The month of August has been some of the best fishing I could ever want. The Blackfoot River along with others, was on a shortened schedule, days ending at 2pm. Fishing restrictions have been lifted. Because of wildfires in the west,the skies have been thick with smoke, but finally today a front is pushing the smoke elsewhere. I can only hope it lasts. I took off this morning stopped for breakfast at the Stray Bullet in Ovando, next door to the Blackfoot Anglers fly shop. Fished this afternoon in a thick smoke storm. I took a break, came home and grabbed my sweat shirt, and headed back to the river. The wind was blowing strong, so I opted for a protected stretch, a place I haven't fished in 2 months. I knew my way to the water and exactly how I wanted to fish it. I took a game trail through the woods, going to the end of the run first. I like to work back upstream, one hole in particular had my focus. I had caught some nice fish earlier in the day, but this evening time was great. The air cleared, blue sky appeared along with the mountains. It felt great to a day of fresh air.
Yesterday, at the end of August, the call of the river was strong. I went to possum run, a favorite spot to fish. Beginning around 11:00 am, I tied on an emerger pattern and started catching trout. Quickly I brought in my first fish and the day continued to be spectacular.
During the last days of August, smokey conditions have limited time on the water. Fishing has been spectacular. Wonderful large cut throats and browns are pleasing every outing. The time for hoppers, ants and beetles is such a fun time. Perhaps the easiest time to find a lunker is at the end of August. Summer fades, the wildflowers have started going to seed and the cottonwood trees are turning colors. It's been a great fly fishing season , with two months to go...Love fall fishing on the Blackfoot River!
I caught a huge cut throat, a fish I have caught before. He loves a yellow, PMD cripple fly. Drifted into the hole from the edge of the river, he sprang from down deep to take the hook! I was thrilled to know he had survived countless fly fishers all season long.
Mature cut throat trout sport excellent colors, their bodies are works of art. Lots of spots, head, tail and fins coupled with a bronze gill plate, They play hard and do not give up their fight easily. Spitting the hook is seemingly part of their genetics.
During the last days of August, smokey conditions have limited time on the water. Fishing has been spectacular. Wonderful large cut throats and browns are pleasing every outing. The time for hoppers, ants and beetles is such a fun time. Perhaps the easiest time to find a lunker is at the end of August. Summer fades, the wildflowers have started going to seed and the cottonwood trees are turning colors. It's been a great fly fishing season , with two months to go...Love fall fishing on the Blackfoot River!
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| Wild cut throat |
Sunset in the smokey Northern Rockies
The beetle I would love to find again
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| Bull moose munching along the edge of the river |
I leave you with this. It is difficult to share my personal time with the river, only because my words will never do it justice. The immensely powerful force of the river is endless and will forever be...
