What's New
 What's Happening in Yellowstone Country

Drew is our cover model this week.

We have been all over the place fishing, catching, not catching, and admiring the incredible people and places we are fortunate enough to come in contact with because of Blue Ribbon Flies. Whether it's a Mexico permit or an Atlantic salmon, a brook trout or smallmouth bass on a switch rod or a Tenkara, we are lucky devils and we know it. We've been busy, but not too busy to say thank you.

So thank you, to all of you who call, who visit, who shop online, who fish with us, who fish because of us, or who fish in spite of us! Thank you for fishing with us and for sharing your stories with us. As our season really ramps up, we want to take advantage of the calm before the storm and tip our hats to you.

It's been windy, sunny, and warm. Our guides are developing muscles they never knew they had, and our shop staff are taking turns braving the weather and minding the store. We have new products still coming in, including Ibex merino wool outdoor clothing and Cuttthroat leaders, among others. More on these and other new favorites in upcoming newsletters.

We have two more spots to fill for our Lamar River backcountry horse trip. It's scheduled for August 21st - 27th, and it's a trip of a lifetime. For more information or to sign up, give us a call or click here: Lamar Horse Trip.

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 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.

Read more from Blue Ribbon Flies... 

 Fishing Report
 Weekly Conditions and Tips

28 June 2012
Blue Ribbon Flies Weekly Fishing Report


Tylor's been at it again with his camera, this time on the Henry's Fork.

We've been at it again too, burning the candle at both ends, fishing before and after work so we can bring you the latest fishing report. Here goes:

Firehole: This river is beginning to warm, but there is still some fine fishing to be had in the morning hours and above Midway Geyser Basin in the evenings. PMDs are occurring in the mornings, but this hatch is near the end of its run. Look for spinners around 8:30am and the duns to follow shortly after.The white miller caddis hatch begins in the mid to late morning and will finish around 1:00 or 2:00pm. Nymphing can be effective during the afternoon hours, but I would take a break and return at 6:00 or 6:30 for the white miller egg laying activity. Flies to have are: white miller x-caddis, white miller soft hackles, rusty spinners, PMD sparkle duns and cripples and of course a good selection of soft hackles.

Gibbon River: The water below the falls has been very good with attractor patterns. A royal trude cripple fished in the pockets and along the undercuts has been best. The meadows have been difficult, but if we have a cloudy day this could be a good bet.

Madison in the Park: PMD spinners and duns have been good in the mornings from 9 Mile Hole up to the junction. Evening caddis activity has also been very good in this section. Tan iris and x-caddis in size 16 throughout this stretch and white millers near the junction will do the trick.

Madison below Quake Lake: The salmonflies have made there way up to Pallisades and the big trout are up and eating. We should see the big bugs in the wade stretch within the next 4 or 5 days. As usual, Nick's Sunken Stone has been best along with Chubby Chernobyls. Have plenty of rubberlegs just in case. Caddis are hatching throughout the river and we are beginning to see a few PMDs around the West Fork. The dry fly fishing is just starting around $3 Bridge and will only improve with the warmer temps. Iris caddis, x-caddis and Missing Links are bringing a few of the larger trout up in the evenings and a royal wulff cripple has worked during the afternoons. If nymph fishing is your game a rubberlegs with a $3 dip behind has been working very well.

Gallatin River: Salmonflies are now up to the 320 Ranch. The water is still a bit high, off color and cool, but the trout are responding. Evening caddis fishing has not begun yet and I would give this river another 4 or 5 days to drop and warm up a bit for good dry fly fishing. Nymph fishing has been good both in and out of the park with rubberlegs and serendipities.

Henry's Fork: Brown drakes are coming off in good numbers in the lower Ranch area. This is an evening event and well worth the price of admission. Almost every big rainbow will come up for these bugs. Green drakes have been good in the mornings along with PMDs and caddis. With most folks fishing the lower Ranch in the evenings the upper Ranch can offer some very good caddis fishing with fewer anglers to compete with.

Gardner River: Salmonflies are hatching well on this little gem. While most of the trout are not big, there are enough big browns to keep you on your toes. The area around the 45th parallel is always a good bet. The upper river near the confluence of Indian Creek can make for a great afternoon of brook trout fishing. A handful of attractors is all that is needed for these feisty little trout. This is an excellent choice for kids as there is generally lots of action.

