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We're sure that you have heard about the unseasonably warm weather
we have been having and of some closures on some of the streams and
rivers in the area.
But what you may not have heard is that there is still excellent
fishing, there are still plenty of waters open and fishable, and
despite the heat, there has been fishing during the day as well as the
mornings and evenings.
So pick through a few of the goodies below for some fishing tips,
tactics, and a few places to head to beat the heat and get into some
good fishing.
If you're headed out early, stop by in the evenings, we're open 7am to 7pm 7 days a week.
Good fishing,
Kris |
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So What's Worth Fishing??? 
Despite
all of the noise from the local media outlets, the fishing has been
good in certain areas. Read on below for some places to head to.
The Gallatin River
Although
certainly no secret, the Gallatin during the heat of the summer months
can fish excellent, and has been on fire recently. Spruce moths are
starting, and that always makes the mornings an excellent time to be
out.
The Stillwater River
The
Stillwater is a great river to beat the heat on. Get up high around Nye
and you avoid the heat and get into some good attractor fishing. This
is also a great hopper dropper river during the summer.
The
sister of the Stillwater, the Boulder is a smaller river not much
unlike the Gallatin in terms of how you fish it. A bit more intimate
setting coupled with cool water temps is a welcome relief during the
summer months. Just stay above the 8Mile bridge and you don't have to
worry about closures.
Oh
my god you're thinking... The Upper Madison? Yes, the Upper Madison is
fishing very well, it's where we've been sending most of our float
trips recently with the heat. Hopper fishing is starting to pick up,
and with plenty of water in the river, it's a great time to float early
or late.
Tributaries and Smaller Streams
These
are the real gems of Montana during the summertime. Seclusion, good
attractor dry fly fishing, cooler water temps, some hoppers, and some
deceptively big fish in places. For a list of good fisheries check out
the report below.
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Now Offering Mountain Lake Trips 
For
a long time we haven't had anyone on staff (neither has anyone else for
that matter) that has known any of the lakes off the beaten path.
We
are pleased to have Ron Stafford on staff this year as Ron brings with
him an intimate knowledge of some lesser known lakes where you can
catch some monster fish. I went out last week with him and landed 2
cutthroat in a short afternoon that were both well over 5 pounds.
If
this is something that interests you, please call us at the shop @
800/646-7847 and we can arrange to have Ron take you out on a trip you
likely won't forget.
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Beating the Heat
Tips for Angling During the Summer Months
Come about the 2nd week of June you won't
see me put on a pair of waders until well into September. I personally
wet wade in Bite Sandals and quick dry shorts and generally a long
sleeve shirt to avoid sunburn. This is the most comfortable way to
safely wade around streams. And Bite makes the best all around wading
sandal on the market, period.
Hydration is important. If you aren't
sweating, it doesn't mean you aren't losing water. Make sure and drink
enough water so that you have to use mother natures restroom every once
in a while - otherwise you will likely be bordering on the brink of
dehydration.
Get up early and be on the water before most
are hitting their snooze buttons. I personally like the hours between 5
and 8am for fishing, and so do the fish. Water temps are at their
coolest, and a lot of the bigger fish will sit in the shallow water
along the banks and munch sculpins - it's a great time to fish
streamers. | |
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What's Working Well?
An
important addition to where to go is what to use. And no matter what
body of water that you are heading to, there are some summertime
essentials to have with you...
Attractor Dries:
These are a staple in all western anglers boxes throughout
the summer months. From Trudes and Wulffs to PMX's and Tarantulas, the
attractor is king during the summer. Check out my tip of the week
section in the Report From Kris for more info on attractor patterns and
where and when to fish them.
Hoppers: Perhaps
the most tempting part of the hot summer is the draw of fishing huge
foam hopper patterns for big trout! Dave's Hopper as well as other fall
back patterns are great when fish are tired of the same old foam bugs.
But the Grand Hopper definitely wears the crown in my box. Rainey's has
the market cornered on hopper patterns - the Hopper Popper is my new
favorite pattern for the summer... glug, glug, churdle, slam...
Terrestrials: So
if you already have a hopper, why do you need anything else? Because a
lot of the time fish see a lot of hopper patterns and get a little,
let's say, shy. Enter ants and beetles. My favorite dropper pattern off
of a hopper is a hard bodied ant pattern. A lot of times fish will pass
up the larger hoppers for an easier to swallow ant - and it's not just
small guys either...
Droppers: You
can't have the hopper dropper combo without a dropper now can you.
Dropper nymphs are nothing more than your favorite nymph patterns
dangled below your favorite dry patterns. I personally fish a lot of
lightning bugs, pheasant tails, and copper johns below
my attractor dry and hopper patterns. A good size range is from
12-18 depending upon what water you are fishing. 
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The Spruce Moth
This
odd little bug makes an appearance on western forested streams during
the heat of the summer. When they struggle on the water, fish gorge
themselves. And yes, it looks like a caddis, and yes when the trout
feed on them they will take a caddis pattern. I prefer the CDC Elk Hair
Caddis or the Rip Cord Caddis, although a Twisted Baby in Tan does a
pretty darn good job too.
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