Montana fly fishing is a true escape. You’ll lose yourself!
After finishing off a down home breakfast, you stroll out of the local restaurant. You then hop into your truck and you head out through 20 miles of the most breathtaking highway you’ll ever see.
Decorated with the most amazing wildflowers, and overflowing with majestic creatures, you cannot help but stare as you pass by beautiful mountains, plateaus and lakes. you can only think it’s a dream. While specific names of the locale are removed from this article, these breathtaking beautiful surroundings are repeated again and again throughout the state of Montana.
In the back of the truck are your rods and reels, and you are about to step into a slice of heaven on earth as you discover Montana fly-fishing.
When you come to Montana, it is like time itself has stopped. The pace is slowed so as to take in every precious moment. The surroundings are so untouched, so clear, and incredibly beautiful but you know you can’t stare long enough to keep the picture forever in your mind. Cowboys scattered about, families enjoying the good-natured freedom, and some of the best fly fishing you could imagine.
Montana fly-fishing is of legend making proportions. Coming from all around the world, anglers seek to fish the secluded mountain lakes, and Blue Ribbon Trout Rivers. If you are looking for quiet and solitude while catching some fresh fish, Montana fly-fishing is for you.
Whether cutthroat, rainbow, or golden, the trout are just some of the fish you will find on your Montana fly fishing adventure.
If climbing through narrow mountains, and carrying extra gear isn’t for you, there are also plenty of lakes and streams to spend your time in.
When you head out into the lakes, you will find a large variety of fish. Not just rainbow and lake trout, but bass, pike, and whitefish.
There are also more than 40 rivers to experience your Montana fly fishing trip. Montana’s catch and release policies, and protection of habitats help to assure these waters will be well stocked for all the fishing you’ll want to do.
Take a week, and head for a Montana fly-fishing trip for fun. Take the family and while you’re there you can camp at Yellowstone National Park enjoying age old, untouched natural wonders. Have a day to go sea kayaking or sailing. Hike through many old mountains, take an evening bike ride, and settle in around a cozy fire eating marshmallows, telling stories, and getting ready for your next day of Montana fly fishing.
Next time, I’ll bet that you’ll make every attempt to schedule more time for your Montana fly-fishing trip. It is addictive!
December 29, 2009
Montana Fly Fishing – The Sheer Joy of It!
Fly Fishing in Canada
Canada is a beautiful place to visit. When you are planning a fly fishing trip, you’ll find an amazing adventure in Canada! Many of the rivers and lakes where fly fishing is the best are in remote areas, so when you choose fly fishing in Canada, you’ll have privacy with the added perk of some great fishing!
Some of the best fly fishing in Canada is found in the province of Ontario. There are many lodges you can choose from to stay at when you are there, but be warned that most of them are in very remote places where you are likely to be left alone with your party and can only get in and out by plane or train.
The Brown Bear lake system in Ontario is considered one of the best fly-in trophy smallmouth bass lakes in the area. The fish here average between two and three pounds, but four pound fish are common every season with some trophy wall hangers of 5-6 pounds being caught each year.
Norse Lake is a prime example of a remote Canadian fly-in wilderness lake. The lake is protected by a high, picturesque landscape that stays relatively calm even in windy weather. Here, you can catch beautiful walleye, Northern Pike, and smallmouth bass. Trophy sized fish are found every year, so fish this lake for some great opportunities.
Populus Lake offers twelve miles of beautiful water and land for you to explore when fly fishing in Canada. There are numerous channels and bays dotting this lake with all sort of landscape features like rock outcrops and weed beds which are prime breeding ground and hiding places for fish. This lake is situated in a very remote area with walleyes, trout, and Northern Pike in abundance.
Picture a cool, clear Canadian lake with lots of trophy sized smallmouth bass and Northern Pike and you’ll have Treelined Lake. This lake is so clear, you will be able to see the fish clearly near the shoreline. Wildlife is abundant here and it’s not uncommon to see a moose feeding on the shoreline in the twilight. You’ll find some real trophy sized fish on Treelined Lake with Northern Pike averaging over 5 pounds and smallmouth bass at 4-5 pounds.
