fallen friend.

Over the course of the three days, I asked them all what it meant to be out on the river. Their answers were all the same; it was not only an escape from their daily lives and careers, but also a rare chance to be in the company of lifelong friends. And though one of their fishing buddies could no longer be with them, they all felt that being in the Big Sky Country brought them closer to him. Coming back every year was a way that they could honor him, and keep his memory alive.

This type of trip exists for many people; whether friends, brothers, father and son, or grandchildren, those of us who have been fishing with the ones we care about is an experience that is hard to put into words. It is a bond that transcends mere sport, and breaches the realms of the human spirit. Traditions like these must be kept alive, cherished, and documented wherever possible. I am grateful that my father and his friends feel the same way, and invited my brother and I to help keep the spirit of this trip alive, not just for them, but also for the rest of our families for generations to come.

Gary Lewis is the host of Adventure Journal and author of John Nosler – Going Ballistic, Black Bear Hunting, Hunting Oregon and other titles. This time he shares his insight on traveling to Yakutat, Alaska, for prehistoric pike.

The last time I was here it was with no gun, no GPS, no map and no DEET. Last year’s poor planning resulted in a three-hour slog through devil’s club, muskeg and black water.

This time I carried heat in an Alaska Sportsman holster and an aerial photo. Dad had his GPS unit. Photographer Sam Pyke was our witness should a bear eat us or a troop of prehistoric mosquitoes take us hostage.

Two brown bears had crossed the road on the way here. Now we were in their backyard.

Unchanged in 8,000 years, this valley, surrounded by humped-up mountains, bordered by trackless forest, was a geologic refugia. When glaciers covered the land, it remained free of ice, and a chain of still waters was preserved that holds pike biologically distinct in North America.

A trail led into the ooze through tall grass and hip-deep channels. We aimed toward a stand of trees north by northeast, then crossed a patch of skunk cabbage, over a bear trail and through a creek. Soon, a meadow was visible beyond the trees and then dark water with the mountain behind it.

Nothing moved on the surface. Lily pads ringed the lake and the banks were carpeted in moss and waist high grass. Our rods were rigged with floating lines, steel leaders and streamers. I pointed dad toward a channel that emptied into the lake with a patch of open water where no lily pads grew.

On the third cast, a fish boiled. After more than two dozen casts, dad connected. By the time I reached him, he had a pike to hand, a fish that measured 30 inches and sported the grizzly hackled streamer that had teased him out of the lilies.

Dad worked the streamer side-to-side to make the fly behave like a wayward frog. His next fish was a two-footer with razor teeth.

I cast my streamer into voids in the lilies and teased it from pad to pad. A pike streaked out and missed the fly. Moments later, another charged, its mouth gaping at the surface. I missed, but the electric current that passed between us almost stopped my heart.

On the downwind side, Dad cast a Gibbs spoon with a lazy zigzag retrieve and caught two more. I missed another. Dad handed me the spinning rod.

Concerned now, I waded in and fan-cast out from the weeds. I hooked and lost one. Down to last cast time. Twenty more ‘last casts’, the spoon stopped, the line knifed through the water, a wedge of tail broke the surface.

Through the maze of lily pads, I brought the beast to hand and admired my first pike, my quest fulfilled.

Note: Anytime you’re fishing in bear country, bring a survival kit to include the following.

1. A map

2. A compass

3. Waterproof matches or a lighter

4. Extra clothes or a space blanket

5. A knife

6. Mosquito repellent

7. A little food and water

8. A first aid kit

9. A shotgun, a revolver or bear spray

10. A flashlight with extra batteries

Lake Okoboji, Iowa

This popular family vacation destination is home to some of the finest largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing in the Midwest. Here it is not uncommon to pull largemouths weighing five to seven pounds. The West side of this 8,000 acre lake is deep and clear, while the East is shallow and weedy. Due to their largely varyied natures, good bass fishing can be found in one or the other.

