Extravaganza 2009: 3 Weeks and Counting!

Extravagant Ones: 

 

I write to you this last day of May and on the cusp of our to-be-shared experiences together during Extravaganza 2009 with advanced thanks for your upcoming participation in this year's blessed event.  Three weeks from today the banded warriors of Group A will don their Hawaiian Shirts (for our first ever Hawaiian Shirt Day First Day of Fishing) to meet the challenge of our targeted river this year, the 50+ mile long Bitterroot River that, today, yet rages in its (unusual-for-rivers) northward flow towards where it intersects with the Clark Fork of The Columbia River at Missoula, just past Lewis & Clark's second wintering grounds, Traveler's Rest, in the town of Lolo, MT.

 

Since we last communicated, our seasoned band of Extravaganza 2009 participants has further expanded to now 55 warriors, with the addition of CLG attorney John Rosenbaum and his two teenage sons to Group A--a Father's Day group that now features six (count 'em) father-son/daughter/son-in-law combinations!  What a great way that will be to start off this year's event!

 

Your outfitter John "the Great" Gould is now set to launch over 85 boats that, in the course of the Extravaganza, will cover over 750 river miles (that's the near distance between San Francisco and San Diego, gang!); our gaggle of now 10 guides stand ready, willing and able to tend to your every riverside need (including a primo mid-day on-shore lunch, I might add); Doug Persico and his Rock Creek Mercantile staff are ladening in supplies that include a new-issue all purpose wading/walking sandal that should be on each of your targeted acquisition list upon your arrival; and your Hostess With The Mostess, the one and only Kocktail Kathy, is in daily final preparation to make sure that Extravaganza Headquarters is in apple pie order upon your much anticipated and look forward to arrival(s).

 

And even the rivers are excited, for as recently as 6:15 this Sunday morning Rock Creek (our barometer river) yet surges at an unbelievable 4,720 cfs--a flow rate that we look to fall like a stone this coming week, thereby paving the way for the ensuing bug-life activity and "Free Eats" fishing results.  Already there are signs of the legendary salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek (with bugs starting to show up on the lower portions of the Creek)--the salmon fly is a stone fly (see earlier Entomology 1A email report!) about the size of your little finger that, right about this time of the year, after spending nearly two years under water as a "nymph" in its caterpillar form, crawls out of the water, sheds its shuck on the rocks of Rock Creek (hence its [most appropriate] name, btw!) and then flies into mating formation, only for the females then to return to the Creek, reposit their eggs and become food for the now famished trout.  Fishing the salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek during high runoff years like this one will make fly fishing fanatics out of even the most calloused of non-believers--over 100 fish/person days on the Creek during this hatch are not an unusual June event!

 

For Kathy and me, the purpose of the Extravaganza is to open our home and our hearts to those who we have encountered over the prior year(s) and who have touched us in a special way--and that includes EACH of you.  As you begin to think about packing those bags of yours, we want you to alight on Montana worry-free and with an open spirit to enable you to fully ingest all of the extraordinary beauty that the flora, fauna, and ambiance that Montana openly has to freely offer each of you.  God lives in Montana--it is her special place where special people come to witness and experience things that other climes in this world simply do not have to offer, and that does, indeed, include each of you.  As you arrive in Missoula, whether by plane, car or in the case of the "Group B McLeran Brothers" via Harleys, as you veterans well know, be fully prepared to fall through the equivalent of Lewis Carroll's "Alice In Wonderland" rabbit hole, for Montana has just as much to offer to you as you are prepare to receive.

 

In your final preparation for this year's Extravaganza, I would encourage each of you that can to watch two movies that best display what I mean:  Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It and our own 15 minute IWFF student-produced, now award winning  film Journey To The Soul,the latter of which can be found in three segments either on YouTube under "Wildlife Films--Extravaganza" or right on (y)our very own blogsite.

 

Both Kathy and I are thankful this quiet Sunday morning that, shortly, you will be joining us in God's Country; we are blessed in expectation of your presence which, simply stated, is the nicest present that each of your could provide to either of us.

 

Best to all in growing anticipation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

 

Log Jam on Rock Creek

Holy Runoff, indeed, Batman--as taken by your Hostess With the Mostess, attached is the log jam that currently befalls our Log-O-Meter (see earlier email/blog posting) along Rock Creek!!

 

The flow has re-arisen today to 4,760 cfs, up over 200 cfs from today's earlier flowage.  Predictions are that things will begin to subside come Monday...we will see, Robin!

 

Best to all in the flow of it all,

 

RCR

<'///><

 

   

Look At That Flow (Continue To) Go, Joe!!

Extravagant Ones:

 

Just like the Energizer Bunny, the 2009 discharge flow just keeps on a-goin'!  Particularly for those of you in Group A, you want to see this flow rate to start to drop (dramatically) come this next week as, believe it or not, your Extravaganza 2009 arrival date is just three weeks from tomorrow (yippee!!). 

