This post is going back in time a bit, but worth it. Derek Goldman and Joe Goertzen floated the Smith River May 29 through June 2 and, in spite of rain, had a great time. The two main wrinkles were: trying to stay dry and fishing was not so good.
Derek said, “the Smith was blown out (1,800 cfs!) and not fishing well; same for the tributaries. Oh well. It rained three of the days, but not all day so we were able to dry things out. Still a great trip and Joe caught some fish.”
Derek took the photos of Joe on the Smith. Joe Goertzen, pronounced GURT-zen, is a Missoula artist, businessman and owner of Goertzen Adventure Equipment – “handmade in Missoula.”
Goertzen Adventure Equipment combines vintage appeal with modern creativity. Like your favorite pair of jeans, Adventure Equipment gains character with use and is rugged enough to pass on to your grandchildren. His company takes great pride in the design and construction of their products and strive to produce one-of-a-kind and ultimately useful equipment.
An added advantage in buying from them is the excellent service and product support. If you have any problems or need alterations, they will repair all of the products in a timely manner.
Joe welcomes custom orders and ideas you may have for innovative products.
Currently working for National Institute of Health (NIH) as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony (Tony) Fauci was on a visit to Hamilton, Montana. The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is a branch of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and more than 20% of DIR’s research is conducted in western Montana at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton.
When Tony came to visit, he also got to fish. Marshall Bloom, associate director of RML, knows Jack and set up an afternoon of fishing. Everyone needs a break and Marshall wanted Tony to see what is in the lab’s backyard. Tony knows that the beautiful Bitterroot is part of the draw for RML’s talented scientists. In fact he told the JCI that “over the last 20–25 years, the potential liabilities of the physical separation between RML and Bethesda have morphed into assets, where the beauty of western Montana and the collegial working environment couple with state-of-the-art facilities to make RML highly attractive to world-class researchers and an integral part of the DIR.”
Read more about Tony Fauci at the Director’s Page on the NIAID website. He is a personal hero of mine for his contributions to the understanding of how HIV destroys the body’s defenses leading to the progression to AIDS and that is just one aspect of his work. You can learn more by visiting Anthony Fauci’s biography on Wikipedia.com.
Here are a few pictures from Garry’s and my fishing trip earlier this week. On Wednesday, it was overcast and cool in the morning and then sunny and bright in the afternoon.
1. Palomino trout feeding at Benner Springs on Spring Creek.
2. 13 inch brown I caught on size 18 tan caddis on Spring Creek. I caught another one just like it moments later.
3. Garry landing 15 1/2 inch brown trout on same tan caddis on Spring Creek.
Garry and I fished Spring Creek at Benner Springs from 10 AM until 2 PM. Garry caught 2 fish on bead headed nymphs earlier in the day.When the caddis hatch was out there were lots of trout feeding . But it did not last long and then nothing. In the afternoon we fished Spring Creek at the McCoy Dam just outside of Milesberg. We fished from 4 PM until 7:30 PM. We each lost a fish as we were landing it. Then just as we were about to leave there was another caddis hatch and I caught 2 brown trout, 12 inches and 10 inches. Garry had stopped fishing. On Thursday we fished Penn’s Creek at Cheery Run.
4. Garry fishing Penn’s Creek.
5. Penn’s Creek at Cherry Run. We fished from 9 AM until 11:30 AM.
The entire time we fished, fish were rising and feeding. We tried every fly we had and never got a strike. There was a caddis hatch most of the time.The men below us caught one fish and then gave up. It is a beautiful spot with lots of fish. Tough to wade!!!!!! See the rocks in the pictures. Take your stick if you go!!
Billy Burk is a good friend and fishes with Wapiti Waters as often as he can with his buddy Jeff (who lives here). Billy stays in close touch and sends us photos from time-to-time. Here are the most recent ones.
It’s been very Windy here this year too. I took a day off for my Birthday on the 5th, and went to a High-park reservoir at a spot where you have to hike in for a couple miles. Ice off, and opening day did not happen till May 1st this year (very late). I had to fight the “W” for most of the day from straight-on, and my right boot (wader) had sprung a new leak. I stuck with it though; as the fishing was Great! I landed 22 fish, all but one were in the 3-4 lb class; Whoo-Hoo! They were taking a red Ice cream cone- Chronamid pattern that I tied myself. The only way it could have been better, is if I had someone there with me to share the experience.
Wish I was coming this year again to see you! Will make a concerted effort next year!
Please tell Jack I said Hi. Will keep you up to date, especially after the Rogers’ visit here next month.
Take care, and I hope your fishing season is an awesome one!!!!!
Billy
Thanks Billy, we will see you next year! Merle and Jack
Jack worked last Saturday with two friends/outfitters/guides Josh Lauer and Scott Nicolarsen. They all met at a parking lot in Hamilton, then each went their own way to fish their choice stretch of the 80+ mile Bitterroot River. By looking at the group in the parking lot, it might have looked like a lot of boats fishing together, but that was not the case. They fished separate sections. Too many boats in close proximity are not doing the fish any favors or the public (especially the wade fishers). Jack and his friends work hard and practice good manners and ethics.
This Saturday was like most, the river was pretty crowded, but the fishing was good for Jack and his boat. See some photos below.
Billy caught this cuttbow on the Arkansas River in Colorado. Thanks for sending the photo in!
We would love to share other photos. Send them in with comments about where and how you caught them!
Going fishing today with Montana TU Director, MT TU board member, Conservation District Board member and a group of conservation minded outfitters. We will post photos this week of some rip-rap projects, comments and hopefully some fish, too.
