Yesterday my life was filled with clouds

so we decided to give the Jefferson another shot as conditions were ideal for a river that is basically a streamer show - clouds and rain, October, brown-trout river. Alas, it was a bust. We boated a couple dinks. Hooked a big rainbow, but only for a few seconds.
I went for a bike ride today, and as anglers are wont to do, gave every water I passed by the once over. I indeed found a couple ponds that were chock full of sunnies, bass and carp. The sunnies were feasting on midges as well as any trout I've seen, and the carp were eating something on top occasionally and plowing their snouts through the bottom when not rising. I will get back soon, with rod in hand.

To quasi-quote Dusty Springfield:
"The dark days are done
The bright days are here...

...Sunnies, one so true -
I found you."

There's been a lot of talk...

timpanoga hecuba dun

...lately about the fall drake, aka hecuba, aka drake mackerel, aka red quill aka Snake drake. I've heard reports of them from the Big Hole, Yellowstone and Bitterroot rivers this fall.
I've only seen a good hatch once, on the Gallatin. It was a wet, cloudy late afternoon - September 10, 2008. No fish were rising so I didn't throw on a dry, but I probably should have. Hecubas are just shy of green drakes in stature, so it shouldn't take many to garner attention. They also have three short tails, and short stubby bodies like green drakes, so they're often confused for them. Their color is the main distinction, but season is another indication.

timpanoga hecuba nymph

They're a marvelous, beautiful, rare mayfly that are a treat to encounter. 

I think we're hearing and encountering so many more this year because of consecutive good-water years that provide the healthy rivers that certain rare bugs need to thrive. Check this out for more on that.

Should you see a hecuba, I'd recommend a big Royal Wulff or something similar. For more on drakes and Wulffs, pick up the upcoming issue of the Montana Sporting Journal. 

Go fish.

Sweetheart, the noodly streamer rod

I literally pulled it out of the garbage of my old residence. It was in tough shape, but usable. I rewrapped a few guides and it was ready to fish. My old new fiberglass 7 weight streamer rod is a Wright and McGill Sweetheart, and it's a trip.

It's so noodly, you have to be careful, on the hike to the river, that the wobble doesn't gain too much momentum and quake the rod from your grip, off into the distance (if this happens, let go - the wobble is strong with this one). Long may you wobble, Sweetheart.
What better place to put the 'glass streamer rod to use than the Jefferson? The only fish to bend the noodle were small but it was fun.

The Jefferson is surprisingly scenic - I always thought of it as a nondescript, scrubby, warm-ish river, but it was gorgeous.
Here's to bigger bends in the noodle.

It must be September cuz I'm seeing October caddis

I think I saw my first October caddis of the year the other day. This is good news.
Fishing October caddis dries is kinda like fishing hoppers in that you have big fish eating big flies. More subtlety is required, but it offers similar-sized fish on dries.
Not every river gets a great hatch, but an outstanding emergence isn't required. If you see a couple big orange caddis, tie on an orange Stimulator with stout tippet.
I've mostly fished the hatch on the lower Gallatin, but was told by 20-something fly-shop guy that the Gallatin doesn't actually get October caddis (dicosmoecus). Ok, fella. He said that the Gally (as I'm sure he called it) actually got a bug that looked a lot like an October caddis, but wasn't a real October caddis. It does get that bug (see below), but it also gets the real thing.

And the fact is that for all intents and purposes, they're the same bug. One has lighter wings and is a tad smaller (size 8 to 10), and the real thing has dark wings with a distinct vein pattern (see below), and is size 6 to 8. Note the zig-zag vein going vertically about 2/3 down its side - that's a good way to tell if you've got an actual dicosmoecus.

They hatch in September (I've probably seen more in September than October), just like March browns that hatch in April.

 (cased dicosmoecus larva)

You can fish the pupae as well - just a big orange soft hackle should suffice.
If you see the big orange caddis, tie on a Stimmie and hold on tight.

