Walking down to the river everyday, in the heart of winter mind you, hoping, praying, darn near begging that one skwalla nymph will crawl up to me from under one of the twenty rocks I've rolled over and say, "get ready, spring is almost here". Is that to much to ask? OK, so skwalla nymphs can't talk, and maybe I'm writing about a past fishing dream or something, but if they could they would certainly tell you that soon, very soon, they will be on the move towards the banks of our rivers here in western Montana. The Dry Fly Bonanza that March and April bring to our area is near.
This is the turning point for me. Hunting season is over, the freezer is full, and the fly tying bench becomes more of an obsession than a place to sit and fool around with a what's just a "hobby" for some. This is a lifestyle! No matter how many thousands of dozens of flies I've tied, I just can't stop myself from getting after it on the stone flies I'll use this spring, and using lessons learned from last spring to come up with new patterns this time of year.
In between playing with the kids, finishing left over paperwork from the '09 season, tying this coming seasons flies and coming up with new excuses to put off doing taxes, I finally had a chance to surf up the article that the Missoula newspaper did on me last fall. Just thought I'd share it on here in case you had even more spare time to do some extracurricular reading via the internet. Anyway, here it is...
The Montana Outdoor Journal is doing another article on my flies for their next spring issue, and I'll throw a link up for that one when it's available as well.
For now, the skwalla nymphs slowly grow closer to the stage that we, here in Montana, can not wait to see come full circle. Until then, the whipping of bugs continues...
Come
"Get Your Fish ON"
this season
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Is It Over Yet?
The thrill of the hunt is over finally, and I now have more time to day dream about my next cast. Yes, the ducks and deer are safe again, undisturbed in there somewhat winter like environs that we are so fortunate to pry into for such a long time in a fishing guides off season here in Montana. "Somewhat winter like conditions", is that what I wrote? Sure did, El Nino is affecting Montana again as well. Certainly not as bad as other places in the world, that's for sure. But we are down on snow pack, and of course, some people are starting to panic! Come on, we have had excellent conditions for the past few years, the fish are as big, strong and as healthy as they can get, and our ground water levels are in more than excellent shape to! A little rain here and there, and we will be just fine. Not mention the fact that fish so healthy that they will be just fine to.
I don't want to be the bad guy, but guess what? Strong healthy fish + a little lower water = Easy fishing & Lots of big un's!!! Sorry, but I have a blast in the low water years! When you've been fishing these rivers as long as myself, and my guides, you just know where not to fish when the waters low and the weather is hot! We take precise, and careful measures, and we know where all the springs are located in our rivers systems here. We ensure great fishing, but we also take pride in protecting the incredible resources we have here. Even when certain sections of our rivers were not involved with Fish, Wildlife & Parks mandatory no fishing after 2pm in years past, we knew where to go, and where not to go for the sake of the trout!
OK, I could ramble on about this subject forever, but let's switch over to my favorite subject:
Spring Fishing!
If you were to scroll down to, or remember my first Blog on here, you would recall that spring fishing flat fires me up! You know what, I'm not even going to go on that rampage right now either. Just watch this video and see if your not fired up for spring now yourself...
Well?
Winter is slowly coming to a close, and you can just imagine what some of my next Blogs will be about. Hope everyone get's a little winter midge fishing in, or at least a little nymphing on a trout stream near you at some point. I know I will...
Get Your Fish ON!
I don't want to be the bad guy, but guess what? Strong healthy fish + a little lower water = Easy fishing & Lots of big un's!!! Sorry, but I have a blast in the low water years! When you've been fishing these rivers as long as myself, and my guides, you just know where not to fish when the waters low and the weather is hot! We take precise, and careful measures, and we know where all the springs are located in our rivers systems here. We ensure great fishing, but we also take pride in protecting the incredible resources we have here. Even when certain sections of our rivers were not involved with Fish, Wildlife & Parks mandatory no fishing after 2pm in years past, we knew where to go, and where not to go for the sake of the trout!
OK, I could ramble on about this subject forever, but let's switch over to my favorite subject:
Spring Fishing!
If you were to scroll down to, or remember my first Blog on here, you would recall that spring fishing flat fires me up! You know what, I'm not even going to go on that rampage right now either. Just watch this video and see if your not fired up for spring now yourself...
Well?
Winter is slowly coming to a close, and you can just imagine what some of my next Blogs will be about. Hope everyone get's a little winter midge fishing in, or at least a little nymphing on a trout stream near you at some point. I know I will...
