Spring Showers bring some streamer fishing!

This season is off and running!  The streams are full and the forecast seems to call for a little most moisture for the next few weeks.  The fish have been moving upstream and we are finding them in their summer holding spots.  We have been floating as much as possible lately and the fishing has been hot and cold.  Any angler who has some patience and a lot of effort has a great chance to turn a BIG FISH!  We have been floating all sections of the river and they all seem to be fishing about the same.  Here are a few shot of some of the best of the season so far.  I hope to continue to post good fishing pics and up to date reports.   

Here is a nice brown caught with fishing the old bobber and stonefly rig.  Not bad for the first fish of the day!

When the Ice Breaks!

Well, here in Wyoming we are having terribly, good weather this month of April.  Terrible in the sense that our highs in temp are barely reaching 40 degrees on the best days and early mornings feel like we are still in January.  Just this week, on my way to ZERO HOUR at 6 am the temp was into the single digits.  Good in the sense that we have had lots of new snow in the high country and out waters will be blessed due to the cold weather.  Ice has been breaking up on the local lakes and rivers over the past few weeks and fishing is picking up.  The green and new fork rivers have already been getting hit hard with drift boats and walk/waders.  Please remember if you are going to venture out that we are in prime season for Rainbow trouts spawn.  Watch for spawn beds and do not cast near them.  We are starting to see nice weather this week and the water temps will soon raise to a level that promotes mayfly action.  Currently the best option for bring a trout to the net is stripping streamers very slowly or nymph rigging.  Prince and cooper johns are getting action all day long.  Stop by 2 rivers fly shop and make sure to grab a few new prince patterns that are in!  The summer will quickly be upon us, so starting planning a trip soon!  i predict the best time this season will be early JULY, due to the current conditions and weather forecast.
A few guides from 2 rivers and I are headed to the SIMMS ICE OUT guide show this weekend and will be posting pictures soon from the event.   Just a feedback review for SIMMS--  they are the best in waders!  I toured their factory last year and I will forever be a customer.  They truly are the best in the world at what they do and they will stand behind their product, every time!  If your in the market for waders, wading boots or new fishing apparel, check out SIMMS!

Fishing the fall was full of great weather, healthy trout, and good times on the water.  Overall, my clients caught great fish the season.  We battled low water levels all of August and that placed a great challenge on the fisherman and a great deal of pressure on the fish.  I had to spread the floats out much more then usual, and some of my favorite fishing spots were unfloatable come late summer.  My boat seem to be the cutty killer this year.  Not that we killed a bunch of helpless little cutt-throat but we boated monster cuttys this season.  multiple fish over 20 inches were nets, filmed, and released.  The big-big browns that I am always in the hunt for were just not as consistent as in years past.  We caught some--  but not many over 20 inches.  The new Eddy from clackacraft is a great boat.  I love it and compared to the drift boat competition out there--  anyone looking for a new fishing vehicle needs to check them out.  well-- till next spring--  happy hunting!

Bugs, Sun, Water, Rods, Clack and I hope the fish bite!

 This was a great day with a new client named Pat.  She is such a neat lady and a great fisherman.  She caught fish on every pattern we used that day and everything came together  for her when this 21 inch brown trout came to the net.  What a fish and a great day on the water with Pat.

Pat with aother greta fish that day.

The Lodge at Jackson Fork

Over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time teaching the sport of fly-fishing to many clients.  New ANGLERS are fun to be around.  To be there for their first fish on a fly rod, or to see them start to understand the loading of a rod during the cast, or see them make and perfect cast, to see them loose a few battles to a fighting fish, or even lose their first fly rig to a undercut bank.  It often reminds me of the first few years I found the sport.  I would spend an hour retrieving a fly from a branch on a tree because it was the only one I had left and I did not have anymore money to buy a $2.00 fly at the shop. 

 Here is a nice rainbow caught on a guide special fly!!!!  Brandon was part of a 6 group crew from JFL that learned to fly fish for the first time the day before landing this great fish.

Kevin with a nice rainbow that fell hard for a big bug!!  

Dave with a nice bow. 

The NEW BOAT!