Dickie to Jerry Creek

Floated the Big Hole from Dickie Bridge to Jerry Creek on Friday - it wasn't what we'd hoped for. We got a few on hoppers and a few on streamers, but nothing huge. Most of the fish were in the 14- to 18-inch range, which is pretty standard on that river. I heard that the stuff down around Maiden Rock wasn't much better that day, so we felt a bit better about that.
It was super skinny in that section (which we anticipated), but I'd go somewhere else next time. I want to get back to that stretch, but I think there are better sections right now.

Foxee Red

Clay took care of business with the Foxee Red Clouser again on Friday below the Ennis dam. The more I learn about that fly, the more intrigued I am. Bucky, the shop manager at Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, loves it, I've seen it referred to as the No. 1 smallmouth fly of all time and one of the best streamers ever, it consistently puts the hurt on trout, and yet some people look at you like you're crazy when you mention it. It works in slow, meadow creeks, fast pocket water, stillwater, brown water, and probably in the salt. Highly recommended.

Camped at Hebgen last night. Didn't fish - just caught up with some old friends who were driving through. Did awaken to a beautiful Hebgen morning.

Understanding the fish gods' plan

I was all excited to fish Hebgen gulpers, but the fish gods had another plan for me. Got there early, they gulped sporadically on tricos til about 9:30, then the wind and rain came and the fish retreated. I checked in at Blue Ribbon Flies and was told today, there would be no gulping, for it was windy.

Instead, I was told to make the pilgrimage to Three Dollar Bridge on the upper Madison, where fish are plentiful enough to feed the multitude. It was good - actually fished a baetis hatch in August. There is a time for every hatch under heaven (baetis isn't usually August though). Caught a couple in the 17- to 18-inch range on a Sparkle Dun. Also got the Clouser to work, but not on big fish.

While I'm all about fishing new and/or small water, it was kind of nice to fish big, easy water. No hiking necessary and good fishing (almost) guaranteed.
Saturday we floated the lower Madison. Can't beat floating under the sun, drinking beer, catching lots of fi... - oh wait. We maybe boated three 8-inch trout, all on streamers, all by Jake. There were rises and chases, but few.
Why, fish gods, have you forsaken me?
Alas, we must have faith, for skunks are the devil's work.

Go in peace, catch some fish.

The Bridges of Madison County: How Now Brown Clouser?

Remember that guy on the Ruby River who sued the state over its stream access law in 2004? We fished the river on his property on Friday. There aren't even any 'no trespassing' signs, nor are there any fences crossing the river. Maybe he's come around...
The streamer bite was good, but the surface bite was tough - only small fish here and there on Humpies and Chernobyls. It helped that that stretch was flowing at 83 cfs, courtesy of irrigation.
It felt good to fish the property of the old curmudgeon who wants to take that right away.

Don't let the man keep you out.

Bighorn Creek

Finally got some pics from "Bighorn Creek" and permission to post them. In three outings over about 10 days, three guys landed 11 brown trout over 20 inches. These photos have not been altered in anyway.

Secrets

I fished this weekend, but I can't say where.
Friday we fished a creek (we'll call it "Bighorn Creek") that has big brown trout, and is, with a few exceptions, unknown. If it were known, it'd get hammered cuz there are really big browns in it (in the past week, clay and brady caught five over 20 inches). No pics of the fish - they only play when they're sure their mug won't be posted on some jackass-fisherman's blog.

Saturday I fished a lake near town that gets very little pressure and has many and big cutthroats ("Bighorn Lake"). These fish are eager, plentiful and there are a couple huge ones that cruise. They have the brightest red slashes of any cutthroat I've ever seen - I kept thinking they were bleeding but it was just their vibrant slashes. Sorry for the lousy picture - they were slippery bitches.

This weekend I'm camping around a section of the state I've never fished. I plan on fishing the West Bighorn River, Big Bighorn Creek, and the East Fork of the North Fork of the South Fork of the Bighorn. And maybe Bighorn's Pond. Photos to follow. I won't always be this stingy about locations, but for now....
Formerly, I didn't really believe in secrets. I was happy to share what I knew, and didn't really think it'd make a difference. But that was before I knew of some truly unbelievable fisheries. You be shocked too, if you fished these special places. But you'll have to find them on your own.