White River, Arkansas

One of the premier North American destinations for trout fishing is the renowned White River in northern-central Arkansas. Wide, crisp and clean waters provide fisherman with superb trout all year long. The majority of fish pulled are Rainbows,  but some giant browns and book trout have been pulled from the cold pools. Here, the most popular method of fishing is to float down the river in big johnboats.

Yellowstone, Wyoming

Some of the best trout fishing on the planet can be done in Yellowstone National Park.

But to the serious angler, Yellowstone waters read like a litany of hollowed and revered trout havens. The breathtaking Yellowstone and Madison rivers are meccas for brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Other lesser-known streams are teeming with fish as well. Trout anglers can pull trout while elk slowly pass downstream. The entire family can join on boats within the park’s largest lake, Yellowstone Lake. Make a camping trip out of the fishing adventure that you will never forget.

Clear Lake, California

This massive lake of 44,000-acre has been coined the “Bass Capital of the West.” Clear Lake has a long-standing heritage of jumbo Florida-strain largemouths. Summer has water temperatures from the low 70s up to 90 degrees and blooms of grasses, aquatic weeds, and algae. Drop shotting  is a very productive way to pull fish at this time of the year. Look out for shore rock piles, ledges, and rocky points. Clear Lake also offers many launch ramps, marinas and boat rentals.

Everything you need to master the art of fish baiting right here in this handy list.

Pre-Baiting

Pre-baiting is a technique to entice more fish to the area you plan to cast you line. The goal is to get fish comfortable with feeding so that when you do throw in your hook bait, the fish are present and ready to bite.

Hook Selection

Always choose the hook size and shape that is appropriate for the type of fish you are looking to catch. As for color selection, some sand varieties are attracted to a red hook, but in most cases a silver hook will suffice.

Sharpness

Use a very sharp hook. Hooks dull quickly so buy new hooks frequently to have on hand. Between replacements you should sand the point to keep it nice and sharp. Purchasing high quality hooks in the first place will save you money in the long run as they have a longer life-span.

Shrimp Tales

Many people mistakenly bait shrimp with the head first. The proper way to bait prawn is by sticking the hook tail end first so the body curls up in the shape of the hook (keeping the hook entirely in the shrimp when threading). If you bait head first, the shrimp is more likely to fall off.

Unusual Suspect

Squid is a less common, but excellent and hardy bait choice.  It is easy to hook and difficult for fish to nibble off. Thread the softer part of the body, which is more appealing to fish than the hard area around the head.

Disguise

Always thread as much of the hook as possible through the bait. This will disguise the hook from the fish sight and keep the bait on more securely. In the end, you will pull in more fish and replace less bait.

For your next fishing excursion, here are some Filson products that will help you look like a real fisherman.

• Fly Rod Travel Case
• Sportsman Shorts
• Fishing Waist Pack
• Mesh Fly Fishing Vest

Photo Credit: Josh Lantz

Kristen Monroe learns the art of fly fishing with Josh Lantz and she just may be hooked.

Another magnificent door into the outdoors has opened.  I never thought it would happen.  It has always appeared so difficult; perhaps due to misunderstandings derived from movies I have seen.  But recently, I had the privilege of seeing a presentation at The Great Outdoors Expo in Woodstock, Illinois given by Lefty Kreh, which ignited my interest in fly fishing.   The sport no longer looked intimidating.  Instead, it became a fascinating challenge.

I am blessed to have many friends in the outdoors industry, so I started asking around for some guidance.   Josh Lantz, fellow outdoor communicator and professional guide, offered to teach me the sport.  He quickly put my misconceptions to bed by teaching the basics of a cast.  Before long I was fighting a smallmouth into the drift boat with a grin on my face.

We fished an eight-mile stretch on the Saint Joseph River starting in Mottville, Michigan and ending in Bristol, Indiana.   This river is well known for steelhead and salmon in its lower 63-miles during spring and fall, but we were well upstream of those waters.  We didn’t fish for trout; the species I usually associate with fly fishing.  Instead we went after smallmouth bass.  There were a ton of smallmouth in this river and they were extremely fun to catch.  The species is a great choice for any aspiring fly angler who lives in the Midwest.

