FW: Montana

A (very) nice note from Group B's Todd "Nipples" Fisher:
Ron,
I finally had a minute to reflect upon my few days. I now understand what
you are doing in Montana. I didn't before I came.
Montana is beautiful, your home is fabulous, the group was outstanding and
Kathy . . . well she just tops the whole list.
You are truly a blessed man.
Thank you for sharing with me. Again.
Todd

Extravagant Group B Thanks

A nice note from :King Whitey: Mike "Pinot Noir" Stakias (aka, "The Man From
New York City"):
Ron,

Thanks again for a wonderful time. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to
send a copy of the pic of my Bullshit Trout to Foster! He's already left
me 2 messages wondering how my 2 days went.

I left a check for you on your desk. I hope it will be helpful. Also looking
forward to having the Bison head decorating my home office.

Thanks again to you both. I'm not sure I deserved a coveted slot in Group
"2" but I enjoyed meeting everyone and all of the activities. Give my best
to Kathy (she must be a saint!) and I look forward to hearing more about
Group 3 and how you're doing with Montana Matters.

Best,

Mike
G. Michael Stakias
President & CEO
Liberty Partners, L. P.

Group B Pics [Part 2]

Group B Pics - [Part 1]

Enjoy!!


RCR
<'///><

Day 2, Group B

Now in full rebellion (with such phrases as "We will never be called "B" again--we are "A players in Group Two"; "This is not Hamlet, you know" and  "et tu RCR!" and  with the mantra "Two, Two, Tatui" being heard around the hallowed halls of Extravaganza Headquarters (testy, testy, they be, err..two). the Group Formerly Known as B hit the waters on their Day 2 with higher temperatures (into the mid-80's) but still chilly water temperatures that had a (continued) tempering effect upon their fish net population. 

 

Keynoted by "The Man From NEW York City", "King Whitey" Michael "Pinot Noir" Stakias [it is actually difficult for a rookie to rack up so many (varied) nicknames in such a short period of time, gang] and his dissertation on "tangled lines, missed sets and early guide releases [it seems he had a bit of difficulty getting fish to the boat and/or into the net], the story was a consistent one of below-historical Extravaganza average fish sightings but a much improved venture over Day 1.  Fishing with me yesterday, I had The King convinced until well into the afternoon that, yes, indeed, landing Rocky Mountain Whitefish is a greater feat than betting just any of those "other fish".

 

Ladd and Kristine Bedford removed themselves from the anals of fisheology to find Kristine bethrowned "Queen of the Browns" with their "17-18 fish catch" {great spread on the numbers, huh?!?] with lengths ranging in the same range and the dynamic duo of Tim "Squawfish" Rodgers and Todd "Nipples" [a new name doffed on him during the boat reports due to his visual excitement in reporting on the days activities] "doubling their Day 1 performance with a 17" Bitterroot best and Tom "Sockeye Shocker" Thornhill/ Angel "To Be Named" Perez landing ten fish on the Blackfoot, many in the 17" category and reporting of "marbles sacks on a nail" sightings at the same barren Blackfoot beachfront of Mz Lori's yesterday find.

 

The Rookie McLeran brothers lit up the scoreboard on Day Tatui for nee Group Beey with a sterling (yet predominately whitish) two dozen fish performance that featured an apparently common family trait of  "premature releases" not to be confused with that other prematurity proclivity that they may well also have in common with Brother Brian outshining "Whitey Bro" Ralph with an amazing tally of TWO [yes, T---W---O!!] (no, not B) rainbow trout--way to go bros, if you were on a subsistence diet you would have earned a negative net calorie day!  And then there was Tim "MWF Pres" Aldrich telling Tyler tales of woe, of a 14 day fish experience with the highlight/lowlight being a rainbow that jumped right into sidekick Tyler's lap and thereby possibly endangering the continuation of the Clausen name and clan followed by the "Big three [no, not two or B]: 

 

    (a)  The dynamic duo of Bumble Bee (now Bumble Two--how appropriate that description is!!) of Lori "The Fawn" Ware and "Shanna Banana" Rodgers who, ignoring the shocking reports of Day 1, went back to the scene of that electrifying event on the Clark Fork only to discover an unmanned raft drifting downriver ("whose multiple later-belatedly-chasing occupants had a collective IQ somewhat south of 100"), of Bumble Bee fish (all two of them) mixed in among "wolfpigs" (the only description being "you had to be there to believe that one, folks") and a 19" beauty of a brown;

 

    (b)  The fearful-to-fish husband/wife combo of "Down River Dave" Studeman and Lyn "Mighty Mini" Turnbull spanking the big boys on the canyon of the Blackfoot (see photo above, among others), including one elusive 30"+ Bulltrout that gave chase to a rainbow "headed boatward on a string" culminating with a 20" gorgeous Brown landed by DRD; and

 

    (c)  Gould-guided Doug "Popeye" Hamilton telling of his "40 fish day" with partner John "Great White" Scholetter (so named for his blazing saddles white shirt [yes, he IS a rookie) and his proclivity to catch (the much preferred) white fish highlighted by [i] GW landing a whopping 193/4 trout (to which he was overheard saying, "too bad that wasn't a Whitye!") and Popeye stroking it on with a bevy of big boys highlighted by a 20" brown boy, winning both he a DRD a Yellow Hat and a trip to the 20 Inch Board!

