On The Road - East Idaho Fly Tying Expo

The entire trip to Idaho Falls was quite enjoyable.
We had a grand banquet to wrap up the Expo.

Well, my donation = assortment of Yellowstone Country flies = was one of raffle items!

We won practical items!!

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Before we checked in Idaho Falls, we were doing some "homework".
Reed's Dairy, a real working dairy farm, is located right in the middle of town and offers perhaps the best ice cream (and many other dairy products made with milk right from there!!) in the world!! I was quite impressed and WILL and HAVE TO go back there time after time!!

We also discovered and enjoyed Jakers Bar & Grill very much!! That was one WORLD CLASS burger!! Grilled for perfection outside yet juicy inside!! plus everything done right. Friendly staffs make our visits very enjoyable and make us want to go back again.

These are highly recommended if you are planning to visit Idaho Falls or passing by.
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On the way back to Montana, we made a little detour to Mesa Falls. It's another magnificent natural feature in Greater Yellowstone Country!!
Lower Falls

 Upper Falls are even much larger and, well, scarier!!

Believe or not, this is a part of Henry's Fork, with with we often think of placid flat waters.

 Closer to West Yellowstone, we spotted a moose.

I'm already thinking of next year. Or perhaps someday I may be fishing in the neighborhood state.

YNP Dawn Treader 2 - On The "Beaten" Path

Yesterday, I hit the trail within Yellowstone Park, leaving, again, my house way before dawn. It's a well-known "beaten" path and fishery so no descriptions needed.

"Cardiac Hill" for the first thing in the morning made me think otherwise........

..........reached........

 Reaching and fishing here weren't my objective but I wouldn't mind testing waters. OMG, a native Cutty first thing in the morning made my effort rewarding already......

I moved on to the destination.

According to the source, this water holds a distinctive strain of Yellowstone Cutty.......... After fruitless attempts and bushwacking, I got it!!

Here's a happy fisherman!!

I can't give any description but at a glance, I have noticed Cutty in this drainage DO have a vivid spot on their gills (both sides, almost symmetric), just like moles.

In the afternoon, I moved back to the stream. It was another Cutty Bonanza day!! My priginal patterns were gladly inhaled!!

 Hmmmmm.......

Last one!! Happy end!!

Here are yesterday's hot flies.
BeetAnt 

Combo Ant

Yes I enjoyed the day!!..............But here's a consequence. I had to walk back to my truck at the end of the day, after I had too much activities.............. My body is squeaking as of this typing........ Anyway, it was another great day in YNP and was worth being a "Dawn Treader"!!
Back to guiding!!

Back to "B" River

April 15th, winter weather continued. For the last full-day fishing of John & Mike, we had to give up floating Yellowstone River. Due to cold weather, water of Yellowstone River became clear but apparently water temperature went down. Even if we had no accidents of floating, it would have been very rough to be on the boat.....

So we decided to fish "B" River again! We drove along and planned loosely where we would fish. Since it was so cold, we first stopped by Natural Bridge for sightseeing. Probably not much explanation needed for this true natural beauty.

It's been a while that I came this way. I don't know any scientific terms but I'm sure air is different here, so clean and crisp. This is what Japanese call "Forest Bathing" (kind of aromatherapy). I breathed deeply and felt my body was relaxing.

Just around noon, we finally dressed up and stepped into West Fork of "B". (these three pictures are courtesy of Mike).

I completed my guide duty at DePuy's (www.depuyspringcreek.com) so we went separate ways. What I mean is fishing methods. I stuck with my trusted nymphing methods while John & Mike applied "Woolly-ing". Considering size of river, filled with lots of boulders, Stonefly Nymphs must be main dishes for trout in this drainage. I rigged up the trusted Minch Stone - Parks' Fly Shop house recipe!!

Nice size for West Fork.

Quickly pumped him. Hmmmmmm, midge larvae. Trout here have never seen Minch Stone so they were taking my offerings with delight!!

To coincide, I found this "spring stonefly" (could be Skwala or similar kind).

This size and color really looked like Skwala, don't you think?

I reached the confluence of West Fork and Main!!

Starting with Whitie!

Then I started to experience some of BEST "Rainbow" days in my fishing life, filled with several beautiful, strong, and large 'Bows!!

Isn't this really a Steelhead? The BEST of the day!!