Get Your Fish ON!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Winter Fishing?
Not a lot of fishing going on here at the moment, unless of course you feel the need to stare down a small hole in the ice while freezing your a%$ off and trying to drink an extra beer cause your buddies are all forcing that next frosty beverage down their gullet, even though it's only about two whole stinking degrees out! Sorry, I can do that on my couch while I watch football!
It has been brought to my attention by one of my guides and good friend Nick, that it's been since August since my last entry here. How did that happen you ask? Pretty easy I realize, as I round up my end of the year reports, and grasp a better understanding of how I was on the water more this year than last. Sometimes you have to see something on paper to get the big picture I guess.
The whirlwind of day after day on the water, with nothing but visions of rising trout and thoughts of new flies to tie and try, all dancing in my head at night when my head finally hit the pillow, have been replaced with the anticipation of the next days hunt. Yes, myself and a lot of the guides of Double Up have been out chasing fur and feather for the winter tying bench, and stacking those coveted packages of wild game meat in the freezer. The pheasant tails, spun deer hair head hoppers, and CDC wings a top some great little mayfly patterns will be stacked to the top of the box in 2010. The elk hair caddis may be a little sparser this next season, as once again I passed up some smaller ones in hopes of the big bull getting a little closer into bow range. Oh well, you can't eat a story or tie a fly out of it, but I can always find a buddy with an extra chunk of premium elk hide to spare or trade for tying.
Other than that, I can tell you it was one heck of a great fall out here in Montana, with lots of big browns eager to snap up the big dry, and then crushing the streamers through a lot of October as well! We had a super cold snap in early October this year with temps much like our past week here. We are talking a high of eight or nine degrees for pete's sake! Unheard of for that time of year. I can handle that now, as I fill out my outfitters report, but not in early October. That little snap cost me more than a few trips, but I'm pretty sure it made the fishing rock that much more for the rest of the month.
September was a hoot, with great trico and hopper fishing, and a picture perfect hatch of Mahogany's and BWO's to fill it all in. What a dry fly year! You just can't beat the water conditions we've had for the past few seasons, the fish are as strong and as healthy as ever, and believe me, they do let you know it once they're stuck! Here's a couple of fishy shots from September and October for you...
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Wish I could pop more pics up here, but visit us on Facebook if you would like to see some more great shots from this late summer and fall.
Outfitting report is almost done, and we still have until the middle of January to bang on the geese, ducks and deer. I thought about ice fishing again today, but I think I'll wait until it's in the teens at least out here.
The fly tying bench is cleared, and Skwalla season is fast approaching. Oh yeah, Big Dries, and Big Browns, coming soon to a river near me!
More fishing videos are in the works, and I'm thinking of putting on a few fly tying videos up on here to, if I can ever wade through all the footage we have at this point anyway.
Happy holidays everyone, and I'll try not to wait three months for the next entry here.
Fish 'em UP...
It has been brought to my attention by one of my guides and good friend Nick, that it's been since August since my last entry here. How did that happen you ask? Pretty easy I realize, as I round up my end of the year reports, and grasp a better understanding of how I was on the water more this year than last. Sometimes you have to see something on paper to get the big picture I guess.
The whirlwind of day after day on the water, with nothing but visions of rising trout and thoughts of new flies to tie and try, all dancing in my head at night when my head finally hit the pillow, have been replaced with the anticipation of the next days hunt. Yes, myself and a lot of the guides of Double Up have been out chasing fur and feather for the winter tying bench, and stacking those coveted packages of wild game meat in the freezer. The pheasant tails, spun deer hair head hoppers, and CDC wings a top some great little mayfly patterns will be stacked to the top of the box in 2010. The elk hair caddis may be a little sparser this next season, as once again I passed up some smaller ones in hopes of the big bull getting a little closer into bow range. Oh well, you can't eat a story or tie a fly out of it, but I can always find a buddy with an extra chunk of premium elk hide to spare or trade for tying.
Other than that, I can tell you it was one heck of a great fall out here in Montana, with lots of big browns eager to snap up the big dry, and then crushing the streamers through a lot of October as well! We had a super cold snap in early October this year with temps much like our past week here. We are talking a high of eight or nine degrees for pete's sake! Unheard of for that time of year. I can handle that now, as I fill out my outfitters report, but not in early October. That little snap cost me more than a few trips, but I'm pretty sure it made the fishing rock that much more for the rest of the month.
