FARM STORE FLY FISHING EXCLUSIVE: New Big R Photographer Jake England
Big R Fly Shop July 2013
Always Free
Fly Line Maintenance Cleaning and Conditioning
Highwood Mountains Our Favorite Places
Boating Safety Always be prepared
Aquatic Arsenal Dry Fly Setup
JULY GEAR
HOT H INGS UP WIT
HEATING TH
LS1 A E D R E M M SU pgs 3 -1
BigRFlyShop.com
CONTENTS
JULY 2013 • VOL 6, ISSUE 7 bigrflyshop.com
FEATURES
19 New to the Crew Interview by Rob Guevarra Jake England joins Great Falls Corporate
31 Boating Safety by Dustin Bise Preperation for fun and safety
35 Highwood Mountains by Paul Consedine One of Paul’s favorite summer spots
DEPARTMENTS
13 Aquatic Arsenal by Calvin Fuller Dry fly setup
15 Creature Classic by Dustin Bise Tying the Parachute Adams
18 Creature Feature by Denver Rathbun Tying the Military Mayfly
29 Mandatory Maintenance by Matt Gutzmann Cleaning and conditioning dirty fly line
COVER: Photo by Gerry Frederick THIS PAGE: Photo by Jake England
From the Home Office by Alfonso Martinez
T
he other day I saw a Facebook question: "Would your rather have a day tarpon fishing or an epic day trout fishing?". It was really interesting watching all the comments, but I was really surprised to see most answers were for an epic day of trout fishing. Just observing, but it seemed to me most answered accordingly because they had reached their life goal of feeling the Silver King on a fly rod. I have never tarpon fished, but, right now, I can assure without the slightest hesitation I would very quickly take a day of tarpon fishing over an epic day of trout fishing. The thing that got me the most was how people were describing their epic day of fly fishing. Most weren't talking beautiful canyon run Missouri River rainbows, or fat Beaverhead browns. They sure as heck weren't talking about casting caddis patterns on the Madison during a Mother's Day hatch or timing the Salmonfly just right on Rock Creek. The were all talking small stream fishing! You know that very narrow window of time when you have to backpack your junk way the heck up there only to cast into unknown water conditions, where you spend most of the day chasing your fly into the bush, untangling knot after knot and going through an entire box full of flies thrown to fish no where even close to the size of even a small tarpon? Yeah, that place. That place is pretty darn epic, and I really enjoy getting out there by myself, but it is also the only place I really wish I could fly fish and photograph very, very well without having to stop to do one or the other. That place is a sensory rich environment that sends my brain into overload and demands my full attention as an angler and as living, breathing human being.Simply put, that place is epic! Grand in scale and character.
To be able to capture that, you have to love fly fishing and you have to love photography. Just recently we hired two guys who love epic days of fly fishing and paired them up together for a few hours in the Sluice Box. One you have already met, but the more I get to know Denver, the more I keep wanting to ask him out for a man date on the waters. The other, Jake England, is just slightly newer to our team. Though his strongest skill set is not in fly fishing, the new guy is quickly impressing me with his talents behind the camera. I originally thought of doing this as a blog entry as it consumed the majority of my thoughts during my time out of the office for a full week of fishing. I also thought about including some of my very own selfies that told only a very small portion of the story…BUT…on my first day back I was blown away with what these two had managed to put together with the direction of Rob. We were going to wait until later to share these with you but I was able to twist Rob's arm just enough to let us show off a little. I may have jumped the gun, but I am very honored to introduce the hard work of these three to you. We hope you like them as much as we do and we really look forward to telling you our stories just a little bit better in the future. After I get to feel old Mr. Tarpon on the end of my rod, I'm pretty sure my answer will also be an epic day of trout fishing as well, and I too would describe my epic day just as my three fellow team members have perfectly captured. If you haven't had the opportunity to catch a tarpon on the fly, or even if you have; I hope you get the opportunity this summer to enjoy an epic day of trout fishing. Throw your gear in a backpack, and just go. Get out there.
