Friday, April 12, 2013

Gallatin Bluster

A COUPLE OF INCHES
That's Good
catching steady at park line
SNOW SQUALS BLOW DOWN THE GALLATIN RIVER WITH REGULARITY
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.. The water is "too cold." So goes the expert wisdom. It just may be that the weather is not sweet enough for gentlemen fishers.

Yellowstone Sally
.. Granted, the fishing high up the Gallatin Canyon is not as easy or attractive as it is down low near  Gallatin Gateway. It is, on the other hand, an hour closer to our front door.
.. The snow of the last couple of days has served to reduce early fishing pressure on the Gallatin River. The fish seem to be a bit less cooperative as well.

Stiff Hackle
.. Subsurface attractor flies are the choice of the neighbors. A few large nymphs are also in the fly box of the brave fishers in the neighborhood.
.. Most of the catching activity starts immediatly north of the northern boundry of Yellowstone National Park - right at Snowflake Springs.
.. Catching along the upper portions of the Gallatin River requires a tedious persistance for covering every inch of water. The fish are there but they are not moving rapidly or with much gusto. "Hit 'em in the nose," is the manditory technique.

.. Along with the Yellowstone Sally a whole stable of Prince Nymphs is being used at the moment. The King Prince is a favorite with some folks down toward Big Sky and has made inroads into the psyche of some of the folks up here.

King Prince
.. Soft Hackles and Stiff Hackles also are getting a workout in the frigid waters. It looks like the trout are living up to their press clippings and are chomping anything that drifts by - within easy reach.
.. For an excellent overview of the varieties of Prince Nymphs check out the PRINCE NYMPH PAGE at  Fly Fishing The Sierra.
.. The tedium of cold water fishing in blustery weather with snow blowing into your eyes and nose and ears is not for the faint of heart. Braving the delays of road construction and the wreckage of disasters is a chore in itself. But if you need to catch a fish or two it is worth it.
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A HOT TAR DOUBLE TANKER RESTING ALONG THE GALLATIN RIVER ROAD