Our First Client

So... I am glad to see that at least one of us is having fun this summer. I do, however have something to report. Last month, SLAM Outdoors was pleased to welcome Ray from Henderson, Nevada out on Doug for an enjoyable day of fishing on the world renowned Sand Hollow Reservoir.


I picked him up at his hotel in St. George bright and early just before 6 a.m. He was ready in the lobby with his gear and  few treats. Here's a sneak peak:

We had the chance to get to know each other as we drove out. Ray recently retired. He worked in the hotel industry for several years in Vegas. He managed all of the mechanical stuff for large hotels. He was enjoying his retirement so far and had always wanted to fish Sand Hollow.

We met another staff member at the gas station. Mike came along for this trip as well.


Well, we didn't catch 817 Fish but we DID catch our first ever black crappie at Sand Hollow. It was real windy that day. We did the best we could to get Ray on the fish but it just didn't happen. Mike caught one or two and I did as well but it didn't happen for Ray. Mike and I felt bad we couldn't quite deliver for him.

 (yes, that is a short sleeve jacket)

Matt met up with us for the last few minutes of fishing. This is as we are leaving the lake for the day. We didn't have much success but as they say, "A bad day of fishing beats a good day of anything else." Also, it never hurts to get somebody new out on the water fishing with SLAM Outdoors. You'll have to come back again Ray, and we'll try it again!

SLAM Weekend!!

WOW, where do I start?? What a weekend! SLAM Outdoors was out in full force this weekend doing a number of activities. Here's a quick rundown:

Thursday Night: Nick, Noah and I headed up to the Ence's in search of that elusive Buck. We only saw a few does here and there but I heard the "snorter" again. I'm gonna get him some night this week!

Friday Morning: Nick and I (and Doug) headed to Sand Hollow for a little fishing. Nick got things started off early with a drop shot rig and a sweet beav. So, I tied on a beav and also started catching em. By the end of the day, we had caught about 20 large mouth including this nice 2 pounder. On the way in, we mentioned to the lady and the gate that we were with SLAM Outdoors when she asked our name. That must have gave her an indication thaat we meant business and we ended up getting in free. It was a great morning on the lake! Doug ran flawless and the water was warm. We even had a little time for a swim.


That afternoon, we loaded up the bikes so we could head to Pine Valley hunting again. Aint this a beautiful sight?...

Friday Night we headed up to Pine Valley to hunt. Matt and the boys met us up there and that's when all the action happened! First, Nick and I took the 4 wheeler up the trail almost to communication point and we saw a few deer that had they been bucks we would have probably had us one. Then, that night, Matt and the boys met us up there. Matt saw a few deer and was getting pretty close to them but nothin happened. Then it really got good. Nick and I were together and walking down the fence line when he spotted a coyote in the grass about 50 yds in front of us. It stopped and I wasted no time drawing my bow and letting an arrow fly but I missed it by literally inches. All those times out trying to shoot coyotes and I could have killed my first one with a bow!! I am so mad that I missed. But... then, we were sitting in a small grove of trees and had a doe come within 20 yards 3 different times trying to check us out. We were busy watching her when nick looked behind us and I saw his eyes get huge. So I turned around to see coyote 8 ft behind us!! It was freaky! I couldn't quite get my release on my bow before it was too late and he had scampered away. That would have been so sweet to get that little bugger!

Friday Night: Our fun was just beginning... we met Mike back at the cabin and had some grub and watched the tele. And that's when we realized things just how great of a weekend it was and was going to be. We thought we were not going to get to see Gun it with Benny Spies. Once we finally found the VS. channel, The satelite schedule said that it was supposed to be Whitetail Revolution. Just as I was changing the channel, the 1st episode of the new season came on and we were all right there to witness it!!

