The Beaverhead

Another good find from the moldiness.  Warning:  "Salty Language"

One of Many More to Come...

When the whirlwind of office life settles down a bit I'll go through this year's Yellowstone Park Trip photos and get them up for all to see.  Here is a little taste starring Kyle Nelson.

Saint San Juan... Dressed in leather.

Often times when one fishes a river that they don't spend much time on a pitstop in a local fly shop can be extremely helpful.  I recently attended the Orvis Guide Rendezvous is Missoula (...and had a great time) and headed up to Criag to fish the Missouri on the way home.  As my options are usually Yellowstone or Madison, I stopped into Headhunters to grab a shuttle and a handful of any fly that the folks in the shop said would work.  I figured it couldn't hurt.  That is when I was introduced to the leather san juan worm.  Actually, Kyle Nelson picked up a few, and yes, they worked.  The materials are cheap, durable, move great in the water, and easy to tie with, so I've decided to whip up a few of my own.   I stopped by a leather shop here in town and they were glad to give me a few scraps for free.  Here are a few of the initial trials:

I can't wait to get 'em wet!

JAWS; Ode to Spring

As I sit here in my office on a Saturday wishing I was on the river, I think back to warmer times and remember this fish.  I was on the sticks when this guy came to net, so I can't take credit for catching him, but I was fortunate to have charged batteries and a chance just to see it.  26 inches on the tape, which is about the width of the smiles RKJ and I had. I can't wait until Spring.

That's it, I'm outta here.  I'm going home to tie some big, articulated uglies and ship my 8 wt. off for repair.

American Angler Sweet Spot....Aren't they all?

My friends and I were recently looking over an issue of American Angler.... a fine publication.... whereupon we noticed that the issue's "Sweet Spot" contest looked very familiar.  After a very brief discussion, we all agreed that the photo was taken at Mallard's Rest on the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, MT.  We all decided to send in our "guesses" and if any of us were drawn for the prize (a new fly rod) we would share and share alike...although I'm not sure how that would have worked out with a fly rod.  A day or so later I happened to be driving toward Gardner and passed Mallard's rest and thought I've give a go of trying to recreate the photo using my phone's camera.  Trying to remember the dimensions of the photo, where the exact spot was, etc., were all going through my mind while Shannon and the dog waited in the truck... yes, it was very cold and very windy.  (Imagine that happening in the Paradise Valley....weird).  So, as the two pictures below indicate, I got pretty darn close without any cropping.  I sent in that photo with my contest entry but alas, my added efforts proved fruitless...no shared fly rod.  None the less, I can't wait until the Paradise Valley once again lives up to it's name, the ice floats away, and we can once again float the Stone.

Until then, sharp hooks and good gloves,

Sky

P.S. I'm not trying to brag on my photo-spacial-memory skills, just hoping that the luck that I had on that day continues over until the warmer months, when I'LL be the guy in the red shirt.

The hoppers are dwindling, there is a crisp feel to the morning air, and more and more fishermen are swinging streamers.  And so, the Bobbin Droppers have emerged from their summer slumber.

Come join in and tie a few flies.  No experience or equipment is necessary.  October 3, 2012, at the Eagles Club, downtown beautiful Bozeman, Montana.  6:30 pm.  Just look for the large group of tables pushed together surrounded by people that are talking too loud and smiling.

For more information please visit The Bobbin Droppers facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/thebobbindroppers

See you there!

Whitefish - The Other White Meat

Prosopium Williamsoni - That's not normally the term you hear when a fisherman brings a mountain whitefish to the net.  More familiar terms that are often heard are similar to "damn" and/or "crap".  Although I have grown to have an appreciation for this native "montana bonefish", I have been guilty of the same reactions.  Usually they come when nymphing a perfect hole that you just KNOW holds a big trout, the indicator pauses, and BANG, you're hooked up to what you are certain is a 22" rainbow, and before you pull in any line you are anticipating sending the pics to your "know-it-all" fly fishing buddies down south.  Then, you feel the "machine gun tug", that unmistakable head shake that can send feelings of disappointment up the leader, down your line, through your eyelets, and directly into your heart.  You won't be sending these pics down south.

I'm not exactly sure how the whitefish got the bad rap that it has.  Sure they're slimy, and it's not very easy to throw one in the pan, but catch a good one, especially this time of year, and hold on. As far as eating them goes, try smoking one, trust me.  

