"The Rookie": A True Fish Story (Really!!)

It is not every day that a permanent "rookie" is born--a rookie being defined as someone who is engaging in an activity (in this case fishing in Alaska) for the very first time and commits such an egregious rookie error (as in this case) that, forever, that person is to be known as "The Rookie".  Enter E-10 Group Three veteran Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat.

 

The scene was our frequent sequel to our annual Extravaganza--the "Alaskaganza" when, during the first week of September, 12 of us take over the entire Rainbow River Lodge [a five star float plane fly-in resort just outside Lake Iliamna, Alaska, a 1 1/2 hour charter flight due west of Anchorage] for some of the most satisfying and outrageously successful rainbow trout fishing in the world.  Such was the case this past September when several of our Extravaganzers, including Group One's Brian "Moraine Shepard, Group Two's Fred "The Guitar" Johnson and Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill joined up with Group Threers Grady "The Stick" Garrett, Bruce "The Rookie Mowat" and E-10 rookie Steve "Colorado" Herron.

 

As we had in the past, we flew into Rainbow River Lodge on a Saturday and then fished the next successive six (count 'em!) days, each day flying out early in the morn via float plane in groups of four to one of many available fishing sites.  As a prequel to what ensued that week, (no joke folks), knowing how revered our Twenty Inch Club is in Montana (where every twenty inch trout caught is registered on a specially anointable board), during these six days of Alaksaganza fishing this past September, the twelve of us, using seven weight 9' Winston BIIX fly rods, caught (and released) over two thousand (yes, 2,000) rainbow trout averaging over twenty four (yes, 24) inches in length.  To say the trip was a successful one, is the understatement of this yet early decade.

 

Well, picture yourselves out on the very last day of fishing with the four of us, Sockeye, Colorado, The Rookie and yours truly, Sourdough Ron, at the mouth of Battle Creek--one of the many feeding streams cascading downward from glaciers into Lake Iliamna.  The fishing that day was unusually (even for that area) hot--we were hooking up large rainbows after larger rainbows all day long, nymph fishing under an indicator with a salmon egg pattern (the rainbows were into Battle Creek following the then spawning Sockeye salmon--yes, the source of "Sockeye" name a year ago).  Our Great Falls, Montana guide, Jerry (who accompanied us along with Kathy's favorite guide Dorian), was sentimental that day, for, after decades of guiding in Alaksa with and among grizzly bears [yes, we had those next to us all that day long], this was his very last day of guiding in Alaska--the next day he was flying out with us back to Montana, leaving, forever, Alaksa in his rear view mirror.

 

Near the end of that day, the fishing "switched on"...first Colorado hooked into a 24" rainbow beauty, then Sockeye was greeted by a 26" bow, and then yours truly hooked into the rainbow of his life, a thirty (yes, 30) inch rainbow only to be followed by The Rookie, on his own (because our two guides already had their hands/nets full of eighty inches of rainbow), hooked into a 24" fish of his own which then joined the other three beauties in the net, now making 104" of rainbow in a single net--a record for soon to be retired Jerry.

 

The pictures above show part of this scene:  The first shows RCR's and Colorado's two fish in a single net; the second displays a thirty inch rainbow trophy (with The Rookie "hooked up" in the background")...and now comes the time for a legendary rookie error.  At Jerry's request, he asks that we each hold our fish up for a photo op that will "bedeck his wall for ever" reminding him of "his greatest guiding day ever"; but, lo, The Rookie first asks that he get a single shot of just him and his fish (while the rest of us bide or time nursing our squirming fish).  And, folks, you can now see what happened in the remaining two photos above:  "The Rookie", while posing for his cameo shot, drops his fish into the water and, splash, it is off to the races and gone...leaving the rest of us to pose with just our three, 80 inches of rainbow, leaving guide Jerry with only a memory of the photo that might have been.

 

Being in true "rookie" form, however, The Rookie asked us to pose in the last of the shots above (the very last photo taken during Alaskaganza 2009) with his arms out, as "I will just PhotoShop in a fish for Jerry"--an event that has yet to happen, and one that never should.

 

Soooo, when you hear of or, if you are in Group Three, you run into The Rookie, tell him that one really has to go out of his way to earn the dubious title of The Rookie, as such being very much the deserved case above....ah, the indignity of it all!! ...and, for those of you who might be interested, we will next return to Rainbow River Lodge during the first week of September, 2011--reservations are currently being taken with yours truly for Alaskaganza 2011.

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate story of "The Rookie", as witnessed by your affiant during Alaskaganza 2009.

 

Rock Creek Ron (aka "Sourdough Ron")

---<'///><------<'///><-------<'///><.................<'-------/

 

Annual Pre-Extravaganza Tune-Up

Extravagant Ones:

 

Well, here it is:  The very last day in May--a Memorial one, this year the very Day when we give thanks to all of those who in the past "gave it all" so that we might have the privilege to be who we are, where we are, doing what we do in an unfetteredly free manner.  A true, hearty, and heartfelt toast to them all!