September was a hoot, with great trico and hopper fishing, and a picture perfect hatch of Mahogany's and BWO's to fill it all in. What a dry fly year! You just can't beat the water conditions we've had for the past few seasons, the fish are as strong and as healthy as ever, and believe me, they do let you know it once they're stuck! Here's a couple of fishy shots from September and October for you...
.jpg)
Wish I could pop more pics up here, but visit us on Facebook if you would like to see some more great shots from this late summer and fall.
Outfitting report is almost done, and we still have until the middle of January to bang on the geese, ducks and deer. I thought about ice fishing again today, but I think I'll wait until it's in the teens at least out here.
The fly tying bench is cleared, and Skwalla season is fast approaching. Oh yeah, Big Dries, and Big Browns, coming soon to a river near me!
More fishing videos are in the works, and I'm thinking of putting on a few fly tying videos up on here to, if I can ever wade through all the footage we have at this point anyway.
Happy holidays everyone, and I'll try not to wait three months for the next entry here.
Fish 'em UP...
Saturday, August 8, 2009
OK, I lied...
So what? I'm a busy guy.
I thought I was going to have more time to post some videos, pictures, and blurbs on the current fishing situation around here, and I was wrong. It's been a while since I had time to post anything, but in my line of work, that's a good thing!
So finally, here's the latest FYI on our rivers in Montana...
It's been a great summer, and the hopper fishing is absolutely, out of control!!! The Trico's, flying ants, crane flies, Hecuba's, (about a size 10 green drake looking, monster, oh my word the trout love 'em, may fly), BWO's, and more are yet to come. Yikes, it's going to be an awesome late summer/ early fall!
With the rains we just received driving our rivers up to even better levels, to smack trout in, we are looking at the most optimal fishing conditions our area has seen in the middle of August in over a decade. Throw in our second year in a row with the spruce moth hatch on the Blackfoot, and hang on to your spool my friend! It's on!
Here's just a couple snap shots of the summers recent grab and grin participants from the past few days...
.jpg)
OK, I've waited for this for at least two weeks, and now I just can't help myself.
So now, here are...
The Top Ten Reasons to Come Fishing in Our Area This Summer/ Fall
One) Fishing is the best it's been in years here.
Two) You haven't caught a fish over 18 inches in two days.
Three) You haven't caught a trout over 18 inches in two years.
Four) All our rivers are in amazing, fishing shape.
Five) There's nobody else on the rivers, (due to the economy I guess?)
Six) The big ones are "dumber than a box of rocks".
Seven) There's more hoppers than ever in our area this year.
Eight) Fishing is insane, and our major, late summer/ early fall, and fall hatches haven't even started yet.
Nine) Dry fly enthusiasts may literally fall out of the boat over how good it is!
And now, the number Ten reason to come fishing in our area this season is...
"A blind, one armed monkey could easily catch a twenty incher after drinking a fifth of vodka, and casting with a banana, out of one of our boats this summer or fall"!
Take it however, but grab a camera with a big chip, or a lot of film, and come see us this season for a Dry Fly Bonanza that will knock you wading boots off!
Hope everyone is having a great fishing season, and I'll try not to wait so long next time for the latest fishing report.
Double Up, and back to the fly tying bench for me...
I thought I was going to have more time to post some videos, pictures, and blurbs on the current fishing situation around here, and I was wrong. It's been a while since I had time to post anything, but in my line of work, that's a good thing!
So finally, here's the latest FYI on our rivers in Montana...
It's been a great summer, and the hopper fishing is absolutely, out of control!!! The Trico's, flying ants, crane flies, Hecuba's, (about a size 10 green drake looking, monster, oh my word the trout love 'em, may fly), BWO's, and more are yet to come. Yikes, it's going to be an awesome late summer/ early fall!
With the rains we just received driving our rivers up to even better levels, to smack trout in, we are looking at the most optimal fishing conditions our area has seen in the middle of August in over a decade. Throw in our second year in a row with the spruce moth hatch on the Blackfoot, and hang on to your spool my friend! It's on!
Here's just a couple snap shots of the summers recent grab and grin participants from the past few days...
.jpg)
OK, I've waited for this for at least two weeks, and now I just can't help myself.
So now, here are...
The Top Ten Reasons to Come Fishing in Our Area This Summer/ Fall
One) Fishing is the best it's been in years here.
Two) You haven't caught a fish over 18 inches in two days.
Three) You haven't caught a trout over 18 inches in two years.
