We'd had the trip planned for a few months, and the date was fast approaching. When we'd booked it, we were expecting low, clear water and incredible hatches of March Browns and/or Mother's Day caddis flies. If it was anything like 2010, the fishing would be incredible. I picked Nick up at the Billings airport in the wake of a coming rain storm that would last for four days … [Read more...] about Time off to Fish
Archives for May 2011
New Gear
I finally gave in. An opportunity came my way to get my first quality rod and reel combo ever. Prior to this, I'd been using the same $50 cheapo for over 5 years (see here). It worked fine and I caught plenty of fish, but the quality of the experience wasn't what it could be. I learned that when I casted friends' rods and was blown away at how effortless they made the whole … [Read more...] about New Gear
April 2011 Fishing Entries
I'm way behind on my fly fishing journal entries, so I'll try to catch up by lumping together a group of trips from late March. It's been a really crazy spring. I mean, spring always brings a healthy dose of rain, wind and snow to this part of the country, but this year has been insane. Aside from a few short warmups, things were unseasonably cold all spring. We were 2-3 … [Read more...] about April 2011 Fishing Entries
What Happened to the Bugs?
While oftentimes predictable, insect hatches on our favorite streams can sometimes come and go without warning. Whether it be due to the odd swings in the weather, streamflow changes, water quality problems, or factors unknown, some years hatches can just plain disappear. That's what seems to have happened on the UK's River Test, which hasn't seen its historically prolific … [Read more...] about What Happened to the Bugs?
What’s Your Favorite Fly?
Dennis Austin from Utah's HJNews.com put together an interesting column on expert anglers' fly preferences. His surveys from 1995 and 2011 revealed that fly selections among northern Utah anglers are as varied as are the anglers themselves. He compiled a list of top flies that the beginner should keep in his or her flybox. Read the full story here. … [Read more...] about What’s Your Favorite Fly?