Because so many fly fishing spots in Canada are located in remote locations, you’ll find peace and serenity during your fly fishing trip there. Enjoy the beauty of the Canadian wilderness while you catch the fish of your dreams. There are so many choices available to you that when you choose Canada for your next fly fishing trip, you’re sure to come away a winner either way!
Fly Fishing Calendar
What are the best times to try and schedule a fly fishing expedition? When we talk about a fly fishing calendar, we aren’t referring to a printed date book that you can hang on your wall. We are talking about targeting and specifying the right times to fish and the right places to fish at.
The things you need to look at most when considering a fly fishing calendar is when the water will be at the right temperature that is prime for catching fish. Depending on the area you are looking at for your fly fishing trip will depend on the right time to go.
In some places like California, the fishing is pretty good year-round. While in other places such as Washington, you’ll want to avoid the water in the winter as the cold temperatures will stress the fish and they won’t be as plentiful.
Generally, the fly fishing calendar shows the best fishing in the spring and summer months. Early fall will also find some places showing good fishing as well. Almanacs can be helpful guides to guide you towards the best fishing times as can constant updating through Internet web sites.
Most places will give weekly, and sometimes daily, fishing reports on their websites. They can tell you where the fish are biting and where the best places are to cast your line. They generally keep these areas of their sites updated pretty regularly, so you can get quality reports just by looking at what others have to say.
Fish like warmer waters, although, there are other species that thrive in cold water such as salmon or steelhead. In general, warm water will attract more fish. However, if the water is too warm, the fish will be sluggish and will navigate to places where the water is cooler.
The fly fishing calendar used most often by experienced fishermen has been compiled over a period of time. They spend a considerable amount of effort to estimate where and when the best fishing will occur. Then they share it with others. That’s one of the best parts of fly fishing – the camaraderie and sharing that can come about with a love of the sport.
You can compile your own fly fishing calendar with a little time and effort. Just do your homework and keep copious notes. When you see a trend, you’ll know it’s time to fish! Then be sure to help your fellow fishermen as they try to figure out what you already know. They’d do it for you!
December 28, 2009
Fly Fishing For Crappie – Is it Possible to Catch Crappie Fly Fishing?
If you’ve never fished for crappie with a fly rod, then you’ve really missed something. In my opinion, crappies, and other panfish, are the ideal fly rod quarry for the following reasons;
There are plenty of them.
They are almost everywhere.
They are scrumptious!
They are incredibly willing to smash your fly (most of the time) and do battle.
Unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, chances are good that you live within one or two hours from a body of water than has crappie in it. Crappies are seasonal migratory predators. I won’t go into their seasonal habits here because that is a subject unto itself. Suffice to say it helps to know your quarry.
It’s pretty simple for most of the year. If you find em..you’ll catch em. The notable exception is summertime, when crappies get moody, sulk and suspend in open water. They frequently get lock-jaw at this time and will even refuse a live minnow dangled right under their nose!
You don’t need a $1000.00 fly rod to catch crappie (or in my experience, any other freshwater fish). A $19.99 Wal-Mart special will catch just as many crappies as an $850.00 outfit from G. Loomis. For crappie, you want to go light. A 6-1/2 to 8-1/2 2 or 3 weight fly rod is perfect for crappie. If you want to chase crappie during the summer, you may want to move up to a 5 weight rod with a sinking line, to get your fly to the depths quicker.
All you need is a single action reel, and it does not have to be an expensive one. Next, you will need a WF2F, or WF3F, or ST fly line, or maybe a DT5S for summer. Top it off with a 5 tapered leader (crappie are not line-shy, so a long leader is not necessary) and a 4X or 5X tippet, and your almost ready to go.
If you need to learn how to fly fish, I’d like to recommend the premier website for all things fly fishing FlyAnglersOnline. Here you will find all the information you need, and then some, for learning how to properly fly fish, find your quarry, and make and maintain your equipment. There are thousands of proven fly patterns there, with complete directions and step-by step instructions for tying them. There is also a forum where you can ask us any questions you want.
A few accessories are nice to have. If you fish from a boat, and plan to crappie fish all year, a good depth finder is a necessity. You’ll want a landing net, because crappies have very tender mouths and can tear-off easily. For the same reason, a floating fish basket or live well is good to have, because crappie can tear off of a stringer easily.
