In the spring issue of Fly Rod & Reel, I extolled the virtues of western bass and offered a little kick in the backside to say that if you are only fishing trout and not taking advantage of bass, you just aren’t having as much fun as you could. That’s because the West is loaded with bass and they don’t see the pressure that fisheries in the southwest, midwest and east do. And there are some toads to be had—five pound largemouths abound and five-pound smallmouth aren’t too uncommon either. To back up my assertion, I direct you to a recent article offered by Bassmaster.com, in which Idaho’s Continue reading
Columbia River, Dworshak Reservoir on Nation’s Top Bass Fishing List
Which Mayfly Spinner is This
Look who stopped by the Angler’s Tonic office yesterday afternoon. Ok, bug guys and gals. Take your stabs. What’s this one’s name? Comment below if you would. Thanks. Continue reading
Posted in Flies
2 Comments
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: surviving a spring steelhead assault on Alaska’s Taku River
Editor’s note: As many of you know, longtime friend and Tonic patron Kent Sullivan is the most adventurous angler I know. He’s shared some of his experiences here on Tonic and I’ve also detailed some of the craziness that he and I have endured/enjoyed together over the years, from a wall tent full of 2,000 mosquitoes, to scary health issues, to bad hangovers, to lost anchors, failed engines and failed fish runs, all the way to perfect situations where we’ve railed kings and cohos, pulled crab traps, and spent nights dining on Dungees and coho on remote sand spits under the northern lights with brilliant phosphorescence dancing in the water. And we’ve introduced our daughters to the saltwater world, which brought memories of whales bubble-feeding, halibut coming to the gaff, and cohos slapping the deck. We’ve had it good, and we’ve had it bad. But our friendship and all those memories remain, which means Sullivan is a great fishing partner and, as you’ll see, a solid storyteller. Best of all, he likes to share his wild Alaska with newcomers. Enjoy this one, Tonic brothers. We’re fortunate that Sullivan shared the words and that his bud, Nick Segal, allowed me to run the picks. Many thanks to both. gt
THIS PAST WEEKEND (April 28/29), a buddy, Nick Segal, and I headed up the Taku River in southeast Alaska, outside of Juneau. As with most trips up the Taku, this one was a mix of the good and the bad. While it would have been nice had everything been good, that would not have Continue reading
Ned’s Dead
A backpack trip into north Idaho’s cutthroat and bull trout bastion brings humor and grief, via an unexpected surprise in wading boots.
Note: I gave a presentation last night to the Fly Fisher’s of the Bitterroot Club in Hamilton, Montana and had a wonderful time. The most laughs arrived when I told the following story, which was formerly printed in my old publication, Tight Lines. Hope you get a similar kick out of it.
BACKPACK TRIPS INTO REMOTE TROUT STREAMS ARE USUALLY about having too much stuff—too much food, too many pairs of underwear, too many flies, rods, reels … When the opposite is true it’s typically in regard to a dearth of suitable beverage, or forgetting a rain-fly, or the bear spray, or a lighter and matches. Something to turn an anticipated experience into a near-disaster.
A couple summers ago, I engaged on a five-day backpack trip into north Idaho with Continue reading
Greg Thomas Speaking in Hamilton, Montana
Wanted to let all know that I’ll be presenting to the great trout club, Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot, on Tuesday night, May 1. All are invited. Space may be limited however (I hope) as there is seating for about 60. I’ll cover overlooked waters in the northern Rockies and you’ll see scads of big fish pics, plus some humorous images.
The activities, meaning libation and stories, I believe, begin at 6 p.m. I’ll begin the program around 7 p.m. and will show images and talk for about 40 minutes. I’ll field some questions after that. Should be a great time as I know several club members personally and they’re great people. Look forward to seeing/meeting all of you there.
THE DIRT: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at BJ’s located at 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. General fish tails start at 6:00 pm and the program starts at 7:00 pm.
Posted in Culture, Industry, Northern Rockies
Leave a comment
Travis Morris’ 29-pound carp at Blackfoot Reservoir
Thought we’d show you what swims in Blackfoot Reservoir in Idaho, where the soon to be held Fin Chasers Carp Classic occurs. This pig, a 30-pounder, was taken by Travis Morris during last year’s two-day fly-fishing tournament. Big as it was, the overall winner was a 33-pound behemoth that was landed by Robert Jenny. Get in on the fun this year, beginning May 18.
Those carp cruise the shallows and eat a variety of offerings, ranging from hare’s-ears to leeches and other secret society flies that you’ve got to be there to see. For more info contact Brooks Montgomery at brooks@hartmontgomery.com
Drink of the Week with guest host George Cook
There are two things that stick with me after filming and watching this video. First, Cook likes pomegranate martinis. And, second, he really would prefer to be a ventriloquist. Enjoy.
Fin Chasers Carp Classic 2012 ready to roll
Met up with Brooks Montgomery a few days ago at the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula and he gave me the dirt on Carpapalooza 2012, technically known as the Fin Chasers Carp Classic.
I’m telling you, if you want to meet some cool people and have loads of fun on and off the water, this is a fly-fishing event to be at. Bring on the weather, bring on the carp—you’re going to have a blast, especially if you hook one of those 30-pounders. I’ve told Montgomery that carp don’t eat, but Continue reading
Weekend fishing in eastern Washington
Left last Friday for an annual assault on two of eastern Washington’s best trout lakes, dos super-productive scud, leech and chironomid-rich waters where rainbows grow to the 30-inches long and nobody bats and eye at 22-inchers.
So, let’s cut to the chase. On Saturday I hooked 21 rainbows and landed 16 of them, with these appealing measurements—two 23-inch fish; two 25-inch fish; a 26-inch fish; and a Continue reading
Posted in George Cook, Northwest, Travel, Warmwater, Washington
5 Comments
Back to Washington’s Back To The Wall
Got to tell you I’m excited. I’m setting up the tent tonight for my weekly indoors campout with Tate and Myka, and then I’m packing the rig in the a.m. and pointing it toward Coulee City, Washington.
That’s where I’ll meet northwest angling guru George Cook, for another weekend at Hole in The Wall, a private ranch with two incredible lakes that harbor rainbows and browns breaking the 30 Continue reading