Field Notes: Winter 2025

FIELDNOTES WI NTER | 2 0 2 5

A LOOK INSIDE: EL MONTE, ARGENTINA NO NAME LODGE, PUERTO RICO TRENTINO, ITALY THE SEYCHELLES MISSOURI RIVER, MONTANA

contents S A LT W AT E R

07

intro & welcome

SHARED EXPERIENCES & FINDING CONNECTION IN THE BIG OUTDOORS BY MIKE FITZGERALD

11 L E G A C I E S TALES OF WINGSHOOTING AT EL MONTE, ARGENTINA

BY JACK STEPHENS

21 A L O D G E W I T H N O N A M E TARPON & PERMIT, NO PASSPORT REQUIRED

BY HANK INGRAM

29 TA K E T H E S H O T 31

SMARTPHONE PHOTO TIPS

BY BRIAN O'KEEFE

37 S E Y C H E L L E S T I D E S THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TIDES

BY RYAN FOSTER

F R E S H W AT E R

45

' S I N I S T E R ' F I S H I N G I N I TA LY TROUT IN THE WINE VALLEYS OF ITALY

BY KRISTENE FITZGERALD

55

A P P R E C I AT I N G T H E D I M P L E S MEMORIES ON THE MISSOURI

BY JOE LINSCOTT

63

WHIP FINISH

THE TRIGGER WIGGLER

BY JONATHAN KILEY

1 FIELDNOTES

WINGSHOOTING

" ...a unique, old-world experience...with tens of millions of resident dove, and wild pigeons that have reached biblical plague proportions..."

Cover Photo Courtesy of Blue Safari Fly Fishing

FIELDNOTES 2

meettheAUTHORS MI KE F I T Z G E R A LD As s o n o f th e F r o n t ie r s f o u n de r s, M ike F it z ge r ald, J r . wa s b ro u g h t up in the o u t do o r t r ave l bu sin e ss. Wit h 4 0 + ye ar s o f e xte n s i v e internatio nal f ly f ish in g an d win g-sh o o t in g f ie ld e x p e ri e n c e , h e has an intim at e kn o wle dge o f all o f o u r sp o r t in g ve n u e s. To d a y a s Pres ident, h e is st ill q u it e in vo lve d wit h sale s. M ike lo ve s to tra v e l w ith his fly r o ds, sh o t gu n s, an d c am e r as. H e is also pa s s i o n a te ab o ut co nse r vat io n , h avin g h e ld B o ar d p o sit io n s wit h A m e ri c a n Fly Fis hing T r ade Asso c iat io n , T h e o do r e R o o se ve lt Co n s e rv a ti o n Partners hip , an d B o n e f ish & T ar p o n T r u st . Ou t side t h e o f f i c e y o u w ill find Mike p layin g t h e bass in t wo ban ds, wo r kin g with h i s b i rd do gs o r s ne akin g o f f t o M o n t an a t o ski.

W I L L I A M "J AC K " S T E P H E N S W illiam “J ac k” St e p h e n s is a f o r m e r F o r t u n e 1 0 0 e xe c u ti v e , no w a s uc c e ssf u l n o ve list , o u t do o r sp o r t swr it e r , an d l i f e s ty l e trans fo rmat io n advo c at e wh o se wo r k is in f lu e n c in g t h e l i v e s o f peo ple all ove r t h e wo r ld. J ac k did wh at so m an y f an t asiz e a b o u t … left his caree r as a t o p -t ie r e x e c u t ive , so ld e ve r yt h in g h e o w n e d , a n d mo v ed to th e “ E n d o f t h e Wo r ld” t o f o llo w a dr e am . J ac k v e n tu re d into the Ande s M o u n t ain s o f P at ago n ia t o f in d o u t wh o h e re a l l y w as and ret u r n e d as a su c c e ssf u l au t h o r . H e h as p u bli s h e d f i v e fictio nal w or ks sin c e 2 0 1 7 , an d h is f ir st t wo n o ve ls, W h e re Th e Green Star F alls an d An dalu sian Le gac y, h ave be e n ac q u i re d f o r adaptatio n t o a t e le visio n se r ie s. H e n o w sp lit s h is t im e b e tw e e n his ho me in P at ago n ia an d t h e sm all t o wn o f F air h o p e , A l a b a m a .

3 FIELDNOTES

H A N K I N G R AM J o ining Fro n t ie r s in 1 9 9 9 as t h e B ah am as e x p e r t , H an k h a s w o rk e d his w ay up t h e r an ks o ve r 2 5 ye ar s an d is n o w t h e D i re c to r o f Spo rting Trave l f o r t h e c o m p an y. In t r o du c e d t o f ly f i s h i n g o n Chautauqu a Lake , N Y at t h e age o f 1 2 , H an k f o llo we d h i s pa s s i o n to I daho an d t h e n o n t o f o u r c o n t in e n t s, c o u n t le ss c o u n tri e s a n d o ceans and c o u n t in g o ve r 4 5 ye ar s. An avid f ly f ish e r a n d g ra v e l cyclis t, H an k n o t o n ly e n jo ys in t e r n at io n al t r ave l bu t al s o l o c a l l y re-dis co v eri n g P A an d t h e U n it e d St at e s, wan de r in g t h o u s a n d s o f miles o f gra ve l r o ad, f ly r o d o r bike in h an d, h is t e ar dr op c a m pe r in to w , in s e ar c h o f abu n dan t h at c h e s an d aban do n e d wil d n e rn e s s .

B RI A N O 'K E E F E Brian has sp e n t a lif e t im e c o m bin in g f ly f ish in g an d p h oto g ra ph y , trav eling to r e m o t e de st in at io n s like C u ba, N e w Z e ala n d , C h i l e , Kenya, and be yo n d. Wh ile h e e n jo ys e x p lo r in g glo bal f ish e ri e s , h e ’ s equally dev o t e d t o h is h o m e wat e r s.Af t e r m o vin g t o B e n d , O re g o n , in 1975, he gu ide d o n t h e De sc h u t e s, N o r t h U m p q u a, an d K l a m a th Riv ers . Ov e r t h e ye ar s, h e h as live d o n st e e lh e ad r ive r s, b a s s l a k e s , and tro ut s t r e am s like t h e M e t o liu s. N o w base d in E ast e r n I d a h o , h e fis hes the So u t h F o r k o f t h e Sn ake , t h e T e t o n , an d t h e H e n ry ’ s F o rk .

H is pho to gr ap h y h as be e n f e at u r e d in t o p f ly f ish in g p u b l i c a ti o n s , and he s p e n t se ve n ye ar s as c o -o wn e r o f C at c h M ag a z i n e . F o r Brian, fly f ish in g isn ’ t ju st a p assio n — it ’ s a way o f lif e .

RY A N F O S T E R Co ns erv ation ist , p h o t o gr ap h e r , f ly f ish in g gu ide , f ish e r m a n a n d adv enture se e ke r . R yan h as o ve r 1 4 ye ar s o f f ly f ish in g e xpe ri e n c e and 5 year s o f e x p e r ie n c e in t h e f ly f ish in g t r ave l i n d u s try .

Curating fly f ish in g t r ip s o f a lif e t im e f o r B lu e Saf ar i F l y F i s h i n g in the Seych e lle s is wh at o c c u p ie s m o st o f h is t im e n o w . H i s ti m e s p ent guidi n g in t h e o u t e r islan ds o f t h e Se yc h e lle s h as g i v e n h i m an in-depth u n de r st an din g o f t h e dive r se f ish e r ie s an d spe c i e s th e Seychelles h as t o o f f e r . In h is do wn t im e , h e e x p lo r e s Af r ic a l o o k i n g fo r unto uch e d p lac e s an d n e w sp e c ie s t o t ar ge t o n f ly.

FIELDNOTES 4

KRI ST E N E F I T Z G E R ALD Kris tene Fitzge r ald h as be e n wit h F r o n t ie r s sin c e 2 0 0 5 an d b ri n g s a w ealth o f kn o wle dge an d e x p e r ie n c e t o h e r r o le . P a s s i o n a te ab o ut the o u t do o r s, sh e e n jo ys f ly f ish in g, h ikin g, p h o t og ra ph y , b eekeeping, gar de n in g, c o o kin g, an d sc u ba divin g ( o n e o f th e f e w certified div e r s o n st af f ) . Kr ist e n e m an age s t h e f ish in g pro g ra m s in the So uth P ac if ic , Ir e lan d, Slo ve n ia, Sp ain , It aly, a n d th e Britis h I s les . H e r t r ave l e x p e r t ise e x t e n ds glo bally allo w i n g h e r to help clien t s c r e at e p e r so n aliz e d it in e r ar ie s f o r f ly f ish i n g , g o l f , s ights eeing, an d o t h e r sp o r t in g an d n o n sp o r t in g ac t ivit ie s . W h e n no t trav eling o r wo r kin g, Kr ist e n e e n jo ys skiin g, c u lt iva ti n g h e r garden, ex pe r im e n t in g in t h e kit c h e n , an d e m br ac in g su s ta i n a b l e liv ing.

J OE L I N SC O T T Gro w ing up in M ain e , J o e sp e n t h is c h ildh o o d e x p lo r in g ri v e rs , s treams , and f o r e st s, wh e r e h e f ir st de ve lo p e d h is lo ve f o r f l y fis hing and sh o o t in g. T h o se e ar ly adve n t u r e s sp ar ke d a p as s i o n f o r the o utdo o rs t h at h as t ake n h im ar o u n d t h e wo r ld. F o r t h e pa s t 18 years , J o e ha s m an age d f ish in g p r o gr am s f o r t h e B ah am as , B e l i z e , and Chris tmas Islan d, alo n g wit h U .S. win gsh o o t in g de sti n a ti o n s and a v arie t y o f salt wat e r an d big gam e h u n t in g adv e n tu re s .

H e b rings a we alt h o f e x p e r ie n c e an d a r e lax e d, kn o wle d g e a b l e app ro ach to h e lp in g c lie n t s p lan t h e ir n e x t t r ip .

J ON A T H A N K I LE Y J o nathan Kile y is a p r o f e ssio n al f ly t ye r an d t h e o wn e r o f F l y Skinz LLC. W it h a lif e lo n g p assio n f o r f ly t yin g, h e h as s pe n t th e pas t 12 year s in ve n t in g an d m an u f ac t u r in g m at e r ials f o r th e fly tying ind u st r y. H is p r o du c t s ar e available t h r o u gh h i s o n l i n e s to re, w w w .flyskin z .c o m , an d ar e also dist r ibu t e d n at io n w i d e b y H areline Dub bin . J o n at h an c o n side r s h im se lf a st u de n t o f n a tu re , draw ing ins pir at io n f r o m it s be au t y t o c r e at e f lie s t h at e m u l a te th e mo v ement fou n d in aq u at ic e n vir o n m e n t s. H e is de e p ly p a s s i o n a te ab o ut the ph ysic s an d sc ie n c e be h in d f ly t yin g an d e n jo ys s h a ri n g his kno w ledg e wit h f e llo w an gle r s. F o r h im , f ly f ish in g is a s pi ri tu a l ex p erience th at p r o vide s bo t h in sp ir at io n an d t h e r ap e u t ic re l i e f .

5 FIELDNOTES

LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH NO ONE.

AD SPACE

Escape the ordinary and chase the extraordinary. Leave everything that’s mundane in your wake — and embrace all of the adventures that await between point A and point B. You get one life. Fish it Well.

SHARED

EXPERIENCES

OUTDOORS B Y M IKE FITZG ERALD

7 FIELDNOTES

The r hy t hmi c r i s i ng of br ow n t r out dur i ng a p r o l i f i c h at c h .

The s udde n e xpl os i on of w i ng s (w i t h a s i m u l t an e o u s a dr e na l i ne r us h) a s a cov e y of qua i l fl us he s f r o m c o v e r .

The s e a r e mome nt s t ha t ma ke fl y fi s h i n g an d b i r d s hoot i ng s o de e pl y s a t i s fy i ng - - mome nt s t h at l i n ge r i n t he mi nd l ong a ft e r t he s un s e t s on a p e r f e c t d ay out door s . B ut t he y a r e mor e t ha n j us t mem o r i e s ; t h e y a r e oppor t uni t i e s . F or t hos e of us for t una t e e n o u gh t o e xpe r i e nce t he s e t r a di t i ons , s ha r i ng t he m w i t h o t h e r s , e s pe ci a l l y y oung e r g e ne r a t i ons , e ns ure s t h at t h e out door l e g a cy cont i nue s t o t hr i v e .

O utdo or s is n ot p art of my l i fe … It i s my l i f e . I was f ortunate to grow up i n t hi s bu si n ess a n d whe n I am not i n the fi e l d, I a m wo r kin g hard at the offi ce to s ha r e th e s e ex per ience s wi th trave l e rs l i ke y ou to e njoy wh en t he y can al so b e outd oor s .

A t i t s h ea r t, f ly-fi shi ng and b i rd -sho ot i ng a re n o t ju st ab out ski l l , p ati e nc e , or su c cess. T h ey are ab out a conne cti on t o th e na tu r al worl d , to the fi sh and w i l dl i fe th a t ma k e it vi b rant, and , p e rhap s mos t i m po r tan tly, to e ach othe r. In a w or l d i n c r e a sin gly domi nate d b y te chnol ogy a nd i n door distr ac t i ons, conne cti ng wi t h t he n a t u r al wo r ld through the se trad i ti ons ha s n e v e r been more vi tal .

A sk a n y sea sone d angl e r or wi ng -shoot e r a b o ut th eir m ost me morab l e d ays a fi e l d, a nd c h an c es a re i t won’t b e the si ze of t he f i s h, o r th e n u mb e r of b i rd s shot. It w i l l be th e p eo ple wh o share d the e xp e ri e n ce … a

fi r s t ca s t w i t h a chi l d, a mi s s e d s h o t f o l l o w e d by l a ug ht e r (a l ong w i t h t ha t cl as s i c l o o k fr om y our dog a ng r y y ou mi s s e d ) , o r t h e g l ow of a ccompl i s hme nt on a yo u n g f ac e w he n i t a l l fi na l l y cl i cks . Te a chi ng s o m e o n e ne w , e s pe ci a l l y a y oung pe r s o n , i s n o t j us t r e w a r di ng ; i t ’s t r a ns for ma t i o n al . It ’ s a bout cr e a t i ng a l i fe l ong pa s s i o n f o r t h e out door s .

One of the most powerful aspects of outdoor pur s ui t s i s how t he y br i ng g e n e r at i o n s t og e t he r . A g r a ndfa t he r t e a c h i n g h i s g r a nds on t o t i e a fl y , or a mot he r s h o w i n g he r da ug ht e r how t o a ppr oa ch a b i r d d o g’ s poi nt . The s e mome nt s cr e a t e b o n d s t h at t r a ns ce nd a g e , g e nde r , a nd ba c k gr o u n d .

I n ma ny w a y s , t he out door s i s a gr e at e qua l i ze r . I t doe s n’t ma t t e r h o w m u c h mone y y ou ma ke , w ha t j ob y o u h o l d , o r w he r e y ou l i v e . Whe n y ou’r e s t an d i n g i n

Photos Courtesy of Nick Swingle

FIELDNOTES 8

a ri v er or walking through a fi e l d , al l t ha t m a t ter s is th e exp e ri e nce you share . F or y o un ger pa r tici p ants, the se mom e nt s a re also a r emi nd e r of the wi sd om a nd e xper tise th a t ol d e r g e ne rati ons hol d.

fl y fi s hi ng a nd bi r d s hoot i ng . A s an gl e r s a nd hunt e r s , w e a r e s t e w a r d s o f t h e e nv i r onme nt , a nd i t i s our r e s pon s i b i l i t y t o i ns t i l l t ha t e t hi c i n t hos e w e l ov e, b e f r i e n d , or me nt or .

I t o ok m an y tri p s wi th my fathe r a nd g ra ndf ath er to ge the r – thre e g e ne ra t i ons to g e t h er in th e fi e l d on the same t r i p, i n c l u din g f la ts fi shi ng i n Me xi co a nd Ch r i s tm as Island , shooti ng d ove s i n Co l o m bia, dr iven p artri d ge i n Sp ai n a nd m u l tiple tr ips to Ice l and for salmon.

T he s e wer e wond e rful e xp e d i ti ons in my y o uth an d ar e tri p s I wi l l ne ve r forge t . The l a ug hs, com r a d e ry, and b e i ng i n na t ur e tr um ped th e c atch or the ki l l . It was about be i ng o u tdo or s wi th fami l y, trad i ti on, a nd e xper ien cin g n ew hab i tats and cul tur e .

Te a chi ng a y oung a ng l e r a bo u t c at c h a nd- r e l e a s e pr a ct i ce s or s how in g a n e w hunt e r how t o s uppor t ha bi t a t r e s t o r at i o n pr oj e ct s cr e a t e s a r i ppl e e ffe ct . W h e n t h e y unde r s t a nd t he i nt e r conne ct e d n e s s o f he a l t hy e cos y s t e ms , s us t a i na bl e p r ac t i c e s , a nd t he i r ow n out door e xpe r i e n c e s , t h e y be come a dv oca t e s for cons e r v a t i o n .