Four) All our rivers are in amazing, fishing shape.
Five) There's nobody else on the rivers, (due to the economy I guess?)
Six) The big ones are "dumber than a box of rocks".
Seven) There's more hoppers than ever in our area this year.
Eight) Fishing is insane, and our major, late summer/ early fall, and fall hatches haven't even started yet.
Nine) Dry fly enthusiasts may literally fall out of the boat over how good it is!
And now, the number Ten reason to come fishing in our area this season is...
"A blind, one armed monkey could easily catch a twenty incher after drinking a fifth of vodka, and casting with a banana, out of one of our boats this summer or fall"!
Take it however, but grab a camera with a big chip, or a lot of film, and come see us this season for a Dry Fly Bonanza that will knock you wading boots off!
Hope everyone is having a great fishing season, and I'll try not to wait so long next time for the latest fishing report.
Double Up, and back to the fly tying bench for me...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Guiding-It's 24/7
Well, it's Prime time here in Montana.
The fishing is out of control, and we are absolutely having the time of our lives so far this summer.
I sure wish I had time to write more on some of the amazing things we get to see, and the fish stories we could tell, but sorry, unlike some of the other outfitters around here, who seem to have time to play on the computer all day and write about who knows what, myself and my guides are on the water everyday Catching people FISH. We don't come home and surf the internet. We get home and make the calls to talk about conditions, find out from each other what's up on certain stretches, where's fishing the best, tie more of what's working, and make sure we have it all ready for the next days float!
Sure, shop flies work fine, and they will always have their place, but there is no comparison in the flies we fish with! "Home brewed", home tied and field tested EVERYDAY!!!! Fly fishing is fun, that's our main job, and we just don't mess around at it. Myself and my guides made the decision years ago to make the commitment to be the best there is at what we do. Yes, it does come with a price, but while other outfitters and guides are out drinking beers, and eating dinner with their clients, we are home tying the best of the best in custom, "I'm gonna kick you right in the Fin" flies!!! Clean boats, clean gear, and clearly ready to roll out on the water for a great day with our clients!
Hey thanks for reading, and I just wanted you to know that I may not have any time to post anything more until mid-summer. The hoppers are tied, we are excited, and we can't wait for the heat of the summer and the action it brings. Who knows what new pattern may emerge from the bench to be the secret weapon this August. All we know is we'll be ready!
Truly hope everyone's fishing adventures are as memorable as ours this summer, and do stay tuned for all kinds of videos coming for you, (before September, and the Dry Fly Madness that comes with it) for your fish porn video enjoyment of course!
Time to tie, time to fish, time to flat out...
"Get Your Fish On"!!!
PS
Go to the video bar on the right to see the latest Dry fly Video from this March/ April
The fishing is out of control, and we are absolutely having the time of our lives so far this summer.
I sure wish I had time to write more on some of the amazing things we get to see, and the fish stories we could tell, but sorry, unlike some of the other outfitters around here, who seem to have time to play on the computer all day and write about who knows what, myself and my guides are on the water everyday Catching people FISH. We don't come home and surf the internet. We get home and make the calls to talk about conditions, find out from each other what's up on certain stretches, where's fishing the best, tie more of what's working, and make sure we have it all ready for the next days float!
Sure, shop flies work fine, and they will always have their place, but there is no comparison in the flies we fish with! "Home brewed", home tied and field tested EVERYDAY!!!! Fly fishing is fun, that's our main job, and we just don't mess around at it. Myself and my guides made the decision years ago to make the commitment to be the best there is at what we do. Yes, it does come with a price, but while other outfitters and guides are out drinking beers, and eating dinner with their clients, we are home tying the best of the best in custom, "I'm gonna kick you right in the Fin" flies!!! Clean boats, clean gear, and clearly ready to roll out on the water for a great day with our clients!
Hey thanks for reading, and I just wanted you to know that I may not have any time to post anything more until mid-summer. The hoppers are tied, we are excited, and we can't wait for the heat of the summer and the action it brings. Who knows what new pattern may emerge from the bench to be the secret weapon this August. All we know is we'll be ready!
Truly hope everyone's fishing adventures are as memorable as ours this summer, and do stay tuned for all kinds of videos coming for you, (before September, and the Dry Fly Madness that comes with it) for your fish porn video enjoyment of course!
Time to tie, time to fish, time to flat out...
"Get Your Fish On"!!!
