The Dave Brown Outfitter's Fly-fishing & Upland Bird Hunting Blog

Quail Season Rant .

2012-01-30T11:48:00.000-08:00

Mearns Quail and anAYA Sidelock

It seems the Arizona Quail Season ends to soon .To bad the "powers to be" have chosen to open it Oct 1 so that Hillbilly Hunters can ground sluice Birds that literally have just hatched .Very sporting indeed.
Ideally the season should not open until Nov 1 and it should close Feb.15 .This would also keep "Out of State " Hunters in Arizona spending much needed $ .The reasoning behind the current date closure is that back in the 90's a Biologist saw paired up Gambles and Scaled Quail ,so they (AZG&F) don't want hunters messing with paired up Birds .The reality is that when this occurred the conditions where optimum for a very good nesting season .We have not seen conditions like that since then. Judging from my observations I don't see Gambles or Scalies paired up until sometime in March .Game & Fish feel that but opening the season early it does add to a long season. However the Birds can hardly fly and no one with half a brain is going to run dogs in that type of heat ..for a number of obvious reasons including Snakes .
I.M.H.O Arizona G &F should open the season later (allowing the Birds to grow a bit) and if conditions are favorable for an early nesting season the close it early if need be . The objection to this is the "hassle " involved in communicating to Hunters season dates etc but that is what Websites and emails are for .
Hopefully Arizona Game & Fish starts to think "Outside the Box" and show some creativity in Quail Management Strategies and listen to the bulk of hunters that would like to see the Season adjusted .

A pair of Scaled Quail

Survival Mode

2012-01-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

Chica Pointing Scaled Quail

Buddy pointing Mearns Quail

Cruz points then relocates for 50 yards following a Covey of Mearns

Scenes from Mearns Country

As we come into the final stretch of the Arizona Quail Season ,the Birds (Gambles ,Mearns and Scalies ) have donned their Nikes and are quick to split when they are pressured . Good for the Birds ! We have had Mearns Coveys pointed on Ridge tops run down into Canyons and up the other-side. Gambles and Scaled Quail are notorious for ditching hunters ..this year is no different. To be honest ,I enjoy seeing this behavior .If the rain comes at the right time we should have decent numbers next year ... and be able to get even .

Martha and Sam stick a Covey of Mearns only for them to run -off

Recent Wing Shooting Pics

2012-01-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Reza covers a Hilda point

Spot pointing Mearns Quail

The last couple of weeks have been pretty intense , lots of miles covered to get a few points .That's ok if hunting was always easy then why bother with it . The Birds are also getting smart , all three species have donned running shoes and are "booking it "when they feel pressured . For example recently we had a Mearns covey pointed on a ridge only for them to drop down into a Canyon then run up the other side. Spot and Buddy stuck with them ,we where able to get a couple of singles up but due to the steep terrain it was difficult to get safe shots off. The Scalies and Gambles are no different .They are also beating it when the sound of the truck door closes .This all adds to the experience ,after the initial contact or point the Dogs are learning how to deal with the running birds by casting out and hooking back in hopes of pinning the Birds .Of course Tish seems to enjoy the game the most ,but she is a flushing dog,so she trails or tracks the birds then puts them up . Despite the immense effort put in hunting is still very rewarding .

Slick backs Cruz on Mearns Quail

A hard earned Mearns

Rain !

Buddy and Spot team up on a running covey

Reja watching Quail flushing

Tish with a Scaled Quail

Hilda with a Gambles Quail

A pair of Gambles Quail

Ted pointing a running covey of Gambles

Gambles Quail

Buddy backs Reba

Doves !

Tish and Bill waiting for Doves

Dixie pointing Mearns

Nate with his first Scaled Quail

Slocan River

2012-01-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Fly-fishing the Slocan River ,British Columbia .It sure is fun catching wild & native Rainbows .

2011 "Gear Head" Report

2011-12-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

With 2011 coming to an end , I thought I would post my thoughts on Gear and Tackle that has , or will add to my enjoyment of the Great Outdoors .

1. The 16ft LP by Clackacraft is the best Driftboat out there .It has plenty of room ,the fat guy can be in the back and the boat still rows like a champ

Clackacraft Drift Boats

2.Yeti Coolers -Despite the cost you end up saving because you don't end up having to buy ice everyday

3. Simms Waist pack -comfortably carries everything you need for a day on the water

4. Simms shoes and Rod tubes are both well built & stylish .

5.Orvis Helios Fly Rods - are light, cast nice and have to backbone to put the boots to large fish.

6. Sage One Fly Rods - I cast one on my way through Montana ...Nice I can't wait to try more .

7. Montana Fly Company Widow's Web is the material to use for big Dry Fly wings ! it floats well, it is easy to work with , and is available in a lot of great colors .

8. Wingworks Upland Strap Vest - For the serious Bird Hunter this is the best Vest on the market !There is a ton of carrying capacity for everything especially water .

9. Garmin Astro GPS Enabled Dog Tracking system -you won't loose your dog or yourself

10 . Mojo Ducks and Doves -add motion to your decoy spread , which sucks in both ducks and doves

Jingle Bells and Shot Gun Shells

2011-12-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

Mearns Country

Chica on point

Blue Quail

The Princess

With Christmas fast approaching we have been intensely busy with folks trying to squeeze a hunt in before the Holidays . Although the bird numbers have not changed the scenting conditions have ,resulting in some stellar dog work. Chica ,Dixie and Reba are flat out kicking butt,everyday that they are on the ground they gain more confidence .The pictures tell the rest of the story .

There is a good chance I won't be posting until the New Year ,on that note thanks for viewing the Blog,have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Tish with a Gambles Quail

Gambles Quail

Gambles &Scaled Quail with an old Ithica Pump

Tish and Ted

Covering a Slick Point

Slick

Mearns Quail

Slick pointing a Mearns Quail

Reba sticking a Gambles Quail

Buddy Pointing Scaled Quail

Slick and Martha Pointing Mearns

A Dove Day Afternoon ...with a few Points .

2011-12-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Mobo Dove sucks them in.

In no particular order ,I love decoying Doves ,Ducks and Geese ,I.M.H.O in Bird Hunting it is the ultimate Gottcha game . The strategy and time spent setting up a good Decoy Spread is worth it because it results in Birds on the ground in short order ,allowing you to use the area multiple times. We have been setting up Dove spreads by water tanks and when the magic time happens the Mourning Doves pour into it keying in on Mojo Dove . We have been making a U with the decoys then placing the Mojo Dove at the base or bottom of the U.
As the flights buzz around the tank they pick up on the spinning Mojo Dove wings ,which imitates a Dove about to land .The Doves key in on this and try to land in the U .Set up right and you can get a ton of shooting in and if you are like me , lots of misses .
Prior to the afternoon Dove action we have been chasing Quail around with some success.The effort put in by all the Dogs is impressive and fun to watch.What a great way to enjoy the Outdoors .

A couple of Doves and a Fox 16 Gauge .

Buddy Retrieves a Scaled Quail

A pair of Scalies

Buddy

Martha and Buddy Pointing a Covey

Martha pointing Mearns Quail

Matt Panuska with His first Mearns Quail

Scenes from Mearns Quail Country

2011-12-04T19:14:00.001-08:00

Martha points a single

The views are amazing after a storms rolls thru this part of Arizona ,lots of neat light, colors and contrasts .I grabbed some dogs , the Camera and the W.M. Cashmore Mearns Gun and headed out . As to be expected the scenes where great ,along with the dog work however there is something to be said for my crappy shooting .Mearns Hunting is tough this year ,other than good times and great views don't expect to see a lot of Birds .The Views remain Fantastic .

Mearns Country

Red Mountain

Martha and Sam

Mearns Country

The gear

Mearns Country

Martha and Sam

Sam points a single

Mearns Country

Looking into Mexico

Mixed Bag Hunting - AZ Style !

2011-11-28T20:24:00.001-08:00

Windmills =Water =Fun !

Hilda and Slick Team up on Scaled Quail

Despite the low Quail numbers there are still enough Birds to keep things interesting , you just have to work harder for them . For starters working around Tanks is a good bet as Quail tend to hang out around them. Hunters looking for "hot barrel action " should consider jump shooting Ducks or setting up for a Dove Shoot as both also key in on water for obvious reasons . This may not be as exhilarating as hunting Quail over Points with Side +Sides BUT it sure is fun and offers it's own sets of challenges and thrills . This past Saturday we had some ok Scalie hunting and we also set up a spread for Doves .This consisted of about 20 Dove Decoys and 1 Robo Dove ,the was fun watching Doves decoying in.

