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Salmon Fly Hatch 2008 Update

As I alluded to in my previous post, the Salmon Fly hatch has finally arrived in full force.  On the Gallatin, swarms of these aquatic delicacies are flying through the Big Sky Canyon area.  The head of the hatch is located around Jack Smith Bridge and has not quite made its way up to the stoplight for Rt. 64, the Big Sky Spur.  Last night was absolutely epic, a true blessing, and ultimately, one of my most productive days fishing on a river.  The night was beautiful, the air crisp, and the fish hungry.  Salmon Flies, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and various Mayflies all blotted out the skies, as I was able to view firsthand the glory, and the most grandiosely elemental exposition of a river’s life cycle.  I fished a 9’ 4x Rio Leader with a size 8 orange Catpuke tied off the end and dropped a size 8 black Girdlebug two to three feet below on Rio 5x Flouro tippet.  Killer combo…if you are in the area, don’t fish with anything else for the next four days. 

On the Madison, the head of the hatch has reached Palisades, moving its way up from Ruby and McAtee Bridge.  The hatch has been heavy, really kicking off by mid-day when air and water temperatures rise to optimal conditions.  The river is fishing very well, and expounded by thick Caddis falls, trout have been feeding with continual aggression.  Try fishing from six o’clock on; you will avoid most of the tourist “dear-but-square” fisherman, and arrive deep in the thick of the evening Caddis fall. 

Southwestern Montana Fishing Report: The Gallatin, Upper Madison, Lower Madison, and Firehole Rivers

Over the course of the summer I have been writing a weekly fishing report for the Big Sky newspaper, The Big Sky Weekly.  Here is this weeks edition, which serves as a general fishing report for up to date information on the area's rivers.........

Faithful Anglers,
The days of proverbial "milk and honey" are upon us and the season has finally begun.  If you are at your wits end from staring intently at yarn or cork, your prayers have been answered as visions of sippers and gulpers have begun to materialize.  Over the past month, fishing has not been easy; if anything it has been a process of trial and error, often of frustration and confusion.  I myself, am easily caught up in the expectation of catching fish, as when fishing is tough, you may see me on the banks pouting like a petulant child.  It is during times like these, when we must all sit back, take a deep breath, and regain a sense of reality.  Why are we here?  Are we really here to catch fish or are we here TO fish?  Here we sit in one of the most epically magnificent landscapes, and yet in our highly credentialized, overtly competitive society, we often quickly lose sight of the finer things which are intrinsically tied to, and essentially make up the sport itself.  Said best by Henry David Thoreau, "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not the fish they are after."  This week, I ask us all to focus on relationship congealing between water and angler; find the peace, experience the transgression between human and nature, live the dream and enjoy the abstraction of life into general specifics…happiness, love, and the emotive life present.
The Gallatin has transformed; from its stubborn muddy water to a calming shot of green tea.  Tuesday running around 3,000 CFS, the river should drop well below that mark by the weekend and with water clarity improving by the day and hour, fish will begin looking to the heavens in search of river surfing insects.  In addition, with the long awaited and much needed scrubbing of the river bottom, a wave of entomological activity will run its course down the river, incurring a frenzy of activity in the war between trout and bug.  Over the past five days, Salmon Flies have consistently been seen in the Canyon, however, not yet working their way up past the Conoco.  Caddis and Yellow Sallies are making their presence felt mainly in the evenings but beginning by mid-afternoon. 
On the Upper Madison, Salmon Flies have worked their way up from Ruby to McAtee Bridge and have sporadically appeared around Palisades.  By the end of the weekend, you should see them buzzing around Three Dollar and Reynolds.  Pictured here is Jimmy "Loosewraps" Armijo, holding a beautiful Madison Brown and bearing the fruits of a fine day on the Upper.  Trout on the Upper have begun keying in on Salmon Flies and Golden Stones during the day, while by evening, feeding on plentiful Caddis falls.
The Lower Madison has fished extremely well over the past five days.  Though dry fly opportunities have been few and far between, it should improve with each passing day.  Zonkers, Huz-Ur-Daddies, Clauser Crayfish, and Soft Hackle Lightning Bugs have been the flies of choice.
The Firehole is still fishing well, with heavy Caddis hatches and intermittent PMD activity trout are actively feeding off the surface.  The water above Firehole Falls has been most productive, and fishing during the early morning and late afternoon has proven most successful.    
Good fishing and fair tidings anglers, cheers.   