Last weekend I took a trip up the Madison just above where it dumps into a lake and in spots, couldn't see the bottom of the river for all the whitefish.  I happened to be hucking meat all day looking for a bruiser, but my compatriots and I couldn't resist tying on a lightening bug and getting our fill of pescado blanco before moving on.  This got me to thinking, "what a great way to break in a new fly fisherman (or woman)?"  What better way to put somebody on fish (they're schooled up and easy to spot) and let them practice casting, mending, setting a hook, playing, and landing decent sized fish?  They'll eat anything that floats by, they could care less if you're throwing a size 16 prince nymph with 3x tippet, and if spooked, immediately regroup and start eating again.  Fellas, if you've got a gal that you're trying to get into fly fishing, or a kid, or somebody like me with the attention span of a 3 year old, get them on the whites.  It'll pay lots of dividends down the road.

So, I can tell you the whites have begun their march to their spawning grounds and they're hungry.  As for the bruits I was looking for, it'll be a while yet before they make their way up.  Until then, perhaps the train to Brownsville has a stop or two to make.  Allll aboooard!

Water Temperatures

If you're not sure why I'm posting water temperatures here at this time of year, then perhaps you should consider following a different blog, perhaps something to do with cooking or the proper use of hot glue.  Perhaps check out Pinterest.  For everyone else:

Gallatin River at Logan:  The river is low, but the temperature readings on the USGS site are promising.  Temps dropped to 50 degrees F last night for what I think is the first time since the spring.  They are back up to 58 during the day, but with the cool day we had it should drop a little lower tonight.  Flow is between 300 and 350 cfs. 

Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway:  Fished this yesterday for an hour or two after work.  Fishing was slow.  I'll blame the shift to cooler weather and not my fishing abilities... as usual.  No temperature information on the USGS site and flows at 410 CFS.  Water felt pretty chilly up there, which is what I heard from my fishing companion who had a hole in his waders, but that's hearsay.  Objection.

Madison River below Ennis Lake near McAllister: Consistent discharge of 1,360 CFS.  Water temps down from 65 last week to almost 61 degrees last night.  Lets hope it'll continue to drop...fingers crossed.

Madison River near Cameron:  Not looking too bad.  Flows between 1000 and 1100 CFS and a low temp of 47 degrees last night.  Yesssss.  Got up to 55 degrees today.

Madison River at Kirby Ranch:  Temps ranging from daytime of 62 degrees and a low last night of 53.  Must be some chilly water dumping in below the dam.  CFS at 1010.

Madison River below Hebgen Lake:  The dam is pumping out 953 CFS and memories of learning the true sound of heartbreak when losing a gigantic brown this last spring between the lakes...'tis the "tic" of a line breaking.  Water temps dipped to 59 degrees last night and didn't get up to 61 today.  Chill baby chill.

Madison River near West Yellowstone:  Not sure exactly where this USGS site is (No. 06037500), but I wish they'd get a temperature reading at that site.  I wish I could designate exactly where my tax dollars go.  ("Dear IRS, I'd like to pay for an upgrade at USGS site No. 06037500.  Hope all is well and tell the family I said hello.  Sincerely, Sky)  Flows at 410 CFS. 

Missouri River at Toston:  Water is still hot in Toston, and I'm not talking about your Uncle Phil's disgusting hot tub after the last New Year's Party.  The low temp dropped to 59 last night and only looks like it's going to get up to 61 or 62 today.  Sunday, September 9th, 2012 it was up to almost 66. Icky.  Flows are between 1600 and 1800 CFS.

Jefferson River near Three Forks:  LOW.  No information on water temps on the USGS site. Flows between 300 and 350 CFS.  Probably warmer than two rats wrestling in a wool sock.

Shields River near Livingston:  33 CFS.  Dang low.

Yellowstone River near Livingston:  Flows at 1740 CFS.  Pretty low for this time of year when the 88 year median is at 2400 CFS.  Temps are looking good and probably much better than the air quality over there right now.  Dipped to 53 degrees last night but will probably get to around 58 today...

I'm looking to take a trip to Brownsville sometime soon if I can get caught up at work, and no, I'm not talking about South Texas.  If you made that mistake, like I said, check out Pinterest.

A dream about being arrested in Vegas = Streamer Idea.

