The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Well we arrived on Tuesday to lots of snow on the surrounding mountains. Most of the elk are still down low becuase of it and we saw thousands on the way into Ennis for dinner. The river by us opens on Saturday so we are looking forward to some rested fish that may or may not be ready to eat. We took a walk down there this afternoon and the water is a little hish and somewhat off colored but not bad. I get a 3 day weekend to fish since Monday is a Canadian holiday. It is suppose to reach 70 here this weekend so that may get some runoff going. Once it starts it is going to be massive as most of the places up stream have way over 100% of normal snow fall. There may be some big changes in the river come summer.

Hey Jan,
Have some fun chasing those Madison lunkers. Sounds like a record snow fall this year. Looks like Joey and I will have to wait before we can make any plans. We were there for the 4th of July last year. Do you have any idea how far into July the runoff can take? I hope you get a few since they should be hungry.

Tight Lines,

Joe

Dennis has always used the week after the 4th. Most often we head up around July 8th or 9th. It just depends on when the weekend hits. Word is that this will last far into June and then the river and fish need a little time to settle in to the holding spots. Last year I was here before 4th of July but that year there was not runoff. Only time will tell I guess. It just depends on the weather. We had snow in the mountians 2 days ago. I think Madison River drainage is at about 120% of normal.

Congrats on getting "back Home," Jan. Have a great season. BTW-How's the wrist?

Cast came off Monday just before we left. Let me just say that I will never break anything again. It is very sore but I have been exerciting and it is getting stronger by the day. It has to be in good shape for all that casting with my new Sage Z-axis 5wt I picked up on Tuesday. Thanks for asking.

Wow, a z-axis. Are you able to claim it on your insurance because it's "lightness in hand" is benificial to your recovery?

I was told by a guide that they are "rediculous"...as in ridiculously sweet! He couldn't get over how light they are and how well they cast. Me, I'm only at the FLi level, but i'm very happy with my 4 and 6wt. It just never ends does it?

I first cast that rod here in Montana last year and loved it. I tried it again this year comparing it with the new Orvis Helio. I still loved the Z-axis but just could not see paying the money for a 3rd 5wt. Well, last Friday I received a nice little check from my company for reaching my 10 year anniversary. The second I opened it I knew it would go toward that rod. The guy that opened our house this year came by yesterday and said he got one last year as a tip for doing a BIG favor for one of our neighbors. He lives here year around and fishes a lot. He could not say enough about that rod and he has the exact same one I have. Tomorrow is the big day.

How'd you do???

I've got 31 days until I leave for MT!!! But who's counting?! Been a crazy year at work.....really looking forward to some fishing.

Unbelieveable! Two casts two 18"ers, one brown one rainbow. Dennis actually picked up a rainbow that taped at 25". Lots of people but not so many that you can't find a nice spot. I did see something I could not believe. One of the neighbors saw a guy enter the water at 6:30am up by his place. When I walked by at 11:30am he was still in the same spot. The river is rising fast and a little off color up by us. At West Fork it is pure chocolate. Cabin and Beaver Creek are dumping lots of mud above Quake Lake. It won't be long before this part of the river is unfishable.

Yesterday I found a nice little run by some willows. I heared some peeps and some russling and out popped a baby goose that came running to me. It walked right up and decided I was mom. When I waded out it just swam out and stayed right by my leg. When I left that spot to start back home the little guy followed me for 1/4 mile peeping all the way. Then it lost sight it would start peeping loader until it could see me again and came running as fast as it could. We saw what appeared to be the parents with a brood on the other side of the river but it was to fast for the little guy to swim across. Dennis took him way up stream in hopes that the current would take it to the other side. Don't know what happened but we didn't see it this morning.

Sounds like you are going to have plenty of time to try that new rod out. I am going to leave for Montana about the 5t or 6th of June. One of the guides I met on the Bighorn a couple of weeks ago is going to be on the Missouri in June. i might get together with him up there. Maybe I can get together with Dennis for some action on the Bighole also. So you got a new friend in the goose. Sammy and skeeter would like to meeet it Sammy would try to adopt it and skeeter would try to play with it. By the way, my new dog is much nuttier than skeeter. You can meet him this year. looking forward to the trip up there.

That's a great report! Two nice fish and a moose to boot! Man! I wish I was in Montana already. This work thing is way overrated! Only 29 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grady,
You must learn the correct counting procedure for any trip to Montana. If the day you are on is before noon then you count that day. Afternoon you do not count it. The day you are leaving is a wake up. So potentially you have 28 days and a wake up. Now doesn't that sound better.