O r g a ni za t i ons l i ke Tr out U nl i mi t e d , D u c k s U nl i mi t e d, B one fi s h & Ta r po n T r u s t , t he At l a nt i c S a l mon F e de r a t i o n , an d t he The odor e R oos e v e l t Con s e r v at i o n P a r t ne r s hi p ha v e l ong cha mpi one d t h e r o l e of hunt e r s a nd a ng l e r s i n pr ot e c t i n g o u r na t ur a l r e s our ce s . B y i nv ol v i ng y o u n ge r g e ne r a t i ons i n t he s e e ffor t s , w e e n s u r e t ha t t he out door t r a di t i ons w e l o v e ar e pr e s e r v e d for y e a r s t o come .

Sh a rin g th e outd oors i s not j ust a bout r e c r e a tio n -- it’s ab out e nsuri ng the fut ur e o f th e lan dsca p e s and wi l d l i fe we che r i s h.

Co nser va tio n li e s at the he art of bot h

M ode r n l i fe oft e n pul l s mos t o f u s aw ay fr om t he out door s . O ne of t he gr e at e s t g i ft s , one of t he g r e a t e s t a ct s of l o v e , t h at w e ca n offe r i s t i me . I n a bus y w o r l d , a f e w uni nt e r r upt e d hour s s pe nt t og e t h e r o n t he w a t e r or i n t he fi e l d ca n l e a v e a l as t i n g i mpr e s s i on. The s e e xpe r i e nce s r e m i n d us of t he pe a ce a nd ful fi l l me nt f o u n d i n na t ur e - - a s t a r k cont r a s t t o t he n o i s e an d di s t r a ct i on of mode r n l i fe .

I t ha s be e n a w onde r ful j oy t o t r a v e l w i t h m y s t e ps on, J e r e my . I be ca me pa r t o f h i s l i f e w he n he w a s i n mi ddl e s chool . W e s t ar t e d fl y fi s hi ng t og e t he r on P e nns y l v an i a t r o u t s t r e a ms a nd t he n M ont a na . H e b e c am e pr ofi ci e nt w i t h a s hot g un, a nd ear l y o n w e hunt e d a fa i r s ha r e of phe a s a nt s o v e r o u r l a br a dor , H a g g i n.

9 FIELDNOTES

T o da y at age 30, Je re my and I have s e e n a l o t of th e worl d toge the r. I was w i t h h i m f o r h is f ir s t trout, b one fi sh, p er mi t , ta rpon , sailf ish and d orad o on a f l y . I sa w h im sh oot hi s fi rst d ove , p e rd i z, a nd sta g in A r gen tina, p l us p he asant, chuka r , H u n gar ia n pa rtri d g e , q uai l , and dr i v e n r e d- l egged pa r t ri d ge i n othe r p arts of t he wo rl d. It’s been i ncre d i b l e to se e hi s l ov e a nd r espect f or the outd oors grow. We r e c e ntly r etu r n ed from the Mangrove Ca y Cl u b in th e Bahamas whe re we b oth ha d a n i ncr edible f ishi ng e xp e ri e nce toget he r .

U l ti m ately, sh a ri ng the outd oors i s a bout c r e a t in g lastin g me mori e s and whe n i t 's

w i t h a y oung e r g e ne r a t i on, i t c an l e ad t o l i fe - cha ng i ng mome nt s a nd a m o r e me a ni ng ful l e g a cy . I t ’s a bout e ns u r i n g t h at the t r adi t i ons of fl y fi shi ng and bi r d sho oti ng don’t e nd w i t h us but cont i nue t o b r i n g j o y a nd pur pos e t o fut ur e g e ne r a t i o n s . T h e s e t r a di t i ons s e r v e a s a r e mi nde r of o u r r o o t s a nd our r e s pons i bi l i t y t o t he na t u r al w o r l d .

The y t e a ch us t o s l ow dow n, t o ap p r e c i at e t he be a ut y a r ound us , a nd t o co n n e c t w i t h e a ch ot he r i n me a ni ng ful w a y s .

And by s ha r i ng t hos e mome nt s w i t h o t h e r s , w e ca n e ns ur e t ha t conne ct i on en d u r e s .

M i k e Fitzger ald Ow ne r o f F r o n t ie r s T r ave l

FIELDNOTES 10

T

he re are those w ho mi g ht be l i e v e t ha t a l e g a cy , some thi ng p ass e d fr om one g e ne r a t i on t o t he ne xt , must b e a p hysi ca l obj e ct . A t hi ng t ha t once he l d g r e a t p e rsonal or se nti me nt a l v a l ue t o i t ’s ow ne r a nd s ur v i v e s t he ravag e s of ti me to b e l ong t o a not he r . I t mi g ht be s ome t hi ng as si mp l e as a tool , a ca r , or a fi ne s hot g un t ha t fi nds i t s w a y through the hand s of g e ne r a t i ons of hunt e r s .

But I woul d argue that a l e g a cy ca n t a ke a not he r for m … t ha t of p assi on and ap p re ci a t i on for a w a y of l i fe .

I p ause d for a mom e nt a nd g l a nce d ov e r a t my fr i e nd, Ne l son, as he caug ht my e y e a nd s mi l e d. We l i s t e ne d care ful l y for the te l l ta l e e cho of t hunde r i ng g uns fr om t he ne i g hb ori ng fi e l d s, as w oul d be e xpe ct e d on t he fi r s t da y of d ove shooti ng, b ut sav e for a l i g ht br e e ze w hi s t l i ng t hr oug h the tre e s, the re was onl y s i l e nce . O ur pa r t y of fr i e nds a nd fami l y we re ab sol ute l y a l one , but t he n, t hi s w a s Ar g e nt i na .

Many ye ars ag o, I was pr i v i l e g e d t o be he r e w i t h N e l s on a nd hi s wi fe , C hri sty, whe n t he y a r r i v e d for t he i r fi r s t a dv e nt ur e

11 FIELDNOTES

LEGACIES OF Argentina GENERATIONS OF WINGSHOOTING

BY JACK STEPHE N S

FIELDNOTES 12

Christy, Nelson, Catalina, & Reese

13 FIELDNOTES

t o w i ngsh o ot in thi s vast fe rti l e val l e y i n t he c e n tr al plain o f San Lui s Provi nce . I sol a t e d f ro m th e r est o f t he shooti ng worl d b y t he C o m e n c h igo n es Mountai ns to the e a s t , i t’ s th e stu f f of d re ams, the und i scove r e d m e c c a of bir d h unti ng i n South Ame ri ca .

A nd n ow, wh er e I once stood i n the ba ck of th e blin d gui d i ng the i r e ye s to t he i n c o m i n g str eak s and cal l i ng the i r shot s , i t w a s Nelson watchi ng ove r hi s son, Re e ce , t e a c h i n g h im to f ind hi s targe ts at a fur i ous pace.

Ne l s o n an d Ch r is ty have mad e the i r l ov e of t h e o u tdo or s a n d sp orti ng ad ve nture s a n i n te g r al pa r t o f the i r l i ve s, b l e nd i ng i t w i t h b u sy c ar eer s an d rai si ng a fami l y. As t he i r

s on a nd da ug ht e r g r e w , t he y i nt r o d u c e d t he m t o hi ki ng i n t he R ocki e s , r a f t i n g an d fl y fi s hi ng i n w e s t e r n s t r e a ms , a n d w i n gs hoot i ng i n t he r ug g e d Te xa s b r u s h . It w a s onl y na t ur a l t ha t w he n t hey w e r e ol d e noug h t o a ppr e ci a t e i t , t he y w o u l d br i ng t he m t o t he i r fa v or i t e de s t i n at i o n i n S out h Ame r i ca for t he i r fi r s t w or l d - c l as s a dv e nt ur e .

Whi l e t he bul k of t he t r a v e l i ng hu n t e r s go t o Cor doba t o s hoot i n t he dov e f ac t o r y ; a uni que , ol d- w or l d e xpe r i e nce l ay s o n t he ot he r s i de of t he mount a i n pa s s , w i t h t e ns of mi l l i ons of r e s i de nt dov e , a n d w i l d pi g e ons t ha t ha v e r e a che d bi bl i cal p l agu e pr opor t i ons . R e e s e a nd hi s s i s t e r , C at al i n a,

About EL MONTE E l e g a n t Ac c o m m o d a t io n s – A t ast efully home wit h six ensuit e b e d ro o ms , f l e xi b l e f or tw i n or king beds.

E x c l u s i v e P r iva t e Ac c es s – Priv at e flight s can land just m i n u t e s f r om the l od ge Go u r m e t Field D in in g – E nj oy a safari- st y le t ent ed Asado b a rb e c u e l unc h i n the f i e l d B e y on d t h e H u n t – G ue sts c an enjo y horseback riding, shopping, a rt i s a n v i s i ts, and ol i ve oi l tours.

L O D G E D E TA I L S

Ne s tle d i n A rg e nti na’s p ri me p i ge on and do v e hunt ing region, El Mo nt e Lo d g e o f f e rs a re f i ne d sp orti ng e xperience.

S e a m l e s s Co n n ec t ivit y – Compliment ary Wi- Fi ensure comfort t h ro u g h o ut your stay.

E f f o r t l e s s Lo g is t ic s – Laund ry serv ice av ailable fo r sho rt st ay s, a n d a l l me al s, d ri nk s, and an open bar are included.

C o n t a c t E l aine Wissolik, our S o uth America Wings ho o ting Exp ert

FIELDNOTES 14

As with every hunter

who comes here for the first time, it was an otherworldly experience.

15 FIELDNOTES

w e r e abo u t to take a ste p b ack i n ti m e t o t he m a gic of El Monte Lod g e .

O wn e d by Ju a n a nd Mari a Al b e rd i , El Mont e i s th e on ly f u ll-se rvi ce wi ngshooti ng l o dg e i n t h e r ic h cen tr al val l e y ( Val l e d e l C onl a r a ) o f Sa n Lu is. It’s an i mmacul ate re stora t i on o f a 100-plu s-year-ol d re si d e nce b ui l t by t he B r i tish r a ilr o ad e ngi ne e rs i n Arge nt i na .

W i th 14-f oot ceil i ngs, ori gi nal Eng l i sh O a k flooring, expansive guest rooms with private b a th s a n d a n tique furni ture , i t harke ns b a c k t o an er a o f Vi ctori an e l e g ance . Ope n l i v i ng a r ea s pr ovi d e p l e nty of room t o l o u n g e in c o m f o rt whe n you’re not i n t he f i e l d , or f or n on-hunti ng comp ani ons t o r e l a x . For th ose who p re fe r the outd o or s , t he re a r e sh a ded gal l e ri e s surround i ng t he l o dge, a n d a coup l e of acre s worth of ma ni c u r ed gar de ns to roam.

F or R e e s e a nd Ca t a , i t ope ne d t he i r e y e s t o a s t y l e of ol d- w or l d s por t i ng e l e g a n c e an d cul t ur e t ha t ca n’t be found i n t he n o r t h e r n he mi s phe r e , a l ong w i t h t he pe r fe c t b l e n d of l oca t i on, pe r s ona l s e r v i ce , a nd u n r i v al e d dov e a nd pi g e on s hoot i ng .

O n t he i r fi r s t mor ni ng hunt , R e es e w i t h hi s fa t he r , a nd Ca t a w i t h he r m o t h e r , found t he ms e l v e s i n bl i nds be neat h t h e t ur ni ng bl ue s ky w i t h a ma r bl e d Be r e t t a s t ock t ucke d t i g ht l y a g a i ns t t he i r c h e e k s , a s t hous a nds of s t r e a ki ng w i ngs r ac e d a cr os s t he i r v i e w . As w i t h e v e r y h u n t e r w ho come s he r e for t he fi r s t t i me , i t w as an ot he r w or l dl y e xpe r i e nce . The y s a w b i r d s i n numbe r s t he y ne v e r i ma g i ne d e xi s t e d . A s t he i r onl y pr e v i ous s hoot i ng e xp e r i e n c e w a s i n t he r ol l i ng Te xa s hi l l count r y , t h e y s t a r t e d count i ng bi r ds , but w i t hi n m i n u t e s

FIELDNOTES 16

Travel Insurance for Close to Home or Around the Globe.

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21 15 FIELDNOTES FIELDNOTES

r e a l i z ed th e f uti l i ty of tryi ng to k e e p sc o re . T h is wo u l d b e a d ay of unl i mi t e d o p po rtu n ity, measure d i n b oxe s of sh e l l s r a th e r th an bir ds i n hand .

I wa t ch ed th em, fathe r and son, mo t he r a nd d au gh ter , worki ng toge the r ov e r th e n ex t sever al hours, stand i ng ami d a g ro w i ng r a f t of c ri mson she l l casi ngs a s a n e ndl e s s sea of e are d d ove and i ri d e sce nt pi g e o ns en veloped the m i n rol l i ng wav e s .

B o t h par en ts coachi ng, che e ri ng, a nd sh o o tin g h er e a nd the re , i t was a mom e nt o f s ha r in g th at onl y p ause d for a cool dr i nk a nd a f ew m in u te s i n a comfortab l e cha i r wh e n th ey n eeded to catch the i r b rea t h.

T he s cen e wa s re mi ni sce nt of tal e s I ’v e r e a d by Hem in gw ay of faraway p l ace s a nd da y s g o n e by, th e ve ry thi ng s I e nvi si o ne d wh e n I took u p the scatte rg un for the fi r s t ti m e . T o wa tc h it b e i ng p asse d to the ne xt g e n e ratio n was the p e rfe ct e nd i ng t o a li f e - l o n g sto r y.

Lunch is brought to the field daily

FIELDNOTES 38 18

L u n ch a wa ited us und e r a b road s ha di ng t e nt, br o u gh t to the fi e l d and p r e pa r e d b y a ch ef , and agai n the l e gacy g r e w a s Ar g en tin e c u isi ne b road e ne d the i r pa l a t e .

Af t er th e m eal the fami l y found the i r w a y t o c h air s lin e d up al ong the e d ge of t he hu n tin g f ield, to si t and watch the bi r df i l l ed sky. I c h ose i nste ad to fi nd a ha mmock hu n g ben eath a wi d e carob tre e , a nd na p f o r a wh ile be fore he ari ng the aft e r noon c a ll to th e gu n.

W a tc h in g th is fami l y tog e the r, I c oul dn’t help bu t th ink ab out my own fathe r w ho l e f t th is wor ld d e cad e s ago. H e had l i t t l e i n

t he w a y of ma t e r i a l pos s e s s i ons t h at m i gh t qua l i fy a s w or t hy of be i ng a l e gac y , b u t he s ha r e d hi s pa s s i ons w i t h m e . S o m e o f t hos e be ca me pa s s i ons of my o w n . It w as t ha t l ov e for t he l i fe a fi e l d t ha t c al l e d m e t o Ar g e nt i na ma ny y e a r s a g o an d h as k e p t me he r e for s uch a l ong t i me .

Thos e a r e t he t r ue l e g a ci e s of t h i s w o r l d .

The t hi ng s t ha t i g ni t e a fi r e i n s i d e u s an d dr i v e us t o t e s t our bounda r i e s , e x p l o r e ne w pl a ce s , e mbr a ce ne w cu l t u r e s , an d l e a r n t o l ov e a w a y of l i fe s o dear l y t h at w e w a nt t o pa s s i t on.

Photos Courtesy of El Monte Lodge

19 FIELDNOTES

Extend your journey Pa ta g o n i a & T o r r es d el P ain e – Explore dramat ic peaks and p ri s t i n e w i l d e rne ss.

M a c h u P i cc h u & t h e S a c r ed V alley – Walk in t he f o o t s t e p s of the Inc as.

A n ta r c ti c a o r t h e G alá p ag o s – Experience wildlife and l a n d s c a p e s unl i k e anyw he re e lse.

Plan a trip

A tr ip t o E l M o nte Lod ge c an b e j ust t he beginning. So ut h America o f fers a n i n c re d i b l e array of d e sti nat ions, we can craft t he perfect i tin e ra ry t o c o mp l e me nt your stay.

A r g e n ti n a W in e Co u n t r y – Indulge in wo rld- class v int ages B u e n o s Air es o r S a n t ia g o – S oak in cult ure, cuisine, and hist ory .

Co nt a c t E l a i ne Wissolik, our South America Wings ho o ting Expert

FIELDNOTES 20

A LODGE WITH NO NAME

21 FIELDNOTES

TARPON AND PERMIT, NO PASSPORT REQUIRED B Y H A N K I N GR AM

I

n a dif f er ent conte xt, i t sound s l i ke a n i nt e r r og a t i on: “Whe r e a r e y ou fr om , an d w h o do yo u know?” The fi rst i ntroduct i on a nd di s cus s i on w he n hoppi ng a boar d a s k i f f is an a ge-ol d trad i ti on among a ng l e r s a nd g ui de s . B ot h pa r t i e s a r e a t o n c e j o v i al a nd a n a lytic al . As the angl e r, I sub cons ci ous l y a s s e s s e d t he e ng i ne 's hor s e p o w e r an d th e boa t' s c le anl i ne ss, scanni ng the foa m pa t ch of ba t t l e - w or n fl i e s on t he s i d e o f t h e c on sole in a matte r of se cond s. Mea nw hi l e , I ki ndl y offe r e d t o he l p br i ng my fi s h i n g ge ar a b oa r d, givin g the g ui d e an op p ort uni t y t o e v a l ua t e — w i t h e xpe r t i s e a nd pr e j u d i c e — t h e state of my r od s and ri g g i ng.

