FARM STORE FLY FISHING EXCLUSIVE:
REDFISH in FLORIDA by Sam Wike
MAY 2014
ALWAYS FREE
SMITH RIVER GUIDE
with Denver Rathbun
SHOP REPORTS
+
from our Field Ops
FLY TYING Employee of the Month Yellow Articulated Streamer
Creature of the Month Green Drake
GEAR REVIEW Echo Glass Rods
SPECIAL DEALS
ON
PATAGONIA, CAMP CHEF, SIMMS, GOAL ZERO, SEA TO SUMMIT
AND
MORE
INSIDE
MAY 2014 • VOL 7, ISSUE 3 bigrflyshop.com
CONTENTS FEATURES
18
Smith River by Denver Rathbun Float Guide
38 Redfish in Florida by Sam Wike Saltwater Fishing
DEPARTMENTS
03 From the Shops
• Great Falls: Ready for Spring - Denver Rathbun • Ponderay: Spring Progress - Dustin Bise • Omak: North Central Washington Lakes - Greg Bennett
08 Gear Review with Calvin Fuller Echo Glass Rods
12
Fly Tying: Yellow Articulated Streamer
14
Deals of the Month: Get Your Gear On
Plus Green Drake pattern
Camp Chef, Goal Zero, Sea to Summit, Patagonia, Simms & More
36 Hot Flies
Check out these great flies for your local waters
ON THE COVER: Camille Fuller with a giant rainbow. Photo by Calvin Fuller THIS PAGE: Sam Wike searching for steelhead. Photo by Jake England
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OMAK
SHOP REPORTS
North Central Washington Lakes Greg Bennett
I tend to be more of a lake fishermen than a moving water fisherman anymore. Sitting in my pontoon boat with three rods set up, dry line for small drys (mays) or bobber lobbin' with chronomids or micro-leaches hanging underneath, intermediate for damsels and small may fly nymphs, and my heavy type VI sinking line for crayfish and other streamers. Most local anglers started to change their mindset when the steelhead season ended and they had to renew their license on April Fools Day to tune into the still waters. Most lakes didn't open until the last Saturday in April this year, the 26th. There were few year-round lakes that had the ice off early. Both Big & Little Green Lakes and Blue Lake out on the Limebelt just outside of Omak, Rat Lake above Brewster, Omak Lake on the Reservation, and Beaver and Beth Lakes east of Oroville. If you really wanted to venture off a little farther and into warmer water, Lenore, Lenice, Nunnally or Grimes Lakes. The water was cold, and the fish were not real active until almost mid-month as the weather is always questionable, and unpredictable, this time of year. You just have to keep thinking “small and slow”. Water boatmen, midges, micro mini leach flies (in wine, black and tan) work the best. As the water warms through the month, callibaetis start coming to life and more chronomids start coming off the water. I start out with a #18 or #16 blood or snow-cone pump the stomach of my first fish and check the size and color of diet.
May is really when the lake season gets started, bringing in most of the fly fishing clubs to the region and the wanting to hit the meca lakes, lakes like Chopaka, Aeneas and Big Blue Lakes in the Sinlahekin Valley.
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PONDERAY Spring Progress Dustin Bise
Spring comes quickly here in North Idaho and as the snow melts our attention turn's to the rivers again. Rainbows and Cutthroat begin to spawn and provide good fishing when the water conditions allow, but this is also the time of year for muddy high water, so we must watch the weather closely and go fishing when the conditions allow, because soon everything will being full on runoff mode and we will have to turn to lakes for a month or so while the rivers do their thing, cutting new channels and moving piles of logs that contain enough wood to build a cabin. Our prime trout hatches this time of year are the elusive skwala and salmonfly hatch. These bugs can be found in all of our freestone rivers in April and May. Keep the nymphs in mind as well when fishing this hatch, I often find they out fish the adult dry fly patterns.
