Top Ten

I've always liked the year end activities, especially all of the "Year in Review" specials.  The top sports plays, the worst crashes, the number one song, and the best movie of the year.  So, keeping with the theme, below are our top ten images from this years hatch.  These were not selected because of their photography, they were selected because they hold memories and stories, that will always remain in our minds eye.  Without further adieu, The Evening Hatch's Top Ten of Oh Ten.... ok, there are 14, but who's counting?

He did it!  I was a nervous wreck when Deke went on his first retrieve.  This isn't the bird, but he brought it back with just as much style.  He is still learning and we have some things to work on during the off season, but the Deke'r has made us proud

This is Deke's first hunt.  The Utah Youth Hunt.  We was muddied and bloodied, but he got it and now loves it!

I was running the tender boat while Gear Guide Wyatt was in the layout.  The sun just peaked over the mountains and Deke looked on fire.  I love those eyes...

Having never fished Yellowstone in October, we didn't know what to expect.  We now expect it to be this good every year.  We had solitude, double hook ups, and surprisingly warm weather. 

Ragnar 2010.  A 188 mile relay race from Logan to Park City, Utah.  6 members of our 12 person team at the top of Snowbasin.

The rule of thumb when photographing wildlife is to focus on the eyes..... unless you can get a 6 point bull elk to lick his chops for you, then you just start shooting.

Sweets doing what Sweets does.  We will never forget this day.  She was stripping streamers and catching fish all afternoon off of this gravel bar.  It was Independence Day, the sun was out, and we were able to wet wade without being eaten alive by skeeters.  When you put in the effort to get away from the crowds, Yellowstone becomes surreal.

March.  Maui.  Fire Dancer being careful not to get burned.  I'm surprised his gaiters didn't catch fire.

It was this beautiful everywhere we looked.... and we looked everywhere

Nothing in this image is right.  The eye is out of focus, there's too many hands, and you can't really see the length of the fish.  But I like it.

Ricardo and I searched out some new water to fish.  We found it.

Fall on our home water.

Twin Peaks in the Beartooth Wilderness.  The fishing was out of this world for high mountain lakes.  If it wasn't for the man eating bear, this would have been the trip of a lifetime.  We'll be back in 2011, and it will be the trip of a lifetime.

When the water is high and muddy, and you've hiked 6 miles, hooking up with any fish would have been nice.  This guy became a hero for Sweets.