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Fishing Local Water With a Friend
We had made a few nice casts through the first couple of pools, but had no luck on the olive streamer pattern we had tied a couple nights before. This was our second consecutive day on the same stretch of water, and we decided to return because the fishing was so spectacular the day before.
What You Need: The Equipment Basics
Fluorocarbon, monofilament, leaders, flies, floatant, reels, a variety of rods, a net, fly boxes, sunglasses, a hat, and a pack to put everything inside. Lots of people believe that you need all of the items above to simply catch a fish, but the equipment necessary is quite minimal.
Gentleman’s Style
Something about the older man on that stream, his delicate cast and attention to detail, the subtle wave, and his general way he looked to carry himself resonated with me. It reminded me of my Grandpa, fishing those small streams of Northeastern Iowa.
7 Easy Ways to Give Back to Your Favorite Stream
Conservation has become a large part of the sport that we love today. With a variety of organizations focusing on different ways to protect and preserve the waters we love, it is easy to do our part and help protect them as well.
Reflecting on Patagonia
Last fall I visited Patagonia for an adventure of a lifetime. Named “land of big feet” by Magellan when he first came through here on his expedition in 1520. I had seen many pictures and videos of Patagonia, heard some stories, and knew that it was unlike any other place on Earth.
A Week in the Driftless
I said this in an article I wrote to be featured in a blog in Des Moines, Iowa, and it has resonated with me since then. Whenever I go out fishing in the Driftless, I always come upon a story that I was not actually planning for.
Before 9am
I finish up my work for the day, pack up my backpack, and head to a small creek just outside of town. With the size of Bozeman it is pretty incredible that wild trout live just a couple of minutes away.
Winter Fishing in the Driftless
Winter can be grueling in the Midwest. I grew up in Iowa, and throughout those cold winter months it was always a process to bundle up and go outside. The winter months have begun to warm up over the past couple of years, and fishing in the Driftless is an idea that is feasible.
Why you Should be Nymphing
As soon as the seasons turn from spring to summer, the water levels start to drop and the hatches become active. Most people put away the nymph boxes. Yes, some evening the caddis are hatching so thick that you cannot see in front of you.
Fishing Books
I am currently reading a book by John Gierach, one of my favorite fly fishing authors. While reading through one of his chapters about Steelhead fishing in British Columbia, he touched on books that he brings along on his fishing trips. He wrote about books that he likes to bring along on fishing trips, ones that aren’t of his liking, and so on...
Up and Away
I reached the trailhead in the early morning. The sun has not peaked over the ridge to the East, and the air is still crisp and cool. My small backpack is packed tightly, containing everything that I need for this short morning adventure into the backcountry.
Secret Spots
If you are someone you fly fishes, or know of a few people that fish, you know that everyone has their secret spots that they fish, and don’t tell anyone about. Maybe they give you vague hints and small details, but not enough to figure out where it is.
5 Miles Back
We loaded up the car on Thursday afternoon with everything we thought we needed for a fishing trip. A gallon of water, bratwursts, some beverages, firewood, two cans of bear spray, and an assortment of rods, reels and flies.
Time On the Water
In anticipation for attending Montana State University in the fall, I worked hard and was blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Yellow Dog FlyFishing Adventures team this summer. Being a part of the team has been great for my personal knowledge and growth in the industry.
Iowa's Urban Trout Stream
Last weekend I drove over to Cedar Rapids, a town about two hours from my home, to visit a coffee shop and check out this small stream I had heard about through some people in Des Moines. I packed my thermos and waders, and made the drive with one of my friends.
Reflecting on Patagonia
Last fall I visited Patagonia for an adventure of a lifetime. Named “land of big feet” by Magellan when he first came through here on his world expedition in 1520. I had seen many pictures and videos of Patagonia, heard some stories, and knew that it was wild.
3 Tying Tips to Get You Started
Tying your own flies can be an undertaking at first, but once you start to gain confidence it can be pure fun. A lot of people I talk to about tying either don’t have enough time or would just rather buy their flies.
Fishing Report
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JULY 28: ALPINE LAKE
On Saturday I hiked up to one of my favorite lakes in Montana in search of big Cutthroats. A couple of years ago I fished this same lake and caught one fish no bigger than 6 inches.
When I arrived at the lake early in the morning, the fish were rising consistently to big bugs skittering on the surface. I was fishing a long leader and a small dry fly pattern. The most effective way I found to catch these fish were to find them, and lead them with a delicate cast, being careful not to spook. This would work more times than not, and produced fish all morning.
The fish in these high alpine lakes aren't too picky. I caught my biggest Cutthroat ever on a small PMX dry fly on a short fiberglass 3wt rod, and the day was very fun.