-Kevney

Are you in a fishing slump? (that's a goose egg)

I am, and I need to get out of this slump or I may just have to quit. (just kidding).  The problem is that I keep going to the same spot, a spot that I never get skunked at but this year I am.  I know I need to try new spots but for some reason I just keep going back.  Maybe it's because I caught my biggest fish from the surf there last year and I keep hoping that it will fill in.  How will I know if I dont keep going back?  See my problem?  I'm fishing in Montauk Wed till Sun and am going to devote that time to finding myself a few new spots and hopefully the big one.  What do you do when you are in a fishing slump??  Any recommendations?

Wader Review: Cloudveil Crystal Creek Wading Pant

Cloudveil Crystal Creek Wading Pant:

Where most waders will make you look like Rosie or Oprah wearing a jumpsuit, these waders fit like a pair of slacks, and not so surprisingly are just about as comfortable as the chinos sitting in your dresser.  They afford you with high range and freedom of motion, and putting aside the obvious waste high construction, they are highly breathable as well. Having a three-layer Gore-Tex construction, stockingfoot neoprene booties, and built in gravel guards these are durable waders that will last.  They come standard with elastic belt loops and ski-pant style suspenders enhancing comfort and utility.  And with waterproof zip up hip pockets and a waterproof zippered fly wading convenience has reached its apex; being able to drain the tank with ease is a priceless commodity while out on the river.  These waders have received high accolades from both Field & Stream and Gray’s Sporting Journal during 2008, and though the price tag will undoubtedly lighten the pockets, in this sport you have you pay to play.  In purchasing a product with longevity of usage, and in combination with a methodical innovative design, for me they are worth every penny. 

Fly Tie of The Week: CDC Caribou Caddis (The Armijo Special)

Faithful anglers, on this second edition of Fly Tie of The Week we will showcase the CDC Caribou Caddis.  I'm not sure that you will find this one in a catalog, but it's simply a local twist on a classic tie.  Tied by good friend and Master Tier, Jimmy "Big Head Todd" Armijo, this pattern is a simple introduction to tying dry flies, and moreover, is an excellent fly for the Gallatin and surrounding waterways.  The photo to the left, which exhibits a spotted Caddis at rest, was taken two nights ago on a stretch of the Gallatin.  Over the past four days we have experienced consistent evening and afternoon Caddis hatches, and with the hopefully imminent explosion of the Golden Stones and Salmon Flies, dry fly season is on the foreseeable horizon. Water levels are dropping daily, clarity is steadily improving above the Taylor's Fork and below, the river has turned from Yoohoo to Green Tea.  Things are looking up.  At any rate, here's the tie, enjoy.

 

1.    Place a size 12 to 18 Dai Riki #125 Dry/Emerger hook in your vice.

2.       Starting behind the eye, wrap thread back along hook shank until even with barb.

3.    Apply dubbing (tan or color of choice) to thread by twisting small, light amounts of dubbing onto thread itself.  Do it, as Jimmy says, light and tight.

4.       Wrap thread and dubbing forward creating a smooth naturally tapered body.  Leave approximately one and a half eye lengths to tie in wings and head.

      

5.       Line up 3 to 5 feathers of tan CDC (or color of choice), in a way that the feathers lie parallel atop each other.

6.       Measure out wing to approximately one and a quarter hook length.  Tie in at head directly in front of dubbing.

7.       Trim butt ends to approximately one eye length creating a head.

What it should look like up to this point.