Cascade Lake: Looking for a nice hike with some wonderful fishing? Cutthroat and Grayling can be had in this beautiful setting. The hike is just under 3 miles and the trail head is just beyond Canyon, via the Cascade picnic area. Leech patterns, midge larva, soft hackles and a few Callibaetis will do. As with any of Yellowstone's back country, be sure to have bear spray.

Have fun out there and don't forget to tell us how you did.

Read past fishing reports and archived newsletters... 

 Fly of the Week
 Old Yeller Sally

Yellow Sally Stonefiles

Yep, it's that time. You haven't missed it. We are just gearing up for a great salmonfly and stonefly party on the Madison and beyond.

Every year we see tremendous egg laying flights of yellow sallies on the Madison, Henry's Fork, and Firehole. This tiny stonefly can easily go unnoticed by anglers. However, for the observant fisherman, yellow sallies can provide consistent action and a great day on the water.

Here's a couple of other flies you should check out... 

 Fly Tying Material of the Week
 All Things Yellow Sally

Tie up your own Stoneflies!

This week we're giving you a freebie. Want to tie your very own Old Yeller Sally? Here's what you're going to need:

Tiemco 100, 101, or sp100 hooks, #14 or #16
Yellow Sally Yellow Zelon Dubbing
Yellow Sally Yellow Crinkled Zelon
Yellow dyed elk (or deer) hair
and variegated tan mini rubber legs

Order these materials, and we'll send you the recipe for free! You can probably figure it out for yourself, but if you want the actual BRF Tying Instructions, just place an order over the web or telephone for these items (or at least most of them), and we'll include the tying instructions with your shipment!

For this and other fine materials check here! 

 Simms Solar Sombrero
 For Men AND Women

It's getting to be that time of year, especially at high elevations with sunny, windy days, that some of us fry like pancakes. Yes, you fair-skinned fly-fishing fans. You know what we're talking about. The pink cheeks, the red noses, the ears that burn and peel.

There's a solution for summer fishing you know. The Simms Solar Sombrero offers great protection from the sun, with a stampede strap to keep it on your head in all this wind.

In a variety of colors for men, and in a women's-specific model, this hat is the solution to all your fishing and fashion issues.

Grab one today - save your skin!! 

 Guide Trip of The Week
 Fish With The Best!

We've got several great shots from recent guide trips for you this week. We kind of hate to use them up all at once for fear of not having any great pics later this summer, but we trust you. You're going to send us all your super duper guide photos all season long, RIGHT??

So how to describe these recent trips? If we were traditional Haiku artists, perhaps we would say something like:
Wind blows flies off waves.
Spray blows sideways in faces.
Fish still come to boat.

Or perhaps, more along the lines of e.e.cummings: Gale force
weather
keeps most away
Yvonne
perseveres and
catch
es
big
trout.

Or.

Are you ready?

You say it's a limerick you're after?

There once was a guide named Cam.
His clients hooked up like Shazam!
No matter the weather,
The fishing is better,
With Blue Ribbon below Hebgen Dam.

Enjoy the next few photos, and fish with Blue Ribbon Flies this summer! Keep those pictures coming!

Blue Ribbon Guides - nobody does it better! 

 
 

Cam and Emma take on the Madison.

 

 
 

David Neal and Dan make spring fishing look easy.

 

 Henry's Fork Foundation Caldera Symposium
 Mark July 12th on Your Calendar!

We have an exciting new event to fill you in on.

The Henry's Fork Foundation is co-organizing the first Caldera Symposium, coming up in just a few short weeks. Some of you may be interested in the presentations. There is a full schedule of the day on our website at: http://www.henrysfork.org/caldera-symposium. Here is a preview:

Fishing stories tend to grow over time; the catch of a lifetime gets even bigger and a good day sometimes pales in comparison to a memorable day of the past. But how has the fishing in the Henry's Fork area, known as the Caldera, really changed? Find out at the first Caldera Symposium on July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pond's Lodge in Island Park.

Leading scientific and fly fishing experts will offer presentations on the Caldera fisheries and ecology, and the event will conclude with a panel discussion about Harriman State Park, including its famous Ranch stretch.

The event is free, but seating is limited, so save a spot by emailing hff@henrysfork.org or by calling HFF at 208-652-3567. Lunch will be provided by Pond's Lodge for a minimal charge. For those who cannot attend, the event will be streamed on the Foundation's Youtube channel and will be available for download afterwards. The Symposium is sponsored by HFF, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Forest Service. Additional support is provided by Pond's Lodge and the Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Thanks and we hope to see you there!

Learn more about the Henry's Fork Foundation...