So, this is gunna be kind of ridiculous…Hienie and the boys have done it again! And again…and again….and again. These boys have literally slept, ate and drank browns and rainbows the entire time they have been here! The salmon flies and golden stones have been flying around all week along with bomber caddis and sallies to play cleanup. The dries have been doing really good in that aspect but if you want to really start crankin’em in the boat, it’s a dirty nympher’s game. Caddis patterns in sizes 14 and 16 have been working well. Stonefly patterns have been the slayer on the Maddy lately with a beadhead behind. Pat’s Rubber Legs of course leads all in sizes 6, 8 and 10. Golden stone patterns sizes 6, 8 and 10 are working well. Prince nymph in sizes 10, 11, and 12 have been working really well for the caddis and mayflies. Some folks around here have been coming in and claiming to have done very well on yellow sally nymphs also.                                                                                                                                      

The bite has been really good in the morning and a little slower throughout the middle of the day. The evenings have been absolutely killer for some of us here at the shop! The big bugs are out in full force behind the shop and the fish are eating. The bugs (salmons, goldens, yellow sallies, caddis greendrakes, bomber caddis, PMDs) are everywhere and the fish are very happy!

Stay tuned for some more big bug action as we will try to keep you updated from a couple days to a couple days! Happy Fishing!!!

-DanG

Keeping up with the Jones’

We had the Jones Family from Georgia visiting the Madison Valley for the week. They fished with us on the 15th and the 19th. With their fly fishing experience varying from beginner to advanced, we paired them up with some of our most experienced guides.  Salmon fly nymphs were on the menu as expected, as were golden stonefly nymphs, big adult caddis and some mayflies. We had numerous reports of adult salmon flies in the air, but the fish seemed more eager to rise to the caddis. Dan Greene was busy in the shop tying bomber caddis dries the whole week. We couldn’t keep them stocked!

With the river dropping, the Jones’ reported fantastic fishing with a dry-dropper for all boats. The coveted Delektable Bomber Caddis and the Delektable Royal Chubbyness were top producers for dry flies. Among others, effective droppers were Pat’s Rubber Legs, Delektable Sure Strikes, various pheasant tails, prince nymphs and the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear.  Capt.  Marty went to his trusty double stones when the dry fly fishing slowed and reported great success as well. With the dropping flows, fish were beginning to spread out as they move out of the slower water. There is a smorgasbord of insect activity this time of the year and the fish seemed to respond well to most patterns if presented well.

We had a great time in the shop talking to the Jones Family upon their return from the river. They went home with some unforgettable memories and tons of fly fishing knowledge.  They were eager to take their skills back to Georgia so we sent them on their way with some killer patterns for Largemouth bass and bream in their home waters. A big thank you from our guides and crew to the Jone’s Family and we hope to see you again soon! 

-Beartooth Family

Shark Weeeeeeeeek!!!

When the big bugs are moving to the banks and the water is high…it’s game on for me and anybody who loves chuckin’ and duckin’ with the big stuff chasing the sharks. The streamer colors that have been the best in this water (high with a tiny bit of little color) are black, olive and white. The fish are vicious right now and willing to take the risk of getting caught, so, get out there and get em! When its hot, it hot; when its not, its not! (Jerry Reed) Happy Fishing!!! DanG