I actually won something

So back in September I saw a random tweet come across the wire from Moldy Chum about a contest that Mountain Khakis was holding.  The grand prize was 5 days / 4 nights at the Resort at Squaw Creek, plus a TON of swag including two a bunch of awesome clothes from Mountain Khakis, Bugslinger, Keen, Osprey, Sage, Redington, and Scientific Anglers, and of course a half day guided trip with Matt Heron.  I generally enter contests like this when I see them, without even thinking I am actually going to win any of them.  Well, needless to say about a week later I got an email saying:

Hi Cory,

Are you sitting down?  We have exciting news for you – YOU WON the Mountain Khakis & Resort at Squaw Creek Fly Fishing Vacation Sweepstakes today!!!

I was able to take a guest, so I asked my wife to go with me on this adventure to Squaw Valley.  We booked the trip for an early weekend in October which Matt claimed was his favorite time to fish the river’s around there, and he wasn’t lying.

After long 9 hour drive from Central Oregon and an interesting stay in Susanville we arrived at the resort ready to relax and enjoy the same area we actually honeymooned.

The first day guided day (I say first because my wife bought another half day trip for me) with Matt was awesome.  He took me to the Little Truckee river where he claimed browns measured in pounds were coming from the reservoir to spawn.  When we arrived I looked down from a hill at this creek that was like the Fall River and the Crooked river mixed thinking to myself, “umm, 20+ inch browns and rainbows in there?”

We started the walk down to the first hole on the river that was an amazing little buck and seam where about a half dozen fish were brought to hand.  16-18 inch fish were the norm on both dries and nymphs.

The day continued on and the fog burned off, brining some very hard to read hatches.  At one point, at least four different types of bugs were hatching!  Continuing down the river we came to some beautiful tail outs and holes holding some very big and finicky fish.  The day ended with Matt pulling in this beauty.

The second day was more of the same.  The morning started out like this:

And peaked with my trophy for the week being landed on a size 20 nymph.  24 solid inches of brown trout!

Outside of the fishing, I had a great time with my wife and our daughter Grey.  We explored more of the Tahoe area, including a “rousing” trip into Carson City for the heck of it.  Many thanks to all who contributed prizes to the trip.  The clothes are great, loving my Mountain Khaki pants and Bugslinger gear.  Matt is an awesome guy who has a serious passion for fly fishing and teaching.  Look him up if your in the Tahoe area and go fishing with him!