We also had success jump shooting Ducks off Tanks . All this activity helped keep the barrels warm and added to the experience.From a Dog's perspective you can do a lot in theses situations . On Dove Shoots a Pointing Dog can learn to look for and retrieve dead birds.While jump shooting Ducks a Pointing Dog can end up having to do a water retrieve on a downed bird . The morrow of the story is get outside and Mix things up a bit ,both you and your Dog will enjoy it ! .

Tish retrieves a Duck form a Tank

Chica brings in a Gadwall

Slick with a Scalie

Spot points a covey of Scalies while Tish goes in for the Flush

Tish waiting for Doves

Slick Ripping up Mearns Country

Slick on Point

Spot backing Charlie on a Covey of Mearns

Roger admires his First Mearns

WARNING ! ...Heavy on the Zen.

2011-11-19T17:53:00.001-08:00

"Ted the Head "

Southern Arizona Mountains

Tracks

Reba pointing Scalies

Male Gambles

Funny how things come together on the last loop of the day.On Friday the last loop was with Ted ,Sam and Dixie who turned up a Covey of Mearns Quail in an area I would not expect them to be .On Saturday the last loop yielded three Points on running Gambles with Dixie pointing one ,Hilda on the other two .My last loops are usually the shortest but seem to always put a brighter spot on an already great day ! almost Zen like ! enjoy the Pics.

Hilda points a single Gambles

Hilda and I with a Gambles Quail .For a Dog with only one functioning lung she does alright !

Mountain Shot

Slick and Chica cool down

Buddy ,Chica and Slick

Male and Female Gambles

My best hunting Buddy is my Wife Lisa .

On Scaled Quail

2011-11-15T18:57:00.001-08:00

Scaled Quail are tough Birds .Down here they are found in some pretty harsh country which is why I like them . Like me , I think my Dogs have a Love -Hate relationship with Scalies as they tend to run a lot, seemingly disappearing from a point ,then maybe further into your walk they might reappear but a lot of times they don't.

Scaled Quail are not for the faint hearted.There are some folks out there that they cannot be hunted with dogs.I guess Someone forgot to tell the dogs that ,smart dogs will figure out the Scaled Quail head games in a hurry , and treat them like running Pheasants .Out in Scaled Quail land the scenery is great , the hiking is awesome and when it happens the contacts are fast and furious ..what more could you ask for ?

Points from Today

2011-11-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

Mearns Habitat

After a few days off it is time to get back at it ,namely checking out the Quail situation here in S.E. Arizona.Yesterday we went out looking for Mearns ,the area we scouted had burned this past spring.Mother Nature's Gardening certainly did a nice job of "cleaning up the area " but we found no birds but Spot and Reba did point some digging ..maybe they just weren't around ? .
Today was different ,we ventured out to see how the "Training Coveys" managed thru the Summer ..It looks like the Scalies may have did alright, we found two Coveys in short order , and we did find a BIG Covey of very small Mearns Quail so a late hatch which makes sense giving the timings of the Monsoon Rains .

The next few days are slated for more scouting ops ,which is a great excuse to dodge the paper work that seems to pile up .Predictions are yet to come but I don't think it will be a banner year ..however it beats the crap out of working .

Hilda on a Stop to flush

Cruz pointing Scaled Quail

Dixie and Sam Pointing Scaled (Blue ) Quail

One last Point(s)

2011-11-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Dixie and our last point on Huns

Hilda tearing it up

Hilda Pointing Huns

working around a "fixer upper "

Like Yesterday's Waterfowl Hunt today's hunt was all about Zen and running a few of the Dogs without a gun, just the camera .I went to an area where road coveys are a common sighting and despite the poor Hun hatch this area holds a lot of Birds ..perfect for young Dixie ! We tore it up with Dixie,Hilda and Chica finding 3 coveys , the last point going to Dixie. We hit the road tomorrow , and we are all looking forward to getting home and chasing Desert Birds ... if there are any ? ..Stay tuned .

Dixie pointing Huns

Dixie again

Working a Farmstead

Nice Hunt ,Nice Shot

2011-11-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

U shaped Decoy Spread

RST 16 Gauge 1 oz # 5 Nice Shot did the job well

Yesterday was my last Waterfowl hunt here in SK. Mostly symbolic , I spent more time watching Ducks react to my decoy spread that actually shooting ,as I feel no pressure to put limits on the ground . The shoot only lasted a couple of hours and I managed to knock down 4 ducks ,mostly Wigeon. I could have raised more havoc but I was picky, shooting only right to left crossing shots on birds that where decoying into my spread .
My 12 gauge Superposed stayed in the closet ,instead I brought my circa 1937 16 Gauge German Guild Gun choked ic and extra full .. the perfect Hun Gun and a great fowling piece. The problem of course is finding non-tox shot for 16 gauge vintage guns .The folks at The Classic Shotgun Shell Company (RST) solved that via their "Nice Shot " which is 1oz. Tungsten Matrix loads in 2 1/2 shells I was shooting #5's and they did a great job of knocking down and killing Birds ..something that Steel Shot does not always effectively do.
Tish had fun , she sat beside me scanning the Horizon looking for Birds , whimpering when the Ducks flew in anxious to make a retrieve and doing a great job at marking and picking up the downed
Birds . We leave Saskatchewan Tomorrow , I will miss the stellar Duck hunting , and the Huns , we now trade that for decoying Doves and Desert Quail over points .

Tish with the last Duck of the Sk Season

The 16 Gauge German Guild Gun & the rewards of the Afternoon Shoot

It's a Wrap !

2011-10-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

A pair of Snow Geese and the trusted Superposed Browning

Our Saskatchewan season ended on the 26th .The AM.shoot was great ,Mallards decoying nicely and 2 Limits by 9.30 .The afternoon hunt was a pass shoot for Specks and Snows which also went well .I am heading home next week spending down time with Lisa and scouting out hunts in AZ . In the meantime I will be running dogs and Hunting both Waterfowl and Upland Birds on my own which I am really looking forward to .Thanks to all that made it up and a BIG THANKS to Nancy ,Darcy,Quinn and Mike for all your hard work .

Tish checking out the Decoy spread

The Top of the World Coveys

2011-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Jo Ann Kish watching the Dog work

The Top of the World coveys are located in a series of hilly glacier deposits some where in Saskatchewan . Yes there are birds there but I go there for other reasons namely the view .Over the years the area has been good to us ,providing ample Huns and Sharps amidst a scenic backdrop .As you stand on top of the native grass covered hills you truly get an appreciation of how big and vast the country is as you can see for miles .The hills require a great deal of effort to hunt as most hunters don't venture to far from their trucks and usually just cruise the roads looking for coveys ,so it is a great late season spot .
Although the Bird numbers are down this year , the spot still holds a few coveys and the Sharptails are still hanging in the native grass, the views of course remain the same.

Looking for Sharptails

watering the Dogs

Covering a point

Okie pointing Huns

Hun and Sharptail

Thoughts on Bird Dogs

2011-10-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

A few years back I was looking into purchasing a Retriever and for whatever reason I was focused in on a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever .. until I spoke to a well informed Retriever man .The conversation went like this "Doug what do you think of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers ?"

"Dave if they where truly great Retrievers you would see a lot more of them out in the field and competing ,why don't you get a Lab. hard to go wrong with them for what you want to do" .

The same insight applies to the Pointing Breeds ,why would you take a gamble and purchase a dog that may not work out for you ? Sure there are some good dogs that come out of the less popular breeds but usually you will end up with just an okay dog when if you stuck with with the winners you could have ended up with an excellent dog.

Based on what Breeds win Field Trials and what I see in the field the four breeds I suggest to people are

English Pointers ,English Setters ,Britts and German Shorthaired Pointers .As indicated I do admit there are good bird dogs coming out of "other " breeds ,I just haven't seen very many .... food for thought !

The Ducks are up and so are the Points

2011-10-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

Now that Fall weather has rolled in we are seeing more Waterfowl as the migration continues to grow. More and more White fronts and Snows have moved in along with some big curly tailed Northern Mallards ..so all is good on the Waterfowling Front .Then there is the Points from the Pointers , the upland Bird Hunting is not great but it is decent if you can walk .We have had some Stellar Dog work from all the Gang , however my heart stops with those very intense Dixie points .

Sam admires a Hun

Spot on Point being backed by a G.S.P.

