6th Annual Big Woods Summit

The RBF Pro Staffers were shin deep in trout infested waters during the 6th Annual Big Woods Summit; but they were faced the most arduous conditions every placed before them. Scorching heat and an Alfred Hitchcock-like fly encounter would have sent most other anglers packing, but not these men. Highlights of their latest expedition were as follows:

Survival of the S. Aldrichi fly infestation. The Pro Staffers often resembled UNICEF poster boys, covered by those “friendly” sumbitches. But that didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves and fellow Pro Staffers.


Midger – finally is on the winning side of a shuffleboard game. The Chief promptly restored his permit to compete in future events.


Mike, newly appointed Pro Staffer, subdues large brown trout after working 12 feverish hours on a set of small cubby hole doors. The Chief netted the beast earlier but lacked the necessary photographic evidence. Smile Mike...hell you look like the Chief holding one of Donnie's fish.


Gentlemen...that is a meatloaf. Bowhunter expertly prepares a Buffalo Meatloaf three times the size of a car battery. WeightWatcher Points per serving - 70.

The finest batch of Yucca ever produced is consumed for the first time under the stars. The passing of the Yucca Jar seems to be the highlight of every BWS. Midger, without the expert help of Flyrodder, prepared this ungodly tasty batch. Sufficient Libation Index calculated at 1 glass. I think the Ranger had two, but he's a Ranger.

Chief defeats Bowhunter this time in a One Fly-Two Hundred Fly Challenge. Chief started the scoring minutes into the event. Then after being rather annoyed by two hundred flies he sought shade and a cold Straub beer knowing Bowhunter would not land a fish in the scorching afternoon heat. He was right, as always. Photographic evidence is not required here.


Agrontrutta decides to pass on moderation in favor of sufficient libation after he got his turn with the official cocktail of the RBF Pro Staff. Actually, he started libating soon after his feet hit the ground in God's Country.

The Maiden Voyager is converted into the RBF Mobile Command Unit.

Bunyan masters his art of procrastination by still not producing sketches for the RBF Cookbook.

GlenG continued to be the outfit’s example-setter. His cherub demeanor helped the men survive this arduous expedition. Here he instructs the men on fly tolerance, use of 2-ply shitter paper and personal hygiene while in camp. Never met a man so concerned about others.

Ranger Totonkahunter is appointed Pro Staffer by applying Ranger-style survival techniques and not dancin around like a Kansas City faggot while attending his first Big Woods Summit.


Midger nets Red Tail, a fabled brown trout known for his coloration and refusals of the Chief’s earlier offerings.

Bunyan catches trout after trout in a mountain stream. He claims to be an accomplished angler. But wait…he fished in the kiddie section. True story.

Bunyan almost redeems himself with his ungodly Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler, one of the many excellent culinary delights of the 6th Annual Big Woods Summit.

Another summit and another good time had by all. And yes, we caught fish.

Fishin is Good

Finally got a day to fish with my daughter Katie. We spent the day on Spring Creek fishing, drinking beer and sharing a shore lunch. Fishin was tough throughout the day, but Katie managed several fishin the Caddis and Beadhead. It started to rain hard in the evening so we took cover in the Maiden Voyager and enjoyed Seyval Blanc wine, anchovy stuffed olives and Manchego cheese. We finished the wine and began fishin above Paradise. Sparse sulphur emergence but a saving spinner fall. We caught many trout on the RBF Sulphur Half & Half. An enjoyable day on the stream with my lovely and talented daughter.

Poe Paddy

Next stop...Little Juniata. The rivers flow on forever and the fishin never ends.

Big Woods Summit

The Big Woods Summit dates have been set.
I will be heading for the camp after work on Tuesday May 25th and staying thru May 31st.
Hopefully, all the Pro-Staffers can make an appearance at some point during the week. Please let me know if you are planning to attend, and the date you plan to arrive. Also, if you require a bunk, they are on a first come basis.

Bowhunter

Third Generation Pro Staffers?

SO one might have wondered what could possibly keep any member of the vaunted Pro Staff cloistered away for such a long period of time? To that I offer the following photographs as evidence that my absence from Pro Staff events has not been in vain.

Haydens Whopper

Olins "Crappie" Catch

These fine specimens were taken on a local farm pond. Inside information had it that the Crappie (or calico if you prefer) bite was very hot. So it was time to take the young'uns out and open the season properly. Nowthe older of the two has been going fishing with Dad for the last three years and alreay has largemouth of 3, 5, and 8 pounds to his credit. This however was Haydens first outing ever with rod and reel and the crappie picture above his first fish ever. Needles to say I was extremely proud of my boys. And while we "fished with bait" I can assure all who read this that the fish were promptly released unharmed but both boys are keepers for a lifetime of fishing.

Obama to Ban Recreational Fishin?

"We are endangering all our little fishies!"

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4975762

The Chief has refrained from political commentary on this ungodly blog until now. That's it...I ain't gonna take it no mo.

