by Merle Ann Loman | Jun 8, 2009 | ii Summer, Other
Growing up in Illinois during the 1960’s, I developed a real passion for both small and large mouth bass fishing. Like many a mid-westerner, I did a fair amount of spin fishing during this time and had some success catching them. Fishing for these species with a fly rod was the next step in angling evolution. However, moving to Missoula in the early 70’s put this type of fishing on the backburner. Recently I am discovering more bass and pike fishing opportunities around Missoula, but that is another story.
Since my early mid-western fishing days, bass fishing has turned into a big business sport with innovative gear, high tech boats and very popular competitions. A good competitive bass fisherman uses a specialized boat and spinning gear (mostly) coupled with incredibly accurate casting and presentation skills. As a tournament angler, one also has to have knowledge of bass life histories, the impoundments he fishes and the endurance to keep fishing.
On my recent family visit to Missouri my sister’s friend, Randy Conlon, volunteered to take me out. He is a tournament bass angler who hasn’t given up his day job yet. He has the same attributes I’ve found in my favorite trout fishermen; a genuine love and appreciation of the environment where bass/trout are found and knowledge to predict bass/trout behavior. Did I mention he is super accurate with his casts? He was very handy with an arsenal of rods and lures used to fool his favorite game fish. I enjoyed his pleasant demeanor, excellent boat handling skills and caution while respecting his fellow anglers on the water.
The morning started with us on the water and fishing about 6:15 am. During the morning, each of us caught several smaller bass on top with poppers. Watching Randy handle these fish, I was impressed as he took out hooks and released fish as gently as any neurosurgeon client I have seen. Part of our success was due to our flies and poppers. I had purchased several effective patterns from Backcountry Outfitters Fly Shop in Springfield, MO. See some of them in the slideshow below. It was a good time visiting with Michael Kyle, the proprietor. He is a knowledgeable angler and has the only fly shop in the area that I know of.
To sum it all up, I’ve found that a fly rod trout fisherman and a competitive bass angler have more in common than one might think. Randy, thanks for a great morning of angling. I look forward to my next Missouri bass fishing experience. Yep, I am planning to do it again.
by Merle Ann Loman | May 24, 2009 | Bitterroot, i Spring
Jack added some captions to the slideshow. This coming week is going to be hot! The snowpack will be coming off in a hurry! Stay tuned.Here are some photos from Jack’s flight over the Bitterroot River on May 22, 2009. It is not in flood stage but definitely in run-off. The photos begin near Woodside, travel downstream (north) to MacClay’s near/north of Poker Joe, then turn and head back upstream (south) to finish near Darby.
by Merle Ann Loman | May 18, 2009 | i Spring, Missouri, Take Your Kids Fishing
Jack fished the Missouri River with his son-in-law, Marshall Knick. It was coming up, the water was a bit cloudy but the managed to hook some fish. Jack caught this fish and Marshall is holding it. Josh Lauer has a photo of Marshall and the bigger brown that he caught. When Josh sends it to us, I will post it, too.
I had to include photos of Jack’s daughter, Hannah – of course married to Marshall, and their son’s Tristen and Tait!
See the photos in the Picasa slideshow below.
by Merle Ann Loman | May 17, 2009 | Friends, i Spring, Other
Our friend, Jim, sends us photos from time to time. He and his buddies love to fish.
They often fly fish the Yellow Breeches, a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. The first photo was taken in mid-April and here is Jim’s message.
Dave Boomer and John Mikita on the Yellow Breeches yesterday. The water was a little high and cloudy.
I caught 2 brown trout, 13 inches and 10 inches. Both on size 16 Hendrickson dry fly.
I think Dave caught the fish he is playing in the picture on a Hendrickson.
I did not get a picture of Larry Clement who did the best. He caught 5 trout on a variety of flies including a white wooly bugger.
We all had a fun time. The weather was beautiful.
Jim
The middle photo is Larry on the Yellow Breeches in early May. He caught plenty of fish that day, too, I hear.
By the way, happy tenth birthday to your beloved dog, Tres.
Jim sent us the bottom photo and within it, in the photo on the bookcase, is Jim fishing the Bitterroot River in Montana. Here is the message he sent with it.
Does this dog have a hard life or what!
PS: Merle and Jack, if you zoom in on the leftmost picture on my book case you will see a picture Jack took of me and an 18 inch cutthroat that I caught on the Bitterroot. Great guide!
Keep sending us your fishing photos! We love hearing from you all.
by Merle Ann Loman | Apr 19, 2009 | music
The Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and performing bluegrass music.
The association, which was formed in 1999, offers a slate of events throughout the year to promote bluegrass music. This includes sponsoring performances by local and nationally recognized bluegrass bands, campouts of bluegrass pickers and fans, and workshops where enthusiasts can develop their music skills.
The 2009 spring festival, which is in its 10th year, gives bluegrass fans an opportunity to hear outstanding performances across spectrum of bluegrass music. Started by a few “bluegrassers” from the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley, the association now has over 250 members.
Bands performing this year:Acousticals, Bill Anderson & Jeff Trask, Black Mountain Boys, Bonnie Bliss & Stan Hall, BVDs, Gravel Road, Ken Benson & Friends, Larry Gangi, Sr., Mike & Tari Conroy, Pinegrass, Ramblin’ Rose, Salmon Valley String Band, Spring Thaw, Three Rivers Bluegrass, Will Williams, Wise River Mercantile. To read more about this event and the late-night jam and campover, visit our website at http://www.mtbluegrass.com/.