 

This sustained discharge flow notwithstanding,  by all accounts, we should be in perfect shape water-wise come Opening Day for E09 but, unlike Lone Star, "too much IS enough" and, from our perspective, collectively, we are about ready to call "enough" to Runoff 2009!

 

Best to all in panting anticipation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

   

FW: Montana Outdoors - Bridge Access Bill Article 5-09

The Pink Panther strikes again! 

So that is what a trout looks like. Hummm. pp 

RCR

<'///>< 
   

FW: Montana Outdoors - Bridge Access Bill Article 5-09

From Group B's Todd "Tuna" Fisher: 

I always wondered what it looked like when I set the hook a nanosecond early.  Now I know.

Todd

   

Montana Outdoors - Bridge Access Bill Article 5-09

Extravagant Ones:

Linked here for your viewing enjoyment is one of the best trout pictures that I have seen in a long, long time--found on the cover of the current issue of the (wonderful and award winning) Montana Outdoors magazine (written and published by the Montana Fish Wild and Life Department--$9/year for a 6 issue subscription) depicting a trout about to dine on what appears to be a flying ant!

Included also is a nice article by the new FWP Director (properly) lauding the Montana Wildlife Federation (and others) for winning a six year battle to enact into law a "bridge access law", as well defined in the op ed.

Best to all,
RCR

p.s. Rock Creek is STILL flowing at 4,650 cfs--updated chart to be distributed tomorrow.
p.p.s Watch for a forthcoming email announcing the Forth Annual Extravaganza Guide Gag Gift program!!

Extravagant Rock Creek Mercantile Greetings!

And here's a nice note from Doug Persico, who anxiously awaits (y)our arrival at his Rock Creek Mercantile, our Extravaganza 2009 land base!

The Mercantile is ready to act as land outfitter for the 2009 Extravaganza. New stock is arriving every day and we'll have everything that the Extravagant Ones could possibly want or need. I'm working on a special Extravaganza package for the troops and will update you when it's final. In the meantime I'll think good thoughts about all you poor people who have to spend the next few weeks in the Bay Area. Just so everybody will know where they'll be stopping on the way to paradise, I'm sending you a picture of the Merc. See you in just a few days.

Doug 

p.s.  You can tell by the increased volume of E09 emails that the blessed event is, indeed, rapidly approaching!

RCR

<'///>< 

An Overhead View of Rock Creek Mid-Runoff

Extravagant Ones:

Here is an overhead view of normally quiet, docile Rock Creek yet flowing at
a raging 4,500 cubic feet per second (it will be flowing at one tenth that
volume come August!). From this angle you can see how much turbidly there
is in the water.

When the runoff subsides (an event yet to happen per the updated Rock Creek
discharge chart), water clarity will return, visibility for the fish will
reappear and fishing will approach its nirvana.

Best to all mid-runoff,

RCR
<'///><

FW: Holy Runoff, Batman!

A (wonderful) note from Group B's "Fawn Lori" Ware!

so woohoo, we are not going to the mighty Mo!  And WOW, YES, I'm excited!  I'm excited about the flow for the fisher folk and I am soooooooooooooooo excited to be flowing down those beauties soon!

My brain is often 'flowing' to Montana well before our actual dates to arrive! (Thanks to your Montana Man updates)

Fawn Lori

   

E 09: Holy Runoff, Batman!

Check out THE runoff on Der Blog (see link right below E08's movie), Extravagant Ones: 

 

Runoff 2009 is making last year's record runoff of 2008 look like Kocktail Kathy's new Labrador retriever, "Ma'am", to wit:  a docile puppy...and this all bodes well for fishing this year; in fact, this year's runoff is shaping up better that ANY of the previous six year's Extravaganzas!

 

Bueno, bueno, bueno, Robin!

 

RCR

<'///><

 

FW: Extravaganza's Top Ten FAQ's!

 

With Extravaganza 2009 being the seventh in the series of Extravaganzas, there ARE a series of frequently asked questions, the Top 10 of which are listed below each designed, especially for you rookies out there, to make your final preparations for this year's event a bit easier:

 

1. Where the bleep is that Packing List that you sent me a while ago??

 

        A.  Check out the May 2nd posting to Der Blog, where this and all other pertinent/extravagant E09 info is posted.

 

2. What will the Weather be like while I am there??

 

        A.  June is the wettest month in Montana; the later in the month the less that is an issue.  Like the Bay Area, the areas that we will traverse are a series of microclimates--it could be windy,raining and bitingly cold in the 50's on the Blackfoot River while, at the same moment, down right hot and in the 80's a few miles away on the Bitterroot River and, in the course of any one day, it could be both on the same river.  The only accurate MT weather report is that which happened 15 minutes ago, so come prepared in layers and be sure to bring (a) a dry bag with a change of clothes to take on the boat each day and (b) a true rain jacket to protect against to-be-expected afternoon thunder cells.

 

3. Do I need to bring any special Fishing Gear with me??

 

        A.  NO, each boat will be equipped with rods, reels, and flies, but if you do have your own rods, reels, waders and/or wading boots please feel free to bring them along at your discretion.  5 and 6 weight rods with floating lines are the order of the day and, feel free to ship your gear via either UPS or FedEx in advance to the house in advance--address and contact info to follow when more relevant.