I woke up this morning during the weirdest dream.  Let me rephrase that, because I've had some pretty weird dreams in my life... during an interesting dream.  My friends Brent Callaway and Joseph Young and I were in Las Vegas and had somehow found ourselves in trouble...with the cops.  We were being arrested and hauled away in a "police shuttle", I in the back seat, and Brent and Joe locked inside a steel box attached to the back.  Apparently they were a little more out of hand than I was.  I snuck the key to the box from the guard who was busy watching TV, snuck out the back, and freed my friends, who were laughing the whole time as we got away.

The Streamer idea came from what I think I saw on the back of the shuttle.  Attached to the hitch insert was one of those chrome boat propellers that some people have to say "hey, I have a boat", although the truth is probably more like "hey, I'd like to have a boat".

So, I got up early, and tied this guy on a 2x hook, using 50 lb mono as the "tail" with beads and a plastic spinner that I picked up a while ago at Big R in Great Falls.  I thing they're used for steelhead rigs, but I'm not exactly sure.  I just thought it looked neat.  The idea is to have it spin on the mono while it's stripped through the water, giving it a little more action.  To facilitate the spinning I added several beads while trying to stay in the rainbow trout color scheme (note the pink belly and olive back).  I haven't had a chance to drag it through the water, in the bathtub or otherwise, so I'm still not exactly sure how it's going to work.  Hopefully it'll spin on the line and not twist the entire streamer.  I guess if that's the case I can certainly cut the garbage off the back and have a pretty decent bugger, if I do say so myself, and I often do.

I'll let you know how it "turns" out.  If it works, we'll find a name.  If not, well, I'll put it in the streamer box next to the other olive buggers.  Comment below for name ideas!!!

In other news, The Bobbin Droppers (www.facebook.com/thebobbindroppers) are about ready to get after it!  Stay tuned!

Smith looking PERFECT right now.

457 and 723.  Wow.  Go get em on the Smith!  This chart is from the Ft. Logan station.  All I can say is WOW.  Flows are only 723 at Eden Bridge too... Shaping up to be a great trip without me!  

Updated at 11:13 am.... 442 and 716, but with 70 degrees here in Bozeman, the gang better hurry up and land some fish.  Things might get a little fast tonight and tomorrow.  I've heard that the fishing slows way down on the last day of the float, so it might not be a bad thing to zip through there.  

Picture courtesy of the USGS.

Kyle Nelson is a co-founder of The Bobbin Droppers fly tying club, Bozeman, MT.

The Smith River Blues

559 and 817.  Those are two really good-looking numbers.  559 and 817.  As I said them out loud they just felt good rolling off my tongue.  When I saw them yesterday it made me happy.  And today, those numbers are 538 and 785.  They're dropping and looking better and better.

Those numbers are the flows (in cfs) on the Smith River at Ft. Logan and Eden Bridge respectively.  A good friend, Kyle Nelson, is on that river right now, and I'm sure he's pulling browns out left and right.  If you were to ask if I was jealous I'd respond with silence and a look that says "why would you ask such a ridiculous question?"  I was supposed to be there.  I was meant to be there, in the boat, hauling 20 inch fish all day long in one of the most beautiful places on earth.  But, as fate would have it (along with the shackles that connect me to my desk), I am not.  But, perhaps there is a silver lining... who knows who's in the boat now... 

Kyle and the crew put in at Camp Baker on Monday, May 28th, 2012.  I sent the dozens of flies that I had tied in anticipation for the trip along with them.  I certainly wasn't going to need 20 JJ's Specials anytime soon.  Hopefully they're being put to good use. 

Seeing those numbers might normally make my stomach turn, knowing that the flows were great, conditions were perfect, the water was clearing up, the fish were probably eating, and I had no place at the table.  But, for some reason, they make me feel great.  Good friends deserve good fishing.

Tight lines Kyle. 

The Picture was painted by Robert Spannring... How could anyone NOT be inspired in such a place?

Check out more of Mr. Spannring's work at SpannringStudio.com or RobertSpannring.com

Kyle Nelson is a co-founder of The Bobbin Droppers fly tying club, Bozeman, MT.

Ryan's Big, Big, Big Yellowstone Brown.

So, here at the office we are anxiously anticipating Spring and the return of optimal fishing conditions.  While organizing some files on my new computer the other day I came across all of the photos from Ryan's Big, Big, Big, Brown...and thought I'd pass the account along to all of you.

