Less than an hour adventure...

We just had a baby on Wednesday so my life has been wonderful and hectic lately.  I was getting a little stir crazy this evening and the boys had already gone to bed so I slipped out for an hour down to the Bear River.  I have been set line fishing, but a few weeks ago the water level raised two feet and my set line got snagged.  I decided to leave it and wait until it broke free- tonight I was able to break it free and boy was it a mangled mess.

My bow fishing experience didn't go too well the first time and retrieving the arrows was cumbersome, so I made an upgrade.  I purchased the AMS Original Retriever 310 from Sportsmans Warehouse store in Ogden for $79 and it has made all the difference.  It is a pretty slick rig.

I went out on my normal walk out willow tree.  It was a peaceful night.  I saw ducks, geese, pelicans and even a muskrat swam right underneath me, completely oblivious that I was right above him.  After learning how to aim without using my sights, I took this carp on my second shot.

It was a lunker.  It felt like I was reeling in a log.  It really put up a good fight!

I shot it from about 10 yards away and my arrow went clean through its belly.  One or the raccoons to enjoy!

Bear River Bow Fishing

I have found a new adventure- bow fishing!  The other day while I was looking for a place to do a set line I found a nice eddy on the Bear River that has two walk out trees and plenty of carp.  I purchased a reel, line and arrow from Cajun Archery and it worked awesome!  However, I would recommend the actual fishing reel vs. the spool for faster retrieval.  I was a little rusty on the bow- I hadn't used it since I last went elk hunting two years ago.  Tips from a buddy- Matt B. made it even more exciting.  He shot 2 and I lost 2 arrows.  Obviously I'm a novice and need some practice, but I enjoyed it and plan on doing a lot more with it.  Look for future postings of me actually shooting something and not losing money.

 

Even the smallest of streams...

Justin Harding of Utah Pro Fly Fishing and I spent a couple of hours one evening fishing the small stream that comes out of Smithfield canyon.  To our surprise the stream holds and produces rainbow trout.  While the size of the trout we caught were not the biggest there have been reports of up to 12 inches.  It would be recommended to fish with a 2 weight rod if one were going to try to fly fish this stream.  The easiest access is below and above the dam just east of Mack Park.  A couple of my friends have fished it all the way up the canyon and said that they have caught dozens of fish.  Keep in mind that the stream is very over-grown in most places.  One of my friends even used an ice fishing pole to access it better.

The best day ever on the Blacksmith Fork

Here is a sampling of the fish Brad and I caught on the Blacksmith Fork this evening. Total we caught about 20 fish together. Not all of them were as big as these. The water was crystal clear and the flows were lower- so it made for a great day! I think we are getter better and better.

We fished salmon flies with a dropper of a prince nymph or whatever we had that looked close to it.  As always- catch and release.

Landing a bass from Newton

Newton Fishing

Brad and I went to Newton today.  It was slow at first and then we started getting hits and seeing fish.  I had strike from a small bass on my moss boss and then a huge hit from a tiger muskie, but I didn't hook either.  Brad saw a good size tiger muskie cruising the shallows.  I finally hooked this nice bass.  A storm came in and ended our expedition early.  In a matter of 5 minutes it turned from calm to raging winds and rolling whitecaps.  We will be back soon.

A few missed Pics from the Ice fishing season

Me and Brad at Mantua

Jazz Swept in Series :( Thanks for the tickets Alpine!

My first NBA playoff game ever!  It would have been my 2nd, but I helped the boss pull off a prank on his family to keep the engagement of his daughter a secret- which left me missing out on Jazz tickets.  The prank went great though.  For this game, Jazz vs. Lakers- Zane, Nick, Mike, James and I got to go to the game.  We met early to do the traditional Crown Burger before the game.  The arena was so loud that most of the time my ears were ringing (yes, I know that means hearing damage).  Too bad they lost.  It was fun though!

My first fly fishing outing for 2010

I'm not sure what this fly is, but there were lots of them out on my first fly fishing trip for this year.  I tied on a pattern as close as I could to it and started getting hits.  I hooked 4 different trout and couldn't land a single one.  I was too eager and kept setting the hook too early.  I'm excited to get out more this year.  Sorry for all posts catch-ups.  I will try to stay more current.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Utah Jazz vs Boston Celtics

Me taking the Osmond family brethren out to a Jazz game.  Thanks Alpine Cleaning & Restoration!

My last snowboard outing for the year...

Back in February I got to go snowboarding with some Farm Bureau Agents.  It was a really fun day!

California Trip

On my trip to California for work, I got to spend 15 minutes on the beach.

Caleb's First Ice Fishing Trip

Caleb's first ice fishing trip was fun.  The first picture is of him getting splashed with water from a fish.  He stayed busy coloring and watching the Disney channel on my phone when the fishing was slow.  Once we found the fish he had a fun time watching them down the hole and trying to get them to bite his jig.  He almost fell head first into the hole he was so excited.  He actually did fall in-  I just drilled the holes in the tent and told him to stay put while I brought the buckets in- he stepped into the hole thigh deep 2 seconds later.  He stayed warm enough to keep fishing.  He didn't do bad for his first time.  I'm excited to take him more next year.  We went to Hyrum Reservoir in February.

Snowmobiling with Alpine Cleaning & Restoration's Owner

Randall having a good time.

Powder at the Sinks by Bear lake

More of Alpine Cleaning & Restoration Employees

Deer on the mountainside

Owner of Alpine Cleaning & Restoration, Chris Harris on left and his son, Nick on the right.

Me imitating a bear, since the sled I was riding had teddy bears on it- how cute...

Nick and I ready to go riding.

I have never been snowmobiling in my life- but I think I have found a new passion! It was the best winter sport I have ever done in my life! It combines speed, thrill, and power all in one. I was able to keep up with the owner of Alpine Cleaning & Restoration and his son, Nick. I even did some hill climbing with them. I only got stuck once- I had to hop off and I was in waist deep powder. I was able to stand off to the side of the machine and ride out. I even popped some wheelies and went off some jumps! It was a blast!

Alpine Cleaning & Restoration/Comcast Skiing

Comcast Buffett

Ken & Ike

Ryan too tired to ski anymore!

I haven't been skiing in over ten years- but I tried it again! We started off on a black diamond run. I was surprised at how well I did. I'm not as confident in skiing as I am in snowboarding. After taking a break I switched back to snowboarding. I love snowboarding so much better!