Seen recently on the Missouri River

They do seem to get larger, the bobber, don’t they?

Fly of the Week: Any small, insanely tiny midge pattern. Like a Zebra.

Nymph of the Week: Rainbow Warior

Dry Fly of the Week: Peacock PMX or Neversink Trude

Streamer of the Week: Olive Sculpzilla

Scumliner: Chasing the Wiley SH in BC

Squeeky Oar Lock: Guiding for a living

J the B: Back for her Caribbean Cruise and holding the reigns again

Roho: Kickin’ ass and takin’ names

Capt. Carp: Loving every minute of it

SALE ITEMS: SIMMS on sale. Flats boots, Pursuit Sandals, Guide Jackets, to name a few

New @ HH: Cool Lauren Kovich Fishing Art available on a Tshirt and Sport Tek w/ a logo affixed to the shoulder

Izaak’s: Terrific nightly meals per usual

Top Notch: The health of the river

This Weeks Weather: Abysmal

Livin in a van, down by the river

Is that the sun...blue skies?

Woke up this morning and witnessed an angelic sight. The sky.

I’m sure this vision will pass. Raining for sure by the time I will get on the river today. Actually supposed to be near 63 and only 30% chance of rain. Hooray!

Yesterday, great again. As I have said before…only if you like lots of big, obese fishy’s. The caveat is no dry fly action.

“Will we get some dry fly action today? Should I rig up my 4 weight today? Check out my small dry flies, and do you have enough PMD Cripples for this afternoon”

Questions that I will not have to ponder for the very near future. Next week? Crossing my fingers. It will certainly happen…and when it does. Do I need to draw you a picture? I think you are savvy enough to know the answer.

One week from tomorrow, Saturday June 26th is the Fly Fishing Film Festival sponsored by Izaak’s Restaurant and Headhunters Fly Shop in downtown Craig Montana. Come out, come fish, and bring your wife. You will enjoy.

Spite Hill

Some water in this area. Usually Terra firma. Now you can float right in brother.

Fishing yesterday…as good as it gets. Nymphing style. You could drag it around and find it difficult to keep the fish off the line. Brilliant!

This is no bullshit honesty. Believe my fishy friends. I have not seen fish decadence like this before. And I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday.

Maybe I did, and knocked my head. Now the truth comes out.

Come one, come all…the rest of the state is already here.

Headhunters Fly Shop open @ 7am daily. Open late for your fishing reward purchases. You know when you have a bad day and need a touch of retail therapy? Well, you should not be because of the poor fishing.

I use the 1″ Thingamabobber. I know, gross. Effective yes.

Squeeky's Mom

The fishing is so good, even my Mom is ropin’ ‘em. Nice fish Mom. They were crawling all over her worm yesterday, and even Dad joined in the fun too. But Mom had the hot hand. As females commonly do.

Heard various reports yesterday, nt many about the stellar dry fly fishing. And the rain this am kind of dampened my mood. I know it is only temporary, but alright already. I believe it is nearly summer.  And I do remember that June is our monsoon month too. We historically get 5″+ of rain this month…but really? More?

Having said that…the health fat obese worm puking slobs is truly astounding. I cannot remember the fish being this fat. The glory days of ‘98-’01 were nothing like this. At that point, you could expect to see a 20″ bow daily. Damn fine for any river. I think we can all agree on that statement.

The trend we are seeing, the precedent we are establishing far exceeds even though fondest of fond memories…

You can honestly hook and catch 2, 3, 4, 5+ fish beyond the magical 20″ standard on any given day on the Missouri this year. Next year? The following? Yes, I would take that bet.

Should you come visit this year? Should you wait until the economy gets better and improves your portfolio? can you really afford to miss fishing opportunities like we are experiencing right now? Only you can answer that sir.

Worms, fake...and real

Can your soul afford not to come? Can you stand to hear your dumb ass neighbor relay his fishing prowess at your 4th of July BBQ? If not, don’t even invite that yahoo.

