June 2011
Fished the Lower Madison for the last two days and it has been pretty decent considering the chocolate colored water and low visibilty. The two essential components to successfully fishing the dirty water have been first using bright enough flies so the fish can see them and getting the flies into to soft water pockets were the fish are holding. Trout aren't moving to far to eat so you have to hit them on the nose with your bugs and they will eat. We've had steady action...
Some of the Bozeman Angler's private stillwater fisheries are a great option to get into the fish of a lifetime especially when your plans to float the Yellowstone get put on hold due to flood warnings. There are some spots on the rivers that are fishing well but most are packed with other fisherman in the same boat, so to speak. Why not treat yourself to a serene peaceful day of catching monster trout with no other anglers in sight. These ponds are guided only and see very...
People are frequently asking the question of "how is the fishing right now with all the water?" The answer: Awesome, seriously. Yes, a lot of the rivers are high, fast, and muddy, but the fish are still there and have to eat every chance they can. It may be some serious nymph and streamer action but as long as you're catching fish it is better than not catching fish. Bozeman Angler guide Miles Nolte caught this nice brown on the lower Madison yesterday with a crayfish...
One of the many awesome parts of being a fishing guide in Montana is that I get to meet some of the most fascinating people. This week I had the good fortune to fish with legendary singer and song writer, Steve Earl. By Steve's side was his good friend and local angler, Colleen "The Green Darner" Tretter. Steve and his band came to Bozeman for the 4th stop of an insanely long tour and found time for a couple of days of fishing. Unfortunately, my "go to" rivers in the area are completely...
Made the long drive to Craig yesterday for a great day of nymphing little flies on 12ft. leaders. A real fun day with lot's of happy fisherman on the water catching a few fish. The second half of the day we got tired of staring at the bobber so we through streamers and had a few chasers along the mud line where wolf creek is dumping brown water. Nymphing is the more consistent of the two but that is nothing out of the ordinary. Did see a few fish rising to midges...
Sometimes it's easy to overlook some of the amazing stillwater fisheries we are lucky to have so close to Bozeman. I didn't feel like driving to Dillon this morning so I ventured up to Hyalite since I'd heard the Cuttys are putting on their pre-spawn feed bags. To my pleasant surprise the road is now open all the way to Grotto Falls so access is a piece of cake. Had a great day pulling in trout from the lake set to the background of heavily snow covered mountains and...
Spent the last couple of days in Idaho chasing Salmon flies and had a blast. Tons of big dry flies smacking the water and some good fish going after them. The key was definately to hit the magic hour early morning or late evening with rubberleg nymphs working consistently through midday. A great change of pace the Henry's Fork is a beautiful river and has a lot of water in it making floating a bit fast but fishable. Can't wait for the Salmon flies to hatch on the...
Had the last two days off from the shop to see what's happening on the water and found some good fish and some good stories. Fished Harrison Lake on Wednesday with some great fish on "Secret Flies" that i'll let you in on. I'm talking Hare's Ears and Wooly Buggers which are classics for a reason, they work. Get them down to were they need to be and you'll be fine. I like a full sink line but an indicator will do the trick to.
Floated the Big Hole yesterday...