Retired 39-year Wyoming Game and Fish Department veteran biologist and former fisheries chief Mike Stone remembers his first trout fly rod, made by Lew Oviatt in 1970. Lew was the department’s clerk at the North Cache headquarters and the official patron saint of all Teton County fishermen who invaded his little home shop with wrecked fishing equipment. Lew kept lots of us fishing for many years.
Retired 39-year Wyoming Game and Fish Department veteran biologist and former fisheries chief Mike Stone remembers his first trout fly rod, made by Lew Oviatt in 1970. Lew was the department’s clerk at the North Cache headquarters and the official patron saint of all Teton County fishermen who invaded his little home shop with wrecked fishing equipment. Lew kept lots of us fishing for many years. Round Metal Plate
The Feb. 8 “Outdoors” highlighting Western Rivers Fly-fisher owner Steve Schmidt and describing his favorite Winston “Billy Baroo” fly rod and other iconic rod names summoned enthusiastic reader acknowledgements. A number of current and former fishing guides, friends and surprise responders enjoyed a chance to discuss fly casting and their favorite rod admissions.
Others, including Dave Bigge, Kim Lempke and Paul “Terry” Shultz, were relieved that I avoided tangling with sharp surgical implements during my Huntsman Institute visit. The column failed to emphasize enough about that positive Salt Lake event.
Jerry Gibbs, retired longtime “Outdoor Life” magazine fishing editor, was the first to respond simply with, “Such great memories!” Left unelaborated by Jerry was that he accompanied me on that first Utah Green River adventure with Steve Schmidt during one of the worst winter weather fishing outings ever.
The good news was that we had the entire river to ourselves. Epic blowing snow drifts shut every road access to Dutch John. I’m positive that Jerry recalls riding in Steve’s battered Ford pickup with snow blowing up through the rusted-out floorboards. That easily was as memorable as the great fishing.
LaRue Boyd, retired Denver education administrator, global sailor and multi-dimensional fishing enthusiast, quickly proclaimed his favorite 8-foot, 5-weight Gary Loomis IMX fly rod classic is known as “Sweetie Pie.”
My treasured Jackson watercolor artist, wildlife scholar and addicted outdoor fanatic Fred Kingwill emphasized “dazzling memories.” Fred neglected to report the great physical relief he felt when I helped eliminate the recurring wrist, elbow and right arm pain he suffered when casting an antiquated 8½-foot, 6-weight Fenwick Eagle fly rod.
A similar fly rod tried to disable my right side before it was unceremoniously sent straight to the garbage. Fred’s wife, Susan, and I became painkillers by convincing him to save himself by getting a kinder, gentler fly rod.
Expert fly fisherman and well-known American writer Tom McGuane penned this favorite fly rod response, noting, “This column was catnip to an aging gear slut like me! It sent me back through a thicket of remembered fly rods. I had to differentiate between works of art like my 4-wgt. Per Brandin (bamboo) or the latest winners of the modulus wars; in the end, I picked the rod that changed my life: the Fenwick FF-85.”
The historic FF-85 two-piece, 8½-foot, 8-weight fly rod with a “Feralite” ferrule arrived in a red and green plaid flannel rod sock inside an aluminum tube with a screw cap. Capable of fishing any 7-, 8- and 9-weight fly line, this rod modernized many late 1960s and 1970s pursuits of everything from largemouth bass to bonefish, tarpon, redfish and anything else swimming into casting range.
I hope my last column also set in motion thoughts by other pals to take more time off. At least that’s how I gauged a message from the ageless Troy, Montana, fishing and hunting outfitter couple Tim and Joanne Linehan, who allowed, “We’re trying to change that!”
The Linehans are frequently named Orvis-Endorsed Outfitters of the Year. Tim is also often recognized as the Orvis Guide of the Year. And despite his seasons hosting Trout Unlimited’s television program, he admits to never visiting Schmidt’s SLC fly headquarters or ever dipping a toe in the Green River. I’m hopeful Tim and Joanne plan to visit their many Wyoming and Utah friends soon.
