Backcountry Fishing

I ventured to a place that I had fished as a kid. This area is where I discovered that backcountry fishing was something that I wanted to peruse. I fed of the energy, thrived on the adventure of it all. It seemed that the anticipation of fish created a fast pace, I couldn't get there fast enough. When I was young I never remembered the hike though. My mind was always fixed in deep thoughts, mostly thoughts of how cool a teleporter would be, I wished that I could fly at least a few times an hour and then the fish toughts. I always could count on two things here. One, there wouldn't be another soul around, because only a crazy would go through all this trouble to catch high country trout and two, the fishing is always better than great. Hit the trail at 3am, headlamp, fishing gear, a red bull and 20 years of memorys. Nice and mellow for a few minutes, then the stair climb, forgot about that, straight up for the next few hours ,ok more like three! In the dark you make good time, the air is crisp and refreshing it like breathing fresh life.The sunrise is a burst of energy knowing your almost there. While hiking, my mind wandered about as usual, I thought about how the teleporter is probably a few years away from being bought at walmart but it is going to cost a bundle, if I wait a year I can get last years model at a good discount that saves me money and I can buy some new fishing equipment with my good financial skills, I still wished I could fly but I also took the time to enjoy the beauty, well I had to really because I took a few more rest stops than normal. I was winded, thirsty and my feet were killing me. I was also thinking and hoping the fish are as still as huge as I had remembered, because my friend might be upset to catch 4-6 fingerling's after this adventure. The fishing trip was superb, not because we caught a lot of fish or that there were trophy's to be had but it confirmed that I am a serious addict, I caught the biggest fish and rubbed it in for the rest of the evening. Only to be out done by him the next trip and yep I still hear about it.

Black Bears..

Saw a few cubs....then wondered where mama was. Yep she wasn't too happy. Great experience seeing them up close. Kinda wanted to pet the little ones but nah...it would have hurt too much

Winter Is Here!

Well, it's snowboard season. It has been nice taking to you all. I guess I will keep this updated because I will be too busy and tired to take calls, clean, pay bills and anything else that might have to do with responsibility is surely out of the question. By the way fishing season will start right after the snow melts so you have a small window of opportunity to get a hold of me before it happens all over again :)

All photos by Will

Saltwater Sunset

Saltwater action, cape cod.

Snapping Turtles..

Kind of cool to see both the mini and the adult version of this animal.

Large Mouth Bass

Small kettle ponds are full of feisty Large Mouth Bass. Every once in a while I get to target these small monsters. It is quite amazing to fish for them on the surface. The water absolutely explodes. Even if you don't hook em' it sure is a sight to see.

Photos by..Matt

Cape Cod Strippers..

These Striper's, saltwater Bass, were caught on the East Coast, Cape Cod to be exact. I have a great fishing partner back there. By far one of the greatest fishermen I have ever known. It is only because of him that I have even caught them. Maybe that’s why they are so fun; if I am Striper fishing I get to see old friends…

Tuna Days

Sure miss the Tuna days. What a journey. I have caught one of the largest game fish in the world, and got paid to do it as a profession. It didn't come easy but worth every second. There is nothing like being in the middle of the Ocean with a giant on, after an hour long fight somebody has to give in. After it's over sheer exhaustion sets in and then the dance begins, everyone has a victory tuna jig. Even my well seasoned, mentor and weathered captain takes the time to dance on the back deck. The rush of adrenalin is what keeps you going. After a few months getting only a few hours asleep a night, its really a daze. Never knowing or caring what day it is. The weather factor seems to be obsolete, "were going" is the captain classic line. There is one goal and only one reason to do what you do, catch fish or die trying.

Fishing Quote

"Although I know that it is heresy to suggest such an idea in the midst of an age of progress, it may be that ultimate truth lies in the spiritual attitude of the southerners who are always going fishing. A person who has achieved an immunity from the everlasting inner demand that he improve upon his earthly position must possess an unusual degree of cosmic equilibrium. He must have learned in some way that composure of the human spirit is all that actually matters. He has attained, without conscious effort, the serenity for which all men strive."
--Clarence Cason (1898-1935)

A Twenty Year Span.....

