tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35605646169901048892012-01-11T01:18:52.937-07:00the life and ribald times of Matt & Laura O'Connor - all for your pleasureMatt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.comBlogger2741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-21107548215142446372009-03-15T14:15:00.008-06:002009-03-15T14:31:49.729-06:00

Just finished install of our new shed - A collaborative new company effort by Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Michael Koenig here in Boulder. Check 'em out at studio-shed.com.

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-92105030600300685652008-12-20T14:04:00.001-07:002008-12-20T14:07:06.025-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-55154696444484797372008-12-19T11:38:00.012-07:002008-12-19T12:29:26.819-07:00

Happy Holidays to all of our family and friends.Much love,Matt and Laura.

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-89934564620117188302008-11-18T18:54:00.003-07:002008-11-18T19:07:04.963-07:00

So here it is... A moment of truth:In 1983 (13 years old) I was totally into bass fishing around Manchester, NH. But even more than that, being nine years younger than my closest of five siblings, I was just missing hanging out with four of the coolest brothers and the greatest sister a kid could have. They were all in college or beyond and I was chucking lures at the local pond quietly waiting '

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-60730075125033551872008-11-08T08:57:00.002-07:002008-11-08T09:04:28.584-07:00

Okay okay, this is a little late in coming. So, since this blog is supposed to be about both Laura and I and it is usually over-run with photos of me and the boys holding fish, I figured there was only one way to fix the situation without sacrificing too much on my end - nice. Get Laura into a drift boat up in Wyoming and let her get it done. The plan? Well, if you want to have a great day

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-79825261918365798272008-11-08T08:56:00.002-07:002008-11-08T08:57:19.155-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-62375475276149734572008-11-08T08:55:00.002-07:002008-11-08T08:56:18.030-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-11526184469538919302008-11-08T08:54:00.002-07:002008-11-08T08:55:09.271-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-19052757687833647672008-11-08T08:53:00.002-07:002008-11-08T08:54:23.828-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-81528815112150819542008-11-08T08:52:00.003-07:002008-11-08T08:53:33.232-07:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-3654578218629256842008-10-06T15:28:00.003-06:002008-10-06T15:31:48.739-06:00

12 years in the making and I wouldn't change a thing. Wifey and I went up to Breck to hang where it all started for the weekend and had a great time - beautiful rides, seeing old friends, the works. Needless to say, it was perfect! Looking forward to 12 more...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-47078857366762440112008-10-06T15:26:00.003-06:002008-10-06T15:28:30.963-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-48493586533243250942008-09-09T09:56:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:58:13.368-06:00

So, we have returned. From an epic. To say the least.The 2008 trip into the Wyoming backcountry will not be forgotten. How could it be? An unbelievably burly 11.5-hour horse ride in over rougher country than I have ever experienced. A horribly sprained ankle. Bush-whacking. Splitter weather. Long hikes in to breath-taking alpine lakes. The elusive Golden Trout. The voracious Cutthroat. A bear.

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-23440466741054722922008-09-09T09:55:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:56:16.284-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-18409285274446203562008-09-09T09:54:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:55:29.556-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-44358419798312648942008-09-09T09:53:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:53:59.709-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-63780206827881048132008-09-09T09:51:00.000-06:002008-09-09T09:52:54.477-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-90475731326200279482008-09-09T09:50:00.004-06:002008-09-09T09:51:50.408-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-69096641667557636252008-09-09T09:50:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:50:47.855-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-15784974563053852862008-09-09T09:49:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:49:59.175-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-18464177962867820822008-09-09T09:48:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:49:15.374-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-54696949856703645642008-09-09T09:47:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:47:59.077-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-16473430920315147662008-09-09T09:46:00.000-06:002008-09-09T09:47:10.810-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-51602238011900899362008-09-09T09:44:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:46:24.974-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-80060779694798554282008-09-09T09:42:00.005-06:002008-09-09T09:43:59.213-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-73134926518504276322008-09-09T09:42:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:42:45.393-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-69533481859559114912008-09-09T09:40:00.003-06:002008-09-09T09:41:59.471-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-32217355115506624332008-09-09T09:40:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:40:55.088-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-21670679196226678452008-09-09T09:39:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:40:15.467-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-43504978622177130232008-09-09T09:38:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:39:05.527-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-86929133731079155312008-09-09T09:37:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:38:25.501-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-19457637219626332182008-09-09T09:36:00.001-06:002008-09-09T09:37:39.405-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-90263233243056406692008-09-09T09:34:00.002-06:002008-09-09T09:36:47.811-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-80296659189232667092008-06-18T08:50:00.003-06:002008-06-18T08:57:36.712-06:00