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The ice has melted off the lakes, and the fish are eager to put on weight so it is a great time of year to dust off the float tube and head out for some peaceful lake fishing. Speaking of stillwaters, the pike get super aggressive this time of year and it's a great chance to take them on a fly. Check out Bise's BT for some pike tying inspiration. As spring progresses and the water warms, we will turn our attention to the big lake, and begin to troll for giant rainbows and browns. The bass will also become more active as spring sets in and provides fun fishing while the rivers are blown out from runoff. For bass, I like to fish streamer patterns like the Sparkle Minnow, and I also wind drift with indicator rigs suspending a hex nymph and a crayfish just off the bottom. I recommend 6-8wts for this type of fishing, so you have a chance if you hook a 5lb+ bass. I hope everyone is having a great spring, make sure to take some time to get out on the river and enjoy some warm sunshine (without all the biting insects of the summer), you earned it!
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GREAT FALLS Ready for Spring
Denver Rathbun
We've finally been blessed with relief from this years long, cold winter here in Great Falls. Water temps on the Missouri have slowly climbed up into the mid-forties and fishing has improved with their increase. The waning snowpack is flushing our rivers, while ice-off on our local lakes and reservoirs has opened new opportunities to fisherman who prefer to avoid the rivers while big and brown. May 17th marks the opening for general fishing season here in Montana; meaning our small streams are open again and fisherman will have even more options! Stop by the shop for up-to-date condition reports, gear, and a revamped selection of flies.
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GEAR REVIEW
S mooth and
S oulful
Echo Glass Rods by Calvin Fuller
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The Echo glass rods are built like a higher end glass rod, but are also a great value. Priced at $199.99, these rods are a must add to any fly fishers over stuffed quiver. Going back to glass was a weird step for me. My first rod was a glass Fenwick, given to me by my father. After putting this rod to the test on the stream, memories started flooding back to me. The forever smooth hand to tip transfer, had me slowing down …way down. By slowing down my cast, I noticed myself slowing down my fishing. This made for a whole new enjoyable experience on the river. Accuractely casting dries to small pockets with the fiberglass and watching how softly p.09
the flies landed really brought a smile to my face. I fished the GL474, 7’4” WT 4-Piece, rod. I didn’t have any double taper lines on-hand, so I just used my WF Rio Gold on the rod. The rod handled this line just fine, however I think it would have felt even smoother with a double taper line. This rod had no problem turning over flies and presenting them in tight places. The rod features a very nice feeling cork handle that flexes with the rod and even has a traditional down locking cork reel seat that helps with a continuous rod bend. This rod also features alignment dots, chrome snake guides, ceramic ringed stripping guide, and a Cordura covered rod case that come with a sock. The blank is a nice glassy carmel featuring olive thread wraps. When fish are hooked on this rod you can feel every head shake and surge all the way down to the cork.
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I would highly recommend this rod for anyone that wants to try something different on their local stream. This rod is extremely fun to fish and will want you coming back for more. I did not find one negative thing with this rod. It was truly a pleasure to fish. Here are Tim Rajeff’s own words on this rod: These days, it seems like everyone (and their mother) is barking the benefits of casting increasingly lighter and faster graphite rods. We at ECHO Fly Rod Company decided it was time to slow things down a bit... I started fishing glass rods over 40 years ago. I miss the smooth, easy, flex of old fiberglass. For people new to the sport or for those lamenting the loss of an “old standby”, we
designed a series of trout rods with features reminiscent of some of my favorites. Sizes range from a 6’3” #2 line - perfect for small streams and spring creeks -all the way up to a 7’10” #5 line for medium to larger rivers. Cosmetically, the series boasts that "classic" look...we even used down-locking reel seats to enhance the retro vibe. Q: Why does glass feel so different? A: Science! Glass fibers are naturally less stiff than carbon. That natural flex allows casters to feel the line load the rod though each phase of the cast. You experience the application of power tangibly as it transfers from hand, through the rod, down the line, all the way to the fly. Refreshing. Some say glass has more “soul” than modern graphite. Fiberglass rods produce less line speed...just what you want when conditions call for subtle presentations and delicate tippets. So, on those days when bombing casts to the far bank isn't necessary, grab an ECHO GLASS before you head out. You may find a little of that “soul” in you. - TR
