West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, Part 1 from Montana Office of Tourism on Vimeo.

Tower-Roosevelt to Cooke City, Part 6 from Montana Office of Tourism on Vimeo.

So rush over to Howard Films mas pronto, and get one for everybody on your holiday shopping list.

Then there are mornings like this when I look out at thirty degrees below zero, and I'm glad I walk upright and have use of opposable thumbs.

The Florida Wildlife Commission commenced a staff review of the issue. Comments were gathered. Public meetings were held. And, in the end the staff review recommended (in a statement last week) going backwards on protections for permit, allowing spearing of the fish for the first time and ignoring the rising voice of anglers who want to see the fish achieve gamefish status.

Below is a letter form bad ass Florida Captain John O'Hearn:

Concerned anglers,
 
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is currently planning to rework the laws governing permit (Trachinotus falcatus).  Many of you might be unaware that permit are still fished commercially in the state of Florida. While the limit for mature permit (over 20") is only two per day, the is NO harvest limits for fish under 20". Equally alarming, permit are still pursued with spearfishing tackle in federal water (just offshore).  Since there are no federal laws concerning the harvest of permit, it is literally open season out there.  
 
This is a great chance to protect the future of this species forever.  The Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Guides Association supports the following law changes.  We want the FWC to list permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species.  We also support mandating the permit fishery as catch and release only, with some provision (a stamp or tag system) for the harvest of one fish per day for those pursuing world records. Lastly, we want to see state regulations extended into federal waters to ensure the success of these law changes.
 
A few minutes or your time could help protect these fish. Any comment in support of these law changes will go a long way. Seriously, public comment plays a very large role in the decision making/law making process.  Please, cut&paste and email the comment below to marine@myfwc.com  or for those preferring more old fashioned methods, download/print and mail/fax the attachment to:
 
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
2590 Executive Ctr Circle E  #201
Tallahassee, FL  32301
fax:  850 487-4847

Thank you very much for your time and please forward this to anyone you feel might be concerned,
 
Capt John O'Hearn
President 
Key West & Lower Keys Fishing Guides Assc
jpohearn@hotmail.com 
 
Cut and paste, write your name, enter "permit law changes" in the subject box.
 
FWC Commissioners,

In light of the proposed law changes for Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), I would like to voice my opinion.  I support listing Permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species. 
 
I support the creation of a catch and release fishery for the species, with some provision (stamp or tag) for possessing one a day.  
 
Lastly, I support the extension of State regulations into federal water to insure complete protection of the species.  Thank you for your time.

 Sincerely,
 
 Your Name Here

Call for Papers, Posters, and Award Nominations

Wild Trout X

Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone, MT
September 28-30, 2010
"Conserving Wild Trout"

The Wild Trout Symposium brings together a broad and diverse audience of governmental entities, non-profit conservation groups, media representatives, educators, anglers, fishing guides, and business interests associated with trout fisheries to exchange technical information and viewpoints on wild trout management and related public policy. Held every 3 years, each symposium has led to innovative wild trout management approaches.

Wild Trout X offers a unique forum for professionals and anglers to interact, and where participants will to be exposed to the latest wild trout science, technology and philosophies. This conference will equip participants to better manage, preserve, and restore these significant but declining resources. The symposium will focus on the needs of working-level wild trout professionals, conservationists, and trout anglers.

Learn more at http://www.wildtroutsymposium.com/

Fly Fishing the Missouri River - Montana from Headhunters Fly Shop on Vimeo.

Check out John and Mark's shop the next time you're in Craig, MT. Or, visit them online at headhuntersflyshop.com.

Elk hunting weather is in the forecast this weekend, but it looks like it just might warm up one more time and give us another shot at topping Jamie's big fish from last week. Stay Tuned.

Elk season also opened yesterday, and with fresh snow on the ground this morning and more in the forecast it's time to creep around in the mountains for a few days.

But, a big trout like this will keep us fishing as long as the weather holds out. Stay Tuned.