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November 5, 2010 
 News from Blue Ribbon Flies
 Fish With The Best
In This Issue
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Greetings!

Welcome to another Blue Ribbon Flies weekly newsletter. Thanks for tuning in. Settle in and we'll tell you what's happening around West Yellowstone and our other favorite spots, show you the fly and the material of the week, and tempt you to plan your next trip with us.

Hope you're enjoying the fall, doing some fishing, tying up some flies, and getting this year's trip to Yellowstone country taped into your 2010 scrapbook. Take a break from work or play, grab a cup of coffee, and pretend you're leaning on the counter here at Blue Ribbon Flies. We wish you were here, but until you are we'll keep you in the loop. Thanks for stopping by.

 What's New
 What's Happening in Yellowstone Country

Robert Stewart Our apologies for another late-in-the-week edition of the email newsletter. Our production team snuck out of town to hunt birds. Believe it or not, we aim to send most issues in the middle of the week, when we imagine you're done with the pressing work of Monday and Tuesday, and taking a breather before tackling end-of-the-week tasks.

This is probably all imaginary timing, because we know you're super busy EVERY day of the week, and we're just glad you read the newsletter whenever it comes. Or at least look at the pictures. We should take a hint from newspaper and magazine publishers, and start next week's issue last week.

Whew. Anyway. Happy Friday, Happy closing weekend of Yellowstone National Park, Happy almost Daylight Saving Time, and while we're at it, Happy almost Thanksgiving. It goes faster and faster, doesn't it?

In the midst of bird-chasing and game-stalking, folks in town are getting geared up for The Yellowstone Ski Festival, held November 23rd - 28th. Whether you're watching or participating, helping to time races, or taking a ski clinic, it's a fun and exciting time to be in West Yellowstone. You could even squeeze in a little fishing while you're here. Check out all the lycra and sign up for events at www.yellowstoneskifestival.com and www.rendezvousskitrails.com (for races).

We just received a mint condition copy of Fly Patterns of Yellowstone, easily the best-kept edition we've seen come through the shop in years. We will include a fly tied by John and Craig, along with signatures of course if you're interested in purchasing this edition. If you are interested, give us a call at the shop. First come, first served.

As usual in the rest of this newsletter, you'll find fishing news from Yellowstone Country in the weekly Fishing Report. You can see what's hot off the vise in the Fly of the Week, get a sneak peek at some of the best materials on our tying bench in the Fly Tying Material of the Week, and stay up to date with the guide staff and their trips in the Guide Trip of the Week.

You'll be seeing a new email newsletter most every week throughout the fall and winter to keep you tuned in to all things fly fishing and fly tying in the greater Yellowstone area and beyond. Throughout the seasons, we'll keep sending you news of hatches and fishing holes around West Yellowstone. So without further delay, go ahead and jump right into the newsletter. And as always, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email if you have any questions, or if you just want a little fish talk.

Follow the Blue Ribbon Flies blog... 


 Fishing Report
 Weekly Conditions and Tips

Tim and Ursula Anderson Rises Madison As the seasons change, we will continue to do our best to provide a journal entry from some of our latest tying and fishing. We invite you to call and ask us what we've been up to if you get to wondering. We always have plenty of stories to tell.

November 3, 2010
Blue Ribbon Flies Weekly Report

Craig Mathews


It is hard to believe that the fishing season ends in Yellowstone National Park this Sunday, November 7th. Seems like just yesterday we were bringing you the opening day forecast, but its all over this Sunday. The weather remains warmer than "normal", whatever that is.. ..and the forecast is for bright skies and temps in the 50's through the last day of the fishing season in the park. The Madison In Yellowstone is chock full of rainbows and browns up from Hebgen Lake and those few anglers braving 20 degree morning temperatures are having a wonderful time with the run up fish. Late day action has been very strong too. Let's cut to the chase.

The Firehole River is fishing well during midge, caddis and BWO times. I like the upper stretches, from Midway to Biscuit Basin now. If you hunt for rising trout you will find them.. ..rising mostly to midges but there are still enough Baetis and caddis to bring the fish up. Stop in for cripple midges, caddis and BWOs as well as knocked down duns.

The Madison in the park has been incredible this past week. Huge streamers like the Cheech's Fall and Olive are dynamite as are some of the larger soft hackle patterns we have been tying.

The river between the lakes has been pretty great too with nymphs and streamers as well as egg patterns.

The river below Quake has fished well during afternoon midge times. There are record numbers of midges coming off all along the river downstream as far as Varney so this late fall and winter looks to be another strong midge year.

The Henry's Fork has slowed of late and the better fishing seems to be in the park and on the Madison and Gallatin Rivers. Speaking of the Gallatin look to the stretch below Big Sky downstream to Greek Creek for Baetis.

The Gardner in the park is working well with olive streamers and large rubber legs. There might still be some fish rising to Baetis in selected spots. Remember too that this fine river closes in the park this Sunday at dark.

Stay tuned here for our weekly fishing reports throughout the winter. Also look for our hunting photos yet to come if we get lucky! Remember too, it is time to tune up those XC skis and get ready for skiing as the early winter snows arrive next week.. ..along with all the XC Ski teams from around the world!

Keep up to date with fishing on the Blue Ribbon Blog... 


 Fly of the Week
 Hot off the Vise

CDC PMD CDC Baetis Sparkle Dun

You'll Think It's The Real Thing

This newest addition to the Sparkle Dun family is so light, so lifelike, so delicate, the fish may not be the only ones fooled. Just like this CDC PMD, the CDC Baetis is irresistible.

