A Belated Extravaganza 2015 Note of Thanks

Fellow E-15ers:

A tradition of every year's Extravaganza is the privilege I have at the end of each year's event to sit down alone on a Sunday morning here at my office at Headquarters, to reflect back on that year's Extravaganza and to write to each of you who attended to thank you for your being here in Extravaganzaland with your fellow travelers.  Several have asked, "Where is that traditional thank you letter this year, Ron?" and the reply is that today, some two plus months later, is the very first Sunday that I am here alone, with our mascot Ma'am the Great Black Lab, and finally in a position to reach out to you with this sincere note of thanks for all of the love and affection that you expressed during this, the most difficult of Extravaganzas—the first without our Hostess With the Mostess.

 

The purpose of the Extravaganza(s) is to bring together folks from all walks of life into the wonders of the flora and fauna of western Montana and together explore the rivers in their natural beauty, to tickle the fins of their resident trout and return them after a quick photo-op, and to conjoin as a family of fellow travelers who have the common elements of rugged individualism, a true love for their fellow man, and a lust to explore the wilds of nature in a safe and secure manner (not to mention the propensity to never pass up a good party, particularly one laced with the finest of wines that the Napa Valley has to offer).  Extravaganza 2015 bore witness to an assemblage of the best of the best in union, and in the case of our first-ever all-veteran Group One, reunion.

 

From the perspective of a couple of month now past, reflect back with me on the sights that you took in while you were here—the beauty of nature's flora, the pure smells of her perfumes, the pristineness of clear rivers with abundant healthy fish guarded by adventurers just like us who left what we saw in a better condition than we found it.  Think of the presentations that you received of representatives of the Montana Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and, most touchingly and as reflected in thanks, the wonderful guardians of Montana's Natural History Center for whom, to support and enable their outreach program to get kids out into nature to see and witness what you did, we purchased the bus in the attached picture.

 

If you have any doubt about the wonderfulness with which we have collectively surrounded ourselves here in Extravaganzaland, take a close look at the smiles on the faces of each of the youngsters in that picture.  Isn't that just about the most precious thing that you have seen in a very, very long time?  As we go forward in our separate lives know that by our being together and as a result of our individual and your collective charity, every mile that "Rocky" the bus travels will be a reflection of each of you and all of us conjoined as one and every experience unfolded by those miles will likewise be a product of your and our being together.

 

Another reason that the delivery of this letter has been a bit delayed is that, for me, this message is a culmination of 16 years of a wonderful relationship that I was privileged to share with our nee Hostess With The Mostess—it is my formal adieu; it is my final closure on what has been a most difficult journey over the past several years as the wickedness of alcoholism ravaged and destroyed what we had together and what we shared with you via the Extravaganzas of the prior dozen years .  After Kathy's passing in January, I had lunch with a dear couple in downtown Missoula who had been of so much assistance to me, after which there was an almost physical tugging that took me to a nearby art store where I was taken by and purchased a beautifully framed gilded and painted changed-color maple leaf which presently hangs in the master bathroom here at Headquarters.  It is entitled "Nothing Lasts Forever"…and that, prophetically, is indeed the case as soulfully and bitterly painful as that at times can be.   This is one of those times and as I put the exclamation mark on E-15 and close the book of my passage with Kathy, in no small part because of the love and Extravagant strength that each of you expressed to me (especially the wonderful ladies of Group Two who orchestrated the beautiful Kandles for Kathy passage on our last night together), I look forward to my future with enthusiasm and optimism, and I do so knowing that your giving to me when combined with the beauty and warmth that Kathy and I shared together will make that future a bright one, filled with many, many more Extravaganzas and all of the sharing, giving and receiving that is innately associated with this blessed event that, together, we have created and each ensuing year recreate.

 

So, in final salute to Extravaganza 2015, please light your Kandle for Kathy that we gave you in celebration of her life, of all that has blessed us by being together in the past, and of all that we will share together in the upcoming years.  To that end, I hope that each and every one of you E-15ers joins us here again in Extravaganzaland as Group One of E-16 reconvenes here on Saturday, June 11, 2016…bring it on, gang!!