Of year again - Redcliff season. Not to mention that one of the few fishable streams in CO right now is Homestake Creek, across the way from the Kluttergarden. This picture was taken last Saturday on a trip to Vail Valley to boulder at one of my favorite areas, fish for nice brookies and brownies in the creek, and then check out the Teva Games. It was an added surprise that some of the Boulder

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-88346437727240081802008-06-18T08:49:00.002-06:002008-06-18T08:50:15.017-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-24480897127617371872008-06-13T15:50:00.003-06:002008-06-13T15:55:56.838-06:00

So, I thought I would take a moment and give wifey a special shout-out for the amazing job she has done on our yard over the last couple of years. This is now the 3rd summer after our landscaping project, and the planting she has worked really hard on has paid off. Jupiter's Beard, Yarrow, Cosmos, Faux Sunflowers, ornamental grasses, Creeping Thyme, Baby's Breath, Shasta Daisies, Russian Sage,

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-44967030828544083482008-06-13T15:47:00.002-06:002008-06-13T15:48:45.531-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-48406132330555168702008-06-13T15:46:00.000-06:002008-06-13T15:47:54.971-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-3490144595915959142008-06-13T15:45:00.002-06:002008-06-13T15:46:31.732-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-33875820289077785912008-06-13T15:45:00.001-06:002008-06-13T15:45:43.144-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-59200376624897743012008-06-13T15:44:00.001-06:002008-06-13T15:44:55.522-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-78782392239541920292008-06-08T17:13:00.004-06:002008-06-08T21:55:16.193-06:00

The addition of Teagan O'Connor to the Clan of Hound-Lovers. We picked her up on Friday afternoon, and after a couple days of adjustment, took her on her first hike below the Flatirons. As you can see below, the flowers were in full bloom from the rain, and it was a splitter day for her first adventure. We think she will be nothing short of a classic Kerry Blue Terrier - at only 10 weeks old and

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-73015224615920010882008-06-08T17:07:00.001-06:002008-06-08T17:13:10.916-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-71304395854962888852008-06-08T17:06:00.002-06:002008-06-08T17:07:23.738-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-46303910755641812032008-06-08T17:05:00.000-06:002008-06-08T17:06:34.970-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-89710725168830579452008-06-08T17:04:00.000-06:002008-06-08T17:05:25.973-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-59107398957165113992008-06-08T17:02:00.004-06:002008-06-08T17:19:56.769-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-13243332201513003972008-06-08T17:00:00.000-06:002008-06-08T17:01:59.025-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-63673405668912580392008-06-08T16:58:00.000-06:002008-06-08T17:00:27.867-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-74702733149263556722008-06-08T16:56:00.001-06:002008-06-08T16:58:53.827-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-29239859645786304302008-06-08T16:54:00.000-06:002008-06-08T16:56:11.370-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-37848473917768930532008-05-07T07:38:00.004-06:002008-05-07T07:51:25.832-06:00

Hey hey... I wanted to let everyone know that I have taken a job with Patagonia. Starting May 15th, I will be the full-line sales rep for New Mexico and the dedicated fly fishing rep for Colorado and Southeast Wyoming. Could you call this a dream job? You sure can. Laura and I will be staying in Boulder, so this week commences the transformation of the office into a full-blown working space. I

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-25605006437323355322008-05-07T07:30:00.004-06:002008-05-07T07:52:19.555-06:00

Chum founder, accomplished angler, and great friend Brian Bennett is now a proud Poppa! And while this photo is worth 5,000 words, a HUGE kudos goes out to Marie. Well done Mom! Laura and I wish you guys all the best and welcome baby Josephine - she is a beauty!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-53612980291233701892008-04-30T08:33:00.002-06:002008-04-30T08:37:42.656-06:00

