Opening day musings, and getting LOST!

Well, it's finally here. The day I'd been waiting for since December of last year.  I double checked all the gear, checked the weather forecast, and gassed up the rig. All signs pointed to a wonderful start to the most joyous bird season imaginable. Joining me was my neighbor Ryan, just 23 years of age, but with the legs and stamina to match the most hearty veteran of the aspen jungles.
My last years opener was something to write home about. I had a limit of 5 birds by 9 am. It was simply crazy. I ran into three family groups of at least 7 birds a piece and it was over before I knew it. I thought it was a perfectly good idea to go to the same spot after having such great success last season. We arrived very early as I knew others would be vying for this trail.
WE strapped up, put the beeper color Dottie, and headed down. I could even sense a different determination in her at this moment, like she knew we weren't hunting "pigeons."
After covering about a a half a mile, Dottie locked up on a old Raspberry bush, and i motioned for Ryan to head, three birds exploded out offering Ryan his first shot at a wild bird. I was just impressed he actually got a shot off. All three kept on their merry way, and Ryan said "WOW, those things are fast!"
We covered that once VERY productive cover for the next hour and only managed to put up one more bird? Frankly I was shocked, especially compared to last year. The thoughts of dread entered my mind , Did the spring hatch not make it? Are we truly going from feast to famine in one year?
I decided to pull up from that entire area, and take a ride 45 minutes east. i was hoping the Spring rains were less effective there, and they were. We put up another 12 or so, in about 15 minutes, Ryan making the SMART decision not to take the shot on an EASY going away bird, because he thought it was to close to Dottie, I was very proud of this first time hunter.
This was a cover that I've hunted no less than 40 times over the past 5 years. no GPS needed (as mine is stuck in Idaho in a buddies hunting gear box).
SOMEHOW we got completely turned around in this cover , crossed a swamp, a different road, and I knew we were in trouble. My first thought was " his mother is going to kill me, NOBODY knows what area we were in, and HOW in the hell did this happen?
I explored another game trail that lead to a highpoint, and left Ryan below the hill within earshot and told him to NOT move, no matter what. I got to the top of the hill and found a lake. A LAKE? I've looked at plenty of topo on this area, and don't remember a lake? WTF?
We kept our wits, sat down for a second and left some landmarks, (including my hat pointed in a certain direction), used the sun, and a few spent shells to mark places we could come back to in exploring our way back. I ran into an old trappers cabin. I was already planning on using as a backup plan for shelter , had we not found our way back. I really thought we were in trouble, and this was the WRONG place to get lost, no roads for miles found our way out to another piece of grouse nirvana. The fact we ended up with zero for the day didn't matter. We had a large cheeseburger, a new cover, and the experience of truly being lost and working our way out of it, a very valuable lesson.

Doves, smiles, and one proud dad.

Its a treat when you get to experience a young hunters first bird. I was part of that rare occurrence today when my good friend and hunting partner Randy and his two boys along with my own father decided this morning was going to be a father/son dove hunt.
Wyatt is participating in the "mentor" program in Wisconsin, which requires a full time guardian remain gunless to watch and observe children under 12 in their first hunt. I had lukewarm feelings regarding this new program as I thought in was just to young to allow a loaded firearm in the hands of a child.  I now believe that their are some people that can do just fine with this program, Wyatt being one of them.
He was extremely careful regarding his own safety, and the safety of others during this exciting time in a young mans life. The exciting part was watching his eyes after seeing the first bird he shot at go down in a puff of feathers. He is an extremely cerebral, even keeled, and regimented child (just like his father), but even I could see the smile inside of this proud young man. It was a just a treat to see his confidence erupt on more birds, and to see him start to swing the gun naturally with each passing shot.
His loyal partner in crime and younger brother Ben got into the action holding up our BIG PRIZE pigeon in which they made no bones about turning into some BBQ wings on the grill.
It was a special day with my father also, seeing him on HIS first dove hunt, and him enjoying "live sporting clays", as he calls this new endeavour. So many smiles, burnt powder, great retrieves, and memories made. Man, life is good.

