Wyoming, Idaho, Montana Reports



An Idaho fatty



As I suspected the big water in these states are high and off color and there is still alot of snow in the Tetons, Snake range, Greys and Salt range.  Probably wont see any serious fishing on the big water till August.  But there is fishing.  I floated the Salt River in Wyoming with friend and guide Dave Barber.  The Salt was up and a little silty but the spring creeks feeding it were clear to mildly colored, these provided good dry fly action on Cutts.  The first one I landed pushed 18" with the rest in the 12" range.  I did have one BIG fish on for about a minute.  It made three runs pulling line off the reel and fighting me deep.  I never did see it but I'd say was fighting like a brown trout, a BIG brown trout.  Based on my Salmon River experience I'd guess around 5 to 7 lbs.  He spit the fly. 



20+  Idaho Cutthroat

Moving into Victor/Driggs, Idaho basically offered one option.  Pine Creek,  from the summit to Swan Valley, was in great shape and still held post spawn Cutts.  The first outing produced my biggest Cutt, +20".  Through a week of fishing it I managed a pair over 20" and most in the 16" -18" range.  In a typical, "normal", year these fish would have dropped back into the South Fork by this time but with the higher water flows they had stuck around for a little longer, good for me.  As we left Teton Valley for Montana the Teton River was beginning to fish.



Another Post Spawn Cutt

 The Yellowstone in Montana was blown out for fishing which was disappointing cause we'd rented a house on the Yellowstone in Livingston.  But west of Bozeman the Madison was perfect and the fishing was excellent, as was the Henry's Fork and the Buffalo River. The Gallatin from the Yellowstone Park down to Taylor Creek was in perfect condition.  From Taylor down through the canyon it was milky but very fishable.  Through out, the same flies produced well.  Comparadun PMDs and BWOs #18 tied for 1st.  Parachute Adams #12 a close 2nd and in Wyoming I had good success on a Comparadun Green Drake #12



Cedar Strip Kayak



As a side note, they say curiosity has killed a few cats, but sometime it leads to some interesting finds.  While staying in Victor,  I'd heard the neighbor sawing, sanding and pounding away everyday.  Finally curiosity got the best of me and I walked over to see what was going on.  I met Howard Bybee, a young fellow who's garage was a scaled down wood shop full of wooden patterns and two cedar strip kayaks, one finished and one in the assembly stage. Howard is a true craftsman.  His work was meticulous, thought out and looked dang near perfect to me.  If you've ever wanted a hand crafted kayak click on his name and send him a message.