 

4.  What happens on Arrival Date and do I need my own Transportation??

 

        A.  I will personally greet you upon your arrival(s) at Missoula International Airport (MSO), so all you have to do is stumble off the airplane and head downstairs to the airport's main level where you will be so personally greeted!  We have our own fleet of Extravaganza cars that will be (y)our source of to and for during your stay with us, so, unless your are driving or would prefer to pay more for the same group experience, "leave the driving to us"!  For those of you who are driving in, please know that, once all bags have been accounted for, there will be a Welcoming Luncheon for each group at the Montana Club on Reserve Street in Missoula.  At that time we will get you acclimated to the 3400 elevation with plenty of beer, go over the events of your Group (Group A traditionally tends to focus on drinking; Group B will host our film crew this year, and Group C will host our annual Fourth of July Guide Appreciation and Annual Fly Casting Tournament), from where we will stop by our new yet under construction Blackfoot house on the way out to the Rock Creek Mercantile, where we will license up and you can make any last minute purchases with your 10% store-wide discount (plus, there is no sales tax in MT, so that is the equivalent of a 20% discount for your Extravagant Ones).  From there we will head up Rock Creek for a late afternoon of fly casting lessons and making sure each of you are adequately checked out on our always-open house bar!

 

5.  Where will we be Housing?

 

       A.  As we have done for the past several years, half of each group will be staying at our Rock Creek home and half will be staying at the Ranch on Rock Creek--a 3500 sq ft "Bunk House" located a half a mile up the road from our house.  Our Rock Creek home serves as Extravaganza Headquarters--resident to the famous Extravaganza Bar, horseshoe pit, fire pit, and casting lawns--and that is where we will spend each evening enjoying Kocktail Kathy's fine cuisine which, again, will feature the incomparable bbq talents of Cowboy Jeff Freeman.  One of the great blessings of where you will be staying is that there is no cell coverage at the house(s).  So, no need to check those Blackberries, iPhones, or Palms (other than checking them into your bag); we DO have dsl coverage at the Headquarters (only) with two separate computers for your usage.  Leave your laptops home, however, as (intentionally) we have no wi-fi connections at or around either Headquarters or the Bunk House.

 

6.  Are there Bugs there that I need to worry about??

 

       A.  This is not Minnesota, gang, so do not expect swarms of pesky bugs interfering with you fishing and evening enjoyment.  That being said, however, DO bring some bug spray if you are sensitive to the little buggers, as, with the high amount of water this year, there WILL be some mosquitoes in the evening hours and, sporadically, on the rivers.  Beautifully, all of the bugs that we will be around and fishing imitation flies of DO NOT have mouths, so they can't and don't bite.  They are out of the water for such a short period of time to mate and then expire that mouths aren't a required commodity.  There are bees and a healthy contingent of yellow jackets about, and we do have several Epi-pens at the house in case of an emergency; Headquarters is at the 3900' elevation.

 

7.  What is all this Yellow Hats and Yellow Shirts stuff that I have been reading about??

 

        A.  Just as we have no alcohol on our boats, we discourage any serious fish counting and wagering for fishing trivia.  That being said, however, we are very serious about our bigger fish that are caught and released and, as reported nightly at our fun-filled outside deck "Reports From The Boats", the longest "fish" (and, yes, Group A's Rich "PP" Kotoff, that is TROUT, not that smelly squawfish that you tried to count several years past!) caught and released each day is recognized and awarded with a custom-embroidered Extravaganza 2009 Yellow Hat proclaiming "Biggest Fish Of The Day", as well as posted to Der Blog for all to admire, perpetually.  The awarded Yellow Hats are yours to keep and, rookies, as you travel inbound look for folks wearing faded yellow hats, as they are our badges of courage for past trophies caught (and released).  The Yellow Shirt is awarded for the longest fish (see above, PP!) of the Group--which, obviously, is accompanied by a Yellow Hat.  In the case of any tie(s), multiple hats/shirts are awarded.

 

8.  And what is this Twenty Inch Club that I have been hearing about??

 

        A.  In an effort to award/reward those who have accomplished something spectacular, during our nightly Reports From The Boats, every Twenty Inch fish ("trout", PP!) is logged into and on our Twenty Inch Club board and so reported on Der Blog.  This is a major league fishing accomplishment (often achieved by the most petite and least experienced fisherfolk, btw), highlighted last year by this year's now-veteran Jamie "Bulltrout" Grassi, who, with cameras all around her to document the event, hooked, netted and released a  31" bulltrout on the Blackfoot ("A River Runs Through It") River in her first 45 minutes of fly fishing (ever!).