Dixie who is beside the Hedgerow pointing Huns

Farmstead

Tish with 3 limits of Ducks after a morning Shoot

Cooler Weather = Cool Dog Work

2011-10-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Dave Brown's Rebel Yell "Dixie" pointing her first Sharptail

Dixie and her first Sharptail

Finally the heat wave has come to an end up here in Saskatchastan , with that comes better scenting conditions ,more finds and better dog work. All older Dogs have being doing well ,the young ones have also been getting on their game.Reba who is now 2 is dialing it in and is being ran with her uncle "Spot" A.K.A the Predator .10 month old "Dixie " had her first point on a Sharptail yesterday she is also sorting her game out .Overall the Dog work is impressive, depending on the day we are moving anywhere from 5 to 10 coveys of Huns add a few Sharptails and life is good .

Covering a Cruz point

Phil and Sam admire a Hun

Spot and Reba pointing Sharptails

Swamp Donkey

Hun

Covering a Sam Point

Reba backs Spot on a covey of Huns

Jonathan admires a Hun

Recent Waterfowl and Upland Pictures

2011-09-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Tish Retrieves a Mallard

Ducks coming into the Decoys

Ducks buzzing the Decoys

Tish at the Blind

SK Rainbow

Hun

Combines from another era

Ted being backed by a Setter

Sharptail and a Hun

Sharptail

Farmstead

Reba retrieves a Hun

Buddy pointing Huns

Watering the Dogs

Martha retrieves a Hun

Ted and Arthur

Report from Saskatchewan

2011-09-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Spot backs Cruz on a Covey of Huns

Mark admires his first Hun

We are now settled into our Saskatchewan routine. The Dogs have all been busy getting into Birds an added highlight is Dixie who has now pointed her first covey of Huns and made an awesome retrieve today .My Lab Tish has been busy in the Duck Blind and over the last 7 days of guiding has retrieved a lot of Ducks ..she has it dialed . The Upland Birds are down from last year which we expected, however the Waterfowl numbers are way up which has added to the experience .

Hun and a Double Gun

Buford and Tish with the gang from Fort Worth

Buford and a Teal

Tish

Covering a point

Hopper Fishing Stays Strong As Fall Approaches

2011-09-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

St Mary River Hopper Eater

Hopper fishing remains strong on most rivers and is getting better than ever on the Elk.The bonus news is the October Caddis are getting the Trout looking up even more so .It's back to fishing foam and twitching .

Over on the Bow River the Big Guys are keying in on Hoppers and Tricos and with Olives just around the corner Fall fishing will be "magic" .Wish I could be there but with Fall in the air the Canine crew of D.B.O are getting excited about the up and coming Saskatchewan Bird Season .Looking for some Adventures this Fall ? let us know .

Hopper Hook -Up

A Quick Spin thru Mearns Quail Country

2011-09-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Lisa and I went for a drive today out in the Coronado National Forest ,it was nice to see everything green up from the Monsoon rains and check out the recent burns. Last year the grass was tall and rank this year it is lower and less of it but it is green and loaded up with Hoppers which are a great source of protein for most Game Bird Chicks including Mearns Quail. I did not get out and poke around a bunch but I was encouraged by what I saw especially in the burned areas .Some areas where greener than others so the Monsoons have been spotty but overall things are looking decent .Back in town we ran into a an "Old Boy " who has been out scouting Mule Deer, he has been running into paired up Mearns but high up where more rain has fallen.With a little luck we may should experience a recovery from last year .Despite the Chat Room Experts who have been weighing in on the demise of the Mearns Quail there where birds out there last year , you just had to get out and find them , this year should be spotty but better ..so do your home work !

Mearns Country

Burned area coming back

Canyon Bottom

Red Tailed Hawk and a Turkey Vulture

King Snake

I'm out . ..sort of .

2011-09-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

Elk River Cutthroat

It's time for me to start thinking about bird hunting so on that note I departed Fernie on Sept 1 and headed south to pick up dogs ,hangout with Lisa and chill .Always tough to leave just as some of the best fishing is around the corner .The October Caddis hatch is just starting and the Hopper fishing on some rivers has been epic .But duty calls .We have a full house at our Lodge in Saskatchewan and I have 14 Bird Dogs that after laying around all summer need to get ran ...exciting times .As luck would have it my last trip of the season ended up being canceled so Andres and I headed over the Mountains to get one more shot at The XXX River .Finally we hit it when it was overcast the result was fishing double Dry Fly rigs to sipping Trout .Fly-fishing does not get any better than that ! Fall fishing in our region already is fantastic,as mentioned it will only get better .

While I am out ,Andres ,Ondine , Greg ,Adam and Sebastien will be holding down the fort so no-worries my fishy friends we can get you on the river(s) if so so desire .

Andres with a nice rainbow from the XXX River

PIcs of the Day - Elk River, British Columbia

2011-08-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

Floating the Elk RIver

Beadhead eating Cutthroat

Floating the Elk River

D.B.O. Guides love to fish and love fish

Nancy and a Cutthroat

Cutty

Fly-Fishing The Elk River

River Report

2011-08-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Jeff K. with a nice Cutty

The flows are continuing to drop and the Flavs,Caddis and on certain occasions the Slate Winged Drakes are hatching .In Southern Alberta we are still experiencing P.M.D. hatches of epic proportions

and the Hopper fishing remains solid on the Bow and other rivers. When the fish are not eating dries where allowed Hopper Dropper rigs have been producing along with Streamers .Stay tuned for when the Olives and october Caddis make their appearance !

Hopper eater

Parachute Adams Eater

Caddis Eater

Flavs - A.K.A. Little Western Green Drakes

2011-08-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

A Flav Hook up on the Elk River

With cooler temps and some cloud cover we are experiencing incredible Flav hatches on The Elk River .The fabled Flav hatch ( Little Western Green Drake ) can be pretty intense when the conditions are right which is right now .My favorite patterns for the adults are Parachute Adams , Olive Haze , and an H& L Variant all in size 14 .For the Nymph try Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails in Size 14 and fish it 24 inches under a yarn indicator (B.C. is one fly only ) this is very effective before the hatch as the Nymphs are very active in the Riffles . I also like to fish the H&L Variant during pre and post hatch periods , from the Boat as it is easy to see and floats well , plus the juicy look to this fly is hard for the Cutthroats to resist .

Elk River Hook Up

The Bead Head Copper John Strikes

River Report -Bow ,Elk , and S.W. Alberta Rivers

2011-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

P.M.D. eating rainbow

High Banks = Hopper Eats

Hatches vary depending on which river and at what elevation you are at on the that river, especially on the Elk RIver and Upper Oldman .Currently we are seeing hatches of Flavs,Slate Winged Drakes , Caddis ,P.M.D.'s and Tricos are now appearing on the Bow River .The good news is Hoppers are starting to come out in full force so where legal (Alberta) Fishing Hopper Dropper rigs has been producing good results .Streamers have also been producing when conditions are right .Recently we have been on the Bow ,Elk and S.W. Alberta Rivers all have been fishing good to great .
Conditions continue to improve as the flows drop ..Nice !

Trout Recon

2011-08-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

9 ft 5 weight Helios and a Simms Wast pack perfect for walk and wades .

Rumors need to be confirmed so once again I headed East into Alberta for a little R&D .The rumors where true ,I fished the best "Big Fish ' Rainbow Trout Stream on the Eastslope of the Rockies .Three Bows where hooked and landed during the short time I was there.All looked like Lake Fish on steroids ,fat and very sassy.The highlight was the first fish of the day,while I stood on the cliff looking down into a back eddy he was doing circles picking up nymphs ,I made my way down and cast up above the last spot I saw him (or Her) and sure enough he ate my Caddis Pupa , the 2nd fish was a fat 26 inch rainbow that crushed a Willy's ant then the fish in the pic ate a Clouser Minnow .
I was totally blown away by the experience and can't wait to get back there.
In the meantime Hopper fishing continues to pick up on all our Rivers which are still dropping and exposing their "sexy side" namely mid river gravel bars and big foam lines ... time to get up to Trout Paradise !

Prairie Tailwater

Hook Up

View From the Line Hand

Fatty

Clouser Eater

Hopper Time

2011-08-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

A nice Hopper eating Cuttbow

Finally a few days off to re-load,which means time to go fishing . Derek and I met up with Mike Turnbull , the result was perhaps one of our personnel best Dry Fly days ever .We got crushed on everything ranging from small Caddis to large Hopper type foam flies ...it was awesome .The Bows,Browns ,Cuts and Cuttbows ranged from 14 -18 inches and we had larger fish on eat our flies and hand us our Butts .The good news is Hopper fishing is gets better as August progresses , from what we sampled it is already epic .

A few pics from The Saint Mary River

2011-08-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Floating the Saint Mary River

We ventured West yesterday and floated the St Mary River , despite the higher the usual flows the fishing was pretty darn good .Willy's Ants and Streamers where the top producers .Give it a week and the river will be in fine form .

