Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November South Fork



With a long east coast trip and warm weather behind me, the cold fall in Jackson draws me back to the water.  After some great days fishing for blues in NC and a fantastic trip to Key West, getting out in the cold of autumn would be a drastic change. 

Frigid mornings and dreary weather aside, this time of year offers so many things that summer does not: Fall foliage, hardly any other anglers, and best of all, pissed off browns.  The fall weather truly is an ideal time to chase brown trout.

Out of all the rivers and streams in the area, there are few that can compare (or even have enough water to float) to the South Fork of the Snake this time of year.  Containing Rainbows, Cuttys, and Browns as well as having such ideal habitat, the South Fork can be world class given the right day.  

 So with little hesitation, Dave, Bill, and myself headed to the lower SF the other day and were not disappointed.  An early start yielded few fish in the morning probably due to the extremely low temps.  As the day moved on though, the action got better and better; smaller streamers, larger streamers, even some BWO dries and nymphs seemed to work.  At the end of the day though, we were there to fish streamers to big browns.  
This nice brown ate an articulated black and red streamer pretty early in the day.




Black streamers, white, yellow it didn't really seem to matter.  When the action was on, it was on.  While it wasn't just "stupid" fishing, all fish were quality fish worth casting to.  Slow deep banks and gravel bar inside riffles were the main hot spots.


It was a great day on the water and was exactly the welcome home I needed.  The South Fork, once again, lived up to its reputation.







Monday, October 17, 2011

Seasons. !.

After a long season of guiding, fishing, and compiling footage, Seasons. I. is finally complete. Offering a view into what fly fishing in and around Jackson Hole is in the summer and fall, Seasons. I. offers fresh perspective into this lifestyle.  
Fly fishing has opened up many doors, forged relationships, and taken me to so many beautiful places, it's time to share that lifestyle.  Seasons. I. will be the first of many windows into the way of life in Jackson. 


Enjoy the video here, on you tube, or at tetonsonthefly.com.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaykr_d-m1w



End of the Season


The Snake is now flowing at 1700cfs, the leaves have changed, and its getting colder.  The day seems to move into the evening quickly and the light hangs low in the mornings and afternoons on the water.  Fall is transitioning into winter and that means 2 things: 
1- The guide season has come to a close.  Thank you to everyone that came out to fish, it was a slow starting, yet epic season and we had a great time in the boat this year!  
2- I get to fish.  With most clients not wanting to brave the foul fall/winter weather, I get a few months to stick it out before ski season places rods/reels at a lower priority than skis.

After attending a wedding in Asheville, NC I'm headed to Nags Head, NC for some false Albacore fishing.  Falsies are a kick in the pants and hopefully, weather dependent, the Juice and I will get a bend in the old ten weight.
Being back in Raleigh, NC isn't quite the same as Jackson, but at least the weather is nice and the beach is close. Looking forward to our trip.


Thank you again to everyone for a fantastic guide season! Hope to see everyone next year!


Friday, September 16, 2011

Idaho Fishing

I had some recent days off, so when I wasn't running a thousand errands in the midst of a hectic guiding season, I decided to go fish.  I called fellow guide Neil Chamberlain and said, "Yo, grab some PMD's, your rod, and your best tank top, we're going to Idaho."  Shit was on from there.




The morning, as usual, was best.  Fish were actively feeding on the surface on PMDs.  Cripples, emergers, dries, it didn't seem to matter; cuttys and cutt-bows were all over them.  Once the action slowed down in the heat of the afternoon, hoppers and chernobyls were the ticket although the fishing had slowed considerably.



With some nice fish boated (all on dries) and tank top tans acquired, I'd call it a success.




Even Neil's dog, Porter got a fish.  Sup dude.





Snake River Client Fishing

With September well under way, the Snake River is fishing great, as always.  Floating up in Grand Teton National Park has been on fire on hoppers and smaller Chernobyl Ants as well as PMDs and smaller Mahogany style flies.  


















Check out Caroline (age 11) with her nice 14er from the forest stretch of the Snake.  She got this fish on a small red ant and was pumped; thanks to the Patel's for some great days fishing.  Looking forward to hitting the South Fork soon with you guys!















