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May 26, 2011 
 News from Blue Ribbon Flies
 Fish With The Best
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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 your spring, doing some fishing, tying up some flies, and ironing out all the details of your 2011 trip to Yellowstone country. 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

Bear Creek 2011 With snow blowing sideways outside our windows today, it's hard to believe it's almost Memorial Day weekend. If it weren't for emails and magazine covers featuring holiday weekend barbecue ideas and reminders about what this holiday is all about, we would have a hard time believing it's the end of May. The real proof that it's not mid-winter is the pile of Yellowstone National Park fishing licenses that arrived yesterday. Opening day is Saturday, and it wouldn't be right without a little snow. So no matter your weather, Happy Memorial Day, and happy Park Opener!

Speaking of weather, our thoughts are with all of you who have been affected by this spring's tornadoes, floods, and foul weather. While a little snow had some of us scowling this morning, we aren't suffering a bit. All our sympathy and best wishes go to those of you who are.

We just read a fascinating article published in National Parks Traveler regarding the presence of wolverines in and around Yellowstone. Our friends at the Yellowstone Park Foundation underwrote four years of research by the U.S Forest Service and Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative to better define the presence of the small, but feisty, carnivore in the park and greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

From the article: Throughout history, this 30- to 40-pound ball of tenacity has been known by a smattering of names, and none very flattering. There was "skunk bear" and "Indian devil," and to 19th-century French fur trappers the animal was "carcajou." That's how the trappers' tongues stumbled through the Micmac Nation word "kwi'kwa'ju," which translates to "evil spirit." The heart of the report questions why there are so few wolverines in the vicinity and points to the value of the Yellowstone ecosystem for the wolverine's future. Click here to read the article in its entirety. Our thanks go to all involved for their research, interest, and efforts in this field.

The Madison River Foundation has been hard at work and play. Click here to see their latest projects. They were part of the Bear Creek Days we participated in last week with students from southwestern Montana schools. We had a blast teaching kids how to flycast, and the Foundation had a great time grilling up and serving up a great lunch for all the hungry participants. Less than a week later, and in much lousier weather, they were at it again building fences on the Granger Ranch. Local guides and sweethearts Pat Bond and Joe Moore represented West Yellowstone well despite the wind and rain. Finally, the Foundation is gearing up for the Fly Fishing Festival in September with the 2011 Clackacraft Boat Raffle!

Tickets are on sale now here at Blue Ribbon Flies, and the drawing will take place at 8 pm, Saturday, Sept. 3rd at the 9th Annual Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Here's the best news: You need not be present to win this gorgeous boat! Raffle tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit the Foundation, its work and mission. Give us a call or send an email if you want to buy one, two or twenty raffle tickets! We'll mail them to you wherever you are - collecting your prize will be a little more involved, but where else are you going to find a brand new drift boat for $10? Buy your tickets today!

We don't know if you've heard, but Yellowstone National Park has completed a plan to guide the management of fisheries and aquatic resources in the park for the next two decades. If you remember, they asked for comments on the Native Fish Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment last December, and have now signed and posted the finished plan at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell. We encourage you to read the report in its entirety, but the priorities are restoration of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake, removal of non-native fish from some streams and lakes in the park, and the restoration of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and Arctic grayling. This plan does not propose any changes to fisheries management in the Madison or Firehole rivers.

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 spring and summer 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.

 


 Fishing Report
 Weekly Conditions and Tips

Ice Fishing By Craig Mathews

Those who know me know where I will be in less than 40 hours from now, stalking the banks of the Firehole River in the park, the same place I have been on opening day of Yellowstone fishing season for the past 33 years. The season opens this Saturday, May 28th. The river will be high, cold and turbid but I will be there hoping for a rise or two. Chances are there will be few risers, but I know I can take a few fish on nymphs, soft hackles and streamers even if I don't see a Baetis or PMD. The river should begin to come into dry fly fishing shape soon. We have had lots of moisture the past few weeks and this coupled with 130% of "normal" snow pack brings heavy runoff on many area rivers and streams. It has been cool, no- it has been COLD the past few days. Today, Thursday, it is snowing and 32 degrees but there has been some very good fishing on rivers like the Madison and Beaverhead. This just in: at 1:20 p.m. there were fish rising on the Firehole! It was 31 degrees at Biscuit Basin, and there was at least a foot of visibility! Things are looking up!

Tomorrow Coaches Jeff and Brandon Fisher and I will be taking several "Wounded Warriors" fishing. Jeff just returned from climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with 4 warriors; 3 made it to the top! Jeff you recall just retired from coaching the Tennessee Titans and his son Brandon recently went to work coaching for the Detroit Lions pro football teams. Both are good friends and I know we will make some great new friends tomorrow teaching and working with the Wounded Warrior program. More on our day in next week's report. To learn more about Wounded Warriors, check out http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/. Be prepared to get inspired and involved.