 

And, as tradition requires, for the fourth year in a row, the annual Pre-Extravaganza Exploratory Tune-Up Trip took place this past Friday, where a daring few veteran Extravaganzers take a day to arise early, drive 4+ hours north to Redding, CA to fish the Lower Sacramento River and then, sated, return home later that same day--making the driving and fishing time just about on a one-to-one ratio.  For many, this trip has been seen as the metaphysical omen-maker for the forthcoming Extravaganza--a look ahead, if you will, as to just what the (fishing) fortunes of E-10 just might be. 

 

If forecasting the trip be, as shown above, E-10 will be blessed with wonderful fisherfolk enjoying not only the fruits of the Napa Valley but also a bevy of 20" fish!  Note above the exploratory crew of E-veterans Bruce "The Rookie" [yes, there is a story there} Mowat, shouldered on his left successively by Scott "The Crack" McAdams [ibid}, RCR and Cam "Mend" Carlson (who, among them, have accumulated dozens of Extravaganzas) who then launched their unusually well fortified (with bottles of Elizabeth Spencer wines--this is the only sanctioned E-trip where booze is authorized/encouraged to be on board, btw!), to drift/wobble downstream into fishing heaven that yielded not only a beautiful fishing day but also one twenty inch trophy, as shown with "The Rookie"---congrats Bruce!!

 

As the result this (not really) daring pre-Extravaganza prelude, the formal Delphian metaphysical forecast for E-10 is "fish...a lot of fish (because we didn't catch many--you see--this is really Lower Sac trip is really a "reverse oracle" prognostication trip, all!)...many, many of which will be in the twenty inch category"...a good foreboding for our Twenty Inch Club. E-10ers!!

 

Best to all after the mysticism of it all,

 

R <'/C//>< R

 

Water Flow Update Report: No Reason For Panic!

 

 

Fellow E-10ers:

 

What a great group of water flow students/followers we have out there this (most unusual) of water flow years, who are following the slow flow with as much care as I am!!

 

Gang:  Here's the reason not to panic with this year's low and slow runoff, however:

 

    1.  This year we have exactly one half (1/2) of the snow pack of last year (the black line on chart).

 

    2.  Because of the cold May weather this year, the runoff has been delayed/non-existent, leaving much of the snow pack still resident on in the upper elevations.

 

    3.  If we had "normal May weather" this year (May temperatures have been an average of 20 degrees below normal in 2010 [global warming?!?]), all of the snow in the upper climes would have been fully melted off by now, leaving us with unusually low waters come E-10....that is not the case, however.

 

    4.  The low, delayed flow (the red line on our graph) shows that there is still plenty of moisture in the upper elevations (Kathy said it snowed again on the upper elevations of Rock Creek just the other night), meaning that we will have plenty of water for our fishing in just a few weeks.

 

Ergo, panic not, but, rather, be thankful for the bounty that Mother Nature is carefully and slowly laying down for all E-10ers!!

 

RCR----<'///><

 

Extravagant allergies!

Okay, E-10 wiseacres, Patty has protected the identity of each of you who have so liberally responded to our request for allergies, other than to tell me that

 

    (a) someone in Group One is apparently allergic to "poodles"--safe on that account with us;

 

    (b) there are those in Group Tattoo who, either individually or collectively, [i] are allergic to codeine and hope that we will not be using that product in our extravagant cooking [safe, again, folks!], [ii] while not allergic, "hate carrots" [you will see well, my fellow Tattooers!], [iii] "are seriously allergic to the lack of Irish whisky [safe, again---phew!], and [iv] "allergic to the wrath of Ron--been there once and don't want to go back there again!"; and

 

    (c) there are those in Da Threes who profess to be allergic to [i] trout {nice try for a fishing excuse, huh?!?}, [ii] "Ron" {is that you, Kocktail Kathy?!?} and [iii] "work" {there won't be much of that done during E-10!!}.

 

As the days quickly progress, my short list for each of you allergic/non-allergic Ones alike is:

 

    1.  Watch, with me, the wild non-water flow--this is our best friend with ytd precipitation in our benchmark Bitterroot Mountains now posting at 67% [exactly one half of last year]...the later/lower the flow, the more water that we will have to fish and, at this point in time, that is a good thing!

 

    2.  Grab your Camp List and fill in the packing blanks, with special emphasis on polarized sun glasses and a true rain jacket.

 

    3.  Locate/purchase that Hawaiian Shirt for Day One fishing.

 

    4.  Keep checking Der Blog for weather and flow updates, as that will soon be your primary source of incoming information. 

 

    5.  Don't forget your Guide Gag Gift, remembering that decency and/or civility are not required components.

 

Best to all in short-time preparation for it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

   ---<'///>< 

 

 

And The Correct # Of Bottles of Wine On Situs Is...

....well, with guesses ranging (yikes!) from a low of 138 bottles (and that guess from a to-remain-unnamed banker) to a high of 1,596 (and that one from an accountant, believe it or not--his rookie initials are "David Hatch" and he will fish in Group Three, not to mention any names--he errantly thought a case of wine held 24, not 12, bottles, btw...or so he avers/pleads), the correct number of bottles of wine on site for E-10 is 858 {count 'em!] bottles---that's exactly 71-1/2 cases, gang--check it all out in the again-attached pic!

