Mt. Shasta Ski Park
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WEED ALES & BREWERY 
EASTER ISLAND INFORMATION & TOURISM SITE
CHILE!! 
*****BACK IN THE UNITED STATES SIZZLERS!! RAFTING THE UPPER SAC, WOW THE FLY FISHING IS HOT!*****
*****BELIZE CENTRAL AMERICA STARTS APRIL 17TH UNTIL MAY 3RD WITH THE RICHARD GEBHART FAMILY VACATION GET AWAY!! STAY TUNED FOR THOSE ADVENTURES AS WE BONE FISH – PERMIT FISH – TARPON FISH ON THE FLATS AS WELL OUT OF THE BOAT – MAYAN CAVES WITH A RIVER RUNNING THOUGH IT AND WE’RE ON INTER-TUBES WITH HEAD LAMPS LOOKING FOR A MAYAN CRYSTAL MONKEY STATUE!! SCUBA DIVES INTO BLUE HOLE A GREAT ADVENTURE!!*****
PIT RIVER IS OPEN ~ UPPER SACARMENTO OPEN AND FISHING WELL ~ TRINITY FLY FISHING WATER IS OPEN THIS SUNDAY APRIL 1ST ~ ALL RIVERS OPEN ARE CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY!!
LOWER SACRAMENTO RIVER FISHING GREAT!! COME ON UP BUT CALL ME FIRST 530 926-4540
When I think back to the season I had in both Chile and Argentina, I smile and think to myself I can’t wait for next year in 2008. Even though I’m home now rafting on the Upper Sac. I still have 3 weeks of stories for you and five more groups to show in both Chile and Argentina. I had four groups book in 2007 at the last minute for both areas after watching mtshasta.com, and this made for one of the best seasons I’ve ever had down south. I would like to thank all of you out there that booked trips down in Chile or Argentina this year and look forward to the 2008 season as one of the very best to come. I will be showing the all these adventures in the coming weeks from Patagonia Argentina as well as Chile with highlights from the trips I do with folks in Northern California. Also a special trip I did in Buenos Aires after season was over. So kick back and get ready because this story isn’t about a lot of fly fishing, but I promise the next three are! This story is about being on the inside, what it’s like when we travel to pick up more customers and what our lives are about behind the scenes. I love hanging out with Nico, Gaston, Jose
and Pancho and the good times we’ve had together are priceless memories.
Thanks to all who have made these times so classic. Jack Trout
Maureen enjoyed her day on the Lower Futaleufu, hooking nice brown trouts and out catching her husband David Cargill.
Nice fat trout, boy did this guy fight hard, Maureen thought it was a log at first!
The views are always spectacular!
All day we could see Nico and David fishing behind us or along side in a distant photo.
I would like to thank the Rio Futaleufu for providing my customers with excellent fly fishing in 2007!! We look so forward to seeing you in 2008 in your turquoise dress.
One night in Futaleufu we went by a well known place for Pichangas and beer. That’s guide grub 101. We like to eat Pichangas and talk about life and guiding.
This is a real heart stopper if you ate it everyday!
After we left David and Maureen Cargill, we drove up to Bariloche to pick up Steve and Mike Martinez, and drove by the famous hippie park in El Bolson. This place is like Haight & Ashbury in San Francisco in the late 1960’s. We always laugh as we drive by and I think about how lucky I was to grow up in Northern California and have brothers and sisters that
took me to rock concerts and had a chance to experience it first hand with them…At least the pot thing and good music. But we all had to grow up sometime and just like meeting Patrick Simmons a few years back from the Doobie Brothers, we all gave it up to get on with our lives. I’m still glad we experienced it and I have a few brain cells left. But just like when I met Huey Lewis a few years ago through my musician friend Jerry Hannan, Huey say’s; It’s Hip To Be Square! These days I have too many people who rely on me and I don’t want to let them or anyone else down now or in the future. Beside who has time in this ever changing world?
Far-out man!
We always stop for the ice cream!
When we got into Bariloche we did the traditional dinner at El Boliche de Alberto Parrilla (Steaks).
