More on the Road - Wyoming

Breeding business took me to Wyoming just a while. I can find great sculptures of cowboys and horses most of anywhere.

Then, I could finally pass by one of places in my list. I made a quick detour to Devils Tower.

Here's another angle. Some people who got my text message responded "is this a picture of drawing or something?" NO!! I was there!!

Here's a proof and my interest. I dropped by a trading post and got me a shot glass. I really like to buy and collect shot glasses as souvenir at memorable places.

My breeding road is still some more weeks to go. Then we are being hit by another miserable rain spell. This is more than enough. We even stop complaining. Of course outside jobs suck. Then not only I but also every guide must concern the water levels of rivers.......

Having a poor internet connection and not much time to access so I don't know when my next post will be.

More on the Road - South Dakota

It's been over two weeks on the breeding road. I have nothing to complain about motel stays and restaurant meals (as they are taken care of) and enjoy my profession. I have to admit that I have started to miss my own cooking a bit and even strong winds in Livingston. But not much fishing for now as I can easily imagine run-off is really huge right now. Then there are always laughs among people working together and lots of new scenes for me in South Dakota. I can't help taking pictures every now and then. I may have to change the blog title into "lefty traveler"??

Here's a picture at one of ranches we worked. Their barn decoration caught my eyes.

South Dakota is known to be the biggest Ringneck Pheasant hunting in US. I don't have to tell you again but I do that I'm a pheasant skin mania!!!! So I was super excited when I spotted this obje while on the road.

I really come to like most of all towns in South Dakota. In a good way, most of towns seem small for my liking, even the capitol city, Pierre. And there are lots of old west historical marks and buildings along. One of the local favorite restaurants in Pierre is the steak house. It's full of old pictures and stories. I snatched a picture of Wild Bill Hickok's gun on the wall.

Sunrise at Mighty Missouri.

Here's the story board along the MO

Then there's a huge statue of Casey Tibbs, legendary rodeo cowboy, just out of Pierre.

You can google about him but this picture of the base of the statue should explain a lot.

One thing I do complain is the wet weather that makes people working outside sulky. We got hit by rainy days. After that, sun and storms are taking turns. I consider that I'm used to various and unpredictable weather patterns in Montana but prairies in Dakotas also seem to have their own ways.

On the Road

My "breeding" road has passed over a week now. So far so good. I enjoy my other profession too. I may have to change my blog as "lefty breeder" (left-handed people tend to use their right arms into cows). I try to wash my hands when I shake hands with you!

After a job in Billings, I headed to South Dakota through Wyoming. I wonder why interstates in Wyoming are in brick color every here and there.

Typical "road food" (if not the junk) on the go.....

I am given lots of jobs in South Dakota. Today I am having a little slack time. I have just made a quick trip and come back and am writing this. Western South Dakota is a nice cow country.

Where I'm staying is a town called Bella Fourche. I've heard there's a "geographical center of US" nearby. My understanding for definition of this is the point where the US map balances(Alaska + Hawaii + Lower 48). I drove along the dirt road above and found a friendly sign. I first didn't really see anything special. Then I noticed there was a slack between bob-wires, enough space for one to crawl in and a foot path.

I found a pole in advance. Information that I had forehand said there would be a noticeable red flag. Apparently it's not any more.

I made it to the center of nation!!

As it was middle of nowhere and nobody around, I took a liberty of taking a nap along the monument. Am I disturbing the mark and supposed to be fined or imprisoned as seen above?

These girls were too fast to catch up for breeding.........

Right now I'm adjusting my body for climate and my mental/routine for jobs here in South Dakota. Again, so far so good.
Job first, then there will be more places to visit!!

(rivers/creeks are muddy with run-offs and I didn't bring any fishing gear.)

Somewhere by the Stone

I'm somewhere along Yellowstone River. Am I fishing? No.......flood warning along Stone now........

I'm actually part of this...........

I'm resposible of "siring" these girls.

Weather has been miserable. We've been having full of rain since Sunday. Look at the ground. But this evening, we finally seem to see "silver lining behind every cloud".

I'll try to post my own "breeding porn" next.

