Local fishing guide Dan Vermillion reacts as President Barack Obama almost hooks a trout on the East Gallatin River near Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009.
(Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
See more photos on the The Official White House Photostream’s photostream at Flickr.
I have seen photos of many President’s but this is my first of one fly fishing! I like it.
Growing up in Illinois during the 1960’s, I developed a real passion for both small and large mouth bass fishing. Like many a mid-westerner, I did a fair amount of spin fishing during this time and had some success catching them. Fishing for these species with a fly rod was the next step in angling evolution. However, moving to Missoula in the early 70’s put this type of fishing on the backburner. Recently I am discovering more bass and pike fishing opportunities around Missoula, but that is another story.
Since my early mid-western fishing days, bass fishing has turned into a big business sport with innovative gear, high tech boats and very popular competitions. A good competitive bass fisherman uses a specialized boat and spinning gear (mostly) coupled with incredibly accurate casting and presentation skills. As a tournament angler, one also has to have knowledge of bass life histories, the impoundments he fishes and the endurance to keep fishing.
On my recent family visit to Missouri my sister’s friend, Randy Conlon, volunteered to take me out. He is a tournament bass angler who hasn’t given up his day job yet. He has the same attributes I’ve found in my favorite trout fishermen; a genuine love and appreciation of the environment where bass/trout are found and knowledge to predict bass/trout behavior. Did I mention he is super accurate with his casts? He was very handy with an arsenal of rods and lures used to fool his favorite game fish. I enjoyed his pleasant demeanor, excellent boat handling skills and caution while respecting his fellow anglers on the water.
The morning started with us on the water and fishing about 6:15 am. During the morning, each of us caught several smaller bass on top with poppers. Watching Randy handle these fish, I was impressed as he took out hooks and released fish as gently as any neurosurgeon client I have seen. Part of our success was due to our flies and poppers. I had purchased several effective patterns from Backcountry Outfitters Fly Shop in Springfield, MO. See some of them in the slideshow below. It was a good time visiting with Michael Kyle, the proprietor. He is a knowledgeable angler and has the only fly shop in the area that I know of.
To sum it all up, I’ve found that a fly rod trout fisherman and a competitive bass angler have more in common than one might think. Randy, thanks for a great morning of angling. I look forward to my next Missouri bass fishing experience. Yep, I am planning to do it again.
To view all fishing and tackle photos click here
Backcountry Outfitters click here for their webpage.
Michael and Kristina Kyle
2863 South Campbell
Springfield, MO 65807
contact them at (417) 889-6548
or michael@backcountryoutfitters.org.
Our friend, Jim, sends us photos from time to time. He and his buddies love to fish.
They often fly fish the Yellow Breeches, a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. The first photo was taken in mid-April and here is Jim’s message.
Dave Boomer and John Mikita on the Yellow Breeches yesterday. The water was a little high and cloudy.
I caught 2 brown trout, 13 inches and 10 inches. Both on size 16 Hendrickson dry fly.
I think Dave caught the fish he is playing in the picture on a Hendrickson.
I did not get a picture of Larry Clement who did the best. He caught 5 trout on a variety of flies including a white wooly bugger.
We all had a fun time. The weather was beautiful.
Jim
The middle photo is Larry on the Yellow Breeches in early May. He caught plenty of fish that day, too, I hear.
By the way, happy tenth birthday to your beloved dog, Tres.
Jim sent us the bottom photo and within it, in the photo on the bookcase, is Jim fishing the Bitterroot River in Montana. Here is the message he sent with it.
Does this dog have a hard life or what!
PS: Merle and Jack, if you zoom in on the leftmost picture on my book case you will see a picture Jack took of me and an 18 inch cutthroat that I caught on the Bitterroot. Great guide!
Keep sending us your fishing photos! We love hearing from you all.
Our friend and fellow outfitter, Josh Lauer, just sent these photos in. He was near a town called Kooskia (no McDonald’s restaurant there) located at the confluence of the Middlefork and Southfork of the Clearwater River, along Lewis Clark US Highway 12 in North Central Idaho.
Fly Fishing for steelhead is exciting! He said these two fish are in the smoker right now. What a pair of bookends they would make.
UPDATE January 26: I found that the Billings Gazette published this story January 8. It is much more complete. See it here: Buck floatsdown Yellowstone River on ice chunks By BRETT FRENCH of The Gazette Staff.
Original Wapiti Post text:
A friend sent us these photos today. Brrrr….
An unidentified photographer took these pictures in Miles City Montana where the Tongue River flows into the Yellowstone River. The buck made it to shore. The photographer saw him jump to safety when the ice jammed close to shore.
Jeff Rogers lives in Victor, Montana and fishes with us regularly.
Note from Billy:
Hey Merle!
I told my great buddy Jeff Rogers I would send these to you. They are shots of him at a secret spot in Canada this past Sept. fishing for steelhead with his dad. Looks like I have probably been “bested” by him, for life, in the flyrod category. Please tell Jack “hi” and Merry Christmas to you and yours! ………Billy Burk
Billy, thanks for sending these photos in.
