Watch for falling trout...or It's raining fish...

Found posted on climbing enthusiast message board 14ers.com comes what may be a sign of apocalypse if we have ever seen one.  A climber on the summit of Colorado's Mt. Shavano reports what can only be describe as fish falling from the heavens.

"At the risk of sounding crazy, let me tell you what happened last Tue. 09/23. I climbed Mt Shavano & was hanging on the summit thinking about going to Tabeguache. It was very windy, with clouds swirling all around. Now I see things in my peripheral vision that look like fish falling out of the sky, this goes on for about a minute, 4 or 5 instances. I chalk it up to lack of oxygen, and decide to head down since I'm obviously hallucinating. When I get home & check out my pics I found this shot, taken from about 14,100 looking back at the summit."  -14ers.com forum user richwill

 He even managed to catch a photo:

The award for best comment in response to the post goes to 14ers.com user Tortosel.

Probably related to the legalization of marijuana somehow. Seriously, that is strange. They stock fish by plane but not big and they're supposed to go to a lake not a summit. Volatile weather is another explanation but there shouldn't have been any of that either. Don't mention this in job interviews.

As they say at the auction house, "be your own judge"....  I am sure there's a punchline in here somewhere.  Discuss amongst yourselves.

Catchin' Any?

Ryan Schaefer is...

Hello, I just wanted to shoot you over some pictures of my trip to the North Fork Ranch near Bailey, Colorado. I wasn’t sure if you all would be interested in seeing some pictures of some fish from the area but the 1^st pic looks pretty amazing, especially after it is blown up!

Of course we are interested! Especially since we recently moved the Flyfishmagazine compound West. Email us and Let us know if you're "catchin' any".

 

Colorado's excellent PSA

Tip o the hat to the Editorial Trophy Wife for finding this one.

Taunted

FlyfishMagazine's Colorado connection, Ali Hassan and Son, sent us these pictures as their subtle way of pointing out that they are fishing and we are not....

Colorado Reservoir Dogs

Big water


Big country



Big fish!

FlyfishMagazine.com's Western Correspondent, Ali Hassan and I spent a couple of days battling 30 MPH plus winds and tough conditions trying to catch some big Colorado reservoir trout. High winds and waves made the fishing tough but Ali managed to pick up a few nice trout using gear. I reverted to moving water in a canyon and got more than my share of fish mostly on dries. I wonder if people ever question why I always show up at business meetings tired, with wind/sunburn and a smile on my face?

Sage Fly Fishing School

Fly fishing gear manufacturer Sage announces that it has partnered with our friend Steve Parrott at The Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, CO to offer The Sage Fly Fishing School - Rocky Mountain Region. From their press release:

Through multiple class options, Sage hopes to share with the public its passion for fly fishing while helping to increase participation in the sport. This partnership will offer new and seasoned anglers the opportunity to learn from experts.

“We want to share our committed passion for fly fishing with the public and part of that passion includes creating excitement about the sport,” comments Chris Andersen, Sales Manager for Sage. “Offering world class fishing schools is a great way to share our excitement for fly fishing with new and experienced anglers. Sage has selected The Blue Quill Angler as the site of our flagship fly fishing school because of the experience and talent they offer.”

The classes will have something for new and experienced fly anglers alike:

Sage Fly Fishing School courses include:

Fly Fishing 101: Students will spend two weekday evenings in the classroom and one full day on the water. Class size will be limited to six students with one instructor. Classes will be held weekly starting mid-April through September.

Fly Fishing 201: Students will spend one full day in the classroom and one full day on the water. Class size will be limited to eight students with two instructors. Classes begin May 14th and run through September 18th.

Advanced Casting School: Experienced anglers will spend one day with a Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF)-certified fly casting instructor to focus on their technique. This is a full day class with 8 students.

Classes begin April 17th and are held through September 4th.For more information on any of these classes or to schedule a date, call 800-435-5353 or send an email to sageschools@bluequillangler.com You can also visit their website at www.bluequillangler.com

Steve is a fellow North Carolina Expat and an excellent fly fisher so if you find yourself heading to Colorado and need to know what flies are working be sure to stop by The Blue Quill and say hello.

Take a Dad Fishing Day

FlyfishMagazine.com's Colorado correspondent, Ali Hassan recently spent some time roaming around the Southern part of his home state with the family and sent back some photos with which to taunt all of us still trapped at our desks. It appears from the photographic record that the younger Hassan is turning into quite the fisherman.

