Montana Extravaganza 2010

E-10 Yellow Hat Overseas (UNCLASSIFIED)

2010-10-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

Those of you in Group Three had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Hagener, son of
Jeff and Debbie Hagener who were also with us (the former being nee of
long-time Executive Director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife &
Parks fame [and currently Managing Director of the American Prairie
Foundation]) and recall our awarding Ryan an honorary E-10 Yellow Hat to
take with him for safety on his then impending deployment to Afghanistan.

Well, attached is a just-received-from-Afghanistan photo of combat-ready
Ryan appropriately and extravagantly "fully outfitted" with Yellow Hat
issue.

Godspeed to you Ryan; may you soon return safely home to fish E-11 with us!!

Best to all,

Rock Creek Ron

p.s. Thanks for the pic, Jeff!!

IN MEMORIUM

2010-08-12T15:31:00.001-07:00

Doug Persico

July 28, 1940 – July 31, 2010

Friend, Father, Grandfather
Rock Creek Protector

Extravaganzer

<’///><

A Personal Note of E-10 Thanks

2010-07-10T06:57:00.001-07:00

As I am wont to do each post-Extravaganza, it is special for me to reach out and thank each of you who graced us with your presence here in Montana this year and who made E-10 the truly explosive event that it was. It is early here this Saturday morning with a sweet morning breeze wafting through my office windows; John Denver's soft and melodious words emanate from the speakers overhead; and my now trusty pal Ma'am lies at my feet, yet resting from our now-annual trek yesterday up Rock Creek...a right of passage yearly sojourn for me where, in the silence of nature, I travel as far up Rock Creek Road as good sense at the time dictates and then spend the rest of the day "fishing down the Creek" back to Extravaganza Headquarters, (re)soaking up the sights, smells and experiences that this special place in God's own backyard has to offer.

Tomorrow, as each of you have now done, I head to the airport to return to "the reality of it all"--to that other life if mine where practicing law is the order of the day, doing deals is the passion of the time and where I have the privilege to interact with most of you in an advisory capacity. In many ways, my Extravaganza role is little different from that in my "other life"--it is a role of providing opportunity as a trusted advisor to chosen friends and special people (often friends of friends), a role of opening eyes to different ways of doing easily available things that others oft ignore or think of as rote or mundane; and a role of introducing wonderful people to other wonderful people who share the common goal of yearning to derive from this life all that nature wonderfully has to offer--special role(s), indeed.

As I look back on the gloriousness that constituted E-10, think back a moment with me on the Blog-captured special moments E-10, if you would. Who can forget the wonderful antics of the Ignoble Ones who lead the charge this year with waters that, contrary to all earlier predictions, proved to be higher than normal, and whose wine consumption (proudly) matched that higher water mark? Who among the Tattoos is yet unsmiling over the dictionary of new terms that evolved from this year's second foray, to wit: "swimmy things", "brown-fish", "the Blackbitterfork River"....?? And, as to Them Threes, which among you can easily forget the antics of your new-found co-friendships complete with Hooters Hilarity and a third day's spanking of the Twenty Inch Club board with three [count 'em!] new entrants???

As in prior years, the trees here in Extravaganzaland yet peal with your laughter; the aromas from the wonderful repasts your Hostess With The Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, yet fill the inside corners of (y)our Montana home; the fish yet speak of your prowess in their lofty pursuit; and the guides...well, the guides once again are yet spinning from the special contact that they had with each of you, complete with new gag gifts and wonderful stories of your (ad)ventures on the primo rivers of Western Montana with them. Our Double Up Outfitter once again safely delivered to us his menu of 110 boats; our land-based operator the Rock Creek Mercantile again pulled through with licenses and wonderful product; and our daily departure host Kesel's Fly Shop filled in the (very few) blanks that were there to be attended to. And this year, for the first time ever, we were rewarded by our Extravaganza Speakers Program with naturalist Trapper Badovinac, wildlife artist Cynthie Fisher, Five Valleys Land Trust Executive Director Scott Kier and American Prairie Foundation's Jeff Hagener variously headlining for each of our three groups supplemented, of course, the one and only Bob Wire making his special Group Two entrance and by Montana Matters' Troubadour serenading Group Three from the loft with the glorious worlds of his own "Montana Matters" song. The now-legendary Extravaganza cooking of Cowboy Jeff greeted us all, as did the traditional, wonderful Florida-rooted assistance of Hostess relations "Sister Julie" and "Queen Barbie" for our second and third groups.

All in all, looking back on E-10 is simply, but, at the same time, complexly, enough to once again exhaust one!! What fun it all was--what a(nother) special opportunity it was to meet and greet new and old friends alike, to intake the blessed many of you who came to Extravaganzaland as rookies only to leave as now-seasoned veterans, and to unveil to each of you all the wonders that this special place on earth has to offer. As we discussed, because of the hard work and dedication of those that came before us, two hundred [count 'em!] years later, each of you had the opportunity to see the very sights that unfolded to Lewis & Clark when they first traversed Hellgate Canyon only to make their second Traveler's Rest winter's camp in today's Lolo (appropriately, the point of departure for most of our E-10 boats)...what you saw and witnessed happened only because those that came before us had the foresight and wisdom to fight to preserve what is here so that generations thereafter could experience just what we did.

And, as we so experienced, the mantel, the privilege and the responsibility of stewardship so passes on. Appropriately, the words of John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" just appeared...who among us Extravaganzers failed to get that extravagant high...who among us would deny those that follow us that same privilege?? To that end, indeed, Montana Matters and I thank you in advance for your support of that wonderful campaign--a campaign designed to raise sufficient funds to fight, as we must, to preserve what is here in this wonderful state: www.montanamatters.com should be among your extravagant electronic "favorites" and is a wonderful source to sate whatever retail therapy needs you might have to fulfill. For those of you in the Bay Area, mark the evening of Saturday, November 6th as our (second!) annual Extravaganza reunion where, as last year, we will fly in Bob Wire and Shane Clouse to entertain you along with the melodious sounds of The Salty Dawgs and, as we officially put a bow on E-10, both Kathy and I would like to extend a most cordial invitation to each of you (and yours) to return to the scene of it all for Extravaganza 2011--our ninth [count 'em] annual foray into the wonders of Western Montana.

Bless each of you; thank you each for being with us this year and for making E-10 just what it was and, in each of our hard drive memory banks, continues to be. Your Hostess With The Mostess, Kathy Kathy, waives a final E-10 adieu to each of you from her kitchen window and, as to ol' Rock Creek Ron, well, he is tying another fly to adorn his spiffy new bamboo rod and is presently headed down to the Creek to cast one final salute of thanks to each of you that blessed us with the present of your presence this wonderful year.

Best from the now-concluding scene of it all, where Montana Matters!!

Rock Creek Ron

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One Returns!

2010-07-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

RON...Please pass on to John and his team what a great time we had at Extravaganza 10. John and his team did an absolutely great job. Our guide, Chris, deserves a lot of credit for tolerating my first day's performance. His patience and coaching, however, now have Bob and I "hooked" on Montana fly fishing. Many thanks to you and Kathy for a wonderful and most memorable weekend. We hope you enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Have a great summer of 2010...Davis & Bobbi Walker, that is!

RCR

Group One Returns!

2010-07-07T10:42:00.001-07:00

I am so very much enjoying the chatter from all of the other groups. Davis and I really had a wonderful time. You have a terrific family and we were thrilled to be a part of Group One, albeit, a bit dysfunctional at times…here is a picture of you and your lovely, lovely daughter. Hello to all for me! Thanks again and looking forward to 11.

Bobbi

Bobbi Coffin

Director of Marketing

Precision Therapeutics, Inc.

Group One dysfunctional, dysfunctional?!?

RCR

Rest, Rest...What's That?!?

2010-07-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

From Group Three's inimical "Grinin' Penny" Shawback:

Hello Kathy and Ron,

Grady and I had a beautiful drive back to Ketchum.

We had the best extravaganza ever. It is always good - but this group was
exceptionally fun and special.

Thank you again for all of your work and effort in taking care of everyone
and bringing such quality people together.

You are two very special people in our lives and have added even more to
Grady and my extraordinary happy and rich life.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

I am sure you both need some rest.

Lots of love, Penny and Grady

Group Three Again!

2010-07-07T10:36:00.001-07:00

A(nother) nice note from Group Three's six time [count 'em!] Extravaganza
veteran, Ladd "Kill 'Em" Bedford:

Ron... Thanks from Kristine and I for all your hard work on the
extravaganza. Yesterday morning we did not see Kathy before we left. Please
give her our thanks and warmest regards.

Ladd

A Group Three Thank You

2010-07-07T10:34:00.001-07:00

Hi Ron:

We made it home. Thank you for a wonderful time in Montana.

Everything so great!

Lots of love to you and thank you again and again.

Sonya Wyland
VP / Sr. Residential Loan Officer
Banker / Mortgage Broker
Mechanics Bank

A Stealth Message

2010-07-07T10:29:00.001-07:00

A nice note from "Eric The Dred" Read, a member of Group Three's Stealth
Boat:

Hi Ron,

I had a fantastic time and I am now hooked on fly fishing! Thanks to you.

I would like to talk to you about getting involved in some way in your
efforts with Montana Matters. Let me know if I can help, it's an incredible
state.

Many thanks to the 3 twins (Kathy and her crew) for taking such great care
of us all!

Very best,

Eric

Group Three Weighs In From Idaho!

2010-07-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

Words do not do justice to the gratitude I have for your hospitality. Thanks again for everything. Tight lines.

Matthew "Fire Pit Matt" Colesworthy

Another Tattoo Wrap Up, This One From Orlando!

2010-07-07T10:24:00.001-07:00

Ron – we can’t thank you and Kathy enough for your hospitality; it was a great experience and beautiful country~!

Tracie Samillano, PHR

Big Thanks From Boulder

2010-07-07T10:22:00.001-07:00

What a great commentary from Group Two's now-veteran TJ McIntyre:

Ron-

When I mentioned in our Day 3 boat report that the average of the 3 days in Montana on the river will likely surpass any day in 2010 as ‘best day of the year’, I meant it. Fishing on those rivers is akin to trekking in the Himalayas, sea kayaking in Baja, golfing in Ireland. To Duane’s point, ‘a box to check’…. But hopefully again and again.

Your hospitality was over the top. Kathy’s cooking, the gorgeous accommodations and the general abundance of welcome and generosity. Plus, we had the chance to meet some truly fine individuals during the journey.

As a thanks, I want you to know I made a donation to Five Valley’s Land Trust in your and Kathy’s name (by mail, they’ll get after the 4^th). Like you, I’m a firm believer in protecting what we love… not just for us, but to honor those who preceded us and secure for our kids and their kids and…

Hope you have a wonderful July 4^th weekend and the rest of summer. Thanks for Montana!

T.J. McIntyre

GM, Earth Balance

Group One Speaks!

2010-07-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

Ron:

As always, I had a wonderful experience, which made me feel so alive. It is such a privilege to be included in this experience.

Best,

Brad

P.S. Trina is such a lovely young lady, which is not surprising, as the apple never falls far from the tree.

Bradley L. Colton

Colton Commercial & Partners, Inc.

Cal-Cal Again!

2010-07-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

Ron,

Many, Many thanks to you and Kathy for the great Extravaganza escape! Jack and I had a wonderful time – great to meet some new people who love fishing!

Thanks for the great care, planning, food, gifts, etc, etc, etc.

Group One's Cal Walters

Group One Wisened Thanks

2010-07-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ron had a ball in Montana.

Please pass on my thank you to Kathy too.

Mike Wise

Gratitude

2010-07-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

A wonderfully appreciated note of thanks from Group Two's "Colorado Duane" Primozich:

Hi Ron/Kathy

I have spent my entire life in the West and was 23 years old before I made it as far east in the U.S. as Colorado, when in 1993 I followed the woman who was to be my wife of now almost 15 years. My family homesteaded in Mellstone, MT six generations ago, my grandparents were married in Red Lodge, MT, my parents both grew up in Coeur d’Alene, ID and I grew up in Oregon. I love and am imbued with the west and getting to spend time in one of the few corners I hadn’t yet visited was a real privilege. As I have said to many people, this past few days will be cherished for the rest of my life. It’s not too often we get the pleasure of getting or giving a gift like that.

Your hospitality was Extravagant to the point of embarrassing.

I am so grateful to have been a part of this

With abundant thanks

Duane

Extravagant Thanks

2010-07-07T10:11:00.001-07:00

Hi Ron: I'm "back in the world" as we used to say in the army. Thanks for a really outstanding Tattoo Twos experience. I thought this was one of the best groups I've fished with. Lot's and lot's of laughs. Tim Rogers and I have already decided that we'd love to get paired up again next year. Loved Scott too.

Thanks again for a fantastic time.

See you soon.

from Fred "The Guitar" Johnson

Frederick A. Johnson, Principal
Total Planning Concepts, LLC

A Fish Story

2010-07-07T10:09:00.001-07:00

From Group One's "Cal-Cal" Walters:

The fish in a bottle is claiming a proud place on the kitchen table!

Cal Walters
Founder and Chief Strategy Officer

Perspective: Branding

Can't Thank You Enough

2010-07-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

A nice note from Group One's "Rosenbaum Three":

Dear Ron and Kathy:

Can't thank you enough for the wonderful time we had at E-10. E-10 was just out of this world. Truly amazing. To say that we enjoyed ourselves immensely would be an understatement. And we even caught fish this year (even though all of mine got thrown back before anyone in my boat bothered to take a picture LOL).

It was a fabulous time, and as you know, we are ready for more in 2011. You two were amazing hosts and hostesses, respectively, and we really appreciate your opening your home and Montana to us.

We had a wonderful vacation in Montana and can't thank you enough.

All the best,

John, Ben and Adam

A Nice WrapUp Note from Our Outfitter!!

2010-07-06T10:17:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to send you a big thanks, and a little note for all the E10'ers!

    July what?
    How many boats?
    Is that a fleece in my boat on the 4th of July?
    How long have you been at Hooters?
    You caught how many?
    Is that a whitey???
    What time do I have to get up in the morning???

    Many of these questions are still asked on a regular basis, but the fun, the fishing and the orchestration of E10 has somehow come to an end already. It's my busiest time of year here, and I just wanted to send a warm thank you to each and every one of you who came and fished with us during this seasons Extravaganza. I apologize for not being able to catch up with, and shake hands with everyone in all three groups, but according to the guides you were all above and beyond what we as guides would call the "best possible clients we could have in our boats"!!! So again, Thank You so much!

    We still have water a plenty, and the warm weather is going to be arriving tomorrow, says the "weather-liar". Hope some of you can make another trip back here with us this season, and with any luck, another Fall-Fling will be in order this year as well, (right Ron?). Fishing will continue to be great through the summer here, since we were so obviously blessed with such an abundance of water and cooler weather so far this season.

    Well, I need to get back to the fly tying bench here on my first day off in quite some time, and get ready for the next drift down our rivers here. Thank you all again, and thanks to Ron and Kathy for all they do to make your time in Montana the best, and most extravagant adventure possible! Hope to see you all again soon, and hope you all have a great summer!!!
    E11 anyone?! I'm already looking forward to it...

