Blog
June 2009
June 22, 2009
by Tyler Treece
I met the Predator at TroutHunter late in the morning, by fishermans terms. Anticipating the day, we took time to drink coffee and shake hangovers hoping most the other boats would clear out before we got down the hill. Overcast skies and rain were to our West, and storms seemed inevitable as they loomed toward the river. The weather is constantly changing here this time of year, providing opportunities for outstanding fishing between harsh downpours. The coffee went down easy, for me at least as the lift it brought was much needed. Full of breakfast and feeling better we loaded up the Durango, double checked all our gear, and hit the road. It would be my first float with the Predator and to say I was excited just wouldn’t encompass reality.
I met the Predator at TroutHunter late in the morning, by fishermans terms. Anticipating the day, we took time to drink coffee and shake hangovers hoping most the other boats would clear out before we got down the hill. Overcast skies and rain were to our West, and storms seemed inevitable as they loomed toward the river. The weather is constantly changing here this time of year, providing opportunities for outstanding fishing between harsh downpours. The coffee went down easy, for me at least as the lift it brought was much needed. Full of breakfast and feeling better we loaded up the Durango, double checked all our gear, and hit the road. It would be my first float with the Predator and to say I was excited just wouldn’t encompass reality.
Conversation on the way down never left the subject of fishing. Streamers were a dominant subject. Colors and sizes, articulated and old school patterns with new era flare we discussed. We talked of big old browns and their love for protein, their carnivorous behavior and how amazing it is to have one crush a moving fly. The Predator’s passion for this sport showed constantly in his words. We talk of individual fish like they have personalities, more out of respect and awe than truth itself. He shook his head remembering big fish lost because of angler error, because of his error, and he talked determinately about how the next time a two foot brown rose slowly from the depths to inhale a fly he would take his time and make sure the fish ate it before he set the hook. Timing, he said, it was all about timing and making sure those hooked jaws were closed before you tighten. What a truly hard thing that is to do.
We rigged four rods at the put in, three with a combination of dries and one heavy sink tip armed with a large articulated pattern tied by Pat Gaffney, a guide at TroutHunter. That fly looked great in the box, but in the water it was just fishy. His pattern danced in the current begging for a strike from below. Boat in the river we crossed to the opposite side and anchored. The Predator was in guide mode, scanning the water and explaining casting techniques meant to deal with the headwind that was picking up. Within a couple hundred yards of the put in I became a perfect example of what we had talked about in the car, as two large browns attempted to eat Pat’s streamer and I missed them both. One flashed as the fly bent around a rock, I set on the flash. The other fish turned and followed downstream, and when he opened his mouth my knee jerk reaction sent that double hooked tetanus delivery device screaming past the Predators ears and away from what would have been a trophy fish. I was pissed, and my foul words showed it. After finally closing my big mouth the Predator shut me up for the rest of the day by simply saying ‘What you’re not having fun?’ His words struck a chord and from that point on I knew I would be learning an awful lot from the guy.
We crossed the river and the Predator dropped the anchor. Against overhanging cliffs a fish was rising steadily, it was a big fish, and he was in a tight spot. Sandwiched between overgrown trees and snagging rocks we watched as the big brown casually sipped on a combination of the daily menu, Caddis and PMDs. We switched out rods and I was left with my own familiar stick in my hands to deliver our best offering. The first cast hit three feet above the last rise and drifted drag free into his zone. When he came up I was more surprised than the fish, and again set too quickly only feeling his weight for a split second. The Predator knew it, and explained the nearly impossible once again. Timing, its all about timing.
I had heard what a phenomenal fisherman the Predator is, but watching it was a different experience in itself. He is intensely calculating. Eyes on the water at all times looking for flashes, swirls and rises, any sign of a fish. Rowing the boat I listened as he explained the river, its sweet spots and hidden trout hideouts. I watched his cast and how he worked different structure. He told stories of the time he has spent on the water, about techniques and patterns that worked but always emphasized the changing aspects of fishing and the necessity for observation and adaptation in order to be successful. I hung on his words of advice, attempting to apply them immediately and lock them into my long term memory. We continued rowing until we hit a long, wide flat and I was told to drop anchor. I saw nothing at first, but the Predator jumped out of the boat and motioned for me to follow.
