Salmon Lake Island Lodge

We spent a little time with Ms. Floatfisher's parents in the past couple of weeks celebrating

there 60th Wedding Anniversary. We were lucky enough to be holed up at the older

but charming Salmon Lake Island Lodge, just outside of Seeley Lake, MT.

As with most of Montana, the sights are always worthy of the camera. Along with gin and tonic for several days, the camera was right on my side. 4 acres or grassy , tree covered island would not disappoint. 

The old Homestead Cabin

Morning on Salmon Lake

Grandma and Grandpa's Pride and Joy

Just another day on the lake, couple of canoes ready for the days use.

Hallway to Heaven

Alone in thought on the lake, evening silence.

 Island sights with some of the beautiful flowers.

Smoke from nearby Washington, created some soothing sunsets on the lake at the fire pit.

Postcards from Montana

 Old Barn on Hwy 589

 Commercial Permit #29 to float the Madison River

What is your size?

Saturday on the Ditch

After a couple of weeks away from our favorite ditch, the Ms. and I returned with a vengeance. Fresh after 9 days in Montana, ready to catch a few "locals". Setting the alarm for o'dark thirty, I found out that things are already changing. Sun is coming up just a smudge later. None the less, the fist cast was in the dark, thank goodness for the orange puff wing.

 There are dividends for being on the water early, wildlife, fish, lots of willing fish, oh yeah, no body fishing. Those little critters sure like this bug.

 My favorite fallen gate, seem to always catch a fish by it. Need more of these along the ditch.

By this time of year the ole fly patch starts to get a little full of used flies.

It is Crazy

The amount of storied rivers fished or drove past in the last two weeks to go fishing on our bi-annual Montana fishing trip. Once again Ms. Floatfisher and I had another stellar time visiting the small fishing towns of the Big Sky country to float new and exotic water not fished by Floatfisher. Crazy that we drove by, stopped at, photographed and fished some the following waters in the past two weeks:

1. Bighorn
2. Yellowstone
3. Boulder River
4. Stillwater
5. Gallatin
6. Madison
7. Jefferson
8. Bighole
9. Beaverhead
10. Clarksfork
11. Blackfoot
12. Missouri
13. North Platte

Ms. Floatfisher throwing dries on the 50 mile riffle. Her day was solid, fish were a plenty, and as you 
can see the day, well spectacular.

Ms. Floatfisher hooked on one of the many browns of the trip.

She had the hot stick of the trip, hook sets were spot on every time.

More photo's to come through out weeks.

Stunning Vista's

With all the fires Idaho, the massive fire in Washington and 4-7 fires in Canada all burning, the air in

Southwestern Montana was a little smoke filled at times. This made for some fantastic sunrises and sunsets. With all the wide open spaces, this shot of the Bob Marshall Wilderness is hard to beat. 

Had to stop and capture this shot on the way to the upper Blackfoot.

Learning to Share the River

Sometimes the rivers are crowded with other waders. This was the case a couple of days ago.

We are learning to share with other better. A fantastic photo opportunity, as we got to sit an watch

these two beautiful creatures cool off in the Montana heat.

Ms. Floatfisher had a front row seat and great vantage point. Reason #213, why we love Montana.

Holy Macro

Western Green Drake - shot on Salmon Lake, Montana

Salmon Flies

Hard to believe there were still some salmon flies fluttering around the canyons of Montana last week.

A month late, but always a treat to throw a few of these critters unexpectedly, and have some big fish crash them.

Photo's from the Ditch

Sunrise at the launch, not another boat or angler in sight, just the way Ms. Floatfisher and I like it.

Out for a test drive.

Fish are on the feed, a variety of trico's and caddis, maybe a little subsurface feeding to start the day

out. Many healthy rainbows and browns to be caught.

Why We Dig Montana

Salmon Bugs from Western Fly Media on Vimeo.

Check out the nice video short by Western Fly Media and 4 Rivers Flyfishing.

This is why the pilgrimage to southwestern Montana is a must. The rivers are plentiful and so are the

browns.