    Fish ON,

    John Gould
    Double Up Outfitters LLC
     Phone:406.240.9498

    Double Up Outfitters website
    "The Daily Float"
    Our Latest Video!!!

E-10's Group Three Finale: Three Twenty Inchers!!

2010-07-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

The finale for Group Three was a marvelous one with not only the celebration of our nation's birthday (amidst an evening of continual, unrelenting rain, I might add!) but also for the filling out of E-10's Twenty Inch Board. Shown above (in reverse order) are (i) "Seattle John" Mowat for his 20" bounty; (ii) "Fire Pit Matt" Colesworthy for his "20.375" inch brown and (iii) "The King of Group Three", Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat for his 22 1/2" brown that was not only the Yellow Hat winner for the day but also the Yellow Shirt winner for the largest Group Three trout caught. Yellow abounded to all three, in fact: to "Seattle John" for his grand slam of five species of trout, to "Fire Pit Matt" for his wonderful gregariousness and, of course, a hat and shirt fit for a king to The Rookie.

Lighting up the scoreboard on Day Three for Them Threes was the SS Grassi that landed 60+ Bitterroot fish, the SS Bedford that had a 35+ fish day on the much less soggy Blackfoot ("A River Runs Through It") River, and a(nother) outstanding performance by the Stealth Boat of David "Dry Fly" Hatch and "Eric The Dred" Read, with overall fishing day's boat reports being one of smiles, large fish and satedness as the the extravagance of it all.

Aaah, the wonderful extravagance of it all, indeed!

---R<'/C//><R

FW: Wishin In was Fishin, Gene

2010-07-06T09:31:00.001-07:00

A nice note from Group Three's missing-in-action Gene Gene The Fishing
Machine...we will "catch ya" next year, Mr. Machine!!

Hi Ron and Kathy,

I was just checking out the "blog" and was "wishin I was fishin" instead
of "mending from the lumbar fushion". I am getting better and looking
forward to next season.
If you get this message in time, please say Hi from me to "Utah Steve
Herron", and of course all the extravangers!!!

Gene, Gene the fishing machine

A Well Phrased Message:

2010-07-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on
inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,
superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:
"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

* * *

Thank you Group Three's Sonya "Good Wolf" Wyland!!

RCR

Group Three "Catches"

2010-07-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mo Three Pics!

2010-07-03T12:23:00.001-07:00

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Group Three Fish Pics

2010-07-03T12:22:00.001-07:00

----R<'/C//><R

Day One, Group Three

2010-07-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

Group Three headed to the waters on the second day of the second half of 2010, eleven [count 'em!] boats strong and were greeted upon their early morning Missoula arrival with the most rain ever encountered in any one Extravaganza morning and, believe, me there have been a (substantial) number of those to count from! Rainy skies, however, proffered into partly cloudy skies that saw Them Threes attacking with élan, as had been so successfully done by their cousins The Ignoble Ones and Da Tattoos before them, the waters of the Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers, only to be greeted by fish after substantial fish during their first day asea (that being literally the case for the many of the Threes' rookies!).

Shown above with (y)our Hostess With The Mostess and overseeing the first (nightly) report of it all is golfing legend Miller "Mr. X" Barber--a dear friend and Rock Creek neighbor who had earlier witnessed the drinking prowess of the Ones and the antics of Da Twos and who came forth to see just what Them Threes had to offer by way of rebuttal. And what a show he had before him:

It seems that Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat and son "Seattle John" had already cut a pretty wide Three path for themselves in little over twenty four hours in Threedom: Arriving last for the Opening Day lunch on collectively "1 1/2 hours sleep between them", post nap, it seems that they didn't quite understand the Hooters Drill so flagrantly and Darwinianly developed in E-10 by the preceding Ones and Twos, they errantly thinking that by just arriving at Hooters by 5:50 p.m. (as they untimely did) would exempt them from the bill of the last boat in "because they got in before 6:00 p.m.". The whimpering that ensued only resulted in a 15 minute extension of the bar bill (in contrast, whining being rewarded by a 45 minute extension) and a photo as shown above with a Hooterette and guide Scott Belz (who, when asked about this "last boat distinction", was heard to ejaculate, "Doesn't bother me...it is not my wallet!"). That, as it turned out was just the beginning of it all, for what ensued during the boat reports was a reincatation of The Story Of The Rookie (see earlier posting to Der Blog for full Alaskaganza details), where after father Rookie [unwisely] announced, "You have been mispronouncing our name [for years, it appears]...the 'at' is not like as in 'who dat' but, rather is like the 'et' in 'poet' [or, in "gardencare-ese, the instruction 'mow-it']."

Well, you can just imagine the chaos that then ensued. Them Threes were convinced that "Mowat" was really pronounced "late" because of the poets' to-date performing art craft of being late for (i) lunch, (ii) the morning's departure for the boats and (ii) Hooters arrival(s). In order to quell matters, by the power vested in him by absolutely no one whatsoever, yours truly, Rock Creek Ron, after proper nomination, seconding and approval by all non-poet parties present, declared that, by acclamation, in the interests of poetic justice, the poetically tardy pair will forever hereafter be known in Extravaganzaland as "The Mullets", a genealogical picture of which is attached above for likeness comparison, the mullet being innately illusive and only cacheable by wide casting nets. The Mullets were last heard pontificating on just how good it was that "you can only 'win' the Hooters bill once" only to soundly disabused of their latent misunderstanding and informed that, if they kept true to form, they could actually win the trifectorate of Hooter bills. [I wonder what kind of errant sound a mullet really makes!]

Meanwhile, back at the boats, after long-time veteran Don "Bulldog" Drummond telling of hearing of the Extravaganza while in Patagonia, Chile earlier in the year, Mark "MoJo" Grassi and "Fire Pit Matt" Colesworthy reported on a "20+ fish day on the Root" (that being the Bitterroot, Tattoos!) and of 18" browns after a slow morning, followed by Lyn and Terry Wilson's Root report of eagles, geese, ducks, mergansers and, yes, even of 16" browns and by (a) "The Mullet Report" (soon to be seen in a late night listing somewhere across this great state [of confusion]) of a 15 fish day and of a "legally measured" 17 1/2 fish of some unspecified species (but, at least it was "legally measured"!) and (b) by The Penny Report--Grady Garret and Penny Shawback telling of "raining in" 5 fish in the first 15 minutes on the Root topped out by a 17" (I assume "legally measured") brown.

And then came the jazziness of our Utah twosome of "Ute" Steve Herron and Natalie "Den Mother" Yellis-Kraus who bespoke of having been earlier errantly RCR-blogged as having been from Colorado, presenting RCR with a bright red new Pac-10 Utah blanket to forever remind him of their true situs of beginning (and resultantly, in providing fodder for "Ute Steve"'s newfound Extravaganza nickname) and then waxing magnificent about a 20 fish Blackfoot river day--with the far better half of this duo "Den Mother" landing one of her very first fish ever--a 17 incher (falling far short of the Drummond-desired 20 incher, however). The Utes were followed by Helenians Al and Erica Swanson who talked of "using gill nets" [for mullet?!?], dancing with Yeti on the overcast Bitterroot and of spinning reel (not!) netting of a gaggle of fish, including (another Drummond-shy) 17 inch rainbow and then, in turn, by "The Stealth Boat" of Califonicators "Eric The Dred" Read and David "Dry Fly" Hatch who told of catching white fish on a dry fly (right!), of "a whole lot of other fish", of eagle and osprey and of "some other weird animal that looked like a bobcat, hopped like a rabbit and that had no tail"--a likely tale, indeed!

The SS Don Drummond next weighed in with a report of his fishing day with Bill Wyland that resulted in a "17 3/4" precisely measured fish" (see above regarding lack of clarity) whereafter the Great Ship Bedford told of an unusual-for-them day on the Bitterroot (in their prior five [count 'em!] Extravaganzas they have fished the Blackfoot almost exclusively) with Captain Ladd landing, after a twenty minute fight, an 18" cuttbow, this cross between a rainbow and cutthroat giving him "the biggest fight I have ever had here" [he being a litigator should know one!] with wife Kristine providing the boat's confusing wildlife report of "a fawn and her doe."

So reported, that left two boats the be accounted for: the big fish boats of Extravaganza Coordinator Extraordinaire Patty "Flo" Gallia and 9 year old daughter Gina and that of RCR. The former talked of patty's 19 3/4" rainbow trout as compared to the latter's 21" Shane Clouse (shown above) caught trophy brown and then the former talked of Gina's two white fish/cutthroat day and of RCR's bagel. The latter had the biggest fish but was declared disqualified because of the bagel, bestowing Group Three's Day One Yellow Hat (most appropriately) on the person most responsible for coordinating it all, Queen Flo shown above doffed in yellow (see, I told you the fish do the catching!).

Phew, it is tough being a cub reporter for E-10--one really has to know his p's & q's, as well has his mullet!!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

Da Two's Tape Tally

2010-06-30T17:11:00.001-07:00

The Rock Creek Mercantile's Doug Persico shows the (impressive) "tale of the tape" for Da Twos, RCR concurrently noting that "retail therapy is a good thing" and Doug commenting, "God, I love Group Two!"

---R<'/C//><R

FW: Five Valleys Land Trust Presents!

2010-06-30T12:34:00.001-07:00

A nice note from our pals at Five Valleys Land Trust:

Ron,

No — thank YOU. I wanted to thank you and Kathy for inviting us to join your group last Sunday. Wow, you really do it up right! What a wonderful place you have along Rock Creek. It seemed like all of your guests were having a great time (especially the ones that were new to fly fishing — what a great way to get started).

Our board is plugged into the MM concert [here in Missoula on July 31st] and I’ll check in with our Outreach Coordinator today to see about getting started on promoting it via our email list, FaceBook page, etc. I’m sure we will get a great turn out.

Hope you are ready for group 3. The fishing should only be getting better.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Best regards,

Glenn

p.s. Montana Matters, folks!

RCR

FW: Announcing the Line Up For Group Three!

2010-06-30T11:45:00.001-07:00

Hi Ron: I'm packed and ready to go, but for now, sitting at my banker's
desk working away and dreaming of Montana.
See you tomorrow. I hope the fish are tired.

Sonya Wyland,
VP / Sr. Residential Loan Officer
Banker / Mortgage Broker

Announcing the Line Up For Group Three!

2010-06-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

The long-awaited-for arrival of veteran-clad Group Three is just hours away now, gang, and, as noted earlier in the wrap-up of Group Two, Extravaganzaland has just received a thorough heaven-sent washing, cleaning the streets of the rubble left by Der Ones and washing away the errant renaming by Da Twos of Montana's pride and joy: Its rivers and their bounty.

Unlike the prior two groups which were "filled to the rim" with over 22 participants each, Da Threes are 18 fisherfolk strong (to be additionally accompanied, however, by our Extravaganza Coordinator Extraordinaire Patty Gallia and her two wonderful daughters--their first -ever trip to Extravaganzaland after she having planned so many of yours over the past two years)...this will make room for the multiplicity of dignitaries that will be joining The Threes, including American Prairie Foundation Director Jeff Hagener (together with his wife and armed forces veteran son), Montana Wildlife Federation president Tim Aldrich (and his beautiful bride Carol), Montana Wildlife Federation Issues Coordinator "Big Ben" Lamb (and his now one-year-to-the-date bride) and about 60 other folks who will attend our annual Fourth of July bash/guide appreciation feast/Rock Creek Casting Contest. What fun!

Multiple year Group Three returnees include (i) Mark "MoJo" Grassi who, at the last minute, instead of being joined by his (much) better half Jami, will be fishing with rookie his Sun Valley pal Matt Colesworthy; (ii) Ladd "Killer" Bedford together with his fishing spouse Kristine "Yellow Hat" Bedford--the former from Napa and the latter from a bit further south in the Bay Area; (iii) Sun Valley's Grady "GQ" Garrett and his (after 23 years of dating) new bride "Grinning Penny" Shawback; and (iv) Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat together with returning veteran son "Seattle John"---welcome back, senior veterans!!

Additional returning veterans include Napa's Mr. and Mrs. Terry "Monty" Wilson (with brideful "Lovely Lyn" threatening to take one day off from fishing for horseback riding) and San Francisco's "Bulldog Don" Drummond, the latter returning after so many years of a respite he just emailed to ask, "What is this Twenty Inch Club thing?" who will be joined by a handful of incoming rookies star lighted by (a) our Alaskaganza pal "Utah Steve" Herron and his fishing mate Natalie Yellis-Draus; (b) Brand Engine's "Eric the Dred Read (who hopes to exceeds the fishing performance of his Group Two business partner "Still Will" Burke; (c) accountant-type David "Dry Fly" Hatch; (d) Helena's Al & Erica Swanson [if they make it, that is--it seems that their son smashed father Al's hand in a car door the other day putting him on the "possibly disabled" list]; and (e) lastly, but not leastly, Mechanics Bank ref-guru Sony Wyland and hubby Bill.

So there you have it, gang, the Group Three Line Up...bring it on, Ya Threes as we are fully awaiting your arrival(s) tomorrow!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

Group Tattoo Wrap Up

2010-06-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well, all, the skies of Montana told it all upon the departure of the Wonderful Twos yesterday...within hours thereafter, the theretofore bluebird upper reaches clouded up and, later that day, thunder and lightening were accompanied by (a) a several-hour-long power outage here at Extravaganza Headquarters and (b) a night-long dumping of river-altering rains. Indeed, Twos, once again, you have left your special, indelible mark on these environs...in fact, not even the evening's rains dampened the sounds of your peals of laughter which, even yet, echo from the surrounding Extravagant trees!

After two [count 'em!} days of "tune up", Da Twos (finally!) got down to fisning business on their third day of fishing and began to light up the surrounding scoreboards. Witness the delivery of three entries into our Twenty Inch Club: (a) the Rogers' au pair, Gisela's 20" bull trout ([appropriately for Da Twos] shown above twice: Once with her doffed honorary Yellow Hat so awarded to her later that day and earlier streamside with her bounty); (b) Brian "Deer Me" McLeran's 20 1/4" bull trout (aslo benefiting him an honory Yellow Hat for his Napa auction purchase of an E-10 "free ride"; and (c) Kelley "Windy" Kinglsand's [larger] 21" rainbow--you can also see her above appropritely adorned with her "Sherlock Holmes' style" wearing of her two [count 'em!] won Yellow Hats together with her Yellow Shirt awarded for her Day Two even larger take.

When all of the whining was put aside (see Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill receipt of Day Three's Cry Dye Award from Ms. Lori for his bemoaned-of tale of visiting a yarn shop at the behest of bride Melissa enroute to the rivers..."..four boats passed us while we were there"), there was nothing but smiles and braggadocia spread around Da Two's evening report from the boats--a report that lasted well over an hour and a half (much to the chagrin of our Hostess With The Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, I might add). Witness even "Still Will" Burke and his Gang of Four telling of fish aboard--even rookie "Fishless Canadian Tom" Pogue landed his first fish of the trip--a "whopping 10" borwn--while "Colorado Duane" Primozich (try saying that name three times quickly, or even once correctly!) and sidekick T.J. "Nameless"McIntyre told of "catching Montana trout on a dry fly, checking off a box for me" while (i) Floridians "Joe Da Dish King" Samillano and bride "Tracie Sue" told of dancing with bull trout on the magnificent "Blackroot" river [some things just don't change, gang![ along side co-Floridians "Ballast Bobby" and Kelley "Windy" Kinglsand who told of the latter's 19" brown and "somewhere between 20 3/4" and 20 7/8" brownfish" while hubby Ballast did the balancing and photo work of the day; (ii) the SS Pollywog vessel of Paul "Woodchuck" Green and Dean "Follow Me" Donohue told of "dancing with a bullfrog fish...a 'swimmy thing' that chased 'a whitey fish' right onto the bank" and (iii) the SS McLeran spanked one 20 bull trout a ala brother "Deer Me" while other brother Ralph appropriately adorned himself with his new Extravaganza name, "Mr. Botangles".