From our friends at The Cleanest Line:"Even if you're not an angler, I highly recommend taking the time to read this story. It comes from Mikey Wier, a professional snowboarder and fly fishing guide who founded Burl Productions. Mikey's words are thick with the aura of appreciation that comes from having just returned from a Wilderness area. As you read this tale, there's a good chance you'll

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-71989678310473983012008-04-29T17:43:00.003-06:002008-04-29T17:45:42.528-06:00

Just a few shots from a great weekend. Casey and Pedro were in town from Ventura and had Monday off - perfect. Mikey joined us both days. Two good full days on the river saw many fish lost and many netted, incredible weather and conditions, and, well, plenty of beauty. A special place to fish for sure. Enjoy the pics!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-32435630304757657292008-04-29T17:34:00.003-06:002008-04-29T17:40:13.788-06:00

For me on this 2-day outing, but check out the color! This was at about 1pm on Sunday - the fish weren't quite dialed into the hatch on the surface, but as always it seems, when in doubt, go with the deuce-deuce gray RS2, especially on this river. These fish were sitting 12" - 30" off the bank in 3' deep runs. Standing in the middle of a strong-running Pan was the only way to present to them

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-34107171456829045192008-04-29T17:30:00.002-06:002008-04-29T17:34:09.128-06:00

Right on the lip of this brown during the hatch Sunday afternoon. This guy was holed up in a tricky little pool under some overhanging branches. This is the meditative part of fly fishing for me. It took me about an hour to dial in the cast and presentation to this spot and then another 20 or so casts before he picked my fly out from all the real ones sitting on the water. One grab like this

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-12270908944189943642008-04-29T17:25:00.003-06:002008-04-29T18:27:10.346-06:00

Success in fishing comes from being rigged right, and there are few places so fine to rig as the patio of Sensei's casa. Overlooking the Crystal River, the craftsman works in the company of other fine crafts, the lintels he and Tara found in New Mexico. He is slowly installing them above the doors and windows throughout the house. They are pretty amazing - and thanks to Laura's knowledge of

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-64890365672372934212008-04-29T17:22:00.004-06:002008-04-29T18:28:41.529-06:00

First fish of the day for me on Monday proved to be my fish of the weekend - a 21" slab of brown. Big and beautiful from all the shrimp. Not to be outdone, Casey landed two others in the 24 - 26" range. Once the master, always...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-42542724275676393722008-04-29T17:17:00.003-06:002008-04-29T17:21:45.523-06:00

Taken about a quarter mile below the dam on the Pan. The Toilet Bowl was blown out, moving the big fish down to the bend pool, 100 yards of great water at the current flow level. We were nymphing two mysis shrimp patterns about 8 feet down and at the end of the drift when the flies swung around, well, lets just say there were some great takes. Getting them back up river proved the challenge

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-44073721369710061502008-04-29T17:14:00.003-06:002008-04-29T18:30:01.858-06:00

Mikey and Pedro in front of the new rig - finally in its element along the water. Seriously - pretty fine auto.

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-19865037610152894352008-04-29T17:10:00.004-06:002008-04-29T17:17:11.191-06:00

Monday afternoon saw an amazing hatch, and after some dicey wading I managed to get to a large pool where the brownies were rising. This was one of four nice fish taken on a #22 gray midge pattern that I have only found at the Taylor Creek shop in Basalt - they know how to tie 'em!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-37373061441729872622008-04-25T08:50:00.003-06:002008-04-25T08:57:50.331-06:00

The Cowboy (aka Mark Rusin) Sent these photos over this AM. As much as we all miss him in Boulder-town, it looks like homie is getting it DONE on the coast down the road from the cabana in Ojai. Not that I'm surprised - the guy was a master stick-wiggler on our CO waters. Glad to see you are still on point with the fly rod boyo!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-44949408135193038112008-04-25T08:49:00.002-06:002008-04-25T08:50:16.708-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-62301310038033223902008-04-25T08:48:00.001-06:002008-04-25T08:49:34.300-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-73137038035824976612008-04-24T18:11:00.003-06:002008-04-24T18:14:40.239-06:00