 

The fitting culmination of the day's report was the Tie Die Whining Award going to King "Pinot Noir" Stakias (it seems that he was not humored by the white (fish) trash and slander besmurching his now endearing trout) and the Tie Die Star Award going to Dave Studeman for his (continued) sterling Extravaganza performance(s).

 

Enjoy the pics above with all of the best from "Group To B Determined" from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

   

FW: Montana Matters

A nice note from Group A's Steve Glennon, to whom Montana Matters!

 

Ron,

 

Thank you and Kathy again for the gracious hospitality during the Extravaganza.  The girls and I had a great time in Montana.  All they could talk about on the way home was going again next year.

 

Thanks again for a great time,

 

Steve

 

 

FW: 2B or Not 2B, That is the Question!

A nice note from Group B's (incomparable) Danielle Glennon:

Ron!!! That makes me so sad! I wish I could be back there again and here I get emails of a wonderful day, and how much fun you have been having with GROUP B. : (
I see where the true love is....
Just joking around but I hope everyone is having a blast!!!
Take Care!

Danielle

      

2B or Not 2B, That is the Question!

Arriving on the scene with a furry of motorcycles, missed flights, and on-time Delta connections (note that, Group Aer Brad "Pinko" Colton!), Group Bers all arrived safely here on the scene of Extravaganza 2009 only to pass into stages of immediate rebellion of not having retained their six year historical moniker of "Group 2".  Notwithstanding the perpetuation of a virtual "bee colony" by Lori Ware's balloon infestation of the scene with mock bumble bees and table centerpieces of the same wonderful ilk, at last night's Day One boat reports underpinnings of rebellion were difficult to hide.

 

Consider the shocking story of Tom ""Sockeye" Thornhill telling of a barren day of fishing a stretch of the Clark Fork between Clinton and Turah [wining him the nightly "Wining Tie-die Award from Miz Lori] with boatkick Angel Perez only to find out on the take out that Fish Wildlife and Parks had "shocked the rover" just the day before to do a fish count then ranging afar to the wacky reports of the wacky boat of Shanna Banana Rodgers and Lori "The Fawn" Ware which reported "beavers, anglers and danglers--both long and short"--a tale of hilarity that ranged form landing an 18" brown trout to coming around the bend of the Blackfoot River to see a nude beach consisting mainly of folks who shouldn't have been in that bare state of disrepair!

 

With the keynote of further reports being "it was a beautiful day" (read, "the rivers are still in a transition mode and the fishing wasn't all that hot"!), Dave Studeman told of his "beautiful day" as did Kristine Bedford of hers--hers, however, requiring her nursing skills for her proctological attempt to disembowel a rainbow, requiring all of those skills to remove the colonoscopy-inserted hook from the bow's backside (winning her the Miz Lori Start Award for the day).  Things went further askew before reaching Hooters at the end of the day (see photo above), with Doug "Popeye" Hamilton telling of "another beautiful day" (fishing was tough, gang!) and of his fishing partner John "The Handle" Schloetter landing "his first trout ever on a fly rod"--congrats John for a day that you will never forget!  Another "beautiful day" was had by the McLeran brothers on their first day ever of fly-fishing and then the final report from the big fish boat of the day,Tim" Squawfish" Rodgers reporting of his partner's 191/2" rainbow landed on the Bitterroot "after another beautiful day".

 

The highlight of it all was the revolution in the making:  Group B is NOT 2B Group B; rather, the Tatuies (yes, folks, Circle C tattoos rule the realm here again this year), speaking in unison not only about their name but also about their après fish Hooters "bumper award", have decided that for once and for all the second Group of Der Extravaganza must and needs to be known as "Group Two" so here it is, gang, democracy at its finest hour:  After a series of "beautiful days" our second group will from here henceforth forever be known as "Group Two" and so it will be!

 

Best to all from the wonderful scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

    <'///><

Extravagant Thanks!

A  nice note from now-veteran Group Aer Chris "BIIX" Rodi! 

Hi Ron: 

I know I speak for Jim "Swordbow" Clark as well as myself when I say thank YOU to both you and Kathy for such an amazing and truly "extravagant" time!  The movement that you have set in motion is truly special and worthy of all the adjectives you maintain at your fingertips.

At first, I believe we both felt fortunate to be included in your generous invitation to join the extravaganza.  We now feel honored to have been embraced and welcomed by not only you, but by all of the wonderful people in the illustrious Group A.   Every bit of the trip was a spectacular success that we can only hope continues for the campaign.

Enjoy the ensuing chaos in the coming weeks!