 

8.       Cut small clump of Caribou fibers and clean out under fur thoroughly.  Try to keep butt ends aligned.

   

9.       Tie in Caribou fibers directly on top of where CDC was tied in so that ends of Caribou are even with ends of CDC.

10.       Trim butt ends to approximately one eye length so that they are even with butt ends of CDC.

11.       Apply SMALL amount of dubbing to thread, again through twisting.

12.       Wrap dubbed thread over and on top of where Caribou and CDC were tied in to create a small dubbed head.

13.       Whip finish and tie off behind eye of hook.

14.       Apply small amount of head cement to knot behind head.

15.       Remove, tie on leader and apply to lip of trout.

R.L. Winston Boron II-MX 5wt. 4-piece Rod (590 BIIMX)

A few years back Winston brought forth a revolution to new age graphite rod design.  Whereas most graphite rods contain different modulus of graphite, Winston implemented the use of Boron technology in the butt section.  Boron, being tested to be 5X stronger and 3X lighter than graphite, allows the rod to decrease in weight while not sacrificing, but rather improving, integrity and strength.   Because of this, all Boron series rods are extremely light when compared to other rods of their caliber.  These Boron series rods have become the foundation for the future of R.L. Winston; producing first the BIIT, then the BIIX, and now the BIIMX, maximum, which designates its power, stiffness, and fish-fighting capabilities.  New to 2008, the BIIMX Series are the fastest action rods ever to come from a Winston line, and with this, partially go against the grain of the Winston typecast. 

Chris Hart, a rep for Winston in the Montana area, was kind enough to let me demo this rod over the past five days.  I fished it hard, chucking heavy rigs into heavy water.  These MX rods are designed with this situation in mind, being stiffer and more powerful than the BIIX, and having the ability to really cut through heavy winds and cast at greater distances.  Unlike the Sage Z-Axis, the BIIMX has a delicate tip with fast recovery, and as far as fast-action rods go, it maintains a traditional Winston rod load and level of sensitivity as they do present dries fairly well on the water. The MX comes standard with a double locking anodized aluminum reel seat, which I think is one of the best features of the rod itself; you can’t really budge the thing.  In combination with the new ‘Fish Fighting’ cork butt, the reel seat and butt section are tough, and up to most tasks on the water.  Personally, I do like the rod and how it casts; however, I would not make the purchase with the thought of obtaining an all-purpose, fit-all rod.  Its stiffness will prove limiting at times, and moreover, this is a rod built for the high-intermediate angler and above, and or the angler who is a fast-action fisherman through and through.  I just can’t see a novice angler being able to cast the rod with efficacy in getting the rod to do its desired purpose and exhibiting its true ability.  The MX series is offered from a 5wt to a 12wt, and from what I hear, a 4wt. will be put into production in 2009.  You won’t know a rod is for you until you cast it, so to the wind with all this, just get out there and try it out.

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Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Fly Line Review

3M Scientific Angler Sharkskin Line

Yesterday, for the first time I experienced firsthand the new hubbub in fly line technology.  Sharkskin, made by Scientific Anglers, a 3M company, has made waves in the fly fishing industry; the latest greatest, which every fly fisherman must try for himself.  Personally, I like it; however, as I am sure most everyone knows, it not only has its diehard supporters, but also some venomous naysayers.  When I say it is something every angler must try for himself, I mean that earnestly.  I am sure that for some, it is just not their cup of tea, and understandably, it does have some limitations.  If it’s worth anything, here is my general perception and opinion of the line itself.  In terms of castability, from a tight loop to a well presented roll cast, Sharkskin can do it all.  I was also impressed with the line’s versatility as it loads well on a variety of line weights and actions.  In addition, the line seemed to meet my demands and expectations in regards to accuracy, presentation, shootability and responsiveness.  In my mind, Shark Skin’s most enviable accolade lies in its nearly complete and utter lack of memory.  Talk about an innovation, a fly line with virtually zero memory…priceless. 

