Snow, Glorious Snow!

Wet, cold, white, freezing, crunchy, slushy, frosty, icy, slippery, crystals, drips, brrrr, snow!

Mother Nature did not disappoint!

Having a day or two of snow is fun and beautiful! (Not sure about months of it though.) I spent a lot of the day walking around the campground taking photos. This much snow, so up-close, is quite different for us.

We woke up to a winter wonderland of bright white snow. It came a few hours earlier than forecast and came down most of the day. The surrounding hills are still white and will probably stay white for a few days. We will be here for another week or two and we may get another snow storm before we head south.

The dogs loved playing in the snow! They romped, jumped and rolled around in it. I know they will be able to take months of the snow and we won't. We'll be heading south to warmer 'clims' before the snow sticks for good.

Anticipation! Excitement! Longjohns!

I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas!

Why? It's supposed to snow! Wow! Snow! Yipeee! Snow! Brrrrr!

It'll only be cold for 24 hours and then it will warm up again so really no big deal. But for someone from Arizona and southern California who never sees snow, this is exciting.

I'll be really disappointed if everything doesn't turn white.

The photo is from last year on October 14. Yikes!

Tricos, Tricos Everywhere...And...

Just don't inhale!

After a slow start and a later than anticipated arrival, the tricos came off in full-force a week or so ago. And they were really heavy in the air for the first couple days.  (click on any photo for a larger image)

Just about the time word spread to the fishermen that it was a hot fishing spot, the wind picked up and the next day wasn't so great. The fishermen who eventually found a spot on the river were expecting a great trico hatch, but were dissappointed and frustrated. I heard more than one say, "I thought this was a dry fly river!" Of course you have to be flexible to whatever happens on the river and be ready to switch to nymphs or whatever else the trout are eating - if you want to catch fish.

After a day the wind died down, the weather was right, and the tricos came back and the word was spread

once again that the fish were on the surface at 10:45 AM. But then the river flow was increased by 50 cfs and the tasty bugs didn't show up as scheduled and the fishermen who had bought a ticket and were expecting a show were once again frustrated.

The one thing consistant with fly fishing is that the bugs are not. The water flow is often controlled by undetermined factors and the fish do what they want. You have to be observant and a little knowledgeable about a trout's diet.

If you don't tie flies (or live with someone who does = lucky me) you should visit the local fly shop and ask them what you need in your fly box arsenal. Be prepared to be flexible.

Friday Fish - Stubbed Toes

Fish don't have toes!

This fish has a stubbed nose because it digs in the rocks and gravel to find bugs.

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.)

Cold & Windy, With a Chance of Fish

Although the weather is cool, crisp and windy, AND the river is rising, the fishing was pretty good. I have to admit I've taken Rick's advice and I've been nymphing for 2 days now. It was difficult to change from throwing dry flies, but watching Rick catch 10 fish to my 1, it was an easy change to make. He has always been able to go between dries and nymphs, but not me. I LOVE to dry fly! So yesterday I took a lesson from Rick and tried to "nymph sight fish" by finding fish feeding on the bottom and cast my nymphs to them. And it worked! Today it worked really well!

We have a couple friends camping close by and we were happy to give them flies and take them to the spots we love to fish. Logan (79 years young) brought us fresh corn right off the stalk, fresh home-grown tomatoes, fresh peaches and a nice bottle of red wine. We enjoyed the goodies and I hope they enjoyed the fishing.

'Fin'-icky Friday Fish

Finicky fish eating tiny bugs. Believe me, finicky and size 20 tiny.

Tiny Bugs or Dust?

It looked like dust blown against the river bank, like sawdust, but it was tiny bugs. Bug Dust!

This will only mean something if you fly fish. Or if you are afraid of bugs.

Fish Candy

As the fish and I transitioned from nymphs to dry flies, I kept putting my nymphs into a small box with divided cubicles. Not a very organized way to store them. In fact, it made it near impossible to see and retrieve a nymph = IF I needed one. Which I didn't. So they kept piling up, forming a big clump of fur and feathers attached to sharp, yet barbless, hooks. Ouch!

A little pile of fish candy

One day I decided to put the nymphs in their own box and the dries in another box. This is the result.

How long will they stay in their place?

Happy Fish Day Rick!

Fly Fishing Fashion

You don't have to dress a certain style or have a high-priced fly rod to have fun and catch fish. In fact, it's better that you don't look like the catalog model for Simms, Columbia or Patagonia.


Now, in my wiser years, I realize that the sun is the enemy. No more tank tops, no more hatless days, no more skimping on the sunscreen, no more wanting a dark tan. Now it's treated fabric clothing offereing 40+ SPF protection and a good sunblock. I've worn the same long sleeve sunblocking shirt most of the summer, a wide brimmed hat, along with sunblock everyday. I've not wanted to wear different wading shorts because the brown high-water mark is etched into whatever you wear. I'll use this picture of Rick as an example. The flowing river water directly hits our left leg most of the time so that side of our shorts usually has a darker mark from the muck in the water.

This little cowgirl was fishing with her father and thoroughly enjoying herself. She was stylish and cute and she could cast a fly rod. It didn't matter what she was wearing.


I'm now in search of the perfect cowboy hat.

Friday Fish on Sunday

Ooops! I was kinda getting in the habit of posting a fish foto on Friday and liked the idea, but somehow when I took a little break from blogging I missed a Friday or two.

So here is a Friday fish on Sunday. Out of water and in the water.

