Josh Gallivan

You Are Viewing

A Blog Post

Tahiti

I have now realized my life is not like most, and the most important thought I have in my day to day is that this is truly the only life I will have so you had better live it up? It’s not rocket science although grasping “the dream’ seams so hard for some. Getting stuck in a rut and finding ways to complain about the small stuff is way too easy and common now a days. No bad days I say. Meanwhile I’ll just keep rowing my boat and keep my thoughts to my self and continue to live every day like the average CEO’s two week vacation. I wonder if the roles were reversed?

Josh Gallivan

Fly Fishing my way around Bora Bora. Photo Credit – Travis Rice

Josh Gallivan

I was so lucky to spend two weeks sailing a 48′ Gunboat catamaran around French Polynesia recently with my girlfriend Ashley Rice who runs the Asymbol fine arts gallery in Jackson hole,  and her brother Travis Rice who has made a career as a professional snowboarder. We had an amazing time with other family members involved as well. We saw four islands near Tahiti and were able to sail to each one. One of the most incredible experiences of all time. I may have to re visit these islands one day as I saw serious potential trough my fly fishing eyes. Don’t get me wrong I fished every day and had a few heart stopping experiences with 10+ pound bone fish with in casting range but spooked them while wading because of the dull cloud cover. I also casted at and saw massive GT’s, and some really cool black tip sharks that I may or may not have baited while a small grouper was on the end of my line.Josh Gallivan

Josh Gallivan

An amazing take while this pair of Pacific Trevally exploded on my fly

Josh Gallivan

Josh Gallivan

Coral Trout

One day we hired a boat to take us out to see Teahupoo, one of the most incredible waves in the world. The power and size of this wave had me contemplating my own existence. It was amazing to see surfers on this wave as they looked like little puppets or midgets either way I was happy to be in the safety of the boat.

Josh Gallivan

One of the most incredible waves in the world

Josh Gallivan

Teahupoo

Josh Gallivan

Teahupoo

When Travis first picked us up I couldn’t believe he announced to us that he met a guy in the bar the night before and that we were sailing to his private island to anchor and snorkel and BBQ for the night. I exclaimed to Travis that that would be OK, and that a jalapeno and passion fruit margarita was starting to sound pretty good. After all, the sun was over the yard arm and the hook was in the sand, It was cocktail hour.

Josh Gallivan

A variable in life

Josh Gallivan

Atreyu, fuck the princess lets go surfing

During our paddle board/snorkel missions I saw so many Mustache Trigger fish but they were out of casting range and hard to see while wading. I also saw big GT’s but it seemed they were really smart and wouldn’t let me get with in view or casting range. The oceans beauty, although unique and different from my native alpine environments, allows me to reflect on things slowly. Sailing is contemplation, and lends new ears to the term “solitude.”

Josh Gallivan

Beating

Josh Gallivan

Bora Bora

Josh Gallivan

Gunboat at sunrise

Josh Gallivan

Tahitian grown

Josh Gallivan

Casting for coconuts. Photo Credit – Travis Rice

Josh Gallivan

Papayas for days

Josh Gallivan

Blowing in the wind

Josh Gallivan

I’ve got crabs

Josh Gallivan

Im on the fence

Josh Gallivan

Ballistic nights

It seems like there was a love most people used to know. Somehow most people have let it go. Although, fly fishing is something that I cant let go. Almost all of my day is spent thinking about fish and all things associated with the sport. Im crazy about this thing. Keep your eyes open for a huge project my friends Cody Perry and Ryan Sheets have started. Our goal is to create a feature film about fly fishing the american west and to tell a story about conflicts associated with recreating, industry, and agriculture. We intend to use fly fishing as our tool to tell a compelling story. #snakeriverproject here we come! Guide season has been incredible! So excited to get out on the water with all of you and share my passions!

 

3 Comments
  • Ron on August 28, 2015

    Fun read. Looks like an amazing trip Josh.

  • JORGE on April 25, 2018

    Great trip Josh!!! Donyou know who can I contact in papeete for a day trip of fly fishing?
    Thank you!

  • Danny Maestas on May 8, 2018

    Hey Josh,
    I’m a fellow JH resident and teacher. I’ve been a fly fishing/river guide in the valley for years. I happened upon this blog and wondered if you had any more advice for me as my family and I embarc on a trip to Tahiti. We plan to surf and fly fish! I’m not even sure you’ll see this post, but if you do pls get back to me…I’d love to pick your brain!
    I’m thinking we have mutual friends in the Varga family? I know they’re close to the Rice fam as well.

    Cheers
    Danny Maestas

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.