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 2
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Regular Price: $599.00 Style No. 82805 Patagonia’s highest performing, most durable and feature-rich fly fishing waders with the additional convenience of a waterproof front T-Zip. Built with even tougher, more breathable 4-layer waterproof/breathable H2No® Performance Standard fabrics (lightest weight at the chest and heaviest weight throughout the body) and single seam construction for increased durability and freedom of movement.
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Boys on the Boat. Paul Considine, Matt Gutzmann and Denver Rathbun oating the Missouri River in Great Falls. Photo by Jake England Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 12
Aquatic Arsenal
E
very year I look forward to Memorial weekend for some amazing cutthroat trout fishing at the headwaters of my favorite cutthroat river. Big green drakes, golden stones, and fly ants are always on the menu. Throwing large dries on a light, 3 weight rod, to trout ranging 16”-23” can be a blast. Most of the time the cutthroat can be landed quickly. However, sometimes when they get in the tail-outs they can take you around the corner. There are several 3 weight options out there and most any you choose will turn out to be a pleasure to fish. My 3WT set-up consists of a Scott A4 7’6” with a Nautilus FWX 3/4 Reel. For line I currently have a Scientific Anglers Trout Taper in WF 3-F. For leaders, I generally use an 8’ 4x Trouthunter Tapered Leader. This seems to cast very well on the shorter rod.
Scott A4 3WT 7’6”
Handcrafted from start to finish in Montrose, Colorado by the skilled artisans, the A4 rods feature many of the technological and process innovations in top end Scott rods. If you love rock hopping North Idaho freestones or stalking cutthroat in the high country, this is your rod. The A4 balances light in the hand and loads with a short line for fishing small dries and nymphs in close quarters.
pg 13
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
Nautilus FWX 3/4 Reel Everyday Price $239.99
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All award winning FWX reels feature Nautilus’ Sealed Carbon Fiber (SCFTM) drag system with the proprietary TORQ-XTM clutch drive and TPX bushings. This totally sealed, maintenance free draw bar type carbon fiber disc brake delivers the smoothest drag on the market in a light tackle fly reel. No sand, gravel, water or snow will affect the flawless performance of this amazing disc drag.
Scott A4 3WT 7’6” Everyday Price $395.00
Scientific Angler Mastery Textured Series - Trout
The Mastery Textured Series brings you the best of both worlds. Our tried-and-true Mastery Series lines In conjunction with our exclusive Microreplication technology. We have given the surface of the lines a completely new patterned texture consisting of small round divots similar to golf balls. This texturing gives our Mastery Textured lines a benefit of less casting effort. very little memory and increased durability. • • • •
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Trout Hunter 8’ 4X Leader
Whether nylon or fluorocarbon, TroutHunter tippet material offers unsurpassed strength and reliability. Our leaders afford the angler unprecedented levels of turnover and control. TroutHunter Fluorocarbon won the fly fishing industries "Dealers Choice Award" & recently won 1st Place at the "George Anderson's 2012 Tippet Shoot Out". Many features in our tippet and packaging system are unique and specific to the innovation of TroutHunter. • • • • •
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Scientific Angler Mastery Textured Series - Trout Everyday Price $84.99
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Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 14
CREATURE CLASSIC
Parachute Adams T with Dustin Bise
he Parachute Adams is perhaps the most versatile of all dry flies. They are a must have in a variety of sizes and colors. They fish well in all types of rivers, streams, and lakes and can be used as a mayfly or a searching attractor. Keep several variations in your box. Materials: • Hook: Dai-Riki 305 Size 14 • Thorax: Natures Spirit Fine Natural Dubbing - Muskrat Gray • Post: Grizzly Saddle Hackle • Rib: Purple Holographic Flash • Parachute: White McFlylon • Gray Thread
pg 15
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
1
2
3
4
1. Lay a thread base onto the shank and tie in the purple flash.
2. Tie in a clump of saddle hackle for the tail .
3. Dub on the abdomen.
4. Wrap the purple flash forward.
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 16
5
6
7a
7b
8
5. Attach a portion of McFlylon to the thorax.
6. Wrap the threads upwards to form the post.
7a. Tie the stem of the grizzly hackle into the base of the post. 7b. Starting at the top, make several wraps down stopping at the bottom
8. Secure the hackle and trim off the excess. Trim the McFlylon.
pg 17
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
CREATURE FEATURE
Military Mayfly
Denver at the Big R Fly Shop in Great Falls, MT is on the vise tying his version of a Hogan's Military Mayfly. This fly is used to imitate a number of mayfly species. Fish it year round dead drifted under an indicator.