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EMPLOYEE of the MONTH
Yellow Articulated Streamer tied by Denver Rathbun
Rams Wool - Yellow UV Polar Chenille Gold Black Barred Magnum Rabbit Strips - Yellow Brass Cone Heads Gamakatsu Stinger hook Size 2 Real-Eyes Plus 1/4" Nickel/Pearl Ice Dub Claret Pearl Beads Berkley Steelon Nylon Coated Wire
PLAY
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CREATURE of the MONTH
Green Drake Fly tied by Dustin Bise
Hook - Dai-Riki #135 Size 10 Thread - UTC 140 Fl. Green Shuck - Medium Brown Antron Body - Spirit River UV2 Dark Olive Dubbing Rib - Gold Holographic Tinsel Wing - Dyed Green Deer Hair Wing Case - 2mm Olive Foam Thorax - Fl. Lime Green Icedub
PLAY
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DEALS of the MONTH
$69.29
45L DUFFEL
Comes in black, glass blue, or feather grey MSRP $98.99 sku 832583, 831596, 831593
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60L DUFFEL
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90L DUFFEL
Comes in black or glass blue MSRP $138.99 sku 832583, 831596, 593
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120L DUFFEL
Comes in black or grey MSRP $158.99 sku 832598, 601
$118.29
FISH SWEET FISH PACK MSRP $168.99 sku 716174
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GREAT DIVIDER III BAG MSRP $228.99 sku 716171
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INSULATED JACKET SHELL Sizes M - 2XL MSRP $178.99 sku 716162, 156, 090, 159
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FRONT SLING VEST
MSRP $88.99 sku 832616
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HYBRID PACK KHAKI VEST p.14
Sizes M or Lg MSRP $98.99 sku 832622, 619
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WOMEN’S SUNSHADE CREW
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25L ASCENSIONIST PACK
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35L ASCENSIONIST PACK Comes in black, glass blue, or grey MSRP $148.99 sku 832571, 574
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INSULATED SHELL PANT
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R1 MEN’S PANT
Sizes M - 2X MSRP $98.99 sku 716408, 402, 399, 405
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BULKLEY RIVER BLACK PANT Sizes M - 2X MSRP $118.99 sku 540806, 800, 797, 803
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GUIDEWATER SHORT
Sizes M - 2X MSRP $68.99 sku 716396, 390, 387, 393
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STORMFRONT SLING MSRP $198.99 sku 832643
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STORMFRONT HIP PACK
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STORMFRONT ROLLTOP BOAT BAG
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STEALTH BACKPACK ATOM SLING MSRP $89.99 sku 707873
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STEALTH HIP PACK
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WADING BOOT ULTRALIGHT
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WADING BOOT
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$62.29
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FALL RIVER HEMP SHIRT Sizes M - 2X MSRP $78.99 sku 716372, 384, 366, 378, 363, 375, 369, 381
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AZUL WADER
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WOMEN’S SPRING RIVER WADER
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RIO GALLEGOS ZIP WADER
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GRAPHIC TECH TEE
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Sizes M - XL MSRP $598.99 sku 716084, 081, 087
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SOL PATROL SHIRT
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FEATURED ARTICLE
p.18
The
Smith River by Denver Rathbun
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The draw for
Smith River permits have long been announced for 2014 and I hope most of you had the fortune of pulling one of your chosen dates. Pulling a permit means an opportunity to oat and camp along one of Montana's hidden gems. The Smith River Canyon is a p.20
Native American pictographs in cave site known locally as “Indian Cave�
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THIS PAGE: Photo by Jake England
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stunning corridor of limestone cliffs, caves and wildlife that roughly 33% of applicants get to experience each year. The Smith River runs 59 miles from its headwaters in the Castle Mountains to its confluence with the Missouri River south of Great Falls. This awesome little trout stream has but one public put-in and take-out along its entire course and requires a special permit for private floats starting in the spring. Most floaters allocate four days to complete p.23
Typical Smith River brown trout
p.24
the float from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge and are required to reserve their camp spots for each night along the way. The best floating is typically from the end of April to mid-July. However, this can vary a few weeks on either side depending on the year’s snowpack and run-off.
