REMEMBER THE GOOD OLE' DAYS?

Remember when it didn't require a loan to fill your tank with fuel?  Remember when a movie and a bag of popcorn didn't max out your debit card? Remember when ball caps had a curved bill and were never worn sideways? Remember when kids played outside? Remember when we could help our kids with their math homework? Remember when boys and girls had separate bathrooms? Remember when schools didn't have sex education classes for 6th graders and didn't supply condoms?

Fly Fishing

Wrapping up the 2014 summer fly fishing season. The North Platte offered good to semi-great fishing this year. Not the off-the-charts, unbelievable, wear your arm out, fishing of 2013. I believe the prime culprit was they (they being the federal government. I know, shocking isn't it?) kept screwing with the water levels in the river. The trout had to deal with flows from 500 cfs in early June to 3,000 cfs in mid-July and back to 500 cfs in September. Now couple that with several thunderstorms that poured mud into the river you have a less than ideal situation. Not only did that mess with fishing (you can't eat what you can't see) for a few days, but it also adversely affected the bug hatches. Several of our main hatches never happened at all this year.

But good fishing on the NP is better than most rivers' great. I still had numerous 20"+  trout in my net and many 50+ fish landed days.

I even got a one-armed old guy to catch some trout!

And I guided some guy who claimed he coached college football somewhere. Yeah, right!

Waterfowl Season Outlook

Years from now hunters will sit around talking about 'the good ole' days'. The year a record 100 million waterfowl moved down the flyways. The year that had so many Canada geese they couldn't count them all. The year the snow goose production was so high they estimated there will be nearly two juveniles for every adult.

Remember 'the good ole' days'? You should, because they are now!

The 2014-2015 seasons have the potential to be epic. I say potential, because weather is the primary factor in our hunting success. Hard to imagine WyoBraska Waterfowl could have a better season than last year, but I am looking forward to the challenge.

Be well and God Bless.

Flies, Sighs, Byes and Whys

My ghost writer has returned from his Tibetan journey.  The trek in the Himalays proved fruitless. Turns out the Dali Lama was not at his home in Takster. He was, in fact, at either the Starbucks on Rodeo Drive or doing a book signing at the Barnes & Noble on Grove Drive.

Another unexcused absence.

Flies

Summer on the Reef has provided its usual mix of world class fly fishing. Nymph fishing was silly good through mid-June. Many 80+ fish days. To the net not just hookups. Mid to late June was vexed by increased water flows. This old man appreciated the assist of faster water but the accompanying colder water temps quashed the hatches.

The August Trico hatch has begun and has the big-uns looking skyward for a tasty morsel. There are hoppers along the bank, but not sure they will ever be offered on the entree menu. If they do, dry fly fishing is as good as it gets.




Sighs

I thank the Lord every day I get to live and work in his magnificent canvas of Wyoming. For 10 months of the year, I spend most of my days on or near the North Platte River. Whether it is rising trout along with stream side pronghorns framed by mountains and high desert prairie or the majesty of mallards and Canada geese against the piercing blue of unpolluted skies. My days are filled with sighs.

Pathfinder Ranch

Dumbell Ranch

Byes

Life is filled with goodbyes. The loss of friends, loves, family and old dogs can be the lowest of lows. The worst of goodbyes.

However the word is good - byes. Some goodbyes are in fact "good" byes. When you are 7 years old, the maturation process can be painfully slow. Long before sprouting hair on the land down under; longer before knowing whether you are truly truly right handed or left handed; even longer before the voice change; eons before the need  for your first Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide now with Flex ball; long before you ever get your iPhone 12 XTS; you celebrate the loss of your baby teeth. There is something so demeaning about baby teeth. The name alone is condescending.  You may act like a baby from time to time but having baby teeth is such a belittling stage of life.

Brayden "B"

But then it happens! The hand of the Tooth Fairy and her "flush with cash minions" (you can't give up Santa, the Easter Bunny and the head fairy in the same year) reach out and plucks the wobbly useless chopper from your jaw. The ultimate right of passage would be to have the celestial vibes align and cause the removal of both front toothusses within hours of each other. The fraternal twins exiting the oral womb and never having to leave the delivery room between extractions.

Chompers "B" gone!

A manly good bye.


Whys

Why do bad things happen to good people? I guess it is called life. My beloved, dear  friend, Dr. Lynn Wilcox from Salt Lake City, is battling cancer. Here is a man who spent his entire adult life healing the sick. He truly lives a Godly life. He talks it and walks it. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy with encouraging success. The tumor has been reduced in size but the battle rages on.

Dr Lynn Wilcox

An indication of just how serious Lynn is about the fight and his recovery, he fly fished with me in late June, is planning a fly fishing trip in late August and is coming to hunt with me for a week in December. All the while administering his own chemotherapy.

Please keep Lynn in your prayers. I pray the Heavenly Healer will heal the healer.

God bless you Lynn.

CHASING THE UNICORN

I am back home in Torrington, after completeing a very challenging spring snow goose season. The 'winter that never ends' continued through most of March.

This was the most erratic migration I have seen in my 19 years of the spring snow goose season. By the end of February, we had opened enough water on our ponds with ice eaters to attract the birds if they came. Then the first week of March brought 5-10 below zero temps and the ponds were locked tight again with 5 inches of ice. The bitter weather forced us to cancel the first ten days of hunts.

