Montana Woods N Water June 2016 Print Edition | Page 23

FLY FISHING CONTINUED
“Those fish were stuffed on nymphs,” Chad reported. “Their bellies
were tight – distended – on nymphs. You could see and feel those hard
nymph shucks through their skin. You could even see ‘em. It was as if
their bellies were stuffed with buckshot.”
That’s not uncommon. Anglers see swarms of salmonflies in the air at
the head of the hatch, and pound the water with a variety of foam-andglitter dry fly imitations with thin results. Meanwhile the trout are
taking the easier prey underneath. The nymph fisherman who sticks to
the game plan scores big.
Fluttering dry flies
The best place to score on dry flies is not at the head of the hatch as it
moves upstream, but at the middle or the tail of the hatch. Drive – or
better yet – walk the bank – and have your fly rod with you. The middle
of the day is usually the best time to spot random feeding, or you might
find mating swarms of salmonflies cruising above the river right at
dusk.
When the females hit the water to drop their eggs, the fun begins.
Their wings sputter and thrash the water until they finally get airborne
again, or they’re taken by a trout. I’ve seen whole sections of more
than one river come alive: the nighthawks and other birds feast of the
big bugs, putting on aerial shows that amaze me. The splashy, greedy
rises of the trout at those times can produce fishing that is almost silly.
Natural salmonflies are most often taken when they are moving. Flies
that mimic the struggling wing activity of the naturals are far more
effective that those that look like a salmonfly at rest – or dead. The
best flies are tied to look like those fluttering naturals.
Back in the ‘80’s, the Fluttering Stone and Improved Sofa Pillow were
two of the hottest salmonfly patterns in Montana. From underneath,
they had the appearance of a salmonfly that was stuck in the surface
film of the water, furiously beating its wings, trying to get airborne
before it was swept under.
Those old patterns all but died off for lack of the big hackles to tie
them. Modern growers have abandoned production of those hackles to
grow feathers for smaller flies – and fashion fads.
I was recently gifted with a stash of these old saddle hackles, the kind
you can’t get any more, and have been turning them into those old
circa 1980’s flies. Call the shop if you’d like to get your hands on a few
of them.
Safe wading – a caution
Time again for a reminder here, and we’ll dwell more on this topic
later. For now, keep these essentials in mind:
First, good wading boots are essential. You can use them with
breathable or neoprene stocking-foot waders, or over an extra pair of
cushy sox if you’re wading wet. Don’t skimp. Spend about as much as
you’d expect to spend for a good pair of hiking boots. Felt or studded
soles provide underwater traction that you’ll need to stay upright.
Before you step in, look downstream. Will the prevailing current carry
you to shore if you take a tumble? If not, don’t step in beyond that
point. Most of my wading is done at little more than knee-deep – but I
don’t go in upstream from imminent danger.
Continued on page 29 top right.
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