Wisconsin June 2012

Just got back from a week in Wisconsin, visiting family and fishing. 

We arrived late, but I squeezed in an hour.

It was worth it.

How about a face full of that!

The next day was June Dairy Days in Markesean.

The parade sure had a lot of tractors.

Cows.

These goofy guys.

They hand out cheese.

Can't say my daughter liked the Tilt A Whirl.

She almost tossed her cheese.

The next day back to Little Green Lake. Caught this one on a skull beaded Mack Lure Whirly Gigger.

Better.

Then to Rhinelander, home of the Hodag.

Where my nephew caught this guy.

Everybody caught pike.

Had to tell my sis to stop reeling... you got him.

Teva Mountain Games 2012

Frank Smethurst dominated the 2 Fly Extreme presented by Maui Jim at this years Teva Games. He qualified first, finished first in the semi's and finals, and caught the biggest fish to boot. I failed to make the finals by two spots. After qualifying 8th, I once again slid in the semi's finishing 10th in the men's division. Disappointing, but always the crowd favorite. A big shout out to my friend Lisa who finished second in the women's division.

Do It!!!

Crap another miss.

I started hot, going 5 for 6 on the first two targets .  Then I fell apart missing  7 of the next 10.

The first round, slimming the field from 80 to 25.

Hopefully I picked up a sponsorship from Redington.

My friends Nate and KO.

Even if you don't like fishing there is a ton of other cool stuff.

Piney River

The Piney River is located north of Vail, it starts at the base of the Gore Range and travels 28 miles to it's confluence of the Colorado River. Much of the river is private, but a great public stretch can be found near it's headwaters at Piney River Ranch. The ranch is a popular destination for hiking, sightseeing, weddings, and fishing.

  

Driving to and hiking past the lake can provide excellent fishing. Between  this sign and the lake is the most pressured areas. I prefer to hike the trail downstream.

It's harder work.

For a better payoff.

Beautiful isn't it! Scenery ain't bad either.

We actually arrived to see that a land slide had wiped out half the hole.

This used to be all swamp that provided  sanctuary for young fish. 

Thank heaven they were still some here.

Some small.

Some not so bad.

My wife getting into the action.

All fish came on dries.

This was a cutthroat, we caught all but a rainbow. A great day on Piney River.

The Secret Formula

Every person I take fishing thinks there is some magic formula to catching fish, and they think that because they gave me some absurd amount of money that I should reveal this formula. Little do they know that in my 36 years of fishing I don't have one.

    I will happily share what I do know. Worms taste bad. Water is cold. The fishing sucks when the fish are not biting, and the fishing is good when they are. Fish don't mind the rain... people do. Hooks are more fun in a fish's mouth than in your flesh. Drink less beer and apply more sunsceen. Fish need water to breath, therefore the best place to catch a fish is in water. Catching a fish is fun. If you let your fish go you can catch it again. If you smother your fish in beer and flour then put it in a fryer they are yummy. Small fish are good, big fish are great, but just to be able to go fishing is the best.
    This is all fun and dandy, but since my clients want more I will give this secret magic formula thing a try;
Multiply water temperature (H) with time of year (A). Add water clarity (V) and depth (E). Divide your target species (F). Finally subtract the sun from the moon (U) and add the time of day (N). So lets see...
(H) * (A) + (V) + (E) / (F) - (U) + (N) = HAVE FUN Simple enough. Lets go fishing!

LCFF New Logo

In case any of you don't know I'm a trout fishing guide that hates trout. Hate is a strong word so lets just say I'd rather be fishing and guiding for a lot bigger and toothier critters. Well this is Lake Country Fly Fisherman's inaugural season guiding the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin for Pike, Musky, Bass, Carp, and anything else that has fins and will bite a fly. I'm licensed, insured, my boat is registered, and now I have a logo. Actually I have three. My good friend Dave, david.carlson@rayovac.com, made these up for me and I'd like to see which one people like the most. Feel free to comment, call, or e-mail me, and if you would like to book a trip, buy a t-shirt, or any of my flies I can be reached at (970) 331-1733 or ogflyvail@hotmail.com

Garfinkels

The guiding business is great in the summer, but my family would starve if not for my winter gig... bartending at Garfinkels. Garfs, as we call it, is located in the Lionshead section of Vail at the base of the gondola. It's a great place for a burger and beer, see live entertainment, and of course it has exceptional service.

 Welcome to Garfs.

 Voted best deck in Vail.

 Sometimes we fill sunsceen containers up with mayonnaise, then tell people they are looking red.

This is our keg room.

 This is how much beer we go through on the weekend.

 This is how much booze I have to restock after a Monday.

 The shot wheel. 

Yes our logo is a moose.

Come see us sometime.

 O yeah my daughter caught this brown on an autumn splendor this afternoon. This is a fishing blog of course.