Fly Fishing with Ted Turner
Perhaps you read my tweet from Montana when I announced that I went fly fishing with Ted Turner and that he caught five fish and I barely caught one. Ted is an avid fisherman who finds the ancient angling method of fly fishing especially relaxing. He is also very involved with restoring endangered species of native fish, such as the Westslope cutthroat trout, back into the streams and rivers of Montana. After donning my waders, I met up with Ted and Chris Francis, Ted's fly fishing guide of twenty years. Chris has the ability to 'read' the water and determine where the fishing will be best on a particular day. He knows which rivers and streams will fish the best during specific times of the year. After preparing my gear, Chris pointed me into the beautiful Ruby River to try my luck at hooking a fish. We were fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Although I wasn't very successful, I think that one day, if I have the time, I'd love to try this sport again.
1 Mary Curran acted as my makeup and hair stylist and also as my personal portraitist! She took great photos, as did Kevin Sharkey and Jill Dienst. I have used some of their photos in these blogs! Here I am ready to catch some trout!
2 My fishing guide was the big and handsome, Chris Francis - he is so knowledgable about the rivers, streams, and fish species on all of Ted's properties.
3 This is the official badge of the ranch.
4 Getting all the fisherman's gear in order
5 Here I am signing the fishing license.
6 Chris is very official.
7 With waders on, we were able to navigate right into the streams.
8 As were the camera men
9 The arm, the rod, the arc, the strength of the arm - all so nerve wracking!
10 Wow! I must have done something correctly!
11 Are we ready for Ted? - the fly fisherman of the year?
12 That's Ted and that's his dog. Ted is a true expert.
13 Ted caught five fish in quick succession - the fish were all released.
14 Ted and Gary
15 At last - I finally caught one!
16 Laurie, Gary and Mary - what a team!
17 This little cutie was watching us.
18 Many pairs of waders
19 And many fly fishing rods
Ok your fishing gear may be better than your cowgirl gear...how cute are you?
Posted by: Beth | September 4th, 2009 at 7:42 am
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SO ADORABLE !
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THAT 'PHOTO ONE' IS MY HEIRLOOM GINNY DOLL IN NEW CENTURY WOMEN'S WEAR!
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SOOOOO ADORABLE.
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andyandws
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Posted by: http://andyjspencer.blogspot.com/ | September 4th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Well, even though you didn't catch any fish, you sure looked like you knew what you were doing! You go, girl!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | September 4th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Hey Martha- I am volunteering to assist in your fly fishing "learnings". As a passionate fly angler-- I have fished my way through many life challenges and changes. It is my therapy! I am certified fly fishing instructor and a guest-host of various outdoor shows. I would be happy to help you OUT-FISH Ted or anyone else on your next outing. - Nancy Willette Jobe
Posted by: Nancy Willette Jobe | September 4th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Hi Martha!
Great story and great pictures.
You should come to Iceland and do some fly fishing here. Great rivers and lakes. Then you could try our wonderful icelandic horses as well.
Best of luck to you,
Ella Reynis
costume designer
Posted by: Ella Reynis | September 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hello Martha,
I picked up this item on a Facebook page. I happen to own vacation rental property I call ' A Big Sky Getaway ' and I, too, have a deep love of fly fishing. As a 4th generation Montanan, I welcome you to our beautiful state. Personally, I would love to see you get into the art and craft of fly-tying. The resulting work, while designed for function, is some of the most intricate and beautiful pieces of miniature art found anywhere. Keep us posted if you indeed pursue the craft. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to our wonderful secret! We happen to think everyone deserves A Big Sky Getaway of their very own!
Best wishes,
Rock LaCross
Posted by: Rock LaCross | September 4th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I don't know, Martha. . . . I was going to show this blog post to my fly-fishing husband, but the comment about hair and makeup styling would make him roll his eyes:-)
It looks like you had a wonderful day fishing, and hopefully you will return another day to sharpen your fishing skills. I prefer reading a good book and sitting by the stream instead. . .
I'll look forward to the TV segment about your experiences in Montana.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | September 4th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hi Martha, What a fun blog about learning how to do fly fishing. I've never done it before but I've see enough others do it to know that you were doing everything right. That's pretty good to catch a fish on your first time out there. To have someone like Chris help you was pretty spectacular. Years ago, when my dad went fishing, I was always the one who cleaned the fish and my mom cooked them for our dinner. Another memory brought back. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Look forward to seeing you on Letterman's show next Wednesday. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 4th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Martha...you are without a doubt the cutest fly-fisherwoman on the planet! Who cares if you didn't catch a fish...it's all about looking like you can! LOL...just kidding...i would want to catch a fish, too. A beautiful setting...the rivers running through Montana are captivating!