A festive day indeed as Frank turns three today (or 21, which means he's legal - a Guinness in his bowl as we speak!). What a great pooch. A complete party at the office - cake, signage, you name it, and Terrier Frank-ona resplendent in the middle of it all with his freshly groomed muzzle. Good 'ole sister Finnian joins us in saying Happy B-day boyo!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-80326309397014271362008-04-24T18:10:00.002-06:002008-04-24T18:10:55.939-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-89515736455136748552008-04-24T18:09:00.002-06:002008-04-24T18:10:23.301-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-20151382938467566912008-04-23T10:39:00.002-06:002008-04-23T14:31:36.376-06:00

So, Sea Otter Classic 2008 has come and gone. It was a great event for IMBA. We showed up with Cali-specific branded apparel including a new free-ride style jersey, t-shirt, pint glasses and stickers. We brought in dozens of memberships and got to meet with a lot of our corporate partners. Despite nuking winds on Saturday, the weather was fine as you can see in the photos below. Friday was a

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-49130767290078425292008-04-23T10:38:00.002-06:002008-04-23T10:39:09.847-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-52450459254213541942008-04-23T10:37:00.001-06:002008-04-23T10:38:28.342-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-78078391293760840032008-04-23T10:36:00.001-06:002008-04-23T10:37:46.180-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-78225010853849428672008-04-23T10:35:00.002-06:002008-04-23T10:36:18.306-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-44584151710686614492008-04-23T10:34:00.000-06:002008-04-23T10:35:13.834-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-23032114984432497312008-04-23T10:33:00.000-06:002008-04-23T10:34:11.784-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-58550231555716729402008-04-23T10:32:00.000-06:002008-04-23T10:33:23.357-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-50850996588454709312008-04-23T10:31:00.002-06:002008-04-23T10:32:25.524-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-52187394847344117832008-04-08T08:45:00.002-06:002008-04-08T08:47:46.540-06:00

Ah, Snowmass. Marcus and I got out in great conditions this past weekend for a little spring skiing. I need to get out more than twice a year. It was a blast, and the hero snow did not hurt...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-86680994285059777742008-04-03T10:22:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:35:13.289-06:00

So, it was an epic. How epic? Let's see...Number of days in the boat: 3Longest day: 11 hoursTemperature high: 32 degreesAverage wind speed: 25High wind speed: 48Number of fish in the boat: Saturday: Not to be discussed. Sunday: 28. Monday: 10Number of fish lost due to frozen rod ferrules: 6Inches of accumulation in the boat: 8" totalNumber of major highways closed that we needed to use: 4 of

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-28567185145651701832008-04-03T10:18:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:19:31.633-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-54306831196378815412008-04-03T10:17:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:18:22.538-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-58647471169299845622008-04-03T10:16:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:17:31.627-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-90727346625355789792008-04-03T10:03:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:16:12.967-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-75831704003138003312008-04-03T10:02:00.002-06:002008-04-03T10:03:13.267-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-61647883188098580272008-04-03T09:58:00.001-06:002008-04-03T10:02:01.790-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-85467167169091036592008-03-29T08:39:00.005-06:002008-04-03T08:18:23.599-06:00

The Reef. Here we go... B2 got to the house last night. Casey is on the road as I write this. Come 12:30pm today, we will all be waist deep in the Engagement Hole getting it done. Two days in the High Plains Drifter to follow in manly conditions (36 degrees is the high for Monday - loaded up more Patagonia gear than you can shake an 8-weight at...). You can always count on plenty of piscatorial

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-62321124629979932042008-03-25T09:22:00.003-06:002008-03-25T09:26:37.120-06:00

Well well well... Lesson #1: Don't walk David Ortiz to get to Manny. Bean Town's favorite Idiot saves Dice K's homecoming with 4 RBIs. Brilliant. Thank God baseball is back... GO SOX!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-80394739732574850212008-03-17T16:33:00.004-06:002008-03-17T16:37:50.695-06:00

