Here we are, gang, right on the cusp of it all, and, as I pack my own bags to begin my annual drive to Montana, here are a few last minute reminders (and a couple of surprises for you Rookies out there—can’t have you think that you are 100% in the know, ya know!):
1. Polarized Sunglasses. These are an absolute must, gang; if you don’t yet have a pair and want to have half a chance to see your fly, go out and procure same!
2. Hawaiian Shirt Day. Day One of our fishing for each group is traditionally Hawaiian Shirt Day—our Double Up Outfitter usually announces this but forgot to do so this year—what the heck, so how big of a deal is 75+ boats during the month of June anyway?!? Grab a shirt, put it in your bag and, if you forget, I have a supply downstairs in the main house.
3. Guide Tips. This year our recommended guide tips are $60/day/person, which should be paid in cash at the end of each fishing day (so the guide can purchase your lunch for the next day!) Your guides will provide a luncheon repast on the river for you each day and, since the vast majority of you will have the same guide for all three days, you can direct traffic and the menu on Days Two and Three.
4. Gag Guide Gifts. Get this, Rookies, on Day One when I introduce you to your guide for the next three days, Extravaganza tradition (heretofore kept secret from ya!) is to present (y)our guide with a gag gift, a choice deemed appropriate on your end and as an excellent way to break the ice with and between you. Past years have seen hand made fish-o-matic measuring devices, potty/toilet seats embedded with lures, salmon rigs with huge spinners, books on fishing, a nice bottle of wine and a complete panacea of unmentionable items that provide for a robust and rousing introductory meeting. Classic of it all is Group One veteran Eddie “Two License” Downer’s presentation of a WTF button to his guide a few years ago, only to later that day have a fish slip out of his hands, fall on the button placed on the guide’s rowing seat and to have the voice within yell out “What The F___?”!
5. Rain Suit/Dry Bag. In response to several inquiries, this year we will not need waders BUT, since I want you to plan on a passing thunderstorm every fishing day, please bring a dry bag to have a change of clothes aboard and a rain suit—don’t worry about the top half of that, however, for, as Extravaganza tradition repeats itself, I have you covered (literally) on that front/top, but do bring a pair of slip over rain pants that you can put over your zip off fishing shorts (see Camp List for further details, as posted to Der Blog).
6. 6 wt fishing rods. If you have ‘em, bring ‘em (along with your bamboo rods that I gave you four years ago), otherwise your guides have you covered and I have a gaggle of rods at the house that you are welcome to use to further enhance your fishing experience.
Well, gang, there you have it—your final, final short list of things to bring!!
Best to all now inside 10 days from it all,
Rock Creek Ron
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