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March 21, 2013 
 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.

We've got a lot to show you and tell you about this week, so settle down in a comfy chair and dig in. 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 hope to see you soon, right here in West Yellowstone, but until then we wish you happy and healthy fishing and fly tying. All our best to each of you. 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

After a few spring-like weather days in Yellowstone it is back to winter conditions. A cold wind blows from the north this evening and our local elk herd graze with their butts facing into the gale. This afternoon I took Jackie for a short ride to check on the remains of the bull elk a pack of wolves took out last week. Jackie's right foot is still sporting a hefty cast after her surgery so I parked the truck and walked solo over the hill to look for wolves. None were on the remains but there were plenty of dinosaur size pug mark-like footprints left by our local grizzly bear as she checked out the remains. I did not stick around to see if she showed up.

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 summer and fall 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

Here's Phil Takasuno with a fish on! Notice the camera in the water. Hopefully we will be getting some of this great footage from Phil.

Fishing Report by Craig Mathews

The Madison will treat nymphing anglers right if they try the river between the lakes. Below Hebgen Dam and downstream the mile and half to Quake Lake the river is fishing well for those anglers braving the deep snow along the river. You may find a few selected spots along the way where midges bring trout to the surface. Expect to vacuum big rainbows up with our Shop Vac and Rick's Red Nymphs trailed behind a rubber leg stone. For rising fish a Zelon Midge is all that is needed.

The river near 8 Mile has been great also and if you like to float try the Varney to 8 Mile stretch keeping in mind that the Ennis Bridge access remains CLOSED. I like the Bear Trap Canyon area now. On calm days midges will emerge and cluster to mate and big trout will rise in all likely midge spots. While we are a couple weeks away from good Beatis emergences you might see a few in selected spots if you hike up as far as Bear Trap Creek. Have Zelon Midges, Griffiths Gnats and Slough Creek Midge Larva. A Cheech's Streamer can be deadly now too if that is your game.

The Gallatin has come on strong the past 10 days. While still mostly a nymphing proposition look for risers along Highway 191 in the Deer Creek area. I like nymphing near Swan Creek or upstream at Snowflake with Shop Vacs and GM's.

Nothing solid to report on the Henry's Fork yet although the time is now for Baetis and midges near Ashton, Idaho access points.

 


 Fly of the Week
 Opal Midge

Midges remain ripe on our area waters, especially in the Bear Trap Canyon of the Madison and upper Gallatin River. Many have asked if we would tie and comment on our New Opal Midge. You will find directions and photo of this awesome pattern in this report. I've tied a few for our bins so next time you drop by make sure to check them out in person. The Opal has proved deadly on overcast days when midges emerge the best. Maybe it is the Opal tinsel body, or CDC wing, or trailing zelon shuck or all of the above but this fly has quickly become a favorite of the entire BRF crew.

Watch Craig tie the Opal Midge 


 Fly Tying Material of the Week
 Montana Fly Company Midge Body Thread

As it is midge time, BIG time, our Materials of the Week are our famous Midge Body Threads, Opal Tinsel and Midge Flash. It is time to tie your late winter/spring supply of midge patterns!

Montana Fly Company Midge Body Thread is just that.. .. thread/tinsel for midges. Provides added attraction/flash to your midge larva, pupa and adults. Use for abdomens, ribbing or segmentation. 230 denier. 35 meter spools.

For this and other fine materials check here! 


 Old fishing hat looking a little Ratty?
 BRF Mesh PBR Hats.

While your in the middle of your spring cleaning you may want to look at the status of your fishing hat. Bleached out from the sun with hundreds of small pin holes from using it as a fly patch, nasty sweat rings and tears? It's time to retire that old hat! The PBR, BRF hat has been one the most popular hats with our guides. The mesh backing keeps you cool while still looking very sharp. A great gift for birthday's or for anyone you know that is coming to Yellowstone country.

More great streamside accessories.. .. 


 Guide Trip of The Week
 Fish With The Best!

At a meeting this week Cam, Bucky, John and I came up with the idea to offer an "Evening Caddis" guided trip from 5 p.m. to dark, around 10 p.m. in July. Many anglers are frustrated by caddis times when every fish in the river is feeding on the surface and their flies are ignored. This trip will fix this when 1 or 2 anglers meet at the shop and head to the river with their guide for this fine instructional caddis fishing guided trip. If you want to learn how to fish evening caddis on the greatest caddis river in the west then this is the trip for you! It is sure to end frustrations of those baffled by caddis times. You will learn about caddisflies, their emergences and egg-laying, fishing opportunities and techniques and best flies to fish caddis times and much-much more. There is very limited space and time for reserving this special instruction so call today and reserve your date and guide.

 


 Gary LaFontaine
 3 First Editions at a steal.

Bucky located a couple more books you might be interested in, especially if you are a fan of our dear friend Gary LaFontaine's books. All 3 are first editions, 1 is autographed, all hardbound with dust jackets and are a steal at $150.00 to the first caller. Last week's books by Syl Nemes featured in this report lasted only 12 minutes after we hit the publish button before a ready took them, so do not dally!

More great fishing books. 


 BRF Mugs.
 Great for hot or cold beverages.

This is a 15oz coffee mug with screw in lid designed never to spill in the car or on all of your fly tying materials. Great for hot or cold beverages.

Other streamside Accessories. 


 Fly Sale
 Female Adams

The Female Adams incorporates a yellow "egg sac" that can really do the job on certain days on the river.

These are size #16 and we are letting these flies go for only a buck per fly. The sale will run for only one week or until we run out, so jump online and stock up while you still can!

Here are a few more sale flies you may be interested in! 


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.

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


Haven't got all of the information from Cam's trip to Belize but here's one of the photo's. Unitl next week! Have a great weekend.
The Gang at Blue Ribbon

phone: 406.646.7642
fax: 406.646.9045