Bill Klyn (left) of Patagonia presents Yellowstone Park Foundation Executive Director Paul Zambernardi (right) with a $12,000 check. Below is a press release that recently appeared on the Yellowstone Park Foundation website. Patagonia is one the few brands in the fly fishing industry who make this level of commitment to fish and habitat protection. February 26, 2008: The Yellowstone Park

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-85287473241037969842008-03-17T11:06:00.000-06:002008-03-17T11:07:20.275-06:00

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-55255169239032058772008-03-10T16:20:00.002-06:002008-03-10T16:21:59.382-06:00

This will make my next project seem a little easier...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-25739674582476018482008-03-05T09:20:00.003-07:002008-03-05T09:23:37.119-07:00

Another great article by Gary Lafontaine:HATCH — a magic word. What is hatching? Many fly fishermen travel hundreds of miles to fish a stream or lake when a particular insect is emerging. The appearance of a major mayfly, stonefly, or caddisfly becomes an event, even a ritual, that anglers in an area wait for each season. The change from larva or nymph to adult (with an intermediate pupal

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-29896250072287693682008-03-05T09:07:00.003-07:002008-03-05T09:20:12.309-07:00

Welded seams? DWR? Breathable AND Waterproof? Ever wondered what all this means? Check out this great read by Zach Matthews of The Itinerant Angler:IF YOU'VE LOOKED at the stack of fly-fishing catalogs on your bedstand lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot of recent growth. Just 15 years ago, fly fishers could reliably choose from a small handful of products for their wader, jacket, vest, and

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-30076591871903174172008-03-02T09:45:00.002-07:002008-03-02T09:48:40.017-07:00

March 1st saw a perfect day on the Front Range - 65 degrees, crystal clear, and a mandatory drive out to Carter Lake. I was by myself, so I did the standard circuit of classics - problems I know well and feel comfortable on without a spotter. I managed to take some vid of my favorites, so I thought I would post them. They are in order of the circuit, so to speak. I did many more than these

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-78642450784872442722008-03-02T09:43:00.003-07:002008-03-02T09:51:06.615-07:00

Of the four great problems on this wall, this is the cleanest line on the best rock - not common for a moderate to have such good moves on solid stone...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-7692674109104313432008-03-02T09:39:00.003-07:002008-03-02T09:51:28.773-07:00

Perfect crimps in the right conditions... At first I was bummed at the way the camera caught the sun, but then I thought it was kind of cool, given the problem's name, and the fact that it has been a cold winter here on the Front Range. It was nice to climb right up to the sun in a way...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-81315829137993495132008-03-02T09:37:00.004-07:002008-03-02T09:53:24.751-07:00

The all-time fav. 'Nuff said... This vid was from an earlier sesh, but a picture below really captures the perfect swell of this boulder. To me, a very special place, like a favorite hole on the river or that one shot that always has great snow...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-8385202024501752472008-03-02T09:35:00.002-07:002008-03-02T09:54:21.745-07:00

Always part of the circuit - this great technical V5 is a classic on the Front Range. The little foot-pop on this lap made me catch my breath!

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-29429896182627277612008-03-01T15:37:00.002-07:002008-03-01T15:41:42.720-07:00

Found this circa 1974 Dew can in a little cave by the warm-up roof routes... I usually don't dig on trash, but this made my day. You can't really see it, but I loved the little "Ya-hoooo" above the logo. I wonder if one of the original Ft. Collins boys put this down before a day of sending...

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-82279173464905840212008-03-01T15:35:00.003-07:002008-03-01T15:37:41.623-07:00

The beautiful wave of the Kahuna Boulder. After reading "Bend to Baja" I was stoked to do a little vertical surfing, as always....

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560564616990104889.post-4072688691768898552008-02-27T08:47:00.004-07:002008-02-27T09:11:32.126-07:00

Welcome to RFMBA! We are a grassroots organization comprised of mountain biking enthusiasts in the Roaring Fork Valley and connecting areas. Our Mission Create and sustain the best possible mountain bike trail system and experience in the Roaring Fork Valley. Our Focus Advocacy: Advocate for mountain bike access to trails in our area. Facilitate the activities required to

Matt O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16372451482708156077noreply@blogger.com0