Some Cool Shots From 2011

 A Nice Rock.

 Who Needs a Jeep?

 Root Ball

 Yellow Bloom

 Indian Paint 

 Red Rock Tunnel

 Big Sky Lunch

 Logan Canyon

 Sayulita Sunset

 Fly Fishing With Grandma

 Wedding Party on the Weber

 Downing Checking His Fly

 June on the Fiddle

 Cabin

 Flower Girl Running Late

 View From a Deck

Cabin Drive Way

Cabin

Dogs

Abbey Kiss

Ashley

Frisch is Home!

The last two Sunday's in a row have been spent with Frisch on the Weber River. He was new to the bounce rig but he caught on fast and he was slaying them all day on Sunday.

It's great to have him back in town and I look forward to many more days on the river. Enjoy a few shots.

 First fish of the day came quick... Third cast and Frisch was stoked!!!

 We caught 15 fish between us. 50-50 whitty's to browns.

 For those in the know... RV and Long Horns.

Way up river.

 The joy of fishing...

The fishing is okay and the Weber had an off year in my opinion. Let's hope for bigger trout this next season. Fish have been plentiful but nothing in the monster category that we are used to. In years past we have had great success this time of year with big "Reservoir Dogs" coming out of Echo and big resident browns but they have been few and far between. It was a record year for run off and maybe it cleaned a few out.... Or maybe they are hiding in new haunts. Fish on.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Fishing is Good-Private Property Sucks!!!

I have been out twice on the Middle Provo and once on the Lower Weber in the past week and the access couldn't be more different.

The fishing is great but there are big changes to one of our favorite spots near Morgan. It's been a while since I have fished this section and I was surprised when there was an official sign in box and an extensive map highlighted with what is fishable and what is now off limits. You also had to take a carbon copy receipt to show the land owner, if stopped, that you had signed in appropriately. We used to have absolute hay days on this stretch and as I worked my way up stream I was met with several signs on both sides of the river.

The river was a dismal trickle and the fish were few and far between which brings me to another important point. The Lower is blown out almost all year and then it slows to almost no flow at all for a few winter months. I have never seen it this low though... The land owners yield to much power, exercising their "water rights". Most of this section is diverted into irrigation canals (year round) and the main stem is left in limbo. Evidence of a blown out river were everywhere with logs, grass chunks, a deep channel with no features and blown out "J-hooks". You have got to wonder... if this stretch was managed like the Middle Provo what would it be like? A lot better in my opinion. But at the same time a lot more crowded. Catch 22?

I found myself looking over my shoulder and walking carefully trying to avoid any confrontation (I have been confronted by both land owners and DWR in this valley before). When I finally reached my favorite hole it was "end of the line" so to speak. Three signs clearly posted told me I was leaving "walk in access" and expressed written permission was required to trespass. I sat and starred at my favorite hole (affectionately named Proto Call) where I remembered all of the great fish my buddies and I have caught over the years. The name Proto Call stems from a system we invited in order to keep the fish flowing. The Proto Call went like this- hook a fish and pull him down stream to a big pool so the next guy could cast and hook a fish... we would do this for sometimes 30 fish before the hole cooled off. We would then eat a sandwich and do it all over again. Beautiful days indeed.

I reluctantly turned and walked back to the car as to not rock the boat. Maybe once the land owners realize we are not there to litter and keep fish they will lighten up.

I also know the DWR put a lot of work in on this stretch of river. countless boulders and "J-hooks" were put in to improve trout habitat but once "the law" changed or the owner had a change of heart he closed his land even though tax payer dollars went to improving his land for the enjoyment of the occasional fishermen. Sad.

Bottom line- Respect private property (for now) and fight the good fight with conservation, showing respectful behavior towards land owners and  eventually access will be granted out of good will or the law. hopefully the latter....

On my way out I did run into a land owner (the nice one) removing some downed trees. I yelled across the river "how's it going?" he replied "great" I yelled back "thanks for letting me in here to fish!" he replied "no problem!".

Randy lands a fish of a life time...

My Father in Law Randy Morgan caught this beauty on the Green River with his buddies.

22 inches and 6 pounds.

What a fish!