The Colorado Equations

Business trip + Early flight + (Sultan of Slabs + belly boats) = unexpected fishing trip.

(High Altitude Mountain Reservoir + Belly Boat + angler who normally lives at 741 feet above sea level) + 40 MPH winds = Colorado Cardio Workout.

Anglers - Camera = Negative Fish Porn

Other angler remarking about my travel rod + "old and slow" = Potential for punch in face

Ali + Incidental Ingestion of Lake Water = Green Angler

The Sultan of Pike

Today's mail brings a diplomatic pouch containing photos. FlyFishMagazine.com Western correspondent, Ali Hassan, AKA "The Sultan of Stripe," has added yet another monster fish to his list of conquests. He is shown here with a massive Pike caught at an undisclosed location somewhere West of the Mississippi River.

5 Point Film Festival: May 8-10th

The email inbox this morning held an interesting invitation to the 5 Point Film Festival to be held in Carbondale, Colorado May 8th - 10th. The outdoor adventure film fest is sponsored by Patagonia and Beattie Outdoor Productions.

It features a five-star roster of adventure films, special guests and panel discussions. Featured guests and speakers include Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, surfer Gerry Lopez, blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer, and climber Tommy Caldwell. Films incorporate all realms of adventure: fly fishing, mountain biking, climbing, surfing, base jumping, mountaineering and kayaking, just to list a few.

Included in the movies is Destinations. It is an action packed fly fishing short film that features the stories of three different groups of anglers from different parts of the world. The film begins in Slovenia, transitions to the remote Alaskan wilderness, and then concludes with fishing for False Albacore in North Carolina. Additionally, Kate and Mark Rutherford will be at the festival and will be part of a discussion panel: Inspiring Passion & Lifestyle with Your Children.

Right now it doesn't look like we will get to attend but should you make it to the show drop us a note to let us know how you liked it.

NFFC Standings: Day 2

**UPDATE** final standings will be released Saturday (10-6-2007) at 12 noon Mountain Time.

Here are the individual standings through Thursday for the National Fly Fishing Championship near Boulder, Colorado.

1. Stephens, Josh
2. Erickson, Pete
3. Lumsdon, Graham
4. Daniel, George
5. Pinkston, Edward S.
6. Williams, Loren
7. Sexton, Mike
8. Robertson, Scott ©
9. Naranja, Anthony ©
10. Walter Ungerman
11. Courtoreille, Terence
12. Maktima, Norman
13. Galvin, Chris
14. Kimmel, Brian
15. Egan, Lance

We aren't too biased, (OK maybe we are) but it sure is nice to see a North Carolina angler atop the list! Check back often as we continue coverage throughout the weekend.

NFFC Update: Josh Stevens

Making the Catch

Running to get it scored

Now back to work!

North Carolina's own Josh Stevens is shown here getting the job done during day 2 of the competition. Josh helped put on the Southeast Regional and also helped conduct the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team's "Big fish Boot Camp."

Let's just say Josh is a local favorite around here. We have it on good authority that during this session Josh caught five score able fish on five casts in succession.

Our next post will have the Standings after day two. Lets just say that Josh is doing very well.

Photo Credit: John B. Crane

http://www.johncranephotography.com/

jbcrane.zenfolio.com

Used with permission of Mr. Crane and Colorado Trout Unlimited.

National Fly Fishing Championship: Standings

Here are the individual placings from the first day of the National Fly Fishing Championships:

1. Scott Robertson USA-3

2. Anthony Naranja USA-2

3. Graham Lumsdon British Army

4. George Daniel USA-2

5. Mike Sexton USA-1

6. Chris Galvin Midwest-2

7. Tim Emery Midwest-1

8. Loren Williams West-1

9. Edward S. Pinkston USA-3

10. Pete Erickson USA-1

11. Riley Cotter USA-3

12. Josh Stephens USA-1

13. John Buckley Shamrock

14. Norman Maktima West-2

15. Jay Buchner USA-2

The team competition standings thus far look like this:

USA-1 49 Placing Points

USA-2 55 Placing Points

USA-3 63 Placing Points

West-1 66 Placing Points

West-2 69 Placing Points

Stay tuned for daily updates through out the competition. Standings in these events can change quite rapidly.