Hook -Up

St Mary River Cutthroat

The View from Southern Alberta

2011-07-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

Recently we have been all over the map ..mostly Southern Alberta fishing a variety of rivers ranging from the Crowsnest to the River X .Fishing has been good to excellent , the trout (Cutts ,Bows and Browns ) all have been eating a lot of different stuff ,ranging from P.M.D.'s to Golden Stone Flies .Hatches are strong and so is the Dry Fly Fishing .Fishing in Alberta will just keep getting better as the rivers continue to shape up .

Tailwater Sunset

Golden Stone Fly Patterns

River X Put In

Tailwater

Tailwater Hook Up

Getting Ready

Floating the River X

River X Hook up

River X Brown

You know you are in Alberta when ...

River Report - Things are looking up !

2011-07-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Jeff Moss with a nice Elk River Cutthroat

The rivers continue to drop and fishing conditions continue to improve on a daily basis .Recently we have has trips out on the Bow ,Crowsnest, Oldman and Elk Rivers all produced fish on Dries namely Golden Stone Imitations ,Green Drakes ,Caddis and P.M.D's.Fishing is "Sexy"right now as Anglers are experiencing a variety of waters ranging from Freestone Mountain Streams to technical Tailwater's .
Hopper fishing is also just around the corner ,along with the annual Flav hatch ,which will make the next couple of weeks magic !

Tailwater Cuttbow

Male Westslope Cutthroat

River Reports

2011-07-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

Tailwater hook up

A few of our Boats at the Glenmore Boat Ramp on The Bow River

Fishing has been good to great recently,there is Know reason why it won't continue thru August.
Hatches are 2-3 Weeks behind which means hungry trout are jumping all over Golden Stone Fly patterns .. on all our rivers ! On The Elk River the Cutthroats are now seeing the Green Drakes which given the current conditions this hatch should continue for sometime . On the Bow River our clients are connecting with big fish while fishing foam and hatches of P.M.D.'s and Caddis are also coming off . A trip over on the XXX Tailwater resulted in some Dry fly action (Caddis) and the Streamer fishing was epic for rainbows , Bull Trout and a couple of Browns . Our Long term forecast is that as the rivers continue to drop the fishing is just going to get better ,especially on top!If you are looking for a great fishing trip featuring lots of Dry Fly action look no further !

A Streamer eating Rainbow from somewhere in Southern Alberta

Rob Block with a Chernobyl crushing Cutthroat

Simms makes great Stuff

2011-07-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Simms Shoes and Double Rod Case

Besides Waders and other Fly-Fishing apparel that Anglers jump all over,this year Simms has come out with some very cool Foot Wear and Rod Cases.Being a Gear Head I had to buy a pair of Simms shoes and a Rod Case .The Shoes are the most comfortable shoes I have worn and

the Rod Case is awesome ,both are well constructed and very durable, you can't go wrong with either. Don't take my word for it, go to your favorite Simms Dealer and check the new stuff out today .
They also have lots Decals to choose from , which adds to the coolness of your boat or cooler.

D.B.O. Guide's all wear Simms stuff .Besides getting Shuttle info Ondine our Reservations Manager ensures that the Guides look cool

Simms Stickers and Yeti Coolers ...keeps the Beer Ice cold

Simms Decal on my Drift Boat

Abbie Milici of Phoenix AZ agrees that Simms stuff rocks and that ice cold Molson Canadian is the Beer of choice after a day on The Elk River .

Scenes from the Elk RIver

2011-07-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Three Sisters

I love my office , as the season's change so does the location and the view .You can't beat the scenery of the Canadian Rockies and the Elk River around Fernie British Columbia .Even the most intense Anglers are "busted " as they are forever looking up at the Mountains .Every time I float this gorgeous little river
I am continued to be blown away by the vistas.The fishing for Native Westslope Cutthroats is pretty darn good to ....and now it is all on top !.

Westslope Cutthroat

Floating the Elk River

River Report - It's all on top .

2011-07-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

Elk River Cutthroat

As our river's continue to drop the trout are looking up more and more ..we are one of a handful of area's that is offering any dry fly fishing and the Trout are all over it .The big hatch throughout the region is the Golden Stone Fly Hatch and the trout on the Bow River right thru to the Elk River are all over the Adults . Of course foam flies are producing the best , namely Willy 's Ant and Chubby Chernobyl's.

The Small Streams have also shaped up and can be safely waded if there was ever a time to be up here "now" is it .

Hungry Cutty

Bull Trout also eat dries when the Golden's are hatching

The Crowsnest River

2011-07-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

The Crowsnest River

I headed over into Alberta today to checkout the conditions on the East-slopes .The first and only stop was the Crowsnest River ,which although having fished it a lot in the past ,I have not fished it in recent seasons.It seems I am always going past it heading to other rivers with a Drift Boat in tow . After a couple of Dry Fly eats on Chubby Chernobyl's I was pleasantly reminded what a great fishery this little river is ,especially when the Golden Stones are hatching.

It's still a bit high , however coming down fast ,along with the Goldens, there where also P.M.D's and Caddis .The fishing was good ,I hooked a few rainbows that kicked my butt and was rewarded with a few to hand .... very nice indeed .Give the river a couple of more days to drop and it will be almost perfect .

Foam Eater

Head shot

Release

Wild Rose

Crowsnest Mountain

Dry Flies ..Finally

2011-07-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

Floating the Elk River

Mount Hosmer

It's finally starting to happen , even with the higher than normal flows the Elk River has dropped and the Westslope Cutthroats are looking up .Yesterday was awesome , once the water warmed up and the Big Golden Stoneflies became active so did the Trout . Fun times fishing big attractors ..namely Chernobyl Ants .As the river continues to drop the Dry Fly opportunities will only increase ..nice !

The trout are all fat and happy

Bruce with a dry fly caught fish

A hungry Cut.

Fishing Report -Elk River B.C.

2011-07-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Elk River Cutthroat

Elk River Scenery

A nice Elk River Cutthroat

Floating the Elk River

I would like to say "they are crushing dries so get here now " but the reality is like everywhere else we have high water which on this river means high and very cold water so conditions are not great ..but it's fishing which is better than working .We have had trips out on the Elk the last couple of days ,despite the high water streamers fished in the slower water have been the best producer followed by Nymphing which is followed by Dry Flies namely Chernobyl Ants .
There are some Golden Stones on the water and as the temps increase and the flows drop the Cutties will really key in on them ..so stay tuned !

More Bow RIver

2011-07-07T05:31:00.000-07:00

Stone Fly patterns

Colin Rothery and and floated the Bow yesterday .. the big rainbows crushed Stonefly nymphs and Streamers. Lots of Caddis and PMD"s we should have decent Dry Fly fishing in a week !

Hook -up

Bow River Rainbow

Taylor's Brown Trout

2011-07-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hutton with a Bow River Brown

Head Shot

Taylor Hutton of Vancouver BC has been 'slaying them " on the Bow River these last few days .This is Taylor's 2nd season fishing the Bow River and 3 rd year as a Fly-fisher .The big bows and browns have been crushing Golden Stonefly Nymphs fished on short rigs , as the rivers continue to drop our fishy friends should start to look up ...any day now .D.B.O. Guide's Mike Turnbull and Quinn Styles are extremely stoked on how the Bow River is fishing .Meanwhile the crew in Fernie was busy with a group of Anglers guiding them on the River X ..for more Brown Trout .

River X Brown

Somewhere in Southern Alberta

River Report and a few Browns

2011-07-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Put In

Yellow Yummies ..of course

Yesterday Darcy ,Andres and Yours Truly ventured out into the midst of Southern Alberta and floated The River X .Despite the high water we managed to move several nice Browns on Streamers . This was encouraging as the river was still high and quite cold. The good news is that most of our rivers are now dropping and clearing and D.B.O. Guide Mike Turnbull had a stellar day on the Bow with some clients from Ohio ,the big browns and rainbows where eating S.J.W.'s and Streamers .Considering all the high water across the West it appears that our rivers will be coming into shape before other rivers South of the Border,with that so will the much anticipated Dry Fly fishing.Despite the conditions we experienced on the River X we did see some Green Drakes and Golden Stones on our float, so with forecasted warmer days and lower flows dry fly fishing is just around the corner !

Andres with a River X Brown

Darcy Hooked Up

Floating the River X

River X Brown

Streamflows decrease as the Stillwater fishing picks up.

