And so it begins...

Betsy enjoying the back of her new boat.

Started out my guide season a week ago in familiar fashion; fishing the Big Hole with two of my favorite guests in the stretch that we start every season in.  4 years ago after a chaotic morning that included me leaving every fly I own in my garage and discovering it when we got to the river, we called an audible and went to Melrose to grab flies and float town to browns.  The resulting day was one that likely would not be believed over the internet, so we'll leave it at "very very good".

Larry hand-modeling one of the nicer fish.

This year we had a fun twist because Larry had just gotten a new clack, and he let me steer it on it's second day down the river.  As expected, it had the built in mojo that Clackacrafts always do, and it only took two bends in the river before Larry caught a healthy Big Hole brown.  Fly fishing is a sport of traditions, and sharing my first guide day of the year with Larry and Betsy, floating Town to Browns, is not one that will change soon.

Spring Fishing

After a week that brought the best moment of my life, a lot of dirty diapers and a little bit of sleep I got the opportunity to hit the Big Hole with my good friend Seth.  His clients wisely cancelled on what was supposed to be a day of terrible weather and crushing winds.  Fortunately the weather didn't catch up with us till the afternoon, but I don't blame them for taking the day off.  Fishing wasn't easy, because when two guides get in a boat it never is.  Fortunately, the beer was cold, the streamer bite was good enough, and we hit the take out before it got really weird out.  It snowed most of today as I sat inside with my wife and daughter and Seth sent me pictures of the snow piling up in his boat.   I definitely lucked out and made it out on the right day.

She's Here!

24 hours old!

Harper Naomi Willauer arrived last Sunday at 5:11 p.m.  Weighing in at 6.7 lbs and 21" she thankfully has her Mom's good looks and her Dad's height.  Both mom and baby are healthy, and we couldn't be more happy and excited!

We were very fortunate to share this special moment with our family, and then close friend and professional photographer Brett Seng.  Brett took the photo above, and shot an incredible series of our beautiful girl.  Known for his outdoor photography, he did an excellent job capturing out special moment.

Wet Wading Weekend

Ke'lah celebrating the end of bed rest!

This weekend was one of those weekends where you couldn't not go fishing.  Many faces and forearms will be burnt throughout SWMT after what was the best weather we've seen this spring.  The type of weather that lulls you to sleep before a snowstorm comes back and kicks you in the junk (I'm predicting that for next week).  In the mean time though, Ke'lah and I spent two great days floating, wearing flip flops, and reminding ourselves why we live here.  A hell of a way for Ke'lah to celebrate the Dr. clearing her from bed rest.

New Friends

Still the biggest steelhead I have ever seen

One of my favorite thing about guiding are the great friendships that I have developed over the years from meeting people on the river.  My buddy Carlo emailed me yesterday to check in, and also to remind me that it had been exactly one year since the picture above was taken on the lower Hoh.  Carlo lives in Helena, and we met in Forks while I was guiding.  At the beginning of the day we were talking about fish size and Carlo said that if I put him on a 20lbs steelhead, he would row the rest of the day.  About 2/3 of the way through the day, on one of the bravest drifts you need to make, we landed the fish pictured above that taped out at 42".  Easily over the 20lbs mark, after we stopped shaking Carlo held up his end of the bargain and offered to row, which I politely declined.  We finished out our day with out another fish, exchanged info, and continue to fish together out here in Montana.  Although we do split time on the sticks now.

So, what's your real job?

More of this coming up this summer!

Well, I'll finally be able to answer the question to guests in the boat, "when are you going to get a real job?"  I have begun working as a Food and Agriculture Development Center Coordinator and Natural Resource Planner for Headwaters RC&D in Butte, Montana.  After a crazy couple of months this winter, we are very excited that we will be able to stay in a place that we love (We will still be living in Twin Bridges), and I will be able to pursue my dreams that don't involve catching fish.

One of the conditions of my new employment was the ability to continue to guide.  I will no longer be guiding every day all summer long, but will guide enough that I will be able to fish with the people that have helped make my guiding dreams a reality, and continue to meet some new guests.  If you are interested in fishing with me in Montana this summer (through Dan Leavens, outfitter #10393), shoot me an email at joewillauer@gmail.com.  My schedule will be limited, so if you want to fish with me this summer, please get in touch soon.  I am really excited about this new chapter, which will also allow for a little more time to have the wife in the bow of the boat as well.  It's going to be a great summer!

The return of C-squad

If you've been paying attention at all, you may have noticed a lack of posts by yours truly.  I like to imagine that I've been living a nomadic life of fishing and skiing.  The reality, though, is that I've been spending all my time in the bottom of the UW health sciences library learning doctoring stuff.

Thankfully, for my sanity, I was able to make it out to Forks for the last two days to stay and fish with my classmate Andy and his wife Lisa, who have their wall tent set up on the Hoh for our spring break.

I showed up to camp late Monday night, just in time for some dinner and a few beers before heading to bed.  Tuesday came with an early start and swinging flies at the run across from camp.  Lisa and Andrew both lost fish there and I didn't touch a thing.  We spent the rest of the day on the upper Hoh, Andrew being the only one to land a fish.  As is typical I didn't catch anything, but I did get some photos and some much needed time out of the city.

Lisa on the Hoh

Bad Andy

All Andy could do was laugh after losing this fish

Hero Shot

A C-squad classic.  Who hasn't seen this photo a million times.