September Color

The summer is ending with amazing days on the river. My trips out lately have been frequent, the fishing has been so rewarding. The weather has changed and the chipmunks are busy scurrying around gathering their nuts. Hoppers still grace the gravel benches, but the trout have gone on to other foods. The weather has been different everyday. Some warm sun, some cool overcast skies, and some rain. The winds have made casting a challenge, but some very glassy days have been in the mix as well. The river has many sheltered runs, I check the weather report often. 

 The Blackfoot River is running low, with crystal clear water. The deep holes are a gorgeous green, and filled with trout. 

 Bronze, yellow and gold are the colors of Fall

Browns showing up, getting ready to spawn

Wet hackled flies are fun to swing. They work great!

Cut throat trout get sizable after 4-6 years

Here in Montana the mountains have had snowfall in recent days, the temperatures overnight have been below freezing. The willows are yellowed out and are dropping their leaves. 

Cut throat beauty shows sweet color 

                                                  

  

 Anxious to feed, the trout have been hitting white caddis, adams, BWOs, mahoganies, wet flies and orange October caddis. That hatch is only starting, hoping for the hatch to go full bore soon. Bar's emergers have been great trailed behind a BWO cripple.

 Bears have made more appearances as I have been busy fishing. Over my shoulder I heard some splashing, usually ducks or geese, but a large black bear was the visitor. My hands were busy fishing, so I didn't get a picture. Doesn't matter.

The very best part of fly fishing now is the great size of the trout. Longer, heavy and big shouldered is the norm.