Yes, folks, the renaming of Montana's bevy of prideful rivers and fish was so bizarre that, mid-report, Da Twos decided to engender their own language (something that seemed to happen Darwinian all on its own, however) to be known as "Tattooese" and to be chronicled in a sacred tome of biblical proportions by "Follow Me" as its designated scribe forever to be known as (appropriately given by "Deer Me" McLeran in recognition of Bob Wire's lyrical handling of "The Woodchuck Sanction") "The Shit List"!! Tut, tut, Two-Twos!

Meanwhile, cruising down the "Bitterblackroot River" [see The Shit List for further definition] was the rest of Dem Twos with Ken and Candy Deemer telling of swimming therein after landing a 16" brown (this being Candy's first fly fishing adventure ever!); the post-yarn-store Thornhills telling a fishing yarn Mellisa's catchphrasing "the 'Extra' in Extravaganza" (boy, I sure missed that wonderful phrase for nearly eight years now!) along with a dozen fish; father-son combo of Doug "Popeye" Hamilton and "Fire Pit Ryan" boasting a similar (but yarnless) day on the West Fork of the "Bitterblackroot" and yarning of outfitter's mascot Buddy fishing rod-in-mouth while sitting in the front of the boat;; and the Rogers-Johnson duo speaking of 20 such "swimmy things" in their Bitterblackfoot boat on dry flies.

The story of Day Three for Da Twos was clearly that of "Shanna Bannana" Rogers with her charge Gisela--a story of a young woman on her fist fishing trip ever dancing with a 20" bull trout that literally chased the 4" squafish that Gisela had earlier landed and let dangle on her line--a story that told of chase and consumption with the bull ending up on the longer but shorter line of the story "right after the put in".

Bravo, bravo, bravo...as I always say, "the fish catch you, not visa versa!""

So, whereas the Ones left Extrvaganzaland trashed (see earlier post-One garbage posting), Da Twos leave us in stitches with newly named Montana rivers to alter every future-drawn map of the great state of Montana and a whole school of newly defined "swimmy things" that will forever alter pectoral definitional coding. As we did with the Ones, we salute Da Twos on their (ad)venture here in God's own backyard and now anxiously await the arrival of the veteran-clad Threes--a blessed event to occur with the advent of tomorrow's morn.

Best to all from "swimmy thing" scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

Five Valleys Land Trust Presents!

2010-06-30T08:48:00.001-07:00

As part of our (new) E-10 Presentation Series, as shown above, Grant Kier, Executive Director of the Missoula-based Five Valleys Land Trust (so named for the five [count 'em!] valleys that surround the Garden City), provides Da Twos with background history on his nearly 40 year old, five star non-profit organization that created some of the first land trusts in the country--now commonly known and referred to as "conservation easements". Grant, along with Development Director Glenn Marangelo, told the story of the (often much maligned) Rocky Mountain white fish which, over the ages, has migrated from its original Great Lakes origins over the Continental Divide to its current Montana-based situs.

Thanks, Grant and Glenn, for being with us--the Tattoos, at least, have a greater appreciation for that species that our guides commonly link with other "junk fish"--no Two more, however!!

RCR

An Extravagant Woodchuck Tale!

2010-06-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Posted earlier on Der Blog is the story of how whiner-award-winner Paul "Woodchuck" Green acquired his name after Da Two's Day One fishing by "coercing" RCR to buy him a prized, original Cynthie Fisher wood duck painting--shown above in the interests of fairness to His Chuckiness.

Well, after a night of reflection and morning-side sobriety, it seems that Woodchuck took exception to his Extravaganza-given name, deeming "Woodduck" far more appropriate and befitting. In the interests of fairness ("fairness in fishing" being a mantra of the Extravaganza), the matter was designated (at Woodchuck's plaintiff request) to be put to Da Twos for consideration, deliberation, and resolution on, appropriately, Day Tattoo.

So there they were...all of Da Twos in anxious anticipation of their Day Two boat reports when this small matter of business had to be attended to. To make matters worse, also present to witness this effrontery with embarrassed looks were the evening's guests--the ED and DD of the Five Valleys Land Trust, Montana Trapper (back for a second go around by popular request) and, yes, the wonderful Montana Matters performer, the one and only Bob Wire.

RCR allowed the protestant the right to proceed with his Change Of Name Petition first but (foolishly) the Woodchuck ducked and demurred, whereupon RCR called and swore in his first and only witness, guest Bob Wire, who (without prodding or prompting of any kind whatsoever [well, almost none, that is]), as shown above, proceeded to belt out the signature hit off his cd "Buffaload" with the words to "You're On My Shit List". Mid-song, and as advance warning of the temperament of the crowd, Da Twos, seeing the wisdom of it all and the futility of the Chuck's ducked request, joined in verse with the Wireman in admonishing encatation, "Woodchuck you're on our shitlist"...immediately whereafter Woodchuck (shown above) through up his arms helplessly in the air and conceded the (humbling) event--unilaterally withdrawing his challenge with nary a further chuck, duck or would-be Woodduck.

Ah, the Tattooing infamy of it all....

As so faithfully reported,

Yours truly,

--R<'/C//><R

GROUP TWO PICS (3 OF 3)

2010-06-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

GROUP TWO PICS (2 OF 3)

2010-06-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

Group Two, Day Two: "Whining Pays Off!"

2010-06-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

A tough "bluebird" Group Two, Day Two is now in the record books but not without Da Two's first entry onto the Twenty Inch Club...but, as is nearly always the case with the wonderful Tattoos, last things first:

Over the past extravagant years, I have had nothing but trouble getting boats off the water in a timely manner (to wit: 6:00 p.m.)...no longer the case, however, as ably demonstrated by Dem Twos last evening: With the Twp's Hooter's bar tab escalating by (literally) hundreds of dollars on a daily basis (it seems that the "first boats in" have, indeed, caught on that the menu and bar is their dream--one without financial consequences!) and E-10's policy now (effectively) being that the first boat in "opens the tab" and the last boat in "pays the tab", Da Tattoos not only racked up an Extraganza record $460 (pre- tip!) open food and bar ticket but the last night the "last boat in" arrived (get this!) at 5:45 p.m. [that's 15 minutes early, all!!) with (a) not-quite-fully-understanding boat captain Lori "The Fawn" Ware proclaiming, "Whoopee, I always wanted to the the winner...clearly the rest of you don't get out much!" and (b) her sardonic guide. Evan "Beaver Man" Philippe responding to a RCR inquiry of any guilt on his part with, "No worry--it's not my tab!" To the rescue came the wonderful Mr. Rogers who not only picked up the tab (and tip) for Ms. Lori but also commented on the probable lack of a guide tip the next day for the sardonic one!

The reports from the boats on Day Two told more of both the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers yet being in transition mode and, for the one boat that ventured out onto the yet-chocolate-brown Clark Fork, that this is a river yet to avoid. These reports, however, were preceded with a protest by Paul "Woodchuck" Green over the propriety of his RCR-designated name--a matter of such import that it is worthy of and receives its own separate blogsite posting--needless to say, however, the protest found its proper situs, namely as one appropriately withdrawn after all of the evidence was submitted...Da Twos now know just"how much wood can a Woodchuck chuck if a Woodchuck..."!!

Back to the fin-driven relevancy of it all, simply stated, the second day for Da Twos was one of unbridled hilarity. On the one hand photos separately posted on Der Blog show well the riverside antics of "Da Winner" Fawn Lori--complete with her just-caught rainbow literally tie-dyed in her arms, and on the other(s) with (i) "Canadian Tom" Pogue proclaiming, "Fly fishing is frgging hard" [thereafter winning him Ms. Lori's daily Cry-Dye award to "he who protesteth too much]; (ii) Dean "Follow Me" Donohue proclaiming that his "bass set" proved ineffective for those "trout swimming things" [btw, sorry for misspelling your handle yesterday, Follow Me!]; (iii) the McLeran Bros. proudly describing (in unnecessary detail) their {multiple] "tangles of the day"--it seems that brother Ralph would catch a fish right after each tangle...gee, Uncle Ralph, just think how many "swimmy things" thee might catch without them, Mr. Botangles!; (iv) "Still Will" Burke proclaiming that he now has caught "infinity plus one" fish (i.e., his first E-10 fish, a beaut of a 16" rainbow); (v) the duo of T.J. and "Colorado Duane" proudly claiming title to their "infinity plus two" day; and (vi) Doug "Popeye" Hamilton proclaiming that he was sure that outfitter John "The Great But Propaneless" sure had "big cohones to take us out on the Clark Fork today and, equally as sure, does not have big enough ones to do that again tomorrow!!"

Meanwhile back at the fishing ranch, several of the boats of Da Twos even caught fish yesterday, including the S.S. Thornhill up on the Blackfoot and the S.S. Samillano down on the Bitterroot--each boasting prideful second days, each for the second day in a row, I might add. But the big boat of the day was that of Bobby and Kelley Kingsland (or should I say, "of Kelley Kingsland"!), for, after a first night's kicking herself in the butt for missing "a bunch of them fish" "Windy Kelley" (so now named for her first night's cursing of Montana's Mariah) "kicked butt" on the river landing, as shown above, not only a gorgeous 19" brown on the Blackfoot "right behind your new house, Ron" but, also, a 21" rainbow beauty, also shown above, now, with only one more day of Tattoo fishing, putting "Windy" [shown above proudly signing into the Twenty Inch Club doffed in yellow--it kinda looks good on her, doesn't it?!?] in the driver's seat for taking home to Florida with her a nice Yellow Shirt to go with her fancy new name..."and they called the wind.....Kelley!!"

Of great interest yet to come this third day of Group Two's fishing is (a) who will "win" the Hooter's bar tab; (b) how big that ever-expanding Tattoo tab will be and (c) with the rivers now settling in but with temps now soaring into the 90's, just how productive Day Three will be for Da Twos.

Best to all in constant awe of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

GROUP TWO PICS (1 OF 3)

2010-06-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

Ma'am On Da Root!!

2010-06-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

Proper Montana riverside doggy etiquette!!

---R<'/C//><R

Our Newest E-10 Particpant(s)!!

2010-06-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

----R<'/C//><R

Cynthie Fisher Presents to E-10!

2010-06-27T12:32:00.001-07:00

The Bitterroot Valley's world renowned naturalist painter Cynthie Fisher paid a visit to E-10 over the weekend, bestowing on Group Two a plethora of absolutely stunning original artwork. Affiliated with the Montana Matters campaign, Cynthie wowed the group with stories of her African hunting safaris and showed pictures and prints of literally hundreds of original artwork that she has produced (many of which are shown in the above display that she set up at E-10 headquarters).

Ten percent of all sales will go the MM campaign, including those from her cute original wood duck painting also shown above. It seems that Paul "Woodchuck" Green was sitting in the E-10 living room yet complaining about his having to pick up the $365 Hooter's bill just hours earlier, when he reached out to yours truly and said, "Hey, I kinda like that wood duck painting, Ron; why don't you buy it for me?" Being of a basically charitable nature, my reply was , "Sure I will, but if you had only got to Hooters a bit earlier tonite, you could have bought it for yourself and had some change!"

So, the wood duck painting is now the proud autographed possession of "Woodchuck"--he being so named in the process, having the visage of a chuck, not a duck...but next time you see him coming your way, I would do just that....duck!!

R<'/C//><R

p.s. Thanks for being with us, Cynthie--you are the best!!-----RCR

Yellow Rules!!

2010-06-27T11:45:00.001-07:00

Yes, here in Extravaganzaland, Yellow rules!!

Shown above are co-Day One, Group Two Yellow Hatters (appropriately, #1 in the dinner chow line!) Lori" The Fawn" Ware (an awardee for her Day One "grand slam"--see the fishing report of an explanation) and Fred "The Guitar" Johnson for his 19 1/4" biggest fish of the day, a Blackfoot bull trout (likewise shown above along with Fred's colorful day One Hawaiian Shirt attire---hmmm, maybe there is a fishing lesson there to be learned!!

Best to all from the glorious scene of it all,

--------R<'/C//><R

p.s. Each are prior year(s) Yellow Hat awardees...a(nother) lesson, perhaps?!?

Group Two, Day One

2010-06-27T11:35:00.001-07:00

Sunday Greetings, all on this "Hump Day" for E-10 (the day on which half of this year's Extravaganza is in the record books and half has yet to be recorded):

Group Two arrived in belated style (it seems that, unlike Group One whose every arriving flight was on time, every Group Two incoming flight [from Orlando, Louisville, Denver, San Francisco and Salt Lake City!] was delayed), in true Tattoo style, with the inimical Lori Ware going up and down the aisle of the SLC-MSO leg of her trip tattooing with her self-created Rockin' C tattoos, laying them on everyone that looked like an Extravaganzer [with one errantly marked returning military veteran asking his seatmate, Doug "Popeye" Hamilton, "just what type of a cult have I involuntarily been initiated into?"].

And, with so many returning veterans in Group Two it truly was like a homecoming with, as shown above, Brian "Deer Me" McLeran being reunited with one of the Hooters beauties that visited him in his post-E-09 hospital room after he attempted "catch and release hunting" with a deer doing 60 mph--fortunately, he survived to tell it all but, alas, the deer did not, and, soon thereafter, the guide gag gifts of Lori "The Fawn" Ware and "Shanna Banana Rogers ["The Two Beavers] presenting their monogrammed gag gift of two beavers to their guide Evan "Beaver Man" Philippe, and, then, yes, the fishing activities of Group Two.

Fishing this year has been one week delayed both performance and weather-wise for our first two groups. Group One saw the remnants of a wet (as in "very wet") spring deliver high but very fishable waters (as earlier reported, The Ones landed an Extravaganza record number of (very) large browns while Group Two on Day One saw the "transition day" that normally greets Group One--the day in which the rivers do a major shift from wetter spring fishing to drier and hotter summer fishing. As a result (as with every fishing transition day), the overall fishing was "tougher" with technical proficiency meeting rewards and rookie-itus being met with greater opportunities on this, Day Two, after a (partially) night-long reliving of their casting, mending and setting lessons.

Witness the rookie boat of "Still Will" Burke and Tom "Canadian Dollar" Pogue (it seems that he came to us from his now native Canada with only Canadian dollars in his pocket--try that out for a successful guide tip!) who launched with RCR and Bruce the Builder (accompanied by trusty E-10 co-mascot Ma'am [shown above in the last picture retrieving a large brown from the Bitterroot] where the former had a day of invaluable casting lessons and the latter had a 15+ fish day sprinkled with two doubles (one shown above with Bruce the Builder's 19" brown on the right with RCR's smaller 18" rainbow on the left) and multiple rainbows, a la the single shown above. It seems that the largest catch of the rookie boat was that of "Still Will" himself, who somehow was left behind ashore after a (well-earned) potty break...hence his now extravagant new handle!