A Different Kind of Spring Excitement

Seems every Spring, the Fair Maiden manages to catch something on fire. One year it was two power poles; another year, it was two acres of donkey pasture, yet another year it was the grape vines. This year, damn near the homestead. The prompt response by the good men of Beech Creek Fire Company lowered the Chief’s blood pressure to a manageable level knowing that the home would be spared. She only managed one-half acre this time. The Chief hid all matches and lighters. With the Fair Maiden there is no such thing as a controlled burn. Photographs were taken for evidence.

Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot

Grannoms and skunk cabbage, March Browns and redbud, and coltsfoot and those Little Olives. You can count on it. Yes, coltsfoot is an invasive species. We suspect the Frenchies brought it to the US for medicinal purposes, of all things.

Springtime in Pennsylvania

Marsh Marigolds & Skunk Cabbage

...continuing the slouching........ Figured I toss up some shots of spring because, well, because I can.

Look for both of the above species in boggy riparian wetlands and along stream banks in early spring. The Marsh Marigolds in particular are in decline due to the draining of agricultural wet lands. While they're always a welcome sight in early April, they seem to disappear as quickly as they emerged. The above specimens where photographed in Poe Valley early one April morning just prior to the Grannom emergence.

Slouching Toward the Vernal Equinox

There must be a connection between the fact that brain tissue is referred to as gray matter and the gray days of winter in Penn's Woods. The grayness of winter days invaded my gray matter about 5 weeks ago and sucked me down a spiral. Not even the gray shale dust used for traction on asphalt could provide enough friction to stem the slide in my head. Like the Greg Brown song, I was going driftless.

Scientists say that the recent earthquake in Chile threw a tiny kink in the Earth's rotation. Maybe that's why the sun finally came out during the last few days. Or, maybe it's just the eternal cycle. Whatever, the cause, the increased irradiance from the dying star 93 million miles away along with the sight of emerging Baetis on Spring Creek and the slurpy rise of an anxious brown trout has roused me from this infernal funk.

Spring is coming fellow prostaffers. I have it on good authority.

RBF Rugged Leader Wallet

The Chief is in the design & development phase of the RBF Rugged Leader Wallet. Working with the creative folks at Equinox LTD of Williamsport, PA, his ungodly rugged leader wallet will be constructed initially of 400 denier nylon, then if all goes well, recycled breathable waders. The Fair Maiden got involved in the design process and there just may be a ladies version. No more cheap zip lock bags and ratty vinyl pockets to store those RBF Ungodly Stealth Dry Fly Leaders.

The folks at Equinox asked if the Chief had a means of testing the prototypes as they wanted to make sure the Chief was satisfied with the design before they went into production. He responded, “We have a RBF Pro Staff that can test anything in the most arduous conditions known to man.”

In a short time, you will be called upon to field test the RBF Rugged Leader Wallet. RBF is also planning on marketing several other fly fishing accoutrements; All American Made.

The RBF Rugged Leader Wallet

MADE IN USA

Bowman Baetis & RBF 2 Fur

The Bowman Baetis

This perfectly crafted fly no doubt will fool the smartest trout. Bowman suggests medium dun hen hackle for the wings with medium dun hackle wrapped four times like a Catskill. He makes one turn in front of the wings to hold them tilted back slightly, then two turns behind the wings, with a final wrap in front. Then he skillfully flips the fly over and figure-eights the thread once or twice to draw the hackle up. He ain't done yet. He then dubs the thread and completes a couple more figure-eights.


It's sort of a Catskill Parachute Comparadun Spinner Emerger Dry Fly. This ungodly contraption caused quite the discussion amongst the Pro Staffers on the use of this and similar contraptions for catching trout during a baetis emergence.

The Chief's thoughts on the effectiveness of the various discussed contraptions is slightly diverse. His vast experience, especially while sober, leads him to cast floating nymph-type contraptions to dumb trout feeding on the spring baetis especially when every dumb trout in the stream is rising. The water is typically covered with, yes, floating nymphs. Those little creatures quickly dart to the surface then lay there waiting to be eaten. Thus the RBF 2 Fur. Seems no one mentioned the versatile snowshoe hare foot hair for wings. The Chief ties in a small clump of natural hair by the tips, then clips it short. The abdomen is formed with twisted BRF's Mayfly Brown Zelon. Fur from a brown sheared beaver coat purchased at the American Rescue Workers Thrift Store forms the thorax. Some versions may include a turn or two cream hackle around the base of the snowshoe hare foot hair wing.

The RBF 2 Fur Baetis

RBF Pro Staffer of the Year - 2009

Midger - May 29, 2009

They all tried to catch that Orange Trout; but none could. The Chief informed Midger upon his arrival at the Big Woods Summit that he needed some PF&BC trout for his Paella de la Campo Rossiter. He also informed Midger that a palomino trout was spotted just upstream from the Outhouse Beat. Midger responded, "That Orange Trout will look mighty good in your paella Chief!" He quickly rigged up and cast his offerings into the murky First Fork. In a very short time, that Orange Trout and several other stockies were impaled on a forked stick. The Chief and Midger drank a few beers in celebration and headed back to de la Campo Rossiter to prepare the paella and fish dinner.