 

9.  Why is Der Blog important to me and my family and friends??

 

        A.   Der Blog  is (y)our blogsite dedicated exclusively to Extravaganza 2009.  As we have all the way along in the ramp-up to Extravaganza 2009, all email communications (such as this one) are permanently posted to Der Blog and, on a daily basis, we will post pictures and updates on the hilarity of it all so those of you in later groups can see, on a daily basis, the experiences of earlier groups and those of you in earlier groups can continue to live the experience viscerally and blogishy.  On Der Blog you have a local area weather link, a link to the runoff discharge, and a link to our outfitters and preferred entitles.  Encourage your friends and families to follow you on your Montana adventure, an adventure that is then posted for your post-trip review.  The photos on Der Blog can be downloaded onto your computer, btw!

 

10.  Do I need to bring my Camera(s) with me??

 

        A.  NO.  As we have done in the past, we provide 5.0 megapixel digital cameras on each boat for your usage.  We encourage you to take many, many pictures with these durable and excellent quality cameras, which we then put onto discs for each group and send them out to you together with fingernail proof sheets as the post-trip chronicle of your Extravaganza 2009 experience.  Our strong preference is that you use these cameras only, as that allows us to capture all of the magnificent images from each group for all to enjoy.  Also, if and when the camera gets wet/falls overboard, you have no downside because RCR simply doesn't care if that happens!

 

 

                                                                                            *        *       *      

 

So, there you have it gang, Extravaganza's Top Ten most frequently asked questions.  As things get closer, if you have others just let me know as we will bring crystal clarity where clouds may exist!

 

Best to all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

FW: Extravagant Tune-Up!

Extravagant Ones: 

 

As Extravaganza 2009 rapidly approaches each of our doorsteps, keeping with a now annual tradition, Extravaganza veterans were seen this past Thursday (successfully) fishing the Sacramento River just below Redding, CA  for rainbow trout.  With a trusty bottle(s) of (also now traditional) Elizabeth Spencer Pinot Noir as their mascot, shown are E 07/08 veteran Scott "I'm Da Banker And You're Not" McAdams, Group A veteran John "SOS" Reimann, Group C veteran Cam "Mend" Carlson and your own RCR as they began their day's activities--two boats on the river that resulted in over two dozen fish landed, many in the 18", 19" and 20" category. 

 

The only casualty of the day was the mascot (and its companions)--as temperatures were in the upper 80's and the guides/fishermen sure thought a mid-day glass or two under a shaded tree would be a good/great idea!

 

Best to all in anticipation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

Extravaganza Hawaiian shirt day!

 ...and now a word from our Outfitter, John "The Great" Gould!

    Happy High Water Season from the Bitterroot Valley, Montana,

    Our spring run off has really built up a head of steam, and the "extra" snow we have had in our lower and mid level mountain reaches has receded to a much more desirable percentage! Finally! All this means is, we are being set up for the best possible water conditions during Extravaganza 2009. The rivers are into there "spitting trees stage" here, and are almost as high as they will get this season. Very rough and tumble, and mostly unfishable at the moment. The waters should settle down perfectly and the fish will be hungry, and awaiting the arrival of all three groups this year, with "open fins"!

    Just a reminder to dig through the old suitcases and closets for that old Hawaiian shirt you haven't worn since the 80's! It's our first annual Hawaiian Shirt Day, on the first day of fishing with Double Up Outfitters (D.U.O.) for all three of our extravagant groups!!!
    The winner, he/ she with the best/ ugliest, Hawaiian shirt wins an spanking new D.U.O. Hat! An extra prize will be awarded as well, but that's to be announced later!

    Really looking forward to all the fun and fishing we have ahead of us. Cheers to you all, and see you soon!

    Best,
    &
    Fish on,

John Gould
Double Up Outfitters LLC
 

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

 From Group B's Tim "Squawfish" Rodgers:

 More than  you could possibly know Ron!!

 Tim

 

Anyone out there getting as Extravagantly excited as I am?!?

 

RCR

 

 

 

FW: Now THIS is a Runoff!

From Group C's Brian "North To Alaska" Shepard!

  

 Looking good Ron.

   

Brian

 

FW: Now THIS is a Runoff!

From Fred "The Guitar" Johnson:
 

 Wow!!  Bueno, bueno indeed!!  I hope there will be some fish left for Group C.  This is exciting.  Fred

 

Frederick A. Johnson, Principal
Total Planning Concepts, LLC
   

Now THIS is a Runoff!

 

 

Check out the now further updated flow chart, Extravagant Ones:  Our benchmark river, Rock Creek, today is flowing THREE TIMES its volume of just three days ago (and exceeding 2007's record runoff volume)--this is absolutely perfect, as the rivers (all of them) are getting a good flushing that (a) will relocate the fish into environs that they are unfamiliar with and (b) fully activate the to-come post runoff bug life, such that our post-runoff (well placed) flies will be greeted by thoroughly hungry and unwary fish, hence increasing our fish count dimensionally! 

 

Rock Creek Ron's prediction:  During Extravaganza 2009, our 54 fisherfolk, in the aggregate, will catch (and release) over 1750 native Montanan trout, or, for those who might be mathematically challenged, yielding an average of 10+ fish/day/person--to wit:  a bumper year!!

 

May the runoff be with "y'all"...bueno, bueno, bueno!!