Other Bitterrooters included the boats of (a) rookies Duane "Colorado" Primozich and T.J. McIntyre (the latter being far too much of a ghostly unknown to have even earned his Extravaganza name) whose boat sported a gaggle of fish highlighted by a 17 !/2" bow; (b) that of Ken & Candy Deemer (Ibid) whose best catch, apparently, was Candy's $40 winnings at the Bunk House's Texas Hold "Em poker game the night before (the McLeran Brothers having been suckered in by Candy's doleful asking, ""Just how do you play this game...I've never played before?!?) matched by Hubby Ken's 18 incher on the water the next day [and, speaking of the McLeran Bros, they spanked over 15 Root fish "without a measuring tape" but with the largest of the bunch being Ralph's beauty "somewhere in the 14 inch range" {read "12 inches"}]; (c) of rookieites Joe "Da Dish King" Samillano and his bride Tracie "Sue" [because I have errantly so named her all Two-- that being the unknown-to-me name of her mother and, hence, now hers while here in Montana] who ventured way up to the upper reaches of the West Fork of the Root to pridefully report of a 15 fish day with a 15" incher being the largest {notice the symmetry of it all?!?}; (d) veteran Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill and his rookie bride Melissa who spoke be lovingly of a productive day highlighted by a brideful 17" brown--her first landed fish ever!; and (e) deservingly so, lastly, the besmirched vessel of rookies Paul "Woodchuck" Green (yes, there is a story there!) and Dean "Follow Me" Donogue (Ibid) who boasted first fish each and (winningly) the honor of being the last boat in to pick up the $365 Hooter's bar tab, thereafter bestowing on each the Honorary Miz Lori Group Two Whine Dye kerchief awards for their bemoaning the (alleged) facts that (i) they were really in Hooters before 6:00 p.m., (ii) they "were late" because they had to stop by Kesel's to "pick up something" [they rode in with me, folks!] and (iii) it was really before 6:00 p.m. when they had arrived in Hooters...nice try, whiners!

With the plurality of our Group Two boats going to the Bitterroot (in the wake of the beaming success of the Ignoble Ones), the balance sauntered up to the Blackfoot in the wake of hearing of Group One's John "Half Centurion" Kruger's now E-10 legendary battle with "a 30+ inch bull trout" with (very) mixed results. As so often happens, two boats will put in on one section of the river...one will light up the scoreboard, the other will just watch the lights. Such was the case with the boats of Fred "The Guitar" Johnson (who fished solo on Day One) and that of father-son combo Doug "Popeye" Hamilton and his son "Fire Pit Ryan"--The Guitar lit up the lights with approaching 20 fish (the largest being his Yellow Hat awarding 19 1/4" bull trout) and the watchers succeeding mainly to (literally) lasso each other and their bewildered guide, Popeye philosophically reporting to the assembled Twos at the nightly Boat Report that, reflecting back on the day, "the scenery was excellent." Orlandans Bobby and Kelley Kingsland likewise ventured onto the legendary Big Blackfoot to join Popeye in their day's end comments only to be contrasted (in, literally, every sense of the word(s)) by the "Beaver Boat" of Lori "The Fawn" Ware and "Shanna Banana" Rogers who guided their guide down the Blackfoot with one of their above-shown mascots bungee-tied to the back of their raft only to see Ms. Lori, among their 14 fish catch, earn a Yellow Hat for her "grand slam" of landing a bull trout, a rainbow, a brown and a cutthroat all in a single day.

So, there you have it, gang, Group Two, Day One...all together a wonderful but tougher fishing day...as the weather goes into transition mode here, those to follow will benefit, so sharpen up those fishing tactics Group Three-ers, as the table is now being set for your early July feast. It will be interesting to see how Da Tattoos do on the water today--something that I will report on to all in the morn.

Best to all from the warming scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

Group One Speaks!

2010-06-25T08:05:00.001-07:00

res ipsa loquitur!

-----RCR

Announcing The Line Up For Group Two!

2010-06-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Fellow Extravaganzers:

As we quickly head into the second trimester of E-10, I am pleased to announce the 22 member [count 'em!] cadre of this year's Group Two--"Da Twos", "Da Tattoos" and "The Group Formerly Know as B"!! Unlike The Ignoble Ones, however,who were 67% strong as (seasoned drinking) veterans, Da Twos this year have a predominance of rookies with folks coming in as far as from Philadelphia, Orlando and Denver--12 rookies in all.

The seasoned veterans who will have the solemn responsibility to oversee the newbie's include long time Extravaganzers Tim "Squawfish" Rogers (so named by insisting on counting a squawfish/junkfish in a bet years ago with RCR--and, hence, his perpetual name) accompanied (as always) by his stupendous wife "Shanna Banana" and her inimical sidekick Lori "The Fawn" Ware. It was this band of three that, two years ago, sought out, purchased and then delivered to Extravaganzaland the Circle C tattoos that adorned every parts of their E-08 bodies and that are so prominently seen in our Extravaganza video produced that year.

Group Two veterans also include our "most veteran" Extravaganza Doug "Popeye" Hamilton who, this year, returns for his seventh [count 'em!] Extravaganza this time with his athletic high school son Ryan--he of the lacrosse fame that recently claimed the club level statewide (California, that is) championship boasting an undefeated season. Other seasoned veterans include Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill (who, blessedly, after many, many years of co-coaching and urging along with RCR is graced at his side by his humanitarian bride, Melissa) and by Fred "The Guitar" Johnson (who, as in so many years before, will be accompanied by his trusty guitar to be tuned and played around the Extravaganzaland evening fire pit).

Returning for their second visit to Extravaganzaland are the Brothers McLeran--this time sans motorcycles with (a) bro "Deer Brian" traveling via Delta Air Lines this year at the request of all (including the deer population which was depleted in singular part on his return trip home from E-09...a trip that suddenly converted from a motorcycle ride to a helicopter medivac to Missoula's Community Hospital where, for two weeks, he successfully recovered from his rearrangements and was visited my many...including a Popeye-inspired [brilliantly so, I might add] visit one afternoon from four of the Hooter's girls who, as recently as E-10's Group One, are still inquiring as to their patient's well being!) and (b) bro "Fly With Me Ralph" this year flying to Extravaganzaland in his own airplane...alone!! Also returning this year for their second visit from Orlando, Florida are "Benevolent Bobby" and "Killer Kelley" Kingsland who will be joined by fellow Orlandans "Mother Barbie" (of Bobby, that is) and Kathy's twin sister Julie--the latter always being truly invaluable and welcome additions to each year's Extravaganza activities.

And then we come to the rookies--a whole flock of them! "Benevolent Bobby" is bringing his contracting partner Joe "The Hammer" Samillano together with his daughter Tracie; Brand Engine's Will Burke will be joined by three of his out-of-state pals, Tom Pogue, Duane Primozich and T.J. Mc Intyre [it will be interesting to see just what Extravaganza names these folks endear to themselves!]; Southern Californian angel investor Ken "The Redeemer" Deemer will be joined by his wife Candy; and, rounding out Da Twos and flying in from the East Coast are Mike Stakias surrogates Paul "I'd Rather Be" Green and Dean "Da Driver" Donohue.

So, there you have it gang--the whole flock of Da Twos, each of whom is in final preparation to wing their way our way in the early morrow's morn--my fervent wish to each is that they are blessed as wonderfully as the (deserving?!?) Ones have just been with the abundance of Montana's fishing bounty...we shall soon see!

Best to all from the still rainy scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

Group One Pics (3 of 3)

2010-06-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Enjoy (they did!)!!

RCR

Group One Pics (2 of 3)

2010-06-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Group One Pics (1 of 3)

2010-06-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Trapper Badonivac Presents!

2010-06-23T17:09:00.001-07:00

As the first ever in our new Extravaganza speaker's series, naturalist, writer, guide, great friend and "essence of Montana" Trapper
Badovinac (shown above on the E-10 Bear Bench with several of his Group One fans) provided a Group One PowerPoint presentation on three of Montana's most famous rivers: the Missouri, the Smith and the Big ("A Runs Through It") Blackfoot--a presentation that was so well received that Trapper is returning this Sunday to do the same presentation to Da Twos, along with Five Valleys Land Trust ED Grant Kier.

Bueno, bueno, bueno from God's Country!!

---R<'/C//><R

Dressing For the Party!!

2010-06-22T14:04:00.001-07:00

Group One's Brad "Pinko" [see why?!?] Colton and boat mate "Minnow Mel" McCormack show just how to dress for Day Three's fishing--we will shortly find out if fishing was up to par with their getups!!

R<'/C//><R

Day One, Group One Fishing

2010-06-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, the boats are now in and the tallies tallied and, despite unusually high waters for this low of a water year, fishing Day One for Group One, as reported in the nightly boat reports, was declared "a success"!!

We award one yellow hat for the largest fish of the day and, as shown above, that honor, together with the distinction of being our first Twenty Inch Club Member, went to Frank "The Rat" Ratto in honor of his 21 1/4 inch (notice how precise the on boat, guide supervised measurement was, gang!) "German Brown" caught on the Bitterroot River, where, without exception all of our boats fished yesterday. Fishing with boatmate John "Half -Centurion" Kruger, who ambly reported "he had a very good streamside lunch" provided by his "awesome guide" Scott Belz (who showed up for our Hawaiian Day festivities bear-chested in a grass skirt and delicately appointed coconut breast cups [sans implants, I might add], Frank beamed at his adoring crowd of reprobates and announced, "I am wearing this hat tomorrow" [which he, in fact, did!]--the rat!!

Next to report about was the "flat tire" mishaps of Jim "Chaos" Hendrickson and his bro-in-law "Co-Chaos" Davis Walker. Arriving a full 45 minutes late to our après fishing rendezvous, Hooters, Chaos A and Chaos B reported on a dozen landed fish, with the largest "more or less 16" in length"--note the contrast from the report above...indeed, chaos abounded/abounds! Brian "Morraine" Shepard then reported that his two boats (he fishing with daughter "Beautiful Eliza Jane", and two Father Day fishing sons "Chief" Josef and "Tsar" Nicolas landed more than a dozen fish, many on the first dry fly action of the year--the just hatching green drakes, with the largest of the bunch being an 18" brown in the boy's "royalty boat".

Returning veteran John "Snag Em" Rosenbaum reported that he, link "Half-Centurion Kruger", had "a beautiful lunch"--he being more of a Day One observer as both sons-"Amiable Adam" and "Big Ben"--landed 18" Bitterroot fish--Adam a "rainbow fish" and Ben a Brown...John concluding his report with the restated quality of the day's luncheon repast. And then came the father-son Downer combo--with "Big Fish Michael" talking of the two eighteen inchers that graced their boat and leaving father Eddie (forever now known in Extravaganzaland as "Two License Eddie"--it seems that he forgot to bring his just hours-earlier hard fought-for/purchased fishing license with him that day and, hence, had to by a second, hence further his new permanent branding)--talking about the two (how appropriate!) bald eagles that they saw in a tree together while they miraculously at the same time were watching their fishing indicators. Yes, it truly takes special qualities to become a member of any Extravaganza Group One!!

Reporting down the line, (a) the dynamic duo of John "SOS" Reimann and Demetry "The Ghost" Kondratieff told of their dozen fish day highlighted by The Ghost's 18 1/2 inch beauty and bragging, proudly, that they were the first boat in and, hence, "opened the Hooter's tab", while the underwhelming fishing duo of Brad "Pinko" Colton and "Minnow Mel McCormack" talked of the former's coffee making ability at the Bunk House and the latter of his largest minnow--a 14" rainbow; (b) Dan "The Kilt" Rogers told of his 16" largest take; (c) father/son combo Cal-Cal and Jack-Jack Walters talked of son Jack's first day fly fishing ever, brauts and beer for lunch and of "landing a marmot"; (d) and Mike "Oh So" Wise and Larry "Go Cats" Gondola spoke of "losing a lot of flies today" and backcasting into a 19" Coached Brown.

Rock Creek Ron concluded the ribaldry with his (truthful) report of a 35+ fish Bitterroot day with daughter Trina, which included three 19 inchers--a brown, a rainbow, and a cuttbow--and a story of "the 20 incher that got away"--it seems that RCR brought a 20 inch brown to the side of the boat only to have guide "John The Great But Propaneless" wanting to get the fish on video--something that was accomplished after a short "just hold 'em RCR" break, only to have the video now to reveal just how the beauty-in-holding swam away with a Santa Clausesque-like head twitch, leaving the fish netless, and, hence, a non-qualifying Twenty Inch Club member!

Smiles, sun tan lines and sated fishing desires summarized the day's end state of the assembled multitude of the Ignoble Ones, with visions of green drakes bidding all a good evening and well-served day.

Best to all from the Day One scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

Group One Arrives in Style

2010-06-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 19th, the twenty four [count 'em!] participants of Ignoble Group One arrived on time, as booked and without a hitch--a promising omen for all that is now set to ensue with Extravaganza 2010. As shown above, it didn't take long for the then-assembled multitude to reach their final destination--Extravaganza Headquarters--here on (rainy) Rock Creek and to set up shop around dinner tables (first and last of the above pics) right after returning veterans John Reimann and Michael Downer made sure that the Extravaganza bar still worked, along with five time-returnee Jim Hendricson (as shown with his sister Bobbi and bro-in-law Davis) who (90) proofed their examination.

First Day activities started off with our traditional Opening Day Lunch at the Montana Club (how appropriately named), followed by a stop-by (i) at our now completed Blackfoot house [and to see son Tyler--shown above casting about with his soon-to-be 21 year old sister Trina--show off the house's new(est) Charles Morrow 3D sound system and (ii) the Rock Creek Mercantile to license and gear up. Regarding the latter, which is normally a perfunctory matter of fact activity, was spiced up this year by the State of Montana's Department of Wildlife and Parks division (smartly??) deciding to take down its entire computer system "for repairs" over Father's Day Weekend (when, clearly, no one (else) would ever want to purchase a fishing license to fish on Father's Day) such that this otherwise mundane licensing exercise resulted in our scrambling to find each and every one of the "paper licenses"--a rarity, nowadays--in the greater Clinton area such that, indeed, the Ignoble Ones are (at last and least) now licensed--good thing neither sobriety nor literacy tests were required in that regard!

It is nice to know that certain things don't change--night one saw the Ones doing their statutorily imposed and solemn duty of raping and pillaging the Extravaganza wine cellar--the Ones being of the opinion that multiple cases of each of our five [count 'em!] varietals was and is necessary for proper E-10 "quality control" purposes!!

Yes, folks it has begun (in all of its resounding glory!!)!!

Best to all from the opening scene(s) of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

FW: Ron is Confused...the truth now be told

2010-06-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

Just in from one of our Group Twoers:

Patty,
I’m shocked at this controversy and what has been exposed (or not). Ron looks to be flexing his knuckles in the “Rookies” re-submitted photo. I’m assuming this is Ron’s nervousness from having just dropped his fish.
What is shocking is the tail fin sticking out of Ron’s jacket pocket. I thought this was all catch and release! Is that a trophy from lunch leftovers?