Photo Credit: Kristen Monroe

Lantz has guided since 1999 and loves taking people fishing.  While casting towards the bank, I asked him about being a professional guide.   “Beginners are my favorite, because they truly want to learn and they don’t have any bad habits”, said Josh, who’s love for fishing began at age 3 when his grandmother taught him to fish with a cane pole.

The intriguing gap between cane pole and fly rod led to another conversation about gear, which also intimidated me in the beginning.  I now know that pre-matched fly fishing combo sets are available from many of today’s best manufacturers.  This is the way to go.  They are affordable and include rod, reel, fly line and leader – everything you need to get started.  Of course, there is a lot more to learn about gear, and there are endless options.  But when you start off, it is very important to start simply.   Lantz says two rods — a 5-weight and an 8-weight — would be ideal to cover most types of fish from panfish to salmon.

It doesn’t always have to be difficult learning and getting geared up for a new endeavor.  You just need a little motivation, and a good teacher.

I am always up for a new challenge and enjoy the gifts the outdoor.  If you are afraid of something, sometimes it is best to just dive in and learn all about it.  You might just come out with a new passion in life that you never knew existed.  If I can cast a fly rod, you can too.

Coming to Northern Indiana or Southwest Michigan?  Contact World Class Fly Fishing with Josh Lantz at (219) 728-8996 or www.gofishn.com/author/josh-lantz.

Judith O’Keefe took on Washington D.C. with the Save Bristol Bay crew. She is a supporter of the cause and so are we, we’re proud of the efforts made by fellow sportsmen at The U.S. Capitol!

Did I hesitate when Trout Unlimited’s regional director of the Save Bristol Bay project called asking me to join thirty-nine fellow anglers and hunters from across the nation? Not for one second!  We were being asked to join the Bristol Bay Sportsmen’s Summit, and descend on our nation’s capitol in an effort to prevail on the powers that be to support the EPA in it’s effort to utilize the Clean Water Act to save this pristine watershed from a proposed massive open-pit mine.

I’ve always had an interest in government.  Working for candidates running for various state offices in the nineties introduced me to the world of politics . . . the good, bad and the ugly.  The most surprising lesson was that an individual can, actually make a difference.  Combined with my love of the natural environment, ecology, fish and Alaska, this project was tailor made to suit me.  Yes, of course I was going.  I was a little nervous about what was expected of me:  Did I need to arm myself with the latest scientific data, the facts and figures relating to the economic impact the proposed Pebble Mine would have on Alaska, the Northwest and the world? Well, no matter, I would do what was necessary.  This topic needed to be addressed in a big way, and as soon as possible.

The proposed Pebble Mine would generate up to 10 billion tons of toxic mine waste that would have to be treated in-perpetuity. Mine waste disposal in the Bristol Bay watershed is a direct threat to the tremendous wild salmon habitat that supports the Bristol Bay fishery and supplies the world with a healthy and sustainable source of wild salmon. The salmon fishery is the economic engine of the region, generating an estimated $450 million in revenue each year and providing some 12,000 jobs.

I was up at o-dark-thirty on April 14^th, headed to Washington DC, as part of the sportsmen’s summit.  Our group met that evening in a downtown hotel for introductions and a training session.  To say I was awed and inspired by the individuals that made up this coalition would be a gross understatement; commercial fisherman, sportsmen and women, business owners, scientists and representatives from the Bristol Bay Native Corporation – an unlikely group of bed-fellows.  Under typical circumstances, these folks would be on opposite sides of the fence.  One of the unique aspects of the Save Bristol Bay project is that those who would usually support the “development of our natural resources” are staunchly opposed to the Pebble Mine.  Also, I was relieved to hear that in my upcoming appointments on Capitol Hill, folks who had the facts, figures, and the day-to-day experience of living in Bristol Bay would accompany me.

