Zebra Praise(Christmas Eve)

I’m tying midges

Listening to Japanese hip hop

Been meaning to do brief interweb recount of recent mission to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina -- where every long-forgot fast-food chain in the country continues to thrive, as do a multitude of fish species in the unbelievably beautiful salt marshes and coastlines.

Photo: Fishing on the Elwha prior to Aldwell Dam. NPS.

For anyone who has been paying attention, you knew it was coming. Given the ESA listing for Puget Sound Chinook, bull trout and wild steelhead -- and a clear conflict between the science of their recovery and a $16M tribal hatchery scheduled for operation post dam removal -- it was only a matter of time before someone tied on a lawyer pattern and cast into the fray.

The formal process of removing the Elwha Rivers dams begins Thursday, with a party in Port Angeles, WA sponsored by the Lower Elwha Tribe, National Park Service and American Rivers advocates amongst others. Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard speaks on Thurs eve (open to the public http://celebrateelwha.com). No confirmation on rumor of Neil Young appearance.

But there is something to remember amdist the OP lovefest...

We have to admit we are partial, here among the FFJ SMOTM judging coven, to the micro bucketmouths out there. How can you say no to a face like that? For his basstastic efforts, we are proud to award Rob Yaskovic the coveted Smolt of the Month award for August 2011 for his Garden State largemouth. Hold your head and your tiny hog high, Mr. Yaskovic, you went small instead of went home.

Epic.

And say what's up to Snooki for us.

Although salmon season threatens to derail everything during late summer/early fall, we at FFJ are committed to bringing you all the small. With several fine specimens to consider for August smolt of the month, our illustrious judges will convene and return with an SMOTM winner next week.

Fall is prime smolting time folks, get out there and get tiny. Send 'em in. Win stuff from  Kleen Kanteen and FFJ. Stay Radical.

We're outta here to go chase some rather non-smolt Chinooks.

The black ops SMOTM judging committe has met and discussed in the bunker next to the FFJ heli pad. After a few days of determined deliberation and intense Power Pointing, the traditional large puff of smoke emerged from the compound signalling a chosen winner...