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FISHING The fishing opportunities on the Smith can be second to none if water conditions cooperate. During low water trips, fish are easily located and typically stacked up in obvious buckets or seams. Stopping and thoroughly nymphing these areas can be very effective if you're looking to get numbers. These naive fish are easily taken on a number of freestone patterns including but not limited to: Pat's Rubber Legs, Tungsten Yellow Sallies, Crystal Buggers, Copper John's, Attractor Dries, Chubbies, PMX's, Purple Haze and the list goes on. In fact, floating a chubby, ant or beetle pattern up tight against the many cliff walls that meet the river is a preferred method for stirring up Smith River fish. Be mindful of falling debris while close to the limestone walls however, especially during the spring months.
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Camping along the edge of the river
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During trips in high-water conditions, the same big stonefly and attractor dries are great, in addition to the gamut of streamer patterns. Fishing can be tough during high-water, especially if you find yourself on the river during a rapid increase in flow. However, fishing in dirty water can be excellent if the river has flatlined for a few days and you're
doing your prospecting with a sinking line and big yellow streamer (Colors are subject to change). Fish will hold in soft inside bends, eddies and pockets inside rip-rap banks. A streamer line is the most effective way to get your streamers down and inside those small pieces of holding water. You've typically got a small window of time to accomplish this and a streamer line will help facilitate.
THIS PAGE & PREVIOUS PAGE: Photos by Jake England
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What to pack
Key pieces (plus a few luxuries)
Whatever conditions you find yourself on while floating the Smith you're bound to have a good time and rounding each corner gives you a new spectacle to enjoy. There are a number of caves to visit including some with native american pictographs (be careful not to disturb these artifacts though!) as well as natural arches, springs and endless opportunity for adventure. The weather is notoriously fickle here in Montana and floaters can find themselves in 70 degree weather during a trip in late April and blinding blizzards in June. It's important to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you. This can be a difficult task considering you're limited in the amount of gear you can fit on a raft. Here are a few key pieces of gear that can make for a more enjoyable experience if the weather turns nasty...and a few luxuries to step up your camping game.
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COVER UP
Patagonia R1 Pants MSRP $148.99
Ben's 30% Deet
Wilderness Formula (6 . oz.) MSRP $4.99
Simms Acklins Rain Jacket MRSP $349.99
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KEEP IT DRY
$129.95 Sea to Summit
Hydraulic Dry Pack (90L) MSRP $139.99
$34.95 Fishpond Water Series Westwater Rolltop Dry Bag (2623 Cu. In.) MSRP $39.99
E
OW PRICE
VERYDAY L
VERYDAY L
E
OW PR CE
$449.99 Yeti Tundra 75
HydroямВask 64oz
(Hot or Cold) MSRP $49.99
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EAT WELL
$54.95 Camp Chef
Teton Mountain Series (2 Burners) MSRP $64.99
$29.95 GSI Outdoors
Stainless 9 cup percolator MSRP $34.99
$54.95 GSI Outdoors
Bugaboo Base Camper Large (Pots & Pans Set) MSRP $59.99
$24.95 Coleman Compact Perfect Flow Lantern MSRP $29.99
Bernzomatic Propane (1lb Canister) MSRP $2.99
$29.95 Portal Fabric Top Folding Table
MSRP $34.99
Growers Cup
Instant Coffee (Makes 3 cups) MSRP $2.99
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KICK BACK AND RELAX
$99.95
Guide 10 Recharging Kit MSRP $119.99 Solar Capacity: 7w Power Output: USB, 12V
$24.95
Portal Quick Quad Event Chair
MSRP $29.99
$39.95
Rock Out 2 Rechargeable Speaker MSRP $59.99 Recharge By: USB, Solar Run Time: 20+ Hours Recharge Time: 2 Hours
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READY FOR ANYTHING
$64.95
Outcast K-100 Pump MSRP $74.99
$39.95
Outcast Repair Kit Summit H.R. MSRP $44.99
50%
$24.95
Adventure Medical Kit
Whitetail Sportsman Series First Aid MSRP $39.99
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HOT FLIES
OMAK
Check out these hand selected patterns for each shop’s local waters.
Glo
Hot
Pat’s
J.
J.
Hippie
Bug
Rubber Legs
PONDERAY
Bead San Juan Black
Slam Peacock
Stomper Purple
GREAT FALLS
Slam Purple
Juju
Tungsten Baetis p.36
Quigley’s Film Critic
Little Green Machine
Use Them. Catch Fish.