 

Best to all,

 

RCR

<'///><

 

   

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

Extravagance from Group B's "Shanna Banana" Rodgers:

  

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Love you!
 
Shanna Banana
Margarita Connoisseur Extraordinaire
  

Bueno, bueno, bueno!!

 

RCR

<'///>< 
   

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

Group C's Fred "The Guitar" Johnson: 

Hi Ron:  I am definitely in the Extravagantly excited camp!!  Fred

 

Frederick A. Johnson, Principal
Total Planning Concepts, LLC
   

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

Group A's Pink Panther speaks!

 

Yes, counting wine bottles every night. Just, to keep my math on track not my mind. Bought a new Pink shirt, more pink than Brads. Now that makes me excited to fish Montana and float it's rivers. pp 

   

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

...and Group B's Down River Dave weighs in:

 

 YOU betcha!

 

Dave Studeman
Principal

Sage Brandworks
   

 

 

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

Extravagant congrats to Group C's Bruce and John Mowat, who write:

      Using the current terminology, I am getting Extravagantly “stimulated”    !!!…

 

      Son John Mowat (Group C) had our first grandchild on Sunday, May 17.   His presence at Extravaganza 2009 will give Gala the opportunity to spend quality time with Calvin William Mowat in Seattle.  It works out perfectly for all.

 

Bruce M Mowat

   

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

From Group A's Ben Lamb:

 

  I am ready to fish and yet again beat Land at the BFOD. 

   

 

FW: Extravaganza Excitement!

I am not sure that is possible; but I will keep thinking about it.

 

Spencer

ELIZABETH SPENCER
www.elizabethspencerwines.com

 

   

Extravaganza Excitement!

Anyone out there getting as Extravagantly excited as I am?!?

 

RCR

 

 

 

Extravaganza Flow Chart 5/19

Yes, Extravagant Ones, as dramatically shown on the chart linked on Der Blog just below last year's movie, we DO have a runoff underway in Missoula and on each of our targeted fishing rivers (The Clark Fork of the Columbia, The Bitterroot, and The Big ["A River Runs Through It"] Blackfoot River)--you can see where the discharge nearly doubled overnight on Rock Creek and in talking a moment ago with (y)our outfitter, John "The Great" Gould, the flowage on "The Root" increased by 3,000 cubic feet per second overnight as well--that increase being the entire current Rock Creek flowage.

 

This flowage is JUST what we were looking for, and, with Missoula temperature highs set to be in the 70's and 80's all week, we should be in perfect fishing apple pie shape come June 20th, Opening Day of Extravaganza 2009!!

 

Bueno, bueno, bueno!

 

RCR

<'///>< 

 

Ready...Set...Runoff!!

Extravagant Ones:

 

FINALLY, here in the climes of Montana, warm weather has found its way to these parts and, overnight, we have sashayed directly from winter to summer--no spring required!  Today, here at Extravaganza Headquarters, as billed, temperatures were (and are!) in the mid-80's, which should put the upper mountain temperatures in the mid-60's--3 degrees less per thousand feet in altitude--and that should be all it takes to get Runoff 2009 in full swing.

 

At the request of Group B's Doug "Popeye" Hamilton, attached are photos of Rock Creek (the first and third from right behind Headquarters) taken within the last 24 hours BEFORE the runoff really stets in.  Flowage was right about 1500 cfs when these pics were taken and I fully expect the flow rate to double in the next week to upwards of 3000 cfs!

 

As for me, well, the International Wildlife Film Festival is now behind us and and son Tyler and I return to the Bay Area tomorrow knowing that the next time we each are here will be the opening cusp of Extravaganza 2009.  Simply stated, all is ready for your arrival(s) here beginning next month and we just can't wait!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

 

Extravagant (Non)-Runoff Update

Greetings, Extravagant Ones, mid-International Wildlife Film Festival [finally, a daytime break from it all!], where rain has now replaced snow as the daily fare BUT the rivers' runoff has yet to begin in earnest.  With still 104% of seasonal average snow pack wedged tightly in and on the upper mountain reaches, we are still tapping our toe here, awaiting the runoff that we want, expect and need to assure our prime time fishing as Extravaganza 2009 begins, now just five weeks away.

 

I have attached a(nother) copy of our river discharge report which confirms that "the runoff", indeed, is an event in our future--and, with temperatures forecasted to quickly pop up from the current 30/40/50's into the 70's come this Saturday, fortunately, the runoff should begin in earnest come our next posting on Monday morning.  As depicted in the runoff comparison chart, we are safely positioned right in between (a) the early and punishingly low water runoff of 2007 and (b) the equally delayed and legendarily high water runoff of 2008.  Come Monday, look to this year's red line to track last year's upward spike that began on May 13th, with a would-be perfect result being that the waters have later subsided right about 1850 cubic feet per second (cfs) as we run out of room on this year's chart. 

 

My bet is that water flowage will top out right about 3000 cfs hopefully as early as next Friday, May 22nd.  We want a good, healthy discharge of water to flush out each of the rivers that we are going to be fishing, to then clear up and provide water clarity whereafter the bug life erupts and the fishing in these parts reaches its resultant prime-time.