 

The wide-range of guesses notwithstanding, we have not one but two winners, one from each coast of the country and, prophetically, both from Group Two, each of whom, after multiple guesses [and some (math) coaching by yours truly], hit the number/bottle right on the head/cork:  (1) Lafayette, CA long time Extravaganza veteran Fred "The Guitar" Johnson and (2) Orlando, FL returning veteran Kelley Kingsland--with (extensive) assistance by her fishing partner, hubby Bobby.  Congrats, both--a bottle of Rock Creek Noir awaits each of your upon your June 25th E-10 arrival!

 

And that is not all, gang....I just got word from long time Extravaganza veteran Spencer Graham, proprietor (along with his beautiful bride Elizabeth Pressler) of Rutherford's classic Elizabeth Spencer Wines that, just as he did last year, an additional 10 cases of his bounty is also headed our way as his/their donation, in spirit(s), to E-10--both he an Elizabeth being unable to return this year but vowing to return to "fish again with us" during Extravaganza 2011---yes, indeed, all, we will return to fish these blessed waters again together next year!   Thanks (again!!) Elizabeth and Spencer!!

 

Sooo, doing the math, with now 68 fisherfolk among the yet further expanded multitude of Extravaganza 2010, that means that, together with a never-depleted full bar and an endless supply of beer and soft drinks/water, there will be a case and three quarters--read 21 bottles--of classic vino laid in here at Extravaganza Headquarters for every man, woman and child fishing with us this year during E-10, or, after the (continually legendary) consumption of the larder by the Ignoble Ones, an even case/person for The Tattoos and Da Threes, asking the (rhetorical) question again, "Is THIS Enough?!?"

 

The very thought of it all is head-spinningly bedazzling!!

 

RCR-----<'///><......hic!

 

FW: It's Now Cold Enough Here To...

...snow!!!

 

RCR

<'///><

 

A View Into My Fly Box

Extravagant Ones:

 

Consistent with the adage that "you always want to see what is the other guy's fly box", attached is a photo of that now fully recharged fly box of mine, a tour of which is as follows: 

 

Working from left to right, in the far left-hand row is my arsenal of my smaller dry fly (i.e., flies that float on top of the water) mayflies designed to imitate the dozens of species of those wonderful bugs (a dozen of each of which could easily alight on your smallest fingernail with room to spare) who spend most of their life as bugs crawling underwater and then, as they near the end of their life cycle, "emerge" to the surface of the water in "hatches" (often by blowing air bubbles around themselves, thereby floating atop like a thousand rising balloons), whereafter they "rest" on the water's surface, shed their shuck, pop out their wings and then fly aloft only to mate, whereafter the females return to the water to reposit their eggs, thereby beginning the life cycle again.

 

The next three columns of flies are examples of mayflies in their nymph stage--these flies are "wet flies" and are fished subsurface and are designed to imitate one or more of the mayflies in their larval and/or emerging stages.  Ninety percent of a trout's consumption is of flies in their nymphal stages and, hence, the preponderance of those in this fly box, atop the middle row of which are four red San Juan worms (aka, "the dreaded worm") which are ever so effective along with the 8 specimens of white-winged prince nymphs (aka, "the fly formerly known as Prince") right beneath them [on Rock Creek I refer to the SJW and Prince as "the McDonald and Burger King menu"!].  Just as is reflected in these rows, nymphs come in different sizes and colors depending on the time of day, the river and the weather conditions (hence, the efficacy of a guide!).

 

The container(s) on the right hand of the fly box contain a gaggle of different dry flies, starting in the upper right with my own "unibug creation" to match beetles and spiders, a series of larger mayflies and, on the upper right some yellow humpies.  The middle row starts with my foam fly searcher patterns (from which we will attach nymphs creating our "hopper dropper combination", whereby we can fish BOTH a dry fly foam fly and a trailing, underwater nymph, thereby getting "two shots at the apple" and ends with a smaller collection of foam flies designed to generically imitate the wide families of floating bugs that trout feed upon in Montana's rivers.  The bottom row (which, frankly, looks like a mess) is really the "money section" of this box which contains in the middle section imitations of the golden stone fly (my "go to fly" in late June and early July and, on the right, my caddis fly collection--a bug so prolific that when the "caddis fly hatch is on you will have to turn your car's windshield wipers on to see when amidst its flurry--the hatch is like being in a snow storm.

 

So, folks, there it is:  A view into my fly box!  When each of you are here with us, as part of our program, your guides will provide all flies that you will need (the each carry hundreds of them each day on the water) and they will even tie them to the end of your lines for you, so don't fret if your own box is either partially full, empty or nonexistent!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all!

 

Rock Creek Ron

Rock Creek Roils!!

Greetings Fellow Anxious Fisherfolk!

 

As depicted in the attached photos of a normally tame and docile Rock Creek (which I took just an hour ago), "the water she is rising in these here parts" and the color of the flow is beginning to quickly liken itself to mocha coffee--and that is a good thing. 