My three days meeting with White House staff, the EPA, and the Oregon delegation on “The Hill” were interesting, exciting and most importantly, productive.  It may be an anomaly, but in the saga of Bristol Bay v/s a multi-national mining corporation, I believe that the good guys have a fighting chance.  After the events April’s Sportsmen’s Summit for Bristol Bay, our decision makers have been reminded again how important this issue is for the people of Bristol Bay and all who treasure it. To find out more about Bristol Bay and how you can make a difference, go to: www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org/about.html orwww.savebristolbay.org

John Townes Van Zandt returns home to Texas after a successful film festival tour with the fishing documentary “Low and Clear” and picks up where he left off in building the pristine “Sea Dart” fishing boat.

What a wonderful and exciting experience it has been to take our movie “Low and Clear” to multiple film festivals over the last couple of months. So far the movie has shown at Camden Film Festival, True/ False, SXSW, Dallas International Film Festival and will continue to show in Toronto, Telluride and other prestigious festivals. It has been very rewarding for everyone involved with the project and a huge validation for the film makers themselves who saw the promise in the story of my friend Xenie Hall and I with the dramatic contrast in our personalities, our love for fishing and the need to be outdoors. I would very much enjoy to follow the film to other festivals, but for me, I must get back to my wife and baby in Austin as well as my passion for woodworking. I manage the cabinetry and millwork division for Escobedo Construction which is a general contracting company made unique by our self performance of all trades in the construction process. Our company utilizes modern machinery and software, employs highly skilled craftsmen and is capable of innovating and building anything made of stone, steel or wood. One example of our capabilities is the “Sea Dart” which is the wooden watercraft that I fish from in the Texas marsh shown in the movie. We are now in the process of building 4 of these boats for customers and having been distracted by the film tour, I need to get busy completing these boats for the June deadline.

Boat building is a meditative process that requires much care and discipline. It is an ancient craft that summons man’s greatest capabilities. I say craft rather than art because the term artist has become over used and self proclaimed by too many these days as a shortcut to becoming a true craftsman. It is the responsibility of society to determine what art is. Van Gogh considered himself a painter, not an artist. The discipline of learning a craft requires years of tedious repetition until the exercise is second nature and becomes woven into the fabric of an individual. This is true for a multitude of professions: woodworking, welding, sewing, painting, film making, cooking etc… My thought on the decline of modern society is that few are willing to dedicate to this level of discipline opting for the easier route and thus trades are lost and quality is forgotten.

Quality is a commitment, involves respect and is an obligation to the resources that comprise the creation of any man made object. To slight that which could have been of quality is to throw away something valuable and is a true sin against the natural world. To intentionally design something of lesser quality in order to increase profitability is a perversion, is non sustainable and is certainly wrong. Sustainability has become a huge topic lately as the world’s natural resources rapidly diminish but in the beginning when man naturally created things to last, sustainability was a given. True sustainability is a result of creating quality goods that last and do not need to be replaced. This is my goal as a student of the craft of woodworking, it is the commitment of Escobedo Construction and it is the reason that we love, use and respect Filson products.

If you are looking for more fishing stories check out some of our other guest blogs.

Judith O’Keefe is ready for summer! Because with summer comes her favorite fishing trip in Montana at Five Rivers lodge. After reading this, you just may be looking up flights and calling your fishing buddies, too.

July is a long way off, but I’m already dreaming about Montana . . . fishing in Montana that is.   As many of you know firsthand, the wild and scenic landscape, amazing wildlife, and friendly folks are just the beginning.  The fishing is almost always wonderful and at times . . . spectacular.

Home base is the beautiful Five Rivers Lodge.  The lodge is situated in the Beaverhead Valley, just outside of the town of Dillon.  This location provides easy access to the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Ruby, Madison and Jefferson rivers, not to mention some incredible private water.  Innkeepers, Jay Burgin and Mary Jacques, are the perfect hosts, serving up some of the best food and drink this side of the Mississippi.  Many of the Five Rivers guides are native Montanans who’ve grown up fishing these rivers.  They’re professionals and they know their stuff.

