Greetings Fellow 2016 Extravaganzers:

For those of you wily veterans out there, I know that you know that E-16 is getting a later-than-usual start on my constant stream of emails to you, but, fear not, that respite has come to a screeching halt as we now begin in earnest to gear up for Extravaganza 2014—our fourteenth excursion into the wilds and wonders of western Montana!  Get a hold of this, gang:

1.      Steve Bullock, the governor of Montana, paid me a visit last week and, having heard about our past extravagant outings, is going to attend Extravaganza 2016 in person, and will be present for and present to Group Two on Monday, June 20^th—an Extravaganza first!!

2.      Double Up Outfitters and the Rock Creek Mercantile are robustly continuing in their main roles for our Extravaganzas and will treat us in the wonderful style to which we have so well become accustomed.

3.      Our 2016 blogsite is up and running, so mark www.montanaextravaganza2016.blogspot.com as one of your favorites; it will feature a link to our 2008 Extravaganza movie, provide links to our Outfitter and the Merc as well as a weather link so, as we get closer to your arrival(s), you can track just what is going on in our Montana climes where, get this, right now snow water equivalent and precipitation are running right at 95% of twenty year averages—a great pre-report card on our fishing conditions to come.

4.       Just like our Montana precipitation, we are right at 90% full for E-16, so if you know of one or two wonderful folks that would like to join you and your group, just let me know!

As I mentioned to many of you in person and via email in my earlier E-16 notes, running an Extravaganza solo at the fever-pitched rate that we did last year is not for either the sound of mind or meek of heart.  Accordingly, to preserve my sanity and to make a better experience for all involved, I am intentionally cutting back the size and complexity of E-16 so that it is a better overall experience for us all. 

Specifically, this year we will not be renting the bunk house just up the road from Headquarters, but, rather, housing everyone in my two homes, one on the Blackfoot River and Headquarters on Rock Creek.  In those houses we can comfortably accommodate 16 fisherfolk and, resultantly, the size of each group will total 16 Extravaganzers, rather than the 24+ of last year.  The intended result is a kinder, gentler, less intense experience for all concerned and, to that end, I will also be cutting back the number of evening presentations that we have had in prior years to ease up a bit more fire pit time, horseshoe pitting and (horrors!) hours for actually sleeping. 

Also, with my caretakers’ home on Rock Creek now completed and occupied, caretakers Larry and Peanut have gladly volunteered to take a more active role in E-16, such that Peanut will be quarterbacking the kitchen fare and Larry will oversee breaking in the brand new, permanent mega-bbq that is currently under construction in the back yard.  It is quite a set up and Larry has convinced me that he and his brother will put on a show the likes of which you have seldom seen.

So, there you have it, gang; things are in full swing for a(nother) bang up Extravaganza where the swag orders have already been placed and the end product of this year’s event will stand up tall to each of its thirteen predecessors!!

Best to all in the early stages of it all,

Rock Creek Ron