Lake trout, serious threat for Yellowstone Lake

   t's a case of trout versus trout, and in the face-off between native Yellowstone cutthroats (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) and the intruders on the scene, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), the judgment handed down is a no-brainer. The lake trout must go.The problem, explained Pat Bigelow, a fisheries biologist at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, emerged in 1994 when lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake. Why lake trout were introduced into the lake is a mystery. Perhaps, biologists speculate, some anonymous angler wanted to diversify the fish population in the lake but didn't think through the consequences. "It's an example of bucket biology," said Todd Koel, supervisory fisheries biologist for the park. (Related pictures: Trout vs. Trout in Yellowstone Lake.)

   A Yellowstone cutthroat—coppery in color, back peppered with spots, a blush of pink by the gills—is a thing of beauty. But it is outmatched in size and outlived by the lake trout, which weighs in at over 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can reach the ripe old age of 20-plus years, about twice the span of cutthroats. More to the point, lake trout eat cutthroats.

   Why the fuss? Isn't variety the spice of trout fishing? Not at all, said Bigelow. The cutthroat fishery provides an estimated 34 million dollars in economic benefit to the area. Lake trout—not as easy to catch—are no substitute for their native cousins. More important, Yellowstone cutthroats, and their genetic well-being, need protecting. Two of fourteen cutthroat species—the Alvord and yellowfin—are already extinct. (Related interview: Invasive fish species in the Great Lakes.)

   There are other factors that speak to the wisdom of weeding out non-natives. Lake trout are deepwater dwellers and inaccessible to the otters, ospreys, bears, and eagles that prey on easily caught, shallow-water-dwelling cutthroats. Ten years ago, Koel pointed out, there were 50 nesting pairs of ospreys in the lake system area. Today there are only three or four.

   Once the alien species was discovered, the Park Service was quick to respond. It started netting the intruders and in the past ten years has hired commercial fishermen to accelerate the process with large deepwater entrapment nets. Last year, more than 300,000 lake trout were removed from the lake, pushing the ten-year total take to about a million.

   But lake trout aren't going away any time soon. Netting has slowed down, but not completely solved, the problem. "The war isn't won yet," said Koel. "It's a matter of keeping ahead of the curve."

The evolution of CK Outfitters

     What started as a summer job in 1998 has   evolved into a full blown way of life for me.  I had  never planned on guiding fly fishermen for thirteen  years, it is just how it happened.  A poor economy, A low employment rate in Southwestern Montana coupled with low paying jobs and living the seasonal life are the biggest contributing factors.
     Since the beginning of this so called summer job, I have found myself guiding in Wisconsin. Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park and most recently Montana.  While  each of the following states have excellent fly fishing, Montana is where I have chosen to  spend the better part of the last decade and start CK Outfitters Fly Fishing.
     Fly fishermen are a one of a kind breed.  99% are fun loving adventurous souls..  If it were not for the people that love this sport, I would not have lasted this long.  The .1% do exist.  They may  have things happening in their life which derails them from enjoying the simple mind numbing joy of fly fishing.  This is really unfortunate.
     Through all of this, I have found myself as the Guide, Instructor, Doctor, Therapist, Teacher, Preacher, Legal council, Historian, Bartender, Banker, Boss, Parent, Disciplinarian and the list goes on.  One thing is for sure, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing all these roles.
     While my time as a fishing guide winds down, I still continue to Outfit anglers and find myself with a new set of rules.  After thirteen years, I have a few stories to tell.  This book is not intended to bruise  the reputation of fly fishing, rather enlighten anglers on the client/guide dynamic.  I have clients that I have been fishing with for along time and appreciate the advice they have given me but most importantly, cherish the lifelong friendships I have developed over the years.
  This sport is largely why I am who I’ve become today and for that I am grateful.  I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this book.  My first attempt at writing a book has been a wonderful journey.  Enjoy

Craig CK Kalpinski.

Snake Roll or Out Of Control Jelly Roll?

Property of barbless fly fishing media

More science of the salt

The science of tarpon

Protecting the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout

The Greenest Presidents

The "greenest" president of all time? You're looking at him. A totally unscientific report in Scientific American reports that Republican Teddy Roosevelt takes top spot over fellow green weenie Richard Nixon.

"Rounding out the top three was Jimmy Carter, who gained points for actions like putting solar panels on the White House."