2011-06-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Darcy Richardson hooked up while his Brittany AJ looks on

The Lake fishing remains solid. Fishing the usual assortment of Slumpbusters ,Buggers ,Clousers and Chernobyl Ants which all have been producing.The dudes fishing "chronies" have also been hammering them .In the meantime the rivers are dropping ..not quite fishy but a big improvement from last week, my prediction is we should have enough visibility in about a week and now with some warmer weather the Golden Stones should start to hatch, I can't wait !

Darcy and AJ with a rainbow trout

Dry Fly Eats ... Finally

2011-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

A chernobyl crushing rainbow

As we wait for the rivers to drop we have be hitting the lakes mostly subsurface stuff , but we are now getting some great action on top with Chernobyl Ants.Without a doubt the rainbows are taking them for Dragon Flies .. and some Traveling Sedges are also starting to appear .Although I much prefer to fish rivers I don't mind it when a ten pound lake rainbow crushes my foam offering ..which happened two nights ago ! needless to say the big trout won,but several in the 17 inch class lost which leaves me to believe all is fair in Love and Trout fishing .

BC Lake Fishing

Lake Porn

2011-06-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

Stillwater rainbow

Heavy Weights

Here in S.E. B.C. the Lake fishing is hot, Damsel and Dragon Flies are skittering around and rumor has it that on certain lakes the Traveling Sedge hatch has started .Although the trout numbers are not as great as on the area rivers , what they lack in numbers the make up in size.Most of the fish are sighted before cast to kinda like fishing for Bonefish but with a Northern twist.

A nice sight fished rainbow

the release

Whitey with another bow

Stillwater Hook up

rainbow

Andres with the Wounded Warriors crew

The View from Summit Lake

2011-06-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

Looking towards the Ab and BC border

Although this lake had a bad winter kill , the B.C. F &W restocked it with Gerrard Strain Rainbows , there where also a few big rainbows that ripped us. We will be busy fishing the area lakes until the rivers come down ...... hopefully soon.

British Columbia

Alberta

Hook up

Fatty

Thoughts on the San Juan Worm

2011-06-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

San Juan Worm patterns found in my nymph box

Hooked up on The Mo.

After fishing the Missouri River for the last few days ,the high water certainly had things stirred up .The river is very high flooding several back yards.Submerged lawn chairs and picnic tables are no doubt providing some man made habitat for the trout , and with the river overflowing it's banks the browns and rainbows are also keying in on a readily available food source ..worms .

The Missouri river is known for technical match the hatch fishing both on top and subsurface but with the high water the technical fishing is out the window replaced by "double worm ' rigs and lots of lead, call it food source food source matching.

Across the West the San Juan Worm kicks fin on most of the fabled tailwaters .From Alberta's Bow River to Arizona's Lee's Ferry, anglers fish a variety of patterns that imitate both earth worms or aquatic worms .When I first started my guiding career on the Bow River The worm was a big hit and still is, to the point that few anglers wanted to switch to other flies or tactics.My observations are that the worm works best during high water, the bigger the better for good reason as naturals are being washed in the river,as the rivers drop then smaller patterns seem to work best .During high water worming usually the trout caught puke up a bunch of worms before they are released ,proving that the San Juan Worm is matching something.This past week on the Missouri the fish where piping it , and in a variety of colors including ,brown ,orange ,pink and red .

Although some anglers don't want to lower(?) themselves to fishing the San Juan Worm , it can make the difference between some fish caught and a lot of fish caught.When the trout are on it , they are all over it in a big way .

A hefty worm eating rainbow

Montana Redux

2011-06-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

Kelly Galloup talkingStreamer fly tying

I have been in Montana since Monday ,fishing the Madison and Missouri rivers plus reconnecting with friends en route.The Madison experience was good ,fishing the stretch (and the only clean water) between Hebgen and Quake lakes I managed to hook land and loose a few fish a bonus was running into my friend Kelly Galloup owner of the Slide Inn and well known Fly-fishing Guru.As usual when Kelly and I get together a few beers are consumed and good times are had .Next on my list was the Missouri River , fishing out of Headhunters Fly-shop , I have been floating and fishing the Mighty Mo.
Conditions in Montana are tough , most of the river's are blown out from a combination of rain and runoff.Although high and a little cloudy the Missouri river is fishing well provided you don't mind nymphing with a lot of lead to get your flies down .
The Shop Rats and Guides that I have been fishing with have all been experimenting with a variety of rigs , so far with the higher flows the Bow River Worm Rig has been the most consistent .
I am going to float the Missouri for a couple more days then head to Fernie to set up for the Summer, the high water conditions we are experiencing are going to keep things interesting ..stay tuned !

Rainbow Trout

2011-06-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Lisa with a native Rainbow from B.C.'s Slocan River

A nice Rainbow out of Alberta's Oldman River

Rainbow Trout are noted for their acrobatic fighting abilities once hooked they generally go airborne and really rip it up, the fight of a Rainbow trout is Fly-fishers talk about .In Troutdom they hold second place to the ever wary Brown Trout but it's a close race.Due to the amount of different waters across North America that rainbows inhabit , in both their native range and their expanded range rainbow trout offer more opportunities for Anglers to pursue than Browns.
Sometimes they can be just as snotty as their cousin Mr. Brown ,other times they can be just as opportunistic as their other cousin the Cutthroat . Overall they tend to find the middle ground between the two. In streams that harbor both Browns and Rainbows on the slow days the Rainbows are going to save the day .The opposite is found in streams that are home to Cutthroats and Rainbows, the Cutties are going to keep the rods bent while the Rainbows are going to be the brag fish.
Steelhead are another story ,these Sea Run (or lake run) Rainbows have created a strong following of fanatics that like Atlantic Salmon Anglers they are off the charts with their obsession .I have fished for Rainbow Trout as far east as New York's Ausable river and as far west as Vancouver Island's Cowichan river , with most of my Rainbow Trout experiences centered around the the rivers and a few lakes of the Northern Rockies.I have also fished for both Great Lakes and Pacific Coast Steelhead ,something I wish I could do more of ..because of my very busy bird hunting season my Steelhead trips are limited to the Spring and due to distance and other factors I don't do enough of . In a salute to the Rainbow Trout I have posted a photo Gallery on our Facebook page Enjoy !

Dave Brown

Dixie on Point

2011-05-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

Dixie Pointing Gambles Quail

My dogs are giving me the neglected look , which they are sorta .I have been pre -occupied with fly tying and getting ready to head north so the dog training is limited to walks into town.However it is hard to walk all 14 dogs so I stick with the young ones .Another factor is that with the 90 degree temps come Rattlesnakes which at this time of year tend to be a little more aggressive .However it is not all bad ,we get some yard work in at the group level and in the evenings when it cools off they keep active by chasing each other around the yard.Except for me no one (or dog) has gained any weight .

Yesterday Lisa and I where walking back to the house with our two Heelers ,our Golden and Dixie ,four Gambles Quail ran across the road then into a bush ,Dixie scored a couple of point on them .

Dixie pointing quail that are in the bush

If you look to the left of the picnic table you can see a running Quail

Our Facebook Page

2011-05-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have been messing with our Facebook page .Pics have been added and it has now surpassed 30 likes .
So far I have posted 3 galleries , Drift Boats, Brown Trout and Wingshooting & 1 video. We are going use it to post both hunting and fly-fishing reports, pics and videos so check it out and I hope you LIKE IT !We will still continue to Blog away.

Bow River Brown Trout

2011-05-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Bow River Brown Trout

D.B.O. Guide Mike Turnbull conducted the first guided fishing trip for the 2011 season on The Bow River .Client James Hutton of Vancouver B.C. can't get enough of the "mighty Bow" and it's hard fighting Browns and Rainbows ,hence he took advantage of some pre-runoff fishing .The hatches are late but they managed to be successful using light nymph rigs and did have shots at some snouts.

The good news is the Caddis are just starting to get going , so dry fly fishing should start to pick up ..until the runoff hits .In the meantime down here in Baja Arizona flies are being tied and gear being checked ,as I will be making my way north during the first week of June .Fishing Lees Ferry enroute to the Missouri River ,then up to Fernie.This years Snow Pack is significant so late July into September is the timeframe to plan a trip...I will keep you posted .

