This Christmas, we learned the hard way the importance of enunciation. While sitting on Santa’s knee, we asked him for a guide to dancing and a Buff. The Big Guy must have misheard in the worst way. When we looked under the shop Christmas tree on Sunday morning, we found quite the nasty surprise.

May your New Year be filled with feisty fish and happy surprises!

A portly Turd Ferguson was recently spotted flaunting his musical talents on American Idol with Idol jazzman Casey Abrams. The flyfishing masters duet with Abrams brought the crowd to its feet on the season finale. We can’t wait to see what Turd will do next. Stay Tuned!!!!

Thanks to Ryan Sones and the folks at the Montana’s Rib and Chop House for once again openings their doors for the guide/ shop employee dirty water bash. We’ll see you all there.

What: 3rd Annual Dirty River Guide Bash

When: Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m.

Where:  Montana’s Rib & Chop House, 305 East Park Street, Livingston

First off, thanks to everyone who made previous Dirty River Guide Bashes the talk of Southwest Montana.   Last year 59 guides and outfitter attended and I expect even a bigger turn out this year.  It could not have been done without the many local businesses, and fishing reps making the party a success, so thanks again!  Support was huge from local fly shops and industry affiliates.  As most of you know, anglers provide a strong component to our local economy and guides are the ambassadors of our regions business.  All donations went to say thanks to the guys and gals who matter most in the fishing world…the guides.

Just like last year the Chop House will provide staffing, food, beer and the place to party for all guides, outfitters and shop folk.  Like previous years, raffle will be held for the guides featuring donated goods from local businesses.  Also there will be some stuff for everyone and the first 50 guides will get a free grab bag of goodies as well.

Finally please remember our primary goal is to acknowledge the guides and those in the fishing industry that are so important to our local communities economy.  The event is free to all guides, outfitters and shop employees.  Shop employees get free food and beer, and only guides are eligible for raffle items.  Feel free to bring along your significant other, but they are not eligilbe for free food, beer or raffle items.  Thanks for your time and we hope to see you there.

Cheers,

Ryan Sones

General Manager

Montana’s Rib and Chop House

For all of you that attended the 2011 Simms Iceout there is no doubt that you know Satoshi Yamamoto.  Satoshi was the Grand Champion in the fly tying exhibition in Bozeman. His award winning fly, The Coyote, was a hands down favorite with the judges and quickly elevated Satoshi in the fly tying world.

Satoshi is also a Sweetwater Travel Guide School graduate and future Fly Guide.   For those of you that know Satoshi know that he is dedicated to his craft and wants to be the best he can be. Therefore over the last few weeks Satoshi has been giving it is all to spend as much time on the Yellowstone as he can, to become one with his new RO Drift Boat and learn the nuances of the finicky river.

Before he had to return to his day job Satoshi sent me an email that should provide inspriration to anyone wanting to excell in their profession, hobby or craft. Right on Satoshi and we’ll see you in July!

“Hi Charlie, I put 20 miles on both my boat and bicycle in 4 days. Not bad for self-shuttling. My investment (bicycle $80 + chain $10) seems paid off as a shuttle. See you in July. “- Satoshi

For those of you that are fishing guides it pretty obvious what you do in the off season. Yes indeed you find warmer climates so you can fish. Well our main man Bayaraa Bayarsaikhan, Mongolias first fly fishing guide did the same ending up in Chile for some King Salmon fishing. Big Fish Bayraa just can’t get enough of those big fish.

Thanks for the photos Bayaraa and we look forward to working with you again this year in Mongolia.

At Sweaty Waders we don’t only try to keep you posted on current events and fly fishing tips but we aren’t afraid to help with dating tips as well.  That is why we are happy to finally disclose one of  Pat’s best tips.  We always heard the stories but we finally have proof as to why our own Pat Vermillion was such a ladies man in College.  Thanks to his former College roommate, who will remain nameless (John), for finally releasing this great video of Pat in College!

Over the years we have had hundreds of students attend the Sweetwater Guide School. So we have decided to periodically check up on our guides and see what they are up to.

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to catch up with one of our most highly decorated guide school veterans. Carl Evenson was 1999 Guide School graduate and since then he has spent five seasons Guiding for Taimen in Mongolia, instructing the Guide School and he currently resides on the banks of the Big Wood river in Idaho. In addition to guiding on the Big Wood he also frequents Silver Creek and various Sun Valley area creeks and lakes. Carl can also be found in the spring guiding for Steelhead in the Stanley, Idaho area. To say the least he has it pretty dialed in.

If you have worked or fished with Carl then you know that he is fishy as hell. You may also know that he is ingenious as hell to boot. That is why I could not pass up the opportunity to highlight his killer diggs in the Stanley area. Yes indeed Carl resides in a homemade Tivek Tipi when he is guiding for Steelhead. Right on Carl and great catching up with you earlier this month.