What really is going on in Alaska?!!

A dropped fish could be as appropriately simple as dubbing Ron, Rock Creek’s “Clutchless Clausen”, however considering the more obvious loss of genetic diversity going on in Alaska this becomes a much more significant consideration!

And what is to become of the “Rookies” tainted reputation, clearly a hero for exposing (or not) the scandal before us!

We need answers!

Shocked in Napa

FW: Ron is Confused...the truth now be told

2010-06-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

To all E-10ers:

Please see the message below from one of our Group One participants. It was just sent to me and I haven’t had time to really read it yet but wanted to get it out to you at his request:

“I have been shamed by the recent email from Ron re: story of “The Rookie”. He must be losing it because that is not what happened at all in Alaska last September. See both attached photos for the truth.

You see, Ron is jealous that I caught the largest rainbow by far. Photo # 1 clearly evidences it was I who caught the 30 incher and Ron just cannot deal with that so he has resorted to fabrications. And in fact it was Ron who dropped his fish and was without fish for the photo (see Photo # 2).

"I just need to set the record straight.”

Pic #1

Pic #2

Der Blog Turns 900!!

2010-06-18T14:42:00.001-07:00

And the winner is....Kathy's twin sister, Julie Meier from Orlando, Florida who, as she always does, will arrive in Extravaganzaland with Illustrious Group Two (even though there was no contest!):

Ron,

I hit the 900 on the blog....was so excited that I forgot to print....Do I still get the WINE>>>>

Love you,

Julie

Re: Announcing the Line Up for Group One, E-10!!

2010-06-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Bare ass is not official E-10 attire!!

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

Fwd: Announcing the Line Up for Group One, E-10!!

2010-06-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

A note from Group Three's Terry Wilson:

Just una pregunta pocita, senor, por favor: Last year I showed up with a full farm-worthy rainsuit, only to be bestowed with a full suit in a bag, as well as the very fine wading raincoat, by the all-knowing Rock Creek maestro. Then there was the rest of the wardrobe. So I'm thinking of showing up pretty much naked this year. OK? TW

FW: Announcing the Line Up for Group One, E-10!!

2010-06-16T16:11:00.001-07:00

Talk about a "tall order":

The Walker clan (Dave & Bob) make Sir Jimbo look organised and calm....Hopefully, some of the other newbies will be in charge of calm...lol

----R<'/C//><R

FW: Announcing the Line Up for Group One, E-10!!

2010-06-16T16:04:00.001-07:00

A nice note from Group One's "Cal-Cal":

I’m twitching already! Now if these damn clients would stop calling with new business!!!
Cal Walters
Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Perspective: Branding

p.s. Surveys show that fishing The Extravaganza has a positive effect on your number of (quality clients).

RCR---<'///><

Announcing the Line Up for Group One, E-10!!

2010-06-16T15:51:00.001-07:00

Fellow Extravaganzers:

In follow up to the gaggle [read "multiplicity"!} of pre-Extravaganza emails that have befallen you In Box, as we ready in earnest for the arrival of Group One in just three [count 'em!] days, I am pleased to send you this, the first official email of Extravaganza 2010--the opening ceremonial email, of you will. Ahem...

Extravaganza 2010 marks our eighth gathering of friends from all walks of life, each of whom will share a series of experiences that surely will make that "remember when" list come a few years from now. And, my how we have grown over the years. Extravaganza 2002, our very first extravagant affair, boasted a total of 24 participants spread out over four separate groups, two groups fishing two days, two fishing three days. Group Two's veteran Doug "Popeye" Hamilton was among that long-ago few and, were it not for a bout with kidney stones this time last year, he would be our sole "100% Extravaganza" participant. Compare this year where 68 fisherfolk will fill our three groups, each group now fishing three days...in fact, Group One this year tips the scale at 24 participants--the entire 2002 contingency wrapped up in one zany group of veterans and rookies alike who, each year dating back to 2002, uniquely pride themselves on the landside watering ability--in true spirit of the spirits, that is!

And, folks, here it is....the official line up for Group One for Extravaganza 2010:

A seasoned group of 16 [count 'em!] veterans--that's 67% for those who are, indeed, counting--headline the Ignoble Ones whose most grizzled members include long time Group Oners (they simply will not fish with any other group [nor would any other group have them, btw]) cpa John "SOS" Reimann whose cheap opening day gag gifts have permanently tarnished the annals of Extravaganza history and my dear '64 SRHS classmate, superior S.F. commercial realtor Brad "Pinko" Colton--so named for his propensity to embarrass himself (as well as us--no small feat in that regard!) by wearing foppish pink attire while traversing the rivers of Western Montana--Brad: you can leave last year's pink boa home this year...that was too much, sailor! This "pair to draw to" is joined by also long-time Extravaganzer Brian "Moraine" Shepard (so named for his Alaskaganza preference to fish the Moraine ["glacial-made wasteland"] section near Lake Iliamna) who, in true Father's Day tradition, will again be joined by each of his siblings: daughter "Beautiful Eliza Jane" and co-Yellow Hat E-09 winners sons "Josef The Stick" and "Tsar Nicolas".

Multiple returning E-10 Group One veterans also include Napa's one and only Jim "Chaos" Hendrickson and his ferrous metal sidekick Demetry "The Ghost" Kondrasheff--so named because he is so quiet that even he forgets that he is here sometimes! This year "Chaos" [those of you rookie Oners will see just what I mean in a few days now!] will also be joined by his sister Bobbi and bro-in-law Davis Walker--maybe they will be able to bring order where, in prior years, even his Lady Di could not!

And then there is the "Kruger Four" who, blessedly, will again be returning to add true Marin County color to the rivers and bars of Missoula: John "Half Centurion" Kruger heads of this group of miscreants, and is joined, as in prior years, by returning veterans Frank "Ratatouille" Ratto, Mike "Oh So" Wise and Marin Catholic legendary coach Larry "Go Cats" Gondola. And, were that not enough, rounding up the Ignoble One veteran cadre is National Wildlife Federation Regional Representative (and co- Montana Wildlife Federation board member) "One If By Land" Tawney who, as in prior years will be giving his 4 1/2 hour Group One Opening Day keynote luncheon talk (based on last year's first Group activities--in which he was a true ringleader!) on "Abstinence In Fishing--A Study Of What Not To Do In Montana" which will be well listened to by CLG attorney John "Snag Em" Rosenbaum and his two young-uns, "Amiable Adam" and "Big Ben" [and, probably, no one else].

In addition to the Walkers, E-10 Ignoble One(s) rookie "imbibers-in-training" feature the father son duo of "Father Eddie" and Michael "Big Fish" Downer (yes, they being of Mechanics Bank fame) as well as by father son combo "Cal-Cal" Walters and his son "Jack-Jack"--so dubiously named until they earn their true Extravaganza names during this next week--and their pal "Dan-Dan" Rogers (Ibid) and last, (and arguably truly very least) by self named "Minnow Mel" McCormack, the former hailing from the East Bay and the latter, well, minnowing about from San Rafael, California--"Minnow" being the not-so-better-half of my wonderful SRHS classmate Pat (who is staying behind back home because she "didn't want to be embarrassed by The Minnow").

So there you have it, gang, the Official Line Up for Group One, E-10!! Hang on to your bottle openers and cork screws, as Extravaganza 2010 is about to launch in epic proportions....do you think we should file some kind of an Ignoble Environmental Assessment??

Welcome aboard, Group Oners--I will be there to meet you at the airport come this Saturday Morning....bueno, bueno, bueno!

Best to all from the now-anticipating scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

Your Flow Report

2010-06-16T11:27:00.001-07:00

This morning’s flow has risen to 2410 due to the fact that it rained all night last night on Rock Creek. So folks – remember to bring a _______________!!

Patty “Flo” Gallia

Group One Weather Update

2010-06-15T15:46:00.001-07:00

Group Oners (and other E-10 weather students):

Proving truth to the otherwise perceived legend that weather forecasting here in Montana is an art form, not a science, just as occurred here on Rock Creek last evening, this Sunday's Father's Day weather forecast is now modified to read "a thunderstorm in the area" with daytime temps otherwise in the high 70's. The need for a real rain jacket (i.e., a poncho/repellant rather than just a "water resistant" jacket) is never more pronounced than sitting midstream on a drift boat only to witness the temperature drop 20 degrees (or more) in just minutes and formerly clear blue skies changing into the darkest of black clouds coupled by a torrential downpour.

Last night, while having dinner outside at a neighbor's house, we watched that phenomenon happen here on Rock Creek: Within minutes the temperature fell dramatically and the skies opened up with a torrential downpour of truly macho raindrops (many of which were cascading down parallel to the ground courtesy of the sudden hurricane-like winds). The storm was gone just as quickly as it came upon us dropping literally inches of rain in the process and leaving behind the unprotected just that--unprotected.

Hypothermia is not a Greek city folks--it is a medical condition often self-imposed by unwisened fisherfolk who fail to pack a rain jacket when headed out to Montana's glorious river(s)!! View fishing with a rain jacket "safe fishing" [no Viagra required].

Pack 'em, Danno!!

RCR-----<'///><

p.s. Oops...looking out my Rock Creek office window a(nother) thunderstorm appears headed our way...the temperature outside just dropped by over ten degrees!

Flow Report

2010-06-15T13:28:00.001-07:00

Well, today’s flow has risen just a tad from yesterday to 2040. We’re still lookin pretty good!

Patty "Flo" Gallia

Excitement - YES!

2010-06-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a place! I'm so excited.

Sonya Wyland,
VP / Sr. Residential Loan Officer
Mechanics Bank

Visages of Images Soon In Your Future

2010-06-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

-----R<'/C//><R

Your Daily Flow Report

2010-06-14T16:39:00.001-07:00

‘tis a beautiful thing!!! 2030

Patty Gallia
{see Discharge Report link on the side panel of Der Blog]

Extravaganza Week is Finally Here!!

2010-06-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings, all, from the soon-to-be scene of it all,,,where, as the attached pics demonstrate in living color, summer has finally arrived here in Western Montana. In fact, we just had a casual E-10 neighborhood warm-up on the back deck (for the last four hours!) where the official arrival of summer proclamation was made by all locals in attendance.

Visualize this: As the sun was dropping behind the mountain opposite Headquarters, it was 70 degrees, a mayfly hatch was in full spawn, larger caddisflies were interspersed among their size 18 counterparts, and the evening breeze was as sweet as anything wonderful that you might imagine. In the course of the gala, we were able to confirm that (a) Headquarters is still an admirable party house; (b) the now well stocked wine locker [to wit: the garage] holds an ample supply of primo wines of all persuasion; (c) Kocktail Kathy, your Hostess With the Mostess, is yet that; and (d) Extravaganza 2010 is now just days in the offing.

The weather here in the last 48 hours has literally (and I think permanently) shifted from a crisp, unusually cool spring to a glorious summer. Birds of all types were in and out of our birdfeeder like flights in and out of LAX, hummingbirds were like fighter pilots dancing in and out of their resident feeder, and the greenness of all of the springing forth new growth (as shown in that of [my favorite] the larch pine in the last of the attached photos) is refreshingly stunning.

Yesterday, in the early morn, I drove over the Continental Divide to Helena to attend our quarterly Montana Wildlife Federation board meeting, and the drive over was simply breathtaking. Playing on my cd player was our Montana Matters heart wrenching series of Montanaesque songs accompanied, intermittently dispersed through the morning ground fog, by visages of snowcapped mountains being greeted by the bright morning sun. The rivers were full (now each falling in volume, sated by their now-waning spring runoff); the air was as pristine as anything that you could imagine and spiced with the smells of new-found annual rebirth; new-born calves were suckling with their mothers' careful oversight; ospreys had returned to their seasonal homes, with newbies literally under their wing; and all that Montana has to offer was laid out like the most glorious seasonal meal that you could ever hope to have presented before you.

Yes, folks, this is it--the week we have all been waiting for...the now days-away (as in six [count 'em!]) commencement of our eighth annual foray into the wonders and glories of all that Western Montana has to offer. This afternoon's passage was proof-certain that Montana, indeed, is God's own backyard as she has reserved only the best of her offerings to be laid before only those deserving to receive her bounty and, yes, that, properly, includes each one of you.

Fellow E-10ers: Dispel any questions that you might have earlier had about river conditions, weather conditions, and/or fishing conditions; for I can now tell you first-hand that we are "spot on" for each of those for E-10 which on the one hand is happily welcome news but, on the other, now takes away each and every one of any excuses that you might have otherwise divined as to why you didn't make the Twenty Inch Club board, why you failed to capture a yellow hat (awarded to the biggest trout landed each day) and/or why you left for home from God's own backyard unadorned with a spiffy new monogrammed yellow shirt (with just one awarded for the biggest trout landed in each Group)!!

To the Ignoble Ones: You are officially in the batter's box for E-10, so get serious now about that now-last-minute packing, about those Hawaiian shirts and about those gag gifts (some of which are already beginning to show up here at Headquarters courtesy of UPS and FedEx)--your clearance for landing here in Extravaganzaland is now but (long awaited for) days ahead.

More to follow in this quick-to-pass week ahead...

Bueno, bueno, bueno!!

Rock Creek Ron

-----<'///><

Announcing "The Package" for E-10

2010-06-11T14:44:00.001-07:00

Keeping with a now eight [count 'em] year tradition, I am pleased to announce "The Package" for Extravaganza 2010--"the screaming deal that you simply just can't leave the shop without":

For each of our Groups, "The E-10 Package": As visually portrayed above, this year's Package is your three-some choice of a(ny) Rock Creek Mercantile (i) tee-shirt, (ii) ball cap style hat plus (iii) Croakie [for you rookies out there, a "Croakie" is the invaluable attachment to your (polarized!) sunglasses that keeps them on you and out of the river] all for (the (ridiculously low) price of $40.00 (American).

Plus, as tradition extravagantly dictates, each of you also has a 10% discount on every item in the Rock Creek Mercantile while we are there on each Group's Opening Day licensing-up.

It is a good thing to be in Extravaganzaland!!

-----------R<'/C//><R

Attention all E-10 Drivers!!

2010-06-11T14:43:00.001-07:00

E-10 Driver Update!!

For those of you who will be driving, there will be a welcoming luncheon for each group at the Montana Club on Reserve Street in Missoula, where all drivers should meet with the rest of the group at 1:00 pm. The Montana Club is located at 4561 North Reserve Street, Missoula and their phone is (406) 541-8141. Please note that there are two Montana Clubs in town and this one is the one nearest the airport (between Broadway and I-90). Group One – Saturday, June 19. Group Two – Friday, June 25 and Group 3 – Thursday, July 1. Please be there by 1:00 pm.

If for some reason you cannot make it to the Montana Club, the group will head directly to Ron & Kathy's Blackfoot house after lunch at around 3:00 pm (for a quick look to see the beautiful new construction) before heading to the Rock Creek Mercantile to license up and purchase any last minute gear. The Mercantile is located at 73 Rock Creek Road, Clinton, MT‎ and their phone is (406) 825-6440‎. The Mercantile closes at 5:00 pm and you must make it there before that time as you will need your licenses for the next day of fishing. After the stop at the Merc, everyone will head up Rock Creek to Ron & Kathy's where the fun will continue!! Their Rock Creek address is 1059 Rock Creek Road, Clinton, Montana .