 Slightly shakey? One more time!!

Next one!!

Another one with Minch Stone in its mouth!

All were healthy and in great condition.

We ended up staying late...... Here's Mike working down-stream. By then I was "Woolly-ing" too.

"B" River and its tributaries are such nice and secluded waters. I should have get out more over here.

Next day John and Mike departed for their normal lives. I had great time fishing with friends. I completed my multi-duty: fellow angler, guide, and a host. I enjoyed cooking breakfast for everyone and preparing a perfect lunch at DePuy's. As of this typing, there are some more fresh snow on the ground. I think they were able to experience the very last piece of spring fishing. Also I hope they enjoyed what Livingston and people there can offer other than fishing. This applies not only to my friends but also to everyone who visits Livingston as "Fly-Fishing Central Destination"!!

I will see you along waters!!

End of the Road

I just got back to my home in Livingston from the breeding road. It's been since May 7th that I step in. Gusts of Livingston make me feel I'm at home.
Thank all the Montana and South Dakota crews for working with me and sharing fun, rain, mud, and everything during the job. Then I thank ranchers and cowboys for being our customers, working with us, and offering great foods and accommodations. I even made friendship with good dogs at most of anywhere I visited.

I was cursing wet weather in South Dakota and it feels like half of my stay was with rain and mud. But I heard Montana also had a depressing wet weather. Yellowstone River is intimidatingly high on the way back..........

I feel content now that I went through the task. Days were long oftentimes. Between ranches, long drivings and lodges were needed. Since the first motel I was put in, I decided to save the key-card to see how many I would collect and how many cities I would be visiting. These are all I've got for key-card but also I spent at my employer's place and a couple of ranch houses.

Last weekend, as I was finishing my schedule in South Dakota, I went to the local bar at night just get relaxed. On the way, I hit a deer........ It was a true accident. I wasn't speeding or not to mention DUI but she was there when I saw her. But I consider I was super lucky that only the softest part of the bumper was damaged. Could have been much more worse.

Then this would probably be the funniest scene of the trip. In the middle of a dirt road on a sunny day in Wyoming, I saw a turtle. It just seemed totally out of place but then the mismatch really captured my eyes and interests. I also learned that Native Americans celebrate turtles for something good. So I believe this must be a lucky encounter. Even a fortune!!??

I'd like give myself some credits that I made through the road. It was really a mixed time of hard work, craziness, fun, slow time, etc........

Well, now I'm ready for fishing and guiding!!

Then again, I'd like to say one more time "THANKS" & "SEE YOU" to everybody I met.
See you all next year!!

Day Trip: 2 - Deadwood & Wild Bill

I ended up watching the rodeo at Crazy Horse memoriam till around 4pm. I concerned I might be late for my next destination on my way back, Deadwood and Wild Bill Hickok stories.
James Butler Hickok has been one of my Western heroes. In one of museum rooms at Crazy Horse, there was a life size statue of him. It seems like I'm about the same height.

Then I reached Deadwood. At both north and south ends of town there's this welcome sign.

I first went to Mount Moriah Cemetery to see Wild Bill's grave cite.

There's a huge sculpture again!

Then I went to downtown Deadwood and found another life size statue at the north end of downtown.

I found famous/infamous Number 10 Saloon where Wild Bill's assassination occurred.

See.........

In the basement, which used to be the main floor (I guess), dolls are set as that day. Probably my view would be similar to the killer Jack McCall as he shot Hickok from behind.

He was holding "Dead man's hand"!!

I wish I had brought over night stuff so I could stay all night and play gambles.......!! There are lots of casinos and restaurants that remind me of Elko, Nevada. Well, I had to go home and I felt heavy in my stomach so I just got myself ice cream (see the contrast to the sign of steak house!!)

I did get a shot glass at trading store by the cemetery.

My dream came true!! Meeting Wild Bill had always been in my mind. Then I'm sure I like the town of Deadwood. It's lot of casinos = good bars & restaurants!!

I have to go back again and again (hopefully with some funding!!).

Tomorrow I leave South Dakota for Wyoming to do my last breeding job.

Being independent and professional, job comes first. I believe I'm putting everything I've got to each cow I'm breeding. I first cross my fingers that my conception is good, then will be requested by crews and ranchers next season, and visit Deadwood again!!