FEATHER FLICKIN'-gottrout.com

Team A-hole (self proclaimed) take on T-hole!

2011-04-06T15:22:00.004-06:00

River: San Juan QW
Anglers: Kevin Kuper and Jack Cassidy
Flow: 468 cfs
Visibility: 3 to 4 feet
Hatches: some midges and bwos
Weather: broken sun/clouds
Wind:20-30 mph, gusts 50 mph
Fishing: way too good for these two to handle
*if there were any more thumbs-up during the photo opts i could have hitched a ride to moab ut. most kidding aside, great day with the boys.

piggly wigglys on the San Juan

2011-03-16T12:54:00.005-06:00

New to the sport of fly fishing? Not a problem for these two rookie fly anglers from Iowa. Zack and Alex, along with the rest of the big group found out quickly our trout are bigger than their trout. Great group and great spring fishing. Way to go guys.

photo1: Zack and his monster. photo2 Alex and his chucky rainbow

Ben's 10-Day-Old B-day Pics (continued)

2011-01-07T20:05:00.002-07:00

More shots from Ben's first day of flickin' a fly on the Animas River Christmas day.

images: 1) Mom checking the bugs. 2) Proud papa planting one on his little noodle. 3) Amanda checking in on Ben, "Is he getting too much sun in there? Is he too cold" Dad, "No he is fine, he is way to bundled up in there." 4) Will landing a keeper on the Animas River. 5) Ben's first tailgate diaper change.

Benjamin Rally Blanchard's first trout

2011-01-03T16:38:00.004-07:00

Benjamin was born December 15th, 2010 on a chilly snow-blown day in Durango Colorado. He slid out into the world at 11:48 am after a long 14 hours of labor. Amanda wanted a natural birth and that is what she got. No pain meds to speak of, unless you would really count Tylenol PM the night before. Amanda and Will, maybe a little sleep deprived, still found the energy to take young Ben for his first fishing excursion down on the Animas River. They loaded all the new kid gear, fly rods, dogs and the "little one" and headed for a little fishing on Christmas Day. At ten days young Ben was very impressed with the fact that his mom out fished his dad.

british columbia 2010

2010-12-14T10:53:00.003-07:00

images: 100+ foot log on the banks of the upper skeena, flys-r-us pretty much sums it up, the king of the bush, amanda setting up a afternoon cast, adipose fin on lady steel.

KIDS FISH FREE!

2010-08-04T22:55:00.005-06:00

That's right August is all about the ankle-biter anglers out there. The 1/2 pints that can not fit into waders, tangle nymph rigs into twisted wrecks and catch fish with reckless abandon are all welcomed to fish for free with Animas Valley Anglers during the month of August 2010. All they have to do is talk their parents, grandparents, kid sitter, older sibling or legal guardian into signing up for any of our great angling adventures.

Just mention you spied this special either on our web site or the AVA blog and you can enroll in the Kids Fish Free program. The trip will bill at our single angler rate. A $50 savings, plus you get to fish the best waters in the West during prime time at a discount. A third angler, adult or child, will be the standard extra $150. Drop us a line today for more info and details on the Kids Fish Free program.

photo 1: David Brake and guide Chris Meyer on the Animas with a sweet bow.

photo 2: Guide Will Blanchard and Carson Dellinger with a pretty Rio brown trout. Carson's first float fishing trout. He caught that frisky trout in the first 20 minutes of the float above the train bridge at Wagon Wheel Gap.

steelies heading home

2010-08-04T22:08:00.006-06:00

With cool wet days infiltrating the southwest, I feel hints of fall on most guide days. Some local rivers run high; swollen with rain run-off and some continue to flow cold and clear. Fishing has been good, despite varied conditions, but I find my thoughts turning towards the north. Way north. BC north. A place Amanda and I hope to explore by early October.

BC News:
Todd Stockner reports-"Sounds like Hannah and Wayne might have caught the first steelie on a dry fly last evening . . .. they were fishing in that new micro-low-water pool that forms to the right of the log pile on the island just below sweet deke. They came back all excited about this fish, small around four or five pounds by the sound of it, but bright and "with pink cheeks" .. . . what else could it have been eh?"

From the Babine, Pierce Clegg and Peter McMullan will be offering the book "Babine" some time this month. The book cover the long history of this great river. Fantastic art work, words and images. Get a copy from amazon, or a fine retailer near you. All the proceeds go back to the river. Funds will help in the conservation efforts of this great BC river. Click the link below to find a copy or two.

