.. Don't wait for the experts to tell you. Grab your streamers and fling them into the dark stream side holes. Follow the shadows and give them a tug. Dance partners are willing.
.. Fish early, (really early,) or late, (where you can.) Extra long casts are not required = but useful. If you are good at sneaking try a down stream strip at the bank beneath your feet.
.. Be on the alert for terrestrials. Ants, beetles, hopper nymphs and hopper juveniles are now available. If you are in or near the trees there are some moths showing up. If you don't mind catching a lot of fish try the gulpers on the reservoir.
.. So then, we received a blessed couple of days of sleeping weather. It slowed the terrestrials, surprised the dudes and newcomers, wilted the pansies, and - best of all - soothed the souls of our overextended front line workers.
.. As previously mentioned, both fishing and catching have been very good. All of our local streams and rivers and lakes and ponds have settled into their seasonal excellence.
BY THE NUMBERS
LITTLE FRIENDS
1] Firehole River. The canyon above Old Faithful showing some early spawners. The gentle water on the Lone Star Geyser Trail has the most beautiful brook trout in the park. They are just lighting up now and taking anything that you throw. Biscuit Basin is becoming cool and look for Baetids after this weekend - otherwise hoppers late afternoon and soft hackles all of the time.
2] Madison River.
Small streamers everywhere, hoppers and other terrestrials in the
afternoon warm meadows, exploration of the last 3 miles for the
adventurous seeking early runners.
BIG EYES
3] Gallatin River. Spawners above Bighorn Pass trailhead. It's a trek but, with good legs, worth it. Hoppers and ants when warm in grassy areas. Spawners nosing around Bacon Rind confluence. Small spawners near other tributaries. Soft hackles and small streamers working. Small fish all through Grayling Creek.
4] Hebgen Reservoir.
If its warm and, with no wind the calibaetis are still there. Cool
morning in all tributaries will find clouds of tricos. Below the dam is
full of hungry resident fish and, Quake Lake near the outlet has pods of streamer-hungry fish, (near the trees.)
SELDOM FISHED
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.. Coming attractions: Saturday rain, Sunday heavy overcast, Monday broken clouds and warming. This is coming on a perfect weekend!
.. We got a head start on our winter productivity. We're two dozen shy of our first gross of flies for others. It passes the time!
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STANDARD MATUKA
.. There are a couple of sympathetic guides who have taken pity on us and scheduled some lowland river fishing.
.. The upcoming 10 days should prove to be warm enough and bright enough for some streamer tugging down on the Madison River.
.. With our day light saving switch and, sleeping in to hit the active fish time, we should be ready for anything. Seldom a skunk this time of year.
.. Dark under banks and crisp shadow lines are good for the soul in the late fall. Splash, pause, swing, tug, swing, tug, swing, tug, slam-bam thank you ma'am.
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TRAILING SHUCK
.. Habits are hard to break. One that has stood us in good stead is the use of the simple Matuka. We've tied and used the latest and greatest on and off each year. But, just can't break the habit.
.. With a little luck the deep side of the boat should provide excellent big nymph dunking. If the sun plays peek-a-boo there may still be some dinky baetids bopping around. We're pleased to visit those foreign lowlands a couple of times each year.
.. The old truism about "smaller through the season," seems to hold value. So, we take advantage of the neighbors' kindness. They tie some 14's and 16's on short leader bits for us.
.. The other truism about stillborn flies in late season seems to bear some truth as well. Ugly flies seem to be worthwhile during this time of year - on the right day.
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.. The best thing about a good an exceptional river guide is their selfless energy in response to the client's needs. We're very needy. There are so many things we do poorly that can be compensated for by a good guide. There are only a couple of guides that put up with our deficiencies. Happily they are willing to indulge us. Off we go.
.. Full bore until November 6, (or thereabout!) Hie thee hither and join the funfrustrationelationdisappointmentjoy satisfaction that derives from poking a slimy fish with a sharp instrument.