The Missouri River -a good taste of Montana

2011-05-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

Flying into Bozeman Montana

My annual Missouri River trip was exactly what I wanted , a good dose of Northern Rocky Mountain Springtime weather , big fish ,excellent company, awesome guides and staked out territory namely the back seat of a Drift boat.Compared to other years ,things where late , the trout where just starting to look up as the first significant hatches namely B.W.O.'s where just starting to happen.The trout where also starting to move out of the deeper slower winter water and into the more exciting riffles and buckets .We picked up fish on Dries ,Streamers ,Short Nymph rigs and Deep Nymph rigs. Darcy Richardson and I stuck with short Nymphing and throwing Streamers as we searched for risers .
Darcy "roped "them and I blew more fish that I care to admit including a huge Brown that ate a streamer then kicked my ass .
The Guides (Mike ,Ben ,Pete and Mitch ) from Headhunters Flyshop where extremely hardworking and knowledgeable ,they put all members of our party into fish and everyone enjoyed their company .
I am looking forward to fishing the "Mighty Mo" when I head north in June .In the meantime things are just getting better on the Missouri , the water is warming and the fish and insects more active. If you are looking for a good trout fix go spend sometime in Trout Town USA -Craig Montana and fish with the gang from Headhunters Fly Shop .You won't be disappointed.

Floating the Missouri River

Darcy and Mike (AKA Captain Carp) with a nice Brown

Mike Turnbull and Pete with a brown trout

Mike and I with a nice rainbow

Darcy with another brown

The Missouri River , a great Tailwater with a lot of nice Trout ,5000 per mile to be exact

Floating the Missouri

Points

2011-04-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Points from our 2010/2011 season ,it is a lot of fun going through the pictures and reliving the moment or point.I can feel the anticipation as each point is covered , what's it going to be ? Huns,Sharptails ,Bobwhites ,mearns ,Gambles ,Scalies or Pheasants ,you never know until you get there .
Enjoy

Dave Brown

Waterfowl

2011-04-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Some Waterfowl Hunting shots from 2010,enjoy.

The 2nd Annual Operation Dry -Fly -in conjunction with Project Healing Waters

2011-03-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

An American and a Canadian Vet sampling some small stream fishing

Last year we conducted the 1st Operation Dry Fly which saw 6 veterans from Canada and the United States converge on Fernie B.C and the Elk River .Due to the success and the fun we all had we are pleased to announce that we will be conducting the 2nd Annual Operation Dry Fly on the Elk River .This year we will be inviting 8 young Veterans to join us ,with 4 from Canada and 4 from the United States .Once again we will be donating the guiding but need your support to cover such things as Airfares ,Lodging ,Meals and other related costs .Last year we raised $5000 with $1000 being donated to P.H.W.This Year's goal is to double that.
As Fly-fishing Guides the reward for taking part in this event are also huge , it's our way to say Thanks .After last year's event ,Jeti Fly-Fishing Guide Derek Crawshaw summed it up perfectly "These Guys fought so I can be a Fishing Guide "
Click here to watch the video from last Year's Op.Dry Fly

To Donate in the United States
Please make your Check payable to
Project Healing Waters -in the memo line write op.dryfly
Mail it to
Dave Brown
Box 884
Patagonia AZ
85624

To Donate in Canada
Please make your Cheque payable to Project Healing Waters -Canada - in the memo line write op.dryfly
Mail it to
Rick Harding
36 Ardiel Drive
Okotoks, AB
Canada, T1S 1G6

Tight Lines and we appreciate your support

Dave Brown & Rick Harding

The Gang

Mearns Quail Stamp Initiative

2011-03-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

This has been an interesting week ,I have been on the phone to AZGFD debating with Biologists what role Mearns Quail Hunters play in the biological equation,or more simply put what impact does hunter harvest have on Mearns Quail recruitment .Of course ,we agree to disagree and there is no shot that I can see for a reduced bag limit especially without the data that is needed .The long term solution in all of this maybe the Mearns Quail Stamp Initiative ,which addresses the concern of "nobody really knows what is going on .A Mearns Quail Stamp will provide excellent data to those concerned, from the info gathered hopefully proper management will be applied to this unique Quail. Please read it and PLEASE provide your input by commenting that you agree or disagree.Please also add you name and where you are from and pass it along to your bird hunting friends .The more comments the better .

Thanks
Dave Brown

Masked Bobwhites -they once lived in AZ now they are extinct

    Mearns Quail Stamp Initiative

Background Information and Concerns

Arizona is home to the only substantial huntable population of Mearn’s quail in the world. Though this species is found in Texas (which does not allow hunting for this species) and New Mexico, Arizona is the state that offers the greatest opportunity to hunt for this sporty and unique bird. The trophy status of this unusual quail is underscored by the numerous sportsmen who travel from all over the United States to hunt for this species and the attention this species receives in the hunting media. Arizona ‘s largest Mearn’s quail populations are found in the Coronado National Forest and for the most part 90% of the Mearn’s Quail hunting takes place within that relatively small area on Public lands . For a number of reasons most wingshooters regard, Mearns quail as a “trophy game bird’. .   Not the least of these being the legendary reputation these birds have of holding for pointing dogs. Couple this attribute with their unique beauty, the ruggedly stunning environment in which they are found, and the fact that of all the Quails that inhabit the the United States, the Mearn’s is considered to be the most rare and it is easy to understand why these little birds are so highly valued by sportsmen.
Due to recent increased notoriety brought about by numerous articles in sporting magazines, several sporting T.V.Shows featuring Mearn’s quail hunting and the general low numbers of desert quail populations hunting pressure for these birds has increased.  Additionally new and improved roads along the border, and the increasing popularity of the use of ATV’s for hunting has contributed to the number of hunters afield for these quail. Resulting in both resident and non-residents hunter alike complaining about areas being overcrowded and receiving too much hunting pressure. The sheer number of hunters in the field in some areas has resulted in confrontations. There has also been several complaints, both warranted and unwarranted, regarding poor guiding ethics.
Based on field observations and internet chat rooms, non-resident hunters make up the largest user group when it comes to Mearn’s quail hunting. The current perception by most residents who hunt Mearn’s quail is that out of state hunters who come and hunt for several weeks to months on end are depriving them of a resource that they pay for through support of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the purchase of hunting licenses and tags. Out of state hunters not only pay relatively little to recreate in Arizona but they offer no other support for the management of our state’s wildlife or wildlife management agency, political or otherwise, than the purchase of their hunting license.
Another aspect of increased pressure on Mearn’s quail is that easily accessible areas are shot out early in the bird season. This severely limits the less capable sportsperson such as the aged or youth access to these quail. It is widely accepted that opportunity is an important factor in maintaining and recruiting new sportspeople. The limited distribution of this species and the often rugged terrain they inhabit already severely hinder those of lesser capabilities.
-

With two bad nesting years due to poor monsoon Rains in 2009 followed by a cold snap in January of 2010 most sportsmen feel that these natural events have reduced the population of these sporty birds to very low levels which has fueled a management debate between Arizona Game and Fish Department and the sporting community. In order to protect the remaining stocks, many concerned hunters feel that the bag limit should be reduced and some have suggested closing the season altogether.
The position espoused by the AZGFD is that hunting pressure does not affect Mearn’s quail populations. (this is based on a research project by Kirby Bristow and Rich Okenfelts-you can get a copy of this report from the Dept.). However there is no definitive data on how much pressure this limited resource is actually receiving. In all likelihood the decline in desert quail numbers during our long-standing drought, increased publicity, and a few year spike in Mearn’s quail populations brought about by a fortuitous run of excellent summer rains along the border have conspired elevate the popularity of this bird and greatly increased the hunters in the field pursuing it in recent years. To accurately assess the actual pressure on these birds both the AGFD and the hunting public would benefit from precise data so the issue may be clearly delineated.
Currently Mearn’s hunting data is collected via mailed surveys to a small percentage of hunters. Some of these surveys are doubtlessly mailed to people that may not have even hunted Mearn’s quail that season resulting in a waste of time and money at a time when such recourses are in short supply.   Additionally many hunters do not bother to complete and return the survey and still others who perhaps avidly hunted Mearn;s quail all season may never receive the survey at all. Random mail surveys to hunters based on the purchase of a license is perhaps a good way to estimate general participation in small game pursuit but not a good method for assessing the actual use of a particular resource.
The Stamp

The only way to accurately measure the number of hunters who actually pursue this bird is through a special permit or license that must be acquired prior to hunting Mearn’s quail. Just such a permit, in the form of a stamp, currently exists and is required for the pursuit of band-tailed pigeons, blue grouse, and chukars in Arizona. A Mearn’s stamp would help both the AGFD and concerned sportsmen conservationists by collecting real time data on hunting pressure and sportsmen’s interest in Mearn’s quail.    Additionally important data such as hunter demographics and accurate harvest data would become available for the first time.Hunters would be required to complete a survey before they could purchase next season’s stamp as is currently done with the aforementioned stamp for blue grouse, chukars, and band-tailed pigeons. Personal information would be kept private. This information could also prove a valuable resource in hunter retention/recruitment pursuits.

