YNP Dawn Treader : Lake-Falls Opening Day

July 15th is the day on which the section of Yellowstone River from the outlet of Yellowstone Lake to Chittenden Bridge (just above the Falls) becomes open for fishing.
I left my casa in Livingston waaaaay before the dawn. It wasn't to hold a good spot or two. I admit some excitement but I just couldn't sleep well last night. That was the simple reason I woke up so early. Over all, I wanted to avoid unwanted delay due to tourist traffic.
I spotted they were taking a morning bath on the other side.

 Hatch was prolific!!

And........

The early birds get the worm?

 or Perseverance paid off......

  CAPTION: "what are you looking at?"

Too big to frame for the lens.......

Yellowstone River & Yellowstone Cutthroat trout........... so special.............

Here, There, & Anywhere

A summary/report since the last post.......... Yes, I was anywhere......

On July 5th, fresh nymphal shucks of Salmonflies were still observed along the banks of Madison River, just above Ennis.

Fish on!!

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Brookies in the Park!

I have guided a future fly-fisher. May more trout be on her way!!

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PMD hatch remains excellent at Livingston's spring creeks. I had a trip at Armstrong's Spring Creek (www.armstrongspringcreek.com).

This stomach result was a little surprise for me for this time of the year. Totally midge (especially larva) dominant during this prime PMD time. A kind reminder to myself as a guide and an angler: 1. Never underestimate effectiveness of midges! 2. Individual trout has individual choice of foods, just like human being.

A typical rainbow (color & shape) of Armstrong's ready to be released.

Spinner Fall was a greatly appreciated bonus!!

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More waters are coming into fishing modes!! I will be anywhere & everywhere for the next report!!

Madison Caddis Bonanza

It seems recently I'm going back & force between spring creeks of Paradise Valley and Madison River of Madison Valley. It's all for good reasons.
Salmonfly is the hottest commodity right now on the Madison!!
But many other insects are popping and enticing trout!! It can't be better!!
Namely, PMD and Caddis.
Hatches were already great from the early morning but I was catching only small ones. At one of those particular yet non-descriptive braids above the town of Ennis, I was totally taken in awe!! Suddenly a massive shadow came up and inhaled my attractor dry-fly!! It did fight as Madison Rainbows were supposed to do!!

The same spot, a bit smaller yet as much feisty brown came next!!

Just like what I observed in the air and on the water.

 One I caught later on was totally Caddis-dominant!!

 and so on......

For your wall-paper if you wish........

So, what was the hot fly for me yesterday?
I happened to find this in my box as I was picking what to use. But I knew this was my recent tie. Also I'm sure it must have been somewhere in the book or website that I CAN'T RECALL...... Could've been my own idea.......if so I usually remember the story and concept......maybe my brain is functioning less recently........ If someone comes up with the reference and point out which & what, let me know.
By then I call it "No Name Caddis".

This is a very simple & straight-forward  tie with only 3 materials. Here's the clipped-hackle version, which works the same.

I'll soon see and experience the same = Salmonfly & Caddis on the Yellowstone!! Can't wait!!

PMD in Full-Swing & Summer Arrives

So, after I hang around my mentor/outfitter Montana's Master Angler and his kind clients, it was my turn. I guided a father-son duo again this year. Stage was again at DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com).
On Day 1, we got hit by another crazy unwanted weather. Yet we looked for PMD hatch and rising trout.

Day 2, FINALLY!! The rainy season was over!! It was quite a nice day which we'd been longing for the past few weeks!! Good start!!

Neil working at "The Bend".

PMD hatch was excellent!! Even phenomenal at one particular spot!!!

Evening rise........

Very strong browny!

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Lots of Yellowstone Cutthroat are in the creek now. One particular individual knew how to pose for my camera. And the set of photos turned out to be fairly good!!

I'm sharing these photos because they do show us trout-world and their views.

Hope some of you find these interesting and practical.

It's a great time to reunite with repeating clients at our beloved creek!!

Life and guide-trips go on to next waters...............

Salmonfly Hatch on The Madison

Since I scooped the gang of salmonfly nymphs during a guide trip last week, I have developed a strong desire and needs that I have to come back and fish Madison River just above Ennis soon. And today, I did it!!

Title says all and following pictures save my typing and mean more than thousands of words.
Nymphs are indeed pumped up enough to crawl on my anchor rope!!

 Then I found this....... I first thought "someone's fly that had been snagged and aged".....

And here it is...........

In the morning, I fished with nymphs with so-so results.

I was waiting for some warmth in the afternoon. Now I tied on a big dry adult salmonfly. At one particular spot, fish rose on my dry 3 times. Perhaps the same fish. The 3rd bite was set but as it swam to the current it was gone....... Next spot, seemingly small one pounced on the dry again, no hookup.
At the next likely spot, I finally made a solid hook-set!!! Indeed strong fish!!!!

The Salmonfly Eating Madison Brown!!

This little one tried to attack my fly but my fly was too big for him to bite or he miscalculated the rise!?

So what's my favorite dry-adult pattern?
Here's my own Two Mix Salmonfly!! Please click the link for more descriptions.

Salmonfly will soon move up toward upstream. Hope to see the same in Yellowstone River!
Then I'm at spring creeks fishing for PMD.......
I guess I'm busy!

Anticipation Coming True - On The Spring Creeks

Here's a quick introduction of my new gear for the season. I replaced a fly-keeper on the vest and also applied a new "name tag" on it. Well, spot me on the stream!

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So, something with Salmonfly is going on the area rivers.
Here on the spring creeks in Livingston, the year's most anticipated event has kicked off - The world famous Pale Morning Dun hatch.
These beautiful creatures know how to pose for the camera.

I had an opportunity to test the "hatch" at DePuy's (www.depuyspringcreek.com) and Armstrong's (www.armstrongspringcreek.com) Spring Creeks for the past two days.
Every spring creek enthusiast know so but never redundant to repeat: It's the fly-fishing heaven in the Paradise (Valley).

Trout are also anticipating the hatch for a year.

They are also getting fat, colorful, and sassy!!??

A typical cut-bow hybrid often seen in Armstrong's.

Trout will rise for duns and emergers and be taken by dry-flies but as these photos prove, majority of intakes consist NYMPHS. "Sight-Nymphing" or "Spot-Nymphing" is very technical and as challenging and enjoyable as dry-fly fishing.

Other insects flying around and taken by trout are:
Midges

Small black caddis with green butt.

And accident did happen!?
If you are observant anglers , scene should be familiar: birds are skimming the water surface when insect hatches are strong. That's especially true at spring creeks, which produce much more numbers of insects than any other water bodies. As I cast upstream of the riffle, I saw my leader made a sudden and strange kink...... As I tugged the leader back from the grass, my tippet was wrapping around one of wing-quills of this cute little fella. I quickly untangle my fly from her and she was safely released!!
This will be remembered forever.

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Just like Salmonfly and river-fishing, there are many effective patterns for PMD hatch. Here are a couple of most effective patterns from my boxes.
My own No-Hackle Gnat.

Good Ol' Pheasant Tail Nymph (Master Angler version).

Again, just like Salmonfly hatch and river-fishing, PMD hatch and trout actions will be red-hot next week! Last but not the least, I will be busy too!