Things have been just crazy around here for the last 3 weeks. The guide season is in full swing now and my daily outings have ranged from mutli-dayt trips with angler of all skill levels, presenting a new challenge every day.
I had 4 great days 2 weeks ago with a couple of South African dudes from Durban just before the waters really began to clear. We hit the Upper for a couple of days and just pounded the fish on dead-drift Zonkers in dirty water. Had a long, but good day up on the Missouri and an amazing day on the lower just before they reduced the flows. The fishing was really good, but the guys were great, they just had a great time the whole trip. They took pictures of everything and marveled at the shuttle services, houses made of wood, mailboxes, and folks that leave tehir cars unlocked.
Next I had a couple of first-timers that were the victim of some changing conditions and lots of wind. They got some fish, but never really got the hang of the whole fly-fishing thing. The important thing is that they had a good time, got to see some cool stuff and got to spend some time together (father & son). So, even though the catching wasn't crazy, I'd say the fishing was pretty good.
Next I had a retired guy from Cody for a couple of days and the catching was also so so. He wante to really leanr more bout techniques and reading the water than catching fish, so we did that. I learned a lot form this guys as his demeanor was patient and easy going. To him, the ride is much more important than the destination - a reality that often gets lost during the summer.
Then, Ijust fininshed up two days on the Yellowstone, chasing Salmonflies up around Carbella. Had some great dry fly action with a couple of awesome guys.
I'll try to be better with kepping this updated as I want to provide daily reports along with some tidbits of Tobyology. I've got 3 more weeks of MBA classes and things should settle down for me. We go to the Smith next Wednesday!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Recent Happenings
Following the day of the sick clients at the ponds, I spent the next day getting caught up with Homework. That's right, I'm in summer school this semester working towards an MBA through UM. It's been a real bitch so far btu hopefully the worst is over for the semester. I don't have any days off for most of June and July, so it should be interesting to say the least!
Anyway, I took my dad to the Big Hole last Saturday for the Divide to Melrose float and had a great time. The catching was good on stonefly nymphs (not telling which one), but there weren't any Salmonflies around yet anywhere on the river. From what I've heard, they are starting to show up down the river aways now, so it should be a madhouse over there this weekend.
The wife and I floated the Jefferson from Cardwell to Sappington on Sunday. I was mistamke in my assessment the previous day of clean water. The water was dirty, the fishing lousy, but the day was good.
There just aren't enough days in this life to spend with my dad, son, or wife fishing on a river in Montana. Isn't that what it's really all about? There comes a point when techno gear and the latest fly just doesn't matter. What really matters is the connection to life and the people around me that fishing builds.
On that note, Salmoflies have started on the Lower Madison, but it's still crazy high and pretty dirty. I'm sure that the word will be buzzing around here in the next few days and many expectations will be once again dissapointed by the reality of dries on the lower. Oh well, it will be on the upper in a week or so and insanity should follow. I'm guiding all through it and expect to have a blast. See you there.
Anyway, I took my dad to the Big Hole last Saturday for the Divide to Melrose float and had a great time. The catching was good on stonefly nymphs (not telling which one), but there weren't any Salmonflies around yet anywhere on the river. From what I've heard, they are starting to show up down the river aways now, so it should be a madhouse over there this weekend.
The wife and I floated the Jefferson from Cardwell to Sappington on Sunday. I was mistamke in my assessment the previous day of clean water. The water was dirty, the fishing lousy, but the day was good.
There just aren't enough days in this life to spend with my dad, son, or wife fishing on a river in Montana. Isn't that what it's really all about? There comes a point when techno gear and the latest fly just doesn't matter. What really matters is the connection to life and the people around me that fishing builds.
On that note, Salmoflies have started on the Lower Madison, but it's still crazy high and pretty dirty. I'm sure that the word will be buzzing around here in the next few days and many expectations will be once again dissapointed by the reality of dries on the lower. Oh well, it will be on the upper in a week or so and insanity should follow. I'm guiding all through it and expect to have a blast. See you there.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Pigs in a Barrel
I took some guys out to a local ranch yesterday for some pond fishing. Private waters are always a treat in that the fishing is usually not too difficult and the rewards can be very satisfying. Stripping Hare's Ears was the trick for the crusing bruisers. The smallest we got was 18 inches and the largest was pushing 25.The fish were hot and it took all the clients had to get them to the boat. Nothing crazy, but a stressless day on the water catching some piggies.