Author: Pat Gaffney

  • Salmonflies

    Salmonflies

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    by

    Pat Gaffney
    in

    While the Henry’s Fork offers plenty of spring fishing opportunities in the form of midges, baetis, caddis, and rithrogenia, it is the annual emergence of the Pteronarcys californica, aka the giant salmonfly, which occupies the hopes and dreams of local anglers through the 6 or so long, dark…

  • Hunting Unicorns

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    Over the course of the last nine seasons guiding trips for TroutHunter, I’ve come to realize that there are several types of anglers whom I regularly encounter. The first is the, "I’ve never done this before, and I just want to catch one fish,” beginner. From there, anglers quickly…

  • The Thrill of the Chase

    The Thrill of the Chase

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    In 1994 I took my first trip to the greater Yellowstone area. I travelled with a close friend who is infamously known in many circles as ‘Cheeseburger Paul.’ I met Paul when I was 15 inside his World Famous Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburger Restaurant. The steamed cheeseburger is a…

  • Pat’s Streamers

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    Pat Gaffney
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    TroutHunter is happy to announce that our very own Guide Pat Gaffney is offering up some of his flies for purchase. Pat is both a well-rounded guide and angler. Check it out and you won’t be disappointed in supporting Pat’s hardworking fishy lifestyle… Most everyone I have encountered was…

  • Shock Therapy

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    For years, the lower Henry’s Fork has flown under the radar, taking a bit of a back seat to the more famous Harriman State Park section of river in Island Park. Walk into a fly shop where I’m from ‘back east’ and mention the Henry’s Fork, and talk will quickly turn to ‘the Ranch’ and…

  • Call from the Hall

    Call from the Hall

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    As a sports fan, March is arguably the best time of year. It’s hard to beat the intensity and excitement of a buzzer-beater in NCAA Basketball’s March Madness Tournament, but there is also the NFL’s free agency period, the NBA trade deadline has just passed, the NHL is in the midst of its…

  • Winter’s Beat

    Winter’s Beat

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    As I go outside to start my truck, the morning air is damn cold, the kind of biting cold that freezes my nostrils when I breathe in, and leaves my breath frozen to my beard. Add to that cold a swift north wind, and you have yourself a recipe to stay in the cabin close…

  • Out Like a Lamb?

    Out Like a Lamb?

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    Where I grew up in Connecticut, the expression, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” generally holds true. As does the old saying that, "April showers bring May flowers.” I would imagine that there are already some early daffodils blooming in New England. However…

  • Golden Memories

    Golden Memories

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    How infatuated are TroutHunter guides with the Henry’s Fork? Well, if it’s any indication, last August 1st I became no less than the sixth member of the TH family to be married in a streamside ceremony. Rich and Millie Paini, Marty and Kate Reed, Brad and Ann Marie Miller, and Jake and Jen…

  • It’s a Family Affair

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    Pat Gaffney
    in

    Okay, so I apologize for the lack of an update for a couple months, but you try running 70-something trips to date in your first year of guiding full time and see if your fingers want to type at the end of the day. Between rowing and tying and UNTYING knots, I’ll seriously wager a…