I m per c eptible to the untrai ne d e y e , t he ca pt a i n’s g a ze l i ng e r e d j us t a momen t l o n ge r o n th e f r esh cork hand l e of my n e w O r v i s 10- w e i g ht r od— a de a d g i v e a w a y , i n m an y sc en ar ios, o f an i ne xp e ri e nce d “s por t . ” (O K, pe r ha ps t he r e a r e s ome comm o n al i t i e s between tr a d e craft and thi s angl i n g t r a di t i on. ) The r e w a s no t i me for s ha me ; I p i v o t e d qu ick ly. “ F l o r ida, yo u say? Whe re ab outs?” h e a s ke d.

FIELDNOTES 22

“The Ta mpa - Cl e a r w a t e r r e pl i e d.

a r e a.

You?”

I

And j us t l i ke t ha t , t he j ocke y in g s t o p p e d .

Addi ng t o t he cur i os i t y a nd f am i l i ar i t y of t hi s t r i p w a s our g ui de fo r t h e s t ay , Ca pt . B r y ce E t t e r . Whi l e s e par at e d b y a g e ne r a t i on, B r y ce a nd I ha d g ro w n u p o n l y a fe w mi l e s a pa r t — by ca r — a n d n e ar l y a s t one ’s t hr ow fr om e a ch ot he r ac r o s s t h e B oca Ci e g a B a y i nt e r coa s t a l w at e r w ay .

The s i de w a y s g l a nce s a nd fo r m al i t i e s o f our i ni t i a l i nt e r a ct i ons g a v e w ay t o t w o g uy s fr om t he ol d ne i g hbor hoo d . Fan t as t i c ba nt e r a nd fi s hi ng g os s i p be t w e e n t h e b o w a nd s t e r n of our M a v e r i ck H P X e n s u e d as w e e xpl or e d s out he a s t e r n P u e r t o R i c o , cha s i ng t a r pon, pe r mi t , a nd s n o o k . It ’ s funny : t he mor e one t r a v e l s t h e w o r l d , t h e s ma l l e r t hi s g r e a t bl ue g l obe f e e l s . T h i s i s undoubt e dl y one of t he cha r ms o f an gl i n g, a nd one I e nj oy i mme ns e l y .

As I s t e ppe d off t he pl a ne i n S an J u an , P ue r t o R i co, a ft e r a s hor t fl i gh t f r o m t h e ma i nl a nd U S A, I fe l t a s t houg h I’ d e n t e r e d t he t w i l i g ht zone . O n one ha n d , I h ad l e f t t he cont i ne nt a l U ni t e d S t a t e s an d ar r i v e d i n a t r opi ca l pa r a di s e . O n t he o t h e r h an d ,

Jumpin'

Tarpon!

23 FIELDNOTES

t h e c u r r en c y was the U S d ol l ar, and I onl y n e e d ed my dr ive r’s l i ce nse to trave l .

P u e rto R ic o is an e xe rci se i n contrast . I t s s ta t u s a s a n u n i ncorp orate d US te rrit or y c re a tes a u n iqu e d ynami c: the he art be a t of th e islan d is that of an e xoti c L a t i n A m e r i ca n cou n try, ye t road si gns a r e w r i t ten in bo th Engl i sh and Sp ani s h.

Wh i l e CV S dr u gst ore s d ot the corne rs, t he n e i g hbor h o od bod e g as te e m wi th acti vi t y .

l a nd. Al ong t he w a y , w e s a w mou n t ai n s — y e s , mount a i ns . Wi t h pe a ks r e a chin g 4 , 3 9 0 fe e t , t he y w a t ch ma j e s t i ca l l y o v e r t h e coa s t l i ne a nd g e ne r a t e t he i r ow n w e at h e r , cr e a t i ng a s t a r k cont r a s t t o t he t em p e r at e s hor e s be l ow . The s e l us h s l ope s w e r e s o ca pt i v a t i ng t ha t I oft e n found my t h o u gh t s s t r a y i ng t o my mount a i n or g r av e l b i k e , onl y t o be s na ppe d ba ck t o t he t as k at ha nd by cr a s hi ng ba i t or a n e xc l am at i o n fr om my boa t ma t e .

M o st visitin g a ngl e rs take a conve ni e nt c o n n ec tin g f ligh t, b ut we op te d to dr i v e f ro m Sa n Ju a n to the se asonal l y sl e e py b e a c h to wn of Boq ue rón to ge t a l ay of t he

F i s hi ng coa s t a l P ue r t o R i co i s a c o n t r as t i n i t s e l f. The P ue r t o R i ca n a r c h i p e l ago ha s a ppr oxi ma t e l y 6 20 mi l e s of c o as t l i n e , w i t h a n e s t i ma t e d 3 75 mi l e s on t h e m ai n

F i s h i n g at n o n a m e l o d g e extend y o u r s tay

A S ki f f -B a s ed Tar po n F is hery N o N a me Lo d ge ’s mob i l e sk i f f p rogram minimiz es run t imes, get t ing ang l e r s on fis h f a s t — o f t e n w i thi n 5–15 mi nut es. Mo rnings st art wit h ro lling juv enile t ar p on i n p r o t e c t e d w ate rs b e f ore shi f ti ng t o laid- up giant s on t he flat s. Light ly pr e s s ur e d fis h ma k e f o r more q ual i ty shots each day . These are resident t arpon and p r ovi d e o p p o rt u n i t y throughout the ye ar.

T h e P er mi t S ur f Walk F ew d e s t i n a t ions of f e r the c hance t o wade fo r permit in t he surf, but P ue r t o Ri co d el i v e rs . St a lk the se tai l i ng f i sh in t he shallo w wash. It ’s a rare, t echnical , and r e w a rd i n g w ay to targe t one of f ly - fishings' t o ughest species.

Co n t a c t J o e Koziar a, O ur Puer t o Rico Exp ert

FIELDNOTES 24

i s l a n d. M o r n in gs b e gan wi th d oub l e Cuba n c o f f ees (a story i n i tse l f) as we se a r che d f o r poddin g tarp on on b ai t b al l s in t he l a g un a s. Fr om the re , we ran e ast and nor t h a l o ng th e coa st, scanni ng for rol l i ng fi s h.

Th e likely spo ts we re ne arl y anywhe r e — s uc h wa s th e tarp on’s ab und ance .

F ro m ju n gle-canop i e d shore l i ne s offe r i ng d e e p poc kets of shad e to mari nas fi l l e d w i t h tir ed sai l b oats and mul ti m i l l i ond o l l ar yac h ts, t o surf-p ound e d se aw a l l s i n s l e e p y f ish in g vi l l age s, the tarp on he l d a c o n sisten t pr ese nce . The y rang e d b e t w e e n 2 0 an d 60 po u nd s, wi th some si gni fica nt l y l a r g er . Pu glisi’s, Toad s, Ti tani cs, a nd G ur gler s all brought fi sh to hand , j oi ne d b y a m yr iad o f custom-ti e d p atte rns fr om C a pt. Br yc e’s pri vate stash.

On e par tic u la r tarp on stand s out . I t p r e sen ted itsel f ne ar a b oul d e r-s t r e w n s e a w a ll in th e b e ach town of Joyuda . A b o ulder th e siz e of a Mi ni C oop e r sat a y a r d f r o m th e deteri orati ng se awal l , form i ng a w hi r lpool th a t mi mi cke d a massi ve dr a i n.

W i th eac h swell , the tarp on sl i d b ac kw a r d up th e wa ll, the n rod e the re tre ati n g t i de d o w n lik e a sl i d e i nto the foam-cov e r e d p o o l. O n m y f irst cast, the fi sh struck my f l y as it slid back d own. I mi sse d , fa i l i ng t o a c cou n t f o r the curre nt, and the t a r pon ro l l e d o f f . Bu t b e fore the ri b b i ng from my b o a tm ates c o ul d b e gi n, the fi sh re s ume d i t s r h yth mic patte rn. Wi se r on my s e cond a tte mpt, I h ooke d the fi sh—a 70-p ound

There are numerous scenarios for targeting the tarpon of

Puerto Rico including flats, mangrove-lined channels and lagoons, weed edges, and crashing baitballs

25 FIELDNOTES

b e a u ty. A f ter showi ng me my b acki ng , m ul ti ple ju m ps, and p l e nty of “b ows to t he K i ng ,” th e tar pon fi nal l y thre w the fl y. I t w a s a t h r i l lin g ex per ie nce and one of d oze ns just l i ke it du r in g thi s tri p .

Th e ta r pon f ishi ng was sp e ctacul ar , a s e x pe c t ed, a n d the snook fi shi ng w a s c l a ssi c . Bu t th e p e rmi t? Those we re h a r d t o be l i eve.

F e e d i n g a n d ta i l i ng i n the wave s at op p a nc ak e f lats, the p e rmi t fi she ry was a c o n tr ast o f its o wn. On the oute r b arr i e r is l a n ds o f th e s outh coast, the i nter i or t u r t l e gr ass f la ts we re p ri sti ne —curi o us l y a bse nt of bon e fi sh b ut te e mi ng w i t h p e rm i t. T h ese fi sh surfe d the wa v e s , fo ra g ed in wh itewate r, and d i sap p e a r e d

j us t a s qui ckl y , r e a ppe a r i ng 40 fee t aw ay .

I t w a s ma dde ni ng , a ddi ct i v e , a nd s o m e o f t he mos t e xci t i ng pe r mi t fi s hi ng I ’ v e e v e r e xpe r i e nce d.

H ooki ng a pe r mi t , how e v e r , i s j u s t t h e be g i nni ng . The s e oce a n- g oi ng fis h d r ag y ou t hr oug h kni fe - s ha r p de br i s an d o u t i nt o t he de e p bl ue s e a . La ndi ng o n e f e e l s l i ke hi t t i ng t he l ot t e r y — a nd I ’m r e ad y t o buy a not he r s cr a t ch- off t i cke t s oon .

Wha t I l e a r ne d: Don’t l e t Koz g e t a h e ad — h e ca n ca s t a nd ha s e a g l e e y e s . We ar p r o p e r hi g h- t op fl a t s s ne a ke r s for a nkl e s u p p o r t ; my ne w S i mms ne opr e ne boot i e s d i d n ’ t s ur v i v e t he fi r s t da y . And w hi l e i t ’ s t o u gh t o pul l y our s e l f a w a y fr om fe e di ng t ar p o n , t r us t me — do i t .

Here, tailing permit are the norm

FIELDNOTES 26

Hooking a permit,

however, is just the

beginning....Landing one feels like hitting the lottery.

27 FIELDNOTES

O n our fi na l mor ni ng , w i t h dr i v e r ’s l i c e n s e s i n ha nd a nd a s l i g ht P ue r t o R i ca n r u m f o g l i ng e r i ng , w e he a de d ba ck t o S a n J u an f o r our fl i g ht home . Dur i ng t he dr i ve , C ap t .

B r y ce r e fl e ct e d on t he uni quen e s s o f P ue r t o R i co. De s pi t e fe e l i ng l i ke w e w e r e i n a n e xot i c l a nd t hous a nds of mi le s f r o m home , w e w e r e onl y a s hor t hop fr om Mi am i .

Whi ch, a s i t t ur ns out , w a s for t u n at e — be ca us e for t he fi r s t t i me i n 2 5 y e ar s , I’ d for g ot t e n my pa s s por t .

Photos Courtesy of Simms & No Name Lodge

FIELDNOTES 28

29 FIELDNOTES

Take The

Shot S MAR T P HONE P HOTO TI P S B Y B R IAN O’ KE E F E

I

had my fi r s t phot o publ i s he d w he n I w a s 16 ye ars ol d, now s ome 54 y e a r s a g o.

The se d a y s , fi l m i s l ong g one , a nd t he p hotog rap hy s ce ne e v ol v e s a l mos t hour l y wi th ne w , cut t i ng - e dg e t e chnol og i e s .

One thi ng t ha t ha s n’t cha ng e d, how e v e r , are the fri e nds hi ps I ’v e bui l t w i t h fe l l ow p hotog rap he r s — ma ny of w hom ha v e be e n shooti ng for de ca de s — a nd t he e di t or s w ho conti nue to publ i s h our w or k.

Last ye ar, I j oi ne d one of t he s e g ood fri e nd s at O w e n R i v e r L odg e on t he S out h Isl and of Ne w Ze a l a nd. R os s P ur ne l l , e di t or of Fl y Fi she r ma n ma g a zi ne for ne a r l y 28 ye ars, and I ha v e col l a bor a t e d on count l e s s p roj e cts ov e r t he y e a r s , a nd I know t he r e are more t o come . The s e a s s i g nme nt s a r e al ways re w a r di ng , but t he y ’r e e v e n be t t e r whe n p ai re d w i t h t i me s pe nt fi s hi ng w i t h a gre at an g l e r , a g r e a t col l e a g ue , a nd a n e ve n gre at e r fr i e nd.

FIELDNOTES 30

R oss k n ows I’v e b e e n usi ng my i Phone mor e a nd m o r e f o r p hotograp hy, and I’l l a dmi t , I was a bit h esitant to tackl e those s t unni ng tr ou t str ea m s wi th j ust an i Phone 15 P r o M a x in on e pocke t and an i Phone 1 2 i n a n u n der wa ter housi ng. No tri p od , no l i g ht m eter — n on e of the usual p rofes s i ona l g e a r . Wh ile I d i d p ul l out my C anon g e a r a f e w times, I mi xe d al l the i mage s t og e t he r wh en I sen t photos for Ross’s arti cl e . L i ke a ny ph o togr a p he r worki ng on an i m por t a nt tr i p with a m ag azi ne e d i tor, I was s e cr e t l y h o pin g f or a cove r shot.

31 FIELDNOTES

As i t t ur ne d out , my w i s h w a s gr an t e d — t w i ce ! I l a nde d bot h t he s ubs c r i b e r i s s u e cov e r a nd t he ne w s s t a nd cov e r. A f e w d ay s l a t e r , I found out I a l s o g ot t he an n u al G e ar G ui de cov e r , a nd s oon a ft e r , t h e c o v e r o f t he i r s t unni ng De s t i na t i ons m agaz i n e .

H e r e ’s t he ki cke r : e a ch of t hos e c o v e r s w as s hot on a n i P hone !

S o, i f y ou’v e e v e r w onde r e d w h e t h e r y o u ca n t a ke pr ofe s s i ona l - qua l i t y p h o t o s w i t h j us t y our s ma r t phone , t he a n s w e r i s a r e s oundi ng y e s . L e t ’s di v e i nt o a f e w t i p s a nd t e chni que s t o he l p y ou ma k e t h e m o s t of y our phone ca me r a . . . . .

Use the Pano Mode for

scenic photos, but try doing only a half or ¾ Pano.

FIELDNOTES 32

1 – M os t s ma r t phone s ha v e an e as y - t o us e s hut t e r but t on on t he s c r e e n , b u t y our v ol ume but t ons a l s o w ork as s h u t t e r but t ons . U s i ng y our t humb, w h i l e h o l d i n g y our phone i n a hor i zont a l p o s i t i o n i s a ni ce w a y t o t a ke fi s h cl os e - u p s h o t s .

S w i pi ng r i g ht on t he bi g s hut t e r b u t t o n o n y our s cr e e n w i l l s t a r t t he ca mer a s h o o t i n g i n V i de o. The n, i f y ou t a p t he s m al l e r w h i t e s hut t e r but t on, w hi l e fi l mi ng i n V i d e o , y o u ca n ca pt ur e a s t i l l phot o w i t ho u t af f e c t i n g t he v i de o. S w i pi ng l e ft w i l l s t a r t t h e c am e r a s hoot i ng i n B ur s t / M ot or Dr i v e . T h i s i s gr e at for j umpi ng t a r pon.

2 – E v e n t houg h y our s ma r t p h o n e d o e s a pr e t t y g ood j ob a t focus i n g o n y o u r pr i ma r y s ubj e ct , i t i s a l w a y s a go o d i d e a t o ‘t a p focus ’. J us t t a ppi ng on a f i s h ’ s e y e w i l l g ua r a nt e e a s ha r p fi s h s ho t . In P o r t r ai t M ode , i t i s v e r y i mpor t a nt t o t ap o n t h e s ubj e ct , t he n w he n y ou hi t E d i t , y o u c an s cr ol l a nd a dd mor e , or l e s s f o c u s / d e p t h of fi e l d by us i ng t he DE P TH / f s t o p s c r o l l e r , unde r t he phot o.

If you tap the smaller white

shutter button, while filming

in Video, you can capture a still

photo without affecting the video.

33 FIELDNOTES

It's always a good idea to

'tap focus' on your subject..