 

We need a good, swift push of runoff water to cleanse our rivers, remove the deteris that has accumulated in their eddys and gullies over the winter and to resettle fish into less familiar environs (so that they are not extremely picky or spooked as our now 110 [count 'em!] E-10 boats drift down upon and over them).  And it appears that that is just the case:  ten days ago, Rock Creek was flowing at a modest 500 cfs; this time yesterday it was flowing three times that @ 1590 cfs; and, now, just 24 hours later, the flow is up to 1640 cfs and on the continued rise (subject to a possible dip due to the current now-colder weather conditions that are bringing rain to Headquarters altitude levels but yet more snow/future runoff to the higher climes). 

 

'Tis a beautiful thing to watch...we will keep you continually posted and updated as the flow now goes (perhaps, by now, to the point of either irritation or nausua to you rookies out there [veterans know better, however, as it is now E-10's "money, marbles and chalk" time]).

 

Earlier today, I had my (always pleasurable) final, pre-Extravaganza sit-down with our Double Up Outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, to go over the (very) few remaining open details of E-10's "war plan" (as Group Three now three-time veteran Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat is wont to say:  "More planning goes into the Extravaganza that went into the Gulf War!"  [I neglected to ask "The Rookie" {yes, there IS a story there!}, "Which one?", however!]).  What a treat it was to, once again, find all of our ordered gear in town and accounted for (early), all of our guides ready and anxiously confirmed "ready" for each of you (again), and to just have the pleasure of the Great One's company without any last minute rushing around or panic...what an extravagant pleasure, indeed---thank you, once again, Sir John!!

 

Simply stated, Extravaganza 2010 is now officially ready to rock 'n' roll, and, very soon, rock & roll we will. 

 

The Extravaganzas, over their years, have become "an item" in this wonderful Treasure State and, during the course of E-10, Group One will be blessed with an overnight visitation of world renowned Montana naturalist and writer Trapper Badovinac (whose glorious coffee table book "Fly Fishing The Solitude of Montana" was included on our Extravaganza gift bag three years ago); Group Two will be invaded by the one and only Bob Wire and his guitar (to play along side Group Two's veteran Fred "The Guitar" Johnson) as well as visited by Scott Kier, Executive Director of the Five Valleys Land Trust (one of the most successful conservation land trusts in the country), and Group Three will be blessed by the presence of both Jeff Hagener, former long time Director of Montana's Department of Wildlife and Fish and currently ED of the American Prairie Foundation, as well as by Montana Matters' own Troubadour, Shane Clouse, who will privately play for E-10ers songs from his just released, newest cd, "Good Thing Going On" during our annual Fourth of July pig roast and celebration. 

 

In addition to the above cast of truly wonderful characters, E-10 will find among its midst once again Montana Wildlife Federation president Tim Aldrich (and his beautiful wile Carol); National Wildlife Western Regional rep "One if by" Land Tawney who, once again, will fish with Group One and deliver to the reprobated Ones his annual 2 1/2 hour presentation/lecture entitled "Abstinence Is Virtue While Fishing" at Group One's opening day lunch; together with our good friend, Rock Creek neighbor, and legendary (now retired) professional golfer Miller Barber, who, once again, will serve as the officiating dignitary over the Eighth Annual Rock Creek Casting Contest to be held at Extravaganza Headquarters on the Fourth of July.

 

Indeed, an extravagant war plan verily exists--a set if plans, in fact, that soon see the light of day, post Rock Creek's roiling.

 

Best to all in preparation for it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    ---<'///><

FW: And Der Blog's Visitor #500 is...

Well, well, well---great togglers toggle alike and, just as happened last year, when two individuals blog on the same time the same number pops--last year it was Florida's Jim "The Natch" Nici logging at the same time that his Lafayette boatmate, Fred "The Guitar" Johnson did and, as this year, there were two winners!

 

Congats to Group Two rookie Will "Still" Burke for (also) being #500 (as evidenced below) on Der Blog, the prize for which is a bottle of (cherished) '01 Rock Creek Red upon his arrival here in Extravaganzaland.  Bueno, bueno, bueno!

 

RCR----<'///><

 

p.s.  The race is still on for #555, so blog forth!

 _________
   

hold on Ron --- let me show you my proof! I think you are actually 501!

- Will

   

E-10: One Month and Counting!

Fellow E-10ers:

 

Well, thunder, lightening and nearly blinding rain along Rock Creek last evening was Mother Nature's and God's Own Backyard's way of giving fair cry that exactly one month (that's thirty [30], count 'em) days from this very day, the Ignoble Ones will be descending into Extravaganzaland marking the commencement of our eighth annual (ad)venture into the glories and wonders of Montana.

 

Befittingly, yesterday your Hostess With The Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, and I spend most of the day in Missoula meeting with the many purveyors that make each year's Extravaganza just what it is .  For you rookies out there, as in prior years, as you pack be sure to leave (plenty of) room in your bags as, as in each of those prior years, KK and I reserve the right to treat you extravagantly upon your arrival(s) and, as in the past, you will be [substantially] more laden with E-10 bling as you wing/drive your way back home.