PICK YOUR POISON
.. For the moment the rivers on the west side of Yellowstone National Park are living up to their fabled glory.
.. This is the yesterday you should have been here for.
PICK YOUR POISON
.. Neither the recent warm weather nor the rise in both temperature and discharge has deterred the fish from biting or even the fishers from flinging.
.. These few days of so called "Indian Summer" have brought the casual and the committed together in a nudging of elbows. Post card views abound and are wasted on the small sensors of cell phones: the result of learning to converse with one's thumbs.
THE GREEN LEG WOOLLY BUGGER
.. Right now it's streamer heaven.
.. Streamers are the preferred sort of fly for most of the hard striding headhunters. Soft hackles reign for the fishers of fish.
.. There was an eruption of small caddis on the Madison River near the Barns Holes this afternoon.
.. There were noses everywhere and not a single streamer could match the hatch.
BAKER'S HOLE BUGGER
.. Green legged Woolly Buggers were used by a couple of the neighbors to take some "decent sized" runners. Visitors were using the ever popular Baker's Hole Bugger.
.. This fly is not limited to the water around Baker's Hole. It is mostly confined to the dusty bins of some local feather merchants.
YE OLDE PHEASANT AND BLUE
.. One or two of the neighbors, (those with memories as long as their beards,) continue to use the old Pheasant and Blue Streamer.
.. It has an obscure history in these parts and is only used by the most grumpy of the most successful fishers on our block.
.. Many of the more normal of our neighbors have resorted to conventional wisdom, (highly unusual,) and tied on flies from their 'softie' box.
BEAD HEAD SOFTIE
.. One of the favorites for getting stuck in a rock is the Soft Hackle Bead Head Caddis Nymph. We're not sure if this is offered by the local feather merchants or not.
.. Right now, (the last few days,) this aberration is dredging up some bragging sized fish on the Firehole River near Biscuit Basin and in the water below the confluence with Nez Perce Creek.
.. We've not mentioned Nez Perce Creek much this season, (probably because we've been fishing it and enjoyed the lack of visitors on the Mary Mountain Trail.)
TRADITIONAL SOFT HACKLE
.. This unloved little sister of its master stream is spewing out fish by the apron full.
.. Olive or, green or. brown traditional soft hackles with just a bit of twinkle will prove the point.
.. Even the most cantankerous of our local curmudgeons have fallen into lock step behind the visitors using these classic bits of fluff.
..The fling'em'n'float'em crowd is still getting their kicks with BWO's, (when the clouds are right,) and with the steady afternoon caddis hatch on most days and places.
..We can only report some of the pub chatter about the mayflies that are currently hatching: "they are more green, more bright, and bigger than usual." We wouldn't know.
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.. It's getting late and tomorrow promises to be another bluebird day, (until late afternoon.)
.. When the clouds come scudding over the divide about 4:00 PM it should be gang busters on the Firehole River, Nez Perce Creek, and the Gallatin River, (above the Bighorn trail head.)
.. There are reports of big bears in the willows along this part of the Gallatin River. There are also reports of moose, wolves, and giant fish running up from the roadside meadows around the Fan Creek confluence.
.. In no way shape, sign, or show should you fish this area with out some other fishers that know how to make noise. Neither should you venture forth without a large canister of bear spray in your hand - NOT ON YOUR BELT!
.. Time now for a bedtime story and some sustenance. Tomorrow promises to be spectacular for both fish and fishers.
.. Even the faithful have donned slickers and ponchos and expensive rain wear. These bits of raiment serve to protect their waterproof waders and waterproof hats and vests and jackets. A sight indeed!
DON THE GEAR NOW
.. We've had a bit of snow and the experts have decided that Fall is here to stay. Could be. The garden is still green and so are most of the deciduous trees.
.. The west side waters have cooled and discharge has increased. This is a skosh unusual; more so if it lasts.