with Denver Rathbun
MATERIALS • Dai-Riki #075, Sise 16 • UTC Ultra Wire BR - Copper • 2.2 Glass Bead • Hare's Ice Dub - Brown • Krystal Flash - Medium Brown • 140D Ultra Thread - Brown • Pheasant Tail • Holo-Tinsel - Pearl
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 18
{ Jake England } NEW TO THE CREW Lensman and Fly Fisher
Interview by Rob Guevarra
T
he newest addition to the Big R Team is 22 year old photographer and Great Falls native Jake England. Before graduating from C.M. Russell High School in 2009, Jake participated in as many sports as possible; football, snowboarding, golf, track, tennis, and fly fishing were just some of the activities he was able to juggle along with being yearbook photo editor and participating in AP photography. After high school Jake attended the University of Montana in Missoula where he graduated with a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in photography and multimedia. Today the tides bring Jake to us here at Big R. Back to us, as it turns out. I sit down with our new talent and get the nitty-gritty. BRFS: You’re a photography. When did the bug bite you? JE: I have known since 7th or 8th grade that I was going to be a photographer. I have stuck to that ever since. Throughout high school and college that is all I have ever wanted to do. I couldn’t tell you what exactly it was that attracted me to this media, I have just always been drawn to it. I even used to subscribe to magazines, like The Rolling Stone, just for the pictures.
BRFS: Where did you go to college? JE: I decided on the University of Montana with hopes of attending their Journalism School. I applied and was accepted second semester of my sophomore year, and graduated in May of 2013. BRFS: Aside from parties, what else did you do in college? JE: I interned and ended up working as a sports photographer for MontanaGrizzlies.com, the former official University of Montana athletics website. I was responsible for covering/photographing all of the universities’ athletics. I was even sent to cover the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My senior year of college I did product and advertising photography and design for the University of Montana Bookstore. I also freelanced for a number of publications, including the Great Falls Tribune. I have photographed all types of events and subjects from large fundraisers to sporting events, engagements and weddings, fashion, senior portraits, food photography, clothing, still life, etc.
continued on page 26
pg 19
Big R Fly Shop | June 2013
Photo by Rob Guevarra
pg 20
pg 21
Big R Fly Shop | June 2013
Photo by Jake England
Photo by Jake England pg 22
pg 23
Big R Fly Shop | June 2013
Photo by Jake England
Photo by Jake England pg 24
Big R Fly Shop | June 2013
Photo by Jake England pg 26
pg 27
Big R Fly Shop | June 2013
BRFS: This isn’t the first time you’ve worked for Big R. What did you do with us before? JE: I cant remember what year it was, but my first job for Big R was just a general laborer to help the transition from the old Great Falls store location to the one they are in currently. After that I was just a periodic seasonal employee that would help during the busy seasons when I was home from school, mostly during winter break. BRFS: And what’s your official job title now? JE: I am currently Big R’s advertising and commercial photographer. I have always enjoyed shopping and working at Big R. The environment of the store is very positive and enjoyable. The staff here are all a lot of fun which makes working here pleasant and gratifying. BRFS: Moving up in the world, I see. Do you fly fish? JE: I do. I first started fly fishing on the Smith River the summer before I started high school. My dad was always into fly fishing since I can remember and he was always trying to get me into it. Now it’s something we do together as often as we can. BRFS: Where have you fished? JE: I have fly fished almost exclusively in Montana; the Missouri, Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Smith, Big Hole, Beaver Head Rivers, etc. Plus an assortment of local creeks. BRFS: When was your last big trip? JE: After I graduated from college in May, I moved out of my apartment in Missoula and started a 5 day float down the Smith the following week. I was fortunate enough to have a family friend draw a permit. I got to float and fish one of my favorite rivers. The water was not too high but was still pretty muddy. We still managed to catch fish and enjoy some quality time on the water. Photo by Jake England