Looking forward to 2010 and beyond!

BIIX

   

   

The Package Comments

A nice comment from seasoned fisherman and Extravaganza veteran Group Aer
"Big Ben" Lamb:
Ron, the Simms wading sandals are perfect for the extravaganza! I wore mine
on the big Blackfoot and wet waded in style. They're well made and will
certainly leave a distinct tan line to show off at work when everyone gets
home. Thanks for the suggestion, I love 'em!

Ben

Group A Thanks

A nice note from Group A's Yellow Shirt winning Pink Panther!

Cannot say thank you enough. Thank you Ron and Kathy for a great memory. rich

   

FW: Announcing the Line Up For Group B!

Attaway, Down River Dave and Mighty Mini!!

With Guide Gag Gifts, high hopes of Giant Bull Trout and Northern Pike, and more fly rods than you can count…we are ready! See you tomorrow!

DRD and L “MM” T

 

   

Announcing the Line Up For Group B!

With Group A "yet winging"  (in the case of those errant Aers that flew United Air Lines) or "having wung" (in the case of our preferred Delta Air Lines fliers) their way safely home for Extravaganzaland, it is time to tee up and announce the line up for the veteran-strong Group B contingency that will pay their homage to the riches of Montana this coming Friday.

 

"Veteran" is, indeed, the key word of this forthcoming group, headed up by six time returnee (he would have attended all seven Extravaganzas were it not for his attempting to birth multiple kidney stones this very time last year) Doug "Popeye" Hamilton, hailing from Santa Rosa, California, bringing with him rookie sidekick John "#650" [he was our 650th blog visitor and soon be be owner of a coveted bottle of '01 Rock Creek Red] Schloetter, and accompanied by the dynamic Napa husband-wife likewise six time returnee duo of Tim "Squawfish" Rodgers [yes, gang, there is a story there!] and his beautiful bride "Shanna Banana" Rodgers.  "Down River Dave" Studeman with his beautiful bride Lynn "Mighty Mini" Turnbull also will return to the scene of it all, together with long time veteran Ladd "Litigate'm" Bedford and his [much] better half Kristine "No Nickname" Bedford.  Were that not enough of the veteran sort, add three time returnees (a) Lori "The Fawn" Ware of Napa pre-school fame, (b) Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill of Parducci Winery fame and (c) Angel Perez of infame, and, indeed, you have an All Star Group B Extravaganza contingency.

 

Joining them this year will be rookies Todd "Alaska" Fisher [who has been signed up for this group three times and actually might even make this year's trip!]; Montana Wildlife Federation President Tim "MWF Pres" Aldrich and his dynamic bride, Carol "Can Do" Aldrich; Philadelphia, PA domiciled Mike "Pinot Noir" Stakias and his Montana sidekick Tim Foster; and last, but not certainly least [as they have already begun Harley-motorcycling their way this way] the rough and tumble Bay Area McLeran Brothers, Brian and Ralph.

 

Eighteen-fold strong, the mighty warriors of this year's Group B will begin their sojourn with us in less than 48 hours under what are predicted to be (and never seen by Group A, I might add) clear skies with accompanying warm(er) weather.  Travel safely, legioned Bers, with the confidence of knowing that the A's before you, in keeping with Extravaganza'-first group long standing tradition, more severely damaged the home base liquor supply (much to the chagrin and Cam "Mend" Carlson's C notation, that "there just may be nothing left in the larder by the time we arrive!") than they did the local fish population.  Bring your clubs of war with you. Bers, and may good fortune be your friend!

 

Best to all from the (momentarily, at least) peaceful scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

Group A, Day 2 Boat Reports

Extravagant Ones: 

 

As has been oft said, "you had to be there to believe it" at last night's Day 2 Group A Boat Reports!  Not only did it go on for hours, but the sheer zany madness of it all was highlighted by the fact that Steve Glennon's 19 1/2" whopper quickly went from "Big Boy" to forth/fifth apart "Little Boy" before the madness had ended!  Over the last several years there have been over 60 (count 'em!) prior boat reports but few have matched the brazen rebaldness of reports from Group A's second day in the wilds of incomparable Montana.

 

Where does one begin, other than at the beginning:  In marked contrast to Terry "Surfer Boy" Wilson's self-description of his boat having been "a statute among a flock of fishless pigeons" and John Rosenbaum proudly reporting his catching and keeping a 27" brown (stick, that is) which was outmatched by his 8 year old Adam's 6" rainbow (the latter still trying to figure out an exit strategy for peeing on/off the boat), from there things went downhill (WAY down hill, believe it or not).  Consider John "SOS" Reimann and Demetry "Stealth" Kondratieff's report of rain, hail, and no propane for a hot meal on the upper reaches of the West Fork of the Bitterroot accompanying  a "20+ fish day" [after landing a 19 1/2" fish "within the first five minutes"], with sister Nicole of the Glennon sister boat reporting that "she got so excited with her first fish of the day, that my pants fell down!" [see what I mean about "going downhill"?!?]  Pants notwithstanding Nicole and sister Danielle then proceeded to post a "15 to 17 fish awesome day."