There were rising fish concealed in the current, and I was due for a lesson. We watched as head after head broke the surface, and one less pale morning dun floated downstream. “Its a high cast,” he explained, “and you have to pop it at the end to let your line fall slack.” Normal casts wont do here. The churning current forces micro drags on your flies which won't just get refusals, but will flat out put fish down. The more we watched the more fish we saw, and I began to get my eyes. This water plays tricks on you, the current is swift and broken, perceived rises sometimes are nothing more than a change in water direction, and the detection of a fish is often overlooked. The Predator had it down, and in time with his guidance I could see it all lay out before me, every fish, its position in the river and the bugs it was eating.
Turned loose on the flat I stalked fish with the intensity I had observed all day, working my new cast over the heads of rising fish. I don’t remember how many we caught that day, but it didn’t matter. They were all strong and beautiful, fighting hard all the way to the net. That afternoon the fish were willing to eat, and I was trying to slow down and remember that its all about timing. Every one we caught was a new lesson stored in my memory as the way of the Predator.
Comments (2)
June 22, 2009
Box Canyon: Flows out of the Island Park Dam are now at 650 cfs which is a bit low for this time of year. Fishing continues to be good in the "Box" with rubber leggs, small beadhead nymphs and streamers. There have been golden stones hatching in the "Canyon" over the past week but with all of the cold, wet weather we have been having they have not been on the water and therefore there has not been much in the way of dry fly fishing.
Last Chance/Railroad Ranch/Wood Road 16: Fishing throughout this stretch of the river has been good considering the weather. There have been solid PMD and caddis hatches along with a few lingering March Browns. The Green Drakes are starting. The most consistent fishing continues to be down on the Wood Road 16 section of this part of the river. Flies that have proven to be successful over the past week are Harrop's tan Bubbleback Caddis, March Brown No Hackles, black CDC Flying Ants, PMD Last Chance Cripples and PMD CDC Floating Nymphs. Try sight nymphing with Pheasant Tail and/or Turkey Tail Nymphs. If we could ever get a few days of decent weather fishing on this part of the river would improve significantly.
Riverside to Hatchery Ford/Cardiac Canyon: Those individuals who have ventured into these two sections of the river, in spite of the lousy weather we have been having, have been rewarded with excellent fishing. Good hatches of golden stones, caddis, PMD's and March Brown's have accounted for some fine fishing opportunities.
Warm River to Ashton: Fishing on this section of the river has been very good to excellent. Caddis, golden stones, PMD's, yellow sallies and Green Drakes have all been hatching over the past week. The bug that has produced the most excitement for both fish and fishermen has been the emergence of the Green Drakes. This big mayfly has got the fish looking up producing some great dry fly fishing with a variety of Green Drake imitations.
Ashton to Chester/Chester to the Fun Farm: Fishing on these sections of the river has been good but challenging. Most of the fish have been taken on nymphs and streamers in spite of some very strong PMD, Green Drake, Flav and caddis hatches. We feel that the lack of good dry fly fishing is due primarily to the very unsettled weather we have been having and as soon as the weather turns more summer like we should see the fish looking up more than they have.
Henry's Lake: Chironomid fishing on the lake has been very good over the past week or so. This technique of fishing is not for everyone but for those who enjoy fishing a couple of big lake midges under an indicator there have been some great days to be had out on the lake. Not to mention that some very big fish have been caught using this technique.
Other area waters: Firehole River (YNP): Fishing on the Firehole has been excellent with PMD's and caddis. The fish seem to be more keyed into the caddis right now but don't venture onto this popular fishing spot without a good selection of both caddis and PMD's.
Madison River (YNP): The PMD's began to hatch just a day or so ago and the fish are on them already. If you want to escape the crowds along the Firehole check out this often overlooked part of the Madison River. I'll bet you wont be disappointed.