Rescheduling everyone was like solving Rubik's cube in the dark. Difficult but we got it done thanks to a group of amazing clients. Simply the best!

After 4 days of dark to dark adjusting  ice eaters, breaking ice with spud bars, ripping waders, setting decoys coupled with near total exhaustion, we hosted our first hunters on the 6th of March. We had steady hunting for the next two weeks with our hunters taking nearly 1,100 geese. Friday, March 14th was our big day with 12 hunters killing 127 geese at three differnt locations. I had a group of five hunters take 75 geese that day!

The Unicorn

In snow goose hunting you live for the magical days when the sky is filled with skeins of geese from horizon to horizon. One of nature's true spectacles. You also learn to look for rare birds in the flocks of decoying birds.

Snow geese take a long time to descend from their cruising altitude to shooting range over the decoys. This gives the hunter (and guide) time to look for the rarest of the rare, the holy grail of snow geese, the Unicorn.

The Unicorn does not have black wing tips like other snow geese. It is not an albino. The primary feathers are white not black. If you consider the population of lesser snow geese is around 15 million and I have seen one Unicorn in 19 years of hunting snow geese, rare doesn’t describe it. It is mystical.

The only way I can describe the Unicorn is having a halo around it in the air. It is very visible in a flock of black wing tipped birds. I saw my second Unicorn on March 14^th..  I first spotted when it was at 500 yards sailing above Barber’s pond. It was in a flock of 400 decoying birds. I pointed it out to the five hunters (Paul Minar's group) I had in the blind that day. They said it stuck out like Kate Upton at the Walmart in Tchula, MS.

The 400 came to 20 yards out and 15 feet over the decoys with the Unicorn in the front row. When the first shots rang out one goose fell.  It appeared the Unicorn was hit simultaneously with the blast of five guns. After the cheering subsided they managed to drop another 10 from the flock. I now have my Unicorn.

The Unicorn (rt)

Front Row, Unicorn
 Second Row, 74 friends of the Unicorn
Third Row, left to right - Molly, Paul Minar, Cloud  and Hooligans.
Not pictured - Kate Upton

Next is the white mallard for Todd Norsten and the white Canada for Lynn Wilcox! Can’t wait for the 2014-2015 season.

TO HELL WITH PAUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL

On February 2nd, the town council of Punxsutawney, PA, gathered for their traditional bring the rodent out festival. Lore has it that if the rat, named Phil (the amount of alcohol consumed to come up with "Phil" is undetermined. Suffice to say it was copious) doesn't see his shadow it will be an early spring. If the rat bastard sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. The dude came out of his hole on Gobbler's Knob wearing sunglasses.

Not to be outdone, the Marxist, socialist, copycat, Sandinista loving mayor of New York City decided to have a ceremony of his own in Central Park across from the original Gobbler's Knob, Trump Towers in Central Park West. The New York groundhog was trotted out and Mayor De blasio immediately dropped him on his head. Would that could be the other way around.

The NYC  impostor "Phil" not only saw his shadow, the stars in his rat fink head were complete with dancing shadows. New York City deserves everything it gets. The Mayor will bankrupt the city and the city is having the worst winter since the Whyos Gang ruled the lower east side. (The real reason they are having bad weather is the myopic twits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art don't have a Norsten in their collection)

I am living in the reflected light of rat shine. The winter that never ends.  It's like Bill Murray is living in my decoy trailer. I am in Fairbury now moving ice eaters in our ponds to have some open water for the white horde. When this snow goose migration happens it is going to be epic.  We will start hunters March 8th.

If anyone should see that damn groundhog run over him. I never want him to see daylight again,

WyoBraska Waterfowl Recap 2013-2014

Mallards and Canada Geese

February 17^th marked the end of the 2013-2014 waterfowl season. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to my clients for their support of and interest in WyoBraska Waterfowl.  I am truly blessed to have developed strong business and personal relationships with them over the past fifteen years.  Yes, we started hunting the North Platte Valley fifteen years ago.

The quality of our hunting continues to improve. I never like to post harvest numbers because I feel providing a memorable hunting experience is much more than the number of birds you kill.  Appreciating the majesty of  a sky filled with flocks of mallards and Canadas, the sunrises and sunsets, marveling at the enthusiasm of well-trained retrievers and hunting in magnificent locations is the essence of being a true waterfowl sportsman.

  

While 2012-2013 was a record year for WyoBraska Waterfowl, the 2013-2014 season has established a new benchmark. This was the third season in a row with record harvest numbers.  Our hunters harvested 22% more mallards this year than last year’s record number. Our Canada goose harvest was also a record with a 12% increase over last year’s record total.

Ultimately Mother Nature has the most control over the three most important variables: waterfowl numbers, the migration and the weather. My commitment to you is to strive to provide memorable hunting experiences year after year. I will continue to manage my properties wisely to ensure they are not over pressured. I promise we will continue to use only top quality decoys and equipment. I am always looking for other properties, but only if they can offer the same quality hunting you have come to expect from WyoBraska Waterfowl.

2014 Snow Geese

We have added another excellent location to our offerings in Fairbury. I am in Fairbury now getting blinds and decoys ready for our first hunters the end of next week. We are using ice eaters on our ponds to create open water for the geese. We have seen a few flocks of scout geese the last couple of days. These flocks are made up of older adult birds who push the envelope in a drive to reach the nesting grounds in the Arctic. They are the ultimate frequent flyer.