If for any reason you will not be able to make it to the Montana Club on time, please call Ron or Kathy on their cell phones to let them know.

As things get closer, if you have any questions at all, please let us know. Everyone is going to have an awesome time!

Patty Gallia

E-10 Alert: Delta Dangle

2010-06-09T11:01:00.001-07:00

Gang:

As has happened so many times over the last eight years, Delta Air Lines (our once-boarded most reliable airline to/fro MSO) has done it again to me (for the third time now) and, now being E-10's victim #1, I tell you the following story/current event as a lesson to become wise(r):

Having had in hand my reservation for months now to travel to E-10 and even "having checked it twice" (as we advise "y'all" to do), just moments ago, I went on line to "check in" for my morning flight tomorrow a.m. out of SFO only to see that what I had earlier booked and reserved as my outgoing Delta flight did not match up flights for tomorrow, to wit: what I had booked as a 7:30 a.m. departure from SFO had been unilaterally changed to a 6:00 a.m. flight with nary a call nor an email notification from Dear Delta.

Thus, be so fore-warned and fore-armed.

ALL: Please recheck your incoming and outgoing Missoula flight reservations and let Patty know NOW if there have been any changes in your incoming or outgoing Missoula flights. We intend to be there when you arrive to pick you up and, I am sure (since Extravaganza Headquarters is located 45 minutes and a $75 cab ride from the airport) you would like that as well!!

Grrrr....yes, believe you me, we will be looking at other alternatives for E-11 and, to that end, just yesterday, believe it or not, United Air Lines began daily non-stop service between SFO and MSO....hmmm, do I sense an E-11 change of airlines on the wind?!?

RCR

Der Blog Turns 800

2010-06-09T07:15:00.001-07:00

Greetings Fellow Extravaganzers:

With Der Blog turning 800 (visitors, that is) earlier this morning, just as each of you soon will be doing, today, I am in my final packing stages, preparing for my departure to Extravaganzaland early tomorrow morning. This is a special time for me as it is the knowing precursor to the nigh commencement of E-10 in just ten [count 'em!] days from now and, for you rookies out there, your now-near "rabbit hole" entry into the soon-ot-be-revealed Montanaesque experiences that will daily bless your psyche in the quickly approaching extravagant days ahead.

On our end, we are ready for E-10: (a) Kathy (now month-long on site) has her kitchen and the balance of Extravaganza Headquarters in "apple pie order" (with the last ten cases of [Elizabeth Spencer] wines scheduled to be delivered today); (b) the rivers are cooperating and shaping up nicely (there, the runoff blossoms forth and should complete its process sometime next week--right on time, I might add); (c) the Rock Creek Mercantile (our land-based provider) anxiously awaits your

arrival(s); and (d) and our wonderful outfitter (John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, who has each of our 110 [count 'em!] boats teed up for their scheduled launches) is ready to "rock 'n' roll"...all that is missing is you--something that we will attend to/remedy in just a few days now.

As E-10 rapidly finds each of our doorsteps, I encourage each you to watch with me the continued rise and soon-to-be ebb of our Montana rivers' flows (our Extravaganza Coordinator Extraordinaire Patty Gallia will continue to keep you posted via email on a daily basis [she and her two wonderful daughters will be joining us this year with Group Three, btw]) and to keep your eye on Der Blog for further postings. As the commencement of E-10 draws nearer, as we have done in prior years, we will be posting E-10's daily updates to Der Blog only--a site that you should now share with your friends and family so they can watch and viscerally experience what you each will soon be extravagantly doing..

Hmmm....let's see, my last minute packing items include, oh yes, my (i) rain jacket; (ii) polarized sun glasses; (iii) Hawaiian shirt for Day One fishing, and (iv) multiple Grants for daily guide tipping.

Best to al packing up for it all,

R<'/C//<>R

Daily Flow Report

2010-06-08T09:20:00.001-07:00

Our flow has reached new heights and will surely drop by the arrival of Group 1, with temperatures projected to be in the 80’s all next week!

3270

Patty Gallia

Group One Long Range Weather Forecast Is In!!

2010-06-07T17:37:00.001-07:00

Well, gang, we are now close enough that, just today, the long range forecast was posted for Group One on our website link via Der Blog (if this is not already one of your "Favorites" you have made a strategic error!).

With the caveat that the only reliable Montana weather forecast is the one that tells you what happened in your chosen microclimate fifteen minutes earlier, the long range forecast for Group One, E-10 is for clear skies, arriving day temps with highs in the 80's and lows in the 40's--proving my general rule that summer temps in Western Montana typically see daily lows one half of the highs.

That being said, as recently as this afternoon, even with a prediction of clear skies for today, Kathy told me moments ago of a torrential thunderstorm and downpour that blew through Rock Creek this afternoon, depositing an amazing amount of water in a short period of time--one of a series of such typically seasonal storms that soon will see the flow on Rock Creek creep up into the 3,000cfs range and re-reminds each of you to pack a rain jacket in your "go bag"!

Also, our Double Up Outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, reconfirmed with me just an hour ago that water levels in our E-10 targeted Bitterroot River "should be absolutely perfect" for each of our Groups--and that is not just idle talk, folk, as he will be munching on those words as he coordinates each of our daily flotilla of twelve (count 'em) drift boats.

Bueno, bueno, bueno...like me, can you smell it a-commin', gang?!?

RCR----<'///><

Your E-10 Flow Report

2010-06-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

Today’s flow is at 2590 -- just as Ron predicted -- man is he good!

Patty Gallia

FW: A bottle of Rock Creek Merlot For...

2010-06-06T20:28:00.001-07:00

...the 750th visitor to E-10's Der Blog, who is none other that Group One rookie "Minnow Mel" McCormack (whose word is gold with us, unless it is related to fishing, that is!), entitling him to receive a bottle of Rock Creek Merlot upon his arrival in Extravaganzaland in now less than two weeks...and forever now making him "Merlot Minnow Mel"!!

R<'/C//><R

Hey.......not being a computer geek, I don't know how to send you proof that I hit the 750 # on the blogspot and now it's up to 761!! So, you better pick another number to shoot for or trust me and send me the bottle of RC Merlot!!! Minnow Mel!@!

Two Weeks And Counting!!

2010-06-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

Two weeks [count 'em!] from this very moment the Ignoble Ones will be winging their way to Western Montana to officially raise (burn?!?) the flag of Extravaganza 2010 (some to think of it, one of the [very] few Extravaganza-related items that we do not have in our cadre is a flag...but that then requires a flag pole, etc.--forget it!), launching our eighth foray into the wonders and glories that the Treasure State has to offer. As in prior years, they will be arriving at the very best (post-runoff) time, to fish the very best Montana rivers, with the best cadre of guides that this pristine area has to offer.

Once E-10 has begun, the series of events that unfolds is as bountiful as one's imagination can permit. Each of our fishing days, we will launch an average of twelve boats that will drift an average of eight miles (read almost 100 fishing miles/day) over waters where the fish population averages over 1,500 healthy, native Montana trout per mile. Yes, that math is correct: Each fishing day our collective groups will have exposure to over 150,000 trout, a bounty so plentiful that even returning Group One veteran, my [very] long-time '64 San Rafael High School friend classmate Brad "Pinko" Colton [so named for his traditionally foppish pink attire] lands fish year after year while fishing in Extravaganzaland (annually on a backcast, I might add!). In advance, I cannot help but smile at the wild and wonderful yet-to-be-revealed E-10 stories that soon will be spun during our nightly Report From The Boats--the time, when around h.d.'s and [multiple] cocktails, we gather to collectively share the waterborne events that revealed themselves just hours before and to award our traditional Yellow Hat to the fisherman/woman (more often than not the latter, btw!) who caught (and released) the longest trout of the day.

So, once again, all, pull out that Camp List, get out those rods & reels (if you have them), locate all of that bling that was bestowed upon you veterans during prior Extravaganzas (yes, gang, we will bling again this year!), and begin the packing and assembly process for the soon-to-be-upon us opening of Extravaganza 2010. If there are items that you are missing or feel that you might need, just wait until your arrival in Montana, as you will have ample provisioning time on Day One at the Rock Creek Mercantile (where you will get a 10% discount on anything and everything in the store) as well as daily at Kesel's Fly Shop--our beginning spot for each fishing day. Coupled with the fact that there is no sales tax in Montana, there is benefit in waiting at this point in time.

Also, of particular importance to your packing agenda, remember (a) rain jackets [we are having one of the wettest Springs in recent history (blessedly, I might add); (b) polarized sun glasses; (c) your guide gag gift; and (d) your three guide tippable Grants.

Bueno, bueno, bueno...I can now physically feel the pull of E-10 and can't wait to greet each of you upon your now not-too-distant Montana arrival(s)!!

Best to all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

Look What (Flow) [finally!!] Showed Up!!

2010-06-04T11:34:00.001-07:00

Check out the current Discharge Report!!

...now what we need to watch is when the flow begins to subside, as that is the key for water clarity in our targeted rivers (listed in the order that they clear up) (1) the Bitterroot; (2) the Clark Fork (of the Columbia River); and (3) the Big ("A River Runs Through It") Blackfoot!!

Welcome to Mother Nature's annual slide show!

Best to all in anticipation of it all,

R<'/C///><R

A bottle of Rock Creek Merlot For...

2010-06-04T07:11:00.001-07:00

...visitor # 750 to Der Blog @ www.montanaextravaganza2010.blogspot.com --we are currently at #716 (and counting!) gang!!

R--------<'/C//><-------R

FW: Your Daily Flow Report

2010-06-03T09:19:00.001-07:00

Group Two's blessed Fawnlady weighs in with tips on her boat's (typically) unorthodox fishing/seining styles:

Thanks Patty. I suppose this is good news for some....as for Shanna Banana and I, we were hoping for the 'drag your net method' in very low water! Nuts! How are we to pick out the big ones now?

Thanks for the 'know' on the flow!

Fawn Lori

Subject: Your Daily Flow Report

1540 – Yes, it is rising!!

E-10 Flows, Cash & Guide Tipping

2010-06-03T09:16:00.001-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

Well you know E-10 is getting close when I am now down to just seven days left here in the Bay Area, and that's what today is for me...the One Week Countdown!

On my (short) list of items to chat about today is (a) water flows, (b) cash needs during E-10 and (c) guide tipping.

Regarding water flowage, as our Double Up Outfitter John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould mentioned yesterday in his note to each of us, even though the (non)runoff is a bit strange/non-existent this year, by the powers vested in me by absolutely no one, I can officially pronounce that "we are going to be just fine water-wise for E-10"!! This is no small announcement as, each year, the foibles of Mother Nature reshuffle the deck of fishing cards that we will be dealt and, even with precipitation levels in the 60% of normal category, the unusually cool May weather has blessed us with an abundance of residual water that will flow right through our last E-10 fishing day, the Fourth of July. Bueno, bueno, bueno (and phew, as a warm May would have bred a much different announcement!)!!

As to the other more mundane matters of cash and guide tipping, with the exception of purchasing your fishing license (approx. $40) upon your arrival [which can be done by credit card at the Merc, btw], the only cash outlay that you will have during E-10 are you daily guide tips, recommended @ $50/day/person. Your guides are, literally, going to be your best friend(s) during your stay with us and treating them with personal and financial respect are two of the keynotes that (a) bring our guides to us year after year and (b) make the Extravaganza the truly special Western Montana fishing event that it is.

"Fun in Fishing" is our motto and properly rewarding our guides that make it all possible is one of our endearing trademarks to and for them. I know the economics of guiding and, sufficient to say, guiding is a true labor of love, not a get-rich-quick (or ever) endeavor. That said, your guide will provide you a shore lunch each day and, more often than not, the tip that you bless him with one day will be the cash he uses to procure your lunch for the next.

Thus, best and strongly recommended practice is to tip your guides daily so that (a) they have disposable cash to do their lunch shopping for your next day and (b) being used to this E policy, they are not left wondering at the end of a tipless day if they somehow didn't measure up your standards...each day on the river is a 14 hour day for your guide, and thanking them daily is a great way to pave the way for an even better next one!!

So put a "trio of Grants" ($50.00 bills) on your packing list and that will avoid the otherwise time consuming mad dash to the frustratingly few ATMs that bless the wonderful oasis of Missoula, Montana!

Best to all in anxious anticipation of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

E-10 "Quote Of The Day"!

2010-06-02T13:14:00.001-07:00

"...our rivers are not half empty...they are half full!"

So sayeth (optimistic/realistic) Corey Fisher, Montana Wildlife Federation's Vice President of Issues (and he should know, as, for a day job, he is the Missoula Area Rep for Trout Unlimited [and an excellent fly tier/fisherman/friend!]).

R<'/C//><R

...And Now a Word from our Outfitter...

2010-06-02T07:30:00.001-07:00

Hey Ron, Here's the update...

Greetings from "soggy" Montana, and the Bitterroot Valley! June is here, and the tide of E10 will soon wash back into the rivers of western Montana, with all of us on board! Hoist the flag and "tally-ho", the shear number of boats on the water from E10 this year may be enough to raise water levels a bit! All kidding aside, we are much lower on snow pack than we were the past two years of Extravaganzas, but not to worry. The coolest spring we've had in quite a few years continues here, and the amount of rain we've been getting is amazing. Painted Rocks Reservoir is full, and overflowing. This is the reservoir that generates a good percentage of the Bitterroot rivers flow. Experts agree that we still have enough snow, and rain in the forecast, to fill Painted Rocks at least three more times this season!!! All in all, we will be just fine for E10 this month and next. The funny part is, that we as guides, love fishing our rivers at any level. I especially like lower than average water conditions, as our quarry has far fewer places to hide from us! Add in the fact that we have had excellent flows for the past few years, and our trout here in western Montana are healthier and as strong as they can be, and you have a combination for success! No  one worry, we always get you into fish, AND we are going to be fly fishing in Montana, and I know that's all I could ever ask for...

    Don't forget to dig deep in the closet, or visit your local surf shop for the 2nd annual Hawaiian Shirt Day, for the first day of each group! Confusing to trout, and strenuous on the guides vision, Hawaiian shirt day will once again grace our boats, and later our camera chips, adding a few extra giggles to some of Ron's Blog postings!

    All of us here at Double Up are looking forward to another amazing time on the waters of western Montana with you all here very, very soon! Pack your bags, forget the rest of the world, and welcome back to Montana, Extravaganza style!!! See you all in a couple weeks and...

    Fish ON,

John Gould
Double Up Outfitters LLC
4209 Edgewater way
Stevensville, MT
59870

Phone:406.240.9498

Double Up Outfitters website
"The Daily Float"
Our Latest Video!!!

Group Two Men In The News: California State Varsity Lacrosse Champions!

2010-06-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

E-10ers:

Shout out an Extravagant "CONGRATS" to Group Two's Doug "Popeye" Hamilton shown above with his two boys (Josh on his right and Ryan on the other right) after their weekend procurement of the California High School Varsity Club Lacrosse Championship---congrats Casa Grande guys!!

"Popeye" returns this year for his seventh [count 'em] Extravaganza with son Ryan--unless, that is, sonny boy has a(nother) dance that he needs to attend--and reports:

So very proud of all our boys! 18 games of undefeated Lacrosse in California this year!