Yet another day in the forest yielded some simply stupid fishing with the Jeter's the Friday before the Jackson Hole One Fly Tourney.  This was easily the best day I've had this year in the National Forest, with fish up in riffles on PMDs and emergers.  Great day guys; enjoyed fishing immensely with the both of you.


























Recently Alan and I had a spectacular day floating Pacific-Deadmans.  The morning fished solid with trout taking hoppers on top and continued on to be a great early afternoon.  As the day wore on, fish were sipping smaller PMDs and Rusty's.  Nice work to Alan for sticking this 16er (among countless other nice fish) before the torrential downpour pushed us off the stretch.


Thanks to everyone for a great September.  We still have a little more of the month to go though, and with much more great fishing to be had, please call or email with booking questions.








Heres some other recent pics:





Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Green River with David Pope

The Green river has been an absolute savior this year with the Snake basically unfishable below Pacific creek.  These fish were caught by David the other day on our trip to the lower Green.  The weather was hot and fish were shy at first but after some changes in tactics and being in the right place at the right time we got some solid fish to the boat.  
Very, very slow dry fly fishing, but big nymphs and streamers were getting the job done.  With one fish at 20" and a few others that could have tipped the scales further if they hadn't gotten away, I'd say it was a great day!!  Check out the video from our day here, or on youtube at: 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BpqVdHunmY






David caught all these fish on either stonefly nymphs or dead drifted streamers super deep.  By the late afternoon fishing had slowed incredibly and pretty much shut off.  The prime time was definitely around 11:30, and by noon, the bite was on.  But just as fast as it turned on, it soon turned off around 1 or 2 with only a few fish eating for the rest of the day.




Overall it was a spectacular couple of hours and the action couldn't have been better.  Come back soon David and don't forget some more stogies!
Check out the Great Horned Owl we spotted!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Great Days On the Green

We've been having some fantastic days on the Green lately; sunny days and big trout.  The gray drake hatch has been unbelievable and some select fish have been up on the surface.  Cripples and drake emergers have been working decent while nymphing and streamers have also been catching solid fish.


Brain caught this brown on a drake emerger at the confluence of a spring creek.




A few days after, I floated with Bob Kinder and he landed this gorgeous brown on a stonefly pattern drifted tight to the bank.  




Fishing is still on and the weather is great!  The water is clearing up and should be 100% in no time.  Thanks guys for some great days fishing, hope to see you soon. 

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Fishing with Earl Johnson


Had a great day fishing with Earl on the Green yesterday.  Heavy rain had blown the water out slightly more than it already had been.  Fish were weary of the change in water and only streamers and nymphs were really working throughout the day.  Great weather and one really nice fish kept spirits high.  Thanks Earl!! Hope to see you next year.
Peep the video:



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Henry's Fork Ranch Opening Day

Immediately following the weigh-in at the Ririe Reservoir Bass on the Fly Tournament, Jeff Currier, Granny and I headed up to the Harriman Ranch on the Henry's Fork in Island Park, ID.  Our team had just scored 2nd out of 14 teams so we rode the victory wave all the way up to the Henry's to party all night long in anticipation of the Ranch section opening the following day.  Shortly after arriving my buddy Josh Gallivan rolled in to join the celebration.  We were met with some of Jeff's longtime friends (he's been hitting up the opener for close to 25 years!) and commenced to catching up over beers.


The Henry's Fork is a little high and slightly off color like just about every other river in the Rockies right now but everyone remained optimistic about the day to come.  We left the parking lot and headed to the Trouthunter bar for the annual pig roast and partied late into the night.  Instead of the usual bluegrass band at the Trouthunter, Jackson's own Deadlocks were on the marquee!!  The Deadlocks are one of the best and most entertaining Grateful Dead cover bands out there, and with my friend Meggan Kaiser on back up vocals, the night got that much better.  We eventually had to call it a night and ended up sleeping right on the banks of the Henry's.  I couldn't have imagined a better place to bed down.


The next day started eeearly as Currier made sure we were all up and at em by 7:30.  After breakfast at the Trouthunter we headed off to the Ranch to begin the day.  The hangovers and water conditions kept everyone humble as we took our sweet time getting rigged up.  No hurry whatsoever.  After lollygagging around for awhile Josh, and our friend Marty Manoni, and I set off to hopefully spot some feeders.