Baetis Summit

March 20, 2010

Hopefully the weather will cooperate on the first day of spring so that the RBF Pro Staff will be able to engage in some fine dry fly fishing and fellowship. The early birds could gather for a hearty breakfast at an RBF Endorsed Restaurant. We will meet later at the fishin hole. I'm sure there will be some fine food and beverages to enjoy after our fishin.

RBF Pro Staff Cookbook

It's taking shape. We got some great recipes, stories and ungodly photos. There's still time to submit a recipe for food, drink or flies or anything else. Email the Chief with your contribution. Hoping for completion in time for the Big Woods Summit.

Dad Took Me Fishin'

Sunday Afternoons Hats

Back in 2005, my friend Ray Rathmell introduced me to Sunday Afternoons Hats. He provided me with an Adventure Hat upon seeing my burned ears after fishing several days in the Lamar Valley. I now own three Sunday Afternoons Hats - The Adventure, the Field Hat and the ungodly Oregon Cloudburst. These hats are feather light, cool, packable, durable and best of all, they are made in the USA. Well, most of them. The Oregon Cloudburst hat is ungodly waterproof and works well in cold weather with a SmartWool skull cap.

Fishing the sun soaked Third Meadow

Walking the banks of the Lamar River

Relaxing in the sun on the Soda Butte in an Adventure Hat

All hats offer UPF 50+ protection. The Oregon Cloudburst has sealed seams and a soft wick-away liner to release condensation. The hat features a 4” front brim and 6” rear veil to keep rain outside of your collar. The Sunday Afternoons hats are simply the best fishing hats available. You have the Chief’s guarantee.

http://www.sundayafternoons.com/store/mens/

Where's the Chief?

A. Pine Creek
B. Mill Creek - Yellowstone trib near Pray, MT
C. Fan Creek
D. Soda Butte Creek

A. Madison River in Yellowstone National Park
B. Gallatin River
C. Firehole River
D. Gardner River

Where am I?

Figured that a couple of Pro Staffers would have recognized the Boulder River Valley in Montana. Didn't realize that the ranch signs were nearly impossible to read. For your enjoyment...

· EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WHITES
· MONTANA THE LAST GREAT PLACE
· NO WOLVES
· DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS
· DISOBEDIENCE TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD
· HELL IS RESERVED FOR THOSE THAT BELIEVE IN IT
· IMMIGRATION WHITE OR WRONG

· CRIME DOESN’T PAY NEITHER DOES RANCHING
· IMMIGRATION OR INVASION
· MOON LANDING FAKED
· FREE MEN HAVE GUNS SLAVES DON’T
· ABOLISH THE KING HOLIDAY
· BORN FREE AND TAXED TO DEATH
· IRAQ WAR FOUGHT FOR ISRAEL FREE ZUNDEL
· FREEDOM FROM WAR
· THE END OF THE WELFARE STATE IS THE BEGINING (SIC) OF THE POLICE STATE
· 9/11-01 THE BIG LIE

Baetis Summit

It's time to plan our Spring Ritual. Choose your preference on the side bar. I know we typically gathered a week earlier, but I suspect that March 13 will be the day of the Woolrich Warehouse Sale and I need clothes.

Where Am I?

June 30, 2003

Elk at 13,000 feet - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Shane Cabin

Shane Cabin

Who among us will ever forget Allan Ladd's character Shane in the classic 1953 treatment of A. B. Guthrie's screenplay of the same name as he defends the newly arrived settlers of Jackson Hole from the laconic, bad ass Pennsylvania gun slinger, Jack Palance, in the late 19th century? Not me.

The film was exceptionally notable for it's departure from the usual gunfight-saloon girl-cowboy and Indian extravaganza that was so popular at the time. Realism was important here. Indeed, it was the first movie of it's kind with loud gunshots that startled the audience, and the footage of the settlers crossing the Snake River at Schwabachers Landing is historically accurate.

Alas, the rude settlement with it's general store and saloon are now gone from Antelope Flats, and the National Park Service shows little interest in preservation of this last remaining cabin, which is a little peculiar given the effort that was put into the historic Miller Cabin down valley on Flat Creek.

Every time I look at this cabin I can still hear the young Brandon Wilde shouting " Shane, Shane, come back, Shane!" as our wounded hero rides off into the Teton Mountains...

Behind the action.

P.S. The plume of smoke behind the aspen trees in the background is from a prescribed burn up in the Gros Ventre in September, 2009.

Where am I?

Slow times here on the RBF blog. The short days and low temps must have everyone's serotonin levels low. Today's temps kicked my ass in gear and got me fishin at the Little J. No fish but it was great to be out and in Penn's Woods.

Anyway, here's a photo to get your heads scratchin. The first one to correctly name the woman depicted in the sculpture, the street, city, and country in this photo gets a free pat-down by TSA at the Philly airport. Oh, and if you can sing the song you get extra credit. This photo isn't strictly piscatorial but it is molluscan (Wade, quit staring at the cleavage). Brilliant!

Photo of the Year - 2009

Photo Credit - Agrontrutta