 

You can check out all the action and get current weather updates on (y)our Extravaganza 2009 blogsite!     

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

Extravagant Labs, Runoff and Bears, Oh My!

Greetings, Extravagant Ones, from the very, very busy scene of Extravaganza 2009!

 

Since my arrival here with son Tyler last Friday afternoon, things have been going non-stop with not only final preparations for Extravaganza 2009 but also the (wonderful) Montana Matters (see www.montanamatters.com) roll-out of the international educational and fundraising campaign now for the International Wildlife Film Festival (last month this "Collaboration for Conservation" between IWFF and the Montana Wildlife Federation [which I am privileged to chair] was rolled out with the MT governor in Helena at MWF's annual convention!). 

 

Saturday saw we Clausens shepherding a 1,000 person parade down Missoula's main streets to Caras Park for an afternoon of festivities together with Group B's magnificent "Downriver Dave" Studeman [whose superb branding company, Sage Brandworks, did the Montana Matters trade identity branding (gratis, I might add)] and, yesterday, DRD, your Hostess with the Mostess Kocktail Kathy, son Tyler and MWF's staff guru Ben Lamb co-hosted a $100/person private cocktail party at the fortressesque Rock Creek home of our great friends Roy & Susan O'Connor which was attended by over 50 generous folks.  At that time, as the attached photos show, KK, son Tyler and yours truly got to see for the first time since the day of her birth the newest member of our family, a spankin' brand new O'Connor Lab pup, who will show up here at Extravaganza Headquarters just about the time of your first arrival.  With trusty cocker "Sir" already a 10 year veteran of our family, it was only appropriate and ERA-ish fair that we name this newest female family addition "Ma'am" and, accordingly, "Ma'am" it is and so will be!  Say hello to the two blushing babes!

 

Attached you will find your latest copy of the current (non-)runoff report, confirming just what DRD and Group A's "Big Ben" Lamb are overseeing--a very slow-to-evolve runoff, such that Rock Creek (shown in the background as well separately with our traditional Log-O-Meter) and the surroundings environs (we just returned from a drive up and down the Blackfoot drainage) has yet to witness the warm-up in temperatures to begin the now-delayed seasonal runoff.  So much delayed are things, that, (a) about an hour ago while driving up the Creek and back to Headquarters DRD spotted a cinnamon-colored black bear frolicking in the Creek and (b) the boys are fishing behind the house right now (Ben just returning and reporting that he landed [and released] an 8" brown trout, with DRD being a little confused as he was last seen walking UPstream!).

 

So, gang, there you have it--labs, runoff and bears, oh my!  We are now cleaning up to attend another in-town IWFF cocktail reception for yet another roll out of this glorious Montana Matters campaign--something each of you will get to witnesses and partake in very, very soon!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

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45 Days and Counting, Gang!!

 

For any of you Extravagant Ones that thought that fishing in Montana was "a long way off", think again:   45 days from tomorrow the magnificent men and women in Group A make their arrival on the scene and will officially open Extravaganza 2009!  Yikes!!

 

To that (wonderful) end/beginning, I am pleased to report that, within the past hour, Kocktail Kathy, your Hostess With The Mostess, arrived at Extravaganza Headquarters with her trusty mascot Sir the Cocker, reporting that, 60+ mile-an-hour winds notwithstanding (that forced an extra overnight in Lima, MT--KK called me to say that she "was in Lima", to which I responded, "Sounds like you took a wrong southward turn!"--never heard of Lima, MT!), all 20 cases of yummy Elizabeth Spencer wine arrived safely with her and are now safely stowed in our garage wine cellar (along with an equal number of Rock Creek varietals), thereby guaranteeing that the thirst (of at least Group A, that is) will be sated upon your arrival(s).

 

On matters of fishing import, with us now literally within shouting distance of Opening Day, the runoff report and the water status of the rivers that we will be fishing (The Clark Fork of the Columbia River; The Bitterroot River; and The Big ("A River Runs Through It"--yes this IS the river featured in Norman Mclean's novel and Robert Redford's Brad Pitt movie!) now becomes of critical import.  To that end, attached is an updated flow chart that confirms just what our Outfitter, John "The Great" Gould, told me on Monday:

UNLIKE in 2007 when there were record highs during the month of may and UNLIKE last year when there was 100-year-record snow masses but normal(ly) warm temperatures in May, this year May has come in like a winter lion, delivering cool temperatures and massive amounts of April snow atop "a normal snow pack" (for example, nearby Great Falls had more snow in April than any other April in weather-recorded history). 

 

Check out the attached discharge chart to see the results:  By way of comparison, this year's snow pack is the average of what 2007 and 2008's snow pack was, and see how much moisture is STILL in the upper mountains that needs to find its way downhill before we get to optimum fishing conditions--namely, tons.  [This report is now posted daily on Der Blog for your viewing pleasure--a link to it is located right below last year's movie and just above the Blog Archive--rookies:  put www.montanaextravaganza2009.blogspot.com on your favorites, as you will be checking this more and more as the intervening days become fewer and fewer!]

