Brad is in training for the bi-annual MOP (Montana Otter People) competition to be held this August on the Smith River outside of White Sulfur Springs.  While Brad holds the sucker to the grassy bank and strips its carcass with his teeth, he answers a few of my questions.

I used to stop at the Bunkhouse Bar for years when I'd fish at Canyon Ferry.  My friend, Vern Troxel, who I used to fish with over there, was a retired logger from Townsend, and he'd always know everyone in the bar.

Painting: Bunkhouse Bar near Toston, MT, Greg Keeler

Several times on the trip when we pulled over for gas and peeing, guys with small chins and dental incongruities would come over and start talking to us, most likely because they were enamored with our Trash Fish caps.  One even yodeled, "Yew got any more of them?" and was truly crestfallen when we didn't.

Painting: Bluegill Sunfish, Greg Keeler

I'm having coffee and pancakes at Keith Browning's house with him and Rick Ardinger. Rick heads Idaho Humanities and has set up the Almost Trashy tour.

Painting: Party Sucker, Greg Keeler

Here are three sonnets from a new book, Almost Happy, to be published by Limberlost Press. I'll be touring with the Almost Trashy tour through Idaho and Utah during the next two weeks. With luck, we'll have some books bound by Thursday.

Painting: Bank Swallows on the Madison River, Greg Keeler

I started hanging a camera around my neck and videoing some of my fishing--for my granddaughter, grandson, and friends who can't be up here fishing for trout. I think I was the "first person" to do it. David Behr, my late Troutball friend wasn't impressed and said something like, "but the fish aren't big."

This wonderful and wonderfully graphic koan from songwriter, author, poet, University of Montana English professor and thorn in the large ass of Rush Limbaugh courtesy of Greg Keeler. Check his work, songs, sketches and photos of himself looking like a perhaps even more ragged version of Neil Young: www.troutball.com. Thanks GK.