As for the steelies, it looks like a low water year and numbers look good. Get deke deep!

Expert from "Babine", a contribution to the book by Will Blanchard

Stepping into the Same River Twice

..."Last cast, bright hen - Ejnar’s Last Stand. Snow balls and jet sleds. Jet boat wars. Gorilla warfare in your face, snowball stockpile, broken windows, walls tagged white. Guides and guests. Good vibes surging. Night is back. Campfire burning, hot and high; the firelight glows on bearded faces. Sap snaps on glowing embers as flames lick the night sky. Add a log, tell a story. Dark and deep the night rolls on. One last Scotch, just five fingers. Raised glass, giving thanks. Friendships and tall tales of steelie tails and tail-outs. All the stories from all the seasons, mental snapshots, never fading. All the moments melt together, like the rivers currents."

photo: Amanda ripping a cast late season on the Babine 2009

Summer Grips

2010-07-26T16:56:00.003-06:00

photos: (1) Carson Dellinger and Will on the Rio with a sweet trout.(2) Bill Mitchell with a stud upper bow. (3)Courtney, Will and Kispa on the upper Juan (4) Jesse and Kevin hangin' with Guide Josh Curtis on the Rio. Nice fish eh?

BWOs-the old blue wing olive

2010-04-01T09:54:00.003-06:00

Spring and the mighty (small) blue wing olive. Catch a cloudy day on many of our western rivers and you just might see a thick hatch of these sexy little mayflies. The San Juan, Animas, Dolores, Rio, Pine and others will offer the fly angler a shot at nice fish on baetis nymphs, emergers and dries. The season is officially on!

Art Isgar-Western Legend Passes on at 94

2010-03-26T11:16:00.004-06:00

Art Isgar
Words by Will Blanchard
3-25-10

Last week Art Isgar passed on at 94 years-young. "Grandpa" will be missed deeply by his wife Anne, his family, all the people he touched through the Southwest and the entire AVA guide crew. The ranch he worked for so many years will not be the same with out him. His grandson Matt plans to continue the operations. Irrigating, growing hay and raising cattle will help keep Art's memory alive. For me, each time I step into the cool waters of the Animas River his memory will live on.

Art was one heck of a man, a man legends are made of for sure; hard-working family man, rancher, farmer, dedicated democrat, fly fisher and outdoorsman. He was nailed in the hand by a rattlesnake in his 80s while working in the garden; he shrugged off a battle with cancer and had a serious encounter with a grizzly bear while on horse back in the San Juan Mountains. He was a dead shot. Deer and elk were easy takings. He caught trout the old fashioned way; Royal Coachman casted out, only allowing the fly to be on the water for a moment or two. If the fly was not taken by a feisty trout a new cast would be placed back out onto the green currents of the Animas. We was a true western icon.

He would reflect on his fishing days with a gleam in his eye. Back in the day he was known as the best fly fisher in the Southwest. Back in the day, or any day for that matter, it was just known. John Staten learned this first hand. As John was getting into the sport of fly fishing, Art took him down to the Picnic Table Pool (I think us guides are going to rename it Art's Pool) for a quick lesson. Art was 89 at the time and proceeded to show John how it was done. Still healing from a broken leg he suffered two weeks prior, he had no sooner jumped out of the red GMC ranch truck and in moments a fly was tied on the leader and trout hooked up. It was a great moment for John. And maybe even a greater moment for Art. As far as I know, that was the last trout Art ever caught. A stunning rainbow, caught from his river, using the same technique he had used so many times for so many years.

I'm sure going to miss Art. In so many ways. He helped me not only with my business but also as a person. Our times together on the ranch, ridding on the back of the four wheeler, cutting wood, digging ditches, walking the ditch, moving water, wrestling the foot valve, priming the pump, fixing the pump, fixing fence, fixing anything, drives up onto the mountain, enjoying a burger at the Democratic picnic or just sitting around chatting will never be forgotten.

Join me as I raise my short glass of Jim Beam and toast the memory of one of the greatest fly fishers to ever cast a fly. And again to one of the greatest ranchers to ever work the land. And again to one of the greatest men I've ever met.

Cheers Art, sure going to miss you.