I hear the owl cooing

When "daily maximum water temperatures reach or exceed 73°F at any time during the day for three consecutive days", Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will impose Hoot Owl restrictions, meaning it'll be closed from around 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.until the water stays below 70 degrees for three consecutive days or September 15. We're very close on a few major waters, including the lower Gallatin (hit 73 once in the last week), the middle Jefferson (hit 71 already so the lower parts must be awfully close), the Lower Madison (71 twice this week), and the Big Hole (flowing below normal down low and has hit 72 for five straight days up high at Wisdom). The Yellowstone which is usually prone to high temps has stayed relatively low, maxing out at 64 at Big Timber last week.

We've honestly had about three weeks of fishable water on these waters (not counting the Lower Madison) and now they might be toast for awhile. Ugh.

16 Mile to the Boulder

White were knuckles. White was the water. White were our faces as we glissaded over the rocks of Big Timber's Boulder River. But we survived, had a lot of fun, and have some funny stories. The river maestro Brady sent us down the right chutes and we stayed above the surface.
I only wish I had photos to share. My nice big camera got soaked, along with my expensive macro lens - collateral damage. Hopefully they'll dry out and be as good as new. But I'm prepared for them not to be.
On Friday it was small trout, huge numbers, and dry flies. My number was 23, and Clay didn't count, but I'm sure it was more than that. More fun than I've had fishing in a long time. A lark. Yellow Goofus Bug. Small Stimmies. Narrow casting lanes and hang ups in trees. It's all part of this game, and it's tremendous.

Joe's Hopper and Foam Beetle

I might be jumping the gun a little (cuz apparently terrestrials virtually always work well at the West Boulder Meadows) but hopper patterns where catching fish yesterday. The plague has begun.

Trout Lake

Yellowstone's Trout Lake is quite a place.

The Wild Man of Wise River

I took advantage of the terrible weather to camp in the Wise River valley - I love it over there. I had the entire campground to myself on Memorial Day Weekend. The Wise itself has bank-full and turbid, but there is much fishing to be done over there.
Got up to a lake near Wisdom that I was told had grayling - it does.

Then fished a sweet new spot on the Big Hole, but all I got where whities. There was an excellent March brown hatch and fish were looking up - I believe they were trout, but not positive.

This morning, I fished a little crick next to my campground that looks excellent - probably better when it's a little lower tho. I managed a 13-inch brown trout however.
A wonderful 24 hours spent in the Big Hole - I might retire over there.

Hebgen Lake Ice-out Report: the Anglers Strike Back

Clay and I fished the north shore of Hebgen today - there is plenty of fishable water. There are spots where it's about 30 feet (and constantly growing) and other spots where there is much more than that. Not huge midge hatches yet, but soon. The fishing was tough - we each got a couple but we worked for them. It was pretty busy, especially with spin fishers who like to snuggle. But there was no wind, and it was beautiful. SPRING!

Not good for the ego

The fishing was fine - it wasn't that. It was what happened when I squatted to pick up our empties as were packing up after floating the lower Madison last Friday. SCREEEEPPPTCHHHH! I blew the ass out of my Simms Classic Guide waders. These are, by many accounts, the best wader ever made and they no longer make them. They were my favorite waders, and I'm pretty sure they're unfixable. Bulletproof, my ass (pun intended).

Anyhow, the fishing was fine - there were baetis, March browns, caddis and zillions of midges out. We were getting them on the size 14 P-tail, the baetis emerger, and, if you can believe this, the crayfish. 

Love that dirty water

There is always some fishing to be done in southwest Montana, even when the reports might indicate otherwise. Clay and I went back to the upper Madison cuz it was good enough last week - it was good again. We landed 35 between us, up to 19 inches. Relatively few baetis, but caddis and March browns made their spring debuts. The river was slightly green, but not nearly enough to add to the challenge. Soon, it will be time to focus on stillwaters, and so the story moves on...