 

Appropriately as well, with rising temperatures and a boost from the bursts from the skies, as we could tell from its glorious sound as we awoke on adjoining banks this morning, Rock Creek is substantially on the rise (check Der Blog for daily updates) and has now clouded with turbidity to the point that what was a small stream that, just a few days ago, was very fishable has quickly swollen into a potent force of nature to be reckoned with (and avoided if you are a wade fisherperson)...indeed, the runoff has officially begun and now we carefully watch for its crest and then subsidence within the next 30 day period...bravo, bravo, bravo!

 

So gang, now is the official time to (a) recheck your flight reservations and email our Extravaganza Coordinator Extraordinaire Patty Gallia with those updates, (b) complete the allergies and booze preference forms [the replies to date, according to Patty, have been "most creative", btw], (c) pull out the Camp List and begin assembling your assemblage what will accompany you here, and (d) start looking with a careful daily eye at just what this year's runoff will bring, as the baseline of your E-10 fishing fortunes are directly tied to its progress.

 

[Much} more to come in the days ahead...doesn't it seem like it was just Christmas??  Well, Christmas does come twice for each of you this year, as your E-10 presents are now on-site, carefully wrapped and bestowed between Montana's surrounding trees...all that is missing is your presence, something that we will rectify in now a matter of days.

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    ----<'///><

 

 

FW: Greetings from Extravaganzaland!

 A nice note and photo from Group "Tattoo" rookie Duane "Boulder" Primozich:

 Hi Ron

I’d like to introduce myself, as I’ll be attending Group Two with the Will Burke contingent. I live out in Boulder, CO and had the privilege of fishing the Arkansas River this weekend with my son (11 yr old Sam). As you are clearly one that will appreciate it, I have attached a photo of one of the beauties we landed. This particular gem was caught (after two full breaches) on an Elk Hair Caddis, but they were also eating BWOs, Caddis Pupas and Stone Fly nymphs.

 

Your updates are terrific and I can’t wait to come and fish those legendary waters.

 

Counting the days,

Duane

 

 

Greetings from Extravaganzaland!

Fellow E-10ers:

 

This past Thursday and Friday, your Hostess With the Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, and her two four-legged soul mates, Sir the Spaniel and Ma'am Da Lab, and I did our annual drive from the Bay Area to Rock Creek, where the first three of these have now set up residency for the summer months (and beyond, no doubt).  And what a greeting we received:  as shown above, the flowers in our flower beds are fully awakening from their long winter nap, the larch pine are in full "budding mode" (with this glorious flora, the only deciduous member of the pine family, renewing its annual vow of replenishment and expansion, and the grounds of Extravaganza Headquarters are in full expansion mode, as best shown in the last photo of one of our backyard trees now in full resplendent bloom. 

 

Indeed, it is just a month and two days from today (yikes!!) that the ignoble Ones will descend upon the scene and raise the curtain for our eighth annual foray into the wonders and wilds of Montana, Extravaganza 2010.  And our family has grown in the past year.  Shown above is the official "Wall-Mart Greeter" for E-10, "Ma'am Da Lab", with tongue fully extended in anxious anticipation for your arrival(s).  You see, Ma'am, as a retriever, has one built-in genetic wonder (defect?), namely the insatiable desire to fetch and retrieve a ball of any size until, literally, she drops.  Right now she is asleep beneath my office desk, having so outdone/over-exerted herself over the weekend that she has developed a case of what I have come to call "driveway foot"--a recoverable injury incurred in the line of (retrieving) duty from having lived the soft life in the Bay Area in current transition to the more rugged Montanaesque environs....all together now, "aaaaaw"!

 

This week that I will spend here will be devoted, in part, to final preparation for Extravaganza 2010--something that, organizationally, is in apple pie order with all eyes currently focused on the non-runoff that we are experiencing.  As to the former, UPS called last evening to see if we would be here today to receive "28 boxes" [read cases of wine...perhaps, just perhaps, enough for Group One?!?]; as to the latter, I spent a few hours fishing Rock Creek yesterday, which, unlike any of the prior three years would be fully unfishable at this time [due to high, turbid waters] and actually got a few fish to salute me--an omen of good things to come.  I will know more on Thursday of this week, after spending a full day on the Bitterroot River with our {Double-Up] outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould and will promptly report back to "y'all".  In the interim, keep your eyes on the Flow Chart (that Patty will update and send out to each of you today--thanks, Patty!] and watch for weather condition changes here.  Yesterday it started out in the low 40's and beautifully rose up into the mid-70's (weather here typically will find the daily low about one-half of the daily high)--we were sitting outside on the porch reading until well after 8:30 last evening...yes, it is that light that long in these here parts.

 

Keep checking Der Blog for further updates and remember the 500th visitor will receive a bottle of cherished Rock Creek Red upon arrival here (we are currently at #439)!!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    ----<'///><

 

 

 

Two Special E-10 Announcements

 

Fellow E-10ers:

 

Well, it is nigh upon 45 days until the ignoble Ones arrive on the scene to officially open (trash?) Extravaganza 2010...to that end there are two special announcements for all E-10 rookies and reminders for all returning veterans:

 

    1. Hawaiian Shirt Day:   Keeping with tradition started this past Extravaganza by our Double Up Outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, the first day of fishing for each group will be "Hawaiian Shirt Day" --a day where all Extravaganzers can easily be spotted on the river(s) with their donned flowery apparel.  As in the past, the most so festively-dressed of each group will be appropriately noted and awarded with a special (and [somewhat] coveted) Double Up Outfitters fishing hat.  One idea that has had real traction for past judges is matching shirts for those fishing in the same boats--caveat:  in some cases, Extravagant guys wearing 3x muumuus have been known to actually scare fish into their boats!