The retriever squad for this spring is Molly and Tommie.  They are coming off a stellar mallard and goose season.. Me be a proud Papa! Dani and AZ have earned well deserved retirement from the snow geese.

Tom Harpstreith Memorial Youth Hunt

The 4th annual youth hunt was  held on January 26th.  We hosted 48 young hunters to a day in the field. The hunt was a huge success with lots of prizes for the kids. The goose calling contest featured our first "mouth caller". No call, just his voice and he was very good. The best part? The mouth caller was Tom's oldest grandson, Owen, 9 years old. The hunt had drawing for two shotguns and guess who won a gun? Owen! You think Tom had a hand in that? No doubt in my mind.

To all my waterfowl friends - Go North and Prosper.

GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND

I am terribly sorry, I have been unable to get my sorry-assed ghost rider out of the pit.  I mean literally! We got him in but extraction has been an  an issue. No fear, he has food and water and a couple of days a week I send hunters join him so that his social skills (albeit limited) do not totally erode.

Hunting has been very good so far this season. However, I know I am ready to get my butt kicked. It can't be good every day or so they say.

The videos are raw footage shot by my non de plume. The video editing capabilities are a challenge in the pit so please bear with us.

This video is of my 2 year old lab, Tommie.  She has made the starting line-up this year.  She still has graduate work to complete her degree but her enthusiasm makes up for occassional lapses in technique. She does five flawless retrieves here.  Hunters got a limit of big Canadas by 10:00 AM at Location X.

This video is from a magical day at Location X. Limits of geese and mallards in 40 mph wind. We needed one drake for a limit and he was culled from amixed  flock of geese and mallards.

Enjoy!

THEEYY AARRREE HEERRREE

The Lord continues to smile upon WyoBraska Waterfowl.  The first hunters of the year were scheduled for Nov 6th and 7th. The first wave of mallards arived on Tuesday, Nov 5th. Naw.. I wasn't worried a bit. 

Shelley and Brian Kadison
Beverly Hills, CA
Retriever - Molly

On the 5th, the skies were filled with a major migration of lesser Canada geese.  I assumed some mallards were moving with them and shor nuff they were. I have had hunters every day since the 6th and they have taken limits every day.

Spencer, Tate, Benson Holmes
Sandy, UT
Retriever - Molly

 Had a great moring today.  Worked several big bunches of 30-75 birds that we did not shoot into. I don't need to educate that many birds this early in the season.  We were still done by 7:15!

Tate, Benson and Spencer Holmes
Salndy, UT/
Retriever -Tommie

Of course I can't guarantee what is going to happen in the future, but it is looking good right now.

I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know…

Bill Withers

We sincerely appreciate your understanding regarding the lack of posts to this blog.  We want everyone to know my ghost writer has escaped unharmed from the domestic terrorist group.  He or she (in no way does this imply my ghost writer has gender identity issues) was kidnapped during a bus tour of the Bakken Formation oil fields near Williston, ND.  His/her escape was facilitated by his/her captors leaving a door unlocked while they were attending a pro-abortion, anti- high capacity magazine, pro-amnesty, anti-Keystone XL pipeline, save the wolves, students for the legalization of marijuana, great hot springs of the west, free education for all, any drone will do, free Doritos for life (splinter group of the students for legalization of marijuana), Norsten for MOMA, save the whales (not to be confused with Mrs. Hussein’s Let’s Move initiative, Occupy Williston, workers of the world unite, love that healthcare.gov, protect women’s reproductive rights in third world countries, global warming, day against police brutality, PETA, actions against globalization, international day of farmers’ struggles, international media democracy day, pro Saudi women’s drivers’ education, and eat more chicken day rally.

Thank God he/she is safe.

Summer 2013

This summer on the Grey Reef was the most consistent fly fishing in my ten years of guiding for the North Platte Lodge. Fifty fish to the net days were common place and there were numerous seventy five to one hundred fish days as well. Lots of 20+ inch rainbows. In fact there were many more days of 20+ than without.  Late summer into the fall the big Brown Trout made an appearance. 25+ inch fish were a weekly occurrence.  It was the best of times.

Even JJ can catch 'em

Grey Reef Rainbow

Waterfowl

Waterfowl in North America continue to be near 25 year highs. This year’s fall flight forecast is only slightly below last year’s record count of 48 million birds. Now we need Mother Nature to cooperate and give us a more normal transition from fall into winter.  A steady migration should give WyoBraska Waterfowl another stellar season.

I observed the first signs of the migration in the last week. Sand Hill cranes and snow geese are doing their high altitude fly overs. The early migrators blue wing teal, pintails, gadwall and shovelers have been frequenting the Henry Lake during October.  This week the visitors are green wing teal, wigeon and mallards. While working on the pit at the lake Saturday evening, we had a flock of 200 lesser Canada geese stop for the night.  The migration has begun!

The past two weeks have been spent preparing the river and lake blinds for the season.  The goose pits will be readied the middle of this month.

River Blind

It is going to be a very busy season.  I have hunters every day starting November 6^th through February 10^th with the exception of December 23, 24 and Christmas Day.  I am gratified by the support of my clients but I am looking forward to those three days!

