Yellowstone Angler's

2008 Guide Photo Contest

Last year we decided it would be a good idea to have a photo contest for the core guides. There weren't many stipulations, guides could turn in photos of anything they wanted - river scenery, bug close ups, sunset shots, but especially big fish pics. The winner of the contest got to choose any rod and reel combo they wanted, (outside of a custom G.H. Howells Bamboo or a Hardy Zane Titanium).  Rather than looking for a specific winning shot, we were looking for quantity as well as quality.  Whoever consistently turned in the most big fish "grip and grin" shots of their clients was the winner. 

Last year's winner was outfitter Eric Paulson.  He turned in a phenomenal amount of fish porn.  In fact, 13 of the 52 photos on our Big Fish 2008 page were submitted by Eric.  That's 25% of all the photos! In fact, if you look down the left side of Big Fish 2008, almost the entire row is Eric's handy work.  Doug Mcknight was hot on his heels, as was Hank Bechard.  But in the end, Paulson's ability to find big fish along with his keen eye for photography make him the king.  Congratulations Eric!

So the big question is what rod and reel did he chose?  He decided to go with the Sage 12'6 6 weight weight Z-axis (6126-4) and a matching "z-axis olive" Abel Super 10 reel.  Wow, now that's one sweet outfit!  Talk about getting insanely long drifts, blasting 125 foot casts with ease, and having a drag strong enough to stop a freight train runaway steelie in its tracks! 

If you would like read more about Eric's ultimate outfit (especially how to use it to your advantage), check out his latest article: "The Benefits of Two Handed Rods."

"Over the years, I have owned almost one of everything imaginable when it comes to fly fishing equipment.  Unfortunately, one thing that I have learned is that I am tough on gear.  I happen to use my gear a lot.  I often tell people that everything I own is broke…or almost broke!  With that said, I have one piece of fly fishing equipment that has outlasted five drift boats, fifteen fishing bags, miscellaneous vests, numerous fly rods, waders (lets not go there), and over a dozen reels with names on them from you name it—to you name it—that piece of equipment is my Abel reel.   As a result, when I was recently given the choice of any new reel to pick from the decision was a no brainer—I wanted another Abel.  Thank you Yellowstone Angler and thank you Abel."

                                                        - Eric Paulson