 

    2.  Guide Gag Gifts:   In further keeping with long-standing Extravaganza tradition, as we have done for each of the past five (count 'em!) years, the first day of fishing for each group will start with an official announcement of each group's roster and guide pairings, marking, in many cases, the chance for each of you to make a bedazzling first impression on the fellow that will be the most important person in your life for the next three days:  your guide.  With the calling of the roll, each boat will be asked to present his/her guide with a gag gift that very clearly (and cleverly, I might add!) "sets the tone" for your ensuing time together.  Simply stated, nothing is out of bounds when it comes to guide gifts, memorable past gifts which have included the gamut from bottles of prized hooch (to be consumed off-river, btw) to Group Two Doug "Popeye" Hamilton legendary "port-a-potty" gift of a mobile toilet stand with a lure embedded throne.  Others have included "Fish-O-Matic" (fraudulent) fish measuring devices to the low point of Group One's John "SOS" [aka "spare all sents"] Reimann gift one year of a Channel Lumber ruler (not even a yard stick, I might add...just a ruler) that he pulled off the shelf on his way to the airport ("I forgot to shop ahead", he yet avers).  Take off the gloves, cast aside all semblance of propriety, put your wit to work and let's make E-10 forever-to-be-known as "The Year of the Gag Gift".  {Yes, they can be shipped ahead via UPS and/or FedEx in advance to Extravaganza Headquarters!.}  The guides know that this is coming, gang, so cast aside all sense of dignity and "lay it on", asking yourself as you gift up, "Is this really gross enough?!?"

 

Best to all in eager anticipation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    ---<'///><

 

 

FW: Where Did The Flow Go, Joe??

 Go to the head of the class, Group Two's Fred "The Guitar" Johnson!

 

Considering the low snow pack, this would seem to auger well for Extravaganza purposes.  Fred

 

Frederick A. Johnson, Principal
Total Planning Concepts, LLC
   

Where Did The Flow Go, Joe??

Extravagant Ones:

 

With unusually low temperatures (and new upper elevation snow added as recently as Monday of this week), as depicted in the Der Blog's updated E-10 Flow Chart  (see link on right-hand side), unlike any of the past three years, water flows in our key rivers (the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot, and the Clark Fork of the Columbia) are actually dropping, not rising!

 

Moments ago I just got off the phone with Doug Persico, our land-based outfitter with the Rock Creek Mercantile, who confirmed that, indeed, the 2010 runoff is getting off to a slow start, witnessed by the fact that this morning it was 22 degrees outside along Rock Creek with its water temperature currently a nice, brisk 38 degrees.

 

Looking ahead ,  the long range forecast calls for Missoula daytime high temperatures creeping up from the 40's and 50's of recent weeks to the 60's next week and, thereafter, into the low 70's--and the latter is what is needed to spark the snow runoff. 

 

Here's the math:  Missoula is located right at 3500 ft above sea level; the upper snow pack is in the 8,000+ elevation; and temperature drops 3 degrees per 1,000 feet of increased elevation.  Thus, a high of 50 in Missoula equates to a high of 35 in the mountain peaks with the desired 70 degrees in Missoula netting a brisk 55 degrees in the upper climes--just enough to spark the annual runoff.

 

Watch the redline on our graph to track the rise in daily high temperatures by roughly two days, such that as we begin to see 70 degree temperatures the graphed line will begin to climb (to around 2500 cfs, in my opinion) and then, as the upper snow fully melts off, the line will start to recede down (to around 1250 cfs, my bet) come the arrival of Group One and June 19th.

 

So, Joe, that's where the flow go!

 

RCR

<'///><

 

   

And the 400th visitor to Der Blog is...

...errantly, me, gang!!

As witnessed by this print out (THIS is the way to do this, btw, 8,000 E-07 blog visitor/winner Group One Rookie Cal Walters!), while checking out Der Blog today, a bit ago, I thought I would cruise down the right side of our E-10 blog to check out Montana weather along the way and, then, the latest discharge numbers, from whence I then scrolled down to see what our visitor count was and, voila, by pure chance, I became blog visitor/contest winner #400.

Being affiliated with E-10 and all, it only seems fair and proper that I demur from this marvelous honor and donate the prize, a classic (and very rare) bottle of '01 Rock Creek Red [a GREAT wine, so much so I just bought the very last 10 cases of its equally good '02 brother for delivery to E-10, and to be hidden from the guzzlers of Group One, I might add], to the 500th visitor to Der Blog--same rules, just print out proof of being visitor #500 and the vino is yours upon arrival at Extravaganza Headquarters!

So, gang, log in, blog on and check out all the action on Der Blog, the official information site for E-10 where your, all of your friends and your family can follow along, real time, as we prepare for, enter into and enjoy all of the festivities scheduled for Extravaganza 2010.