FIELDNOTES 34

Kee ping a fish wet is very important

35 FIELDNOTES

3 – K eepin g f ish we t i s ve ry i mp ortant . I f y o u t ak e a ph o to of a p e rson hol d i ng a f i s h, i t is best to b e out of a b oat, kne el i ng in th e water a n d the fi sh b e i ng i n a rubbe r n e t u n til ‘th e lif t’. The l i ft shoul d onl y be a f e w i n ch es a n d the p hone shoul d b e r i g ht a b o v e th e water ’s surface , wi th the l e n s a t th e f i sh ’s eye leve l . The control of the fi s h c o m e s f r o m th e tai l hand , and the f r ont h a nd on ly su pports the fi sh, wi th stra i g ht f i ng e r s, u n der the fi sh and not ve ry vi si bl e .

Go to th e wide ang l e se tti ng i f you ne ed i t .

4 – U s e th e Pan o Mod e for sce ni c p hot os , bu t t r y doin g o n l y a hal f or ¾ Pano so i t i s

j us t a s l i g ht l y w i de r a ng l e s hot t h an y o u r pr e - s e t w i de - a ng l e s e t t i ng . And u s e t h e . 5 , 1 , 2 or 5 s e t t i ng for w i de r or s l i gh t l y t e l e phot o pa nor a ma s hot s . Y ou c an al s o t a ke v e r t i ca l pa nor a ma s hot s , i n ad d i t i o n t o t he mor e common hor i zont a l pan o r am a s hot s .

5 – U s e Y ou Tube t ut or i a l s for a ny f e at u r e on y our ca me r a , i ncl udi ng a l l t he e d i t i n g opt i ons , l i ke E xpos ur e , S ha dow s , C o n t r as t , B r i g ht ne s s , S a t ur a t i on, Wa r mt h (gr e at f o r fa l l col or s ), S ha r pne s s , e t c.

Photos Courtesy of Brian O'Keefe

Pro Tip: Take the photo with the camera at eye level with the fish.

36 FIELDNOTES 50

T

ides a r e ofte n a maj or tal ki ng poi nt in sa ltwate r fl y fi shi ng, wi th t i da l f lu ctu a tio ns i nfl ue nci ng w he r e , wh e n, a n d h o w to fi sh. Whi l e some s e a s , l i k e t h e M edite rrane an or the Re d S e a , e xpe rien ce m in imal ti d al move me nt, o t he r s l i k e th e Ba y of F und y i n C anad a wi t ne s s ti da l f lu c tu atio ns as l arge as 17 me t e r s .

Su c h dif f er en ce s i n ti d al fl uctuat i ons a re impo r tan t whe n comp ari ng fi s hi ng de s t i n atio n s. For e xamp l e , Sud an, Be l i ze , a nd th e Ba h a mas e xp e ri e nce mi n i ma l f l uc tu a tio n s, w hi l e the Se yche l l e s a nd o t h e r o c ea n ic atol l s e xp e ri e nce mor e si g ni f ica n t tidal chang e s. D e ci d i ng whe n t o v i si t d estin a tio ns wi th hi ghl y vari ab l e t i da l c y c l e s c an be i nti mi d ati ng , and se l ect i ng

t he w r ong t i de s ca n i nfl ue nce t he o u t c o m e of a t r i p. Le t ’s t a ke a cl os e r l oo k at t h e t i de s i n t he S e y che l l e s a nd e xp l o r e t h e be s t t i de s t o fi s h a nd w hy .

The t e r ms “s pr i ng ” a nd “ne ap ” t i d e s oft e n come up w he n pl a nni ng a t r i p t o t he S e y che l l e s . B ut w ha t do t hey m e an ?

S pr i ng t i de s occur dur i ng t he ful l an d n e w moon pha s e s , w he n t he w a t e r e xp e r i e n c e s s i g ni fi ca nt fl uct ua t i ons be t w e e n l o w an d hi g h t i de s . The s e t i de s a r e cha r ac t e r i z e d by fa s t - mov i ng w a t e r , pr ov i di ng e x c e l l e n t oppor t uni t i e s t o w a de dur i ng l o w t i d e s , a cce s s a r e a s t ha t a r e onl y fi s ha b l e at h i gh t i de s , a nd fi nd fi s h a r ound i s l a nds an d h i gh s pot s . O n t he ot he r ha nd, ne a p t i d e s o c c u r

SEYCHELLES

TH

37 FIELDNOTES

S TIDES

HE TRUTH BEHIND THE TIDES

B Y R YAN FOST ER

FIELDNOTES 38

between th e s p ri ng ti d e s, wi th sl ower w a t e r m o vemen t a nd l e ss fl uctuati on. Al t houg h ti da l m o veme nt i s re d uce d , hi gh e r a nd l o w er tides sti l l occur. Ne ap s offe r a sl o wer -pac ed fi shi ng e xp e ri e nce, w i t h di f f er en t wa d i ng cond i ti ons and mor e t i me to pole th e f lats i n se arch of fi sh. N ow t ha t we u n der sta nd how ti d e s i nfl ue nce fi s hi ng , l e t ’s see h o w the se fl uctuati ons i mpa ct o ur to p f ive targ e t sp e ci e s and sha pe y our o v e r all f ish in g e xp e ri e nce .

Gia nt T re va ll y (G Ts): GT s a r e on e of the most p op ul ar t a r g e t spec ies, so le t’s start he re . Sp ri ng t i de s , wi th th eir larg e r fl uctuati ons, ar e oft e n c o nsider ed the “gol d stand ar d” for GT f ish in g. Thi s i s true i n some ca s e s , e s p ec ia lly whe n acce ssi ng the m i n t he su r f z on e, whe re the y’re commonl y found.

Giant Trevally

39 FIELDNOTES

H ow e v e r , G Ts don’t s i mpl y d i s ap p e ar dur i ng ne a p t i de s — t he s t y l e o f f i s h i n g s i mpl y cha ng e s . Dur i ng s pr i n g t i d e s , G T fi s hi ng ca n be cha l l e ng i ng , oft e n r e q u i r i n g fi s hi ng on foot i n t he s ur f zo n e t o m ak e t he mos t of t he t i de s . Wi t hou t s p e n d i n g t i me i n t he s ur f, t he fl a t s r e ma in e x t r e m e l y dr y for a l a r g e por t i on of t he d ay , l e av i n g a ng l e r s t o t a r g e t ot he r s pe ci e s u n t i l t h e G Ts r e t ur n w i t h t he i ncomi ng t i d e . T h i s cr e a t e s a s hor t w i ndow for t a rge t i n g G T s , r e qui r i ng a ng l e r s t o ma ke t he m o s t o f i t .

I n cont r a s t , ne a p t i de s a l l ow m o r e t i m e o n t he fl a t s , s e a r chi ng for fi s h ne ar r ay s , c o r al he a ds , or i s l a nds . S ome de s t i n at i o n s e v e n offe r a cce s s t o t he s ur f zone d u r i n g n e ap t i de s , a l l ow i ng for pr oduct i v e G T f i s h i n g.

To s umma r i ze , w he n fi s he d opt i m al l y , b o t h s pr i ng a nd ne a p t i de s pr ov i de p r o d u c t i v e oppor t uni t i e s for G T fi s hi ng .

S E Y C H E L L E S T I D E S S U M M A R Y: and typically fishing on foot.

Neap tides = longer windows of opportunity, more opportunities

FAQ

Spring tides = fast and furious action, with concentrations of fish

for fishing effectively from skiffs, although it can require covering more ground (more dispersed fish).”

FIELDNOTES 40

Bonefish

Triggerfish

B one f ish: B on ef ish n e e d no i ntrod ucti on a nd a re easily one of the b e st sp eci e s t o ta rget o n f ly. Sp ri ng ti d e s offe r mul t i pl e o p por tu n ities, wi th l arge shoal s dr oppi ng o f f th e f lats d uri ng the d rop p i ng t i de , a nd f ish c o n ce ntrati ng around hi g h s pot s o r islan ds duri ng hi gh ti d e s. D uri ng l ow spr in g tides, tai l i ng b one fi sh are found i n th e su r f z o n e. Ne ap ti d e s p rovi d e e x ce l l e nt o p por tu n ities for targe ti ng l arg e s i ng l e bon ef ish or shoal s around hi g h s pot s a nd isla n ds d uri ng hi ghe r ti d e s. B one fi s h c a n be f o u n d throughout the ti d e s a nd a re so m etime s ove rl ooke d d ue t o t he a b u n dan c e of othe r sp e ci e s. Re ga r dl e s s o f th e tide, the re i s al ways a p l ace t o fi nd th ese sou gh t afte r fi sh.

41 FIELDNOTES

T r ig g er f is h: Tr i g g e r fi s h a r e a not he r s pe ci e s s u c c e s s f u l l y t a r g e t e d dur i ng bot h t i da l cy c l e s , t h o u gh t he me t hod of fi s hi ng di ffe r s . Du r i n g s p r i n g t i de s , mos t fi s hi ng occur s on foo t i n t h e s u r f zone , w he r e t a i l i ng fi s h i n s h al l o w w at e r pr ov i de r e w a r di ng oppor t uni t i e s . H o w e v e r , t he w i ndow for t a r g e t i ng t r i gge r f i s h i s s ma l l dur i ng t he s pr i ng t i de s . T h e s l o w e r , de e pe r w a t e r dur i ng ne a p t i de s p r o v i d e s l ong e r fe e di ng pe r i ods , g i v i ng an gl e r s m o r e cha nce s t o fi s h for t r i g g e r fi s h f r o m s k i f f s .

Thi s a ppr oa ch a l l ow s for g r e a t er d i s t an c e s t o be cov e r e d i n s e a r ch of fi s h an d o f t e n pr ov i de s mul t i pl e s hot s . Whet h e r d u r i n g ne a p or s pr i ng t i de s , t r i g g e r fi s h r e m ai n an e xci t i ng t a r g e t . M a ny g ui de s pr e f e r f i s h i n g dur i ng t he t r a ns i t i on be t w e e n s p r i n g an d ne a p t i de s , a s i t offe r s t he b e s t o f b o t h condi t i ons .

Permit: P e r m i t , o f ten ca l l e d the H ol y Grai l or t he G o l den N u gget of fl ats fi shi ng, are know n f o r bein g pa r tic ul arl y chal l e ng i ng to ca t ch o n f l y. T imin g your ti d e s corre ctl y ca n s i g n i f i ca n tly in cre ase your chance s of s uc c e s s. Neap tid e s are the most p opul a r p e r i o d f or tar ge ti ng p e rmi t. Whi l e sp r i ng t i d e s do pr ovide some op p ortuni ti e s, t he l a r g e r tidal f lu c t uati ons and fast-mo v i ng w a te r ma k e th e f l ats l e ss favorab l e . Dur i ng s p r i ng tides, permi t sp e nd most of t he i r t i m e of f sh o r e a n d onl y come onto the fl a t s f o r sh o r t per io ds of favorab l e cond i tions .

N e a p tides, h o we ve r, cre ate sl ow-mo v i ng w a te r an d lo n g fe e d i ng wi nd ows, al l ow i ng p e r m i t to r em ain on the fl ats for e xte n de d p e r i o ds. W h ile you can catch p e rmi t d ur i ng s p r i ng tides, we re comme nd targe ti ng t he m d ur i ng n eap tide s for the b e st chance s of s uc c e s s.

M i lk fish: M i l k f i sh ar e n o tori ous for the i r ne ve r g i v e u p a t titu de a n d fi g hti ng stre ng th. Whi l e w e k n o w h o w to c atch the m, p re d i cti ng w he n t he y w ill f eed is anothe r story. Mi l kfi sh a r e s e e n d u r in g bo th sp ri ng and ne ap tide s , b ut t h ey a r e pri mari l y d ri ve n b y foo d— p l a n k t on a n d al g ae . Any cond i ti ons t ha t co nc en tr a te th eir food l e ad to e xce l l e nt f i sh i n g oppor tuni ti e s.

D uri ng sp r i ng t i d e s , wa r m wa te r d rop s off the fl ats a nd i nte rac ts with oce an curre nts, cre a t i ng i d e a l c o n ditio n s for targe ti ng mi l k fi s h o f f sh or e.

Sim il ar conce ntrati ons are o bse rved in c h anne l s and on l ag oon e dg e s d ur i ng n eap tides. U l ti mate l y, p re d i ct i ng t he b est tides f or mi l kfi sh i s d i ffi cul t, but t he r ule of th u mb i s to fi sh for the m w he n t he y ’ r e ar o u n d a nd fe e d i ng.

Perm it

Milkfis h

FIELDNOTES 42

EXTEND YOUR TRIP F o r ma n y, th e Se yche l l e s i s a world a w a y fr om home . S o, w he n t r a v e l i ng t o a t r i p o f a l i f e tim e wh y n ot consi d e r a tri p e xte ns i on?

Saf a r is in Afri ca T o u r in g & fi shi ng i n D ub ai and O ma n Beac h r etre ats on Pl atte I sl and, S e y che l l e s or t he M a l di v e s Sto p-o ve r i n Pari s I n addition to our te nure d fi shi ng sta ff, F r ont i e r s ha s g l oba l l y r e cog ni ze d de s t i n at i o n t r av e l c o nsu lta n ts with d e e p p e rsonal trav e l know l e dg e r e a dy t o e xt e nd y our j our ne y.

Co n tact H an k Ingram , Our S ey che l l e s E x pe r t

B u m p he a d Parrotfi sh (B um pi es): B u mph ea d pa rrotfi sh are anothe r s pe ci e s t ha t ca n be a ct i v e l y t a r g e t e d on t h e f l at s , w i t h F a rqu h a r a n d Provi d e nce b e i ng two o f t he fe w pl a ce s w he r e t hi s i s pos s i bl e . Li ke t r i gge r f i s h , ‘ b u m pies’ ar e succe ssful l y targe te d dur i ng bot h t i da l cy cl e s , w i t h i nt e r cha ng e t i d e s b e i n g pa rtic u la r ly pop ul ar. Ne ap ti d e s al l ow for e xt e nde d fe e di ng pe r i ods on t he fl a t s , t h o u gh t h e f i s h ten d to be more d i sp e rse d . Sp ri ng t i de s , on t he ot he r ha nd, conce nt r a t e b u m p i e s i n sm aller ar ea s, cre ati ng a smal l wi nd ow of oppor t uni t y for a ng l e r s . R e g a r dl e s s o f t h e t i d e , th e re’s a lways a chance to fi nd a b umpy i f y ou’r e fi s hi ng t he r i g ht condi t i ons . An i n t e r e s t i n g n o t e a bo u t bump he ad p arrotfi sh i s t ha t t he y mov e offs hor e dur i ng t he N e w M o o n S p r i n g ti de to spa wn . Duri ng thi s p e ri od (3- 5 da y s ), ma l e s phy s i ca l l y bump he a ds , w h i c h o f t e n r e su lts in slo we r fi shi ng.

I n t r u th , th er e i s no “b e st ti d e ” for fi s hi ng i n t he S e y che l l e s . E a ch t i da l cy cl e offe r s a u n i q u e f o r m o f f ish in g , and al l sp e ci e s are r e g ul a r l y ca ug ht dur i ng bot h s pr i ng a nd ne a p t i d e s . T h e de s tin a tio n an d targ e t sp e ci e s are al w a y s ke y t o choos e fi r s t a nd oft e n w i l l de t er m i n e w h i c h ti des will be be st for a tri p .

Y o ur s in f ly f ishi ng and ti g ht l i ne s, T he Blu e Saf a ri Fl y Fi shi ng Te am Photos Courtesy of Blue Safari Fly Fishing

43 FIELDNOTES

In truth, there is no 'best tide' for fishing in the Seychelles. Each tidal cycle offers a unique form of fishing.

FIELDNOTES 44

" SINISTER "

FIshing in ITALY

BY KRISTENE F I T Z G ERA L D

45 FIELDNOTES

H

ow ’s t hi s for a fun fa ct a t y our ne xt di nn e r pa r t y : Ca n y ou g ue s s t he numbe r one t our i s t de s t i na t i on i n t he w or l d? I t a l y . And i t h as b e e n for y e a r s . I n 2023, ov e r 57 mi l l i on t our is t s j ourne y e d t o I t a l y t o e xpl or e t he i ncr e di bl e a r t , cul tur e , a nd food t ha t t hi s hi s t or i c count r y ha s t o offe r .

At F r ont i e r s , w e ha v e w i t ne s s e d t hi s i ncr e dib l e d e m a nd fi r s t ha nd. L a s t y e a r , w e or g a ni ze d ov e r 100 i ndi v i dua l t r i ps t o I t a l y . De s pi t e t hi s s t r o n g, l ongs t a ndi ng a ppe t i t e t o v i s i t a nd e xpe r i e nce I t a l y , the fl y - fi s hi ng communi t y ha s not t houg ht of t h e coun t r y a s a n a ng l i ng de s t i na t i on. Tha t a l l cha ng e d afte r my r e ce nt i mme r s i v e , e xpl or a t or y t r i p w i t h B arry B e ck.

