Western Clave Rookie's Report..Looong Part TWO - Raynold's Bridge, the Black Net, the Drift, and beyond.

Let's see, I left off (a week ago) with some on-stream demonstration from
Willi on bank fishing. I will be posting some pics to go along with the
report as I did with the last one, with the first pic being my excuse for
lateness (the basement flooding). I had a problem with the camera on a
couple of occasions so there are a few gaps for trips that I couldn't use
it.

Later on Saturday, we headed down to the Raynold's Bridge access a few miles
below Quake Lake and the Slide Inn. I kept with the stonefly nymphing
determined to dredge up a few, but really had some trouble with the extra
fast current. I was fishing with Danl for a stretch, who was generous
enough to give me some of the premium water, to no avail, still fishless.

While trying to find some water of my own, I came across some nice braided
water a mile or more upstream. I made myself out to one of the Islands
when I came across a Black Net laying in the grass. It was your standard
9.99 KMart special net, but not having brought one, I decided to pick it up
and bring it along. Made my way to the main current side of the Island and
continued nymphing at the bottom section to no avail until one gave it self
away with a rise along the upper part of the bank. I had seen a bunch of
Yellow Stones, along with some Salmonflies mixed in, so I tied myself on one
of the Salmonflies (the one that Willi had supplied) and figured I could get
a hang of the bank fishing by the time I reached the riser. Once I got
some line off of the reel I made my first true cast about 8 feet in front of
me, and bang!! This was a nice fish who was about to continue Willi's
schooling for the next 15 minutes, because of the surprising close hook-up,
I had to throw some line at him, and he knew what to do with it. I spent
the next several minutes watching him run out and up, then at me, under the
bank, and then down and out. After a short run from me, to keep up with
him, he came back to the bank, in and out of the bank repeatedly for the
next 5 minutes, I had 3X on so I was relatively secure that he couldn't
break the tippet, but having tried to get him close enough to tail a few
times, unsuccessfully, I reached for that "lucky" net anyway. Man, it was a
bit easier to land that fish at that point, go figure. After a close Full
Reid, and a false capture (dredged up some sticks and brush from under the
bank) I was able to land that fish. It would end up being the fight of the
week, and one of those fish I would truly never forget. I'm sure it will
also contribute to the desire to keep coming back.

After landing it, I was astounded to have found that net, it was almost like
an Omen, to see it, and pick it up, because I probably wouldn't have landed
that fish without it. I ran into Willi immediately after that, and gave him
the
exhilarating rundown (I was pumped!! sorry Willi if I seemed a bit
crazed..). I headed back to the same bank to go after that riser I had never
made it up to, an Willi got to witness the second fish (and got it on the
scorecard with a pic somewhere). The first fish was significantly the
larger of the two, but still the second member of the family was around 18
inches, as per Willi, and it made the scorecard (shot on Willi's website).
As we headed away from that section, Willi tied the net onto the back of my
vest, which came in handy again for a nice fish that he got into before we
had to high tail it back to the car. I didn't give it much thought at the
time, but when I was landing that last fish, the cap of the net's handle,
which was holding the stretch cord to my vest, popped off. When I got back
to the car, the net was gone, don't really remember what had happened to it,
but must have left it back on the stream. Got back to camp in time to
witness Paul Bunyan harvest a few fine timbers, and grab a quick meal,
before the campfire ritual and an easy night's sleep.


The next day we set out for a drift on the river with Warren, Bryan Nelson,
John H., Randy, and Bruiser. I was pretty pumped about this trip and for
good reason, we were put into good spots for extended time, and got into a
bunch of fish. Warren, (and whoever), I know you're preparing a big clave
presentation, but if you could send me a couple of those shots (and any
other fish shots you have of one and all), I've been dying to see them. I
didn't have a knack for the casting while drifting thing, and midday it was
pretty impossible because of gale force winds, but got an education in it,
and managed one or two fish while only losing have my box of stoneflies.
The fly of the day was Tom Littleton's Big Ole Yellow (Perla) Stonefly,
period.

I'm not sure of the timing, but somewhere in here I realized that my fishing
license holder (Montana, Yellowstone park, and Pennsylvania) must have been
knocked off my vest by the exploding Black Net (I was beginning to think the
net was turning into a curse). After much whining, Willi and I ventured
back to that stretch of the Madison to take a look. No fishing licenses,
and no net, but I did manage another fish on the very same bank. This one
was the smaller of the bunch, but still a decent 15-16 inches, which seems
to be the amazing average size of those Madison Browns.

Also that morning I believe one of the Roffians (I'll let him own up) drove
back at the end of the night with rod and reel on the top of the car. It
made it through without a scratch I believe, as our luck just kept coming.

Monday night, at the campground gathering, this time down around
Danl/Willi's place (probably because Danl had fed me once again) we were
standing around talking when some young fishing Turk with a Mohawk walked up
and asked if "anyone here was from PA". After speaking up enthusiastically,
he handed me that license holder with all licenses in tact, he had found it
streamside on the Madison, and what luck that he even made an attempt in
camp to find someone, what were the odds....??? After feeling the weight
lift off of my chest, I thanked him heartily, partook in some delightful
evening chat, and settled in for another great night's sleep in the Findley
Taj Mahal (loved that air mattresses, thanks again).

