Bow R. Buggers, Soft-Hackles & Hoppers

The headlines read like this. Fishing in Southwestern Montana is off the charts! If you want to experience some of the finest fly fishing Montana has to offer, get here quick!
End of story. The wait was worth it. Fishing is only going to get better from here out.

Montana Wind!

Early starts are great for beating the wind and traffic. The fishing was solid as was the moss collecting on the flies. It's that time of the year. A small price to pay for little wind and quality fishing. Yesterday was a blurr. Between the 35mph gusts of wind and the talent, I was whooped. Maybe it's older age catching up with me?
Rivers around Southwestern Montana have finally stabilized, clearing and slowly dropping. This is a great time to be fishing in Montana. If the wind continues, we will tweak our schedules to beat it. My lumbar guarantees it!

Fly Shop Owners

Who cares really? So what if I'm parked in your neighbors retail parking space. If you weren't such a crotchety dickcheese and own an uptight space , I might walk into your shop and spend some dough. There is a reason I go out of my way in the morning to patronize certain Bozeman Montana fly shops and not yours!

Straw Hats?

This is a topic I consider near, dear and important to the health of fly fishing. This so called phenomenon has taken Montana by storm for quite some time now. I guess I have become blind to the fact that every Tom, Dick and Harry exiting a plane and walking through the Bozeman airport, is sporting a straw cowboy hat. It is time to address this foolishness.
There is nothing wrong with having childhood fantasies. I played cowboys and Indians too. For you straw hat sportin' wanna look like Brett Michaels posers - do you think the true blue cowboy from Wilsall isn't swallowing a little bit of chewing tobacco every time he spots one of you derelicts?
This sort of behavior has spawned a little game my boat and party now play on the river. It goes a little like this. When I see a boat in front of me freaking the fish with these goofy cheap brims, I slide over to cover a different lane. It works too. It always pays off. The hats displace fish because they are scared shitless of what is hacking down the river! I know it works because I'm playing clean up, cashing in on peoples urge to be trendy and fashionable in Montana? Like you need to be in the most genuine state in the country. Most fish that come to the net know so because they have a giant grin stretching ear > ear. I wonder why?
Now don't get me wrong. There is a time, place and type of person that will warrant a trendy sombrero. 1. If you are a fishing guide who spends 100+ days on the water fending off UV rays. 2. Don't need to go there. 3. Don't need to be mean (already have). 4. Think I'm getting my point across-ed.
I'm sure this rant will ignite a few comments but I think it's time for fashion to take a good look at itself and maybe a sharp left turn.
I know trends come and go but this is one trend that in my opinion has to go.
Let's get back on track. The fishing is really good right now! I will probably be spending the rest of the month between the Jeff and the Stone. I anticipate the fishing to remain good for a while with all this water.
If you have never experienced Montana fly fishing, now is the time! Give us a call 406-539-6582 to book your next fly fishing adventure. Check back soon for the Kim Kardashian For President Blog

The times they are a changing...

What a difference a week makes! Things around Southwestern Montana are finally shaping up. All waters are fishing well and should continue to fish throughout the Summer.
We spent this weekend between the Upper and Lower Madison. The Lower took the gold. Fishing on the Upper Madiheadscratchison has been slow but finally picked up on Monday? The Jeff is dropping fast and we will soon be there with first hand reports. The Stone is dropping/clearing but still big and a little freaky. I'm sure I'll be over there in my low-pro soon enough.
One thing is for sure. WE HAVE WATER THIS SUMMER AND LOTS OF IT! The fish are loving it.
Reports from the crew we had on the water today were Great dry fly fishing on both the Yellowstone and Gallatin! As we are biggining to get very busy, I will try to keep this Blog updated. Please continue to check back periodically. Until the next post...

I Remember When...

I don't like the word weird but that sums up the fishing and conditions right now. I have been to Hell and back trying to find some quality fishing and have come up short. It's almost Independence day and we are still up to our eyeballs in water. I layed in bed this morning and listened to the wind rip until it finally blew in the rain which continues to pour down.
Word on the Upper Madison are Salmonflies. Not a big deal really when you are competing with 40 other boats. This sort of behavior only results in a giant SHIT SHOW! I have never been a huge fan of the "BIG Bug". Nymph fishing before the hatch can be good. If you are slightly behind the march out of the river, dry fly fishing can be good to great and if your lucky - Epic but you gotta hit it right. If your too far behind the hatch, the fish might be gorged on the nymph which will make you want to pull your hair out.
The lower Madison is currently all over the USGS map. With fluctuating flows out of Ennis reservoir, impending weeds on the way and the likelihood that an inebriated college kid wraps his inner tube around your anchor rope, I would opt for a different venue.
Next we move over to the Yellowstone which is fluctuating between 12 - 13,000 c.f.s. The river is still Huge and quite frankly freaky. These sort of conditions make me want to buy an old aluminum Willie boat.
And the Jefferson - Back up to 6,000 c.f.s. I don't know when the Jeff will come into shape.
What this all boils down to is, I'm done trying to make any predictions for this season. The fishing will continue and one of these days it will erupt into something fierce. We have water, lots of water for the first time in a long time. I know the fish are loving it but you won't really know it until flows stabilize.