When I think about those yearly sojourns, my minds fills with memories of the floats and the fish and that pair of moose we came across while hiking into the Big Hole River last September.  But if I had to choose just one experience to relive, it would be floating the Beaverhead in late July.  For me, there is nothing better than casting a streamer pattern to the bank, knowing sooner than later, I’m going to entice a big brown trout to bite.

In my humble opinion, the Beaverhead is one of the premier brown trout rivers in the west. It produces more large trout than any other river in Montana. Beginning at Clark Canyon Dam, near Dillon, it flows for 80 miles to the confluence with the Jefferson River.  The upper stretch of river is known primarily for its nymph fishing. Some claim the bulk of large fish are caught on nymphs and streamers.

While streamer fishing is near the top of my list, I also love fishing big, dry flies.  Who doesn’t?  The Beaverhead River has solid hatches throughout the year, and is especially known for its caddis hatch.  Typically, early mornings and evenings are the best time to use dry flies. Bright, sunny weather may provide a little more of a challenge in mid-day, as the fish generally stay down deep and under cover.  When the fish are coming to the surface to feed, I like the popular staple, the Elk Hair Caddis, size 16 – 18.  The Sparkle Dun and the X-Caddis also work well.  Later in the summer the hopper fishing can be great and my fly box is filled with patterns like the Idylwilde Red Legged Hopper or Morrish’s Hopper, size 8 – 10.

Those long summer days are nearly perfect, filled with warm sunshine, clear, cold water and lots of fish.  Once the drift boat is secure on the trailer and the gear stowed, it’s then time to head down to the Metlen Hotel Bar for the official drink of summer, the Moscow Mule.  Hmmm, Montana.

Moscow Mule

2 oz. vodka

8 oz. Cock & Bull Ginger Beer

Squeeze of fresh lime juice

Mix and serve in a true copper mug.

As we prepare for spring fly fishing season we turn to Ben Smith of Arizona Wanderings for the expert tips on tying flies. We’re ready to get out on the river. Anybody else?

There is no substitute for standing in the middle of the creek, watching a bushy dry fly float through the current, but tying flies comes pretty close. The next best thing to actually getting to fish is spending time at the vice preparing and thinking about all those fish that are going to be fooled by a hand tied fly.

I bought my vice after about 6 months of fly fishing, and I tied some of the ugliest flies imaginable. My first wooly bugger had more in common with a hairball found under the couch then the fly pattern in the book. But perseverance paid off and after filling an old  butter container with mangled hooks, my flies started to look like actual bugs.

I still remember the first fish that I caught on one of my own hand tied hoppers, and the picture and the fly are framed over my desk to mark the occasion. From that day forward, any waking second to the world of feather, fur, foam, and thread and I practiced until I could not see straight.

Today as life becomes busier, trips to the streams and rivers are fewer and farther between and therefore my times at the vice give me my fly fishing fix and hold me over till the next time I can rig up my fly rod and tempt some trout.

Here are a few thoughts if you ever had in hankering to tie a few flies.

1. Buy the nicest vice you can afford. – As everything in life, you get what you pay for. There are quite a few affordable starter kits on the market, but often the vices that come with these kits can be pretty cheap and frustrating to learn to tie on. If you think or know that fly tying is something you could become obsessed with, buy a nice vice that will last a lifetime.
2. One fly at a time – An old timer gave me some sage advice when he told me to learn one pattern at a time. Start with the time-tested patterns and become proficient at the basic skills of fly tying.
3. Practice makes perfect – There is no substitute for tying dozens of the same pattern. Just like shooting baskets or going to the golf range, muscle memory is key.
4. Have fun – Tying flies is supposed to be enjoyable. Researching rivers and fly patterns for an upcoming fishing trip is exciting. There’s nothing more satisfying than filling a box full of flies and thinking about all the fish that your creations are going to catch.