Wow, I think I am going to now go out and buy a slug of Lotto tickets...#400!!

RCR

Getting E-10 Excited Yet?!?

 

Extravagant Ones:

 

We are now nearing "the zone" when things are going to start moving quickly to shape up our fishing conditions for E-10.  To that end, I had the chance to chat with our outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould yesterday who reports that, notwithstanding recent wacky weather conditions (temperatures 20 degrees below "normal" for this time of year, snow storms, ice storms, and legendary wind) fishing conditions for E-10 are shaping up in apple pie order, and that is great news for us all.

 

With lower snow levels in the mountains, lower than normal May temperatures delays the snow-melt and resulting runoff a bit closer to "our time--prime time", further assuring that we are going to be in great shape fishing-wise for E-10.  That is borne out by the current issue of Montana Outdoors (the absolutely stellar publication of the MT Dept. of Fish, Wildlife & Game--get your subscription for [get this] six issues for all of $9.00 at www.fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors ) which reads "snow pack on April 1 was well below average because of meager winter snowfall in the state's western half.  Stream flows across Montana are forecast to be 58% of average.  That said, fishing is expected to remain very good in most popular rivers and streams."

 

I am still optimistic and, more importantly, Propaneless is as well, that we are going to have plenty of water and fish to greet us during our late June and early July forays onto the (most) pristine waters of Western Montana. 

 

And, oh, do I love this time of the year! 

 

In and amidst over half a dozen of major transactions on which we are currently engaged, (a) a week from today I drive your Hostess With The Mostess, together with your Extravaganza mascots Sir (the spaniel) and Ma'am (the now one-year-old black lab) to Extravaganza Headquarters for their annual summer relocation; (b) two weeks from today Ma'am and I are set to fish with Propaneless and his legendary white lab, Buddy to do our guide assignments [on the water]--get any requests into me by then; (c) three weeks from today, four of us Extravaganzers are headed up to Redding for our annual rainbow trout fishing of the Lower Sacramento River; (d) the following day, Brian "Moraine" Shepard and I are set for three hours of spey (14') rod casting lessons in Sacramento on the American River, (e) the day after that will find me fly fishing for striped bass on the S.F. Bay with long-time Extravaganza veterans "Down River Dave" Studeman and Scott "Crack" McAdams; and, were that not enough, (f) shortly thereafter, on June 10th, I return to Montana for an entire month to blessedly be with thee. 

 

Yes, we work on succession planning here at the office and, with the root word of that phrase being "success", this example of nirvana is self-defined and wonderfully enjoyed. "Retire", you ask?  "To and for what", I reply!!

 

So print off that Camp List (as has done Group One's Larry "Papa" Gondola, who proudly showed it to me in his back pocket at fellow Group Oner John "Half Century" Kruger's birthday party this past Tuesday evening--Happy 50th, John!!), begin getting that gear out of storage and (r)amp up for what is shaping up to be one more wonderful of a fishing (ad)venture for us all!!

 

Best to all gearing up for it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

   ----<'///><

 

 

FW: Leland Fly Fishing Ranch Rocks [and Rocked]!!

A nice note from Group Three rookie Eric "The Red" Read:

Hi Ron,

Deb and I wanted to wholeheartedly thank you and Kathy for the wonderful time we had your anniversary party.

Aidan and Elena had a blast, Aidan actually hooked a fish on the back pond and almost landed it! The food and staff was stellar!

Seems like you have already woven yourself into the Leland Ranch fabric, what a spectacular location.

I met several of my new bunk mates from group 3 and am extremely excited for the trip.

All the best,

Eric

 

Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

A nice note from Group One's Mike "Oh So" Wise:

 

Ron, thank you for having us at your party.  What a great event.  Lisa and the boys really enjoyed themselves and Jake and I got some great tips from the pros.  Hey, I still have my uni-bug fly hooked on my visor in the car.

 

Counting down!

 

Mike

 

 

 

Montana Camp List for E-10

 

MONTANA CAMP LIST

 Yep, it is beginning to happen folks, so, as promised, here is your Extravaganza 2010 packing list:

In preface, June is the wettest month in Montana.  The earlier in the month, the wetter it typically is--most often laden with afternoon thunder storms but sometimes the beneficiary of all-day rain.  So the earlier in the month you are (and that's you, One-Of-A Kind Group One, which arrives on June 19th) the greater the probability of temperatures in the 50's to 70's with afternoon showers; and the later in the Extravaganza you are (and that's you, Group Three, which arrives on July 1st) the greater the probability of no rain and temperatures in the mid 70's to 90's--yes, folks the change is that dramatic in just the few weeks that we fish together.  For each group, however, your packing list is the same--plan on coolish mornings transitioning into mid-day warmth, that will then be subject to afternoon cooling off and rain (when cells pass through the temperature often drops over 20 degrees is fewer than that in minutes), followed by coolish evenings as we sip (guzzle, in the case of Group One) wine, throw horseshoes in the back yard and exchange our tales of the daily blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

The list below is broken into "MUST HAVE" and "CAN HAVE" sections.  Regarding the latter first, through our outfitter extraordinaire, Double-Up Outfitters, rods and reels are available to our groups, gratis.  Feel free to bring your own gear if you have it [see below in that regard].   Regarding the need for waders and wading boots, if you have them, bring them, but (particularly in as much as we most likely have low(er)/warmer water conditions this year) we most often fish in shorts and sandals (with fleeces and rain jackets aboard in all cases). 