B arry B e ck, a de a r fr i e nd of F r ont i e r s an d accompl i s he d pr ofe s s i ona l phot og r a phe r a nd t r i p host , w a s t he pe r fe ct t r a v e l i ng compa ni on for t h i s e xp l or a t or y fi s hi ng t r i p t o I t a l y . I ha d be e n w or k i n g wi th B a r r y t o or g a ni ze a nd pl a n hi s ot he r hos t e d fi shi ng t r i ps a r ound E ur ope t o I r e l a nd, S pa i n, an d Sl ov e ni a . E a ch t i me w e l ooke d a t a ma p, i nv a r i ab l y one of us w oul d comme nt , “The r e ha s t o be g o o d fi shi ng i n N or t he r n I t a l y ,” ba s e d on i t s ne i g hbor i n g coun t r i e s . Aft e r y e a r s of t he s e pa s s i ng r e ma r k s , we fi na l l y put da t e s on t he ca l e nda r t o fi nd out t h e truth a bout I t a l y ’s fi s hi ng .

Whi l e B a r r y a nd I w e r e e a g e r t o fi na l l y e xpl o r e I tal y ’s fi s hi ng pot e nt i a l , w e kne w w e ne e d e d to re a ch out t o G i or g i o Ca v a t or t i a nd O ma r Bo Gade — co- ow ne r s of I t a l i a n F l y F i s hi ng Tou r s ( IF F T)— a s w e be g a n pl a nni ng . G i or g i o, a l s o t h e C EO a nd publ i s he r of H 2 O F l y F i s hi ng M a g a zi n e , b roug ht unma t che d e xpe r t i s e a nd a de e p pa s s i o n for t he cr a ft , w hi l e O ma r , w ho a l s o ow ns a l odg e i n

FIELDNOTES 46

D e nm ar k, adde d hi s we al th of know l e dg e a nd r en o wn ed hosp i tal i ty to the p la nni ng pr oc ess.

A dm ittedly, it was not hard to t a l k me i n to a week in Ital y! I i magi ne d a re l a xi ng afternoon in Northern Italy, fishing for trout, be for e spen di ng my e ve ni ng e xp l or i ng t he l o c al com mu ni ty and savori ng i ts cui s i ne .

I a l so look ed forward to sp e nd i ng t i me i n th e f ield with Barry, Gi orgi o, and O ma r .

Su r e, I talk to Barry re gul arl y and ha v e v i sited h is Pennsyl vani a farm, b ut I kne w th a t sh ar in g thi s e xp e ri e nce i n p e rso n w i t h su c h r ema r ka b l e comp ani ons was t r ul y a spec ia l oppor t uni ty.

T he f ligh t ac r oss the Atl anti c g ave a mpl e ti me f o r o u r mi nd s to wand e r ab o ut t he po s sibilities ahe ad . We p l anne d to focus o ur f ish in g on what we hop e d woul d be tr o u t-f illed wate rs ne ar the Dol omi t e M o u n ta in s, a U NESC O Worl d He ri ta g e S i t e i n th e n or th easte rn p art of the count r y , wi th A u str ia to i ts north and Sl ov e ni a to th e ea st. As wi th many fi shi ng t r i ps ,

Wine tasting at Ferrari Trento

47 FIELDNOTES

Trentino has fewer tourists, and charming alpine villages

a n ti c i pa tio n c an b e as i mp ortant as t he a c tu a l tim e o n the wate r.

O u r tr an sf er f r om Ve ni ce took us thro ug h t he S ar c a a n d Chi e se Val l e ys, navi gat i ng n u m e ro u s passe s and tunne l s b e tw e e n t he s e steep m o untai ns. We p asse d se v e r a l a ppl e or ch a r ds al ong the way. Wi t h t he d ays gettin g shorte r and cri sp fa l l mo rn in gs, I cou ld se e the fi e l d s we re rea dy f o r h ar vest, lea ve s changi ng col ors, a nd t re e s h eavy with frui t re ad y to b e p i cke d.

Dr i v i ng th r o u gh the se smal l vi l l age s, ma ny o f t h e loc al f ar me rs had se t up roads i de s t a nds sellin g the i r p rod uce , and I c oul d s m e l l th e sweetne ss of the se sun-ki s s e d

a ppl e s i n t he a i r . I l a t e r l e a r ne d t h at t h i s a r e a i s one of t he mos t i mpor t a n t ap p l e g r ow i ng r e g i ons i n E ur ope .

O ur de s t i na t i on w a s t he s ma l l v i l l age o f Coma no Te r me i n t he pr ov i nce of T r e n t i n o , ne s t l e d a l ong t he R i v e r S a r ca w i t h a popul a t i on of l e s s t ha n 3 ,0 00. Thi s r e gi o n i s be s t know n for i t s t he r ma l “t e r m e ” s p as but a l s o offe r s g r e a t s ki i ng , hi ki n g, an d mount a i n bi ki ng . O t he r t ha n L a ke G ar d a, Tr e nt i no i s not v i s i t e d ne a r l y a s o f t e n as s ome ot he r de s t i na t i ons t hr oug ho u t It al y i n t he s umme r mont hs . I f y ou do v e n t u r e he r e , e xpe ct t o s e e fe w e r t ouri s t s an d cha r mi ng s ma l l a l pi ne mount a i n v i l l age s .

FIELDNOTES 48

Trentino boasts over 180 miles of fishable water.

49 FIELDNOTES

T re nti n o boa sts ove r 180 mi l e s of fi sha bl e wa t e r, mu c h of whi ch i s manage d b y fi shi ng a s s o c ia tio n s. M any se cti ons are d e d i ca t e d to f l y f ish in g with l i mi te d acce ss b y p e r mi t o nl y , a n d sever al are d e si g nate d cat cha nd- relea se-o n ly .

O v e r th e pr evious months, Gi org i o a nd O m a r h a d c ar ef ul l y p l anne d our tri p t o sh o w case so m e of the b e st ri ve rs i n t he r e g i o n an d a f ew of the i r favori te sp ot s , wh e re th ey h a d re se rve d e xcl usi ve acc e s s fo r o ur gr ou p.

U n be l i evable! I he ard that word f r om Gi o rg i o ma n y time s on thi s tri p —re fe r r i ng to bo t h good a n d b ad !

Da y s be for e our t r i p, a l ow - pr e s s ur e s y s t e m na me d B or i s br oug ht r e cor d- b r e ak i n g r a i nfa l l t o ce nt r a l E ur ope . Whi l e t h i s ar e a di d not e xpe r i e nce t he de v a s t a t i ng f l o o d i n g a ffe ct i ng ot he r count r i e s a nd r e gi o n s t hr oug hout I t a l y , ma ny of t he r i v er s w e r e s t i l l qui t e hi g h a nd not i n pr i me co n d i t i o n .

O f cour s e , t he be s t - l a i d pl a ns w e r e s p o i l e d , but t he g ui de s w or ke d ha r d t o cha n ge t h e i r s t r a t e g y t o g e t us ont o fi s ha bl e w a t e r s .

I ’v e be e n ca l l e d a dr y fl y s nob b y m y hus ba nd, w hi ch i s j us t unfa i r . W h o d o e s not l i ke t o s e e a t r out s i p y our d r y o f f t he s ur fa ce ! We l l , on t hi s t r i p, I w as ab l e t o pr a ct i ce fi s hi ng mor e s t r e a m e r s an d ny mphs ba s e d on t he w a t e r con d i t i o n s .

Species include theItalian marble trout, brown, rainbow and brook trout and grayling

FIELDNOTES 50

Trentino Views in Northern Italy

51 FIELDNOTES

U nde r nor ma l ci r cums t a nce s , t he s e w at e r s a r e s o cl e a r y ou w oul d s t i l l t y pi c al l y s e e t he fi s h t a ke e v e n s ubs ur fa ce .

M y ot he r ha ndi ca p i s be i ng l e ft - h an d e d , or sin ist e r, a s t he g ui de s r e fe r r e d t o m e — fr om t he La t i n w or d me a ni ng “l e ft . ” I d o n o t cons i de r my s e l f unl ucky , but I s t r u ggl e d t o br i ng a fi s h t o t he ne t on t he fi r s t f e w d ay s of t he t r i p.

Barry Beck

M i dw e e k, G i or g i o pl a nne d a l ov e l y d ay f o r our g r oup t o fi s h t og e t he r on a b e au t i f u l a l pi ne l a ke . The l a ke ha d a l r e a dy r e c o v e r e d fr om t he r a i ns , a nd I coul d s e e h e al t h y fi s h cr ui s i ng t he s hor e l i ne . The s e f i s h w e r e s ma r t a nd ha d ce r t a i nl y s e e n a f l y or t w o i n t he pa s t . Wi t h B a r r y a nd G i o r gi o ca r e ful l y i ns t r uct i ng me (no pr e s s u r e ! ) , t og e t he r w e w or ke d on pr e s e nt a t i o n an d pr a ct i ce d pa t i e nce a s t he s e fi s h pr o c e e d e d t o l ook a nd t he n r e fus e a numbe r o f m y fl i e s . I coul d s e e s e v e r a l of my t r av e l i n g

FIELDNOTES 52

c o mpan io n s havi ng b e tte r l uck. I foug ht bac k th e discourag e me nt.

T hen it h appe ne d —sud d e nl y, as i t s o oft e n se e ms. We watche d thi s b e auti ful fi s h sl o wly cr u ise ove r and take the fl y. M y t i me h a d f in ally come . As I ti g hte ne d my l i ne , i t wa s impo ssibl e to contai n my e xcit e me nt .

I t f elt like c atchi ng my fi rst fi sh a l l ov e r a g ain with th e l e ve l of e nthusi asm I ha d!

F i sh in g is a sp ort that co mbi ne s c h allen ge, pati e nce , and the sati s fa ct i on o f a c com plishme nt—and thi s wee k w a s a wo n der f u l re mi nd e r of how re w a r di ng i t ca n be. Land i ng thi s catch was n’t j us t

Kristene in Italy

53 FIELDNOTES

e xci t i ng ; i t w a s ma de e v e n mor e m e an i n gf u l by t he che e r s a nd s uppor t fr om t h e gr o u p .

O ne t hi ng I ’v e l e a r ne d i s t ha t s h ar i n g t h e s e e xpe r i e nce s w i t h ot he r s ma ke s t h e m t w i c e a s e nj oy a bl e .

I , for one , ca nnot t r a v e l a l l t he w ay t o It al y a nd not pa r t a ke i n t he r i ch c u l t u r e an d w or l d- r e now ne d cui s i ne for w h i c h It al y i s fa mous . O ur g r oup s pe nt one af t e r n o o n v i s i t i ng t he F e r r a r i Tr e nt o (ow n e d b y t h e L une l l i G r oup a nd not t o be co n f u s e d w i t h t he I t a l i a n ca r ma nufa ct ur e r ! ). T h e w i n e r y pr oduce s a w a r d- w i nni ng s pa rk l i n g w i n e s a nd i s t he offi ci a l pa r t ne r for Fo r m u l a 1 .

I coul d’v e e a s i l y s pe nt a t l e a s t an o t h e r w e e k i n I t a l y j us t e xpl or i ng t he ar e a. T h i s r e g i on i s t e e mi ng w i t h r i ch a r t a nd c u l t u r e , w i t h nume r ous ca s t l e s , mus e um s , an d mi l e s of hi ki ng a nd bi ki ng t r a i l s .

F l y fi s hi ng i n t he Dol omi t e s i s mo r e t h an j us t a fi s hi ng t r i p; i t ’s a n opp o r t u n i t y t o i mme r s e y our s e l f i n one of E u r o p e ’ s mos t be a ut i ful a nd dr a ma t i c m o u n t ai n l a nds ca pe s . Whe t he r y ou'r e a n e xp e r i e n c e d a ng l e r or a be g i nne r , t he pr i s t i n e r i v e r s a nd l a ke s of t he Dol omi t e s offe r s o m e t h i n g for e v e r y one . I t ’s a pl a ce w he r e y o u c an not onl y ca t ch fi s h but e nj oy t he u n s p o i l e d be a ut y of t hi s ma j e s t i c l a nds c ap e , an e xpe r i e nce a s v a r i e d a s t he flav o r s o f Tr e nt i no cui s i ne .

Photos Courtesy of Photo Apt Alpe Cimbra & Barry Beck

EXTEND YOUR TRIP Italy o f f er s e nd l e ss p ossi b i l i ti e s for e xpl or a t i on, ma ki ng i t a n i de a l g a t e w ay t o oth er Eu r op e an ad ve nture s or de e pe r di s cov e r y w i t hi n t he count r y i t s e l f.

Ex p l ore the C ol osse um an d R oma n F or um i n R ome V isit the canal s i n Ve ni ce .

T our the Uffi zi Gal l e ry i n F l or e nce See the Le ani ng Towe r of P i s a T a ste authe nti c Ital i an cu i s i ne i n N a pl e s V isit the Amal fi C oast

Co n t act Kris tene Fitzgerald, O ur I t al y E x pe r t

FIELDNOTES 54

APPRECIATING the

DIMPLEs

55 FIELDNOTES

MEMORIES ON THE MISSOURI B Y J O E L INS CO T T

A

dimp l e . That’s i t. That’s w ha t I r e me mbe r mos t . Y ou ma y r e a d t ha t word and thi nk of gol f, t hos e pockma r ks on t he ba l l t ha t a i d i n i t s a e rod ynami c p e rformance . O r y ou ma y r e ca l l t he s ma l l de pr e s s i on s th at f or m on a fri e nd or l ove d o ne ’s che e ks ne a r t he cor ne r s of t he i r mout h o n a good smi l e . B ut whe n I h e a r t ha t w or d, I ca n’t he l p but t hi nk of t he sma ll, n earl y i mp e rce p ti b l e i nde nt a t i on on t he s ur fa ce of t he w a t e r fr om a f eedin g trout...

M y n ea r ly two-d e cad e te nure at F r ont i e r s ha s be e n a n i ncr e di bl e j our ne y , f illed with the j oy of he l p i ng ot he r s pl a n r e ma r ka bl e fi s hi ng a nd hunt i n g adven tu r es whi l e al so afford i ng me t he oppor t uni t y t o pa r t a ke i n s ome tr u ly u n f org e ttab l e e xp e ri e nces . O v e r t he y e a r s , I ’v e ha d t he pr i v i l e g e o f tr a velin g t o some of the worl d ’s mos t r e now ne d de s t i na t i ons , a nd ma ny o f th o se tr ip s hol d a p e rmane nt pl a ce i n my he a r t .

Wh en I r e fl e ct on the se mome nt s , a fe w s t a ndout s i mme di a t e l y come t o min d. T h e j oy of Bone fi shi ng acr os s t he cr y s t a l - cl e a r w a t e r s of t he B a ha ma s

FIELDNOTES 56

never f a ils to amaze me . I n Be l i ze , t he s heer var iety of sp e ci e s offe rs a d y na mi c a n d r ewar ding ang l i ng e xp e ri e nc e . I ’v e b een f or tu n ate to l and trop hy Broo k Tr out i n Can a da’s b re athtaki ng Mi ni p i R e g i on a n d to f ish f or Atl anti c Sal mon on Rus s i a ’s l e gen dar y Po noi Ri ve r—an e xp e ri ence l i ke no other. Christmas Island continues to draw m e in with its e nd l e ss op p ortuni ti es , w hi l e t h e a dr en aline -p ump i ng Tarp on fi s hi ng i n t h e Flo r ida K e ys re mai ns unforge t t a bl e .

H un tin g ex peri e nce s have b e e n e qua l l y re ma r ka ble, from the p i cture sq ue Q ua i l p l a n ta tio n s of southe rn Ge org i a t o t he c l assic r in g- ne cke d p he asant hu nt s i n S o u th Da k ota, and the fantasti c H ung a r i a n p ar tr idge h u nts i n Saskatche wan, Ca na da .

W h ile all the se ad ve nture s are de e pl y m e a n in gf u l, the one that hol ds a p ar tic u la r ly sp e ci al p l ace i n my me mor y i s th e an n u a l trout fi shi ng tri p I ta ke w i t h m y br o th er and a coup l e of cl ose fr i e nds o n th e mighty Mi ssouri Ri ve r i n Cr a i g , Mon ta n a . It’s more than j ust fi shi n g — a nd t h e f ish in g h as b e e n e xce p ti onal — i t ’s t he c a m ar ader ie, the b e auty of the ri v e r , a nd t h e tim eless mome nts share d wi th pe opl e I c ar e abo u t most.

Th e or igin of our annual ge taway , y e a r s a g o, wasn ’t b orn out of any g rand pl a n or d eep ex per tise i n the Mi ssouri R i v e r . I ’d hea r d wh ispers ove r the ye ars ab out t he e x ceptio n a l fi shi ng on the “MO,” but for w hatever r eason, i t ne ve r re al l y cr os s e d m y min d as a se ri ous op ti on. After a fe w un der wh elm ing DI Y tri p s to Montana t ha t d i dn ’t qu ite l i ve up to e xp e ctati ons , my b r oth er a n d I found ourse l ve s ope n t o t r yin g so m ethi ng ne w. One d ay, my br ot he r

57 FIELDNOTES

r a n i nt o a n ol d fr i e nd fr om our h o m e t o w n — s ome one w i t h a s t r ong b ac k gr o u n d i n a t hl e t i cs a nd out door r e c r e at i o n .

