Fly Fishing,    catch.com,    Contest,    fishing,    online dating,    steelhead,    trout,    Underground Entertainment

The Trout Underground Launches Catch.com -- The Online Dating Service For Fly Fishermen (Free Book Too)

By Tom Chandler 11/30/2007 5 minutes

At the Trout Underground, we call a spade a spade.

So when the Online Dating Task Force at Trout Underground/Man Cave World Headquarters dreams up a surefire winner like Catch.com -- a dating service reserved exclusively for fly fishers -- we're not shy about saying it's sheer genius, baby.

Genius.

And hell, that's just the tip of the fly rod.

Girl kissing a fish
Kissing too many carp in your search for a prince? (Torvald Lekvam photo)


We're also tooling up Catch&Release.com -- a dating service for those unwilling (or unable) to make a lasting commitment.

We're even idly considering IPrettyMuchHateYou.com -- the dating service for resentful trout bums and most steelheaders.

Is This Good, Or What?
If you've read this far (and who wouldn't), you realize we're not the kind of fly fishers who waste energy brainstorming more realistic anal gills on midge patterns.

No sir. We're Big Picture types -- hard at work improving our wealth position the lot of the single or divorced fly fisher (which seems to be most of them).

And we need your help to do it.

This Is The Audience Participation Part
Clearly, the Underground's not suffering from a shortage of high-powered intellects, but here at Man Cave Headquarters, we're largely unwilling to get our hands dirty doing actual work.


So we want the Undergrounders to do it for us.

What do we need? Marketing, baby. We need advertising slogans and headlines.

So far, we've come up with improved versions of those mind-numbing Match.com ads, where the happy couple gaze into each other's eyes and say sappy things.

We figure we'd just rip them off (hell, they look pretty cheap to produce), and so far, we've got:

"The second she got her hands on my Trout, I knew she was the one for me."


"Once he showed me pictures of his great, big Steelhead, I fell in love on the spot."


"When I saw him expertly gut and clean that stockie, I was basically afraid to say no."

Genius all, but we need more, and we're willing to give away yet another copy of Patrick McManus' new outdoor humor book
to get it.


Yes, it's another valuable prize from the Underground!

Got a killer headline? A better concept? An idea so good, you'll risk public humiliation to publish it?

If so, fire away, Undergrounders. We'll give it a week or so, at which time we'll let Wally the Wonderdog pick a winner (we print the entries, place them on the floor with treats on them, and see which he eats first).

Clearly, the fate of fly fishing's huddled masses of single people now lies with you. We know you'll give it the respect it deserves.
Destinations
 (1)
Nestled at the convergence point of five valleys, Missoula is a picturesque as it is interesting. Surrounded by towering mountains, three rivers come together here; the Clark Fork, ... moreBlackfoot and Bitterroot. Each river is overflowing with rainbow, brown, cutthroat and bull trout, and the variety of opportunities to fish here are nearly infinite. For those inclined to venture out, it’s even possible to drop an impromptu line from a bridge in the middle of town and expect success with a catch. Other year round outdoor sports include white water river rafting, hiking and competitive marathon running.

What’s most unique about Missoula is that it’s not only beautiful but it appeals to sportsmen and artists alike. In fact, Missoula is a premier choice for fly fishermen with diverse interests such as the visual arts, live theater, cinema, local brewpubs and an active nightlife. Much of this activity is attributed to the presence of the University of Montana, frequently ranked as the most beautiful campus in the US, as well as being recognized for its academic excellence. The city is now host to the Montana Book Festival, the International Wildlife Film Festival and the Montana Museum of Art and Culture.