DIY Float & Shuttle

After I floated with Stuart and Robert last Saturday, I just felt that I want to know more about Yellowstone and get used to my boat. To achieve both at the same time efficiently, I need a shuttle. Friends and fellow anglers are the best source to make it happen but everyone is busy except for me.........
When I woke up Sunday morning, somehow I recalled a scene that a dairy farmer in WA state was riding his bicycle between his farm and hay field during hay season. Apparently he must have had to make shuttle among his truck, tractors, and other equipments. That was it!! I got my own idea for self float and shuttle by using a bicycle.
I figured it would be doable for 3- to 5-mile section. I first drop my bicycle at where I pull over my boat. Then I drive up-stream where I launch my boat and leave my truck there. I'd float and pull over my boat and secure it. Now I'd grab my bicycle and ride up-stream to my truck. Then come back to my boat and pick it up.

It really worked well without any wreck. I felt I got to the point to develop my own shuttle business during this coming summer when I'm not guiding!! This is how I chain my bicycle at where I pull out my boat.

I got really comfortable with my boat and mighty Yellowstone. Do I look like Captain Yamamoto?

I saw herds of pelicans along both Madison and Yellowstone.

This nontraditional oar's shape is really good. With some nicks and abuses, I really got a feeling of my new gears.

Point of Rocks.

Today I launched at a launch locally known as "26". It is indeed steep. But I got some tips how to handle here, and it wasn't as bad as it looks.

Then I conquered "Rock Garden".

Today was the typical Livingston weather; strong winds from SW. But I made it OK .

During 4 days, I put 20 miles on my boat and bicycle. It was quite a practice and exercise. All 4 days, I had to pedal my bicycle against winds.

It looks like a touch of run-off is hitting Yellowstone. Then we are still expecting Mother's Day Caddis hatch. I will be soon on the road for breeding cows. I keep my eyes on your run-off reports!!

I might run this operation in the fall. If you see a guy with a backpack (stuffed with wader and boots) and an orange scarf around his neck on the bicycle along Madison or Yellowstone, please kindly give me a lift!!

Maiden Voyage

Today made the first trip of my boat. Last night I came up with her name. Simms orange decal that I attached yesterday was somehow sticking in my head too. Orange is my lucky color (since my Coyote has been created). Then my boat is in sage and I like Sage rod and now I come to love RO too......With a hint of Canadian liquid, I godfathered SageORange.

I've been asking my outfitter Stuart to get out together, especially before I get busy with cows. Stuart brought his associate Robert and we floated from Mayors Landing in the town of Livingston. I took the oars as a role playing guide, and said "let's cast to the rip-rap" and Stuart caught the first ever trout to my boat!! It was a nice aggressive browny.

Robert landed a nice rainbow in spawning color while baetis and March Brown were on the water.

My choice of the day was streamers, which somehow didn't work well. Borrowing Robert's rig and with his guiding, I could fix the skunk of the day with a nice cutbow.

Then just above HWY89 pull-out, Stuart ended the day with a massive 22-inch brown!! Not to mention the biggest on my boat so far!!

It was a mix of cloudy and sunny but no hazardous winds at all. Day turned out to be very enjoyable. I'm glad that I didn't flip over the boat then I have too many things to learn from these experienced guides. But I shouldn't be discouraged as I'm a rookie guide.

Almost!!!

I dropped by RO Drift Boat in Bozeman. I already made a deal last week and they've been working on it. Owner Robert and his people are friendly and hard working. I was so excited to see they are working on my boat. If I can wait one more day, they can finish up like brandnew so I'll wait. Can't sleep tonight!!

Another exciting gear I'd like to use soon is this Simms Dry Creek Guide Backpack. Apparently I bought at SUPERSALE. This is simply tough and roomy. I can carry anything I need whether I'm guiding or fishing myself. I can pack lunch and drink for clients or over-night & camping stuffs if I'm backpacking into mountain streams in summer.

Backside is super comfortable. Furthermore, these pads and straps are detachable, so one can use this as a bag. Amazing and exciting!! (so was the price too!!)

Just for a week, I was working on a project. That made me slightly unhealthy. I will update what was all about later on.

