NW TOUR PT 2 | FIELD ASSIGNMENT Klickitat River, Washington
For the second leg of the Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Pacific Northwest Tour, we headed south to the Klickitat River. We said farewell to Jeff and CJ at Black Bear Lodge and traveled to The Steelhead Ranch, another program with The Evening Hatch. Coffee was on at 5:45 AM and soon after followed a hearty breakfast. We tossed gear in the truck and were out the door with owner Jack Mitchell right at sun-up. Fishing the upper canyon of the Klickitat wasn’t easy; the recent rain created some tough conditions. But we managed to bring a fish to hand, thanks to Cameron. The staff at The Evening Hatch was top-notch — very friendly and accommodating. The lodge amenities are very comfortable and meet all the expectations for a well-run operation. We can’t wait to return! Next, we’re heading across the mighty Columbia to Oregon. Stay tuned!
NW TOUR PT 1 | FIELD ASSIGNMENT Upper Columbia River, Washington
The first leg of the Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Pacific Northwest Tour kicked off on the upper Columbia River with The Evening Hatch fly shop. The crew hit the road early and drove from Bozeman to Northport, WA where they settled into the Black Bear Lodge for the evening. The Lodge is a comfortable three-bedroom riverfront cabin with all the amenities needed for a great stay. Add delicious home-cooked family-style cuisine and a stout fishery and this is an ideal place for serious anglers focused on catching massive rainbow trout. From the photographic evidence below, you can see the crew fared well.
I am now headed with team to southwestern Washington to The Steelhead Ranch, another program operated by the The Evening Hatch. Stay tuned for more updates from the open road.
A SERIES OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS A few Black and White moments from my life on the road
“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” ― Ted Grant
+Playa Blanca, Yucatan Johnny Pares spinning up some topwater bonefish flies.
+Skagit River, Washington Scott Wilson swinging for saltwater rainbows on an early foggy morning.
+Las Pampas, Argentina Argentine Gaucho, Jonathan Nunis, observes the outcome of his trusty calving rope work. Jonathan is one of the few old World gauchos, the last of his kind. It’s very much a fragile way of life in the new realm of technology, power and greed. I’ve never felt so humbled, so welcomed, so very small and insignificant in the big small world. It’s my hope their way of life continues forever.
+Casa Blanca, Yucatan A Yucatan Osprey heads to a palm tree with breakfast in its talons. I enjoyed watching the hunt and the feast, a day I won’t forget.
+Remote backcountry, Argentina Yvon Chouinard studying maps of the expedition in his tent. Andes Mountains, Argentina. This image represents my childhood dream and my childhood hero. A good role model and hero can make a difference, especially for the youngsters. It could be anyone really, a parent, a friend, someone who over came the odds, maybe a neighbor, perhaps a coach, an explorer, probably someone with a backbone that created positive change, it could be anyone with integrity, guts and bravery. These types follow their own quest, which is more often than not, the hard road. They fail but get back up and keep on going with their integrity and spine in tact, and they instill the seed of chance in others. Decades later I was the middle of the Andes Mountains gearing up for a big adventure. Ironically my childhood hero was also on the expedition team. I feel very fortunate to have captured this moment, for me it’s an internal lifetime accomplishment. It was also an inspiring moment, solidifying with certainty; the only limitations are those we put on ourselves. You can do anything you want to, you just have to actually want to do it. The champ is still going hard, still following his dreams, and still forging his own path. And its not everyday you get to bring your childhood hero on an expedition and take his picture when he’s not looking. Thirty-years later, I’m inspired once again.
GRANDE RONDE RIVER | DEC HOGAN Spey Casting Master
I had the opportunity to spend a few days making imagery for the Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures crew in Washington a few weeks ago. This trip Shaun lawson and I tagged along for Troy and Dec’s Spey class. I learned a lot, actually wish I’d had this instruction years ago!
Here Dec Hogan gets back in the game, tossing effortless bombs on the Grande Ronde, Washington.
The new issue of The FlyFish Journal is finally on the newsstands! I’m very pleased a few of my images made it to print. Big thanks to all those that helped create the images, without you, none of these would be possible…especially the streamer ear-ring, ha! Head down to your local shop and grab yourself a copy!
ANGLERS
+ Tyler Treece + Chris Barkey + Shaun Lawson + Aaron O’Leary + Rick Matney
FRONT & BACK COVER | AMERICAN ANGLER Argentina + Washington
The new September/October 2014 issue of American Angler Magazine is hot off the press and I’m deeply humbled and beyond thrilled to see my images on both the front and back cover!
It’s great to see this moment make print as it brings back such great memories of adventure in both Argentina and Washington.
FRONT COVER About the image: John Hudgens and Ron Sorenson teamed up for a great day of fishing for wild brown trout on Filo Hua Hum River in Argentina.
BACK COVER
About the image: Jonathan Knapp standing at attention with his trusty rod waiting for first light on the Skagit river.
AMERICAN ANGLER MAGAZINE | GRANDE RONDE, WASHINGTON Published Editorial
A fun image from a wild week at Rick Matney’s annual, ol’ Steelhead camp on the ‘Ronde. I’m happy to see this entertaining moment made into print, July/August issue of American Angler Magazine. Head down to your local shop and grab your copy!
+ American Angler Magazine –http://www.americanangler.com/
BACKLIT MOSSY TREE | OLYMPIC PENINSULA Pacific Northwest rainforest travels
“It was strangely like war. They attacked the forest as if it were an enemy to be pushed back from the beachheads, driven into the hills, broken into patches, and wiped out. Many operators thought they were not only making lumber but liberating the land from the trees…” – Murray Morgan | The Last Wilderness