The Green River

 Dalton and I took off Friday after work and headed for the Green River in Wyoming. This was our maiden journey to the much talked about and widely known trophy trout river and we were stoked to give it a try.

We pulled into the deserted camp ground right at dusk and and as we pulled in we noticed two huge owls sitting on a branch over looking the river. As we slowed down for a picture they flew across the river and sat on a bluff over looking the river. It was interesting because there were no trees on the other side so they were perched right on the ground and they sat there and hooted at us as we set up camp. 

Then.... I was out collecting wood and I heard some yelling and saw Dalton's spot light in the tree right above our camp. I ran back and he was a little shaken up and he had his new puppy Millie put away in her kennel in the truck. Dalt explained that the owl flew back across to our side of the river and was in the tree above camp looking to swoop down and take the puppy.... He had to yell and throw sticks to get the owl to take off....After that we both knew we were in a truly wild section of the U.S..

 We quickly built a big fire and threw some steaks on the grill.

 With a side of potatoes. 

 We found an old hollowed out piece of cottonwood and it was spitting huge flames out of both ends.

 A shot of Millie sitting by the fire after things calmed down.

That night we played a few tunes on the banjo and hit the hay early mostly because we were running low on wood and it was so cold out. Way below freezing. We didn't sleep that great because of the cold and the wildlife surrounding our trailer. In the middle of the night we heard an animal cry out (maybe a rabbit) right next to our trailer and that was followed by several hoots in a row. The owls had made a decent size kill and all of the dogs went nuts!!!!

Once morning came around we picked up camp and took off on some dirt roads we had heard about. We ended up on a massive bluff over looking the river. We got out of the truck and walked to the edge to take a look. The river was big. intimidating. Crystal clear and wild. Just then as we were contemplating our chances three golden eagles came drifting up the bluff using the wind gusts to climb in altitude.  Then two bald eagles appeared and did the same thing. Down on the river we could see the Osprey's working the river for fish. We did not see a single human being anywhere...

What a sight it was.

Now we set out to fish....

 I got lucky and caught a fish on my first cast. Then it got quiet for a while. We waded out to an island and worked up and down a big bend. Kokanee salmon were all over the place spawning (some dead and some alive). The action would get hot and then cold and we fished for about 5 hours.

 Out of the 20 fish we caught, we caught 1 Brown,  1 Cut Throat, 3 White Fish, and 15 Rainbows. The river seemed to be very healthy and we didn't even scratch the surface. I can't wait to give this river the attention it deserves...

A nice rianbow catching his breath after release.

 Most of the fish we caught were fairly small but I finally hooked a huge Rainbow in a fast shallow run. 

 Nice and fat.

 Another shot

 We took a measurement and he was 20" on the dot.

Last shot.

This fish really wore me out and was a challenge to get in.

Later that night at home I was in bed at about 8:30.... The sleepless, cold night and the elements on the river really put me down for the count. I have a new zest for fly fishing and I haven't stopped thinking about the possibilities this river holds.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

21" Brown in the Uintas

 Got out on Sunday and went for a solo mission to one of my favorite spots. The hopper/dropper was on! I caught 8 Browns and 2 Cut Throats and about 6 of those were on the hopper. 

 First Brown was on the dropper...

The second fish was also on the dropper and he also measured in at 21". I threw my hopper along a deep, fast under cut bank and he hit my hopper. I saw how big he was and I tried another cast. This time he took the dropper and he took me for a ride. He jumped and rolled several times and I had to follow him down stream. When I finally got him in the net I could feel my leg was shaking a bit and I was breathing heavy. What a rush when you fight a big fish.

Being on my own I tried to snap some photos without me in them and I hope they do it justice. 

Before I released him I held him along side my rod and took a measurement. I made a little nic on my rod and when I got home I measured my rod and the fish was 21" exactly.

Here are a few shots of the fish.

 Fresh in the net

 Nice color and his under belly was pretty beat up. That's what happens when you are a big fish in a small stream...

 On the bank for a photo.

 A little perspective with my hand in the for ground...

 Pretty rugged looking Male.

 Nice kype jaw going

 More of me trying to do the fish justice.

 The release

 Last one

A look up stream. I hooked him up above that pine tree on the bend and this is where I netted him.

Great day.

Thanks,

Chris Giles