Yellowstone Winter

It's been a great winter in Yellowstone Country! - It's up to each individual how to take it: cold & harsh😰, nasty roads to drive (very careful out there!!)😱, and for fly-fishing perspective, 2018 will be another good water year👍😁❗❗
Up until spring, keep checking SNOTEL info.

It's also a great time to explore and experience on your own. We drove to and walked some in Yellowstone National Park!

On the way to our favorite Lamar- Soda Butte Meadows - for fishing and any activities! - we spotted animals in the bottom of Lamar Canyon, along with several cars in a pullout. Even from the car, they looked different from more commonly observed coyotes.

 We believe we spotted wolves - for the first time for us👏

They were definitely larger than coyotes or foxes, plus coat colors were also different from theirs😏

Then we hit a trail with snowshoe. It's slightly less popular than other marked ones, only occupied by several beast🐉🐊

To the monument✌

A mandatory Buff selfie

On the way out of the Park, we stopped by Yellowstone Forever, located just outside of Roosevelt Gate.  It's quite a nice store with good information (live animal tracker🐻🐺🐂). I couldn't help but picking up a unique guide book: I'll keep it in my track so my Japanese clients can learn on the way!

For fly-fishers out there, winter may not be an ideal time to visit Yellowstone Park and surrounding area, however if you happen to be here for businesses etc., or if you want to experience something new for winter, Yellowstone Park is still a place to go😉💖
We will go back through winter and spring😄

Fall of Yellowstone Country

October is ending and it's been a long month........just as every year. I have spent more time on Atlantic Salmon Flies (later stories) yet I'm not totally done with fishing.

Middle of October this year was very windy, indeed windier than I ever recall😨. Plus we had several very warm days, reaching 70F🙀. Finally it's been nice and ordinary for the past week or so.

I quickly visited DePuy's Spring Creek. Howdy stranger😅❗❗

My client and I chose perhaps the best fall day so far.  Bearable air temp, mostly cloudy, and NO winds. We started with a feisty rainbow!

 We caught some dandy browns😀

This one was on midge dry😲 Also, as the pump results show, we had some baetis hatches too😏

Cutthroat hang around the creek this time year.......

I was able to fish on my own in a very while😁

 With my lovely companion😘

Yellowstone National Park season is coming to close on Sunday Nov. 5th.
Since September hordes of anglers start to fish West side; Madison, Gibbon, and Firehole Rivers. I did many times and nowadays I may slip in once in while.
We headed to the different side of Park, where summer traffic (fishers and visitors in general) were totally gone. Fishing may not have been at the best, compared to what the creek offers in summer, but we simply enjoyed the scenery, our own stretch, and total solitude. Handful of Cutthroat, each, were quite a bonus😁✌

November is still enjoyable to chase some large browns though fishing would be slightly limited (due to some harsh weathers and the end of summer time).
I'm still available for guiding primarily for Livingston's spring creeks, other than that, I may still fish a few, and spend more on fly tying projects. I try to update YouTube videos regularly while keep shooting new ones. I write some articles. Then the last but not the least, dedicated to the art of Atlantic Salmon Flies.
Enjoy Fall fishing & Winter tying!!

Another Fly-Fishing Saga Somewhere in Montana

Montana is arguably one of the best trout fly-fishing destinations in the world, filled with Native Cutthroat, elusive & enormous Brown, and acrobatic & athletic Rainbow. If we consider Brook, Lake, Bull, stocked Golden, and even Whitefish, our list of destinations will be a life-long pursuit. 

However, have you - either resident or visitor - considered other species could be caught on flies in Montana? It could be somewhat what locals would be involved. Or perhaps, just like anglers from areas that don't have many trout fisheries would love to come to Montana, some Montanans may seek some other species other than trout while still in Montana. That does not mean those Montanans get tired of trout fishing. I, for one, have so many trout waters that I haven't fished but I want to someday and I always look for next memorable trout from waters I fish in regular basis. In my case, it's to push the envelope and open my own horizon and experience.

My lovely companion and I hit one such destination. It was also a debut day of my brandnew Echo Dry 6wt, Redington Rise reel, and RIO Grand line, while being protected by Patagonia Rio Gallegos wader. 

We had one objective though we had no idea what to expect. I rigged up a likely fly and kept fishing. I got the first unexpected hook-up that got off before showing itself but I felt the take was different from trout. Next time, I was a bit more careful. This is the memorable first fish on my brandnew 6wt rig😁🎉

 Then the second one to be landed. These are Walleye😮.

What a toothy creature 😨

This second one was larger than the first one and put some bends on my 6wt rod.

