"riverman" wrote

I've blitzed most of the 'off the beaten track' US already (more than 20
cross-country trips by thumb or by wheel by the time I was 30).

Cool, then you're well past wanting to "see" the "gotta see" places, and
probably are past the need to collect famous river names for your "been
there, done that" trophy list too. At least in my own case, I had to get
over those hurdles before I started to really find the "best" parts of what
traveling for fly fishing has to offer. I still fish a lot of "big name"
places, but for very different reasons.

Slowing down to Nature's pace is one of THE reasons to fly fish, and having,
or stealing ( actually preferred), the time to sit and wait for the bugs is
a valuable reward in itself. Coming back to try the same fish with
something new tomorrow after getting skunked today is one too. I enjoy the
occasional "bad day" because it reminds me to slow down, look, and then look
harder, not just whip a stick around. Blitzkrieg fishing really ain't
fishing, something I see now, even though I have been there in the past.

A specific fishing suggestion, that isn't often mentioned ... Hebgen Lake in
August. Trico and Callibaetis hatches and imho, the best dry fly, hatch
matching, fishing around at that time.

You do need some sort of craft ( your post mentioned boating gear ), but a
float tube is enough, if you look me up I'll loan you a kickboat, I'm likely
to be in the area.

Most fly fishers have heard of the "gulpers" on Hebgen, but far fewer have
actually fished over them. It does get some fishing pressure, but I've
never felt "crowded" there, unlike many streams in that same area. And, for
some reason, a much higher percentage of "locals" are usually out instead of
"visiting anglers" such as on the Madison or Henry's Fork. That and
returnees, I know several that travel thousands of miles every year just to
chase gulpers. Plus 90% of the fishers go to the Madison Arm ( we seem to
be flock animals ), but there are miles of lake in other arms and bays that
are very good and often deserted.

Some fly fisher's noses automatically tilt up at snob angle when stillwaters
are mentioned, but I've talked to many Hebgen anglers and never met one that
did well, fishing dries to Hebgen gulpers, without some serious learning
and effort ... this is not kicking around and trolling. It requires
excellent imitations ( if you tie your own flies, the place is a delightful
challenge to those skills, these fish are picky ) and precise presentations,
..... other famous "proving grounds" for FF skill such as the Railroad Ranch,
are not any more demanding, ime.

And the fish average well over 16" and ... fish over 20" common enough to
not draw comment.

but, like any truly bug dependant fishing, each day is different, the
weather is important, and you need to plan several attempts to be certain of
hitting a great hatch ... if you do, you will remember it, my personal
guarantee