 

And then it was Brad "Pinko" Colton's turn to report that all that his boasted pink boa had served to do was (a) attract and cause him to hook "two fish on the back-cast" {as only The Pink One knows how to do]and (b) make a donation to his guide's fly tying materials, all in prelude to fishing partner Steve Glennon's landing a 19" beauty that, one day earlier, would have also landed him a Yellow Hat, but not on this [second] day!  The big boat of the first day (literally and figuratively), "Big Ben" Lamb and "Two If By Land" Tawney's craft next reported of a "comparatively tough day on the Bitterroot", boating just five fish (with the largest being 18"), down substantially from their previous day's 60 fish tally (see, I told you things were heading downhill, but, hang on gang, as we are just gaining downhill momentum!), to wit:

 

    (a)  The twosome of Ann "In Like" Flynn and Ron "Yellow Hat" Bjarnason reported of a three fish total (with Ann complaining that "she had never been so cold as since when on a ski slope" and then proudly confessing to the two dozen assembled witnesses that "before today, I had never nymphed before"--as in "Hi, my name is Ann and I am a nymph[er]!"), but one of those three was a magnificent 21 1/2" Cuttbow landed by the Yellow Hatter.  Ron mistakenly thought that his fine catch (and release) would win him a Yellow Hat only to find out first that he had been mistaken and then, later, that his mistake was actually the mistaken part of the equation {phew, this Blogmastering is hard work, gang!], for...

 

    (b)  THEN came along "Pineapple Jeanne" Cahill's martini-sotten solo report on the luncheon repast of her day, followed by her fiancée and fishing partner's report of the hunting, finding, hooking, and landing of a 26" Bulltrout on and from the sacred waters of the Big "A River Runs Through It" Blackfoot river (see magnificent photo above).  BUT imagine proud Rich "Pink Panther" Kotoff's disappointed surprise that he was not the last report to be heard from and that his finely photographed and chronicled catch (the up-to-then second largest fish caught in Extravaganza history) was subject to being trumped not once, but twice, as ...

 

    (c)  FOR THEN crack fishing veterinary duo of Chris "BIIX" Rodi and Jim "Swordfish" Clark came to the forefront to explain their having experienced the throes of global warming during their second day of fishing, notwithstanding the day "having been colder than a witches tit in January" (their phrase, not mine--I am just a faithful reporter, you know!).  It seems that the unidentified waters that they had traversed that day had seen the migration of new species of fish into the sacred waters of Montana's streams, as first displayed photographically by BIIX hooking (on my Winston BII X rod, btw) a monster from the deep, only then to see partner "Swordfish" grabbing and landing the fish by its bill (no less) "after a 50 to 60 minute fight" which was "the biggest fish of our fly fishing life", so big (it was 6' long, gang!) that it was spayed (as only a vet could/would do), filleted and displayed on their portable bbq, taking over 5 hours to cook @ 18" at a time.  You can each imagine the crestfallen state of the Pink Panther at this juncture [his catch being but a fraction of the globally warmed veterinary phenomenon]...

 

    (d)  BUT THEN the ignored twosome of Marty "Two Hat" Siler and "I am your son" Luke demanded the floor and attention as it seems that where they had fished on the Blackfoot "it had been 72 degrees, sunny but windy" so much so the latter, however, that, during lunch, their guide's salad had self launched itself displaying salad dressing on the water resulting in a 27" spill that attracted a fish of equal size that, when landed, had lettuce extending over its rear fin.  There being no photographic of any of this b.s., it was appropriately tagged as such, with Marty nonetheless being permitted to keeping his earlier day's Yellow Hat and scolded for telling "outrageous fish tales".

 

At the end of it all, for this is the end of this tale of tales, (i) the Swordfish was disqualified because it had been eaten; (ii) the salad dressing story was undressed and discarded; (iii) at the insistence of Outfitter "John The Great But Propaneless" Gould, Ron Bjarnason was awarded a Yellow Hat "for the largest true trout"; (iv) The Pink Panther was likewise doffed in Yellow for the largest fish of the day and (v) fiancée "Pineapple Jeanne" Cahill concluded it all by boasting "That was one great martini!"

 

As Walter Cronkite would conclude, "And that's the way it was this 22nd day of June."

 

RCR

<'///><

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Group A Fish Pics!! [Part 2]

 

 

Group A Fish Pics!! [Part 1]

Extravagant Ones:

 

Attached for your viewing pleasure is a medley of rainbow, brown, hybrid swordfish (?!?) and cuttbow trout beginning the series with the true granddaddy of them all, a 26" Bulltrout landed on the legendary Blackfoot River by long-time Group A veteran Rich "Pink Panther" Kotoff--way to go, Rich...that is the second largest catch (and release) in Extravaganza history!!

 

RCR

<'///><

 

FW: Group A Fish Pics!!