Whether you are a fly-fisher with a yen for culture or you are a fisherman traveling with people who don’t fish, this is a wise choice for striking a balance between great angling and satisfying entertainment.
Fishing Waters
 (1)
Jackson is the ideal hub for exploring the Snake River, a surging, full spirited river that provides a direct connection between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National ... morePark. The setting is breathtakingly beautiful – jagged peaks jutting into the sky while the river and its maze of channels and tributaries “snake” their way through the verdant, lush valley. Important to early explorers seeking passage west, the Pacific and Atlantic Creeks reach the Continental Divide at Two Ocean Pass near Jackson and part ways. The Atlantic Creek turns east, merges into the Yellowstone River and eventually flows into the Missouri while the Pacific Creek turns west and merges into the Snake, becoming the largest tributary of the Columbia, eventually reaching the ocean.

Known for its own unique trout, the Snake River finespotted cutthroat can only be found in the waters around the Jackson Hole valley. Considered by experts to have once been the only trout species in the Western interior, it has evolved into 14 different subspecies. To this day, its native range is limited to the upper Snake from Heart Lake to the Palisades Reservoir. Despite the finespotted’s hearty, undiscerning appetite and a seeming willingness to eat just about anything, experienced anglers view this fish as the most aggressive, hardest fighting trout to snare. As a result, when you catch one you earn major bragging rights. 

The most heavily fished areas of the Snake’s run through western Wyoming are the 35 miles in the park between Jackson Dam and the 17 remaining miles flowing through Jackson Hole. This section of the river is ranked as one of the best dry-fly streams in the West. Snake enthusiasts recommend floating the river although newcomers are advised to only go with a guide and veterans are reminded to exercise caution, as the water can be turbulent and unpredictable. Should you decide to wade, be mindful of swift currents along undercut banks and stick to quiet, shallow river sections and side channels. Great stream fishing can be found at Gros Ventre River and Flat Creek.
 (2)
Given its association with transport, commerce and business development, it’s easy to forget that there remain parts of the Missouri set aside for fishing, boating and enjoying nature’s ... morebounty. From source to mouth, it is the longest river in North America, over 2, 341 miles. The river’s watershed consists of over a million square miles and includes parts of 10 American states and 2 Canadian provinces. When combined with the lower Mississippi, it is the 4th longest river in the world. Whew! That’s a lot to take in. But, if you’re a fly fisher in Montana, the only section of the Missouri you really need to know about is a tiny, 40 mile, stretch downstream of Holter Dam, near the towns of Wolf Creek, Craig and Cascade and not far from the city of Helena. This is the “Blue Ribbon” trout section of the Missouri.

Water released from Holter Dam keep this section the river at a fairly consistent level, helping to maintain cool temperatures year round. Some guides describe the river here as a gigantic spring creek surrounded by weed beds with long riffles, great banks and undercuts that provide ideal habitat for the river’s substantial trout population. By substantial, we’re talking 3,500 to 5,500 fish per mile on a yearly basis – and many of these exceed 16 inches! The first ten miles of the river from Holter Dam to Craig tend to have the largest number of hatches resulting in the highest concentration of fish.

In this “gigantic spring” part of the river, rainbow trout outnumber browns by a ratio of 6:1. In addition, stable populations of burbot and stonecats live below the dam. As a bonus, the reservoir is surrounded by the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area as well as three other designated nature preserves and wilderness set-asides. Look up and there’s a good chance you’ll spot a bald eagle, various types of falcon, red-tail hawks, osprey and golden eagles – you may even get a chance to see them snatch a fish from the water. Shore side it’s not unusual to sight bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goats. This may be an area small in size but its large in its grandeur and many offerings.
 (2)
The Jefferson River is an important part of a system of rivers that combine to form the majestic Missouri. Starting at the confluence of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers near Twin ... moreBridges, Montana, it winds 77 miles in a northeasterly fashion to Three Forks. Here, it meets with the Madison and Gallatin rivers that together converge into the Missouri River at the Missouri Headwaters State Park. Like so many other rivers in Montana, the Jefferson, named by Clark in honor of the U.S. President, runs deep with history. In fact, the Jefferson River is a segment of the larger Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, administered by our National Park Service.