Then we started to see what we wanted to see. This was the objective that we were there. These beasts are as elusive and tricky as trout. Fly-fishing for them is as technical as for trout.
After some trials and errors, I adjusted myself. I finally made a hook-up. Yes👍❗❗however the moment after I was slightly scared as, though I have known already, these beasts are much heavier and hard-fighters than trout😨😲. I barely brought it to the shallow😥 and with the help of Renee we captured the beast😲

 Yes, CARP in Montana😂😎🎊🎊

This is my second largest fish caught in freshwater (top being the King/Chinook).

Certainly it exceeds any other trout species I've ever caught.

We both made a few more hook-ups but these beasts won't be landed all the time...........

I have a special spot for carp. Indeed that's the first species I fished regularly as I started fly-fishing (that itself is the long story). In Montana, this is quite a change from "trout game". I don't say "different" as it's indeed as technical as trout fishing and requires "fish savvy" even just to get close. Never underestimate...................... one will definitely feel the same frustration as facing the selectively feeding trout on spring creeks.
If you - resident or visitor - want to do something new, "carping" may be the one😏

YNP River & Snow Check

This winter has been a real Montana winter that we know of. First half of January had been cold, last week was slightly easier, reaching 40F. Then the cold spell is on the way as of this typing. 

We drove to Yellowstone National Park for the first time since The Last Day of Fishing. 

Though nowadays we can check snowpack/precipitations online, we wanted to see and feel ourselves. We "walked" - no snowshoes or XC skiing...........Quite an exercise😆

First we walked from Roosevelt Lodge to Tower Falls, along Yellowstone River. 

Moose!!??? oh, deer.......

Calcite Spring Overlook - We thought of Yellowstone Cutthroat swimming and getting cozy around the spring............ Hope to see them soon.........

Next, we did something wild on a truly unmarked and not a known trail for winter months - actually our fishing trail during the season........ Some of you readers must have fished here on your own or with me......... One of the loveliest streams and one of the most enjoyable spots in the Park.

We wanted to take a look at the spot.......... Initial third or so was truly a challenge........we could have been buried......... However once we got through the section, we really appreciated these buffaloes stomping on snow, much easier for us to walk!!

Reminiscing the past season and hoping to make more memories in the upcoming season.........

We made sure there have been good amounts of snow in our headwater region = YNP. 

Though there will be some more factors to consider = how spring rolls =, we can definitely have high hopes for good water year!!

What's Really Going On On Yellowstone River - Outfitter's Perspective

It's been chaos over the last weekend around here. And perhaps more demagogues and misinformation have been circulating in the online world. Some may be true, others aren't. This is the special post. It may be a long one. I go through one category at a time.

My Outfitting operation is open and available, as always. 
Float trip destinations: Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn.
Wade trip destinations: Yellowstone National Park and available Montana public waters.
Private lake/ponds: Burns' Lake in Big Timber, Story Lake in Emigrant, and couple others.

As I've been reporting, Yellowstone Park waters have been fishing well with relatively cooler air and water, compared to surrounding Montana cities and waters. As September approaches, NE streams = Lamar, Soda Butte, Slough = will be better and better. Then soon west side waters will follow = Firehole and Madison.
Now is the time to try private ponds/lakes around here too!! These are lesser-known due to legends of Yellowstone River and spring creeks, however, they host some true trophy trout one can wish for!! Those trout are not easy to catch by the way. You gotta work hard for them - hooking and bringing in!!
As soon as Yellowstone River and spring creeks (and other tributaries) are re-opened, I will keep you updated. 

Proliferative Kidney Disease

On the day of closure

Concise explanation
More detailed explanation
More specific explanation
Please click either one or, might as well, all the links.

We could only guess that perhaps PKX has already been in Yellowstone whitefish. Then this historically low-water, in conjunction with hot & dry summer = high water temperature would have contributed to facilitate its deadly actions.
Here's a big HOWEVER = Why trout are not affected? 
So far ONLY 1 rainbow trout have been found dead by MT FWP.
I actually think I saw the one as I have walked several fishing access sites.


Have You Considered
Following is my own opinion and analysis based on my experience as an avid fly-fisher and a professional guide, including the past few days of "walking".

• In recent years, whitefish have definitely been overpopulating in Yellowstone River. I have noticed they even seem to have adapted trout rise form during insect hatches and to our dry-flies. 
• Not to mention whities are taking over where trout usually hold (or where we believe so). 
• Now consider the low-flow we have this year. Just like everything else with limit & capacity, such as buildings, River has its own limit and capacity - in this case number of fish it can support. That means the most abundant, if not overly-populated, species get treated by nature's own way. 
• As you have read links above, PKD may eliminate up to 100% of affected species. However we know, on Yellowstone River right now, whitefish are not entirely wiped out.
• Majority of dead whitefish are 12-14" range, that we can estimate 3-year-old. We have seen 8-inch range are also dead, few among the majority. Then we have NOT been seeing 17" or larger individuals killed and floating belly-up. 
• What does this fact tell us? 12-14" range whities are most abundant, as our catch experience prove and agree. 
• But also, those not affected are more likely born immune to or have genes to be immune to PKD. 
• Why not on trout? Trout seek for cold, running, oxygenated spots/sections of river - that's where we have high potentials to catch them. Indeed major killing occurred from Emigrant to Loch Leven, which we know of to consist of many wide & slow pools. And that's where whitefish are most abundant. 