Last Chance/Railroad Ranch/Wood Road 16: Fishing throughout this stretch of the river has been good considering the weather. There have been solid PMD and caddis hatches along with a few lingering March Browns. The Green Drakes are starting. The most consistent fishing continues to be down on the Wood Road 16 section of this part of the river. Flies that have proven to be successful over the past week are Harrop's tan Bubbleback Caddis, March Brown No Hackles, black CDC Flying Ants, PMD Last Chance Cripples and PMD CDC Floating Nymphs. Try sight nymphing with Pheasant Tail and/or Turkey Tail Nymphs. If we could ever get a few days of decent weather fishing on this part of the river would improve significantly.
Riverside to Hatchery Ford/Cardiac Canyon: Those individuals who have ventured into these two sections of the river, in spite of the lousy weather we have been having, have been rewarded with excellent fishing. Good hatches of golden stones, caddis, PMD's and March Brown's have accounted for some fine fishing opportunities.
Warm River to Ashton: Fishing on this section of the river has been very good to excellent. Caddis, golden stones, PMD's, yellow sallies and Green Drakes have all been hatching over the past week. The bug that has produced the most excitement for both fish and fishermen has been the emergence of the Green Drakes. This big mayfly has got the fish looking up producing some great dry fly fishing with a variety of Green Drake imitations.
Ashton to Chester/Chester to the Fun Farm: Fishing on these sections of the river has been good but challenging. Most of the fish have been taken on nymphs and streamers in spite of some very strong PMD, Green Drake, Flav and caddis hatches. We feel that the lack of good dry fly fishing is due primarily to the very unsettled weather we have been having and as soon as the weather turns more summer like we should see the fish looking up more than they have.
Henry's Lake: Chironomid fishing on the lake has been very good over the past week or so. This technique of fishing is not for everyone but for those who enjoy fishing a couple of big lake midges under an indicator there have been some great days to be had out on the lake. Not to mention that some very big fish have been caught using this technique.
Other area waters: Firehole River (YNP): Fishing on the Firehole has been excellent with PMD's and caddis. The fish seem to be more keyed into the caddis right now but don't venture onto this popular fishing spot without a good selection of both caddis and PMD's.
Madison River (YNP): The PMD's began to hatch just a day or so ago and the fish are on them already. If you want to escape the crowds along the Firehole check out this often overlooked part of the Madison River. I'll bet you wont be disappointed.
Comments (0)
June 9, 2009
Box Canyon: Flows in the "Box" are around 700 cfs. This is about 300 cfs below average for this time of year. 700 cfs represents an ideal flow for both wading and floating fishermen. Fishing in the "Box" has been consistent over the past week with most fishermen reporting good catches on nymphs and streamers. Salmon flies have been out over the past week but the cool, damp weather has kept dry fly fishing to a minimum. The most productive patterns have been coffee&black, black and brown Rubber Leggs, red and black tungsten beadhead Krystal Zebra Midges, beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tails and tungsten beadhead Prince Nymphs. It seems like any olive colored streamer has produced well over the past couple of weeks.
Last Chance/Wood Road: Fishing in the Last Chance area has been a little slow over the past week in spite of some really nice caddis and March Brown hatches. That's not to say that a few nice fish have not been caught over the past week. I have talked to a few fishermen who have taken a few good fish on caddis imitations and streamers. The Wood Road area has produced some good fishing with March Brown, caddis and large black ant imitations. Some of our favorite patterns at this time of year are Rene's March Brown Last Chance Cripples, March Brown No Hackles, tan Bubbleback Caddis and black CDC Ants.
Riverside to Hatchery Ford and Cardiac Canyon: Fishing in these two somewhat remote sections of the river has been outstanding over the past week or so. The presence of salmon flies and golden stones has produced great fishing with both nymph and adult imitations of both of these super hatches.
