Fly Fishing Stories
Snow, Mud,Wind, Sun and MEAT
Nov 17th
Part 2
Friday was bright and windy with the Funks, but that didn’t last long. That night I met up with my two younger brothers as the rain began to fall. We talked about the next couple days fishing and our options in case the storm was as big as projected. We had our sites set on big browns and ugly streamers, but with the rain turning the 30 mile dirt road to mud and a possible foot of snow on top of that. The plan was that we were gunna sleep on it and see what the morning brings. Its funny how in my early days of fishing I could care less about the weather, in fact I always wanted warm sunny days. Now its one of the most important aspects of my fishing and what really makes the difference in a good day and an epic day. The next morning I awoke sick from late night creamed filled donuts and Sunkist while catching up with my bros and watching FF Films. The trailer window was covered in frost, but I could see the white snow lining its sides. My first reaction was ”its not too deep to get there”. Then I opened the door and the inches of powder changed my thoughts to “we might be pushing it a little”. It was still snowing and supposed to throughout the day, but we’d probably get there, but getting back might be another story. So with that in mind we grabbed a tow rope and set off. As anticipated the roads were snowy(which helped in places) followed by patches of muddy slush. After an hour-half of white knuckle driving. We made it with only a few close calls and a couple mud covered vehicles and boat. 
The best part about going out on days like these is you are usually the only one crazy enough to be on the water. (Which we were for two days) The fishing was fast from the put in, hucking meat was all we would be doing and over-sized browns were our mission.
The fishing was awesome, is an understatement. It was epic with chases, swipes, and eats consistent for two days straight. But just like the day before we dealt with the freezing wind most of the afternoon. Until we had enough and pulled the boat on shore, positioned it as a wind block and got out the buddy heater to combat the freezing temps. After some warmth and frozen PBJs we continue our 13 mile float still cold, but not froze.
The wind calmed for another great evening and gave us a chance at a monster (which I missed) and a couple we can’t complain about.
When we reached the take out an hour passed dark:30. We were done! Throwing big heavy rods, lines, and flies for 13 hrs straight is hard on the body and mind. Plus add snow, wind and below freezing temps and we had had enough for ten trips. So what did we do? Cooked brats for dinner, recounted the day in stories, camped in our SUVs at the put-in and couldn’t wait for the next day and what it would bring. That’s why I love fishing with my brothers, It doesn’t matter how bad it is, we can make it the best time in the world when were fishing together.
The next morning came sooner than I had hoped, but with it came bright sunny skies and warmer temps. DANG, I thought. I was hoping for another overcast day of streamer tossing. But that’s UT weather. The change in weather had us mix our plans for the morning. We decided to take a steep hike and fish some of my favorite pocket water with big dries. Then we would float all afternoon and evening. The weather stayed nice all day and the fishing well, lets just say. Up to date, it was the best day I have had in 2011. The fish ate our dries, then on our float we stuck with brighter streamers and the fish were more aggressive then the day before.
The real bonus was the size of fish that were eating our flies with such confidence. 16-20s were the fish that were on the hunt and slamming our streamers, but a couple of there bigger bros came to net as well.
It was Epic to the highest degree of fly fishing. Jordan summed up how we were feeling when he said “Guys lets never grow up”. Even though we are getting older, its trips like these that keep our spirits, hearts, and friendships young and alive. Fishing is truly a gift…
Funkie Weather
Nov 16th
Part 1
As a dental consultant, I spent a lot of my time outdoors (fishing, hunting, biking, golfing, boating, sking, etc…)with the doctors I work with. Its the kind of job I always dreamed of having and now I’m living it. (I can’t complain) Dr Funk and his Son(Dr Funk Jr) love fly fishing, but had never floated the Green River, so I mentioned that I had a boat. We set a float for the first weekend in Nov. Watching the weather forecast, I was excited to see the cold front coming in. I was praying for dark skies and rain or snow. (mostly for streamers and BWOs) When we arrived Friday morning, we were given clear skies and wind. Not a good combination for this time of year or really ever. With a little adjustment to my game plan we set off. Right off the bat we boated 3 bows and got some confidence in the boat. Then it hit like a dagger in the heart of any fly fishermen. Wind like I had never seen on the Green. The micro burst would come in waves blowing us all over the river for most of the afternoon. It was almost impossible to try and fish/row under these conditions. I was frustrated and tired of fighting the wind, so we took a lunch break and recharged. Then it happened, the wind calmed down and gave us a perfect evening float. We decided to finish the day throwing streamers and it was a good move. We had multiple hook ups and too many chases to count. In all it was a perfect way to end such a weird day on the river.
