Group Three, Day Three

Neither climbing temperatures not bluebird clear skies interfered with the final day of Extravaganza 2016’s fishing, as the eight boats were evenly spaced between the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers, both of which provided ample product of their quarried fish, witness a 21” brown landed by Cynthia “Houston” Day-Stratton (shown above signing in onto the Twenty Inch board for the first time of her now-fifth visit to Extravaganzaland) and the 31” bulltrout that son Tyler “Lefty” Clausen (shown above ablaze in yellow—two Yellow Hats and the Group Three Yellow Shirt!) landed on his E-12 Sweetgrass bamboo rod [see separate posting and proud father above].

The SS Rosen/Robertson sported a 30+ fish day on the Blackfoot who were adjoined on that majestic river by the husband-wife couple of Jim “Fishbecker” and “Ms. Cry Dye” Leah Becker who exceeded their prior days’ fish count, and by h/w couple Mark “Z-Man” and Julia “Z-Woman” Zion who smiled all the way to Hooters après with their 20+ fish day.

Fishing on the sister Bitterroot, Scott “Not So Flash” Gordon was partnered with “Little Richard” Deveau who fished aside of the SS Mamadore Becker/Yellow Hat Cynthia /Deveau, the latter prophetically doubling the fish count of their all-male counterpart. Joining the latter on “The Root”, was our eighth boat of the day captained by our wonderful Double Up Outfitter guide John “The Great But Propaneless” Gould which saw no-longer rookie Gary “Hooters” Jones and sidekick Dick “DH” Seale gleefully swing and miss at a gaggle of 20+” root browns and bows. The only postings to the Twenty Inch board, as shown above, were by Cynthia and Tyler

All in all, the Threes, like the Ones and Twos before them, hit home run after fishing home run, making Extravaganza 2016 the most fish-prolific Extravaganza ever!!

Bravo, bravo, bravo from the now closing scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron
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FW: 31" Blackfoot E-16 Bulltrout Landed on Bamboo!!

A nice note from our great friend Dave Delisi, nee of Sweetgrass Rods, who processed our 2012 epic bamboo order—the largest order of its kind in fly fishing history!!
RCR

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Congratulations are in order for…

a) you for placing that giant order with Sweetgrass and seeing it yield such an amazing fish,
b) Tyler, for properly handling both rod and fish,

and

c) Scott A. for being a credit to his kind.

Wow.

Well done and congratulations to all!!

Dave

Montana's Bob Wire Plays for Dem Threes!!!

Our great friend, the inimitable honky tonker, Bob Wire blessed the Threes with his presence on their last night here.  Featuring  songs like “You’re on my Shit List” (dedicated to Houston’s Martin “Madman” O’Malley for permanently misplacing one of my boat cameras), “The Ode to Rock Creek Ron’ (complete with kazoos rom the E-16 horn section), and “White Trash Paradise”, the Wireman was in his prime and can next be seen in Napa, California for the 8^th annual Montana Matters National Wildlife Federation fundraising concert (at which the ENTIRE NWF board will be present!).

MWF's Dave Chadwick Presents

Just as he did for the Wonderful Ones, Montana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Dave Chadwick trekked over the Continental Divide from Helena to be in Extravaganzaland and tell Dem Threes of the wonderful work his organization yet continues, after 80 years in existence, to do to preserve access for all to Montana’s fishing streams and hunting fields. Congrats on all that you do, Dave, to keep this wonderful place just that—you have a full shout out and salute from Extravaganza 2016!!

Rock Creek Ron

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31" Blackfoot E-16 Bulltrout Landed on Bamboo!!

For our tenth Extravaganza anniversary, in 2012, I ordered and handed out 80 (count 'em!) custom-made bamboo rods from world renowned Montana rod maker Sweetgrass Rods and, since then, these rods have fished the world but never have seen the likes of what was witnessed on E-16'sDay Three of Group Three. On that fateful day, son Tyler "Lefty" Clausen repeated what we had done so well just the day before--a day on the famed Blackfoot ("A River Runs Through It")--fishing, all day, only Sweetgrass bamboo rods.

