Ah, nothing better than spending a week trout bumming around Idaho and Montana - what better to ring in your 32nd birthday?
Doug flew into Boise on Friday the 9th, and after grabbing his bags we headed out. The only commitment was his flight back to San Diego the following Thursday, which, for two resourceful guys like us, presented us with plenty of options. Doug has spent a fair amount of time on these waters, and was very gracious to show a green horn like myself the ropes. We both came loaded for bear, with plenty of rods and more than enough flies between the two of us.
Our first destination - Silver Creek, just outside of Ketchum, Idaho. Silver Creek is an amazing spring creek, renowned for it's challenging gin clear waters, which require a delicate presentation and 7x tippet.
A beautiful evening on Silver Creek...
After a fun morning of float tubing around Silver Creek, we headed east towards Island Park. Our next destination was the Henry's Fork - we were going to float two sections. First up, the Box Canyon section, which is a 3.5 mile float down to Last Chance, Idaho. We actually did this drift twice, and, despite hitting plenty of rocks, I couldn't shake Doug out of the boat.
Doug fishing a nice seam in "The Box"
After a great day of fishing the Box Canyon section, we headed to the Harriman Ranch section of the Henry's Fork. With the recent cold weather though, the dry fly action was slow and we instead opted for a beer and a fat dinner in town.
Moonrise over the Harriman Ranch
On Monday, we hit the Warm River to Ashton section of the Henry's Fork. This section is known to hold smaller fish, but Doug quickly proved that rumor wrong. Right out of the gate he brought one of the largest bows I have ever seen to the boat; on our home waters of the Lower Deschutes this would have passed for a decent steelhead.
Doug fighting an enormous rainbow
After a great day on the Henry's Fork, it was time to leave Idaho behind and head to Big Sky Country, where we were to drift the 17 mile section of the Madison from Lyon Bridge to McAtee. We pointed the pickup north and rolled into Montana Monday night; we spent a glorious evening under clear skies, and had the pleasure of waking up to chilly 20 degree temps and fresh snow in the mountains. Our hopes of throwing hoppers all day were shattered, as the recent cold spell froze the little buggers out, however we had good luck swinging streamers in the morning and nymphing during the day.
Clouds over the Madison
After a long day on the Madison, we headed south to West Yellowstone. Grabbing the only hotel room left in town (it had no heat, we slept in our sleeping bags), we drove into the park fueled on coffee and donuts for a day of fishing and sightseeing.
The park was, in a word, remarkable. Amy and I had visited several years before, and I again was amazed at how spectacular it is. For me, it was the highlight of the trip.
Steam rising off the Madison in the Park
Buffalo along the Firehole
'living in a van down by the river..."
Hot Springs meeting the Firehole
Fishing the Firehole was nirvana; it was the warmest day of the trip, with temps in the upper 60's to 70. The warm weather brought the caddis out in force, and Doug and I spent several hours casting caddis dries to rising brown and rainbow trout with 3 weights.
The Firehole
One of the hot springs with the Firehole in the background
We buzzed out of the park late afternoon, and caught a quick bite to eat before heading back to Silver Creek to wrap up our trip. While in the parking lot, we came across what may be the best looking trout bum rig in existence. It was easy to pick the owner out in the bar, as his hat matched his dash.
A true trout bum rig!
We spent our last night camping at Silver Creek, and proceeded to wake up at first light and get into fish. Doug swung a size 6 zonker Thursday morning, and landed 4 fish before we even had a cup of coffee.
Doug with a nice Silver Creek Brown...
9 AM the Callibaetis Hatch started coming off in force, and for several hours we enjoyed throwing tiny dries to rising trout.
Match the hatch...
A nice Silver Creek bow taken on a size 18 callibaetis dry...
The skies are clearing over "The Creek"
We drove back to Boise Thursday afternoon; Doug back to San Diego, me to Pendleton to meet Amy and Elsa for the Round Up.
