Flies for a trip west

I am heading out to Idaho/Montana to fish in the beginning of June. I'm not sure of exact waters yet. What patterns would I be wise to stock in a general fly box. I'm sure I'll buy specific patterns from fly shops when I'm there, but I was looking to stock a box or two with some dries, nymphs and streamers, that will fill the void sort of speak. I live in Pennsylvania so I don't know how different bugs will be. Any suggestions?

Jeff

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dead fish don't make reel music

[J Castwell]

[url=http://www.dan-bailey.com/:1c6fe]http://www.dan-bailey.com/[/url:1c6fe]

[Fisherpup]

Here's another good site too: [url=http://www.westfly.com/:1b4c5]http://www.westfly.com/[/url:1b4c5]

[O. Clarki]

Beginning of June should be smack in the middle of biggest runoff in years. That means tailwaters and spring creeks which might narrow your choices a bit.

[ScottP]

Madison (in YNP, between Hebgen/Quake & maybe below Quake for a ways; below Ennis Lake), Firehole & Gibbon should be good - park streams, except Yellowstone I think, open right around Memorial Day. Check the "Journal" section at Blue Ribbon Flies site: [url=http://www.blueribbonflies.com/:e620d]http://www.blueribbonflies.com/[/url:e620d] - gives you an idea of what you may encounter at that time of year (I'd call them, too; best shop I've ever dealt with; they'll fill you in on specific hatches like PMDs, BWO, caddis, Salmonflies). Henry's Fork, Henry's Lake, Clark Canyon, Beaverhead..... Always pays to have stuff like Buggers, Yuk Bugs (black & Pepperoni), Rubberlegs or whatever your favorite Salmonfly nymphs are; don't forget IPW, PT softhackles, etc. Have fun.

Regards,
ScottP

[see willie]

I am headed to Montana during the same time and have likewise been advised to hit the spring creeks. I am reserved for a day at Nelson's spring creek, near Livingston. You should know that there is a rod fee of $75 per day for the spring creeks, and the fishing is pretty technical. They limit the number of anglers each day so no crowds, which I am excited about. Seemingly good info on the creeks, along with contact info, at [url=http://www.yellowstoneangler.com:e620d]www.yellowstoneangler.com[/url:e620d] under "waters we fish". (I have no affiliation with yellowstone angler or the spring creeks.)

To avoid the rod fee, I know that the Firehole River in Yellowstone Nat'l Park is spring fed and Dale Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies advises that it is the place to fish in the Park in early June. May have to hike a bit to avoid a crowd.

Finally, I have been told that fishing on the freestone rivers is possible, just plan on working the banks with big, dark streamers and maybe stonefly nypmhs. In other words, you may have to knock 'em over the head to catch 'em . . .

None of this is from personal experience, mind you, but I have researched it quite a bit in anticipation of my trip. So take it for what it's worth.

Oh and this is my first post on the Board - so thanks everyone for such a great resource.

Bill

[J Castwell]

Willie,,, my wife and I were licensed guides on the spring creeks, and Nelson's too. Very exacting fishing.

[Benjo]

There will be places to fish but you're going to have to keep your ear to the ground to figure out where those places are. Most rivers will probably be blowing out. Don't know what to tell you on the flies, Montana/Idaho is a big place.
Salmonflies, golden stones, mayflies, caddis, san juan worm, double bead stone, flashback pheasant tail (all sizes), prince nymphs, parachute hare's ear, purple haze, cripples for every mayfly you might encounter, spent wing spinners for every hatch... That's a short list of things that I think would work on most rivers in June, obviously there aren't going to be salmonflies on Nelson Spring Creek. Might want to tie some streamers, colors like black, big hole crawler type patterns. Don't be bashful either, it's not uncommon to fish a size 4 or bigger streamer out here, especially during high water.

[O. Clarki]

Here's another site though I agree the BRF stuff is very helpful.
[url=http://www.traflyfish.com/rivers/montana/montana.htm:a941c]http://www.traflyfish.com/rivers/montana/montana.htm[/url:a941c]

[idahofisher]

I just drove through West Yellowstone and Island Park last night on the way back from the Bighorn and there still is 2-3 feet of snow on the ground at least.

As said before run-off is going to be a major concern.

Most of the rivers including the Madison and Firehole will be at the least murky and probally high and muddy.

The Henry's Fork will probally be the best bet in the region at that time or the paridise valley spring creeks.

If you can push your trip back at least a couple weeks I would seriously considering doing it.

Hope the advice helps?

Rob