Blizzard O’ Butterfly
By: Derrick Schmidt
Episode 73 of the Bowfishing Buzz Podcast was rightfully given the title of “Underwater Flames”. Matt and I had been doing the podcast for almost 5 years at this point. The number of dedicated listeners we had accrued over that time still astonishes me to this day. Ep. 73 was given the title “Underwater Flames” because we had a bowfishing power couple on as our guests. Travis and Jenni Oviat reside in the beautiful state of Idaho and own a bowfishing guide service by the name of “Grinz n Finz Bowfishing”. They slither their boat up and down the Snake River with clients multiple times a week. They have a diamond in the rough situation with their location. The Snake River in Idaho has the largest population of butterfly carp (also known as dragon carp) in the entire world. With these beautiful mutants being so uncommon everywhere else, people travel to Idaho from all over the world to get their chance at a true once-in-a-lifetime fish. Butterfly carp maintain the same body color and facial features as the common carp, but the similarities stop there. Even though they most physically resemble a common carp, it is uncanny how two things can be so similar, but so very different at the same time. Butterflies have prolonged, lingering fins that dance in the water with the slightest movement, similar to that of a koi. These fins often reach 4-5 times the length of a normal common carp, and regularly display color palettes much like what you would see in the dancing flame of a campfire. Crimson red, and breathtaking sunset orange are the most common colors to appear on these butterflies, but flares of white, and spots of deep black also show up to complement the already breath-taking presentation.
There are many rumors as to why and how these butterfly carp made it to the Snake River, but the locals all share the same story. Back in the early to mid-1900’s, many wealthy families had mansion-esque homes along the Snake River. In their front yards – koi ponds. One year the Snake flooded terribly, sucking up these koi ponds and claiming whatever fish that were in them as its own. This eventually led to koi and common carp crossbreeding, and you guessed it. The result was a butterfly carp.
The podcast was going great. Matt and I asking questions, Travis and Jenni giving insightful information to our listeners. For about an hour or so, we chatted about our passionate common interest – bowfishing. After the podcast ended, we talked with Travis and Jenni a little longer. Travis told us we needed to fly out to Idaho, and they would take us out and try to get us each a butterfly carp. I remember Matt and I looking at each other in excitement, and the rest is history.
Our flight landed in Boise, Idaho mid-morning on March 4th. Matt and I got a rental car and drove the rest of the way to our destination – Homedale. There, we met with another friend of ours, Jana Waller, host and owner of the TV show, Skull Bound Chronicles, and her camera man, Heath Helgert. Jana and Heath were also joining us on our butterfly adventure. With bows in hand and Idaho fishing licenses purchased, we met Travis and Jenni at the boat landing, and we were ready to hit the Snake and hopefully lay eyes on one of the rarest fish in the United States.
The temps were colder than average, ranging in the mid to upper 30’s and dropping far below freezing after sundown. We hit the water around 6 pm. We did our opening interviews, took our fair share of catalog photos, but now it was time for the main event. Many people don’t know the feeling, but when there’s a camera hovering over your shoulder, with the mental mindset of “you better shoot something so we can make an episode”, there is an added pressure that makes you feel a little more tense than you would on your traditional night of shooting. Even though the Snake River has the healthiest population of butterfly carp in America, that doesn’t mean that they are swimming all over the place. We would be lucky to see 1, maybe 2 a night. With that in mind, and the cameras rolling, Matt, myself, and Jana all felt the pressure as we trolled along the shoreline.
The night started slowly. We shot a few commons here and there, but nothing that really got the blood pumping. As it got later, the cold temps started to flex their muscle. We were wet from taking fish off, and once the hands got wet, it was almost impossible to get them warm again. Coming fresh off a Wisconsin ice fishing season, I figured the cold wouldn’t bother me, but the constant movement of the boat combined with blustery winds chilled me more than any ice fishing adventure. Night #1 was in the books. Frozen fingers, a slightly dampened spirit, and no butterfly.
We met at the boat launch at 6:30 pm on night #2. We were all slightly worried about tonight’s adventure, as heavy snow was in the forecast, supposedly starting around 7:30 pm. The night started identical to the night before. We shot a few plump commons, and then the snow started falling. Heavy, wet snow blinded the lights in front of the boat. Visibility was cut to a minimum, and you could not see at all if you tried to idle out with the big motor. We were limited to trolling along, continuing to bowfish through squinted eyes. I remember removing my safety glasses many times to clean them off, as the snow would melt immediately upon impact, making it impossible to see.
All at once…it happened. The fish we traveled halfway across the country for was swimming just off the right side of the boat, within range. Jana drew back, shot, missed. As she was retrieving, Matt shimmied over, took a shot and missed as well. Matt and Jana, each with arrows still in the water, parted themselves like the Red Sea, and I made my way across the deck to the right side of the boat. Everything was in slow motion. Travis was pointing at the fish with a look of awe that can’t be described by words. The feeling when I drew back on that fish was the same feeling I get doing only one other thing in my life… hunting mature whitetails. It’s a feeling of disbelief combined with the hectic thought of “wow this is happening NOW!”. I came to full draw, took a moment to aim just a little bit lower, and I let it fly. The fish was broadside to me, and the arrow center punched the butterfly right above its lateral line. A solid hit! The boat filled with joyful hollers. Matt put a perfect back up shot on the fish – just in case. I retrieved the butterfly with my MegaMouth up to and into the boat. In disbelief, we did interviews, pictures, social media posts, everything you can imagine.
“We got one. We got one. I can’t believe we got one.”