Sign of Freedom

I was elk hunting with my brother on a late season tag last week and had an awesome experience.  We were coming up through a canyon and spotted a bald eagle ahead on the side of the river where a nice shelf of ice had formed.  He didn't like us getting close and took flight and went up on top of this power pole.  It looked like he had something in his talons on his way up but we couldn't be sure.  He sat and gave us quite the show for a little bit while enjoying his nice goldeneye snack!



















-Tyson

A Few Hunts

A few successful hunts with Blake and others from the layouts.

Rio Verde

We were able to head out to the Green for a quick day trip. Blake, Tyler, Tyson, Paul, Travis, Willis, Curt, and Brandon all went out and fished various portions of the A section. It was a good trip. Lots of wildlife to be seen and lots of good fish caught. We saw a bunch of deer, including some bucks. Saw a bunch of cow elk. We saw bald eagles, waterfowl, and other critters. It was a great day to be on the water. Hope you enjoy some of the many pictures we got out of this one.


























Thanks for letting me tag along to take some pictures boys.


-Tyson

Layout Hunt

Travis and Blake were able to take the new Bonneville Layout Boat out to shoot some birds.  It started off slow.  The birds finally rolled in, but Trav couldn't get his shots straight.  Rumor has it that he was through 2/3rd's of a box before hit his first bird.  But then got in a groove and got these three nice birds.

More Jewelry

I was able to head out to the BRBR for a good hunt.  More jewelry came along with it.  Can't complain about how this year has started.



-Blake

Utah Opener 09

We had quite the crew out and about on the opener this year.  Paul, Trav, Tyson, Tyler, Blake, Chase, Ryan, Kelly, and Jake all came out gunning that day.  Ryan also brought his boy out with us to get him broke in a bit to what a real opener looks like.  We headed out to the normal spot at Ogden Bay.  The phrag had been sprayed and was dead everywhere around us.  For the first time in 15 years our pond had taken on a different shape.  The phrag for the first time had moved inward and cut about 1/3 of the pond off.  It's good to see the work out there that will open up so much huntable water for everyone to enjoy, and especially for the birds!

We were able to get a limit for all 9 of us.  Mostly teal, a handful of gadwalls, and some mallards and wigeon mixed in as well.  What a great day.....a perfect start to the season!



-Tyson

Wyoming Honks Year 2

Blake, Tyler, and Tyson headed up to Wyoming again this year to hunt honks for their opener. It's nice to get hunting in a week early! We hunted the same fields as we did last year, but this year set up adjacent to a shallow pond the birds had been working for the last little bit. We saw a lot of birds, but didn't quite set up on the "X" on the opener. We had two come in early and we shot them both. Tyson was also able to shoot a blue wing teal off the pond as well. We had a flock of about 30 come in and go down about 70 yards behind us. They worked the deeks for 3 circles, they never flared. There was just something in that back field that they wanted. The rest of the birds were working up the fields from us about half a mile. We tried to figure out how to put the sneak on them, but it didn't work out that day. Here's a couple shots of that day's take.





Blake was able to stick around for a few days after Tyson and Tyler left to go back to reality. He was able to find the "X". He reported that he landed approximately 150 birds in the decoys solo hunting, and was able to take his time and find a band. That hunt was over quickly for him that day. He was able to get old Coot out and on some birds as well. A great warm-up to what promises to be a great waterfowl season in Utah this year.







-Tyson

San Juan Bull

Blake's bull he shot on the San Juan.  Story forthcoming.

The Stream Part III

Blake had some family in town so we took them down to the stream to see if we could get them into some fish. It was amazing to see such nice fish feeding on top and able to pick them off with hoppers. After the family left Blake let some big gnarly streamers fly and was able to get some good fish to hand.

One that fell for the sex dungeon

Just trying some different shots

This one appeared to be jacked up by a heron on his back. It's too bad to see the damage these birds, or otters do to such a pretty fish. Being part of the food chain is not always a pleasant experience.

Cade caught this great fish on a hopper. Blake put him right on this fish and on the first float hit his hopper. What a great fish.

The release

Cal and Matt got in on the action as well. The fish were cooperative and we all had a great time chasing them.

-Tyson

Great Float

Blake and I had the opportunity to do a float trip with Josh from Jack Dennis Fly Shop. Josh was a great guy to be on the river with. It was like fishing with one of the boys for the day and he showed us a great time. Look him up if you are going that way. Check out his website on the link above. Thanks Josh! It didn't take long to get into fish, and some real hefty ones as well. Chernobyls were the ticket for me and Blake did well on hoppers of various type. The weather turned nasty later in the day and it turned the fishing down a lot, but we got in some good miles and some good hours. Here are some samples from the day.

It was a great day. We hope to get out and float more.

-Tyson

Elk are staging

Just thought we'd give a shout out to the bulls that are starting to stage a bit these days. The velvet is coming off, the cows are gathering. It's close, very close.....

Miracles Happen!

Recently I had the opportunity to spot what looked like a gem of a stream in route to a backpacking trip in the Uintas that I had previously never seen. I told myself that I would return soon. I have been on a kick where I am really trying to explore new waters. This stream gave me that opportunity. Having a couple weeks to get my sanity back before school starts I figured I'd go. I asked my brother Trav if he wanted to come mostly as a courtesy, and I had a "faith in miracles" building moment when he said, "Yes!" I couldn't believe it, but was ecstatic for the opportunity to get him out and enjoy part of a day on the river together. I go through cycles with my fishing. Sometimes it's about numbers. Sometimes it's about size. Sometimes it's about just getting out. But lately it has been about the associations that fishing brings me. I can enjoy the solitude of fishing alone at times, but I love standing in the river with good company, having a good chat, with nothing to worry about other than not setting the hook too quickly on a rising trout coming up chasing a stimulator. This day was no different. Had a great time with my brother. One I will not soon forget!

We arrived, and after 30 minutes of Trav piddle farting with his gear, and another 30 minutes of work related phone calls, I finally got Trav in the river. And I got the pictures to prove it!

Thanks for the time bro. We need to do it again soon!

-Tyson