N a t ur a l l y , t he conv e r s a t i on s h i f t e d t o fi s hi ng , a nd e v e nt ua l l y , t o our p as t f i s h i n g t r i ps i n M ont a na . Whi l e w e ha d s o m e gr e at mome nt s , w e w e r e e a g e r t o d i s c o v e r n e w a nd mor e ful fi l l i ng e xpe r i e n c e s . T h at ’ s w he n our fr i e nd offe r e d a s ugge s t i o n t h at w oul d cha ng e e v e r y t hi ng : he r e c o m m e n d e d w e r e a ch out t o s ome l oca l g u i d e s i n t h e Li v i ng s t on/ B oze ma n a r e a , w ho w e r e w e l l v e r s e d i n t he i ns - a nd- out s o f Mo n t an a R i v e r s , i ncl udi ng t he M i s s our i . It w as n ’ t a for ma l pl a n, but i t w a s a nudg e i n t h e r i gh t di r e ct i on, a nd I kne w i mme diat e l y i t w as t he fr e s h a ppr oa ch w e ne e de d . I f o l l o w e d t hr oug h a nd ma de t he ca l l. T h at o n e unpl a nne d e ncount e r w i t h a n o l d f r i e n d t ur ne d i nt o a n a nnua l t r i p t ha t w e n o w l o o k for w a r d t o e v e r y y e a r , cont i nu al l y r ai s i n g t he ba r for w ha t our fi s hi ng t r ip s c an b e .

O n t he M O i n J une , t he pr e fe r r e d m e t h o d of fl y fi s hi ng i s w ha t l oca l gu i d e s c al l “he a d- hunt i ng . ” E s s e nt i a l l y , w e ’ r e l o o k i n g for t r out t ha t a r e s i ppi ng ad u l t an d e me r g i ng P M D ma y fl i e s off o r n e ar t h e s ur fa ce . S e l dom do w e ma ke “ b l i n d c as t s ” w i t hout s e e i ng a t a r g e t . O n t hi s p ar t i c u l ar da y , our g ui de ha d chos e n a f av o r i t e 5 .5 mi l e fl oa t . H e l i ke d t o i ni t i a l l y an c h o r u p a s hor t di s t a nce fr om t he pu t - i n , r i g t h e r ods , a nd s e l e ct t he fi r s t fl i e s t o t r y — al l w hi l e s ca nni ng for r i s e r s dow n r i v e r . W i t h a mi x of w i l d r a i nbow a nd b r o w n t r o u t numbe r i ng a ny w he r e fr om 3,0 0 0 t o 6 , 0 0 0 fi s h pe r mi l e a nd a t y pi ca l s i z e o f 1 6 – 2 2 i nche s , i t ’s r a r e l y a l ong w a i t . T h i s J u n e d ay w a s no e xce pt i on.

Missouri provides oppourtunities for world-class trout T he PM D h atc h arri ve d ri g ht on sche dul e a nd s eemed end l e ss, cre ati ng p e rfe ct c o ndi tion s with a mi x of cl oud s and a l ig ht , ste a dy br eez e. The fi shi ng was nothi ng sh o rt o f ph en ome nal —not j ust i n she e r n u m ber s bu t in the si ze and stre ngth of t he r a i n bows a n d browns we b rought to t he n e t . I t wa s o n e of those rare d ays wh e r e , if y o u r c ast was we l l -ti me d and p rop e r l y pl a c e d, a ta k e was al most guarantee d.

H o ne s tly, if we had p acke d i t i n afte r j us t a c o uple o f h ou r s , I woul d have b e e n m or e th a n s atisf ied.

T he n again , if we had e nd e d the d ay ea r l y , I m i g ht h ave mis se d one of my al l -ti me fa v o ri te mom en ts. A sub tl e d i mp l e j us t a f o o t of f th e bank, tucke d b e ne ath t he sh a d e of som e o ve rhangi ng wi l l ows, cau g ht th e a tten tio n of b oth my b rothe r and our

g ui de . O v e r t he y e a r s , w e ’v e l e a r n e d t h at a ba r e l y not i ce a bl e s ur fa ce w a k e o f t e n s i g na l s t he pr e s e nce of a bi g t r o u t — e s pe ci a l l y a l a r g e br ow n. M y b r o t h e r a nd I t ook t ur ns ca s t i ng t hr oug h o u t t h e da y . H e ’s hone d hi s off- s houl de r c as t t o ne a r pe r fe ct i on— a n e s s e nt i a l s ki l l w h e n t a r g e t i ng w i l d t r out on t he M O, w h e r e a ny i mpe r fe ct i on i n pr e s e nt a t i on r e s u l t s i n i mme di a t e r e j e ct i on. The pr e s s u r e i s a l w a y s on t o ma ke t ha t fi r s t s ho t c o u n t , e s pe ci a l l y w i t h t he i ne v i t a bl e r i bb i n g an d fr i e ndl y s ha mi ng t ha t fol l ow s a ny m i s s e d oppor t uni t y .

Thi s t i me , my l i t t l e br ot he r a b s o l u t e l y na i l e d i t . H i s fi r s t ca s t l a nde d p e r f e c t l y i n t he fe e di ng l a ne , a nd t he uns us p e c t i n g t r out mi s t ook hi s fl y for t he r e al t h i n g.

The r e w a r d? A be r s e r k, ne a r l y t w o - f o o t -

FIELDNOTES 58

l o n g, stu n n ing b rown trout that p ut up a n un f o r gettable fi ght b e fore comi ng t o t he net. A ll bec ause of that one , not i ce a bl e , d i m ple.

N o w, a s I wr ite thi s i n the d e p ths of Ja nua r y ’s b r u ta l cold, wi th the the rmome te r r e a di ng - 1 0 degr ees at sunri se , i t’s m e mor i e s l i k e th is th at ke e p me d re ami ng of t he nex t f lo a t down the mi ghty MO. S ha r i ng t h is ex per ience annual l y has b roug ht my b r oth er , o u r fri e nd s, and me e ve n cl os e r , g i vin g u s a uni q ue way to stay i n t ouch, c a tc h u p, a n d stre ngthe n our fri e nds hi ps .

I t ' s evolved into some thi ng b e yond a fi s hi ng t r i p— it’s become a trad i ti on that k e e ps us c on n ec ted, ev e n whe n we 're mi l e s a pa r t .

The M i s s our i R i v e r i s w i de l y r e c o gn i z e d a s one of t he mos t r e now ned r i v e r s i n t he U ni t e d S t a t e s , but for t r o u t an gl e r s , i t hol ds a s pe ci a l pl a ce a s a t r u e an gl i n g me cca . Loca t e d i n ce nt r a l Mo n t an a, t h e r i v e r ’s fa me i s l a r g e l y due t o t h e s t r e t c h be l ow H ol t e r Da m, r unni ng t h r o u gh t h e t ow ns of Wol f Cr e e k, Cr a i g , a n d C as c ad e .

Thi s “t a i l w a t e r ” s e ct i on, a cr i t i c al s t r e t c h of t he r i v e r t ha t fl ow s fr om t h e d am , i s r e g a r de d a s one of t he pr e mi e r f l y - f i s h i n g de s t i na t i ons i n t he count r y . It d r aw s a ng l e r s fr om a l l cor ne r s of t he g l o b e , e age r t o e xpe r i e nce i t s w or l d- cl a s s fis h i n g.

As one of M ont a na ’s t op t r out fis h e r i e s , t h e M i s s our i cons i s t e nt l y de l i v e r s e x c e p t i o n al

The Missouri begins where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers jo

59 FIELDNOTES

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, the Missouri River offers a diverse and rewarding fishing experience.

oin near Three Forks, Montana

FIELDNOTES 60

Missouri Cliffs Lodge

fi s hi ng . I t s r e put a t i on for pr od u c i n g s o m e of t he l a r g e s t a v e r a g e fi s h s i z e s i n t h e s t a t e i s w e l l - e a r ne d, a nd w hi l e t h e n u m b e r a nd s i ze of t he fi s h ca n fl uct ua t e f r o m y e ar t o y e a r due t o na t ur a l cy cl e s , t h e q u al i t y o f t he fi s hi ng r e ma i ns e xt r a or di nar y . W h e t h e r y ou'r e a s e a s one d pr o or a b e gi n n e r , t he M i s s our i R i v e r offe r s a d i v e r s e an d r e w a r di ng fi s hi ng e xpe r i e nce .

The j oy of cr e a t i ng t he s e l i f e l o n g me mor i e s i s s ome t hi ng w e a t Fr o n t i e r s Tr a v e l s t r i v e t o s ha r e w i t h o u r c l i e n t s .

Tha t ’s w hy w e ’r e pr oud t o r e p r e s e n t t w o out s t a ndi ng l odg e s a l ong t h e Mi s s o u r i R i v e r : M i s s our i Cl i ffs L odg e a n d Mi s s o u r i R i v e r R a nch, a s w e l l a s s e v e r a l p r o p e r t i e s offe r i ng a cce s s t o mul t i pl e M on t an a r i v e r s .

E a ch of t he s e l odg e s combi ne s w o n d e r f u l a ccommoda t i ons w i t h unpa r a l l e l e d ac c e s s t o w or l d- cl a s s fi s hi ng on t he M i s s o u r i .

M i s s our i Cl i ffs L odg e i s pe r c h e d h i gh a bov e t he dr a ma t i c ca ny on s t r e t c h o f t he " M i g ht y M o," offe r i ng s t u n n i n g v i e w s a nd a pr i me l oca t i on for a ngl e r s . A s t h e ne w e s t a ddi t i on t o t he M ont an a A n gl e r fa mi l y , t hi s l odg e de l i v e r s a l u x u r i o u s , al l i ncl us i v e e xpe r i e nce compl e m e n t e d b y i t s e xce pt i ona l fi s hi ng pr og r a m . W i t h j u s t fi v e g ue s t r ooms a nd a ma xi m u m c ap ac i t y of 1 0 a ng l e r s , M i s s our i Cl i ff s L o d ge i s i de a l for s ma l l g r oups a nd ca n b e b o o k e d e xcl us i v e l y . Dur i ng y our s t a y , e n j o y t h e w a r m hos pi t a l i t y of hos t s R i ch an d T h i e r r y , a l ong w i t h t he cul i na r y e xpe rt i s e o f C h e f

61 FIELDNOTES

Welcome to the mo W e w or k with two wond e rful l od ge s on t he M o, e a ch w i t h uni que qua l i t i e s .

Missouri Cl i ffs Lodge : Smal l l od ge wi th j ust 6 r ooms C ommand i ng vi e ws of t he Ca ny on s t r e t ch Pe rfe ct for i ntact g roups or fa mi l y g e t a w a y s Missouri Ri ver Ran c h: 13 Rooms | Si ng l e K i ng or Q ue e n, or doubl e Q ue e n Ri ve r frontage north of Cr a i g Gre at sp ot for corp orat e r e t r e a t s or l a r g e g r oups Co ntact Jo e Lins cott, our M ontana E x pe r t

R i c h a rd, wh o cr afts me morab l e me al s for e v e r y gu est.

M i sso ur i River Ranch i s i d e al l y si tuat e d ju st s ou th of Cr ai g , Montana, surrounde d by 1 6 0 ac r es of w i l d fl owe r-fi l l e d me adow s a nd of f er in g e xp ansi ve vi e ws of t he M o ntan a la n dscap e . Wi th ove r a mi l e of pr i v a te, year -r ound fl y-fi shi ng acce ss on th e Misso u r i R ive r, the ranch p rov i de s u n m a t ch ed pr o x i mi ty to one of the be s t str e tc h es of th e ri ve r. Pe rfe ct for coupl e s , f ri e nds, f am ilies , or smal l corp or a t e g ro ups, th e r anch comb i ne s Monta na ’s n a t u r al bea u ty w i th warm hosp i tal i ty a nd e xc e p tion a l ser vi ce .

W i t h ex per ien c ed g ui d e s, e xce p tiona l a c c o m modatio n s, and acce ss to s ome o f th e f in est tr out fi shi ng i n the coun t r y , th e M issou r i Riv e r offe rs an e xp e ri e nce ta i l o r e d to ever y angl e r.

Photos Courtesy of Montana Angler

Missouri River Ranch

FIELDNOTES 62

Whip Finish

IT'S ALL IN THE WRIGGLE: TRIGGERFISH FLY B Y J O N AT H AN K ILEY

63 FIELDNOTES

O

n my mos t r e ce nt t r i p t hi s fal l t o CXI (Chr i s t ma s I s l a nd) i n F al l 2 023.

I br oug ht s ome “t e s t e r fl i e s ” I ha d t i e d up. O f cour s e , t hi s t i m e I w i s he d I ha d br oug ht mor e ! I s n’t t h at how i t a l w a y s g oe s ? I ha d l e nt a fe w of m y cr e a t i ons t o my fa t he r - i n- l a w . H e i s oft e n he s i t a nt t o t r y ne w fl i e s , e s pe ci a l l y s i nc e he ha s fi s he d t hi s pa r t i cul a r l oca t i o n upw a r ds of 14 t i me s ! G e t t i ng hi m t o s t ep out s i de t he " ol d t r us t y fl y box" ca n b e a cha l l e ng e , how e v e r ov e r t he y e a r s h e ha s s uccumbe d t o my i nce s s a nt be l i ef s t ha t fi s h cha ng e a nd t he r e ca n a l w a y s b e a be t t e r fl y . Whe n w e fi r s t a r r i v e d i n C X I he w a s e a g e r t o l ook a t my fl y col l e ct i o n w hi ch w a s a cha ng e fr om t he nor m. H e i s a l w a y s i nt e r e s t e d but I don't know i f he r e a l l y w a nt s t o t i e t he m on, or i s j us t e nt e r t a i ni ng my pa s s i on for be i n g cr e a t i v e . U nbe know ns t t o me , a ft e r I s how e d hi m t he s i x Tr i g g e r Wi g g l e r s t ha t I ma de he g r a s pe d my t houg ht pr oce s s a n d fi s he d t he m r i g ht a w a y on t he fi r s t da y ! He ca ug ht a v e r y ni ce bone fi s h a nd t he n o f cour s e , t he i nt e nde d s pe ci e s , a be a ut i f u l P e a chfa ce Tr i g g e r ! Whe n w e g ot ba ck t o t he l odg e t ha t e v e ni ng , I w a s e xci t e d t o he a r a bout hi s ca t che s , be ca us e I ha dn ' t e v e n ha d t he cha nce t o t r y t he m o u t my s e l f, a s I w a s t e s t i ng ot he r ne w fl i e s o n G i a nt Tr e v a l l y .

FIELDNOTES 64

The r e a r e ma ny g r e a t fi s hi ng q u o t e s o u t t he r e but one of my fa v or i t e s i s , “ It ’ s n o t t he fl y , y ou s uck”. Tha t i s one t h i n g I w o u l d r e pe a t i n my br a i n e v e r y t i m e I t ar ge t e d Tr i g g e r fi s h a nd s cr e w e d up. T r i gge r f i s h ca n be t he mos t fr us t r a t i ng fi s h t o t ar ge t on t he fl y . The y e i t he r e a t l i ke t h e y ar e o n a mi s s i on t o de s t r oy or a ct l ik e a f i n i c k y t oddl e r a ft e r mul t i pl e offe r i n gs . T o s ay t he y a r e a “one t y pe of fl y ” fi s h w o u l d b e de l us i ona l . Al t houg h y ou s e e m an y p r o v e n pa t t e r ns out t he r e cl a i mi ng t o b e FO R t r i g g e r s , y ou w i l l a l s o e xpe r i e n c e m an y di s a ppoi nt me nt s w i t h t hos e f l i e s . No w , don’t g e t me w r ong , t hos e “nor m y ” p at t e r n s pr oba bl y w or k unde r t he r i g ht c o n d i t i o n s , but a t r i g g e r w i l l e xa ce r ba t e y o u r an gl i n g s ki l l s , g ood a nd ba d. The r e a r e m an y t i m e s w he r e I ha v e ma de t he pe r fec t c as t , t h e pe r fe ct dr i ft , j us t t o g e t de ni e d o r h u n g u p on cor a l a nd s pook t he m. L u c k y f o r y o u , I ’m not onl y g oi ng t o e xpl a i n a f e w p at t e r n s a nd de s cr i be my ne w fa v or i t e T r i gge r f i s h fl y , but I ’l l pa s s on a fe w t i ps t o h e l p y o u dur i ng y our ne xt que s t .

S l ow a nd s t e a dy ! The s e fi s h r e m i n d m e of s ne a ki ng up on a w i l d boa r i n a m ar s h chow i ng dow n on fi ddl e r cr a bs . It ’ s a w e i r d a na l og y , but I pr omi s e , i t ’s t r u e . Mu c h l i k e t he pi g , w he n t he y a r e fe e di n g, t h e y ar e fa ce dow n i n t he t hi ck of i t an d t h e y ar e t y pi ca l l y v e r y una w a r e of e v e r y t h i n g e l s e a r ound t he m. Whe n y ou a r e s t al k i n g t h e m , s l ow dow n, ke e p a n e y e on t h e t ar ge t , don’t cr unch on t he cor a l , s t a y u p c u r r e n t , a ppr oa ch pe r pe ndi cul a r t o t h e m an d i n fr ont e noug h t o a l l ow t he pr op e r d r i f t an d ca s t 5- 1 0 fe e t i n fr ont of t hem . O h , an d don’t mov e unl e s s t he y a r e e a t i n g!