The day turned out just as slow as we all knew it would be and no one I know ever landed a fish.  With the water high and super cold, hatch activity was minimal.  After spotting periodic rises and making a few casts to no avail, I called it and headed back to Jackson.  The skunk will stay with me, but I have honestly never seen it quite so tough there.  Luckily my birthday is on June 30, and my bud Owen Jones and I will be heading back up to partake in my annual tradition of fishing the Henry's on my berf.




An amazing "weekend" came to a close but I'll be back soon.

Bass Tourney

While spring run-off surges past the solstice and officially into summer, I'm left realizing that this time of year (and the alternate autumn off season) are the main times I fish.  Guiding season is of course the same as prime summer fishing months and I rarely get to fish much during that time.  What is great about fishing primarily in the spring/early summer and fall is the fact that you become creative with the limited time you get to spend on the water.  Personally, fall, while colder and unpredictable, is my favorite time to fish: Less people, low water, hungry fish, good hatches, oh, and nothing but time.  
The inaugural Bass Tournament 

Now, however, in what seems like a "pre-pubescent" summer, it's time to get creative and fish some clear water....somewhere.  The carp tourney was a blast, lake fishing is on, so what to do?  Head up to Ririe Lake outside of Idaho Falls for the 4th annul Bass on the Fly tournament.  This time of year, again, is mostly slow trout fishing and luckily for the competitive angler there is a multitude of solid fly fishing tournaments to distract. 

First Bass Tourney teams

Ririe Lake is loaded with smallmouth bass as well as some healthy cutthroat and kokanee salmon, so it's the perfect locale to forget how bad our rivers look right now.  Its a great time to fish due to limited options on streams as well as the fact that come those prime summer months, ski boats pretty much ruin the fishing on the Lake.  Smallies in Ririe range anywhere from very small to upwards of 2-3lbs; nice size for smallmouth.  The past few years I've always competed in the event with team mate Jeff Currier and his wife Granny.  In the first year of the tournament we bagged 3rd place and again in the fall tournament we finished 3rd.  We were both hungry for a better podium as well as some cash prize to cover our travel and entry expenses.  The tourney is always fun as hell and bass are a kick in the pants, plus Currier and I love the challenge.  The Bass tourney couldn't have come at a better time.  

We headed out June 18th at 5:45 from Victor to go straight to the Lake for check in.  This year without the backing from WY BASS, we had to improvise.  Boots Allen came in huge, and as far as I know, organized most of the event.  Thanks so much for hooking it up Boots!  With a max of 5 fish over 12 inches to qualify, the heaviest total weight would take first place.  With a big fish category thrown in the mix, it was gonna be a fun day.   With aerators cranking in live wells (catch and release), motors firing up, and stoke high for this years tourney, the familiar faces took off from the dock around 8am to hit everyones favorite holes.



Currier and I hit some of our better known spots on our long motor up to our main honey hole and secured 2 fish at 12 inches right off the bat.  We were pumped and on the board.  The fishing was slow at first yet soon we began to get into them.  A sloooooow strip on a sinking line rigged with double clousers proved effective.  Our hole was reliable as always and we quickly were replacing our first fish with our new hogs.  Just before noon I hooked the biggest bass I've ever caught on Ririe that later weighed in at 1.7 lbs!!!  Currier and I were both fired up as always and knew we were in contention.  As the fishing continued to slow in the afternoon, the beer consumption didn't and we ended up happy to hopefully have our heftiest catch yet on the lake.

We motored back to the 4:00 weigh in very pleased with our catch for the day.  As it turns out after official weigh in, we scored 2nd place and I missed the biggest fish by 0.7lbs!!  We were so pumped and the cash prize didn't hurt either.  Yet another bass tournament for the books, and this one was just as fun as the last.  Thanks to everyone who continues to support the Smallmouth Tourney and show up consistently every year and thanks agian to Boots for getting it organized!!!


Although this years tourney was done, the fishing was not:  we all convoyed up to Island Park for the Henry's Fork Ranch opener the following day!!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Lake Lovin'

Still a hefty snowpack
This time of year can be tough on an anxious fisherman: nasty weather, dirty water, and typically, just not much decent fishing.  With our snow pack something like 300% over average, run off is here and not clearing up any time soon.  Luckily for us here in Jackson, once the ice melts, we have some great lake fishing.

