Yesterday was one of those days to remember. My friend Nick and I headed north out of Jackson to fish. While driving through Grand Teton park we saw our first Grizzly bear. We got to watch as the fuzzy bear fed in the grass up near Pilgrim creek. We drove on, already saying our day was made and we hadn’t even fished yet.

As we drove slowly down a dirt road on our way to the river, I glanced to my left and saw a big grizzly grazing out in the field beside us. We stopped and watched for a good 10 minutes; just us and the bear. Man what a day!

Big Griz having breakfast.

Eventually we got fishing, working our way down stream. I chose to swing streamers while Nick focused on nymphing. We spread out a bit on the water and I continued down hooking a couple of fish.  I hooked another nice fish- a good size Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. As I was bringing the fish in, I noticed Nick walking down river toward me. He caught up and offered to take a picture for me.

After a few pics, I stood up and thanked him. Then I saw that about 30 yards behind him was yet another Grizzly. This guys had just swam across the river right behind us and was now walking across the gravel bar. We turned and watched; remaining remarkably calm. Fortunately this guys didn’t mind us and slowly lumbered on. WOW! So that’s 3 bears so far.

I managed to snap a few pics as Nick watches. Let me tell you, this guys was closer than he looks in this picture.

We continued fishing, albeit a little more on edge. As we made our way up river to explore some new water, we found ourselves slowly walking through the red willow bushes (yelling of course while we did this). As I scanned the country around us, I noticed a dark spot in an opening. Yep, another bear… we quickly worked our way through the bushes and back onto the open gravel. That’s four bears on the day!  As far as the fishing went, it was okay. We caught a few fish including a couple nice ones, but seeing these wild grizzly bears made the day one to always remember!

One of the browns that fell for my streamer.

Holy smokes it’s October. Summer has disappeared around here making way for fall; one day is warm and sunny, the next it’s winter with blowing snow. For those of us who love fishing, fall is prime time. Fish are feeding heavily in preparation for winter, crowds are gone and brown trout take swipes at streamers.

I’ve continued to be busy guiding visiting anglers. For the most part, days have been really good with folks catching some nice fat cutthroat trout. Last week was challenging thanks to several days of snow and cold temperatures. After two days of tough fishing, Richard finally got into some good fish on the Snake. Hats off to him for keeping a good attitude and sticking with it!

In addition to the guiding, I also had to frame and hang paintings for my art show at the Snake River Brewery. I’m pleased with how things look and the paintings will be up though December. We’re having a reception/opening there on Wednesday (the 12th) from 5- 7. Stop by if you’re around and say hi.

Guides’ day off. I had the pleasure of fishing with Bill and Fred last week. It was fun sharing the boat with these guides and listening to their stories about guiding in the valley. And it was also AWESOME to fish from the boat!

One of the nice cutthroat trout that was feeding on emergers on the Snake. Super fun day floating Brad and Dennis; it took awhile to make it happen, but the fishing was spectacular and the guys had a special day

Richard shows off a foul weather trout. The weather threw Rich a curve ball, snowing on him during his days fishing with me. After two really tough days on the water, Richard stuck with it and found success on the Snake.

A few of the painting that are hanging at the Snake River Brewery. 

Pretty colors on this rainbow. 

Fishing continues to be solid around here in Jackson Hole. I’ve fished some great folks and have more fun trips on the books. Joe and his dad, Geno, came back to fish with me again this August and we three fantastic days. We fish the Snake and took no prisoners; catching lots of fish on dry flies including some nice ones. Then it was off to the Dubois fishing cabin for some fun wade fishing. Muddy water and cold temperatures one day kept us on our toes, but we fished some super-cool gems, catching rainbows and browns on dries and nymphs. Great to see these guys!

Geno and Joe; always great to see these guys. Fun couple of days on the water with them.

Joe with a nice snake river cutthroat.

Brown from a secret spot. Lousy weather meant a hatch of BWOs, followed by a wood fire.

Small water is my favorite, especially when the fish cooperate 

A few images from a fishy morning on Flat Creek. Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge here in Jackson Hole, opened for fishing August 1st and will fish well through it’s closing October 31st. 

This guy loved the hopper. As the season progresses, the big fish that reside in Flat Creek will become less likely to aggressively take a hopper, instead opting for mayflies that match the hatch.

Minutes outside of town, Flat Creek is as pretty a place to fish as there is

Gravel bottom makes for easy wading. Most of the time however you’re better off staying on the banks; careful fo the holes and muck….

My weapon of choice, a 5wt Winston. A 4 wt is fun to fish too but the 5wt helps battle the big fish that like to run downstream and head under banks.

Who says you have to wear Khaki and camo while fishing the Refuge? I think fish like a little Hawaiian flare…

Pretty, strong fish- hard to catch but extremely rewarding