2012 Clacka Eddy

The new boat is sweet.  Been out a few times over the last few weeks and love the way in tracks on the water.  Clackacraft is leading the industry in drift boats.  The new Eddy model is a great combo of the 16 LP and a Skiff.  The boat rows and moves on the water with little effot, offers plenty of room for both rower and fisherman and their gear.  The Eddy also holds in currents that other models and makes would not be able to hold in as easily.  A few fishing guides went fishing a few days ago in the boat, and we all agreed that the Eddy is a solid boat, built for a serious fly fishing addict that is looking for one of the best boats on the market.  We were all impressed with the boats ability to back row runs bank hop quickly, making the job of the guide or rower much easier.  Long days rowing is a broken record for fishing guides and the EDDY, simply put, makes your job easier.  The Eddy holds up the Clacka reputation and offers a few modifications to fit the needs of individual fishermen.  I am a fan of the single front box instead of the mega box, because it just makes more sense for the fishing trips I take.  The Eddy has plenty of storgae space for day trips and three fisherman.  The Boat is great and anyone looking to buy a new drift boat should take a serious look at the EDDY!

The first fish on the new EDDY!  A solid Rainbow, on a beautiful da,y with a great friend, in a new drift boat---  GOOD DAYS!

Travis Archibald

The Summer weather is here in Western Wyoming.  Since the release of school, I have been able to fit in a few fishing trips.  A few walk/wades and a few floats with a good friend Tim Scott.  We have been fishing a little of everything on both the main rivers in our area and small streams.  I actually made a trip over to fish the Salt River in Star Valley this weekend and that river is fishing really well.  Golden Stones are coming off mid-day and fish are looking up!    Just picked up my new Clacka Eddy this weekend as well and can't wait to put the first fish in the new BOAT. 

 A 22 inch brown the was sun bathing mid-day from the cold, dark winter months. 

 Tim Scott wiht the first fish on a dry fly of the season on the river.  Big Cutty + Tim = Big smiles

Another solid brown from the early june fishing trips. The fishing looks to be troubled this summer due to water levels.  July may bring low low water and make sections non-floatable in a drift boat.  We are praying that our water levels hold for a few weeks. 

Memorial Day Fishing 2012

Pinedale, Wyoming

This past weekend I had a few free days with my Father-in-Law and Fishing Buddy Roger, aka Big Poppa Roger Dogg!  So, we headed out of town to a few fishing spots that Tim Scott (Fellow Guide at 2 rivers) and we went fishing for a few days.  The weather was cold and the water was clear-- and we saw it all; Hail, Snow, Rain, Sun, Wind, and Clouds.  We fished lots of paterns in the morning, but the only action we had was on nymphs.  We caught fish both swing and stripping and dead-drifting.  Above is a picture of a nice rainbow trout that Roger Dod caught on a beaded nymph.  One of the better fish for the 2 days.  Streamers did not turn many fish, but if your patience it will bring a nice sized trout to the net.  White and Green colored seemed to work the best. 

The water around Pinedale is still low and clear, but I bet that does not stay for long.  Expect flows to reach slightly above 3000 cfs mid to late June.  If the flows stay below 1200 cfs this weekend---  get out!  enjoy the fishing opportunties before run off!  Call 2 rivers fly shop to get day to day updates. 

Thoughts on fishing and life:

My favoraite fishing buddy of all time is my father.  I learned almost every thing I know from him.  some good, some bad.  He took me fishing when I was just old enough to cast a rod and continued to fish with me until his last day.  He was a man of strength, that brewed confidence in everyone around in.  He put others first--Always, which is something I admire.  He would stop to help a neighbor-even when the truck was loaded for a fishing trip and we were mintues away from the best fishing time of the day.  He taught me how to laugh and enjoy life in stressful situations.  He taught me how to see the positives in others and life.  He taught me how to forgive!  which is something that has been a major blessings and struggle at times in my life.  My father was my best friend.  My best fishing partner.  He could hold a fishing spot secret--even amongest close friends.  I can't say that about all my fishing buddies.  I miss my father--  I miss laughing with him and enjoying the outdoors.  The moments we shared hunting and fishing were life-changing moments and i cherish them.  Every time a load up the truck with my fishing gear, or cast a line into the river, or hike a mountain looking for a muley buck, I wish you were there.  Everytime I hook a big fish and look around me to see if someone is there to share the moment--  I miss you!  I love you Father.  Big T in heaven-  

A few more good fish

Nice fish JOHN! this monster bow took a nymph as soon as it hit the water and then buried himself to the bottom of the river for a few minutes before going on a tarpon run! great day on the water, and a great fish! ANDY--- AKA the humna fly shop!! this fishing trip is one to remember! Fly in big bows and in big ANDY! LOL great fish and great day.