Thinking the pro marijuana issue may have had something to do with the unlocked door.

MID-SUMMER UPDATE

I know it has been a long time since last post.

Fly fishing on the Grey Reef section of the North Platte has been the best in my ten years of guiding here. One hundred fish days too many to count. The Lodge has had to re-order our 25"+ fish hats three times and it is only mid-July.

We know it can't last forever, but it sure has been fun. A few of this year's catch.

28" Brown

30" Brown

25" Rainbow Pig

25" Brown

26" Rainbow

25" Rainbow

 Yes, I actually went fun fishing one evening on a "Guides Night Float".

AIN'T NO WIMPY TRIP TO GRACELAND

The 2012-2013 waterfowl season ended mid-March as we waved goodbye to the last flock of snow geese as they flew overhead on the return leg of their amazing 6000 mile round trip journey from the Arctic tundra of Nunavut to Louisiana and back..

This year's season was frequently interrupted by inclement weather. What initially appeared to be an early beginning to the migration, morphed into one of frequent starts and stops.

1.5 million snow geese were staged on Squaw Creek Refuge in northwest Missouri in late February until a spring snowstorm caused the mass to return to Arkansas and Louisiana. The storm forced us to cancel hunters from February 26 to March 8. Fortunately most of our hunters were able to reschedule to later dates in March.

Sunset Snows

Snows on final approach

The stutter start of the migration resulted in a steady stream of birds rather than a mass exodus. The more orderly migration proved a boon for our hunters. I have hunted the spring snow goose season since its inception in 1998 and this year our hunters harvested the most snow geese ever.

ON THE JOB TRAINING

The spring snow goose season provides wonderful training situations for young dogs. I opted to not bring the "old girls" to Fairbury this year. Dani has made the trip for the past nine years and AZ for the past seven. Over the years they have retrieved in the neighborhood of 8000 snow geese. I decided it was time for them to begin their semi-retirement and give the young girls the work.

Snow goose hunting is physically demanding on dogs. Retrieving 40-60 birds a day in ice cold water is not my idea of a good time but it is Valhalla for Labs. Three year old Molly amazed my hunters with her ability to handle 400+ yard blind retrieves with style and enthusiasm.

Puppy Tommie performed like a seasoned veteran. She had a 60 bird day, along with many days of over 30 birds,. and was as excited on the last as she was on the first. I look forward to her training progress this summer.

Tommie on the chase

A RECORD SEASON

The record harvest of snow geese capped off a record 2012-2013 waterfowl season. WyoBraska Waterfowl hunters harvested a record number of mallards and Canada geese as well. I shall refrain from divulging the exact numbers in deference to local hunters. Jealousy is such a pitiful emotion.

I am so very blessed to have a loyal group of clients. Some of whom have been hunting with me for over 15 years. Because of their support the upcoming 2013-2014 season is totally sold out. I am very grateful.

May the waterfowl go north and prosper.

DICKENS AND WATERFOWL

I am currently in Fairbury waiting for the snow goose migration. So far, we have had a little stutter- start to the season. 

What appeared to be an early start for the snow goose migration has returned to a more normal time frame. The back-to-back snow storms that hit Kansas and Missouri have pushed most of the geese back to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. However, we have seen a small migration beginning the last few days. The forecast calls for warmer weather and  hopefully that will kick things into high gear.

The 2012-2013 fall/winter waterfowl season was on a similar roller coaster. November through mid-December saw above normal temperatures along with continuation of the drought.  The North Platte experienced reduced flows; however, we had enough water at our river location in Nebraska. The river refuge at Lingle had enough water to attract the ducks and geese. We also had sufficient water in our lake in Wyoming.

The warmer than normal weather did affect our goose hunting this year. We had fewer big Canadas and significantly more lesser Canadas in both Wyoming and Nebraska. For the second year in a row, many of the big guys stayed in Montana. In February 80% of our geese were little yappers.

Have I mentioned I harbor a great dislike of the lesser Canada goose? They usually fly in huge flocks which makes them difficult to decoy into our normal shooting range. Oh, they get you all revved up when a hundred of them lock up and descend to eighty yards. But like the cheerleader in high school they usually break your heart. Well, not every time. I seem to recall a late night swim at Villa Springs that...never mind.

November through mid-December daily limits were the norm. It was the best mallard hunting I have ever had anywhere!

December 18th brought a sharp change in our weather. It was our first snow of the year accompanied by bitter temperatures. From then until the end of the season we were on two-week weather cycles. Two weeks of bitter cold  followed by two weeks of record warmth.

Weather changes are generally good for hunting. It causes the birds to get out of their daily routines. However, when it is either cold or warm for two-week periods the birds get patterned very quickly. And JJ gets very frustrated very quickly.

That being said, 2012-2013 season was WyoBraska Waterfowl's best season ever. We set records for mallard harvest as well as for geese. The record that is most gratifying is the record for number of clients.


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....  (Charles Dickens)

Mostly the best.

DUCKS GEESE AND GHOSTS

In 1854, along the banks of the North Platte River, east of Ft. Laramie, WY, a small detachment of soldiers entered an encampment of 4000 Sioux to arrest a man accused of taking a migrant's cow, although such matters by treaty were to be handled by the US Indian Agent. The Sioux refused as the cow had wandered into the village; they had not stolen the cow as they were accused. The situation escalated quickly to the point of one of the soldiers shot Chief Conquering Bear in the back and killed him. The Lakotas returned fire and killed a total of 29 soldiers, Lt. John Grattan, and a civilian interpreter. The massacre, as it was called by the American press, was the beginning of the bloody Plains Indian Wars.