A nice note from E 09 Coordinator Extraordinaire, Patty Gallia:

WOW!  I am so happy for Rich!!!

 

   

FW: Group A Fish Pics!!

Down River Dave:  A high pressure system (finally!) has arrived and we should have summer instead of the winter we enjoyed during Group A!    Flies??  Rich is a locksmith and picked that one right out of the river!  RCR  <''///><

 Awesome fish! Congrats to Rich. What fly did he get them on? Should we be bringing some colder weather clothes? I have been tying up big streamers for Bull and Pike – very big double Bunnies!!

 DRD.

 Dave Studeman
Principal

Sage Brandworks
   

FW: Group A Fish Pics!!

Clearly confusion runs amok in Group C:

 

I was not aware  there were rainbow trout in Hawaii?

 

Bruce M Mowat

   

FW: "Better Pink Than Dead"

A keen observation by Group C keen veteran Bruce "No Kurt" Mowat:

 

I have not decided if we are lucky to be IN or NOT TO BE IN  Group A……Kinda kinky.

 

Bruce M Mowat

   

FW: "Better Pink Than Dead"

Shocking even those of us who are used to his [United Air Lines] antics, Brad "Pinko" Colton (who, along with his long standing partner and fellow '64 San Rafael High School classmate of mine, Rich "Pink Panther" Kotoff started a tradition four years ago of fishing in pink apparel) stunned the otherwise unstunnable (read "hung over") co- Group A members by dressing not only in a pink fishing hat and shirt (purchased from varied sources--no one reputable outfitter would carry this apparel under the same fishing roof!) but also a pink ostrich feather/boa with which he intends to lure (yesterday semi-illusive) fish to his net.  The bait worked on land at least, as witnessed by his Doubling Up with the [G]lennon sisters before departing for the rivers. [Don't worry, long-suffering wife Judy, Brad proudly announced post netting the duo that he "practices catch and release dating as well as fishing"--a sign, coincidently given by Glennon Dad to his guide yesterday as a guide gift and from which the scurrilous Colton stole his otherwise would-be witty line.]

 

Alas, the brazen indignity of it all!

 

Just reporting the facts as I see them, folks,

 

RCR

 

 

Group A First Day's Reports From The Boats!!

 

 

Extravagant Ones and Extravaganza Followers:

 

The high (actually low, no, on second thought actually high as in the next day hung over) reputation of our first group continues, as, your one and only Hostess With The Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, just came in to HQ Central saying, "I simply can't believe how much liquor and wine we have gone through already...you know me, I ALWAYS have enough but not this year!"  Well, a spiritually high time is being had by our record-setting Group Aers, as reflected by last night's boat reports.

 

Shown above (in a second posting of this wonderful picture) is Kansas City-resident Marty "Two Hat" Siler, sporting his dual spoils of last night: (a) a white Double Up Outfitters hat for wining the Gag Gift award for his self-made contraption of plumbing equipment for his guide's boat usage [what a stitch his presentation was to the assembled group at Kesel's Fly Shop [our morning jumping off point of departure] and (b) the coveted Yellow Hat, one of two issued last evening for the largest fish (read, "trout", Pink Panther!) caught and released of the day, in both cases (for Two Hat and Rich "Pink Panther" Kotoff) 19" browns hunted, hooked and netted on the Bitterroot River--our targeted river for E 09 for now clearly obvious reasons!

 

Leading off the boat reports was John Rosenbaum who told tale after tale of his Father's Day adventure(s) with his two boys, Adam age 8 and Ben age 12, the highlights of which were the 4" trout landed by dad and son Adam's need to "take a pee" whereupon, when their guide guided their Blackfoot River boat to shore, Adam chose to exit left instead of right, swimming with the fishes as it were (safely, I might add!).  Next was Jeanne Cahill's first-ever boat/pineapple report, noting that the highlight of her first-ever fly fishing day was lunch shared with her fiancée The Pink Panther, RCR and his son Tyler--a lunch that featured specially guide-cut pineapple that, at the end of the day, was the apple of her eye (along with PP's 19" beauty that, so pineapple blinded, she conveniently for got to tell the assembled two dozen!). 

 

Steve Glennon, a returnee after a four year absence, then reported "golf is sure easier than fly fishing", but nonetheless telling of his US Open fishing experience with Brad "Pinko" Colton and his two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Danielle.  The pair of boats fished the Blackfoot River and landed over 24 fish, with the largest being in the 16" category, and Nicole reporting that the highlight/lowlight of her day ("after laughing all day") was watching her guide attempting to dislodge a fly high above from a tree that had the audacity to stand in the way of her cast.  A similar Blackfoot tale was told by "Big Ben" Lamb and "Two If By Land" Tawney, who, in veteran of veterans Ben's words had "his best day of Montana floating ever" [lofty words for one resident here and in charge of MWF's state issues] netted "between 50 and 60 fish") the largest being Big Ben's 17 incher, with sorrow expressed by both John "SOS" Reimann and Demetry "Stealth" Kondrasheff that had the misfortune all day to be the boat just upriver of the Two If By Land Hoover duo, thereby seeing a fraction of their number of fish [only 20 fish--poor, poor boys!] while also getting the shorter end of of the size-game of the stick, with SOS's 15"er leading their larder.

