Stillwater Fly Fishing
2010 Ice Off
Aug 15th
So this years ice off came at the worst possible time. By the time the lakes started to unveil themselves I was already well under the grasp of religiously fishing some local BWO hatches. When Strawberry was just getting good, I drove right past it and to the 
Green River for the week, missing out on some of my favorite fishing of the year. But it wasn’t a complete bust this year. Jord and I were able to sneak away chase some big kitties as they patrolled the ice free shallows. The day started off slow as we got to the lake to find that the ice that was open the day before re-froze, leaving us sitting around from 7am to noon waiting on the ice to peel back. Since we had some free time we managed to clean up the garbage around the lake and Jord was able to catch a little cutty as it moved into the shallows of the spring. Once the ice softened up we fished hard for the few fish that were active enough to want to eat in the freezing water. Even though the catch rate wasn’t a typical ice-off experience, it was still nice to be there and have the chance. My favorite fish of the day was a big momma tiger that I spotted just feet from the shore, when I casted over her. I told Jord that she wouldn’t eat, but as my fly floated over her face she opened her mouth and sucked it in. I was so surprised that I didn’t even set the hook, giving her all kinds of time to spit it out. As luck was on my side the hook stuck and I found I had a tight line and a big grin.
Trash Talk and The Brothers
Feb 28th
A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to fish with my two younger bros, Jordan and Gunner. Its always a good time when we fish together, with lots of messing around, trash talk and brotherly competition. This day was special though. We were targeting oversized fish that would make any angler smile. So with that in mind the trash talking began. I was talking all kinds of trash to Jordan about our last outing, but it wasn’t until I hooked up with a small 26 inch bow on my second cast, that I was able to back-up what I was throwing up. After that my head and mouth grew ten sizes. It really didn’t matter though, the picky fish were kind to us all that morning and we all had our hands on some of the biggest fish of our lives.
Read more below
Fish Stories
Dec 30th
From an early age I liked fish stories. I like telling them and listening to them. I remember my grandpa telling us the same fishing stories over and over while we drove to the “ole Berry Patch” at 5 am. To me these stories and the countless others told by friends and family make up a personal memory book that I store close to my heart. Its in a fishing story that a child creates dreams for the future, learns lessons from the past, and legends are made. Over the past few months I have had many great stories written, but one sticks out more than all the rest. It all started the day after Thanksgiving, while most were taking advantage of the Black Friday deals, I fled to the mountains for a little R&R.
Fishing With My Dawgs
Jun 24th
I love fishing with my best friend Cash. He is my little bros dog, but since he went on a two year vaction. I have taken over the role of master. He is the perfect fishing partner no matter if I’m happy, mad or sad, he is always at my side to give support or that look of “how the heck did you miss that one?” No matter why they created the saying “mans best friend”.
Only If I Could Teach Him How To Net???
Last weekend was a great one, I was able to spend a couple days in a great place with some of my best friends and 
Dawgs. Cash, Chubbs and I arrived to our destination late Friday night after work. After some fishing talk and BS’ing with a couple older gentlemen who were just getting ready to leave after a long hard day on the water. We lanched the boat and headed into the darkness.
Not hearing much excitement from our older friends we were greatly surprised went our first cast produced a fish on and off within seconds. The rest of the night was just as we hoped and as we crawled into our sleeping bags at 2 am we were ancoiusly awaiting what the next morning had instore. In fact it was one of the longest 3 hrs periods of my life, the air mattress went flat within 30 mins and with a couple Amps in my system I decided to wait it out looking at the stars. As the sun slowly arose in the canyon we were greeted by one of natures most beautiful sunrises I have ever witnessed.
Just like earlier that day we instanly started to figure out these weary fish and as luck would have it we not only had a beautiful rainless summer day, but we were also able to catch a couple fish in the process.
Even though it was just nice to be out with friends…and make a few along the way. (Our new WI & NC buddies from the DNR )
Playin a little Frisbee with Cash…I wish I could love something so much…oh wait I do
Local Pond, Bass, Blugill = Happy Kids
Jun 14th
With a short break in the weather on Sat my little bro called and asked if I would take him and our little cousin to their favorite pond. I had just gotten back from a wet biking trip up the canyon with my wife, so with her approval, I grabbed my stuff and headed to pick them up. It was a great to get out and see how much they both had improved. They slayed the gills and were surprised with a bass every once in a while. After a short few hours the clouds moved back in and the rain once again closed our activity.
Ice Off Is On
May 11th
Knowing that “ice off’ doesn’t stay around for long I made it a priority to get up and fish the berry as much as possible. Within 3 days the ice had peeled back 30 yards making it harder to fish from the shore. Knowing that I would have to fish blind, I decided to change that. I hiked up the side hill until I had a good look at the water below. Within seconds I spotted two very large cutthroats cruising the shore line. I sunk down the hill and with perfect conditions. (A little breeze picked up and put a riffle on the water covering my shadow casts) I stripped in and as my bugger approached the shore, I saw a big silver flash and a large cutthroat had rolled on my fly feet from the shore. I set the hook and with two head shakes the hook was loose. WOW, I though, that was sick! In hopes that the second fish was still there I casted out again. Strip, tick, hook set and a miss. One last desperation cast I thought, count to 5, strip, pressure, hook set, fish on! This fish was nice, it rolled, shook its head and tried about everything it could to brake me off. After the tug a war the beautiful 24 inch Cutthroat can to hand. After the sun went behind the mountainside my spot fishing came to an end. the remainder of the night was given to slot cutties and watching the amazing sunset finish its day with a masterpiece.
Messing with colors….
Fins of Fire