So, here it is, your Official Extravaganza 2010 Camp List: (NOTE:  MOST ALL ITEMS LISTED BELOW CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE ROCK CREEK MERCANTILE [WITH YOUR 10% STORE-WIDE DISCOUNT] ON YOUR ARRIVAL IN MT., IF YOU WISH)

 MUST HAVE:

         1. Polarized sunglasses (these are an absolute must); mine are prescription (because I am nearly blind without glasses) and the Merc has not only a great selection of regular polarized sun wear but also very comfortable sets that can overlay your prescription glasses--just like skiing goggles, but a little more chic/stylish.

         2.  A rain jacket (not a water resistant jacket [which really just absorbs water at a slower pace], but a poncho or truly water resistant lightweight/medium weight rain repellant--we have had the weather change from warm blue skies to cold (as in really cold) torrential rain and then back again all within an hour--if you get wet on the river it is not a pleasant experience--See 3, infra).

         3.  A dry bag/boat bag for a complete change of clothes for the river. 

        4.  Fast drying fishing shirts and pants.  (In the past, the former has been a staple of what we hand out to you as you arrive--history will repeat itself, by the way.  As to pants, I highly recommend the fast drying, zip off pants which serve as long pants in the morning hours and shorts in the afternoon.)

         5.  Brimmed fishing hats.  (Yes, history might just repeat itself here again regarding a baseball type hat; for those of you who are sunlight sensitive, I recommend a fully brimmed hat with a tie-string [so that the famous and inevitable MT wind will not decrown you].)

         6.  Layered clothing.  (Imagine that you are going to a Niners game in September--you never know what you are going to get at The Stick, so you wear a short sleeved shirt with a long sleeve shirt over it, carrying with you a fleece and a warm jacket/raincoat--voila!!)  We have washers and dryers available to you if needed, so don't bring the whole wardrobe but certainly pack an extra day's supply (remember that boat bag and its contents-to-be in 3, supra?!?)

        7.  Waterproof sandals/fishing shoes.  (90% of our fishing will be in the boats, but you will be getting in and out for entry, potty breaks, lunch and return, and will get wet to your knees as you embark/debark.  Tennis shoes are an alternative if you don't mind changing their color [permanently]  Yes, fishing sandals are an excellent Merc purchase upon arrival--they have multi-uses and will last forever.)

         8.  Sunscreen and Bug-spray.  (Bring sunscreen rated 15 and higher even if you think you don't need it, as you will be on the water, unprotected, for up to 10 hours each day--enough to challenge even the crustiest lawyer's skin!  The bugs are nothing like Minnesota and usually are not a problem at all, but have some on hand and that normally makes the experience totally uneventful.)

         9.  Fleeces (long and/or short sleeved).  (These are going to be your best friend, both early in the morning and late in the evening after a fully sating day.  Temperatures during your stay see average highs in the 70's to 80's and evening lows in the 40's and 50's.)

         10.  Casual wear.  This is not a black tie event, folks; shorts and levis are standard fare [even in Missoula's finest restaurants, I might add] both on the boat and at the house.  Our fishing focus is exclusively on the brightness of the color bands in your rainbow trout, the brownness of your brown trout and on the scarletness of your cutthroat's gill plates.

  CAN HAVE:

         A.  Fly rods and reels (5 and 6 weight rods are the order of the day--again, these are included in the Extravaganza package so only bring yours if you have them and want to fish them).

         B.  Waders (more so in Group One; less so in Groups Two and Three.

         C.  Expensive digital camera gear that you would like to get wet and destroy (Yes, folks, as in the past, we are going to have 5.0 megapixel digital cameras for your usage in each of your boats (which don't get ruined even even if you drop them in the water) . As in the past, we will assemble all pictures taken by group onto a CD and mail it to each of you, post E-10.

        D.  Booze (We have it all folks, so make your request in advance so e can have a supply on hand and leave it at home--only water and soft drinks on the boats, by the way.)

                                                 *                *                    *                *                *                *

 There it is folks, your Official Extravaganza 2010 Camp List.  Take notes, however, from Group Three's veteran Mark Grassi, who (even though this year he is going to  driving up from his new Sun Valley digs) typically alights from the plane with his one carry on bag and fishing rod in hand--yes, as with all that we do, "less is more".

 May the blessings of May be upon each of your as we stretch out towards the glories of Montana, shortly ahead for each of us in just a few weeks!! 

Call me directly if you have any questions or concerns.

 Best to all in preparation for it all,

 Rock Creek Ron

    ----<'///><

   

FW: Leland Fly Fishing Ranch Rocks [and Rocked]!!

Group Three's John "The Rookie" Mowat weighs in:

 
Thanks for the GREAT party and everything you and Kathy do for your group of friends.

Bruce M Mowat

Mowat Mackie & Anderson LLP