Costs

Resident season Mearns Stamp - $5.
Non-Resident 5 day Mearns Stamp - $20.
Non-Resident Season Mearns Stamp - $75.
The Funds generated by the stamp would be used to administer the stamp program and the data it provides .Funds from stamp sales could also be used for future and ongoing research and management for Mearn’s quail research.
Online Survey
Additionally stamps could be purchased online as hunting and fishing licenses currently are. This would facilitate both in and out of state hunters getting afield with a minimum of effort. Potential questions to be included in the questionnaire could be:
Age
Sex
Race
Address
Phone number
E-mail address
Did you hunt Mearn’s quail last season?
How many Mearn’s quail did you harvest during the season?
How many Mearn’s quail did you knock down and not recover?
Which area of the state did you hunt ? Please be specific.
How many days did you hunt Mearn’s quail. Please count half days as full days.
What was the average covey size that you saw ?
How would you rate your Mearn’s quail hunting experience on a 1-10 scale ___
If your score is below 5 please gives us your reasons ?
Where you guided ? if so, how would you rate your guided experience on a 1-10 scale ___
Additional Comments

Conclusion
The stamp or permit concept offers a reasonable avenue in a proven format to collect vital data on a limited resource which is perceived as receiving increasing pressure. Without the information that the proposed stamp would provide, the debate over Mearn’s quail management will continue and could the long run constitute a growing financial burden to the Department in the form of loss of revenues through dissatisfied bird hunters not to mention have the potential to alleviate or mitigate the burden of fielding addressing concerns of sportsmen. It would also serve the purpose of showing the hunting and conservation community that the Arizona Game and Fish Department is not only concerned and interested in what their supporters have say but is also proactively managing wildlife in our state. The present perception is that the Arizona Game and Fish Department is not receptive or responsive to the hunting public’s concerns.
The costs to the hunter for this Stamp are reasonable, more than fair, and should not present an undue burden on those who pursue this species and will likely have little or no impact on hunter numbers.

Mearn Quail -not extinct in AZ .. yet

Trouble in Paradise ?

2011-03-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Mearns Quail -Nacori Chico, Sonora Mexico

Posters on the Upland Journal are weighing in on what some think is the demise of the Mearns Quail .
Of course some of the debate touches on the effect of hunting pressure has on the Mearns Population . My thoughts on this are firm .Do to the small range Mearns Quail have in Arizona namely the Coronado National Forest ,considering that 99% of all Mearns Quail Hunting takes place there , with recent road construction &improvements , GPS,ATV's and more hunters hunting them it all adds up to fewer birds at the end of the season resulting in fewer Birds at nesting .The thought that the so called sanctuaries will "feed" the easy to access canyons is also a myth as I pointed out they are now accessible via everything I listed above and with more hunters coming into the area, the fit hunters are not going to think twice about climbing up a mountain to get away from the crowds.One side of the argument is this is self regulating and hunters are going to "back off " so that is the Management Strategy . However low bird numbers may deter the casual hunter , but the guys that camp out for the season and hunt hard are not going to self regulate,once they are into Birds they are going to go for it and you can't blame them.
We all like to get outside with our dogs and chase birds however some of us are all caught up with getting our limit which for some this "goal post " is what separates a good day from a bad one. I can self limit ,I can also "limit " the Hunters I guide by pulling them off a covey once they have shot a couple of birds. However some folks out there think nothing about shooting a covey out , easy to do with Mearns as they tend to be very predictable.So for some self regulation only works when you are drinking , you drink to much then you pass out or kill yourself while driving .
Like anything when crowding happens people get pissed at each other for invading '"Their Space" confrontations occur which ruins everyone's day so the "experience" is gone when you feel that you are competing with other hunters for the "prime spot' enter what I refer to is the social issue .

The AZGFD collects hunter data from "wing boxes" which I feel is inaccurate due to the fact that a lot of hunters forget or don't see the boxes on the way out from the field, since the current regulations where introduced ten or so years ago things have changed on the Mearns landscape.
I am also part of the problem because I guide all season ,for a person that earns a living off resources I value the resources I use and it does not help me or my family if I abuse the resource so I treasure it. .So what has to happen to address the Biological and Social issues ? I.M.H.O.
1. the Daily Bag limit should be reduced from 8 to 5 birds
2. The possession limit should be also be reduced
3. Hunters should have to purchase a "Mearns "Stamp so G &F can get real time data on the usage of the resource
4.Guide license fees should be increased and Guides restricted to the amount of hunters they take out on a given day. (1 guide -2 hunters)

A good day in the field 9 birds for 2 hunters and big smiles

Unless you want to go to Mexico this is the only place in the World with a decent huntable population of Mearns Quail so why not look after it?

Training Days

2011-03-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

Spot being backed by Reba and Slick

With the warmer weather fast approaching we have been getting out to the training areas to get some wild bird work in before the Snakes come out of their holes . we have two areas that we go to, both are open enough so the dogs get a good run in and both hold Birds ,Scaled Quail only in one spot ,Scaled and Mearns in the other . The goal is simple .Get the Dogs and Myself out for some exercise, get the dogs handling , get the Dogs into Birds and get them steady .Most of the time Tish is along also , so I work her on the Birds the Pointers miss (usually singles ) when the Pointers are on point I walk her in at heel then if the covey does not get up I relocate the Pointers ,if nothing happens then Tish is released for a flush. It's a lot of work but rewarding especially when things happen the way the should .
Because of the dry conditions scenting is extremely tough ,therefore the dogs sometimes "bump" birds this is an opportunity to work the dogs on "stop to flush' .Dixie is out with us to , with check cord in tow .I let her run until I think she might be a little lost then call her in , the reward is water . She has scored points on Doves ,Meadow Larks ,Scaled ,Gambles and Mearns Quail and now has several backs under her belt .
We have been backing this up with some basic obedience stuff re .heeling , coming in on whistle blasts and retrieving work .How I work my dogs may not work for you , that's cool ,what I am accomplishing is letting the dogs be dogs , under some control.


Dixie learning to heel without a lead

Dixie pointing a Dove

Reba Pointing Scaled Quail

Okie ,Buddy and Dixie on a Mearns covey find

Buddy pointing a single Mearns

Tish about to flush a Scaled Quail

Show Time

2011-02-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

Lisa and I at our Booth

Every year we head up to Phoenix for the I.S.E Show ,for us it is a getaway to the big city and a chance to re-connect with old friends and meet some potential new clients .The fun for me is getting on the casting pond , trying new rods and getting the bugs out of my fly-casting .
Orvis was all over the show this year offering some excellent programs geared at getting the curious into Fly-fishing.The Orvis Staff also where all over the casting pond placing 1st ,2nd and 3rd in the Men's best of the West Casting Competition yours truly choked and placed 5th.
Overall it was a good show and we are looking forward to seeing some of the folks we met either in the field or on the river .

Trade shows are great places to practice your casting

AZ Game and Fish was at the show in a very big way

The Gang from Lees Ferry Anglers

Training day Pics

2011-02-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

Cruz and Martha

Mixed Scaled and Mearns Quail Habitat

I am trying to get out 4 times a week with the dogs as they need it and so do I .Today we went to a spot that over the years holds all three species of Quail , today we found two species.One huge covey of Scaled Quail and two decent sized coveys of Mearns .As usual Ted had the first find on Scalies ,due to the wind the birds ran up the wash.More points where scored by Hilda and Sam ,Dixie got in a back and Tish a flush .Next out was Buddy, Cruz ,Martha ,Reba along for the run was Dixie who is really starting to figure things out .
Martha and Cruz scored on a Covey of Mearns then Buddy found another covey which Dixie also pointed or backed on ..all and all a great day.
The pictures where taken with my new Iphone ,not bad for a low tech guy and camera .