.. Fishers have a choice, (at the moment.) Should they rise to the flies with the fish or should they slash and strip to the submarines? Both are viable approaches. Both are reasonably successful.
CDC BWO - SIZE MATTERS
.. The Firehole River has finally broken through the 60°F barrier. Fish are rising to BWO's with such gay abandon that the pubs are not even full of whispers. .. Raucous giggles and wild arm extensions are easily visible to any who care to see and hear. Yes Murgatroyd, the BWO's are thick enough to blot out the sun.
THE OTHER WAY
.. The Firehole River is currently approaching record flows and is about 100 cfs above seasonal norms. Anglers should carefully pick the water for catching. Often we hear that "there were bugs all over the water but no fish rising!" .. Trout are not dumb. If there is a slow slick or back eddy that concentrates the little flies they will be there. Watch for a spell and use some binoculars - it helps. .. There are some BWO hatches on the Madison River as well. A story similar to that on the Firehole River is being written on the MADISON RIVER.
IN THE SOFT WATER
.. At about 700 cfs the river is also approaching record discharge. The temperatures have been in the 50's for a couple of weeks. This has finally enticed the sex crazed trout to leave Hebgen Reservoir. .. With the runners in the rivers it's possible to fish soft hackles, big ugly nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. .. Take the whole box and try 'em all. Something's bound to work: especially if you walk a short way and look for the dark smooth spots.
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.. The sun is out and it's now at 40°F: it's obviously time for a snack and a nap. The low sun of the evening will bring more fish to hand.
.. The kids down the block just returned from a safari to that lowland mecca -- Bozeman.
.. They raided Sacks, Goodwill, and Salvation Army [#1, #2.]
.. A real prize was scarfed up and returned to the tying benches of the neighborhood. A mid (last,) century, stole of lovely red and orange fur was glommed onto for the outrageous price of $7.00.
URINE STAINED VIXEN STREAMER
.. If you are of the correct age and maturity you will remember those exotic old fly recipes that call for urine stained vixen fur. Well, we got some.
.. There is even a very effective fly that can be quickly and easily tied with the smelly stuff.
.. Just use a thin sliver of the hide, (cut it on the back with a very sharp razor and metal straight edge,) plus some thread and voila, a killer streamer is fabricated.
.. No need for instructions, Make it thin. Tie it tight and separated like a Matuka. Presto, chango, magic fox fly.
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.. It's getting light earlier nowadays. Time for a breakfast that will last until the afternoon. It's clear already and the second pot of coffee smells good.
.. While indulging in reminiscences about our jaded history around this neighborhood some things come to the fore quite often.
.. With the passing of Bud Lilly we constantly come back to the thought that "BIG FISH EAT LITTLE FISH." Bud said it often. He also practiced it when he was after big fish. Big streamers were fished at any time of the year.
.. Today, with the current dry or die mania, streamers are relegated to the Fall or when everything else fails.
.. The satisfactions of fly fishing are many and varied: precision casting, seeing the grab, enjoyment of surroundings, catching many fish, catching a single - recalcitrant - fish, road trips with friends, and so many more.
.. This is one of the most appealing aspects of our pastime = diverse experience opportunities.
.. We've often been chastised for so many of our posts highlighting streamers of the large and gaudy variety. It was just last night that we remembered where that predilection has come from. Thanks Bud.
.. Good scientific research has shown that large predatory trout seek out prey fish that are 15 to 25 percent of their size. The simple conclusion is: the bigger - the better.
.. We would not presume to change the contemporary bent of the fly fishing industry and the lock step following of the fly fishing community.
.. We would suggest, however, that it pays to fish large streamers if you would like to gather up fish of the larger variety: no matter the time of day or time of year.
.. Now that it's warmed up to a -20°F we'll get some breakfast, another cup of joe, and stroll around the block to see if it really is that warm.
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