National Fly Fishing Championship: Day One

Thanks to some good friends, (Paul Prentiss of Front Range Anglers and Colorado Trout Unlimited), we are happy to bring you coverage of the first day of the National Fly Fishing Championship currently taking place near Boulder, Colorado. We don't have all the anglers names yet but regular readers will know that we recognize the determined young lady in the Penn State cap. She is Southeast Qualifier, Heather Sietz.

Communication from the competition site is at best difficult, but we should have some updates on the various angler's standings in the very near future.

All Photos are credited to John Crane of John Crane Photography, P.O. Box 270166, Fort Collins, CO 80527-0166 tel: +1 970-229-1462 and used with the permission of Mr. Crane and Colorado Trout Unlimited.

National Fly Fishing Championship: Oct. 1st - 7th

The National Fly Fishing Championships are being held October 1st -7th. Participants in the event will fish two lakes and three streams in an effort to qualify for a spot on Team USA.

Since we just got back from the FFR show we couldn't manage to be in Colorado to cover the event ourselves. However, Colorado Steering Committee Member, Paul Prentiss has told us that he will endeavor to keep us in the loop. Paul is part of Colorado's Trout Unlimited who spends countless man hours putting on the event.

Here is a link to the schedule. We are trying to get some additional reports from this year's event. If you are a participant or otherwise involved and send us regular reports, we will gladly dig through our bag of schwag and send you something cool for your trouble.

In case you missed it, here is a link to our slide show from the Southeast Regional.

When in Estes Park, Colorado.....

Guests of FlyFishMagazine.com (namely the wife and I) stay at the rental home of our generous friend Clark Cyr. Clark has two rental properties in Estes Park and we would recommend either as first class properties that make for a top shelf place to stay. Both have a stunning view of Long's Peak and are very convenient to town and the national park. Tyrolean even has a rooftop observation deck and large hot tub.

If you are planning a visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park and would like to rent either the four bedroom 2.5 bath Tyrolean or the one bedroom Chalet contact Ponderosa Realty & Management, Inc.

Tyrolean

The Chalet

A view of Long's Peak from the front deck.

Post FFR Slide Show: Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado update

As you might have been able to tell from my lack of posting, internet access is slim here at the Flyfishmagazine western compound. Thumb typing a post is not my idea of fun.

Yesterday was very cool as we took a drive up into the high tundra and saw some beautiful views. On the way back to Estes Park we stopped off at what amounts to a Colorado blue line stream. I caught several brookies with some beautiful colors and a lot of fight but no Green backs yet. I'll have some photos to post later.

Today we are going to check out some small lakes that just might hold our quarry. More later.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

FFR Show or Bust

Most likely as you read this the wife and I will be crammed into a tiny tin can of an airplane on our way to the mile high city where we will be taking part in the Fly Fishing Retailer Show. The wife is in charge of all things fly fishy fashion while I will do the grunt work of drooling over the latest and greatest fly fishing gear. We plan on live blogging the event to the best of our ability and net access so watch for semi-regular postings about our adventures. Let us just say that the show's tag line "tie one on" does not always relate to fishing flies.

One of the highlights of the show is always the Blogger and Beer Safety meeting at the Patagonia booth. Instigated by our pal B2 from Moldy Chum, the event makes it possible for us to hang out with many of our favorite Internet characters. We might even get the opportunity to share a slaw dog with the blogger we most want to be like when we grow up,Tom Chandler of the Trout Underground. This gathering is one of the first we will be attending and I think the intention of the "safety meeting" is to prepare us for the many malt beverages to come during the three day event.

Post FFR frivolity one of the wife's friends has loaned us the use of his alpine cabin near Estes Park. Our intention is to attempt to unwind from the stress of the event while spending some much needed time with each other. When we planned the trip I told the wife that I would be spending quite a bit of time looking for "green backs." However, I am not quite sure she understood that I was talking about a cutthroat trout.

Stay tuned for more reports from the field.

We wonder if there are any McCloud Trout There?

Actor Dennis Weaver's family is donating a 60 acre park to the town of Ridgway, Colorado.

The park, located north of Ridgway on the west side of US Hwy. 550, will be separated from a 175-acre tract purchased by Dennis Weaver in 1988. In addition to conservation benefits, the park will offer world-class fly-fishing and new scenic hiking and bicycling trails.

The remaining 115 acres of the tract will become a low-density “green” housing development called RiverSage. The 19 planned two-acre home sites have been strategically clustered in areas of minimal visual and wildlife impact, away from the river corridor and riparian areas that will be permanently protected from any future development.