Green River Glory Days

Anyone that is a flyfisherman knows about and has probably even fished Utah's famed Green River.  You talk to old timers and they talk in reverent tones of days of yesteryear where the fish were both healthy and plentiful.  It seems these days that you can catch a lot of fish but many were skinny and at some level stunted.  Of course there were the few fish here and there that were true trophies, but the health of the fishery seemed to be on the decline the last decade.

We took a trip out this fall and the fishing was nothing short of epic.  The sheer numbers of fish caught alone would be something to write about, but what was most impressive was the health of virtually every fish that was caught.  We didn't catch any huge fish.  There were some really nice fish along the way, but nothing huge.  But every fish had girth and health that you are not accustomed to these days on the Green River.  The first day was literally one of the 2-3 best days fishing I've ever had in my life. And it certainly was the best day ever on the Green.  I won't comment too much about the details, I'll let this post be very picture heavy.  But it was awesome to be with my brothers, brother-in-law, nephew (first time at the Green...got totally spoiled!), and great friends for what was truly an epic trip.

Thanksgiving Tradition renewed

For a long time it was a tradition for me and my brothers to head out after ducks on Thanksgiving each year in the morning and follow it up with some Cowboys football and turkey.  As we've all got our own kids now and as we've gotten a little older that tradition has gone a bit by the wayside.  This year we reignited the old ways and headed out to the marsh to give it a go.  It was a special day because I got to bring my 5-year old along with me.  She has been wanting to get out hunting with her dad ever since I went on my deer hunt.  It was a slow morning, but fun to be out with my little buddy and good company.  I was able to shoot a nice bull canvasback, so the hunting wasn't a total loss.

Riding the sled out across the water to our island


Set up in the blind at dark and ready to go.


Her uncle Paul bought her a lolly-pop at the gas station on the way out.


Me and my little hunting buddy.  She insisted on going Duck Commander style!


With Uncle T's hen pinny he took.


The Crew...thanks Trav!


On the way out to the truck


My bull can


A great shot Trav got of Trixxy with his phone

Back to Feathered Friends

With my big deer hunt this year I had not had a single second to think about or chase waterfowl.  It is the first time in 19 years (save 2 years out of the country) where I did not hunt on the duck hunt opener in Utah.  Well, I started getting an itchy trigger finger so I was able to convince Trav to take me out to his honey hole.  So Trav, Paul, Blake and I went out and it was a great morning shoot.  I had a couple of firsts.  I shot my first redhead and my fist widgeon.  It was a fun day and a good time with my brothers and a good friend.  Here was the day's take.