Photo: Art hooked up on the Animas. His last rainbow trout. Thanks to Art's very good friend John Staten for the photo and story.

thugs

2010-02-11T08:38:00.002-07:00

images: Gator Brown from the Animas River (image published in Scott Fly Rod catalog in 06) Old Hook Jaw from the Animas, Big D stud

Winter on the Juan-no crowds lots of fish

2010-02-10T10:08:00.007-07:00

The San Juan below Navajo Dam is fishing well. Micro midge pupa, larva, eggs and leeches under a bobber are taking fish in the deep runs. Some fish can be found sipping adult midges and micro BWOs on the surface. Fun challenge for sure.

(updated) House Bill 10-1188-Passes with 7 to 3 Vote

2010-02-08T10:51:00.009-07:00

Bill 10-1188 passed Monday, February 8th 2010, with a 7 to 3 vote. This bill will give River Outfitters, in Colorado, the right to offer float fishing trips trough private property. Outfitters and guides will be protected under state law when incidental trespass occurs. This would be the case if a raft or drift boat bumps a bank or rock. This would also allow a guide to portage around a hazard or obstacle. Float fishing is all about respect for the environment, the fish and private property.

click this link or cut and paste it to see the Bill

http://http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2010A/csl.nsf/">

image: Quick lunch break for the guides and guests on a chunk of public US Forest Service land that is locked by private property on all four sides.Rio Grande River near Creede Colorado

TU and Animas River Restoration Project 2009

2010-02-05T10:06:00.005-07:00

snow up to your...

2010-01-27T11:31:00.005-07:00

After it dumps 35-inches in 4 days you go ride or ski right? No no, head for the creek. We post-holed, nearly set off an avalanche, made a ton of casts and had a blast. Durango Colorado did in-fact receive a lot of snow last week. We are now up to %100 of normal snowpack. Not many places in the West can say that. Happy trout come spring and summer.

Haida Gwaii

2010-01-27T11:11:00.004-07:00

images: Amanda looking for a late day tug, clarki clarki, the coastal forests of the islands have many secrets (a dead eagle gives off crazy vibes), frosty grass on the banks of the Yakoun, fishing a tight Yakoun run

this bugs me

2010-01-05T09:30:00.002-07:00

Sorry folks parks closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

2009-12-28T11:48:00.009-07:00

The San Juan River (Navajo Lake State Park) will be closed on designated dates through the winter and spring of the 2010 season. Click for the dates and more info...gottrout.com

skeena love

2009-12-16T18:07:00.002-07:00

skeena

2009-11-19T09:27:00.003-07:00

images: Skeena-the river of mist. An in that order you can end up in a heap of trouble on this logging road.

by the numbers

2009-11-15T18:28:00.001-07:00

it's all about the girth

Kathy Stockner and Philip Young break it all down with a lenght and girth weight chart for Kispiox steelhead

north

2009-11-14T09:53:00.005-07:00

I was emailed by a friend who wanted to see another shot of this doe. Only have a couple so here is the second shot. She is so damn pretty, i wish i had a head shot but wanted to send her back to her lie. looks like i was impressed with this one eh?

transport

larry falk somewhere way fun

bc snap shots

2009-11-13T08:17:00.003-07:00

images: first light on Hudson Bay Mountain, moon over the Morice River, river blur(Morice)

just another day not in the office

2009-11-09T07:19:00.001-07:00

tag your it

2009-11-07T01:53:00.005-07:00

doe steelie from the lower mo tagged this summer/fall in smithers

hair cut?

2009-11-07T01:42:00.007-07:00

fall floats away

2009-11-01T07:24:00.003-07:00

what a stunning fall it was here in bc. as temps hold on the cool side, the river flow is up and green but will drop back to low flows soon. winter is close, but the late season steelie fishing is just getting going. more fall shots and steelies in the next few days.

skeena coho with a nasty lamprey suck wound. most of the ho are up the small tribs now doing their thing. bears continue to search them out as they pair up on redds.

steel

2009-10-31T19:56:00.008-06:00

40x21.5 (doe!)gotta love when a wild goose chase pans outon the swingnosing her in
39x21

out there

2009-10-27T01:35:00.002-06:00

late day grabs

2009-10-26T20:38:00.004-06:00

why we steelhead

2009-10-26T09:48:00.002-06:00

its the fish, and the places they take us...

simon and dad

2009-10-24T23:25:00.002-06:00

kispa and the coho

2009-10-24T23:23:00.002-06:00

beer-tub

2009-10-24T21:00:00.001-06:00

ghost doe

2009-10-24T08:17:00.003-06:00

This doe was the hardest take of the season. The fly was just setting up into the swing when she hammered it.

