!Finalmente!

Well, it's that time. Time for the Last Extravaganza Boat Report. I'm dabbing my eyes constantly as I type!

Staying organized grows harder and harder as the chaos deepens, so I'm just going to run with the boat reports and then move into the other shenanigans!

First up from the boats is travel star Brian Robertson, who some of you might remember from his round the world travel blog! Brian fished with RCR, if you can call it fishing! Yep, the boys got skunked this day on the Bitterroot. I actually put in just behind them, and saw RCR reel in a fish within a minute of being on the water... and I guess I was lucky enough to witness his only fish on the day!

But not for lack of trying! RCR and Brian walked up a tributary to check out a pond where some monster 20"+ trout lurked. Guide Dan saw a whopper about to hit the line and said "Don't do anything!" to which Brian replied "What??" and jerked his line. D'oh! Another one gets away. To be fair though, Brian did avoid the dreaded bagel (0!) at the end of the dya by pulling in a 13 incher, and he made up the earlier gaffe to RCR with the peace offering of a fruit smoothie back in town.

The smiles on RCR, Grizzly Hackle owner Dan Shepard and Brian Robertson belie the tough fishing:

Also, RCR has a message for Group One's Bill Schneider, who gave him a stylish shirt that pictured a handsome tied fly, and the words "Bite Me," promising good luck on the river! Well, I have a feeling that shirt may end up in the fire pit after the outing RCR had!

And I hate to do it, but in a one line item bit of news, Haden Ongaro and Doug Caulfield had a quiet day and a short report, consisting of ten fish and a couple bald eagle sightings. But, they did have a great day on the river regardless, how could you not?

Now, I usually save the best for last, but the next boat was piloted by guide Kurt and had myself and Tyler Clausen manning the drag nets. And they felt like drag nets! Or maybe a better analogy is fine toothed comb? The kind that pulls through slowly, putting every hair in place, every trout in our net? Because that's what went down! I don't know if it's correct fishing terminology to say that you 'dominated' a river, but that's what happened. Complete with accompanying laugh track from Kurt, Ty and I kicked some serious behind. I will offer a peek into the future and say that we didn't have the biggest fish on the day by some small miracle, but we did pretty well. Who would have known that bringing in 27 fish that all mysteriously measured 19 15/16ths wouldn't get you a Yellow Hat? Sometimes that's how it goes though.

Ok. It's my last day here. Prepare yourself for a narcissistic barrage of photos from the river sweeping day enjoyed by myself and Tyler:







You know those are all different fish!!!!!

Larry Klaustermeier and Don Valdez had another day of, well, being Larry and Don! What with the prancing and the entreaties at the Rhino. But, they guys did bag 34 fish (leave it to a banker to be exact!) and Larry just missed out on the Grand Slam, coming up one Brown Trout short.

But I know you'd rather hear more about Larry's exploits back at the Rhino. Well, Larry reports that there were unfortunately no babes hanging out, but the woman who he saw get arrested the day before was back there! Larry was heard to ask "how much is your bail, babe?" Also, she was heard muttering that she "hated this side of Missoula, there are too many cops here." Ah, yes. We will all fondly remember the Rhino!

Ladykiller Larry Klaustermeier and Don Valdez rub the Rhino for good luck, at the Rhino:

Scott McAdams and Ron Beeler were on the Clark Fork. Again, Scott reports reeling in several 20 inchers, but opted not to actually bring them into the boat so that he could save his arm for the Very Serious Horseshoe Match later that evening. Good call Scott, I would have done the same.

Ron reports having a good 10 minute casting rhythm, before it disappeared. Sorry Ron, the casting lesson on the lawn doesn't count.

Finally, I must point out that this blogger was requested by Scott to mention here that guide Dave Huffman allegedly said, "Scott, you are a much better fisherman than John Reimann." Hey, I only report the facts!

Gene Gene the Fishing Machine Ferguson and Fred "the Grave Robber" Johnson endured some tough fishing but had a fabulous day on the river nonetheless. Gene says that he was 'stuck in low gear, with clutch problems' but his photography skills served him well, as he did get a couple nice shots of a deer fording the river, and of Fred with a very large but very dead Voldemort* (we can't legally say the name of this fish) trout that they unearthed on the banks. Now, since every group has come through, you all know by now that we give every Extravaganza participant a framed photo, preferably with their large fish from the trip. Well, in the photo printing frenzy, it escaped this zonked blogger's weary eye that Fred's 28" Voldemort Trout was dead. So, he has a great photo of himself with a floater he found on the bank! Hence, the Grave Robber moniker. We're all very proud, Fred!

