Slide Inn and West Yellowstone
 

"Mike Makela" ten.tsacmoc@alekamm wrote






and down with really doing much fishing at all. Once the sun drops below
the mountains, the fish get more active again, and if you are lucky,
you'll catch one of those Madison caddis hatches. Again not sure about
June, but it can be quite a frenzy, if you do catch one.



"June" in Montahoming covers a huge amount of change ... early June and late
June being very, VERY different ... indeed one of the joys of June is the
need to be very flexible and observant to stay on top of things ... what
worked great yesterday may well be over for the year today



afternoon. I also find that many people walk right by productive water
because "great" water lies just beyond, especially in an area under
pressure by many, they all end up fighting for the best water, running up
and down with really doing much fishing at all.


Two or three times, in the same area, on the Firehole I've had people
walking by looking for "a spot" Below me a hundred yards was some of
the river's best water and biggest ( not as small ) fish in an area I
usually slowly work into. But these folks seemed too lost, clearly weren't
going to be around to compete more than a one day vacation and I'd decide to
"play guide" I'd say something like, "Once you get past that next
curve, slow down and very carefully watch both banks, the fish will be
within a couple inches of the bank, but they will be there." In every
case I got a nod or 'thanks' and watched them stomp quickly down the
mentioned bank, eyes glued on the middle, boots scaring the fish back
under the under cuts. By the time I worked to them, the fish were back on
station G


I think the fights are often for the "best looking" water, not the best.

Another thing I've noticed is that you can guess the water type being
occupied by the license plate of the parked car ... Colorado plates, the
riffle is taken, bobicator flailing, ( over the heads of risers on the back
casts, maybe), but the eddies and edges haven't been touched.
There's more "good water" than most of us think, we actually look for "my
type of water" ... don't we? G








The other problem I have is concentrating on the quarry. It's hard with
such a beautiful, mystical, breathtaking, piece of the planet surrounding
you at every turn. From the Big Sky, to the boiling hot springs,
you'll find yourself wandering amongst the wildlife, stumbling upon
nature's best seemingly at will, can make it hard to do anything but gawk
in amazement of it all.


The fishing is, mostly, just an excuse ...