The soldiers were buried in a mass grave near where they fell. My new pit is on the site of the fight. I call it the Grattan Pit. Many ducks and geese have met the same fate as Lt. Grattan. 

I am happy to report that none of my combatants were shot in the back. However, there are reports of ghosts near the marker. Rightly so.

limit geese

limit mallards and geese

the casualties of the skirmish

BEVERLY HILLS DUCKS AND GEESE

As they looked out their window, the faint light of the approaching sunrise caused the gunners' adrenaline level to rise in anticipation of what lay ahead of them. They had no idea of what to do or how to do it. They just knew this is where they were meant to be.

In order to select the best mentor, countless evenings over several weeks  had been spent in front of the computer researching "the best of the best" There could be no compromise.

The gentleman they selected understood the importance of this day. He wanted this day to be an introduction to an experience that would enrich the rest of their lives.

It was the start of another day at the Beverly Hills Gun Club.

************

In 1996 I was working as the lead fly fishing guide for Jan's Mountain Outfitters in Park City, Utah. A couple and their 8-year old daughter walked into the store and said they wanted to learn how to fly fish. I actually love the opportunity to introduce people to the amazing outdoors.

Whether it is fly fishing, hunting ducks, geese, pheasants or turkeys, I am not only blessed to have a hand in the improvement of peoples' skills but I also have the solemn obligation of introducing them to a world they have never known.

Shelley and Brian Kadison and their daughter, Paisley, were destined to become converts to JJ's world. The Kadisons have not only remained great clients but we have become very close friends.

The Kadison Family fly fished with me every summer in Utah and continued to fly fish with me when I made the move to Wyoming. However, something very alarming happened along the way. Paisley became older while Shelley, Brian and I remained locked in an ageless time warp. Paisley graduated from high school, graduated from USC, attended Oxford University and has a law degree from Stanford University. She now works for a law firm in New York City. And she still loves to fly fish.

Brian and Paisley fished with me this summer on the Grey Reef. Each year, during our time on the river the discussion always comes around to my Labradors and that discussion served as a segue into hunting.  Brian has said for years that he wanted to experience waterfowling. Having never hunted a day in his life he made the leap and booked a hunt for his wife, Shelley, and himself.

Neither Shelley or Brian had ever fired any type of gun before.  Consequently, my first suggestion was to take shooting lessons. Living in Beverly Hills (yes, the official 90210), they took their instruction at the  the only gun club in the area. The Beverly Hills Gun Club.

Fast forward to December 14, 2012. That evening I met Shelley and Brian at the Holiday Inn and made our plans for the morning. I am guessing the Kadisons don't, as a general rule, have breakfast at 5:00 am at the local diner. But this morning it was the Pineapple Grille. I was hoping "Pineapple" is close enough to "palm" to make them feel not too out of their comfort zone. Main Street, Torrington - Rodeo Drive (Ro-day-O - not bull riding), Beverly Hills. Similar yet different.

The morning was one of those magical moments on the North Platte. Ducks and Canadas were everywhere. Bunch after bunch of mallards dropped from the sky. The shooting was enthusiastic albeit not always effective. My guess is they probably did not go 25 straight at the Beverly Hills Gun Club either.

Molly put on quite a show making long blind retrieves and chasing wing-tipped birds downstream.  I now know that the main reason Shelley was there was to watch the dogs work.

I am so very blessed to be able to introduce people to experiences they could never imagine. Shelley and Brian are now converts to the wonderful world of waterfowling.

I hope no one tells my lab, Molly, she has an open invitation to take up residence in 90210.

Day 1

Day 2

THE BAHA MEN AND WATERFOWL

Irving Berlin, Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Burt Bacharac, Oscar Hammerstein and Bob Marley are all great lyricists who have enriched our lives. Their songs play over and over on the soundtrack in our heads.

Randy Newman has never enriched a damn thing. Randy Newman sucks. I would love to take Randy Newman hunting on a -20 day with wind NNW at 30 with gusts to 50.  I am confident there would be a hunting accident. Randy Newman sucks.

Perhaps the greatest song of all time was written and performed by the Baha Men.

Who let the dogs out?
Who, who, who, who, who?
Who let the dogs out?
Who, who, who, who, who?

I apologize. I fear the lyrics are now permanently etched in the tiny space reserved for only your most cherished memories.

I can't promise this will be the last blog on my black lab, Molly.

If you have been following this blog, you know Molly's road to membership in the WyoBraska Waterfowl Retriever Club was not exactly on paved highways. Molly is now the lead dog. The many long hours of training over the past two years is paying huge dividends.

Danielle is now ten years old. She has earned the title of the Platte River Specialist. Dani is simply the ultimate retriever on the North Platte. I can't recall ever losing a downed bird with her. 400 yard blind retrieves on birds in the current or long blind retrieves on sailing birds into the woods are common place with her. She now hunts one day every two weeks.