This place is the best steak house ever! Fred Flintstone would love this place…
After dinner we headed for a beer at the Wilkeney pub and met these people also enjoying a beer who seem to know about my site… The guys in the background were rafters from the Rio Futaleufu that we had met back in town a few weeks previously. Do you want to be on www.mtshasta.com and have you heard about it?
When Jack Trout stays in Bariloche, he rooms at the Aitue Hosteria. His friend Fito is the manager and the atmosphere and close vicinity to downtown make this a smart address.
This is the Fenoglio Chocolate House & Cafe in Bariloche, Argentina.
The next day I had arranged a meeting with my guide Martin from Argentina and my guide Nico from Chile, to swap ideas on how we could offer the best packages available in all of Chile and Argentina. Kind of a east meets west, Patagonia North meets Patagonia South. My idea is to offer you a one of a kind fly fishing package where you get to fish both regions and two countries in one adventure. This way when you come down to visit us you get to see it all! No one offers this package now and I am proud to announce that in 2008 we will be able to offer you this package in a 12 to 21 day trip fly fishing in both countries on rivers and lakes in both regions of the Patagonia.
These two guys in my mind are the most amiable, knowledgeable and experienced guides in
the Patagonias (the total package folks). Isn’t it great to think that two people from different countries that used to be rivals, can be such good friends and the politics and religion thing isn’t ever a factor or even mentioned? We talk fishing, music and girls! Of course desserts and food have to be in there somewhere when I’m present!
Talking about dessert, this is the best chocolate dessert I’ve ever tasted Sizzlers! It’s
called the Chocolate Marquis and they serve it at the Fenoglio daily. We can have it when you come down next season, I dream about it constantly…..
After our talk, Martin took us to a book store to show us some cool books on fly fishing Argentina. I loved seeing the two of them hang out like a couple of high school buddies!
I think life is about these things, making relations better between all of the countries
in the world and living the dream. Life is too short to live it any other way…jt
Here are the top selling books in Argentina. John Grisham and Leonardo in Spanish…
This was my favorite magazine! Wonder if she fly fishes?
Receiving so many hits per month means we earn customers on the road, and on the road again, we have wi-fi access at the Pilgrim Pub! Nico and I are setting up lodging for more customers coming down in middle and late March. In fact the scene you see now is benefitting two customers that are out fishing with Nico today! Isn’t the internet awesome, what a good thing we have with the web, we are so lucky and life is a whole lot easier. My first years in Chile 16 years ago were so different, the online bill paying is a life saver…
What a couple of good looking cats that love their jobs. St. Patricks Day at the Irish Pilgrim Pub is the place to be!
I saw our ole friend George Castanza.
And the best Pink Floyd Albums on display.. My favorite Pink Floyd album was the Dark Side of the Moon, third one over from the left…..
Outside a dog waits as his owner has another!
In Central Plaza the Argentine Flag sails high with pride!
And the square looks more and more to me like Switzerland not Latin America?
The dam thing in Patagonia, what a sad issue. Looks like Tom Birmingham and the Westlands Water District meets Leighton Hills all over again… These people are evil, some things need to remain unpaved, unelectricfied and undammed.
PATAGONIA AND THE RIO FUTALEUFU SHOULD NEVER BE DAMMED! IT’S JUST ANOTHER DAMN STORY…. JACK TROUT
Hi Jack:
Don’t know if you remember our conversation last year about Patagonia, but I see from your latest update that you’re on to the dam issue. So FYI, here’s the link to the article I wrote on that trip – http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/06fal/. Feel free to link to it from your site if you think your readers/customers would be interested. You might also be interested in my book, Casting a Spell: The Bamboo Fly Rod and the American Pursuit of Perfection, which was published by Random House last summer.
I never did get to do much fishing last spring – had a day on the Nirehuao, but got sick on the other day off I’d planned.
Cheers,
George Black
After picking Steve and brother Mike Martinez up in Bariloche, We ate a delicious dinner in the town of El Bolson.
We then drove next to a fly shop and got some gear. Steve and Mike were total beginners and Mike hadn’t even pick up a fly rod in his life. That’s ok though we love beginners, bring’em on cowboy!
I thought it would be a good idea to fish them at a private ranch we had access to that offered very good dry fly fishing. In fact at this place you can only fish dry flies! This way they could see the fish take their flies and we could get them out on the water the same day and get this adventure rolling.