Whew… Where did all those years go?

The saying "it seems like yesterday" is so true. Been all over the world, seen many amazing things. Most of them have more to do with the picture rather than the eye. The world is round, small and full of fish. I guess that is my purpose in life whether I have liked it or not. Now that the time is slowing it's pace, I had a chance to glance back at some old pictures. It seems that the same was true back then as it is today, most of my pictures are of fish or me fishing.

Me at 8yrs old and me at 28yrs old.....

Golden Nugget

Somewhere in a remote area there is a true gem. The "golden nugget" river will always be a future destination with superb fishing but most of all a secret. Great time and good fishing. What else could you ask for?

All photos by Andy

Testament of a Fisherman

Photo by Will

Testament of a Fisherman
I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe one day I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun.
- Robert Traver, 1964 (Judge John Voelker, 1903-1993) Retired Michigan Supreme Court Justice

Snow at the bat cave

Snowed last night, so I thought it would be a perfect time to go fish a place that is usually crowded. Air was cold and the sky was blue...20 degrees, 3 inches of snow and a late fall BWO hatch. The gamble paid off, all the fair weathered fishermen were no where to be seen. What a day couldn't have been any better.




This fish was just a bonus. It only makes me want to go fish again, got the rivers on my mind.


Fish photos by Andy
Scenic shots by yours truly

Late October Fishing Tip

Late October fishing is always good and always fun. Took a trip to a favorite remote area to chase some Brown trout. The low temperature was a hot 8 degrees; everything was frozen, frosted and cold. With over one hundred fish landed we defiantly paid to play. Can't wait till next year!

Photos by Andy / Fish and rod photo by me

Almost time...

Photo was taken a few months before knee sugery. Nothing beats Utah pow!! In the White room again!
Photo by will

Big Cottonwood canyon. Just one of the views from the winter office.
photo bt me

The true purist

I have been lucky enough to see a few birds of prey this summer, but never had a camera. Finally got a shot!!
There are many things that cross your mind when you see one of natures prized creations. My fist thought was...One of the greatest fisherman ever.
Photos by me

Fall Cutthroat

Spent a day at the lake chasing fall cutthroat. The 5:00am temperature was 29 degrees. The lake was empty and the fish were hungry.
Photos by me

Calypso Orchid

This past spring a friend and I were exploring a remote area in the Uinta Mountains for trout. Along the way he happened to notice this tiny flower, a Calypso Orchid, also known as the fairy slipper or Venus's slipper, and usually found in undisturbed forests. It is classified as threatened or endangered.

He had his trusty camera phone and took this picture. It turned out better than we had expected haha........... Photo by Peter

It is the only species currently classified in the genus Calypso, which takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. Their tiny purple blooms, typically about 10 cm in height, can be a pleasant sporadic sight on hiking trails from late March onwards, though in the more northerly parts of their range they do not bloom until May and June. These come to full bloom in nearly 20 years

This is a picyure of how it should look..... haha

Fishing quote

A river, large or small, is alive with a pulse you can feel and a voice you can hear. Its message is a timeless call from the past and an urgent plea for the future. In the course of a lifetime, I have heard the voices and met the ghosts who guard the sacred places. Although forceful in their presence and insistent in their will, they have never told me what not to do. But sometimes, when I stray from what is important and what is real, they tell me who I am.

Rene Harrop-
TROUT HUNTER, The Way Of An Angler
photo by me

Another day at the office...

It’s fall and that means getting ready for the big fish hunt. I have been scouting my fall spots in anticipation of the brown spawn.

You never know what you might find. Met a fisherman, now a friend, that was traveling through Utah and he took this great shot of a small brown trout and me.
Photos by Mark