 

The Bitterroot was home to the rest of our boaters, with (a) Terry "Aloha" Wilson saying that he was glad that 4:00 in the afternoon had arrived (the time that he landed his first fish of the day--a 17" high for his boat with son-in-law Brian Russell); (b) the Ann Flynn-Ron Bjarnason telling of their first-ever fly fishing day that featured bald eagles, hunting ospreys and "an excellent 7 to 8 fish" and Ann's commenting to her guide that "tomorrow I want to row, as I am not used to being treated like a 'big fat Russian princess'--I can row, you know"; (c) the excellent fishing team of Jim Clark and Chris Rodi telling of their "total weather day" [we had it all, folks!], excellent fishing, a pair of 17" landed beauties and of seeing "only two other boats the entire days [our two!]; and (d) of now-Yellow Hat winner Marty Siler's starting out his Father's Day experience by, in true Star Wars fashion, announcing to his son at the Guide Gift Ceremonies, "Luke, I am your father" and then proceeding to lead the pack by nearly doing the grand slam (catching five different species of fish in the same day--he came up but one short) and ending up with his 19" brown trout that he proudly described as "one of the most colorfully beautiful fish that I have ever seen" and, with his Guide Gift hat winning later in the day, to be forever known as "Two Hat Marty".

 

From pineapples to osprey, Day One for Group a was, indeed, a special one--for many that first-ever day of fly fishing that will go into the mental hard-drive and forever remembered as "that first day"---how totally and beautifully extravagant!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

 

Hawaiian Luau on Rock Creek!

Pre- and post-the-first-day of fishing, Group A "Luaued Out" on the back deck with shirts, leis (after an après fish visit to Hooters, that is) and vino, vino, vino and, yes, indeed, a great time was had by all (as best depicted by the last photo showing Napa's Terry Wilson mid-story how he and his fraternity brother "buried a Chevy" while attending the U of M here in Missoula many, many moons ago!).

 

The trees around Headquarters are loving the return of Extravagant laughter, gang!!

 

Best to all from the scene of it all,

 

RCR

<'///><

 

A Medley of Group A Pics!

In successive order:  (a) Ma'am romps; (b) DVM Jim Clark empties his glass with MWF Issues Coordinator Ben Lamb; (c) The Pink Panther delivers pink (salmon, that is) to the dinner buffet; (d) Cowboy Jeff Freeman bbq's again (and again, and again...); (e) Nicole Glennon forks out; (f) [aged] John "SOS" Reimann savors it all; as does (g) his fishing partner, Demetry "Stealth" Kondrasheff...what a fine looking group this be (actually "A")!!

 

RCR

<'///><

 

 

FW: Opening Day Extravaganza 2009!

 From  Group B's Brian McLeran (who, along with bro Ralph will be Harleying it up to Missoula later this week!):

Ron,

All is looking GREAT we are getting ready for the ride up.  I would like to get the Simms sandals, my size is 9.5. 

Ralph and I had dinner the other night and planned the rout and booked rooms on the way up and back.  We are looking forward to the week!!

Yours, Brian.

FW: Opening Day Extravaganza 2009!

From Group B's Tim "MWF Pres" Tim Aldrich:
 

It looks and sounds like E09 is up and running and who would have expected less?  I just wanted you to know that I took a practice run on the upper reaches of Rock Creek yeterday with five other friends.  It was on a secret and seldom floated reach of the Great Creek.  It took me all of 23 seconds to hook my first cutthroat.  We had a great afternoon and caught a lot of fish although nothing of great size.  It was my first time ever floating on Rock Creek and probably my first fishing on Rock Creek in well over 20 years.  It is still as you and I both know, one of those places providing resources and opportunties that truly make Montana Matter.  I hope all of Team#1 have a great father's day with fishing to boot!  My juices are flowing so ask them all to leave some for Team #2.  tim

   

FW: Early Returns From Fishing Day 1 for Group A!

From Group C's Larry "Moon River" Klaustermeier:

Big fish, worthy of a prize!!

Larry

   

FW: Early Returns From Fishing Day 1 for Group A!

From Group B's Mike "Pinot Noir" Stakias:
"Now I want that fish on my side in a fight!"

Early Returns From Fishing Day 1 for Group A!

 

Fresh off the rivers this Father's Day, the first day of fishing for Group A, and prior to our nightly boat reports (more on that to come later), I thought that you would like to see an early return of just how extravagant fishing Day 1 was:  With four boats sent out to the Blackfoot River and seven (count 'em!) boats opting to fish the Bitterroot in conditions that (in order of wonderful succession) were rainy, overcast, sunny, hot, overcast, and then thunderstorm blessed, only one picture has hit my printer so far and that is the attached whopper that I landed (single handedly, I might add) on the Bitterroot River. 

