July 28: Alpine Lake

On Saturday I hiked up to one of my favorite lakes in Montana in search of big Cutthroats. A couple of years ago I fished this same lake and caught one fish no bigger than 6 inches. 

When I arrived at the lake early in the morning, the fish were rising consistently to big bugs skittering on the surface. I was fishing a long leader and a small dry fly pattern. The most effective way I found to catch these fish were to find them, and lead them with a delicate cast, being careful not to spook. This would work more times than not, and produced fish all morning. 

The fish in these high alpine lakes aren't too picky. I caught my biggest Cutthroat ever on a small PMX dry fly on a short fiberglass 3wt rod, and the day was very fun. 

Read more about my short trip into the backcountry here: http://www.theanglershatch.com/blog-native/

July 22: Hylite Creek

Last evening I went out for a quick fish on a creek not too far from town. When fishing close to town I try and choose different spots to fish each time in an attempt to get to know the water better. 

I was fishing with a dry/dropper rig and had some success in small runs and pools. I found that the fish are hiding in places you may not think. Fishing every little run and pocket, even if you think it is too shallow, can be productive. 

Fly Recommendations:

• PMX - sizes 8 and 10
• Hi-Vis Caddis - size 14
• Pete's Red Neck Nymph - size 12

July 15: The Gallatin River

I have been spending quite a bit of time on water other than the Gallatin lately, which has been quite refreshing. I love fishing this water, but it is great to see new water and test your skills elsewhere.

I fished the Gallatin yesterday and found quite a few fish during the middle of the day. With water levels decreasing with the lack of rain, fish were holding in the top of runs and in the seams behind boulders. Making long upstream casts was working well. With the sun up high and the water levels on the drop, the fish are becoming hyper-aware of their surroundings.

I was using a dry/dropper rig (my summer favorite), and being very productive on small and medium sized fish. I was not getting very many eats on the dry, so I put my focus on selecting a dropper that would entice fish.

Fly Recommendations:

• Pete’s Red Neck in size 12 and 14. This is a fly that I have been tying this fly for a while, and just posted a tutorial on the videos page of the site. This fly has become a classic, and has been extremely effective this summer.
• Chubby Chernobyl- Works well as a dry fly in a combination rig. I was not getting eats on it, but it is better than throwing an indicator that the fish would see. Black, Tan, and Olive are great colors for the evening on the Gallatin.
• Lightning Bug Nymph in sizes 12-16: The right amount of flash mixed with a sleek body. Another nymph that has become my go-to when figuring out what

July 14: Yellowstone River near Gardiner

This past weekend I drove over to Gardiner, MT to fish a couple of spots on the Yellowstone River. Being only an hour and some from Bozeman, and early start and a stop at the fly shop were perfect before getting to the river.

Picking apart new water has always been a fun challenge for me, and I enjoyed fishing the Yellowstone. Similar to the Gallatin, pocket water, behind boulders, and in shallow runs all produced fish on the dry fly and the nymph. In the morning, the big dry fly on top and a flashy dropper about 20-25in below was working very well. I landed three beautiful cutthroats, and a couple of cut bows as well.

Fly Recommendations:

•  Royal Chubby sizes 8-12
•  Purple and Black Chubby size 10
•  Pete’s Red Neck Nymph sizes 12-16
• PMX Dry Fly in sizes 8 and 10. Lots of fish were eating and/or looking at this fly. Great choice when deciding on a dry to fish. 

Jun 23 and 24: The Henry's Fork

Last weekend I traveled down to the Henry's Fork in Idaho in search of large rainbow trout sipping dry flies. When we arrived the weather was cold and windy, but throughout the weekend the weather improved tremendously. We fished different parts of the river including the Ranch and the Lower. Both sections are very difficult to fish and require stalking fish and being patient. On Sunday I found a fish aggressively sipping caddis flies just one foot off the bank. This was the largest trout I have seen actively feeding like this, and it make my heart pound. After stepping into the river, tossing cast after cast at this fish, and changing my fly 7 different times, I knew this fish was not going to eat any of the patterns I threw at it. I believe it was a combination of a picky fish and a drift with some drag, but it was great for me to experience that and get excited for next time down in Idaho. 

Jun 18: Hylite Creek and Reservoir

Hylite Creek is running cold and clear below the reservoir. I fished a ways down from where the creek begins and found fish quite close to the bank. The cutthroats up there are hungry, and will likely eat an assortment of flies, even a dry. Easy drive through the canyon, beautiful place to catch fish, only 40 minutes from Bozeman. 

Fly Recommendations: 

• Parachute Adams sizes 14-20
• Chubby Chernobyl in brown and black. Sizes 10 and 12
• Bright nymphs in sizes 16-20 (Copper John, Lightning Bug, Pete's Red Neck)

Jun 17: The Upper Madison

Fishing on the Upper Madison is good despite heavy rain over the past couple of days. I found success in a double dropper and a streamer rig. Flows are still above optimal; practice safe wading techniques. Be on the look out for those salmon flies! That hatch is right around the corner. 

Fly Recommendations: 

• Prince Nymph
• AKA Prince Nymph
• White/Black/Olive Streamer Patterns

Jun 16: The Gallatin River

The Gallatin River in the canyon heading South towards Big Sky is shaping up! Flows are starting to drop and color is quickly returning. With recent and reoccurring rain, the river is on the rise, but the weather looks promising for the next week or so. Be cautious wading along the banks. Fish a deep indicator rig. I have had great luck with a bigger bug and a smaller nymph along with a split-shot. Fish are still sitting in the deep slow pools along the banks. 

Recommended Flies: 

• Prince Nymph
• Zirdle Bug
• Copper John