Saturday morning: We headed out (a little late) but saw a spike right off the bat by the cabin and for some reason we talked ourselves out of shooting it. Then we drove up the road and saw a few does crossing and there was a nice 3x4 with them. Matt jumped out and actually got a shot off (and a few others) at him. That would be pretty much the extent of the deer action of the morning. So.... we took a quick picthen headed back to the cabin to load up because Benny gave us a great idea. The night before, his show was on dove hunting so we decided we would dove hunt during the afternoon. Not before we threw Mike Vick around though of course:


So, we went home, made a quick pit stop and headed to "Jack's Spot" in Hurricane to hunt Bugs..... I mean, Doves (nice shot mike). It started to pour right when we got there and cooled things down. We got a few early shots and then it slowed up a bit but we ended up shooting a couple.
It was awesome to do a little dove hunting and now I think we're all hooked. Since I have been home, I have missed 3 or 4 in the back yard but feeling a little more confident since Mike dropped off the Benjamin last night. I will keep you posted.

Friday Evening: Matt and I headed out to Bloomington for and Elders Quorum shooting activity and we were a little nervous going in because you never know who you are going to get out to those.... ya know? We kept it conservative though and only took about 6 guns between us... we wouldn't wanna scare anybody off....(see post from the Mark J. Hadley Memorial Loa trip 2010).
But it was a good night and we shot a lot. Some guy had spinner targets, plates, knock down plates and all kinds of stuff and it was awesome!



And finally, that night, me, Nick and Mike got together to watch BYU vs. Texas that Nick had tivoed. (sorry, no picture) What a way to top of the night. Nick also made me a meal.... something I had been lacking all day. Also, before I went to Nick's, I decided to take a shower. It was at that point that I had to take off my SLAM Outdoors t-shirt and I have to admit, it was a little sad even though it smelled like B.O.

But, WHAT A WEEKEND!! I think we got it all in and it was awesome!! Thanks to all who participated and made an effort to attend these important events. And thanks to our wives for turning us loose and watching the kids all weekend long.

Quote of the trip from Benny Spies on Bacon, "Applewood smoked bacon....... this stuff would make a dog turd taste good"

In closing, I would just remind you all that we still have some important events coming up in the near future
1. Nick and I are going to try and make a run to Lake Powell next week if the report is any better for all who want to make it out with us. It would be wed night and thursday day.

2. The annual Mark J. Hadley Memorial Loa trip and Youth Coyote hunt has been scheduled and is in it's early stages of planning. It is going to be the 2nd weekend of November. I have taken the days off already. We will be turning in our application and booking our rooms at the Aquarius soon.

I would also just like to remind all of you to remember to label your posts for easy access later. I would also like to see someone try to get a calendar on the side of the blog where we can post our events. Maybe take the place of the powellapalooza count down or something. Also, I am having Abe make us some new shirts for people similar to the spring trip shirt but with only the SLAM logo. Give me a head count if you know of people who want them and also anybody you would like to be notified each time we make a post...

Well, that's all folks...........

SLAM Fall Weekend

So, in case you haven't heard.... SLAM Outdoors is having a huge weekend. We had originally planned to be out at the lake but the fishing report just isn't where we would like it to be. (see www.wayneswords.com) So, with that in mind, we have planned a series of events that were kicked off tonight by Me, Nick and Noah. We headed up to the Cabin after a late start........... and got there just in time for the deer to be moving and start bedding down. I headed down the fence line and within 5 minutes, had several deer in range but not a single buck!! I could have taken several does including some in their beds. So, it was unsuccessful but we are learning alot and will try to implement some changes the rest of the weekend.

Here is what is planned for the rest of the weekend:

Friday a.m. Meet at Nick's at 6 am sharp. (ouch, I gotta go to bed) cause we are mixing it up a bit and heading out to Sand Hollow!!!! I haven't been out on Doug all summer so I am super stoked!

Friday p.m. Head to Pine Valley. Get un packed and head for the hills to deer hunt. Then, back to the cabin for the night.