You’ll need a lantern for night-fishing. If you don’t have a boat, you might want to look at the various models of Belly Boats, or Float Tubes. They are great for crappie fishing in still waters.
Now, for the most fun part of flyfishing selecting your flies. You have two options: You can look for a supplier that ties the patterns you want, or you can do what the rest of us do, and tie your own. This is as much fun as fishing!
December 26, 2009
Let’s Go Fly Fishing In California
There’s no doubt about it that some of the best fly fishing in California is located in the northern part of the state. The Sierra Mountains provide some great scenery as well as some great rivers and streams where the fish are plentiful and the weather is great. Because the California weather is quite static, year-round fly fishing is available to the fisherman. Located above Crowley Lake, the Owens River is one of the best places to fish for trout in California. The river is one of a kind with a gentle current that flows through a glacial valley between mountains that are 9,000 feet tall or more. At one time, the Owens River provided water and power to Los Angeles. When they converted the gorge, much of the fish died out. With a restoration of the river back to a fly fishing destination, you can now find some beautiful brown or rainbow trout at any time of the year. The McCloud River is one of California’s premier trout fisheries. This River feeds Lake Shasta and was the breeding ground for rainbow trout that was shipped all over the country to stock other rivers and streams. You can find big brown trout as well as rainbow trout in plentiful supply on the McCloud. In Northern California, the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River provides some great fly fishing for some excellent trout. This river is one of the few places designated as wild trout waters by the state. This area receives a lot of fishing, so it’s a good idea to get there early in the morning to stake out your spot. Besides the normal species of trout, this river also boasts a hybrid variety of rainbow and golden trout with bright orange sides. Hat Creek is another great place to fly fish in California. These, too, have been designated trophy wild trout waters, and you will find plenty here. This creek is very well-suited to both beginning as well as experienced fly fishers. The banks are laden with heavy brush that provides some great hiding places for brown and rainbow trout. Much of the creek is heavily stocked, but there is some natural reproduction that takes place making Hat Creek a very easy place to fish. If you are looking to go fly fishing in California, you have a lot of options available to you. Much of the best fly fishing would be in the northern part of the state, but you can also find many other places where fish are plentiful and challenges about. You can’t go wrong with a fly fishing vacation in California.
Let’s Go Fly Fishing In Colorado
Some of the most spectacular fly fishing in the United States can be found in the state of Colorado. In fact, when many people think of fly fishing, they automatically think of Colorado before anyplace else. It is true that Colorado has some amazing fly fishing places that have some trophy-sized fish in them. The Frying Pan River is well-known as one of the best fly fishing rivers in the entire state. This is a beautiful river with easy access. Located just outside of Aspen, the Frying Pan is host to a variety of trout including rainbow, brown and cutthroat. There are year-round hatches making fly fishing in any season possible for the avid fisherman. Another great river in the Aspen area is the Roaring Fork. This diverse river varies from small and calm to large and mighty in places. The river is classified as wild trout waters and is easily accessible down the Rio Grande Trail. As with the “Pan”, year-round fishing is available. You will find mostly wild rainbow trout in the Fork with an occasional wild brook trout. The North Platte River was once used by pioneers to traverse portions of the West. Indians hunted buffalo along its shores, and its fish population has made it a legend among fly fishers. It is located in Northwestern Colorado and has been rated a gold medal river by experts. You will find many trout in the waters of the Platte and be able to enjoy some beautiful scenery at the same time! In the Vail area, you can fish the Colorado River which is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a river that is mostly wide and deep with a gently moving current. Cottonwood trees line the shore providing many hiding spaces for the brown trout that are abundant in this water. The Arkansas River is located in the southwestern portion of the state and provides some great trout fishing for anglers. Mid-winter is a great time to fish the Arkansas for trout as is the spring time. Around Mother’s Day every year, many fishermen descend on the Arkansas for the annual caddis hatch which is huge. Brown trout feed on caddis and they come “out of the woodwork” for this hatch. These are only a few of the places where fly fishing in Colorado is plentiful. The countryside is gorgeous and the fish plentiful. There are also lots of great lodges that accommodate fly fishermen on a year-round basis. Fly fishing in Colorado might be the piece de resistance for many fishermen. Check out this great state and enjoy your adventure!