Forever Salt Lake City fishing guide and tackle sales representative Steve Densley reiterated that Steve Schmidt continues as a “number one great guy” throughout their many years of dealing.
Todd Tanner, retired Henry’s Fork guide, Conservation Hawks nonprofit founder and School of Trout headmaster, regularly dispenses valuable fly rod selection information along with casting improvement concepts. Todd and his crew are praised for their students’ quantum casting leaps during SOT Idaho and Oregon schools.
Todd responded to the favorite older rods column with a variety of casting revelations and a list of his recent treatises on fly rod selection that he’s penned for both Midcurrent and Hatch websites. Even better are his truly eye-opening tidbits about old favorite rods compared to the latest super- quick tapers. Tanner’s online and School of Trout portfolios offer plenty of thoughtful fly rod performance details.
Wanda Taylor, yet another fly rod casting aficionado with three decades of en grade teaching, responded to my favorite rods tale. Wanda claims not to have a “favorite” fly rod but clarifies that good casting happens when anglers are matched with a rod action that suits their physical abilities. I love her delicate conclusion: “It’s all about the rod’s action marriage to the user.”
Ben Mintz, veteran Los Angeles-area flyfishing scribe, publicist and fishing industry insider, enjoyed a long business and cordial relationship with Jim and Joe Fisher. Their father, J. Kennedy Fisher, began making pier and boat saltwater fishing rods from a shop near the Santa Monica airport after World War II. This family business provided first fiberglass and later graphite blanks for almost every name brand fly rod builder at one time, ranging from Fenwick, Scientific Anglers, Loomis, Scott, Cortland and Winston.
After reading my column Ben reported his startled reaction during a later visit to Joe and Jim’s relocated blank shop in Round Mound, an industrial area outside of Carson City, Nevada. Ben embarrassingly discovered the town’s only other industry was a main street lined with brothels like the Blue Light, Idle Hour and Susie’s Rest Stop.
The latest column response from Mike Stone, retired 39-year veteran Wyoming Game and Fish Department fish biologist and 14-year fishery chief, added extra nostalgia.
Mike wrote: “Your story rekindled memories of my first fly rod for trout. During my first summer job with WGFD in Jackson (1970) I quickly learned the importance of a fly rod for trout streams. You’ll likely recognize the builder. (Lew Oviatt). Lew must have given us summer help a break on price since I recall prices for rods in local stores being out of reach!”
Mike’s lightweight Lew Oviatt rod survived years of heavy use and was ultimately used by his daughter, who learned to fly fish with it.
As an added note, veteran WGFD Cache Creek office clerk Oviatt built and repaired fly rods as well as ice fishing rods. He was a quiet and truly delightful gentleman, held in especially high regard by every Teton County angler. Lew’s techniques miraculously patched together broken tips and rod sections making them stronger than new. He fixed broken guides cheerfully and was always a pleasure to visit in his tiny rod shop behind his house.
It puzzled the kind rod maker that I brought every new fly rod to him before using it. Lew replaced all the snake guides with extra large stainless steel versions he ordered for me. It’s much easier to swish fall and winter ice out of larger guides than small ones.
I had the great honor to be asked by the local WGFD bosses to speak at Oviatt’s retirement dinner. And when it comes to discussing favorite fly rods, Oviatt still figures in most of mine.
Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited is hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival March 9 at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Proceeds from IF4 screenings support Snake River headwaters restoration projects. The 100-year legacy of Jackson’s Triangle X Ranch will be featured. Tickets ($20) are available at ShowClix.com/event/if42023jacksonwy.
Paul Bruun writes every other week on his adventures and misadventures in the great outdoors.
Paul Bruun grew up in South Florida, the son of a newspaperman and avid outdoorsman. He's been fishing, guiding, writing and editing in Jackson Hole since 1973. His Outdoors column appears biweekly in the Sports section.
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