Many years ago while fly fishing the Madison River in the yellowstone Park, I had the good fortune of witnessing two young grizzly play-fighting. I was mid-stream as they came tumbling out if the trees pawing and biting down into the water completely oblivious to me and all within a long cast.

I slowly backed out of the river to a safety of the far bank and watched their antics until finally they retired to heavy cover. This is one of those priceless experiences that makes living in the Yellowstone so important to me. It makes the five foot snows and minus 45 degree winter pass easier.

This painting is a late 50's and 60's piece... a time before catch and release fishing became a common practice. The old fishing equipment dates the scene... I still know fisherman who use wicker creels. I'm sure our intrepid fisherman will think twice about keeping fish from now on and not leave his lunch on the shore. After standing in the cold water in those awful old leaky (smelly) boot waders and not having his pipe and mixture 79 tobacco, this will be a meaningful wilderness learning experience. The sow is bound to wake up soon and take her cubs to another food opportunity... maybe a picnic basket... boo boo...????

"The Origin of Catch and Release" is a new grizzly series combining wildlife with fishing. It was reproduced from an original oil (30"x40'). It is limited to 850 signed by the artist and numbered lithographs with 85 artists proofs and 85 publishers proofs. It is printed on top quality 100% certified archival (300years) pH neutral number 1 grade with an image size of 24"x32" with a 2" trim on all sides. It has been personally inspected and signed by the artist in pencil. The plates have been destroyed and no further issues will be produced.

Gary Cater
West Yellowstone, Montana
September 1995