December 25, 2009
Finding Solitude While Fly Fishing in Montana
One of the best parts about the sport of fly fishing is experiencing the scenery and calmness around you as you are trying to land your big fish. Montana is a great place to find some solitude while fly fishing. In fact, the vast expanses that surround the rivers and streams in Montana can provide you with some of the most relaxing solitude anywhere.
Montana fly fishing is legendary. Anglers from all over the world travel to Montana to experience fly fishing the blue ribbon trout rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Whether an angler seeks to battle trophy sized wild rainbow trout on the Yellowstone River or to experience the solitude of a high mountain lake, Montana provides fly fishing experiences like no other place can.
Montana provides such an abundance of opportunities that visiting anglers frequently have difficulty in deciding where to start their fly fishing adventure. There are so many beautiful places in the hills of Montana that can provide both solitude and great fishing, many people might be overwhelmed. But so many choices provide for some amazing chances at bagging that championship fish!
For example, Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is a beautiful spot for fly fishing. Flanked by mountains, this lake is not only a beautiful place to catch fish; it’s also an amazing spot for reflecting and relaxation.
Of course, the Yellowstone River is the longest river in Montana. It is free of any major dams, and its flow is not regulated in any way, so you can find an abundance of fish in the solitude of the mountain air. In fact, the Yellowstone River is internationally known as one of the premier trout rivers in the United States.
Even though you can expect to catch a variety of trout including rainbow and brown, you will also find whitefish and sturgeon aplenty. Even though the Yellowstone River is quite well known for its fly fishing in Montana, it is not overtaken by so many fly fishers that you can’t find a spot. It remains a beautiful secret available to those who are looking for the solitude of the Montana countryside.
Finding solitude while fly fishing in Montana is a relatively easy proposition. All you need to do is a little bit of research and ask around. Those who are proud of the fly fishing waters in Montana are always more than happy to share the beauty of their state with people who are wanting to fish the waters.
Fly Fishing in Alaska
The forty-ninth state in our union is a wonderland of lakes and mountains and rivers and streams. Fly fishing in Alaska is one of the most captivating experiences that fly fishermen can report. In fact, fly fishing in Alaska has become a multi-million dollar industry as anglers flock there to catch prize-winning fish in a beautiful landscape.
Fly fishing in Alaska can be an amazing experience for both experienced as well as beginning anglers. This state, while somewhat remote, has so much to offer people who decide that fishing the waters of Alaska would be the way to go. Where are the best spots?
It is generally agreed upon that Katmai, Alaska is one of the best fly fishing spots in Alaska. Alaska is a magical place, and Katmai is one of the most wondrous. This area has been designated as the only trophy sport fishing area in the entire state. There are over 1,000 miles of streams and rivers to fish for such prizes as coho salmon, rainbow trout, and award-winning pike. There are many lodges in this part of Alaska that will provide guides for you and give you a real Alaskan fly fishing adventure!
Many of the lodges in Alaska are fly-in only meaning they can only be reached by floatplane or train. One of the best places for fly fishing in Alaska can be found on Lake Creek which is northwest of Anchorage. On this creek, you can expect to catch some beautiful king salmon, pink salmon, and rainbow trout. You will be isolated, but the scenery and experience is absolutely second to none!
The Alagnak River is another great fly fishing destination in Alaska. This river is just a few miles away from Bristol Bay providing some great tidal waters that breed wonderful fish. Chrome-bright salmon will stay here for a few days after coming in from the ocean and getting used to their new freshwater environment. Each new tide brings in a new crop of fish, so there is always a great chance of landing not just one but several fish on every expedition.
You can find some trophy-sized salmon in the Kenai River of Alaska as well as rainbow trout. This is a beautiful river with easy access provided you have a guide to lead you. There are plenty of places where you can find a guide, so when planning a fly fishing trip to Alaska, be sure to book a guide if your lodge doesn’t offer one.
Alaska is a beautiful, wondrous state full of adventure and peacefulness alike. The fly fishing in Alaska is renowned for its abundance of fish. You will have an experience beyond your wildest dreams when you are fly fishing in Alaska. Plan today and make the trip of your fly fishing dreams a reality – in Alaska!
