I don't hack into Joe's Blog too often, but since it is a special day for him, I thought I would. Reading the following post seems that he got his birthday present a day early as the Maddie fished like a champ. Anyway, I just wanted to say have a good one Joe-Joe,...
She’s open! And she’s Hot……
The Madison River opened up yesterday and the fishing was off the hook. These trout haven't seen an angler since late Feb and most of these fish haven't been hooked since late November of 2009. Normally, I will fish Reynolds or $3 on opening day, but it was too busy...
Back in Dodge….
Back from the Smith…..headed to the Madison.
Back in 7 days…or 8….or 9….
We are off for the Smith River.....well maybe, if Travis can get his shit together, we will make it to Camp Baker by dark. After the 60 mile river trip, we are heading to the Missouri for a couple of days.
Smith River Update
The rumors are true……Smith River gets huge snow storm that drops 3 feet in 24 hrs.
Ohhhh the wind & rain…
Wind, rain and a few beers.
Montana’s Smith River
It has been too long since I have floated the Smith. 6 years ago today, I was on the Smith River, somewhere in the 30 miles long canyon stretch. These photos on this post are from that trip. There are a bunch more in the photo gallery as well. Preparing for this 60...
Expedition: Yellowstone
Expedition: Yellowstone! Kids and YNP.
A bit wintery
Last night's rain turned into today's snow. It has been heavy at times and the high country is getting hammered. Keep dancing, it's working. I am preparing for a 5 day float trip on Montana's Smith River. With any luck, we won't have to float during weather pictured...
Tap,tap,tap
Rain is tapping hard on the roof tonight. Has for about the last two hours or better. Windy as shit too. It's hanging around 37 degrees, but it should drop below freezing by morning. You can bet your bottom that there is fresh snow in the high country. The more,...
Gear that works – Outa Ware
Gear that works…..Outa Ware.
Hot Damn! The Missouri is great!
Fly fishing the Missouri River with Big Sky Anglers. Jake and Joe head to the Mo for a little R & D….large trout on dry flies.
BISON !!
Eye to eye. I have been tying flies and varnishing my oars for most of the day. While tying a few Rainbow Czech Nymphs a bunch of bison roamed by the house and I had no idea this cow was so close to the window. Upon hearing the low growl from Huck, I turned around...
Turkeys…hunting in the Spring!
Notice the camo hat! These bring good luck to all. This morning I woke up to snow falling hard and the picture above, which was on my phone. In Illinois and Missouri, the Spring turkey season is here. My father is a diligent hunter and almost always bags his bird...
Yesterday,Today, tomorrow, the rest of life…angling
Bison, photographed off the front porch. This morning is warm, 33 degrees, overcast and not a hint of the W. I should be headed back down to the river, but the dogs are staring at me and I know what they are thinking...... I spent the last two days fishing the...
Windy….again.
Those damn fly cups..... Since the wind won't let up today, spoiling my angling efforts, I decided to finally sift through all the fly cups which accumulated last season. 39 cups total. Most guides will work out of these cups all season long, as its too much of a...
Tying the Buzzball Cripple
Dryflies that work! simple & Easy to tie….
The Buzzball Cripple My buddy Mark Raisler, co-owner of Headhunters Fly Shop, showed me Lafontaine's Buzzball a bunch of years while on the Missouri....he may have still been cooking at The Trout Shop Cafe at that time. When I have fished the Buzzball on the Madison,...
White-out
Dumping hard in SW MT....keep on praying.....8:00 am After a quick FOAM meeting in Three Forks yesterday I met up with Greg, Jim and Jeff on the Gallatin River. We caught a few fish on stoneflies, SJ Ws, egg patterns and prince nymphs. These boys fish...
Top 10 reasons to fish in Montana this spring
"Ya, on Saturday, ya, I'm gonna need to you to come on in"..Sorry boss, I'm fishing in MT. 10. A warmer than normal Feb and March has brought fish out of deep water and into fishy runs….about 4 weeks earlier than normal. Think brown trout on the banks in shallow...