Back from the Bahamas

Pam and I had a great time bonefishing with our friends on Long Island, Bahamas this year.
In spite of some wind and clouds we did manage to catch some nice bone fish. And the wind and clouds were better than the snow that was waiting for us on our return to Bozeman. It was wonderful to see our good friends, Sammy and Jennie Knowles, Wade Smith, and Frank and Jerry Cartwright. We also spent two days fishing snapper, Cuda and sharks, with hand lines,what a blast!
To spend a day out in the ocean, on a boat with Wade Smith, is one of the best things that can happen to a person. You spend the whole day laughing and listening to Wades views on life and the world. It's like spring tonic for me, and I'll be doing it 'till God says no more.

The groups that joined us included Bozeman fishermen Don Lister, Joe Columbo, Jack Wiess, Al Gadouri and Robert Badaliance as well as many others from around the country.

We will be booking the 2010 season starting in May, so let us know if you are interested by calling 800-886-9111 and talking to Pam or Rod.

I watched the guides from the other lodges drive their clients from flat to flat, like taxi drivers with no idea of what they were doing. I really felt sorry for their clients as I watched them waste there time and money. Sammy Knowles, Jerry Cartwright and Frank Cartwright at the Smith & Wells Bonefish Lodge work with you every minute of every day, spotting fish, poling the boat and walking with you. They just don't drop you off on some flat and tell you to walk, while they stand by the boat or fish, like I saw the other guides do everyday.
Sammy, Jerry and Frank truly love what they do and work very hard to make sure you get into bones, see them. and catch them. I post this info not to book more trips, but to help future bone fishermen going to Long Island from getting ripped off. If you are one of the other bone fishermen that went to Long Island this April with one of the other lodges I would love to hear from you and discuss your trip.

Argentina 2010

Even for those of us die hard anglers that fish through the snowy months, the winters can be a little long and drawn out. The last two seasons shop owners, Rod and Pam King, have spent several weeks exploring Argentina in the Patagonia region in search the perfect break from long underwear and icy fly rod guides.

The Bozeman Angler has two one week trips reserved at the Carrileufu Valley Lodge for the winter of 2010, Jan 9th - 16th and Jan 16th - 23rd. The trip cost of $3750 is based on double occupancy for six days of fishing and seven nights lodging.

April 25 Lower Madison River

I partnered up with Chad on a slightly dirty lower Madison yesterday for my first guide trip of the '09 season. We had about 2'-3' of visibility until we reached Cherry Creek, which was dumping a bit of mud and making the right bank of the river chocolatey. Shortly after we soaked the boats at the Warm Springs access, we found our little buddy the baetis hatching in fair numbers and seemed to be present all day. But, as often is the case on this piece of water, very few fish were looking up to slurp those BWOs off the surface. So, we stuck to bouncing nymphs through buckets and runs in search of hungry trout.

If you find yourself on the lower Madison anytime soon, be prepared with flies that will stand out in water with a little stain. San Juan worms, egg patterns, prince nymphs, and lightning bug are your usual suspects but don't forget your sculpin and crawdad patterns.

Pictured above is Tony from California with a little Brown Trout that jumped on a San Juan fist thing in the morning. After I let this fish go I told Tony that It was a 15" fish. This was the first client caught fish in the boat this year and I think my "internal guide measuring device" is a little rusty. He'll be a 15" trout next year for sure.

Ty

Ladies Night!

This one is for the ladies! Ever get the feeling you're a small female fish in a big 'ol pond of dudes? Here's your chance to school up with some other lady fishermen for a night of wine and apps. We're not going to shove product in your face, and we surely recognize women fly fishermen aren't novelties in the industry. We just want to open up the shop to those who would like to meet more fly fishing bums who don't grow beards!

Where to be & when:What: Fishin' Chicks Meet 'n Greet

Where: The Bozeman Angler 23 E. Main St.

When: Friday, May 1st @ 6:30 - 8pm

Who: Lady Fly Fishing Bum & her friends

RSVP: No need, just show up!

Spring fishing

April 2009

The spring weather has finally warmed up enough to fish comfortably. The Lower Madison has fished well producing good numbers of decent browns from 15"to 19", but few big dogs over twenty. The big guys were not there in good numbers last fall, so I did not expect to see them this spring and I was right. But with the number of nice fish in the 18" class there will be good numbers of 20 inchers this year in September.

I want to tell you about a game called Trout Football dreamed up by Mike Treloar. The scoring goes like this: a trout under 15" is a field goal for three points, a trout between 15" and 18" is a touchdown and 6 points, a trout over18" is worth 6 points plus the two point conversion(8),and all trout have to be played to the net to count. Now a whitefish is a safety for the other team or teams, giving the other teams 2 points, and the other team or teams only have to see that it is a whitefish, it doesn't have to be landed. Mike, Greg Bricker and I played on the Yellowstone the other day and had a blast. We rotated every 30 minutes around the boat with the front fisherman going to the rowers seat, the rower going to the back and the back fisherman to the front. You can make up other rules as you go along. You are allowed to call a time out to change flies but not if you break off.

I brought on the kicking team in the 3rd quarter throwing small baetis nymphs size 18 and landed 4 quick bows to break into the lead.

The final score Rod-41, Mike 29, and Bricker 16. It was a fun day. So, bring your A game next time Greg.

Headed to Long Island Bahamas on Monday to fish for some bonefish. Pam and I will give you a report when we get back, just in time for the Mothers Day Caddis hatch.

Fishing is not only about the fish

Fished the Madison river yesterday, in the Bear Trap Canyon. The fishing was a little slow but what a day to be on the river. Hiking up the canyon this time of year is very beautiful. The high steep banks covered with snow and the river banks with a slight hint of green showing. Even though I did not land any fish it was a great day. Remember, fishing is not just about the fish but about being in nature and enjoying the beauty of mother nature.

Another thing about being out on the river is meeting new people. I spoke with several folks hiking along the river just enjoying the day. Some had dogs with them and others were just out for a walk. I also met 3 gentleman going back packing for an overnight. They had their rods with them to catch some dinner that evening.

Wow what a great day on the river.