Larry L wrote:
On Nov 4, 10:52 am, Jarmo Hurri wrote:


. Maybe it could be
northern Montana / southeast BC?



One thing I keep wanting to say but haven't yet
IS

the 'good fishing' zone within the area defined as Montana/Idaho/
Wyoming/Alberta

IS HUGE ...

seeing it all in one or two or three or five trips, , or trying
to, ... is, imho, a mistake

as Jeff has said, even within day trip distance of West Yellowstone
there is more water than a lifetime of vacations could cover ( over
two thousand miles of streams, within a hundred+ miles, if I remember
correctly what Craig told me )

There seem to be two major styles of visiting angler.

The most common I call 'name collectors' and they run from place to
place adding to a 'been there done that' list of names to drop at the
office or club meeting. I have had my periods of 'name collecting'
back when I was younger, so I do understand the temptation. But,
maybe because I'm now the opposite, these folks always seem the least
satisfied with their visit when I meet and chat with them.

Another approach is what I 'think' Jeff does, sample a variety within
a relatively small physical area. Believe me the variety is there
and most visitors seem best served by this approach. It becomes a
type of adopted home waters thing, much as one might alternate
specific day trips within one's own area, a nice blend of 'new' and
'old love'

Not recommended for anyone else, is my approach and the one I find in
my slowly growing circle of true troutbum friends. Returning each
year, for long periods, to places that have become so personally
special as to feel more like home ... than home. I know a couple,
both used to guide/drive shuttle/work in shops .. i.e diehard fly
fishers ... that travel each year from well down into Mexico up to
almost Alaska in BC, and then back again, fishing. But they hit the
same spots each year with little change. Of course they've had their
past days of 'name collecting' and know which names best suit
them.

I know several people that spend the entire season (or damn near) on
the Ranch. They could be anywhere, within reason, being retired and
living out of RVs, but choose to fish daily a water that ( in my
experience, polling those I run into ) greatly disappoints the vast
majority of the 'name collector' set. Only intimacy, and time, leads
to such 'true love.' That intimacy, and, obviously time, is beyond
the possibility of the two week trip, thus my "not recommended"

My point, if I have one, it that the 'name collecting,' one night
stand, approach leaves one with little more than names to remember.
However, really getting to know, even one place, is beyond the
possible for the vacationing angler. So, somewhere in between is the
zone of likely highest return.

IMHO, it takes a few days, bare minimum, to even start to get a 'feel'
for any water that is complex enough to have the potential of becoming
a true love with time.

Leaving one water that seems to know how to treat you just like you
want to be treated to visit another just because it's 'new' is
something we all do/ have done. But I think it's significant, that
it was back when we were younger, less mature, and less certain of
what we really wanted.

My suggestion is to pick a base and plan on experiencing a variety
near that base. Ask Jeff, I'm sure he will support me in my
statement that it is fully possible ( for a vacation period, you'd die
of exhaustion over longer time ;-) to sample new small streams daily
and still make it to the (can be in Jul/Aug ) awesome nightly caddis
affair on the Madison below Quake ... both

Larry L ( who wanders a lot and says little, but, .... with long
posts )

you're always spot on with me larry...at least so far anyway.

fishing is such a unique individual effort. other than the shared joy
and philosophy of chasing the great mystery, it is hard to know whether
one's own preference will ever match with others'. for a first visit, to
get a sense of that area and to establish a foundation for future trips,
the yellowstone area is my best suggestion. if they want canada or
alaska or even distant areas of montana, i think they need a month or
more and even that would be too hurried for me. hell...yellowstone done
right requires a month.

while i've no doubt it can disappoint some tastes and expectations, and
there is a lot to complain about for those sweating the small stuff, the
yellowstone area (from all sides...including nearby last chance idaho)
remains my favorite western fishing destination for a 7-14 day trip. i
learn something new each visit, but i also value the surroundings.

willi and rw like camping on remote wyoming streams ... like you, they
have the luxury of living in the nearby west and can make annual trysts
to a variety of locations. i don't like crowds, and i value the remote
spaces, shared or solitary...but, i've never been disappointed in my
visits to that part of this world. i missed going out this year... i
intend to be there next year if i'm able, and i hope to see harry mason,
warren, danl, you, and a few nordic folks as well.

jeff