Hickmans- Skiddish Smolt by Big R Flyshop

Fred Telleen and the fine folks at Big R in Great Falls have put this great little video short out on tying
the Hickmans- Skiddish Smolt pattern. As you will see, a very easy tie, you have or should have all the materials on hand to tie. A great streamer part tern. As Fred mentions, change the ostrich color up for several different patterns.

"River Watch"- Photo of the Day

Forgotten Winter Chore

Sometimes things get tossed to the side and forgotten, well, at least one winter chore did. The annual

cleaning sorting and de-cluttering of the boat box. This is our "Vest" for the boat. Several years

ago, when we had our first custom frame for our first raft built , we had this nifty little dry box built.

Not for the faint of heart, cause it was expensive, but handy. The unit locks into the frame, with a special plate built for boat, in the event that the boat is flipped, all is not lost. It will survive.

It is amazing the items this great box holds, in such a compact area. With 4 main compartments, each specifically designed for tools of the trade. Let me walk you throat it.

Large Area in Back:

Holds 11 fly boxes , mainly nymphs and drys

Front Compartments:

1- leaders / fishing licenses

1- tippet materials and indicators

1- Floatants, Bio- soaps, misc. items.

As you can see, you can carry everything you need, in a need and compact area, attaches to the boat in a matter of seconds and can be locked on.

NOW WE ARE READY.

Random

In typical fashion, the thermometer is to peg out at 70 degree's today and I have a miserable, nagging  cough and cold, picked up from co-workers. This would have been a great weekend to be out on any of the local Colorado ditches, they are all opening up and starting to fish well.

 With each passing week, the fish become more active an are starting move from there winter holding waters. In addition, the bug activity is picking up at the days get slightly warmer and longer. Oh, so nice to be closer to spring and summer.

Thought I would throw in a few random photo's from last weeks outing,