Heart Lake Cutthroats – The Final Day

August 28, 2011 I nearly bounced out of my tent this morning. I had last day sadness and wanted to enjoy every hour left. I slammed a few cups of coffee then devoured three pieces of French toast without hardly tasting it along with sausages and soon found myself in my pontoon boat slowly stripping … Read more

Nice Bears

August 27, 2011 I’d much rather wake up at sunrise and see bears around camp than wake up in the dark to bears in camp. As Peter headed for the can first thing this morning he made a point to laugh and call me over to where he was standing gazing at the foothill behind … Read more

Heart Lake Day 3 – Chillin with Joe Burke

August 26, 2011 If you wondered why in the world I said I’d sleep under the stars last night you had good reason. This is big time grizzly bear country and I could literally wake to one sniffing my face or chewing a leg off! But as one that sees incredible starry nights on a … Read more

Heart Lake Day 2 Solo in the Backcountry

August 25, 2011 I’m never surprised to wake up to rain when on a big fishing trip. I see wet weather all the time thus my nickname, Monsoon Currier. So when I awoke to the pitter patter of rain on the tent, a few blasts of thunder and bolts of lightening I just tossed on … Read more

Heart Lake Yellowstone Park Day 1

I’m sitting in camp on the banks of Heart Lake in the backcountry of Yellowstone. Heart lake is a good size lake, in fact its one of the largest backcountry lakes in the lower 48 states. Not only is famous for being bear infested, it’s absolutely full of huge cutthroats and lake trout. Heart was … Read more

IFTD New Orleans

It’s been awhile since I visited the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show. For years I attended the show as a fly shop manager and it was my duty to see and purchase new product for the shop. Since I left my fly shop position I’ve remained in the industry doing many things including working as … Read more

Two Old Pros Humbled on the Fork

Long time friend Derek Mitchell and I spent yesterday on the Harriman Ranch of the Henry’s Fork. Derek is the sales manager for Mountain Hardware and lives in the Bay area in California. The last time he and I fished was August 2010 on Quake and Hebgen Lake in Montana. Derek and I go way … Read more

Quade River

After a few errands early today, Granny and I slipped the boat in an old favorite, Quade Creek. Quade has been high all summer and mediocre fishing at best, but we know if we don’t get on it soon summer will be over. This morning was a cool 34º telling us fall is around the … Read more

Mediocre Fishing Amongst Great Company

August 12, 2011 Yesterday I fished with friends Gary and Cooper Eckman. Many of you will remember both of them from last summer’s blogs. Gary was a longtime customer of mine at the fly shop and is now a great friend. Gary is the founder and sponsor of the Good Times Team that competes in … Read more

Lake Fishing Around Cody, Wyoming

I had the coffee brewed before Granny even got out of her sleeping bag yesterday morning. Then we enjoyed the extremely scenic drive into Cody, Wyoming where we met my sister Becky and her family (You met them in last weeks carp blog). After a great breakfast at Granny’s Restaurant we drove to a well … Read more

Punished

Tonight Granny and I stopped at an old favorite, the New Zealand stretch of the most obvious and under fished river in Yellowstone. A ½ mile long section of water that probably only has about 25 big trout, but they’re browns that aren’t just big, they’re huge. And they are the most beautifully colored browns … Read more

Carp Madness!

The time is right to fly fish for carp. It’s August. It’s hotter than heck. There’s plenty of sun for spotting carp and best of all, August is one of our calmer months and on good days you see tailing carp. Yesterday morning Granny and I drove south to Blackfoot Reservoir. Actually, first we drove … Read more