You could see trout everywhere and it didn’t take long for brother Mike to hook-up!
This was Mike’s 1st fish ever on a fly rod!
Here’s his 1st fish. That’s what I like about fly fishing. It don’t matter how long you’ve been fishing, or whether you’re a boy or a girl, anyone can learn it and do it on the first day! Our trip to Chile and Argentina is a perfect environment to learn fly fishing.
Fish were fly’n that day!
A great start to a great adventure and we were preparing them for the really big fish to come! Stay tuned as the really big fish are seen in the next web posting in about a week or less.
Upper Sac Raft Fly Fishing Trip is alive and kicking!! We are hooking a lot of fish especially on the overcast days. The next web log will show two days of floating on the Upper Sac and one day we landed over 20 trout! Book your trip for April and May now! Thanks, Jack Trout
EMAILS FROM YOU:
Jack
Great pictures!!!
As it turns out my oldest son will be tied up over the next few weekends attending a SAT Test course. I would like to schedule a trip for Saturday May 12. This would be a float for 3 ( my two sones and myself). Would you still recommend floating the upper Sac at this time?
Let me know.
Paul I Reyes
Jack, I had the pleasure of going with one of your guides on the Klamath a couple of years ago. I wanted to see if I could arrange for a guided trip for two on the lower Sac in the middle of April, preferably a Saturday (the 14th or 21st). If you think another river would likely be much better at that time, I would be open to that, the lower Sac is just a lot closer (we are coming from the Bay Area. There would be two of us.
Hoping it might work out !
Thanks.
Howard Clowes
Jack, it works to do both days (14th and 15th) so I would like to confirm for both. I am fine with you picking the spots based on how things are fishing!
Thank you for getting back to me! It is now time to start making the
arrangements for our week. Are you available for this area? Specificly we
are thinking of fishing with your guide service 2-3 days. Most likely half
days unless you suggest otherwise. One day we would like to do three
children (12,11,8) and three adults. The other two days are adults only 2-4
adults. Can you please let me know what sort of schedule would work for
you, specifics on the fishing (boat, shore) and the total cost. We will get
our own gear unless you suggest otherwise. We are very flexible but very
excited to catch some big fish (crossing fingers). As I said before we will
be we are staying in JEDEDIAH SMITH REDWOODS SP march 31 – April 7 and would
like to fish in the beginning of the week. If you also teach fly fishing
one or two of us may want to add another morning to learn how. Hope this
all is clear!
Take care, Jeni
Subject: Fw: Heartwarming Elephant Story
I truly love this heartwarming story. It will surely bring a tear to
your eye! I know it did mine.
In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University.
On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mbembe approached it very carefully.
He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant’s foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its
foot.
The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on
its face, stared at him for several tense moments.
Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled.
Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.
Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant
stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, and then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn’t help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure.
He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder.
The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe’s legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn’t the same elephant.
Wade Goertz
HELLO: MY WIFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO FLY FISH. WE HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WHATS SO EVER, NOR DO WE HAVE ANY EQUIPMENT. IS EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR RENT? WE WOULD BE AVAILABLE APRIL28TH 29 MAY 1, 2, 3, 4, ORTHE 5TH. ANY OF THESE ARE GOOD. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? IF YOU HAVE ANY BROCHURES YOU COULD SEND THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL PLEASE SEND THEM TO MY HOME. ALSO WHAT ARE THE PRICES OF THE TRIP PLUS EQUIPMENT RENTAL?? THANK YOU RICHARD WILLIAMS
live in Dublin CA. I would like to arrange a float of the lower Sac for my two sons (ages 16 & 13) and myself. Is it possible to float together in one boat? My 16 year old and myself have fly fishing experience, my youngest son does not, and would really like him to catch a fish.
Due to work & school schedule I would have to arrange for a Saturday or possibly a Sunday?
Can you do this, and when can it be scheduled?
Let me know.
Paul I Reyes
Hi Jack Trout!
I purchased a gift cert. for my husband for Xmas and we’re going to take a trip up from the Bay Area probably in June to fish and camp. Can you suggest any campgrounds in the area? We’re going to have our baby and dogs with us, so I would prefer a place with bathrooms and water. Just thought we’d check in with you for any helpful suggestions.