Yellowstone River's famous run-off has not been started yet, neither Mother's Day Caddis hatch. Maybe I might be able to float this weekend!?

Ice Out Freebies

I guess it was not only me who appreciated anything free during Ice Out. Beer, food, and anything offered at each booth. My loots are following and these are not all as there are too many and they couldn't fit in one shot.
Montana Fly Company gave us away too many stuff. Besides my win, I can't help smiling on miscellaneous fly tying tools and materials.

No admission/entrance fee or anything like that, yet Simms gave us away all the good stuff.

And then drinking accessories. These are all practical as well as artistic for our eyes.

My own Coyote seems to get a world-wide attention. Believe or not, I'm working on an article. I'll update later when it's certain.

Simms Ice Out: Day 3 - Grand Finale

Third day was a bit quiet, I thought. I assumed lots of guides spent too much on SUPERSALE and booze. In the morning, we had a panel discussion about marketing our business. Hint: in this era, one cannot ignore online social networking. I think I'm on a right track. Some guides were arguing how detailed the fishing report should be. They say once they informed their hot flies or exact spots, lots of people got there, as a result they lost their spots for their clients, something like that. It was a bit non-sense to me. It maybe because of where I fish and guide. There are too many sections to cover in one day along Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, & other Rivers around here. Spring creeks can be high-pressured at times yet there's a limit of anglers per day.

Product overview about Simms products were very persuasive as I did a factory tour. They really work hard and stand behind each product.

I was away from the venue after lunch. This was because first I ate too much on pasta buffet, second afternoon programs seemed slow, and third I did some errands in Bozeman and took a nap in my truck. In the evening, we moved to The Ellen Theater in downtown Bozeman for the final program and awards. The last program of the event was called "Shoot Out". It was about which group can shoot the best video that represents Montana fishing during Ice Out = only 2.5 days. Also awards were given to champions at Guide Olympic.

Then, I'd like to announce my own Coyote (full name: Coyoted Pheasant Soft Hackle) won the first place in the tying competition held at the Montana Fly Company booth during the event.

Some of you who got my card may be familiar with this shot.

I made it fun to tie and beautiful for our eyes. Of course catching trout is the most important task. It became one of my best and most favorite flies to swing at Madison in the Park when trout run up from Hebgen Lake in the fall. But also Coyote has no bound or limit about how to fish. It can represent some sort of attractor, minnow, smolt, drowned stonefly, some sort of nymphs, etc.

And like this. This is why I always wear an orange scarf as my lucky color.

I actually didn't tie any at MFC booth as they didn't have exactly what I needed for my originals (yes, I have a few more other than Coyote). Instead, I submitted tying instructions that include all the stories, materials, tying instructions, and proof pics along with flies from my inventory. I had completed tying instructions for all of my originals long time ago and been waiting for the opportunity.......

This is why I left early after a little gathering at Rivers Edge on the first day. I assorted my flies to give to MFC people and printed out tying instruction at that night and that's why I was somehow exhausted on the second day. Here finally Opportunity Knocks!!

I was awarded with some benefit at MFC. 10 dozens flies for free, which I can sell to my clients as from my inventory. $150 allowance for MFC products will get me lots of fly tying materials and tools to expand my tying world. Best award to me is that my Coyote and a few other originals will be featured in MFC 2012 catalogue along with my bio as a "Fly Designer". MFC also gave me a reel as a top prize. Here's my grip-&-grin of my own Gold Medal.

It's one of MFC River Camo Products.

Coincidentally, what MFC gave me was named "MADISON" in "Rainbow" version.

I was called for the stage of theater. My name and Coyote were on the screen. Too bad that I forgot to ask people around my seat to take pictures with my camera while on the stage.

All through the event, I met and spoke with lots of good people. Then it meant too much as I got some publicity and attention by my flies in my first year in this industry.

If you look for Simms at Facebook, you can see a pic of me handling chop-sticks well to eat noodles!!

Next year, I will compete at Guide Olympics. I kept quiet this time as I was focusing on my flies. Especially at the casting competition, I'd really like to show how "lefty angler" can do differently from "righty".

I'd really like to see you all somewhere along Montana rivers soon if not at the next year Ice Out!!!!