When thinking about the Jefferson, a Class 1 river for recreational enjoyment, most observers view the river in three distinct sections. Characterized by slow, meandering flows, the upper third works its way through a broad, arid valley. Along this braided, 44 mile long floodplain, you will encounter working farms, dense cottonwood stands, flowered meadows and a variety of wildlife until you reach the town of Cardwell. Throughout the next 15 miles, its waters flow through a narrow, steep canyon where the water can be deep, slow and contained. As a result, the stretch from Cardwell to the Sappington Bridge has comparatively fewer trees, swamps, meadows and wildlife.

At Sappington Bridge the river once again becomes a circuitous, rambling river, rich in swamp life, colorful fields, large cottonwood groves and productive agricultural land. The presence of significant agriculture has resulted in competition for water use. During dry years, the river was tapped generously for irrigation, dropping water levels to the point where fish populations were adversely affected. Recent improvement in riparian management has tended to alleviate these issues. Primarily known as a brown trout river, rainbows, mountain whitefish, burbot and northern pike can also be found here. Less well known and less discovered, the Jefferson offers the opportunity to catch large fish in a scenic, un-crowded environment.
Trips
$
500
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
Destination:
Experienced anglers will apprediate The “Mighty Missouri.” Well develped skills of stealth and accurate casts are required to catch the large, cautious rainbows and browns. Wade fishing ... moreis great on the Missouri, with abundant hatches of BWOs, Caddis, PMDs, Tricos match-the-hatch dry-flies that compete with thousands of the real bugs, and a drag free drift are required to catch the huge, wary and finicky Rainbows and Browns rising to Caddis, BWO’s, PMD’s, Trico’s and more. The Missouri river can be one of the finest in Montana for experienced wade fishermen. But float trips can also be good when there are no fish rising. 

We fish the Missouri from Holter Dam to Cascade, a 30-mile stretch of river designated a “Blue Ribbon” tail water fishery. Our guides know this section well and can help you hook an awesome catch.
$
495
-
$
575
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
Destination:
Formed in Twin Bridges, Montana by the confluence of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Ruby Rivers, the Jefferson flows northbound over eighty miles to the confluence of the Madison and ... moreGallatin Rivers to form the Missouri. Receiving less pressure than any of the others, this is one of those fisheries that you have to see to believe.

What the Jefferson offers:

80 miles of floatable water, with good wading opportunities

Early stonefly hatches

Great streamer fishing

Unparallelled wildlife and scenery

Larger than average trout

Low angler pressure

Did we mention BIG brown trout?
Outfitters
Located in the prestine Upper Blackfoot River Basin near Lincoln, MT, we offer anglers fully guided fly fishing trips on some of the best fly fishing waters in the world. We and our ... moreteam of experienced, seasoned fly fishing guides strive to provide you with a fly fishing vacation experience that will far-exceed your highest expectations. We offer daytrip guide service, tailored multi-day trip packages with lodging in rental cabins, B&B's and hotels, riverside base tent-camps, and weeklong float fishing trips. Rivers we operate on include the Big Blackfoot River(as in "A River Runs Thru It"), the 30 mile "Blue Ribbon" designated stretch of the Missouri River, Smith River, Dearborn River (all 3 forks), South Fork of the Flathead River in The Bob Marshall Wilderness, Clark Fork River, Clearwater River, Bitteroot River, Rock Creek, and many other smaller streams and area lakes. The combination of breath-taking scenery, some of the best fly fishing waters you will find anywhere, and some of the best fly fishing guides in Montana, ensure you will have the most awesome, memorable, and safe fly fishing vacation you could possibly experience anywhere. Proudly serving anglers since 1997. Member of Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Montana Fishing Outfitters Association, Montana Chapter Trout Unlimited.
Type:
Fishing

AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

37 comments
[...] don#8217;t know#8230; Maybe trout underground is on to something with there proposed dating site, click here! And make sure to read the comments section. [...]
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Yeah and how about the crazy "SEX IN A TENT" book?...and the suggestive blow-up-doll parts "floatation devise"?...and all the other naughty stuff?...Haven't been reading this blog very long and I've already seen plenty...
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Your Mom, eh.................so, tell me how well she casts and how does she look wrapped in gore-tex? Oh, and the size of her Social Security check is a factor, too. Alas, I too got caught with those under-matress fly fishing magazines. Everything was okay until Mom saw the articles in "Slippery When Wet." She kept me off of the river for two weeks when she read, "Spawning Before the Redds" and "Confessions ... more of a Brown Trout With a Big Beak."
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Once you throw truth out the window the rest is a piece of cake.
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Well, mom did raise four boys, so it's not as if she's shocked by much anymore. As for my headlines, those are wholly innocent and aimed completely at the fly fisher. I swear it.
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Tommmmmm... When you lead off with "The second she got her hands on my Trout..." and “Once he showed me pictures of his great, big Steelhead..." The game is on. Don't think Mom doesn't know about those "fishing" magazines under your mattress in 7th grade. She probably still chuckles about them and other indiscretions, but she is still proud of you. On the other hand, she might wish you attracted ... more a higher class group of friends.
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(Your mom's reading this?...sheesh) I'm sorry Mrs. Chandler. My mom would kill me if she knew.
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I hardly know where to start, though I tend to favor Smellslikefish in this one (fear). There are a lot of angles -- everything from the classic double-entendre to Curly's facsimile complaint. I would caution all posters to remember that the Trout Underground's Dear Sweet Mother reads this blog, and to write accordingly.
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I met my hot little coho, dressed in nothing but her esox with a bass to die for, on www.catch.com!!
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Good Lord! Do these people actually fish the Upper Sac?! Makes me cringe getting to know the type I may run into...
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I've tried all of the dating sites and clubs. And it's almost impossible to get a date when your occupation says "trout bum." Well, not anymore. Thank you, Catch.com!
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Catch. com ad: Guy who looks like Dick Cheney is opening the tent flap for an awesome babe who is looking back with a lascivious wink. She looks like Cher. caption reads: "JOIN THE FUN!!" Catch.com!
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OK. Two more ideas for Catch.com ads. This stupid thing has gotten in my head and now I can't ignore it. Ad 1: Cute fly fishing babe has a hook into the vest of an overweight middle aged fly fisherman. Caption: "Catch a big one on Catch.com" Ad 2 (inverse): Dorky fly fisherman with fly hooked in the back of the bikini top of a babe in waders. Caption: "Catch a trophy on Catch.com"
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Note to Catch.com Complaint Department: "He never took me anywhere. And he promised he'd take me fishing if I'd do those disgusting things he wanted me to do. And believe me, the things I did for that man, well, I just can't believe it was really me. And on the weekend we were supposed to go fishing he called and said he had to work, and then I found out he lied, and he'd bought a new rod and snuck ... more off to the Klamath for the weekend with his donkey buddies."
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Catch.com personal ad: Stunning double-hauler looking for fly fisherman with similar interests. Rigged and ready for action: http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/kmckiou/riggedandready.jpg
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Catch.com personal ad: Outdoorsie lady enjoys fun in the sun. Looking for a fly fisherman to play "hook the bandanna" and hide the pickerel". http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/kmckiou/outdoorchic.jpg
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Catch.com personal ad: Fit Canadian nymph looking for a fisherman man-enough to probe my ice. [IMG]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/kmckiou/canadianflag.jpg[/IMG] (thanks to BWTF for image)
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This whole thing is obviously a "loaded" and distracting idea - I can't believe it can possibly last a week or so - already pants-pissing laughing every time I think about some of this stuff and can't get any real work done.
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Skimpy-clad babe in hip waders netting a fish for a balding middle-aged fly fisherman. Caption: "Catch what you really want at catch.com"
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Since we met on Catch.com, it really didn't alarm me that she smelled like fish.