Warm River to Ashton: The 2009 season on this section of the river is starting out as a mirror image of the 2008 season. Last year we thought this section of the Henry's Fork fished better than it ever had and the new season is starting out just the same. There are still a few salmon flies around and they have been joined by golden stones, caddis, March Brown's and PMD's. All this hatch activity is producing great fishing with nymphs, streamers and dry flies.
Ashton Dam to Chester: This section of the river has not produced to expectations over the past week or so. There have been fish caught but everyone has had to work much harder than they think they should for this time of year. The PMD's have just started to hatch with regularity over the past couple of days and the water levels have dropped some so this should help this part of the river improve greatly.
Chester to the Fun Farm: This section of the river has produced well the past week mainly due to the presence of salmon flies. This is another part of the river where the water levels have started to drop and the PMD's have begun to hatch with regularity so we should see this area of the Henry's Fork fish even better than it has.
Henry's Lake: Fishing on the lake has slowed down from what it had been during the first ten days or so after opening on May 23rd. This could be due to the cold, wet weather we have been having more than anything else. Look for fishing on the lake to improve as soon as we get more summer like weather. Which I hope we start to get soon.
Other area waters: Firehole River (YNP): Fishing on the Firehole has been very good to excellent over the past week. The water is still high, which makes wading a little tricky at places, but the baetis, caddis and PMD hatches have been strong and the fish have been responding very well to nymph, emerger and adult imitations.
Last Chance/Wood Road: Fishing in the Last Chance area has been a little slow over the past week in spite of some really nice caddis and March Brown hatches. That's not to say that a few nice fish have not been caught over the past week. I have talked to a few fishermen who have taken a few good fish on caddis imitations and streamers. The Wood Road area has produced some good fishing with March Brown, caddis and large black ant imitations. Some of our favorite patterns at this time of year are Rene's March Brown Last Chance Cripples, March Brown No Hackles, tan Bubbleback Caddis and black CDC Ants.
Riverside to Hatchery Ford and Cardiac Canyon: Fishing in these two somewhat remote sections of the river has been outstanding over the past week or so. The presence of salmon flies and golden stones has produced great fishing with both nymph and adult imitations of both of these super hatches.
Warm River to Ashton: The 2009 season on this section of the river is starting out as a mirror image of the 2008 season. Last year we thought this section of the Henry's Fork fished better than it ever had and the new season is starting out just the same. There are still a few salmon flies around and they have been joined by golden stones, caddis, March Brown's and PMD's. All this hatch activity is producing great fishing with nymphs, streamers and dry flies.
Ashton Dam to Chester: This section of the river has not produced to expectations over the past week or so. There have been fish caught but everyone has had to work much harder than they think they should for this time of year. The PMD's have just started to hatch with regularity over the past couple of days and the water levels have dropped some so this should help this part of the river improve greatly.
Chester to the Fun Farm: This section of the river has produced well the past week mainly due to the presence of salmon flies. This is another part of the river where the water levels have started to drop and the PMD's have begun to hatch with regularity so we should see this area of the Henry's Fork fish even better than it has.
Henry's Lake: Fishing on the lake has slowed down from what it had been during the first ten days or so after opening on May 23rd. This could be due to the cold, wet weather we have been having more than anything else. Look for fishing on the lake to improve as soon as we get more summer like weather. Which I hope we start to get soon.
Other area waters: Firehole River (YNP): Fishing on the Firehole has been very good to excellent over the past week. The water is still high, which makes wading a little tricky at places, but the baetis, caddis and PMD hatches have been strong and the fish have been responding very well to nymph, emerger and adult imitations.
Comments (0)
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Stream Flows
- HENRY'S FORK below I.P. Reservoir
-
Flow (cfs): 542
- HENRY'S FORK below Ashton Dam
-
Flow (cfs): Ice
- HENRY'S FORK at St. Anthony
-
Flow (cfs): Ice
- FALLS RIVER NEAR Chester
-
Flow (cfs): Ice
- MADISON below Hebgen Lake
-
Flow (cfs): 1150Temperature (°F): 36.5
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