It was Good Friday, April 22, 2011, at approximately 8:30 p.m.  Ryan and I were each in our respective offices, busy at it, when I heard a knock on my door.  It was no surprise that it was Ryan and he had a look in his eye that meant only one thing...fishing.  "What do you think about floating?"  I was already out of my chair and headed to change before he had mentioned any river, because any river would have done at that point.  Luckily the boat is parked next to the office, and we were on the road in less than an hour.

There was a bit of snow along the road in town, and a little more as we headed over the pass toward Livingston.  I fired up the Flip Cam and took a few shots of the ominous looking clouds that guarded the Paradise Valley, directly where we were headed.  I normally don't mind the weather when I'm fishing, in fact, I hardly notice it.  But I will say that I dread bad weather on the Yellowstone.  It can be trouble, and it's no secret that Lucy resides just downriver in Livingston, and will show up at any time.  But Ryan and I drove to the put-in and things were calm for the rest of the day...well, at least the weather was calm, little did we know that we were just a few hours away from screaming like schoolgirls at a Bieber concert.

The trip started off as usual with a few smaller fish on nymphs.  If I remember correctly the fishing was slow so we decided that if it was slow anyways, we may as well throw streamers and try to catch something big.  The past week I had been tying some big flies.  These included some articulated 2 x size 2 streamers of orange, yellow, and brown that I had hoped would resemble a passing 4" brown trout.  I never expected to catch a thing on them, but they looked funky.  I also tied a few behemoths in black, tan, olive, etc.  The usual suspects of colors.  Ryan and I took turns on the oars while the other pounded the banks with a 9' 8 wt. rod that I had broken the tip off of.  I referred to it as my 8'8" 8.8 wt.  That rod feels like a telephone pole but you can throw a streamer from Emigrant to Pray with one false cast with that thing.  As we pounded the banks I'm sure the conversation varied with topics such as how to mount stereo speakers in the boat, what float we should have gone on, how many fish we'd be catching if we were on the Madison, etc.  It was a calm day, and a good chance for Ryan and I to recharge our batteries.  Then, I hooked a fish.

He was right on the bank as many fish are in that river.  I brought him to the net and was proud of my orange-yellow-brown craziness that had fooled this 17 incher.  He was a pretty fish, and I was happy to jump on the oars after that and row the rest of the way.  Ryan and I switched spots.  I rowed us away from the bank while Ryan made a couple of false casts.  Ryan let the streamer splash down near the opposite bank, made a strip or two, then snagged a log...or so I thought.

Ryan's "log" screamed downriver.  Expletives poured from Ryan's mouth at a greater rate (in cfs) than the Yellowstone has ever been.  The reel's throat had instantly worn out and was reduced from screaming to a sharp hum.  I was frozen and was merely watching the events unfold as if they were on T.V.  Awakening, I spun the boat and headed back for the bank.  Ryan was the first out of the boat.  I was kicking down the anchor while Ryan screamed "GET THE NET!"...  Wait, let me correct that...  "GET THE &#$%!*@ NET!"  I bailed out with the newly named net and headed downstream after Ryan.  Don't ask my why we didn't stay in the boat.  I have no clue.

I sprinted downriver as fast as I could.  I paid no attention to Ryan, his line, or his fish.  My plan was to get downriver fast...as fast as my Korker wading boots, which were falling apart only months after buying them, would carry me over the rocks.  (Dear Korker, It's the truth.  Send me two new pair and I'll omit your name.  I wear an 11.  Love, Sky)  Before I knew it I was 60 yards downriver and could hear Ryan using the net's new name for my new name.  Apparently I had gone too far.  I turned to see Ryan's line entering the water about 30 yards down from where he was walking...towards me.  The fish was still mid-river, but I could see Ryan trying to turn him my way, and Ryan was gaining ground.  I waited for them to come to me a bit.  The fish inched closer to our side of the river, and was now out of the fastest of the water.  As I jumped in the river I could see Ryan's line entering the water 20 yards upriver, and Ryan was getting closer to the fish, and closer to me. I walked out twenty feet from the bank in 3 feet of water, and then I saw it.  10 yards upriver, in the slower water, facing upstream...a big brown.  I dipped the net in the water, scooped it under the fish, and lifted.  I expected to see a monster in the net, but it was empty.  How could I have missed!  Before Ryan could express his displeasure I dipped again, scooped up the fish with perfect netting technique (riiight.), and the fish was ours.  We sprinted upstream back to the boat without even looking at the fish.  The camera was the only thing on our minds.  I handed the net to Ryan, grabbed the boat cam, pushed power, and my heart sank.  "Charge Battery" flashed on the screen.  Of course it would do that.  I grabbed my phone, which as it turned out took better pictures that the boat cam anyways, and here you have it.  Ryan's Big, Big, Big Brown.  26 inches, fat, hook-jawed, and one heck of a good time.