 

What does this mean for us??   Well, a look ahead at the Missoula area forecast [see weather button on Der Blog, rookies!] sees temperatures for the next 10 days with  daytime highs in the 50's and 60's, and lows in the 30's [i.e., no real incentive for snow  melt] and, thereafter, increasing to daytime highs in the 70's with nighttime lows in the 40's.  As John The Great told me Monday, "It looks like we are looking at big water but nothing of the magnitude of last year."  Fishingwise, at this early date, we are now fully focusing on the Bitterroot River (the first of the three rivers to clear up post-runoff) with, more than likely, runs up to the West Fork of that river (which fished well even in last year's legendary high waters).

 

Caveat Fisherman:  If anyone tells you the want to make a firm bet on Montana weather, run the other way.  As you veterans know, one of the glories of Montana is its fickle microclimates and weather, with the only accurate weather report being what just happened to you 15 minutes earlier!  And, as far at the attached graph is concerned, come May 13th (i.e., next week), I will be much, much happier when the 2009 red line crosses over and exceeds the 2007 blue line!!

 

Regardless of where the lines may fall, fish we WILL, gang; I am just now lobbying for optimal fishing conditions!

 

Much, much more to come in the rapidly approaching Extravaganza days ahead!!

 

Best to all in observation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

   <'///><

 

 

FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

Well said from a Group B rookie, yet veteran, fisherman (as in Todd fishes all over the world and will be attending his first Extravaganza this year!):

 

Q: Come to think of it, who needs fishing?!?

A: That would be me.

 

 Todd  

RCR

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FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

Group A's rookie Terry Wilson (who grows this stuff!) chimes in (in Group A rare tradition, I might add!):

                 All Right! 

RCR

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The Enthusiasm Builds as The Extravaganza Nears!!

A(nother) [prophetic] word from  a Group C enthusiastic veteran:

 
Repeating my comment from last year….”And I thought this was a fishing trip!!!”. Damn, I am getting psyched for July!!

 

Bruce M Mowat 

RCR

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FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

I look forward to meeting Spencer and Elizabeth.  Sounds like Group C is great and getting better every year.

 

Be sure to hide some of that good stuff for Group C.

 

Bruce M Mowat

   

FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

...and an inquiry from Philadelphia, PA Group B rookie Mike Stakias:

"Is one of them a member at the Napa Valley Reserve?"

My, my , my, this posting got a lot of reaction...hmmm, wonder why?!?

RCR
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FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

From Group B's five year veteran Tim "Squawfish Rodgers (and he should know because he grows grapes, as in 3,000+ acres of them annually!):

 

Good morning and thanks for the up….hic……date on the wine supplies Ron.

Spencer wine is good stuff. I’ll come up for that.

Hmmm seems like there is lots of other good reasons to come up for. Can’t wait!!

 

Tim

   

   

FW: 240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

From Group A's (wouldn'tchaknowit!) veteran (so he should know) Land Tawney:

"Take one down and pass it around"

240 Bottles of Wine In The Car, 240 Bottles of Wine...

Extravagant Ones:

 

Well, in spite of the poor quality of the attached photos (I left my camera at home Saturday and was left to use [for the first time] my camera phone), I can report to you first hand that, thanks to the auspices of Group C's returning (after a three year hiatus) veterans Spencer Graham and Elizabeth Pressler [shown lunching with your Hostess, Kocktail Kathy, at The Meadowood post vino pick-up], your Hostess With The Mostess leaves for Montana tomorrow (for the summer!) as the courier of 20 cases of Elizabeth Spencer premium wine, donated by Spencer and Elizabeth out of the goodness of their (warm) hearts for the betterment of all Extravaganzers. 

 

The day prior to pick-up, while lunching with Group A senior veteran John "SOS" Reimann, the betting was already on that the legendary drinkers of our first Extravaganza group will heavily dent this larder.  Fear not B's and C's, however, as there is an equal ample back up supply of already-on-site-at-Extravaganza Headquarters Rock Creek Red, Rock Creek White, Rock Creek Noir, Rock Creek Blanc and Rock Creek Merlot, not to mention a full hard liquor bar! 

 

Come to think of it, who needs fishing?!?

 

Best to all in eager preparation for it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    <'///><

 

FW: Montana Camp List

For those veterans in the know, this is T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Group A as, yes, history will repeat itself--the impending Return of the Pink Panthers impends!!

 
Hell!!!  All I need is a pink hat.

 

Brad

 

Bradley L. Colton
 

RCR

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Montana Camp List

 

MONTANA CAMP LIST

 

 

Yep, it is beginning to happen folks, so let's get to that packing list.

