Matt Klara | Sunday, 14 January 2018
This week I decided to bring in another guest author for my FP slot. Joe Moore has been a fixture among the fishing guide community of West Yellowstone, Montana since 1999, when he began guiding clients on the Madison, Gallatin, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers and on the waters of Yellowstone National Park. I first met Joe around that time when I was working for a different fly shop in town, and always appreciated how well regarded he was by all of our veteran guides. Joe later founded an outfitting business called Big Sky Anglers (2004) which has grown and expanded to now include an awesome fly shop in West Yellowstone. Joe and I have become friends over the years, and I’m still impressed by his friendly nature, professionalism, strong work ethic, and outstanding skill as a guide. A day spent in his company on the water is always a learning experience for me. When he talks fishing, I listen, and I was excited when he offered some of his words for today’s FP. Without further ado, here are a few of his thoughts on autumn on the Madison River, and patience on the water in general. Matt
While I do love winter, nothing compares to a change of a season and Autumn’s turn is spectacular. Aspens on the north shore of Hebgen Lake already have a slight yellowing to their leaves and the river bottom Between the Lakes is gorgeous – you should see it.
It’s also that time of the year where an angler’s skill level can make or break their day on the river. While luck is something we all want on our side, from time to time, actually being good at this sport will bring home the bacon. Which really means, the river can fish as good as you can. Sure there are some days when the river is just plain tough, but preparing for your trip is essential with regards to fishing Montana in the fall. You won’t get that second chance on that juicy rainbow taking dries out of a slick. Nor will that fat brown eat your streamer again after you miss-strip on the strip set. Get outside and practice casting that fly rod folks, it does make a difference, honestly…..it does.
Some anglers believe that the Madison is not a technical river and that one should be able to plop a Royal Wulff along the bank and catch some fish. Not true…..not one bit, especially during the Autumn months. After a summer full of good and bad drifts, our trout in the Golden Triangle are smart as shit. Fishy anglers who read water and know where the fly should be, before it gets there, will absolutely catch more trout this time of the year. Those that believe in the fly and the river will definitely catch more trout. There are folks out there who don’t believe the Madison holds the ghost anymore. They have some hours on the river, but not the days or weeks or even years on the river that it takes to understand how the Madison works. I’m not saying I have all the time in that it takes to fully understand the Madison, but I offer this advice – put in enough time and the Madison will open up the doors to some unreal fishing.
Most anglers don’t have enough patience these days. They want it now, yet they really don’t know what “it” is. Patience, my friends, is a large percentage of what makes an angler fishy in the first place. Patience is probably the single most important trait an angler can possess. Being patient shows the ability to relax and except the day for what it is – a day on the river. I know for a fact that when I’m relaxed on the river, I catch more trout and usually some larger trout show themselves as well. I pay more attention to everything around me when things are at peace in my head. I notice the tiny black ant that blew by and landed near the bank, the subtle change in depth of water that a nice trout will possibly slip into and eat naturals, the slight flash of refusing trout a few feet below the surface and I also forget about the time of day. Sometimes, I don’t even remember what day it is. The next time you find yourself on a piece of river or lake, try to slip into this realm. Forget about everything else and just go fishing.
With that, I sign off. As Matt says,
Take Care and Fish On!
Joe