Tish sits while Ted and Sam point a Scaled Quail,she goes in for the flush once when everyone is ready

Mountain Shot

Dixie backs Martha who is backing Cruz on Mearns

Cochise Bird Dog Club Youth Hunt

2011-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

For the last few years the Cochise Bird Dog Club has hosted a youth hunt.This year 14 future Hunters turned up and had a chance to shoot planted Bobwhites over pointing dogs .The grins say it all !
Thanks to Chris Orndorff for organizing the event .
Besides the youth hunt the Club conducts Field Trails ,Hunt Tests ,Training Seminars and Fun Hunts.
I like it because I get to hang out with some interesting Bird Dog folks and learn a thing or two.
For more information on the Cochise Bird Dog Club go to the Club's website . http://cochisebirddog.org/

Setters

English Pointer

Chris giving the Safety Briefing

The G.S.P. Strikes

Covering a Point

The Shorthair strikes again

Covering a Point

Happy Hunter

Bird Cleaning

End of the Season Blues

2011-02-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

Scaled Quail Country

Ted pointing a running covey

Spot pointing the Blues

Blue Quail and the trusty G.Lewis

What started off to be a tough day turned around ,thanks to two coveys of Blue or Scaled Quail.
Prior to the "Blues" Tish and I got into two coveys of Gambles Quail ,except for one bird the first covey disappeared into a wash and I missed when Tish flushed the single .I thought the second covey was going to be easy pickings , it was for Tish who made three different flushes on singles and pairs but I blew all my shots.I hoped I was not entering a shooting slump (my excuse) .My next loop was with Sam ,Hilda and Martha , and after chasing a covey of Gambles for 200 yards they to eluded us .
Things started to look up when a Covey of Blues ran across the road ,Tish was all over it flushing several birds this time I connected with two of them .Next out of the dog box was Ted ,Spot and Reba who also got into a running covey of Gambles which got away from us .This was my last loop of the season so the pressure was on to shoot a least one more bird before heading home .
After about a mile I turned the dogs back towards the truck ,All three dogs started the usual point then relocate.With my gun at the ready I covered their points to no avail then under the pressure from the dogs and myself the covey of Blues jumped up wild and I made a "did I do that"long shot on one of the birds .
I ended the season right then and there and on a good note.We headed back to the truck then home to watch the Super Bowl.
I suppose I could head over to New Mexico or up to Nevada and carry on but I am done .We have been going hard since mid -September so now it is time to start thinking fishing ,tying flies and training dogs .Tish needs to work on her blind retrieves and the Pointers need to be worked towards being steady to wing and shot , not field trail broke but tighter than what they are now.
At any rate I am looking forward to what lays ahead on all fronts and I like to thank the readers who followed our season ,your presence and comments on this site helped inspire me to post more often than not.

Thanks

Dave Brown

Hilda checking out an old building

AZ scenery

Geronimo Battle site

Reba on Point

The area of the season's last loop

Reba & Spot working running birds

Spot retrieves the last Bird

Dixie brings back a bird that I threw for her

The reward for the day

Reba backing Spot

Blue Quail

The Final Days

2011-02-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

Slick backs Buddy

Like most of the United States S.E. Arizona is experiencing cold temps and howling winds ,snow would help me appreciate the drop in temperature.The entire town is hunkered down and hoping that the weather breaks,My fingers are crossed that I can get out and enjoy the last three days of the season. I have adjusted well to the mild Arizona climate,in previous years I have been out in much nastier weather, as I huddle with the Dogs around the space heater I can't help but laugh at myself and at my Desert Rat Wife . Prior to the weather moving in my excursions out to Desert Bird country have been good.The Pointing dogs have pointed and my Lab has done her part by flushing and retrieving downed birds. Desert birds are notorious escape artists and they hone their skills more so as the season progresses .It all adds to the thrill of the hunt and being out there .Enjoy the pics .


Dixie checking things out

Martha Muffin Pointing Gambles Quail

Arizona Scenery


Spot nails a single


Heading up


Storm blowing into Mearns Country

Covering a Buddy point


Double Guns and Scaled Quail

Buddy retrieving a Scaled Quail

Tom Bobo covers a Sam Point as Buddy and Slick back

Gambles Quail

Reba ,Dixie and Sam in Jail

Late Season Hunting

2011-01-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

I have wrapped things up on the guiding front . It is time for me to get out and enjoy the great Arizona Outdoors and my dogs,needless to say I am enjoying it.Friday was great ,I loaded 8 pointing dogs (including Dixie ) and Tish and headed out to hunt Scaled and Gambles Quail, chase is the best way to describe the hunting.First out was Dixie who at 12 weeks old scored here first recorded point on the "puppy' Covey then Ted ,Sam, Spot and Hilda connected with 2 coveys of Gambles and 2 coveys of Scaled Quail .We had classic bits and pieces of Dog work , running birds that would jump up wild and some very long shots .Tish did a great Job on two road coveys flushing and retrieving the birds I shot.
Okie , Slick and Buddy got into a covey of Scaled Quail that ran for 100 yards before they flew.
All in all a great day and typical for late season hunting .

Dixie's first point

Buddy,Okie and Slick taking a break

Loops around stock tanks often produce

Scaled Quail and the G.Lewis 16 gauge

Male Gambles Quail and a Gambles call

Tish proves to be an awesome flushing dog ,and raises hell on road coveys

Desert Quail Country

Pics from Oklahoma

2011-01-23T16:48:00.000-08:00

Martha and Spot

Martha ripping it up

Martha with Dixie

Berkley with Boomer

Ranch Sign

Male Bobwhite and the G.Lewis

Tish

Ditch Parrot

Robert covers a Martha Muffin point

Bobwhites

Reba pointing a Covey

The Rig

Covering a Buddy Point

Buddy

Martha Pointing a covey


Bobs and Side by Sides

Report from Oklahoma

2011-01-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

We have been hunkered down as the temps. are in the single digits, prior to the weather rolling in the bird hunting has been good.The dogs have had some great work on Bobwhites, sometimes they have held tight but usually they are running .Covey numbers are decent as the added humidity has helped with scenting conditions . Tish has had some hot action on Ditch Parrots (Pheasants) She is all over it , working within gun range while slicing up the CRP making some very aggressive flushes on the birds that don't escape her nose.It's been a fun time for all !
As always the Oklahoma hospitality has been first rate .

Reba on point

Trailer shot

Coli Selman with Tish and her first Pheasant

December's Pics

2010-12-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

December has been a blur.We have been enjoying the days spent chasing Quail around the Desert and Mountains. Mearns Quail hunting remains tough and many hunters are not seeing any birds at all.But they are there .The Desert birds are their usual elusive selves and hunting varies from day to day.The dogs and I are now getting set for Oklahoma and looking forward to chasing Mr. Bob on the Southern Plains ..stay tuned!

Buddy and Slick pointing Gambles Quail

Spot pointing Scaled Quail

Gambles and Scaled Quail

Phil admires a Mearns Quail

Reba with a Scaled Quail

Bob and Matt enjoying the day

Gambles Quail

Tracks

Arizona Scenery

Gambles Quail

Az sunset

Okie

Enjoying the view

Covering a Sam Point

Martha and Spot

Cruz

Mery Christmas and Happy New Year

2010-12-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

I would like to wish you and yours all the best for the Holiday Season .May 2011 bring you a very large Dry Fly caught Trout and/or the point of your dreams !
See ya out there

Dave

Desert Pictures

2010-12-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Tish cooling off

Adobe wall

Covering a Sam point

Another unfriendly pointer

Tarantula

Tish and Company

Sam pointing Gambles

Reba pointing a single

Male Gambles

Buddy and Slick

Mearns Rant

2010-12-03T05:43:00.000-08:00

Mearns Quail

Mearns Quail hunting in the United States is limited to South Eastern Arizona and South Western New Mexico.There are some Mearns in Texas but there is not enough to warrant a season .
The Mearns range extends down into Mexico ,Arizona is the top of the range .They rely on the Summer or the Monsoon rains for optimum breeding/ nesting conditions .
This year the stars aligned , we got the rains and in spots there where carry over birds ,but what's facing Mearns hunters right now is where are the birds ? I have been out and seeing some coveys here and there but not the numbers I expected nor everyone else for that matter .

Buddy pointing a covey on opening day ,look at how high the grass is .

The theory is conditions are terrible , the area is extremely dry and there is a ton of very tall grass or cover making it hard for dogs to scent birds .I'll buy that. I also think that because the huntable range is so small and receives so much hunting pressure that when suitable breeding and nesting conditions occur there are to few carryover birds to replenish the shot out areas,crippling or slowing the recovery.One can argue the point that in the big picture hunting only accounts for 5% to 10% of Gamebird mortality ,in most cases I will agree with that however given the range and area that Mearns Quail call home , and the amount of hunting pressure that is put on them , the numbers are closer to 20%-40% based on other public lands projections.
I feel that in order to have good Mearns Populations to enjoy in the future the Mearns Quail should be "listed " as a trophy game bird and treated as such.Starting off by reducing the daily limit from eight to five birds per day.A special license or stamp should also have to be purchased which would enable Arizona Game and Fish to monitor the hunting pressure during the year and yes limit the amount of Guides that have jumped on the Mearns bandwagon myself included.
The good news is that the Coronado National Forest has the perfect habitat for Mearns Quail, the forest service is looking after the grass ,we just have to look after the Birds .
So what are your thoughts ? lets hear them .

Mearns Country


Mearns Country

Spot points a single


The reward for a lot of hiking

Covering a Spot & Sam Point

Sam retrieving a Mearns

Sam on a Covey find.