Ace In The Hole!

Tiger Woods is sportin' one of those cool and trendy mesh ventilated brims today. Hope it helps his game. At least he's not modeling the latest straw western wear. I'll ease up on the straw hat rant this time around. A big thanks to my sister Kristin and her boyfriend, Ben for not hitting the river last week with one of those goofy fish dis tractors!
We got whacked by quite a storm on the Upper Madison last Sunday. Fortunately the wind uprooted our ass and pushed us from river left to right in 1.3 seconds. I say fortunately because as we were being blown over to East Jabib, we looked back to where we once anchored and saw numerous trees and limbs get blown in the river. As for the fishing - eh, not that good at all but Ben got a good workout while dragging my boat around Cameron Flats. Thanks!
The weather has finally cooled off. Yeah for now! Our week and a half of Summer sure was beautiful. Let's move on to Fall before we jump into Winter like last year.
The weather is perfect, we have a new moon, fly boxes are stocked, broken rods are repaired and I just got a good dose of what's good for me. Let's fish on!

Last Few In Review...

Almost choked to death after inhaling a caddis fly, restored faith for the Upper Madison, HOT streamer action on the Jeff, Great clients, Dog days, Yellowstone R. algae bloom, my first nine year old client, Hoppers? behind schedule hatches, No broken rods this week! Long greasy leaders, tricos, weeds, smoke em' if you got em', the straw hat curse, valley road, MRSRP bureaucracy, tables turned, Gallatin R. dry fly extravaganza, Damn Caesar Soto!
Not a whole lot to report except for that the fishing this Summer has been great! Hatches this year are a couple weeks behind due to the abundance of rain this Spring (I think). The Jeff is the Jeff but if you can make those fish eat a streamer or twitch a Hopper like it's convulsing, it has payed big dividends. The Yellowstone R. - probably the most consistent. Upper Madison R. - downright good this season. Be sure to choose a beat that hasn't seen a lot of pressure (something in the middle). Gallatin R. - a gem! The dry fly fishing in the canyon is what Montana fly fishing is all about. We have some prime dates available in September so if you are looking to experience some of the finest fishing Montana has to offer be sure to give us a call. Until the next post, tight lines & bent rods!

Looking Ahead...

Will be there soon...

Last 7 In Review

Holy shit, what a week! Sun burn, mosquito carnage, broken rods, two handed hook sets, straw cowboy hats?, epic jeff rainbows, dilapidated trailer, boots on tires, missed hopper eats, skinny water, beautiful bull moose, Chelsey Clinton who cares?, cigars, vacation, red chubbie Chernobyls, if I see another photo of a fly rod between an anglers jaw - I'm a gonna puke, eat it, spandex, stolen cooler, armor all, sleep, strip, poison ivy, Boulder R., copper zonkers, fireworks on 7/28, deep fried oreos, big fat jefferson river brown trout, sleepy cats, how hard is your job?, old gentlemen playing cards at 7 a.m. at the Conoco in Whitehall, Yellowstone R., bull snakes, mullets, calamine lotion, booked days?, incompetent shuttle drivers, renewed Madison R. faith, waiting for 4,000 c.f.s., ass handed, lit up, F-Bombs, the book, where's my car?, God, weeds, stupid ass questions, someone's checked out, soft-hackles, juvenile whitefish, Madison R. dinks, fly fags, good friends, whiny clients, out of my control, pay day, Lower Gallatin, tricos, foam, bow r. buggers, sleep, text messages, guides who like to sleep in, Chachie, Mama Macs, fly threaders, $10.00 peanut butter - anger, Overland Express - or is it Caras? Hope the 4th of July lasts unt& jellies, carp, East Gallaltin, fly shop idiots, twitch it, Bozeman Montana, looking ahead, 30 mph wind in the face, full moon, great sticks, if I see another photo of an angler kissing their fish - I'm gonna puke, about that time to check the usgs streamfow, the weather, the wind, the moon phase, fuel up, call the shuttle driver and drop some dough on flies. See you in the morning.

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