Amanda in the deke

2009-10-23T08:06:00.003-06:00

buck

2009-10-22T07:51:00.002-06:00

Afternoon Spey Rip

2009-10-21T08:08:00.004-06:00

Amanda ripping a late day spey cast on the Kis.

stud steelie

2009-10-19T14:15:00.005-06:00

40x23 FUKENEH!

Kispa and Buck Steelie

2009-10-19T08:25:00.006-06:00

It is all about the eyes. Kispa on point with a Kispiox buck.

Easter Eggs, Taxes, Small Flies and BIG TROUT

2009-03-27T06:50:00.005-06:00

Spring is in the air...images: Last week Tony Lockwood took a break from the slopes and grabbed his son Trenton for a day of fishing with Animas Valley Anglers guide Chris Meyer. It was a great day on the water, but this monster brown was the cherry. Trenton did a great job landing this beast on light tippet and a small fly. The San Juan is starting to get the reputation of having hard to catch fish. Biologists say the Juan now has a split population between rainbows and browns. It is no secret that brown trout are harder to catch than bows. The second image is a big late winter Animas cutbow. The last image is an Animas bow Kispa has her eye on.

Chris and Serra tie the knot in Belize...you better Belizeit!

2009-02-19T21:32:00.003-07:00

Congrats to Chris and Serra. Here are a few shots from thier trips. Thanks for sharing you guys.

images: 1) bone 2) chris and his bonner 3) flats view 4) chris and serra at the ruins 5) what ever you do, do not piss-off your guide.

2009 Fly Fishing Fim Tour-presented by The Drake

2009-02-10T15:15:00.006-07:00

Tour lands in Durango, Saturday February 21st at the Diamond Circle Theater, and for those that did not know, the Durango Arts Center is the new location for the Diamond Circle Theater. The address is 802 E. 2nd Avenue Durango, across fro Steamworks. Doors open at 6:30pm.

More Babine images from the new ava galleries

2009-02-09T12:06:00.002-07:00

images: Babine at Corner, Darren and doe, NO FISHING, volume check, Spencer-"This steelheading makes me sleepy".

New Babine Steelheading Galleries

2009-02-08T12:21:00.007-07:00

6 new Babine galleries have been added to Animas Valley Anglers fly fishing photography site. That is 60 new images of the Babine, the fish and the people. More images of the Babine, Kispiox and other steelie river adventures will be posted soon...stay tuned.

images: Babine doe, the view, campfire tunes, camp, Rusty in for repairs as cabin campfire burns

"I've tried every leech, slub-a-dub, moon, boss and intruder in my box...i wonder what this little orange ball will do?"

2009-01-30T16:41:00.005-07:00

Here is a shot of my friend Pierce Clegg. He owns and operates Babine Norlakes Steelhead camp and has a trout lodge on Babine Lake. He is an amazing guy, and as it turns out a wicked angler. His time and energy off the river as a steward for the Babine and entire Skeena system is unmatched. Check older posts for other shots of Pierce.

Winter Fly Fishing on the Animas with Chris Meyer and the hounds

2009-01-30T10:32:00.004-07:00

Chris Meyer and I headed to the Animas for a little recon before a guide trip. The day was Jan 18th and the weather was perfect. Here are four photos from the day. The rest of the images can be seen at Animas Valley Anglers. Click the link at the upper right of the blog.

New AvA Gallery: Kateri Clay and Kispiox Steelies

2009-01-27T09:36:00.001-07:00

Kateri Clay rocks-she can fish all day, out drink a logging camp all night and do it all with style and grace. Check out Kateri's gallery at AvA by clicking the link near the top right of the blog.

New AvA Gallery: Remote Fly Fishing via Historic Durango Silverton Train

2009-01-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Remote trout in a wicked canyon- and the only way in is by bird, boat, train or wading boot. Click the link at the top right of the blog to see the entire gallery.