Mid-day into Lefty's second day of so doing, as he had so many, many times in the previous 24 hours, he hooked into a 14" cuttbow (which, until then, we thought plenty of fish for his five weight 8 foot rod) only to have a "large shadow" loom up from the rocks, and, just as guide Scott Anderson was about to net the bow, ingest the quarry whole, returning to the depths with both attached to Tyler's fishing line. Shortly thereafter, the dry fly that had enticed the cuttbow was severed and then, by the luck of all things lucky, its size 16 trailing nymph hooked the feasting bull in the bottom lip, and the ensuing real fight, which lasted over 45 minutes was on-- a fight that saw Lefty perpetually keeping tension on the racing bulltrout while guide Scott (along with Tyler) leapt out of their boat and chased the bull several hundred yards downstream and in the course of the battle, the bull would take refuge behind several of the large underwater rocks that are found in the river (rocks "from the beginning of time" as described by Norman McLean in his epic novel for which this river is now known) whereupon guide Scott, pictured above with Lefty, the bamboo rod and the landed bulltrout, literally went into the river "up to his neck" taking his net to spook the bull out from behind the rocks to continue the battle/war.

And look at the result above, gang--a first-ever mega bulltrout landed by an Extravaganzer on flexible and (now not-so--perceived) tender bamboo. Congrats, son--you are a masterful fisherman and accomplished a masterful feat with a masterful bamboo rod--yes, this was also worthy of both a Yellow Hat and the Group Three Yellow Hat.

Montana Wildlife Federation Presents!

As shown above, Montana Wildlife Federation's Executive Director, Dave Chadwick, trekked to/fro Helena to present to Dem Threes, updating all on the burgeoning activities of the 80 year young Montana affiliate to the National Wildlife Federation—thanks, Dave!!!

Fishing Report from Days One and Two of Dem Threes

Well, no sooner had the record-setting Ones and Twos left but the now-traditional heat arrived to welcome Dem Threes as they arrived on the scene of Extravaganza 2016!  Where the first two groups saw early morning temps in the thirties, the Threes were greeted with mid-day temperatures in the 90's, demonstrating ever so efficiently how variable western Montana's weather is and, resultantly, fishing day productivity. 

 

Day One for the Threes found the bounty of the lower Clark Fork that had benefited the Ones and Twos so well evaporate with boats evenly split among our three fishing rivers:  the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, the Bitterroot River and the Big ("A River Runs Through It") Blackfoot River.  Day One's biggest fish was landed by veteran Cynthia "Brownie" Deveau--she is seen above wearing her very first Yellow Hat for her 19" ("tape measured") brown, her hubby "Little Richard" specializing in white fish that day but short sheeted on Day Two as they ventured into the Blackfoot's Canyon with more modest results. 

 

On Day Two the big kahuna of the day was the SS DH/Jones which found both fishermen receiving Yellow Hats, DH for his beauty of a 20" Bitterroot brown, Gary for his 19" counterpart (at the honorable insistence of sidekick DH Seale) only to be matched by a third Yellow Hat awarded to son Tyler "Lefty" Clausen (all three being shown above in yellow) for his 19" classic cuttbow landed on bamboo on the Blackfoot.  Hats off to Gary who, on Day One, landed his very first fish ever on a fly rod—a 14" lower Clark Fork rainbow.  Right on their heels were the quirkish two of Brian "Capt'n Four" Robertson and Dirk "Mare" Rosen who made up in volume that which length eschewed them, landing over 60 fish between them in their first two days of E-16 fishing.

 

Long distance travel for long distance releases was the fortune for Houston couple Martin "Madman" O'Malley and 39th anniversary (congrats!!!) bride "Houston Cynthia"whose two day bounty was a fraction of that of the SS Robertson/Rosen but paired with equal long distance travelers Mark "Z-Man" Zion and his bride of 36 years "Z-Woman" Julia who boated over 40 fish in their first two days of fishing on their return to Montana, the largest being Z-Man's AND A-Woman's separate 17" Blackfoot rainbows.

 

And then there was/is the Sailors Four, a foursome combination of returning veterans who successfully kept the Threes in stitches when they were not fishing and, when they were fishing, in addition to the Yellow Hat for Brownie above, saw "Mamadore" Hubbard and Scott "Not So Flash" Gordon (barely!) eking out a fishing living  while traversing first the lower Clark Fork and then the Blackfoot canyon while enjoying the continual visages of osprey, eagles and mergansers galore.

 

And then, very least and very last, there is the most curious couple of "Richmond Jim" and Leah "Cry Die" Becker, who saw the latter, as a rookie, taking over the first night's boat reports (thereby earning her not only a Yellow Hat for her first day of fishing, but. as shown above, also a coveted Tattoo Cry Die shirt for her ruckus of riotous reconnoitering) and telling all of HER first fish on a fly—a 15" something-or-other... for, it seems, that on Day One they did the grand slam by landing five different species of trout but were a bit unsure just what kind the biggest one was but, on Day Two, they doubled down in the experience by each landing 15" fish of one denomination or another!