JULY 22: HYALITE CREEK
Last evening I went out for a quick fish on a creek not too far from town. When fishing close to town I try and choose different spots to fish each time in an attempt to get to know the water better.
I was fishing with a dry/dropper rig and had some success in small runs and pools. I found that the fish are hiding in places you may not think. Fishing every little run and pocket, even if you think it is too shallow, can be productive.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
PMX - sizes 8 and 10
Hi-Vis Caddis - size 14
Pete's Red Neck Nymph - size 12
JULY 15: THE GALLATIN RIVER
I have been spending quite a bit of time on water other than the Gallatin lately, which has been quite refreshing. I love fishing this water, but it is great to see new water and test your skills elsewhere.
I fished the Gallatin yesterday and found quite a few fish during the middle of the day. With water levels decreasing with the lack of rain, fish were holding in the top of runs and in the seams behind boulders. Making long upstream casts was working well. With the sun up high and the water levels on the drop, the fish are becoming hyper-aware of their surroundings.
I was using a dry/dropper rig (my summer favorite), and being very productive on small and medium sized fish. I was not getting very many eats on the dry, so I put my focus on selecting a dropper that would entice fish.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Pete’s Red Neck in size 12 and 14. This is a fly that I have been tying this fly for a while, and just posted a tutorial on the videos page of the site. This fly has become a classic, and has been extremely effective this summer.
Chubby Chernobyl- Works well as a dry fly in a combination rig. I was not getting eats on it, but it is better than throwing an indicator that the fish would see. Black, Tan, and Olive are great colors for the evening on the Gallatin.
Lightning Bug Nymph in sizes 12-16: The right amount of flash mixed with a sleek body. Another nymph that has become my go-to when figuring out what
JULY 14: YELLOWSTONE RIVER NEAR GARDINER
This past weekend I drove over to Gardiner, MT to fish a couple of spots on the Yellowstone River. Being only an hour and some from Bozeman, and early start and a stop at the fly shop were perfect before getting to the river.
Picking apart new water has always been a fun challenge for me, and I enjoyed fishing the Yellowstone. Similar to the Gallatin, pocket water, behind boulders, and in shallow runs all produced fish on the dry fly and the nymph. In the morning, the big dry fly on top and a flashy dropper about 20-25in below was working very well. I landed three beautiful cutthroats, and a couple of cut bows as well.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Royal Chubby sizes 8-12
Purple and Black Chubby size 10
Pete’s Red Neck Nymph sizes 12-16
PMX Dry Fly in sizes 8 and 10. Lots of fish were eating and/or looking at this fly. Great choice when deciding on a dry to fish.
JUN 23 AND 24: THE HENRY'S FORK
Last weekend I traveled down to the Henry's Fork in Idaho in search of large rainbow trout sipping dry flies. When we arrived the weather was cold and windy, but throughout the weekend the weather improved tremendously. We fished different parts of the river including the Ranch and the Lower. Both sections are very difficult to fish and require stalking fish and being patient. On Sunday I found a fish aggressively sipping caddis flies just one foot off the bank. This was the largest trout I have seen actively feeding like this, and it make my heart pound. After stepping into the river, tossing cast after cast at this fish, and changing my fly 7 different times, I knew this fish was not going to eat any of the patterns I threw at it. I believe it was a combination of a picky fish and a drift with some drag, but it was great for me to experience that and get excited for next time down in Idaho.
JUN 18: HYLITE CREEK AND RESERVOIR
Hylite Creek is running cold and clear below the reservoir. I fished a ways down from where the creek begins and found fish quite close to the bank. The cutthroats up there are hungry, and will likely eat an assortment of flies, even a dry. Easy drive through the canyon, beautiful place to catch fish, only 40 minutes from Bozeman.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Parachute Adams sizes 14-20
Chubby Chernobyl in brown and black. Sizes 10 and 12
Bright nymphs in sizes 16-20 (Copper John, Lightning Bug, Pete's Red Neck)
JUN 17: THE UPPER MADISON
Fishing on the Upper Madison is good despite heavy rain over the past couple of days. I found success in a double dropper and a streamer rig. Flows are still above optimal; practice safe wading techniques. Be on the look out for those salmon flies! That hatch is right around the corner.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Prince Nymph
AKA Prince Nymph
White/Black/Olive Streamer Patterns
JUN 16: THE GALLATIN RIVER
The Gallatin River in the canyon heading South towards Big Sky is shaping up! Flows are starting to drop and color is quickly returning. With recent and reoccurring rain, the river is on the rise, but the weather looks promising for the next week or so. Be cautious wading along the banks. Fish a deep indicator rig. I have had great luck with a bigger bug and a smaller nymph along with a split-shot. Fish are still sitting in the deep slow pools along the banks.
Recommended Flies:
Prince Nymph
Zirdle Bug
Copper John