JULY = MORE NOLS

Here are some NOLS studetns with some nice fish from a 5 day trip on the green and new fork rivers.

Big browns eating big stuff! the best!

Rocking the blue raft! it catches a lot of fish

Big biteing time!

Big poppa ROGER dog!

So my father-in-law had a chance to come up to pinedale and go fishing for a saturday. We had a blast and caught some really nice fish. Here is Roger with a big bow cuaght on a dry fly and put up a great fight. Here is a dry fly eating brown!

Big ROGER dog with a meat eating Brown!

The Green! Its on!!!!!

The Green fished great this last week and here is a great brown caught in a rain storm. Check out the blue dots on his face. awesome. Travis and I had a great day on a -notell streamer that has been turing fish all summer. another great day down and in the books. can't wait to do it again.!!!

Green River = HIGH AND COLD!

The water temp was not even breaking 50 degrees mid-day last week on the upper Green and the fish are not moving much. We flosted 6 days straight and only moved a few fish. The ones that did eat we big though. Check out Cody (NOLS student) with a 23 inch brown caught on the first day of the floats. This fish was a pig and the best one caught during the 5 day fishing trip with NOLS




Here is Jake (NOLS student) with a nice LAKER on the Green river on the upper section near the lake. This was his first trout on a fly rod on the Green.

Here are a few pics from some of the fish that I was able to pick up on some of the evening floats. Nice solid Browns and streamers. Thats what it is all about!!!

Here is one more shot of Cody's monster brown. I love this picture.

The New Fork is fishing better then the Green currentlly and the drakes are out--big time.

Starting the summer off RIGHT!

Fishing Wyoming During June 2011: High Water and Big Smiles

I had the chance last week to spend some time with a few friends/clients from last summer. We had a blast this year even considering the weather conditions. The rivers are really high and muddy and the feeding tribs are not fishing well up high either, but the 2 days were a much success. Jamie saw his first moose every and then went on to see a total of 6 during a 2 day span. Irby caught so many fish on Wednesday that his super hero fly was falling apart.

Then on Thursday Jamie caught his first ever 20 inch trout!! He had to work really hard and have lots of patience, but it paid off. Just check out his smile in the pic and you an see how pumped he is about it! Nice JOB!! I hope you two have a save return home and can't wait to do it all over again next summer. Get set up to build a rod and we can wrap next summer after a long day of fishing!

Jamie & Irby with a 20" Rainbow in Wyoming

Family and Bows!

This past weekend I had a chance to go fishing with three of my favorite fishing buddy's; my older brother and his little girl, and my little brother. It was a cold day, like everyday in Wyoming until July, and most of the river was frozen over solid, but we found a little spring that was running into the river and opening up a side channel for a few hundred yards. These Big monster rainbows were hanging in the deep pools and not too interested in eating, but sooner or later our monster streamers did the job! In this picture is Trent, Eve, and Me! Holding a 26 inch female bow! awesome fish!

Here is a monster male that had been beat up a little on his back but still a heck of a fish. look at the mouth! half scary!

This is the same fish as the first picture. one of the most beatuiful rainbows i have ever caught.

This was a great day in early march. first fishing trip of the new year.

Snow White!

This winter has been brutal! Snow, Wind, Cold temp, and short days have definitely played a tole on a wimpy fly fishing bum! The snow melt should be great this year and provide us with good fishing long into the summer. The last few years the water has been pretty skinny going into mid August. I am really looking forward to the fishing this summer. SEE YOU ON THE WATER!

Thanksgiving Day!