Photo by Rob Guevarra pg 28
FLY LINE MAINTENANCE
CLEANING your FLY LINE by Matt Gutzmann
O
ne of the first things you notice when you fish a band new fly line is that it floats so much better and so much longer than that old line that you just replaced it with. You might even feel that new line slide through your guides faster and smoother. Over time, your line gets dirty from a number of different causes: oils or sunscreen from your hands, stepping on it, dragging in the dirt while you’re lining up your rod in the parking lot, or just picking up crud from the water. If your line is old enough, it may even be starting to crack from the UV rays breaking down the coating on the fly line. Does this mean that the $80 fly line you just bought
pg 29
is on a downward spiral to its ultimate demise? Well technically yes, nothing last forever. But if you spend a little time every now and then, it’ll prolong its life considerably. Clean your fly line after every couple of times you go out fishing with a non-detergent soap (Ivory bar soap works well) and condition your line once or twice a year with Loon’s Line Up Kit which cleans and helps protect your line from UV rays. PROCEDURE: 1. Despool your dirty line into a bucket of warm water and mild soap. Avoid stronger detergents like dish soap. It tends to wash out the chemicals integrated into the line that keeps it supple and flexible. 2. Agitate gently, paddle optional. 3. Transfer the line from the soapy water to a container of clean rinse water. 4. Repeat step 2. 5. Transfer the line to an empty container, wiping with a paper towel as you go. Allow to dry completely. 6. Apply a generous amount of line conditioner to the center of the cleaning pad. 7. Applying gentle pressure, pull the line through. Reload as needed. Allow to dry for 5 minutes. 8. Buff with a soft cloth or paper towel as you respool. For optimum performance, let your spooled up reel sit for at least 24 hours. Then go crush ‘em!
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
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Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 30
DANGER DEFENSE
BOATING &
RIVER SAFETY by Dustin Bise
RAPID RATINGS To start, rivers are rated on a 7 tier system. Here are the ratings you will find in any guidebook or website dedicated to running moving water. Class 0: Slow moving water with no riffles or rapids. Class 1: Moving water with small riffles and very minor waves. Class 2: Small riffles with minor waves. Very obvious and easy to run rapids with no major obstacles. Class 3: Substantial rapids with large and often irregular waves. Obstacles and hazards that must be avoided and require maneuvering of the watercraft. Class 4: Large rapids with multiple hazards, strong currents, and serious risk of injury. Precise maneuvering is required and scouting is often manda tory to establish a safe route. Class 5: Large rapids with extreme hazards. Class 5 rapids present a serious risk to life in the event of mishaps. Limited options for rescue. Rapids are often violent and require complex and precise maneuvers. Class 6: Large violent rapids that present significant risk to life. For well-trained teams of expert boaters only. All rapid ratings are subject to changes of classification based on water level. Wilderness and canyon sections of river where rescue operations are hindered increase a rapids difficulty by one class. A class 2 rapid deep in the wilderness will be rated as class 3. SAFETY GEAR PFD: A good type III PFD (personal floatation device) is critical. Get a PFD designed for use in white water and make sure it fits properly. You should be able to be lifted from the water by the shoulder straps in a rescue event. There are a variety of PFD’s that have fishing vests integrated. A PFD does you no good unless you are wearing it, so suit up and get your float on.
