Fly Fishing...The Movie....Montana Wolf Update...

An interesting article on the 2012, 20th Anniversary of the infamous "Movie" which, by any stretch, forever changed the face of what was at the time truly the "Last Best Place" into something...Well, let me just say "different" and leave up to you to decide good, bad or indifferent. That it also changed forever fly fishing as  we once knew it is of course not up for debate. Also hard to debate is the increased interest in fly fishing spurred on all sorts of good stuff for rivers, trout, etc. That it also made a lot of folks rich and famous...well I guess if you are one a them, all well and good...for the rest of us? My vote all things considered...you know, Californication, land grab, today's Bozemans, Missoulas, Kalispells as opposed to PM days...locked gates, constant court fight to repeal the wonderful Montana Stream Access Law by bastards--Kennedy, Lewis, et al wielding more money than God, to say nothing of the State..Traffic on some of our antiquated two-lane roads nothing less than downright friggin' deadly...well all in all, I must vote Not So Hot...but then what do I know? Right.

You can read the article here...http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_b07d873c-6039-11e1-b043-001871e3ce6c.html...by copy and paste into your browser.

Interesting article on the Increase in wolf numbers following the recently ended wolf season; which by all rational thinking is looking more like a failure with each passing day and would seem, assuming the idea is to really bring numbers down to reasonable biological (and not political) limits, another game plan is indeed in order...to read the entire article copy and paste:  http://www.idahopress.com/news/state/montana-wolf-population-up-percent-in/article_e65de121-eaeb-5979-b4b0-104d36e016ec.html

Montana Outdoors: Golden Eagle....

There are some graphic (gory) photos currently causing a stir on the net showing a golden eagle eating and killing (yes in that order) an adult pronghorn doe. The eagle attaches itself to the back of its victim and begins eating...at what point death finally occurs is more than I know. But I have read reports of similar attacks where the talons eventually pierce the victims liver...how true again who knows.

On another track, being as Montana wolf hunters came up far short of the hoped for quota (220; 166 is the official body count) perhaps we should take a lesson from Mongolians and employ golden eagles to hunt and kill wolves?  As wolf killers goldens are said to be effective as in swift, sure and deadly. Seems to me a win-win situation...take the heat off wildlife managers for allowing mean, cruel, bloodthirsty human assassins to do the dirty work and puts it squarely on Ma Nature...you know survival of the fittest...hell, think about it, even PETA would be hard pressed to bitch...Right.

Anyway you bend it, goldens sure make our fishing, carrion-eating national bird look-like a bit of a wuss, eh?

Wolf Video Opens A Large Can of Worms And...

...And gets me a few hate mails and one ugly comment from "Anonymous" who apparently lacks the IF to sign it...So be it, as someone once mentioned, "we all have our opinions and the right to speak 'em...But to all you "Chuck" haters let me point out:

• "I" DID NOT produce or have a thing to do with the video.
• "I" of course DID draw my own conclusions and posted the video so faithful followers of this blog could in fact draw theirs.
• No one, especially you "haters," have a clue where I stand on the wolf issue, in whole or in part.

So in the interest of enlightenment...

• Fact is I happen to like wolves--i.e. wolves managed biologically NOT politically.
• I DO NOT like it that the Greater Yellowstone wolf population has been allowed to grow to what most biologists consider way over the top numbers; for all the wrong reasons I might add.
• I DO NOT appreciate the politics which allow folks from around the globe to dictate policy which should be solely left to the biologists, the folks left to deal with wolves and those most affected by them; that judges, who have NO biology credentials whatsoever are allowed to have the final say.
• I DO NOT cotton to the idea, once the moose are all but gone, the elk have disappeared and/or fled to safer pastures hard working ranchers are left to "supply" cows to feed the hungry wolves; a deal which of course they DID NOT sign on in the first beginning.
• And I could go on and on enlightening but then like I said, we all have our opinions, these are just a few of mine...PS keep on sending the hate messages but please do let me know just who the hell you are..over and out...Chuck

To view the video AND DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS please click on http://cryingwolfmovie.com/or check it out on You Tube...

Happy States

Well the cat is now out the bag; you wanna be happy (happiest) then if you haven't already best drag your butts to...drum roll please....

1. Hawaii: 71.0***
2. Wyoming: 69.2
3. North Dakota: 68.4
4. Alaska: 68.3
5. Colorado: 68.0
6. Minnesota: 68.0
7. South Dakota: 68.0
8. Utah: 67.9
9. Connecticut: 67.9
10. Massachusetts: 67.8
(***percent the population way happy/happy happy or something of like magnitude)

And yes, from atop my curmudgeons-pulpit I view this missile as way good news, e.g., thanks to the polling gods ol' montany failed for once to make a favorite-spot-to-hang-your- hat list...Whew!

