The Glorious Mayfly (Part 1)Written by Cameron Larsen
Their names roll off fly fisherman’s tongue like names of lost loves. Making angler drool almost as much as fish (if fish could drool). Hendricksons, Green Drakes, Pale Morning Dun. Just saying these names can do more to lower a fly fisherman’s blood pressure than a month of yoga. Callibeatis, Blue Wing Olive, Tri-Co. If you are not in a state of Zen yet, remembering past fly fishing experiences, then you probably are not yet an avid trout fly fisherman.For novice, these names are common names given to various species of hallowed mayfly. The mayfly is to trout fly fishing, what microchip is to personal computer. Fly fishing never would have gotten off ground if trout didn’t leap up and ingest adult mayfly, in a perfect display of sleek efficient survival. This microcosm of food chain has sparked fly fisherman’s imagination for generations. And has led to explosion, we see today of fly fishing experience. But what about this insect called mayfly. Let’s take a closer look at entire class of insect. The mayfly is so worthy of imitation for fly fisher's because they are varied, they are prolific, and they live where ever trout live with few exceptions. They require same living conditions as trout, relatively clean and cool water. They can vary in size to tiny Tri-co down to size 24, all way up to giant Hexagenia that can go up to size 4. Some can hatch virtually year around while others have a relatively specific and short hatch season. But despite all these variances there are some things we can learn about species as a whole. All mayflies begin their life cycle in water, as nymphs. Now with emphasis on keeping this simple, let me just break it down a little more. Nymphs can be classified in four distinct categories. They are: clingers, swimmers, burrowers, and crawlers.
| | Great Falls Montana skateboard park grand opening eventWritten by www.adamlongnecker.com
Great Falls Montana skatepark Grand Opening Words: Adam Longnecker Photos: skate-ramps.com It was Friday night in Great Falls, Montana, and I was on my way to pick up Josh Evin and Ben Krahn at airport. Josh and Ben had come to skate under Big Sky at new 25,000 square foot park designed by Grindline (fine tuning by Shaggy in below zero temperatures earlier this year) and Tim Altec. First order of business was a session. Ben and Josh were loving park and drawing lines instantly. As sun set Josh stomped an ollie air over hole of full pipe funnel tunnel. In interest of keeping my friends entertained with a bit of Montana night life we headed down to “Sip n’Dip” to watch girls in mermaid outfits swim behind glass and have a couple of drinks. Mermaids at bar? The Sip N' Dip in Great Falls providing quality entertainment to go with your rum punch. Ben Krahn enjoying Sip n' Dip and a Fish Bowl of Rum Punch On Saturday, Great Falls celebrated their new skatepark with a Grand Opening festival featuring three demos with Ben Krahn, Josh Evin, Ryan Simonetti, and Whitefish, Montana native Aaron Robinson. The demo crew slogged through two demos in heat of day with temperatures soaring to 107 degrees. Approximately four hundred spectators lined decks as Josh Evin nailed ollie gaps all over park. Ben Krahn worked lines for miles with his usual casual style and smoothness. Ryan Simonetti originally from Great Falls blasted stale-fish nose bones, frigid airs, and tail grab nose grinds on death box wall and threw down a couple stale-fish airs over funnel tunnel gap. Krahn nailed funnel tunnel gap with a big frontside ollie on his second attempt, and Josh worked same gap over opposite direction with method airs. Josh entertained crowds at flat end of park with some classic freestylin’ like some Primo to Primo impossible flips, no-comply impossibles, and a variety of hand varial variations. Seventeen year old Aaron Robinson from Whitefish, Montana blasted backside ollies and backside airs over hips and transfers all over park at 110mph, smiling entire time.
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