Check out the real regurgitated worms below the worm box. These, along with many more, came tumbling out of a brown trout’s mouth like frothy foamy beer from teenager at his first keg party. Gross. Projectile style. They were littering the boat all afternoon. I’m pretty sure it was not my mom…she is so much more mature than SOL…and she can hold her liquor better too.

Will the water come down this week? I hope so, but this trend of big fish will continue for some time. Years, maybe. It is all cyclical. Can you imagine…try it…what some of these fish will do when they get stung with a Elk Hair Caddis adorning the jaw line.? Do you think they will jump…multiple times and give you a chance to see your backing…and your backing knot.

Do you remember who tied that knot. Do you trust that teenager at your local fly shop? Hope he ties better knots than he can cast.

POW!

Dick Raisler photo above. The worm box too. He too like the camera. One of many netted fish yesterday. Love fishing with the folks. Should always fish with your parents. I try not to yell too much. It would not be appropriate. t is difficult though. By yelling I mean, guiding.

Book your 2010 trip today…if not this year how about your 2011 trout extravaganza. Book early for the good guides…said a client to me as all the guides around us were crushing the trout…and my boat painfully quiet. Standard.

SOL pic of Mom, Dick Raisler photo credit

Fly of the Month: Dirt Snake, Canadian Caddis, Mexican Mayfly

Nymph of the Week: Purple Prince or Radical Caddis

Dry Fly of the Week: Check back next week.

Streamer of the Week: You tell me.

Average Fish of the Week: Gotta be 18″+. Fact, not fiction.

Number of Worms coughed up by Browns this Week: Buckets full.

Sunny Days in Craig MT this  Month: Jury is out…out wearing their Simms rain slickers.

Number of Days the Caddis can hold out: Emerge baby, come on.

SOL’s Favorite summer hatch: PMD’s

Scumliner’s Daily Advice: Hit them all and hit them hard. Not even Iron Mike can break 2x.

Napa Neil: Soft selling the shit out of his clients.” Having a good time? I am.”

Capt Carp: Off to Alaska for Kings on a 2 hander w/ EBitty.

Good Will Fishing: Still the best phone guy in the business…he’s fired up!

Headhunters Fly Shop: OPEN daily, 7am til 9pm for all your river needs. The information, education, and customer service leader in Craig Montana.

They also have a KICK ASS FLY SELECTION…Missouri River Specific

When in Rome…

Still long and loose my friends. Hit ‘em all. Great nymphers all have this same quality. They never give up, they never assume it’s bottom, they believe in Christmas.

If you don’t believe, Santa will not come.

Some really big fish being caught daily on the Mo. Honest.

Monday already? Friday will arrive not one minute too soon. Well, anyhow…welcome back to your desk.

Goal for you this week: Plan a fishing trip with your kids, your folks, or your neighbor. Fishing is good for your soul. Get out, it’s summertime.

Pssst…change that old fly line. Clean fly lines make everybody smile. Just a suggestion.

River fun during Hi Water

Captain Carp, Eric Paramore, and Peter Howell of Willow Ranch Outfitting chillin’ in between giant fish. Fun was had by all…if you are into catching fish. Dries, no. Fun, yes. This group has been here two years running and lovin’ it. High water, no matter. Smile, hook, and enjoy!

A ray of sunshine is gracing downtown Craig as I write. Good, I hope it stays around for the time being, or the summer. Technically, not summer til the solstice. I don’t care, lets move forward.

Wiffle ball is happening at HH, and practice up if you want to play, with the big boys. When the water recedes, and our outfield is near dry…we will throw out the 1st pitch, again.

Fly Fishing Film Tour/ Craig Film festival coming up very soon. June 26th, a Saturday in the summer…you should fish, and attend. It’s free!

Indicator leader @ 10 feet, add some more 2X or 3X, a 1″ bobber, a size 4 Gaff San Juan Wire Worm and hit ‘em all. See, fun.