In line with the design concept, the line has a mechanized, micro-replicated embossed texture, which ultimately decreases surface tension allowing the line to travel with greater ease through of eyelets of a rod.  I will attest to this; the line is extremely quick and seems to fly through the rod tip with higher speed and shooting power.  In addition, this pattern, which creates tiny valleys on the fly line, increases it’s floatability by limiting surface tension and creating air pockets between line and water.  By means of this patterned characteristic, SA claims it translates directly to the ease of picking up line; like a rain shedding tire, the textural surface sloughs water off the fly line. And with the line having this higher floatation, you will experience a decrease in drag as well.  In so facto, therein lies one of Sharkskin’s most widespread and vocal complaints…NOISE. If you have heard the rumor, believe it.  The stuff is not meant for fish with ears, as this glorious fly line innovation creates a whizzing auditory effect while passing through the rod guides.  To some it is pure cacophony, but to anglers like avid Beaufort, SC Spottail fisherman Martin Dudley, that so called cacophony is simply “joyful noise”.  The sound of that line ripping and shooting, running and stripping is music to some anglers’ ears.  Good for Sharkskin, this noise does not correlate with the line wearing on eyelets nor a deterioration to any part of the rod or real.  With regards to durability, Sharkskin is tested to be two to three times more durable than conventional fly lines; whether or not this is true, only time will tell. A second downfall to this textured design will remind you of 9^th grade gym class: rope burn.  From speaking with fisherman who have used Sharkskin while in pursuit of larger query, a tormented tarpon on the run could run your fingers raw.  Like any fly fishing commodity, you have to pay to play and priced at $99 Sharkskin is on average $40 more expensive than most conventional lines.  All in all, I am a big fan, but as I alluded to, this line may not be meant for just every angler so cast it yourself and find out.    -Kevney

Fishing Munchies: Top 10 Treats For a Day On The Water

Fishing Munchies: Top 10 Treats For a Day On The Water

Let’s Not Take This Too Seriously, But Really…

1.       Sunflower Seeds: What a great oral fixation…and you forgo cancer. 

2.       Dip: Not edible, but so much for sunflower seeds.  Who doesn’t like a chawski on the water...oh you don’t?  Yea whatever, Streisand. 

3.       Beef Jerky: Doesn’t go bad, still good after a day in the bottom of my waders.

4.       PBR: Need I say more?

5.       Fish: Refer to #4. 

6.       Granola Bars: They’re light, good for you, and pack plenty of carbs.  Oh, and super heady…nice. 

7.       An Apple: Infinitely refreshing, travel easy; and you know, an apple a day…

8.       Candy Bar: Scrumptious sugar rush, and great for the diabetics. 

9.       Thanksgiving Dinner: All put in a blender, and funneled into a camelback.  Can anyone say satisfied? I can.

10.   Smushed Day Old Sandwich: Nothing more familiar, nor anything more ecstatically found.

Gallatin River Fishing Report

Today the Gallatin has dropped to 4,740 CFS, and has not yet come close to reaching the low point of it's daily trough.  I fished last night for about an hour, and for the first time in almost a week fishing had turned back on; nothing crazy, but at least there were signs of fish actively feeding off the bottom.  With a size 8 brown Girdlebug above, and testing a variety of nymphs below (Copper John, Lightning Bug, Quasimodo Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph) I was able to bring four fish to hand in a relatively short period of time.  While on the river, the years first signs of good bug activity began to appear.  I spotted decent numbers of Yellow Sallies, which serve as a precursor to the Golden Stone hatches in the area.  The river will continue to drop and improve in water clarity exponentially over the next week.  With the late season, and much needed cleansing of the river bottom by heavy run-off, rivers in the area, especially the Gallatin, should really explode by late this week.