PS
Go to the video bar on the right to see the latest Dry fly Video from this March/ April
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Run off? What's that? Where is it? Why am I guiding the Bitterroot in the middle of May, AND having great fishing? Sometimes you just have to quit thinking about things so hard, and just "Go Fishing!"
Usually, we are playing around with a few trout in our two acre spring pond behind our house during our spring run off in May. Catching a few like these below, and having the kids help us drag them in!
.jpg)
For the past ten years, excluding last years excellent water conditions, I have been telling my regular clients and new ones as well, not to come out to fish Montana in the last week of July and the first week of August! It's just been too hot, and the water has been too warm. Not last year though, it was truly a thing of beauty, with water conditions more like the "good old days", that kept the trout more than happy ALL summer long!
We are absolutely in for another summer just like last year now. Our spring has been one of the coolest ever on record, and as I mentioned, the Bitterroot is fishing like a champ at this very moment! Add that to this last winters incredible snow pack and get ready for cold, clean water all season. I think the incredible flush that the Bitterroot took last May and June, coupled with the fact that there were no real forest fires to speak of, has the condition of the river in an extraordinary shape that we may not see again for a long time,( in the month of May that is ).
Last summer, for the first time in at least ten years, I was having some of my regular clients meet me late in the afternoon for our day of fishing! The hopper fishing was incredible from the word go! Ant's, beetle's and crane flies gave up some great dry fly fishing until dusk. Then after a quick break and a snack (maybe some smoked steelhead with cream cheese and crackers, (occasionally followed by a good cigar and a beer)), we would then proceed to have some of the most incredible dry fly action one could ever imagine! Ever! May fly spinner falls, caddis flies, crane flies, little sally stoneflies of every color you can think of, you name it, they were on the water everywhere. With all this going on the fish went one hundred percent "brain dead", I mean "dumb"! Rising fish numbering in the hundreds, in the main seam. That's just ONE seam I'm talking about to, The main current for crying out loud! Sure we may have not been getting to the boat ramp until 10:30 or 11:00 at night, but it was worth it. What a blast!
As I looked out the window yesterday, and saw yet another flurry of snow come sailing out of the mountain pass by my house, I realized we are in for the same "good old days" kind of summer again. Just thought I would throw that line out there if anyone's trying to think of something fun to do this July and August.
The water is finally trying to rise here in the valley (supposed to be in the eighties by Monday), but salmon flies and goldens will be here before we know it. The "dry fly paradise" that is Montana will flow downstream on into our next fishing phase with open arms here on our end. Green drakes, PMD's "oh my". It never ends here!
The next video should be out soon, so look for it shortly and happy fishing everyone...
Usually, we are playing around with a few trout in our two acre spring pond behind our house during our spring run off in May. Catching a few like these below, and having the kids help us drag them in!
.jpg)
For the past ten years, excluding last years excellent water conditions, I have been telling my regular clients and new ones as well, not to come out to fish Montana in the last week of July and the first week of August! It's just been too hot, and the water has been too warm. Not last year though, it was truly a thing of beauty, with water conditions more like the "good old days", that kept the trout more than happy ALL summer long!
We are absolutely in for another summer just like last year now. Our spring has been one of the coolest ever on record, and as I mentioned, the Bitterroot is fishing like a champ at this very moment! Add that to this last winters incredible snow pack and get ready for cold, clean water all season. I think the incredible flush that the Bitterroot took last May and June, coupled with the fact that there were no real forest fires to speak of, has the condition of the river in an extraordinary shape that we may not see again for a long time,( in the month of May that is ).
Last summer, for the first time in at least ten years, I was having some of my regular clients meet me late in the afternoon for our day of fishing! The hopper fishing was incredible from the word go! Ant's, beetle's and crane flies gave up some great dry fly fishing until dusk. Then after a quick break and a snack (maybe some smoked steelhead with cream cheese and crackers, (occasionally followed by a good cigar and a beer)), we would then proceed to have some of the most incredible dry fly action one could ever imagine! Ever! May fly spinner falls, caddis flies, crane flies, little sally stoneflies of every color you can think of, you name it, they were on the water everywhere. With all this going on the fish went one hundred percent "brain dead", I mean "dumb"! Rising fish numbering in the hundreds, in the main seam. That's just ONE seam I'm talking about to, The main current for crying out loud! Sure we may have not been getting to the boat ramp until 10:30 or 11:00 at night, but it was worth it. What a blast!
