Spring Tailwater Expedition Continues

Spring has been just as we know around here. It's warm but not overly, indeed we feel touch of cold during morning hours. We like this modest transition so snow in our ranges wouldn't melt quickly, especially in April to June period, so we can expect constant flow in the middle of summer (July and August).

Spring is the greatest time to pry our BEST tailwater fisheries in Montana, if not the entire world. We did the Bighorn last weekend, this time we hit Missouri River.

Here's the second voyage of my new boat at Holter Dam under the rising sun!

I read and decoded the spot......... I had an opener😎

I was slightly proud of...... However, right after,  my lovely companion made her debut on MO with the most impressive way possible!! Her first trout on her first expedition was this 21-inch long and 12-inch girth monster😆😲

A true trophy and a typical of MO!!

I'm very content and capable of being happy with my own fishing results, but this was one of a few times I got jealous😑😒. Later on I was able to catch up😅😝

She kept enjoying action on Mighty MO.

Another nice buck!

We somehow found a rose washed away along the bank as we hauled in a huge hen😻🌹

This is a typical average in MO..........

It was another long-day and long-driving but we quite enjoyed.
Come and enjoy springtime in Montana!

Maiden Voyage

Another blank from the previous post........... Well, as the calendar suggests, spring has arrived! And finally it seems my daily life and schedules are up and running. And I believe some fishing can be mixed up from now on!

I'd like to announce one more big change for this year and many more to come.
From this season, I'll be with a brandnew drift boat, masterly built by RO Drift Boats in Bozeman. Project had been set from the last fall and built in early February. So both human and boat were waiting for "home".

Along the Yellowstone River access.

It's a 2017 Guide Model. Hull remains the same as the previous model but there are some major improvements.

As I loaded up my necessity gears, I did a quick job on the floor. This rubber mat is fatigue reducing and will accommodate any type of boot soles. 

Then Renee and I hit the road for fishing in a very while!
Our destination was Bighorn River, which has been running very high for this time of year, as huge spring water is anticipated.

She got the first bite for her and boat!!

😁😆

Checking😎

While I was getting a feel of new boat, she kept catching!

We stopped and I was able to enjoy some!

She remained in the boat and kept fishing........then she got another bite which seemed larger than the others!!

👏👍😸

So the Maiden Voyage was great and enjoyable.
What a boat!!!!! It's quite advancing from the previous model. I can go on and on just about that - perhaps in the near future post.
Also it's been exactly a year since I first took Renee to the Bighorn. Renee advanced quite a lot. She didn't even get tangled in spite of our blank and the indicator rig😉
We try to get out as much as we can!

End(ing) of Fly-Tying Bootcamp & The Madison

My self-assigned fly-tying bootcamp is coming to the end, at least seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. So far I have tied 48 dozens in 12 days. That may sound like only 4 dozen per day. However, 10 out of 12 days, I tied only half (or so) a day, in which either one or two of morning, afternoon, or evening session was not conducted for some reasons. I have about 10 dozens or so in my list, that can be done with a less-pressured leisurely pace now.

So on last Saturday, we hit the road for some fishing. Mother's Day Caddis on Lower Madison came and was gone. Most rivers and streams in our area are in the middle of runoff (give or take). Our options seem limited but then it's just that time of year. We decided to hit Upper Madison, perhaps one of a few doable flowing waters right now.

If you have been following this blog from early days, or if you have read some early (or old) posts, you would see how much I loved and fished Upper Madison. Time has passed since. Nowadays I fish much more than during those non-pro years at much more diverse destinations rather than one or a few favorite waters or sections......... As I drove, I kind of reminisced those days...........

Upper Madison is sweet to me! I guess we haven't forgotten each other!

Renee started to get a hang of this river and to pick up her rhythm.

These, plus two typical whitefish, were just practice for her.
Here's the first big one of the day!!

She started to catch larger trout!

Always learning............

I was having very satisfying actions through the day.

Then we spotted a locomotion at one particular spot. After a few adjustments, Renee hit the spot....... Rest of actions came and gone so quickly!! We knew it would be really a big one........!!!

In my own experience, this the biggest brown I've ever seen in this stretch!!

To add more flavors to our experience, this trout had one very particular upper jaw!!

Good-bye........

Entomology was also interesting.

Then she caught the best Rainbow of the day!!

The last fish of the day........ It wasn't the biggest but the way approached this one particular spot was really interesting!!

I would be busy as Master Breeder for next several weeks but she's gonna get me fishing report!?

Bighorn Trip Day 2

On Sunday 20th, apparently morning was much easier and more comfortable. The day was expected to be much warmer too. We kicked off the day with hearty breakfast!

Then we checked out Cottonwood Campground, hoping to visit again, and headed to Afterbay Dam.  On this day, we decided to focus on upper 3 miles.

Strangely the morning midge hatch & rise were not as strong as the day before. Yet, once hopping back on my boat, nymphing is as productive as ever!

 Anticipating afternoon hatches, we cooked up another hearty hot lunch! That was the famous brats from Pioneer Meats and "extra beefy" chili!!

The flat..........

As in the morning, both midge and baetis hatches were not as strong as the day before. However, that can't be an excuse. There were plenty of rising trout and, again, they were some of most challenging ones I've encountered. When baetis were prevalent, I hooked two - though they didn't come to my net and camera.

Meanwhile, Renee got one!!

My boat was painted like this.............

Over all it was a great trip with lots of fun, learning, and observation.
Bighorn River is one unique and special river - location, water system, number of trout, fishing methods, and many other interesting factors.
Each angler has one's favorite method and spot or how to spend the day on the river. To me, the biggest attractions are tremendous insect hatches and when & how trout change their behavior accordingly. I'm not being technical or philosophical, nor the size or numbers of trout. It's simply the ultimate challenge for me.

Hope to get back soon - my own fishing and guided trips. If you haven't experienced Bighorn River, it's worth writing down on your bucket list..........