55 on the fly

Sightseeing in the Park We didn't have to go far to see this beautiful double rainbow.  We watched several storms swirl around the mountains and then produce this awesome sight.  It seemed to stretch from the Yellowstone River over to the edge of our campground.  Our first stop on this sightseeing day was to see the Grand Prismatic Spring.  All of the Geyser Basin areas are a little like being on a different planet with the steam, mineral deposits, and bright colors. It is difficult to capture the colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring.  We were there in the morning which caused more steam.  The center of this spring is a bright blue-green. On to Old Faithful for our traditional visit and view of the geyser. We stopped for a picnic lunch in a little off the beaten path picnic spot.  We ate our lunch a little quicker after reading the signs posted on the picnic tables. Fishing Bridge is a famous place that in years past was ...

Today I took a little hike into the upper Gardner River above the High Bridge.... Fishing was slow and the hiking was hard, lots of rock hopping and fording back and forth across the river. This is pocket water fishing at it's most challenging with low, crystal clear water and lots of wind and 92 degree heat! It ended up being a rough hot day with me losing my forceps and falling, landing on my net and breaking the bow in two places, rendering it unusable --- wood nets take a beating in this country. It looks like I'll be looking for a new high tech plastic net at the International Federation of Fly Fishing Fair in Livingston, MT on Thursday. High Bridge... Caught all Rainbows today all about this size... used my old Rodon/Boron Custom Carl Coleman 9' 5/6wt. and Young-Walker reel with Cortland 444 DT5 fly line.... 

Michelle and I fished the Gardiner River at Sheepeater Cliffs today. This is her favorite spot in YNP. It was a tough hike to get to the area we fish for brook trout but once there it's wonderful. We caught some fish, had some lunch by the cascades and even fished the Cascade pool... a beautiful place. Our lunch spot.... Chelle could sit here all day.

Michelle and I started our day by getting up early at 6am and headed to Boiling River in Yellowstone National Park. This area has underground hot springs which flow out of the earth and down into the Gardiner River providing a "Mother Nature's Hot Tub". There was no one else there as we parked and drank the last of our morning coffee on the walk down to the river. Just as I was stepping into the river I happened to look and coming low and straight at us was a beautiful Bald Eagle, what a sight as he flew about 50 feet above us gliding down the Gardiner.  After a good long soak we were off to Roosevelt Lodge and a big breakfast, then a drive through the Lamar River Valley to see the Bison. There were a few fisherman too, but hundreds of Bison.... a very nice relaxing morning indeed. This afternoon I was back on the Yellowstone River. The section I fished today is rugged with difficult walking and wading, getting cliffed out, then hiking up and around and back down t...

I had an early start today. My buddy here in Montana, Ben, picked me up and we headed to a little honey hole we know. We only had a few hours to fish, as Ben had to work, but we picked up several nice browns doing some nymphing. I used my refurbished Wonderod 8'6", she likes a 6wt. line spooled on a vintage Orvis Madison click reel.....We had a great time fishing and catching up since I last saw Ben in 2013..... Ben with a 17-18 inch Brown... Here I am with a 15-16 inch Brown...

I got a chance to get away for a couple of hours today and fish the Yellowstone River not far from our RV campground. It was a perfect afternoon for fishing. That lasted about 2 hours, then a storm rolled in and I had to get out of Dodge before the thunder and lightning took over.... I caught 5 fish all on my Wrapped Foam Golden Stone and GSS Emerger dropper.... 4 Cutthroats and 1 Rainbow. Today's gear - Ben Turpin 8' 5wt. bamboo fly rod and JW Young/Walker reel with Cortland Classic DTF 5 fly line. Yellowstone Rainbow

My wife, Michelle and I got out this morning and hit one of our favorite Brook trout streams in YNP..... First fish of the day..... used my Barclay 7'5" 3wt. and loving it for these Brookies... Michelle with a good fish for this stream..... Yep - those are bear tracks....  A little bit of hiking can get you into some awesome back country..... Last fish of the day......  All in all a fun morning, lunch and early afternoon fishing together and enjoying this beautiful river valley.