TU 2011 Single Fly on the Green
Oct 20th
For the past couple years, I have had to pass (due to work)on helping out with the Single Fly Event on the Green River. But this year when the email came from Kevin, I blocked out the weekend and made it work. The event was great, as anticipated. They feed everyone like kings and gave all volunteer guides a nice swag bag full of fishy gear, which was really cool of them. For the next days fishing, I got matched up with team Three Rods and a Hooker. I was stoked, since they were all accomplished fishermen and seemed really nice. (which they were) To top it off we were going to fish the B section which is my preferred water this time of year. The plan was that Nate and Nick would float the B and Brett and Stef the A. The flies would be small Ants and Beetles. (Which were reinforced of course) 8:30 came quick as we threw down some of the breakfast buffet and started our float. Right off the bat Nicks Hi-Vis Beetle was the fly of choice for Mr Hungry Brown. Before we got to the third ramp Nick had boated two nice browns and had lost one at the net. I could tell it was going to be a good day of fishing. Nate telling me that his red ant comes alive as the day heats up, was right on as he stuck the next two fish, which both happened to be 18 inch browns. The rest of the day was a blur of fish rises, some hooked and some (lots) didn’t stick. It was a great day out on the water for our team, considering that most didn’t fair so well on the B. The fish gave us lots of excitement all day and that’s really all we could ask for is a chance. One of the coolest takes of the day was when Nick was fishing behind a big boulder. He had just missed and caught a little brown. The next cast he placed his beetle on the left of the boulder. Instantly a big fish rose for it. Hook Set, MISSED! Nick quickly tossed his beetle back on the water, but it landed on the far right of the boulder this time. Like a crazey starving fish, the big bows red strip flashed across the run and hammered Nicks beetle! The bow would be Nicks biggest of the day and a beautifully colored wild 17.5″ Bow. I felt really lucky to have been teamed up with Nick and Nate. They both were great fly fishermen and people. It was tons of fun to have a front row seat to watch as they used only one single fly to trick so many picky Green River fish. After a great dinner, program about invasive species and projects that Trout Unlimited is working on, they showed the scores for the day. Team Three Rods and a Hooker faired ok taking home a 3rd place finish out of 15 teams.
For the rest of the weekend Jord, Sarah, Gunner , and I fished a couple waters on our hit list and I bumbed around other rear by streams and lakes catching a fish or two. It was nice to get out for more than just a day.
First Time, Not the Last
Sep 14th
Rudy is a die hard snowboarder and mt biker living in Park City, UT. With all this outdoor experience, it surprised me when he said he has never had the opportunity to try fly fishing, so we set it up for Friday on the MP. The water was still a little high and cold, but the fish we there and they have to eat in not so prime conditions. So we rigged up and with a short Fly Fishing and Casting lesson we were wet wading to a promising run. With in his first 20 casts Rudy was hooked up, but the acorbatic brown leaped out of the water an threw the hook. Now with the the feel of a hook up Rudy was pumped and ready. Within minutes I looked over and saw him doubled over and in a fight with a nice MP brown. This the fish hunkered down running up and down the run giving Rudy a taste of a true fly rod fight. But after a couple minutes the big fish got the best of us and shook the little hook loose. After the hole settled down we tried another promising area. Rudy once again showed that he was a quick learner and caught and landed his first fish on a fly rod. It was great to see the excitement on his face as he released the little brown. The rest of the morning we caught a couple more fish, but the bugs weren’t giving us any help and the fish were just a little lazy. But the day was a huge success as Rudy got to experience another outdoor activity and is now planning on buying a rod and reel and going after those fish that got away.
On the way home I stopped by a favorite hole on the LP. It was void of fishermen (which is rare) but full of emerger (pmd, caddis) eating fish. After a couple hrs of fishing I had landed 10+ fish and the smallest being a bow around 17 inches and the largest was a toad brown that had to be over 23 or more??? It was a great day and nice way to top of a little bit slower than normal morning.
Fat Albert and Da Fairbanks
Sep 11th
Like most fly fishing trips this one was way over due. I met Dr. Jon Fairbanks a couple yrs ago through the Fly Fishing Frenzy site and since then we have been talking about hitting the water together, but never could make it work. Fast forward a couple years and a job change later, now I work with Dr. Jon Fairbanks. SO we had to make it happen. Date set, Fairbanks crew in order and next thing we knew, it was 4:30 am and we were on our way to the Green River. The hot sunny weather was perfect for a day of throwing terristrials, so the plan was an AB float letting our bugs pass by as many fish as possible. Our day started way before we stung up our flies. As brothers the 3 Fairbanks (Mark, Erik and Jon) starting talking trash, setting up beats and everything else competive brothers do. So when we left the first hole and Mark had landed 5 fish and Erik 0, you can pretty much figure out the feeling on the boat. That was short lived as the Green and its fish were nice to us, giving our boat consistant eats (mostly on fat alberts) almost the entire day and letting Erik redeem himself by landing the big fish of the trip. Our trip was exactly what most expect when floating the Green. (but rarely get) Lots of fish and great scencery, but this trip was so much more than that. It is an experience that will now be ingrained into all that had the chance to share it. The feelings and memories willl be in our souls forever. The fishing is what brought us together, but it takes second place to the friendship, laughter, smiles, and feeling of complete fulfillment. Thanks for the experience Fairbanks Brothers.
Since a 20 mile float wasn’t enough fishing, we decided to hit an evening Caddis hatch, that turned into a rodent hatch. Skittering mice with a full moon was fast and intense as large fish exploded the moon lite water. Next time we’ll use 10# tippet right Jon? By 3am Sunday, I was finally in bed after being on this 23 1/2 hour adventure. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Just Getting Away
Aug 1st
My wife was 9 months and 3 days prego and the last thing she wanted to do was hangout at home and think about why our child wouldn’t come. So I mentioned a beautiful drive up the canyon and even prettier stream to spend a hot summer day. I of course brought my gear and after our hike down the canyon, I fished the way back, while my wife enjoyed taking pics and the fresh mountain air. Great start to a life full of adventure with Liz, Chaz and I.