As I looked out the window yesterday, and saw yet another flurry of snow come sailing out of the mountain pass by my house, I realized we are in for the same "good old days" kind of summer again. Just thought I would throw that line out there if anyone's trying to think of something fun to do this July and August.
The water is finally trying to rise here in the valley (supposed to be in the eighties by Monday), but salmon flies and goldens will be here before we know it. The "dry fly paradise" that is Montana will flow downstream on into our next fishing phase with open arms here on our end. Green drakes, PMD's "oh my". It never ends here!
The next video should be out soon, so look for it shortly and happy fishing everyone...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Suddenly, it doesn't feel like spring anymore! Fortunately, we are truly blessed with trout that are always willing to munch a fly somewhere in our area! Our rivers are finally a bit high to fish in our immediate area, so off to Missouri we go. I guess I can handle being spoiled by an average of 18-19 inches every time I dip the net for my clients and friends on the river...
Fish of the week goes to Randy this round.
This is one of the many great rainbows that settled into our net, and posed for some great photos, in the semi-blizzard that encompassed most of our day last Thursday on the Missouri. A bit chilly, but hardly noticeable with the forty mile an hour wind in our faces! Yikes! We had a great time though, and I was fortunate enough to have two of my really, great clients that showed no fear in venturing out into the wild weather show that hit us in Montana that day.
It was supposed to be fifty degrees the day of our trip, but mother nature, obviously, had other plans! The Missouri is an awesome river, and was kind enough to have the trout "strapping on the feed bag" for us, and keeping us well entertained during yet another spring snow storm.
Our snow packs are as healthy as they've been in years, for this time of the season, and we are expecting another banner year for our water and wild trout! The shape our fish are in right now was well observed during our skwalla stone fly hatch this March and April. Big, fat, beautiful, healthy trout were seen rising and smiling for the camera all spring long! The mayfly activity was incredible as well, and a brief showing of caddis made the last week of our (early) spring fishing even more memorable for our dry fly enthusiasts! We also enjoyed a very gradual rise in the waters this spring, and that kept the fish feeding on top like champs for us. With no unexpected blow outs on the river, until the end of April when it's supposed to happen, it was truly a great spring here in western Montana! I'm still waiting on some of the pics that clients took with their cameras, to pop up some extra "fish of the week" photos soon.
The newest video will be out soon, with some great dry fly eats, and some trout that must have lived in Hollywood for a year or two, judging from their acting skills. A whitefish may have been used as a stunt double in the next episode, but rest assured, no game fish were harmed in the making of our next video!
Here's a couple more pics of the "arctic blast" we fished in on the 'MO, and here's looking at an incredible fishing year in 2009!!! Come "GET YOUR FISH ON"!!!
Fish of the week goes to Randy this round.
This is one of the many great rainbows that settled into our net, and posed for some great photos, in the semi-blizzard that encompassed most of our day last Thursday on the Missouri. A bit chilly, but hardly noticeable with the forty mile an hour wind in our faces! Yikes! We had a great time though, and I was fortunate enough to have two of my really, great clients that showed no fear in venturing out into the wild weather show that hit us in Montana that day.
It was supposed to be fifty degrees the day of our trip, but mother nature, obviously, had other plans! The Missouri is an awesome river, and was kind enough to have the trout "strapping on the feed bag" for us, and keeping us well entertained during yet another spring snow storm.
Our snow packs are as healthy as they've been in years, for this time of the season, and we are expecting another banner year for our water and wild trout! The shape our fish are in right now was well observed during our skwalla stone fly hatch this March and April. Big, fat, beautiful, healthy trout were seen rising and smiling for the camera all spring long! The mayfly activity was incredible as well, and a brief showing of caddis made the last week of our (early) spring fishing even more memorable for our dry fly enthusiasts! We also enjoyed a very gradual rise in the waters this spring, and that kept the fish feeding on top like champs for us. With no unexpected blow outs on the river, until the end of April when it's supposed to happen, it was truly a great spring here in western Montana! I'm still waiting on some of the pics that clients took with their cameras, to pop up some extra "fish of the week" photos soon.
The newest video will be out soon, with some great dry fly eats, and some trout that must have lived in Hollywood for a year or two, judging from their acting skills. A whitefish may have been used as a stunt double in the next episode, but rest assured, no game fish were harmed in the making of our next video!
Here's a couple more pics of the "arctic blast" we fished in on the 'MO, and here's looking at an incredible fishing year in 2009!!! Come "GET YOUR FISH ON"!!!
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