Stillwater fishing is one of my favorite ways to catch big trout on a fly and after the carp tourney on Blackfoot, I was still itching to get after it.  Even when the rivers have finally cleared, I'll still sometimes forego a river for the big, open water of our lakes.

So, with recent word that Jenny's getting turned on, as well as some sunny, warm weather in the  forecast, West, the Juice and I headed out to Jenny Lake.  The weather was fantastic and the fishing not so much, but if nothing else, it was just good to hear my old 2 stroke purr.  She's a hoss, but after a long winter I'm always curious to see how she runs. 

Fishing was a little slow due to the fact that the lake just recently iced off.  The good news is although I had many fish chase and follow the fly without eating - all the way to the boat at times -  fish are moving.  We ended up boating two after feeling a few shy tugs, and turning many weary fish.  West landed a respectable cutty right towards the end of the day and that was that. 


Friday, May 27, 2011

Carp Tourney

The 7th annual carp tournament got kicked off last weekend on Blackfoot Reservoir in Idaho.  Having never done much carp fishing, team "Kung Fu Carpin", comprised of teammate Josh Gallivan and I, had no idea what to expect.  It didn't help that Josh had undergone knee surgery and was still sore, as well as the fact that I just had an abdominal hernia surgically removed and wasn't really supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs.  Regardless, team gimp showed up Thursday at camp to the welcome of Trey Scharp, Ben Smith, and Jeff Currier who comprised team "Could be Worse."  Conditions were cold and rainy - not the best for carpin' or camping but it was all good; we put on some crunchy jams and partied late.


The gimp boat
The following day brought windy and chilly conditions, but after some much needed pancakes we were set.  Being that Josh and I were both in little condition to row across the lake, we were lucky to meet solo angler Phil the night before and add him to the Kung Fu cause.  We got to a carpy looking hole on the opposite side of our camp and posted up to scope for some cruising fish.  After hours of walking and searching the boys had little to show for their efforts and I had been no help after passing out on the bank for about 2 hours.  However well rested we were, the day yielded no fish and with the murky water, blasting wind, and just general tough fishing conditions, finding fish seemed like a snowball's chance in hell.  We got back to camp with no fish, yet that seemed the story for about 16 other teams as well.  Besides the few teams that felt the mojo, the other 16 remained tied for last place. It was still up for grabs.
That night brought more crap conditions and after fashioning a makeshift kitchen, we grubbed out and partied some more.  Hank Williams Jr kept spirits high.



Next day, it was on.  The weather was better and with a new strategy Josh and I set off to a flat we could wade with Phil coming to meet us shortly.  We walked and blind casted for hours to no avail; we could find no fish.......or Phil.  Our teammate had straight up bailed and we figured  Phil was back up in MT floating the Madison, laughing at our dumbasses for keeping at these crap carp.  


We drove down further and put the boat on near the north bank of the lake.  After seeing some carp jumping and doing some more blind casting we still hadn't hooked up.  The next 2 hours were spend aimlessly drifting around the lake with no clue where the fish were and it seemed the other boats had no idea either.  We had almost given up and chalked it up as nothing more than a good booze cruise until we noticed the far bank and some anglers wading.  Upon closer inspection, the bank had a warm spring flowing into it and those anglers turned out to be Currier's team!


We hopped out and on my 4th cast hooked up with a pig carp right near the warm springs!  Josh took a crack at it and unfortunately, after foul hooking four, couldn't stick one in the mouth; not a score-able fish.  Time ran out and we commissioned Trey to row us all the way back and in return, we carried their team's hefty catch back in the boat.  


After the official weigh in for my fish at 15lbs, team Kung Fu stood, well, somewhere right in the middle.  And Phil didn't bail after all!  He came back with an 18lber and we were stoked.  This was a great weekend and the fishing turned out to not be a total bust. 


Carping is different but so much fun once you can figure them out.  The mirror carp in Blackfoot can be absolutely huge and while some think they're a trash fish, I'll take a 20lb ugly carp any day.  Carp might be the Rodney Dangerfield of fish, but these guys run, fight hard and are the closest thing a landlocked trout guy's got to a bone fish.


The 7th annual Fin Chaser's Carp Tourney was fun as hell, and we'll be back next year fo sho.  I love carpin'.