J. Douglas Hamilton

President

JUNE

2010-06-01T09:03:00.001-07:00

A nice note and pleasant reminder from Group Two's inimical Fawnlady, Lori Ware!

It's JUNE!

Fawn Lori VERY excited!

Thanks for the countdowns Montana Man!

"The Rookie": A True Fish Story (Really!!)

2010-05-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

It is not every day that a permanent "rookie" is born--a rookie being defined as someone who is engaging in an activity (in this case fishing in Alaska) for the very first time and commits such an egregious rookie error (as in this case) that, forever, that person is to be known as "The Rookie". Enter E-10 Group Three veteran Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat.

The scene was our frequent sequel to our annual Extravaganza--the "Alaskaganza" when, during the first week of September, 12 of us take over the entire Rainbow River Lodge [a five star float plane fly-in resort just outside Lake Iliamna, Alaska, a 1 1/2 hour charter flight due west of Anchorage] for some of the most satisfying and outrageously successful rainbow trout fishing in the world. Such was the case this past September when several of our Extravaganzers, including Group One's Brian "Moraine Shepard, Group Two's Fred "The Guitar" Johnson and Tom "Sockeye" Thornhill joined up with Group Threers Grady "The Stick" Garrett, Bruce "The Rookie Mowat" and E-10 rookie Steve "Colorado" Herron.

As we had in the past, we flew into Rainbow River Lodge on a Saturday and then fished the next successive six (count 'em!) days, each day flying out early in the morn via float plane in groups of four to one of many available fishing sites. As a prequel to what ensued that week, (no joke folks), knowing how revered our Twenty Inch Club is in Montana (where every twenty inch trout caught is registered on a specially anointable board), during these six days of Alaksaganza fishing this past September, the twelve of us, using seven weight 9' Winston BIIX fly rods, caught (and released) over two thousand (yes, 2,000) rainbow trout averaging over twenty four (yes, 24) inches in length. To say the trip was a successful one, is the understatement of this yet early decade.

Well, picture yourselves out on the very last day of fishing with the four of us, Sockeye, Colorado, The Rookie and yours truly, Sourdough Ron, at the mouth of Battle Creek--one of the many feeding streams cascading downward from glaciers into Lake Iliamna. The fishing that day was unusually (even for that area) hot--we were hooking up large rainbows after larger rainbows all day long, nymph fishing under an indicator with a salmon egg pattern (the rainbows were into Battle Creek following the then spawning Sockeye salmon--yes, the source of "Sockeye" name a year ago). Our Great Falls, Montana guide, Jerry (who accompanied us along with Kathy's favorite guide Dorian), was sentimental that day, for, after decades of guiding in Alaksa with and among grizzly bears [yes, we had those next to us all that day long], this was his very last day of guiding in Alaska--the next day he was flying out with us back to Montana, leaving, forever, Alaksa in his rear view mirror.

Near the end of that day, the fishing "switched on"...first Colorado hooked into a 24" rainbow beauty, then Sockeye was greeted by a 26" bow, and then yours truly hooked into the rainbow of his life, a thirty (yes, 30) inch rainbow only to be followed by The Rookie, on his own (because our two guides already had their hands/nets full of eighty inches of rainbow), hooked into a 24" fish of his own which then joined the other three beauties in the net, now making 104" of rainbow in a single net--a record for soon to be retired Jerry.

The pictures above show part of this scene: The first shows RCR's and Colorado's two fish in a single net; the second displays a thirty inch rainbow trophy (with The Rookie "hooked up" in the background")...and now comes the time for a legendary rookie error. At Jerry's request, he asks that we each hold our fish up for a photo op that will "bedeck his wall for ever" reminding him of "his greatest guiding day ever"; but, lo, The Rookie first asks that he get a single shot of just him and his fish (while the rest of us bide or time nursing our squirming fish). And, folks, you can now see what happened in the remaining two photos above: "The Rookie", while posing for his cameo shot, drops his fish into the water and, splash, it is off to the races and gone...leaving the rest of us to pose with just our three, 80 inches of rainbow, leaving guide Jerry with only a memory of the photo that might have been.

Being in true "rookie" form, however, The Rookie asked us to pose in the last of the shots above (the very last photo taken during Alaskaganza 2009) with his arms out, as "I will just PhotoShop in a fish for Jerry"--an event that has yet to happen, and one that never should.

Soooo, when you hear of or, if you are in Group Three, you run into The Rookie, tell him that one really has to go out of his way to earn the dubious title of The Rookie, as such being very much the deserved case above....ah, the indignity of it all!! ...and, for those of you who might be interested, we will next return to Rainbow River Lodge during the first week of September, 2011--reservations are currently being taken with yours truly for Alaskaganza 2011.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate story of "The Rookie", as witnessed by your affiant during Alaskaganza 2009.

Rock Creek Ron (aka "Sourdough Ron")

---<'///><------<'///><-------<'///><.................<'-------/

Annual Pre-Extravaganza Tune-Up

2010-05-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

Extravagant Ones:

Well, here it is: The very last day in May--a Memorial one, this year the very Day when we give thanks to all of those who in the past "gave it all" so that we might have the privilege to be who we are, where we are, doing what we do in an unfetteredly free manner. A true, hearty, and heartfelt toast to them all!

And, as tradition requires, for the fourth year in a row, the annual Pre-Extravaganza Exploratory Tune-Up Trip took place this past Friday, where a daring few veteran Extravaganzers take a day to arise early, drive 4+ hours north to Redding, CA to fish the Lower Sacramento River and then, sated, return home later that same day--making the driving and fishing time just about on a one-to-one ratio. For many, this trip has been seen as the metaphysical omen-maker for the forthcoming Extravaganza--a look ahead, if you will, as to just what the (fishing) fortunes of E-10 just might be.

If forecasting the trip be, as shown above, E-10 will be blessed with wonderful fisherfolk enjoying not only the fruits of the Napa Valley but also a bevy of 20" fish! Note above the exploratory crew of E-veterans Bruce "The Rookie" [yes, there is a story there} Mowat, shouldered on his left successively by Scott "The Crack" McAdams [ibid}, RCR and Cam "Mend" Carlson (who, among them, have accumulated dozens of Extravaganzas) who then launched their unusually well fortified (with bottles of Elizabeth Spencer wines--this is the only sanctioned E-trip where booze is authorized/encouraged to be on board, btw!), to drift/wobble downstream into fishing heaven that yielded not only a beautiful fishing day but also one twenty inch trophy, as shown with "The Rookie"---congrats Bruce!!

As the result this (not really) daring pre-Extravaganza prelude, the formal Delphian metaphysical forecast for E-10 is "fish...a lot of fish (because we didn't catch many--you see--this is really Lower Sac trip is really a "reverse oracle" prognostication trip, all!)...many, many of which will be in the twenty inch category"...a good foreboding for our Twenty Inch Club. E-10ers!!

Best to all after the mysticism of it all,

R <'/C//>< R

Water Flow Update Report: No Reason For Panic!

2010-05-26T16:10:00.001-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

What a great group of water flow students/followers we have out there this (most unusual) of water flow years, who are following the slow flow with as much care as I am!!

Gang: Here's the reason not to panic with this year's low and slow runoff, however:

1. This year we have exactly one half (1/2) of the snow pack of last year (the black line on chart).

2. Because of the cold May weather this year, the runoff has been delayed/non-existent, leaving much of the snow pack still resident on in the upper elevations.

3. If we had "normal May weather" this year (May temperatures have been an average of 20 degrees below normal in 2010 [global warming?!?]), all of the snow in the upper climes would have been fully melted off by now, leaving us with unusually low waters come E-10....that is not the case, however.

4. The low, delayed flow (the red line on our graph) shows that there is still plenty of moisture in the upper elevations (Kathy said it snowed again on the upper elevations of Rock Creek just the other night), meaning that we will have plenty of water for our fishing in just a few weeks.

Ergo, panic not, but, rather, be thankful for the bounty that Mother Nature is carefully and slowly laying down for all E-10ers!!

RCR----<'///><

Extravagant allergies!

2010-05-25T15:10:00.001-07:00

Okay, E-10 wiseacres, Patty has protected the identity of each of you who have so liberally responded to our request for allergies, other than to tell me that

(a) someone in Group One is apparently allergic to "poodles"--safe on that account with us;

(b) there are those in Group Tattoo who, either individually or collectively, [i] are allergic to codeine and hope that we will not be using that product in our extravagant cooking [safe, again, folks!], [ii] while not allergic, "hate carrots" [you will see well, my fellow Tattooers!], [iii] "are seriously allergic to the lack of Irish whisky [safe, again---phew!], and [iv] "allergic to the wrath of Ron--been there once and don't want to go back there again!"; and

(c) there are those in Da Threes who profess to be allergic to [i] trout {nice try for a fishing excuse, huh?!?}, [ii] "Ron" {is that you, Kocktail Kathy?!?} and [iii] "work" {there won't be much of that done during E-10!!}.

As the days quickly progress, my short list for each of you allergic/non-allergic Ones alike is:

1. Watch, with me, the wild non-water flow--this is our best friend with ytd precipitation in our benchmark Bitterroot Mountains now posting at 67% [exactly one half of last year]...the later/lower the flow, the more water that we will have to fish and, at this point in time, that is a good thing!

2. Grab your Camp List and fill in the packing blanks, with special emphasis on polarized sun glasses and a true rain jacket.

3. Locate/purchase that Hawaiian Shirt for Day One fishing.

4. Keep checking Der Blog for weather and flow updates, as that will soon be your primary source of incoming information.

5. Don't forget your Guide Gag Gift, remembering that decency and/or civility are not required components.

Best to all in short-time preparation for it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

And The Correct # Of Bottles of Wine On Situs Is...

2010-05-22T07:34:00.001-07:00

....well, with guesses ranging (yikes!) from a low of 138 bottles (and that guess from a to-remain-unnamed banker) to a high of 1,596 (and that one from an accountant, believe it or not--his rookie initials are "David Hatch" and he will fish in Group Three, not to mention any names--he errantly thought a case of wine held 24, not 12, bottles, btw...or so he avers/pleads), the correct number of bottles of wine on site for E-10 is 858 {count 'em!] bottles---that's exactly 71-1/2 cases, gang--check it all out in the again-attached pic!

The wide-range of guesses notwithstanding, we have not one but two winners, one from each coast of the country and, prophetically, both from Group Two, each of whom, after multiple guesses [and some (math) coaching by yours truly], hit the number/bottle right on the head/cork: (1) Lafayette, CA long time Extravaganza veteran Fred "The Guitar" Johnson and (2) Orlando, FL returning veteran Kelley Kingsland--with (extensive) assistance by her fishing partner, hubby Bobby. Congrats, both--a bottle of Rock Creek Noir awaits each of your upon your June 25th E-10 arrival!

And that is not all, gang....I just got word from long time Extravaganza veteran Spencer Graham, proprietor (along with his beautiful bride Elizabeth Pressler) of Rutherford's classic Elizabeth Spencer Wines that, just as he did last year, an additional 10 cases of his bounty is also headed our way as his/their donation, in spirit(s), to E-10--both he an Elizabeth being unable to return this year but vowing to return to "fish again with us" during Extravaganza 2011---yes, indeed, all, we will return to fish these blessed waters again together next year! Thanks (again!!) Elizabeth and Spencer!!

Sooo, doing the math, with now 68 fisherfolk among the yet further expanded multitude of Extravaganza 2010, that means that, together with a never-depleted full bar and an endless supply of beer and soft drinks/water, there will be a case and three quarters--read 21 bottles--of classic vino laid in here at Extravaganza Headquarters for every man, woman and child fishing with us this year during E-10, or, after the (continually legendary) consumption of the larder by the Ignoble Ones, an even case/person for The Tattoos and Da Threes, asking the (rhetorical) question again, "Is THIS Enough?!?"

The very thought of it all is head-spinningly bedazzling!!

RCR-----<'///><......hic!

FW: It's Now Cold Enough Here To...

2010-05-22T06:31:00.001-07:00

...snow!!!

RCR

<'///><

A View Into My Fly Box

2010-05-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

Extravagant Ones:

Consistent with the adage that "you always want to see what is the other guy's fly box", attached is a photo of that now fully recharged fly box of mine, a tour of which is as follows:

Working from left to right, in the far left-hand row is my arsenal of my smaller dry fly (i.e., flies that float on top of the water) mayflies designed to imitate the dozens of species of those wonderful bugs (a dozen of each of which could easily alight on your smallest fingernail with room to spare) who spend most of their life as bugs crawling underwater and then, as they near the end of their life cycle, "emerge" to the surface of the water in "hatches" (often by blowing air bubbles around themselves, thereby floating atop like a thousand rising balloons), whereafter they "rest" on the water's surface, shed their shuck, pop out their wings and then fly aloft only to mate, whereafter the females return to the water to reposit their eggs, thereby beginning the life cycle again.

The next three columns of flies are examples of mayflies in their nymph stage--these flies are "wet flies" and are fished subsurface and are designed to imitate one or more of the mayflies in their larval and/or emerging stages. Ninety percent of a trout's consumption is of flies in their nymphal stages and, hence, the preponderance of those in this fly box, atop the middle row of which are four red San Juan worms (aka, "the dreaded worm") which are ever so effective along with the 8 specimens of white-winged prince nymphs (aka, "the fly formerly known as Prince") right beneath them [on Rock Creek I refer to the SJW and Prince as "the McDonald and Burger King menu"!]. Just as is reflected in these rows, nymphs come in different sizes and colors depending on the time of day, the river and the weather conditions (hence, the efficacy of a guide!).

The container(s) on the right hand of the fly box contain a gaggle of different dry flies, starting in the upper right with my own "unibug creation" to match beetles and spiders, a series of larger mayflies and, on the upper right some yellow humpies. The middle row starts with my foam fly searcher patterns (from which we will attach nymphs creating our "hopper dropper combination", whereby we can fish BOTH a dry fly foam fly and a trailing, underwater nymph, thereby getting "two shots at the apple" and ends with a smaller collection of foam flies designed to generically imitate the wide families of floating bugs that trout feed upon in Montana's rivers. The bottom row (which, frankly, looks like a mess) is really the "money section" of this box which contains in the middle section imitations of the golden stone fly (my "go to fly" in late June and early July and, on the right, my caddis fly collection--a bug so prolific that when the "caddis fly hatch is on you will have to turn your car's windshield wipers on to see when amidst its flurry--the hatch is like being in a snow storm.

So, folks, there it is: A view into my fly box! When each of you are here with us, as part of our program, your guides will provide all flies that you will need (the each carry hundreds of them each day on the water) and they will even tie them to the end of your lines for you, so don't fret if your own box is either partially full, empty or nonexistent!

Best to all from the scene of it all!

Rock Creek Ron

Rock Creek Roils!!

2010-05-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings Fellow Anxious Fisherfolk!

As depicted in the attached photos of a normally tame and docile Rock Creek (which I took just an hour ago), "the water she is rising in these here parts" and the color of the flow is beginning to quickly liken itself to mocha coffee--and that is a good thing.

