Cool Weather - Hot Fishing

TWO DAYS DOES
NOT A TREND MAKE

But - - - It's Coming

Delta Fishing

.. A brief temperate spell has crept into Indian Summer and reminds us that the heavy weather of Fall is just around the corner. The neighbors are taking advantage of the salubrious weather and fishing between the localized heavy thundershowers and snow and hail storms. They have rushed to the mucky, muddy, sloggy, and sloppy Madison River delta for a bonanza of pre-spawn fish.
.. The braided distributary channels of the Madison River delta are becoming incised and clearly defined as the hole in Hebgen Dam continues to lower the reservoir level by six or eight inches per day. The Madison's channel of debauch has narrowed considerably in the last 48 hours and the fish are clustered, confused, desperate and very skittish -- OH; and BIG too.
.. Take a long and heavy rod into the suction pit that is the delta. A 10' nine-weight is about right. Toss half a chicken into the current and let it swing into the dark holes.
.. At the end of the swing triggle it just a bit and then back strip about 6' of line. Tighten and hold on as the fly comes to the surface. You'd best have an obscenely thick and strong leader - even the worm guys are getting broken off.
.. A couple of the more energetic neighbors have take their Spey rods out of the closet a month early and are using this opportunity to warm up for steelhead.
.. Flies being used are mostly large streamers: Dark & Light Spruce Flies, Yellowstone Spruce Flies, Double Bunnies, Woolly Buggers, (of the dark purple persuasion,) and Variegated Silli-legs, (size 2 and 4.)
.. As far as the weather goes: it goes. The 15 day outlook is for a most gentle slide downward as this Fall is looking warmer and milder than some Summers in recent memory.
.. Hints of our normal fall weather have come in the form of blinding hail, cold gusty winds, a few snow flakes and then ameliorating conditions. We'll take it.
.. We'd be remiss if we failed to note that THE HORSE'S MOUTH has brought forth a bit of gentle beauty on their most recent page entitled Beach Beauties - look it over for some interesting features. We're also fond of the cute bear picture from Fish On Fridays. Wonder where 'mom' is?
.. Well, it's raining right now and the gray sky suggests that after some cold pizza and a beer, a bit of fish catching might be in order. Happily mud is not yet a four letter word.