My friend Carter Niemeyer's new book "Wolfer" recently won a gold medal from the Independent Publishers Book Awards. This book, while not about fishing, is about wolves and tells the entire story of their re-introduction and the issues surrounding this hot topic. It has been our best selling book of the year to date, and none of us can put it down once we pick it up. As you get ready for summer reading, put Wolfer at the top of your list!

You can do yourself a potential favor and at the same time help out the Madison River Foundation by purchasing a few chances to win the Clackacraft drift boat donated for the foundation's annual fishing show this coming summer. I know the past 3 winners of the boat - your chances are good to win this baby!

I have been at the vise so much lately that I might break my personal all-time record to date for the number of flies tied. Currently I am at 502 dozen flies in 2011. Sounds like a lot of flies but some of our talented tyers are running more than that. Blue Ribbon is so lucky to have tyers like John Juracek, Nick Nicklas, Rowan Nyman, Bucky McCormick, Dave McKee, Chad Chorney, Josh Duchateau, and Dave Tesmer just to mention a few that tie for us. In a future newsletter(s) we will hope to highlight our individual tyers and give you some personal history behind each so stay tuned here. These tyers have all influenced our fly pattern designs over the years and brought us all much happiness when fish come to their creations!

I have been using a new shuck and wing material the past 2 weeks called "Tri-Lobal Hair". The 3 colors are perfect for mayflies, caddis and midge tying: tan for caddis, gray for midges and seal brown for mayfly patterns. I can't begin to describe the sheen and translucency this material has. It comes straight and is very easy to use for flies from #14s - #28s. Single strand for patterns #22-28, double for #18 and #20 and 3 or 4 strands is all you need for larger size flies. If you don't agree with me on its effectiveness I will buy it back from you! You are going to love this stuff.

The same company brings us "Angel Fibers' which I have had limited experience with to date but a couple of our tyers are yelling about its effectiveness when used in leeches, streamers, nymphs and a couple saltwater patterns. I tied a couple midge patterns with the peacock and polar ice and have had fine success on Hebgen Lake and the Madison River. It not only sparkles but is pure mylar in an easy to use package which can be easily blended into dubbings or simply wrapped on the hook shank. Let me know how you like this stuff. I believe it has hundreds of applications and possibilities for stream and lake flies alike.

The Park's general fishing season opens this Saturday, May 28th. As stated above, most waters could be high and tough sledding but we will have some fishing on the Firehole River with nymphs and streamers. (Oh yes, there is a link above to the fisheries program we all commented on this winter which you will be interested in reading as we go into the future). If the cool temps persist there is hope for dry fly action during PMD, Baetis and caddis times. Cool temps will slow run-off. If it warms into the 60-70's then a white streamer will work. I stress that you should check with us for up-to-the-minute stream conditions, etc. We are up there checking 3-4 times a day so stay tuned.

The Madison below Quake Lake has fished well this past week. Nothing on top but wonderful nymph and streamer action. The river downstream of the West Fork is turbid but anglers are doing very well with streamers and big rubber leg stone nymphs.

Hebgen Lake is beginning to turn on big time. Midges are finally becoming more active both in the morning and evening and our Driskol Midge has been deadly. Look too for the May Callibaetis to emerge on the south part of the lake. This can be a sleeper bet to bring up some large trout during this mayfly's time on the water. Cliff and Wade Lakes will also fish during midge times with the Driskol but also have a few mini-leeches. The prongs of Cliff can offer some incredible crayfish action in the shallows as fish cruise there looking for the meaty crustaceans.

Idaho's general opener is this weekend too. Henry's Lake should be great for those fishing small seal and marabou leeches and Callibaetis nymphs. Last year the larger fish came well to midge pupae so be prepared. The Henry's Fork will be high and cold and very tough to fish this weekend. There are always the diehards that can expect to take some very large rainbows here but you will have to follow them around all day to find what the fly of choice is. For my money, I'd give this great fishery another week to settle down and warm up!

We are staying open until 7pm this weekend so stop by and pick up your licenses, hot flies and coffee before heading out! We look forward to seeing you all here in Yellowstone country!

 


 Fly of the Week
 Hot off the Vise!!

Dr Midge Driskill's Midge

Besides not agreeing on the spelling, we all concur that this pattern in one of the best we've seen for midging this time of year. In fact, we wouldn't be opposed to using it MOST times of year. It's buggy, yummy, and it's undeniable.

The Driskill Midge is "The" fly for Hebgen Lake from ice out in May until it covers the lake again in November. It works whether the fish are rising or cruising looking for midges - which they always seem to do. It is big, it is bad, it is a tough fly to tie, it is indestructible, and it always works. Size 14

For this and many other fine flies... 


 Fly Tying Material of the Week
 Unique Materials for Effective Patterns

Angel Fibers Angel Fibers

You know when you look up a book online, or buy something over the internet, and you're offered the "opportunity" to write a review? "Be the first to rate and review this item for other customers!" We're asked frequently to give feedback on tying materials, fly patterns, and of course fishing gear.

Well, this is your chance to try out the Angel Fibers Craig was just talking about in his Fishing Report, and get back to us on all the ways you find to use them! We're enjoying playing around with them, and have been impressed with their durability and shine, but where two heads are better than one, we think a few hundred heads are better than the 8 or 10 of ours.

