Archive for the ‘MFC after hours’ Category

On February 22nd, Confluence Films and the Wild Steelhead Coalition present the premiere of the new film, Connect, created by Jim Klug and Chris Patterson.

CONNECT introduces a number of new locations, exotic species and compelling characters that epitomize and exemplify the sport of fly fishing. Shot on location in Japan, Yellowstone National Park, the Yukon Drainage of Alaska, the flats of Cuba, the coast of Maine, and in the wilds of Tanzania, Africa, this feature-length movie will once again transport viewers around the world in search of new waters and exhilarating travel experiences. CONNECT features well-known anglers Greg Vincent, Jeff Currier, Jimmy Bartschi, Craig Mathews, Masa Katsumata, Brian Porter, and Captain Eric Wallace, and more than a dozen different fish species, both freshwater and saltwater.

As with DRIFT and RISE before, the cinematography, sound, and feel of CONNECT come together in a visual masterpiece that promises to re-set the bar for fly fishing films.

Don’t miss this incredible film and fundraising benefit for the Steelhead Coalition. Doors open at 6pm, and the film starts at 7. $5 bucks get you in. Enjoy good beer, raffles, and all sorts of fun!

MFC ambassador angler, Cody Townsend, and friends went north of the border to wrangle trout residing in British Columbian streams. Blue skies housed a warm, late summer sun that allowed the fish to be seen easily in the pristine waters.

Check out these photos of their Elk River excursion and note the excellent use of the new, award-winning MFC boat box:

Picturesque positioning of an MFC boat box.

Decisions decisions for Cody.

Good decision.

Dig those dots!

Nothing better for the soul,

than a crystal clear fishing hole.

Cody & a Bully.

Amy ninja-fishing some bullies in River “X”. See ‘em?

Two Days Later…

Pat coming back for more bullies.

After working the employees of Montana Fly Company into the ground at the IFTD tradeshow, we wanted to show them a little love.  So we packed up and headed to the great white north!

Some of these bullies were nearly 30"

Apparently standards are low at the U.S./Canadian border. They let us in! Maybe it’s because we had Pro Salomon skier, Cody Townsend in our posse. In case you hadn’t heard, Cody is a MFC athlete. Um, yes, fisherman are athletes.  Ish.  Not only is he a kickass Salomon skier, he’s got fishy ninja skills that would put some of us to shame.

Cody Townsend

Auggie in his nice sleepy, shady spot behind a bush on the Wiggy

Don't call this bully names!

Awesome view from the Flat of the Wigwam

We caught all sizes of fish!

NAREENA!

Cupid is a pretty good shot.  If you have been following the MFC blog recently, you’d know that our very own Stirling Tyler is getting hitched.  It’s happening this weekend!

Of course Stir had to incorporate fly fishing into his nuptials, so he custom-made these amazing boutonnieres for his groomsmen to wear as they witness him tie the knot with Kirtleye.

Stirling calls this fly, “The Taking the Plunge Fly.”

Congrats Stirling! We couldn’t be happier for your happiness. Thank goodness Cupid is so smart.  As for your beautiful bride…well, we won’t make any jokes about questioning her choice in a husband–let’s just say you are one lucky guy to get a gorgeous gal who not only puts up with your fishing problem, but enthusiastically participates in it.  Fish on, lovebirds!

The soon-to-be Mrs. Tyler

Stirling Tyler fishes. A lot. Last week he and a pal caught 115 fish! When he sent me the email, I of course, questioned his counting skills and he swears, if anything, 115 fish is modest! Anyway, I had to post the pics and share with you some of Stirling’s thoughts on the  big day.

Stirling caught a mere 25 Browns on dries and nymphs and his pal, Jamey Curylo caught 90 or so fish on hardware.

“Jamey is one of those guys that may be part fish; he works his way down a river and vacuums every fish out. The weather was gorgeous and we both got our first wet-wading  in of the year. The fly du jour was a size 16 Olive Anderson’s Bird of Prey Nymph and a size 10 Tung Pheasant Tail Nymph,” recalls Stirling.

Tung Pheasant Tail Flashback

Jamey was able to really up the fish count by spending time in this honey hole that Stirling calls the “bachelor party hole,” Unfortunately for Stirling, he wasn’t able to fish this spot because he spent his time better chasing his wayward beagle around the country hills.

Bachelor Party Hole

More fishing to come and all the major Montana rivers are starting to look sparkly clean and the fishing is heating up!

Big fish come to those who wear the coolest shorts.

Case in point — take a look at these pics from one of our AMAZING commissioned fly tiers and his son (notice the shorts.) Scott Carleton sent in these gems  from a recent Father/Son fishing trip to a remote canyon in WY. His son, Cade, caught this 21″ Brown whopper in some off-color water using the Carleton’s Canyon Water Hopper.

Carleton's Canyon Water Hopper

The duo caught ten fish in total, all measuring between 18-22″ long.

Day two of the trip proved successful using the Silverman’s Sparkle Worm Dropper.

Silverman's Sparkle Worm

Thompson River

Our man Stirling Tyler is getting hitched…soon, very soon. So, to celebrate his last few weeks of bachelor status he and some pals fished the s@!% out of the Thompson River for the bachelor party. Believe it or not, a ton of fish were caught and as you can imagine, good times were had by all. Kirtlye is one lucky gal!

The boys used Montana Fly Co. size 8 Olive Hare’s Ears to mimic Green Drakes, size 10 Parachute Adams to mimic the Grey Drakes, Black Leadeye Buggers, Yellow Yummies and size 10 Goldstones.

Parachute Adams

Fish of the day

Best of luck to Stirling and Kirtlye!

Kirtlye

Stirling Tyler

Here in NW Montana, rivers are blown out and pretty much unfishable.  But apparently our customer service guru didn’t get the memo.  Once again, Stirling Tyler and his pal “Jedi,” headed out into the high and fast water and found big success on “no-name river.”  The only clue Stirling will give about where they went is that it is “somewhat local.” Stirling claims his goal of the weekend was to make sure brown trout still like the Leadeye Yellow Yummie. Turns out they do.

Leadeye Yellow Yummie

The “somewhat local river” delivered.  (Not to be confused with “Deliverance.”)  Stir caught a dozen brownies and Jedi caught 20.  Nice one, boys!

The Montana Fly Co. crew is super psyched to be a part of the Glacier Anglers Cast-Off 2011 at Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier, MT this Saturday. Glacier Outdoor Center carries a pile of our flies and accessories, so we are happy to be a part of this first-ever event.

In the morning, fish biologists, fish nuts and pros will give a few talks about bugs, gear and fish. Then participants will move outside to practice casting and fishing on the property’s four stocked fishing ponds. Later in the afternoon will be an All-Cast casting competition qualifier! Tons of great prizes, raffles and good times and beer. Sounds like the most perfect fishing event ever. Oh yeah, did I mention it is totally FREE?! For more information click here, call Glacier Outdoor Center at 1-800-235-6781 or visit www.glacierraftco.com.

The rivers are blown up here, so this is where you’ll find me this weekend…and probably lots of you like-minded fishy friends too.

Have a great weekend!

Stirling Tyler, our notorious fish-addicted customer service rep extraordinaire, ventured out last weekend for opening weekend of a couple of Montana streams and a lakes that have been closed for the winter.

It was tough fishing and slim pickings, but Stir and pal, Jerrell Beogher are as skilled (and stubborn) as they come, so they ended up doing alright. Looks like Stir’s hound Auggie got in the action too.

From "Secret Opening Day Spot"

Swan River side channel

Jerrell Beougher

Auggie Dog loving his dog life.