On another irksome/tiresome/too familiar (take your pick) track:

Big Bad Wolf Delisted in Idaho, Montana but NOT Wyoming...Or Here we go AGAIN...
Admittedly to have not heard this breaking news item already you are either out of planet or in hiding/out of touch, say, 'neath one of the few rocks on Earth lack cell/internet, perish the thought. Depending on your viewpoint I guess this one falls as either good news or bad news but by golly tis news...actually sort of stale news at this point in time...Anyway case you missed it click on the links below to catch up or...to paraphrase that tired ol' Montana fickle weather sayin' "don't suit ya? hold your corn in a minute is sure to change"...as I say just like our weather, eh?...over and out...Chuck
http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005136524

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20110506/NEWS01/105060327

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_75b6423e-a3b2-5f68-8a37-2388224c9cea.html

http://helenair.com/news/article_1f472d2e-76e0-11e0-be61-001cc4c002e0.html

Schweitzer to Feds: Shove IT...over and out...

Yellowstone NP Wolf Kill early on in the wolf recovery prior to the current political/judicial driven wolf management debacle...

In a bold move somewhat unbecoming your average self-serving politician our Guv has essentially told the USFWS to...well, shove IT!!!! For a more informative look check out the Helena Independent Record report by clicking the link below.

http://helenair.com/news/article_e9109c18-3a67-11e0-bf79-001cc4c03286.html

Lest anyone get the wrong idea here, my stance on the wolf debate remains the same: Allowing state management is not only the best way tis the only way to bring anything close to sanity on what really has become a pathetic charade: list, delist, list, delist on and on ad nauseum, enough already, get on with it.  

Wolf Debate: ElK Foundation and Wildlife Federation Exchange Jabs

http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_b26667a4-373a-11e0-8ece-001cc4c002e0.html


Click the above link to read the latest in the ongoing wolf debacle which in the opinion of many threatens to forever change the wildlife landscape throughout the region.

Pathetic but true HB 309 seems almost assured of passing both houses and, based on responses from TU, FWP lawyers, despite what Jeff Wellborn says WILL impact angler access to many miles of  MT streams (one estimate puts it at an alarming 6000 miles!!!). On an even sadder/scarier note HB 309 is just one of a staggering 161 bills currently aimed at gutting MTFWP programs, management practices, authority, etc. etc. One bill aims to base Block Management payouts to enrolled landowners on the current Consumer Price Index instead of the annual negotiations between enrollees and FWP. This, according to FWP will reduce the number of properties currently enrolled in the Block Management Program by at least 300 properties. Sweet, eh? Trust me, do the homework, check out what has happened to the hunting/fishing ops in other states where politics instead of biology rule and you CAN look forward to FAR LESS in the future. The way I see it our only hope is to bombard/threaten to oust the **sholes pushing these nonsensical, underhanded, self-serving ideas and lets HOPE Gov. Schweitzer exercises his veto power.

Fly Fishing: Al's New Digs n Other Timely Matters

Al Lefor's New HQ/photo courtesy Great Divide Outfitters

Al's new fly shop is located on Pump House Road; turn right just before crossing Divide Bridge. As you can see the building is a tricked out old log building, complete with antique wood stove (although given Al's recent propensity to flee the Big Hole at the first sign of winter it probably won't see much use except in early spring) a nice touch--one Al says early reviewers agree is "nice and homey". Hominess aside like the old shop the new digs are well-stocked with all the latest additions to Al's obvious addiction to well-concieved fly patterns, Scott Rods, Super Fly Floatant (secret recipe, don't ask) and fine books--well, make that used to be fine books given the recent conspicuous absense of Robbins' Flyfisher's Guide to Montana...sorry couldn't pass up the chance at shameless self-promotion. Anyway Al promises he'll be back from the sun and sand on or about 15 March and open for business so do yourself a favor and stop in...all kidding aside you will not be disappointed...onward and upward.

On another track, Will Jordan forwarded Montana Sporting Journal's recent interesting and informative interview with Ed Bangs, USFWS Wolf Recovery Coordinator. To read the interview click the link below:

http://www.montanasportingjournal.com/pdfs/excerpts/GrayWolf-Interview.pdf

On yet another track we are packing the Bird Hunting Haus and plan to launch a bird hunting safari Monday or Tuesday depending of course on the current blizzard situation. We hope to start the operation in southwest Idaho, move it south into Nevada and then on to Arizona. Valley quail and chukar in Idaho and Nevada; desert quail in Arizona; although the AZ operation, given the grim reports filtering out Mearn's and scalie land, will most likely involve running down Gambel's. How long this will last depends, but we hope to poke around at least through January. If all else fails it sounds like New Mexico might be better well we could end up there? Anyway since internet connections will be sporadic at best so too will be our posts to this blog...But fear not updates are forthcoming but as I say sporadic.