Fishing with R. L. Cook

They were nice enough to share photos of their trip with us. Thank you.

Northern Pike - Jack got this on the Bitterroot July 22

Jack Mauer with a Northern Pike

Blackfoot River July 17 - Bear swims across the river

Beautiful cool water on the Blackfoot. Even the bear was enjoying it.

Bitterroot River July 8

Fishing the Bitterroot River with some great friends and clients on July 8. This is the only photo that was on Jack's camera. Nice trout though!

Richard Steed on the Bitterroot July 1

Richard Steed on the Bitterroot July 1

Catching up on this summer's photos - posting as I can. Nice trout Richard.

Fishing the Bitterroot and more with the Shields

I am leaving the post date for today (mid-Sept) but these photos were from trips in early July. There was a lot of water still - these are before the fires hit us in western Montana. The Shields are from Washington State and come here in their comfortable motor home to fish lots of days with Jack. He just loves spending time and creating adventures with them. Naomi sent me two discs with photos and videos. I am posting the photos now, but will try to work with the videos soon, too. They are pretty fun, except when she spent a while taping Jack as he chopped a downed green willow from their path (lol).

So, here are the photos. Hope you enjoy.

Late July fishing on the Bitterroot River with Zan

Another great day. Still good flows and this was a big, beautiful trout. He had fun landing it, too. Back in the water quickly and it darted away to deeper water. Thanks Zan for fishing with Wapiti Waters.

Kids love to fish on the Bitterroot

Jack Mauer fishing with a clients (and friends) son on the Bitterroot in mid-July. Gotta love that smile!

Great July day of fishing on the Bitterroot

Jack and Scott Warren guided the Chandler group on the Bitterroot on July 21. Beautiful day and fun catching trout.

Pam Funk on an overnight fishing trip on the Bitterroot

Pam and Jack tossed around a number of different dates for her camping/fishing trip on the Bitterroot but mid-July turned out to be a winner. Jack had such a great time with Pam and I think she had the time of her life in Montana. She has a passion for life and all thing fun, especially water and fishing. Thanks Pam. We hope to be lifelong friends with you. Here are some photos from their trip.

July fishing on the Bitterroot with Dick

Dick Kane fished with Jack on the Bitterroot and caught some really nice fish. Here is one of them. Another great day on the water.

Little people love to fish, too

We love taking kids fishing, but there are certain clients that we have the most fun with. Connell's are some of our favorite people to fish with and when we can get great client's kids interested in fishing, that is a banner day. Matthew came up to visit Grandma and Grandpa this summer and got to actually catch some fish, not just be in the boat. Thanks to guide Eddie Olwell for these photos of Matthew. Isn't he just the cutest fisherman you have ever seen? I think he might be 'hooked.'

Upper Bitterroot River in July with the Shields

Jim and Naomi are fishing three rivers again this year, the Bitterroot (pictured here), the Big Hole and the Blackfoot. We will try to post the other two rivers soon, in August. Stay tuned because they always catch spectacular fish. Here are more photos of trout - of course caught by the Shields!

View all photos in a new window

This is a slideshow of Jack getting the raft over debris/hazard while Jim and Naomi were out of the boat. Thanks Naomi for taking the photos! Jack is pulling and pushing the raft over a downed cottonwood. Thank goodness it wasn't too big. Good job Jack. You didn't even lose your hat or sunglasses.

View all photos in a new window

Big Hole River in late July

Scott Warren guided with Jack on the Big Hole River. The photos show this young woman with her first trout EVER. Pretty cool. And, she caught more fish that day including a brown trout.

Paul on the Bitterroot River, again - keeps coming back

Paul is the brother of my great friend Nancy. He lives in Washington State but comes to Montana to visit Nancy and family. He has many talents and loves to fish. The photos are from his camera and since Nancy was on this float, I think she probably took them. Thanks Paul and Nancy! 

Fly Fishing the west fork of the Bitterroot River in July

Rodney Boehm came here from Texas for a wedding. We fished with a few people from the wedding party and had a great time. The weather was good for both the wedding and fishing.

When fishing, especially if the water is somewhat high, the guide works hard to get people into fish and photography takes a back seat. We did get one photo and here it is. Rodney is holding one of his nice west fork of the Bitterroot trout. Congratulations.

Thanks for fishing with Wapiti Waters.

Big Hole River with the Knick and Levert families

Jeff and his one of his two daughters

Fly fishing is definitely a family activity. Just be sure to have life jackets, sunscreen, hats, water and food for the kids. Be practical about the distance of the float and be safe. Jack's daughter and husband live near Billings. They like to meet Jack in the Big Hole and spend at least a couple of days fishing and camping. On this late July weekend, our longtime friend (and also fishing guide) was doing the same stretch with his family. One can never have to much fun!

The two Knick boys at the put-in on the Big Hole. Grandpa Jack is taking the photo.

Big Hole River with Irv Weissman

Irv and his brown trout

Jack and Irv

Irv has a home in the Bitterroot and comes up from CA often. This year Irv, his family and some friends have fished the Bitterroot a lot, the Big Hole some and at least one day so far on the Blackfoot.

Here are a couple of photos from the Big Hole River. They seem to be catching quite a few brown trout this July.

Big Hole River with Bob Ratcheson

Jack holding Bob's beautiful brown trout

Bob and Peggy have a home near the Bitterroot River but you have to fish other places, too. On this day, Bob and Jack ventured "over the hill" to the Big Hole. It paid off. Cooler temperatures, more water, lots of fish and spectacular scenery were some of the perks.

Closer view of Bob's brown trout