Grave Robber Fred Johnson disinters his fish:

Doug and Lois Pendleton were on the Bitterroot, where Lois discovered why it's called 'fishing' and not 'catching.' No worries though, she got a prize trout yesterday! But in a role reversal, experienced fisherman Doug had a good day. he got consistent hits, and ultimately landed a 21" Cutbow! Way to go Doug!

Niiiiice!

Dave 'Stud' Studemann and Lynn Turnbull had another monster day on the Blackfoot river. I don't know their secret (yet) but these two only gun for the big ones. They landed 20 trout, with 4 between 18" and 20", throwaways for these Serious Anglers. Lynn cranked in a 20 1/2" rainbow, and Dave later netted a 21" rainbow. WOW.

One of Lynn's monsters:

I was really hoping that my own amazing day on the river wouldn't outshadow that of Jim Krieg and Mary Reilley, but you'll have to decide for yourself. Hey, I can't make the fish not bite. I even threw a couple casts with no fly and still landed trout. But Anyway! These two, formerly out there on the river 'managing expectations' somehow turned into real threats to the Fish! 22 fish saw guide Chris Stroup's net that day! Jim pulled in a fat 18 1/2" Voldemort trout in the morning.

Jim isn't excited about this fish at all:

Mary, who had resisted the nonstop critique from the guide that inevitably comes from sitting in the front of the boat was persuaded to sit up there in the afternoon, after much avoidance! And I'm pleased to say that it paid off! Chris had been on Mary to really set hard, and Mary took the advice to heart. The first fish she hooked, an 8 incher, she set so hard she whipped it out of the water, through the air, and over the boat! Strong work, I'll have to give that a try sometime!

But Mary's next fish was the reel (hah hah!) coup: She got a fish and set hard! Now, in unconventional form, instead of stripping in line, she let it run. About 100 yards, down to the end of the reel! Somehow, she managed to reel it in and Chris netted it, a 21" rainbow! Woo Hoo!!!!!

Look at Mary! She can't believe it!

Well, that concludes the fishing portion of the 2007 Extravaganza! Yellow Hats awarded to Lynn Turnbull, Doug Pendleton and Mary Reilley! All three gained entry to the Ultra Exclusive 20" Club, along with repeat member Dave Studeman. Congratulations to all!

Oh, those smug Yellow Hatters! (Mary Reilley, Doug Pendleton, Lynn Turnbull.)


Funny how they stick together, huh?


In other news, there took place that certain Horseshoe Event which pitted RCR and partner Scott McAdams against Larry "Horse****" Klaustermeier and Brian Robertson. In a pitched (hah! punny tonight!) battle that swug back and forth, Larry and Brian barely prevailed, by a final score 21 to 20. It should be noted that it was subsequently discovered that you must win by two points to prevail at horseshoes, which led to a Formal Protest and an attempt to reopen the contest, which was defeated by darkness. So, there will forever be an '*' next to the victory. I should also note that Scott and RCR asked me explicitly to point out that Larry and Brian practiced extensively for 3 evenings, where as they took the field off the couch. Tough doo doo, fellas, you'll have to wait a year for your next shot!

A key, and carefully scrutinized measurement during the contest:

The judges scorecard:

We were also treated to a visit from a passing Moose:

After another Rock Creek Feast, it was time to gather inside for the Closing Ceremonies. All who were there experienced first hand the sentiment expressed by hosts Rock Creek Ron and Kathy Clausen, and I'd just like to add that it was truly a joy to spend time and tell fishing lies with you all! I hope to see you all again next year!

And also, a final HUGE HUGE thank you to Kathy, as well as Barbie and Julie, for their tireless work in the kitchen providing this blogger and the rest of us with 5 star meals (and 5 new lbs!) and a home like feeling in the midst of endless and enjoyable chaos! Bravo and thank you!

To close and to borrow a phrase from RCR, Viva la Extravaganza!!!

Dave

Stick a fork in me, I'm done!