Molly is well on her way to the same lofty status. She has been impeccable on her whistle commands and hand signals. I have not lost a bird with her this year. She is the steadiest dog I have ever had. She will sit outside all day and watch client dogs make the "easy" retrieves and never complain. But when the degree of difficulty is above the pay grade of the other dogs she is eager to show her stuff.

Molly still has a few little quirks. Large Canadas pose a problem for her. Being a small dog, her mouth is not big enough to wrap around a honker. You try lifting a 12 lb goose with your mouth. It ain't that easy.

Our apprentice retriever is 11 month old Tommie.  She has had a couple of ten plus duck days on the river and displays all the attributes I need in my retrievers.

Molly has big paws to fill. Her disposition and size remind everyone of the legendary Brooks. Brooks; Harvey; Ally; Zile; Danielle and AZ have set the bar high. By the end of the spring snow goose season, Molly will be reaching for the top rung.

Molly

Who let these dogs out? I believe only God.

Tommie

AZ

Dani

MOTHER BE WHUPPIN' MY BUTT

November 2012 has been one of the driest and warmest ever recorded. Torrington received a meager 0.6 inches of precipitation during the month. The high temp for the month was 76 degrees on November 21st. The end of November should bring us high temps in the low 40's and night time temps around 15 degrees.The 30th of November the high was 67 and the low was 27.

Thank heavens Montana had one storm in the middle of the month that pushed some birds south. Truth is it caused one of the most dramatic migration days I have ever seen. Canada geese and mallards came down the river all day long. Flock after flock of five hundred to a thousand lesser Canadas raced by on their way to Colorado, Oklahoma and north Texas. Skeins of snow geese were accompanied by spirals of sandhill cranes as well the tail end migration of gadwall and blue wing teal.

There are two major things that move big Canadas and northern mallards; ice and snow. Their water must freeze and snow must cover their food. If they have open water and a food source, cold alone will not move them.

Now that my pity party is over, I have to confess that November was my best month ever for mallards! I am blessed to hunt in perhaps the finest location for consistent mallard hunting in the entire US. I hesitate to say exactly how many mallards my hunters have taken because I don't want area hunters to know how good I am doing. In November we bagged more mallards than we took all of last season. And I didn't start hunters until the 10th!

Suffice to say, Mother Nature took a swing, butt she missed!

]

BOOM....BOOM....BOOM

Game on!

The 2012-2013 waterfowl season is officially underway. There has been a surprising number of mallards on the river. Our mallards normally don't arrive until mid-November, but we certainly welcome the early arrivals. We have had several great days on the river. 

However, none was more spectacular than November 7th. Accompanying me was my Dad, Michael, and my good friend Aaron Garcia. Aaron is the current Wyoming state goose calling champion. But this day was all about mallards. 

The balmy morning certainly didn't portend what we were about to witness. Shooting time was 6:10 and as if late for an appointment,  the 150 mallards broke from "on high" (for the WMIM).  Following their downwind leg they turned final, pulled full flaps and Boom....Boom....Boom............Boom................Boom! Five greenheads were doing their best spinning class impressions.

A flock 250+ came down river. The split second the high-balls from the Carlson calls reached the mallards, all 250 locked up. As they dropped altitude they were joined by 150 mallards who were heading up river. The first flock and their new best friends circled once and dropped into the decoys. 400 mallards in the water. All inside of 30 yards. There wasn't any Boom....Boom....Boom. We did not fire a shot! Too many and too majestic. I know I will never tire of witnessing that spectacle.

They kept flying and we decoyed flock after flock. Most flew away. We took a couple singles and decided  that was enough. Aaron's puppy, Briley, is a litter mate to Tommie. Briley flawlessly made the retrieves this morning. They are going to be great dogs.

I have never seen this many mallards on the North Platte this early in November. If (read big if) it continues,  the 2012-2013 season could be one for the record books.

Retriever Update

This early season has allowed me to get lots of work for the young dogs. Tommie is progressing at warp speed. Her water entries are explosive. She is learning how to handle live birds in the river as well as track them along the banks. I could not be more pleased with her.

Molly continues to solidify her status as lead retriever. She is handling beautifully and learns more about the river every day. We have not lost a duck this year with Tommie and Molly.

AZ and Dani are also getting some work. However, both need a couple days to recuperate after a morning of retrieving.

Best Day of All

Friday, October 26th, my son, Brayden, did not have school because of a teacher conference. He said he wanted to go duck hunting. The night before I told him he could pick which dog would accompany us in the morning. He picked AZ. He also insisted on bringing his Red Ryder BB Gun.

At 5:00 AM he was dressed in his Carharts and camo jacket. I was fairly confident he would last about 15 minutes in the blind. I set the decoys and we settled into the blind. The early migration consisted of teal and gadwall. We decoyed several flocks of "gaddys" and I shot a couple. As each minute passed I was waiting for the "Dad, I'm bored. Can we go now?" I answered questions about the migration: Why do ducks have different feathers?; How do they name the different ducks?; Do ducks have tongues?; Can we clean one here?; If AZ likes ducks, why doesn't she eat them?; How do weathermen predict the weather? (they don't); Can you go to McDonalds and bring back lunch?; How many do you think I shot? I know I shot two!

I could have shot a limit of gadwall, but elected to wait for the greenheads. At 10:00 I had two gadwall and three mallards.  I said, "B we have to go now we have our limit." " No Dad, I want to stay and play duck hunter!" At 2:00 I pleaded, "B we have to go now!" He reluctantly acquiesced.