65 FIELDNOTES

Pe rh a p s most im portantl y, your l e ad e r s e t u p i s c r itic al. Wh e n the se fi sh are chow i ng do w n on god on ly knows what, the y sti r up th e b ottom . T h i s al l ows you to use 203 0 po u n d f lu or ocarb on and a norma l or sl i g htl y lon ger th an normal tap e re d l e a de r .

N o t t o m en tio n , you’l l ne e d the he a v i e r le a de r f o r if a n d whe n you hook one a s th e y bolt to th e ne are st hol e i n the cor a l a nd t r y to br ea k y ou off. I woul d n’t try t hi s tr i c k I ’m a bo u t to te l l you sol o, BU T I h a v e h e a r d abo u t gu id e s fi shi ng the m ou t of h o l e s by h a n d. I w oul d n’t re comme nd i t a s th e re ca n be m any hi d d e n d ange rs w he n r e tr i e vin g f ish that way. Ad d i ti onal g e a r n e e ded f or th ese fi sh wi th a face that onl y a m o t h er , or a n gl e r coul d l ove , i s an 8- 9 we i g h t r o d. Per sonal l y, I l i ke to b ri ng m y 9 fo r t r i gger s because I l ove the ve rsat i l i t y be hi n d it.

N o w th at we h ave the angl i ng sp e ci fi cs o ut o f th e way, l e t’s tal k ab out the m os t im po rta n t par t, the food . What i n t he wo rl d do th o se fi sh e at to have th os e

g i a nt chompe r s ?! The y s houl d co m e w i t h a w a r ni ng s i g n! I know for a fa ct t h e y e at s hr i mp, cr a bs , a nd a ny t hi ng e l s e t h e y c an fi nd ha ng i ng i n a nd a r ound cor al . T h e y e v e n di g l a r g e hol e s i n fl a t s t o fi n d f o o d hi dde n be ne a t h. S o j us t l i ke mos t o t h e r s a l t y fl a t s fi s h, y ou ca n be t t he y ’d eat m an y i t e ms fl oa t i ng a r ound i n y our box, b u t i t ’ s up t o y ou t o not s cr e w i t up. I ha d a t h e o r y a s I r e fl e ct e d on my pr e v i ous t r i ps o n h o w I coul d e nt i ce t he m w i t hout s t r i p p i n g m y fl y . Why ? B e ca us e of g e t t i ng s na gge d o n t he cor a l of cour s e . S o, I t houg ht , w h y n o t a w or m pa t t e r n w i t h a n obnoxi ous c o l o r e d t a i l t ha t w i g g l e s fr e e l y i n t he cu r r e n t . I r umma g e d t hr oug h t he mounds o f m y pr e v i ous i nv e nt i ons a nd l a nde d on m y S l o w R ol l a Ta i l . I cut s ome ne w one s i n h o t p i n k i n a S chme di um S i ze . B e t w e e n t he f l y - t y i n g communi t y a nd me , t hi s t a i l ha s bee n u s e d on s o ma ny pa t t e r ns I ca n’t e v e n c o u n t t he m a ny mor e . I t j us t w or ks for e v er y t h i n g!

S l ow or fa s t pa t t e r ns , i t M O V E S , an d t h e fi s h l ov e i t . S hut up J ona t ha n a nd s h o w m e how t o t i e i t … .

They eat

shrimp, crabs, and

anything else they can find hanging in and around coral.

FIELDNOTES 66

M

ate r i al s

Ahe x C l ouser H ook S i ze 4- 8 Whi te 6/0 Ve e v us Thr e a d Tan Me d i um t o M i cr o P a i nt e d B r a s s E y e s Tan Rab b i t Zonke r Sup e r Gl ue (I us e Cl e a r G or i l l a G l ue ) Tan 1/2 i nc h E P Ta r a nt ul a B r us h We e d Guard - 2 0 pound F l uor oca r bon

67 FIELDNOTES

S t e p 1: I u sed an Ahre x C l ouse r H ook i n s i z e s 4-8 S t e p 2: Use wh ite 6/0 ve e vus thre ad a nd co v e r th e sh a n k of the hook S t e p 3: T ie in your we i ght 1/8 i nch fr om t he e ye. I tied se ve ral we i g ht vari ati on s t o a c c o mm o date de p th and curre nt stre n g t h b ut m ain ly u sed me d i um to mi cro p ai nt e d b ra s s eyes f r om Hare l i ne i n Tan

1

St ep 4 : Ti e i n a 1/ 4 i nch s t r i p of t an r ab b i t zonke r , t he n t he pi nk s l ow r ol l a t ai l an d t he n a not he r pi e ce of zonke r . Af t e r t h e y a r e s t a cke d a ppl y a s ma l l a mount o f s u p e r g l ue be t w e e n i t a l l t he ma ke i t mo r e r i gi d a nd s t i ck out be y ond t he be nd.

4

2 3

FIELDNOTES 68

St e p 5: Get s ome 1/2 i nch EP Tara nt ul a B ru sh in ta n and wrap to the d umb b e l l a nd secure

5

St ep 6 : Ti e i n a w e e d g ua r d w i t h 2 0 p o u n d fl uor oca r bon t o ke e p y ou fr o m ge t t i n g s t uck… s ome t i me s .

6

St e p 7: A dd yo ur favori te ad he si ve o r e poxy t o t he t hr e a ds a nd dumbbe l l , t he s e f l i e s t ak e a b e atin g, so make sure i t’s strong ! I l i ke l ov e a m o bse sse d w i t h G or i l l a Cl e a r G l u e .

7

69 FIELDNOTES

When you are stalking

them, slow down, kee p an eye on the target, don’t crunch on the coral

FIELDNOTES 70

So, th er e you have i t! My ne w fa v or i t e patter n ! Bu t why? We l l , my the ory pr ov e d to be ef f ective . Al l si x fl i e s I had w i t h me g ot u sed u p and I was hol d i ng on t o t he m l i k e th e last crunchy F re nch fri e s i n t he bo ttom of the b ox. The si nk rate pr ov e d to be per f ect as the y woul d d ri ft 1 - 3 fe e t depen din g on the d e p th of an i nco mi ng or o utgo in g tide to the coral muncher s . Al s o, wh en th e f is h d i d se e the m, they w oul d

71 FIELDNOTES

J

e i t he r bol t ov e r or me a nde r , an d i n t h e e nd E AT! I t r ul y be l i e v e i t w a s t h e ac t i o n of t he t a i l mov i ng w he n t he fl y i t s e l f w as i dl e a t t he bot t om. Di d t he y t h i n k i t w as a cr us t a ce a n di g g i ng a r ound o r a w o r m fe e di ng on t he i nv i s i bl e ? We w i l l al w ay s w onde r but I t hi nk I ’m on t o s om e t h i n g b i g!

H ope ful l y , i t he l ps y ou t o l a nd m o r e f i s h !

Y ou’r e w e l come ; ) Photos Courtesy of Nick Swingle, Blue Safari Fly Fishing & Jonathan Kiley

o na tha n with a Triggerfis h in C X I

T

ri gger W riggle r

C usto m Fl y Se l e ct i o n s Fo r T r i p s • M a te r i a l O r d e r s • C us t o m F l i es w ww . f l y s k i nz . c o m

FIELDNOTES 72

meet th MIKE F I TZGERALD

R O DDY H AL L

President & Co-Owner; Destination Specialist for European Wingshooting,

Destination Specialist UK for General Sporting

MOLLI E F I TZGERAL D

B E N H O F F M AN

Co-Owner & Director of Elegant Journeys; Destination Specialist for Atlantic Salmon and Elegant Journeys

Destination Specialist for Patagonia, I celand, Cuba, and Mexico

K RISTENE FI TZGERALD

73 FIELDNOTES

H AN K I N G R AM

Destination Specialist for South Pacific, Europe, and Elegant Journeys

Director of Sporting Travel; Destination Specialist for All General Sporting, Elegant Journeys, and Skiing Programs

TOM GILLI LAND

L I S A KI LE Y

Destination Specialist for Alaska, South America, and Big Game Hunting

Destination Specialist for Christmas Island, Iceland, Europe, and Saltwater

heteam JOE K OZI ARA

E TH AN B R I S TO L

Destination Specialist for American West Fishing, Offshore Angling

Destination Specialist for South American & European Wingshooting

JOE LINSC OTT

N I CK S WI N G LE

Destination Specialist for Bahamas, Belize, US Saltwater and US Wingshooting

Director of Marketing

TARQUI N

B R I AN AN TO N E T T I

Managing Director UK; Destination Specialist for General Sporting

Marketing Specialist

ELAINE WISSOLIK

CAL LAN R E Y H E R

Destination Specialist for South America Wingshooting & Fishing, and Elegant Journeys

Marketing Specialist

FIELDNOTES 74

Freshwater trout

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t

A R G E NT I N A A rgen ti n a Waters

Sight-fishing at its best in the lakes region

Collo n C u r a L odg e

Quick access to the mighty Collón Curá River from Bariloche or San Martin

Esta nci a Arroyo Ver de

Clear water stalk-style fishing near San Carlos de Bariloche, northern Patagonia

Esta nci a L agu na Ver de

Goliath rainbow trout in Santa Cruz province, southern Patagonia, Argentina

Est a nci a P i l o L i l

Northern Patagonia trout lodge on a remote canyon estancia on the Alumine River

Esta nci a Tecka

Diverse trout fishing on one of the largest uninterrupted Patagonia estancias

Esta n ci a Ti pi l i uke

Walk and wade the famous Chimehuin River surrounded by extraordinary luxury

H oster i a San Hu ber to

Prolific hatches and pods of feeding trout under the shadow of the Lanin volcano

North ern P atagoni a Lod ge

Superb river and lake fishing for brown and rainbow trout

Pa tag o ni a Ri v er Ranch

A waterfront guest ranch situated on the banks of the fabled Chimehuin River

Tre s Ri os L odg e

A secluded trout fishery near the confluence of the Chimehuin and Collón Curá Rivers

CANADA Andres Fl y Fi sh i n g

Trout fishing the remote southeast corner of BC and Eastern Alberta

I gloo L ake L odg e

Brook trout nirvana in remote labrador with fly out Atlantic salmon and char

Scott L ake L odg e

One of the best pike and lake trout waters in North America on the 60th parallel

Bro oks C reek Ranch

Reliable dry fly fishing, opportunities for bull trout; Luxurious, and scenic

Coyh aique Ri v er L odge

Central-southern Chile fly fishing offering dozens of trout-filled waters

Esta nci a de l os Ri os

One of Chile's largest ranches offers abundant small-river trout fishing variety

C HI L E

75 FIELDNOTES

Flyw ise An g l er s

A quaint personalized fishing & exploring experience in the Aysen region, Chile

Fut a Lodg e

"Futaleufu" is a Mapuche Indian word meaning grand waters and it truly is

Ma gic Water s P atagoni a

Traditional Chilean family-hosted destination in the majestic Coyhaique region

Ma rt in P escador

Unmatched trout diversity in one visit: Unparallelled beauty of Chilean Patagonia

R ive r of Dream s Ba se camp

A Chilean wilderness backcountry out-camp and trout excursion (a Magic Waters destination)

R io Pal en a L odg e

Unmatched sophistication and comfort deep inside Chilean Patagonia

R umbo P atagon

Fishing off the beaten path but in the middle of spectacular scenery

Ice la n d Trout & C h ar

Extremely diverse wild trout and char fishing in dramatic scenery

La ke Thi ngv al l av atn

Some of the prettiest and biggest brown trout in the world

The Mi n ni v al l al aeku r

Technical fishing for prized trout

NEW Z E A L A ND Ce d a r L odg e

Fly fishing in New Zealand is an experience unlike any other in the world

Fiord l and L odge

Fine fly fishing and eco-tourism in the Fiordland and Southland regions

O w e n Ri v er L odg e

Outstanding South Island sight-fishing in Nelson Lakes region

Poron ui L odge

A premier luxury sporting lodge on New Zealand's North Island

Tongari r o L odg e

Over four decades of fishing excellence in the Taupo District of the North Island

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t

IC E L A ND

SL O V E NI A Fly F is hi ng Sl ov eni a

Classic freestone and chalkstream multispecies trout fishing

FIELDNOTES 76

Freshwater trout SP A I N S a lveli nu s Ou tfi tters

Fine trout fishing in the Spanish Pyrenees

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t

UN I T E D KINGDO M The Ch al kstr eams

The home of upstream dry fly and nymph fishing

H a d don Estate

Some of the UK's best wild trout fishing

UN I T E D S TA TE S

77 FIELDNOTES

Boulder Ri v er L odge

This small, all-inclusive Montana lodge is ideal for couples or small groups.

Big Hol e L odg e

Southwestern Montana's premier trout fishing lodge for over 30 years

Bighor n Ri v er L odg e

Iconic tailwater fishing offering big biomass and bigger trout

Bla ckfoot Ri v er Ou tfi tters With outstanding accommodations at Blue Mountain B&B

Br ush C r eek Ran ch

Luxury Rocky Mountain guest ranch located in the heart of southern Wyoming

H e a lin g Water s L odge

Centrally located an hour from Bozeman near Twin Bridges in southwestern Montana

K ingfi sh er L odg e

Magnificent fishing on Montana's prolific Bighorn River!

Lone M ou ntai n Ran ch

The best luxury dude ranch experience in Big Sky, southwestern Montana

Ma d ison Dou bl e R

New luxury accommodations on the Madison with decades of lodge experience

Ma d ison Ri v er L odge

An intimate, upscale, all-inclusive lodge right on the edge of the Madison River

Ma d i son Val l ey Ranch

Legendary fishing on one of Montana's blue ribbon rivers, the mighty Madison

Montana Fl y Fi sh i n g Lod ge Missou r i Ri v er Ranch

All inclusive luxury fishing lodge in Yellowstone country Wonderful accomodations on one of the West's best dry-fly fisheries!

Missouri C l i ffs L odg e

A new luxury lodge overlooking the renowned Missouri River

Nort h Fork C r ossi ng Lod ge The Ran ch at Rock C reek

Offering the Blackfoot, Missouri, Clark Fork, Smith River floats, and more

S a ge Lodge

Welcome to paradise! Nature's playground awaits you in southwestern Montana

S mith Ri v er M ontana Floa t Trip S oa ring Eag l e L odge

An immersive float trip to fish the trout-filled waters of the Smith River

South For k L odge

Riverfront luxury on the famous South Fork of the Snake River

S outh Hol ston Ri v er Lod ge Ta y lor Ri v er L odg e

Best sulphur hatch in America, the south's premier fly fishing destination

Thre e Fo rks Ranch L odg e & Spa

A premier fishing, hunting and guest ranch 40 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO

Thre e Ri v er s Ran ch

Premier eastern Idaho location gives this lodge unmatched fishing diversity

The W hi te Ri v er I n n

An all-inclusive trout fishing experience on the famed White River tailwater

All-inclusive, five-star luxury guest ranch located in Philipsburg, Montana

Riverfront lodge and cabins on trophy Taylor River near Crested Butte, CO

Freshwater

trout/ Anadromous

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t / A N A D R O M O U S

Premier riverfront lodge on the San Juan River in northern New Mexico

A L A SK A Ala ska B oar dwal k L odg e

Thorne Bay: Southeast Alaska luxury fishing and multi-sport adventure lodge

Ala ska Rai nbow Ad ve ntu r es

Providing first-class float trip options on the finest rivers in Alaska

FIELDNOTES 78

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t / A N A D R O M O U S

Freshwater

trout/ Anadromous

A la ska Tr ophy Ad ve ntures

Remote 160 private acres within Katmai National Park on the fish-rich Alagnak River

Ala ska West

Fish the famed Kanektok River from this relaxed riverside camp

Ania k Ri v er L odge

Extraordinary diversity - all 5 salmon types, trout, and everything in between

B e a r Tr ai l L odg e

The Naknek River is the number one rainbow trout river in Alaska

Br istol Bay L odge

Fly-out fishing in Wood-Tikchik State Park, Bristol Bay, and southwest Alaska

Chrome C h aser s Fish & Forag e

Unique small venue salmon fishing and forageing in SE Alaska - family friendly

Copp e r Ri v er L odge

A top rainbow trout fishery feeding Lake Illiamna, Alaska

Crooked C r eek Retreat a nd O utfi tters

Luxury all-inclusive multi species fishing and adventure lodge in Kasilof, Alaska

Enchanted L ake L odge

Waterfront on Enchanted Lake, Katmai National Park, southwest Alaska

Good news Ri v er L odge

They don't call it "Goodnews" River for nothing!

Front-page worthy locale

Grosvenor L odge

Located in Katmai National Park between Grosvenor Lake and Colville Lake

H ood o o L odge

Located on the extreme northwest tip of the Alaska peninsula near Nelson Lagoon

Int r icate B ay L odge & O ut post

Fly-out to the best rivers of the Katmai from this newly built luxury lodge

K e na i Ri v er Recon

Fly or spin fish the Kenai & Kasilof Rivers. No experience needed!