One quick note, another license lost and found!! Apparently Willi had left
his Montana Topo map on top of the car, with license inside. Lou Teletski
happened upon it while driving down the road and brought it back to camp.
The license was a copy as it turned out, but still weird..

The Gallatin with Charlie Choc, Jeff Miller, and Warren was on the menu the
next day. We started along the main road where it come out of YNP and into
the Gallatin National Forest. Had some luck with both Tom Littleton's
Perla, and one of Harry Masons', stonefly patterns early and often in this
section, all rainbows of decent size, between 8 and 14 inches. Moved
downstream a ways after an hour or so where the water was a bit more wide
and fast, but still managed a few fish while moving upstream with Jeff. I
was able to switch to caddis dries on this stretch as the fish started to
rise shortly after we moved here, and picked up a few more with a soft
hackle wet on the way back. After this stretch we headed over to the Taylor
Fork, an unbelievably beautiful piece of water that cuts through a small,
narrow, canyon. Didn't a fish in it, but I will be back there again just
for the sights. Not sure why we didn't have great fishin' here but it was
midday, which seemed to be the formidable time of day throughout the trip
(except for the Salmonflies on the Madison), I would imagine that this may
great water for spawning trout coming out of the Gallatin at the right time
of year. We further explored upstream several miles and went up one of the
feeders (can't remember the name, but it began with a "C') and found a
breathtaking meadow at the base of some snow-topped mountains that we fished
for an hour or so with limited luck (Jeff and Warren each got a fish, but I
only managed a take at the very end of the day. The only negative on this
trip was that Warren had misplaced one of his fly boxes. Got back to camp
late that night, and most, were already asleep when we got back. Made a
quick decision on where to go the next morning (Ruby River), a quick
fireside chat, and out like a light.

The Ruby River with R.W., Bruiser, and Willi required a bit of a drive, but
we made the required stop in Ennis for an excellent breakfast (the diner of
choice) along the way. When I first saw the Ruby, I knew I was in for a
good day as it is very similar in shape and form to some of the Pennsylvania
spring creeks. It had a slight greenish tint to it, which from what I was
told was better then previously in the week, but still unusually cloudy for
this time of year. This may have helped a bit, as we proceeded to own that
stream that day. It was just one of those great days where the four of us
managed to stay within shouting distance, we had plenty to shout about as we
all hit the scorecard throughout the day. Used several different flies, but
the most successful were the stonefly nymphs, and a caddis dry with a
mini-soft hackle wet. I was amazed at Willi's eye for spotting trout, R.W.s
determined, systematic, approach, and Bruiser's complete coverage of all
water. We all caught a number of fish, and we all got one of the decent
sized fish that Ruby has in it's inventory. I'm sure there are a few huge
fish that we didn't manage to dredge up, but just an unforgettable day on
the stream. This day alone, with the Roffian comradery, and all around
success was worth the trip out West

Gots to take a break, but next up in the last part, Slough Creek (Bugs,
Waaaaater, and Cutts), Yellowstone River, and the final trip to the Madison
(with that "lucky" Black Net again..).

Mike

Nice report Mike


Handyman Mike
Standing in a river waving a stick

"Mike" wrote in message
...
Nice report Mike


Agreed. I'm looking forward to the final installment.

Cheers,
Bill

"Bill Mason" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
...
Nice report Mike


Agreed. I'm looking forward to the final installment.

Cheers,
Bill




It's coming..

"Bill Mason" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
...
Nice report Mike


Agreed. I'm looking forward to the final installment.

Cheers,
Bill




It's coming..

"Mike" wrote in message
...
Nice report Mike


Agreed. I'm looking forward to the final installment.

Cheers,
Bill

Mike Makela wrote:

This day alone, with the Roffian comradery, and all around
success was worth the trip out West

That was a fine day. You got the largest fish on a stonefly nymph. Willi
and I showed a large, actively feeding fish four different flies before
he took, and promptly broke off under a logjam. Bruiser was cleaning up
behind us with nymphs. :-)

P.S. to all of ROFF: Never compete with Bruiser on name that
tune/artist/album, at least not in the Rock, Country, or Bluegrass genres.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

We're still not sure who does:

"It's hard to kiss the lips at night,
that chew your ass out all day long"

But it's an excellent tune.

Nice reports Mike. I had a blast fishing with all you guys and I'd drive
right back to Montana in a heartbeat to do it again.

bruce h

"bruiser" wrote...
We're still not sure who does:

"It's hard to kiss the lips at night,
that chew your ass out all day long"

http://tinyurl.com/4c7vq

Didn't they also do "How can I tell you I love you when you're always sitting on
my face"? ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

"bruiser" wrote in message
...
We're still not sure who does:

"It's hard to kiss the lips at night,
that chew your ass out all day long"


Not sure either, but I think the wife would "name that tune" pretty
quickly..


.... I had a blast fishing with all you guys and I'd drive
right back to Montana in a heartbeat to do it again.

Here, here. May not be able to react quite as quickly as Bruiser, but had
an awesome trip. It was good to meet so many new Roffian friends, look
forward to the next adventure.

Mike