Montana has no water!

I get emails from a great guide Eddy "FishsEddyO" Olwell, after floating with him on the Bitterroot a few years ago.  I highly recommend the guy btw.  He does a great trip-check him out at http://www.fishseddyo.com/ 

Maybe its time to reconsider a trip fore the chapter out there in September?  Id like to.

Eddie is the guy giving the thumbs up.

He sent this.  This news was a real surprise to me.  check it out...

You may have heard the news about fishing restrictions on some of the trout rivers of western Montana. I wanted to update everyone with accurate information. On July 3rd, Montana FWP implemented "Hoot Owl” restrictions on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers What this means is fishing is still open on these rivers but limited to sunrise until 2pm… Fishing is prohibited after 2pm. These restrictions have been put in place due to unusually high water temperatures in these rivers ( >73 degrees for 3 consecutive days). Trout require cold oxygenated water for their survival and become stressed when temps begin to exceed 68 degrees.The stress of high temps and being caught by fishermen leads to increased mortality on released fish. A lower than normal snowpack, warmer and drier spring, and record breaking temperatures in the last few weeks with several days exceeding 100 degrees have created a perfect storm of problems. Unfortunately July and August are typically dry months so there is no immediate relief in sight. The West Fork of the Bitterroot has no restrictions thanks to cold water releases from the bottom of Painted Rocks reservoir. Water temps on the West Fork should remain below dangerous levels for fish. While the West Fork is a good option, fishing pressure is increasing as this is the only cold water in the area. You will definitely see more people fishing

Delaware Trip 0n June 19th

Ah yes, every once in a while the Gods do shine down and grant Big Daddy Jimmy a day on the river.  Not just any river, the West Branch and Main Stem.  

Not just any guide.  The best darn guide a young boy can have, Ben Turpin.

We put in at Balls Eddy and floated to Buckingham.  Over the course of the day, we literally saw just one other drift boat.

We got into a steady, if unprolific, hatch of Cahills over a few hours and I managed a few nice fish.

The largest was a 20" brown which came on a #18 PT nymph.  He came wheil we nymphed some fast riffles as the boat moved through them.  The fish jumped like I lit his ass on fire.

 He wasnt the fish I was the most proud of though.  

That award went to a brown that I saw rising on a bank in shallower water on the West Branch.  I saw her come up, and thought she might be good.  Its the smaller dimples that excite you, because you know those fish are the ones that matter.  They are much more controlled in their rises so to speak.

The next time she rose, I was able to see her so well, I could tell the distance between her dorsal and caudal fins and I knew I wanted that fish. Ben told me to get out and wade to it, so I did.  I got about five fet up from her and about 25 feet away.  I threw a down wing cahill emerger in size 14 via a well placed reach cast.  I fed line as it washed down into her lane and she didnt hesitate.  Slurp.  Game on.  She fought well and we measured her at about 17".  It really rocks when you put it all together.

the 17" fish I waded to and my buddy, Lee Barnes, who will be a Hacklebarney member soon.

On a side note, I used my backsaver on the trip as you can see from the pics.  It really did help.  My back wasnt killing me in the morning after standing for 12 hours.

We had a real slow period from 3:30 to about 7pm where things just kind of ground to a halt.  

The main stem had no bugs for a while.  We did see this guy though.  He just sat there thinking "What are you going to do about it?" I wondered if he was going to drop a father day gift down into the boat, but he spared us.

 When we finally made it to Buckingham, there were bugs again and therefore more fish.  I hooked into one and it felt like a nice fish, but it managed to come unpinned without me having a chance to see it.

Anyway you slice it, it was a great day on one of the East coast's finest rivers.

On a side note, I think Rich Tullo should consider a hat like mine.  For some reason, I see him in a cowboy hat hanging out at a Honky Tonk.  He looks like an extra from a bar scene in "Every Which way but Loose," trading punches with Clint Eastwood.  I think its the side burns.  

Thats just one man's opinion.

The Member of the Month - Dick Hepper

Yes Folks, we celebrate yet another unique member of the Hacklebarney family.

Dick lounging in front of the party camper.

This member of the month for June is Dick Hepper, Hacklebarney's Minister of Discipline.  Dick has to be one of Hacklebarney's most senior members.  He was born in 1843, and served in the Northern Army in the Civil War.  

Gotcha.  Dick is 90, but I bet you believed it for a second.  

The funny thing is, Dick can still out-cast and out-tie half the members, and he still shows up to any and all meetings unless he is on a fishing trip.  He puts more time in on the water than most as well.  God bless this man!

Dick's not afraid of getting dirty when there's work to be done.  Here he is hooking up his propane tank.

Dick can tell a story with the best of the them, and in true fisherman form, most are, well, embelleshed.

If you havent met Dick, just ask him about Ted Williams, and he'll keep you entertained for half an hour.  

Of all the guys from the chapter my wife has had the pleasure of meeting at the banquet, Dick is her favorite.

Dick and John Eng sharing stories on the Beaverkill.

So, everyone raise your glass to Dick Hepper, Hacklebarney's June member of the month.

This Thursday June 11th's meeting

Our first speaker is Rich Thomas. Rich is the current exec for the NJ State Council for TU. While many of us know the micro about TU, Rich is in the unique position having a handle on NJ issues and has attended many TU National meetings. This will be a great opportunity to learn about TU from the Chapter level up.

Prior to taking on the State Council Chairman role, Rich was the NJ National Leadership Council (NLC) representative from 2007 to 2012. As NLC Rep., Rich worked closely with his fellow NLC Reps. from around the country to map TU’s mission in each member state. Also in this role, Rich chaired the Delaware Watershed Conservation Workshop which focused on improving the trout habitat within the watershed by insuring equitable flows from all reservoirs. This group worked closely with other workshops which focus on understanding and limiting the impacts of gas development within the Marcellus Shale region. Rich has past experience as Central chapter Vice President and President, Central Region V.P. and also with thermal studies, river clean-ups (Musconetcong River), introducing the Central NJ Boy Scout Council to fly fishing and river stocking.

Our second speaker is our own chapter member and former President, Cliff Behrens. It is hard put to find any of us with Cliff's experience, from land locks in ME and the Dacs, to bonefish or stripers off the Vineyard and a few more I may have missed. This month Cliff will discuss his baby tarpon quest  and Yucatan adventure. In May, 2015, Cliff and his wife flew down to Compeche, Mexico, a UNESCO heritage site for what the Yellow Dog Fly Fishing destinations people booked as a couples destination. Learn more about his and his wife Sue's adventure on Thursday night. If you ever witnessed the passion of people like Richard Brautigan in the pic titled "Tarpon" you will appreciate his quest for these fish and enjoy a good story.

So we'll see you this Thursday at The American Legion Hall at 7:30.  RIGHT?!?