What's New
 What's Happening in Yellowstone Country

1% for the Planet is in the news again and Yvon Chouinard and I are very proud. We have been selected to be in John Russo's new book of images of those making a difference in the world today. While I couldn't pick up and leave Yellowstone during the fall fishing and hunting season to be photographed for Russo's latest book, you will want to check out www.100makingadifference.com When you arrive at the sight go to Gallery and look under Yvon Chouinard for our story. It basically says we are honored for founding 1% for the Planet to encourage businesses to donate 1% of our gross sales to environmental groups. Yvon and I are proud to join Russo's list of those making a difference in the world today. Folks like Jeff Bridges, Sophia Loren, Prince Edward, Michele Obama and John Travolta. Check it out and stay tuned here for more on what environmental an conservation causes we are working with into the coming year.

We have just finished our 2012 catalogue which is at the printers and should be in the mail the first part of January. We are making some renovations at the shop to bring fly tiers even more exclusive and innovative, best quality tying materials. Keep in touch here in this newsletter throughout the winter and spring for we will begin bringing you our weekly special flies and tying tips along with YouTube pieces shot on the river of fishing techniques, casting tips and much more. If you are not a fly tier you will be, I'm sure, interested in our fly sales we will offer up from time to time. We will be making some of our patterns available at special prices to our friends and customers so read this report weekly!!!

Cross country skiing is in full swing and in a couple weeks Yellowstone National Park's winter season opens. Our current snow pack shows Yellowstone country with over 100% of normal and we are hoping for another great snow season with strong wild trout recruitment. The past few years we have seen awesome spawning conditions with wonderful wild rainbow and brown trout populations showing in all area rivers, lakes and streams. Yellowstone's native and wild trout populations are on a roll again an we are seeing a return to "the good old days". What a fine time to plan your 2012 trip to Yellowstone whether it be a spring Mayfly Tour, a back country horse trip or a float or walk-wade to one of Yellowstone country's under-fished/overlooked waters! Contact us and we will customize a fishing trip you will never forget! If you have any questions about fly fishing, tying, equipment trip planning and more give us a call or drop us an email. We are here for you an because of you and we love to talk everything fly fishing!

As usual in the rest of this issue, 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.

Read more from Blue Ribbon Flies... 

 Fishing Report
 Weekly Conditions and Tips

December 1 2011 Blue Ribbon Flies Fishing Report
Craig Mathews


How about the fishing you ask? The Henry's and South Fork Rivers are high as the water folks are dumping reservoirs. The Gallatin and Madison Rivers are offering up some very good fishing both with nymphs and during midge times when the trout are rising to emerging adults. Best flies are our Madison Micro Midge, Mighty Midget and Zelon Midges for anglers willing now to brave some cold temperatures. Get to the river by 11am and the fish should be rising if the wind stays calm. They will rise daily during the most comfortable temperatures for them, and you, to fish, 11am to 2pm. The dry fly activity might go until 1 or even 2pm and will come in 2-3 waves. You'll know when it is over for the day and all rising will cease. Stop in for some coffee and advise and we will point you to some middling hot spots.

Stay up to date with our Fishing Report and other news... 

 Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season!
 Christmas on the River.

This week we'd like to share with you some more ideas for Holiday giving, and as always if you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to get a hold of us.

The Blue Ribbon Waterproof fly box holds nearly 200 flies in its foam micro-slits. This box is water proof and measures at 4 inches by 2 and 1/2 inches. This is a great bargain at only $9.99

Here are some more great boxes to give! 

 Tools of the Trade!
 Dr. Slick Gift Set.



A high quality set of "on stream" tools that every angler can use! 5" Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Hemos, Japanese grade Stainless Steel Nippers, Braided Steel Cord Retractor The "Gift Box" is a see through fly box that has ripple foam on one side

Looking for more of the essentials? 

 Heard any good tunes lately?
 Fishing Music



Bucky is always cranking these tunes on his way to the river!

A spirited mix of songs and tunes inspired by fish, fishing and rivers, preformed by some of the country's finest acoustic musicians.

Check out this and other fine products. 

 Charlie's Fly Box
 Charlie Craven



Lifelong commercial fly-tier Charlie Craven delivers an inside look at his trade, showing you through more than 750 detailed photos on how to tie the 17 best-selling fly patterns for both fresh and saltwater species. Follow his instructions to create variations on popular fly patterns to create your own signature fly. 220 pages. Hardcover.

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DVD's and Books are always great gifts, take a look at some. 

 Western Hatches
 Dave Hughes

90 hatches including mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, midges, and terrestrials Both stillwater and creek, stream, and river hatches Color photos, key features, habitat, hatch times, and fishing hints for each insect 169 fly patterns Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, British Columbia, and Alberta

Here's another popular gift item. 

 BURKHEIMER RODS.
 Deep Action Load.

Bucky is our expert on these rods and would love to answer any questions that you might have about Burkheimer rods.

These trout rods are light in hand, and heavy in performance. If they don't cast 80 feet with good turnover right after they dropped a fly on a quarter at 25, they're not Burkheimer's. Burkheimer wants to build you a rod that you're proud to fish with, because you deserve it, and the trout deserve it. The Classic Series sets a new standard in high quality fly fishing equipment. All Classic series rods are made with a Deep Cedar colored blank. The Deep Action Load (DAL) series of rods were designed for the caster who prefers a more relaxed stroke. These rods offer full flexing blanks, firm tips and fast recovery.

Don't forget about our special Winston deal. 

 Shadow Boxes
 A great addition to your home or office.

With photo by John Juracek and flies custom tied by Craig Mathews. Autographed by both Craig & John.

Take a look at the Firehole River Shadow Box. 

 Simms License Plate Holder.
 A great gift for the angler who has everything, which might include you!

Here's another great item from Simms. 

 Ghost Nets.
 Just in Time!

We have finally found the fish-friendliest, lightest, and best net in the world. The frame is solid teak, and the net bag is clear so it disappears in water. Flies do not get stuck in the net bag, but fish do. We just received four of these fine nets, just in time for the Holidays.

Need a Gift Certificate? We can always e-mail these to you for the fastest delivery! 

 Simms Wheatly fly Boxes Artist Series.
 Article Subtitle

A fantastic combination of the classic Wheatley fly box and wonderful DeYoung fish artwork Anodized aluminum construction 6" box features 12 rows of slit foam (6 per side) with 21 slits per row, Assembled in the USA.

Custom Flies by Craig. We have just a couple left!