Thanks!
Jen Altman
Hey Jack
You in the USA/ missed you on St. Paddy’s.
THose Chile pics look amazing. Gotta get down there
Cheers, Jerry Hannan
Hi Jack,
We are looking to book a fly-fishing and rafting day trip down the upper sac with you. My husband is a really into fly-fishing, is a member of cal trout, and ties his own bugs, and he has been wanting to fish the upper sac. I also enjoy fly-fishing, and we have all our own fishing gear. We’ve seen you on TV with your dog Shasta, and looked like it would be a great idea to spend the day with you as our guide. My husbands birthday is memorial weekend, and if you still have available we are interested in booking Saturday, May 26. Or could do Sunday, May 27 as an alternate option.
What would the cost be for the two of us?
Thank you,
Rebecca Davis
I was looking for info on flyfishing in Patagonia next season. My mailing address is below. Thanks.
Tom Ward
Hello Jack,
My name is Darrell Dearborn. My son, Ben (age 28), and I would like to fish with you for 2 days, Sunday, April 8th and Monday, April 9th on any of the northern CA rivers you think are most productive. We’d like to fish the McCloud and the Upper Sac (not float), but if there are others you’d prefer we fish, that’s fine. We won’t need equipment but would appreciate recommendations for lines, tippets and flies before we come up. We’d prefer dry flies/wet flies to nymphs, but are happy to fish whatever works.
Look forward to hearing from you soon and firming up plans.
Thanks, Darrell Dearborn
Hi, Jack:
I love your reports! However, when I tried to get the last one (your updated website), I could not get off the intro page and into the substance. The “CLICK HERE” didn’t work.
If others have had this trouble, I am sure you already have a heads-up!
We’ll get together for another trip soon. You’re a great guide and a good guy, too!
Bill Vanderweken
Jack,
I am in Chile now, working up in Antofagasta in the north of Chile and I will find out on Monday if I can take a 4 day weekend to go fish. Would Nico or someone be able to guide me over this upcoming weekend if I fly down there? IF so how is the fishing down there at this time? I would love to get one last weekend of spring in before father winter closes it all up for us. I am in Chile now so I can really be there in no time at all. I see on your webstite that you are gone but maybe you can still make this happen for me.
Thanks
Steve Hatzell
Jack,
Great talking with you! Will meet you @ 8:30 on Wed. April 11 for another exciting float down the upper Sac. Will let you know when I get to Shasta if my brother-in-law will be joining us.
Jack Taylor
How’s the Sac? Just looked over your site and it is a great site. Love the
pictures and the writing. Some much fun and connection. Glad to hear how
happy you were with the changes in your life. Live forever with lasting happiness.
All my best,
John
Hey Jack,
Looks like the river is treating you well.
My fishing days are plummeting despite now working for Friends of the River as their Development Director. My wife and I added a little daughter (Anna Babine Stromsness) to our family in January which will further limit my fishingÓ but such are the trade-offs and I’m happy to make them.
Bjorn
Thanks Jack, it sure is a different life than I had a few years back. My wife and I met pretty soon after I moved down here back in 2003 and got married a little over a year later things have been good. Anna is 10 weeks and keeping us busy. Attached are some pics.
I was glad to see you speaking out against the sale of Bollibokka. That is just a damn shameΣ Leighton Hills and his family will be re-incarnated as ringworms if there is any justice in the world.
Bjorn
Hi Jack:
Don’t know if you remember our conversation last year about Patagonia, but I see from your latest update that you’re on to the dam issue. So FYI, here’s the link to the article I wrote on that trip – http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/06fal/. Feel free to link to it from your site if you think your readers/customers would be interested. You might also be interested in my book, Casting a Spell: The Bamboo Fly Rod and the American Pursuit of Perfection, which was published by Random House last summer.
I never did get to do much fishing last spring – had a day on the Nirehuao, but got sick on the other day off I’d planned.
Cheers,
George Black
You are AWESOME! Thanks Jack.
Please note we changed our main email address to sheltermanager@siskiyouhumane.org
I still check this one too, but sometimes can not get to it for a week or more. I check the sheltermanager everyday. Take care and thank you!
Kim * Siskiyou Humune Society