New AvA Gallery: Nature Images

2009-01-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Nature shots from around the Southwest. These three images are from a new gallery on the Animas Valley Anglers site. Click the link at the top right of the blog for the entire gallery.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

2008-12-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Steelheading BC 2008

2008-10-30T09:51:00.000-06:00

images: Kispa standing magestic at the end of a Morice over-nighter. Hooked up on a steelie in a remote location in north-central BC. Kispiox buck in full launch. Last two shots are on the Kispiox River.

Summer Images 08

2008-10-04T13:33:00.001-06:00

photos: 1) Stick-o-butter trout. This albino bow was chilling out on the Rio Grande in a Wason Ranch back chanel. Kispa loved the thing. 2) Rio Grande stones. 3) Jess on Apple Creek north of Durango. 4) Caddis orgy on the Rio. 5) More stone fly action.

More Summer Photos 08

2008-10-03T09:25:00.000-06:00

photos: AVA fleet on the Animas. Chris and Pam Bent with an Animas bow. Jess working a pocket on a creek near Creede. End of the day Trout Slayer Ale. Photos from cell phone suck, but this one is pretty funny. Kis on the Animas.

What a Summer!

2008-10-02T13:08:00.000-06:00

Photos: Bud working big dries on the Rio while Kispa waits for the take. David on the big "D" working a fish in the tail-out. Dolores buzzworm with a full belly and mega attitude. Waiting out a lighting storm on the Rio can be stressful, however Mike Johnson makes it more fun with a long-jaw Wason Ranch bridge bow. Phil, Will, Kis and an Animas bow.

Dolores River Fun

2008-06-10T08:05:00.000-06:00

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Photo: Chris Meyer ripping Snag on the Dolores. Serra Buck looks for trout.

Hanging with Bill and Ann-Root Pond and Juan

2008-05-30T11:53:00.000-06:00

Our spring season is slowly slipping into summer. Last week it was snow and wind. Today? Sunny and warm. A few days ago I enjoyed a two day combo with Bill and Ann from New Mexico. These fishing friends visit us every month or so and enjoy all the diversity our region has to offer. We headed over to Root Pond on the first day then down to the San Juan below Navajo Dam on the second day. The wind decided to blow at Root Pond (check the first photo were my hat is safely in the drink) but the fish were on the bite. The Juan offered persnickety trout in the morning and then gave way to an excellent hatch of BWOs were the fish were keyed on the emergers and nymphs. It was a big fish day for sure. Ann was on a roll with four fish to the net all over the 20 inch mark. We all had a blast, Kispa included. Ann, being a lab lover sent me a fantastic book titled, Marley and Me by John Grogan. Great read so check it out. Thanks you guys. Cheers. -wb

Spring Floats, Trout and Thick Elk Steaks: Photo Set #2

2008-04-16T15:04:00.001-06:00

Good time for sure. Check: http://www.mitchellranchsanjuanriver.com/index.cfm/ranch.htm

Spring Floats, Trout and Thick Elk Steaks: Photo Set #1

2008-04-16T14:36:00.000-06:00

San Juan Fishing Report: 3000 CFS and Solid Fly Fishing

2008-02-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

The San Juan River in northern New Mexico, located below Navajo Dam is a fantastic year-round fishery. River flows are at 3000 cfs and the fishing is steady. One of the best times of the year to fish the Juan is in the winter and spring, especially with the increase in flows. Do not let the higher flows turn you off from the Juan because float fishing is one of the best ways to see and learn this tricky river. Looking for good fishing, little to no crowds and plenty of trophy trout on the fly? Well, you're in the right place. Book a fly fishing trip with Animas Valley Anglers today 970.259.0484

images: Last season high water on the Juan. 1) Jan, Will's mom hooked up 2) grip and grin with mom 3) Mom checkin' out the bow 4) Mom pretty stoked about all the trout she caught 5) Will in your face with a San Juan bow

A day with Pierce Clegg on the Babine River

2008-01-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

images: 1) Pierce hooked up late season on the Babine. 2) Landing the steelie, as you can see in the images there is a ton of snow on the banks, so landing can be tricky. 3) Dusky steelhead. 4) Pierce releases the fish back to the deke 5) Late day light in the BC wilderness

Steelheading Images: Late Season Babine

2008-01-25T10:08:00.001-07:00

Image: 1) Upper Babine morning mist and swans 2) Kispa in paw to fin battle with babine Steelhead 3) Late in the day battle with Babine steelie 4) Steelie Kispa and I landed on a cold day late season 5) I call this one "Happy Steelheader". The bear spray that was on my wading belt added a funny imprint in the snow eh?