Fly Fishing Rod-Reel Combos
Some people refer to fly fishing as an art. It is graceful to watch and quite amazing to see expert anglers dancing the fly on the water. In order to partake in this angling dance you need the proper fly fishing rod-reel combo. Fly fishing rod-reel combos can be purchased as a set or one can pair up their own.
There are several different types of fly-fishing reels; small, medium, and large arbors. The size of the arbor relates to how much line your reel uses per crank of the rod. Qualities to look for in your fly fishing reel are if they are made of a high quality aluminum, designed for precision, have a smooth drag with instant line release, waterproof and corrosion free. You can purchase fly fishing reels now for left or right-handed anglers and some companies offer reels that have been ergonomically designed for the avid angler to avoid undo stress on the anglers’ wrist.
There are three basic fly fishing actions used, slow, medium and fast. Slow action rods are great with smaller fish and are extremely bendable. They are great for accuracy but can be difficult to control for a novice angler. The slow action rods are best for short-range casting. For novice anglers, the medium action rod is better. They still have the flexibility needed in the middle and tip of the rod and are great for any range casting.
The fast action fly fishing rods do not offer much bend except in the tip. They are better suited for long-range casting and bigger fish. Rod length is also significant in your choice. Short rods measure less then eight feet, have less action, and are a good choice for smaller creeks or streams. Medium rods range between eight and nine feet and are universal as far as cast lengths and water types. Large fly fishing rods measure over nine feet and are best suited for larger fish and bodies of water.
Fly-fishing rods are made out of fiberglass or graphite. Graphite is the more expensive of the two but due to their lightweight in nature, allow for better accuracy. Fiberglass is universal in use but actually holds up longer then the graphite. The rod material ultimately is more of a personal preference. The anglers grip on the rod is important in relation to the size of game. The Cigar grip works well for smaller fish. Half-Well grips are generally on medium rods and work well for medium sized fish. The Full-Well grips you will find on large rods for large game fish.
Your fly fishing rod and reel combo does not have to be expensive to be effective. In pairing up your own set, make sure your reel balances out your rod; large reel requires a large rod. By matching up your rod, to your reel to the intended target, you cannot go wrong.
December 24, 2009
Great Fly Fishing Tips
Most people think of fly fishing as a peaceful sport. They picture themselves standing on the banks of a beautiful river, whipping a fishing rod back and forth and sending a fishing line flying back and forth above their heads in a manner that is relaxed and graceful. They can see the line flying about, tempting one trout after another. Maybe they’ve seen a movie that features fishing, or they went with a friend. Whatever the reason, the person is now interested in fishing and wants to learn more.
Chances are this person is you. You’ve done your research. You’ve gone shopping and spent a small fortune on fishing equipment. Now you are ready to head out to the water…technically. Sure you have all of the right gear, but have you been given any fly fishing tips?
This article serves to give you a few basic fly fishing tips that, hopefully, will help you come home much richer in fish than when you left.
Make sure that you practice casting. The more time you spend practicing your casting, the better you will get at it. The best way to practice casting is to use a flat surface outside of your house (definitely do not practice casting indoors, it would lead to inevitable disaster). Mark a few targets on this flat surface and then go out for a little bit each day and practice casting to these targets. This will help you to improve your casting accuracy.
Choose a rod that feels comfortable for you. You know what kind you will want, flexibility wise, but choose one that is the right length as well. If you are short, you will probably get hung up if you try to use a rod that is too long. To this end, you will want to learn how to hold your fly rod correctly. This type of fishing is not a quick sport. You will want to be able to hold onto this rod comfortably for long periods of time.
The best bait is a natural prey of the fish you are trying to catch. There are experts who swear that the fancy bait is not necessary and that all you need is a simple worm. In the event that you would like to buy the fancy bait, you should choose bait that mimics a worm or a grub and is brightly colored so that it will attract the fish’s attention.
Waterproof your dry flies. This will help them to float on the water for a longer period of time. You can do this with Scotch-guard (which can be found in almost any general goods store). The waterproofing keeps them from becoming waterlogged and sinking.
Make sure that your knots are tied tightly and effectively. A knot that is tied improperly or that is too loose could spell disaster in fly fishing.
These are just a few of the many fishing tips that anglers will share with each other when they are out fly fishing. A simple search through the internet or your local library is sure to turn up pages more.