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From talking on Catch.com before we even met, I already knew that he was a drifter. And he knew that I was a stripper. We're soul mates. Thank you Catch.com!
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"No, no ! you don't jerk it. There you go, nice slow strips, oh yes, longer ones, lonnnngggger, that's it, strip, strip stripppppp, yes! Will you marry me?"
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How to "Catch" a Hoax: Catch.com top level domain for sale TOP LEVEL DOMAIN FOR SALE This top level domain is for sale at Sedo or for the direct non-negotiable sum of $200,000 USD (no exceptions). Please read Sedo's appraisal document before making an offer. Okay, with that said, I know the general state of Tom's finances. After all, I've been to chess tournaments with him! So it's clear he's not ... more making a bid for this site; not without a lot of help. So if all you fish-teasers don't pitch in, this dream will go the way of all other hashish smoke! So open up those wallets and give until it hurts! And while you're at it, the Chile Underground could use the spare change you find under your sofa cushions... The Chile Doctor (Just doin' his part)
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Yep, I agree, kbarton has certainly been swept away in the hot flush of the moment - he also might have a bright, bright future working for Match.com, unless Tom matches the offer to keep him on Catch.com....
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kbarton is having way too much fun with this. That, or he really wants the book.
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I'd met occasional women fishing, but when she winked impishly, remarking, "Nothing comes between me and my Seal Dri's" - I had to get her number.
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I knew it was love after feeling the jarring impact of her Hodgeman cleats on my ribcage... "But, Mistress," I whined ...
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Right off the bat KBarton kicked the creative legs out from under a strong opening with his image of the fly-vested falsetto guy rolling helplessly down the rapids - inspiring a spastic spraying of my machine with the morning coffee - forcing me to fall back on a minimalist approach to the ad which will basically rely on a billboard-sized graphic (photo): Two fly rods leaning against a lakeside stump ... more (log or picnic bench) dominate the foreground - one, presumably his, a stout, authoritive 9-footer sticking straight up - the other rod, a decidedly more demure outfit is leaning toward the big one almost touching it. In the romantic-hazy background we see a tent (remember the tent?) Between the flyrods and the tent we see the happy couple, their backs to us as they walk hand in hand away from the rods. He is a tall, square-jawed outdoor guy and has a "with it" hairdo, you know the one, looks like the hair was licked into a cute point sticking up in front. She is a sporty redhead with a fetching bottom in her tight cargo pants. They are looking at one another as if sharing a funny joke. Her free hand, the fingers loosely splayed is almost to her lips in a gesture of feigned embarrasment. They are on their way to the tent. The simple caption at the bottom reads: "could be you..."
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"When he told me his equpiment was an 8 1/2 6wt, I knew he was the one for me."
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How about "When I saw him tie those tiny flies, i knew he had the manual dexterity I was looking for..." Gonna have to work on some others for that book I think.
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After reading Ted's profile on Catch.com, I knew he was just the one I'd been looking for: “Hi! My name is Ted and I'm a part-time guide/commercial fly tier. I'm currently living in my truck because I blew the rent money on a sweet Phillipson bamboo fly rod. (It was totally worth it!) My favorite meal is a slaw dog and whatever beer is on sale.” I set Ted up with my husband's ex-wife, and he's ... more made her life a living hell ever since. God I hate that bitch.
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Gosh...where's the crew from Buster Wants to Fish when you need them... Little Debbie swiss roll and trouser-trout have got to figure into this.
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I knew she was the one when she asked "is that a trout in your pocket or are you just excited to meet me?" I was taken aback by all the piercings on her face until she told be she no longer uses a fly box.
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kbarton: See, I don't get the second one at all. I mean, I like how it starts, but you lose me there. Think mass market. Megan: You are correct.
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I want to invest. Is there going to be an IPO? You also need a young (31 is still young, no?), single, female to sit on your board of directors so that it doesn't get too "dirty-old-man-ish". Not that you're old, but judging by the incoming comments, I'm going out to say that the dirty factor is firmly set in motion.
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Her ripe, petulant lips were an invitation, then she set hook on a trout, and knew I would never kiss her without a facemask.
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I heard the screaming as he tumbled helplessly through the rapids, I knew anyone with three octaves of falsetto was the Metrosexual of my dreams.
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