Guiding Legends...

[Ryan Miller]

I recently had the opportunity to guide Carlo Bongio and Russell Chatham on the American. First off, the knowledge these two have of fly fishing is unreal. Literally Russell wrote the book on fly fishing for steelhead, stripers and so on. Both are skilled and accomplished coastal steelhead anglers with more great stories than I am days old. I was in between decades of knowledge, fiberglass rods and Hardy reels; what more could a guy ask for?

It was truly a great experience that won't be forgotten!

One thing that stuck with me from the day was a lesson in old school vs. new school... it's hard for me to explain my observations and exactly what that means, however, I know there are a few of you out there that know what I felt and saw.

Thanks to Bill Kiene, Russell Chatham and Carlo Bongio for a great day!

http://www.russellchatham.com/
Google:Carlo Bongio (tons of cool stuff)

Here is Russell (left) and Carlo after another day on the water
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/Rhmiller/BogioandChatham.jpg
Myself with Russell
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/Rhmiller/ChathamReadytoGo.jpg
Here is a shot of the equipment... Glass rods baby
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/Rhmiller/ChathamRods.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

We have been lucky over the years to have met some cool people at the shop.

Once we had Ted Williams (late), old famous baseball player, in our fly shop. He was here maybe 10 years ago for a baseball memorabilia show and came over to our fly shop to check out what was new. Chuck Campana was working and said it was a real treat to meet him. They went outside and cast a few fly rods. Cool.............

We had Chuck Yeager, old test pilot, in there one day too.

Greg LeMond, Tour de France winner, was around our shop when he lived in this area.

Russ Chatham wrote "Angler's Coast" which is about the fly fishing in Nor Cal "back in the day".

Carlo Bongio is the fly fishing pro at Western Sports Shop in Santa Rosa.

[Dave Neal]

Speaking of celebrities and "fly fishing celebrities" down here in Mammoth we occasionaly get some up from L.A....most come to ski or snowboard on Mammoth Mountain, however.

I've heard a local guide has taken Kevin Costner out a few times...

My best celebrity trip was with the great Orel Hershiser. That guy is a complete athlete...he still is super fit.

I'll never forget when we were in the river, standing on an eroded chunk of bank that had peeled off. It was at least 3 feet up to the bank. On one foot he did a one foot jump onto the stream bank, holding his rod and wearing waders and boots...All could think of is, "Orel Hershiser is about to break his leg on my watch." The "Bulldog" was totally cool and we had a fun day.

Celebrities are sometimes cool, but, fishing w/ a "fishing celebrity" like Russell Chatham must have been really cool!

[FRSam]

Glass rods and I do believe that's and old Hardy Perfect, 3 7/8 maybe. I guess I'd have to say I grew up on the outer edge of the old school - I sure heard a lot about it and received my share of advice from some of the old timers - sprinkled of course with the appropriate amount of sarcasm. A great group of people...

Pete