We need a good, swift push of runoff water to cleanse our rivers, remove the deteris that has accumulated in their eddys and gullies over the winter and to resettle fish into less familiar environs (so that they are not extremely picky or spooked as our now 110 [count 'em!] E-10 boats drift down upon and over them). And it appears that that is just the case: ten days ago, Rock Creek was flowing at a modest 500 cfs; this time yesterday it was flowing three times that @ 1590 cfs; and, now, just 24 hours later, the flow is up to 1640 cfs and on the continued rise (subject to a possible dip due to the current now-colder weather conditions that are bringing rain to Headquarters altitude levels but yet more snow/future runoff to the higher climes).

'Tis a beautiful thing to watch...we will keep you continually posted and updated as the flow now goes (perhaps, by now, to the point of either irritation or nausua to you rookies out there [veterans know better, however, as it is now E-10's "money, marbles and chalk" time]).

Earlier today, I had my (always pleasurable) final, pre-Extravaganza sit-down with our Double Up Outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, to go over the (very) few remaining open details of E-10's "war plan" (as Group Three now three-time veteran Bruce "The Rookie" Mowat is wont to say: "More planning goes into the Extravaganza that went into the Gulf War!" [I neglected to ask "The Rookie" {yes, there IS a story there!}, "Which one?", however!]). What a treat it was to, once again, find all of our ordered gear in town and accounted for (early), all of our guides ready and anxiously confirmed "ready" for each of you (again), and to just have the pleasure of the Great One's company without any last minute rushing around or panic...what an extravagant pleasure, indeed---thank you, once again, Sir John!!

Simply stated, Extravaganza 2010 is now officially ready to rock 'n' roll, and, very soon, rock & roll we will.

The Extravaganzas, over their years, have become "an item" in this wonderful Treasure State and, during the course of E-10, Group One will be blessed with an overnight visitation of world renowned Montana naturalist and writer Trapper Badovinac (whose glorious coffee table book "Fly Fishing The Solitude of Montana" was included on our Extravaganza gift bag three years ago); Group Two will be invaded by the one and only Bob Wire and his guitar (to play along side Group Two's veteran Fred "The Guitar" Johnson) as well as visited by Scott Kier, Executive Director of the Five Valleys Land Trust (one of the most successful conservation land trusts in the country), and Group Three will be blessed by the presence of both Jeff Hagener, former long time Director of Montana's Department of Wildlife and Fish and currently ED of the American Prairie Foundation, as well as by Montana Matters' own Troubadour, Shane Clouse, who will privately play for E-10ers songs from his just released, newest cd, "Good Thing Going On" during our annual Fourth of July pig roast and celebration.

In addition to the above cast of truly wonderful characters, E-10 will find among its midst once again Montana Wildlife Federation president Tim Aldrich (and his beautiful wile Carol); National Wildlife Western Regional rep "One if by" Land Tawney who, once again, will fish with Group One and deliver to the reprobated Ones his annual 2 1/2 hour presentation/lecture entitled "Abstinence Is Virtue While Fishing" at Group One's opening day lunch; together with our good friend, Rock Creek neighbor, and legendary (now retired) professional golfer Miller Barber, who, once again, will serve as the officiating dignitary over the Eighth Annual Rock Creek Casting Contest to be held at Extravaganza Headquarters on the Fourth of July.

Indeed, an extravagant war plan verily exists--a set if plans, in fact, that soon see the light of day, post Rock Creek's roiling.

Best to all in preparation for it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

FW: And Der Blog's Visitor #500 is...

2010-05-19T17:05:00.001-07:00

Well, well, well---great togglers toggle alike and, just as happened last year, when two individuals blog on the same time the same number pops--last year it was Florida's Jim "The Natch" Nici logging at the same time that his Lafayette boatmate, Fred "The Guitar" Johnson did and, as this year, there were two winners!

Congats to Group Two rookie Will "Still" Burke for (also) being #500 (as evidenced below) on Der Blog, the prize for which is a bottle of (cherished) '01 Rock Creek Red upon his arrival here in Extravaganzaland. Bueno, bueno, bueno!

RCR----<'///><

p.s. The race is still on for #555, so blog forth!

_________

hold on Ron --- let me show you my proof! I think you are actually 501!

- Will

E-10: One Month and Counting!

2010-05-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

Well, thunder, lightening and nearly blinding rain along Rock Creek last evening was Mother Nature's and God's Own Backyard's way of giving fair cry that exactly one month (that's thirty [30], count 'em) days from this very day, the Ignoble Ones will be descending into Extravaganzaland marking the commencement of our eighth annual (ad)venture into the glories and wonders of Montana.

Befittingly, yesterday your Hostess With The Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, and I spend most of the day in Missoula meeting with the many purveyors that make each year's Extravaganza just what it is . For you rookies out there, as in prior years, as you pack be sure to leave (plenty of) room in your bags as, as in each of those prior years, KK and I reserve the right to treat you extravagantly upon your arrival(s) and, as in the past, you will be [substantially] more laden with E-10 bling as you wing/drive your way back home.

Appropriately as well, with rising temperatures and a boost from the bursts from the skies, as we could tell from its glorious sound as we awoke on adjoining banks this morning, Rock Creek is substantially on the rise (check Der Blog for daily updates) and has now clouded with turbidity to the point that what was a small stream that, just a few days ago, was very fishable has quickly swollen into a potent force of nature to be reckoned with (and avoided if you are a wade fisherperson)...indeed, the runoff has officially begun and now we carefully watch for its crest and then subsidence within the next 30 day period...bravo, bravo, bravo!

So gang, now is the official time to (a) recheck your flight reservations and email our Extravaganza Coordinator Extraordinaire Patty Gallia with those updates, (b) complete the allergies and booze preference forms [the replies to date, according to Patty, have been "most creative", btw], (c) pull out the Camp List and begin assembling your assemblage what will accompany you here, and (d) start looking with a careful daily eye at just what this year's runoff will bring, as the baseline of your E-10 fishing fortunes are directly tied to its progress.

[Much} more to come in the days ahead...doesn't it seem like it was just Christmas?? Well, Christmas does come twice for each of you this year, as your E-10 presents are now on-site, carefully wrapped and bestowed between Montana's surrounding trees...all that is missing is your presence, something that we will rectify in now a matter of days.

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

FW: Greetings from Extravaganzaland!

2010-05-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

A nice note and photo from Group "Tattoo" rookie Duane "Boulder" Primozich:

Hi Ron

I’d like to introduce myself, as I’ll be attending Group Two with the Will Burke contingent. I live out in Boulder, CO and had the privilege of fishing the Arkansas River this weekend with my son (11 yr old Sam). As you are clearly one that will appreciate it, I have attached a photo of one of the beauties we landed. This particular gem was caught (after two full breaches) on an Elk Hair Caddis, but they were also eating BWOs, Caddis Pupas and Stone Fly nymphs.

Your updates are terrific and I can’t wait to come and fish those legendary waters.

Counting the days,

Duane

Greetings from Extravaganzaland!

2010-05-17T08:35:00.001-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

This past Thursday and Friday, your Hostess With the Mostess, Kocktail Kathy, and her two four-legged soul mates, Sir the Spaniel and Ma'am Da Lab, and I did our annual drive from the Bay Area to Rock Creek, where the first three of these have now set up residency for the summer months (and beyond, no doubt). And what a greeting we received: as shown above, the flowers in our flower beds are fully awakening from their long winter nap, the larch pine are in full "budding mode" (with this glorious flora, the only deciduous member of the pine family, renewing its annual vow of replenishment and expansion, and the grounds of Extravaganza Headquarters are in full expansion mode, as best shown in the last photo of one of our backyard trees now in full resplendent bloom.

Indeed, it is just a month and two days from today (yikes!!) that the ignoble Ones will descend upon the scene and raise the curtain for our eighth annual foray into the wonders and wilds of Montana, Extravaganza 2010. And our family has grown in the past year. Shown above is the official "Wall-Mart Greeter" for E-10, "Ma'am Da Lab", with tongue fully extended in anxious anticipation for your arrival(s). You see, Ma'am, as a retriever, has one built-in genetic wonder (defect?), namely the insatiable desire to fetch and retrieve a ball of any size until, literally, she drops. Right now she is asleep beneath my office desk, having so outdone/over-exerted herself over the weekend that she has developed a case of what I have come to call "driveway foot"--a recoverable injury incurred in the line of (retrieving) duty from having lived the soft life in the Bay Area in current transition to the more rugged Montanaesque environs....all together now, "aaaaaw"!

This week that I will spend here will be devoted, in part, to final preparation for Extravaganza 2010--something that, organizationally, is in apple pie order with all eyes currently focused on the non-runoff that we are experiencing. As to the former, UPS called last evening to see if we would be here today to receive "28 boxes" [read cases of wine...perhaps, just perhaps, enough for Group One?!?]; as to the latter, I spent a few hours fishing Rock Creek yesterday, which, unlike any of the prior three years would be fully unfishable at this time [due to high, turbid waters] and actually got a few fish to salute me--an omen of good things to come. I will know more on Thursday of this week, after spending a full day on the Bitterroot River with our {Double-Up] outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould and will promptly report back to "y'all". In the interim, keep your eyes on the Flow Chart (that Patty will update and send out to each of you today--thanks, Patty!] and watch for weather condition changes here. Yesterday it started out in the low 40's and beautifully rose up into the mid-70's (weather here typically will find the daily low about one-half of the daily high)--we were sitting outside on the porch reading until well after 8:30 last evening...yes, it is that light that long in these here parts.

Keep checking Der Blog for further updates and remember the 500th visitor will receive a bottle of cherished Rock Creek Red upon arrival here (we are currently at #439)!!

Best to all from the scene of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

----<'///><

Two Special E-10 Announcements

2010-05-11T15:03:00.001-07:00

Fellow E-10ers:

Well, it is nigh upon 45 days until the ignoble Ones arrive on the scene to officially open (trash?) Extravaganza 2010...to that end there are two special announcements for all E-10 rookies and reminders for all returning veterans:

1. Hawaiian Shirt Day: Keeping with tradition started this past Extravaganza by our Double Up Outfitter, John "The Great But Propaneless" Gould, the first day of fishing for each group will be "Hawaiian Shirt Day" --a day where all Extravaganzers can easily be spotted on the river(s) with their donned flowery apparel. As in the past, the most so festively-dressed of each group will be appropriately noted and awarded with a special (and [somewhat] coveted) Double Up Outfitters fishing hat. One idea that has had real traction for past judges is matching shirts for those fishing in the same boats--caveat: in some cases, Extravagant guys wearing 3x muumuus have been known to actually scare fish into their boats!

2. Guide Gag Gifts: In further keeping with long-standing Extravaganza tradition, as we have done for each of the past five (count 'em!) years, the first day of fishing for each group will start with an official announcement of each group's roster and guide pairings, marking, in many cases, the chance for each of you to make a bedazzling first impression on the fellow that will be the most important person in your life for the next three days: your guide. With the calling of the roll, each boat will be asked to present his/her guide with a gag gift that very clearly (and cleverly, I might add!) "sets the tone" for your ensuing time together. Simply stated, nothing is out of bounds when it comes to guide gifts, memorable past gifts which have included the gamut from bottles of prized hooch (to be consumed off-river, btw) to Group Two Doug "Popeye" Hamilton legendary "port-a-potty" gift of a mobile toilet stand with a lure embedded throne. Others have included "Fish-O-Matic" (fraudulent) fish measuring devices to the low point of Group One's John "SOS" [aka "spare all sents"] Reimann gift one year of a Channel Lumber ruler (not even a yard stick, I might add...just a ruler) that he pulled off the shelf on his way to the airport ("I forgot to shop ahead", he yet avers). Take off the gloves, cast aside all semblance of propriety, put your wit to work and let's make E-10 forever-to-be-known as "The Year of the Gag Gift". {Yes, they can be shipped ahead via UPS and/or FedEx in advance to Extravaganza Headquarters!.} The guides know that this is coming, gang, so cast aside all sense of dignity and "lay it on", asking yourself as you gift up, "Is this really gross enough?!?"

Best to all in eager anticipation of it all,

Rock Creek Ron

---<'///><

FW: Where Did The Flow Go, Joe??

2010-05-07T12:10:00.001-07:00

Go to the head of the class, Group Two's Fred "The Guitar" Johnson!

Considering the low snow pack, this would seem to auger well for Extravaganza purposes. Fred

Frederick A. Johnson, Principal
Total Planning Concepts, LLC

Where Did The Flow Go, Joe??

2010-05-07T11:56:00.001-07:00

Extravagant Ones:

With unusually low temperatures (and new upper elevation snow added as recently as Monday of this week), as depicted in the Der Blog's updated E-10 Flow Chart (see link on right-hand side), unlike any of the past three years, water flows in our key rivers (the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot, and the Clark Fork of the Columbia) are actually dropping, not rising!

Moments ago I just got off the phone with Doug Persico, our land-based outfitter with the Rock Creek Mercantile, who confirmed that, indeed, the 2010 runoff is getting off to a slow start, witnessed by the fact that this morning it was 22 degrees outside along Rock Creek with its water temperature currently a nice, brisk 38 degrees.

Looking ahead , the long range forecast calls for Missoula daytime high temperatures creeping up from the 40's and 50's of recent weeks to the 60's next week and, thereafter, into the low 70's--and the latter is what is needed to spark the snow runoff.

Here's the math: Missoula is located right at 3500 ft above sea level; the upper snow pack is in the 8,000+ elevation; and temperature drops 3 degrees per 1,000 feet of increased elevation. Thus, a high of 50 in Missoula equates to a high of 35 in the mountain peaks with the desired 70 degrees in Missoula netting a brisk 55 degrees in the upper climes--just enough to spark the annual runoff.

Watch the redline on our graph to track the rise in daily high temperatures by roughly two days, such that as we begin to see 70 degree temperatures the graphed line will begin to climb (to around 2500 cfs, in my opinion) and then, as the upper snow fully melts off, the line will start to recede down (to around 1250 cfs, my bet) come the arrival of Group One and June 19th.

So, Joe, that's where the flow go!

RCR

<'///><

And the 400th visitor to Der Blog is...

2010-05-06T17:08:00.001-07:00

...errantly, me, gang!!

As witnessed by this print out (THIS is the way to do this, btw, 8,000 E-07 blog visitor/winner Group One Rookie Cal Walters!), while checking out Der Blog today, a bit ago, I thought I would cruise down the right side of our E-10 blog to check out Montana weather along the way and, then, the latest discharge numbers, from whence I then scrolled down to see what our visitor count was and, voila, by pure chance, I became blog visitor/contest winner #400.

Being affiliated with E-10 and all, it only seems fair and proper that I demur from this marvelous honor and donate the prize, a classic (and very rare) bottle of '01 Rock Creek Red [a GREAT wine, so much so I just bought the very last 10 cases of its equally good '02 brother for delivery to E-10, and to be hidden from the guzzlers of Group One, I might add], to the 500th visitor to Der Blog--same rules, just print out proof of being visitor #500 and the vino is yours upon arrival at Extravaganza Headquarters!

So, gang, log in, blog on and check out all the action on Der Blog, the official information site for E-10 where your, all of your friends and your family can follow along, real time, as we prepare for, enter into and enjoy all of the festivities scheduled for Extravaganza 2010.

Wow, I think I am going to now go out and buy a slug of Lotto tickets...#400!!

RCR