 

Measuring a questionably lengthy two inches, this fish, labeled "the smallest trout I have seen anyone land--ever" by our Outfitter "John The Great" Gould (who guided yours truly and son Tyler today), this is the best evidence as to why it is always advisable to fish with an experienced guide.  Nestled in among the other 20+ fish that we caught (and released) today in the more respectable 16-18" range, it was a fine day on the water.

 

More to follow after the evening's boat reports, where I can report in advance that every on of our record-setting boats had a wonderful water/Montana experience today!

 

Best to all on the first fishing day of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><  [my catch was just about this big!!]

 

 

 

Opening Day Extravaganza 2009!

Say hello to Group A, Extravaganza 2009!

 

Opening Day was a blast here at Extravaganza Headquarters, as depicted in the attached photos.  The Rock Creek Mercantile displayed the newest Extravaganza addition, a welcoming banner that will be prominently displayed at the Merc's location at the foot of Rock Creek Road for the duration of E 09 and the largest assembled Group multitude all arrived on the scene safely, though those that opted not to follow our recommended Delta itinerary found cancelled/changed flights on United (they flew) via Denver and Southwest through Spokane, Washington a poor choice to the very easy Delta experience that found all travelers and their bags in Missoula with a timely Saturday arrival.

 

The [G]lennon sisters are shown above after enticing father Steve (it is Fathers' Day this Sunday morning, after all!) to participating in some retail therapy--and those (many) who had ordered The Package (Simms sandals, a Merc hat and a Merc t-shirt du jour) to be better off than those who decided to last minute purchases--there are only a limited number of the advanced shipped sandals, gang.

 

Group Aers are also shown above at their Opening Day Lunch as the Montana Club as well as strolling down the driveway to see the (advanced) construction of the new Blackfoot "Tree House".

 

Following it all was casting on Headquarters' lawn and a great evening's dent into the liquor and wine larder (as only our first group[s] can do in fine Extravaganza tradition!) to be succeeded by fishing on Fathers' Day Sunday under cloudy/rainy skies that should make for excellent fishing results.

 

Let the games begin!

 

Best to all from the wonderful scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

FW: Der Blog Turns 700!

And one click late of the mark in Philadelphia, PA by Group B's Mike "Pinot Noir" Stakias--you be on a near roll, PN!!

 

I’m guessing 751 doesn’t count.  This game isn’t like horseshoes, slow dancing or atomic warfare……where close is good enough…………. is it?  J

 RCR

<'///><

 

FW: Der Blog Turns 700!

It is good to be from Florida and wake up early--a Double Up for Group C's Jim "Crackberry" Nici!!

good morning ron!  i woke up this morning and checked my email (with my iphone as you would expect) and when i saw your email i powered up the desktop.  attached is blog visit 750 in pdf format.  

i only wish i knew how to fly fish as well as i know how to use technology.  any kind of electronic fly casting gizmo i could buy to aid my efforts?  what does our outfitter have in stock?

James Nici

RCR

<'///><

Der Blog Turns 700!

Gang:  I just clicked on to be the 700th visitor to Der Blog ( www.montanaextravaganza2009.blogspot.com )--a bottle of classy Elizabeth Spencer Syrah to our 750th visitor--you know the gig!

 

RCR

 

 

Hawaiian Shirt Day/Gag Gift Reminder(s)!

Extravagant Ones:

 

The "old man" of Group A (he is exactly one month older that yours truly), John "SOS" Reimann, suggests below that I remind all that the first day of fishing for each group is "Hawaiian Shirt Day"--I, in turn, reminded John that only one so old either (a) would not have read his email reminders before and/or (b) would have forgotten that which he had earlier opened and read.  In either event, in honor of John's earlier won Yellow Hat, each and all are so reminded. 

 

In fact, "the other John" (Gould, that is, as in our Outfitter) suggested that we have a five gallon bucket to dump over the head(s) of any so unfortunate not to have a gag gift in their Hawaiian shirt doffed hand!

 

It begins tomorrow...no, it already has!

 

Best to all in full readiness for it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

 Starting to pack.  Can’t wait to get out of here!

What happen to the fishing in a Hawaiian shirt idea?

 

John

 

 

FW: Announcing the Official Line Up for Group A!!

Group A veteran The Pink Panther speaks from his heart with great wisdom...he has seen these waters before.

RCR <'///><

Thank you Kathy & Ron, before the games begin. This a very special time in our lives. The river runs though every one us. Take the time to feel it, smell it, and know it. Thanks again. rich

   

Announcing the Official Line Up for Group A!!

 

 

With the previously counted days quickly melting into to-be-counted hours before the commencement of the Seventh Annual Extravaganza [2009 vintage], keeping with Extravaganza tradition, I am pleased to announce the Official Line Up for Group A, Extravaganza 2009. 