R
ivers are a powerful and dangerous force that demands respect, but with proper risk management they can be navigated safely with the proper tools and knowledge. It is my goal with this article to introduce you to the ideas and equipment that can be the difference between an epic day of fishing and tragedy. Managing you risks and making smart decisions is the key, and it is important to always have the upmost respect for moving water. pg 31
Whistle: A good river whistle should be attached to your PFD for signaling and communication in a rescue scenario. The Fox 40 river whistle is the industry standard and can be used in the water. Throw Bag: A throw bag is a critical piece of gear used to help retrieve a swimmer from the water. Proper throwing techniques are needed and a throw bag must be properly packed to work, much like a parachute.
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
River Knife: These knifes are blunt tipped, ultra sharp, and attach to the outside of your PFD. They are used to cut anchor lines or any lines that you may become tangled with in the event of a swim. They are also awesome for cutting cheese during snack time. First Aid: A good marine/wilderness first aid kit in a waterproof container is a must in the event of an on river injury. Helmet: It is a great idea to wear a helmet when running any shallow rivers or rapids of major conquince. You don’t have to wear it all the time, but river rocks are hard and often sharp and in the event of a swim you will be thankful for wearing one. Spare Paddle/Oar: In case of a broken oar, the backup will allow you to not spin donuts down the river. Water: Dehydration on the river is a common source of injury. Always carry potable water and preferably two forms of water purification. Maps: A good map marked with major rapids is a important tool for river running and even more important for rescue, especially when running rivers in remote canyons where access to help may be limited. Food: Always carry an extra day or two of rations in case you end up stranded. Extra Clothing: Hypothermia is a risk even in the summer, and dry clothing can save your life after an unexpected swim late in the evening. Rope: Always carry a decent amount of heavy break strength rope. Rope has many uses, from building a splint to rescuing a boat off a rock. Also very useful when portaging a rapid or walking the boat through a hazard.
Repair Kit: In case of a hole in your boat, a repair kit and hand pump can save the day. Bail Bucket: Critical for drift boats and rafts without self-bailing features to remove water from the boat. Hand pumps are also available. Spare Drain Plug: In case you lose one. Spare Oarlock: In case you break one. Duct Tape: For everything and more. SCOUTING & RIVER HAZARDS There are multiple ways to approach scouting a river before you run it. One of the most common ways on rivers popular with fly fishing is to hire a guide for a day and join him/her for a float. This will give you expert, firsthand knowledge of the river. Be sure to let them know you plan to float on your own later, so everyone is clear on the expectations for the trip. Have the guide point out hazards, recommend the proper lines through rapids, and maybe if you’re lucky, even catch some fish. Another popular scouting method is to drive along a river and simply look at the rapids from the road. Some rivers make this very easy, but on other rivers this method can require long hikes through the brush. Guide books can also be a great resource. Look for books like “A Guide to Whitewater Rivers in Washington” which will list any major hazards, put in and take out information, river maps (with gradient charts) and more. While a guide book can give you a great overview of a river, remember that rivers are dynamic forces and a rapid can change anytime, potentially outdating the information in a guide book. There is no substitute for on the water scouting. As you approach a potentially dangerous section of river, pull the boat to a safe spot on shore and walk downstream to scout the rapid from land. It is a good habit to do this every time you run a new rapid, and the first run of the season or after large runoff events. You are looking for things like drowned logs, large rocks, hydraulics, and any other hazards. Also take note of safe zones below the rapid in case things go awry.
Pulley: A pulley can be used to set up Z-drag systems to aid in removing a pinned boat from a rock, and can also be used to remove hazards such as logs from the river channel. Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 32
TYPES OF RIVER HAZARDS Strainer: This is a term used for a tree down in the water, especially a tree with many attached branches. A strainer poses an extreme risk Undercut: Undercut rocks and banks have water that flows through or under an overhanging mass. Undercuts pose an extreme risk Hole: A hole, or river hydraulic, is formed when water drops over a large rock and begins to recirculate upstream. Holes vary from small and fun, to boat eaters that will suck in a raft and recirculate it for hours on end. If caught in a hole, the general course of action is to be rescued via throw bag or to try to swim into the bottom where there is often a current that will pull you away from the hydraulic. Holes pose minor to extreme risk. Breaking Wave: A breaking wave is a large wave that “breaks” on its self. While these can flip boats, they generally pose less risk then a hydraulic. A breaking wave on its own poses minor risk, which elevates based on dangers downstream. Sieves: A sieve, or a chute, is a narrowing of the river channel which accelerates the water speed. Sieves pose varied risks depending on specific river conditions. Be especially aware of down logs that may have become lodged in a sieve.
