Two footers

A Missouri river Montana two footer

   While a few friends were out this  past weekend ripping streamers for two footers on the Yellowstone, others made their annual pilgrimage to Utah's Green R. in hopes of cashing in on some early season Baetis dry fly action.  The reports are in and the Utah crew cashed in a BIG way! Fish were eagerly fallingl for a # 18 CK CDC Baetis emerger fished in the film.                    This weekend got me thinking about a couple of things. 1.) I miss that low mountain desert fishing  for Big browns down on the sunny Green.  2.) I also miss that early season smash attack of those Big browns on the Stone this time of year.
   Realistically, dry fly fishing and streamer fishing are visually similar.  It's all about the rise to the dry or the chase after the meat.  I don't know which I prefer?  One thing is for certain, It beats staring at a strike indicator all day long.  When I was still guiding I had nightmares that stupid little fluorescent  bobber was making my life Hell.  I have spent so much time drift nymph fishing the buckets of the Lower Madison, I would call a strike even before the indicator twitched.
   Now when  it come down to dry fly fishing, and fishing it is.  Timing the strike is so important.  Too early, you yank the fly out of the fishes mouth.  Too late and the fish inhales your fly, swims to the bottom and shits it out.  Neither scenario is very rewarding.
   Streamer fishing and fishing it really is requires the same patience as dry fly fishing, timing the strike  can be downright visually stimulating.  We all  have been guilty of the premature hook set but in guide circles we call it premature ejerculation or shittin' the bed.   Either way you look at it, it's my personal opinion that  dry fly or strpping streamers is really what fly fishing is all about!