 

As I report this Dem Threes are on the water wrapping up their third day (and the final fishing day) of E-16, again to be greeted by 90 degree weather but a temperature a far cry better than the 105 degrees that they suffered through one year ago!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron 

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NWF Presents to The Threes!

Northern Rockies Regional Executive Director and long time friend Tom France updates the Threes on the activities of the National Wildlife Federation immediately following NWF's annual meeting—thanks for being with us, pal!!

 

RCR---<'///:><

Group 3 Pictures, Part 1

Group Three Pictures, Part 2

Group Three Pictures, Part 3

Announcing the Line Up for Group Three!!!

Sweeping along the tarmac soon will be the Inimitable Threes, to be joined on their last evening here by the equally inimitable honky-tonker Bob Wire, who, fifteen strong, will look to keep up the breath-taking fishing pace of their predecessors, the Magnificent Ones and the Tattoos. Heading up this veteran-laden travelling troupe from Houston, Texas, are commercial realtor Martin “Madman” O’Malley and his beautiful attorney spouse Cynthia “Houston” Day Stratton who will be resident in our equally one of a kind Blackfoot house with returning Louisianan veteran Dick “DH” Seale and Pt. Richmond community foundation director Jim “Fishbecker” Becker and his rookie bride Leah, all of whom will be joined by South Carolina rookie pharmacist Gary Jones.

“The Sailors” are also among the returning Threes (lock in those outside animals and wandering souls, all!) star lined by Scott “Not So Flash” Gordon (so named for his propensity to miss air flights), Susan “Mamadore” Hubbard and that special couple of “Little Richard” Deveau and his bride Cynthia each of whom will be returning to be rejoined with that wonderful South Carolina “Z Couple”—financial advisor Mark “Z-Man” Zion and his bride and “Z-Woman”, Julia.

Mopping up the decks are son Tyler “Lefty” Clausen and my long, long, long time wonderful Santa Barbara travel agent extraordinaire Brian “Capt’n Four” Robertson and his rookie sidekick, Bay Area deep water explorer Dirk “Mare” Rosen.

Now THAT is a deck to draw from, folks, as my full expectations are this this troupe will pick right up where their predecesors left of and, if they do so, make this the most fish prolific Extravaganza ever!!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron
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Group Three Wrap Up

The Tattoos came right on here into western Montana and picked up where the Magnificent Ones and their fly fishing machines had left off!! The weather for Dem Twos was perfect, except for a tad bit of wind (the “W” word in these here parts!) on the last day with the boat reports on Day Three touting anywhere from 20 to 50+ fish—a magnificent bounty in anyone’s record book, the rock star of which (again!) was Mardi “C.T.” Rodgers with her 21” lower Clark Fork rainbow being the beast of the day. Mardi is shown above with her second Yellow Hat in three days with Bob “Manyfish” Corpening who impressed all, including yours truly who awarded him an honorary Yellow Hat for the sixty (count ‘em) fish that he landed in his very first day ever of fly fishing—thereby bestowing upon himself the Indian-rooted name of Manyfish!

Also shown above is mustachioed Group Two Yellow Shirt winner Tony “No Neck” Pantaleo for his all-Extravaganza record setting 32 ½” Blackfoot bulltrout. Word has it that once No Neck gets home he, like others before him, is going have his shirt framed and hung much as you would a sports jersey. And take a gander at the assembled Tattoos in front of the Montana Natural History Center’s elementary education bus that was collectively purchased for them by last year’s Extravaganza groups and this year, via the auspices of E-16’s collective generosity, will have a to-be-children’s naturalist aboard funded by E-16’s largess!

Yes, like the Ones before them, the Tattoos came, fished and conquered and have left the scene of it all well teed up for the incoming Threes, who arrive this Saturday to abundant fish surrounded by perfect weather and an Extravaganza staff that simply can’t wait until they get here!!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron
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The Governor Comes A-Callin'!

The Governor Comes A-Callin’!

How special of an evening it was after Day Two of Group Two when, as shown above, Montana Governor Steve Bullock arranged his schedule specially so that he could join the Tattoos for dinner on Rock Creek and “see first-hand what this Extravaganza is all about.” We were honored to receive Steve and treat him with co-equal-to-all irreverence, bestowing upon him (in addition to a bevy of other E-16 regalia) an Honorary Yellow Hat to commemorate his visit with us.