A perfect day. And the Lord smiled.

Brayden's Gadwall

SUMMER'S PROMISE ALMOST GONE

Yesterday, October 2, 2012, was an idyllic day on the North Platte.

As the light crawled across the sage and filled the canyons, the temperature followed the light's lead. From a chilly start in the mid-40s the temp climbed to 83 in the afternoon. The wind remained light and the trout seemed to celebrate the day as well.

From a distance, mini-clouds of Tricorythodes (Tricos) resemble puffs of white dust. Pods of rising trout were feasting on the spinners as they fell in the shallows. As I witnessed the spectacle, I was reminded of a line from A River Runs Through It. "Nobody who did not  know how to fish would be allowed to disgrace a trout by catching him."

The fly fishing has been spectacular this year. The fishing this fall has been unequivocally the best in all my years on the North Platte. Gin clear water, prolific hatches and hungry trout. What could be better?

Today we said goodbye to summer. The high today was 38 and the wind was relentless.  Today was time for streamers.  Countless 20+ inch fish chased the streamers and made their way to the net.

It is time for the fly rods to be put away and  park the Clackacraft for the winter.

It is time for waterfowl.

Dog Update

Molly and Tommie have made tremendous progress this summer.

Molly will be a great hunting partner this season. She is doing long (300+ yard) blind retrieves and never misses a hand signal. She may have the best nose of any lab I have ever had. Molly got some time during the recent Sage Grouse season and she expertly tracked down several wounded birds. She will assume the lead retriever position this season.

Tommie is now 10 months old.  She has grown from a little black puppy to the tallest of all my dogs and loves to train. She is steady as a rock and is delivering to hand with style and enthusiasm. Tommie is doing multiple marks and is doing well on her lining drills. She soaks up each new step in her training like a thirsty sponge. I can't wait to spend time in the blind this season with her.

Dani and AZ, are doing fine. However, they both are having the aches and pains that inevitably come with age. Although their time in the field will be reduced, it will be impossible to reduce their desire to hunt. The old dogs also got to hunt during the Sage Grouse season. Dani reaffirmed her place as the upland specialist. She covers ground like a pointer and rousts birds out the thickest of cover. On the last day, AZ trailed a wing tipped grouse for three hundred yards in the sage brush and proudly brought the bird to hand.

The girls and I have been training most evenings, with the young ones getting most of the work. Dani and AZ getting tune ups as the young girls continue their education.


2012-2013 Waterfowl Season Preparations

I will be heading back to Torrington in a couple weeks.  My last day on the river will be October 15th. There is lots of work to do to get ready for the upcoming season.

We pulled the lake pit due to water seeping into the pit. The culprits were muskrats tunneling into the bank in front of the pit. The pit was allowed to dry over the summer. In September, Grant Harpstreith and Kris "Petey" Peterson put the pit back in the ground. Before the pit was dropped into the ground, the hole was lined with a pond liner and  reinforced mesh. Petey had some extra liner from his landscaping business. I can't thank him enough for his help (I think there may be someone in Aspen who might have a leaky pond). My dad, Michael, checked on the lake today and said the water level is great. He also noted the lakes held hundreds of blue wing teal, gadwalls, wigeon and mallards. You kids are safe for awhile!

The Henry field is looking great. The winter wheat has been planted and is already growing. Thank heavens we have center pivot irrigation! The corn should be ready to be picked soon.   Many area farmers have had to cut their corn for silage because of the drought. The crop won't be as good as last year but will certainly provide adequate food for the birds.

The Lingle pit has been the premier pit in Goshen County for many years. Last year four times as many geese were harvested from this pit as from any other pit in the county. My only concern is the amount of water for the river on the refuge. Extreme drought conditions exist throughout the North Platte drainage. Hoping they will release enough water to hold the birds.

I have the same concerns for the river in Nebraska. The advantage of low water for the duck hunting is that we should have more choices for great decoy water. Last year's blind location may have to be relocated due to low water. I will keep it there if we can. The final location will be determined in early November, but we will probably have to be mobile this year as water levels change.

I am ready; dogs are ready; decoys are ready; pits and blinds will be soon. Hope the birds are ready.

DUCKS, DOGS AND YOUNG FLY FISHERMEN

DUCKS


Conjugal bliss is alive and well on the Canadian prairie. The early-spring apprehension concerning water conditions in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba has been alleviated by late-spring rains across the duck factory.

Breeding duck populations appear to be higher than 2011. This indicates a large carryover from last year's record production. Reports are Canada geese are everywhere! Mild spring weather should allow for a greater than normal survival rate for all species.  The outlook for production is average to above average as long as there is sufficient moisture to maintain wetland habitat.

If we are lucky enough to have something close to normal fall and winter weather, we should be in for a great 2012-2013 waterfowl season.








DOGS


Training sessions continue almost on a nightly basis. I get the old girls, Dani and AZ, out at least once a week. AZ managed to tear a toe nail on her front right paw (must have been from her blinding speed) and in doing so she suffered a tear in the web. The injury, however, has done nothing to diminish her enthusiasm for retrieving dummies. For heaven's sake Z you are almost eight years old, act your age!