Steelheading and friends in Smithers BC

2007-12-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

1) Kispa checkin' out late season steelie 2) Lisa and Will on the Kispiox 3) Hudson Bay Mountain view from Lisa's cabin 4) Dogs givin' er 5) Kispa and Will on one slippery Babine logging road

Kispiox River BC: images from 07 season

2007-12-07T12:12:00.001-07:00

Images: 1) Todd Hooked up 2) Kispa Checkin' out the battle 3) Simon on the net 4) black 'n white of Kispa 5) nice Kis doe in the net

steelheading BC-a look back to the fall 07

2007-12-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

images: 1) Busy on the beach, Kispa chilling out while Will makes one last cast and Larry rolls in the rope (Gary Flagel image) 2) !2 year old scotch arounf the fire at camp Roaring Grizzly 3) Kiss the cook 4) Serious portage, Kispa took care of sticks 5) Will and Kispa with Morice steelie

PHOTOS: Ila Graham...walkin' and talkin'

2007-12-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of my little niece Ila and her mom and dad. She is growing up so quick and I can not wait to see her.

PHOTOS & WORDS: Babine River

2007-11-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

It is late November and too dark to re-tie a new fly on. It's only 4:44. Dusk in the north comes early, sneaking in around 3 and by 5 it is too dark and cold to fish. Dropping temps also force their opinions. Well, maybe just one more cast.

At this point I'm pretty much in desperate need of warm fingers, a thick steak and a warm cabin. No problem, just 110 kilometers back to town. Sure glad the logging roads I'm sliding down are glazed in ice and traveled hard by logging trucks.

images: Babine Buck, -5 is a lot better than -15, Kispa on my pack, full moon in BC

Winter in BC

2007-11-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Black and white at Morning Glory run. Kis BC

Winter has kicked in here in BC, however the temps are perfect for fishing, skiing, boarding, tobogganing and other fun out side activities. But not cold enough to freeze the lakes so pond hockey is out. Shinny hockey at the Smithers Ice Arena has been a blast however. I've been lacing up the skates as much as I have been pulling on the waders. I'm looking forward to a couple more adventures before I head back south. 2nd week of December? We'll see. Cheers for now.

Smithers, b-days, new and old friends!

2007-10-28T12:46:00.000-06:00

Last night was a fun and rowdy affair. It was costume night in Smithers and Smithers does it up big time. Town was in full swing with two dances, a Smithers Steelheads hockey game, birthday dinner and good times with old and new friends alike. It was simply a great day. Jim and Marie Ziegler cooked up one of their fantastic b-day dinners of moose steaks, prawns, potatos and home made red wine. The b-day dinner was for David, who turned 23 yesterday and his girlfriend Anna who turns 25 today. (she is such a cougar). The party shifted to David and Noelle's house, then to a dance, then to another house party, then off to the Twin Bar for more dancing and Tom-foolery. Thanks to you all for the laughs and good times. Big hugs and high fives to my late night crew of Josh, Lisa and Erin. Josh, good luck with your new buddy...call her! Lisa sorry Kispa left a gift in your ditch and jumped up with muddy paws. She loves ya and just wanted to say Hi. Thanks for the smiles and hospitality. Wish we had more photos, but here are a couple from last night. Cheers.

Simon, Todd, Kispa and monster steelies

2007-10-28T12:10:00.000-06:00

Kispa checking out the action on the Kispiox with Todd and his son Simon. Todd found a couple nice steelies right in the deke that day. The second steelhead we landed proved to be a monster. I think it was 42 x 22. I will need to double check the numbers with Todd. Regardless it was in that 28 to 29 pound range! Fun day for sure.

BC Adventures

2007-10-28T10:45:00.000-06:00

The roar of a boar grizzly punched hard into the ink black night. The haunting sound echoed down the river corridor...my watch said 3:12 am...sure glad I had the fabric of my ultra-light tent between us and them. To hear a grizzly bear growl is one thing, to hear them roar 50 yards away will make the hairs on the back of your neck just fall out. And that was just the first night.

