Group B's McLeran Bros to Hog the Road to Paradise!

As shown below, Group B's ([in]famous) Bay Area "Harley McLeran Brothers" tested out their Harleys over this past weekend in preparation for their upcoming 1100 mile road trip to Extravaganza 2009. Brian on the left and Ralph on the right are veterans on the bike but Extravaganza rookies on the water--I told them that they are going to have so many extra Extravaganza 2009 items to take home with them that UPS will be their return road companion!

Viva la Extravaganza!!

RCR

6/2 am Flow Chart

Extravagant Ones:  AT LAST, a downward trend in Montana river water flowage. 

 

The flow this morning on Rock Creek is down from over 4500 cfs yesterday to 4320 cfs this morning, a trend that I expect will continue in the right-for-us direction!!

RCR

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p.s.  Only 18 (count 'em) days until Opening Day of Extravaganza 2009!!

 

   

 

   

FW: Guide Gag Gifts

 

Extravagant Ones:

 

As you seasoned veterans out there are well aware, several years ago we began an Extravaganza tradition (that we will carry on again this year) of, on the first day of fishing and introduction, delivering gag gifts to your guide--a guide who, with only a very few exceptions, will be with you for all three of your extended days of fishing and instruction (i.e., the key to your success regardless of your fishing prowess). 

 

So, on day one of fishing, as you don your spiffy Hawaiian shirts (a first time event, courtesy of an idea from [y]our outfitter par excellence, John "The Great" Gould), you will have the chance in front of your entire group to say hello in rare form by the witticism of your gagish gift.  The boat with the best gift(s) is publicly anointed and rewarded in and for each group and we have found this to be a fun-filled, sure-fire first introduction between your boat and its guide.

 

Classic gag gifts in the past have included Group B's Doug "Popeye" Hamilton's lure-embedded toilet seat and port-a-potty (matching his prior year's gift of a 3' long spinning lure); veteran Tom Stallard's elaborate "Fish-O-Matic" (a handmade expandable fish that can be extended to any dimensions); and branded products by Group B's branding expert "Down River Dave" Studeman.  Gifts have also been as underwhelming as a simple 12 inch Channel Lumber ruler pulled off the shelf by Group A's John "SOS" Reimann, tasteless tee-shirts (which were a big hit, btw) and bottles of beverages stemming from cheap to elaborate wine, brandy and exotic liqueurs.

 

Let your conscience (or lack of one!) be your guide; go shopping in that garage and "re-gift" items and toss something in your suitcase so that your first impression on your guide is a lasting one!

 

Best to all,

 

RCR

FW: 6/1 am Updated Flow Chart

...and here is a flow update from the head honcho himself:  Group B's Tim "MWF Pres." Aldrich!

 

 just talked with my friend Scott Nicolarsen who is an outfitter.  He thinks Rock Creek will be ripe in 10 days to two weeks.  Of course, heavy rains could change that.  We have not had a reasonable rain in Missoula for quite a while.  I'll see if I can talk to the weatherman about the Extravaganze Period weather needs. 

 

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FW: 6/1 am Updated Flow Chart

A nice note from Group B's Tim "Squawfish" Rodgers!

Good morning Ron,

Thanks for the update. Seems like if there is higher runoff now relative to 2008,

with slightly higher than average snow fall, and compared to last year similar, the result could be a dropping earlier this year of the water levels in the summer?

I love your never ending enthusiasm for the perfect fishing conditions that WILL occur by the time we show up.

!!!!Viva Extravaganza!!!!!

 

SF Tim

 

 

6/1 am Updated Flow Chart

...and Montana's runoff water keeps flowing, and flowing and flowing!

 

Group A's Montana-based "Big Ben" Lamb (issues coordinator for the Montana Wildlife Federation, no less, so one in the know) advises this morning that his statewide travels show that what you are witnessing on Rock Creek to be indicative of all of Western Montana's rivers--his prediction:  With cooler weather forecast over the next 10 days (highs will be in the low 70's on an extended basis) will find our redline NOT dropping like a stone, as I had hoped, but, rather, gradually tapering off such that our first fishing days in just three weeks will find clear but high and very fishable waters!!

 

Aaah... the expected glory of it all!

 

(Much) more to follow!

 

Happy June to all,

 

RCR

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FW: Log Jam on Rock Creek

From Group B's inimical Lori "The Fawn" Ware!

Log jam, Huckleberry Jam, it's all yummy Montana!   And Kathy, it's right there on Rock Creek! 

RCR

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