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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

2010 has been a great year of fly fishing for me. Many priceless memories were made between friends and family. Looking back I feel very lucky and privileged to be able to have shared so many great experiences with other fisher-men/women.  Just like every year here is the best of the best for the year 2010. Not all fish are chosen for the sheer size, but for the size of beauty and fight they portrayed.

Anticipation, excitement, and wild brown trout filled the Denali as I picked up my friend Jeff and his son Sam. It was summer and the big bugs were out and the fish were on them. I had fished an out of the way stretch of river the following week and couldn’t wait to show my friends the kind of fishing it offered. 25+ miles on a rocky dirt rode and we were there! Instantly we got set up and were off  in hopes of out smarting a brown or two. “WAIT!” Jeff said, as I was walking down to the river. “Do you hear that”. “Nope”, I said as I was focused souly on fish. Then can the second worst situation a fly fishermen can experience on a beautiful summer day.(Getting a call from ur significant other saying you need to be home, being #1) ”Hey, ahhhh. I think your getting a flat” Jeff exclaimed.  ”What!” I yelled as I ran over to check things out. To my surprise I wasn’t just lucky enough to get one flat rear tire, but BOTH rear tires were loosing air and fast.

SUCK! I thought what the heck are we gunna do. We are an hour away from the closest highway and 2 hours away from home. Not to mention, we are 25+ miles on a dirt rode in the middle of nowhere and to top it off it was a Wednesday, so we probably would see another soul. There was only one thing to do. Go fish, until we figure something out. So we fished for a couple hours until heard a vehicle coming our way. I ran through the tress and bushes luckily stopping the SUV to ask for help. To my surprise it was a fellow fly fishermen and his wife enjoying their day off from guiding on the Provo. We came up with a strategy and the kind couple, drove us down the canyon until I got phone service and was able to call Geico to come pick me and my car up. After a huge thank you. The couple drove back to Heber with Jeff and Sam, leaving me to wait out the tow truck. What was only supposed to take two hours turned into a 4 hr wait, thanks to a couple of wrong turns by Tom the Tow Truck Driver.

After the Denali was loaded and we were making our way back down that rocky dirt road. I couldn’t help smile as I looked into the rear view mirror.

It had been a long stressful day with a lot of ups and downs, but even with all the bad I couldn’t help feel a sense of peace as I watched the sunset over the canyon walls. It made me re-realize that life and fly fishing isn’t about the destination, its about the journey that we take to get there.