Great fishing, great company, great trip!
scott
Doug flew into Boise on Friday the 9th, and after grabbing his bags we headed out. The only commitment was his flight back to San Diego the following Thursday, which, for two resourceful guys like us, presented us with plenty of options. Doug has spent a fair amount of time on these waters, and was very gracious to show a green horn like myself the ropes. We both came loaded for bear, with plenty of rods and more than enough flies between the two of us.
Our first destination - Silver Creek, just outside of Ketchum, Idaho. Silver Creek is an amazing spring creek, renowned for it's challenging gin clear waters, which require a delicate presentation and 7x tippet.
A beautiful evening on Silver Creek...
After a fun morning of float tubing around Silver Creek, we headed east towards Island Park. Our next destination was the Henry's Fork - we were going to float two sections. First up, the Box Canyon section, which is a 3.5 mile float down to Last Chance, Idaho. We actually did this drift twice, and, despite hitting plenty of rocks, I couldn't shake Doug out of the boat.
Doug fishing a nice seam in "The Box"
After a great day of fishing the Box Canyon section, we headed to the Harriman Ranch section of the Henry's Fork. With the recent cold weather though, the dry fly action was slow and we instead opted for a beer and a fat dinner in town.
Moonrise over the Harriman Ranch
On Monday, we hit the Warm River to Ashton section of the Henry's Fork. This section is known to hold smaller fish, but Doug quickly proved that rumor wrong. Right out of the gate he brought one of the largest bows I have ever seen to the boat; on our home waters of the Lower Deschutes this would have passed for a decent steelhead.
Doug fighting an enormous rainbow
After a great day on the Henry's Fork, it was time to leave Idaho behind and head to Big Sky Country, where we were to drift the 17 mile section of the Madison from Lyon Bridge to McAtee. We pointed the pickup north and rolled into Montana Monday night; we spent a glorious evening under clear skies, and had the pleasure of waking up to chilly 20 degree temps and fresh snow in the mountains. Our hopes of throwing hoppers all day were shattered, as the recent cold spell froze the little buggers out, however we had good luck swinging streamers in the morning and nymphing during the day.
Clouds over the Madison
After a long day on the Madison, we headed south to West Yellowstone. Grabbing the only hotel room left in town (it had no heat, we slept in our sleeping bags), we drove into the park fueled on coffee and donuts for a day of fishing and sightseeing.
The park was, in a word, remarkable. Amy and I had visited several years before, and I again was amazed at how spectacular it is. For me, it was the highlight of the trip.
Steam rising off the Madison in the Park
Buffalo along the Firehole
'living in a van down by the river..."
Hot Springs meeting the Firehole
Fishing the Firehole was nirvana; it was the warmest day of the trip, with temps in the upper 60's to 70. The warm weather brought the caddis out in force, and Doug and I spent several hours casting caddis dries to rising brown and rainbow trout with 3 weights.
The Firehole
One of the hot springs with the Firehole in the background
We buzzed out of the park late afternoon, and caught a quick bite to eat before heading back to Silver Creek to wrap up our trip. While in the parking lot, we came across what may be the best looking trout bum rig in existence. It was easy to pick the owner out in the bar, as his hat matched his dash.
A true trout bum rig!
We spent our last night camping at Silver Creek, and proceeded to wake up at first light and get into fish. Doug swung a size 6 zonker Thursday morning, and landed 4 fish before we even had a cup of coffee.
Doug with a nice Silver Creek Brown...
9 AM the Callibaetis Hatch started coming off in force, and for several hours we enjoyed throwing tiny dries to rising trout.
Match the hatch...
A nice Silver Creek bow taken on a size 18 callibaetis dry...
The skies are clearing over "The Creek"
We drove back to Boise Thursday afternoon; Doug back to San Diego, me to Pendleton to meet Amy and Elsa for the Round Up.
Great fishing, great company, great trip!
scott