Shift

What a difference one week makes.

It's really starting to feel more and more like winter here in Western Montana, several mornings we have awoken to snow in the valleys, and some days have been downright cold.

Hoping to recreate last weeks success, Alec and I headed back to where we had great action only a few days ago.  Things were definitely different, the water was much lower and super clear.  The fish must have been cold because even with the heavy cloud cover, they were not in the mood to chase streamers.  We still managed to get a few good grabs, including a brief hook up with a big brown,  but overall there was a lot of casting and walking.  Hey, that's the life of the streamer fisherman sometimes. 

Both of us managed to land one fish though, and when that one fish looks like this, I guess you can't complain too much.

A Nice Specimen

Rainbow Release

Love Those Colors

Slowly but surely winter is coming, you can really feel it.  Most of our leaves are on the ground at this point and before long most folks will be trading in their fly rods for skis.  It's just about time to get the fly boxes and the tying bench organized, and figure out what bugs need to tied this winter.  When I make my winter "to do" list I find out what patterns were the most and least effective during the year.  How do I do that?  Simple, the patterns that I am out of are the ones that usually work the best, the patterns that I still have a dozen of, well they probably didn't work to well or I just didn't fish them.  Over the years I have definitely simplified my boxes, for instance I only fish about 12 different nymph patterns all year.

Making a List and Checking it Twice.

Today, the rain and snow got me in the mood for taking pictures, rather than throwing streamers or starring at the "bobber."  It was nice to take a morning walk up one of the Bitterroot canyons.  I almost forgot how much I like it up here, especially this time of year.  As a hardcore angler I don't get out and just enjoy what Montana has to offer without my fly rod as much as I should.  Another reason why all fishermen need winter. Come February however, I will be more than ready for it to end, but for the next couple months I will enjoy it.  Enjoy the shift.