K ulik Lodge

Katmai National Park, southwest Alaska, between Kulik and Nonvaniuk Lakes

The Lo dge at Wh al e P ass

Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska; serious fishing meets serious adventure!

Mission L odg e

Multi-species luxury fly-out lodge in Bristol Bay, perfect for groups or singles

R a p id s C am p L odg e

Luxury fly-out lodge with single rooms on the Naknek River

R e e l Acti on A l aska L odg e

Lies within the Togiak Wildlife Refuge, famous for mousing for huge rainbows

R oya l Coachm an L odge

This fly-out lodge sits on Nyukuk River, offering 24-hour fishing

79 FIELDNOTES

Ta la hei m L odge

Small water heli-fishing that's great for small groups and completely remote

Tikch ik Nar r ows L odg e

Amazing peninsula lodge with every imaginable species and daily fly-out fishing

Togiak Ri v er L odg e

An all-inclusive salmon and trout fishing experience on the remote Togiak River

Be lla Sofi a L odg e

Sea-run brown trout & spring creek fishing all on one famous Argentine estancia

Lima y Ri v er L odg e

The Limay River, Patagonia's finest tailwater with larger-than-average rainbows & browns

IC E L A ND Bla nda

A unique river that offers multiple species and some big salmon

De ild ara

Scenic, remote and private, a fantastic river to experience.

T he Kj arra

Classic, iconic salmon river in the west, but physically demanding

Myra rkv i sl

Northern Icelands small river that offers big suprises

T he S og

Classic double-handed rod fishing in a beautiful setting

Va t nsdal sa

Excellent char fishing with a very good chance of catching salmon

Vid id al sa

Very beautiful with bigger salmon and great run of arctic char

Freshwater JUNGLE

F r e s h w at e r T r o u t / A N A D R O M O U S / J U N G L E

A R G E NT I N A

A F R I CA Chia wa C amp

Located in the lower Zambezi National Park on Zambia’s southern border

T ige r Fi sh

Probably the biggest tiger fish on fly…

R oya l Z am bezi L odg e

Fishing for tiger fish and game viewing on the lower Zambezi River

N gomb e Z ambezi Ri v er Lod ge

An adventurous tiger fishing escape on the banks of the Zambezi River

FIELDNOTES 80

Freshwater JUNGLE

F r e s h w at e r J U N G L E

A R G E NT I N A D e lt a L odge

Unspoiled golden dorado fishing and eco-lodge under the Buenos Aries skyline

D on J oaqui n Ri v er L odg e

Luxury dorado fishing lodge on the banks of the Corriente River

Golden Dorado Ri v er Cruiser Pa ra na R i v er Ou tfi tters

Luxury golden dorado fly-fishing mothership on the lower Paraná River, Argentina

Pira Lodge

Stalking golden dorado on the fly in the vast Ibera Marsh, Corrientes, Argentina

S uinda L odge

Dorado, pira pita, and pacu on the upper Paraná River, in Corrientes, Argentina

Monster Paraná River dorado an ideal cast and blast opportunity in Argentina

B OL I V I A Tsimane - Agu a Neg r a Lod ge

National park and indigenous territory Bolivia; fly fishing for golden dorado

Tsimane - P l um a L odg e

Three unique golden dorado rivers from one premier eight-guest lodge

Tsiman e - Secure L odge

Fly fish for golden dorado in the jungles of Bolivia

Tsiman e - Hel i -Fi sh i n g

Heli-fishing for golden dorado deep in the Bolivian Amazon

BRAZIL

81 FIELDNOTES

Agua Boa

Protected, clear-water and fly fish only.

Peacock bass in Roraima, Brazil

K e ndj am

Clearwater jungle fly fishing in the exclusive Mekragnoti territory

Pira ru cu

Go big in the Brazilian Amazonarapaima on the fly!

R ive r P l ate An g l er s

Peacock bass fishing in remote Amazon rivers via innovative shallow water tech

R io Mari e

Outstanding liveaboard program for trophy size peacock bass in Brazil

X ingu L odg e

Payara and multi-species fishing in unbelievably clear water

M ONG O L I A Mongol i a Fi shi ng

Aggressive taimen on top-water and subsurface flies in north-central Mongolia

SOU T H A F RIC A S out h Afr ican Yel l ow Fi sh Hunt the powerful yellow fish on the stunning Orange River .

Fly-fishing for tigers in the prolific Lake Jozini

Freshwater ANADROMOUS

A L A SK A

Chrome C h aser s S te e lhead

April and May sight fishing for wild steelhead in southeast AK

A R G E NT I N A K a u Tapen

The first and absolutely foremost lodge on the Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego

V illa Mari a

Sea-run brown trout on the exclusive lower Rio Grande/Tierra del Fuego

C AN A D A Be a r C l aw L odge

A fine lodge in the heart of steelhead country on the Kispiox River

S ke e n a Spey Ri v ersi de Wild er ness and L odge

Catch mint bright huge kings and steelhead with top guides from a superb lodge

S te e lhead Val hal l a

Exclusive access to steelhead runs on the renowned Sustut and Skeena Rivers

Tr out C r eek L odge

Bulkley and Skeena River steelhead fishing from a river front private property

F r e s h w at e r J U N G L E / A N A D R O M O U S

Pongo la Ti ger Fi shi ng

IC E L A ND D e p lar Farm

Perhaps Iceland's most exclusive property with summer and winter activities

Ea st Ranga

Located on the South Coast if you want the most reliable fishing, this is it!

FIELDNOTES 82

Freshwater ANADROMOUS

F r e s h w at e r a n a d r o m o u s

IC E L A ND

Grimsa

One of Iceland's top rivers, easy physically, situated in the west

H a f ral onsa

A beautiful, remote river with bigger fish

H of sa

A scenic and iconic salmon river in the northeast with bigger fish

Ice lan d Sal m on

Fascinating, productive, light-tackle, clearwater fishing in dramatic scenery

La nga

Very pretty, classic Icelandic salmon river in the west

La xa A A sum

Wonderful, classic two-rod private river in the north-west

La xa I n Kj os

Scenic, classic, and convenient river in west Iceland

Mio

Two-rod gem with private lodge in east Iceland

Nordura

One of the great rivers that typifies Icelandic salmon fishing

S e la

One of Iceland's best and most challenging salmon rivers

The Thv er a

One of Iceland's best salmon rivers, finest lodges and physically easy

NO R WA Y The M al sel v

Good private salmon beats on a very pretty northern Norway River

Boe n G ar d

Southern Norway salmon fishing on a historic estate

UN I T E D S TA TE S Covered Br i dge Outfi tter s Steelhead focused full-service fishing/hunting lodge on Conneaut Creek, Ohio a nd L odg e

83 FIELDNOTES

saltwater flats Ab a c o L odge

A true fishermen's lodge - waterfront digs with all the comforts of home

And ro s South

Legendary fishing lodge and home to some of the finest bonefishing in the world

Ba irs L odg e

Located on south Andros between Deep and Little Creek; beachfront comfort

D e lp hi C l u b

Perfect destination on Abaco Island for fishermen, couples, or families

H 20 Bon efi sh i n g

Trophy bones and easy access make H20 popular with anglers of all levels

K a ma l am e C ay

An oasis of laidback hospitality and extraordinary bonefishing

Mangrov e C ay C l ub

Located on the Middle Bight on eastern Andros Island - an industry benchmark

Ma rs B ay B on efi sh L odge

South Andros Island, Bahamas; bonefishing at its best with no pretense!

Nort h Ridi ng P oi nt C l u b

World-class bonefishing and customized service on Grand Bahama Island since 1994

S te lla M ari s Resor t

A relaxing venue for anglers, leisure travelers, and family vacationers

B EL I ZE Be l iz e Ri v er L odg e

Accommodating anglers on the banks of Olde Belize River for over 55 years!

Blue Hori zon L odge

A completely renovated lodge located in one of the worlds finest permit waters

Cop a l Tr ee L odge

Agritourism chic: the essence and spirit of Copal Tree Lodge in southern Belize

El Pe scador Resort

Forbes has voted El Pescador one of the “Top Ten Eco-Resorts in the World!”

Long C aye Ou tpost

Enjoy flats fishing or just relaxing on your own private tropical island!

Turneffe Fl ats L odg e

Be pampered in paradise- a fly fishing, scuba diving, and eco-adventure resort

BRAZIL S ilve r Ki n g Tarpon

S A LT W AT E R F L AT S

BAHAMAS

Easy travel for great fishing for adolescent tarpon

C H R I S T M A S IS LA ND Christmas I sl an d L odg e

Flats fishing at its finest, in a remote saltwater angler’s paradise

Ika ri Hou se

Excellent service and a diversified fishing program close to the lodge

FIELDNOTES 84

CUBA Za p ata M other shi p

D UB A I D ubai Fl y Fi shi ng

Exclusive grand slam fishing inside Zapata National Park in Cuba

Great short stop or short stay, city fly fishing...

M A UR I T IUS S t. Br an don's A tol l

Look no further, double-digit bonefish, treva lly, and permit on this exotic atoll

S A LT W AT E R F L AT S

M EX I CO Asce nsi on Bay L odge

Great location in Punta Allen and the famed Ascension bay fishery

Ca m pech e Tar pon B ay

World-class baby tarpon fishing, historic old town Campeche, & wonderful cuisine

Ca sa Bl anca

The Casa Blanca experience: top-notch fishing, accommodations, cuisine, service

Fin Ch aser s

Great flats program north of Cancun at Isla Blanca in Mar Caribe biosphere

G ra nd Sl am L odge

Near the village of Punta Allen - great fishing and modern accommodations

Ma y azul L odge

A boutique oceanfront lodge in the heart of Mexico's Permit Alley

Pa lo m eta C l ub

Northern Ascension Bay’s premier fishing lodge

Pla ya B l anca

30 minutes south of Sister Lodge, Casa Blanca, on Punta Pajaros, Mexico

X f la ts

Experience Xcalak, Mexico and Chetumal Bay – fly fishing for bonefish and permit

OMA N Ara bi an Fl y

A permit fisherman's dream

P UE R T O RIC O No Nam e L odg e

World-class tarpon fishing & tailing permit with domestic conveniences

SEY CH ELLE S

85 FIELDNOTES

Alp honse I sl and Resor t

If you check one destination off your bucket list, it should be Alphonse

Ast ov e I sl and L odge

Perfect for adventure-seeking anglers; wild, remote, fabulous fly fishing

Perfect, once in a lifetime adventure; remote, legendary fishery

Fa rq uhar A tol l

One of the most exotic saltwater fly fishing destinations in the world

P rovid en ce A tol l

Species lover’s nirvana + rested waters for 5 years = fish on!

Provid ence - M otor Ya cht Qu o Vadi s

A true fly fishing wilderness experience

UN IT ED S TA TE S Ba hia Hon da

Sight-fish for tarpon in the florida keys, with an all-inclusive, lodge-based experience

Ele v e n Experi en ce Louisian a

Tailing redfish and black drum on the pristine southern Louisiana Bayou

Ele ve n Exper i ence Ma rq uesas

Top-tier live-aboard fishing for permit, tarpon, & bonefish in the Marquesas Keys

Woodland P l an tati on

Sight-fish for tailing reds while taking a step back into history in New Orleans

s a lt w at e r F l at s / B L U E W AT E R

Cosmol edo A tol l

FIELDNOTES 90

saltwater BLUEWATER C O ST A R IC A Crocodi l e B ay Resor t

Year-round offshore and inshore fishing off the Osa Peninsula in Golfo Dulce

S ilver Ki n g L odge

A tarpon destination on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

Za ncu do L odge

Great fishing combined with high-end accommodations and eco-touring

C O L O M B IA S A LT W AT E R F L AT S

Bla c k San ds

The perfect destination for Yellowfin, Sailfish, Roosterfish, Tarpon, Snook

G UA T EM ALA Pa ci fi c Fi ns Resort

The sailfishing capital of the world also has consistently calm waters

M EX I CO Ba ja P en i n sul a

Mexican treasured sportsfishing paradise: modelo, margaritas, and marlin mayhem!

PANAMA

87 FIELDNOTES

Pe sca P an am a

Saltwater species diversity and remote liveaboard solitude

T r opi c Star L odg e

Renowned lodge on Pinas Bay, Panama, with fabulous offshore and inshore fishing

WINGSHOOTING UPLAND A F R I CA Bird Hun ters Afr i ca

Seriously challenging shooting combined with great hospitality

Che yenn e Ri dge S igna tu r e L odg e

South Dakota pheasant hunting at its finest

Flying B Ran ch

Unlimited wingshooting in scenic and historic Lawyer Canyon, Idaho

H ighland Hi l l s Ran ch

World-class wingshooting for pheasant, chukar, quail, and Hungarian partridge

R io Piedra P l an tati on

Traditional bobwhite quail hunting in the heart of Georgia's wingshooting belt

WINGSHOOTING

DOVES & PIGEONS

A R G E NT I N A Cord oba L odge

Fiscally minded, volume dove shooting in Las Penas, Cordoba province

El Mo n te L odg e

Located in the province of San Luis, Argentina doves and pigeons

La D orm i da L odg e

Offers year-round dove shooting at a small venue in Cordoba province, Argentina

La Torcaza L odge

Decoyed pigeons easily combined with volume Cordoba dove shooting

S a ntiago del Ester o

New high volume dove shooting lodge in quiet rural area north of Cordoba

Tuku L odge

Extraordinary volume pigeon and dove shooting in scenic Salta Province

Tucuman L odge

Year round dove lodge ideal for small groups up to 12 with short drive times!

WINGSHOOTING UPLAND/DOVES

UN I T E D S TA T E S

FIELDNOTES 88

WINGSHOOTING

MIXED BAG

WINGSHOOTING MIXED BAG/DRIVEN

A R G E NT I N A Los Cr estones L odge

Mixed bag shooting less than 2 hours from the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina

R ive r P l a te Wi n g shooti ng - 5 Fe ather P rog r am

Mixed-bag hunt from 2 classic estancias in La Pampa and Buenos Aires Provinces

R ive r P l a te Wi n g shooti ng - Entr e Ri os

Argentina's best duck and dove combos located only 3 hours from Buenos Aires

UR U G UA Y Esta nci a L a B el l aca

Uruguayan coastal decoyed pigeons, perdiz over pointers, and mixed bag shooting

S a n Ju an L odge

Mixed bag: volume dove, perdiz over setters, and decoyed ducks - Flores, Uruguay

Uruguay L odge

Mixed bag: perdiz over dogs, doves, and puddle ducks - Young, Uruguay

UN I T E D S TA T E S P he a san t Bon an za

World class upland, waterfowl, turkey, and deer hunting in Tekamah, Nebraska

S kyf a ll Reser v e

Premier Texas destination for waterfowl, whitetails, hogs, and world-class shooting

WINGSHOOTINGDRIVEN SP A I N V e nt o si l l a

Shooting at the home of driven partridge shooting in Spain

La N av a

One of Spain's best shoots in every regard

La Flam en ca

The perfect option to shoot and stay in Madrid

Los M el on ares

A beautiful family estate with fine shooting

89 FIELDNOTES

FR A N CE Cha teau De Vi l l ette

Fine driven shooting in Burgundy

D EN M A R K D e nmar k

Classic estate shoots for mallards and driven pheasants pioneered by Frontiers

Grouse Shooti ng

Most agree that driven grouse is the pinnacle of driven game shooting

Ma in Season

The heart of the pheasant shooting season

Ea rly Season

Driven grouse, partridge, pheasants, and duck the season gets underway

WINGSHOOTING

WATERFOWL

AR GE NT I N A Esta nci a San ta Ri ta

Migratory ducks over decoys from dry blinds & more with Patagonia Outfitters

Ja c a na L odge

Decoyed ducks and 5-star accommodation in famous Lincoln, Buenos Aires province

W I N G S H O O T I N G D R I V E N / W AT E R F O W L

U N I T E D KINGDO M

UN I T E D S TA T E S S kyf a ll Reser v e

Premier Texas Destinaton for waterfowl and world-class shooting.

FIELDNOTES 90

BIG GAME HUNTING A F R I CA Umd ende Hun ti n g Safari s A family-run south Africa operation with plenty of activities

BIG GAME HUNTING

A R G E NT I N A AK H u nts

Free range stag; Lake District of Patagonia, Rio Negro province, Argentina

R e d S tag Tu pu ngato

Red deer in Argentina's wine country. Hunt in the shadows of Mt. Tupungato

R incon de L un a

Trophy stag and exotic species in the Calamuchitas Valley; southwest of Cordoba

NEW Z E A L A ND Poron ui

Fine red stag, sika deer and luxury accommodations "Down Under"

UN I T E D K I NG DO M S ta lki ng (Deer Sh ooti n g )

Traditional hunting areas covering the 6 main species and others

UN I T E D S TA T E S Thre e Forks Ranch

Trophy elk, mule deer, and pronghorn; highend, game-rich, fair-chase hunts

S kyf a l l Reserv e

Premier Texas Destinaton for whitetail, hogs, and world-class shooting.

91 FIELDNOTES

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