 

Best to all from the now concluding scene of it all,

 

Rock Creek Ron and, by proxy, Your Hostess With the Mostess

     ----<'///:>----<'///:><

 

 

 

 

Group 3 Fish Pics!

A Thank You from Sarah Bates!

Hi Ron,

Many thanks for your warm hospitality last night, as well as the opportunity to share a little about our work with your guests.  I really enjoyed the time visiting over dinner (which was outstanding), and I especially appreciated hearing the awe and wonder in the stories of people experiencing this part of the world for the first time.

 

I loved meeting 11-year-old Joe, whose enthusiasm and curiosity reminded me a good deal of my son Noah.  I predict that Joe will be back to Montana in search of huckleberries, hot springs and bison, and I expect that he’ll carry the seeds of conservation forward from this experience.

 

We’re very lucky to enjoy your support and friendship.

 

Warm wishes,

 

Sarah

 

Sarah Bates

Deputy Director, Northern Rockies, Prairies & Pacific Region

 

NWF's Sarah Bates Reports

National Wildlife Federation Regional representative Sarah Bates updates the Threes on the now 80 continuum of wildlife federation preservation efforts of the WDC based National Wildlife Federation

 

 

Dynamic Allinger and Chadwick Duo

Montana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Dave Chadwick presents to the Threes as former National Wildlife Federation Chair Steve “Boo” Allinger looks on—this is, indeed, a dynamic wildlife duo!!

 

 

Head of Fisheries Pat Saffel Presents

Just as he wonderfully did for the Ones and Twos, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Head of Fisheries Pat Saffel presented to the Threes on the most timely subject of rapidly rising water temperatures and declining flowages, winning himself an Honorary Yellow Hat for being with the E-15ers on three (count ‘em!) successive Mondays!

 

 

Group Three Doubling Up!

An early Group Three report from Susie "Mamadore" Hubbard:

Fishing partner Scott "Not so Flash" Gordon and I doubled up on the
Blackfoot River yesterday -- one good size Rainbow and one pretty Cutthroat
in simultaneous casts. Sweet! Catch and release of course! Ready to put in
on the Bitterroot this morn with our awesome Guide Chad and sweet Golden
Retriever Georgia. WOW reviews for Extravaganza '15!

Announcing the Line Up for Group Three!

With temperatures now soaring up twenty (count ‘em!) degrees here in western Montana, indeed, the Wonderful Threes are going to have a hot time in the ol’ town when they all arrive by this Saturday (some are already here and, with several coming from thousands of miles away, more are headed this way tomorrow in order to be on the scene by Saturday noon).

Group Three is my couples group and it is fun to see how the Extravaganza has grown over the years from primarily a stag function into a true family affair. Headlining the returning Threes is Houston commercial realtor par excellence Martin “Mad Man” O’Malley and his wonderful attorney bride (now of 38 years, btw!) Cynthia “Houston” Day Stratton. Returnees also include John “Joe’s Agent” O’Dea, this year as my guest not only with returning son “Bamboo Joe” but also with bride Jessie and daughter Jane—with all names beginning with the letter J, now affectionately known in these here parts as “The OJs.”

“Little Richard” Deveau is likewise returning (nee of the infamous “Sailors Four”) this year driving here in his new wheels with bride Cynthia (yep, we will have a gaggle of Cynthias!) who will reunite with brother Kers “Dead Drift” Clausen (so named by the guides two years ago for his propensity to immediately fall asleep while others are actually fishing) whose this year’s rendition of “Sailors Four” will include his daughter BJ, the notorious “Not so Flash” Scott Gordon, son in law David Levy and newbie, former Richmond Yacht Club commodore Susie Hubbard. Being a family affair, E-15 will also see the return of my son Tyler “Lefty” Clausen along with his girlfriend Chelsea “Osprey” Pollak and with returning good friends Jim “Happy Hooker” Brubaker of Denver, who is bringing with him his rookie Floridian buddy Jim Bardin, and our great Group Three venture capitalist George “Onefer” Choe as well as Eduardo “The Pisco Kid” Barrueto all the way from Patagonia, Chile, who is a veteran now having fished with E-15’s Groups One and Two!