Saturday a.m. Deer Hunt.
Saturday afternoon: Back at base camp, shoot the bows, and maybe the AR

Saturday Night: Elder's Quorum shooting activity. I will be taking my pistol, AR-15, .22, shot gut, and maybe the AK. Then, it's back home to watch BYU vs. Texas that we have recorded.

Should be one hell of a weekend!!! We will post updates from the field as the action happens!

The SLAM Outdoors staff was out gettin' it done this week! Here's a quick rundown:

Monday: Matt and I headed to communication hill. Saw a couple small bucks. Only had one 4 wheeler but made it out and back. Tried to put a stalk on a small buck but was too noisy and too impatient.

Thursday: Colby and I headed back up on top. I got the other bike fixed so we had 2 that night. Colby saw and shot at a nice 4x but missed. I drew on a small 2 point just after dark and couldn't see my pins. I was able to put a stalk on a group of 3 deer. Had the buck well within range but too dark to see my pins so I let my arrow down to try and get closer and he took off

Friday: Nick started out the day with a quick morning trip to Sand Hollow. They brought over 30 fish to the boat, the biggest being a 4 pounder!! Then, in the afternoon, He and I, Matt and Mike headed up to Nick Ence's property to hunt deer. we stopped in Veyo on the way of course for the $1.50 hot dog and drink special. We unloaded the bikes at the cabin and headed to a nice water hole. I sat there and had a doe and a fawn come down to drink and they didnt even have a clue I was under 30 yds away!! Thought a buck was coming next but 2 longhorn steers came to drink and scared them off. Matt saw over 20 deer in the cedars but could never get a shot off. We stopped in veyo on the way home to gas up and threw mike vick around at the pumps a while.

This is Matt saying "hi"

This is Nick getting ready to hike.

Frank brought his jumpers.

Nothing heard this jolly fellow trompin' around with his new foot thingy's.

Saturday: Me, Matt, Mike and Bronzen headed back up to the cabin. I sat near the Pasture hoping for some deer to waltz in but it never happened. Just after dark, I headed out to the flats and was walking through the trees when I had a fawn just about run me over. Bronzen had spooked it and it didn't know I was there. I saw it and a doe and that was it. Matt saw a couple but no shots. He did though, have a coyote growling at him 5 feet away and took a shot at him but missed high. Mike saw a couple coyotes as well. One was bout 15 feet away and didn't know he was there. No mike vick throwing tonight.

So far, the hunting has been pretty frustrating. We have been in good spots, seen deer but haven't gotten everything to come together yet.

Reminder: We do have the last Lake Powell fishing trip planned for the 8-10 of September. See you all there!!

ALSO: Be looking for a SLAM OUTDOORS Facebook page coming soon!!

Quinn Hadley
President, SLAM Outdoors

Keep finding these old pics

Remember How Proud We Were When We First Got Doug?? Like a Proud Parent!!







The Christening Trip

Almost forgot about these little Gems

Me Fishing in Brazil, (sorda)



Me and Todd got Skunked at SH, And Colby caught a nice one with me and Nick





Priceless Lake Powell Videos

Poor Saps!

Ok, this pic isn't very good, but if yo look closely, you will notice a truck on the shore and these two a** clowns wading out waist deep trying to fish. Oh how I DON'T miss those days! Thank you Doug, Tami, and College Girl Gina. Thank You.

My Day Off

So, I actually made it out to SH before sun up!!! Ya, Me, I did! Cruised over to "the spot" and caught a pretty nice "big mouth" bass on the 2nd cast! then cruised back across the lake to the cliff and got the boat up to 60 mph in that short of distance!!!



This is me taking a nap in the middle of the lake! oh it was nice. Perhaps someone would like to join me next time

More Powell pics from the 2010 season

Uncle "D" just screams 'classy' out at the lake

Quinn in his performance gear

Seth's only time on Doug all year was one lousy run at Quail, although he is a lady killer

More pics from past trips