 

This group of 21 (count 'em!) hearty warriors will descend upon the scene of it all on Opening Day this Saturday, June 20th, and will constitute the largest of any group ever to participate in an Extravaganza.  Boasting 14 rookies, Group A (a) spans geographically from California to Kansas City, Missouri; (b) features our largest father-son/daughter/son-in-law grouping ever [7 parings in all including yours truly with son Tyler] (Sunday, June 21st is Father's Day, after all!); and finds participants from all walks of life, including, but not limited to, entrepreneurs and owners of seasoned businesses; cap's, marketeers, grape growers; marketing reps, national and state Wildlife Federation representatives and, horrors of horrors, even [three] lawyers.

 

Lead-off Group A fisherman is long-time Extravaganza veteran and Yellow Hat winner John "SOS" Reimann who earned his moniker by his non-fishing exploits during our companion 2007 Alaskaganza trip (disaster was truly his Alaskan middle companion but, in spite of it all, as sung to the worlds of ABBA on our Alaskaganza dvd, "SOS" weathered through it all for him now to return to the scene for his sixth (count 'em) Extravaganza.  On SOS's heels is the dynamic duo of multi-Extravaganza veterans Brad "Pinko" Colton [a '64 SRHS classmate of mine whose name derives form his proclivity to fish in shocking pink head gear] and his now-former fishing partner [but still SRHS classmate] Rich "Pink Panther" Kotoff whose new fishing partner will be his fiancée, the beautiful Jeannie "Blushing Bride" Cahill. 

 

Other Group A veterans include (i) Steve "Clennon" Glennon [Group Aers--be sure to ask Steve how he got his Extravaganza name when you see him!] and by his side will be his two beautiful rookie daughters, Nicole and Danielle, who have yet to earn their fishing names; (ii)  Demetry "Stealth" Kondrasheff (you never seem to know that Stealth is in the area, but he always is, as witnessed by his being the first to stealthily guess that it is 792 pre-Group A bottles of wine that we have on the wall...that won't last long with this crowd!); and (iii) boat partners Montana Wildlife Federation issues coordinator "Big Ben" Lamb [his fiancée Jasmine, will be present for the first two Group A days as they are to be wed here at Headquarters post-Extravaganza on July 11th (there never being a dull moment here!)] and last year's Extravaganza Keynote Speaker National Wildlife Federation regional rep "Two If By Land" Tawney (yes, folks, his given name IS "Land"--and his this year scrubbed 4 hour Power Point presentation last year drove then Group to drink, even more if that is possible).

 

And then eleven (yes, 11) rookies to the Extravaganza (each of whom are in for the time of their lifetime!) line up:  the Kansas City, MO based father-son team of Marty "Epic" Siler and offspring Luke "Skywalker" Siler; the brazen couple of Ann "In Like" Flynn and Ron "Spell This One" Bjarnason; University of Missoula graduate Terry "Surfer Boy" Wilson (and, boy, does he have some great old fraternity stories to tell--remind him to tell the one about the funeral held for his defunct auto...an absolute classic!) and his son-in-law Brian "Francis Ford" Wilson (yes, he IS counsel to FFCopola); doctors of veterinary medicine Jim Clark and Chris Rodi (yet awaiting to earn their Extravaganza buznames); and CLG contract lawyer par excellence John "A Rose By Any Other Name" Rosenbaum and his two younguns, Ben and Adam.

 

So, gang, there you have it--The Official Line Up for Group A, Extravaganza 2009!  All signs are that this year's event will be one for the record books, and, befittingly, we start it all off in now less that 48 hours with this record-setting group of great human beings.  Caveat pesca!

 

Best to all from the gorgeous scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><

 

FW: And The Correct Number of Bottles of Wine is...

...exactly 792 bottles (or 66 cases), as correctly guessed (in order of their success) by (and to each of whom a bottle of classy Elizabeth Spencer Syrah will go upon arrival) (a) Group A veteran wine imbiber Demetry "Stealth" Kondrasheff [with very little assistance on my part]; (b) Group B rookie Mike "Pinot Noir" Stakias {with substantial help on my part, as in "deduct your shoe size to the last guess"--it is good to have ordered The Package in advance!}; and (c) Group A returning [after a long absence and for Father's Day with his two daughters, no less] veteran Steve "Clennon" Glennon.

 

Comments earlier posted to Der Blog from Group C's Cam "Mend" Carlson explain the lack of interest on their part, with aggregate guesses being in excess of 50 (count 'em) in number and including such random numbers as Group C now-retired banker Larry "Moon River"Klaustermeier's 415 wager [go figure that one out!] and Group Two veteran "Down River Dave" Studeman's rocket ship guess of 1277 bottles and in-between numbers that included, by no means by way of exclusion, 576, 653, 660, 690, 696, 720, 732, 768, 775, 780, 782, 789, 800, 816, 850, 898 and 1100.

 

I think the fish are relatively safe, folks!

 

Best to all in eager anticipation of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron

     <'///><