Fish Out of Water

Last weekend we drove through Twin Bridges to get to the Fly Fishing Festival in Ennis, Montana. My impression of Twin is that it resembles places like Victor, Idaho or maybe West Yellowstone many years ago. Very quaint, with businesses supporting both the local farmers & ranchers and the fishermen who come here to fish the world renowned blue ribbon trout rivers that run through the area.

At the recommendation of Justin Hartman (who better than a local fishing guide to know the best places to fish & eat?), we stopped at the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Twin for a delicious breakfast. It was our luck to be right next to Four Rivers Fishing Company Fly Shop. We went in "to look around" and had a nice conversation with Greg Smith and his wife Robin. I ended up with a new chest pack from FishPond (Arroyo) and left happy to have met them. A very nice fly shop with nice people.

We went on to Ennis and visited the Madison River Fishing Company fly shop before walking to the Peter T. Park where the exhibitors were set up with their tents. It was small affair with a few exhibits and speakers, but I have to admit I was expecting something more. Something bigger and more organized that would have attracted more people. I thought being in Ennis it would be huge. I saw one person demonstrating fly tying and one person was conducting the casting clinic. They had a kids and beginners casting session in the morning and at 1 PM we sat through the digital photography question and answer session. At 2 PM we watched a 120 photo slideshow by Craig Matthews of Blue Ribbon Flies. He had lots of pretty pictures of the Yellowstone area, but I found it interesting that he kept saying "I can't tell you the name of this stream because it cannot take any more fishing pressure." Or "This stream is fragile and I can't tell you where it is." His main point was that you should look at a map and explore areas you haven't been to before. I also came away with the philosophy that you don't tell people where you fish unless you want it crowded.

We walked through the exhibits of various art mediums and handmade items and had a chance to see all the large painted fish that were being auctioned off that night. It's called "Fish Out of Water" and I believe each fish sold for at least $3,500 with the benefits going to local organizations. (Looking back at the fish photos I realized how few people were in the background.) We had a couple favorites, but decided there was no room in the motorhome for a fish out of water.

We I thought about returning the following day after learning about the prizes being awarded in the casting competition, but decided the rewards of fishing in our river back home was reward enough.

Special Day for Us

Today is special to us and we are going to do whatever we want.

We hope you also have a special day!

Trying to Relax, Meeting Nice People

Has it taken me this long to relax or are the people getting nicer? Perhaps there were so many fishermen here in the beginning, all wanting to catch lots of fish, hoping for the big one, all wanting a prime spot on the river, elbowing their way in, pushing others out, that the chaos got to me. Maybe I was one of them. ?? Or maybe I'm just now realizing that we've been here 100 days and we have many more left to enjoy. I have to think it's a combination of both.

We, and the other fishermen, now say, "I've caught a nice fish. I'm happy with one fish." In the beginning of the season it was all about numbers, quantity not quality. We’ve met some very nice, interesting people this summer. We’ve been fortunate to see many return from years past, some staying for a day or two and some camping out and staying longer. It's nice to get reacquainted and spend more time with them. Tom offered to take us down the river in his drift boat. Jeff brought his cata-raft and elk meat. Logan left us a bottle of wine. Jerry treated us to dinner out. Don treated us to a couple dinners (in & out) and wine. Ray shared his smoked trout. We shared many meals plus more with Eric's family and a couple dinners with Kenny & Linda. Clark brought us a sweet watermelon. Stan and Steve who give so much of themselves. (Many more that I can't remember right now.) All treated us to their friendship and good conversation. It's been an enjoyable summer with friends.

We’ve met people who have been "on the river” for many years, who make this their livelyhood, like Chuck Robbins, Tim Tollett, Dick Sharon, Andy Bennett, Tim Mosolf, Tom Smith, Russ Kipp, Dan Delekta, and Terry Throckmorton. And some equally nice “younger” guys who also make their living on the river like Justin and Travis Hartman, Matt Bryn, and many more.

We’ve met newcomers to the river who are looking for the big fish, who we tell they’re lucky just to hook one, let alone bring it to the net for a photo. Heck, I’ve told many that if you can just see a fish rising you’re doing well. It’s been rewarding for us to help the nice guys. Like Jim from Maine who finally asked me what fly I was using, who I gave flies to, who I walked out to the river with to spot the fish. Steve jokingly asked if I was “giving clinics.” Jim from Maine told his friends from Maine, William and Josh (father and son) to look for the woman wet wading and I'd help them. They came around the bend in the river and were surprised to find me in the middle of the river, yes, wet wading. William and Josh had been on the Madison River for 3 days with a guide and within a few minutes I was able to give them flies, show them rising fish they had not seen, and they said they caught the biggest fish of their trip so far! That felt good.

We enjoy helping most people with fishing tips and with flies. Seeing Greg & Stuart (father & son) catch fish together was special. Seeing Steve and his grandkids fishing side-by-side was heartwarming. Eric sharing a fish photo with his kids made me as happy as the kids were.

I'm still trying to relax. I'm enjoying life and looking long and hard for the good. Considering all things, taking the bad with the good, I'd say there's been far more good times than bad. I hope you say 'hi' when you see us.

Fly Fishing Festival in Ennis

Tomorrow we're taking a break from the fabulous (NOT!) fishing and we're going to enjoy the Fly Fishing Festival in Ennis, Montana. It's a beautiful 2 hour drive and we think it'll be a nice event to be part of.
http://www.madisonriverfoundation.org/festivalnews.php  Maybe we'll win the drift boat raffle!

The weather is warm, the river is warm and the fishing is lukewarm. I think we will have fun in Ennis tomorrow. We're taking our rods in case we find a stream along the way that has cooperative fish.