July is another transition month for fly fishing on the Blackfoot River. The month had me using grey
drakes, hair's ear nymphs, caddis, and wet flies, the most important have been red soft hackles. The last week has seen the beetle and royal wulfs as premier flies. These insects come at different times every year. Last season, beetles and other terrestrials were a poor choice. Now the trout race after this great food supply. As the next weeks go into August, hoppers will be the fly to throw.
Evenings have become the best time to fish, not sure how long it will last, the river has receded and when the gauging station in Bonner reaches 700 CFS, FWP will institute hoot owl restrictions. The fish have been laying low because of bright sun and warm temperatures. However the light has been good until after 9pm, giving me ample time to have a nap and dinner before fishing. I made several day long trips, hiking for several miles and testing my stamina.
If you are planning a trip to Montana, the best months are still ahead. Mid August until the cold days of November bring out the biggest trout and the crowds of tourists disappear. I have already become frustrated with some equipment, my boot laces came unraveled and I had to search for good replacements. My gloves have already begun to be ragged, but I haven't broken any rods so far. My Sage has been working great and of course the Hardy reel continues to perform.
I went out for a long day recently, hiked in and began to fish. Slow was the word of the day, and much to my chagrin, I missed a very big cut throat. I did manage a couple, but as I moved I came across two men fishing with spin rods and neoprene waders. I have no problem with this style, however I realized that they had been ahead of me all morning. Under my breath I cursed, but decided to make the most of it and visited with the fishermen and counseled them on the benefits of fishing with a fly rod. I pushed on, and finally made it to untouched water. The first cast brought me a fine, large cut throat. I was so very pleased. Maybe it was karma, I could have been a jerk, but rather chose the positive path. My next hour was filled with action and I turned back under the hot sun to find the shady stretch of river. I lingered as long as possible, rested in the shade and as rises began, I hit the water again. I finished with a dozen trout, browns and cuts. The mosquitoes were thick as I left at dusk. Fly Fishing has everything to do with patience and perseverance. It isn't about why I am not catching, but when will I hook up with the next fish. The next fish always comes.
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| brown trout |
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| Great bronze color |
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| Night fishing under a full moon |
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| Reward |
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| Isolation |
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| Peace and quiet |
I went out for a long day recently, hiked in and began to fish. Slow was the word of the day, and much to my chagrin, I missed a very big cut throat. I did manage a couple, but as I moved I came across two men fishing with spin rods and neoprene waders. I have no problem with this style, however I realized that they had been ahead of me all morning. Under my breath I cursed, but decided to make the most of it and visited with the fishermen and counseled them on the benefits of fishing with a fly rod. I pushed on, and finally made it to untouched water. The first cast brought me a fine, large cut throat. I was so very pleased. Maybe it was karma, I could have been a jerk, but rather chose the positive path. My next hour was filled with action and I turned back under the hot sun to find the shady stretch of river. I lingered as long as possible, rested in the shade and as rises began, I hit the water again. I finished with a dozen trout, browns and cuts. The mosquitoes were thick as I left at dusk. Fly Fishing has everything to do with patience and perseverance. It isn't about why I am not catching, but when will I hook up with the next fish. The next fish always comes.