Dropping Like A Stone!

I have to start this Blog by defending myself.
I have received several comments from readers asking where the "fish pics" are?
As most of you know, I have never been a big fan of "fish porn". As my creative stash of off the beaten path images dwindle, there will be plenty of posts in the future with pornographic snapshots of BIG fish. I'm sure ya'll can rest easy now.
I once had a guide ask me to put his bio on my website. ??? I BIT MY TONGUE! Apparently, he had not discovered the self soothing massage of Facebook.
The Ditch your probably wondering is a fairly new sandwich & coffee shop located just South of four corners. The Ditch is pumping out some delicious deli lunches. I will be utilizing them this season as they offer a fantastic fisherman's box lunch!
As for the fishing, well most of the local rivers are on the "drop and clear". I'm sure I just put the jinx on as soon as I hit the publish post button. Today and tomorrow put us on the Missouri. Holy water! It's big - 15,000+ cfs. Normally known for it's dry fly fishing, I think the fish are a tad freaked out right now. You will be successful up here if you change tactics. A long leader, lot's of weight and yep - an indicator. The fishing was allright but not what it was a month ago. We return to Bozeman on Wednesday to hopefully fish some clearing water closer to home. Please send us your photos. Tasteful and artsy always welcome. Please don't send photos of anglers kissing fish or teeth gripping the flyrod while hoisting a pathetic little fish. The extended forecast for the next five days:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
74° F | 45° F	70° F | 45° F	61° F | 41° F	58° F | 40° F	65° F | 43° F
Partly Cloudy	T-storms 70% chance of precipitation	T-storms 80% chance of precipitation	Chance of Rain 40% chance of precipitation	Partly Cloudy

Eat My Words

After my last post, I began diving a little deeper into this so-called Spring runoff. I would like to eat my last post but rather than deleting it, I'm leaving it alone because there is some good info on it.
As of June 3, we still have not entered into the "Main" runoff. I know guides on the Bighole that don't book trips the first two weeks of June because of runoff. This year there is clear water, caddis, rising fish all over the river and hungry guides wishing there were people here to enjoy it.
The five day forecast calls for more of the same. We are looking at some very unsettled weather. The long range forecast doesn't change much so we might just want to get used to packing the parka and embracing all of this moisture. Ultimately, we know it's good for all the reasons we love Montana.

	5-Day Forecast for ZIP Code 59754 Customize Your Icons! Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday 65° F | 47° F 61° F | 38° F 65° F | 41° F 65° F | 43° F 65° F | 40° F T-storms 50% chance of precipitation Chance of T-storms 80% chance of precipitation Partly Cloudy Chance of T-storms 40% chance of precipitation Chance of Rain 30% chance of precipitation

Spring Runoff!

Here's how today went down. Jefferson>Upper Madison>Lower Madison is where we settled in and spent our day fishing clear water.
It fished. It fished great infact! We were looking for a different option this morning but were hosed by muddy high water. The Jeff spiked yesterday and the Westfork is churning out the mud on the Upper.
After this weekends valley rain and high country snow - runoff is full steam ahead.
*On a side note. If and when you come out this season to fish the Lower Madison, some of you may not recognize the Warm Springs access. The parking lot has been paved. Parking lines have been painted and Warm Springs now has a very Disneyesque feel to it. I'm not a huge fan of the so called improvements but I guess in time I will adjust. Refreshingly I discovered the Outfitters & Guides annual FAS fees were not used to pay for this project. Those (Fishing Access Site) fees were saved to clean the bathrooms and trash left behind by those who like to represent Montana by floating ass or belly up on inner tubes.
OK, I will keep my blood pressure in check by shortening this rant and reporting only things relevant fly fishing in Southwestern Montana. Runoff has begun but there are fishable conditions and good one's too! Give us a call to discuss your options.

