Blog

 With waterfowl season right around the corner (opening day for both flyways is this Saturday, Oct. 2) many of us anglers are cleaning our shotguns, re-stocking shells, and purchasing new calls for the glorious time of year many refer to as "cast 'n' blast."  So the question that's been on my mind for the last few weeks, is how good is this fowl season gonna be?  Here is a nice article published in yesterday's Missoulian newspaper that brought me some excitement and anticipation for this year's season.  


http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/recreation/article_db4c3f78-cc13-11df-856a-001cc4c002e0.html


So now it's time to come down to the shop, pick up a few BWO's, October caddis, your favorite streamer (maybe even a hopper or two if this weather keeps up), a box of steel (blackclouds have been our favorite for the past couple seasons), a new duck and/or goose call (for the price it is really hard to beat the quackheads and commander calls), and your migratory bird stamp (remember you'll need the federal stamp too).  Hope to see you on the river for my two favorite seasons. 

Here is a letter from Dave at Fish Wildlife and Parks to our local sponsoring Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly fishers group here in Great Falls, MT... the Missouri River Fly fishers (MRF). 

"Conn,  Thanks very much for the help.  We helicopter transferred 123 non-hybridized westslope cutthroat trout from North Fork Willow Creek (Teton Drainage) to Lange Creek, a tributary of Gibson Reservoir on August 19th.  We cancelled the transfer this year several times because of weather and winds.  The day we transferred westslope winds were gusting up to 20 mph but our pilot was able to safely complete the stocking of fish  This was the second and last transfer, and should be enough fish to complete this translocation - a total of 231 westslope from North Fork Willow Creek the last two years.  For wild fish transfers, the minimum number of fish to establish a  population that is genetically sound is 25 females and 25 males that are not related.  This transfer should be more than adequate.  Prior to this transfer Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks completed an environmental assessment as well as surveys for rare invertebrates in the destination stream and for any evidence of fish disease in the source population.  This project significantly  increases the total amount of miles of stream on the Rocky Mountain Front that holds pure westslope.   We will survey for natural reproduction in this stream next year.  I've included some photos of the habitat in Lange Creek from snorkeling surveys completed in 2005 that identified this stream as fishless and as a candidate for an introduction of native westslope cutthroat.  Judging by the habitat, this stream will support a healthy population of westslope cutthroat trout and should be a destination for folks to fish for pure native fish in a pristine setting.  Thanks again for the funds to help allay costs for helicopter time for this transfer.  Dave"

David Moser
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Region 4 - Great Falls
e-mail:  dmoser@mt.gov
phone: 1-406-791-7775

...Thanks to all of you who support our MRF group.

The marketing guys in the office refuse to believe they can't steelhead on the Mo.  The pacific northwest weather today has sent them in to protest in the office.  What's the next step?  Drive to Idaho? Swing the Mo with spey rods?  It's that time of year:  Gore-tex, wool, studs, thermos, hookie, and the real anglers (crazy people) come out of the woodwork.

 Here are some highlights from this years 5 minute fly fishing film awards from the Denver show this year.

Tapâm - a flyfishing journey from tapamthemovie on Vimeo.

At the International Fly Tackle Dealer show this year in Denver.  KK, Erik and I listened to Crazy Charlie Smith's son present a new conservation effort in the Bahamas.  While we listened one thing really stood out to us, and should to all of you that have experienced flats fishing, and especially the Bahamas flats which are the most expansive and nearest the USA.  He said, "We need to think of the flats of the Bahamas as our own flats, if these aren't our flats than we don't have any."  That's about right in my opinion, so while we support many efforts of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly fishers because they are in our back yard, as far as flats go, the Bahamas famous bonefish flats our in our backyard as well.  The new Bahamas conservation group is taking a serious stance on guiding ethics, water passage, and fishing regulations.  To learn more visit www.bahamasconservation.com or to become a member sign up here.

Live To Fish? Would you love to share that knowledge with others in a retail setting?  Our Big R Store in Great Falls is looking for an enthusiastic & knowledgeable fisherman or woman who can provide top-notch customer service. Must have fishing skills, know fishing; (fly seasons, fly tying), gear, tackle etc...  Must be able to demonstrate your abilities to explain various fishing techniques to our customers.   Must be able to work well with and lead others. Must be committed to excellent customer service and resolving customer complaints.  Position is full-time, permanent. We offer competitive pay and benefits plan. Please apply at bigrstore.com/careers. Big R is an equal opportunity employer.

Here are a couple short videos of our latest outings.  The first is from our trip to Campeche, Mexico (Sam gets a little crazy at the breakfast table).  The second is just a quick glance of a creek up in the Little Belts. 

Here's the Sept. Catch magazine... pretty amazing this month.
Check it out HERE.

Our shop likes Scott rods, that's no secret.  We feel they make a very nice rod and have a great range in price points all made in the USA (they start at $295).  They look and feel like a custom rod, and when you call Scott the same guy usually answer the phone and it's an actual person, and he fishes (rare).  We all know the cliche saying about "by fisherman, for fisherman," well we would say in Scott Fly Rods case this is true.  While there are a lot of great rods to choose from these days and we do fish with other brands as well, we have a lot of respect for Scott Rods and what they have been working on and we can't wait to see the new line up. 

Get the new Scott catalog free here