 

In preface, June is the wettest month in Montana.  The earlier in the month, the wetter it typically is--most often laden with afternoon thunder storms but sometimes the beneficiary of all-day rain.  So the earlier in the month you are the greater the probability of temperatures in the 50's to 70's with afternoon showers; and the later in the Extravaganza you are  the greater the probability of no rain and temperatures in the mid 70's to 90's--yes, folks the change is that dramatic in just the few weeks that we fish together.  For each group, however, your packing list is the same--plan on coolish mornings transitioning into mid-day warmth, that will then be subject to afternoon cooling off and rain (when cells pass through the temperature often drops over 20 degrees is fewer than that in minutes), followed by coolish evenings as we sip wine, throw horseshoes in the back yard and exchange our tales of the daily blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

 

The list below is broken into "MUST HAVE" and "CAN HAVE" sections.  Regarding the latter first, rods, reels are available to our groups, gratis, upon request.  So, here it is, your Official Extravaganza Camp List: (NOTE:  ALL ITEMS LISTED BELOW CAN BE PURCHASED  [WITH YOUR 10% STORE-WIDE DISCOUNT] ON YOUR ARRIVAL IN MT, IF YOU WISH)

 

MUST HAVE:

 

        1. Polarized sunglasses (these are an absolute must; mine are prescription (because I am nearly blind without glasses -- very comfortable sets can overlay your prescriptions--just like skiing goggles but a little more stylish).

 

        2.  A rain jacket (not a water resistant jacket which really just absorbs water at a slower pace, but a poncho or truly water resistant lightweight/medium weight rain repellant--we have had the weather change from warm blue skies to cold (as in really cold) torrential rain and then back again all within an hour--if you get wet on the river it is not a pleasant experience--See 3, infra).

 

        3.  A dry bag/boat bag for a complete change of clothes for the river (for you veterans, we handed these out as gifts to you--bring 'em--if fact, fill 'em and check them as the luggage carriers that they are!!).

 

        4.  Fast drying fishing shirts and pants.  (As to pants, I highly recommend the fast drying, zip off pants which serve as long pants in the morning hours and shorts in the afternoon.)

 

        5.  Brimmed fishing hats.  (Yes, history might just repeat itself here again regarding a baseball type hat; for those of you who are sunlight sensitive, I recommend a fully brimmed hat with a tie-string [so that the famous and inevitable MT wind will not decrown you].)

 

        6.  Layered clothing.  (Imagine that you are going to a Niners game in September--you never know what you are going to get at The Stick, so you wear a short sleeved shirt with a long sleeve shirt over it, carrying with you a fleece and a warm jacket/raincoat--voila!!)  We will have washers and dryers available to you if needed, so don't bring the whole wardrobe but certainly pack an extra day's supply (remember that boat bag and its contents-to-be in 3, supra?!?)

 

        7.  Waterproof sandals/fishing shoes.  (90% of our fishing will be in the boats, but you will be getting in and out for entry, potty breaks, lunch and return, and will get wet to your knees as you embark/debark.  Tennis shoes are an alternative if you don't mind changing their color [permanently]  Yes, fishing sandals are an excellent  purchase upon arrival--they have multi-uses and will last forever.)

 

        8.  Sunscreen and Bug-spray.  (Bring sunscreen rated 15 and higher even if you think you don't need it, as you will be on the water, unprotected, for up to 10 hours each day--enough to challenge even the crustiest lawyer's skin!  The bugs are nothing like Minnesota and usually are not a problem at all, but have some on hand and that normally makes the experience totally uneventful.)

 

        9.  Fleeces (long and/or short sleeved).  (These are going to be your best friend, both early in the morning and late in the evening after a fully sating day.  Temperatures during your stay see average highs in the 70's to 80's and evening lows in the 40's and 50's.)

 

        10.  Casual wear.  (This is not a black tie event, folks; shorts and levis are standard fare [even in Missoula's finest restaurants, I might add] both on the boat and at the house.  Our fishing focus is exclusively on the brightness of the color bands in your rainbow trout, the brownness of your brown trout and on the scarletness of your cutthroat's gill plates.)

  

CAN HAVE:

 

        A.  Fly rods and reels (5 and 6 weight rods are the order of the day--again, these are included in the Extravaganza package so only bring yours if you have them and want to fish them) bring those rods and reels, veterans!!

 

        B.  Waders

 

        C.  Expensive digital camera gear that you would like to get wet and destroy (Yes, folks, as in the past, we are going to have 5.0 megapixel digital cameras for your usage in each of your boats (which don't get ruined even even if you drop them in the water.)  As in the past, we will put all pictures by group onto a CD and mail it to each of you.

 

        D.  Booze (We have it all folks, so make your request in advance so e can have a supply on hand and leave it at home--only water and soft drinks on the boats, by the way.)

 

                                                *                *                    *                *                *                *

 

There it is folks, your Official Extravaganza Camp List.  Take notes, however, from veteran Mark Grassi, who (even though this year he is driving up from his new Sun Valley digs) typically alights from the plane with his one carry on bag and fishing rod in hand--yes, as with all that we do, "less is more".

 

May the blessings of June be upon each of your as we stretch out towards the glories of Montana, shortly thereafter ahead for each of us in just a few weeks!!

 

Best,

 

Rock Creek Ron

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