Had the pleasure to set up a four day three night river trip on a trib of the Skeena River in north central BC. The trip was made up of Larry Falk, Gary Flagel, Kispa and myself. The name of the river you ask? Sorry, no can do. I'll just say the trip was full of adventure: mild white water, eagles, ravens, steelies, trout, bull trout, salmon, grizzlies, black bears, great camps, friends and the pure feeling of wilderness. Good fishing was interrupted only by the scenery and wildlife. Kispa proved to be a great bear dog in camp as well as on the river. She informed us a number of times of creatures that were working up or down the river bank, just off our camps. One night a griz growled to let us know it was there, Kispa responded and we could hear the bear charge away up river. We even heard the bear bump into one of the rafts. Just another night in the bush eh?Enjoy the images from this wicked trip.

Don Hall, Will and Jen Ross on the Rio 2007

2007-09-13T08:56:00.000-06:00

Will and Don with a nice OxBow cutbow. photo: Jen Ross
Jen Ross on the sticks. photo: Will Blanchard
Will and Kispa look on as Don hooks up. photo: Jen Ross

Trout Shot-Will and Steve Wells on the Upper SJ

2007-09-11T10:48:00.000-06:00

Fished the upper San Juan near Pagosa this past spring with Steve and Carol Wells of Durango Colorado. Great day on the water. Thanks for the photos Carol.

Kipiox Steelhead-the Kis is a trib of the Skeena

2007-09-07T18:26:00.000-06:00

image: Male Kispiox Steelhead from the 06 season. This fish hammered my fly late in the day. photo credit: will blanchard (self timer)

BOYCOTT SHELL OIL

2007-09-07T17:54:00.000-06:00

Royal Dutch Shell wants to begin coal bed methane production in north-central British Columbia, home of the Sacred Headwaters. The headwaters include the Nass, Skeena and Stikine Rivers. These rivers are vital to ecosystems that support wild salmon, steelhead, grizzly and black bears, moose, caribou, lynx, beavers, eagles, ravens and countless other species. If Shell gets in, the raping of the land will effect not only ecosystems but also the economies of countless communities made up of both native and local people. STOP SHELL! Voice your opinion and do not support their product.

Click the youtube vids on the right and also check out these links:
Skeena Watershed
Sacred Headwaters

Ila Graham turns 1 on Sep 20th and she rocks!

2007-09-05T18:52:00.000-06:00

My little niece is turning one entire year old on September 20th! She is wicked cute and as you can see in the photo, wicked cool. Gotta love the Dropkick Murphys bib, a gift from her god father, Kevin Grady. She shure makes her mom and dad, Beth and Bill Graham proud, as well as her grandparents Ralph and Jan Blanchard and Dickey and Toppy Graham. Rock on little one.

PHOTO: Bud's Brown Trout on a Popper

2007-09-05T18:36:00.000-06:00

image: Rio Grande brown on a big ass red/black popper. Bud Callahan had two big-time days on the Rio this past August. 200 + fish to dries, streamers and poppers. photo: will blanchard fly fishing guide

20 days and counting...BC wilderness and steelhead

2007-09-05T17:07:00.000-06:00

image: Kispiox tuckered out at Root Pond near Dolores Colorado. photo: will blanchard

Welcome to the blog. This will be a place for friends, family and those who are interested in checking out my adventures, photography, guide service and other random goings-on.

As of right now my focus is on the rest of the guide season and gearing up for British Columbia. I'll be finishing up the main push of my 15th guide season on the 22nd of September. I'll be back to guiding in early December. The 23rd of September will be a day full of packing and snugging up loose ends for the business. As for now, the 24th will be the day we depart for Hazelton BC. My self and Kispa (my 9 month old black lab) will load up in my over-packed 04 Dodge Ram 2500 pick-up and head north for another fall adventure in the wilds of north-central BC.

Check list will include: 12 fly rods, 6 reels, fly lines, flies, fly tying supplies, passport, dog papers, shot gun, ammo, shot gun papers, camp gear, blankets, gloves, hats, Simms waders, clothing, cooler, grub, extra fuel, chainsaw, GPS, cameras, tripods, computer, dry boxes and dry bags, raft, frame, repair, pumps, bike, down jacket, guide jacket, fleece, fleece and more fleece, socks, boots, two-four (the way Canadians say 24 pack of beer) of Ska brew for my buddy Todd Stockner...you get the point.
Stay tuned for more...

Cheers,

Will Blanchard