As we approach the one year anniversary of that fish I can't help but hope that a reunion is in order.

Loop Knots for Nymphing #1

Loop Knots for Nymphing

A good friend Kyle Nelson said "If you want to catch a big fish, huck streamers.  If you want to catch a LOT of fish, nymph."  I never really nymph fished much until I moved to Bozeman some time ago.  Since then, I've found Kyle's words to be true.  This short video talks about the advantages of loop knots for a trailing nymph vs. a clinch knot.  A video on tying a perfection loop with a nymph is soon to follow!  Fish On!

First Cast...

My name is Sky Jones and I love to fish.  From my beginnings watching a bobber on the stock tanks of our ranch in west Texas, to chasing rainbow trout in New Zealand, there is nothing I enjoy more than being on the water with a rod and reel in my hand.  I now reside in paradise (Bozeman, MT), right smack-dab in the middle of some of the best fishing in the world.  The Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers are in my backyard and that's just the way I like it.  This is where I belong.

I started fly fishing in San Juan County, New Mexico as a kid, taught by my step-dad, Cutter.  These early lessons developed my love for fishing in general, but more specifically, catching fish on the fly.  Years later, that love was one of the main reasons why I chose the University of Montana for law school and Bozeman, Montana as the place where I choose to make a life.

Last year I began tying flies, studying the native aquatic organisms in this area, and learning new fishing techniques.  In essence, I decided to get serious about fly fishing...but not TOO serious of course.  For instance, I had rarely nymph fished, and I had no idea what a caddis larva looked like, so, I decided to learn.  My "Hatch Guide For Western Streams" is now well worn and I try to learn something new each and every time I get on the river.

I was joined last summer on many of my fishing trips on the banks of the Gallatin River by my good friend Ada Montague.  It was there that I pitched to her the idea of "a fish a day".  She agreed that I should pursue it and even bought me a small journal to start making entries.  So, here's the general idea:

I want to catch a fish for every day of the year.  No, not consecutively.  I have a job which I rather enjoy and would hope not to lose it.  I just want to mark off every day on the calendar.  All 366.  366?  Yes, that includes leap day, and you can bet I'll be fishing next February 29th.  So, say I catch a fish on May 18th, I make a journal entry for that day and mark it off on the calendar.  Right now I'm guessing that it's going to take me 7 years, that is, unless I win the lottery and can fish every single day, which is exactly what I would do.  I began making journal entries and marking off days last July and at this point I'm at 46 days.  I look at that and think that I'm well on my way, but at closer examination, it's only 12.5%.  And those are mostly from the easiest times of the year to catch fish around here.  When winter gets his grip on this place it can be a little tough.  However, I don't constrain myself to only catching fish on the fly.  Perhaps someday I'll get all 366 on the fly, but this year I landed a 4 lb. largemouth bass in Texas on December 23rd, and I will count it.  However, there are a few ground rules that I have imposed on this mission.

1.  The fish has to be brought to hand.  If I hook a fish and fight it right up to my feet and I don't touch it with my hand before it gets free, no fish.
2.  I have to document the catch within 3 days of catching it.  This is to ensure accuracy and the integrity of what I'm trying to do.  I don't want to try and remember what day it was when I caught one two weeks ago and risk getting it wrong.
3.  I document the species, size, method, location, and any other pertinent information such as who I was with, what the water and weather were like, etc.

So, I'll try to figure out a way to get a calendar on this thing and post my entries by date.  But the blog itself won't just consist of the pursuit of 366.  I've learned a thing or two the hard way, from fishing companions, sheer luck, and my imagination, so I'll be passing along a few of the tips and tricks that I've picked up that have helped me become a more efficient (e-fish-ent), productive, and successful angler.  Feel free to chip in where you like.  Enjoy.

Sky