As past MT Attorney General and general counsel to the MT Secretary of State, Steve has been stalwart in supporting and defending Montana’s stream access laws—a topic that has become key in his current re-election campaign. In addition to appointing our great friend Jeff Haegener as his Director of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Steve’s administration has been a strong supporter of “access to nature for all” for not only Montana’s residents but also for its 11 million annual visitors. Oh, by the way, Steve also oversees the most fiscally sound state government in the nation.

Thanks, Steve for not only being with us but bringing key members of your staff to join us last evening—your ethos and your down-to-earth demeanor reflect well upon all that is good and wonderful in this special part of the earth.

Bravo!!
RCR---<’//:><

Group Two, Day Two

Group Two had a marvelous day on the river, thank you very much, on Hump Day for Extravaganza 2016! Lighting up the Twenty Inch Board were Tony “No Neck” Pantaleo with his record setting 32 1/2” Blackfoot bulltrout (see separate posting) followed eleven inches behind by “Montana Tim” Foster’s beauty of a 21 1/2” Blackfoot brown, both of which are shown below. Most appropriately for a record setting fish (it is the largest trout ever caught [and released] in Extravaganza history, btw], MT Governor Steve Bullock was on hand to present No Neck with his Yellow Hat (we also gave Da Gov an Honorary Yellow Hat to commemorate his visit with us!).

The Tattoos have kept the fish count volume set by the breathtaking pace of Dem Ones, averaging over thirty (count 'em!) fish per boat (that's 15 per fisherperson for anyone mathematically challenged--a BIG number!) with the Blackfoot River finally opening up. The Bitterroot river has yet to make an appearance in E-16, but is any day now from exploding with golden stones and resulting majestic fish. The SS Rodgers led the pack with over 50 fish aboard, followed closely by the tag team of "Montana Tim" and Gary "Big Cheese" Edwards.

Novelty went out to my co-National Wildlife Federation Houston board member, Mary Van Kerrebrook who took to her book and a kayak a-pacing her son Bob's boat where, on his second day of fly fishing ever, he boated (again!) over 20 trout.

Other big fish were accounted for via Day One Yellow Hat winner Adam "Iron Man" Eichorn with his 19 1/2" bow and Brad "Maven" Miller with his 18 1/4" trophy--his son Jack being nicknamed "Zorro" that day by Extravaganza veteran guide Brian Grand due to the caped crusader's propensity to make zees in the air as he nonetheless accurately casts! Watching it all is the father-son tag team of "Good Earth A'" and "Son of Good Earth" Dakota Baylacq who, this Extravaganza, have specialized in smaller fish, but nonetheless in the 20+ volume quantity.

The Tattoos are currently on the water mid-way through their third and final day and I am sure Da Gov is going to be following this blog to see what this wonderful day has to unfold for this special group.

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron
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32 1/2"E-16 Bulltrout Caught and Released!!

On the day that Montana Governor Steve Bullock came a callin’ (more on that separately), look what showed up on the end of Tony “No Neck” Pantaleo’s Blackfoot fishing line: an all-Extravaganza largest fish, record setting 32 ½” bulltrout, and what a story it came with. It seems that Tony was minding his own business, hooked into a 12” cutthroat and, as seems to happens every Extravaganza, the quarry was attacked and grabbed by the bulltrout that you see above. Usually, however, a bulltrout will grab what appears to it to be an injured fish and swallow it whole, only to let the eaten fish go just as both are about to be netted. Not the case here, as guide Trevor Anderson witnessed the bulltrout grabbing the cutthroat sidewise (“t-boned” as Tone described it), to then release the grab as the boat neared only to attack the cutthroat a second time—this time not letting go just as Trevor’s net grabbed the otherwise would-be escapee .

You can see the result above—an proud guide, an ecstatic fisherman and a somewhat disgruntled fish who not only lost lunch but also got some air time for pictures prior to its release. “What a thrill”, No Neck reported to the assembled boat reportees, which, for the first time, included a governor (who was duly impressed, btw, asking me at the end of the evening if he could return for E-17 and even fish with us then!).

Bravo, bravo, bravo!!
RCR---<’///:><

18" Double Previews Group Two, Day Three!

Da Tattoos!

Group 2 Pictures, Part 1!