Dani is Dani. What more can I say? Dani is clearly not for everyone. At nine years of age she remains wired as tight as Pelosi's face. On blind retrieves she takes lines as straight as Mitt at an ice cream social in Panguitch. She would prefer the dummie launcher would fire the footballs half-a-mile to up the degree of difficulty. She is an amazing dog.

Molly continues her education.  She is currently taking aquatics classes at the After Bay, Black Beach and the Dumbell Ranch. Her land classes are being held at the Pathfinder Ranch and the Alcova Municipal Park. Molly may have the best nose of any lab I have ever had. I have to be very careful when I set up her blind retrieves. I have to make sure the blinds are far enough apart so she won't wind the wrong pile. At the Ranch the other night, we had a wind shift mid-session and she winded a dummie from 100 yards! Pretty sure if she gets downwind of a bird...done deal. She may never be a Rhodes Scholar but she will graduate.


Tommie will celebrate her six-month birthday on July 1st. She loves water retrieves and hits the water with unbridled enthusiasm. No more puppy-paddling. When she gets planed out she is a very strong swimmer. We are having a few issues with delivering to hand with land retrieves but I am not worried.

       

Molly

Molly

Tommie

Dani & Molly

YOUNG FLY FISHERMEN



The past three days are the essence of why I love guiding fly fishing. For the past several years, Lee and Al have driven from Pasadena, CA, to stay at the Lodge and fish the North Platte with JJ.

Lee and Al had three unbelievable days of fishing. Lee and Al don't throw the tightest loops. They are not the quickest on the set. But their love for the trout and the river is unsurpassed. Watching them rejoice in the thrill of the pull on the end of the fly line is magical.


Lee and Al always bring along six beers, three apiece. The first is in celebration of the first trout to the net, no matter who catches it.  The second is consumed during a river-side lunch. As we approach the takeout at the end of the day, the two remaining beers are held high in toast to the trout, the river and the majesty of Wyoming.


Lee and Al are 80 years young. And yes, I said they drive from Pasadena. God bless 'em!

Lee and Al

THE DEADLIEST CATCH

This will undoubtedly come as a shock to many of you, but the wind blows (read sucks) in Wyoming. Actually blows is an understatement. The wind howls in Wyoming.

Day after day we deal with 30+ mph winds. Day after day the wind gusts exceed 40 mph. Of course it only blows upstream so we have to push into it all day. If the Reef was at 800 cfs we would have to pull the boat downstream! When 3' rollers are breaking over the bow of the Clacka, it can be very interesting. The boys on the Wizard and Time Bandit couldn't handle it.

The trout could care less about what is going on above the surface. Their world is filled with prolific amounts of PMD nymphs, Baetis nymphs, scuds, worms, leeches, yellow sallies, golden stones, fillet Mignon, stone crab claws and a '97 Silver Oak. A feast for everyone. (Actually, my Dad will not share the Silver Oak. Sorry)

Fishing has been absolutely spectacular! here are a few pics from recent trips. Pay special attention to the 10" rainbow. Michele would not approve.

Deb Farmer 22" Rainbow

Wis, Guide and 22" Pig

23" Rainbow

10" morbidly obese Rainbow

BOWS AND LABS

My days have been filled with guiding fly fishermen on the Grey Reef and the Miracle Mile and training my Labradors.

Fly fishing has been off the chart! The "Reef" and "Mile" are the most prolific waters for big Rainbows in the West. Day after day, 50+ fish with many over 20".  In spite of many of my anglers being novice fly fishermen, trophy "Bows" are routinely brought to the net. Two experienced anglers will frequently have 100+ hookups in a day.

This past Sunday, my good friend Chris "Wis" Wisner, from Park City, joined me on the Miracle Mile. Also in our flotilla were Chris' friends Patrick and Matt as well as my Dad, Michael. The only way to describe the day was "Epic". It seemed someone from our two drift boats was hooked up all the time. We rotated  the Park City guys so everyone had time in the front of my Clackacraft. Wis certainly made the most of his time up front. In the "Rainbow Run Hole" he hooked something north of 30 fat rainbows in just over an hour. From the rear seat, Michael hooked up often enough that double hook-ups became S.O.P.

Park City friends on The Miracle Mile

Labradors

Although fishing consumes the bulk of my time, my evenings are filled with working and training dogs. Dani and AZ get enough dummie work and exercise to keep them sharp and physically fit. Their desire and drive is a joy to witness. Tommie is now six months old and exhibits all the qualities you hope for in a retriever. She is doing 150 yard land and water retrieves and never gives up on a retrieve. She busts into heavy cover to find the dummie like an addict looking for her next fix. All retrieves are delivered to hand with unbridled enthusiasm in anticipation of the next.

If you have been following the blog, you have read several installments concerning Molly, my 2 1/2 year old lab. After her "glacial creep" start, Molly continues to progress at tsunami speed. Whether it is triple 300-yard marked retrieves or multiple blind retrieves, Molly continues to amaze. She is taking lines like a seasoned veteran. She nails her hand signals and demonstrates a keen nose. I have seen her wind a dummie from 100 yards! We still have work to do, but it appears she will be ready to take over when either Dani or AZ decide to retire. After seeing her work, Wis commented that Molly reminded him of Brooks, the best lab I have ever had. Fine praise to be compared to Brooks, the "Wonder Dog". While there will never be another Brooks, Molly is indeed developing into a fine WyoBraska Waterfowl retriever.