July Hoot Owl

Happy Summer Time 

I am having a great summer so far. The drought conditions have changed my internal clock so that getting up early is okay again. Hoot owl restrictions on the Blackfoot River have been in effect for several weeks, a necessity for the survival of the awesome trout population.  I admit that being a clock watcher is affecting my strategy for fishing. As the hours slip quickly by, I find myself sketching out each section of river I want to fish and budgeting my time. It's for health of the fish, otherwise I don't usually wear a watch. The pressure is on, I want to make the most of any hatches  going off! 2PM will not wait for one more cast!

Fishing has been tremendous! The terrestrials aren't happening yet, but the trout have not been shy about going for a variety of imitations. I haven't removed any nymphs from my boxed yet, but I should thin out my selection, as I have no need to cast a nymph right now

My very favorite target

. Yes, the trout eat nymphs  all year, but during the summer I indulge myself and make them come up so I can see them. 

 Use "DRY FLIES"

Guaranteed to be your best catch! 

The trout rush to this attracter, and compete for it!

A cow moose and her calf watch me pass by

Spending such good hours, moving around the river ,

Turning a trout and returning for the hook up.

Sweet spots...

Westslope Cut Throat, champion fighters...

I often take some time to dial in the right fly, and when I am lucky it happens sooner than later. When I discovered emergers, I was able to take fish during pre hatch moments.

I am waiting for terrestrials, my friend has told me of some action close by. I have turned and caught many cuts with the Madam X. Better with the red.

Down river, beyond most visitors knowledge.

One leg of the path

Hoot Owl Hours have modified my fishing habits for the time being. Early to bed, early to rise and early to fish. Early morning holds a special fascination, everything is cool and fresh.  Dew drops reflect the light as I head to the river.  A whitetail jumps from the woods and bounds through the woods. The grass has hidden the game trail, making the power of observation so important. The deer, elk and moose are pretty good about sticking to certain routes. Their roads are my roads. Birds are being a big part of my short days, the woodpecker is always cool.  When the hatch is on, the groups of swallows tell everyone. I love it when I approach the water and see them jetting along the river. They are the first to get their share.

A wristwatch is now part of the checklist. 

July on the Blackfoot: a low running river.

Take heart.  Fly fishing is not an easy sport. Patience and perseverance will catch more fish than any special equipment or clothing. Now that summer is here, many people have been out fly fishing, some thrilled by the experience and planning their next trip, others may be feeling disappointed, not what they were looking for. Sometimes it is an elusive quest, where no satisfaction is to be had. I do feel for the guy down the way that doesn't catch a fish,

A brown trout with a scud in his gullet 

The west has been upset with low water flow issues with hot days and some streams and rivers in Montana have had fishing hours reduced for the health and the survival of the wild trout. The Hoot Owl hours came along from FWP after 10 days of great fishing, I personally enjoyed the evening hatches, the moon and the setting sun adding a rich flavor to the night air..In compliance, I made it to the river on Monday morning, and quickly ran into fish. The cut throats and browns were slamming my stimulators, caddis and pmds.
I read something about gearing up in parking lots. The writer was trying to point out that an angler could not possibly know what to tie on without being on the river. I don't agree, but really I don't care. Fly fishing has nothing to do with the habits of others. I had an adams pattern already tied on from the evening before when I left my truck. We all have issues, but for me I just try to make sure my truck keys are safely stowed.        

 Daisies along the Blackfoot River

      At any rate, fly fishing offers many experiences, everyone has a different perception and also a responsibility to no one but themselves. You never know when nature will jump out of the bushes either. I love it when wild life appears and puts the right perspective back into my time on the river.

An adams fly is one of the great innoventions
 the old school brings to the table. It represents so many different aquatic insects, it works great as searcher pattern for just getting the feel of the river. Always look to the time of year figure what sort of insect activity will occur, checking on-line and asking any locals might just get you a fish when least expect it. Patience and perseverance will, in the end be your sharpest hook. Enjoy summer...I hope your waters run clear and clean.
JIM

Always something to enjoy while moving along the river.

What a wonderful catch.