Hello to all fisherman out there who are spending this day inside with family and friends. I hope we are all thoughful towards all that we are blessed with daily. The friends in our lives, our loved ones, and this great country to enjoy. Well, today I will enjoy it from the comfort of my house. Sitting next to a warm fireplace, looking out the window at all the fresh snow, and realizing that I have no meetings or places to be today. A great feeling. As for the fishing report. I have not been out for a few weeks due to basketball season kicking off at Pinedale High School. The fishing this fall was great. Lots of big fish, some great streamer action, low fishing pressure, very little crowds on the water, and lots of sunshine. I always love september and october. I look forward to fishing thsi winter below the font. dam and fishing near Cody before April 1st. As for now, Enjoy the Winter and Snow. Have a happy gobble day and enjoy the extra 5 lbs of turkey and gravey you all will eat today, but remember the day will come, this spring, when you will have to take your shirt off in public again!

Fall in Wyoming!

The boat, the water, and a few fly rods casting away at wyoming trout! Does life get any better. This may be the most fun a guy can have with his pants on!
Okay, this may be the fish of the summer, or fall, or maybe both. Over the course of the last month, I have seen some absolutle monster cuttys brought to the net, but this one tops them all! 24 inches, great colors and a great fight!

The release back into the Green! maybe another fisherman can have them same luck!

Here is Tim Scott with a solid 20 inch brown in the same run that we cuaght the monster cutty out of! Big Browns risning to big dry flies! sweet fish Tim!

The fall weather here in Pinedale has been great. This weekend was in the high 70's and sunny! The fishing has been great as well. The full-moon has slowed down the fishin mid day for big browns, but the early morning and late evenings have been epic. I went yesterday on the Green River and had an awesome day with another guide from our shop. Tim Scott, who is one of our top-guides at 2 rivers and I went fishing all day yesterday and had a day for the books. This is the second time we have fished together and both days have been great. maybe we need to get out more together!

Summer Days in Wyoming!

Well the fishing has been hit or miss the last few weeks here in Sublette County. The good news is I have not seen a Jackson boat in 2 weeks! The fishing has been solid in the mornings until about 1 in the afternoon and then it slows downs dramatically in the afternoon until sundown. The fish have been holding in the fast deep water where the temperatures are a little cooler. I have seen some of the best fish of the summer taken in the last few weeks however. I think the browns are starting to become more aggressive with their spawning season around the corner. Above is a picture from August 23 on the Green River with Ryan Hudson who guides with us at Two Rivers.

Here is a picture from a new client this year from Rock Springs. We boated a lot of fish, some really nice browns mixed in with a lot of 10-14 inch trout. The Tricos and BWO were hatching like crazy mid-morning so we spent an hour or so casting size 18 Tricos to sipping trout.

Above is a picture of a float trip last week, on the lower Green. We caught a lot of fish that day and the best part about it was most of the big fish were taken on big purple dries! We boated a 20 inch cutt and brown on dries!

Here is another nice fish taken on a streamer on the green river in August. One of the best fish of the season for me! A solid 22 inch male brown chasing a big fatty meal!

Rods Bent and Tippets Tight !

I have been all over the place this last week as far as the fishing goes. The upper green, warren to hatchery, walk-wade trips, the lower green! The big bonus was that the fishing was great on every trip. I had a chance to float the green yesterday with Tim Scott (another guide from 2 Rivers) and we had a blast. The fishing was great, the sun as out and the wind was quiet. If i can get the pictures from Tim I will post them. He caught a fatty cutt that had a bullhead in its mouth and I caught a few really nice browns on streamers. Friday, I floated with Peter Evans from Southern California and had a great day dry fly fishing. We boated lots of fish and even caught a 16 inch Brookie near the hatchery! Crazy! Here are a few pictures from my walk-wade trip on Thursday with an awesome couple! This was one of their first times fly fishing and they spent 3 days with our shop. The both caught a lot of fish and Michelle caught two monster rainbows the day we walk-waded! Way to go! These two fish are real trophy's in any fly-fisherman or woman's book!

Les caught a lot of solid rainbows that day as well. I think these two are well on their way to becoming avid fly-fisherman and I hope to see them again at 2 Rivers!

Here are the two Trophy Rainbows that Michelle caught on our fishing trip.