Stone Yellow by confluenze magazine

STONE YELLOW from confluence magazine on Vimeo.

Nice easy summer tie using a little CDC. The folks from Confluenze put out a some nice flies from

time to time. Definitely worth checking out.

Montana Fire Sky

Sunset at the boat take-out. Summer don't get any better than this.

A Little Detour

On our way to places unknown we thought we would take a little detour and have dinner in Craig, MT on the banks of the Missouri River. Phoning our good friends Eric and April, they agreed dinner at Issack's would be perfect. Now taking a big detour from Sheridan, WY to Craig, MT was a bit for dinner, but in interest in fishing, well worth the detour.

 We set up a fine little cabin, the Rainbow, with the crew a Headhunter, who were fabulous as always.

Sarah and the crew were stellar, and as the credit card always shows, we came home with a few goodies. I would recommend the lodging with Headhunters, you must book early, but certain nice to be "right their". 

Had a chance to visit the Mark and John, always a pleasure, as they are two of the best in the business. They know how it is done.

In the quest of looking for new boat, the team form Adipose and Headhunters hooked Mary and I up with the demo boat for morning ride down the river to look for rising heads and willing fish. Mary, eagerly anticipating rowing the boat, want to row what will be our next boat this winter, so it is ready for the spring fishing season. 

The Montana Test Drive was a success, drivers were happy, boats to catch fish, joy to row. 

Just have to look at all the options now.

retro stone

"retro stone" by brian kuchynka

"Dry River Risers"

Dry River Risers 

If you are ever in Sante Fe check out this cool sculpture. 

Fireworks- Flyfishing Style

Fireworks from scumliner media on Vimeo.

The crew from Headhunters on the Missouri River now how to throw a celebration. They do it right

each and every time they have an event, from their famous BBQ's, Drift Boat Drive-In, participation

in the Famous Caddis Festival. Now a little hooliganism with fireworks. 

Get  you fun on in slow-mo.

SSS- Super Summer Seven

Tying or buying flies to stock your fly boxes for your summer and fall trips should include

some of Floatfisher's favorites. I really have not found to many rivers in the western United States

these will not draw a strike or catch a nice fish.

 Jack Dennis- Amy's Ant

(Colors- Chartreuse, Red)

 Jay Zimmerman's- Clown Shoe PMD

 Charlie Craven's - Dirty Hippy Brown Trout
Freshly off the cover of FlyFisherman

 Greg Garcia's- Mini Hot

(Colors- Tan, Yellow, Purple)

 Mike Mercer's - Missing Link

(Colors- Green Drake, Tan)

 Doug Swisher's- Parachute PMX

(Colors- Royal, Orange, Yellow, Peacock)

Doug McKnight- Sweetgrass Hopper

8000 Miles and Still Smiling

You would thing after logging some 8000 miles of floating and fishing as recreational flyfisherman (not guiding) you would tire of your favorite river. No way! It is crazy to think one of the busiest holiday weekends of the season, and we had the entire river to ourselves, nary another boat on any of the sections we floated any of the four days, pure pleasure.

 Weather was terrific, as morning treated us to beautiful sunrises and great fishing.

 New places were found and full of fish. They were very fond of grape slush.

Launching the boat at 5:15 for the superb streamer bite offered some nice sights and summer colors.

Did I mention the Streamer Bite, Oh yeah, worth getting up and throwing them. Early bird gets the worm. Late risers get to fish with the guide boats and rafters.

Summer Colors

Happy 4th o July

Floatfisher's Midge

Floatfisher's Midge

Hook: TMC 2487, Sz: 18-22

Thread: Veevus 10/0 Black

Rib: Lagartun Fine Silver

Wing: Z-Lon

Hackle: Grizzley, Whitting

Let Summer Begin

Do you have the right box of flies with you? Something with the right silhouette, floats right, oh yeah, and it look good stuck square in the middle of a fish face. 

Pick One, Any One. 

Don't be Wrong