New to the fold, and coming in from New York state, is past National Wildlife Federation chair Steve “Boo” Allinger; from the State of South Carolina, to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary, Mark “Z-Man” Zion and his bride Julia “Z-Woman”; and from Seattle, Washington, our newest additions of the father-son combo of Don and Steve Bowzer.

Check out the states of origin for this group, all: (1) California, (2) Colorado, (3) New York, (4) Texas, (5) South Carolina, (6) Florida, (7) Washington, and (8) Coyhaique, Chile—not too shabby for this western Montanan event that treats all comers with equal (dis)regard and (dis)respect!!

Stay tuned, as this is the final chapter of Extravaganza 2015, and it will be fun to see just what the fish gods have in store for the Wonderful Threes!!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron-----<’///:><

The Twos In Memoriam

Bless you, Tattoos!

RCR & KBC----<’///:>-----<’///:><

Montana Natural History Center Wows The Twos!

Showing their tattooed guns, Montana Natural History Center’s Ramey Kodadek and Lisa Bickell present to the Tattoos on the Center’s heart-warming successful efforts to get kids out into nature—the targeted charity for E-15 for whom we are going to buy a bus!!

Patagonia Arrives at Extravagazaland!

Magic Waters’ Eduardo “The Pisco Kid” Barrueto of Patagonia, Chile, first serves pisco sours to sweeten up the Tattoos and then presents on the true magic of his “Montana Sur.”

FW & P Presents!

Montana’s Fish Wildlife & Parks Fish Fisheries Manager Pat Saffel (i.e., “Da Man”) gets his Group Two tattoo before presenting his stunning underwater fish footage to the assembled Twos!

Day Three, Group Two

Two twenties highlighted Day Three of fishing for the Tattoos, leading off with “Wee Brandon” Sweeny shown above signing in on the Twenty Inch Club board with his 20” Bitterroot brown immediately followed by Mardi “CT” Rodgers for her Yellow Shirt and Yellow Hat winning 23 ¼” Bitterroot brown—putting her in high cotton along with her E-15 MIA sister, Alia “Snowflake” Rodgers who was in the Central Valley attending a pig show (of all diverse things) where, amongst the 150 other piggers, she won best of show and a whole bunch of pig-related gear, including a pick-up truck drop in pig hauler, not to mention a wad of cash—these two gals are both super stars and it is nice for them to each be amply rewarded, though they may be a bit harder to live with as a result!!

Eight (count ‘em!) of the Day Three Two boats found their way to the famed “A River Runs Through It” Blackfoot River where Mother Nature dealt different sets of cards. Aces were dealt to (a) the indomitable pair of Shanna “Banana” Rodgers and Lori “Fawn Lady” Ware who boated fifty two (yes, 52) fish with the largest being an 18 incher and who now refer to each other as “The Set Sisters” under the tutelage of their veteran guide Chris Stroup; (b) the duo of Zane “Coyote” Wiley and John “Little Enchilada” Reynolds with their 20 fish, the largest being a 16 incher; solo fisherman John “Big Enchilada” McGhee with his 19 fish (the largest being of 16 inches); and lower cards being dealt to (c) the SS Miller with a father-son combo with a mid-teen fish yield and son Jack “Crushed Him” Jack saying of father Brad “Maven” Miller “I crushed him again with my 10 fish on board”; (d) to the duet of Al “Good Earth” Baylacq and Matt “Politician” Brown whose caught trout of the day added up to 30 inches; (e) to the fishing pair of Tom “sockeye” Thornhill and Chris “No Name” Holland whose 9 canyon fish did not match the spectacular view that they enjoyed; (f) and Joe ”Compari” Ciatti fishing with Adam “Iron Man” Eichorn sporting 20 Blackfoot fish with the largest being an 18 incher; and (phew!) (g) finally, the SS Panteleo where father “Jerry The Juice” fished with son “Tony No Neck” to tantalize a dozen fish in the 14-16” category.