stream to divert your body from any obstacles. If possible, it is often a good idea to try to stay in contact with your boat. Always position yourself on the upstream side of the boat so you cannot be crushed between the boat and a rock or log. Try to swim to safety if possible, and avoid trying to stand up until you are in very shallow water. Foot entrapments in the river bed are a cause of many river injury’s and even deaths. Once your foot becomes trapped, the force of the river is often great enough to pull your body underwater and cause a drowning. Always look downstream as a swimmer in order to avoid entrapment against rocks, undercut banks, and down trees. The use of a river whistle can be a good idea when swimming to help alert potential rescuers to you situation and location. As a recue party, first and foremost always maintain scene safety. It is very important that you remain safe yourself in order to help a victim. Recue the people first, and once everyone is safe, go after boats and equipment. Using rescue ropes is a very technical skill that I am not going to cover in this article, but remember to never use ropes in the river if you do not have a good river knife to cut the rope if needed. Improper use of rescue lines can create a bigger problem than you started with and also pose a potential hazard to other parties on the water. Using a throwbag to pull a swimmer out of a hole or rapid takes practice, so spend some time in a safe rapid swimming and learning to catch and throw rescue ropes. A day of practice could make all the difference between a successful rescue and a disaster. For more information on river safety, visit http://www.americanwhitewater.org/ http://www.americancanoe.org/
Sometimes, despite good scouting and river safety, we will find ourselves or our friends at the mercy of the river. River rescue can be extremely dangerous and technical so we will just go over a few of the basics. If you are more interested in the fine details of river rescue I recommend enrolling in a swift water rescue course. As a swimmer, one of the most critical aspects to a safe swim is to float on your back with your feet pointed downpg 33
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 34
ON LOCATION
W HIGHWOOD Mountains by Paul Considine
pg 35
hen the Montana creek season opens, the Highwood Mountains become a favorite destination of mine. Great access is located a mere 25 miles from town, making it a great spot to fish after work. There are access spots located along forest service roads, bridges, and sign in spots. There are numerous options in the Highwoods, including many small creeks, Highwood Creek, with Belt Creek at the foothills of the Highwoods. These waters contain long riffles, deep pools, and sections of flat water. This range of water can be fished by nymphing, with streamers, or with dry flies. Rainbow and brown trout can be found in good numbers, with fish ranging from 6”-16”, along the length of the creek.
Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
After the Belt Rodeo on a Sunday afternoon, my girlfriend (an extreme novice) and I went to the Highwoods for an evening of fishing. The Highwoods are a great place to take beginners. I rigged her up to drift a Pat’s Rubber Legs under an indicator and myself to strip a JJ Special. We walked downstream from our starting spot concentrating on the deeper riffles and the slower, deeper pools beneath a riffle. The Rubber Legs produced the first fish of the evening, a 12” brown. After that, a steadily stripped JJ produced many fish in both the riffles and pools. We only made it ¾ of a mile downstream before turning around and heading back to the truck. Remember to be respectful of the land owners and stay within the high water mark when wading. Come check out Big R Fly Shop’s great selection of flies and head out to the Highwoods. Clockwise from top left: Below the Highwood Mountains, photo by Alyse Johnson. 12” Rainbow, photo by Paul Considine. Precipice, photo by Denver Rathbun. Next page: Highwood Rainbow, photo by Denver Rathbun Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
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Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
Photo by Jake England
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Big R Fly Shop | July 2013
pg 38
Great Falls, Montana 406 761-7918 4400 10th Ave S
Ponderay, Idaho 208 255-5757 477181 N Hwy 95
Omak, Washington 509 422-9840
Photo by Jake England
1227 Koala Dr
www.bigrflyshop.com
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