Roosevelt also wins props for best quotes, such as this one:

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.

Saltwater on our minds

It's getting to be that time of year again where we switch from freshwater to warm saltwater destinations.  My friend,  Capt. Brandon Henley of Epic Tide Charters 305*340*9863 now makes Cudjoe Key his home where he guides the Lower Key's.  Caroline and I love it there and still have friends living the dream Key's style.  Might be a trip to the Key's in our future?  "Tighten that shir up" I like that and would have used it and very true when it comes to line control

Catch Magazine www.CatchMagazine.net

River Code Part II.

Simply give me a 90 foot cast at 10:30

   As mentioned in my previous post, I've never fished Tiger Woods but I'm guessing it would be a trip.  I imagine rolling down the river with a very intense fisherman yelling bite damnit, bite.  Maybe a few F bombs thrown in for good measure and of course the "oh c'mon Tiger" when he misses a fish.  I know a lot of guides that don't like missing fish and they will probably let you hear about it.  They  might even remind you for years   to come.  I can really be a tenacious little pain in the ass - the kind of fishing guide I swore I would never be and learned not to be thanks to Tiger and a skinny, sweaty booze drenched Key's guide.
   You see, my wife and I escaped the cold and snow of Montana n the Winter of 2005 and headed South to the Florida Key's.  Awesome Winter but that's another chapter.  I had never caught a bonefish before and my goal that Winter was a bone and if I had just a little more time,, a permit.  I hired my first key's guide with a little hesitation of course.  I had heard to horror stories and had my ego intact and wanted to keep it that way.  Now you have to remember something.  I'm a streamer junkie from Montana, really good with a short line while ripping a fly fast.  Similar to saltwater, I thought.
     I met the guide at Bud n Mary's marina in Islamorada the morning of our trip.  We met, exchanged handshakes and I caught a wiff of last nights booze session with a whiskey bottle.  I was warned about these Key's fellas.  So far, my guide was right on course.  Serious raccoon eyes, sunburned, crows feet, leather for skin and reeked of cigarettes and booze.  Sweet, this will be fun since I had found the right guy for my first bonefish.  He said he had recently spent a lot of time in the backcountry and new where we could find some bones.  We started out bayside poling and searching for bones.  It was my first time on a skiff and first time in the backcountry of the Florida Key's, I was psyched!  At last he spotted a school tailing in some sea grass.  I couldn't see them but I took his word for it, until... Guide:  "Give me a 90ft cast at 10:30 and work your clouser slow".  Me:  "OK, it won't be pretty but I'll do just that"  I double hauled 90 feet of terrible looking fly line that hit the water so hard I think it spooked every fish between the Keys and Cuba.  Guide:  "I know where some cobia live and all you have to do is cast a short line and strip fast - you'll do great".  Was this really my first bought and payed for bonefish experience?
   So I returned to Montana bonefishless and a little better of a guide, sort of.  Rather than kicking the cooler, spitting on my boat floor or dropping a mega loud F bomb, I would dig deep and think about Woods and my Key's guide.

River Code Part I.

    I have never fished Tiger Woods but my boys down in Dutch John, Utah have and know a different Tiger.  There is a silent code of ethic on the river among fishing guides - "What is done or said on the river stays on the river".

   As a fishing guide, you are eyes and and an ear.  Eyes to point out fishy lies and an ear to listen to your client.  One thing is for certain, you are not a mouth.  They don't want to know about you unless they ask.  He or she may be on that fishing trip to escape the stresses of everyday life or escape the pressure of living a life not exactly molding to its design.

   I have a client who would often show up early for the fishing and more often late.  He was easy to read.  "Early" meant a long adventurous day on the river and probably some exploring new territory.  Most likely it would be a shot way up high on the Yellowstone, down low on the stone for whatever the river felt like dishing up or over to the Missouri R. Headwaters for the ultra sporty carp.  Maybe even a hit or miss jaunt to the Jeff?

   If it was getting late, we were sure to be behind the boat traffic and my client probably really just wanted to drink a beer or two, smoke a cigar and slam of few angry browns.  On those days when we were on a mission to "Get the job done", it was guaranteed that I would hear some stories and fish were to be caught.  I learned a lot about this guy, his business, family, extra curricular activity and the rest will have wait for Part II.

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