Prospecting for skwalas

Clay and I hit the lower Gallatin River this afternoon near my old stomping grounds - my old neighbor Jake let us come out. It was good - between the two of us we got 18 fish in about 4.5 hours. The were eating the skwala nymph, the baetis nymph, and the pheasant tail. Oh, and the skwala dry. We saw one shuck and based on appetite for the nymph (and the fact that a fish rose for my indicator and for a baetis nymph dangled carelessly just under the surface), I decided to see if they were looking up. They were- I landed two fish and missed about 6 others on the skwala dry.

A call to rods

It does happen - stream access was taken away from Utah's anglers. And despite the popular belief, it wasn't by the Obama administration.

Attempts to overturn Montana's stream access law will not stop, and one day, anglers might be on the losing end. Enjoy it while you can.

Now is the time we should go stake our claims on the lower Ruby and Mitchell Slough, being mindful to be respectful of the law and the landowner.

I lived on the banks of the Gallatin River for three years and saw, on more than one occasion, naive and disrespectful anglers march across landowner's grass, sit on their furniture while pretending to be oblivious to their indiscretion. I've seen hordes of embarrassing anglers hike from one end of a private property to another, over and over and over on the Bitterroot. I was going to holler an apology to the pissed-off landowner on behalf of responsible fishermen, until I saw his silver pistol glisten in the sunlight - that was my cue to move on (see photo to the right).

In my experience, the myth of the gracious Montana ranch owner is true - they've been nothing but gregarious and warm, as long as you obey the rules and don't endanger their land or livestock. It makes me wonder if the angler who gets chewed out doesn't deserve it (most times).

Opponents of the stream access law claim it's jealousy and social warfare. Or, as in Utah, that it depreciated property values. But really, I think it's just that they don't want people on their property, which is understandable, but in Montana, folks have the right. Landowners ought not take it out on the angler - rather take it up with their legislative representatives.

Even President Obama has enjoyed the right. When he fished the East Gallatin River last summer (a river known to host its share of landowner v. fisherman conflicts), he didn't pay to fish a private stretch - he took advantage of his legal right.

Some burden to keep anglers honest is on the landowner, however. If there are not 50-square-inch orange signs posted, consent for access is implied (read it here), which can be verbally rescinded. But when you find yourself fishing a questionable place that is not posted, at least pick up some trash so if the landowner comes out and accuses you of trespass, you'll have a peace offering (to go with your defense).

So get after it - but be vigilant, respectful, law-abiding, and most of all, exercise common sense. We've got it pretty good in Montana, for now anyhow.

Hebgen Lake Ice-out Report

Friday we hiked in to the Madison Arm of Hebgen Lake from Highway 191. It wasn't an easy hike over snow and through mud, but if there's open water on Hebgen, it's usually worth it. To our surprise, it appeared as though the entire Madison Arm was open (can't be positive, though). There were lots of Hebgen midges, but it was blowing a gale and no fish were rising. The lake even appeared to have slightly turned over as it wasn't very clear. So it was one of the few times when fishing Hebgen seemed futile. There were lots (I counted about 50) baetis along the river, and we found one pod of consistently rising fish (alas this section of the river is closed until May).
The estuary is interesting water and hosts some big rainbows.
But, the point is that there are definitely sections of Hebgen that are ice-free and on less windy days, I have no doubt that the fishing is lights out (rumor has it that the South Fork Arm and Whiskey Bay also have open water - the north shore has a ways to go). It takes a little work to get there, but anyone who has fished Hebgen knows of the reward.
On Saturday I towed the camper out to the lower Madison and floated Black's Ford to Greycliff with Clay, Brady, Caroline, Josh Duchateau and his fiance' Sandy. The fishing was good for the first half of the float (for everyone but me, but I digress...). The closer we got to the takeout, the bonier and less fishy the water became. We capped the day with beers around a campfire, enduring that infamous lower Madison wind. We hit the hay thinking the wind would soon stop; alas it gusted and gusted all night. It was kind of insane. I got up at about 6, broke down and came home.
The rest of them floated again today and apparently the fishing was quite good, but windier yet. I wish I could've joined them, but I popped home to get my aggressive dog before last night's campfire, so I was on my own.
Also, last Wednesday I found some new public water on Bozeman's locally "secret" stream. It's a place that doesn't have much for public land so it's always good to find more. The fishing was good - they wanted the baetis nymph.