In addition to the Twenty Inch landing vessels noted above, our final boat was on the Bitterroot with that dynamic duo of boats, with Patagonia, Chile’s Eduardo “The Pisco Kid” and Greg “Good Living” Livengood fishing with our Double Up Outfitter to yield over 20 root-a-toot fish with the largest being an 18 incher and the feat of the day being Eduardo’s cast over a log to feeding fish only to hook one, have it jump over the log towards him and then into that now well-used Double Up net—bravo, mi amigo!!

So there it is folks, the final report of the final day of the Tattoos—oh, did I forget to mention that yours truly was the winner of the nightly Tattoo Cry Dye kerchief for my mention (at least a dozen times) during the boat report how Brad “Maven” Miller kindly left my lent-to-him primo rod in Hooters!!

Congrats, Tattoos, on a job well done!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron---<’///:><

Mo Fish Pics!

 

Mo Pics!

 

Mo Two Fish Pics!

 

Group Two, Day Two

Four of our fleet of eleven (count em!) Tattoo boats returned on Day Two of their extravagant time here in western Montana only to learn that what is good for the Ones is not necessarily so for the Twos. The four boats housing Al “Good Earth” Baylacq and boat mate John “Little Enchilada” Reynolds; Tom “Sockeye” Thornhill and Chris “No Name” Holland; Greg “Good Living” Livengood and Adam “Iron Man” Eichorn; and Zane “Coyote” Wiley with John “Big Enchilada” McGhee all found the Clark Fork’s pickings to be minimal, what with rising temperatures and lowering water levels. The big boat of the foursome was the SS Thornhill/Holland which boasted 30 fish mostly in the 13” category, with the largest being Sockeye’s 18” rainbow.

With good cloud cover, the Bitterroot was by far the better and most prolific choice of the day, with six of the Tattoo boats on that wonderful river, with the Root showing how fickle things can be, witness father-son duo Brad “Maven” Miller and young Jack “Crushed Him” Miller on the same stretch with RCR and fishing pal Joe “Compari” Ciatti, the former boating only a handful of fish while the more experienced latter landing over 25, including an 18” double rainbow and brown combo along with Compari’s very first Extravaganza twenty incher—yielding him, as shown above, a Yellow Hat for his bounty. The father-son combo of Jerry “The Juice” Pantaleo and Tony “No Neck” Pantaleo fared at the Miller level on the Root but the combo of Gisella “Doc” Carapia and Mardi “CT” Shepard doing much better (at least CT, that is!) as well as the father-son duo of papa “Cpa Kevin” and son “Wee Brandon Sweeny landing 25 fish, including a 22” sucker fish that papa was wise not to push for entry in the Twenty Inch Club! The last of the Rooters was solo Matt Brown who covered 11 miles of river to net 10 fish, with the largest being precisely 17 7/8ths inches.

And then there was one last boat who chose to drive all the way up the Blackfoot River to float the majestic canyon of that river (my #1 favorite float, btw!) only to reap a 20 ½” brown for Shanna “Banana” Rodgers and the biggest fish of the day, a 23” bull trout for veteran Lori “Fawn Lady” Ware—both shown above boasting yellow, with Fawn Lady now in the lead for Yellow Shirt privileges with only one more day of Group Two fishing.

Things are literally heating up around here in Extravaganzaland and it will be interesting to hear this evening’s Day Three boat reports as the Tattoos wind up their Extravaganza 2015 experience(s)!!

Oh, I almost forgot, Fawn Lady awarded her daily Cry Die kerchief to Brad “Maven” Miller for his non-stop complaining about poor fishing while others rocked and of having to pick up the guides’ tab at Hooters for being the last boat in…tsk, tsk, tsk Maven!!

Rock Creek Ron---<’///:><

Group 2 Fish Pics!