Of Caddis and Summer
60F outside today.
Did some yard work, turned the compost pile, fooled around in the garage with fly gear.
And saw my favorite fly box.
Bought it for a dollar at Bob Ward’s Bozeman 25 plus years ago. A soft sided foamy floater. It called to me.
I keep Squeeky Oar Lock soft hackles, Pat Elam style spent caddis, LaFontaine Buzzballs, patterns associated with the film. Of the Order Trichoptera.
I am dreaming of summer. Totally.
May March Browns, late BWO’s, and Midge. June caddis, PMD’s. July Trico’s and terrestrials. I love summer dry fly fishing.
It will get me out there this week. The temps in the 60’s and 70’s. Yesterday in the 80’s.
A bundle of anglers out on the Holiday Weekend. Fishing reports are good, some days better than others. And will get better. We are quick to let you know when things, the bite, are not good. It has been up and down. Kinda like fishing always is. The bugs have been real good this spring. We anticipate a damn good summer dry fly bite.
Lots of out of area guides and guests this time of year. They are all out 8-5-ish. Want to go when. they are not? Yes, that does work. The 2nd, or 3rd shift. The late afternoons and early eves have been strong.
Water levels are good. We will have a full compliment of water this year as the late season, spring, snows and rains have given enough from the skies above to fill out reservoir.
Fish the Dearborn! Flows about 500 cfgs. Perfect for fishing and fun floaters. Shuttles on this great spring resource available daily.
Call us up or stop by the store this season. We are at the ready, 7-7 daily.
7 Comments.
Pat Elam style spents? Boy, you ARE gettn old Mark!! LOL! Cliff
Thanks Cliffy! I may be getting old. That is why I gotta practice casting. To keep up with those young guys!
Pat was a legend on the Mo. I still use a 4wt Sage rod he made for me. His flies are awesome. I still have some also. He was a artist with fly tying material.
the magnets always break free on those floaty foam guys, am I right? sand paper/glue time
i find once the flies are in an actual box their chances of getting tied on and fished go down significantly… they do come out but usually i am fishing flies i tied the same day with a trace of altoids dust on them. there is something special about fishing flies tied eons ago too
hadn’t looked at your site for years, since I moved away from Missoula… great to see the steady blog posts and etc. still going!
you guys have a thing or two figured out.
now reminiscing about hectic times harassing the finny denizens of your stretch there… what a resource, I surely miss it
happy friday
Hey Thanks Michael. I have not had the magnet let loose on the $1 box yet. Lucky I guess. Thanks for checking back in. Yessir, still at it. 5100 posts and going strong. Hope to see you once again on the MO! Happy Friday!
Ah, Pat’s fuzzy face and spent caddis-great patterns on the Missouri
Tim P
Yes, classic. Tied most of those flies 15+ years ago Tim.