2013 - A Year in Pictures

2013 was a mighty fine year.  My wife and I bought a house, adopted a dog, I fulfilled the dream of becoming a fly fishing guide, and of course had some wonderful days on the water with friends and caught some beautiful fish. 

Here's looking to 2014 and another great year.  Below is my best an attempt at an end of year post.  I didn't feel like writing much so here is my year in pictures.



Spent many days exploring my home river.  The Bitterroot.

Did not let a broken finger keep me down.

Experienced some great hatches

Had some amazing days on the Mo' with friends

Floated the one and only Smith River.

Had a few stellar days of carp fishing.

Experienced many amazing Montana summer days.

Caught my first Steelhead on a fly.

Got to experience the incredible scenery and fishing in Hell's Canyon.

Looking forward to what 2014 has to offer.

Grayling

Grayling are awesome.  In a year when most of our western Montana rivers are running perilously low and "hoot owl" restrictions have been stifling our fishing activities for the better part of a month, getting up in the mountains is that much more appealing.  I like to make the hike to a local grayling filled lake at least once a year, I don't always make it but I try.

 

If you've never fished for grayling it's worth a try.  Grayling have an unnatural enthusiasm for dry flies and I never get tired of watching them rocket out of 6 feet of water to smash a dry fly.  When I arrived at said lake yesterday, cruising fish were gently sipping midges off the surface of the water.  What do I do?  Throw on a huge red Turk's Tarantula of course.  Match the hatch?  Grayling don't care about that.     

Freshwater sailfish.



Now you see him.

Now you don't.

Perfection

What's your definition of perfection?  Mine is...

Standing in a mountain stream.

Tenkara rod in hand.

My favorite dry fly

Best friend alongside 

Catching some of the most beautiful trout in the world. 

Perfection

The Newest Member of the Family

My new best friend, and fishing buddy.

He's got four legs, is a year old, and so far his favorite pastimes include; chomping on rawhide bones, destroying stuffed animals and going on walks.

He's a rescue dog from the Humane Society, my wife and I wouldn't have it any other way.  There's far too many great dogs out there that deserve homes.  We decided to name this guy Fisher.  Haven't taken him out on the river to see how the name suits him, but I have no doubt he'll love it.