Posted by: sherey | September 4th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Hey Martha, I'd sure love to go fishing with you someday. Sounds fun.
Posted by: Nur Hafiz | September 4th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
You look great-I wish I loved 1/10th that good when going fishing
Posted by: Tammy | September 5th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I just wanted to say that I love your show. //Tessan from Sweden =)
Posted by: Therese | September 5th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Martha,
What an absolute wonderful guest you, your friends and your staff were to have at the ranch. All of us at Upper Canyon felt it was truly a pleasure to watch you take on all the activities with style and grace. I don't think there is anything you can't do. We want to thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity and sharing your Montana adventure with us.
Donna & Jake
Posted by: Donna | September 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I am so glad to see that you will soon be on tv once again in my area. I haven't been able to see any shows unless I stay up until 12:30a.m. and watch old reruns. I have seen that you will start here again later in September. Welcome back!! Jill
Posted by: jill | September 5th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
HI MARTHA SOME OF THE DISHES ON YOUR SHOW WERE REALLY GOOD AND TASTED DELISUCIOUS
Posted by: RANDALL WILLIAMS | September 5th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I LIKE TO FLY FISH
Posted by: RANDALL WILLIAMS | September 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
MARTHA HAPPY 68TH BIRTHDAY
Posted by: RANDALL WILLIAMS | September 5th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I had to let you know that I spotted your Halloween edition of Living today while waiting in a horribly long line and it was spookily FANTASTIC! I have saved the October issues of Living for years and tuck them away with the Halloween decorations every year so I can peruse them all the next year. Thanks for the inspiration as always!
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
Posted by: kerry | September 6th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Posted by: Jason M. Harris | September 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi Martha, just visited your site after being on vacation for a few weeks. Thanks so much for the new, FAST photo loading! I don't know what or how you it, but its so great! I can see all your photos with a very quick click. I appreciate it and I'm sure others will too!
PS You look fantastic in waders!
Posted by: Peggy | September 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Looks like you had a wonderful time. So day I plan on going to Montana.
Posted by: Rose Bain of Dunnellon | September 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Martha, that brings back great memories of growing up in GA. All of the men in our family were fisherman and I enjoyed that very much! Thanks for sharing and I absolutely love Ted Turner and all he has done for Atlanta.
Posted by: Toya Jervay | September 8th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I was fishing just down the road (& river) from you this past week!
Martha, anytime you'd like to fish again in MT, I will be happy to row you down the Missouri River and tie your flies and help you find trout. I promise lots of laughs & some nice fish. And in all honesty I would probably have to spend some time bending your ear about my charity-cause, finding a cure for Rett Syndrome. Sounds like a win-win? Either way, glad you enjoyed your time on the water!
Good Fishing & Good Cheer...
Posted by: Fly Fish Chick | September 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
In haste, I cannot NOT comment on the photo that includes Ted (with his back to us - on river's edge, fishing) and his trusty dog, surrounded by the tall grasses - what a fabulous capture of man, his best friend, and Mother Nature - creating the perfect frame!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | September 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi Martha!Great photos. The one of you alone is probably my favorite photo of you ever.
You look so happy. Fishing does that for a person. My husband and I love to fish.
He mostly salmon, and river fishing and I like to fish off the dock in front of our home.
We live on a small lake in Washington state. Anytime you want to join us, just let us know.
Fishing is great for health and heart.
Something you can enjoy doing forever.
Good health to you.
Posted by: BJ Moldenhauer | September 10th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Marth I used to live on that ranch when it was know for its sheep and the fishing was a best kept secriet. I have great memories of my time there and I hope you will have fond memories of your time there.
Posted by: Jim Lemire | October 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Dear Martha, Here it is 1-26-2010. I just viewed your show w/Ted Turner. I have been watching you for quite sometime. I would wake up at 5:45 on Sat. mornings to catch your show. That was about 15 or more years ago. Of all the shows you've done This show bar far was the BEST!! The scenery was spectacular, all the segments you did were informative and educational. I compliment both you and Mr. Turner for keeping alive the beauty of our great land. Iam a working mom and don't always get a chance to watch you in the morning. Best to you and your staff for doing a great job. Pat Donahue
Posted by: Mrs. Patricia A. Benz-Donahue | January 26th, 2010 at 11:17 am