Vol. 13 No. 35

WHAT BASS AND BLUEGILL SEE (PART 2)

Boudreaux’s skunking was likely not a result of global warming as much as it was his choice of flies. While a wooly bugger is widely acknowledged to be a bass getter, the better choice for stained and murky water is a water moving noisy fly. Why? Because when conditions permit, bass are sight feeders and rely heavily on seeing their prey. When clarity is low, they rely on their lateral line system instead of sight.

GOING HOME! (Just where is home?)

Home is where the heart beat fondest!

For some people, home is the place or region, where they were born, or where they grew up from a child into an adult, keeping childhood friendships that they have stayed close with all their lives.

DO'S AND DON'TS

Back home in Montana and the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is due to hit any day. The Ladyfisher and I take a walk down to our city park and we stroll up to the boat ramp on the Yellowstone. There are a number of vehicles parked along the road with empty boat trailers behind them indicating that the anglers are out looking for the hatch. It was a cool, but not cold day and there were a few caddis beginning to hatch. As we sat watching the water a truck pulled up with a drift boat in tow and two wader clad anglers stepped out.

SO YOU WANT TO GO FLY FISHING

So you’ve made the decision to fly fish, at least to learn how? It could be a mistake. Unless it is something you are doing for yourself. Not because it might make someone else in your life happy. It’s about making you happy. Being successful at fly fishing takes more than going out and buying a fly rod, reel, line and associated stuff.

BOA DAY

I went out to a pond to fish, and I had not used a boa yarn fly yet this year. Not sure why, but it was time to change that statistic. I tied on a white boa yarn fly and a Goldie Jr. It was a nice day and a good time to be out.

FISHING IN "BIG SKY COUNTRY"

This "Big Sky" life is hard on a guy! I think though, that in another ten or maybe fifteen years I'll be tough enough to not complain so much. So please accept my apologies for doing so, but I think you understand...

I got a text message from a teacher that I substituted for last year this past Friday. He wanted to know if I would like to float the Missouri River with him in his drift boat. I mean, seriously. I didn't even have to think about that one (of course, he failed to mention that I would also have to row while HE fished...the nerve of some guys!). There was only one thing keeping us from going though, the weather. As with just about anywhere, the weather in Montana can be a bit finicky this time of the year.

REFLECTIONS OF A PISCATORIAL CURMUDGEON

Recent discussions between friends and acquaintances, on some of the online boards, have caused me to take a look at myself in comparison to some of the current opinions. Most often when among fly anglers, I find myself nodding in agreement. Though in recent years, and possibly as a sign of age, I have found myself feeling like an outsider at times.

STEAK - A LA VINCE MARINARO

This recipe was found in some letters sent to the Ladyfisher from the late Vince Marinaro back in the early 70’s shortly after she had moved to Montana from Michigan. We thought it might be of interest to some of our readers.

PUNCH AND BEAD

Several years ago I discovered a fly called "The Black Widow" in the archives of FAOL. I liked the widow and tied some up and used them with success on panfish as well as trout. Like most tiers I played around with the pattern and developed the "Punch & Bead" fly which I use mainly for panfish but it also works on the local brookies.