Rest of July Fishing Report

I'm not complaining or being pessimistic but it's been a very odd summer. I haven't figured out what would come by mixing "low water" and "cool weather"......yet. Oh, we had one cold-hypothermia-threatening storm!..........Now we are expecting over 90F weathers............. Interesting, isn't it?

All we can do is........ going fishing anyway! I don't believe all the trout in the area rivers have gone to Icelandic Sea, looking for cold waters. We just have to figure out how to get to them along with understanding of river systems. I haven't figured out perfectly but I'm always learning and experimenting (along with some slow times that we have to face.........). Let's look.

I had a very good couple clients and we hit Northeast side of Yellowstone Park. After some quiet and patient morning, we got good actions in the afternoon!

Seriously, these Cutties are very strong. They must have been recovering very well from spawning. This was the best underwater pic I could manage.

Little did we know, there would be snow falls next day at where we were.........really...........

Here's the scene of glorious start of the morning on Yellowstone River!!

Hard fishing can pay off!

I seem to have come up with a brandnew Green Drake pattern. This will be flying all summer!!

Into August!! Better or worse, summer goes on. Well, going out fishing is always good anyway!

YNP Opener & Voyager

It's about time. I've been busy and chasing hatches at Livingston's spring creeks over 3 weeks. Now I started to float rivers and walk along streams in Yellowstone National Park.

Usually, my own Opener of YNP happens sometime in June. This year, for miscellaneous reasons, it was July 15th.

Last year, if you may recall, I conducted a series of "Dawn Treader" trips. This year, I don't have much time but for scouting..........Hence, "voyager" as I still am voyaging from one side to the other.

One thing that's kind of me is: I usually set my YNP Opener at a slightly low-key minor spot (though may not be secret). I liked what I got!

Chubby & Cutty!

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Then I ventured to Gallatin River (YNP section, of course). Believe or not, it was COLD!! that you can see in my attire below.

Checking their breakfast........

Typical Gallatin 'Bow!

My new caddis pupa works!!

Then I encountered something unusual and amazing!
Oh, then, this is not from previous falls or springs. Yes, I'm wearing a wader (all day) and my favorite Patagonia Snap-T (till 2pm)!!! Dress accordingly!!

Anyways, this Whitie measured 15-inch long (nothing remarkable) but had an impressive 10-inch girth!!!! Definitely the top candidate of my annual "Whitefish of The Year" contest!!!

Then hatches.....

Learning  

and checking........

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Next day, I drove to other side of the Park. My first destination was Slough Creek below campground, which seems "minor" compared to Lamar and Soda Butte for most visitors....... my kinda place. I was really surprised with thickness of stoneflies that have hatched this year!!

 Even found from the stomach of small trout!

Then here it came!!!!! On what? Of course on an insect imitating dry-fly!!
Also, note how I was dressed now: wet-wading (no wader) and very comfortable!

In the afternoon, I found a good stretch of Lamar all by myself. Happy!

 

Checking and learning

Yes, this year, most area rivers are running lower than usual years. But summer turns to be cool and moderate (so far). Streams are running cool and fine. So, don't worry, folks, and don't be fed up with gossips. As I just experienced, there are plenty of eager trout!! Done right, they can be at the end of your lines too!!

Then again, I repeat, bring your clothes and dress accordingly!!

Challenging & Decoding - Another Day at DePuy's

I had a very good couple clients to fish with at DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com). I really appreciate repeating clients who have found interests and fondness to one of my favorite places to fish & guide. This was their first time to try a summer day.
We were expecting the PMD hatch, of course. As a guide, it had been a clockwork routine for over the past 3 weeks that I could rely on. However there was a sudden change............

Actually the day started very well.

Learning & observation - this relentless habit of mine added up toward the end of the day.
Do you see any PMD (typically we find PMD spinners for the morning pumps)?

 More actions!

More to learn & observe.

But where was PMD? Where are they? Is this something new for the season? Discussion should be held in a near future as part of a summary of season.

After lunch, it was more challenging. One spot, one method, and/or one fly worked better than the other. Over all, we decoded one by one and we picked up trout.

 Then we spotted a rising trout. On what? I kept my eyes on the water and in the air. I spotted a sulphur mayfly, which has been a KEY for the season (though it may be a short period) to interest trout in the afternoon. I tied on a single dry-fly for the Lady Angler. The rise was at not an easy spot of the creek. After some adjustments, she made a decent cast, followed by a very good looking natural drift. Then came a sipping rise...........Perfect hook-set!!, which was followed by an exciting tug of war!

Well done!!

I think my under-water pics evolved this season.........

So, if I had known and relied on one particular action at the creek, it could have had been a poor fishing day for my clients. However, I kept my ears open for information from others and kept my eyes out for observation. Then my clients were patient and open for new situations. What I'm proud of somewhat is, as seen above, we fished for rising trout and insect hatches most of the day!

Thank you for great memories and hard working, Gary & Diane, Hope to see you again!

Another Day of PMD Paradise

Oh, what a day...........
I was super fortunate that I was able to visit and fish Nelson's Spring Creek (www.nelsonsspringcreek.com) . Due to availability of rods = 6 per day = and popularity of world-famous fishing, especially PMD hatch this time of year, I was very lucky to be there (though there would be days that I'm on the creek as a guide in a near future....).

I literally fished dawn to dusk. I did enjoy but also it must be a guide's saga that I couldn't help but experimenting here and there with this and that.
This one will also be another let-pictures-do-the-talking post!

During the calm morning, I started to see rises. I observed midges were hatching. I set the hook a bit too hard for the first one and broke off. I was careful and more concentrating for the next subtle response on my flies. Large and beautiful Yellowstone Cutthroat already made a perfect day!

 Cold creek waters felt just right to go in!

 Just as I thought........

 This time I was able to go extra close! Note: I was not touching or pressing the fish at all.

 Then PMD hatch started!

 Typical Nelson's rainbow gave me its typical action (and my typical "weedy" selfie).

 Then I got something real HUUUUUUGE!!

 Then came one more!

As it's been the custom for the past couple of weeks, I had lunch after 2pm. For mid-afternoon, I had some other ideas in mind. Different spots of creek and terrestrial fishing............ It was very red-hot with this one being the top highlight! "Can I have my Hopper back?"

By the evening, I was very content and thinking to leave. If north breezes would subside, I might see some spinner actions.......... And it happened around 8pm. By then, I was again at one of those underestimated spots that perhaps majority of creek anglers would never care for spinner actions....... I saw continuous rises. Bite! Set! Little did I expect this trophy!

Some of the BEST Cutt in my notes!!

Never meant to crave more actions but it was very nice evening just to be at the creek. At the very last light (for fishing), I spotted several more rises and was able to take the last shot!

Fishing Nelson's during PMD time like this.......it may seriously be once in a life time for me......