Gruesome Reality of Closure
First thing first, as a good Montana resident and a sportsman and a state-licensed outfitter, I will follow the rule. Whitefish is indeed one of my favorite catch (may not be for everyone). Have you caught something 20-inch give or take?? That will rock you world - which I will do in the next post. I'd like them to be back. Most Montana outdoors men & women are also conservationists as well. So I bet majority of us, most likely all of us, understand and will be supportive.

However, just like anything else, there are always two-sided stories, that I'd like anglers in other parts of Montana and other states to know. And I feel obliged to report the reality.

• With the closure of Yellowstone River (float fishing) and Livingston's World Famous spring creeks (my specialty), it's easy for everyone to imagine my outfitting business is heavily affected in a bad way. Certainly not just me. Fly shops are quiet. Lots of guides use Albertson's grocery store as a meeting spot with client, I do too, which has been silent, though I'm not deaf or blind. Suddenly it has become the quietest summer I know in Livingston.
• It's not just us fishing outfitting businesses. Vehicle shuttle companies, water-craft sales & rentals, furthermore, indirectly hotels and restaurants that accommodate visiting anglers have been heavily affected. Again, it's the quietest summer in Livingston. 
• Not just fishing - recreational rafting, kayaking, float-tubing, swimming, everything on water is banned. Reasoning is human and our crafts will spread PKD to other water bodies. I bet majority of recreational users are Livingston locals who float ONLY Yellowstone ONLY during summer. 
• Besides, PKD are known to die quickly once dried. How can they or their crafts transfer PKD alive? 
• By the way, boat wash is MANDATE for all the fishing guide after each float trip whether to accommodate different clients or same clients for multi days!! I will do as my routine regardless of how late I get back home. 
• On August 19th, out of sudden and in the middle of the day, anglers were forced to quit fishing, some directly by game wardens. Is this the act of civilization? Shouldn't be there alternatives? - such as "sunset or midnight of 19th"
• Those dead whitefish have been left on the banks. Apparently FWP has ONLY counted dead bodies and has not done any acts of cleaning or anything effective. It starts to smell very badly. Shouldn't be there any actions done? 
• These dead or dying whitefish will attract all kinds of varmints and birds in the area. Aren't they, especially bird, spreading PKD more effectively than human and their crafts?  Shouldn't be there any actions done? 
• Livingston's spring creeks = private properties.......oh where does this go?

I understand it's also a tough decision for FWP too and I hope they are working on some solutions. However there should be alternatives other than total closures and banning.

Happy Family Photo on the Last Day on Yellowstone River
Will this be the first and last time this youngest client of mine has ever been on the river and fished? 

Winter Days Continue

I'd like to say it's been winter-like days, as we know of, here in Paradise Valley. It seems "average" in terms of "how cold" and snowpack, that I think most people around here agree.

I was able to get out to fish DePuy's Spring Creek again in two afternoons this week. Weathers were some of the best I could ask for in this time of year.

This was from a rainbow I caught next.

 Again, this is the time of "winter-run", known among handful of local/regular anglers.....

 Always learning.

Rainbows about this size were very active right now!

 Then, I've been surprised by some good browns!

Some what stranger for this time year, you Cutty!

This afternoon, I successfully caught each trout species of Yellowstone River system!

I've been up-grading and improving my new truck. Finally I got some ideas and put them together to make a rod rack that goes through truck-bed to inside of cab. It turned out to be some of few ideas of mine that came up as I wished!!

I have tested with my own rod and drove miscellaneous terrains. Then I made sure rods are securely held and won't bother passengers. Although there may be some improvements as I use more, I'm certain this set-up will be very useful when I guide clients for walk/wade trips on Livingston spring creeks and Yellowstone Park waters.

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Here's another unofficial snowpack report. Just outside of Bozeman, along Lower Madison, snow becomes suddenly deeper than in town.

With some more snow expected till spring, I think it will definitely be some good snowpacks!

Also it's good time to practice - making a fly-fisher out of her!

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With the Holiday season totally got behind, I was able to focus more.......that I don't think it would only be me..............
My current project is back on track and going well.

Butcher (T.E. Pryce-Tannatt)

 Durham Ranger

A few more for another grand framing........

So the first half of this month has been full and enjoyable for me.
Hope most of you out there are also busy with fishing and tying.