Mud Fest Utah Lake 2009

The Utah Mud Motor Association hosted the first Mud Fest of the year this weekend at Utah Lake.  It was a great time and Blake, Brandon, and Jed all had their boats down for it.  We had 13 boats cruising around and had a great time ripping around the bay, doing an obstacle course, and doing a little bow fishing.  Wasn't able to get any pictures of the bow fishing this time, but we had a great time.  Thanks to Josh and Tyson for putting on a great event!  

Brandon messing around in the bay.  

Blake ripping in the new rig.  The carbs weren't right on this trip, but have been fixed since.  Oh baby!
Part of the crew that day kicking back, waiting for the course to start.
Brandon ripping on the course.

Again, thanks to Josh and Tyson for putting on a great event.  The weather wasn't great but we all had a great time anyway.  

The OC

Being a stillwater fisherman (or trying to be) and living in northern Utah, one thing is certain:  March and April are brutal waiting for the ice to come off all the honey holes!  This year we decided to expand our horizons a bit and hit a southern Utah stillwater we have never hit before.  We got some good information from sources who had wet a line on it last week and hit the road.  We were on the water at first light and it didn't take us long to get into the fish.  We had 4 fish on the line within 20 minutes or so and thought we were in for one of those epic ice-off days.  But someone must have inadvertently hit the switch, because it turned off quickly!  We didn't have as  much as a hit working many bays and shorelines for the next 4 hours.  We decided it was time to kick back to the truck and eat lunch.  Tyler was able to pick a couple more fish up on the kick back and a few hits here and there got our hopes back up.

After reaching shore we decided that we'd give another stillwater just up the road a shot as we had never been there either.  We arrived and talked to an old timer who was very willing to give us the low down on how things were going.  We were optimistic getting back into the water.  Fishing started slow but when we found the fish it turned on hot and fast.  Blake was having a hard time keeping fish off the line while Tyler was hanging out with his family on the shore.  We all were able to get some good action at our second location.  The olive stillwater bug seemed to be the ticket!  It was great to see some new water and that definitely won't be the last time we visit these places.  Nothing of trophy size was caught but some of these fish were plump footballs for sure. 

Tyson picks up the first fish of the day.  

Tyler picking one up on our way back to the truck for the day.

Tyler with another decent bow.
Close up of a nice bow.

It was a great day boys.  Unfortunately it wasn't nearly enough so that just means we have to get out and get er done again ASAP!  

-Tyson 

Getting Lost

Blake, Tyson, and Tyler were able to get out for the first "spring" fishing day on local small stream.  The fishing was slow but the day was incredible.  After a long winter and dealing with inversions it is nice to get out and breath some clean, blue air!  Didn't get any pictures of fish but got this one of Blake working some pocket water.  The brush was thick and it made it tough, but a great day nonetheless.  

-Tyson  

Snow Falling

Utah, for the first time, had a spring snow goose hunt this year.  I was lucky enough to have a couple opportunities to get out and chase these incredible birds.  We were able to have some good action and put some birds on the ground.  It was a truly amazing experience to have that many birds flying around and working our decoys.  Even though we didn't even a fraction of the birds we saw and worked out spreads, it was totally worth it.  Thanks to those that helped make the hunts a great time!  

From a nice hunt up north with some great company.  This was a blast.  

And nothing like a little neck collar action!  This one is going to see the old taxidermist as soon as I can get it to him!  He'll make a nice addition to the collection on the wall.  ; ) 

Many people are critical of the snow goose hunt, and there were definitely a lot of people out there who need to figure it out a little bit, but we had a blast and are glad we took part in it.  Not bad for the maiden voyage!  I can only imagine how it is in places that see millions of birds.  

-Blake  

End of another great year.

Well, it's the end of another great year and we wanted to put up a couple pictures from the last two weeks.  We closed out the year in style, although without a camera, so you have to settle for just getting a couple to end the year.  

Bring on the snow goose hunt....

-Blake

More Recent Hunts

Blake and Tyson with a nice take from a late-season open water hunt.
Chase and Rip with a shoot take from the flowing water.

Blake on the maiden voyage and had a great hunt with Brandon. (below)

Coot with his prized honks!

Another of Coot with some of his birds....and another band.  

Brandon and Blake with a nice late-season ice hunt

-Blake 

Recent Hunts

We were able to get out on a couple of nice hunts this past week.  The weather turning colder has brought in some more birds and we were able to have a couple of nice mixed bag hunts.

Avery and Chase with band #11 on the year.  It has been a good year for jewelry for the crew and we're hoping to get a few more before the season wraps up next month.

Rip, Chase, Tyler, and Desi with the take.

Avery, Brandon, and Blake with a nice mixed bag.  This ended up being a great hunt.  

With the weather turning like it has it looks like it's time to fire up the air boat.  Bring on the ice baby!  

-Blake