In The Blink Of An Eye

In the blink of an eye our snowpack totals here in Southwestern Montana have gone from 70% to over 100% of average - all within a month. The rain and snow dance worked. As I write this Blog the rain continues to pour down outside. But then, it is Memorial Day Weekend- almost a rain guarantee. This news bodes well for our 2010 Summer outlook!
It's been a roller coaster of a Spring runoff this season. Actually, true Spring runoff has not even ignited - only a spark. The weather has remained cold enough to keep snow piling up in the high country and preserving what we already have. Our rivers have come up a bit, but that is due to a day or two of warm weather and lot's of much needed and welcomed moisture - not a true blue runoff as of yet.
As for the fishing - Epic dry fly fishing all the way around. There are still Mother's Day Caddis on the Upper Madison and a few stragglers on the lower river. The Madison, Missouri, Jefferson and Gallatin are still pumping out the bugs. Even the Yellowstone dropped a bit and cleared enough to fish this week. I don't ever remember Mother's Day Caddis hanging on until June!
This is all very exciting as we will be transitioning into Summer. CK Outfitters will be running a Summer special in the coming month so be sure to stay up to date by checking our new website www.ckoutfittersflyfishing.com and clicking on our Special Rates & Packages link. Also, new this season is a great lodging option at The Ranch At The Dearborn on the Missouri - a bed and breakfast on the Gary Cooper ranch.
Conditions are sure to change so stay tuned for updates by checking our CK Outfitters Reports link or checking our Blog. Until our next post, take care and we hope to see you this Summer for what promises to be some fantastic fly fishing!

It's Go! Time!

Epic is the only word I can use to describe the fishing. If you like floating lazily down the river in your shorts and tevas and casting dry flies, Montana is the place to be. The weather has been perfect - 75 degrees and sunny and light winds. The caddis have been erupting on both the Upper and Lower Madison, mingling with both Baetis and March Browns.
Word over on the Yellowstone tonight is MUD. Unless we have a cold snap soon, this is probably the beginning of runoff on the Stone. We'll keep you posted on current conditions on all our local rivers. Be sure to stay up to date by checking our Reports link on our new website > www.ckoutfittersflyfishing.com

Mother Natures Many Faces

It's May right? That's what my calender say's. Apparently Mother Nature has a split personality. Snow, rain, wind, sunshine, pretty much everything you would expect living in Montana. Clients flew in to fish the much anticipated Mother's Day Caddis Hatch. It's a legendary hatch - a real flyfisherman's dry fly extravaganza - if you hit it right. The 2010 MDCH may not have amounted to much thus far and if it does, we have already surpassed Mother's Day by 3 days and the estimated time of arrival for the caddis is usually a week before Mom's Day.

Even though were not straining our eyes to see our caddis imitation amidst all the naturals.... the dry fly action has been steller (wind pending)! Caddis, B.W.O's & March Browns will curb your dry fly fix. Now, when the wind does blow, it's streamer time. Some true lunker (Hate the word, but at a loss) fish have been caught recently!

Check out this book soon

Passion. Devotion. Obsession. Do those words describe your relationship with the opposite sex? Or with fly fishing? And what happens when the passion for one collides with the passion for the other?

The usual result of those collisions is tragedy. Or comedy. Or both.

The eight chapters of Till Death or Fly Fishing Do Us Part are about those collisions of passion, and even the tragic ones are pretty funny--mostly because they're happening to someone else and not to you.

The first seven chapters are written by different people (three men and four women), and are quick, easy reads. The last chapter, by Tom Pero, is long--about half the book's 168 pages--and gives you perhaps more info on Pero's love life than you wanted to know, from his encounter with a "Mrs. Robinson"-type when he was a teenager, to adult encounters with the girl (woman) next door.

Each chapter has its insights into male-female relationships and how those relationships are affected by fly fishing. Some of those insights are spelled out in the text, and others you have to dig up on your own ("Boy, was that guy clueless about women.")

Till Death or Fly Fishing Do Us Part is a well-written, enjoyable book. Although I found a few typos near the end, the production values are good. And it's not like I haven't generated one or two typos in my own writing. The eight caricuture drawings by Whitney Martin capture the often comic nature of male-female relations.

This is a good gift book, and I suspect that more fly anglers will get their copy on their birthday or for Christmas rather than buy it on their own. it would be a Valentines Day gift, however; you'd have to read the book to understand why!

Bottom Line: Good, fun read. Here's a breakdown in case you forgot and if you still cannot remember, give us a call on the trout line 406-539-6582 Until you read again, tight strings!

May	Caddis	ElK Hair Caddis, Parachute Caddis size 14
	March Brown	Adams, Dark Cahill size 10
	Baetis mayfly	Parachute Adams, Blue Wing Olive size 16