We may get in trouble for saying this, but with a fly so tiny, so graceful in silhouette, presentation is everything. The CDC wing will tempt and tease, the slim body will draw the trout's eye, but you have to put it so quietly in the right place at the right time they'll think it floated onto the water.

Consider this the winning pattern, and give it the cast it deserves. You'll appreciate Baetis days like never before with the CDC Baetis Sparkle Dun.

See for yourself... Try a few CDC Baetis Sparkle Duns today... 


 Fly Tying Material of the Week
 Unique Materials for Effective Patterns

Cul de Chicken Cul de Chicken

CDC with a twist. We don't know about you, but if we can get a material that works consistently, works well, and to be honest, costs less than the alternative, we're all in.

We love CDC. Of course we do. We love how tying with it, and we love fishing with it. We've been a big part of spreading the word about CDC through the years, and we stand by it.

AND we love Cul de Chicken. It's treated with Watershed, so right out of the bag it's going to be even more water-resistant than the ducky version. It comes in a host of colors, each perfect for the flies you want to tie. We love the feathers, and we love the price.

At $??? per package, you can afford to stock up on the colors you'll be using most. You can always add to the collection AFTER you fall in love with it. Try it. You'll be glad you did.

 


 Blue Ribbon Flies Blog
 See What You're Missing

Yellowstone Lake Juracek If you haven't checked out our web log lately, here's a little taste of what you're missing.

What is a Blog? It's a web-based journal of sorts, a web log, our new attempt to be modern, timely, and informative. It's a more frequently updated fishing journal, an almost daily fishing report, a website we add pictures, thoughts, and reports to on a continuing basis. It's our electronic diary, with multiple contributors and plenty of room for your comments.

John Juracek posts photos and articles frequently, Craig adds fishing reports and breaking news, Tylor has been great about posting fly recipes, photos, and fishing adventures, Patrick has had some great input, and Jen occasionally sneaks an article in under someone else's name.

We get interesting, challenging, and entertaining comments from you in response to the articles we post, and you can even comment on comments! It's a great interactive way to keep up with what's happening on the water and off. We look forward to adding posts, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Just this week on the blog, John's been at it again. You don't want to miss his latest article. The pictures alone are worth a trip to the blog, but you will love reading what he has to say this week.

Check it all out at blog.BlueRibbonFlies.com, and keep checking! It changes all the time, and it's how we keep current these days.

If you have suggestions for us, don't hesitate to log on and blog on. Comment to your heart's delight. We love the feedback.

See what's new on the Blue Ribbon Flies Blog... 


 It's Time for Winter Tying
 Get Ready Today

Renzetti Tools We hate to break it to you, but John and Craig are already sitting down to winter tying. We're getting our other tyers ready with fly orders and big envelopes of materials. It is time to clean out your work space, make your list of flies you want to tie, replace the light or at least the bulb, and sit down to it.

If you want more than a couple patterns by the time you're ready to get serious about fishing next year, now is the time to get cozy and get busy. Blue Ribbon Flies has all the supplies (and all the suggestions and advice) you need to get ready for winter.

Renzetti hair stackers are our first suggestion, ranging in price from $12.99 - $19.99. We especially like the Midge Hair Stacker. As you know, a hair stacker is used to align the tips of hair cut from a hide. The Midge hair stacker has aluminum base and 1 brass barrel. The Brass barrel is 1 1/2" long with an inside diameter of 1/3". The brass barrel is smooth to allow the hair to slide easily, and the aluminum base comes with a rubber pad to protect your table.

Renzetti bobbins come in a variety of tube lengths and diameters to accommodate different tying needs.The standard length tube is 2-inches, the extended length version is 2 3/4-inches. The small diameter tube is 3/32-inch and the large diameter tube is 1/8-inch. With the exception of the Ultra Midge Bobbin and Lead Wire and Tinsel Bobbin, Renzetti uses ruby tips that make for ultra smooth thread delivery and excellent wear resistance. Bobbins are $19.99.

The Renzetti tool caddy (a great tool storage) is only $18.99. This soft foam caddy holds all your tying tools and keeps your head cement from tipping or spilling.

Renzetti wing burners are another excellent tool for tying. Give us a call to learn more about how these work and how they're priced. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

Finally, to organize your tying life, you probably need a magnetic fly and hook holder from Scherer Designs. $10.99 will get you this handy tool for your tying desk. Your vacuum cleaner, your dog, and anyone who shares your space will thank you.

Have fun getting set up to tie, and then get to work! It is officially time to get tying. Give us a call if we can help.

 


 Simms Guide Fleece Bib
 Your New Best Friend

Simms Guide Fleece Bib If you haven't been in the shop lately, you may not have seen the new fall- winter- and spring-friendly addition to the wader display.

Hanging quietly in the back, waiting to be discovered, is the best idea since, oh, sliced bread. Or Cul De Chicken.

The Simms Guide Fleece Bib is an exceptionally warm, comfortable fleece layer meant to fit under your garments and waders for cold weather fishing.

For $119.99, here's what you get:
  • 4-way fleece for excellent warmth, breathability and mobility
  • Smooth nylon exterior for durability and "style"
  • Lofty velour interior for softness and warmth with lifetime wicking performance
  • Center front zipper and 2 zippered chest pockets for convenience
  • and
  • Drop tail and folded-edge stitched hems for durability.


We have every size. Call us today.

 


Hope you enjoy the latest issue. We'll keep 'em coming, keeping you up to date on the best fishing water, tips, and gear we can get our hands on. Let us know how you're fishing, and what you're up to. Keep those pictures and fish stories coming!

Thanks for spending time with us. We'll see you soon!

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