Yesterday Rosy and I took some angler’s to Prairie Lake for some birthday fishing. The fish weren’t easy but the right ones were caught and big fish pics were taken. There were some fish rising on Callibaetis but most of the action was on nymphs.
To book a day at Prairie Lake stop by or email the Sweetwater Fly Shop.
Finally it is starting to feel like summer and fortunately for angler’s in the Paradise Valley that mean PMD’s on the Spring Creeks. We fished Nelson’s yesterday and yes indeed the PMDs kept the fish feeding actively on the surface throughout the late morning and well into the afternoon. In typical fashion the fish did demonstrate how picky they can be but we were able to break the code and have a great day.
Armstrong’s and Depuy’s are also having great hatches and we look forward to more days on the creeks. For top secret fly information or to book a trip stop by the Sweetwater Fly Shop.
Having fished with fly fishing ace Henry Bedford for many years it was fun to get a chance to teach his 11 year old grandson how to fly fish. Fortunately the fish at Prairie Lake were on the bite and young Ressa Crugaugh was able to get some positive reinforcement on his newly formed fly fishing skills. Now it is just up to Henry to teach him how to be curmudgeonly and verbally abusive to guides. Great stuff Tony and Ressa!
To book a day at the Lake stop by or email the Sweetwater Fly Shop.
Hyalite reservoir is a common day trip for Bozemanites looking to ride bikes, hike, paddle, or just splash and giggle a little bit. It is a great place to take your 16 foot john boat out on and troll some panther martins as well. Those who have tried it also know, this time of year is a great time to toss a fly. I ventured up there with a friend Saturday morning and was greeted with what you would expect on a Saturday, a lot of people. The hood creek boat ramp is still closed so launching had to be done at the dam. I launched in between boats and saw this steady line of boats headed to the south end. The shallow south end is where two creeks feed in to the upper reservoir and where most bank and boat anglers head. I figured I might as well head that way too at least to get a few fish in the boat. I had a friend with me who has only fly fished once and I wanted to get him excited about it. If anything, this is good for me to brush up on my guiding skills and the row to the south end would only help me get into shape to row the huge Yellowstone once it settles.
At the ramp people were so excited to tell me how good the fishing was and how many I was going to catch. They were right, the fish staged outside the mud edge of those creeks and you could catch a fish on leeches, chronomids, and Rosey’s favorite, the hares ear. The thing I found most pleasant was exploring the Lake a little bit, after being chased out of the south arm by a hail storm. You don’t have to fish the south end to catch a bunch of fish. If anything, the creeks are dumping in quite a bit of mud and I am tired of fishing in mud these days. There seems to be a heavy crop of 14 to 15 inchers and they are eating all over the lake. The frostbite chronomid available at Sweetwater Fly Shop was probably my best fly, but fast stripping a leach and it getting hammered was the most exciting way to get them. We caught Cutts with an occasional Brookie. You may have to bring a sinking line to fish the deeper stuff but the fish were suspended in less than 10 feet even in the open water. A sinking line just lets you strip faster!!! It isn’t gulpers on Hebgen or the deep toads of Clark Canyon but Hyalite does provide action without the millage.
For those of you who haven’t yet driven past Sweetwater since Sunday, I can tell you that it looks like a small military operation was executed here. Bright orange sand bags are staged around the shop, at the ready should our back yard start looking more like a water fowl refuge rather than boat parking area. Thanks to everyone who came over to help sand bag; you freed me up to spend a (for the most part) guilt-free day up the road with friends at Armstrong’s Spring Creek. We saw a smattering of baetis, giant PMD’s on steroids, and midges but no consistent risers to target for any real length of time. We were able to pick up trout of all sizes and color on several different nymph patterns out there, though some of us were more successful than others (you know who you are…). All in all it was another fun day at the creeks, especially since PMD time seems right around the corner. Thanks for the delicious lunch, Patti, and thanks to everyone who has helped us out thus far with Operation Flood Avoidance.