Repeat. Black
Egg Sucking Leech
Pumpkin
Head Leech Brown
Aanes
Green
Bruised
Galloup’s
MoJo Salmonfly
Baetis
Drake Sir Francis
BWO Ride Right
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FISHY FEATURE
REDFISH
in Florida by Sam Wike
p.38
Last year was
my first redfish experience. Erik and I fished with Scott MacCalla from Titusville, Florida. This year we decided to repeat on our great experience from last year, and invited my younger brother Patrick along for the trip. He had been working at a golf club on the gulf side all winter and was getting ready to drive back to Montana.
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After about 30 seconds of saltwater fishing Patrick had hooked his first saltwater fish... Last year Erik kicked my butt by landing a 10lb red in the first 5 minutes so I challenged him to take the stage and repeat his magic this year. Last year it was a windy and cloudy day, which made seeing fish tough but this year the water was glass and the sun was bright and hot. The fish were much spookier and every trout and red we saw was dodging the slightest off cast. However, Erik managed to fool one out of a big school by landing the fly well ahead of a traveling pack of mid-size reds. My turn was next, and Erik was quick to remind me how I stood fishless for two hours last year after his 5 minute wonder fish. Again, I stood for 2 hours with lots of shots and trout and reds, some really good casts with fish chasing the fly briefly and turning off but
no full commitment. We stopped to take a leak and Erik jumped out of the boat, to cool off I guess, and we thought it was funny to leave him there so we did. We kept fishing while he stood on the flat where we dropped him off. About 15 minutes later we could hear Erik whistling and quickly moving through the water, for a guy who just had serious back surgery. We couldn’t figure out what he was doing. As we got closer, we realized he had been fighting a 15lb redfish that swam right up to him. We decided to switch spots because outside of Erik’s fish the redfish seemed too spooky in the 18-24 inches of glassy water to get a lot of good shots. On the
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way to the next spot, Scott spotted a Tripletail and cut the motor quickly. We decided to give Patrick his first shot at a saltwater fish on the fly and he stepped up on stage. He landed the cast about 3 feet from the fish and stripped once and the fish was keyed up on the fly and ate it 3 strips in. After about 30 seconds of saltwater fishing Patrick had hooked his first saltwater fish and 5 minutes later had landed an 8-10lb Tripletail on the fly. First Time Mosquito Bay Fly Anglers Notice: • Sea trout are basically impossible to see until they’ve already seen you. • If you think Redfish are easy to catch, then you are right… on some days • If the sun does come out, there is no escaping it • If your sunglasses aren’t polarized you may as well stay at the lodge and enjoy the Florida sun • Buy your lunch the night before unless you want a hot dog or day old donuts • Ron Jon Surf Shop is the only store open 24 hours and they sell sunscreen, t-shirts, sandals, and… polarized sunglasses. • If you don’t pay the toll fees on the highway from Orlando to the coast they WILL take pictures of your car and they WILL bill you for what you owe… even if it’s a rental car. • Redfish like certain types of people better than others… I’m not one of them… Erik is. • Any beverage that you cannot buy until you’re 21 is not available for sale before the sun is up. p#
Throughout the day I did finally manage to coax a small, very small, redfish to eat my fly. I heard about it the rest of the night as we ate big lobster dinner at a local lobster shack near Cocoa beach. However, it was easy to realize we had a great day on the flat even if I did get beat by Erik, my long time fishing rival, and my unexperienced in saltwater fly fishing brother. It was a pretty fun day watching those two get their knot tying ability tested with success after a ( a nd still unrelenting) Montana winter. I’ll try again next year. If you happen to be in Orlando, Florida and want to book a great guide, even if it’s a day trip out of Orlando (only about a 40 minute drive) then get a hold of Scott MacCalla in Titusville, Fl. He has been a great guide who works hard all day to make sure the opportunity is there.
Find
Scott MacCalla online
*here
p.43
{
Missouri River • Montana
seeing Eye to Eye Photo by Alfonso Martinez
}
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Smith River Catch Photo by Denver Rathbun
Great Falls, Montana 406 761-7918 4400 10th Ave S
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509 422-9840
1227 Koala Dr
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