We encourage you to order a pack or two, get to tying, and share your results! We want pictures, stories, recipes, and ideas! Available in Peacock, Olive, Chartreuse, Polar Ice, and Florescent Pink, for only $3.99 per pack, these fibers are new and exciting. Give us your feedback! Get creative and get back to us!

For this and many other hard to find materials click here! 


 Artist of the Week
 Derek DeYoung and Simms

Simms DeYoung We figured if we can feature a fly and a material of the week, why not, with all our local talent, highlight a little artwork now and then? We fly fishermen are visual people, thrilled by colors and patterns some may overlook, so we thought you may appreciate the work of Derek DeYoung, available on practical items like fly boxes and water bottles.

Derek DeYoung is one of those artists that was born painting. By age six, he was declaring to his schoolmates and family that he would one day be a famous artist. Few people who knew him well ever doubted this prediction. His parents say he was a stubborn little kid, but that very stubbornness is what now gives him the strength to persevere the hardships that accompany the life of an artist. Derek is often asked why he paints fish. "I find fish so interesting and they are truly a challenge to capture on canvas. When I paint a fish, I try to capture all the intricacies they possess, their scales, patterns, dimension and texture."

DeYoung's work has veered off from the traditional fish illustration style. His paintings are very contemporary, placing more importance on using a unique style and palette rather than painting a fish to look photo realistic. Through his partnership with Simms, his artwork is available on the Simms Wheatley fly box, available here, the Simms water bottle, available here, and the Simms and Blue Ribbon t-shirts, available here.

Now days it's less important to Derek to become that "Famous Artist" he told everyone he would become. He's just happy to have built his life around his two loves, painting and fly fishing. Treat yourself to a perfect combination of both with Simms and Blue Ribbon Flies.

See Derek DeYoung items... 


 Guide Trip of the Week
 Nobody Does It Better

Cam Belize We couldn't think of a better place to embarrass and celebrate Cam Coffin than right here in the newsletter: Happy Birthday! He's practically grown up with Blue Ribbon Flies, and we would be remiss if we let tomorrow quietly slip by without bringing unwelcome and unparalleled attention to our head guide and hero. We love you Cam.

Now on to the GYC's Summer Fly Fishing Event, which we told you about last week, but wanted to feature once more before spaces fill up.

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition invites you to join us for a very special fly-fishing event on Montana's quintessential trout stream - the Madison River - with the West's quintessential fishing guide - Craig Mathews. This year's trip will be July 17 - 20, and will benefit the ongoing work of the GYC.

If you've ever fly-fished the Madison River in July, you know that words cannot describe its magic. The days are long and warm. The insect hatches are in full swing. The brown and rainbow trout eagerly rise to dry flies. And the surrounding landscape is green and bursting with wildlife.

We'll float the river in drift boats on Monday and wade fish the Madison River on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday morning before departing. Guests will enjoy the fabulous Elk Meadows Ranch, situated at the base of the towering Madison Range just a few miles from the world-renowned Three Dollar Bridge fishing access site.

In addition to enjoying some of the world's best trout fishing, you'll have a unique opportunity to learn about the on-the-ground work of GYC from Executive Director Mike Clark. You'll also get to know fly-fishing legend Craig Mathews, one of the most celebrated fishing guides in the West and co-founder of 1% for the Planet.

Price per person is $1,995*. This price includes three nights of lodging at the private Elk Meadows Ranch, all meals, and two and a half days of professional guided fishing. The trip price does not include airfare to Bozeman (the nearest major airport) or transportation to and from the Elk Meadows Ranch. Cancellation Policy: Full payment is due at time of reservation. A full refund will be given if cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to the trip. A 50% refund will be given if cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to the trip.

Space is limited - make your reservation today! 


 Blog, Blog, Blog!
 

John J Lake As our season starts to kick in we will be doing more and more blogging and there is no better way to keep up with what's going on in Yellowstone country than the Blue Ribbon Blog. From articles about fly lines, rods, reels, wildlife and even some fishing reports we will keep you updated. Be sure to check in daily. Also you can now find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep up with us on the Blue Ribbon Blog! 


 Tenkara
 Radically Simple, Ultralight Fly Fishing

Tenkara Book With the Yellowstone National Park and Idaho fishing season openers taking place this Saturday we wanted to remind everyone of this simple, beautiful style of fly fishing. Everything old is new again; this traditionally Eastern approach to angling is gaining favor in the West.

The beauty of Tenkara fishing is the minimalism.

Beyond this book, Blue Ribbon Flies will be carrying Tenkara rods this summer, and will be featured in the Tenkara Summit USA, to be held here in West Yellowstone August 27th, 2011. We're also excited to offer Tenkara guided trips this summer, which are especially suited to beginners, children, and anyone interested in backpacking or ultralight fishing.

Call us for a copy of Tenkara, to order your rod, or book your guide trip. We would love to introduce this graceful, simple fishing experience to you.

 


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!