Rest in Peace Jon

Yesterday i got the word that nobody ever wants to hear. That a close hunting partner and friend was killed in an auto accident. John and I have hunted everything from Grouse to Geese together even attending Packer games from time to time.
I am as much in shock right now as I am saddened. That man would give you the shirt off his back, and do it smiling. We shared some great times together, and made some outstanding memories. He leaves behind a 3 year old daughter, a fantastic wife, and one helluva great Black Lab.
Rest in peace buddy, I will miss you so very much. Not one hunting season will ever go by without me thinking about the times we've had.
The "good" dying young , doesn't even start to explain the person you were. I HOPE THE WIND AND SUN ARE AT YOUR BACK,  the birds are on the deck, and you have plenty of that strong coffee you always loved. youre with God now, a great place to be, but were gonna miss you here

The "Land of the Giants", Amongst Bears of many colors

Every guide has a story, about a place where fish a bigger than everywhere else, that's their "secret place." Josh Steinmetz is no different. He and his father named this place , and we didn't see another soul all day (no kidding). He blindfolds you when he brings you up here, and swears you to secrecy. I've known josh going on a decade and he always speaks so highly of this place. Early in my flyfishing career i couldn't handle this place, I broke off EVERYTHING I hooked; not the case anymore. We had such UNREAL fishing up here we decided to call it a day by 1 pm, keep in mind we started at about 9 am. This place isn't measured in hookups, or fish landed; it's measured in doubles. We happened to have 15 doubles this day, and the SMALLEST fish (NO exaggeration) was 18 inches. I know it sounds like a fish story, but the only way to see if I'm telling the truth is to book with Josh and see for yourself. Randy is pictured with a 23 incher here, and I lost one right at the boat that Josh said was at LEAST two feet, and I have never had a fight like that fish, into my backing three times. the SCARY part is Josh showed me some pics he had from the last 4 years including a 34 inch brown trout and a 31 inch rainbow. Its truly something you have to see to believe.
After fishing we went up to Josh's property he big game hunts on, seeing a cinnamon, black and chocolate colored black bear all within 100 years of each other, heard a elk bugle, heard a wolf howl, and have never felt so alive in my life. Montana will always bring me back, I just hope she stays exactly same way she is now. The last great place.

A COMEDY of errors

What a comedy of errors, i hooked and landed a great brown trout within the first 5 minutes of putting the boat this morning and Randy landed another 20 inch rainbow, but upon a picture taking opportunity,  i kicked in Josh favorite net in about 12 feet of water, needless to say we rowed back to the launch and I bought Josh a new net, we were giggling from the cluster of you know what that ensued. In a matter of two minutes i threw a brown trout at Randy (as it slipped) from my hands, kicked in a net, and Josh dropped his brand new goose call in the water in a matter of minutes. WE were all laughing so hard, we were afraid to continue on the day, but we did anyway. WE fished hopper patterns in the afternoon, with a little success, but the morning was much better. I have some nice pictures, but blogger seems to have a hard time putting them up today,
We had a great day again, saw about 100 Elk to start off the day, met a a bar tender who grew up in Wisconsin and charged us 20 dollars to drink all evening, and a Giant Saint Bernard who is smart enough to open its own treat container.

Oh What a beautiful morning!

Oh what a beautiful day!
What can I say? 20 inch rainbows, Sunny skies, light breezes. plenty of Trout Slayer and Fat tire ale. It simply doesn't get any better than this. We found one great pod of risers on PMD's right off the bat today, but we blew it on probably 5 GREAT very large fish, three break offs, and two simple misses. These fish on the MO are so ABSOLUTELY strong they are like nothing I've ever fought anywhere. Their basicly like steelhead. I got to see Randy get taken to his backing on his first ever Montana rainbow. A great steak dinner followed by homemade blueberry pie and tips from the local pros on techniques just makes the trip complete. Oh what a beautiful life!  I'll be back tomorrow for an update!

KNOCK ON WOOD!

I FINALLY got that crazy HIGH GLOSS browning finish off the gun that performs for me on live birds year in and year out. This Browning superlight feather 16 ga is a thing of beaty. I have no idea why, but NOW it feels like it has the respect it deserves. I have always been a fan of deep oil finishes, and this was came through with flying colors. After seeing a sample of what the wood work gunsmith at Williams gun sight can do in southwest Michigan, I HAD to send this gun to se what he could "bring out. For 200 dollars I was shocked and amazed at what he did. I easily would have paid TWICE that much. I love the satin type finish he put on this gun, and it really adds a lot of character. I'm hoping she feels as good about her new looks at I do, and hopefully it helps her shoot even better at this seasons grouse. Life is GOOD with a stack barrel of 6 lbs in your hands! I leave SUNDAY for my Montana trout trip and will be giving nightly updates with pictures, so from Tunday to Thursday, TUNE IN, and feel free to comment!